News and Notices

Community Development and Events — May 6th, 2019

Community news and notices

Ōtepoti Youth Vision

We are delighted to announce the winner of the design competition for the Ōtepoti Youth Vision, Nikole Robson, who won an iPhone X and the opportunity to have her artwork used to promote the Vision across our city. Congratulations Nikole!

Nominations open for Keep Dunedin Beautiful Awards

Nominations are now open for the Keep Dunedin Beautiful Awards. The Awards celebrate and honour Dunedin people who are committed to beautifying their city and caring for their environment through volunteer action. Schools, community groups and individuals are recognised for environmental projects they have worked on during the past year.

Email keepdunedinbeautiful@dcc.govt.nz with the name of the person or group you are nominating and tell us why they deserve to be recognised.

The award ceremony will be held at Dunedin Public Art Gallery on Thursday 27 June 2019.

Volunteer Day at Araiteuru Marae

As a part of Youth Week '19 we welcome young people of Ōtepoti, Dunedin, to come and connect to Araiteuru Marae, the matawaka (pantribal) urban marae of Otago through a day of mahi (work). This event is officially part of Youth Week but it's open to all who wish to come along.

Araiteuru is a pantribal Marae, meaning all are welcome here. It is a unique mixing pot of many cultures and peoples. The community that gathers here and makes use of the space is vibrant and diverse.

Come and gain insight in to Maori culture, an understanding of the purpose of the Marae, and how you might like to get involved. There's lots of work to be done, so your time will be highly valued by the Marae community.

Applications open for 2020 Winston Churchill Fellowships

Do you have an area of interest that you've always wanted to pursue overseas? Do you have a research question that could assist your local community? Would support to investigate this help your family, whanau, iwi or region?

If so, you might like to consider applying for a 2020 Winston Churchill Fellowship!

For more information, visit www.wcmt.co.nz

Winter Energy Payment

A reminder from MSD, the Winter Energy Payment is paid from 1 May to 1 October.

We had many people last year telling us what a difference it made, helping them keep their homes warmer, and themselves and their family healthier. People don’t need to apply for the Winter Energy Payment. If they’re eligible, they’ll get it automatically with their other payments. Couples and people with dependent children will get $31.82 a week and single people will get $20.46 a week.

People paid weekly will get their first payment in the week beginning 6 May. This will be a part payment because 1 May is part way through the week. This includes people getting Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support, Supported Living Payment, Youth Payment, Young Parent Payment and Emergency Benefit.

People paid fortnightly (NZ Super and Veteran’s Pension) will get their first payment on 14 May, which will be a full payment.

For couples getting NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension the Winter Energy Payment is all paid to one person. The system we use for payments can’t split it to pay into two separate accounts. People can switch the payment to the other person’s account by calling our Seniors line on 0800 552 002.

Seniors heading overseas over the winter months can keep getting Winter Energy Payment for up to 28 days while they’re away. People should tell us if they plan to be away for more than four weeks , otherwise we might pay them too much and have to ask for the money back.

We’re writing to people to tell them they’re getting the Winter Energy Payment, but you may also like to remind people you work with about it.

There’s more information about the Winter Energy Payment on the Work and Income website www.workandincome.govt.nz/winterenergypayment