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2451 days ago

Former refugee family placed in damp Dunedin home feels abandoned

Nicole Reporter from Dunedin News

A former refugee family struggling in a cold, damp Dunedin home say they feel abandoned by the government agencies tasked with looking after them.

Ahmad Al Ghanem, his pregnant wife Hamda Al Salem and their five young children arrived in Dunedin from the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre eight months ago.

The side shelves of their refrigerator are now lined with medication to help the family fight respiratory illness, which they say is caused by their cold, damp rental.

Their stories came to light after community-led development agency The Valley Project talked to terrified local Muslim families in the aftermath of the March 15 terrorist attack in Christchurch.

More messages from your neighbours
22 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.

Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.

Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?

Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!

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25 minutes ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.

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1 day ago

Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”

We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?

Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.

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Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
  • 41.8% Yes
    41.8% Complete
  • 32.1% Maybe?
    32.1% Complete
  • 26.1% No
    26.1% Complete
368 votes