1318 days ago

Need Some Good Reads During Lockdown?

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Hi North Shore neighbours,

Wanting to curl up with a good book during alert level 3?

Check out the NZ Booklovers Awards 2021 shortlist which boasts titles from well-known authors and new writers.

The winner in each category will be announced on March 18 and each winner receives $500.

NZ Booklovers director Karen McMillan said the annual awards received 71 entries and the quality was extremely high.

"The judges were excited to see the variety of books that our talented New Zealand authors have produced,’ she said.

"Our fiction award celebrates the best in storytelling, a book that is wellwritten but where the story is key."

NZ Booklovers Award for Best Adult Fiction Book 2021:

Addressed to Greta by Fiona Sussman, Ephemera by Tina Shaw, For Reasons of Their Own by Chris Stuart, I Wish, I Wish by Zirk van den Berg, The Silence of Snow by Eileen Merriman, Tiny Pieces of Us by Nicky Pellegrino, Victory Park by Rachel Kerr, While the Fantail Lives by Alan Titchall.

NZ Booklovers Award for Best Lifestyle Book 2021:

Aroha by Dr Hinemoa Elder, Landmarks by Owen Marshall, Grahame Sydney and Brian Turner, Shared Kitchen by Julie and Ilaria Biuso, Surf Dreams by Derek Morrison, Two Raw Sisters by Rosa and Margo Flanagan, Wild Kinship by Monique Hemmingson.

NZ Booklovers Award for Best Children’s Book 2021:

Hare & Ruru by Laura Shallcrass, The Hug Blanket by Chris Gurney, illustrated by Lael Chisholm, I am the Universe by Vasanti Unka, The Midnight Adventures of Ruru and Kiwi by Clare Scott, illustrated by Amy Haarhoff, Sharing with Wolf by Melinda Szymanik, illustrated by Nikki Slade Robinson, Tatty Catty by Susannah Whaley, illustrated by Hayley Elliott-Kernot.

More messages from your neighbours
3 days ago

Poll: Is dumping an issue in your neighbourhood?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

There's nothing worse than strolling around the streets in your neighbourhood and seeing dumped rubbish.

Have you noticed this in your area? What could we do to combat this around the country?

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Is dumping an issue in your neighbourhood?
  • 43.4% Yes, I've seen some illegal dumping
    43.4% Complete
  • 56% No, our neighbourhood is pretty good
    56% Complete
  • 0.6% Other - I'll share below
    0.6% Complete
1090 votes
8 hours ago

Six tips for improving security around your home

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

1) Improve outdoor lighting
Ensure that streets, driveways, and front yards are well-lit. Motion-sensor lights around homes deter trespassers by reducing hiding spots and illuminating their movements.

2) Trim your trees
Overgrown shrubs and trees provide cover for intruders. Keeping them well-trimmed around windows and doors improves visibility and reduces potential hiding spots.

3) Secure Entry Points
Ensure doors, windows, and gates are always closed when you are away from the house. Upgrade to more secure locks, deadbolts, or even smart locks for added protection.

4) Add a security camera
Place security cameras in the main entry points to your home. Doorbell cameras are also relatively cheap and a great way to keep track of who is visiting your home when you aren't there.

5) Start a Neighborhood Watch Program
You could reach out to members on Neighbourly to form a group of neighbors who can regularly keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it. You could also check with Neighbourhood Support to see what is existing in your area.

6) Introduce yourself to your neighbours
The closer you are to your neighbors, the more likely they’ll notice when something unusual or suspicious is happening around your property

Feel free to share anything that you do around your area to deter crime.

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3 hours ago