1596 days ago

Vaccination challenge for east Christchurch as just 16 go to school clinic

The Team Reporter from The Press

East Christchurch has some of the country’s lowest Covid-19 vaccination rates, but despite a push to increase uptake that involved a possible cash prize just 16 people turned up to a community vaccination clinic on Wednesday.


Wainoni is among the bottom 10 suburbs for the vaccine uptake, with 70.2 per cent of the population having had a single dose. Neighbouring Aranui is the least vaccinated suburb in Canterbury and among the lowest in New Zealand, with 59.7 per cent of its residents having received a first dose.

But just 16 people turned out for a vaccination event at Haeata Community Campus on Wednesday – albeit a day blighted by torrential rain and blustery winds.

Principal Peggy Burrows​ said she was pleased to open the school for Covid-19 vaccinations after being approached by the Canterbury health board about two and a half weeks ago.

“My stance is it has to be a choice. You can’t compel people to, but I’m certainly vaccinated myself and so is my family, and we just provide opportunities because that is what education is about," she says. Continue reading here.

More messages from your neighbours
22 hours ago

🧩😏 Riddle me this, Neighbours…

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?

Do you think you know the answer?

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21 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

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.

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5 hours ago

Step by step for a great cause!

Diana Isaac Retirement Village

Our amazing Hillary Hikers from Edmund Hillary Village showed their support for Bowel Cancer New Zealand's Move Your Butt campaign this month!

Sporting the bright purple and orange campaign shirts, these wonderful walkers hit the Auckland waterfront and marched from Mission Bay to Kohimarama, raising awareness for bowel cancer and the importance of early detection along the way.

Click read more to read the full story.

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