Mount Albert, Auckland

Tea & Tiffin Ready for this weekend

Mariyaraj from Sandringham

Thank you for the overwhelming response. We truly value your local support. Join us this weekend at 32 Carr Road, Mt Roskill (opposite Mt Roskill Fresh Supermarket), this Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm. ⏰
We offer a diverse selection of dosas, idly, medu vada, and masala tea for you to … View moreThank you for the overwhelming response. We truly value your local support. Join us this weekend at 32 Carr Road, Mt Roskill (opposite Mt Roskill Fresh Supermarket), this Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm. ⏰
We offer a diverse selection of dosas, idly, medu vada, and masala tea for you to enjoy this weekend!
Ample parking is available, along with gazebo seating! ☔️

Options for dining in or takeaway are available. ✨🕺🏻

Negotiable

HOW TO SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR OLD MATTRESS

Beds4U Avondale

Mattresses usually last 8-10 years before they need to be replaced. Mattresses are one of the most difficult consumer products to get rid of responsibly. Maybe this is one of the main reasons that they end up on the Curb. But have you ever thought what happens to the old mattress when you leave it … View moreMattresses usually last 8-10 years before they need to be replaced. Mattresses are one of the most difficult consumer products to get rid of responsibly. Maybe this is one of the main reasons that they end up on the Curb. But have you ever thought what happens to the old mattress when you leave it on the curb? The size and construction of the mattress create a major problem for the authorities.
"300,000 mattresses are sent to landfill every year in New Zealand – if stacked this pile of unwanted mattresses would reach to the edge of space! This 8100 tonnes of waste cost $14.5 million to landfill every year", says 3R Group Chief Executive Adele Rose.


So what’s the best way to get rid of your old mattress? Here are some of the suggested ways to adios your old Mattress:

Sell it:

If your Mattress is not a home to bed bugs and has no major stains or rips. You can consider to sell it for a nominal fee. Trademe or any other social media platform can help you reach potential buyers. This can be one of the most environmentally friendly options.

Donate the Mattress:

You can check with your local non-profits to see if they accept old mattresses or beds in a donation. Organizations like The Salvation Army & Red Cross have centers where you can drop your good quality old beds & Furniture that can be passed to people in need.

Consider Recycling:

If you're not able to sell or donate your mattress, then you should try to send your mattress to a recycling center. Both consumers and businesses can drop off old mattresses at these centers. Businesses can also arrange direct delivery to a local processing centre. The mattresses are dismantled into raw materials, such as steel, foam, plastic, and fabric which are either recycled or reused. The rebound mattress recycling program is a stewardship program designed to provide a simple and accessible solution enabling consumers to responsibly dispose of unwanted mattresses and bed bases.



Break It Yourself:

If you have the time, space, and tools, you can easily break a mattress or base yourself. Simply cut around the perimeter of the fabric covering and peel the cloth and foam away from the box springs and wooden frame. You can roll these materials into a compact bundle and put them in your regular trash can. Next, take a saw and cut up the frame you can then burn or turn it into wood chips. Take the box springs to a recycling center or sell them for scrap.

Re-Purposing:

An old mattress can be re-purposed which means putting it to another use. It requires creative imagination to come up with ideas on where to use the old mattress. In Australia, an enterprising group is taking the stuffing out of old mattresses, washing it, and then making punching bags using it as filling. Before you throw away your old mattress consider if you can find a new use for it.


With an estimated 300,000 mattresses and bases sent to landfill every year in New Zealand. That’s the equivalent of twenty-five 20-foot shipping containers filled with these units every single day the community needs to dispose of their old beds responsibly.

Poll: What would you rather be doing on a weekend?

Beds4U Avondale

Hi neighbours, vote now! Let us know your top pick and why it’s your favourite way to spend the weekend!

What would you rather be doing on a weekend?

• Binge watch a show
• Read a book
• Hang-out with friends
• Sleep and relax

Vote View Results

• 19.5% Binge watch a show
  19.5% Complete
• 24.1% Read a book
  24.1% Complete
• 16.1% Hang-out with friends
  16.1% Complete
• 40.2% Sleep and relax
  40.2% Complete

87 votes

GP fees explained: How your doctor sets their prices

Brian from Mount Roskill

General practitioners (GPs) can set their own patient fees in New Zealand — and they must weigh up several factors when it comes to the cost of their services.
While children under 14 are eligible for free health checks, and cheaper GP visits are available to certain groups through a High Use … View moreGeneral practitioners (GPs) can set their own patient fees in New Zealand — and they must weigh up several factors when it comes to the cost of their services.
While children under 14 are eligible for free health checks, and cheaper GP visits are available to certain groups through a High Use Health Card or a Community Services Card, everyone else is generally forking out a co-payment to visit their doctor.
So, how do GPs and medical centres decide on those fees? And why do they differ depending on where you are in New Zealand?
First, the government funding
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GPs get lower than expected funding boost from Health NZ
There are warnings it could mean some practices shut down, Cushla Norman reports.
GPs receive government funding through a system known as capitation.
Under capitation, GPs get a set amount of money for each enrolled patient they have, each year. They are not paid per visit.
The Government pays this money to Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) who then pay the money down to general practices within that PHO.
Not all patients are funded for the same amount under this system. The funding varies depending on things like a patient's age and gender, said Dr Angus Chambers, a GP and chairman of the General Practice Owners Association of Aotearoa New Zealand (GenPro).
"A very young person will go to the doctor a lot more for a whole lot of reasons and a very old person will too — but a 25-year-old is much less likely to, so there's a lesser [capitation] fee for [them]," he said.
However, this funding system is based around data from more than 20 years ago, Chambers said.
"It's very dated data ... and it's not nearly sophisticated enough," he said. "I get the same payment for a 65-year-old [patient] as I do for a 95-year-old, and a 95-year-old's health needs are exponentially higher than a 65-year-old's," he said.
"[The system] doesn't take into account the age and complexity of people and inequities, so it's generally accepted to be not really that fit for purpose; it's accepted it needs to be changed."
It also doesn't consider that health needs and health care have changed a lot over the past 20 years, Chambers said.
"There's new treatments, new tests, different ways of managing things, a surge in mental health demand — the list goes on."
Deciding on fee increases
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This year's average allowable fee increase is 7.76%.
General practices need to work out how much they need to charge each year to cover costs and keep their business viable.
Underpinning those decisions is a fees review process known as the annual statement of reasonable GP fee increases (ASRFI).
This is a guideline issued by the Ministry of Health. It recommends a maximum percentage GPs can increase their fees by each year, based on predicted cost pressures, such as inflation, labour and other operational expenses.
This year's average allowable fee increase is 7.76%.
GPs can choose to increase their fees by more than the ASRFI, Chambers said, but they are in for a lengthy, expensive process if they do.
"If a practice breaches that ASRFI number, Te Whatu Ora can refer them to the Fees Review Committee," he said.
"[GPs] have to submit data to [the committee]. If they've exceeded [the ASRFI] and the committee thinks it's reasonable, they can go ahead. But if the committee doesn't think it's reasonable, then they can make a recommendation that you reduce your fees.
"There's quite a bit of risk and expense if you exceed the cap [on fee increases]."
Fee variations around the country
===========================
There can be significant variation in how much people pay to see a GP in New Zealand.
The amount people pay to see a GP can vary quite a bit, depending on what part of the country they live in.
Some of this comes down to the actual cost of doing business — leases can be quite a lot higher in Auckland than in small towns, for example — but some of the difference is historic, Chambers said.
He said regions with more socioeconomic deprivation have traditionally charged less because GPs would likely otherwise end up with bad debt and disgruntled patients.
Then, the fees review process and its cap on fee increases locks practices into low fees.
For example, if a GP charged $100 for a patient and was allowed a 5% fees increase, their fee would increase by $5 to $105. A GP in another area charging a $50 co-payment, on the other hand, would only be able to increase their fee by $2.50.
"The gap grows wider and wider because of this policy setting, so practices that have started off [with low fees] get entrenched in this historical discrepancy," Chambers said.
It's leading to what Chambers calls market failure.
"There's not enough GPs, so you're competing more and more [to hire people], and doctors are probably going to higher-paying jobs."
This means some regions, especially rural areas, are at further risk of losing access to general health services.
"We have this workforce shortage, which is partly related to poor policy in terms of training people, but also underfunding, which is making it far more attractive to go into other specialties than general practice."
The knock-on effect
================
Increasing GP fees can mean people put off medical care.
Higher co-payments can mean people put off going to a GP, Chambers said.
"That means they might present later and sicker ... or they can't afford it, so they end up going to the emergency departments and clog [them]."
Chambers said GPs know access to primary care is worse than it's ever been and don't like having to increase fees to cover costs.
But GenPro said last month Te Whatu Ora was failing to cover the increased costs of providing community health care, which ultimately means the cost burden shifts to patients.
PHOs represented by General Practice New Zealand, Te Kāhui Hauora Māori PHOs, and the Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network have all similarly slammed the Government's funding offer for GP services this year.
"[GPs] don't want to increase fees like this because they're part of the community too and their patients are often well known to them — and they feel this is a result of very poor policy for quite a long time from both sides of the political divide," Chambers said.
"We're wearing the stick for failure of the government as a whole.
"[Governments] have had a lot of advice from people telling them that this situation will come around and they've, frankly, ignored it."
Te Whatu Ora told 1News it acknowledges the cost pressures GPs are facing and the growing demand on their services.
"Health NZ-provided services are facing similar pressures in a fiscally constrained environment," Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora's living well director Martin Hefford said.
"Through our annual capitation uplift offer, we have worked hard to target available funding where it is most needed to support primary health care and general practice."
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Kids' planter box

The Team from Resene ColorShop Mt Roskill

It’s easy to create your very own colourful planter box, with the kids or for the kids to enjoy, from an old wooden drawer and Resene testpots.

Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.

What's On: French Bay Table Tennis Club

Shane from Epsom

What's On: Central Table Tennis Club

Shane from Epsom

Have you got a family recipe for oranges?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

We're looking for delicious orange recipes to feature in NZ Gardener's October issue. Send your family's favourite ways to enjoy this fruit to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by August 20, 2024. Every published recipe wins a copy of the October issue of NZ Gardener.

What's On: BucklandsBeach Craft & Wellness Market

Michelle from Beach Haven

Kiwi Treasures 🥝

Redcross from Sandringham

Some of our Kiwi Treasures on display this week 🎁
Plus our Book Sale continuing through the school holidays and beyond! 🚀

571 Sandringham Road

Mon-Fri: 10am to 5pm
Sat: 10am to 4pm

Winter Gardening

Murray Halberg Retirement Village

Winter isn’t usually associated with pottering about in the garden. However, it’s possible to grow, harvest, and share a bustling winter crop.

As we have celebrated Matariki and the beginning of the Māori New Year, for winter gardeners it’s the right time to cultivate crops that thrive in… View moreWinter isn’t usually associated with pottering about in the garden. However, it’s possible to grow, harvest, and share a bustling winter crop.

As we have celebrated Matariki and the beginning of the Māori New Year, for winter gardeners it’s the right time to cultivate crops that thrive in cooler temperatures and to prepare the soil for future planting.

Click read more for the full story.

Auckland: School holiday events

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Monday, 15th July:
Heard Park after Dark - Parnell
Art Gallery drop in craft - Auckland Art Gallery
Waterworld @ The Y Cameron Pool and Leisure Centre - Mount Roskill
Free Bricks 4 Kids Lego workshop - Milford

Tuesday 16 July:
Lego Building - St Heliers Library
Create Button Animals - … View moreMonday, 15th July:
Heard Park after Dark - Parnell
Art Gallery drop in craft - Auckland Art Gallery
Waterworld @ The Y Cameron Pool and Leisure Centre - Mount Roskill
Free Bricks 4 Kids Lego workshop - Milford

Tuesday 16 July:
Lego Building - St Heliers Library
Create Button Animals - Blockhouse Bay Library
Movie & Popcorn @ Kumeu Library - Kumeu Library
Brilliant Seabirds - Maritime Museum, Takapuna

Wednesday, 17 July:
Kahoot! Quiz - Kumeu Library
Tree Planting - William Souter Reserve
Decorate a 3D Star - Kumeu Library
Create a Matariki gift - Grey Lynn Library

Thursday 18 July:
Yoga & Storytime - Parnell Library
Cinderella - play - Glen Eden Playhouse Theatre
Create a bird feeder - Kumeu Library
Make Origami Star Box - Blockhouse Bay Library

Friday, 19 July:
Baby Baroque free kids concert - New Lynn Community Centre
Auckland Museum Lego Exhibitiion - Auckland Museum, Parnell
CD Hovercrafts and Vortex Tunnels - Mt Roskill Library

Saturday, 20 July:
Opening of Derby Square - markets, food, fun - Takinini Town Centre
Five go on an advernture - Play - Tim Bray Theatre, Takapuna
Matariki Market - Onehunga Library
Family movie at the Library - Onehunga Library
Community tree planting - Atiu Creek Regional Park, North Auckland

Sunday, 21 July:
Sounds Fun For Kids: Suzy Cato, Mr Roberelli and Chris Sanders - Tuning Fork, Parnell

What else is there to do?
Butterfly Creek
Motat
Auckland Zoo
Howick Historical Village
Auckland Art Gallery
Stardome Observatory
Snowplanet
Rainbow's End
Scultptureum
Thrillzone
Kiwi Valley Farm Park
Aotea Square Ice Rink

Got more ideas? Share them below!

Flatmates Wanted

Mary & Hilary from Westmere

FLATMATES WANTED. WESTMERE TWO BEDROOM SELF CONTAINED ACCOMMODATION. $700 PW INCLUDING POWER, WATER, INTERNET.

We are two older women, looking for one or two single people, or a couple, as flatmates for a two bedroom accommodation within our home. It is the upstairs self contained area of a … View moreFLATMATES WANTED. WESTMERE TWO BEDROOM SELF CONTAINED ACCOMMODATION. $700 PW INCLUDING POWER, WATER, INTERNET.

We are two older women, looking for one or two single people, or a couple, as flatmates for a two bedroom accommodation within our home. It is the upstairs self contained area of a large home. It is available now.

The accommodation has:

-a bathroom with heated floor, shower, heated towel rail, bath and vanity
-walk in wardrobe in the larger bedroom, built in wardrobe in smaller bedroom
-two sunny balconies with great sea/urban views
-lounge/dining area
- two bedrooms, one large (could be bdrm and study) and one double
-small full size kitchen – oven, microwave, hob top, rangehood
-a laundry shared with us
-a shared entrance to the house

The accommodation is on the top floor of our large home, and is sunny, warm, modern and spacious, with extensive sea and urban views. It is immaculately clean and tidy. The accommodation is private from where we live on the level below and the property has a security gate.
This accommodation is easy walking distance to inner and outer link buses, Herne Bay, Ponsonby, Westhaven, Pt Chevalier and all the best bars and restaurants. We are perhaps the safest and quietest suburb in Auckland yet so close to it all.
The property is in Westmere and is easy walking distance to the Westmere shops, three bus stops, and Cox’s Bay Park. It is about forty minutes walk from the city.
It would not suit children as there are stairs and there is no outdoor area.
We have an off street undercover car park available within the security gate. There is also street parking.
The rent includes power, water and unlimited superfast internet. No pets or smokers.
Phone Mary 0276 333 117 or email: irwinmary69@gmail.com

View 1 more…

Caring For You Like Family

The Team from Ryman Healthcare

91-year-old Dora is a rest home resident at Ryman.

Between family gatherings, bus trips and village activities, she certainly enjoys a full life. With the many friendships she’s made, the caregivers and village staff have become an extension of her family.

Hear about Dora’s experience … View more91-year-old Dora is a rest home resident at Ryman.

Between family gatherings, bus trips and village activities, she certainly enjoys a full life. With the many friendships she’s made, the caregivers and village staff have become an extension of her family.

Hear about Dora’s experience living in a Ryman community. Find out more

Grab yourself a bargain

South Auckland Ford

Check out South Auckland Motors Manukau UTE Sale. Some even below cost so grab yourself a bargain!

Every UTE sold comes with at least 3,000km RUC, One Year Rego, Fresh WOF and a Full Tank of Diesel. Find out more