Ngongotaha, Rotorua

2879 days ago

Fun apps for the family

Vodafone New Zealand

Online games and apps can help our children develop problem solving and strategic thinking skills. So before you tell them to switch off – take a look at what they’re doing, and join in.

Got some downtime during the holidays – keep the family entertained with these … View more
Online games and apps can help our children develop problem solving and strategic thinking skills. So before you tell them to switch off – take a look at what they’re doing, and join in.

Got some downtime during the holidays – keep the family entertained with these fun and educational apps.
Learn more

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2881 days ago

Hospital postpones surgeries and outpatient clinics - have you been impacted?

Nicola Brennan-Tupara Reporter from Rotorua News

Hi neighbours,
Junior doctors are set to walk off the job again at 7am next Tuesday, January 17, until Friday at 8am forcing Rotorua Hospital to postpone surgeries and outpatient clinics.
Have you been impacted by this strike? And would you been keen to talk about it?

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2882 days ago

Neighbours Day 2017: Our first 'New Years Resolution' winner ... and more

The Team from Neighbours Aotearoa

Hello Neighbours!
Welcome to 2017!! We hope that the festive season has been fabulous and that you're well rested and ready for the coming year. We're kicking off the year with our first 'New Year's Resolution' winner, our first Neighbourhood Champion, and chances for … View more
Hello Neighbours!
Welcome to 2017!! We hope that the festive season has been fabulous and that you're well rested and ready for the coming year. We're kicking off the year with our first 'New Year's Resolution' winner, our first Neighbourhood Champion, and chances for you to get involved and be in to win too.
In this newsletter we have:
- Our first 'Make it a New Years Resolution' winner , and your chance to get into the next draw,
- Only 3 days till we find out who will become our First Neighbourhood Champion
- I Heart My Hood photo competition!!

Our First 'Make it a New Year's Resolution' Winner!
We all know the new years is a time for making plans for the coming year, and we have the easiest New Year's resolution yet, and you can tick off part of it pretty quickly. Just sign up and commit to getting involved in Neighbours Day. Those that do sign up go into the draw for a $100 grocery voucher - there is still a chance to win one in January and in February.
The first of our draws for the grocery voucher has been made and the winner is Stephanie Moran of Red Beach! Congratulations Stephanie!
More on the campaign and how to get involved is below!


Make it a New Year's Resolution!
Earlier this year we put it to the Neighbours Day community to vote on the best way to launch Neighbours Day 2017. The winning idea was is 'Make it a New Years Resolution', and so that is what we're rolling with. Make getting involved in Neighbours Day your New Year's Resolution.
If you or anyone else signs up for Neighbours Day 2017 between today and the 31st of January you go in a drawer to win a $100 grocery voucher. We'll be making 2 more draws, one this month and one in February.
We know there are some of you who are real champions of Neighbours Day Aotearoa, so for those that get the most people joining up we have a little incentive for you too. We've added a section in the join up page where people can mention how they heard about Neighbours Day. This is where all those awesome people you get to join up can pop your name. If you, or your organisation, come out on tops and have the most new members joining up then you will win a $100 grocery voucher as well!!! Whaaattt!! Now that will come in handy either for your awesome Neighbours Day event, or your friendly neighbourly bbq, or will pay for the TimTam's you bring when you have a cup of tea with your neighbours.
And just in case the chance to get involved in Neighbours Day and maybe win a voucher still isn't enough then how about this! - our Neighbours Day Members get tips and advice on how to make their Neighbours Day especially awesome, how and where to apply for funding or support in your community for your neighbours day activities, AND we'll be having a few more spot prize draws in the coming months that will help make your neighbours day activities even more fabulous.
Now that right there is a even more of an incentive to get either your fine self or others you know involved! So make sure you share the love and spread the word.


Neighbourhood Champions!
There are only a few days left to get your Neighbourhood Champion nominations in. Our January Neighbourhood champion gets the chance to win this beautiful pohutakawa necklace from Paul Harris Art and Design. Next month we have a lovely Orania skin care package to give our Neighbourhood Champion. So get those stories into Kiaora@neighboursday.org.nz

I Heart My Hood Photo Competition
This month we will launching the I Heart My Hood photo competition. We'll be announcing the launch date on facebook and on our website in the coming weeks.
This year we're doing it a little differently. We really want to see and hear about the people in your neighbourhood. Portraits of our neighbourhood champions, or the people that to you personify your community or 'hood'. To help focus (excuse the photography pun) we've chosen three themes.
1 - I Heart the History of My Hood
Everywhere we live has history, and stories. Do you know your hood's history? Or maybe you know someone who has lived in the community for what seems like a million years, and know the place like that back of their hand. Was your hood the birth place of the women's vote, or maybe site of the biggest lamington ever made way back in 53' ....(Yes I know, random, but honestly we're interesting in anything and everything)... We want to capture that both photographically and with a little text to accompany the image. It could be a quote, or a short version of the story that's been told. By the way - this is also an awesome way to get our older 'story tellers' involved.
2 - I Heart Diversity in my Hood
New Zealand really has become a melting pot and that brings with it the rainbow of diversity of all kinds. We want to capture some of that photographically and again with a little story, quote or text that adds to the diversity story of your community. Maybe you have the 'united nations' living on one street, maybe your neighbourhood pot luck dinners are better and more interesting than an international food fair could every dream of! We want to see and hear about it.
3 - I Heart My Healthy Hood
With our clean green image, amazing fresh foods, picture perfect outdoor environment, we know there are neighbourhoods out there that personify 'health'. Is your neighbourhood or neighbour one of them? It could be through a neighbourhood walking group, or a 'from garden to plate thanks to the shared neighbourhood community garden' kind of thing. It might be a neighbourhood that has committed to getting the kids off screens and outside, or maybe its a whole street of cross fit power vegans ..... probably not ... but you never know. What ever it is, we want to see and hear about it with a great photo of the people involved, and a great quote or (short) story to go with it.
So get snapping and chatting. We'll have more information on I Heart My Hood available on facebook and on our website.
We're starting 2017 with a hiss and a roar. We hope you are too!

Make sure you sign up for Neighbours Day 2017. If you get a sudden urge to share Neighbours Day on social media, don't fight that urge and use - #neighboursday . If you have some awesome neighbourly stories feel free to email them to us at kiaora@neighboursday.org.nz.

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2883 days ago

Back at work? Make a plan

The Team from Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management

If you're back in the office today, we hope you're not struggling too much. Do you know how you'll get home if there's no transport or who will get the kids if you can't get to them? Work through our Personal Workplace Emergency Plan and decide what you will do.
View more
If you're back in the office today, we hope you're not struggling too much. Do you know how you'll get home if there's no transport or who will get the kids if you can't get to them? Work through our Personal Workplace Emergency Plan and decide what you will do.
getthru.govt.nz...
Visit www.happens.nz... for more hints and tips.

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2885 days ago

Free dog to a kindly home

Mary from Pukehangi - Mangakakahi

A 7 months black lab\cross requires a kindly home who can provide him with lots exercise. Fully immunised, registerd  & neutered. Loves people contact, loves chewing things he shouldn't, house trained but has boundless energy. Would suit a family with active teens.

Free

2901 days ago

How will you be spending Christmas?

Nicola Brennan-Tupara Reporter from Rotorua News

Hi neighbours,
The team at the Rotorua Review are just about to head off for a few weeks for the festive break. Some of us are going camping, other are staying at home with their families.
What will you be getting up to on Christmas Day?

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2915 days ago

Big Yellow Ball at the OGO

Vic from Ngongotaha

Is anyone else shocked and stunned by the visibility (visual pollution?) of the huge yellow balloon at the OGO? It is visible for such a long way along the stretch of road between the Ngongotaha roundabout and Rainbow Springs. It is also massively visible from down at the Lakefront. Can anything … View moreIs anyone else shocked and stunned by the visibility (visual pollution?) of the huge yellow balloon at the OGO? It is visible for such a long way along the stretch of road between the Ngongotaha roundabout and Rainbow Springs. It is also massively visible from down at the Lakefront. Can anything be done about this? I'm not meaning to shut them down, people need to make a living and this is a tourist destination after all but something like petition for it to be changed from yellow to clear like the OGO balls (or even green to blend in with the mountain).  I've phoned the council but the person on the phone was new and had no idea what I was talking about.

2886 days ago

Poll: Removal of NZ Post box frustrates residents

Nicola Brennan-Tupara Reporter from Rotorua News

Hi neighbours,
Residents in Koutu have started a petition to get their post box back after it was removed by NZ Post late last year.
READ MORE: www.stuff.co.nz...
So that got us thinking- how often do you actually post mail these days?

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Removal of NZ Post box frustrates residents
  • 32.3% Once a week
    32.3% Complete
  • 32.3% once a month
    32.3% Complete
  • 22.6% once every six months
    22.6% Complete
  • 6.5% once a year
    6.5% Complete
  • 6.5% never
    6.5% Complete
  • 0% other
    0% Complete
31 votes
2917 days ago

Easter trading could finally be on the cards for Rotorua - what are your thoughts

Nicola Brennan-Tupara Reporter from Rotorua News

Hi neighbours,
Rotorua Lakes District councillors have voted to go to special consultation with the Rotorua public on the issue of Easter trading.
What do you think?
## Note comments might be used in print unless you say otherwise##

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2893 days ago

New Year's resolutions

Reporter Rotorua News

Hi neighbours,
With it about to clock over into 2017, it got us thinking...is it worth making New Year's resolutions?
Does anyone ever really stick to them?
If you're planning on making some, what will they be?

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2895 days ago

Don't miss your chance to win!

Roadshow Films

Looking for something to do in the holidays? Why not check out RED DOG: True Blue!

When eleven year old Mick is shipped off to his grandfather's cattle station in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia, he prepares himself for a life of dull hardship. Instead he finds myth, … View more
Looking for something to do in the holidays? Why not check out RED DOG: True Blue!

When eleven year old Mick is shipped off to his grandfather's cattle station in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia, he prepares himself for a life of dull hardship. Instead he finds myth, adventure and friendship with a scrappy, one-of-a-kind dog that will change his life forever. RED DOG: True Blue is a story of friendship, loyalty and acceptance and is perfect for families and dog lovers of all ages. Want to win a double pass?

Simply like or thank this post before 9 January for your chance to WIN one of ten double passes to RED DOG: True Blue.
Watch the trailer

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2895 days ago

Book Group

Karen from Hamurana

I would like to form a new book group or join an existing group. If you are a like-minded reader, and are looking for a group to join or a member for your existing group, please let me know. Thank you. Karen 027-3237374

2897 days ago

Merry Christmas

Sandra from Pukehangi - Mangakakahi

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and great 2017. Thank you for your support this year :)

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2900 days ago

Marae opens doors to homeless.

Michael from Pukehangi - Mangakakahi

I applaud the Apumoana Marae committee for opening their doors and their hearts to those currently in need of temporary housing in our community. I am sure that the people of the marae will not discriminate between Maori and non-Maori – homelessness is homelessness whichever way you look at it.
View more
I applaud the Apumoana Marae committee for opening their doors and their hearts to those currently in need of temporary housing in our community. I am sure that the people of the marae will not discriminate between Maori and non-Maori – homelessness is homelessness whichever way you look at it.
However in my view the National led Government have a lot to answer for. The recent reshuffle of Cabinet has seen the position of the Housing Minister disestablished. The shifting of a once (individual) ministerial responsibility to that of a (collective) local government responsibility essentially removes Central Government from any accountability around this contentious issue. Does this shift mean that the National led Government has finally acknowledged the fact that our country has a housing crisis?
The National Government backed the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) and quickly made changes to our legislation to align with the TPPA. This legislation included the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill which many believed would be the death of local democracy. I believe the TPPA is a tool to usurp our sovereignty. While many think this agreement is now dead in the water, I say watch this space.
National has delegated more responsibility to Local Government while looking to diminish their decision making roles. If we continue to support this current National led Government then eventually our local councils will be powerless when it comes to representing the people who put them there. We need to support those who put people first before profit.

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2902 days ago

Christmas Connections

The Team from Age Concern New Zealand

If you haven’t already made contact with your neighbours and older relatives, the holiday season is a perfect opportunity to break the ice.

Sometimes we get caught up in the Christmas rush, and don’t take time to think about people who may be experiencing a much quieter holiday season. … View more
If you haven’t already made contact with your neighbours and older relatives, the holiday season is a perfect opportunity to break the ice.

Sometimes we get caught up in the Christmas rush, and don’t take time to think about people who may be experiencing a much quieter holiday season. Contact with older people can help families to connect with what Christmas is really about, and it’s a great time to explore memories and think about traditions.

We will posting 5 tips leading up to Christmas on how you can connect with your older neighbours this Holiday Season.

5. Look out for them
Look out for your neighbours this holiday season. Be mindful that Christmas can be a tough time for some older people, especially those who live alone. Small gestures of kindness can make this time much easier for older people who may be lonely.

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