1261 days ago

Cemetery caretaker finds peace in 43 years on the job at Akatārawa

Reporter Community News

I posted something on this week last but it is such a nice story I am posting it again.

When people find out Neil Whiteman tends to graves for a living they often remark that he must have seen a fair few ghosts after nearly 43 years on the job. But the 72-year-old insists he’s never encountered one.​
For him, Akatārawa Cemetery is a peaceful place.
As a boy, he’d help his father Dave Whiteman​ dig graves during the weekend. In 1978, when Dave Whiteman retired from his role as the sexton at the Upper Hutt graveyard, Neil Whiteman took up the role.
For him, Akatārawa Cemetery is a peaceful place.
Whiteman's dedication to caring for the cemetery earned him the Individual Excellence Award at the New Zealand Cemeteries and Crematoria Awards last month.


.

Image
More messages from your neighbours
5 hours ago

Riddle Alert! Who’s Up for Some Brain-Busting Fun?

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

4-letter word, always done tomorrow,
We’re out of tea, the ultimate sorrow!
Without the eye, you owe me some money,
No sugar no nectar no sweetness no honey,
4-letter word, if by chance you choose,
You can never win, you can only lose!
What is the 4-letter word?

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.

Image
4 days ago

Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.

When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?

Image
Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
  • 82.4% Yes
    82.4% Complete
  • 14.9% No
    14.9% Complete
  • 2.7% Other - I'll share below
    2.7% Complete
1608 votes
8 hours ago

HAS CNN GOT IT RIGHT

Michael from Trentham

Set the scene:

CNN today showed a preview of a movie about reforming Pope Francis and the clips ended with a riled up Pope raising his voice to a person - maybe a Bishop or Cardinal - inside the Vatican in Rome.

Immediately after this came on screen the headline: SINNER LEADS ITALY TO WIN IN DAVIS CUP.

Jannik Sinner is a member of the Italian tennis team.

Gave me a laugh.