Neighbours Day will be celebrated across New Zealand over the weekend of March 28 and 29, with the aim of turning strangers into neighbours and streets into neighbourhoods.
Communities across Dunedin have come together to host an array of Neighbours Day public events, designed to give people the chance to connect with others living in their areas.
''It's good to see more public events being established in the city - it's a great way to bring people together,'' Neighbourhood Support Otago regional co-ordinator Kim Romeril said.
However, Neighbours Day is also about residents taking the time to engage in small acts of neighbourliness over the weekend. That could mean a wave or smile, a chat over the fence, inviting a neighbour in for a cuppa, or holding a street barbecue.
''Communication is the most important thing when it comes to neighbours - even just saying `hi' can have a positive effect on someone's day,'' Mrs Romeril said.
Research done by Neighbours Day Aotearoa showed the event helped improve neighbourliness. Of those surveyed, 75% had shared contact details with neighbours, 86% were more likely to connect with their neighbours throughout the year, and 54% felt safer.
''There can definitely be a flow-on effect from taking that first step,'' Mrs Romeril said.
''You may even make new friends.''
NEIGHBOURS DAY PUBLIC EVENTS
The Caversham community is celebrating early and will have their Record Breaking Fun Neighbours Day event this Sunday, March 22, from noon to 3pm at Kew Park, with sausage sizzle, bouncy castles and activities for all ages.
South Dunedin Community Safety Expo, from 10am to 3pm on Sunday, March 29, at Bathgate Park off Macandrew Rd. The expo will showcase organisations such as Civil Defence, St John, police, Neighbourhood Support Otago, Plunket, Otago SPCA, New Zealand Fire Service, community patrols and Dunedin Collaboration Against Family Violence.
The Green Island community will host a Picnic in the Park, from 11am to 2pm on March 29, at Sunnyvale Sports Centre. There will be a free sausage sizzle, bouncy castle and old-fashioned games, plus a chance to play some cricket (bring your gear).
The Concord community will have old-fashioned games and a barbecue in Emerson Park from 1pm to 3pm on March 29. Includes a treasure hunt, gumboot throw, volleyball, lolly scramble and free sausage sizzle.
The Cove picnic afternoon tea, organised by resident Vanetta Rosenberg, to be held on March 29, at the top end of Irvine Rd. Coffee and tea provided.
East Taieri will host a free Family Fun Day on March 29, from 2pm to 4pm at Silverstream Primary School, 52 Green St, Mosgiel. An opportunity to meet new people, locals and key members of our community.
''Who Let the Dogs Out?'', a play session for dogs and owners, will be held at Wakari Dog Park from 2pm on 5pm on March 29.
In Northeast Valley, the Valley Project will visit Neighbours Day events on March 29, and the gathering deemed the most neighbourly will win a make-over of the lampposts in their street with some exciting community art.
If you are interested in celebrating Neighbours Day 2015 in Dunedin, check out the Neighbours Day website http://www.neighboursday.org.nz
for more information and resource packs.
