1533 days ago

Covid-19 and drought spell tough times fro Hawke's Bay

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Hawke's Bay is struggling with the double whammy of severe drought and Covid-19.

Currently, 2,200 more people have lost their jobs compared to last year and 67 per cent of work ready job seekers were Māori and Pasifika.

A Regional Economic Recovery report presented to the Regional Council’s corporate and strategic committee by Sarah Tully presents a grim picture.

Tully said throughout the Covid-19 response, $330m had been paid in wage subsidies across the region, with 52 per cent of jobs covered in the first payment and 10 per cent in the extension.

With booster funding from central government, council supported 728 local businesses with $1.5 million of assistance under the Regional Business Partners programme.

Tully said like the rest of New Zealand, the Hawke’s Bay economy was forecast to decline further, impacted by reduced visitor numbers and rising unemployment levels.

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More messages from your neighbours
2 days ago

Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.

This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

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Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
  • 84.4% Yes
    84.4% Complete
  • 14.1% No
    14.1% Complete
  • 1.5% Other - I'll share below
    1.5% Complete
1360 votes
1 day ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

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15 hours ago

Riddle Me This: Can You Out-Smart Yesterday’s Champ?

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

How can the number four be half of five?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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