Date: March 21st 2013

Neighbours Day Is A Chance To Get To Know The People Who Live In Your Street

Neighbours Day Aotearoa is being celebrated on March 23rd and 24th and the Hastings District Council is encouraging residents to take the first step by saying “hello” to the people who live in your street.

Deputy Mayor Cynthia Bowers says “Neighbours Day is about turning strangers into neighbours and streets into neighbourhoods. Whether it’s just a wave or an invitation for a cup of tea, every little gesture is another step on the way to creating a safer and more caring community. Neighbours Day is not necessarily about holding big events. A smile or a “hello” can make a big difference to people’s lives.”

“Neighbours Day is a great start to building better, more connected neighbourhoods and inspiring everyone to make a serious effort to get to know their neighbours. This will have the effect of creating stronger, happier and more resilient communities. In years to come, we would like to see Neighbours Day celebrated by the whole community and have that neighbourly spirit carried on 365 days of the year.”

Cynthia Bowers says “Another way of ensuring that Neighbours Day creates community spirit is to consider joining or forming a local Neighbourhood Support group. These groups are dotted all round our community and have the aim of making all neighbourhoods more caring places to live.”

To enquire about Neighbourhood Support contact Kevin Deacon on 8715000 or at kevinsd@hdc.govt.nz

Neighbours Day began as ‘get to know your neighbours’ in 2008. That transformed into ‘Neighbours Day Auckland’ in 2009 and ‘Neighbours Day Aotearoa’ began as a nationwide event in 2011.

Neighbours Day Aotearoa is being celebrated on Saturday and Sunday, March 23rd and 24th.

ENDS

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