LIFEWISE announces launch of Neighbours Day 2009
TURNING STREETS INTO NEIGHBOURHOODS
Saturday 17 October – mark it in your diary!

To build a healthier Auckland, we need to look out for each other more than we do.

LIFEWISE, with the support of lots of organisations across Tamaki Makaurau, is taking the lead and encouraging all Aucklanders to mark a day on their calendar to knock on doors or lean over the fence and get to know their neighbours better. Saturday, 17th of October will be Auckland’s first official Neighbours Day, a celebration of neighbourliness and what LIFEWISE hopes will herald the creation of more supportive, healthy and connected neighbourhoods across Auckland.

LIFEWISE Community Services General Manager John McCarthy says “The UK, Europe and Australia have nurtured neighbourliness through initiatives similar to Neighbours Day, so we decided to build on the success of our work in the community and encourage all Aucklanders to start with one action on one day to foster friendships in their street. Strong connections between neighbours create opportunities to make our neighbourhoods healthier, safer and more fun places to live.”

John says the philosophy of Neighbours Day is simple: “We believe the creation of a special day to recognise the folks we live next door to will help strengthen and connect neighbourhoods across Auckland. Things like sharing a cuppa or hosting a neighbourhood barbie are easy ways to get the ball rolling. Kiwis are renowned for their hospitality, so we know this day will spark some great neighbourhood connections.”

LIFEWISE is not organising a big event for Neighbours Day. Rather, LIFEWISE is promoting the importance of neighbours, inspiring people to take the first steps and working with other groups to encourage people to get involved. LIFEWISE has created a special website offering useful resources to help Aucklanders start the fun.

The website provides fun ideas for people to help people connect with others on their street. At www.neighboursday.org.nz you’ll find:

 Why Neighbours Day is important – looking out for each other
 What you can do – great ideas showing how you can take part and tools to help you
 A section about the proven benefits of knowing your neighbours
 Snapshots of fun activities and initiatives that neighbourly Aucklanders are doing
 Our special Neighbours’ Quiz
 And check out our celebrity neighbourhood memories!

ENDS

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