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1348 days ago

Money skills for women for International Women's Day

Reporter Community News

A new course to help women become more confident with money has been launched to mark International Women’s Day on March 8.

Sorted Women is produced by the Commission for Financial Capability (CFFC), which runs the financial guidance website sorted.org.nz

Retirement commissioner Jane Wrightson,… View more
A new course to help women become more confident with money has been launched to mark International Women’s Day on March 8.

Sorted Women is produced by the Commission for Financial Capability (CFFC), which runs the financial guidance website sorted.org.nz

Retirement commissioner Jane Wrightson, who heads the CFFC, said Covid-19 had thrown into stark relief the need for a money course designed for women, by women.

“Our research shows that women have suffered the most from job loss during the pandemic, which comes on top of other economic disadvantages they suffer throughout their working life,” Wrightson said.

The gender pay gap still sits around 9.5%, she said.

Women tend to be the family members who take time out of the workforce to care for children or older relatives, meaning they arrive at retirement with less.

CFFC research shows women are less aware of their KiwiSaver settings, less confident at investing, and fewer women than men seek financial advice, Wrightson said.

“Yet we also know that women are more often the ones juggling money to keep a household running, and shouldering the stress that comes with that."

Sorted Women provides a safe and non-judgemental space for women to learn money skills that will help close the financial knowledge gap many face.

The course includes ways for women to improve their financial wellbeing and investing basics.

For more information go to cffc.govt.nz/sorted-at-work

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1350 days ago

Poll: With Auckland back in alert level 3 lockdown, are you becoming more complacent when it comes to following the rules?

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Kiwis may become complacent and start to ignore government guidance if lockdowns become more frequent, according to experts.

Auckland moved back into a week-long level 3 lockdown on Sunday after two fresh community cases of Covid-19 were discovered.

But University of Auckland associate … View more
Kiwis may become complacent and start to ignore government guidance if lockdowns become more frequent, according to experts.

Auckland moved back into a week-long level 3 lockdown on Sunday after two fresh community cases of Covid-19 were discovered.

But University of Auckland associate professor Susanna Trnka​ says if people no longer feel a sense of urgency they will be less compelled to follow the rules.

"During the first lockdown it was understood that extraordinary times require extraordinary measures,” the social anthropologist said.

"But as it becomes lockdown two, three and four, the sense of the urgency has shifted and isn't so palpable."

Senior lecturer Sarah Cowie, who is an expert on psychology and behaviour, said it was "certainly a possibility" that people could become more complacent during recurring lockdowns.

“There's evidence from places overseas that have been flung in and out of lockdown that people do become a little bit more complacent the more you have,” she said.

“If we are doing things in line with level 3 and not seeing the benefits of that, it might feel discouraging."

*Please put NFP if you do not want your comments used by Stuff.

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With Auckland back in alert level 3 lockdown, are you becoming more complacent when it comes to following the rules?
  • 18% Yes
    18% Complete
  • 31.3% No
    31.3% Complete
  • 50.7% I'm adhering strictly to government guidance.
    50.7% Complete
904 votes
1348 days ago

What you need to know: Earthquakes and tsunami warnings

The Team from Auckland Council

Advice for the Auckland region:

EVACUATION | Aotea / Great Barrier Island

Coastal inundation (flooding of land areas) is expected on Great Barrier Island. Local response plans have been activated and residents have been evacuated to higher ground.


STAY AWAY FROM COASTAL AREAS | Rest of Auckland… View more
Advice for the Auckland region:

EVACUATION | Aotea / Great Barrier Island

Coastal inundation (flooding of land areas) is expected on Great Barrier Island. Local response plans have been activated and residents have been evacuated to higher ground.


STAY AWAY FROM COASTAL AREAS | Rest of Auckland

Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges near the shore are expected in the following areas. This means a threat to beach, harbour, estuary and small boat activities.

West Coast of Auckland

Manukau Harbour

East Coast of Auckland

Waiheke Island

Waitemata Harbour.

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1348 days ago

Keep it up Aotearoa! 💕

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

It's been heartwarming to hear stories from across the North Island of people taking others into their home and sharing a cup of tea together or fixing them a meal.

For the latest official updates:

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1350 days ago

Buying by tender: Did you write a letter?

Kylie Klein Nixon Reporter from Homed

Hi folks,
My colleague Jo is writing a story about buying by tender, specifically, the new trend of writing letters to the vendor to explain why they should pick your offer over all the rest.
As the market gets harder and harder to break into, we've been hearing more and more about people … View more
Hi folks,
My colleague Jo is writing a story about buying by tender, specifically, the new trend of writing letters to the vendor to explain why they should pick your offer over all the rest.
As the market gets harder and harder to break into, we've been hearing more and more about people trying to make a personal connection with vendors to give their tender offers the edge. We've heard folks will include personal details about their family, why the love the house and what their plans for the property are.
Jo would love to talk to anyone who's written a letter like this to accompany a tender - perhaps it's you, perhaps a relative or friend - or from vendors who've received letters like this, accompanying a tender.
Perhaps you asked for such letters?
We'd love to hear more about that experience for you and how it shaped the way the sale went.
You can reach out to jo here (she'll be joining the Neighbourly neighbourhood soon!) or via our email: homed@stuff.co.nz.
Looking forward to hearing your stories.

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1348 days ago

Mystery surrounds hundreds of black beetles: Te Atatu South.

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Mystery surrounds the gathering of hundreds of South African black beetles outside Countdown Te Atatu South on Tuesday night.

Concerned shoppers posted on a Facebook community page that they had seen a swarm of the critters on the footpath, spreading to the carpark.

A resident reported a security… View more
Mystery surrounds the gathering of hundreds of South African black beetles outside Countdown Te Atatu South on Tuesday night.

Concerned shoppers posted on a Facebook community page that they had seen a swarm of the critters on the footpath, spreading to the carpark.

A resident reported a security guard was trying to sweep them from the door outside the supermarket.

Beetle scientist Rich Leschen from Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research said the South African black beetles were nocturnal creatures.

"They're active at night, flying around looking for mates."

Leschen said the huge number of beetles may have been attracted to the bright artificial lights outside the west Auckland supermarket.

"They're really gathered there by the light, not there to get toilet paper," he said.

"One thing is they will probably be more active with the warmer nights which is normal for a lot of insects in general.

"They might be more active because of the rain."

Leschen said the adults were harmless but large numbers of larvae could remove the leaves of some trees, according to literature.

"I haven't seen them defoliate leaves here," he said.

"In my opinion, I think they're probably more critical as turf and pasture pests.

"Everyone probably has them in their garden. The blackbirds are able to find the larvae when they're close to the surface and they dig 'em out from the tufts in the grass."

Leschen said there were thousands and thousands of species of beetles in New Zealand with many more yet to be discovered.

He decided to study natural history when he was a young biology student, "so I just gravitated to beetles, maybe because there's so damn many of them."

Leschen said his affinity for the insects evolved over time and was unrelated to a traumatic childhood encounter.

"I think I was three years old and I stuck my finger in its mandibles and this is quite a large beetle in the United States," he said.

"It bit me and I hated it. I was screaming and crying and I killed it.

"It didn't really influence me at all to work with beetles."

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1348 days ago

*** THIS IS THE THIRD EARTHQUAKE THIS MORNING ***

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

A Tsunami Warning has been issued following the M8.0 earthquake north-east of New Zealand near KERMADEC ISLANDS REGION.
People near coast from BAY OF ISLANDS to WHANGAREI including GREAT BARRIER ISLAND and from MATATA to TOLAGA BAY must MOVE IMMEDIATELY to nearest high ground, out of all tsunami … View more
A Tsunami Warning has been issued following the M8.0 earthquake north-east of New Zealand near KERMADEC ISLANDS REGION.
People near coast from BAY OF ISLANDS to WHANGAREI including GREAT BARRIER ISLAND and from MATATA to TOLAGA BAY must MOVE IMMEDIATELY to nearest high ground, out of all tsunami evacuation zones, or as far inland as possible. Evacuate these areas even if you did not feel the earthquake. DO NOT WAIT. A damaging tsunami is possible.

People in all other areas who felt a LONG or STRONG earthquake should MOVE IMMEDIATELY to the nearest high ground, out of tsunami evacuation zones, or as far inland as possible.

This evacuation advice overrides the current COVID-19 Alert Level requirements. Do not stay at home. MOVE IMMEDIATELY. Stay 2 metres away from others if you can and if it is safe to do so.

People evacuating should walk, run or cycle if possible to reduce chance of getting stuck in traffic. Do not return until all-clear is given by Civil Defence.

Go to www.civildefence.govt.nz... for the most up to date information.

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFO with friends, family, neighbours!

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1348 days ago

Distressed garden shelves

Resene ColorShop Westgate

Create more space in your garden with these handy garden shelves. Try out an easy to create distressed paint effect using two Resene colours.

Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene. Find out how to create your own

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1348 days ago

Saturday Opening Hours

David from Henderson Valley Pharmacy

Just a reminder that HENDERSON VALLEY PHARMACY is open again on Saturday mornings 9am to 12 noon for all your prescription and pharmacy needs. You can ask your doctor to email your prescriptions to us, so we can have it ready when you arrive, to save time and waiting. Also remember there is free … View moreJust a reminder that HENDERSON VALLEY PHARMACY is open again on Saturday mornings 9am to 12 noon for all your prescription and pharmacy needs. You can ask your doctor to email your prescriptions to us, so we can have it ready when you arrive, to save time and waiting. Also remember there is free parking at the front door.

1348 days ago

Tsunami warning issued for areas across the North Island

Neighbourly.co.nz

UPDATE
March 5
3:50pm

Civil Defence has announced that the National Advisory issued following the earthquakes near the Kermadec Islands region is cancelled.
___________________________________________________

UPDATE
View more
UPDATE
March 5
3:50pm

Civil Defence has announced that the National Advisory issued following the earthquakes near the Kermadec Islands region is cancelled.
___________________________________________________

UPDATE
March 5
3:09pm

The tsunami threat to New Zealand has been further downgraded.

In a statement, Civil Defence announced that while there is no longer a tsunami threat to coastal areas, there are still areas under a beach and marine threat.

These include:
- The North Cape from Ahipara to the Bay of Islands
- Cape Runaway to Tolaga Bay
- Great Barrier Island
- The Chatham Islands
___________________________________________________

UPDATE
March 5
1:38pm

The latest from Civil Defence:

"GNS Science has advised that the largest waves have now passed, and therefore the threat level is now downgraded to a Beach and Marine threat for all areas which were previously under Land and Marine threat.

All people who evacuated can now return.

The advice remains, for all areas under Beach and Marine threat, to stay off beach and shore areas."
___________________________________________________

UPDATE
March 5
11:46am

Minister for Civil Defence Kiri Allan is giving an update to media at the Beehive. She is joined by Civil Defence Controller Roger Ball and GNS's scientist Bill Fry.

What you need to know:
- Allan thanked all people for following all the relevant advice from authorities.
- Those that have moved inland or to higher ground, must stay there until the official 'all clear' is given.
- The National Crisis Management Agency has been activated.
___________________________________________________

UPDATE
March 5
10:49am

The Latest from Civil Defence:

Flooding of land areas is expected in the following areas:

The West Coast of the North Island from Cape Reinga to Ahipara.

The East Coast of the North Island from Cape Reinga to Whangarei, from Matata to Tolaga Bay including Whakatane and Opotiki.

And Great Barrier Island.
___________________________________________________

UPDATE
March 5
09:52am

The Pacific Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre say the first waves could reach the top of the North Island by 10.20am.
___________________________________________________

A magnitude 8.1 earthquake has struck off the coast of the Kermadec Islands.

What you need to know:
Civil Defence has issued a warning to all people near the coast in the following areas:
- The East Coast of the North Island from the Bay of Islands to Whangarei
- Matata to Tolaga Bay including Whakatane and Opotiki
- Great Barrier Island

Civil Defence says residents must move to the nearest high ground, out of all tsunami evacuation zones, or as far inland as possible.

The earthquake may not have been felt in some of these areas, but evacuation should be immediate as a damaging tsunami is possible.

Any direction given by Civil Defence officials overrides the current alert level rules and restrictions. Try to keep a physical distance of 2 metres from others.

To keep up to date with the latest, head to the Civil Defence Website.

Neighbourly will be updating this message as further information comes to hand

Photo credit: National Emergency Management Agency

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1348 days ago

Got a gem next door?

Neighbourly.co.nz

Think of a neighbour that's done wonders in your neighbourhood, who's helped you out without you even asking them or who's dropped some homegrown goodies to you just because they can.

You thought of one yet? Now craft that thought into a nomination that could earn your neighbour … View more
Think of a neighbour that's done wonders in your neighbourhood, who's helped you out without you even asking them or who's dropped some homegrown goodies to you just because they can.

You thought of one yet? Now craft that thought into a nomination that could earn your neighbour recognition in all of Stuff's community papers nationwide - you could even score a bit of cash from us!

It's simple - Click the button below and nominate them on our Nice Neighbour nomination page now
Nominate Now!

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1348 days ago

From first arrivals to first encounters

Trust Tairāwhiti

Tairāwhiti is a welcoming place for new beginnings and new discoveries – the landing place of great Pacific navigators and the origins of Aotearoa New Zealand’s defining dual heritage.

Steeped in vibrant arts, rich history and authentic Māori culture, we invite you to discover the many … View more
Tairāwhiti is a welcoming place for new beginnings and new discoveries – the landing place of great Pacific navigators and the origins of Aotearoa New Zealand’s defining dual heritage.

Steeped in vibrant arts, rich history and authentic Māori culture, we invite you to discover the many stories Tairāwhiti has to tell.

The treasures of Tairāwhiti are ready for you to uncover.
Find out more

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1349 days ago

Countdown Westgate sells winning Lotto ticket

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

A lucky shopper at Countdown Westgate has won $500,000 from Lotto.

The player from Auckland will be popping champagne after buying the winning ticket from the store.

A Tauranga punter who bought a ticket from Bureta Superette also netted $500,000 in Wednesday's first division draw.

View more
A lucky shopper at Countdown Westgate has won $500,000 from Lotto.

The player from Auckland will be popping champagne after buying the winning ticket from the store.

A Tauranga punter who bought a ticket from Bureta Superette also netted $500,000 in Wednesday's first division draw.

Players who bought from the winning stores should write their name on the back of the ticket and check it at any Lotto NZ outlet, online at mylotto.co.nz or through the Lotto NZ App.

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1349 days ago

We need your help to recover

The Team from Auckland Council

This is the year of recovery from COVID-19 and our 10-year budget needs to provide for Auckland’s future while keeping our rates increases low. We want to help the economy recover, support our communities, build water and housing infrastructure, and improve our transport network.

We are keen … View more
This is the year of recovery from COVID-19 and our 10-year budget needs to provide for Auckland’s future while keeping our rates increases low. We want to help the economy recover, support our communities, build water and housing infrastructure, and improve our transport network.

We are keen to hear your feedback on these issues. Have your say before 12pm on 22 March 2021 at akhaveyoursay.nz/recoverybudget.
Have your say

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