Neighbours Day Aotearoa (NDA) takes place over a weekend. This gives you the flexibility of choosing the day that works best for you and your neighbours.
FAQs
the campaign
Is it a day or a weekend?
Is NDA every year?
Yes it is. This year however, due to Easter, Neighbours Day will be on the weekend of 23-24 March.
How do I get involved?
We love that question! Join the 2013 NDA campaign by filling out your details here and plan to connect with your neighbours where you live.
What do I do if it’s raining?
We definitely encourage you to have a wet weather plan. We love this gorgeous country of ours but know that the weather can be a little unpredictable. Keep your plans simple and don’t cancel if it rains, postpone your outdoor activities for another time or bring your plans indoors if possible. We have some great indoor activity suggestions in this year's resource book. Download the book here.
Are there any NDA resources to help me with my event?
Absolutely, check out this page here.
Who’s behind NDA?
There are many organisations across NZ that help make NDA the success that it is. So many that it would be almost impossible to list them all here – that’s a great problem to have!
However, we can tell you about the four organisations who spearhead the campaign team. They are: Lifewise, Inspiring Communities, Neighbourhood Support NZ and Mental Health Foundation.
Where did NDA come from?
Check out an explanation of the history of NDA here.
Who do you mean by ‘neighbours’?
Those living close to your house – next to you, behind you, in front of you, those living on your street or in your apartment complex.
Is my local council supporting this?
Many councils throughout NZ are involved in NDA. The best way to find out if your council is involved is to give them a call. If they are involved, then great! Ask them how you can work together and if they are not yet involved, encourage them to check out the website and to contact the friendly NDA team at: kiaora@neighboursday.org.nz
Does NDA provide funding for activities?
Sorry but no. NDA advocates for using the resources of your local neighbourhood wherever possible. We believe this can enhance the aim of turning streets into neighbourhoods by deepening local support and encouraging sharing of resources. Many local businesses love to do their part in supporting local activities whether that be via food donations for a ‘street lunch / BBQ’ or a financial gift to cover expenses or even by allowing you to put up NDA posters in their place of business. If organising a BBQ, see if all the neighbours can contribute food so costs are shared. Keep it simple! Connecting with neighbours doesn’t have to be costly.
I would love to generate some media interest in NDA. How do I do this?
Media coverage is a fantastic way to raise awareness of the NDA cause and to profile specific NDA activities in your local area. We encourage you to contact your local newspaper / radio stations, give them a heads up about what your NDA plans are and ask if they could support your activities in any way. We also encourage you to contact the NDA team at kiaora@neighboursday.org.nz
Can I please have a copy of the NDA logo?
For sure. Check out our resources page here where you can get your hands on our logo and other bits and pieces.
Does NDA print the flyers?
No but we have made it super easy to get your hands on all of the resources here. You just need to open the PDF files and print according to the size you are after - that way we prevent excess print runs and keep the trees happy.
Do you have translations of the NDA resources available?
At this stage we don’t, but we welcome any help in this area! Please contact us at kiaora@neighboursday.org.nz if you are keen to support the NDA campaign in this way.
Do I have to get permission to close my street?
Contact your local council as they will be able to offer you information specific to your street / area. We would of course caution you, to use take all necessary precautions when holding NDA activities in the street and to ensure everyone enjoys a safe celebration.
If something goes wrong at my NDA event is NDA responsible?
The role of NDA is to inspire people to get involved and to take ownership for their own street activities. As such the NDA campaign team do not take responsibility if something were to go wrong. We encourage you to plan responsibly and to be prepared for the unexpected as responsibility lies with the activity organisers and participants themselves.
My business is interested in supporting NDA. Who do I talk to?
That’s great news! If you are keen to support the NDA campaign via promotion or product support then please contact Lesley at: kiaora@neighboursday.org.nz. We also have a resource for businesses on this page that we encourage you to check out. Encouraging your staff and clients to get involved with NDA is a great way to support the campaign.
How can my school get involved?
Check out our NDA school resource here.
I have a story / photos to share. Where do I send them?
Great! We would love to read your story / check out your NDA pics. Just email them through to kiaora@neighboursday.org.nz or contact us via our Facebook page: /neighboursday. We are always keen to hear about people’s NDA activities! They can often be a fantastic motivator for other people too.
Post NDA: what do I do now?
Congrats on playing a part in turning your street into a neighbourhood! We encourage you to keep those connections going throughout the year. Pop your head over your neighbour’s fence every now and then to strike up conversation. Practice random acts of kindness throughout the year such as mowing your neighbours verge, gifting fruit and veges from your garden, offering to collect their mail while they go on holiday or inviting them over for a midwinter meal. You could also explore a shared project with your neighbours, like a community garden or street clean up. Remember, the NDA campaign is all about kick-starting year round neighbourliness.
my neighbourhood
I am having difficulty with a neighbour, what can I do about this?
Sometimes getting along with all our neighbours can be hard. Keep trying to make peace and you never know, if you treat your neighbours with respect – you may be surprised by an unexpected friendship. If you are really concerned and are finding it difficult to know what to do, try talking about it with a friend or family member, or call your local council or CAB for advice of who can help.
I am worried about my neighbour’s wellbeing / health. Who do I contact?
Try to be a supportive neighbour by listening and asking your neighbour if they’re okay.
If you are worried about family violence in your street check out: www.areyouok.org.nz for advice. When children are involved it’s important to tell someone about your concerns (such as a local community worker, GP, or police) – we’re all responsible for the wellbeing of children in our community.
I live in a rural area, my neighbours are miles away. Does NDA still apply to me?
For sure! We encourage you to go to wherever it may be that people in your local community meet – the school, your church, a local hall – and arrange to have your NDA celebrations take place there or on one of the neighbours’ properties. Connecting with your community is still very important, even if your neighbour’s house is a bit of a hike away.
I live in an apartment, does NDA still apply to me?
Absolutely. NDA is about connecting to those living closest to you. Think about celebrating Neighbours Day with those who live on the same floor as you.
