Resource Pack Neighbours Day 2015

Atawhaingia te Pa harakeke
Turning streets into neighbourhoods
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RESOURCE PACK
NEIGHBOURS DAY AOTEAROA IN A NUTSHELL
WHAT IS NEIGHBOURS DAY AOTEAROA (NDA)?
NDA is about turning strangers into neighbours and streets into neighbourhoods, Atawhaingia
te Pa harakeke. It’s about encouraging Kiwis to take the time to engage in local acts of
neighbourliness, over the course of one weekend. For some that may mean a first wave or
smile, a chat over the fence, inviting a neighbour in for a cuppa or holding a street barbeque
or party. Put simply, it’s about going one step further in getting to know those ‘next door’.
Ultimately we truly believe that this will result in fun, safe, respectful neighbourhoods
throughout Aotearoa, New Zealand.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
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Asked by Lifewise and Takapuna Methodist Church to seek out new and innovative ways to
support local neighbourhoods, Rebecca Harrington, self-confessed community advocate,
came across the following finding: many people today recognise they are isolated from their
neighbours, yet are unsure what to do about it. After hearing that planned neighbourhood
celebrations were gaining momentum worldwide, Rebecca sought to establish a similar annual
campaign in New Zealand, one that honoured our diverse and rich cultural heritage. Initially
launched in Auckland in 2009, Neighbours Day Aotearoa became a nationwide initiative in 2011.
Since then NDA has a catalyst for thousands of Kiwis in getting to know their neighbours.
WHY KNOWING YOUR NEIGHBOURS IS SO IMPORTANT
When people like you and I make the choice to be a good neighbour, individuals, whanau and
neighbourhoods benefit. We know that when Kiwi communities foster connection and everyday
‘neighbourliness’, they are soon safer, stronger and more resilient. Ultimately, the wellbeing of
all involved is significantly enhanced. Besides this, our neighbourhoods provide a great chance
to for us to meet people who are different from us. This then helps us learn how to connect with
a variety of people. Showing respect honours our combined heritage - a powerful advertisement
for a little more neighbourliness in itself. So how do we get there? National research in 2008
showed that 72% of people in NZ were interested in getting to know their neighbours better.
So what stops us from doing just that? Fear? Uncertainty? Nerves? Whatever the reason, NDA
provides the opportunity, the support and the know how to bridge a connection with those over
the fence.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Neighbours Day Aotearoa is something for ALL New Zealanders to be involved in. Our long term
vision is for every household in NZ to participate in NDA and to increasingly give a little more
neighbourliness, whanaungatanga, every day. NDA belongs to everyday Kiwis, to all people
living in NZ, people like you and me who choose to make a difference in our neighbourhoods,
starting in our own backyard.
WHO IS BEHIND NDA?
The team behind Neighbours Day Aotearoa is made up of four neighbourhood-passionate
organisations: Lifewise, Mental Health Foundation of NZ, Neighbourhood Support NZ and
Inspiring Communities.
Register online at www.neighboursday.org.nz
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If you already know some of your
neighbours ask for their ideas and if
they would like to help you out. If you
don’t know any neighbours, introduce
yourself or flier drop with your contact
details asking for help to organise your
local activity.
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Follow up with your keen
neighbours
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Organise your invitations
You can download our invitation
template at www.neighboursday.org.
nz/join-in or make your own. Put the
invites into your neighbour’s letter boxes
at least two weeks before the event.
Decide on your local
activity
What do you want to do? Start small.
You could invite your neighbours
over for a cuppa or say hello to them
over the fence. Want to have a get
together? See our ideas for what past
participants have done. Keep it simple
and most importantly, have fun!
Decide on what, where and how you
will organise your event.
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10-steps to kick start your NDA activity
Start simple
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A few days before the event, put
a reminder notice in neighbour’s
letterboxes.
8
Invite people in person
Keep talking with them about ideas,
make a plan and delegate tasks. Gather
email addresses or phone numbers so
you can keep in touch base in the weeks
leading up to NDA weekend.
Keep everyone involved
Invite input from people and take
up offers of help. The more people
involved in organising, the easier it is
for you on the day! Allocate activities
and keep people informed on how the
planning for the NDA weekend
is going.
On the day, be a good host
Arrive early to set up and welcome
people. Look out for neighbours who
don’t know anyone and do your best
to make everyone feel welcome. See
our website www.neighboursday.org.
nz for past participants experiences.
Before the NDA weekend, go doorto-door and invite your neighbours in
person. Go along with somebody else to
stay safe.
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Remind them again
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Plan to stay in touch with
each other
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Turn your street into a
neighbourhood
What other activities can you get
involved in during the year? Do you
want to set up a Neighbourhood
Support group? Keep in touch with
everybody and build momentum for
local activities all year round. Share
your stories with us at kiaora@
neighboursday.org.nz
During the event, collect your
neighbours contact details (if they are
happy to share them). This way you
can keep in contact throughout the
year.
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www.neighboursday.org.nz
Atawhaingia te Pa harakeke
Turning streets into neighbourhoods
Swap and share
Share Kai!
Share food together: organise a street BBQ,
morning/afternoon tea, pot luck dinner or,
pancake breakfast. Invite your neighbours to
bring a plate to share.
Progressive dinner party: move between
houses for each course, entrée, main, dessert.
Bake something to share: bake a cake, a batch
of muffins or scones or some biscuits for your
neighbours to enjoy. Go door-to-door and
drop them off.
Share home-grown produce: if you have too
much produce for you and your family to eat,
share it with your neighbours.
Host a BBQ: Invite everyone to bring their
favourite BBQ food, gather round and enjoy.
Co-ordinate it with a sports game and you’ll
be sure to draw a crowd!
Organise games and activities
• Organise a sports or games afternoon for
the kids in the neighbourhood. This could
include egg and spoon races, sack or relay
races, chalk drawing or a treasure hunt.
Organise a soccer, touch or cricket game for
everyone to enjoy.
• Hide Easter eggs or treats in a large
backyard or local park for kids to find.
• Do a list of questions for people to find out
about each other to break the ice.
NDA Ideas: We’ve got you covered
Indoor activities
• Mow your neighbours grass: next time
you mow your grass verge, mow your
neighbours as well!
• Start a street book club: invite your
neighbours over to discuss your favourite
books.
• Organise a street clean up, gardening
bee or backyard blitz for one of your
neighbours.
• Have a tea party: invite neighbours to bring
a plate of sandwiches/scones or muffins to
share.
• Swap, meet and greet: swap goods
you no longer need and encourage your
neighbours to bring their goods along
too. No money need exchange hands.
• Organise a DIY party: make natural cleaners,
chutneys, homemade facials or learn to bake
something new together.
• Start a neighbourhood library for things
you and your neighbours are happy to
lend/share with each other e.g. ladders,
tools, books, toys, sports gear, music or
art and craft supplies.
• Organise a clothes swap: recycle your clothes
and refresh your families wardrobe.
• Have a giant garage sale: invite your
neighbours to join you in a street garage
sale and donate the funds to charity or
keep the funds for your next get together.
Keen to share your NDA idea or story?
We would love to hear it!
[email protected] or
www.facebook.com/neighboursday
Become a NDA Ambassador and
help us spread the word!
ww.neighboursday.org.nz/join-in
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Atawhaingia te Pa harakeke
Turning streets into neighbourhoods
www.neighboursday.org.nz
www.facebook.com/neighboursday

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