A sweet reward… In March, Central Otago District Council’s Welcoming Communities joined forces with Neighbourhood Support to celebrate national initiative Neighbours Day, which is held throughout Aotearoa annually.

The theme this year was Kai Connections, where people were encouraged to share their own recipes, and those who did were rewarded with a specially produced tea towel this week.

CODC's Welcoming Communities will be sharing participants’ recipes over the coming weeks so that everyone can enjoy them.   

From left: Welcoming Communities officer Deborah Beange, Kirsty Anderson (lemon and poppy seed muffins), Raylicia Checketts (courgette loaves), Zuleyha Bingul (Turkish style marble cake), Shona Bain (apricot chutney), and Neighbourhood Support coordinator Ruth McNamara. PHOTO: Central Otago District Council

Neighbours Day Aotearoa began in 2009 and it is a collaborative campaign organised and supported by Lifewise, Inspiring Communities, Christchurch Methodist Mission, New Zealand Red Cross, Neighbourhood Support New Zealand, Kāinga Ora and Auckland Council.

It runs for ten days every year in March and the kaupapa of Neighbours Day is to encourage people to meet and get to know their neighbours better.

For more information see the Neighbours Day website.

Zuleyha Bingul’s Turkish style marble cake.