Like to share amazing story and give you a reason to think about people/children with disabilities.
This is me, for I am a deaf person living in Eureka-Tauwhare-Newstead-Matangi area... I am an advocator on behalf of the people/children with disabilities as well families who have a member with disability. My role as a deaf community support worker, ex teacher aide, bank officer, data entry and many other skills. Of course with dogs.
Yesterday my partner and I were at the special event - 50 Years at the same workplace and the person with multiplies disabilities is Jacek for I know him many years from 1970s and work with him for 10 years. Jacek and his family were a family-friends to my family from 1965 in Hillcrest-Silverdale, Hamilton. I took part of doing the speech as it was a request by Jacek’s Manager. The manager want me to talk about people with disability and overcome the BARRIERS in any workplace.
We have amazing and smashing day with Jacek, family, family-friends, ex staff and current staff yesterday. Even I knew there were a couple media crews there. They took filming of Jacek. They spoke to me afterward about the lack of awareness of people with disability, why could all business refuse to employ them etc... I was lucky that my work employed me to continue to work around Waikato, the rest of New Zealand and overseas. Currently working along with the government/Ministries staff too.
www.newshub.co.nz...
As you see or to read this article.
There is no need to be shame or feel stupid or cluelessness if you do not know how to meet, talk to them, play with them and so on. The people/children with disabilities are equal like you out there. For I know a couple people who live across the road from us, they don’t want to know about me and making a huge fuss for 4 years about our dogs. SIMPLE our dogs DOES NOT attack anyone which this person thought because this person does not understand dog’s body language. Jumping over the fence and to greet anyone by jump up with a gently licking and tail wagging softy. This signal means greeting to anyone and want to play etc. It is their problem and I am not sorry for this person who think too much fear than me. This person is the only person in the area where I am and other neighbours who have know that there is a deaf person except the new neighbours recently.
There are many people with disabilities struggle to find work BUT they are excellent and have good good skill too. Why not employ anyone who have disability and they will show you proof how good they work? If not sure, just ask them and how can you adapt the technology or a different way of adapting in the workplace!!
Assistance dogs, special equipments such as flashing fire alarm, interpreter,vibrate pager or pad, text is better than mobile/phone - voice over, special brake pad on the floor when there is any danger from any equipment breaking up etc, video conference and many other equipments that help people/children with disabilities anywhere. I have some equipments for work and fax, Internet for video conferencing including our dogs at home. For our dogs, they raise barking where there are strangers and tradesmen at the gate, people walking pass along our house, tractors, school bus, even if there is a fire or burglary. They can sense something is not right or some people are not a good person to us. If someone or dog control officer take our dogs away and I WILL BE LOST and NO SECURITY on my own. Of course we will do the extra height for the fencing due to the complaint person across the road because the person keep doing it and refuse to meet us in fearing of our dogs and the lack of understand in dog’s behaviours.
Many people with disabilities tried to find jobs and they filled thousands applications to all business. Guess what? They were declined many thousand times.For I know the business and staff are not doing well by putting the barrier down to allow us to access into the building for example if a wheelchair user want to go to meeting, cafe and this person found there is NO ramp, the lack of spaces inside the cafe. This problem comes from the staff and the lack of understanding in people/children with disabilities. Many call centre staff keep using the voice over the mobilise or landline phone to many Deaf/hard or Hearing people and there was no answer. Why? It is stupid for all call centre staff or other workplace staff because it is easy to pick up the mobile or phone and start talking straight away without check the database message such as PLEASE USE TEXT OR EMAIL as flagged to all staff for communication lines. I get that many times and receive letters by saying they tried to get hold of me several times. My relived is just simple I am dear and can not hear the voice over the phone or mobile. I receive TEXT or email only. They realise and wasted their times. I told them that it is their for failing to read the flagged or the lack of understand in deaf.
Farming - I am aware of the huge problem which is called mental illness, long hours of working, stress for many years. I am working on this issue and work along with the Ministry of Health and Mental Health agencies.
Ohhh so much information I put down here...
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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52.1% Human-centred experience and communication
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15.2% Critical thinking
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30.1% Resilience and adaptability
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2.6% Other - I will share below!
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
The latest product recalls
We are bringing you the latest list of recalled products from across the country. Make sure you aren't using these at home!
Click on the blue text to learn more about that particular product and why it was recalled.
Food and household item recalls:
⚠️Cereulide toxin risk in Nestlé brand Alfamino Infant Formula (0-12 months) recalled due to the possible presence of the toxin cereulide
Nestlé Milo Dipped Snack Bars
BC Hot Water Bottles sold at Bargain Chemist
Product Recalls: Infant care and clothing
Nature Baby Sleeping Gown
Product Recalls: Toys
Sensory Game Controller - sold at Kmart
Product Recalls: Cosmetics
Outside Beauty & Skincare SPF 50+ Mineral Primer (2 batches)
Anessa and Shiseido Anessa sunscreens sold only at Daikoku
Biore and Kao Biore sunscreens sold only at Daikoku
Kose Sunscreens sold only at Daikoku
Mentholatum sunscreens sold only at Daikoku
Pigeon sunscreens sold only at Daikoku
Rohto sunscreens sold only at Daikoku
Product Recalls: Electronics
Harvest Right Freeze Dryer HRFDSBKP-PP sold at Costco
Product Recalls: Other
Michelin X Multi Z and X Line Energy Z, size: 355/50R22.5, load/speed index:156K
UPDATED GASGAS Motorcycles: GASGAS Cross Country and Motocross model motorcycles with BRAKTEC brake system. New VINS added
Check the New Zealand Transport Agency's handy vehicle recall list here.
See past months' recalls. Stay safe, neighbours!
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