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Got an overseas holiday coming up? Here are 10 tasks to tick off before you go
If you’ve got a walk down an air bridge coming up soon, you’ve probably got a checklist well underway. To make sure you haven’t missed anything, we’ve put together one, too. If you’ve forgotten to do any of these tasks, don’t worry – they’re all things we can help with.
1. Make … View moreIf you’ve got a walk down an air bridge coming up soon, you’ve probably got a checklist well underway. To make sure you haven’t missed anything, we’ve put together one, too. If you’ve forgotten to do any of these tasks, don’t worry – they’re all things we can help with.
1. Make sure your suitcase is travel worthy
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Don’t hold off getting out your suitcase until a couple of days before you leave. Check the wheels and zip are strong and you still remember the code for the lock. If it’s time to replace your old suitcase, we can help you find a good buy. You’ll find a range, from Kmart and The Warehouse cheapies right up to a pricey Samsonite, in our luggage test results.
2. Check your luggage limits
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This is especially important if you’re flying with multiple airlines. Check the allowed luggage dimensions to make sure you won’t have issues at the airport. Also keep in mind that, just because a bag is sold as a carry-on, it might exceed an airline’s size limits. We’ve noted if each of the small cases meet Air New Zealand and Jetstar criteria in our luggage test results.
3. Get ready to spend
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There are different ways of paying for things while you’re overseas. Our investigative writer Ruairi O’Shea has done the hard yards to assess all the options. His analysis makes it easy to see if you’d be better off with a debit card, credit card, travel card, cash or one of the new apps – Wise and Revolut. He’s even put together a handy summary of what he thinks you should do. You can read all about it in his article Travel money: the best cards to use overseas.
4. Check your travel insurance coverage
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Hopefully you’ve got travel insurance sorted – but have you read the policy yet? It’s a good idea to understand any limits listed in the fine print. That way you can decide if any holiday activities you’re planning are covered and if it’s OK to take certain valuables with you. If you do still need travel insurance, check out our travel insurance buying guide and policy comparison.
5. Keep an eye on things back home
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A security camera that connects to your WiFi network and sends you a notification when it detects motion can give you peace of mind while you’re away. There are 44 cameras, from brands including Ring and Arlo, in our security camera test results.
6. Know how you’ll use your phone
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If you go overseas without a plan for how you’ll keep using your phone, you could find yourself coming home to a big phone bill. You can find out about different roaming packs, local SIM cards and eSIMs and learn what Consumer staff members have done in our article How to keep using your phone overseas.
7. Get clued up on airport security
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Do you know where to pack that power bank or hearing aids charger? If you need to freshen up on the rules around what you can take in your carry-on and check-in, have a peruse of our airport security tips.
8. Consider paying for an extra bag
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If hitting the malls is going to be a big part of your trip, it could work out cheaper to plan ahead and prepay to take an extra bag. We’ve found it can be cheaper than paying the excess baggage fee when you show up to the airport with a heavy suitcase on the way home.
9. Do your duty-free research
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If you know you’ll be tempted by duty-free at the airport, now’s the time to do some research online. You might find the bottles of Pinot or perfume are cheaper back home or in the shops at your destination. We’ve shared our tips for making the most of duty-free shopping.
10. Consider tracking your luggage
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I recently found myself standing in an airport office with a bunch of other travelers whose luggage hadn’t shown up on the conveyer belt. We were all wishing we’d thought ahead and popped a tracker in our bags. At least that would have given us an idea of whether it was worth waiting around for them.
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Winter Wellness Afternoon Yoga Retreat
Saturday, July 19th, Mt Albert War Memorial Hall, 773 New North Road, Mt Albert, 4pm ~ 7.30pm
Tickets: $30 if you book online or $35 if you buy on the door.
Grab your tickets through this link now - limited spaces available:
events.humanitix.com......
Join us for a wonderful 1~day yoga retreat,… View moreSaturday, July 19th, Mt Albert War Memorial Hall, 773 New North Road, Mt Albert, 4pm ~ 7.30pm
Tickets: $30 if you book online or $35 if you buy on the door.
Grab your tickets through this link now - limited spaces available:
events.humanitix.com......
Join us for a wonderful 1~day yoga retreat, bring your friends, rest, and rejuvenate.
Connect with like-minded others.
Unwind and calm your mind with breathwork, yoga asanas, and meditation.
Be inspired by the yoga wisdom talk about the importance of balancing your life with a yoga lifestyle.
Enjoy a delicious plant-based meal.
Ending the day with a beautiful, mellow kirtan music meditation with the Benediction Moon band.
The ticket price includes a delicious plant-based meal and chai tea.
A perfect day for mid-winter.
All welcome
Bring your own yoga mat, jacket, water bottle, and a friend.
Program includes:
Breathwork ~ Meditation ~ Yoga asanas
Yoga Wisdom talk on Developing a healthy yoga lifestyle
Delicious plant-based meal and chai tea
Kirtan Music Meditation See less
Auckland, New Zealand
Total Gym
If you've got a Total Gym gathering dust, and would like to convert it into some handy cash for something interesting, it could make a great present for my wife's birthday coming up (she always TALKS about travelling to the gym...). Just message me how an asking price.
Cleaner wanted
Hi,
I am looking for someone who can do weekly cleaning at my place in Mount Roskill.
Please contact me on 0272277294 if interested.
Thanks Moveena
Hi Neighbours – Is Your Bed Helping You Sleep Well?
Hi neighbours, ?
Success doesn’t just come from hard work —
It comes from good sleep, proper rest, and having the right bed to support it.
Because let’s be honest — eight solid hours can make or break your day.
?️ As part of your neighbourhood, we care about how you sleep.
What’s… View moreHi neighbours, ?
Success doesn’t just come from hard work —
It comes from good sleep, proper rest, and having the right bed to support it.
Because let’s be honest — eight solid hours can make or break your day.
?️ As part of your neighbourhood, we care about how you sleep.
What’s your biggest sleep struggle lately?
Tossing and turning? A sore back? A partner who snores?
? Share below — let’s have a local chat about better rest and better mornings.
Got a tricky neighbour situation?
Join us live this Wednesday from 9:30am with Sacha Green from Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand (CABNZ). Sacha will be answering your questions about common neighbourhood issues – from shared fences and driveways to noise complaints and more.
Sacha is CABNZ’s national legal and strategic … View moreJoin us live this Wednesday from 9:30am with Sacha Green from Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand (CABNZ). Sacha will be answering your questions about common neighbourhood issues – from shared fences and driveways to noise complaints and more.
Sacha is CABNZ’s national legal and strategic advisor. With over 10 years at CAB and a background in community law, she’s passionate about making the law simple and accessible. She also supports over 2,000 CAB volunteers across 80 locations in Aotearoa.
She and the CAB team are here to help you understand your rights, responsibilities, and how to resolve neighbour disputes through good communication.
✅ Free advice
✅ Plain language answers
✅ Real solutions
Got a question? Pop it below in replies to this message, and CAB will be around today to answer you!
Transform Your Trolley: A Glam Mid-Century DIY Makeover
Add some mid-century glamour to your home with this ingenious DIY drinks trolley finished in Resene Colorwood, Resene Aquaclear and Resene Gold Dust metallic paint. Find out how to refresh your old drinks trolley with these easy step by step instructions.
10 tips and tricks for creating strong passwords
1) DO NOT USE letters and numbers in sequence (e.g. qwerty, abcde, 12345, asdf).
2) NEVER use your birthdate as your password.
3) COMBINE letters, numbers, and symbols (ex: $, %, !) to form a password of at least eight characters.
4) REFRAIN from using your name as your password.
5) DON’T … View more1) DO NOT USE letters and numbers in sequence (e.g. qwerty, abcde, 12345, asdf).
2) NEVER use your birthdate as your password.
3) COMBINE letters, numbers, and symbols (ex: $, %, !) to form a password of at least eight characters.
4) REFRAIN from using your name as your password.
5) DON’T create a password that includes any of your personal information as these details can be found online. 6) Additionally, steer clear from using your family members’ names and birthdays, pet names.
7) AVOID using overly common passwords, such as P@$$w0rd, password, 1234567890, ioveyou, etc.
8) STOP reusing passwords. Every new password you create should be unique.
9) STRONG passwords can be long passphrases where you combine multiple words into a long string of characters (ex: correcthorsebatterystaple, randommousebottlepickle). Don’t forget to add some numbers and symbols, too!
10) REFRAIN from changing just one character whenever you update your password (ex: MyG@laxyPassw0rd01, MyG@laxyPassw0rd02, MyG@laxyPassw0rd03).
Do not write passwords in notepads or on sticky notes!
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There was a net migration loss from New Zealand to Australia of 30,000 people in the December 2024 year
Stats NZ international migration statistics spokesperson Sarah Drake said the net migration loss from New Zealand to Australia was similar to the 29,400 loss in 2023.
"The loss in 2024 is the largest for a calendar year since 2012, but below the record loss of 43,700 in the March 2012 … View moreStats NZ international migration statistics spokesperson Sarah Drake said the net migration loss from New Zealand to Australia was similar to the 29,400 loss in 2023.
"The loss in 2024 is the largest for a calendar year since 2012, but below the record loss of 43,700 in the March 2012 year."
It is a long-standing trend with the net migration loss to Australia averaging around 30,000 per year between 2004 and 2013.
This dropped to around 3000 between 2014 and 2019.
The net migration loss consisted of 47,300 migrant departures to Australia and 17,300 migrant arrivals from Australia.
"The annual record for migrant departures to Australia was 62,800 in the June 2012 year," Drake said.
Australia was the main destination for New Zealand citizen migrants, with 58% of the 69,300 migrant departures crossing the ditch.
Since the early 2000s, people who were born outside New Zealand have made up a growing proportion of New Zealand citizens migrating to Australia.
Of New Zealand citizens who migrated to Australia in 2024, 35% were born outside New Zealand.
Overall there was a provisional net migration gain of 54,100 to NZ from the rest of the world (excluding Australia) in 2024.
"This was well down on the net gain of 157,300 in 2023, which was a record for a calendar year.
"The net migration gain from the rest of the world in 2024 more than offset the net migration loss of 30,000 to Australia."
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Love watercress? Share your recipe and win a copy of our mag!
Kia ora neighbours. We will give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine, and we're looking for watercress recipes right now. Send your family's favourite way to use up this crop, especially if you're lucky enough to grow it in your garden. Email us: … View moreKia ora neighbours. We will give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine, and we're looking for watercress recipes right now. Send your family's favourite way to use up this crop, especially if you're lucky enough to grow it in your garden. Email us: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by July 20, 2025.
Jaffas are leaving our shelves 🫠
Jaffas, iconic orange-coated chocolate lollies that have been around since 1931, will soon be leaving our shelves.
We want to know: Will you miss them?
Also, in the spirit of Throwback Thursday, what other iconic brands are still lodged in your memory?
(We can confirm that a number of the … View moreJaffas, iconic orange-coated chocolate lollies that have been around since 1931, will soon be leaving our shelves.
We want to know: Will you miss them?
Also, in the spirit of Throwback Thursday, what other iconic brands are still lodged in your memory?
(We can confirm that a number of the Neighbourly team will be heading out to stock up our lolly jars before Jaffas disappear!)
Buying or developing? Discover your site's potential!
Get a free feasibility assessment to understand your development options before you begin. Call us today: 0800 2 CATOBOLAM (Ts&Cs apply).
Thinking of buying or developing land? What’s the first question you should ask? 🔍
✅ What can I build on this site? (Zoning & planning … View moreGet a free feasibility assessment to understand your development options before you begin. Call us today: 0800 2 CATOBOLAM (Ts&Cs apply).
Thinking of buying or developing land? What’s the first question you should ask? 🔍
✅ What can I build on this site? (Zoning & planning rules)
✅ Are there any hidden costs or risks? (Geotech, flood zones, services)
✅ How much will development cost? (Feasibility & budgeting)
✅ What’s my timeline? (Consent process & approvals)
Free: Bathtub, white enamel cast iron
Free : White enamelled bathtub; cast iron. In reasonably good, clean condition (see photo): Westmere, near Zoo. It's heavy, so will require helping hands to manoeuvre onto a trailer (I am unable to help.) 021 049 6189
Have you tried The People's Choice Snarler?
Want to elevate your BBQ game when friends come around? look no further, Avon's Butchery has just the right sausage for you, winning national awards the last 25 years with over 18 flavours, this is the go to spot to elevate your backyard bbq.
In store or online Avon's Butchery aka … View moreWant to elevate your BBQ game when friends come around? look no further, Avon's Butchery has just the right sausage for you, winning national awards the last 25 years with over 18 flavours, this is the go to spot to elevate your backyard bbq.
In store or online Avon's Butchery aka 'The Better Butcher' has the range to simply impress.
246 Apirana Avenue, Glen Innes, Auckland.
QUIZ NIGHT
Just a reminder, Quiz Night at Nomads tonight from 7pm with your host Dan....come down for a couple hours of fun times, great pizza, and food & drink specials....bookings essential.
See you there
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Paralympics New Zealand 1 Cleveland Road, Parnell, Auckland
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