It's National Volunteer Week!
This National Volunteer Week, we’re recognising all the amazing volunteers who form the backbone of emergency response in Aotearoa and support their communites every day.
THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS!
When Aotearoa faces challenging times, Kiwis always step up to support people in need. Volunteers are instrumental in ensuring that we get through, together.
“Every day, a network of 11,000 Red Cross volunteers and members across the country help us respond to disasters, settle new Kiwis, help run our shops, deliver Meals on Wheels, teach former refugees how to drive, sew curtains for families in need, and so much more. Last financial year, Red Cross volunteers gave close to 120,000 hours of their time. They are the hands and feet of almost everything we accomplish,” says Niamh Lawless, our Secretary General.
Click on the "Read More" button to read Justine's story.
Poll: What do you think should happen with Chateau Tongariro?
The Government has refused to commit to saving the Chateau Tongariro Hotel, leaving demolition, decommissioning or private restoration all on the table despite strong community pressure to preserve the iconic building.
In a formal response to a petition led by Ruapehu District Mayor Weston Kirton, ministers acknowledged the Chateau’s cultural and economic significance but said no changes to current policy or legislation were warranted Chateau Petition response.
What do you think should happen with Chateau Tongariro? Tell us more in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
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5.3% Demolish it
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0% Decommission it
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94.7% A private operator should restore it
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0% Other - explain in the comments
Tamahere home in dentist case was once centre of accountant’s fraud
It’s been a feature in a recent Hamilton District Court trial , but a Tamahere mansion already has an complicated history.
The property in Woodcock Rd - notable for having a hydroslide in the back yard - the scene of now-disproved alleged sexual offending by Hamilton dentist Rahul Gautam - made headlines more than 15 years ago, when it was a focus in the case of accountant Gary Soffe.
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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60.8% Yes, supporting people is important!
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23.8% No, individuals should take responsibility
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15.4% ... It is complicated
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