4 days ago

Botanical Art Classes | Highwic (6 May - 10 Jun)

Highwic from Highwic - Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga

Join artist Jennifer Duval Smith at Highwic for a six-week botanical art class on Wednesday mornings, where she invites participants to slow down, observe, and reconnect with the natural beauty that has surrounded Aucklanders for generations.

The heritage gardens at Highwic offer a vivid tapestry of seasonal colour as inspiration – from the formality of its sweeping lawns to the intimacy of its flower beds and orchard.

The class will take place in the atmospheric Billiard House, and in the gardens. Each session blends artistic technique with mindful observations, linking the botanical past and present through creative practice.

The six-week course covers:
• Nature journaling and observational techniques
• Successful drawing strategy
• Smarter colour mixing
• Mastering watercolour techniques
• Creativity and finding your artistic confidence

To see more of Jennifers work see her Instagram page www.instagram.com...

Students will supply their own materials (a list of what is required will be supplied before the class starts).

Places are limited and bookings essential.

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More messages from your neighbours
4 days ago

Poll: Are you still heading to your local for your caffeine fix, or has the $$ changed your habits? ☕

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Auckland has a thriving cafe culture, but with costs climbing, that culture is under pressure. We’ve seen the headlines about recent closures across the country, and it’s a tough pill to swallow along with a $6+ coffee.

We all want our favourite spots to stay open, but we also have to balance our own budgets ⚖️

We want to know: How are you handling the "coffee math" in 2026? Are you still heading to your local for a chat and a caffeine fix, or has the cost of living changed your habits?

Keen to read more about "coffee math"? The Post has you covered.

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Are you still heading to your local for your caffeine fix, or has the $$ changed your habits? ☕
  • 42.3% I avoid spending money on coffee
    42.3% Complete
  • 41.6% I still indulge at my local cafe
    41.6% Complete
  • 16.1% Irrelevant - coffee is not for me
    16.1% Complete
267 votes
6 days ago

Poll: Does a savoury scone require cheese on top, or folded inside?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Help settle the great kiwi debate ... cheese on top, or folded inside?

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Does a savoury scone require cheese on top, or folded inside?
  • 76.1% Inside!
    76.1% Complete
  • 23.9% On top!
    23.9% Complete
1063 votes
6 hours ago

Sleeper planter refurbishment.

Nick Jenness from Nick The Builder

Howdy Neighbours

We came across these newish treated pine sleepers from TrustWood Timbers. These sleepless are great for your vege planters and general planting as the treatment used is safe for all plants and does not leach into the soil. Unlike Mac sleepers they come with a 50 year guarantee so they will outlast the more traditional Mac sleepers. Very straight and diamentionaly correct so great to work with.
We have just completed this job in Parnell using these where we have swapped out the rotten Mac sleepers for new TrustWood Sleepers 👍