279 days ago

Takanini burglaries this morning

The Team from Counties Manukau Police

Police made three arrests following aggravated burglaries at two Takanini businesses this morning.

Just after 1am, an alarm was activated at a business on Great South Road.
Detective Senior Sergeant Michele Gillespie, of Counties Manukau CIB, says staff had arrived on scene and found the offenders failed to gain access to the cash converters business.
“The group had used a hammer to try and smash their way inside but instead left the scene.”
Meanwhile, about an hour and a half later Police were called to a nearby vape shop.
“A burglary was in progress, with offenders gaining entry to the store,” Detective Senior Sergeant Gillespie says.
“The business was closed at the time and products were stolen from the store as a result.”

Police were quickly on scene and began making enquiries.
“One Police unit was carrying out area enquiries and located three males on Manuroa Road,” Detective Senior Sergeant Gillespie says.
The group, all aged 17, were all detained in relation to both burglaries.
Police have charged one male with two counts of burglary and assaults Police.
He will appear in the Manukau Youth Court today. The other two males have been referred to Youth Aid.

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More messages from your neighbours
10 days ago

By-election for Otara-Papatoetoe area

Ivy from Papatoetoe

Just to let everyone know that we have another by-election happening, and here is the reason why. Below are details and dates, so keep an eye on your letter boxes.

The Manukau Court’s Ruling

The Manukau District Court determined that the Papatoetoe subdivision result of the Ōtara–Papatoetoe Local Board election was invalid, ruling that the outcome had been “materially affected” by voting irregularities. Judge Richard McIlraith found that the scale and nature of the irregularities met the legal threshold required to void an election under New Zealand’s local electoral laws.

In his decision, Judge McIlraith stated that the evidence presented — including reports of stolen voting papers, fraudulent use of ballots, and other procedural irregularities — was sufficient to conclude that the integrity of the election had been compromised. The court noted that at least 79 voting papers were identified as having been cast without the rightful voter’s knowledge during a judicially supervised examination of ballot boxes.

While the judge acknowledged that the election had been administered “properly and in accordance with all requirements” by Independent Election Services and the electoral officer, he concluded that the fraudulent activity originated outside the official process and nonetheless impacted the final result to a degree that required the election to be voided.

As a result of the ruling, the court ordered that a new election must be held, with Auckland Council confirming that the fresh poll must be completed by 9 April 2026

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4 days ago

Today’s Mind-Bender is the Last of the Year! Can You Guess It Before Everyone Else? 🌟🎁🌲

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I dance in the sky with green and gold, a spectacle few are lucky to behold; I’m best seen in the south, a celestial sight—what am I, lighting up the New Zealand night?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.

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9 days ago

Poll: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.

We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?

Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.

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🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
  • 84% Same!
    84% Complete
  • 16% Would have liked to try something different
    16% Complete
470 votes