For more than 15 years, March has been the month Neighbours Aotearoa 2026 have encouraged neighbours, streets, suburbs, apartment buildings, rural communities – everyone living in Aotearoa – to come together in ways that make sense locally and to get to know each other a little better. This looks different in every community, and we love seeing the fun, creative, and meaningful ways people lean into it. If you have something planned, you can register it here.

This year, we’re evolving our approach.

We’re launching a national Public Conversation exploring what neighbourliness is really like in Aotearoa. Over the next few months, we’ll mark each stage of this exploration with a question for people to respond to. The voices gathered will help shape the next phase of Neighbours Aotearoa, so it genuinely reflects how we’re living and connecting now.

The Public Conversation will start with this question: What does “neighbour” mean to you?

You can share your response here.

Community Weavers will be out in different parts of the country, talking with people about this question. The aim is to explore the everyday reality of neighbourhood life, and as responses come in, the insights will be shared back with you at each stage of the conversation. Meet the Community Weavers here.

Whether you know everyone on your street or mostly just exchange nods, we’re all neighbours. It’s not something we choose, but it’s something we share. Neighbours Aotearoa is about how we show up. It’s about honest, realistic relationships and finding relevant, doable ways to look out for each other.

If you’re keen to share the Public Conversation more widely with your community, you can use this Facebook link or Instagram link. We look forward to your contribution and seeing what emerges!