Age Concern New Zealand wishes everyone a safe and fun filled Halloween.
We wish everyone a safe Halloween but we need to remember that not everyone wants to be part of Halloween celebrations.
For some older people Halloween can be a frightening and scary time so here are some helpful tips so everyone can enjoy themselves and come away with fond memories:
- Make it a family affair and go trick or treating with your kids or a group from your neighbourhood.
- Call your neighbours in advance to make sure it’s okay to call in to trick-or-treat
- If you don’t want trick-or-treaters calling print or make a sign for your letterbox or window saying no thanks. (New Zealand Police have had downloadable signs)
- If you are a trick-or-treater, respect the people who have a sign asking for you to stay away
- Keep your lights on and guests outside
- Keep your eye out for your older family members, friends and neighbours this Halloween and make sure we all get to enjoy the celebration.
Remember you can help make this a great celebration for your family and community and a great opportunity to connect with your older neighbours.
If you want to go one step further Age Concern New Zealand would like to encourage all Kiwis to sign up to their Dignity Champion Campaign to show a commitment to breaking down ageism and stereotypes and encouraging dignity and respect for older people.
Become an Age Concern Dignity Champion www.ageconcern.org.nz... this Halloween and involve and celebrate the older people in your lives.
Poll: If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓
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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30.2% The sting of a fine (Money talks!)
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69.8% The threat of demerit points (Nobody wants to lose their license!)
Something we all seem to have forgotten
An Obituary to Common Sense printed in the London Times
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.
No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated valuable lessons like:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- And maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge)
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher
fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death;
-by his parents, Truth and Trust,
-by his wife, Discretion,
-by his daughter, Responsibility,
-and by his son, Reason
He is survived by his 5 stepbrothers;
- I Know My Rights,
- I Want It Now,
- Someone Else Is To Blame,
- I'm A Victim,
- Pay me for Doing Nothing
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing…
This is a modified version of a text that is originally attributed to Lori Borgman. However, it is more true today than it was when first written. It is not the version I remember, but it still gets the point across. Enjoy and remember.
Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!
Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.
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