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Attention Waimakariri residents. Your weekday commute just got easier!
Metro’s weekday direct bus services from Kaiapoi and Rangiora to central Christchurch include four morning trips and five afternoon trips back to each town. The buses even have free wifi and USB changing ports.
Sit back … View moreAttention Waimakariri residents. Your weekday commute just got easier!
Metro’s weekday direct bus services from Kaiapoi and Rangiora to central Christchurch include four morning trips and five afternoon trips back to each town. The buses even have free wifi and USB changing ports.
Sit back and enjoy your non-stop commute while you take some time to clear those emails, make some calls, read a book, or just sit and let the mind wander. Keen to find out more? Visit metro.co.nz/traveltochch
Bring 2 cans of food into your local Resene ColorShop and swap them for 1 Resene testpot (60-80ml).
Resene will then donate all the food brought in to The Salvation Army local foodbanks.
By adding a little more colour to your life you can also help those in need. When you bring in 2 cans of … View moreBring 2 cans of food into your local Resene ColorShop and swap them for 1 Resene testpot (60-80ml).
Resene will then donate all the food brought in to The Salvation Army local foodbanks.
By adding a little more colour to your life you can also help those in need. When you bring in 2 cans of food you'll save on your testpot purchase (save up to $5.90 on an 80ml testpot) while also helping provide disadvantaged Kiwis with food parcels when they need them most.
So start gathering up those cans and bring them into your local Resene owned ColorShop.
We’ve all spent a lot of time at home last year, so many of us are in the same boat when it comes to our high power bills! GULP!
More Kiwis are now working from home, if that's you then it's time to check if you’re on the right power plan. SWITCH, SAVE and SMILE this Summer!
… View moreWe’ve all spent a lot of time at home last year, so many of us are in the same boat when it comes to our high power bills! GULP!
More Kiwis are now working from home, if that's you then it's time to check if you’re on the right power plan. SWITCH, SAVE and SMILE this Summer!
Compare with our help and find the right power plan for your household! It’s easy as!
Visit Power Compare to get yourself a better deal. Our service is free, we’re Kiwis helping Kiwis compare what’s out there across Power, Broadband and Money.
From reporter Lee Kenny:
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For the Christchurch residents living in a street blighted by bird poo starlings are a menace – but how do you deal with the flying pests?
According to New Zealand Birds Online, the common starling was introduced for insect control, but they … View moreFrom reporter Lee Kenny:
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For the Christchurch residents living in a street blighted by bird poo starlings are a menace – but how do you deal with the flying pests?
According to New Zealand Birds Online, the common starling was introduced for insect control, but they are now found across Aotearoa and the Subantarctic Islands.
They nest in hollow trees, under house eaves and even in letter boxes. As well as creating a mess, they eat crops and make a noise, which some people find annoying.
There are a range of methods to discourage starlings, from the cheap to the costly.
Westport-based Maintrac Group sells a range of equipment for dealing with pests, like starlings.
These include the high-tech Bird-X, a $795 device that uses red and green laser beams to deter birds.
Deploying bird spikes is among the least expensive options. The stainless steel spikes can be adhered to surfaces, preventing birds from landing and therefore pooping on property below.
“A successful way to deter starlings is to prevent them from landing,” Maintrac Group's website says.
“Starlings need a lot of energy just to fly, so if they are prevented from landing near a food source they soon use up what energy they do have, and have to move off to other areas to feed. If one goes, they all go.”
Shiny holographic tape can also be applied to surfaces to discourage the birds from settling, while an artificial osprey hawk does a similar job.
Another option is a Carousel Gas Gun, which makes a loud bang and scares unwanted birds away.
The noise will be familiar to anyone who has spent time in the countryside, but the intermittent blasts might not be suitable for suburbia.
A less noisy option might be an ultrasonic bird and animal repellent, which emits a high-frequency sound to scare away flying pests.
Despite the thousands of starlings that descend on Dudley St, Richmond, each summer, one pest expert said they are not a common problem in Christchurch.
“The bird-work we do is usually involving pigeons,” Gary Hendrikse, director of Elite Pest Control, said.
“I don't think I've ever had a call to get rid of starlings.
“The only other nuisance birds are ones that nest in people's ceilings, that's often to do with preventing access.”
Other methods for discouraging starlings include removing nests and food sources, and patching up holes to areas that could be used as a nesting site.
From reporter Cate Broughton:
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Older and vulnerable people are being encouraged to “hunker down” in their homes during the peak of the Omicron virus, by some health experts – but others say this isn’t necessary.
New Zealand epidemiologist Professor Tony … View moreFrom reporter Cate Broughton:
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Older and vulnerable people are being encouraged to “hunker down” in their homes during the peak of the Omicron virus, by some health experts – but others say this isn’t necessary.
New Zealand epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely is based at Melbourne University and says he encouraged his nearly 80-year-old parents – who live in Rotorua – to stay at home when Omicron cases climb and the virus becomes endemic.
However, Cancer Society medical director Kate Gregory said there was not enough evidence to support giving this advice to cancer patients.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed there was community transmission of the Omicron variant in New Zealand.
The Ministry of Health on Monday reported confirmed Omicron cases in the Nelson-Tasman region, Auckland and Palmerston North.
Blakely said he talked to his parents about continuing their usual activities while using a N95 mask, but “hunkering down” when cases climbed.
“You probably do that for another 10 days until case numbers start to go up in Rotorua, and then you really hunker down. So that’s what we’ve talked about.”
Blakely said “the maths of an epidemic” meant up to half of the population was likely to get infected with Omicron.
“The trick is to make sure the people who get infected are the young ones. So you accept that. You accept there will be hospitalisations associated with that.
But to minimise the hospitalisations, the mortality and morbidity – a bit like trench warfare – you send over the young ones, and you hunker down the oldies and those with co-morbidities.”
Blakely said his parents, who are double vaccinated and have had their booster, had already decided to stay at home when cases climbed.
But he said it was hard to say how long this period should last.
New Zealand’s traffic light setting of red – the highest level of restrictions under the traffic light system –would help to slow the spread of Omicron, and protect essential services from being overwhelmed, but this would also mean the peak of the virus would last longer, Blakely said.
“Here’s the deep irony, the better New Zealanders are at flattening the curve, the longer the hunker down will be.”
Blakely acknowledged prolonged periods of isolation for the elderly and vulnerable could have significant mental health impacts.
In Australia, Omicron has taken a huge toll on the aged-care sector with hundreds of outbreaks in aged care homes. But some families have said the lockdowns were overly cautious and too hard on the elderly residents, most of whom were fully vaccinated.
Wellington GP and Royal New Zealand College of General Practice (RNZCGPs) medical director Bryan Betty said the Australian experience of Omicron showed it could peak for as long as four to six weeks.
Betty said most people – including fit older people – would experience a mild to moderate illness, if infected.
“However, the caveat on this is ... we know the biggest risk factor for a poorer outcome from Covid is age, the elderly population in particular are vulnerable to a poorer outcome with Covid.”
Betty said it would be good for older people to consider staying home, with some support from friends and family, “as the case numbers rise” in the community.
Cancer Society medical director Kate Gregory said there was not enough evidence to date to support advising patients to stay home, but this could change “if we see much higher numbers”.
“If, in a week’s time we are seeing thousands and thousands of cases we may be advising people differently. I think the reassuring thing we’ve seen is that Omicron doesn’t seem to cause such severe disease and we know the vaccine provides very good protection.”
Gregory said for cancer patients the best defence is to be vaccinated and for the people in their households to be vaccinated.”
She said in her experience a “vast majority” of cancer patients had received two doses of Covid-19 vaccine, many with a third primary dose.
“It’s a frightening time, and especially for those who are more vulnerable.
"I think as long as people have the vaccine, wear the mask, do the hand-washing and get tested promptly, I think that’s probably fine. At the moment, that’s the advice we’re giving our patients.”
Woopwoop it is time...to bring on your game for 2022
Is your son sitting at home on the couch...does he want to be part of a team...
Halswell Hornet's 14's Pre-season Training is beginning:
MONDAY 14TH FEBRUARY
FIELD 4 (opposite the Miniature Trains)
HALSWELL DOMAIN… View moreWoopwoop it is time...to bring on your game for 2022
Is your son sitting at home on the couch...does he want to be part of a team...
Halswell Hornet's 14's Pre-season Training is beginning:
MONDAY 14TH FEBRUARY
FIELD 4 (opposite the Miniature Trains)
HALSWELL DOMAIN
5.30pm
Bring your boots, mouthguard and a water bottle. Along with a CAN DO positive attitude.
🐝🐝The club for now requires all 12yr and older to present their vaccine pass, please bring along on Monday so it can be scanned.🐝🐝
REMEMBER
*Training tees will be given out, once your child has registered and the subs have been paid and cleared.
Contact Shona for further details 0272629660
Our February Seniors newsletter is out now. In this issue we announce our Age friendly fund successful recipients, shine a light on the those nominated for the New Years Honours for Services to Seniors and much more. Check it out here: mailchi.mp...
Kia ora Aotearoa. Stuff has just finished their annual Summer Snaps competition and we’re thrilled to announce that you'll be the judge of the People and Communities photograph category.
The entries in this category have been shortlisted and we now have five brilliantly captured … View moreKia ora Aotearoa. Stuff has just finished their annual Summer Snaps competition and we’re thrilled to announce that you'll be the judge of the People and Communities photograph category.
The entries in this category have been shortlisted and we now have five brilliantly captured photographs to battle it out. There's a camera up for grabs for our talented photographers, and it's up to you to choose who takes the crown...and the Canon EOS!
Cast your vote in the poll below before 12pm, 11 February.
Blender attachment and a couple of cutting/mixing blades only.
Only items in photo are available
Pick up from Halswell, Christchurch
Nice lamp but the plastic fitting where the bulb goes is broken - probably an easy fix for someone with some electrical knowledge.
Pick up from Halswell, Christchurch.
Peri-urban areas can be described as the landscape interface between town and country or the rural-urban transition zone where urban and rural areas mix.
The probability of wildfire is driven by the amount and dryness of fuel, ambient weather and ignitions. Dry weather exacerbates wildfire risk… View morePeri-urban areas can be described as the landscape interface between town and country or the rural-urban transition zone where urban and rural areas mix.
The probability of wildfire is driven by the amount and dryness of fuel, ambient weather and ignitions. Dry weather exacerbates wildfire risk in this zone and could significantly impact your property! With one of New Zealand’s hottest and driest summers, discover your property’s fire risk and what you can do to reduce it.
We can produce personalised reports for any house on the planet!
Click here to get your property report: https://property-climate-risk-report.co.nz/
Yamaha 5.1 surround sound system
Great sound system with great surround sound
everything in excellent working order
Has been very well looked after.
Pick up Lincoln
… View moreYamaha 5.1 surround sound system
Great sound system with great surround sound
everything in excellent working order
Has been very well looked after.
Pick up Lincoln
Reviever - Yamaha - RX - V496
Tower speakers - Yamaha NS-55
Center speaker - Yamaha NS-C55
Surround speakers - Yamaha NS- E55
Subwoffer - Sony SA - wm500
A Life Beyond Food and Addiction
I don’t remember being obsessed with food when I was very young, the way I was to become. I remember starting to eat at any opportunity I could get. I would arrive home early at meal times to check what was in the pans. Saturday afternoons were spent baking, … View moreA Life Beyond Food and Addiction
I don’t remember being obsessed with food when I was very young, the way I was to become. I remember starting to eat at any opportunity I could get. I would arrive home early at meal times to check what was in the pans. Saturday afternoons were spent baking, while my friends were out shopping. I went on to develop a love for raw cake batter and butter icing and I would make it up when I was desperate for food. Once I started getting money, I would buy sweets and secretly eat them. Meal times were awful, I never felt fulfilled.
Purchase a six month subscription to the Sunday Star-Times for $102 and get a free $100 Interflora e-voucher. Terms and conditions apply.
More than half of food poisoning cases caused by shellfish in Aotearoa this summer have been reported in Canterbury, triggering a warning for people to cook seafood thoroughly before consuming.
Since mid-November last year, 42 cases of vibrio parahaemolyticus, a bacterium in shellfish, were … View moreMore than half of food poisoning cases caused by shellfish in Aotearoa this summer have been reported in Canterbury, triggering a warning for people to cook seafood thoroughly before consuming.
Since mid-November last year, 42 cases of vibrio parahaemolyticus, a bacterium in shellfish, were reported, with two more probable cases, a Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) spokesperson said.
The ministry would normally expect to see only three or four during that time.
Fifteen of the cases were hospitalised with the illness and 22 of the reported cases were in Canterbury, he said.
The ages of the people affected were between 17 and 90.
It comes after a public health warning was issued for shellfish in Akaroa Harbour, all of Banks Peninsula and Christchurch in December.
MPI issued the warning after finding shellfish in Akaroa Harbour had diarrhetic toxins nearly three times over the safe limit. The limit for the toxins was set at 0/16mg/kg by MPI.
The toxins were found in recreational shellfish that people could collect themselves and did not affect shellfish bought from shops or supermarkets, it said at the time.
The MPI spokesperson said the two issues were not related. The toxins found in the shellfish was a naturally occurring toxic algae while the “higher than usual cases” of vibrio parahaemolyticus was caused by a bacteria known to increase in warmer months.
New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vince Arbuckle said in the case of vibrio parahaemolyticus, evidence suggested a change in water temperature and conditions could make live mussels more susceptible to the bacteria.
New Zealand Food Safety was reminding people to thoroughly cook mussels before consuming, after an increase in cases of Vibrio around the country.
It included supermarket supplies and New Zealand Food Safety was working with major supermarket chains to ensure signage to cook mussels was available for consumers, Arbuckle said.
“People with low immunity, pregnant, or elderly should always avoid eating raw or undercooked shellfish as the illness can be more severe,” she said.
Other cases of Vibrio were reported in Toi Te Ora (8), Auckland (6), Northland (6), and one each for Southern and Waikato District Health Board.
Thirty-six of the cases had consumed shellfish commercially or recreationally, while two had consumed recreationally gathered fish, and six cases were unknown.
The types of seafood causing illness included oysters, mussels, crayfish, kina, pāua, cod, and snapper.
Symptoms of Vibrio could include watery or bloody diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever and headache, Arbuckle said.
New Zealand Food Safety advised people to keep their hands and utensils clean after handling raw seafood, to cook mussels thoroughly “until steaming hot”, and to refrigerate shellfish as soon as possible after harvesting from the beach or purchasing from the supermarket to minimise their risk.
“If you get sick after eating shellfish, phone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16 or seek medical attention immediately. If possible, store and refrigerate any leftover shellfish for testing.”
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