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Artificial intelligence programs such as ChatGPT are here to stay - the question now is, how will they shape the future? Will the use of AI to complete daily tasks, particularly school work, impact cognitive abilities and creativity?
Recent work out of a MIT Media Lab suggests that people who … View moreArtificial intelligence programs such as ChatGPT are here to stay - the question now is, how will they shape the future? Will the use of AI to complete daily tasks, particularly school work, impact cognitive abilities and creativity?
Recent work out of a MIT Media Lab suggests that people who used ChatGPT have lower brain engagement than those who did not when writing their essays. While the MIT Media Lab work has driven headlines recently, others have been quick to remind us that the fear of technology is nothing new.
We want to know: Is AI an addition to the technological toolbox, or should we be having bigger conversations about the impact of AI technology?
Hi neighbours, ?
Success doesn’t just come from hard work —
It comes from good sleep, proper rest, and having the right bed to support it.
Because let’s be honest — eight solid hours can make or break your day.
?️ As part of your neighbourhood, we care about how you sleep.
What’s… View moreHi neighbours, ?
Success doesn’t just come from hard work —
It comes from good sleep, proper rest, and having the right bed to support it.
Because let’s be honest — eight solid hours can make or break your day.
?️ As part of your neighbourhood, we care about how you sleep.
What’s your biggest sleep struggle lately?
Tossing and turning? A sore back? A partner who snores?
? Share below — let’s have a local chat about better rest and better mornings.
Each year Volunteering New Plymouth honours and recognises special volunteers with a Volunteer Recognition Awards Celebration. This year this was again held at New Plymouth District Council Chambers on Saturday 14th June,2025. Which is the day before National Volunteer Week.
This year there … View moreEach year Volunteering New Plymouth honours and recognises special volunteers with a Volunteer Recognition Awards Celebration. This year this was again held at New Plymouth District Council Chambers on Saturday 14th June,2025. Which is the day before National Volunteer Week.
This year there were 37 people who came across the stage to receive their award. This included just two people representing each team. However, there were a total of 98 people recognised as there were 59 people among the 5 teams recognised and 18 also in the Family / Whanau category.
We are delighted to share this year’s winners and the categories they were awarded under
Background for these awards recognise and honour people who have made an outstanding contribution in our community. Nominees were be judged on their voluntary work within the nominating organisation and the wider community. These services must be provided voluntarily to help others without expecting any personal or financial gain.
Individual
Katy Quest Flourish
Marie Rutten Sustainable Taranaki
Robin Bublitz Take Them A Meal
Couple
For Couples who volunteer together for an organisation or have both volunteered for a long period of time (5 years or more) (not necessarily for the same Organisation)
Tom & Linda Cloke Take them A Meal
Colin & Theresa Gibbon Inglewood Athletic Club
Long Service
This special award recognises and honours people who have been volunteering for 15 years or more in their community.
Barbara Hammonds Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society
Elizabeth (Lee) Ross St Vincent de Paul
Patricia (Tricia) Gillbanks NP Riding for Disabled
Raewyn Bocock Taranaki Cancer Society
Rowan Williams Swimming Taranaki
Val Huffam Waitara Swimming Club
Youth Individual
Youth Volunteers up to the age of 25 at close of nominations may be nominated in the Youth category.
Arielle Healy NP Riding for Disabled
Gabriella (Gabby) Brady Take Them A Meal
Grayson Armstrong-Wilson Rotokare Scenic Reserve
Youth Team
City of NP Cadet Unit Taranaki Cancer Society
2LT Stephen Bovett & CDT WO2 Ryan Jameson
Team
While the awards have traditionally marked the efforts of individual volunteers. The focus of this award is on either projects undertaken by organisations or effective and efficient service operations, and programmes run by organisations which involve a team of volunteers that make a positive community contribution.
Buggy Drivers Friends of Pukekura Park
Roz Miller & John Konijn
Cemetery Project Team NP Genealogy Society
Pat George & Noreen Potts
Taranaki Maori Wardens Taranaki Maori Wardens
Peter Johns & Shaun Gedye
Volunteer Chaplains Assistants (VCA’s)
Barbara Hooper & Heather Butler
Tuku Iho
This category is for Family / Whanau that have 3 or more generations who volunteer. The volunteering does not need to be for the same Organisation. Information about each nominee is to completed on their contribution to the Organisation and the community.
Marian & Nikki Valintine Family Inglewood Welfare Society
Kevin & Noah Nielsen Family Conductive Education Taranaki
Ray, Angela & Zach Willy/ Wright Family Rotokare Scenic Reserve
Weaving Together
This category, (chosen by the Manager) has criteria that the volunteer contribution of these people is significant across multiple groups or organisations
Chris Herlihy Long Service Art Taranaki
Graham Dodunski Individual NP Riding for Disabled
Jo Parsons Individual Waitara Foodbank Pataka Kai
Yvonne Muskee Individual WISE Charitable Trust
This is an awesome celebration of some of our amazing volunteers within the community. And it is only because of the nominators who take the time to put together the story of these great people. The nominations are always open so if you know someone or a great team of volunteers who you think should be recognised – don’t leave it till next year – put pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard and start that nomination NOW . you can find the form on our website www.volunteeringnewplymouth.org.nz... under news and events the nomination forms are there – as well as all the previous winners
Join us live this Wednesday from 9:30am with Sacha Green from Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand (CABNZ). Sacha will be answering your questions about common neighbourhood issues – from shared fences and driveways to noise complaints and more.
Sacha is CABNZ’s national legal and strategic … View moreJoin us live this Wednesday from 9:30am with Sacha Green from Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand (CABNZ). Sacha will be answering your questions about common neighbourhood issues – from shared fences and driveways to noise complaints and more.
Sacha is CABNZ’s national legal and strategic advisor. With over 10 years at CAB and a background in community law, she’s passionate about making the law simple and accessible. She also supports over 2,000 CAB volunteers across 80 locations in Aotearoa.
She and the CAB team are here to help you understand your rights, responsibilities, and how to resolve neighbour disputes through good communication.
✅ Free advice
✅ Plain language answers
✅ Real solutions
Got a question? Pop it below in replies to this message, and CAB will be around today to answer you!
Kia ora neighbours. We will give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine, and we're looking for watercress recipes right now. Send your family's favourite way to use up this crop, especially if you're lucky enough to grow it in your garden. Email us: … View moreKia ora neighbours. We will give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine, and we're looking for watercress recipes right now. Send your family's favourite way to use up this crop, especially if you're lucky enough to grow it in your garden. Email us: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by July 20, 2025.
Jaffas, iconic orange-coated chocolate lollies that have been around since 1931, will soon be leaving our shelves.
We want to know: Will you miss them?
Also, in the spirit of Throwback Thursday, what other iconic brands are still lodged in your memory?
(We can confirm that a number of the … View moreJaffas, iconic orange-coated chocolate lollies that have been around since 1931, will soon be leaving our shelves.
We want to know: Will you miss them?
Also, in the spirit of Throwback Thursday, what other iconic brands are still lodged in your memory?
(We can confirm that a number of the Neighbourly team will be heading out to stock up our lolly jars before Jaffas disappear!)
Kiwis are bracing for policy changes taking effect in July - these include, changes to rental housing rules, rising GP fees, rising transport fares, and halving Kiwisaver government contribution.
We want to know: What is your take on these changes? Will they impact you and your whanau, or will… View moreKiwis are bracing for policy changes taking effect in July - these include, changes to rental housing rules, rising GP fees, rising transport fares, and halving Kiwisaver government contribution.
We want to know: What is your take on these changes? Will they impact you and your whanau, or will it be business as usual?
Discuss your thoughts below
Kia ora neighbours! We will give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine, and we're looking for brussels sprouts recipes right now. Send your family's favourite way to use up this crop, especially if you're lucky enough to grow it in your garden. Email us: … View moreKia ora neighbours! We will give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine, and we're looking for brussels sprouts recipes right now. Send your family's favourite way to use up this crop, especially if you're lucky enough to grow it in your garden. Email us: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by June 12, 2025.
Are you looking to add privacy, security, or simply improve the aesthetic appeal of your property? Our fence building services offer professional installation and repair to meet your needs. We understand the importance of a well-built fence and the regulations that govern them.
Contact the Team @ … View moreAre you looking to add privacy, security, or simply improve the aesthetic appeal of your property? Our fence building services offer professional installation and repair to meet your needs. We understand the importance of a well-built fence and the regulations that govern them.
Contact the Team @ Werder Property Worx Limited
Stunning sunrises, frosty mornings and snowy mountains. There's a lot of beauty to be seen in these winter months.
We’d love to see your corner of the country and what your winter looks like. Share a photo below...
Winter is the season for slowing down – flickering candles, warm interiors, and time to savour life’s little luxuries.
So why not make your winter even more indulgent? … View moreWinter is the season for slowing down – flickering candles, warm interiors, and time to savour life’s little luxuries.
So why not make your winter even more indulgent? Right now, when you subscribe to NZ House & Garden for 1 or 2 years, you’ll receive a FREE Aura Gold Mānuka Honey Radiance Mask from Antipodes – valued at $76
This luxurious mask is made with sustainably sourced mānuka honey and showcases the very best of natural skincare. It hydrates, brightens and restores – a true winter glow-up, inspired by nature.
Treat yourself to a beautiful magazine and a self-care ritual, all in one.
Subscribe now!
From the team at Mags4Gifts
*T&Cs apply. Offer available to the first 200 people who subscribe for 1 or 2 years between June 23–July 28, 2025.
Want to improve your strength & balance in a fun, safe, effective and social way?
www.facebook.com...
Check out a class near you, any questions please get in contact with me at Sport Taranaki or 021480180
Ryman resident Robyn swears by her ratatouille recipe from her much-loved copy of the Joy of Cooking, given to her by her next door neighbour in 1964.
Moving to New Zealand in 1976 and with four children to cook for, Robyn said the ratatouille recipe was a firm family favourite which she would … View moreRyman resident Robyn swears by her ratatouille recipe from her much-loved copy of the Joy of Cooking, given to her by her next door neighbour in 1964.
Moving to New Zealand in 1976 and with four children to cook for, Robyn said the ratatouille recipe was a firm family favourite which she would cook up every couple of weeks when the veggies were in season.
Click read more for the recipe.
Members of the New Plymouth community may notice an increased presence of Police on Coronation Avenue on Thursday 3 July.
During this time, people may see Police in tactical uniforms carrying training firearms, and there may also be some noise.
Police would like to reassure the public that … View moreMembers of the New Plymouth community may notice an increased presence of Police on Coronation Avenue on Thursday 3 July.
During this time, people may see Police in tactical uniforms carrying training firearms, and there may also be some noise.
Police would like to reassure the public that there is no cause for concern and that exercises like this are a vital component of policing that enables staff to be best placed to keep our communities safe.
These types of exercises could not happen without the support of our local community, and we want to thank the public for their support and cooperation.
Cost of living has been on our minds lately, and one cost often lamented in our office is parking.
We all know that New Zealanders pay high parking fees! But research shows that the cost is driven by factors such as location, quality, and convenience.
The average daily parking fee being paid … View moreCost of living has been on our minds lately, and one cost often lamented in our office is parking.
We all know that New Zealanders pay high parking fees! But research shows that the cost is driven by factors such as location, quality, and convenience.
The average daily parking fee being paid in CBDs:
$39.53 in Auckland,
$37.83 in Wellington,
and $32.60 in Christchurch.
But again, the range is wild! Aucklanders could be paying anything from $12 to $80, Wellingtonians from $15 to $50, and if you are in Christchurch, you are looking at $10 to $98.
Neighbours, we want to know: How much are you paying for daily parking fees?
Do you have any tips on how to find cheaper parks?
© Neighbourly 2025
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