**APPRECIATION POST**
Thanks to Fatima Vaaga for this weeks nomination - as we had the privilege of delivering to an amazing local Mangere couple Aporo Piho and Ngamata Uriaro.
This wonderful couple have for the past 5 years
volunteered their time to run a FREE community Soup kitchen at Whare Koa Mangere Community House each week.
Aporo has only recently slowed down due to some health challenges however, but he still volunteers as the local driver for the local Cook Island Mamas group helping with their community programmes.
Ngamata continues to run the local Soup Kitchen every Monday and also leads the Tiare Taina Cook Islands Mamas group as Chairperson.
Aporo and Ngamata are both pensioners but they never hesitate to share all they have with others, often at their own expense.
We are so grateful for their serving hearts where they continue to be a blessing to others in our local community.
Thank you Aporo and Ngamata for being heroes to our local people.
We were also privileged on our visit to be graced by the presence of her Majesty Pa Tepaeru Ariki, who was working hard with Aporo and Ngamata in service to her people and local community.
They are our #communityheroes
To nominate any community heroes you know - or a deserving family - please email teesh.beckham@raywhite.com or pm Ray White Mangere 1st
Poll: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.
We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.
-
82.4% Same!
-
17.6% Would have liked to try something different
By-election for Otara-Papatoetoe area
Just to let everyone know that we have another by-election happening, and here is the reason why. Below are details and dates, so keep an eye on your letter boxes.
The Manukau Court’s Ruling
The Manukau District Court determined that the Papatoetoe subdivision result of the Ōtara–Papatoetoe Local Board election was invalid, ruling that the outcome had been “materially affected” by voting irregularities. Judge Richard McIlraith found that the scale and nature of the irregularities met the legal threshold required to void an election under New Zealand’s local electoral laws.
In his decision, Judge McIlraith stated that the evidence presented — including reports of stolen voting papers, fraudulent use of ballots, and other procedural irregularities — was sufficient to conclude that the integrity of the election had been compromised. The court noted that at least 79 voting papers were identified as having been cast without the rightful voter’s knowledge during a judicially supervised examination of ballot boxes.
While the judge acknowledged that the election had been administered “properly and in accordance with all requirements” by Independent Election Services and the electoral officer, he concluded that the fraudulent activity originated outside the official process and nonetheless impacted the final result to a degree that required the election to be voided.
As a result of the ruling, the court ordered that a new election must be held, with Auckland Council confirming that the fresh poll must be completed by 9 April 2026
Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
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.
Loading…
