Love food, hate waste, reduce emissions
According to Love Food Hate Waste, a food saver campaign which 60 New Zealand councils run, New Zealand homes throw away 157,398 tonnes of food per year, all of which could have been eaten. This is enough food to feed the whole of Dunedin for nearly three years, and costs the average household $644 a year.
New Zealand’s yearly food waste produces 409,234 tonnes of carbon emissions, as much as 137,511 Ford Ranger cars. In high-income economies like NZ, up to 35 percent of food is thrown out by consumers. In low-income economies, however, relatively little is wasted at the household level.
Unsurprisingly, reducing food waste is the third most efficient solution to reduce CO2 emissions and thus global warming and climate change. It's one of the few low-hanging fruit (pun intended), and a solution that is simple and cheap enough to allow all of us to make a contribution, without having to invest first.
Spring gardening tips
Dreaming of a garden bursting with colour and fresh produce? Shane Fairbairn, Ryman Healthcare’s Landscape Manager, shares his top tips to make it happen. You’ll be set to create a gorgeous, relaxing space in no time - grab your trowel, and let’s dig in.
Click read more for more information.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84% Yes
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14.7% No
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1.3% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.