Banks Peninsula, Akaroa

683 days ago

National State of Emergency

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Regional updates for February 15th, see the live Stuff updates.

14th February - 10:45am Update: National State of Emergency
Minister for Emergency Management, Kieran McAnulty, has confirmed a National State of Emergency this morning due to the widespread damage across the country due to … View more
Regional updates for February 15th, see the live Stuff updates.

14th February - 10:45am Update: National State of Emergency
Minister for Emergency Management, Kieran McAnulty, has confirmed a National State of Emergency this morning due to the widespread damage across the country due to Cyclone Gabrielle.

While many regions have already declared a local state of emergency, a National State of Emergency gives the National Controller legal authority to apply resources across the country in support of a national level response.

Here's what you need to know:
- Heavy rain red warnings are in place for Northland and Hawke's Bay, with red strong wind warnings also for Northland, Coromandel and Taranaki. Check all weather warnings on the MetService website.
- States of emergency have been declared in Northland, Auckland, Tairāwhiti, Ōpōtiki, Thames-Coromandel District, Waikato District, Hauraki District, Whakatāne District, Bay of Plenty, Napier and Hastings.
- There has been a landslide in Murawai with one firefighter missing.
- Gisborne is feared cut off and the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. Residents are to take note of the Welfare Centres for Gisborne and Coromandel.
- A number of road closures are in place across the North Island. View these on the Waka Kotahi NZTA website.
- Fire and Emergency is urging people to only call 111 if life or safety is at risk after a surge in calls.
- In Auckland there are 27 shelters and civil defence centres where people can go in an emergency.

Stuff are posting live updates and have shared what you need in your 3-day emergency kit. Stay up to date with Civil Defence updates and track the storm here.

2pm Update for Hawke's Bay:
Multiple evacuations needed in Puketapu, Esk Valley, Rissington, Omahu, Waiohiki, Jervoistown and Meeanee and Waipawa.
Many remain trapped in cars and houses. Several bridges have been taken out with access between Hastings and Napier now cutoff. More than 20,000 people are without power and cellphone communication in and out of the region is patchy.
Omahu residents needing shelter can go to Hastings Sports' Centre. Taradale residents can head to St Joseph's Māori Girls' School.

683 days ago

Addictive Eaters Anonymous

The Team from Addictive Eaters Anonymous - Christchurch

MONTHLY AEA WEB EVENTS
The AEA Web Event is a monthly online meeting where AEA members from all over the world come together to share their experience, strength and hope. Three members speak for 10 minutes each, followed by member sharing.

The AEA Web Event is held on the 3rd Sunday of each … View more
MONTHLY AEA WEB EVENTS
The AEA Web Event is a monthly online meeting where AEA members from all over the world come together to share their experience, strength and hope. Three members speak for 10 minutes each, followed by member sharing.

The AEA Web Event is held on the 3rd Sunday of each month which is this Sunday 19 February at 9.00am.
ALL NEWCOMERS WELCOME

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688 days ago

Throwback Thursday

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

The Albatross Coffee House in Cathedral Square - photograph from March 22, 1986.

Do you remember this spot?

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686 days ago

Get into the Hospitality Industry

Skills Update

Join our Leve 2 fee's free course* at Christchurch Campus. Over 13 weeks you’ll learn crucial skills that will help you with your career in the hospitality industry such as:

• Food safety and hygiene
• Barista
• Beverages (cocktails and mocktails)
• Food service
• Cooking
View more
Join our Leve 2 fee's free course* at Christchurch Campus. Over 13 weeks you’ll learn crucial skills that will help you with your career in the hospitality industry such as:

• Food safety and hygiene
• Barista
• Beverages (cocktails and mocktails)
• Food service
• Cooking

Click on the link below and one of our awesome team will be in touch. T&C's Apply
Find out more

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687 days ago

Help those in need...

Resene

Swap food for a FREE Resene testpot with Hunger for Colour!

Simply bring two cans of food into your local Resene ColorShop and swap them for one Resene testpot (60-80ml). We'll donate all food to The Salvation Army foodbanks.

By adding a little more colour to your life you can also help… View more
Swap food for a FREE Resene testpot with Hunger for Colour!

Simply bring two cans of food into your local Resene ColorShop and swap them for one Resene testpot (60-80ml). We'll donate all food to The Salvation Army foodbanks.

By adding a little more colour to your life you can also help those in need.
Find out more

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687 days ago

Mobile Compare has Launched!

The Team from NZ Compare

The newest addition to the NZ Compare suite of comparison brands has landed - Mobile Compare is the home of Kiwi Mobile Plans. A one stop shop for Neighbours everywhere!

Start 2023 right! Forget overspending and getting stuck with a plan that offers too much or too little.

Whether you’re … View more
The newest addition to the NZ Compare suite of comparison brands has landed - Mobile Compare is the home of Kiwi Mobile Plans. A one stop shop for Neighbours everywhere!

Start 2023 right! Forget overspending and getting stuck with a plan that offers too much or too little.

Whether you’re after unlimited minutes and calling, endless data or flexible payment options to fit your budget, Mobile Compare has it all from your favourite providers. Plus, the website is super easy to use — you’ll find a fantastic deal in no time! Check it out today!

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690 days ago

Poll: Are you happy with your local council?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

With rising inflation, the pressure is piling on councils this year to tighten their budgets to keep rates payments down for households across the country.
Overall, do you feel that your council and community board does a good job for your area?

If you don't wish for your replies to be … View more
With rising inflation, the pressure is piling on councils this year to tighten their budgets to keep rates payments down for households across the country.
Overall, do you feel that your council and community board does a good job for your area?

If you don't wish for your replies to be used in the We Say You Say column, include NFP in your comment.

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Are you happy with your local council?
  • 7.6% Yes, we are really lucky with our local council
    7.6% Complete
  • 22.7% Yes, I'm fairly happy with my local council
    22.7% Complete
  • 59% No, I'm really unhappy with my local council
    59% Complete
  • 10.7% I'm indifferent
    10.7% Complete
2406 votes
689 days ago

Seniors Newsletter

The Team from Office for Seniors

Our February issue of our Seniors Newsletter is out now. In this issue we're keeping you in the know how on copper withdrawal and how that may affect you, plus lots more.

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690 days ago

Subscribe & receive a free 250g box of Guylian chocolates.

Mags4gifts

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, subscribe to NZ House & Garden, NZ Gardener, or TV Guide online at Mags4Gifts and receive an iconic box of Guylian Belgian seashells.

Simply enter the promo code ‘VALENTINES’ at the checkout to redeem this great offer. Valid until 11:59pm 14 February … View more
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, subscribe to NZ House & Garden, NZ Gardener, or TV Guide online at Mags4Gifts and receive an iconic box of Guylian Belgian seashells.

Simply enter the promo code ‘VALENTINES’ at the checkout to redeem this great offer. Valid until 11:59pm 14 February 2023, white stocks last. For full terms and conditions click here.

The team at Mags4Gifts.
Find out more

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690 days ago

Lyttelton Library closing for heating upgrade

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

Lyttelton Library will be closed from February 20 to March 13 while the building's old boiler is replaced with a modern air conditioning system.

Christchurch City Council head of libraries and information Carolyn Robertson said the new system would provide cost-efficient heating and cooling… View more
Lyttelton Library will be closed from February 20 to March 13 while the building's old boiler is replaced with a modern air conditioning system.

Christchurch City Council head of libraries and information Carolyn Robertson said the new system would provide cost-efficient heating and cooling to make visits to the library much more comfortable for everyone.

“The current boiler at Lyttelton Library needs to be restarted three
or four times a week, especially during winter, which makes heating
the building far more costly than it needs to be.”

Work to decommission the boiler and remove the chimney starts on
Monday (February 13), but won't affect visitors until the following Monday (February 20), when the
building will close to allow the HVAC and ducts to be installed
and the existing radiant heaters to be removed.

The building is scheduled to reopen on Monday, March 13.

“We won't offer a temporary library service in this case due to the
relatively short period of closure, but our mobile library will be
visiting a couple of times each week,” Robertson said.

"We apologise for any inconvenience, and we’ll be excited to reopen
our doors in mid-March.”

The nearest alternative libraries are Matuku Takotako: Sumner Centre,
South Library and Linwood Library. All Christchurch City Libraries
items may be returned to any of our libraries around the city and
Banks Peninsula.

The free wi-fi at Lyttelton Library will remain on offer as normal.

699 days ago

Are you past landing a job at 55? The reality of ageism despite labour shortages

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From reporter Amanda Cropp:

For older job-seekers like Christine Black, the low unemployment rate has improved her odds of getting an interview.

The 61-year-old accountant recently got shortlisted for a call centre job, an improvement on five years ago when she applied for the same position … View more
From reporter Amanda Cropp:

For older job-seekers like Christine Black, the low unemployment rate has improved her odds of getting an interview.

The 61-year-old accountant recently got shortlisted for a call centre job, an improvement on five years ago when she applied for the same position and didn’t get a look in.

Being asked if you have any health issues or told you are over-qualified, (which she was for the call centre position), can be shorthand for “you’re too old,” and Black says ageism is still a problem.

“Somebody said to me ‘your life experience exceeds our expectations’ ... I know a lot of under-employed women between 50 and 65.”

A third of the workforce is over the age of 55, and the proportion working past retirement age has risen steadily.

In 2008, 15% of those aged 65-plus were employed, compared with just over 25% in 2022.

According to Stats NZ forecasts, by 2043 the labour force will have up to 386,000 people aged 65-plus, almost double the number in 2020.

The Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, and unless it is a genuine qualification for a job – such as bar work – it can be unlawful for an employer to ask your age in a job interview.

Read the full story here.

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698 days ago

Flooding

Gordon from Halswell

Given the Auckland situation, does anyone know if we have any restrictions on the area of a property that can be covered, that is building, roads, driveway, paths Swimming pools, tennis courts etc
The more surface area covered, the less area there is for rain water to drain away naturally, as … View more
Given the Auckland situation, does anyone know if we have any restrictions on the area of a property that can be covered, that is building, roads, driveway, paths Swimming pools, tennis courts etc
The more surface area covered, the less area there is for rain water to drain away naturally, as opposed to having to use the storm water system which probably will not be able to cope much longer, definately if we get some of the Auckland rain.
High density housing would fall into this category as some of those have no exposed soil.
People can also seal or concrete the whole of the property, so all their ground rain water will run off into next door maybe.

693 days ago

Making a plan could save your life…

The Hello Project

All too often, our older community are found at home alone, suffering, physically hurt and unable to help themselves. If you’re living alone and would like some extra support, get to know your neighbours, reassure them that you're okay with them checking in on you, and together make a plan … View moreAll too often, our older community are found at home alone, suffering, physically hurt and unable to help themselves. If you’re living alone and would like some extra support, get to know your neighbours, reassure them that you're okay with them checking in on you, and together make a plan and talk through what warning signs to look out for should something be wrong. It could just save your life.

For more information, and tips to help you make a plan go to thehelloproject.nz
Learn more

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693 days ago

Queen Elizabeth Coronation Mugs

Lisa from Halswell

Pickup Halswell

Price: $30

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693 days ago

Queen Elizabeth Coronation set (1953)

Lisa from Halswell

One cup, saucer and side plate
Pick up is Halswell

Price: $40

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