Street parties, afternoon teas and backyard clean-ups will bring neighbourhoods together later this month, as Dunedin celebrates the seventh annual Neighbours Day.
Running nationwide on March 25 and 26, Neighbours Day aims to turns streets into neighbourhoods by encouraging people to connect with those who live around them.
Otago Neighbourhood Support regional co-ordinator Lois Scott said events did not have to be big or complicated.
"It's really about thousands of Kiwis taking the time to engage in small and local acts of neighbourliness over ... one weekend each year,'' Mrs Scott said.
Neighbourliness was already strong in Dunedin, with 6000 households involved in Neighbourhood Support groups.
Numbers had increased after the floods and other natural disasters in New Zealand.
"I think there has been a realisation among many people that their neighbours can be the first port of call for support.''
Neighbourhood Support's aim was to create safe, caring neighbourhoods and communities, reducing criminal offending, building community resilience and strengthening networks, Mrs Scott said.
Otago Neighbourhood Support was partnering with Dunedin City Council to assist groups with the planning of Neighbours Day activities.
Several community events are already registered in Dunedin, including a Neighbours Day event hosted by East Taieri Church in partnership with Otago Neighbourhood Support, which will be held at East Taieri School on April 1.
A celebration and welcome to Dunedin "newcomers'' will be hosted by Brockville Church, Housing NZ and Neighbourhood Support at at Brockville School on April 2.
• For information and support on how to host a Neighbours Day event, email Lois Scott on neighbourhoodsupport@ gmail.com or visit the website www.neighboursday.org.nz
BRENDA.HARWOOD @thestar.co.nz
