Bring the buzz: Free parking for 6 weeks.
We're offering šfreeš parking for the next six weeks to help keep our Central Business District buzzing.
At an emergency meeting yesterday Councillors unanimously decided to cancel all parking charges in Council-owned parking spaces for up to six weeks starting Monday 14 March 2022.
āIt's time to mask up, scan in, use sanitiser, and support local businesses" says Mayor Sheryl Mai, "They need us and we need them. Let's pull through this together and we can all rebuild in the good times that lie ahead."
āBusinesses that rely on foot traffic have been doing it hard during the COVID pandemic and in the past two weeks especially, the central city has seen fewer people."
Parking will be free in all of Councilās off-street carparks, on-road metered parking spaces, the John Street Carparking Building and the John and James Street carparks managed for Council by Wilsons Parking.
āš We can't turn our mechanical "lollipop" meters off, so donāt put money in them unless you're feeling reeeallly generous.
Our ticket dispensers and MPark (our online parking) will be shut off during the campaign, and there will signage posted to support this message.
We are also asking people to play fair ā this initiative is to get people back to positive routines of shopping local, eating from our lovely local food businesses and enjoying our public spaces. If you work in town, please park where you normally would and leave the parks outside your shop for customers.
Our wardens will still be out there checking that people move on after the allotted time and ticketing where necessary ā the idea is to keep things moving, bring the buzz, inject energy and life as people come in, go about their business and head off again.
Our contribution is the equivalent of about $240,000 in lost parking income, but we reckon visitors will spend that and much more at local businesses.
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 wouldnāt 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% Yes
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14.7% No
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1.3% Other - I'll share below
Spring gardening tips
Dreaming of a garden bursting with colour and fresh produce? Shane Fairbairn, Ryman Healthcareās Landscape Manager, shares his top tips to make it happen. Youāll be set to create a gorgeous, relaxing space in no time - grab your trowel, and letās dig in.
Click read more for more information.
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.