Lynfield, Auckland

Last chance for tickets!

Last chance for tickets!

For just $15, you could win a fully furnished home in Blenheim worth over $1 million. Buy your tickets today!

1327 days ago

Would you like to win gardening gear and plant nursery vouchers?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Subscribe to our free ezine! Follow this week’s guide to growing chicory and radicchio. Harvest flowers for dried arrangements, plant fast-growing Asian greens, look out for cicada damage and wasps and fill gaps in shelter belts before winter.
Build your own sun-lounger and learn how to divide… View more
Subscribe to our free ezine! Follow this week’s guide to growing chicory and radicchio. Harvest flowers for dried arrangements, plant fast-growing Asian greens, look out for cicada damage and wasps and fill gaps in shelter belts before winter.
Build your own sun-lounger and learn how to divide Bearded Irises. Plus go in the draw to win handspreaders from GARDENA and $35 vouchers from Awapuni Nurseries.

Delivered every Friday to your email inbox, Get Growing digital magazine offers seasonal gardening advice from the NZ Gardener magazine's team of experts. Each week we answer all your burning questions on raising fruit and veges and tell you the top tasks to do in your backyard this weekend. Subscribe here.

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1327 days ago

Covid 19: O'Connell Street Bistro in Auckland CBD to close

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

A struggling restaurant in central Auckland has become the latest casualty of the fallout from Covid-19.

The popular O’Connell Street Bistro is closing its doors on April 16, ending a 24-year history.

Owners Chris Upton and Amanda Mason said the insecurity caused by Covid-19 and their inability… View more
A struggling restaurant in central Auckland has become the latest casualty of the fallout from Covid-19.

The popular O’Connell Street Bistro is closing its doors on April 16, ending a 24-year history.

Owners Chris Upton and Amanda Mason said the insecurity caused by Covid-19 and their inability to successfully renegotiate their lease are behind the difficult decision to close.

Unlike many in the hospitality industry they have had to continue paying fixed costs during successive Covid-19 levels, the couple said.

“With the continuing lock downs and the challenges of operating at level 2 in the first two months of 2021, and with no clear respite ahead, it is unsustainable to continue,” Upton said.

The renowned bistro, which corners Shortland St and O’Connell St, won one Hat in the Cuisine Good Food Awards in 2019 and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for the past 17 years.

The restaurant has weathered many storms including the power crisis in February 1998 when the eatery was forced to shut down just four months after opening.

Next came a restaurant fire on January 26, 2016, which led to a seven-month closure.

Despite this setback, the couple said they kept their team fully employed and focussed on charity work and restaurant pop-ups.

But the restaurant will now close after a final dinner service on April 16.

Upton said the couple was not retiring and might look at another venture in future years.

“While the Bistro has been our life’s work for close to a quarter of a century, we have never thought of it as simply ours.

“It belongs to every one of our fabulous patrons who have supported us and enjoyed our hospitality.

“We have enjoyed one hell of a wonderful ride and our heartfelt thanks go out to all of our guests who have made the Bistro part of their life.”

Upton said the couple had been privileged to work alongside fantastic chefs, managers, sommeliers, waiters and kitchen hands, who had contributed hugely to the bistro’s success.

“We feel great sadness knowing we are at the end of an era, but we also feel joy and satisfaction knowing that together we all created an amazing and special place.”

Renowned NZ chef Al Brown of Auckland eateries Depot and Fed Deli said he was “just gutted” to hear of “the fall of an amazing restaurant.”

“They’re an iconic restaurant, been part of Auckland city for so long, and we’ve never heard a bad word said about them, and I’ve gone there a number of times, and it’s always been an incredible restaurant experience.

“I just feel for them big time. There’s a real sense of community in the restaurant business in Auckland and a lot of people struggling out there including ourselves at depot and feds.

“It’s very sad to hear that they’re closing but there are going to be more casualties.”

BABICHE MARTENS/STUFF

Mark Southon, Chris Upton, Jack Makin in the O'Connell St Bistro when it reopened after a fire in 2016

Hi Aucklanders,

What are your memories of this iconic restaurant?

Feel free to share your bistro experiences here:

*Please put NFP if you do not want your comments used by Stuff.

1328 days ago

We Say/You Say: Am Cup Highlights

The Team from Community News

Hi Auckland,

What a show it's been! What's been your favourite moment of the 36th America's Cup? (Aside from taking out the cup of course!)

After a nail-biting final race yesterday afternoon, Emirates Team NZ have won the Auld Mug.

Team New Zealand completed a 7-3 victory … View more
Hi Auckland,

What a show it's been! What's been your favourite moment of the 36th America's Cup? (Aside from taking out the cup of course!)

After a nail-biting final race yesterday afternoon, Emirates Team NZ have won the Auld Mug.

Team New Zealand completed a 7-3 victory over Italy's Luna Rossa on Waitematā Harbour on Wednesday with a 46-second win to lift the Auld Mug for a fourth time.

Share your highlights below and don't forget to type NFP if you don't want your comments used in your community paper.

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1327 days ago

Indoor pot plant holder

The Team from Resene ColorShop New Lynn

Make your own indoor planter and paint it in your favourite bold Resene colour to bring a bit of nature indoors to enjoy year round.

Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene. Find out how to create your own.

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1327 days ago

Do your curtains & blinds need a professional clean?

The Team from Textile Cleaning Services

Textile Cleaning is a one-stop-shop for all curtain cleaning needs - no matter how big or small.

We offer full take-down and rehang service and can provide replacement curtains while your drapes are being cleaned.

Help is just a phone call away.

Having cleaned thousands of curtains, … View more
Textile Cleaning is a one-stop-shop for all curtain cleaning needs - no matter how big or small.

We offer full take-down and rehang service and can provide replacement curtains while your drapes are being cleaned.

Help is just a phone call away.

Having cleaned thousands of curtains, drapes and blinds across Auckland for over 25 years, Textile Cleaning is highly recommended!
Find out more

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1328 days ago

Double baked Cheese Soufflé: Puffed and golden, straight from the oven and covered in molten cheese

New Zealand School of Food & Wine

Freshly baked Danish pastries with apricot and blueberry; some filled with Remonce, the traditional Danish filling made by creaming softened butter with sugar and cinnamon
Puffed & golden double baked cheese soufflé. All in a day’s work by our Advanced cookery chefs.

1328 days ago

Only in English!

NumberWorks'nWords New Lynn

Can you think of other words that do this?

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1333 days ago

Waiuku family fleeced by 'handyman' helped by community

Colleen Hawkes Reporter from Homed

The Edgecombe family of Waiuku, who have been forced to list their house this week, have paid dearly for accepting the cheapest quote for their renovation - and they want to warn others. But they are incredibly grateful for the volunteers, including professional tradies, who have helped put their … View moreThe Edgecombe family of Waiuku, who have been forced to list their house this week, have paid dearly for accepting the cheapest quote for their renovation - and they want to warn others. But they are incredibly grateful for the volunteers, including professional tradies, who have helped put their home back together again.

1328 days ago

Upcycling Awards is back for 2021!

Resene

Do you have old things lying around that you've been meaning to spruce up or recreate? It's time to unleash your DIY skills and bring out your inner artistic spirit. Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.

Give us … View more
Do you have old things lying around that you've been meaning to spruce up or recreate? It's time to unleash your DIY skills and bring out your inner artistic spirit. Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.

Give us your all, we want to see your creations! Check out some of last years' entires here.

Take part in the 2021 Resene Upcycling Awards. There are four great prizes worth $500 up for grabs: a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!
Learn more

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1329 days ago

Congratulations Emirates Team NZ!!!!

Kim Neighbourly Lead from Mount Roskill

So proud of our boys. Another one in the bag. Not bad for a small Team of 5 million.
Humble to the end. Celebrate well. Legend - each and every one of you including the shore team.
"Te Rehutai" Spitrit of the Ocean. Top notch piece of kit.
Well done. To say we are proud is an … View more
So proud of our boys. Another one in the bag. Not bad for a small Team of 5 million.
Humble to the end. Celebrate well. Legend - each and every one of you including the shore team.
"Te Rehutai" Spitrit of the Ocean. Top notch piece of kit.
Well done. To say we are proud is an understatement.
What a day to be a Kiwi.
Thank you Luna Rossa for your grace and hard fight. See you in the next regatta.

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1329 days ago

Gnocchi for the Advanced, cookery students

New Zealand School of Food & Wine

Gnocchi Parisienne using choux pastry and béchamel sauce garnished with parsley by our Advanced, cookery chef students.

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1334 days ago

Should the singalong be Rod Stewart or Kiwi "Sailing Away" ?

Todd Niall Reporter from Auckland Stuff

Hi Neighbours, America's Cup fans around the country can join a special sing-along to Sir Rod Stewart's "Sailing". But what about our own 1986 hit "Sailing Away"? In this story, have a sneak peak at Rockin' Rod's singalong video:

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1329 days ago

Get your window & doors fixed before winter arrives!

Philip from Exceed we fix windows & doors

For a limited time, we are offering 24 MONTHS INTEREST FREE FINANCE with Q-Card and Q Mastercard when you get windows and doors repairs done with us.

If you already have a Q Card or Q Mastercard simply book our services and let your technician know which payment option you’d like to go with.

If… View more
For a limited time, we are offering 24 MONTHS INTEREST FREE FINANCE with Q-Card and Q Mastercard when you get windows and doors repairs done with us.

If you already have a Q Card or Q Mastercard simply book our services and let your technician know which payment option you’d like to go with.

If you don't have a card, click the link below and apply now so you can enjoy this offer. You’ll only need 5 minutes to complete the application process.

We hope this offer will help you get your big home improvement projects underway before winter arrives.

Book a visit now ? 0800 25 25 00

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1330 days ago

Geraniums (peppermint)

Janice from Mount Roskill

FREE. Peppermint geranium cuttings on the verge outside 92 O'Donnell Avenue Mt Roskill. Lovely ground cover that smells of peppermint when you rub the leaves. See naturalmedicinalherbs.co for uses. Come and take as much or as little as you want. Very very easy to grow and will spread easily.

Free

1330 days ago

Burrata for our Diploma chefs

New Zealand School of Food & Wine

Fresh burrata in the making for our Diploma chefs, dressed with Balsamic vinegar olive oil, fresh & sun-dried tomatoes and basil leaves.

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