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The Amazing Spaces TV presenter and architect George Clarke is in New Zealand and he is making a request for Kiwis to get behind a rebuild of a Coromandel beach town’s 1970s Surf Life Saving Club.
The club’s building in Whiritoa has a special connection for the UK’s Clarke as it was built … View moreThe Amazing Spaces TV presenter and architect George Clarke is in New Zealand and he is making a request for Kiwis to get behind a rebuild of a Coromandel beach town’s 1970s Surf Life Saving Club.
The club’s building in Whiritoa has a special connection for the UK’s Clarke as it was built around the same month and the same year that he was born, he said in a video posted to Facebook.
Did you know about George Clarke's NZ links?
My plant needed a generous haircut so I have 5 of these well rooted cuttings. Photo was taken earlier so even more roots than showing here!
New Zealand Police is urging parents to be alert to the potential risks facing children and young people online.
Today is Safer Internet Day – a global event to promote safe and positive online experiences.To ensure a collaborative approach to internet safety, Police works closely with our … View moreNew Zealand Police is urging parents to be alert to the potential risks facing children and young people online.
Today is Safer Internet Day – a global event to promote safe and positive online experiences.To ensure a collaborative approach to internet safety, Police works closely with our partner agencies, including the Department of Internal Affairs, Netsafe, and New Zealand Customs.
Detective Senior Sergeant Kepal Richards, officer in charge of New Zealand Police Online Child Exploitation Across New Zealand Team (OCEANZ), says supervising children and young people online is the best way to keep them safe.
“The internet opens up a world of opportunity but there are offenders online looking to exploit people, and they target the most vulnerable.
“In the worst-case scenario, we see online extortion groups trying to persuade children and young people to record self-harm and sexually explicit acts, alongside other violent crimes.
“The footage is then circulated among members of the extortion group to gain notoriety and further extort victims.
“Offenders may also threaten to share these videos or images online or with the victim’s family and friends.
“While we’re not seeing a large number of this type of offending here in New Zealand at this time, we know this is having a significant impact overseas.
“We want parents to be alert to the possible risks, but not alarmed.”
Police urge parents and caregivers to educate themselves on this topic and have conversations with their young people about the dangers of having an online presence.
“Having open and regular conversations is the most important tip we can give any parent or caregiver,” Detective Senior Sergeant Richards says.
"This ensures their young children feel comfortable to come forward about any online issues that may arise.”
For parents and caregivers:
- Supervision is essential. This means knowing what your children are doing online, who they are interacting with, and what platforms, apps, or games they are using.
- Check privacy settings. We recommend parents and caregivers research and understand app settings, including privacy settings. This can include turning off location settings, setting profiles to private, or turning off chat functions.
- Long term impact. Offenders will often use tactics such as fear or shame to manipulate young people, and make them feel alienated or trapped, like they cannot escape the situation. These situations can be very distressing and can have long term impacts and need to be addressed appropriately.
- Report suspicious behaviour. Make a report and seek help and support.
For victims:
- Stop talking to the offender and avoid sending any more images or videos – even if they are threatening you.
- Once you have complied with their demands, there is nothing preventing them from targeting you again.
- Save all the online chat, immediately take screenshots. This is important for making a report to the Police, we need all the evidence that you can gather.
- Report the content and person’s profile to the platform and request the content is removed.
- Block the profile.
Where to report offending:
- To report any offending to Police, please call 111 in an emergency, and for non-emergencies, online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Make a Report” or by calling 105.
- If you have seen content online that you wish to report, make a report to the Department of Internal Affairs HERE.
- If you would like advice and support from Netsafe, text ‘Netsafe’ to 4282 or call for free on 0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723).
- You can also report online at netsafe.org.nz/report or by email at help@netsafe.org.nz.
An engineering contractor’s plans to set up a “bottle store with a difference” in Tokoroa have been labelled “insane” and “naive” by a South Waikato alcohol licensing committee.
Tokoroa locals worried about the effects the new store would have on their community have successfully … View moreAn engineering contractor’s plans to set up a “bottle store with a difference” in Tokoroa have been labelled “insane” and “naive” by a South Waikato alcohol licensing committee.
Tokoroa locals worried about the effects the new store would have on their community have successfully blocked the setting up of a new off-licence in the town after a hearing late last year.
Two vital roles created to battle a post code lottery that sees some Waikato people have access to 24/7 specialist healthcare in their final months, while others die without specialist support, are on the chopping block.
The move comes as the region’s need for palliative care increased by 25% … View moreTwo vital roles created to battle a post code lottery that sees some Waikato people have access to 24/7 specialist healthcare in their final months, while others die without specialist support, are on the chopping block.
The move comes as the region’s need for palliative care increased by 25% last year and it has the head of the service here worried people won’t have what they need to die a pain-free, dignified death.
Bev and John are no strangers to adventure. Whether it’s overseas escapades to the Great Wall of China, Vietnam, and Hong Kong, or exploring New Zealand’s stunning landscapes, this intrepid couple has seen their fair share of the world. But these days, they prefer to keep their travel plans … View moreBev and John are no strangers to adventure. Whether it’s overseas escapades to the Great Wall of China, Vietnam, and Hong Kong, or exploring New Zealand’s stunning landscapes, this intrepid couple has seen their fair share of the world. But these days, they prefer to keep their travel plans closer to home - with their beloved Cavoodle, Skye, always in tow.
“We’ve done all the overseas trips we wanted to do,” says Bev. “Now, it’s all about enjoying what’s on our doorstep.”
Click read more for the full story.
Every Tuesday we have a prize draw for our members. This week's winners are...
Simran Singh from Kelston
Amy Crawford from Maitai
Sinead Te Kira from Lower Hutt
… View moreEvery Tuesday we have a prize draw for our members. This week's winners are...
Simran Singh from Kelston
Amy Crawford from Maitai
Sinead Te Kira from Lower Hutt
Vernon McCarthy from Whakatane
Winners - get in touch before 18th Feb to claim your prize.
Not a winner? Check back next week!
Got a business idea but not sure where to start?
Whether it’s a side hustle or your big leap, JumpStarter is here to help you turn your business dreams into reality! From step-by-step guides to practical tips, we’ll walk you through launching your business and building your first website.
… View moreGot a business idea but not sure where to start?
Whether it’s a side hustle or your big leap, JumpStarter is here to help you turn your business dreams into reality! From step-by-step guides to practical tips, we’ll walk you through launching your business and building your first website.
Ready to make it happen? Let’s go! 🚀
The caterer involved in a string of norovirus outbreaks in Waikato was not registered and is no longer operating.
An “infected food handler” at a catering company that had not registered with NZ Food Safety was behind norovirus outbreaks that made 84 people sick in December.
Do you know … View moreThe caterer involved in a string of norovirus outbreaks in Waikato was not registered and is no longer operating.
An “infected food handler” at a catering company that had not registered with NZ Food Safety was behind norovirus outbreaks that made 84 people sick in December.
Do you know anyone who was affected?
Janet Lovelock from Papanui, Christchurch has won the category of Best Floral Garden for her stunning floral garden in this small space. Congratulations, Janet!
Janet and her husband both enjoy tending to their garden and shared this about their garden:
"We are both in our eighties and … View moreJanet Lovelock from Papanui, Christchurch has won the category of Best Floral Garden for her stunning floral garden in this small space. Congratulations, Janet!
Janet and her husband both enjoy tending to their garden and shared this about their garden:
"We are both in our eighties and have lived in the Ngaio Marsh Retirement Village for three and a half years. Our passion for gardening spans many years. We change our display every six months to cover Spring and Summer.
The residents in the village regularly bring their visitors to see our display and take plenty of photographs. When you hear comments such as “It lifts my spirits when I get to this corner” you realise how much it means to everyone. We will continue to create a beautiful garden for as long as we are able."
Click on the photos below to have a good look! And give Janet's garden a Like below if you think they've done a great job.
A Waikato man has traded the gym for “getting up hills” to check trap lines, and is leading the crusade to bring back bird life to the Hakarimata ranges.
For the last three years Greg Townsend has been checking a network of traps across his land and the neighbouring Hakarimata DoC reserve in… View moreA Waikato man has traded the gym for “getting up hills” to check trap lines, and is leading the crusade to bring back bird life to the Hakarimata ranges.
For the last three years Greg Townsend has been checking a network of traps across his land and the neighbouring Hakarimata DoC reserve in the hopes that one day, bird song will be heard again in the forest.
Are you involved in conservation in your area? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
Uncertainty surrounds the fate of a controversial 60-home Kāinga Ora development for Flagstaff’s Endeavour Avenue after Housing Minister Chris Bishop’s announcement of a “turnaround plan” for the agency.
Bishop said the turnaround plan would see the agency refocus on “its core mission… View moreUncertainty surrounds the fate of a controversial 60-home Kāinga Ora development for Flagstaff’s Endeavour Avenue after Housing Minister Chris Bishop’s announcement of a “turnaround plan” for the agency.
Bishop said the turnaround plan would see the agency refocus on “its core mission of building and managing government-owned social housing in a financially sustainable way”.
What do you think will happen with this development? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
The Neighbourly Backyard Awards are in full swing and we are looking forward to seeing the entries on this one!
This week's category is......... Best Floral Garden.
Whether your garden is bursting with wildflowers, perfectly coordinated roses, or elegant neutrals, we want to see it!
… View moreThe Neighbourly Backyard Awards are in full swing and we are looking forward to seeing the entries on this one!
This week's category is......... Best Floral Garden.
Whether your garden is bursting with wildflowers, perfectly coordinated roses, or elegant neutrals, we want to see it!
So share a photo, or two, in a comment below of your floral garden to be in to win a $100 Mitre10 voucher. Winner will be announced next Monday 🌿🌱🍃
Don't miss out! For only $15 a ticket, you could win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in beautiful One Tree Point, Northland.
Valued at $845,000, this home features three bedrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area. It’s waiting to be loved by its new … View moreDon't miss out! For only $15 a ticket, you could win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in beautiful One Tree Point, Northland.
Valued at $845,000, this home features three bedrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area. It’s waiting to be loved by its new owner.
Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, a rental, or simply sell it!
Get your tickets today at heartlottery.org.nz
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