Poll: Do you support having a non-traditional Santa?
Nelson's bi-cultural Christmas parade has caused a stir and some confusion among Santa's young fans. The traditional white-bearded, jolly man was replaced in the parade by a Māori man representing Santa Claus. Read the full story here.
Although many people were for the idea, some parents felt "blindsided" that they weren't forewarned that Hana Kōkō would be stepping in for Santa Claus. The parade's organisers have since apologised.
So we want to know your view on this topic. Are you in support of modernising Christmas, or do you prefer a traditional Santa? Take part in our poll below!
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8.9% Yes, I'm all for it
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80.9% No, I prefer the traditional Santa
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10.2% I don't mind either way
Six tips for improving security around your home
1) Improve outdoor lighting
Ensure that streets, driveways, and front yards are well-lit. Motion-sensor lights around homes deter trespassers by reducing hiding spots and illuminating their movements.
2) Trim your trees
Overgrown shrubs and trees provide cover for intruders. Keeping them well-trimmed around windows and doors improves visibility and reduces potential hiding spots.
3) Secure Entry Points
Ensure doors, windows, and gates are always closed when you are away from the house. Upgrade to more secure locks, deadbolts, or even smart locks for added protection.
4) Add a security camera
Place security cameras in the main entry points to your home. Doorbell cameras are also relatively cheap and a great way to keep track of who is visiting your home when you aren't there.
5) Start a Neighborhood Watch Program
You could reach out to members on Neighbourly to form a group of neighbors who can regularly keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it. You could also check with Neighbourhood Support to see what is existing in your area.
6) Introduce yourself to your neighbours
The closer you are to your neighbors, the more likely they’ll notice when something unusual or suspicious is happening around your property
Feel free to share anything that you do around your area to deter crime.
Walking your dog or your dog walking you in Tikipunga
Here are two great places to take your pooch out and about in Tikipunga - Beasley Park and the Hatea River walk.
Beasley Park, Tikipunga
Beasley Park is a suburban park close to Beazley Crescent. It is a calm place to play off-leash with a good variety of shade, sun, slopes and flat spaces. It is a quiet neighbourhood park with an interesting central waterway to explore.
Hātea River Walk
The Hatea River walkway is a dog-friendly place for on-leash exploring, with a forested walkway passing through several parks and suburbs starting from Otuihau/Whangārei Falls in Tikipunga and leading all the way to the central city at Riverside (about 6 kilometres)
There are well-established pathways (your dog must stay on leash and stick to the paths). Expect lots of passing foot-traffic - including kids.
Take a picnic, a ball, or other park activities. You will need to take rubbish home with you.
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