Titirangi residents fed up with school playing 'Poi E' on repeat
Titirangi is in tatters over the primary school's new PA system which saw the traditional bell replaced with a song playing on repeat several times a day. Titirangi Primary School has this week been testing its new PA system and, judging by feedback from its neighbours, it's got some tweaking to do. The new PA system includes the option to ditch the traditional school bell in favour of playing a song instead. The school has been marking the beginning and end of classes with Patea Maori Club's classic "Poi E", played loudly over the new speakers. Some residents are not amused. "So sad, I used to love the song "Poi E" . Not anymore," one person posted in the local Facebook group. "What's wrong with using a regular old bell?" another local Titirangi resident commented. Titirangi Primary School Principal Julie Lynch told the Herald the school is currently testing the new PA system and aware of the issues residents have raised. "We had a really old system in the school. Over the summer we put in a new telephone system and came into the 21st century with Voice over IP. Whilst we were doing that we thought we'd update our PA system," Lynch explained. "We're on a multi-level site and there are areas where children couldn't hear announcements. For health and safety reasons, we needed a more up-to-date system," she added. The school has received feedback from numerous people in the community and will work with a technician to reposition the speakers so the sound doesn't travel quite as far outside the school grounds. "What we will need to do is review where our speakers are positioned," Lynch said. "Have had some feedback that is quite loud." As for why the school decided to ditch the traditional bell, it is all part of the offering with the new system. "It's different but a nice celebration of Māori culture, especially with Waitangi Day this week," she said. "It's a brand new system so we can do all sorts of different things. "After this week, I might have to have a look at different options."
The song chorus currently plays about six times a day, between 9am and 3pm, to make the start and end of classes, morning tea and lunch. "It's a health and safety issue, we need the children to hear it all across the school. "We apologise to the Titirangi community for yesterday, Waitangi Day, as it was going off. We're still working it all out," Lynch added.
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Christmas gifts stolen from parked car prompts warning over holiday break-ins
An Auckland man whose Christmas presents were stolen from his car on a quiet street is warning others not to repeat his mistake.
Police and the AA say opportunistic thieves are breaking into cars more frequently during the Christmas period.
Jeremy Rees, an RNZ staff member in Auckland, had packed his car full of gifts when he decided to visit a friend.
“Everyone had handed over presents and we had a couple of bags full of presents sitting in the back of the car,” he said.
“I decided it would be great to go around and see a friend, drop off some presents and say hello. My wife said to me, ‘Are you sure we should be taking this car?’ I said, ‘I’m sure it’ll be fine’.
“I think it was only 20 minutes outside their house, a very quiet street. It was light [outside]. We came out and my wife pointed out that someone had smashed the rear window, reached in and grabbed the presents, and headed away.
“It was a shock. It was a shock partly because of the Christmas presents and partly because my wife had been telling me, ‘Don’t do that’.”
AA Insurance head of motor claims Beau Paparoa said roadside staff were responding to smashed windows more often.
“We definitely see car break-ins starting to occur a lot more around this time of year. We’re often hearing from customers and some of our roadside teams that there’s definitely a bit more opportunistic theft happening,” he said.
“We’re putting that down to it being a busy time of year. Everyone’s out doing their Christmas shopping and there’s much more presence of gifts and valuables being visible in the car.”
He encouraged people to be careful and make sure valuables were hidden from view.
“In terms of any valuables, if you’ve done some Christmas shopping, or if generally you’ve got valuables in your car, try [to] keep them locked away or out of sight – in your boot if you can,” he said.
“Where you’re parking is possibly a good thing to think about. If you can afford to, don’t park on the street, but if you have to park on-street, make sure you park in well-lit areas.”
Police said it was not uncommon for Christmas presents to be stolen.
“The key is to remove any opportunity. This includes taking valuables or documents out of vehicles wherever possible,” a spokesperson said.
Rees said he wished he had followed that advice.
“I feel a bit stupid, to be absolutely honest. I read all of the things from police saying ‘don’t do this, don’t pack your car, don’t just leave it on the street’, and I did exactly the opposite and I paid the price.”
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Auckland Harbour Bridge summer works
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is carrying out essential maintenance on the Auckland Harbour Bridge this December and January. The southbound clip-on lanes will be closed (24/7) from 26 December to 5 January for road resurfacing. Night-time lane restrictions will be in place throughout the summer for recoating work on the bridge. Traffic will still be able to travel in both directions at all times.
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