Latest news with #Papakura
New York Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Amie Donald Has the Moves as the Killer Robot in ‘M3gan 2.0'
Onscreen, Amie Donald is best known for her role as the killer robot M3gan in the sci-fi horror franchise. But, in real life, Donald, 15, spends a majority of her days in the idyllic, sun-soaked setting of lushly forested New Zealand, where kiwi roam and she's apt to take a bush walk outside her parents' home in Papakura, a suburb in South Auckland. 'I really enjoy all the nature here,' she said on a video call from the house on a recent morning. Her long red hair fell in beachy waves as sunlight danced on her white sweater. Framed photos of her and her parents and older brother filled the walls behind her. Donald is about the furthest you could get from the cutthroat killer robot returning in the new sequel, 'M3gan 2.0.' For one thing, she smiles far too much. Other people, she said, would describe her as 'very caring.' She wasn't a fan of horror films until landing 'M3gan' — though she's since started watching them with her father, and now counts 'It' and 'The Purge' among her favorites. 'I love them so much,' she said. M3gan, the robot that becomes frighteningly protective of a young girl named Cady, was Donald's first role in a film, following her TV debut as Maya Monkey, an acrobatic girl with simian features, in Netflix's postapocalyptic series 'Sweet Tooth.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
RNZ News
24-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Person critically hurt, two others injured in Auckland house fire
A fire engine at central Auckland fire station. Photo: RNZ / Rayssa Almeida A person has been taken to Middlemore Hospital with critical burns after a house fire in Auckland. Three fire trucks were called to the scene in the suburb of Papakura just after 2.30am on Wednesday after receiving several 111 calls. The blaze has since been extinguished. Police say three people evacuated the property and were assessed and treated by St John staff. One person had critical burns and two others had minor burns. Police say they are working with Fire and Emergency to establish the circumstances of the fire. Fire and Emergency said the home was well involved with fire on arrival. Fire crews have been dampening down hot spots after extinguishing the blaze. A fire investigator has attended the scene. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
24-06-2025
- RNZ News
Person believed to have escaped from house fire in Auckland
A fire engine at central Auckland fire station. Photo: RNZ / Rayssa Almeida Firefighters have been battling a house fire in the Auckland suburb of Papakura. Three fire trucks were called to the scene at 2:38am on Wednesday after multiple 111 calls. Fire and Emergency said the home was well involved with fire on arrival and there were reports a person was inside but they were able to escape safely. The blaze has since been extinguished and fire crews have been dampening down hot spots. A fire investigator has attended the scene.
Scoop
12-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
First Concrete Pour Celebrated In Karaka For Latest G.J. Gardner Homes Build For Big Buddy
Press Release – Big Buddy This marks the fifth time GJs has supported Big Buddy through a charity house project, a remarkable legacy of giving that continues to change lives. Big Buddy is thrilled to share that G.J. Gardner Homes Papakura — led by local franchisees Len Adendorff, Nick Xue and Mike O'Meeghan — is once again backing Big Buddy in a big way. They're building a brand-new four-bedroom home in Karaka and donating 100% of the profits to help more boys without dads in their lives find a Big Buddy. What an incredible show of local support! This marks the fifth time GJ's has supported Big Buddy through a charity house project, a remarkable legacy of giving that continues to change lives. The first concrete pour took place this week, with Big Buddy Markus and Little Buddy Logan on site, together with Len Adendorff and Nick Xue from GJ's Papakura, Shane Brown of Big Buddy, and site supervisor Michael Brookes. GJ's most recent build for Big Buddy, completed late 2023 in Clarks Beach, raised an incredible $100,000 for Big Buddy, bringing the total raised for Big Buddy over time to a massive $400,000. This year's build is once again expected to be a real community effort. Over 20 local companies supported the build by giving their time and skills, to achieve last year's result, reduced rates or donated hardware. Supporting the completion of everything from showers, tiling and appliances to scaffolding, roofing, bricks and batts! Giving back is a foundation of the GJ's national ethos, and the connection of its Papakura branch to the South Auckland community and their passion about making a difference is heartfelt. Big Buddy co-CEO Christie Stuart says the impact of the build will once again be significant. 'Thanks to our incredible Foundation Partner, GJ Gardner Homes, we are witnessing the power of community-driven change. By building a house to help raise funds, they are not only constructing a home but creating new opportunities and lasting impact for those in need. Together we are laying the foundation for a brighter future.' 'South Auckland is currently our biggest area of need. The money raised will be vital to support our on-going work to bring together Big and Little Buddies – there are currently 116 boys on our full waitlist, with 14 of those boys waiting to be matched in our South Auckland region.' Programme Team Leader & Mentoring Manager Shane Brown confirms South Auckland Big Buddy enquiries have been low in the last 12 months. 'I think there are many factors at play, but I know firsthand that men in our South Auckland community value family, effort and honour. I try and advocate and challenge our male South Auckland community to acknowledge that they don't have to be perfect, they just have to be willing to share time, and that will add a whole new layer of connection, value and depth to their life which may extend to their own whanau in time.' 'Little Buddies I have met in South Auckland show a realness and a strong desire to share their world with a man, given many haven't had the opportunity to do so.' 'Even the simplest act of just turning up and giving some time, the offer of help, or an offer to go fishing, can be a huge deal for a lot of these boys. Family life has become a lot more demanding and difficult. The pressures on caregivers – many of whom are single mums—are immense, as they juggle the demands of work, finances, and raising children.' Find out more about how to make a difference in the life of a young boy here.
RNZ News
11-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Resident battles Auckland Council's ‘ridiculous' choice of berm tree criticised
There is concern about Auckland Council's choice of a tree on a street berm. Photo: LDR / Stuff / File image An Auckland resident says authorities need to carefully consider the trees they plant on berms after her complaints of a leafy liquidamber planted outside her home fell on deaf ears. Papakura resident Sarah Thompson said she was surprised when she found that Auckland Council had planted a dwarf version of a liquidamber on her berm last month. A berm is the grassed area that sits between the road and either the footpath or the property boundary. Thompson was concerned about how big tree would grow. "You could hardly pick a more ridiculous tree to plant on a berm," Thompson said. "They've planted them on alternate berms all down the street, and they said they want more shade and I take their point on that. "But, they've managed to plant one on an incredibly shady berm, it's already got massive trees on there ... they haven't thought this through at all." Sarah Thompson says the liquidambers were planted in May, in her Papakura street. Photo: LDR / Supplied Liquidambar styraciflua, commonly known as sweetgum, is a tall, fast-growing tree known for its distinctive star-shaped leaves, which change colours in the autumn. When matured, they can reach a height of around 20 metres, with an extensive root system. A dwarf version grows as tall as 3m. Auckland Council says the tree is known for its strong form, vivid autumn colour, and resilience in urban environments. However, Thompson said the trees grow to be huge. "And it is deciduous with massive leaf fall that will clog the drains." Thompson and a few of her neighbours wondered why another tree wasn't considered. "A fruit tree would be nice and provide food for the local community, or a native." She raised her concerns with council, about the lack of consultation with residents. "We got a leaflet in our mailbox, on the same day of the planting, and the email address provided didn't work." Council's Urban Forest, Arboriculture and Ecology manager David Stejskal said tree species for street planting were selected carefully by council urban foresters. Guided by the Auckland Urban Ngahere Strategy and informed by a regional tree palette tailored to local conditions, they considered a range of factors, including space constraints, and the expected long-term performance of the tree, he said. "While Liquidambar can grow to be a large tree over time, it is valued for its strong form, vivid autumn colour, and resilience in urban environments. "Where appropriate, council uses smaller cultivars and applies root management techniques such as root barriers to reduce the risk of damage to nearby footpaths and underground infrastructure." He said the Papakura Local Board, in its Local Board Plan 2023, held concerns that Papakura had low tree canopy cover of only 14 percent. "Consequently, the Local Board is supporting an increase in the tree canopy through tree planting, especially in streets and parks," he said. Stejskal said council welcomed community feedback on planting choices, and was happy to assess individual sites where there were specific concerns. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
