Opito, Whitianga

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2094 days ago

Coronavirus: Hamilton residents raise a glass to community spirit

Nicola Brennan-Tupara Reporter from Hauraki Herald

Hi neighbours,
The coronavirus has given rise to a number of quirky phenomenon: the elbow bump, teddy bears in windows and, now, driveway drinkies.
In an effort to boost morale and keep connected, residents along Hamilton's Gillies Ave organised a get together, of sorts, on Friday afternoon.
View more
Hi neighbours,
The coronavirus has given rise to a number of quirky phenomenon: the elbow bump, teddy bears in windows and, now, driveway drinkies.
In an effort to boost morale and keep connected, residents along Hamilton's Gillies Ave organised a get together, of sorts, on Friday afternoon.
It was strictly BYO as neighbours chatted to each other from the safety of their own driveways or berms.
READ MORE in link below.
What have you been doing to stay connected during this time?

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2096 days ago

What does lockdown look like?

Kelley Tantau Reporter from Hauraki Herald

These photos were taken around Paeroa this afternoon, on day one of the nation's four-week lockdown.

2095 days ago

How to spend our first weekend at Alert Level 4

New Zealand Government

This is a crucial time. You might be tempted to leave the house this weekend to enjoy your free time. But it’s incredibly important that you don’t revert back to ‘normal life’.

Remember why we are all taking these extreme measures. Stay home. Save lives. This breaks the chain and stops … View more
This is a crucial time. You might be tempted to leave the house this weekend to enjoy your free time. But it’s incredibly important that you don’t revert back to ‘normal life’.

Remember why we are all taking these extreme measures. Stay home. Save lives. This breaks the chain and stops the virus spreading.

How to break the chain, and protect us all:

STOP THE MOVEMENT
The virus is spread by us. It can’t move by itself. So we all need to avoid moving around as much as possible, eg:
● don't travel to and from baches or second homes
● avoid driving out of your neighbourhood
● don't travel across the country in campervans
● note that DOC has closed all of its campsites and huts.

KEEP EXERCISE LOCAL
There are very few exceptions to staying home, but exercise is one of them. Going for a walk, run or bike ride is good for your mental health. Just remember to:
● stay close to home. Enjoy your neighbourhood, but go no further
● keep it solitary, or only with those you live with
● keep a 2 metre distance from others.

DO SAFE ACTIVITIES ONLY
● Our emergency services need to be fully available to respond to COVID-19 cases. Any search and rescue operation reduces the ability of first responders to help others.
● Do your bit to help them by only undertaking safe activities, and avoiding going into areas where you could get lost or hurt and require their help. Avoid outdoor activities like swimming, surfing, tramping, or boating, hunting or hiking.

AVOID PUBLIC SPACES
● All bars, restaurants, cafes, gyms, cinemas, pools, museums, libraries and playgrounds are closed.
● Avoid places like beaches where people commonly linger, or are unable to maintain a 2 metre distance.
● Don't touch surfaces others may have touched when outdoors, like park benches or playgrounds.

When you return home carefully wash your hands, and any items you took with you outdoors.
Find out more

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2096 days ago

Lockdown excludes public from Waikato councils' decisions process

Nicola Brennan-Tupara Reporter from Hauraki Herald

Hi neighbours,
Technology's a saving grace for many organisations amid New Zealand's coronavirus Covid-19 lockdown.
But the majority of Waikato district councils are grappling to catch up with many not having the technology to live stream meetings during Alert Level 4, many pressing … View more
Hi neighbours,
Technology's a saving grace for many organisations amid New Zealand's coronavirus Covid-19 lockdown.
But the majority of Waikato district councils are grappling to catch up with many not having the technology to live stream meetings during Alert Level 4, many pressing matters will now be discussed behind closed doors.

A move that has been slammed by the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union.

What do you think these councils should be doing?

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2096 days ago

Let's look after each other

Neighbourly.co.nz

Neighbourhoods can be a great source of support. Connect with each other through our Reach Out page, show kindness and compassion, and strengthen connections with your communities.

Reach out to your Neighbours here now.

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2096 days ago

This Waikato business needs your support!

Prospa

A huge congratulations to Te Aroha Vet Clinic. This local legend is a finalist in the Prospa Local Business Hero Awards.

Now they need your vote to give them a chance to take home a prize package worth $10,000!

Good on you, and good luck, Te Aroha Vet Clinic. Thanks for bringing joy to … View more
A huge congratulations to Te Aroha Vet Clinic. This local legend is a finalist in the Prospa Local Business Hero Awards.

Now they need your vote to give them a chance to take home a prize package worth $10,000!

Good on you, and good luck, Te Aroha Vet Clinic. Thanks for bringing joy to your community - especially in these uncertain times.

***********

Nominated by Valerie Walton from Te Aroha: "Te Aroha Veterinary Clinic provide a fantastic service from a team that are dedicated to I was devastated losing Blue (horse) I bred her 14 yrs ago and loved her dearly and now I had her orphan foal to care for. Without her dedication staying for hours trying to save Blue I honestly don't know how I would have coped. They are a true asset to our community they go above and beyond the call of duty helping to care for our all animals providing around the clock care and service.”
Vote for Te Aroha Vet Clinic

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2106 days ago

Covid-19 update - Thames Market Every Saturday

Thames Market

At this stage Thames Market will still be on this Saturday 21 March. We are keeping within the advice of health officials as there are never 500 or more people on the market at any one time. If you are planning to visit Thames Market, please follow these rules:
- Do not come to the market if you … View more
At this stage Thames Market will still be on this Saturday 21 March. We are keeping within the advice of health officials as there are never 500 or more people on the market at any one time. If you are planning to visit Thames Market, please follow these rules:
- Do not come to the market if you are feeling unwell (if you have fever, a cough or any other symptoms of a cold)
- Do not come to the market if you have been returning from overseas travel (except Pacific Islands) within the last 14 days

- Do not come to the market if you have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with Covid-19

- Follow the recommendations of The NZ Ministry of Health to curb the threat of spreading the virus as explained on their website (see below).

2096 days ago

Waikato Regional Council has signalled a zero per cent rates rise

Denis from Thames

To help lighten the impact of coronavirus.

Waikato Regional Council has also moved to set up a temporary emergency committee to make fast decisions with the nation in lockdown. Read more at - teggtalk.wordpress.com...

2096 days ago

Your wellbeing is our priority

Bob Owens Retirement Village

That's why we've created a whole new section on our website filled with great recipes, gardening tip and lists of helpful apps and entertainment sources - to name a few.

Our 'lifestyle and wellness' section will be updated regularly with great content to keep you entertained … View more
That's why we've created a whole new section on our website filled with great recipes, gardening tip and lists of helpful apps and entertainment sources - to name a few.

Our 'lifestyle and wellness' section will be updated regularly with great content to keep you entertained whilst we navigate these new times. Grab a cuppa and enjoy.

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2097 days ago

Look for the positives during lockdown, says cop

Kelley Tantau Reporter from Hauraki Herald

As you all know and have heard, these are unprecedented times for all of us.
Please don't panic! Remain calm and carry on – just do it from home!
Yes it is worrying and it is normal to feel anxious, especially if you or close family members are in the at risk group.
There is so much … View more
As you all know and have heard, these are unprecedented times for all of us.
Please don't panic! Remain calm and carry on – just do it from home!
Yes it is worrying and it is normal to feel anxious, especially if you or close family members are in the at risk group.
There is so much information out there through the media and social media, but the main points remain the same – good hygiene and social distance.
As we move from Alert Level 3 to 4 the majority of us should be at home and remain there as much as possible. The only way to stop further contamination is through reducing our interaction, short term pain for long term gain. We need to do this to look after the more vulnerable members of our community.
Essential services will continue, we will not run out of food!
Try to find some positives in this situation, for me it was strangely having nothing else to do other than be with my family.
This meant I could actually sit down and talk to my kids, play a game and go for a walk with them without distraction and the constant nagging, guilty feeling that I should be doing something else.
I had time to exercise and read a book. I've made a list of all the other jobs around home I can get done, all those things I have put off for so long.
Some may be concerned about their children's schooling or the prospect of home schooling. I know most schools have provided learning plans to students and/or advised of a number of websites to visit for further online learning.
Reality is we can also use this time for some real life learning experiences – budgeting, changing a tyre, gardening, collecting firewood, baking, art – drawing/painting amongst a few ideas.
Remember these are uncertain times for your children too so it may be more beneficial to allow some down time – watching a documentary on Netflix or listening to an e book. Only do what you can do.
It is important to remember some members of our community have lost their jobs while others continue to work. Please be empathetic and kind to each other.
From a policing perspective, our focus remains on maintaining public safety, security and public order. We are here for you – if there is an emergency ring 111, if you need help but it's not an emergency ring 105.

We are stronger together, help and support each other.

- Sergeant Rachel Holmes is the officer-in-charge of the Strategic Traffic Unit in Thames-Coromandel and Hauraki.

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2097 days ago

Keen for some music during lockdown?

Nicola Brennan-Tupara Reporter from Hauraki Herald

Hi neighbours,
Today is the beginning of our nationwide lockdown, so Operatunity is marking it with some music!
They plan to do it as often as they can through-out the four weeks, given they can't get out and about in the community.
They've rallied all the Operatunity artists to produce … View more
Hi neighbours,
Today is the beginning of our nationwide lockdown, so Operatunity is marking it with some music!
They plan to do it as often as they can through-out the four weeks, given they can't get out and about in the community.
They've rallied all the Operatunity artists to produce their own virtual concerts. Some footage is from their archives, some shot on phones and some was recorded before the lockdown.
There will be a variety of songs, singers and musicians over the next few weeks.
So if you want to check out today's one, head along to the link below.

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2097 days ago

We’re now at Alert Level 4. Stay home. Save lives.

New Zealand Government

Dear concerned citizen,

We must now all stay home. Because that’s how we’ll stop the virus.

Level 4 measures will likely be in place for a number of weeks.

Don’t worry. During that time you will still be able to access all the essentials you need, including medicine, food, and other… View more
Dear concerned citizen,

We must now all stay home. Because that’s how we’ll stop the virus.

Level 4 measures will likely be in place for a number of weeks.

Don’t worry. During that time you will still be able to access all the essentials you need, including medicine, food, and other home supplies.

ALL THE TIME, NO EXCEPTIONS
It’s incredibly important that we all follow the Level 4 plan, all the time. No exceptions. Because doing so will save lives.

A CHALLENGE FOR EVERYONE
We realise these are big changes. But these are challenging times.
If we don't all stay home, the whole country will need Level 4 restrictions for longer.

SUPPORT OUR EMERGENCY SERVICE PEOPLE
We owe it to the essential services. Our nurses, doctors and everyone else on the frontline. They’re working tirelessly to save lives. We should all do everything in our power to help them do this.
Thank you to each and every person, for doing their bit.

While you’re staying at home:

STAY CONNECTED
• Don’t let physical distance stop you staying connected. Keep in touch with people using video calls, phone calls, chat and texting.
• If you know people who are living alone, vulnerable, or separated from their loved ones, regularly check-in with them.

STAY WELL
• Continue to practice good hygiene – wash your hands with soap. Then dry.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
• Regularly clean surfaces in your home with disinfectant.
• Keep up regular physical exercise, and get some fresh air when possible. It’s good so long as this is solitary, or only with those you live with.

REACH OUT
If you need advice, support or help, try reaching out to friends, family, whānau or workmates.

WE'RE UPDATING INFORMATION CONSTANTLY
For all the latest advice, including answers to your health and financial questions, go to Covid19.govt.nz.

And remember: what you do now, will help protect all of us.
Find out more

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