John Taylor
John Taylor is a 16-year-old year old from Warkworth whose year has got off to a really rough start. On January 14th he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of melanoma and since then has had surgery to remove a large area of the surrounding skin and underlying tissue from his lower leg, as well as two nearby lymph nodes. Unfortunately, the results have shown that cancer cells were already present in the lymph nodes and now he needs to undergo further testing and treatment.
So far the family has already borrowed around $17,250 for surgery and testing as these were needed more urgently than the public health system could provide. They have already been told that John is likely to require further testing and treatment in the very near future and that not all of it will be funded through the public system.
Any funds raised will go towards paying for these tests and/or treatment as well as to support the whanau during the coming months ahead.
John will be under the care of Starship and the family have been advised by the paediatric oncologist that John's type of melanoma is so rare (they barely see any of these in NZ in adults let alone kids/teenagers) and aggressive, they've decided to send his info to 'St Jude's - children's research hospital' in the states to get their advice. This process should take 2-3 weeks but...might take longer if they ask for the original tissue to be sent to them so they can have a look at it themselves. Starship will be back in touch once they've heard from them and then there will be a meeting to discuss the treatment plan from there.
You are invited to offer support to John and his family via a Give-a-little page set up in his name. It would be greatly appreciated.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.6% Yes
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13.9% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Harbour Bridge lane closure - protests
The Treaty Principles Bill was introduced to parliament last week and could have ramifications on the partnership between the Crown and Māori.
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti (March for the Treaty of Waitangi) set off from Cape Rēinga on Monday morning and is expected to reach Wellington next Tuesday. It has now passed through Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Whangārei, Dargaville and is passing through Auckland on Wednesday.
What you need to know today:
- The hīkoi is due to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge about 9.30am on Wednesday. Two northbound lanes will be closed at some point before the crossing, and remain closed during it.
- NZTA shared at 8:50am Wednesday:
'Curran St northbound on-ramp will be closed shortly, with two northbound lanes on the Harbour Bridge expected to close from approx 9.30am this morning. Allow extra time for likely delays through this area.'
- The hīkoi is expected to go across the Harbour Bridge, in a controlled fashion before marching through parts of the CBD towards Okahu Bay.
- Auckland commuters should expect traffic disruption in vicinity of both sides of the Harbour Bridge.
Stuff reporter Steve Kilgallon was at Stafford Park on the north side of the Harbour Bridge at 8.30am Wednesday and shared:
"I just walked through Stafford Park, where there’s about 400-500 people quietly assembled and more arriving; and about 20 police standing over near the motorway off ramp. Lot of Tino Rangatira flags in evidence, local streets very busy with parked cars."
Police have shared that they will respond accordingly to any issues that may arise along the route.
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