Community news and notices

Writers of South Asia whakapapa in Aotearoa.

The Communities of Readers project, Te Mana o Te Kupu, also known as Read Share Grow has now a small initiative to create a Task Force to work alongside the National Library in recommending and supporting librarians with book selections in the languages. The aim is to grow the World Language Collection. We would like to trial creating this support group/task force from Dunedin to not only identify languages, but also suggest titles that are enjoyable to read and accessible for bi-literate children and their whanau from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

For more information, please see the flyer at the end of this section.

MMR Vaccination

What is Measles?

• Measles is a serious disease more contagious than COVID-19 and there is a vaccine (MMR)
• You are at risk if you have not had 2 MMR doses in your lifetime. You may have missed your childhood vaccinations.
• Check your records to see if you have been vaccinated.
• If not, contact your GP, participating Pharmacy or Mass Vaccination Centre to arrange a FREE MMR vaccine.

Measles causes a rash and fever, also in severe cases pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain)

Mumps causes headaches, fever, swelling of neck and in severe cases meningitis, encephalitis and infertility in young men.

Rubella causes a rash and fever: It is dangerous for unborn babies.

Where to get your MMR vaccination

• Your local GP Practice
• The Dunedin Immunisation Centre
• Unichem Mornington Pharmacy
• Unichem Central Pharmacy Mosgiel
• Caversham Pharmacy
• Roslyn Pharmacy
• Unichem Knox Pharmacy
• Larson’s Pharmacy
• Antidote Meridian
• Antidote Garden’s
• Antidote Macandrew
• Anderson’s Exchange
• McNaughton’s Pharmacy
• Albany Street Pharmacy
• Countdown Pharmacy

For more information please see the attachments at the end of this section, email MMR@southerndhb.govt.nz, or go to the Ministry of Health NZ website.

Harbour Arterial feedback sought

With Stage 1 of the Harbour Arterial nearly complete, the Dunedin City Council is now seeking feedback on changes proposed for the next two stages of the project – Stage 2 (Thomas Burns St and neighbouring streets) and Stage 3 (Strathallan St).

DCC Group Manager Transport Jeanine Benson says the Harbour Arterial project will provide a safe and efficient alternative traffic route, connecting State Highway 1 at Andersons Bay to State Highway 88 at the intersection of Frederick Street. This will allow heavy and general traffic to bypass the central city and avoid disruption caused by the construction of the new Dunedin Hospital.

“To create a successful bypass, some changes are needed to the existing road layout and there are some aspects of the project we are seeking public feedback on,” says Ms Benson.

Key changes being proposed for Stages 2 and 3 include installing a wire median safety barrier and various intersection changes on Thomas Burns Street; the construction of two roundabouts on Tewsley Street to assist with traffic flow; redistributing some carparks from Thomas Burns Street to surrounding streets; and removing carparks on Strathallan Street to create an efficient arterial/bypass route.

“We have been in contact with affected businesses, and they have given us some valuable information that we have incorporated into our plans,” says Ms Benson.

“We are also continuing to explore options to improve the Strathallan Street/Andersons Bay Road intersection and nearby streets. The focus of this project is to improve the entire route so that vehicles can move through the city in the most efficient way without creating more congestion, especially around the new hospital site.”

More detailed information, including maps and online feedback forms, can be found at www.dunedin.govt.nz/harbour-arterial. Feedback closes on Monday 5 September.

The Harbour Arterial project is estimated to cost $16.3 million and is co-funded by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

Applying for the Job Check – Common issues

NZ Immigration have identified some common issues in job check applications, which are affecting our ability to process these applications within the 10-day timeframe.

Many of the actions identified relate to information missing from employment agreements, including:

• minimum hours of work
• the maximum number of hours worked before overtime provisions apply (if relevant)
• a detailed description of the work to be performed.

NZ Immigration is also seeing job check applications which do not meet the requirements because the job advertisement did not:

• run for 14 days
• include the salary range for the role.

This information is required to demonstrate you are meeting the AEWV requirements in order to avoid undue processing delays. It is also important that job checks are only submitted for current vacancies where jobs have been advertised and no suitable New Zealanders are available to do the job.

Checklist for the Job Check

NZ Immigration have developed useful guidance to help you with the AEWV Job Check. A checklist is on the INZ website to make sure your application includes everything that is required.

Advertising guidance

Guidance is also available on the NZ Immigration website to help you with advertising an AEWV role.

Assistance with employment agreements

An online tool is available on the Business Government website to help you ensure your employment agreements meet all of the minimum requirements.

The Inclusive Faith Project

The Inclusive Faith Project is an exciting collaboration between the Ministry of Social Development, the NZ Human Rights Commission, Inclusive Aotearoa Collective, Yes Disability, Whaikaha - Ministry for Disabled People, NZ's Religious Diversity Centre and others.

This is a multifaith, multisector initiative to connect people of faith who have a disability, together with faith influencers and leaders, to create pathways for disabled people to fully belong and participate in their faith community. This will include conversations to discuss possibilities and co-design resources.

To learn more and to register, please visit The Yes website.

The Otepoti Dunedin Hui will take place on Tuesday, 23 August and an Eventbrite registration link is on the above webpage.

We are hoping to arrange two sessions: 10am - 1pm and 6pm - 9pm.

For each session to run, we are seeking about 30 participants at each session (15 disabled persons, 15 faith influencers/leaders).

We need to know numbers/interest levels within the next 10 days to book a suitable venue (if you know of a suitable venue, please either contact Dunedin Interfaith (dunedininterfaith@gmail.com) or the Yes Disability team!) The venue needs to be 'neutral', accessible, with suitable toilet/kitchen facilities and a Zip as light refreshments will be served. If people need transport, this can be arranged.

Does tourism matter to you Dunedin?

Here’s a chance to have your say.

Independent research company Angus & Associates are working with Enterprise Dunedin, the Dunedin City Council’s economic development and destination marketing agency, to find out what Dunedin people want (and don’t want) the future of tourism in the greater Dunedin area to look like.

Tourism will continue to be an important part of our way of life in Dunedin, but what tourism looks like and offers in the future is up to the choices that we make now. Choices that will also matter for generations to come.

How should tourism be developed to best benefit our communities and reduce any pain points? What is most important?

The protection and restoration of our environment? Smart and low impact transport options? What happens to our wildlife, arts and heritage attractions? The future of events? What kind of job opportunities tourism could support?

If you would like to share your views and help shape the way Dunedin plans for the future of tourism, we invite you to take part in this futures research.

Please encourage your friends and whanau and wider communities to take part too so that we can make sure to capture as many views as possible.

Click the link below for more information and to register your interest in taking part.

www.angusassociates.co.nz/dunedintourismfuture

Presbyterian Support Otago Community Connector

Do you know of any individuals or whānau isolating due to positive COVID 19 results? If you do, please contact Presbyterian Support Otago. Our Community Connector can respond with specialized support.

The Community Connector can:

• Call directly and offer support during what can be a stressful time.
• Deliver a large food parcel – enough for the week of isolation, including specific toiletries, baby formula, medicines or other items that might be identified as necessary for their week of isolation.
• Advise on available support for any ongoing impact isolation may bring - including financial support.

For more information, please contact - Ruth Harrison - Community Connector | Presbyterian Support Otago

P: 03 477 7116 | M: 0277003578

E: ruth.harrison@psotago.org.nz