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Hillcrest, Melville, Hamilton Central, Hamilton Lake, Temple View, Hamilton East, Frankton, Bader, Fitzroy, Dinsdale, Glenview
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Hi Neighhours,
It's been a tough last few weeks, right? When life gets hard and the world gets scary, it's our loved ones we turn to for support.
But this extraordinary coronavirus pandemic is different. Many of us can't see our most special friends and whānau because we want to … View moreHi Neighhours,
It's been a tough last few weeks, right? When life gets hard and the world gets scary, it's our loved ones we turn to for support.
But this extraordinary coronavirus pandemic is different. Many of us can't see our most special friends and whānau because we want to keep them safe, and we want to get through this as a nation by following social distancing and Covid-19 Alert Level 3 rules.
While thousands of people are returning to work, visiting friends and family outside of your bubble may still be off the cards for some time longer.
Do you have a message for someone you can't see in person? A shout out to a sibling or best friend? A much-loved and missed grandparent? A new baby you need to virtually cuddle?
Level 3 Love Letters is an opportunity to share a video message for a loved one on Stuff.
You can upload your video here so we can share it with them and New Zealand
On Stuff this morning are 2 Buy New Zealand Made stories . Importing is more difficult , people are losing their jobs , we are all in this together , they are just like me -- all statements that make you feel good , with good intentions .
Two examples that are listed . Firstly , Red Band Gumboots … View moreOn Stuff this morning are 2 Buy New Zealand Made stories . Importing is more difficult , people are losing their jobs , we are all in this together , they are just like me -- all statements that make you feel good , with good intentions .
Two examples that are listed . Firstly , Red Band Gumboots and $289 tramping shoes . It is 30 years since I climbed Mt Te Aroha , so my tramping consists of walking from the Car Park to the supermarket or hairdresser or parts supplier . So I will most likely buy $40 sturdyish boots from K Mart . Gumboots once every 3 or 4 years when I go to Fieldays , and 2 or 3 times when I trim trees . Too uncomfortable to mow the lawn in . So I'll go with the $25 cheap n nasties .
The other story though , even blurrier ! Buy N Z Made beer . Craft beer . At $5 a bottle . Sure , it contains hints of the Alps with a crisp spiral accent of lavender and the nose of a bovine relocation establishment , combined with a heady aftertaste of combustible automotive propulsion juice . Yep , can hardly wait .
Apparently Lion and DB are owned by seperate Japanese companies , so we can't have that , can we . The beers generally are great ( and get better the more you have haha ) , they are $1.25 a stubbie at the superdupermarket , BUT they employ 1000's of New Zealanders , and they 'support' the hospitality industry ( yes , it is a 2 way street , but a lot of bars wouldn't exist without the big breweries help ) .
My attitude ( once I realised that buying from The Warehouse was the most expensive way of buying something ) has been that I buy what I consider the best value for money FOR ME . Something I use a lot , I buy the best I can , no matter whether it is imported or NZ made . Something that isn't used much , but is handy , I buy cheap to mid-range .
I am unlikely to change . Will you buy more NZ made ? Do you consider foreign owned companies but with products made by NZers N Z Made ?
Rates Rises: Why Would You Care?
The Taxpayer’s Alliance has identified over 80 senior council officials in Auckland alone that ‘earn’ over $250,000 and are looking to publicize this information (1Stuff 2nd May 2020). It is surprising to hear the rhetoric coming from some of our … View moreRates Rises: Why Would You Care?
The Taxpayer’s Alliance has identified over 80 senior council officials in Auckland alone that ‘earn’ over $250,000 and are looking to publicize this information (1Stuff 2nd May 2020). It is surprising to hear the rhetoric coming from some of our ‘leaders’ in relation to this type of publicity (1Ratepayers Alliance 29th Apr 2020; 2Rotorua Daily Post 9th Apr 2020). Rather than congratulating such groups on the public service they are providing, the rhetoric from some officials sounds almost threatening. Do not ratepayers have a right to know who is being paid what? It is not your money? If this were a private company then the shareholders would have a right to know the senior managers’ salaries. Maybe some public ‘servants’ have forgotten whose money they are spending?
On the bright side, it is encouraging to see other public officials being more welcome of change, recognising the pay imbalance between essential workers and themselves and cutting their pay. *Note, this is actually cutting their pay, not promising donations to friends or family, or redirecting part of their salary to their own organisation. Why is this important? Because we are unfortunately in for a period of economic pain that will last some time. Our dependence on sectors such as tourism, hospitality, and International students, and the high indebtedness of our households due to having some of the highest housing costs in the world, means the economic effects of Covid-19 will last for many years to come. Thankfully - We are All in This Together, right?
If we are to spend to get out of this recession then the money has to come from somewhere. There is no point taking from ratepayers in order to cover new expansionary spending (3Stuff 24th Apr 2020). That is the proverbial taking from Peter to pay Paul. Rather than being expansionary this just takes your money and gives it to officials for them to redirect. If that redirection is merely into the pockets of high paid staff or contractors, then it is likely to actually reduce economic activity.
One Hamilton councillor has indicated on social media that increased spending at the cost to ratepayers is ‘Keynesian policy’. This is concerning as we would have hoped that the people who lead us had a greater understanding of economics. We would be more than happy to discuss with them Keynesian policy and the requirements for its success. On a positive note, if officials actually cut their pay in order to stop rates rises, and start projects that employ the many who will lose their jobs, this is a great start. While lasting salary cuts for senior public ‘servants’ will not only provide hundreds of millions to local and central government coffers, it has a second, maybe even more important benefit – empathy.
Can you truly appreciate the plight of your average citizen if you ‘earn’ over 15 x’s what they do? Maybe this is why many commentators are stating that councillor’s heads are stuck in the sand in relation to their views on rate rises (4Stuff 2nd May 2020). How can you make rational decisions for a pensioner ratepayer, if your salary Each Week is over $9000, meaning in three weeks you ‘earn’ what they do in an Entire Year?
Yet it was not that long ago that public servants were earning similar salaries to those they served (5Otago Daily Times 6th Nov 2013). So why are our public ‘servant’s’ now some of the highest paid in the world? A part of this is the remuneration authority’s use of % increases to boost senior public service salaries. The math is terrifyingly simple - if you are a pensioner on around $25,500 a year and your pension increases by 2% for the next ten years, then over that period your income would rise by around $5,600, to just over $31,000. If you are a senior council employee earning $440,000 then a 2% increase over that time equates to over $96,000 and your salary to well over half a million dollars. That pay increase alone is more than three times the total salary of the pensioner? But don’t worry it is only a small % increase right…
We therefore applaud the government initiative to rein in excessive public salaries. We look forward to a complete overhaul of the remuneration authority. Maybe if they set the maximum salary of the most senior public servants to 10 x’s the medium income of the people in their region that would be a good start. Maybe then the officials that are so instrumental in setting the laws the affect our lives will think about how the ratepayer will be affected by their decisions. Decisions such as;
the compliance costs that can add upwards of $100,000 to the cost of building a house,
the development of cycle lanes on a bridge coming in at almost $1 million dollars,
a (yes singular) roundabout whose initial budget staff are not able to locate for our OIA, but whose costs has now blown out to over $15 million and counting,
the spending of ratepayers’ money on Victoria St buildings at a price up to 56% more than the market valuation (6 NZ Herald 3rd Oct 2020),
proposals for gardens and new entrances to public facilities priced at tens of millions of dollars?
This sadly is just part of a very, very long list. Of course, it is Just Your Money, Your Rates, Your Increased Rent, so why do you care?
We understand that things are uncertain right now. If you would like to move into a safe and supportive environment that you can make your own, we are still taking admissions for our Care Suites at Awatere.
Situated in the heart of Hamilton, our Care Suites offer the ultimate combination of … View moreWe understand that things are uncertain right now. If you would like to move into a safe and supportive environment that you can make your own, we are still taking admissions for our Care Suites at Awatere.
Situated in the heart of Hamilton, our Care Suites offer the ultimate combination of Rest Home and Hospital care with the creature comforts of home, including an open-plan living area, stylish kitchenette and modern ensuite.
Give us a call to see how we can help.
Awatere is located at 1340 Victoria Street, Beerescourt, Hamilton.
Interested in studying the Urdu language? Our Term 2 continuing Urdu class begins tomorrow (Tuesday 5 May) in Hamilton (New Zealand) for those who may already be familiar with the Urdu script. During the Covid-19 lockdown all of our classes have moved on-line, but we'll resume in-person … View moreInterested in studying the Urdu language? Our Term 2 continuing Urdu class begins tomorrow (Tuesday 5 May) in Hamilton (New Zealand) for those who may already be familiar with the Urdu script. During the Covid-19 lockdown all of our classes have moved on-line, but we'll resume in-person classes once restrictions are lifted. Distance Learning options are available for the duration of the course. Check out this, and our other Language (Arabic, Hindi, Urdu, Hebrew) and Religious Diversity classes at www.earthdiverse.org.nz...
Did your mum transform rainy days into hot chocolate and bad moods into giggles?
Show you care, whether she’s with you or far away.
Enter our Mother’s Day competition before 6 May 2020 for a chance to win!
Too many memories to choose from? Here’s our team with some inspiration.
Follow this … View moreDid your mum transform rainy days into hot chocolate and bad moods into giggles?
Show you care, whether she’s with you or far away.
Enter our Mother’s Day competition before 6 May 2020 for a chance to win!
Too many memories to choose from? Here’s our team with some inspiration.
Follow this link to enter our competition.
youtu.be...
Builders and their clients are being asked to avoid court and instead work out sensible resolutions …
Our new Arabic 101 classes begin tomorrow (Monday 4 May) 4:00pm. During Lockdown, classes are on-line. Once we resume in-person classes, we’ll continue to live-stream Arabic for distance-learners and those who wish to continue learning from home. More information on our Arabic course can be found… View moreOur new Arabic 101 classes begin tomorrow (Monday 4 May) 4:00pm. During Lockdown, classes are on-line. Once we resume in-person classes, we’ll continue to live-stream Arabic for distance-learners and those who wish to continue learning from home. More information on our Arabic course can be found at: <www.earthdiverse.org.nz/classes/language/arabic/>. Info on our other classes at: <earthdiverse.org.nz/classes/>.
During Level 3 you can buy books and other items from Poppies in Casabella Lane. Shop online for delivery or contactless pickup of in-stock items. Or email or phone us if you want book recommendations or would like to order something that's not listed on the website. Looking for birthday cards… View moreDuring Level 3 you can buy books and other items from Poppies in Casabella Lane. Shop online for delivery or contactless pickup of in-stock items. Or email or phone us if you want book recommendations or would like to order something that's not listed on the website. Looking for birthday cards or other cards? We have a large selection in the window to choose from for contactless purchase. Or why not treat Mum to a Poppies gift voucher so she can choose something for herself when life is a little more normal?
We're putting together an action plan to help tackle climate change in our city.
Do you want to be healthy for life? Join us this Saturday 9am on TVNZ 1.
Hosted by Bernice Mene, Healthy for Life is designed to help over 65 year olds work on their strength and balance through an exercise programme called the Super7.
All done from the comfort of your bubble, this show … View moreDo you want to be healthy for life? Join us this Saturday 9am on TVNZ 1.
Hosted by Bernice Mene, Healthy for Life is designed to help over 65 year olds work on their strength and balance through an exercise programme called the Super7.
All done from the comfort of your bubble, this show provides great tips for staying safe in the home, keeping your brain active, how to keep up your social links and friendships and advice about healthy eating and sleep during this time.
Healthy for Life is available on TVNZ OnDemand, or screens this Saturday at 9AM on TVNZ 1.
Find out more at Live Stronger for Longer.
Hey Neighbours!
We're excited to help keep you moving again and safe on the road!
Our stores are open 8am - 5pm on weekdays and 9am - 12pm on Saturday.
Contactless servicing, as well as increased cleaning and hygiene practices, physical distancing, PayWave and contact tracing have been … View moreHey Neighbours!
We're excited to help keep you moving again and safe on the road!
Our stores are open 8am - 5pm on weekdays and 9am - 12pm on Saturday.
Contactless servicing, as well as increased cleaning and hygiene practices, physical distancing, PayWave and contact tracing have been implemented in all stores.
To find out more click the READ MORE button below.
Hey Neighbours!
We're excited to help keep you moving again and safe on the road!
Our stores are open 8am - 5pm on weekdays and 9am - 12pm on Saturday.
Contactless servicing, as well as increased cleaning and hygiene practices, physical distancing, PayWave and contact tracing have been … View moreHey Neighbours!
We're excited to help keep you moving again and safe on the road!
Our stores are open 8am - 5pm on weekdays and 9am - 12pm on Saturday.
Contactless servicing, as well as increased cleaning and hygiene practices, physical distancing, PayWave and contact tracing have been implemented in all stores.
To find out more click the READ MORE button below.
Hi Neighbours!
The new SuperSeniors e-Newsletter is available on our website NOW! This e-Newsletter includes the additional guidance for what seniors can do during Alert Level 3 and information from the Student Volunteer Army and Age Concern about the services they are offering.
It also has … View moreHi Neighbours!
The new SuperSeniors e-Newsletter is available on our website NOW! This e-Newsletter includes the additional guidance for what seniors can do during Alert Level 3 and information from the Student Volunteer Army and Age Concern about the services they are offering.
It also has the details on the Winter Energy Payment that starts again today!
Click here to read: bit.ly...
To get our Newsletter emailed to you, if you receive the NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension, update your email in MyMSD here: my.msd.govt.nz...
If you do not receive either of these entitlements but you want to receive our Newsletter you can subscribe here: bit.ly...
I never had to face a total lockdown while I was in active addiction to food and exercise. Right now I’m especially grateful for that every day. However, I have experienced the internal isolation of the addict. I‘m aware that there will be a lot of people out there who are struggling. I want to… View moreI never had to face a total lockdown while I was in active addiction to food and exercise. Right now I’m especially grateful for that every day. However, I have experienced the internal isolation of the addict. I‘m aware that there will be a lot of people out there who are struggling. I want to let you know you’re not alone.
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