1706 days ago

We can be rich in so many ways....

Alison Neighbourly Lead from Kamo

A father who wanted his son to know what it was like to be poor brought him to live with a farming family for a few days. The child stayed there for 3 days and 3 nights.
Back in the car on their way to the town, his father asked him:
"And your experience?"

"Fine," replied the boy.
"Did you learn anything?"
The boy then explained:
1. We have a dog and they have four of them.
2. We have a pool with treated water. They have a river with crystal clear water, fish and other good things
3. We have electric lights in our street, but they have the stars and the moon to light them up.
4. Our garden extends to the fence. Theirs to the horizon.
5. We buy our food; they cultivate, harvest and cook their own.
6. We listen to CDs ... they hear a symphony of birds, crickets and other animals ...
... all this, sometimes accompanied by the singing of a neighbour who works on the farm.
7. We use the microwave. What they cook tastes much better cooked slowly by a fire.
8. We are surrounded by alarms and fences to protect ourselves ... They live with open doors, protected by the friendship and love of their neighbours.
9. We are connected to the telephone, computer and television. They are in communion with life, sky, sun, water, land, animals, friends and their families.
The father was impressed with his son's feelings. Then finally the son comes to the conclusion:
"Thanks for showing me how poor we are dad! Every day we get poorer because we no longer live in nature like farmers do!!!"

More messages from your neighbours
9 hours ago

The Summer Kiwi Quiz is back by popular demand

Summer Kiwi Quiz - 2026

Grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper between 1 Jan - 28 Jan and participate in the Summer Kiwi Quiz! Test your knowledge, answer the daily New Zealand based questions, and find out how well you know our beautiful country!

Each correct answer will get you one entry into the draw to WIN 1 of 5 Ooni Karu 2 Portable Pizza Oven bundles, valued at $1024! Each bundle includes: an Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven, Ooni Karu 2 Carry Cover, Ooni 12" Perforated Peel, Ooni Digital Infrared Thermometer and an Ooni Cookbook: Cooking with Ooni. The more answers you enter correctly, the higher your chance of winning. For more information and to submit your answers, click here

The Team at Stuff
Enter Here

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3 days ago

Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎉 2026 is almost here!

We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?

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Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
  • 10.4% Yes! New Year, New Me
    10.4% Complete
  • 19.7% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
    19.7% Complete
  • 70% Nah - not for me
    70% Complete
829 votes
16 days ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.

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