1947 days ago

South Auckland man delivers 33,000 food parcels to Covid-19-impacted families

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Community News

A Mangere resident has delivered thousands of food parcels to aid struggling families in the Covid-19 pandemic.

Darryl Vincent Evans, 56, is the chief executive of the Mangere Budgeting Services Trust in south Auckland, which has an in-house food bank.

Evans provided 23,000 food parcels to families and vulnerable pensioners during the first lockdown.

Across the whole of 2020 his organisation has delivered 33,000 food parcels across south Auckland.

Evans said the level of need “grew exponentially” throughout lockdown.

“We went from an organisation delivering 200 to 300 parcels a week, to providing 2850 in our busiest week,” he said.

Evans is a finalist in the Westfield Local Heroes competition, an annual event that awards $10,000 grants to community heroes.

Evans said he is “overwhelmed” to be nominated.

“The purpose of our organisation is to ensure every family have food on the table, and every family has access to essential wrap around services,” he said.

Winners are decided by a popular vote, and Evans said he would put the money towards a second food bank van.

The voting period for Westfield Local Heroes opened on Tuesday 25 August and closes on Monday 14 September.

To view finalists and cast your vote visit www.westfield.com.au...

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More messages from your neighbours
2 minutes ago

🎉The Riddler wants to hear from you 🫵

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

🧩 Got a riddle that can stump your Neighbourly community? Share your brain teasers with us and watch your neighbours scratch their heads 😕🤔❓

Send us your tricky puzzles!

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2 days ago

Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎉 2026 is almost here!

We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?

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Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
  • 10.3% Yes! New Year, New Me
    10.3% Complete
  • 20.1% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
    20.1% Complete
  • 69.6% Nah - not for me
    69.6% Complete
671 votes
9 hours ago

Witnesses sought in relation to mass disorder on K-Road Auckland

The Team from New Zealand Police

Police are appealing to the public for any footage they may have of the mass disorder that occurred on Karangahape Road in Auckland in the early hours of Sunday 28 December.
Emergency services were called to the disorder around 3.41am where it is estimated around over 50 people were present.

A Police investigation is underway after there were three serious assaults on and around Karangahape Road during the mass disorder.
A portal has been set up to allow the public to upload any footage they have of the disorder and the serious assaults.
The portal is https://dahr.nc3.govt.nz/

Police have arrested one person but are asking for help to identify and locate others involved.

• Around 4:15am there was a serious assault outside the Crown Bar on Queen Street.
A 33-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4647.

• Around 4:30am there was another serious assault on a Cobden Steet just off Karangahape Road.
A 27-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4462.

• Around 5am there was third serious assault at the Mobil Service Station on the corner or Karangahape Road and Ponsonby Road.
A 46-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
A 21-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He has been bailed to appear in court again on 16 January 2026.
The Police file number is 251228/4774.

Police would like to speak to anyone who has witnessed or filmed the assaults.

Witnesses can call Police directly on 105.
Please quote one of the above file numbers.

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