1935 days ago

Poll: Do you agree Matariki or Māori New Year should be a public holiday?

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Community News

Hi neighbours,

Labour leader Jacinda Ardern has announced Labour will make Matariki New Zealand’s twelth public holiday from 2022 if re-elected.

The new winter public holiday would fall at some point during the Matariki period, with an expectation that it would always happen on either a Monday or a Friday.

The policy announcement follows a series of public campaigns for the Matariki, which acts as the Māori New Year, to be recognised.

The exact timing of Matariki shifts every year as it relates to a star cluster reappearing and has traditionally varied between Iwi.

It would be the first new public holiday since the Third Labour Government made Waitangi Day a public holiday in 1973, although then Prime Minister Norman Kirk called it “New Zealand Day”.

“Matariki will be a distinctly New Zealand holiday and a time for reflection, celebration and to look to the future as we take increasing pride in our unique national identity,” Ardern said.

She said the struggling tourism sector could use the help of another holiday and noted the “long run” with no public holidays that currently happens between Queen’s Birthday in early June and Labour Day in late October.

“We don’t have many statutory holidays compared to other OECD countries and it would be good to break up the long run through winter,” Ardern said.

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Do you agree Matariki or Māori New Year should be a public holiday?
  • 63.8% Yes
    63.8% Complete
  • 36.2% No
    36.2% Complete
1358 votes
More messages from your neighbours
J
19 hours ago

Suspicious Guy

Jan from Te Atatu South

Keep an eye on this guy, pretended to read the water meter, then wandered up the drive crowbar in hand when I asked what he wanted he said power and is there a dog.We have smart meters. He opened my neighbours gate (we are 3 units) and went in the back of her place with his crowbar. My son went round there and he took off. Police informed.

3 days ago

Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!

Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?

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Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
  • 79.7% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
    79.7% Complete
  • 20.3% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
    20.3% Complete
685 votes
15 hours ago

Exclusive Christmas Sleep Deals - Up to 65% OFF Beds!

Beds4U - Henderson

Hi neighbours,

This coming Christmas, why not treat yourself to better sleep? For one day only, we’re offering an extra 5% OFF on top of our already reduced Boxing Day Bed Sale prices!

With up to 65% OFF on selected beds and FREE delivery, there’s never been a better time to upgrade your sleep. But hurry, these deals are moving fast, and once stock is gone, it’s gone!

If you’d like to see what’s available:
Find your nearest Beds4U store: beds4u.co.nz/store-locator
Browse all Boxing Day deals: beds4u.co.nz/boxing-day

Don’t miss out, give yourself the gift of quality sleep this Christmas!

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