Neighbours Day a chance to connect with those in your Rotorua neighbourhood

Neighbours Day Aotearoa encourages people to get to know their neighbours. Photo/File

Whether you live in a suburb, on a city block, in an apartment or on a rural property, you have neighbours – and knowing your neighbours matters.

This weekend communities of all shapes and sizes across the country will be taking time out to get to know their neighbours.

The annual Neighbours Day Aotearoa, now in its ninth year, is a time for neighbours to celebrate their communities and get to know new neighbours.

There are two streets in Rotorua who have decided to hold a 'BBQ on the Berm' to celebrate this day.

Rotorua's Heather Lang says Neighbours Day is a chance for their neighbourhood to have some fun, meet each other, and build a stronger and safer neighbourhood.

"Our little neighbourhood is blessed to have wonderful neighbours and it seemed like a great idea to get together for Neighbours Day Aotearoa 2018."

This year, the team at Neighbours Day have come up with some simple ways to connect.

Whether it's a barbecue on the berm or fiesta between the floors, there is toolkit of ideas which are simple and cost effective at www.neighboursdayaotearoa.co.nz.

Neighbours Day Aotearoa spokeswoman Cissy Rock says they would like to see people reach out to others in their neighbourhood, and make connections which they hope will enhance the wellbeing of individuals, family/whanau and the wider community.

"It is important for us to encourage people to think about who in their community isn't connected, and how to make space for them to feel welcome."

Neighbours Day Aotearoa is a collaborative campaign organised and supported by Lifewise, Inspiring Communities, The Mental Health Foundation, Christchurch Methodist Mission and New Zealand Red Cross.