By BRENDA HARWOOD
17 February 2011

DUNEDINITES are being encouraged to extend the hand of friendship to their neighbours, as the city gears up to celebrate Neighbours Day for the first time next month. 

Neighbours Day celebrations, from street parties and barbecues to street clean-ups, will be held on the weekend of March 26 and 27. 

The aim is to encourage the city's residents to make connections within their own streets and neighbourhoods. 

An initiative of Lifewise Inspiring Communities and Methodist Mission Aotearoa, Neighbours Day was first run in Auckland in 2009, and trialled in several North Island centres last year. Its success inspired the formation of the Dunedin Neighbours Day coalition, which will help neighbourhoods across the city mark Neighbours Day in March. 

''It would be great to see every street in Dunedin having   a get-together of some kind and getting to know each other,'' Neighbourhood Support Otago regional coordinator Sarah Hexamer said. 

Dunedin Neighbours Day coalition members, including the Dunedin City Council, Neighbourhood Support Otago, the Northeast Valley Project, Presbyterian Support Otago, the Council of Social Services Dunedin, The Mission, Musselburgh Baptist Church, East Taieri Presbyterian Church and Keep Dunedin Beautiful, are encouraging people within their networks to participate in Neighbours Day. 

All neighbourhoods in Dunedin are urged to take part.   

The Star is supporting the event, offering information and profiles of innovative ideas in the coming weeks, and stories and photographs of the celebrations. 

Star editor Helen Speirs said Neighbours Day, with its theme of bringing communities together, was a perfect fit for the newspaper. 

''The Star works hard to support and encourage positive change in our community, so the paper is happy to lend its weight to this worthwhile project.'' 

DCC community development team leader Rebecca Williams said the council was keen to support Neighbours Day as it would help to build stronger neighbourhoods and communities. 

''This will be the first time we have tried the idea across Dunedin, although Northeast Valley held a similar event last year,'' Mrs Williams said. 

''We are keen to launch Neighbours Day this year, and then continue to build on it in future years.'' 

The DCC would provide practical assistance by sponsoring prizes for the best events or ideas, she said. 

''That event [Neighbours Week in Northeast Valley in October 2010] has really helped to change the feel of the community in Northeast Valley and that's what we want for the whole city,'' Mrs Hexamer said. 

Dunedin residents are urged to think outside the square when planning a Neighbours Day event, which could range from a large-scale street party or barbecue to inviting a neighbour over for a cup of tea. 

''Whatever you choose to do, it will make a difference in your neighbourhood,'' Presbyterian Support Otago Community Development team leader Mel McNatty said.  

Businesses may wish to become involved by offering discounts or special offers to neighbourhoods taking part. - Information packs, which offer great ideas for Neighbours Day, are available from the Council of Social Services Dunedin, Presbyterian Support Otago, DCC Customer Service centres, and public libraries. Please register your event by emailing alan@  dcoss.org  .nz or sign up at  www.neighboursday.org.nz    

Togetherness: Gathering together for a friendly barbecue in Northeast Valley are (back row, from left) North Dunedin Community Constable Julian Real, residents Jayden Hill (11) and Trish Megget, Salvation Army Gardens centre leader Nolan Hill, resident Shirley Erwin, Sarah Hexamer and Heather Walker, both of Neighbourhood Support Otago, (front, from left) Abigail Real (7), Daniel Real (10), Eli Hill (7) and Mase Storer (11). PHOTO: BRENDA HARWOOD