What's On: Meditation Month - Citywide FREE meditation classes/workshops in March
In response to growing urban problems of stress and declining mental health, Hour of Peace Meetup organisers and Auckland’s Sri Chinmoy Meditation Centre are offering a citywide free program throughout March which will share basic meditation skills with anyone keen to learn.
Meditation Month will introduce the key steps in getting started, and cover a variety of techniques in calming the mind and coping with the often complex challenges of living in today’s world.
Several courses will be presented by visiting guest teachers, including the Brazilian author and meditation practitioner Ashirvad Zaiantchick, a much sought after and experienced instructor whose has travelled the world giving countless free workshops.
Meditation Month is an admission-free initiative simply dedicated to a more peaceful world and to the quest for happiness that we all share.
Introductory ‘learn meditation’ evenings will be offered at community Centres as follows:
Monday, March 6: Sri Chinmoy Centre, 93 Dominion Road, Mt Eden
Monday, March 6: Grey Lynn Library Hall, 474 Gt North Rd
Tuesday, March 7: Devonport Library, 2 Victoria Road
Tuesday, March 7: Onehunga Community Centre, Henderson Room
Thursday, March 9: New Lynn Community Centre, 45 Totara Ave
Monday, March 13: Point Chev Community Center, 18 Huia Rd
Tuesday, March 14: Clover Park Community House, 16a Israel Ave
Satuday March 18: Highland Park Community House, 47 Aviemore Drive
Monday, March 20: Green Bay Community House, 1 Barron Drive
Tuesday March 21, Thursday March 23, Friday March 24: Fickling Centre, Mt Eden --Three evenings with the international guest presenter Ashirvad Zaiantchick. Popular Brazilian teacher Ashirvad will share with you his knowledge, his own love of meditation and his decades of personal experience in this structured 3-part course.
Course details can be found on our website: www.meditationauckland.co.nz...
For further inquiries on regional classes, please contact Jogyata: 0221887432
Harbour Bridge lane closure - protests
The Treaty Principles Bill was introduced to parliament last week and could have ramifications on the partnership between the Crown and Māori.
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti (March for the Treaty of Waitangi) set off from Cape Rēinga on Monday morning and is expected to reach Wellington next Tuesday. It has now passed through Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Whangārei, Dargaville and is passing through Auckland on Wednesday.
What you need to know today:
- The hīkoi is due to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge about 9.30am on Wednesday. Two northbound lanes will be closed at some point before the crossing, and remain closed during it.
- NZTA shared at 8:50am Wednesday:
'Curran St northbound on-ramp will be closed shortly, with two northbound lanes on the Harbour Bridge expected to close from approx 9.30am this morning. Allow extra time for likely delays through this area.'
- The hīkoi is expected to go across the Harbour Bridge, in a controlled fashion before marching through parts of the CBD towards Okahu Bay.
- Auckland commuters should expect traffic disruption in vicinity of both sides of the Harbour Bridge.
Stuff reporter Steve Kilgallon was at Stafford Park on the north side of the Harbour Bridge at 8.30am Wednesday and shared:
"I just walked through Stafford Park, where there’s about 400-500 people quietly assembled and more arriving; and about 20 police standing over near the motorway off ramp. Lot of Tino Rangatira flags in evidence, local streets very busy with parked cars."
Police have shared that they will respond accordingly to any issues that may arise along the route.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.1% Yes
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13.4% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below