Nāku te rourou, nāu te rourou ka ora ai te iwi.
With your basket and my basket the people shall live.
With the recent storms, I find the above Māori quote very fitting. It was so inspiring to see how tenants and the community helped one another during the terrible weather events. Overall, a total of 34 Haumaru units needed to be evacuated as a result of the recent flooding, and 51 units require repair work. I’d also like to acknowledge our partner The Selwyn Foundation who helped with accommodation and material support for impacted tenants. Slowly, everyone should now be returning to their routines and, as I write this, the summer sunshine has made a welcome return.
We had two long weekends recently and, whilst many may have been mopping up, I do hope you were able to enjoy Waitangi Day. My children and I spent time reflecting on what New Zealand was like in the 1840s when the Treaty was signed and how the world has changed since. Not only does everything seem to be electronic now, but the weather patterns have changed as well. On the subject of climatic effects, we are aware that village lawns are undesirably long. It is simply not possible to mow the lawns when grounds are so sodden. The floods have created many issues, which are being dealt with in order of priority. We ask for your continued patience and recommend you stick to the paths until the lawns have been mown.
Finally, as we settle back into our normal pace of life – and hopefully enjoy a prolonged spell of calmer weather – please do take care with the increased traffic on the roads, as businesses get back into full swing and schoolchildren return to class.
Ngā mihi.
Gillian Schweizer,
Chief Executive Officer
spacer
Many hands make light work!
Following Auckland’s first unprecedented weather bomb, an amazing community initiative got underway to help with the big clean-up at Pukekohe’s Parkway (one of the villages affected). Family, friends, neighbours – and even some children from nearby Puni School – joined the Haumaru community team in the tidy-up over the Auckland Anniversary weekend. Everyone helped with the removal of wet carpets and damaged whiteware, so renovation work could start just as soon as possible. As the saying goes, ‘many hands make light work’ and we’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who assisted and to tenants for offering such wonderful support to one another. As the programme of remediation work continues, if you’ve any queries or need assistance with anything at any time, please let your Community Manager know or call us on 0800 430 101.
In Milford, Haumaru Community Managers pitched in to help their Alma Court colleague Mirela with assisting tenants to pack up before they moved to their temporary accommodation.
spacer
Haumaru hosts Aged Care Commissioner and HDC’s Māori Director
On 17 January, we had the privilege of hosting Aged Care Commissioner Carolyn Cooper and Ikimoke Tamaki-Takarei, the Health and Disability Commissioner’s (HDC’s) Kaitohu Matamua Māori/Director Māori, at Glen Eden’s Westview Village and at Wilsher Village in Henderson. During a tour of each village, the VIP guests met tenants and staff and discussed a range of issues of importance to older people. As a leader within the Health and Disability sector, the Commissioner was able to explore some of the challenges they and other seniors face when accessing healthcare.
spacer
Have wheels, will travel!
Cutting a dash on the Te Atatu peninsula is a well-known motorbike group from Kaumatua Court, who don’t let age or distance slow them down. Every sunny day, you’ll see this fab four out and about on their beloved bikes, as they travel far and wide across the city taking in the sights. From Mission Bay in the East to Huapai in the West, Takapuna in the North to Manukau in the South, they always travel together and make a great day of it. At Christmas time, you’ll even see a Santa on his motorbike, much to the delight of all the locals. You go, guys!
spacer
Getting ready for the Census
Census Day will be Tuesday, 7 March 2023, and Stats NZ is aiming to make the 2023 Census the most inclusive one yet. There’ll be more options for completing the census – you can complete your answers in English or Te Reo Māori and choose whether to complete it online or on paper. The aim is to ensure every person in the country has the information, formats, and support they need to take part and be counted. Stats NZ will be delivering instructions to everyone this month about how to do the 2023 Census.
The nationwide Census survey occurs every five years to understand more about life in Aotearoa New Zealand and how it’s changing. Census data is used to make important decisions that impact every person and community. You can find out more at www.census.govt.nz
spacer
Scam Awareness Campaign: take a sec to check
Banks are asking people to ‘take a sec to check’ before they part with their money or personal information, in a campaign aimed at raising scam awareness.
Scams are a form of financial crime. They’re constantly evolving and increasingly sophisticated. Scams tend to involve criminals pretending to be a trusted person or organisation who then persuade people to make payments to them or hand over personal information to access their bank accounts.
Tips to help you stay safe:
- Be alert to texts or emails. Never click on links in unsolicited emails or text messages. Report and delete suspicious messages.
- Be wary of cold calls asking for personal details or money. If an unexpected phone call seems suspicious, hang up and call the business back using its publicly available phone number.
- Use unique, long passwords and change these regularly. Keep all passwords and security codes secure – don't disclose these to anyone.
- Never give a stranger remote access to your computer or device. Safeguard your devices by keeping operating systems and apps up to date.
- If someone’s pressuring you to do something, it may be a sign they’re trying to scam you. Take your time and check out who you’re dealing with before providing your details or sending any money.
- Report any suspected scams immediately to your bank.
