Caution around driveways

Police are asking people to pay extra attention to driveway safety, after a number of incidents recently involving children being harmed.

Driveways can be extremely dangerous, and people need to do everything they can to ensure they keep themselves and others safe, especially where children are present.
Children move around quickly, and often won’t be seen as you are reversing down your driveway.
Always check your driveway before driving in or out, and make sure you know the whereabouts of any children.
Please use your reversing camera if your vehicle has one installed.
Alternatively, ensure all children not in the vehicle with you are accounted for.

If another adult is at the property, make them responsible for ensuring children are well clear of any moving vehicles.
If there are no other adults present, have a ‘safe spot’ for children to stand and wait for the vehicle to stop moving.
This should be somewhere in view of the driver.
Check your blind spots often, and if you can no longer see a child, stop your vehicle and move them somewhere safe before you continue driving.

If your driveway is close to the children’s play area, consider a fence or gates to separate the play area from the driveway.
You should also take the time to speak to your children about the dangers of moving vehicles and remind them that just because they can see the driver, doesn’t mean the driver can always see them.

Taking those extra few seconds to make sure our tamariki are in a safe space when you drive in and out of your driveway can help prevent so much heartache and trauma.
Remember they don’t understand the potential consequences.

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28 minutes ago

Urgent Community Support Needed for Representing New Zealand on the World Stage!

David from Remuera

Tēnā koe (Hi) Neighbours,

I trust this request finds you well.

I am writing to seek your support for my sponsorship request.

I am an Old Boy of Auckland Grammar School, alongside the fact that I am an alpine skier who began with Special Olympics New Zealand and now represent New Zealand under Virtus International, the global governing body for elite athletes with an intellectual impairment.

Paralympics New Zealand is the affiliated national member organisation for Virtus, responsible for elite athlete pathways and development. I have been officially endorsed and classified to compete for New Zealand at the upcoming Virtus Open Alpine Ski Championships from late January to February, where I am currently the only athlete in my classification.

First and foremost, I am a Double Gold Medallist from the 2007 and 2011 Special Olympics National Winter Games, and I represented New Zealand at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in PyeongChang, winning Bronze in Slalom and placing 6th in Super Giant Slalom and 7th in Giant Slalom. Alongside this, I have contributed as a volunteer to major international sporting events, including the 2010 Inaugural Youth Olympic Games and the 2015 Southeast Asian Games, and served on the 60th Committee for The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Aotearoa New Zealand.

As I prepare to represent New Zealand on the international stage as a Virtus para-athlete, every moment of training and every bit of support, including financial contributions, counts towards this journey of dedication and excellence.

Notably, I am at present dedicating myself to my training, while maintaining the focus and determination required as I prepare to compete at my best in the upcoming Virtus Open Alpine Ski Championships in Tarvisio, Italy, and Kitzbühel, Austria.

Skiing is a sport that demands discipline, resilience, and precision, and each race requires strength and the confidence that comes from knowing I have a community standing behind me. My journey is far from over, and I now need your support more than ever as I work to secure my position at the Paralympic Winter Games in 2030, once the selection regulations are finalised, as they are currently being confirmed following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Virtus International.

Most importantly, I remain fully committed to intensive training and performance development, intending to win a medal at the Virtus Open Alpine Ski Championships and progress towards sponsorship opportunities with High Performance Sport New Zealand.

Thus, with the relevant regulations uncertain in order to compete at the international level, rigorous preparation is essential to cover all contingencies, whilst ensuring I am fully ready should a regulation be implemented. That said, the FIS and Virtus memorandum highlights the vital importance of inclusion in winter sports:
www.fis-ski.com....

In light of the above, given limited sponsorship, financial support is crucial. Any donation, no matter the amount, makes a significant difference, and introductions to potential funders are warmly welcomed. Donations can be made via my Givealittle Fundraising and/or Pledge Me pages. Here are the links for more info: givealittle.co.nz... and www.pledgeme.co.nz....

Every contribution makes a meaningful difference. Additionally, it would be greatly appreciated if you could simply share my page, as your support helps me stay on the slopes, refine my skills, and pursue excellence on the international stage. If you know of any sponsors who may be able to provide support, I would be grateful if you could connect me with them at davidee@outlook.co.nz.

Attached is a letter of support for your kind consideration for any future sponsors or funders.

Lastly, your support enables me to continue training, competing, and representing New Zealand at the highest level.

Thank - you.