120 days ago

FREEDOM, EQUALITY IN SPADES IN NZ

Michael from Trentham

NZ may have somewhat lost many of the features that have made us a great nation worldwide in the past but not that of democracy.

in the latest survey (2023) on the most democratic countries in the world, NZ sits in second place behind Norway.

Interestingly both countries are similar in population and sit at either end of the globe.

Australia ranks ninth, the UK 21st and the USA sliding to 26th.

The USA has never been in the top 10 since these international surveys started which is ironic because Americans think and are told they are the greatest democratic nation the world has ever seen. Land of the free. Yeah right.

So living in a exceedingly democratic country and all that is meant to entail, it seems even more ludicrous that the city of Upper Hutt, has landed in a situation with its water pipes that has gone unresolved and almost unchecked over a lengthy period of years and a blind eye to it has been cast by elected councillors and Mayors and the staff they harbour.

More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Share your most delicious (but affordable!) go-to meal...

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Winter is knocking at the door and the cost of living has already made itself at home. So let's help each other out by sharing your meal ideas that don't break the bank.

Comment below with your go-to meals that are delicious and affordable.

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.

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13 days ago

And the 2024 Prospa Local Business Hero is...

Prospa

A huge congratulations to mother and son duo, Mary and Sam Danielson from The Puketapu Hotel.

The votes for all finalists have been tallied and they have been chosen by Neighbourly members across the country as the Prospa Local Business Hero of 2024.

The Puketapu Hotel was nominated by a local called Margaret and the nomination reads:
'On Feb 14, 2023, Cyclone Gabrielle flooded many of the rural areas. Puketapu Hotel went under perhaps half a meter of water. However, immediately Mary Danielson and her son, Sam Danielson, along with their loyal staff pulled it together to cook copious amounts of food that without electricity would have been wasted. Throughout the years many of us have been treated with a pub gathering where we can reconnect and a free meal. At Christmas there was Santa, games, gifts for kids, donated patchwork for adults, an ice cream truck and lots of camaraderie.
This February on the cyclone anniversary, they again pulled out the stops to give hundreds of us a special night. We are all tired of the cyclone cleanup and they understood that it was needed.'

Such a deserving business and team, well done Mary and Sam. And thank you to all those who voted!

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14 hours ago

Do you know the answer?

Riddles from The Neighbourly Riddler

Which letter is a line?

*Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

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