2135 days ago

Jacinda braves the shave

Chris Marshall Reporter from Taupō Times

Taupō supportive care nurse Jacinda Mayo has seen first hand the extra stress Covid-19 has placed on cancer patients.

And as restrictions around public gatherings mean the Cancer Society has had to cancel some important fundraising events, Mayo has decided to Brave the Shave.

It’s a fundraising activity people can get involved in from the safety of their ‘bubble’, and the timing couldn’t be better with hair salons still in lockdown.

Mayo offers support to people living with cancer, and their families, in the Taupō/Turangi region.

During level 4 she’s also been making the journey to provide staffing support at the Cancer Society’s Lions Lodge in Hamilton – a facility offering free accommodation to people who need to travel to Waikato Hospital for cancer treatment.

Mayo, along with another of the society’s supportive care nurses, has set an ambitious fundraising goal of $5000 for losing her locks and has already raised well over half that amount in the first week of fundraising.

The motivation for their involvement is simple: the clients they meet every day.

"As nurses, on a daily basis we are in awe of the bravery and courage that our clients, their families and those around them show. Right from the moment a client receives what may be a life-changing or life-limiting diagnosis, they and their significant others show us how brave and courageous they are.

“Somehow, and from somewhere, they find the courage to take the next step in their journey to tackle whatever is thrown at them next."

Mayo said she’s been thinking of raising funds with a head shave for a little while but thinks now's the right time to find her "little bit of brave".

"Our job is a privilege. To be allowed into someone's life and to support them through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows is something we do not take for granted. It is an honour to walk this journey with them."

Read more information about Jacinda’s progress on the brave the shave everyday hero website.

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More messages from your neighbours
10 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.

Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.

For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.

Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?

We hope this brings a smile!

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4 days ago

Poll: If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In the Post's article on speeding penalties, the question is asked whether speeding fines are truly about road safety, or are they just a way to boost revenue for the Crown?

What do you think? Should speeding motorists receive speeding fines or demerit points?

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If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓
  • 38.3% The sting of a fine (Money talks!)
    38.3% Complete
  • 61.7% The threat of demerit points (Nobody wants to lose their license!)
    61.7% Complete
752 votes
1 day ago

🍦 A Challenge for the Sweetest Tooth!

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

We all love a scoop (or three) of ice cream... but the owner at Little Liberty Creamery in Taranaki is taking things to a whole new level for 2026!

Her goal? 52 new flavours this year. That’s one brand-new, experimental creation every single week! 🤯

The Great Flavour Debate: We want to know what the current "Gold Standard" is for you.

What is the crème de la crème of ice cream flavours?
🍦 The Purist: Are you a "perfect vanilla or nothing" kind of person?
🍫 The Chocoholic: The darker and chunkier the better?
🧂 The Salty-Sweet: Is Salted Caramel still the reigning champ?
🌈 The Wildcard: Are you into the experimental stuff—think lavender, chilli, or charcoal?

Tell us your absolute favourite flavour in the comments below! 👇

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