3344 days ago

BREAKAWAY

Kathryn McKenzie from Te Otuihau Community Development Project

WHAT IS IT - A free holiday programme
WHERE IS IT - at the Whangarei Aquatic Centre, Ewing St, Riverside.
FOR WHOM - 11 to 17 year olds.
WHEN - 5 days a week, starting MONDAY 9 January, 9.00am-3.00pm
All you need to bring is your lunch.
You can participate in activities - waka ama, walking the loop, climbing Parihaka, swimming
Learning - local history from local kaumatua & kuia; healthy eating & life-styles.
What is our Break-Away School Holiday Programme?
The Break-Away School Holiday Programme provides young people with an opportunity to attend fun, stimulating and structured school holiday programmes at no cost to participants. This programme is part of the Break-Away package of initiatives designed to expand holiday opportunities for young people who would not otherwise have access to them.
Key elements of the Break-Away School Holiday Programme
Break-Away funds 30,000 one-week school holiday programme places New Zealand-wide for young people aged 11–17 years each year.
Young people can refer themselves on the programme, or they can be referred by parents or others in the community.
The programmes are available at no cost to participants. They provide daily activities over the Christmas and Easter school holiday period.
Any young person from the targeted communities is eligible to attend, regardless of parental income.
If you require further information regarding our Break-Away programme. Email your enquiry to WhangareiAquatics@clmnz.co.nz or check out MSD's Frequently Asked Questions for parents/caregivers.

More messages from your neighbours
10 hours ago

Poll: If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

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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If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓
  • 30.8% The sting of a fine (Money talks!)
    30.8% Complete
  • 69.2% The threat of demerit points (Nobody wants to lose their license!)
    69.2% Complete
159 votes
S
4 hours ago

Something we all seem to have forgotten

Stewart from Kamo

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.

7 days ago

Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!

William Hansby Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

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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