Lynfield news is brought to you by the team at Central Leader
Recent posts
Thank you for using Neighbourly
Life gets busy—really busy. Between work, family, appointments, and a never-ending to-do list, it’s easy for things to pile up. Add fast fashion, online sales, and homewares aisles that whisper “just one more basket won’t hurt”, and suddenly we’re swimming in stuff and tat.
… View moreLife gets busy—really busy. Between work, family, appointments, and a never-ending to-do list, it’s easy for things to pile up. Add fast fashion, online sales, and homewares aisles that whisper “just one more basket won’t hurt”, and suddenly we’re swimming in stuff and tat.
Sometimes, that stuff is cozy and familiar. But other times, after a long day, you walk through the door, look around, and think: “Okay. Something’s got to go.”
And when that urge to declutter hits, the question is—where does it all go? We're not talking about broken bits and pieces, but those perfectly good things that simply no longer fit your life or your space.
In her piece When decluttering can’t be avoided much longer, Joanna Davis shares the everyday items she's finally ready to part with—and it might just inspire your own clear-out mission.
We want to know:
🧹 How often do you get the urge to declutter?
🎯 Are there certain things you’ve got your eye on to donate or rehome?
💛 Do you have any favourite charities, op-shops, or community organisations you support with your preloved items?
Let’s swap stories, share ideas, and help great stuff find a second life—outside our closets and shelves.
It might not be making quite so many headlines these days, but unfortunately, Covid is still here. If you’re 65 or over, taking care of yourself is just as important as ever.
The good news is, the Covid vaccine can help protect you from serious illness. It’s free, and recommended for you … View moreIt might not be making quite so many headlines these days, but unfortunately, Covid is still here. If you’re 65 or over, taking care of yourself is just as important as ever.
The good news is, the Covid vaccine can help protect you from serious illness. It’s free, and recommended for you and many others as long as you haven’t had the vaccine, or Covid, in the last 6 months.
To book your vaccination, or talk to your healthcare provider.
Derek Cossey has “old rugby player knees”, which significantly limit his mobility.
A small relief for the 67-year-old Onehunga man is his parking permit which, when displayed in his vehicle, allows him to park in dedicated mobility spaces, or for double the time shown on time-restricted car … View moreDerek Cossey has “old rugby player knees”, which significantly limit his mobility.
A small relief for the 67-year-old Onehunga man is his parking permit which, when displayed in his vehicle, allows him to park in dedicated mobility spaces, or for double the time shown on time-restricted car parks in Auckland’s on-street parking areas.
But recently, he has received two infringement notices from Auckland Transport (AT) because its new automatic number plate recognition technology, used for parking enforcement, does not recognise mobility permits.
And he is not alone.
It is a “big issue” and one that “greatly concerns” CCS Disability Action, the primary provider of about 180,000 permits.
BJ Clark, of CCS Disability Action, said other councils were also using the technology, and he had been contacted by up to 30 permit holders nationwide who had been incorrectly fined.
Clark said CCS was not consulted before AT launched the technology, and the service was “desperately” trying to find a solution for its permit holders.
AT has recognised it is an issue and says it is also trying to find a solution.
‘A law unto themselves’
===================
For Cossey, the situation has been extremely frustrating.
Last year, he received a fine by post for exceeding the displayed time restriction in an on-street car park.
However, his permit allowed him double the displayed time, and he had moved on before that time was up.
He managed to have the fine overturned, but said it was not easy.
“It must have taken me four or six emails backwards and forwards to get them to quash the ticket.
“On top of that, it was like they were reprimanding me and saying ‘We’ll do that in this instance...’”
Then he got another ticket in the same circumstances more recently.
He has yet to have it overturned.
Emails, seen by NZME, to Auckland Transport about the ticket have gone unanswered, and the matter has been referred to debt collection agency Baycorp.
Cossey has had to explain the situation to Baycorp and hopes to get that issue resolved.
“I’ve had to go through the wringer.”
He is concerned about AT’s lack of communication in his case, saying he has asked what it is doing to resolve the parking permit issue, but has not received a response.
“They never come back and say, ‘Look, we’re really sorry that this has happened. We didn’t think about it in the first place, but we’re trying to find a way around it.’ None of that.”
“It’s just ignorance. They’re a law unto themselves. It’s so frustrating to deal with them.”
‘It is a big issue’
=============
Clark said AT had launched the technology without consultation with CCS Disability Action.
“The first thing we knew about it was when this problem started.
“It is a big issue and one that concerns us greatly.
“I’m intrigued by how the council gets away with issuing a ticket to a person who is legitimately parked. It seems to me a little bit strange.”
The service has since met AT, but Clark said an agreeable solution had not yet been found.
AT’s solution of registering number plates against a permit was less than ideal, he said.
“That sounds like a good way to solve the issue but, from our point of view, it’s not.
“We issue a permit to a person, not a vehicle number plate, and we don’t want people to be able to have more than one vehicle being permitted to use that one permit.
“It opens up the system to abuse.”
Clark said registering vehicles could also pose a problem for older permit holders who might not remember to use the right vehicles if they had multiple registered vehicles.
And permit holders visiting Auckland might not be recognised.
“It restricts the ability for people to use the permit in the way that we give it out,” Clark said.
“That is, it shouldn’t be controlled to one vehicle. It should be controlled to wherever that person is.”
The service has made other suggestions to AT, such as rolling out permits that a mounted device on the council’s vehicles could scan.
But Clark said that method would need to be developed, and there were questions about who would bear the costs.
“We are desperately trying to find a solution.”
We know this isn’t a great experience’
==============================
AT, which launched the technology in 2019, has recognised it is a “complicated situation”.
John Strawbridge, its group manager of parking services, said: “Our preference is to manage mobility spaces by a parking officer, on foot, so that they can sight whether a vehicle has a current mobility permit displayed. Sometimes the permits are hard to spot.
“However, our camera cars also issue fines to vehicles parked in a mobility spot, with or without a permit, as we do not have access to digital data on active permits.”
The issue was that the permit was for a person, not a vehicle, and the person could ride in multiple vehicles.
“We know this isn’t a great experience for mobility permit holders, and we encourage anyone who has received a fine in error to contact us to see if it warrants being waived.”
Strawbridge said AT was working on a solution that would allow Auckland permit holders to apply for a digital permit through AT’s Park app.
The e-permit would enable people to add all vehicles they intended to use to the AT Park app and switch between them.
AT has also sought access to the CCS database to confirm active permits.
“Our proposed solution will address many of the challenges experienced by permit holders and, when it’s ready to be rolled out, we will be reaching out to them to provide more information. There may be some more improvements needed, and we are committed to making continuous improvements.”
AT confirmed the first of Cossey’s fines was waived, but maintained it had not received any correspondence from him on the second.
However, after “a bit more digging”, it found his emails. It said it would review the matter and respond directly to Cossey.
====================================================
The appointment of Nikhil Ravishankar as Air New Zealand's incoming chief executive caused a stir Thursday after major news outlets were forced to disable comments on their social media platforms due to receiving a barrage of racist remarks.
Ravishankar, chief digital officer of Air New … View moreThe appointment of Nikhil Ravishankar as Air New Zealand's incoming chief executive caused a stir Thursday after major news outlets were forced to disable comments on their social media platforms due to receiving a barrage of racist remarks.
Ravishankar, chief digital officer of Air New Zealand, was tapped to lead the national carrier - one of the country's most respected corporate brands - after Greg Foran steps down in October.
However, the appointment of the Indian-origin insider to the airline's top job attracted a torrent of abuse online, with many zeroing in on Ravishankar's ethnicity.
The abuse forced the country's leading media organisations to restrict or disable the ability to comment on the social media posts announcing the news.
New Zealand Herald disabled comments on the Facebook post announcing the appointment "due to racist comments".
"We appreciate the high level of interest in this story but cannot safely moderate it at this time," the news outlet said in a post in the comment thread.
A spokesperson at New Zealand Herald later pointed RNZ towards the company's policy on social media comments.
"We want to foster a safe online community by reducing instances of hate, racism, abuse and misinformation," the media organisation's policy said.
"We welcome your feedback on articles but there has to be some parameters, and these are explained in our community house rules," it said.
"These clearly explain that we will not publish comments that are insulting, inflammatory or derogatory or those that spread misinformation or include personal attacks," it said.
"We cannot tolerate hate. We cannot tolerate abuse towards individuals in our stories or other commenters."
Radio New Zealand was also forced to disable comments on the social media post on Ravishankar's appointment.
"Under RNZ's comments policy, we will proactively disable comments on posts which may attract abusive or harmful comments or when resources are required elsewhere," a spokesperson for RNZ said.
"In this instance, the comments were disabled after our monitoring found racist comments," the spokesperson said.
"We want people to feel safe and respected on our community forums and will continue to proactively disable comments where necessary. We will not tolerate harmful communications."
TVNZ's 1News digital service took similar action in terms of restricting comments on the post.
"We received a large number of comments on this post," a spokesperson for 1News said.
"The vast majority were appropriate, however some were not," the spokesperson said.
"With our news team diverted to cover the tsunami event yesterday afternoon and evening we opted to turn comments off given sufficient monitoring wasn't possible."
Ravishankar holds bachelor's degrees in science and commerce from the University of Auckland after attending Mount Albert Grammar School in the country's largest city.
He sits on the board of New Zealand Asian Leaders and is an advisory committee member of The Auckland Blues Foundation.
Ravishankar has been with Air New Zealand for nearly five years and has been involved in strengthening its technology, loyalty and customer services.
Before joining the airline, Ravishankar was chief digital officer at Vector New Zealand, leading the company's digital and information technology function and its transformation programme from 2017.
He was previously managing director at Accenture in Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand, and held technology strategy and transformation leadership roles at Spark New Zealand.
Ravishankar highlighted the deep legacy of the company he would soon lead in his first public comments after his appointment was announced.
"This airline is an institution with a deep legacy but also a fantastic future," Ravishankar said.
"It's a privilege to step into the CEO role and take on that responsibility for our people, our customers and our country.
"At the end of the day, we are a people business - purposeful, ambitious and deeply rooted in Aotearoa New Zealand, and I'm excited to help shape what this next stage of Air New Zealand looks like."
RNZ has approached Air NZ for comment.
Latest Census data in 2023 showed that the Indian population had leapfrogged the Chinese community to become the third-largest ethnic group in New Zealand.
A total of 292,092 people in the country identified as a member of the Indian community in the 2023 Census, an increase of 22 percent since 2018.
The New Zealand European ethnic group remained the largest, with a population of 3,099,858, followed by Māori with 887,493.
Auckland's Indian population grew by 13 percent between 2018 and 2023, rising from 154,824 in 2018 to 175,794 five years later.
====================================================
Very good condition • In original box • Length of sole: 26 cm • Width of sole: 9 cm • Height of boot: 40 cm • Height of heel: 4 cm • Comes with a pair of unused Merchant Heel Grips • Pickup in Green Bay (we live opposite Green Bay High School)
Some of the best moments are shared over food. That’s why we’re giving you 10,000 New World Dollars when you sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse by 30 September 2025.*
We’ll cover the grocery bills, so you can spend less time worrying about what’s in the trolley and more … View moreSome of the best moments are shared over food. That’s why we’re giving you 10,000 New World Dollars when you sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse by 30 September 2025.*
We’ll cover the grocery bills, so you can spend less time worrying about what’s in the trolley and more time enjoying who’s around the table.
And because life at Ryman means less home maintenance, you’ll have even more time for the things you love.
*Participating villages only, promotion terms and Clubcard terms and conditions apply.
Create your own oasis by colouring up an outdoor area with a punchy mural using Resene Lustacryl or Resene testpots. Find out how to add a bright spot to your backyard with these easy step by step instructions.
The best pie in the country is officially a potato top.
Rosedale Bakery & Cafe, in the Auckland suburb of Albany, has been declared the winner of the 2025 Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards.
Created by bakery owner Samraksmey So, it is only the second potato top pie to take out the top prize in the… View moreThe best pie in the country is officially a potato top.
Rosedale Bakery & Cafe, in the Auckland suburb of Albany, has been declared the winner of the 2025 Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards.
Created by bakery owner Samraksmey So, it is only the second potato top pie to take out the top prize in the history of the competition.
So’s creation isn’t a stock standard mince and mash medley. Instead it has both a potato top and potato middle - comprised of a swirled potato top with a core of fondant-style cooked potatoes finished in au gratin layers.
So developed the recipe after seeing a dish of French-style layered potatoes in a magazine, explaining “We take the time to fry the potatoes and then we put them on a tray with butter, garlic and rosemary and we bake them off. We cut them with a round cutter after baking and put them in the pie and bake again, and they look like a crispy outside.”
So told Herald NOW this morning the secret to a supreme pie is supreme ingredients saying whether it’s the mince inside to the flour used to make the casings, they “use everything that is good quality” when baking their perfect pastries.
Celebrity chef judge Nici Wickes said the potato pie was “a clear winner” during the blind tasting process last week.
“It surprised me because it’s one of the more usual categories and yet really innovative.”
So said he spent a year tweaking and perfecting the recipe after winning a highly commended in the potato top pie category last year and intends on creating something new to enter into the 2026 awards.
This isn’t the bakery’s first brush with glory, in 2023 they were awarded a silver award for their mince and cheese entry in the pie awards, and took home the prize for best sausage roll in the country.
2025 New Zealand Bakels Supreme Pie Award Gold Winners
=================================================
Bacon & Egg: Sean Vo, Levain Artisan Bakery, Blockhouse Bay Auckland
Mince & Gravy: Sopheap Long, Euro Patisserie, Torbay, Auckland
Mince & Cheese: Michael Gray, Nada Bakery, Wellington
Potato Top: Samraksmey (Sam) So, Rosedale Bakery & Café, Albany, Auckland
Steak & Gravy: Sok Heang Nguon, Taste Bakery and Roast, Henderson, Auckland
Steak & Cheese: Sok Keo, Milldale Bakery, Wainui, Auckland
Chicken & Vegetable: Mengheng (Jason) Hay, Richoux Patisserie, Ellerslie, Auckland
Gourmet Meat: Buntha Meng, Wild Grain Bakery, Silverdale, Auckland
Vegetarian: Sopheap Long, Euro Patisserie, Torbay, Auckland
Café Boutique: Ellie Linton-Brown, Main Street Café, Huntly
Commercial/Wholesale: Dad’s Pies, Silverdale, Auckland.
====================================================
New dog rules are being introduced to ensure everyone can safely enjoy the city’s outdoor spaces—people, pets, and wildlife alike. Following strong community feedback, updates approved by the Governing Body for regional rules and local boards for local rules include revised on-leash, off-leash,… View moreNew dog rules are being introduced to ensure everyone can safely enjoy the city’s outdoor spaces—people, pets, and wildlife alike. Following strong community feedback, updates approved by the Governing Body for regional rules and local boards for local rules include revised on-leash, off-leash, and dog-free areas in parks across Auckland, along with new guidelines on how many dogs can be walked at once.
From 1 August 2025, new rules on where you can walk your dog on-leash and off-leash at regional parks, local parks and beaches will take effect. You can find the list of changes below, and our where you can walk your dog webpage will be updated with the new dog access rules from 1 August.
From 1 January 2026, dog owners will be able to walk up to four dogs (two off-leash), while registered walkers can walk up to 12 dogs under clear conditions. These changes aim to strike a fair balance between the needs of dog lovers and other users of our shared spaces.
Why are the rules changing?
=======================
The rules are part of Auckland’s Dog Policy and Bylaw. Councillor Josephine Bartley is chair of Auckland Council’s Regulatory and Safety Committee. She says regularly reviewing the rules helps to keep them clear and up to date so everyone can enjoy our shared spaces safely.
“We’ve listened to feedback from Aucklanders and looked to strike a fair balance – both on the number of dogs that can be walked at once, and how we manage dog access across our regional parks.
“We know how much Aucklanders love getting out with their dogs, particularly in our beautiful regional parks. Our dog rules aim to carefully accommodate these needs as well as those of others who also want to use shared outdoor spaces safely and freely.
“We also need to take care of vulnerable, native wildlife. Dogs are clearly an important part of our lives – by the end of 2024, more than 135,000 dogs were registered in Tāmaki Makaurau. But our regional parks are also home to native species like the northern dotterel and critically endangered fairy tern, and unfortunately, dogs do pose a threat to these birds and their habitats.
“Thank you to everyone who took part in this consultation. We received a huge amount of feedback and it’s very encouraging to see so many people help shape the decisions that affect our communities. Striking a balance with these rules helps everyone to enjoy our shared outdoor spaces together,” she says.
The changes at regional parks made by the Governing Body and changes to local parks made by Local Boards will come into effect from 1 August 2025, and the new limit on the number of dogs that can be walked at once comes into effect from 1 January 2026.
Bylaw pup-dates: What dog owners need to know
Where are dog walking rules changing?
===============================
From 1 August 2025, new rules on where you can walk your dog on-leash and off-leash at regional parks, local parks and beaches will take effect.
Dog access rules at the following regional parks will be changed: Auckland Botanic Gardens, Hunua Ranges, Long Bay, Mahurangi, Pākiri, Shakespear, Tāpapakanga, Waitawa and Whakanewha Regional Parks
Dog access rules at the following local parks will be changed:
=================================================
Gooseberry Flat, Pah Beach and Sandhills Reserve in the Aotea/Great Barrier Local Board area
the status designated dog exercise areas (various) and Kawakawa Bay Beach in the Franklin Local Board area
near Howick Historical Village at Lloyd Elsmore Park in the Howick Local Board area
Sulphur Beach Reserve, Gold Hole Reserve, Kauri Glen Reserve, Kauri Park, Kauri Point Domain, Muriel Fisher Reserve, Soldiers Bay, Søren G Christensen Reserve, 54 Tonar Street and Te Ara Awataha Greenway in the Kaipātiki Local Board area
Freeland Reserve, Monte Cecilia Park (implementation delayed until further notice), Smallfield Reserve, Walmsley Park and Underwood Park in the Puketāpapa Local Board area
Parry Kauri Park, Snells Beach, Vera Reserve Baddeleys Road, Baddeleys Creek Reserve and Pigeon Place Accessway and Wonderview Road Esplanade in the Rodney Local Board area
Rosedale Park in the Upper Harbour Local Board area
Big Oneroa Beach and Blackpool Beach in the Waiheke Local Board area.
No changes to dog access rules will be made at the following local parks (the proposed changes were rejected in response to public feedback):
Big Manly Beach and Tindalls Beach (Hibiscus and Bays Local Board)
Leigh Scenic Reserve, Soldiers Bay Reserve (Kaipātiki Local Board)
Madills Farm Recreation Reserve and Glover Park (Ōrākei Local Board)
John Moore Reserve (Puketāpapa Local Board)
Ontetangi Beach (Waiheke Island Local board).
The decision on dog access at Te Ārai Regional Park is scheduled to be made on 28 August, and the implementation of the decision to change the rules at Monte Cecilia Park has been delayed until further notice.
Can I let my dog off-leash at any of these parks?
=======================================
While the leash is being tightened in some parks, a number of the parks that have been reviewed have large areas where you can exercise your pup off-leash as long as they are under control. You can find out more in the Policy on Dogs.
There are plenty of great places to walk your dog in Auckland. To find out more here or at the Auckland Council website.
How many dogs can I walk at once?
=============================
Following public consultation, Auckland Council is introducing new rules about how many dogs can be walked at once. They reflect the ability of qualified dog walkers to walk a higher number of dogs:
Qualified dog walkers can walk up to 12 dogs at once, on or off-leash, as long as they are kept under control. To walk up to 12 dogs, qualified dog walkers must register with the council and follow the conditions attached to their registration.
Other dog owners can walk a maximum of four dogs at once, with two off-leash, as long as they are kept under control.
The new rules will be introduced on 1 January 2026, to give time for the council to set the conditions and for industry to prepare and adjust to the new requirements. More information on the registration process and conditions will be published on the council’s website later this year.
Councillor Bartley says the new system aims to support all dog walkers to use Auckland’s public spaces responsibly.
“We have listened to public feedback and recognise, for example, that commercial dog walking is a growing industry with many walkers regularly using Auckland’s public spaces.
“To support this to be done in a safe and responsible way, we are introducing a registration system. This will allow qualified dog walkers to walk a higher number of dogs, as long as they keep them under control and stick to the conditions, so we can all enjoy our public places,” she says.
=====================================================
Stay active and keep doing the things you love.
Join a strength and balance class near you. With classes to suit every pace and ability, and trained instructors to guide you through, it’s a great way to keep healthy and make new friends. So you can live stronger for longer, and keep living the … View moreStay active and keep doing the things you love.
Join a strength and balance class near you. With classes to suit every pace and ability, and trained instructors to guide you through, it’s a great way to keep healthy and make new friends. So you can live stronger for longer, and keep living the life you want. Find a class near you today.
The phrase "Keep What You Love, Store What You Need, Let Go of the Rest" is a guiding principle for decluttering and simplifying one's life. It encourages intentionality in keeping possessions, focusing on what is truly cherished, practically useful, and letting go of what is not. … View moreThe phrase "Keep What You Love, Store What You Need, Let Go of the Rest" is a guiding principle for decluttering and simplifying one's life. It encourages intentionality in keeping possessions, focusing on what is truly cherished, practically useful, and letting go of what is not. This philosophy can be applied to various aspects of life, including physical possessions, relationships, and even past experiences.
Applying the principle:
Keep What You Love:
This involves identifying items that hold significant sentimental value or are truly cherished and used regularly. These are the items that bring joy and add value to your life.
Store What You Need:
This refers to items that are necessary for daily life or occasional use but don't necessarily evoke strong emotions. These can be stored in a way that is accessible when needed but doesn't clutter the living space.
Let Go of the Rest:
This involves parting with items that are no longer needed, used, or loved. This can include items that are broken, outdated, or simply cluttering up space. Letting go can be freeing and allows for a more minimalist and organized environment.
Benefits of adopting this principle:
Reduced Clutter:
By letting go of unnecessary items, you can create a more organized and visually appealing living space.
Increased Clarity:
Simplifying your surroundings can lead to a clearer mind and reduced stress.
More Freedom:
Fewer possessions can mean less time spent cleaning, organizing, and managing belongings, allowing for more freedom to pursue other interests.
Stronger Relationships:
Applying this principle to relationships can involve prioritizing meaningful connections and letting go of toxic or draining relationships.
Growth and Transformation:
By letting go of past mistakes and regrets, you can create space for personal growth and a more positive outlook on the future.
If you need the freedom that more space in your life brings get a quote now.
kiwiselfstorage.co.nz...
Call 09 625 6161
4c Carr Road, Mt Roskill, Auckland
kiwiselfstorage.co.nz...
New Zealand may experience strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore following a magnitude 8.7 earthquake off the East Coast of Russia at 2025-07-30 11:25 AM.
Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, … View moreNew Zealand may experience strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore following a magnitude 8.7 earthquake off the East Coast of Russia at 2025-07-30 11:25 AM.
Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, and anyone in or near the water close to shore.
People in or near the sea in the following areas should move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, marinas, rivers and estuaries.
AREAS UNDER THREAT:
ALL COASTAL AREAS OF THE NORTH ISLAND, GREAT BARRIER ISLAND, THE SOUTH ISLAND, STEWART ISLAND, and the CHATHAM ISLANDS (updated: 3.02pm, 30/07/2025)
ADVICE FOR PEOPLE IN AREAS UNDER THREAT:
STAY OFF THE BEACHES AND SHORE AREAS
People on boats, live-aboards and at marinas should leave their boats/vessels and move onto shore. Do not return to boats unless instructed by officials.
There is no need to evacuate other areas unless directly advised by local civil defence authorities. Coastal inundation (flooding of land areas near the shore) is not expected as a result of this event. We are advising people to:
- Move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, marinas, rivers and estuaries.
- Do not go to the coast to watch the unusual wave activity as there may be dangerous and unpredictable surges.
- Listen to local civil defence authorities and follow any instructions.
- Share this information with family, neighbours and friends.
- Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges will continue for several hours and the threat must be regarded as real until the Civil Defence states otherwise.
The situation may change as new information becomes available. Listen to the radio or TV for updates, or check www.civildefence.govt.nz...
© Neighbourly 2025
Loading…
