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"We want to create a way of working as a whole community, agencies and us together, that creates hope and optimism"
Georgie Thompson, Ruapotaka Marae, Tamaki

National Initiatives

A successful Neighbours Day Aotearoa 2012

This year saw Neighbours Day Aotearoa (NDA) grow from its small beginnings in Auckland in 2009 into its second national celebration, helping thousands of people from all corners of New Zealand better connect with those living close by.

Roland Goos, a German migrant, who has lived in Ngaio, Wellington, with his wife Myriam for two years, cancelled work to attend his Neighbours Day street party.

He sums up his Neighbours Day experience by saying: “I thought it was such a good idea; finally we met neighbours right next door and within the street. We’d all thought about doing something like this for a long time, but no one had done anything till now.”

Neighbours Day Aotearoa 2011 – celebrating and evaluating

It has been so inspiring to hear the stories that are still flowing in about neighbourly fun and connections made during Neighbours Day Aotearoa 2011 (spread over two weekends thanks to weather). We've received dozens of examples of neighbours sharing fun, respect, manaakitanga, hospitality and kindness. See many of them on the website Kiwi Stories and also at facebook.com/neighboursday.

Our Highlights

By far the biggest highlight for the Neighbours Day Aotearoa team was been the positive response from participants and supporters around the country. Truly inspirational! Much of this would not have happened without our many supporters.

Did you catch the (soggy) Neighbours Day Breakfast on TVNZ’s Breakfast on Friday 25 March? You can watch the highlights at Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/NeighboursDayNZ
The Dominion Post on 26 March ran a front page article and full page feature about neighbours day and good neighbourhoods: http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/4812101/Vasanta-Ave-Where-everyone-knows-your-name and http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/4811863/Everybody-needs-good-neighbours
The Aucklander kicked us off with a great article http://www.theaucklander.co.nz/local/news/meeting-up-with-the-joneses/3941437/

These are just some the many media stories from papers and and radio stations around the country. Read more at the Neighbours Day website: http://www.neighboursday.org.nz/?sid=47

The team is keen to keep the awareness of the benefit of strong neighbourhoods alive throughout the year, and is working towards another Neighbours Day Aotearoa celebration for the last weekend of March (24-25^th) in 2012.

Please share your opinions via the survey and also send us your story for the website to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Neighbours Day Aotearoa Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 March 2011

Turning streets into neighbourhoods: Hurihia nga ara hei tui i te ata noho a te tangata

Fill the gas bottle, put the jug on, and gather your neighbours. It’s time for a celebration to build some neighbourly spirit! Let’s all take the next step in getting to know our neighbours.

LIFEWISE, Inspiring Communities, and Methodist Mission Aotearoa are excited to announce the inaugural Neighbours Day Aotearoa celebration for New Zealanders on 26-27 March 2011.

See also the neighbours day website: www.neighboursday.org.nz

Neighbours Day off to a successful start

November 2009

Neighbours across Auckland have seen just how easy it is to lean across a fence, say ‘gidday', and get to know each other during Auckland's first, and very successful, Neighbours Day, held on Saturday 17 October.

Research has shown that 81% of Aucklanders would like to get to know their neighbours better, and Neighbours Day is about just that: It's a celebration of neighbourliness and, it is hoped, will herald the creation of supportive, healthy and connected neighbourhoods across Auckland.

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