Introducing our AMI Community Grant Finalists

This is day number eight of showcasing two of our AMI Community Grant finalists to share a bit more about the great work that they're doing in Kiwi communities. You can help support these organisations by voting for them to win their share of $20,000.

Foster Hope Charitable Trust
Foster Hope purchases items to go inside backpacks that are given to children when they go into foster care as sadly, it’s not unusual for a child to arrive in care with only the clothes that they’re standing in. Our backpacks include a book, soft toy, toiletries, a carry all bag and other bits and pieces to let the child know that their community cares about them. We would love to include packs of new underwear in the packs if we had additional funds. VOTE NOW!

Taradale Alleyway Improvement / Beautification project
Taradale has two alleyways that are unlit and therefore unsafe to use in the evenings and due to their rundown appearance and lack of adequate directional signage, they are not working as well as they could to link the community to the center of Taradale. The project includes: installing safety lighting for evenings, painting a mural on the 36 metre long large wall to celebrate the 130th year since Taradale was made a Town District; erecting mural panels; installing better signage. VOTE NOW! Learn more

More messages from your neighbours

16 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.

Local Highlight

1 day ago

Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑

Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.

We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

Want to read more? The Press has you covered!