AoD Whaioro Trust

07/03/2026

Today we celebrate International Women’s Day, a time to acknowledge the strength, resilience, and brilliance of women everywhere.

To the wāhine who lead, nurture, advocate, create, and uplift others every day, we see you and we celebrate you. Your courage and determination continue to shape whānau, communities, and futures in powerful ways.

We also honour the women who came before us, whose strength and determination helped pave the way for the opportunities many of us have today.

Let’s keep supporting, empowering, and uplifting one another, today and every day.

Happy International Women’s Day to all the incredible wāhine out there. 💜

04/03/2026

🚗💭 Quick buzz. Lifelong consequences.

🖤 He kaupapa nui tēnei mō te haumaru o tātou katoa.

We’re really concerned about the growing trend of people using nitrous oxide (“nangs”) while driving. It might seem harmless or funny in the moment. but the effects hit fast and can cause dizziness, confusion, or even blackouts behind the wheel.

The risks are immediate and serious. It’s not just the driver affected, it puts friends, passengers, whānau, and everyone else on the road in danger. One moment of impairment can change lives forever.

This isn’t about judgement. It’s about protecting the mauri of our people and making choices that keep each other safe.

Police are concerned by the growing number of incidents involving people choosing to inhale nitrous oxide while driving.

The risks are clear and grave: inhaling nitrous oxide can rapidly cause dizziness, confusion, and blackouts.

Can you imagine being the passenger in a car with a driver who passes out at the wheel?

We are seeing the use of nitrous oxide as a factor in a number of serious crashes, including some where people have died.

We appreciate where the public has called Police to report instances of people using nitrous oxide while driving. We have taken action on those calls, and they likely helped saved lives.

If you’re concerned about your own drinking or drug taking, you can reach out to the Alcohol Drug Helpline on 0800 787 797, or text 8681.

28/02/2026

First day of Autumn 🍂
A season to slow down, let go of what no longer serves us, and soften into change.
Grateful for the golden light, fresh perspective, and the reminder that every season has its purpose.
Hello new season ✨

27/02/2026

Six Planets, One Sky – Saturday 28 Feb

Tonight Aotearoa is in for something special — a rare six-planet alignment stretching across our twilight sky.

Shortly after sunset, look west and you’ll see:
✨ Venus shining bright like a beacon
✨ Mercury low in the fading light
✨ Ringed Saturn nearby
✨ Mighty Jupiter glowing steadily higher up
✨ Distant Uranus & Neptune (you’ll need binoculars or a telescope for these two)

They won’t form a perfect straight line — instead they’ll trace the ecliptic, the pathway the Sun follows across our sky.

Seeing six planets visible in one evening window is not an everyday sight — so this is one to pause for.

Find a dark spot, face west about 30–60 minutes after sunset, and look up.
The universe is putting on a show — and it’s free. ✨

23/02/2026

In a world full of uncertainty, be a Punch 🐒

Curious.
Brave.
A little cheeky.
Always climbing forward.

When things feel heavy, choose play.
When things feel scary, choose courage.

Be like Punch. 💛

19/02/2026

Need to talk?
Youthline is available 24/7, offering free, confidential support for rangatahi and anyone who needs someone to listen.
Kei konei rātou mōu. 💛

2026 already feeling like too much?If things are starting to feel overwhelming, remember you're not alone. Whether it's stress, anxiety, or just needing someone to talk to, trained counsellors and volunteers are there to support you.
Reaching out can be the first step toward feeling lighter.

📞 Call 0800 376 633💬 Webchat online at https://youthline.co.nz/✉️ Text 234

2026 already feeling like too much?

If things are starting to feel overwhelming, remember you're not alone. Whether it's stress, anxiety, or just needing someone to talk to – we're here.

We gotchu. Let's talk it through together.

📞 Call 0800 376 633
💬 Webchat online at https://youthline.co.nz/
✉️ Text 234

16/02/2026

🌿 From the Horowhenua District Council page:

Temporary green waste drop-off sites are now open at Moynihan Park (Shannon), Donnelly Park (Levin), Victoria Park (Foxton), Manakau Domain and Waitārere Domain.

Storm-related green waste only please. More info to come on repurposing materials for community use.

Ngā mihi for supporting the clean-up 💚

Green waste drop-off – turning storm clean-up into good

The recent severe weather has left many of us with fallen trees and branches. To help with clean-up, Council has set up temporary green waste drop-off areas at the following locations:

• Moynihan Park, Shannon – 15 Engles Rd
• Donnelly Park, Levin – by the BMX track, Adkin Ave
• Victoria Park, Foxton – by the Squash Club, Victoria St
• Manakau Domain – by the carpark, Waikawa Beach Rd
• Waitārere Domain – by the carpark, tennis court end, 627 Waitārere Beach Rd

Rather than seeing this just as waste, we’re exploring how we can turn storm damage into something positive. We will be in touch with more information regarding opportunities to repurpose the material, and support community use where appropriate.

Please drop off storm-related green waste only, and thank you for helping us look after each other and our community.

15/02/2026

⚠️ Weather Update – School Closures ⚠️

Some schools are closed today due to current weather conditions. Please check directly with your kura/school for confirmation.

For official updates and safety information, follow:

• Horowhenua District Council
• Palmerston North City Council
• New Zealand Police
• Fire and Emergency New Zealand
• Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
• MetService New Zealand

Please stay safe on the roads, avoid unnecessary travel, and keep checking official pages for the latest updates.

Take care whānau 💛

SCHOOL BUS & SCHOOL CLOSURE UPDATES

All school buses across the district are currently cancelled.

We understand this will impact many whānau this morning and we appreciate your patience while we work through the details.

We are currently compiling confirmed information from schools regarding which are:
• Closed
• Planning to close
• Remaining open

As soon as we have verified information, we will share a further update.

Please continue to monitor official channels for confirmed updates.

Schools Closed: (this will be updated as we learn more)
- Foxton Beach School
- Ōpiki School
- St Josephs
- Foxton Primary School
- Te Pa Harakeke puna reo
- Foxton Kindergarten
- Levin East School
- St Mary's School

Schools Open:
- Levin North School
- Koputaroa School
- Fairfield School (Levin)
- Horowhenua College
- Koputaroa School
- Levin Intermediate
- Levin North School
- Levin School
- Levin Teen Parent Unit
- Manakau School
- Ohau School
- Poroutawhao School
- Shannon School
- Taitoko School
- Tokomaru School
- Waiopehu College
- Manakau School

Open for supervision only:
- Manawatū College
- Coley Street School

Roads Closed:
- Kawiu Road
- Koputaroa Road
- Cummerfield Road - Being investigated

15/02/2026

Keep safe whānau 💜
Look after each other, check in on your people, and take care on the roads, at home, and in our community. Small acts of care go a long way. Keep updated, stay aware, and together we look after each other.
first

Here is the situation as we know it this afternoon.

⚠️ There are multiple weather watches and warnings across our region.

🔴MetService New Zealand has issued a red-level severe weather warning for Manawatū, Rangitīkei and Ruapehu districts north of Feilding and east of State Highway 1. Expect 140 to 180mm of rain from 6pm tonight until 2pm Monday. See the post pinned to our page for more info.

🟠Orange-level rain warnings are still place for the Tararua District, south-western Ruapehu and northern Whanganui, while Tararua District also has a strong wind warning in place.

💧Waterways across the region are expected to rise significantly as rain falls during the night. This includes the Manawatū, Makino, Pohangina, Ōroua, Rangitīkei, Turakina and Whangaehu rivers.

⛰️ It is highly likely there will be landslides across the region.
MetService has described the event as “significant and dangerous” and people should take precautionary measures immediately.

📍Tararua District Council have declared a pre-emptive state of emergency for the entire district. This declaration enables TDC and emergency services to act quickly and coordinate resources if conditions worsen.

No matter where you are in the region, you need to be aware of this event and take it seriously. This is not "pina colada in the rain" weather, but a serious emergency which will create unsafe conditions.

✅Prepare while there is daylight. It is easier and safer to pre-emptively evacuate during daylight than trying to do so when it's dangerous at night.
✅If in doubt, get out – this applies to people and stock. You are best to pre-emptively evacuate areas during daylight, rather than waiting for conditions to worsen overnight.
✅Avoid any unessential travel. If you have travelled for the weekend and plan to return home later tonight, either bring forward your travel plans or look for somewhere to stay overnight.
✅Never, ever try to walk, play, swim or drive in flood water.
Important information

🚘 Roading conditions

🛑 State Highway 56 at Ōpiki is likely to become impassable early Monday morning due to flooding.
🛑 State Highway 3 at Whangaehu is likely to become impassable overnight due to flooding.

🚧 On current forecasts, Horizons Regional Council will need to operate the Makino floodgates at Feilding and the Moutoa floodgates on the Manawatū River overnight.

We will send more updates throughout the evening. Past updates are available via our website https://www.mwcdem.govt.nz/ and on our page.

For details of weather watches and warnings, see https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home.

12/02/2026

Nangs have been a hot topic among our rangatahi lately, and it’s important that we share clear, honest information about the risks. While nitrous oxide (NOS), commonly known as nangs, is often seen as harmless or “low risk,” the reality is that it can cause serious harm. The Level provides valuable, evidence-based information about nangs and their impacts. This is why awareness, education, and early support are so important for keeping our rangatahi safe.

10/02/2026

Our petition journey continues. After being presented and acknowledged in Parliament
Ngā mihi nui to everyone walking alongside us.

Check out Whaioro Trust AoD’s video.