27 October 2004

National Neighbours’ Week launches Monday

From borrowing lawnmowers to sharing local knowledge, from saying hello to making a new friend, it is time to get to know your neighbours again as National Neighbours’ Week starts on 1 November.

A week-long national celebration, it reminds people to push themselves to meet their neighbours and work toward making happier and safer communities.

Various events throughout the week will provide awareness of the many benefits neighbours gain by supporting each other.

“Crime, the elderly, loneliness, community spirit, helping out, safety, local news are all issues that can be discussed and solved when communities are communicating. From walking buses to neighbourhood support groups, it is a time to discuss neighbourhood issues,” says Auckland City’s community advisor Bridget Sewell.

From Monday to Saturday, an information booth at St Lukes shopping centre will provide information about the benefits of knowing your neighbours, from safety tips from the police to preparing yourself in the event of an emergency or disaster.

Foodtown supermarket at St Lukes is providing an emergency survival kit with everything a family needs to survive for three days in the event of a disaster.

“People can prevent emergencies becoming disasters by being aware of problems before they occur and then making a plan to avoid the problems or minimise them,” says Jane Lodge, the emergency management advisor for Auckland City. Ms Lodge will be one of the many experienced people providing information at St Lukes next week.
National Neighbours’ Week postcards have been designed to help people through the often-difficult process of meeting the people who live around them. A form on the back can be filled in to let neighbours know about each other. They can then be dropped off in neighbours’ letterboxes. The colourful postcards are available from the St Lukes information booth.

In association with the police, Neighbourhood Support, Civil Defence and Auckland City, National Neighbours’ Week runs from 1 November to 7 November.

ENDS

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