Thank you for using Neighbourly
Hey Neighbours,
They marched, sang, and stood in silence. Thousands of people gathered around the country to remember the fallen on Anzac Day. For all your Anzac coverage, click here.
Every year without fail, the red blooms appear on politicians' jackets and in street appeals - but have you ever wondered where they came from?
For many younger New Zealanders, the poppy could seem to be a symbol of Anzac pride. However, it had little to do with the Anzacs at first, but was… View moreEvery year without fail, the red blooms appear on politicians' jackets and in street appeals - but have you ever wondered where they came from?
For many younger New Zealanders, the poppy could seem to be a symbol of Anzac pride. However, it had little to do with the Anzacs at first, but was rather originally conceived for an American audience.
The symbol of the poppy itself comes from Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae's famous WW1 poem 'In Flanders fields', which begins with the opening lines: "In Flanders fields the poppies blow, between the crosses row on row".
It was these moving verses which inspired American war secretary Moina Michael to use red silk poppies as a symbol of remembrance.
After campaigning for two years to get the symbol recognised nationally, the poppy was adopted by the National American Legion as their official symbol at a conference in 1920.
Attending this conference was Frenchwoman Anna A Guérin, who saw the potential to sell poppies and put the proceeds towards caring for veterans, their families and poor children. She also had the foresight to take it beyond America to Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
After her representative Colonel Alfred Moffatt suggested the idea to the RSA in September 1921, a motion was passed and the RSA placed the first order for poppies.
Like the other countries, the RSA was planning to hold its first annual Poppy Appeal around Armistice Day (November 11): however, thanks to the French ship carrying the poppies arriving late, the decision was made to delay sales until Anzac Day, 1922.
The first Poppy Appeal was a huge success, birthing the tradition where poppies go on sale in the weeks before Anzac Day and thus tying them to the day forever.
While the poppies were originally sourced from France, the RSA began producing its own in 1931, which were made by former servicemen in Auckland and Christchurch. Production was to go offshore again in 2010: however, this proved controversial and the contract eventually returned to Christchurch for the period from 2014 to 2019.
As poppies reappear this year, take a moment to remember their long journey and how they help the very organisation caring for our soldiers.
Yet more importantly, like the generations before us moved by McCrae's poem, remember those Flanders fields and what the symbol truly stands for - to never forget.
Story by Jordan Gowan
Thanks to this local business:
Staples Rodway Limited
Hey everyone!
Happy Easter weekend!
Just wondering if anyone would know where to find Kawakawa leaves?
I've just moved here from Hamilton so have no idea where to look !
Thanks in advance!
On Wednesday, April 25, New Zealand and Australian soldiers – the Anzacs – landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey.
Since 1916, Anzac Day has become the day New Zealanders acknowledge the service and sacrifice of all people involved in military conflicts. It commemorates more than … View moreOn Wednesday, April 25, New Zealand and Australian soldiers – the Anzacs – landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey.
Since 1916, Anzac Day has become the day New Zealanders acknowledge the service and sacrifice of all people involved in military conflicts. It commemorates more than 300,000 New Zealanders who served their country and the 30,000 who have died in service, and had been a public holiday since 1921.
A list of the main services across the region is included in the link below. For local services contact your RSA.
SEEING GOD'S WORD IN A COMPLETELY NEW WAY
Tuesday 1st, Wednesday 2nd & Thursday 3rd May 7:30pm
(Thursday will be a Q&A session)
Empower Church I 140 Springfield Rd St Albans
Shane Willard is from Charleston, SC (USA), and has been in full-time ministry for over 20 years, with … View moreSEEING GOD'S WORD IN A COMPLETELY NEW WAY
Tuesday 1st, Wednesday 2nd & Thursday 3rd May 7:30pm
(Thursday will be a Q&A session)
Empower Church I 140 Springfield Rd St Albans
Shane Willard is from Charleston, SC (USA), and has been in full-time ministry for over 20 years, with degrees in both clinical psychology and theology.
Shane is known for being an informative, brilliant and humorous communicator, mentored by a pastor with rabbinical training, Shane teaches the context of the Scriptures from a Hebraic perspective.
This perspective helps people to see God's Word in a completely new way and leads them into a more intimate relationship with the Messiah, Jesus Christ. An offering will be taken during all sessions.
ENDORSED BY LEADING PASTORS AROUND THE WORLD,
SHANE IS A BIBLICAL COMMUNICATOR YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS.
I am thinking seriously of moving from my current energy provider company to another one more cheaper than the one I am already with . I do not know which one will charge me less as there are more now
I have a friend with terminal cancer. Shes just been told she's got less than a year to live. I took her and her husband out for dinner last night. I asked if she had a bucket list. She named a few things. One was she wanted to do more things with her husband, like meals out, experiences etc. … View moreI have a friend with terminal cancer. Shes just been told she's got less than a year to live. I took her and her husband out for dinner last night. I asked if she had a bucket list. She named a few things. One was she wanted to do more things with her husband, like meals out, experiences etc. I want to try and organise something at least monthly for them. They have both been unwell and on benefits all their lives. They have no money to spare.
Has anyone got any ideas or any contacts. Business owners, restaurant managers etc whom I could approach to see if they are able to donate something for this couple.
This is an invitation to come and join us for our Community Lunch, which is happening on Thursday 10th May 11:30am at Empower Church.
We always have a great time connecting with others from the community over a 2-course meal, and all it costs is a gold coin donation. The support that we receive … View moreThis is an invitation to come and join us for our Community Lunch, which is happening on Thursday 10th May 11:30am at Empower Church.
We always have a great time connecting with others from the community over a 2-course meal, and all it costs is a gold coin donation. The support that we receive from Empower Church, City Harvest NZ and St Albans Fruit & Vege Co-Op -(Foodtogether), helps us make this lunch happen every month.
So save the date and bring someone along, to enjoy lunch and a chance to meet new friends.
Thursday 10th May 11:30am I Empower Church I 140 Springfield Rd St Albans I Gold Coin Donation.
If you are looking for quality Coconut Oil, then look no further. Empower Church has "Pure & Natural", 500ml Extra Virgin Coconut Oil for sale, as a fundraiser for our new building.
Pure & Natural Coconut Oil is made from fresh coconuts, cold pressed and naturally processed … View moreIf you are looking for quality Coconut Oil, then look no further. Empower Church has "Pure & Natural", 500ml Extra Virgin Coconut Oil for sale, as a fundraiser for our new building.
Pure & Natural Coconut Oil is made from fresh coconuts, cold pressed and naturally processed quickly and organically. There are no additives, chemicals or heating processes involved in its production. The result is a pure and natural, organic, unrefined and highly stable coconut oil, comprising 51.7% lauric acid content.
Check out the website for more info about this product or to purchase today!
Over the next few weeks, chlorine will be introduced to the water supply at each of Christchurch's 56 pump stations.
Treatment will be rolled out in stages across the city, starting in Brooklands, Kainga and Spencerville on Monday (March 26) and then Riccarton, Halswell, Parklands, … View moreOver the next few weeks, chlorine will be introduced to the water supply at each of Christchurch's 56 pump stations.
Treatment will be rolled out in stages across the city, starting in Brooklands, Kainga and Spencerville on Monday (March 26) and then Riccarton, Halswell, Parklands, Heathcote Valley and around Lyttelton harbour in the coming weeks.
Hi all, favourable solar wind conditions triggered an unusually bright and spectacular Aurora Australis display last night, easily visible to the naked eye - here are a handful of still frames from a timelapse I made of the event... taken from near Lake Ellesmere between 9 and 10pm last night...
We are re doing our garden and have this free ground cover to anyone who wants to pick it up.
Location Fendalton
Designed for +65 yet is open to everyBODY who wants to sit fit. Allow me to support you on the Chair. Robyn
I’d love you to start your yoga journey with me in this beautiful, peaceful venue - limited numbers so please book your space now through www.soul2solefitness.com...
Cat Rescue Christchurch and a lot of other animal related vendors/charities have stalls at the Pet Expo on the Sat/Sun (being the 28th/29th of April) at the Pioneer Leisure Centre.
We are going to be having amazing raffles (a donated Cat House from Happy Cat Tree guy (facebook) and a … View moreCat Rescue Christchurch and a lot of other animal related vendors/charities have stalls at the Pet Expo on the Sat/Sun (being the 28th/29th of April) at the Pioneer Leisure Centre.
We are going to be having amazing raffles (a donated Cat House from Happy Cat Tree guy (facebook) and a voucher from the Cattery Barn in Prebbleton, crafts, facepainting, and a gentleman from Crystal Glasses (re installation of microchipped cat doors)
We have a competition running on our Cat Rescue Christchurch facebook page that you can enter to win ONE ADULT AND ONE CHILD DAY TICKETS so best be in quick. Remember to like our main page and our fundraising page so you don't miss out on opportunities to enter in future.
We also have ONE ADULT AND ONE CHILD DAY TICKETS up for auction on Webfair under Cat Rescue Charity (currently sitting at $2 bid). You can have the fun of auction (which closes on Thursday 26 with ticket pickup from Sydenham) or you can buy now for $10 .
1. Go to Cat Rescue Facebook to enter competition
2. Go to www.webfair.co.nz... and either bid on the tickets or do the buy
now of $10 (saying $5 on face value of tickets).
What a great activity to end the school holidays.
Psssss as this is a Christchurch wide post, my good deed for the day is to find someone who knows CATHERINE MORRIS FROM CHRISTCHURCH, as you have a neighbourly prize to collect by 5pm of Thursday 26th
© Neighbourly 2026
Loading…
