NEWS RELEASE
7 March 2013

What are you doing for Neighbours Day?

Neighbours Day Aotearoa – the national initiative to get people to know their neighbours – takes place on the weekend of 23 and 24 March, and Wellingtonians are encouraged to get behind it.

Mayor Celia Wade-Brown says there are many benefits to knowing your neighbours.

“It helps you feel part of your community, as well as safe and connected. A crucial reason to have these connections is to be able to help each other in times of emergency, and with a fault line running through our city, this should be standard practice for all Wellingtonians.

“Many of our households and communities are well-prepared for anything. If you feel that you could be doing more in your street or apartment block, a Neighbours Day celebration is a great way to turn acquaintances into friendships. Getting to know your neighbours can be very pleasant.”

Neighbours Day Aotearoa began in 2011, and since then, more and more neighbourhoods around the country are getting involved by organising activities or celebrations for their street or apartment block.

The Council is also organising events to encourage neighbourly connections, in and around community facilities and shared spaces.

“We organise a summit for our own housing tenants every year to coincide with Neighbours Day, and several of our community centres have events planned,” says Mayor-Wade Brown.

The Mayor will host Wellington City Council neighbours at Civic Square on Thursday 21 March.

Community events include a barbecue and children’s activities for Cambridge Street residents at Tawa Community Centre on Saturday 16 March, a morning tea at Linden Social Centre on Wednesday 20 March (bring a plate), a BYO picnic and other activities at Newlands Community Centre on Saturday 23 March, and a barbecue at Island Bay Community Centre on Sunday 24 March.

For ideas, people can visit the Neighbours Day Aotearoa website, neighboursday.org.nz or check out the Council’s website, Wellington.govt.nz/neighbours for neighbourhood resources, now with New Zealand Sign Language translation videos.

© Scoop Media

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