We’ve heard about some fantastic neighbourly things happening in streets throughout Auckland. People are already getting together and turning their streets into neighbourhoods. We've put together a few of their awesome stories, and thanks to freelance writer Sarah Lang and the Sunday Star-Times' Sunday magazine and you can read Sarah's thought provoking article, "The Folks Next Door" here.
From a shared cuppa, to a full-blown street party, getting to know your neighbours is something anyone can do.
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After living in her street for 16 years, Christine decided it was time she knew her neighbours by their names. After dropping notes into letterboxes, one neighbour suggested an afternoon tea and offered the use of his home. The two worked together to arrange the low-key gathering; a first for Christine’s street. It only takes one person to take the lead and we’ve discovered that sharing a cuppa and a cake is a perfect excuse! |
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One young couple on Auckland’s North Shore took the lead and invited everyone in their cul-de-sac to a street party. Almost everyone turned up – despite the great Auckland rain! While the adults chatted and enjoyed a delicious shared BBQ, the children of the street played together. One resident, who had lived there for 30 years said “this is the first time we’ve done anything like this! The street feels so different now!” |
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Inspired by her partner and his family’s unswerving carpooling commitment, Sarah Painter created Carpool Day Project, which resulted in New Zealand's first Carpool Day on 5 August 2009. Sarah wanted to encourage other frustrated traffic-jammed drivers to make a difference to the traffic problems in New Zealand - and now people across the country are saving fuel costs and making new friends! |
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When a dozen or so residents got together in their local community centre to share recipes and sample home cooking, the result was a truly international food festival. But more importantly the gathering helped neighbours to meet each other (most for the first time), to chat and start to form friendships. Rebecca from LIFEWISE/Takapuna Methodist Church helped to get things going in Meadowood but anyone can do it. It could start with you! |
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When one Auckland street was dubbed as a ‘dead-end-street’, the women who lived there were determined things were going to change. They all got together and came up with the idea of a food co-op to make their budgets go a little further. Gradually other activities were added, building a strong sense of community in the street. |
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When her neighbour introduced herself and offered to walk her dog, Joan’s whole life changed. She’d been struggling to take her dog for walks due to arthritis. She’d even thought about finding a new adopted home for her beloved pet. Joan and her new neighbour both benefited from the idea; Joan was able to carry on caring for her pet, while her neighbour had the perfect reason to exercise. |
Saturday 17 October 2009 is Auckland’s first Neighbours Day but similar days are already happening in other places around the world. In Australia it took a tragedy to get people turning their streets into neighbourhoods. While in Europe, Neighbours Day started with the residents of one just area of Paris - ten years later and it has spread to 29 countries!
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