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There is a lack of support for the elderly in our communities due to our ageing population, and more seniors living alone. We need more people and resources to advocate and address the social, emotional and physical needs of our seniors, and promote positive and healthy ageing.
If you are … View moreThere is a lack of support for the elderly in our communities due to our ageing population, and more seniors living alone. We need more people and resources to advocate and address the social, emotional and physical needs of our seniors, and promote positive and healthy ageing.
If you are interested to support this social cause, and contribute your ideas, knowledge, experience, talents and resources, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us at agewellkiwi@gmail.com. Depending on the response, we might have enough people to form a non-profit group. We plan to have an initial meeting by the end of this month or early next month.
Thank you.
Mabel
Observed annually on 25 April, Anzac Day marks a time of remembrance for those who gave their lives in service to their country, as well as returned service personnel.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown will attend the Dawn Service at Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum, located in the … View moreObserved annually on 25 April, Anzac Day marks a time of remembrance for those who gave their lives in service to their country, as well as returned service personnel.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown will attend the Dawn Service at Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum, located in the Auckland Domain. He noted the personal significance of the day, given his family history.
“It’s my absolute privilege to once again take part in the yearly Dawn Service for Anzac Day. As many already know, my father’s account of war had a profound impact on me and while he was fortunate enough to come home, many others did not return," Mayor Brown says.
“Today, we acknowledge that very fact by coming together throughout the city to commemorate our fallen soldiers and honour our returned servicemen and women, right up to those who are serving today. I hope all Aucklanders will join us where possible, as we pay our respects this Anzac Day.”
Initially established to commemorate the soldiers of New Zealand and Australia who fought and died at Gallipoli during the First World War, the day has since evolved to honour all who have served in conflicts involving New Zealand.
This year, Auckland Council and the Auckland RSA (Returned Services Association) have extended a warm invitation to all residents to take part in events across the city.
The Dawn Service at Auckland War Memorial Museum begins at 6am, followed by a haka performed by Vanguard Military School in honour of the fields of remembrance. Auckland Council, in partnership with Auckland RSA and other veteran and community groups, is supporting the full schedule of commemorations.
Alongside the services, the city’s landmarks will be illuminated in a show of support. Key locations will shine in poppy-red for Poppy Day, the RSA’s annual fundraiser on 11 April, which raises funds for veteran health and wellbeing services. Vector Lights on the Auckland Harbour Bridge will feature commemorative lighting from 10–12 April for Poppy Day, and again from 22–25 April for Anzac Day. A full light and sound show will be available to view at vector.co.nz/lights.
Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum will also be lit from dusk until dawn between 23 and 25 April, including on the evening of Anzac Day. Other sites, such as the Queen Street Lights, will also participate in the tribute.
A full list of local parades and civic services can be found on the Our Auckland website, which will be updated with the latest event information.
All Aucklanders are encouraged to attend and take a moment of reflection as the city unites in remembrance.
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UPDATE: A contractor from Auckland Council has just collected the remains.
Hi everyone,
This morning, my neighbour found a deceased cat on his driveway. He brought it out and left it on the berm outside 2 Haig Ave. It is possibly somebody's cat, so please pass the word around, so that it … View moreUPDATE: A contractor from Auckland Council has just collected the remains.
Hi everyone,
This morning, my neighbour found a deceased cat on his driveway. He brought it out and left it on the berm outside 2 Haig Ave. It is possibly somebody's cat, so please pass the word around, so that it can be collected asap. It doesn't look like it has been hit by a car and the body looks dry.
I will also be reporting this to the Auckland Council soon, and they will probably come in the next hour or so to dispose of its body, unless it is picked up before then.
Join us for our next free 1 hour presentation - Tuesday 22nd April, at 2.00pm at St Lukes Community Church, 130 Remuera Rd. . This session will focus on tips and tricks for buying and selling on TradeMe.
Email: mac.auckland@seniornet.nz or Phone Janet 0212148386.
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Easter weekend will see most stores closed due to the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990.
Good Friday and Easter Sunday have restricted trading, with exemptions for essential services and specific areas.
Public holiday surcharges apply on Good Friday and Easter Monday, with alcohol sales regulated … View moreEaster weekend will see most stores closed due to the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990.
Good Friday and Easter Sunday have restricted trading, with exemptions for essential services and specific areas.
Public holiday surcharges apply on Good Friday and Easter Monday, with alcohol sales regulated separately.
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Expect New Zealand towns and cities to be a little sleepier this weekend, as Easter delivers a four-day break for Kiwis and most shops closed this Friday and Sunday.
Under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990, retail stores in Aotearoa are required to close over three-and-a-half days every year.
With Good Friday and Easter Sunday counting for two of the restricted trading days, this weekend looks especially different for employers, workers and customers.
In 2016, the act was amended to let councils set their own local Easter Sunday trading policies - although Good Friday remains a restricted trading day under the changes.
Regulations and bylaws vary across the country, complicating rules around which stores can actually open over the long weekend.
Here’s what to expect to help you plan ahead this Easter.
What can open?
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Nationwide, only certain shops are permitted to open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, depending on what they sell.
According to Employment NZ, shops can open on these days if they’re defined as one of the following:
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Small grocery shop
Service station
Restaurant
Cafe
Takeaway store
Duty-free store
Service-providing shop (e.g. barber)
Real estate agency
Pharmacy
Garden centre (Easter Sunday only)
Certain shops in public transport stations
Certain shops at an exhibition, show, or market
Souvenir shop
Exempt stores are also subject to restrictions that dictate what they can and can’t sell.
Retail NZ says open stores should only sell services or essential goods. This includes items “people can’t put off buying until the next day, such as baby formula or pet food”.
The rules for each day still look a little different, as Good Friday is a public holiday and a restricted trading day, Easter Sunday is also restricted but not a public holiday, and Easter Monday is a public holiday without trading restrictions.
If you’re eating out on Good Friday or Easter Monday, prepare to pay a public holiday surcharge. This is typically set at 15%.
What can’t open?
=============
Supermarkets are not allowed to trade on Good Friday and Easter Sunday - but smaller grocery stores and dairies are exempt.
Cafes, restaurants and bars can open, but can only serve alcohol if patrons buy a meal with their drink, while off-licence stores must remain closed on both days, with alcohol sales regulated separately by the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
Of course, shops in areas with valid exemptions can open under local Easter Sunday policies.
Who’s exempt from the national restrictions?
==================================
Although the main city councils have yet to introduce their own Easter Sunday trading bylaws, some have exempt areas with shops permitted to open.
For Auckland, that’s Parnell Village, while Christchurch’s Arts Centre can open its doors too.
Queenstown, Paihia and Taupō are designated tourist destinations and are exempt from the national Easter trading restrictions, meaning they can open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Shops in Picton’s Mariners Mall can trade on both days too, but a cruise ship must be docked in port to allow Easter Sunday trading to occur.
Golden Bay businesses have an exemption from the Tasman District Council to trade on Easter Sunday if they wish.
Wellington, Porirua and Lower Hutt do not have any exempt areas, while Dunedin’s Carnegie Centre can only sell arts and crafts.
Since 2016, councils have been able to roll out their own local Easter Sunday trading policies over a specific area or their whole district.
Most regional and district councils have adopted their own trading policies and rules since the amendment was passed.
For example, all shops in places like the Far North, Hauraki, Marlborough and Tauranga are permitted to open on Easter Sunday, although they can also choose to remain closed.
Others, mostly city councils, lack a local policy or only have certain areas exempt, meaning stores within their jurisdiction remain subject to the Shop Trading Hours Act’s restrictions.
This includes, but is not limited to, the councils governing Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Hutt City, Christchurch and Dunedin.
How to tell if a shop is allowed to open
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If you’re struggling to decipher which stores are exempt from Easter restrictions, a good rule of thumb is to check whether it’s selling goods or a service.
Stores offering services, such as hairdressers or beauty salons, are able to open, but they can only sell services, not tangible goods.
For example, you can open a spa facility on either day to sell treatments such as massages and facials, but cannot sell products such as skincare or massage oils for customers to take home.
If you’re still unsure, check with a store directly before visiting.
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Add colour and a splash of Resene gold to transform and accentuate an old cabinet’s understated Art Deco style. Find out how you can bring out the best in your furniture with these easy step by step instructions.
Thinking about starting a business — maybe a side gig, a passion project, or a community service? Locking in a name is a great first step. With JumpStarter, you can search and secure your domain in just a few clicks. It’s safe, simple, and made for everyday Kiwis ready to bring their ideas to … View moreThinking about starting a business — maybe a side gig, a passion project, or a community service? Locking in a name is a great first step. With JumpStarter, you can search and secure your domain in just a few clicks. It’s safe, simple, and made for everyday Kiwis ready to bring their ideas to life.
It's been a wild and windy night across the region, with more wind expected and heavy rain later in the day.
What you need to know:
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand has been called to over 100 weather related events overnight in Auckland and Northland.
- Auckland Emergency Management ask … View moreIt's been a wild and windy night across the region, with more wind expected and heavy rain later in the day.
What you need to know:
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand has been called to over 100 weather related events overnight in Auckland and Northland.
- Auckland Emergency Management ask if you are travelling to take extreme care; allow extra time and drive to the conditions.
- At 11:30am, due to severe wind gusts Harbour Bridge lanes have been reduced to 2 in each direction temporarily. High-sided vehicles & motorcyclists should consider delaying their journey. Lanes will reopen asap, subject to gusts becoming less severe. Keep up to date on NZTA website.
- Some residents across Auckland are without power, particularly west and north of the city.
- All three ferry companies (SeaLink, Fullers and Island Direct) sailing to Waiheke Island have cancelled their services.
- Gulf Harbour ferry services are also cancelled for the day due to high winds.
- Around 14 domestic flights have either been delayed or cancelled from departing Auckland Airport this morning.
A further 12 have either been delayed or cancelled arriving into Auckland Airport
- Speed was reduced on Auckland Harbour Bridge during morning commute. The speed has been reduced to 50kph and big temporary signs have been put up at the base of the bridge saying “high winds, obey speed restrictions”.
- If you see fallen trees or debris on public land, please report it using Auckland Council’s Report a Problem tool: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz...
- Average wind speeds of over 75 km/h are being recorded, generating large waves on Auckland beaches. These waves crash on sandy beaches and smash up cells of phytoplankton and pull in air bubbles, producing a soapy foam.
- Auckland Zoo are opening late after night of wild weather
- Keep up to date on weather forecasts at MetService New Zealand.
Read live updates on the Stuff website.
As well as their 4 weeks of annual leave, employees are entitled to 12 public holidays each year (if the public holidays fall on days they’d normally work). Employees who choose to work on public holidays are entitled to be paid time-and-a-half and may get a day’s leave to take later.
… View moreAs well as their 4 weeks of annual leave, employees are entitled to 12 public holidays each year (if the public holidays fall on days they’d normally work). Employees who choose to work on public holidays are entitled to be paid time-and-a-half and may get a day’s leave to take later.
======================================================
What you need to know
You can only require an employee to work on a public holiday if it’s written into their employment agreement and it’s a day they would usually work. Otherwise, you can ask an employee to work on a public holiday, but they don’t have to agree.
If an employee works on a public holiday they must get paid at least time and a half
if the public holiday falls on what is a normal working day for them, they must also get a paid day off at a later date.
Employment New Zealand has more information if you need help working out what a normal working day is for your employees.
Easter Sunday
============
If you’re a shop owner, you may be able to open on Easter Sunday. But you can’t make your employees work that day – and they don’t have to give you a reason.
If you plan to open on Easter Sunday, you must give your employees written notice of their right to refuse to work at least four weeks in advance, but not earlier than eight weeks before.
Easter Sunday is not a public holiday. If you open, you can pay your staff their normal wage. They are not owed an alternative paid holiday.
Matariki
=======
Matariki is a new public holiday observed for the first time in 2022. The holiday, which marks the beginning of the Māori New Year, is the first to recognise Te Ao Māori. Matariki is considered a standard national public holiday.
Mondayisation
When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, employees who don’t normally work then will have the following Monday as their paid public holiday. This is known as Mondayisation.
These public holidays can be moved to Monday (or in some cases Tuesday) if they fall on a Saturday or Sunday
Waitangi Day – 6 February
Anzac Day – 25 April
Christmas Day – 25 December
Boxing Day – 26 December
New Year's Day – 1 January
Day after New Year's Day – 2 January
If your employees work weekends as well as Mondays, they don’t get both days as public holidays – they just get one.
If public holidays fall inside your annual closedown period, you must pay employees for those that fall on days they’d usually work – including weekend public holidays moved to Monday or Tuesday.
Days in lieu (alternative holidays)
===========================
Employees who are entitled to an alternative holiday get a full day off, no matter how many hours they worked on the public holiday.
They don’t get an alternative day if:
=============================
they wouldn't usually have worked that day
they only work on public holidays
they were on call but didn't have to do anything, and being on call didn't stop them doing what they wanted to do with their day.
If you can't agree on when your employee will take an alternative holiday, you can choose a day for them – but you have to give them 14 days' notice. After 12 months, if they still haven’t taken the day off, you can agree with them to exchange the time off for an extra day's pay.
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Relax, we’ve got it covered, enjoy a year of free fees*
At Ryman you won’t pay your base weekly fee for a whole year* when you sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse at a participating Ryman village before 30 June 2025.
That means that you won’t pay rates, water rates, … View moreRelax, we’ve got it covered, enjoy a year of free fees*
At Ryman you won’t pay your base weekly fee for a whole year* when you sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse at a participating Ryman village before 30 June 2025.
That means that you won’t pay rates, water rates, building insurance, maintenance fees and more. That’s great financial certainty.
*Participating villages only, Ts and Cs apply
Remember our servicemen and servicewomen past and present by attending an Anzac Day service on Friday 25 April.
New Lynn Lions will not be having their monthly book sale this coming weekend as it is Easter Weekend. We have several of our Lions, partners and volunteers away for the weekend. We look forward to seeing you on May 17th.
With all the improvements on the SH1 the traffic should be flowing properly by now but the increase in traffic due to growing population has overtaken the benefit of road widening.
It would be wonderful if population had remained static with no new buildings for last few years, but by keeping on … View moreWith all the improvements on the SH1 the traffic should be flowing properly by now but the increase in traffic due to growing population has overtaken the benefit of road widening.
It would be wonderful if population had remained static with no new buildings for last few years, but by keeping on building houses and infrastructure which causes global warming nothing has changed.
So should we
1. Introduce Congestion charges/tolls to limit traffic at rush hours.
2. Fine people with only one person inside a car in rush hours.
3. Level off a cycle path beside suburban railway lines
4. Reduce local bus fares to $1 for each bus entered. $3 for express.
5. Reduce population growth thus stop the need to build which will lead to a higher standard of living for us all.
CliveS
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