What next for Eden Park, free coffees for English lessons and is wooing still romantic?

If this email is not displayed correctly, [click here]( to view an online version. It’s fair to say you can’t fix a problem properly until you know how big it is, how deep it goes and the motivation of those involved. That is why, with my optimist’s beanie on, I have high hopes for this week’s [Auckland-wide homelessness count](. Wringing our hands about people sleeping in Queen St shop doorways, as some have for years, does nothing to help (and "solutions" like dousing them with water sprays and the like just moves the "problem" elsewhere and is simply cruel). But it’s also true that knowing does not always lead to understanding. Even less often, to appropriate action. Therefore, it’ll be what Phil Goff’s council and the other organisations involved do with the data - due to be released on October 10 - that really matters. When he announced the region-wide head count, Goff admitted the "ball has been dropped" in recent years with numbers of chronic homeless increasing. There’ve been a couple of notable rays of light though. Just 18 months after launching, the Housing First model driven by a collective of organisations including the council, has housed more than 500 rough sleepers, outstripping its goal by at least 50. The thing that may surprise you, is most of those are in private rentals, not HNZ homes. Guaranteed rent, close contact and support for the tenant and free rental management makes this an attractive option for landlords. When Te Puea Marae, in Mangere, first opened its doors to the homeless the winter before last, it was a spur of the moment act of kindness; but in a clever move it is now partnered with the National Science Project to measure success - and successful it has been, with more than 330 people homed. Those are great numbers, but really it’s the attitude Te Puea brings to the project that stands out. As chair Hurimoana Dennis says, they "ask them what their name is, what's your problem, no flash anything about it." Nothing flash, so why does it work so well? They treat homeless people as people, not a stain on the landscape. If we’re really serious about Auckland’s chronic homelessness "problem", more of us should try that. NEWS - RUNNING - DATING Eden Park Does the country's most famous stadium, Eden Park, have a long-term future? Revenue from top sport is set to fall, and a bid to stage concerts has been scuttled by opponents who want a new downtown stadium. Less than a decade after an almost quarter-billion-dollar do-up, its most vocal opponent wants the "spiritual home of rugby" gone, while a passionate supporter calls it part of Auckland's DNA. Todd Niall [explores the complicated politics clouding the way ahead](. Eugene Bingham running It’s magical discovering parts of the city you've never seen before. Take, for example, the views you get when you run along the boardwalks and pathways lining the reaches of Manukau Harbour near Papakura. The Conifer Grove walkways are a circuit of about 5 km, which take you along the edge of the Pāhurehure Inlet for views south to Karaka and across the harbour. Link up with other harbourside paths nearby for a longer route. [Read Eugene Bingham's latest column here](. Picture of Sinead Corcoran Last week, after admitting I’m an absolute sucker for[romantic gestures]( one of my Tinder matches proceeded to attempt to woo me with GestureGate2018. In the space of just one week, he sent a flurry of gifts to my office including a personalised Spotify playlist and two poems. Is this romance or bribery? Have I gotten too cynical? I just can’t figure it out. You can read more of Sinead Corcoran's ramblings on whether wooing is still romantic [here](. Enjoying this email? [Check out Stuff's other daily and weekly newsletters](. NEIGHBOURLY - FOOD - WHAT'S ON coffee cup A Neighbourly member is enticing his neighbours with free coffee in order to learn English. Last week Delvin posted to the site that he'd shout a coffee to anyone keen to hear about Chinese culture and practice English for an hour. Since then he's had coffee with a former bus driver, a former United Nations employee and a business owner from Samoa. He has no plans to stop anytime soon with the goal of meeting 50 people and then hosting a party for everyone. You can [follow his updates on Neighbourly](. Picture of a woman eating breakfast Where to eat, what to drink, what's new and old favourites. Tell us what you need - we're the agony aunt of Auckland's food scene. Email your eat and drink questions to your09@stuff.co.nz. Anna asks: As a smashed avocado-eating millennial, I've accepted that I'll never own my own home, so instead I'm frittering my money away on going out to brunch every weekend. Where's the best brekkie in town? Check out our answer [here](. Chose from a sweet or savoury option - or have both. Moon festival dancer Celebrate the new moon with an evening of culture and tradition at [Howick Local Board's first Moon Festival](. Bring the family, a blanket or a chair and get comfy as you are entertained by performers from a range of cultures including China, Korea, India, Russia and New Zealand. Satisfy your appetite at the food stalls, browse what's on offer at the craft market, while kids take advantage of the free prize giveaways. The free event is at Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga, Saturday from 4pm. [Click here]( for Stuff Pix competition terms and conditions. Did a friend forward this to you? [Sign up to get Your 09 to your inbox]( [Unsubscribe]( [Newsletter Settings]( [Privacy Policy]( [Advertise]( [Feedback](