Love thy neighbour
Sausages are set to sizzle around the country this weekend, with neighbours gathering around barbecues to celebrate Neighbours’ Day Aotearoa.
Christchurch academic Ekant Veer had hosted Neighbours’ Day events every year since moving his family to Woodbury St, Russley, three years ago.
‘‘The first year we just did baking – we were new to the neighbourhood anyway and my wife likes to bake, so we took that round to the neighbours.’’
The following year they put aside their annoyance at Airport Business Park office workers parking in their street, offering after-work refreshments to those returning to their vehicles.
‘‘We kind of hate it, but last year we thought, they are still part of the neighbourhood – sowe set up a little stall at five o’clock and gave them some free chai tea and some muffins.’’
Veer and his wife, Unicia Veer, would host a barbecue on Saturday. Three families have confirmed they would attend so far.
With several young families on the street, Veer said knowing their neighbours created a safe environment for their children.
‘‘When the kids are home from school, they all come round to jump on the trampoline.
‘‘I remember when I was young, mymumyelling at us to come inside for dinner, and nowadays we tend to see parents yelling at their kids to go outside – we like that we still have to yell at our kids to come inside.’’
Neighbours’ Day Aotearoa and The Neighbourhood Project in Christchurch connect Cantabrians organising events.
The Neighbourhood Project coordinator Anita Voisey said creating safer neighbourhoods was often as easy as knocking on your neighbours’ door and introducing yourself.
‘‘After the quakes, a lot of people were moving neighbourhoods and being displaced.
‘‘We’re encouraging people to just go next door and meet their neighbours – especially in Christchurch, I think it’s really important to have that support which is close to home.’’
Neighbours’ Day Aotearoa project manager Ashlee Gross said the day made a big difference in creating friendly communities.
‘‘Surveys we’ve done show 67 per cent of people feel safer after participating in Neighbours’ Day, with 84 per cent of people sharing their contact details with neighbours on the day.
‘‘It’s about taking that first step, knocking on someone’s door, or coming along to a Neighbours’ Day barbecue – once that’s happened it all seems to flow from there.’’
Those without their own event could attend several Canterbury events open to the public.
More information about Neighbours’ Day Aotearoa can be found at their website.