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GUILD NEWS

The New Zealand Police Managers’ Guild Trust are proud to have helped the NZ Fiji Schools Rugby Sevens in reaching their financial goals to allow young Fijian boys from across the country to come together and play a game that they love whilst honouring their heritage. 

Whilst Fiji did not win (NZ Condors won both boys & girls competitions), the NZ Fijians never gave up, scoring the last try of the match through Ratu Kuli Naleisomosomo within the last minute. We are convinced there is an abundance of future Fijian stars with the team. 

The boys blasted out a note or two at the powhiri for the team which was an exceptional event in itself and the team are now taking the opportunity to review what they did well, what could have been done better, and are planning to win the title in the next edition of the World School 7’s in December 2022. We have every confidence that the boys will do an astounding job. 

‘’I therefore wanted to pass on our thanks and appreciation for the part you and the NZ Police Managers Guild Trust played in helping us. What we did would not have been possible without your very kind support. Again a big Vinaka vakalevu from our entire NZ Fiji Schools 7’s squad’’ - Inspector Jim Wilson. 

NZ Fiji Schools Rugby Sevens

NZ Fiji Schools Rugby Sevens Players 

COMMUNITY GRANTS

Our latest community grant, Blake Paynter was the recipient of our NZPMGT grant to assist him with advancing in the sport of rowing with a view of gaining a scholarship to study in the United States. 

In March 2021, Blake was titled the 6th fastest under-18 single scull rower in New Zealand. Following that, his rowing times and on-water speeds are alongside the fastest junior rowers in New Zealand. 

As of 19th January 2022, Blake was able to commence study at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida USA. He has received an athletic scholarship to be a part of a rowing team and is lined up to be in the stroke seat of their top eight. 

We also congratulate Blake on maintaining a high standard in his academic school work and scoring in the top 7% in his SATs. This means he has also been awarded an academic scholarship from the university and has selected to study Business for a 4-year degree.

‘’The journey to achieve this has been filled with hard work, perseverance, and cannot be achieved without the support of many people including the kind support from the New Zealand Police Managers Guild Trust. Our family would like to express that we are very thankful for the support you have given Blake and hope you can feel the same level of proudness that we feel as parents of him.  When he is racing, you can feel that you are in the boat with him and part of the team.’’ - Marc Paynter and family.

Your donations help us to continue to offer practical help to people and families wishing to reach their goals. 

Rowing athlete

Blake Paynter, New Zealand rower is a recipient of our community grants program

To see our community grants list; head here

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Another long weekend is here, and as much as we all look forward to them, they consistently bring an increase in road incidents across New Zealand. Add a significant drop in temperatures this week and wet, slippery roads across much of the country, and the conditions this weekend require a bit more care than usual. 

If you are heading away, a few things worth thinking about before you go: 

• Slow down, especially on rural roads and anywhere you are not familiar with 
• Leave more following distance than you normally would on wet roads 
• Take regular breaks on longer trips rather than pushing through 
• Make sure everyone in the vehicle is buckled up before you move 
• Never get behind the wheel tired or after drinking 
• If conditions feel off, trust that and adjust your speed accordingly 

No destination is worth rushing for. Look out for each other out there this weekend and let’s make sure everyone gets home safely. 

Learn more at pmgt.org.nz/road-safety
Every winter we see a rise in crypto and investment scams, and travel scams. People looking to book a winter getaway are being caught out by fake accommodation sites that look completely legitimate. 

We all know how detailed AI is getting. And as each day passes, its ability to replicate real businesses, real messages, and real people keeps improving. That unfortunately makes it harder than ever to tell what is genuine and what is not. 

A good rule of thumb to start applying in everyday situations is that legitimate businesses and real opportunities will never: 

Ask you to pay a fee to receive a prize, payout, or delivery. Rush you into a decision or tell you to act before it is too late. Contact you out of nowhere with an investment opportunity that sounds too good to be true. Ask for your banking details over a message or phone call they initiated. Use personal information about you as proof that they are trustworthy. 

If something feels off, trust that feeling. Scammers are counting on you not to. Share this with someone who might need the reminder. 

Learn more at https://pmgt.org.nz/online-safety/
Theft unfortunately happens regularly in our communities, from minor incidents to more serious crimes. It can affect anyone, anywhere, and the impact often goes well beyond just what was taken. 

Right now, times are harder for some than others. And while a theft might seem small to some, for someone already doing it tough, even a minor loss can have a huge impact on their life. 

Across New Zealand there is a burglary recorded roughly every nine minutes, and when you add theft more broadly into the picture, the numbers climb into the hundreds of thousands every single year.  

There are simple things we can all do to help look out for each other. Keep doors and windows locked, even when you are home. Avoid leaving valuables visible through windows or sitting in your car. Use timer lights or check in with a neighbour if you are heading away. And get to know the people living around you, because a community that looks out for each other is one of the best deterrents there is. 

If you ever notice anything suspicious, report it. Looking out for one another goes a long way in keeping our communities safe, all year round. 

Learn more at pmgt.org.nz/Community
Do you sleep with your bedroom door closed or open? 

It might seem like a small detail, but research shows it could be the difference between making it out of a house fire alive or not.  

Closed door rooms during a fire stay at around 18% oxygen, while open door rooms can drop to as low as 8%. Temperatures stay under 100 degrees Fahrenheit behind a closed door, compared to over 1000 degrees in rooms with the door open.  

Fire moves fast and this one small change could be the difference. Modern homes are full of synthetic materials that burn far quicker than they used to, cutting escape time from around 17 minutes decades ago to under three minutes today. A closed door slows down smoke, heat and toxic gases just long enough to buy you that crucial extra time. 

Tonight, make it a habit to close your bedroom door before you sleep, and encourage your whānau to do the same. It costs nothing and takes seconds, but it could genuinely save a life. 

Learn more at pmgt.org.nz/fire-safety
Every winter, house fires across New Zealand increase by 17%. Fires caused by items too close to heat sources jump by 29%. With heaters, electric blankets and fireplaces all getting switched back on right now, it is important to take a moment and make sure your home is ready for the season. 

Check your electric blanket for hotspots before using it for the first time this year. Get your chimney cleaned before the first fire of the season. Never leave anything drying too close to a heat source. And clear the lint from your dryer before every use. 

It is also worth checking your smoke alarms. Make sure there is a working alarm in every sleeping area of your home. If you have not checked them lately, do it tonight. 

Winter fires are common. But they are also largely preventable. A few small checks now could make all the difference. 

Learn more at pmgt.org.nz/fire-safety
There is a scam making its way around New Zealand right now and it is catching people completely off guard because it looks nothing like what most of us think a scam looks like.  

QR codes have started to become a normal in everyday settings, menus, parking meters, donation boxes, emails from courier companies. We scan them without thinking twice. And that is exactly what scammers are counting on. 

QR code scams were nearly non-existent a year ago but now make up one in every ten cyber scams in New Zealand. The way it works is simple. You scan what looks like a legitimate QR code, it takes you to a fake website, and then asks you to enter your credit card details, your Google login, or your Microsoft credentials. By the time you realise something is wrong, your information is already gone. 

Before you scan any QR code, take a moment to think about where it came from. If it arrived in an unexpected email or text, do not scan it. If it is asking for payment or login details, go directly to the official website instead. 

Learn more at pmgt.org.nz
Winter is well and truly here across New Zealand.  

It is a good time of year to do a few simple checks and make sure you and the people around you are set up to stay safe through the colder months. 

At home: Check your smoke alarms are working and make sure any heaters or fireplaces are being used safely. 

On the road: Adjust your driving for the conditions. Wet roads, frost and reduced visibility mean longer stopping distances and less room for error. Slow down and give yourself more time. 

Check in on the people around you: Elderly neighbours, family members living alone, or anyone you know who might be doing it tough this winter. A quick call or visit can make more of a difference than you might think.

https://pmgt.org.nz/safer-communities/
New Zealand has been hit with some significant weather warnings across the country lately, with alerts issued in some regions. While not every warning leads to a major event, unpredictable disaster is exactly why being prepared matters. 

They can happen fast and when they do, the last thing you want to be doing is scrambling to figure out what you need. Being prepared does not have to mean having everything perfectly organised. Even having something small ready to go can make a real difference when it counts. 

A basic emergency kit at home is a good place to start. Think about having enough water and food supplies for at least three days, a torch and spare batteries, a first aid kit, any essential medications, copies of important documents, and a phone charger or portable battery pack. 

You would far rather be overprepared than caught without what you need.

https://pmgt.org.nz/emergency-prep/
Vaping started out as an alternative to smoking. For some people it has helped them quit cigarettes. But over time it has become something much bigger and a lot more concerning, especially for young people. 

Around 16% of teenagers aged 15 to 17 now vape regularly in New Zealand, with nearly 14% doing so daily. And more and more people who have never smoked at all are picking it up. What was sold as a safer option has quietly become its own addiction.  

If you or someone you know is trying to quit, here are a few things that can help. 

Set a quit date and stick to it. Tell the people around you so they can support you. Identify your triggers, whether it is stress, boredom or social situations, and find something to replace the habit. Cut down gradually if going cold turkey feels too hard. And reach out for support because you do not have to do it alone.

https://pmgt.org.nz/drug-abuse/
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