1747 days ago

LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

Jan from Ebdentown

WHATEVER YOUR OPINION – WHATEVER YOUR CONCERNS – WHATEVER YOUR ISSUES – EXERCISE YOUR DEMOCARACTIC RIGHTS AND VOTE – IF YOU DON'T TELL THEM WHAT YOU WANT, THEY DO WHATEVER THEY WANT!!
THE CANDIDATES
What caught my eye when reading all the candidates profiles were the ones that said they would:
Involve youth
involve the community
give community a voice
community focus
collaborate with community
fresh ideas and fresh thinking
be connected to a multicultural community
safe community in which to grow our children
climate change issues to be addressed
fresh water usage and preservation to be addressed
the planting of fruiting trees
recycling
reviewing the Library
mental health facilities
social housing
These were the words that spoke to me, that tell me that to some candidates, people matter, that our concerns are valid, and that wide community engagement is still seen by some as an essential in a vibrant democaracy. My hope is they come true. My greatest fear is same old, same old.
It is possible to balance regional issues, infrastructural issues, financial issues, with people issues, to listen to those of us who live here, pay our rates here and have to live with the consequences of decisions made without proper community involvement or consensus.
COUNCILLORS - Chris Carson – Blair Griffith – Paul Lambert – Glenn MacArthur – Dave Wheeler – along with the for now Mayor and a few of the new aspirant candidates.
All of them have very narrow field of focus - all about number crunching, growing the ratepayer base (more sub divisions) but not growing the infrastructural services needed to accommodate that level of populaton growth, inappropriate badly thougght out cost cutting and non involvement with ratepayers or citizens who elect them and who they are supposed to serve.
We need a better balance of Governance vs Operational going forward and not grow Upper Hutt in a way that punishes those of us that already live here, many of whose families have lived here for generations and laid the foundations of out city, whose hearts are here as well as our homes.

More messages from your neighbours
5 days ago

Poll: Have you had a pen pal?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

With the invention of the internet and mobile phone communication, pen pals seem to be a thing of the past but it was a common practice at one point.

Did you have a pen pal? Where did you meet them? Share below!

Image
Have you had a pen pal?
  • 67.1% Yes
    67.1% Complete
  • 32.5% No
    32.5% Complete
  • 0.4% Other - I'll share below!
    0.4% Complete
842 votes
12 days ago

Latest scams to look out for 👀

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Neighbourly hopes to keep you safe by keeping you informed of the latest scams circulating. This week, we are sharing two common text message scams:

NZTA / Waka Kotahi scam:
- The scam is a text message saying it's from New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, and it encourages the recipient to pay an overdue road toll by visiting a fake website, threatening to take the matter to court within 15 days if they don’t pay up.
- The aim is to trick people into giving away their personal details or pay them money.
- While it is not the first time toll payments have been utilised by scammers, the threat of court action could see more people fall victim.
- The sender will either be a unknown phone number or unknown email address.
Want to report one of these scams? Do so, on Netsafe

NZ Post scam:
- This scam arrives by test message and says it's from NZ Post.
- The premise is that delivery of your parcel was unsuccessful so in order to rearrange delivery. you must click on a link to give your correct address.
- The aim is to trick people into giving away their personal details or pay them money.
- NZ Post advises people not to click the link, but to report the message to the Department of Internal Affairs by forwarding it to 7726.
Think you may have fallen prey to a scam? Get in touch with Netsafe or contact your bank if it involved your bank details.

Remember, if you didn't expect the message and you are now asked to share personal details or money, then stop contact and seek advice elsewhere.

Feel free to share any below that you've encountered recently. This may help others across the country be aware.

Image
10 hours ago

Show us your winter craft or DIY projects

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

When we are stuck inside, it can be a time to get creative. And we think Neighbourly members are quite a creative bunch. So, let's fill the Neighbourly newsfeed with crafty creations from across the country.

Share a photo below of your craft projects, recent DIY, or your hobby. You may just inspire someone else!