Neighbours Day Aotearoa

The message of ‘know your neighbours’ connects across different ages, ethnicities, cultures, and geographical locations; it is relevant for all of us. Strong neighbourhoods are crucial to a healthy, happy, and sustainable New Zealand, and the Neighbours Day team want to spread this message and celebrate neighbourliness across the country.

Neighbours Day Aotearoa originated from the principles and experience of the Know Your Neighbours Project, an initiative that started through a Takapuna Methodist Church and Lifewise partnership. By working in streets and neighbourhoods on Auckland’s North Shore, it was found that many residents were keen to know their neighbours more, but sometimes wanted support to know where to start and encouragement to take action.

Elsewhere around the world, other countries have run successful campaigns similar to Neighbours Day Aotearoa. Many of these campaigns started small and built up momentum over several years. For a snapshot of what’s happening around the world visit Neighbours Day movements.

Inspired by these international campaigns, Lifewise decided to kick off New Zealand’s own Neighbours Day movement. With an enthusiastic team of community organisations and local council representatives, Lifewise took the step to facilitate and promote Auckland’s first Neighbours Day in October 2009. Pulled together with a tight time‐frame and a small budget, the first Neighbours Day was a success and generated much interest to spread throughout the country.

In 2011 Lifewise and Inspiring Communities developed Neighbours Day Aotearoa for the whole country.  Neighbours Day is now held each year on the last weekend in March.

Now in its second year, Neighbours Day Aotearoa is championed by a Neighbours Day Development Team from Lifewise, Inspiring Communities, Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand and Neighbourhood Support New Zealand.

Visit the website of Neighbours Day Aotearoa

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Project 2012
Neighbours Day Aotearoa 2012 (24-25 March)

Turning streets into neighbourhoods: Atawhaingia te Pa harakeke

Building better relationships on our streets can transform whole neighbourhoods into healthy, fun and vibrant places to live. Neighbours Day Aotearoa 2012 is something all of us can get involved in.

Wherever you are in NZ, circle 24-25 March on the calendar as a time to celebrate and get to know your neighbours. You can make a difference in your neighbourhood: Great neighbourhoods start with great neighbours.

What can you do?

  • Start now!  Get your neighbours, the street or whole community together to start planning what you’ll do together for Neighbours Day Aotearoa in your streets, and how to spread the word in your region.
  • Mark 24-25 March on the calendar.  On the day, you could knock on doors with home-baking, bring out the back-yard cricket, lean over the fence for a chat, put down a hangi or spark up the BBQ – do whatever suits your neighbourhood.  It just takes one person to get things going in a street.
  • You can help spread the word. Talk about Neighbours Day Aotearoa 2012 to your workmates, friends, family and of course – your neighbours.

Remember you don’t have to wait – everyday can be neighbours day. Join the movement! Help bring Neighbours Day Aotearoa to your place.

Do you have questions or a story about your neighbourhood? Send us an email.

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