948 days ago

Coasters to have ‘real voice’ in health reform

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

The Government says West Coast residents will have "a real voice" in the planned health reforms after the District Health Board structure is dismantled from June.

The elected and appointed West Coast District Health Board will be replaced by a new centralised body mid-year.

Health Minister Andrew Little announced on Thursday the West Coast and eight other regions will be part of a new locality approach pilot with "targeted engagement" to determine the shape of future health services as the health reforms are rolled out over the next two years.

Little said the structure to be piloted would ensure a more direct voice and be better than relying "on a small number of elected reps under the DHBs".

"People living in these nine areas will start to see changes over the next six months. Organisations responsible for providing care will start to work more closely together."

The reforms would ensure a local say and "a real voice" in determining the health services provided in the community, he said.

The pilots would improve how health care was delivered in local communities.

The West Coast is among a mix of nine rural and urban health areas included: Ōtara/Papatoetoe, Hauraki, Taupō/Tūrangi, Wairoa, Whanganui, Porirua, West Coast, Eastern Bay of Plenty and Horowhenua.

"The new locality approach will be a collective of networks that will provide advice to Health New Zealand and the Māori Health Authority on the health services needs identified by their communities," Little said.

Local communities and iwi would determine their geographic area to become the 'locality', so the area served made sense to the people who lived and worked there.

The area for each locality network would be determined by criteria including priority population groups, iwi boundaries and local government boundaries.

"The areas will be small enough to still feel local and everyone ... will fit into a locality that reflects their community."

A locality commissioner would be appointed for each locality once the localities had been identified and work with the community and service providers on their priorities for local care.

* Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air

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2 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?

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Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
  • 83.3% Yes
    83.3% Complete
  • 14.3% No
    14.3% Complete
  • 2.4% Other - I'll share below
    2.4% Complete
1143 votes
10 hours ago

Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

This Wednesday, we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.

John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!

As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!

John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.

Share your question below now ⬇️

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5 days ago

What's your favourite tomato recipe?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.

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