Mechanics Bay, Auckland

Got something to swap or sell?

Got something to swap or sell?

Head to Market if you need to buy or list uniforms, books or bikes.

1683 days ago

Mother's Day is this weekend

Sunday Star Times

Are you still looking for the perfect Mother's Day treat?

From now until Mother's Day, subscribe to the Sunday Star-Times for 6 months and you will receive a free Antipodes skincare gift, valued at $115!

Follow the link, select the 6 month option and use the promo code … View more
Are you still looking for the perfect Mother's Day treat?

From now until Mother's Day, subscribe to the Sunday Star-Times for 6 months and you will receive a free Antipodes skincare gift, valued at $115!

Follow the link, select the 6 month option and use the promo code SSTMOTHERSDAY at the checkout to redeem.

Hurry! Offer ends Sunday. T&C's apply.
Subscribe Now

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1688 days ago

Million-dollar dumps: Auckland's $5.8m Carlile House deemed 'dangerous building'

Caroline Williams Reporter from Auckland Stuff

Carlile House in Auckland’s Grey Lynn is slowly crumbling away.

Its owners, the United Church of Tonga, claim the land’s significance as home to the first Tongan congregation in New Zealand is being neglected by Auckland Council, in favour of its history as an orphanage, preventing the site … View more
Carlile House in Auckland’s Grey Lynn is slowly crumbling away.

Its owners, the United Church of Tonga, claim the land’s significance as home to the first Tongan congregation in New Zealand is being neglected by Auckland Council, in favour of its history as an orphanage, preventing the site from being developed.

Because of the building's status as a category one historic place and a stalemate with Auckland Council, Carlile House cannot be repaired or demolished.

However, the situation has recently become of higher concern to both parties, following the recent partial collapse of the building’s roof.

Click 'read more' for the full story.

1685 days ago

Are you our next Houseplant Hero?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Have you got New Zealand‘s best collection of houseplants?
We’re searching for indoor plant obsessives who have created impressive urban jungles… and there’s some great prizes to be won!

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1686 days ago

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ

Come together for good with friends, whānau and workmates by hosting a Pink Ribbon Breakfast this May. You’ll be joining thousands of Kiwis around the country to raise vital funds for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.

You can host any time in May, and by taking part, you’ll be helping fund … View more
Come together for good with friends, whānau and workmates by hosting a Pink Ribbon Breakfast this May. You’ll be joining thousands of Kiwis around the country to raise vital funds for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.

You can host any time in May, and by taking part, you’ll be helping fund ground-breaking work by some of our country’s top breast cancer researchers, educate people about breast health, and provide free support services for breast cancer patients and their families.

What are you waiting for! Sign up today.
Find out more

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1687 days ago

1st Auckland Cavell Guide Unit Set to Celebrate Centenary

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

One of the first girl guide units to be formed in Auckland is gearing up for its centenary.

The 1st Auckland Cavell Girl Guide Unit turns 100 in July and is seeking old girls to join the celebrations.

A social afternoon is planned for July 3, kicking off at 2pm with past guiding activities such … View more
One of the first girl guide units to be formed in Auckland is gearing up for its centenary.

The 1st Auckland Cavell Girl Guide Unit turns 100 in July and is seeking old girls to join the celebrations.

A social afternoon is planned for July 3, kicking off at 2pm with past guiding activities such as knot tying and marking arm slings.

Guests will be treated to afternoon tea and a birthday cake before photographs are taken of the girls.

The day will end with a singalong around the campfire.

The next day, a church parade will march through St Andrews Church, Epsom, where the unit has been meeting since 1921.

Parishioners are invited to a morning tea after the procession.

The unit, initially known as the St Andrew's Peace Scout Group, is believed to be the first guide company which has kept going since it was launched.

It all started when eighteen-year-old Mona Burgin wrote to the Dominion chief scout Colonel Cosgrove, a New Zealand Boer War veteran, asking about Girl Peace Scouts.

He arranged to meet her in Queen St, Auckland and wrote she would recognize him by the red flower in his buttonhole.

Soon after the meeting Burgin formed the troop on July 6.

Girl Peace Scouts wore khaki uniforms and the St Andrews troop wore a red open-ended tie.

In 1923, the Dominion Council became affiliated with the original Girls Guides Association in London.

*Former unit members can email cavellgirlguidesnz@gmail.com for details of the centenary.

1688 days ago

Shellfish ban at Cockle Bay begins

Neighbourly.co.nz

Gathering shellfish in Auckland's Cockle Bay is no longer permitted, as a year-round ban on collection comes into force tomorrow.

Fisheries New Zealand enforced the closure after research showed a significant drop in the number of large cockle in the area.

In a statement, Fisheries New … View more
Gathering shellfish in Auckland's Cockle Bay is no longer permitted, as a year-round ban on collection comes into force tomorrow.

Fisheries New Zealand enforced the closure after research showed a significant drop in the number of large cockle in the area.

In a statement, Fisheries New Zealand's manager inshore fisheries north, Jacob Hore, said that this ban was in place to help the population recover and will be reviewed after a period of three years.

"We use the best available science and information to determine if changes are required to management settings to ensure our fisheries remain sustainable. This information, along with feedback through public consultation, shaped our advice to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries on his decision to implement a full year-round closure at Cockle Bay/Tuwakamana," he said.

What you need to know:

- There is a ban on gathering any intertidal shellfish including cockles, green lipped mussels, oysters, crabs, limpets, starfish, periwinkles, whelks, barnacles, and snails.
- Signs have been updated and fisheries officers will be regularly patrolling the area.
- The closure will be reviewed after three years.

Fisheries NZ is encouraging beach-goers who see any suspicious activity to report it to 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24)

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1689 days ago

We Say/You Say: Water Conservation

The Team from Community News

Hi Auckland,

What are your water-saving hacks?

Water restrictions for the city are to remain in place until August, and similar bans on water use may return next summer.

Watercare is set to ask council to remove restrictions on outdoor water use, if rain forecasts, the state of the … View more
Hi Auckland,

What are your water-saving hacks?

Water restrictions for the city are to remain in place until August, and similar bans on water use may return next summer.

Watercare is set to ask council to remove restrictions on outdoor water use, if rain forecasts, the state of the region’s storage lakes, and a new supply boost all eventuate as hoped.

Watercare said Aucklanders had significantly cut water use, and the biggest supply boost – another 50 million litres a day from the Waikato River – should be available from August.

Presently, Auckland's dams are 51.4 per cent full compared with an average of 76.6, and Auckland's water usage is more than 10 per cent lower than Watercare had estimated.

Share your saving tips below and don't forget to type NFP if you don't want your comments used in your local community paper.
Read more

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1688 days ago

Do your curtains & blinds need a professional clean?

The Team from Textile Cleaning Services

Textile Cleaning is a one-stop-shop for all curtain cleaning needs - no matter how big or small.

We offer full take-down and rehang service and can provide replacement curtains while your drapes are being cleaned.

Help is just a phone call away.

Having cleaned thousands of curtains, … View more
Textile Cleaning is a one-stop-shop for all curtain cleaning needs - no matter how big or small.

We offer full take-down and rehang service and can provide replacement curtains while your drapes are being cleaned.

Help is just a phone call away.

Having cleaned thousands of curtains, drapes and blinds across Auckland for over 25 years, Textile Cleaning is highly recommended!
Find out more

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1690 days ago

Have your say: Casino Licence Conditions

Gambling Commission New Zealand

The Gambling Commission invites submissions on its review of the Charitable Trust Licence Conditions for the casino in your area. These conditions help to ensure that money from gambling benefits the community.

Why are the Conditions being reviewed?

The Commission wants to review these … View more
The Gambling Commission invites submissions on its review of the Charitable Trust Licence Conditions for the casino in your area. These conditions help to ensure that money from gambling benefits the community.

Why are the Conditions being reviewed?

The Commission wants to review these Conditions for each casino in New Zealand to ensure that they are fit-for-purpose.

Visit the Gambling Commission’s website to find out more about the review and how to have your say: www.gamblingcommission.govt.nz.
Have your say

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1697 days ago

Queen Street to get a makeover as COVID-19 works replaced

Dee Sims from Waitematā Local Board

Pocket park, boardwalks and planting for northern end of Queen Street.

Auckland Council & Auckland Transport want your feedback on the proposals for Queen Street. Read More to see the plans and have your say on the proposed changes.

Consultation is open now, closing on 7 May 2021.

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1698 days ago

Central City Library reopens Tuesday 20 April

Dee Sims from Waitematā Local Board

Normal hours resume from Tuesday 20 April after testing revealed no toxic substances were present despite a strange smell during renovation works on the library's roof.

1696 days ago

Now open: Event submissions for Auckland Heritage Festival 2021

Dee Sims from Waitematā Local Board

Auckland Council is pleased to announce the theme for Auckland Heritage Festival 2021 (2-17 October): 𝙏𝙤𝙥𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙝𝙮, 𝙩𝙖𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙖 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙯𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙏𝙖̄𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙞 … View moreAuckland Council is pleased to announce the theme for Auckland Heritage Festival 2021 (2-17 October): 𝙏𝙤𝙥𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙝𝙮, 𝙩𝙖𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙖 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙯𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙏𝙖̄𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙞 𝙈𝙖𝙠𝙖𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙪.

Learn about Auckland’s rich heritage – from our natural landscape and historic architecture, through incredible treasures, to stories of our trailblazing people; all of which have made Tāmaki Makaurau the desire of many.

Event submissions for the festival are currently open for consideration. If you’d like to be included, please visit the website at Read More to start. 👇

The closing date is 5pm on 9 May 2021.

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1695 days ago

40 year-old pōhutukawa return to Quay Street in overnight crane-lift

The Team from Auckland Council

While the city was sleeping, Auckland’s urban ngahere/forest welcomed home the first two of seven mature pōhutukawa to Quay Street in a nine-hour crane operation.

After 40 years on Quay Street and an 18-month sojourn away from the downtown construction site, one tree was repositioned … View more
While the city was sleeping, Auckland’s urban ngahere/forest welcomed home the first two of seven mature pōhutukawa to Quay Street in a nine-hour crane operation.

After 40 years on Quay Street and an 18-month sojourn away from the downtown construction site, one tree was repositioned street-side in Quay Street and the other now takes pride of place in the city’s new Te Wānanga waterfront space.

Reaching out over the water and reuniting the city centre with the sea, Te Wānanga and the much-awaited Quay Street enhancements will open for Aucklanders in June.

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1691 days ago

May-June OurAuckland magazine out now

The Team from Auckland Council

The May-June issue of OurAuckland is out now, available online, delivered to homes across the region and available at transport hubs across Auckland.
Find out more info here: bit.ly...

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1694 days ago

Anzac Day: War letters to home

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Sunday marks the 106-year anniversary of the first landing of New Zealand and Australian soldiers at Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

For many of the 16000 soldiers, April 25, 1915 marked their first day of combat.

And by that night, 2000 had been killed or maimed.

We remember our Auckland… View more
Sunday marks the 106-year anniversary of the first landing of New Zealand and Australian soldiers at Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

For many of the 16000 soldiers, April 25, 1915 marked their first day of combat.

And by that night, 2000 had been killed or maimed.

We remember our Auckland veterans and fallen soldiers with their letters to friends and loved ones back home.

Here are letters from Michael Menzies, a Prisoner of War in Japan, to his friend Norm Ryder:

6/5/45

Dear Norm,

Still existing and anticipating a speedy reunion.

Appreciate your kind thoughts and wishes.

I often have the Queen St blues and a perpetual Waitemata thirst and occasionally a nicotine fit.

Received three of your letters and am anxiously
awaiting for more.

Your Affectionate Pal

Snowy

Michael Menzies' letter to his relatives:
2/12/43

Dear Auntie Kate and Ange,

I received your very welcomed letter dated May 25th on Nov 25 th.

Although Jack has received a parcel from St Johns Association London and a very brief letter from Kathleen, this is the first I have received in twenty two long months.

I had given up all hope of getting mail so imagine the thrill it gave me.

There is only one thing I need Auntie and that is news, especially of Pat.

Please don’t keep it from me if anything has happened to him for that would only hurt me all the more.

I can’t help but think the worst has happened to him.

How is everyone in New Zealand?

I have made several radio broadcasts from here, did you hear any of them?

Of course I know you’ll understand when I tell you that our correspondence is limited in more ways than one.

Please don’t send money as you suggested, but a few packs of cigarettes, gum, and a photo would be very welcome.

Apart from a few attacks of asthma Jack is very well and sends his love to all.

I assure you Auntie that you have no need to worry so much over Jack or myself as we are both together which makes it much easier on me and under the circumstances the treatment is fair enough.

There are many things I want to ask you and tell you but unfortunately they will have to wait until peace has been restored once more to this mad world.

Well auntie I sincerely hope this letter finds you in the very best of health and

Along with it I send the seasons greetings and all my love.

Lots and lots of love.

Mick

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Auckland Star Nov 1945 (2).PDF story about Menzies brothers as Prisoners of War.PDF Download View

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