Saint James Range, Hanmer Springs

2720 days ago

Dr Lance O'Sullivan: It was when my daughter got sick that I realised how important immunisation is

Reporter Sunday Star Times

Dr Lance O'Sullivan writes from the heart, and from the head: "It was 1996 and we were young parents. I was at medical school when I came upon an anti-immunisation pamphlet left in one of our lecture theatres.

"I was suspicious of the establishment at the time. You need to … View more
Dr Lance O'Sullivan writes from the heart, and from the head: "It was 1996 and we were young parents. I was at medical school when I came upon an anti-immunisation pamphlet left in one of our lecture theatres.

"I was suspicious of the establishment at the time. You need to understand, I had grown up a welfare-dependent "half-caste" (I hate that term) boy living with his mother, escaping from a life of alcohol, crime and a level of violence that I would not tolerate for my daughters. An under-achiever, I was expelled from two secondary schools. I feel I had a reason to be angry at "the system".

"Then I became a father. It changed my life. I needed to be a responsible adult caring for a son, then a daughter – eventually seven children. We were young parents and wanted to do only the best for these precious beings.

"I read the pamphlet. It described "studies" in the Netherlands into communities that didn't look like mine, but I took little persuasion. I stated our second child, our little daughter Te Miringa, would not be immunised.

"At the time my wife Tracy was working as a nurse at the local medical centre and immunising children daily. Yet this was my protest against the establishment that I so mistrusted.

"Fifteen months later, we had a scare. Te Miringa became unwell with high fever and a body rash and the doctors were concerned as there was a measles outbreak locally. And I realised the information from the Netherlands did not reflect my reality.

"We got Te Miringa immunised."

www.stuff.co.nz...

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2721 days ago

The meals must get through

Community Resilience Coordinator from New Zealand Red Cross

Every day our tireless Meals on Wheels volunteers, like Murray Gardiner (pictured), deliver meals to elderly and vulnerable people throughout Christchurch. They've delivered more than 160,000 hot lunches in the city over the past 12 months alone!
It's just one of many ways that New … View more
Every day our tireless Meals on Wheels volunteers, like Murray Gardiner (pictured), deliver meals to elderly and vulnerable people throughout Christchurch. They've delivered more than 160,000 hot lunches in the city over the past 12 months alone!
It's just one of many ways that New Zealand Red Cross is here for good, not just in Christchurch, but around New Zealand.
Check out Meals on Wheels

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2723 days ago

Cheers to the Volunteers

Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Every year, over 11,000 brave men and women keep us safe. Most of them are working full-time jobs. Many are parents or grandparents. All of them are doing their bit to put out fires, save lives and keep the station working.

If you know a fire volunteer, this is your chance to say thanks. … View more
Every year, over 11,000 brave men and women keep us safe. Most of them are working full-time jobs. Many are parents or grandparents. All of them are doing their bit to put out fires, save lives and keep the station working.

If you know a fire volunteer, this is your chance to say thanks. #cheerstothevolunteers

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2728 days ago

Elder Abuse Awareness

The Team from Age Concern New Zealand

Age Concern New Zealand is running an "Elder Abuse Hits Close to Home" awareness campaign in June. Did you know that more than 75% of alleged abusers are family members? We hear awful stories in the media of older people being abused in care facilities, scammed on the internet or taunted … View moreAge Concern New Zealand is running an "Elder Abuse Hits Close to Home" awareness campaign in June. Did you know that more than 75% of alleged abusers are family members? We hear awful stories in the media of older people being abused in care facilities, scammed on the internet or taunted by the general public, but for thousands of older New Zealander's the abuse happens in their own home. Please get in contact with your local Age Concern if you suspect a family member, friend or neighbour is being abused. We can Help. #WEAAD #alwaysrespected

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2724 days ago

FREE Info Sessions for New Home Builders!

The Team from Jennian Homes

If you're looking to build a new home? We've got something for you. Maybe you're curious about the hidden costs of building and designing a new home? Maybe you'd like to get design and construction planning from the experts? Or perhaps you're exploring how to build an … View moreIf you're looking to build a new home? We've got something for you. Maybe you're curious about the hidden costs of building and designing a new home? Maybe you'd like to get design and construction planning from the experts? Or perhaps you're exploring how to build an environmentally-friendly home - and save money.

Jennian New Home Builder Info Sessions are an opportunity to have all your questions answered and your dreams made achievable. They're free - and they're taking place near you. Click here to register and to reserve your complimentary seats.
Register now

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2725 days ago

Its all about Respect!

The Team from Age Concern New Zealand

Are you following these tips to promote respect and prevent abuse? Elder Abuse Awareness Week runs from the 15-22 June 2017, starting with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15 June 2017. Help Age Concern help older Kiwi's live happily and safely in their own homes and neighbourhoods. … View moreAre you following these tips to promote respect and prevent abuse? Elder Abuse Awareness Week runs from the 15-22 June 2017, starting with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15 June 2017. Help Age Concern help older Kiwi's live happily and safely in their own homes and neighbourhoods. #alwaysrespected #WEAAD2017

2725 days ago

Buy Aftersocks & support rural communities

The Team from Aftersocks

Aftersocks NZ is a Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) initiative that supports rural communities, following an adverse event or natural disaster which has left them in need of financial assistance. Proceeds from the sale of Aftersocks contributes to the Rural Women New Zealand Adverse Events Relief … View moreAftersocks NZ is a Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) initiative that supports rural communities, following an adverse event or natural disaster which has left them in need of financial assistance. Proceeds from the sale of Aftersocks contributes to the Rural Women New Zealand Adverse Events Relief Fund.

Thanks for your support neighbours! Buy, Wear & Share!
Learn more

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2727 days ago

Have you received an email from the IRD? It could be a scam

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Inland Revenue is warning of several scams circulating this tax season. Inland Revenue revealed earlier this month that there is about $183 million of tax refunds sitting unclaimed – enough to fly first class from Auckland to London and back more than 11,000 times.

Since then the IRD has been … View more
Inland Revenue is warning of several scams circulating this tax season. Inland Revenue revealed earlier this month that there is about $183 million of tax refunds sitting unclaimed – enough to fly first class from Auckland to London and back more than 11,000 times.

Since then the IRD has been alerted to a scam email that asks users to enter their personal details to claim their tax refund. The email has the subject line, "IR3 individual income tax return 2016".

It's important to remember the IRD will not:
- Advise you that you are due a tax refund through email
- Send an email with a link to a webpage which asks you submit personal details
- Ask for credit card details or bank account numbers over the phone in order to process a monetary payment
- Ask you to pay a tax debt using gift cards or vouchers
- Sent you an email that does not include or ask for your IRD number

If you receive a suspicious email, SMS scam message or a fraudulent call please email phishing@ird.govt.nz or call them on 0800 227 774 (make sure you have your IRD number).

Log on to the Inland Revenue's website, register for myIR and use its calculator to work out whether you are owed money or have tax to pay.

2726 days ago

Burglaries in Christchurch

Kamala Hayman Reporter from The Press

Are you a recent victim of a burglary in Christchurch? We'd like to hear from you. Please email reporters@press.co.nz or send us a private message.

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