Mount Eden news is brought to you by the team at Central Leader
Recent posts
Thank you for using Neighbourly
NZ’s best and worst retailers revealed: Macpac, Stihl Shop top survey of Kiwis’ favourite stores
A new survey has ranked Macpac and Stihl Shop as the best places for Kiwis to shop, while dishing out low marks to some of New Zealand’s most well-known retailers.
Consumer NZ spoke to more than 3,200 people over June and July for its latest retailer survey to better understand how satisfied … View moreA new survey has ranked Macpac and Stihl Shop as the best places for Kiwis to shop, while dishing out low marks to some of New Zealand’s most well-known retailers.
Consumer NZ spoke to more than 3,200 people over June and July for its latest retailer survey to better understand how satisfied Kiwis are with their shopping experiences.
It found five stores going above and beyond for their customers, along with five others that performed poorly after failing to satisfy buyers.
Consumer NZ’s Kate Harvey said two stores across the entire survey had tied with the highest satisfaction rating of 94% - Stihl Shop and Macpac.
Stihl Shop - a specialist hardware and power equipment store - won praise “for its customer service and staff members’ product knowledge”, Harvey said, while outdoor clothing and equipment company Macpac topped its competitors “in all the categories we ask about, including perceived value and range of products available”.
Mitre 10 also performed strongly in the survey, but was edged out of first place in the hardware category by Stihl Shop.
In the appliances sector, 100% Home Appliances continued to excel, winning both the large and small appliances categories for the 11th year in a row.
Harvey said the company’s satisfaction score “was well above the next highest scoring store” in both cases.
Smiths City, which recently entered voluntary administration, came second in the large appliance category, while Briscoes was rated second place for small appliances.
Leading technology retailer PB Tech also outperformed competitors in two categories, home tech and mobile tech, with customers valuing its prices and product range especially highly.
All five retailers have been named winners of Consumer NZ’s People’s Choice award.
But among those surveyed were also several household-name stores that flunked the test.
Rebel Sport received the lowest satisfaction rating in the sports and outdoor category, with customers alleging poor service and a lack of staff product knowledge.
New Zealand’s two largest telecommunications companies - Spark and One NZ - also failed to win over consumers, both receiving low marks for value for money and their product ranges.
The Warehouse underwhelmed in the home tech category, with Harvey noting only 63% of shoppers felt “very satisfied” with their purchases of items such as TVs and gaming consoles.
OPSM also received a humbling review, lagging behind all other eyewear providers.
While Consumer NZ found people had a better shopping experience at Specsavers, Harvey said “those who shopped at an independent optometrist” were the most content with their experience.
Shopping experiences are ultimately subjective and difficult to quantify, but Consumer NZ’s findings suggest that across the board, there are four key drivers of customer satisfaction in New Zealand stores.
These are strong service, perceived value for money, a wide product range, and knowledgeable staff.
“The survey also showed shoppers are highly price-sensitive at the moment and have become increasingly motivated by discounts,” Harvey said.
“A store having a promotion is now the main reason for shoppers to choose to make their purchase there.
“It has surpassed loyalty and the convenience of the location.”
=====================================================
Happy FATHER'S DAY to all the fantastic DAD's on Neighbourly
Let's honour and show our gratitude and appreciation for Fathers and Father figures like Stepfathers, Fathers-in-Law, Guardians, Foster Parents and family friends.
========================================================
House moving sell: desk，heater，iron，hair dryer，shoes dryer，Cheese knife set
As in pictures. All in good used condition.
Heater 2000w: $30
Mini heater fan：$8 each
Electric blanket： Queen size $50 Double size：$20
Hair Dryer：$8
Cheese knife set：$20
Kitchen scale：$10 brand new
Join us at the Epsom Spring Festival – Free Health Support from Evergreen!
We’re excited to join the Greenwoods Corner Spring Festival
🗓 Saturday, 20 September | 10am–3pm
Evergreen Clinic will be offering:
✔ Free health consultations
✔ Injury checks & pain support
✔ On-site ACC guidance
✔ Blood pressure & oxygen checks
💬 Want to find us on… View moreWe’re excited to join the Greenwoods Corner Spring Festival
🗓 Saturday, 20 September | 10am–3pm
Evergreen Clinic will be offering:
✔ Free health consultations
✔ Injury checks & pain support
✔ On-site ACC guidance
✔ Blood pressure & oxygen checks
💬 Want to find us on the day? Just DM us!
Our team will be onsite in Evergreen Clinic uniforms – feel free to stop by and say hello.
📍We’re based near Newmarket, and we speak both English & Chinese.
🌿 Natural care, personal attention – right in your community.
👉 Save this post & tag a friend!
See you at the festival!
Crying at work happens to almost half of us for a variety of reasons. But whether you're the crier or the crier's colleague or manager, what should you do when the tears start to flow?
Midway through a difficult discussion in her performance review, an employee named Jane finally cracks, and the tears start. Her boss doesn’t know what to do and handles the situation awkwardly.
Ask yourself: how would you react in this situation? And would you have the same reaction if it were … View moreMidway through a difficult discussion in her performance review, an employee named Jane finally cracks, and the tears start. Her boss doesn’t know what to do and handles the situation awkwardly.
Ask yourself: how would you react in this situation? And would you have the same reaction if it were not Jane who was crying but a different employee, Mike?
It can feel like the consensus is that crying should not take place at work. But crying at work is not unusual.
A lot of crying at work happens in the restrooms.
According to a recent survey by mental health app company Headspace, 48% of in-person workers and 44% of hybrid workers have cried due to work. Among fully remote workers, the figure was 70%.
So, do we need to rethink our attitude towards it? And what can you do if you or somebody you know cries at work?
It’s OK to cry
==========
There are many different reasons people cry at work. Difficulties meeting workload demands, interpersonal conflict and major workplace change are all examples of stressors that can contribute to poor mental health and crying.
If it looks like a colleague is crying, it can be hard to know what to say.
But people may also be distressed at work for personal reasons completely unrelated to their work. Whatever the reason, crying is a normal healthy response that should not be suppressed.
Why does crying at work feel different? Crying outside of work is not uncommon – it’s normal at weddings, funerals and other life events. But in the workplace, it can feel unexpected, intense and out of character, making the crier and those around them uncomfortable.
The resulting awkwardness may lead to questions about the motives of the crier. Is this person crying because they are genuinely upset, or are they trying to manipulate the situation?
If a colleague or manager sees the crying as insincere, they will react differently than if they think it’s a display of real emotion. If the crying is believed to relate to an acceptable reason, such as passion or care for the work or significant personal circumstances, the crier is more likely to be excused.
Crying at work may negatively impact career progression, particularly if it is a regular occurrence and distracting from performance.
Gendered norms
==============
Gender norms can also be a factor in crying and how others react to it. Women are more likely to cry and suffer from the consequences of negative stereotypes, including being viewed as emotional, weak or unprofessional. For men, crying is regarded as less acceptable and in violation of male stereotypes.
Regardless of gender, the fear of being seen as unprofessional or insincere can discourage people from crying at work. An organisation’s unique social norms and culture may also influence the way tears are interpreted.
In some workplaces, employees may feel pressured to regulate their emotions, while in more supportive workplaces, emotions are regarded as being part of the human experience.
How to respond
=============
When someone is crying at work, keeping a few important things in mind can help everyone involved feel seen and supported. Here are some tips.
For the person crying:
==================
Shift your focus. Take a deep breath and redirect your thoughts. This will allow you to focus on the matter at hand rather than the tears.
Take a break. Ask for time out to compose yourself. This demonstrates emotional maturity and acknowledges your crying may cause others discomfort.
Reframe the emotion. Help others understand that your response comes from a place of care and deep passion. Clarify if the tears are work or non-work-related to give perspective and understanding.
Seek help if you need it. Consider sources of additional support, such as a doctor or a counsellor.
For a manager or colleague:
=======================
Be prepared. Workers are human, and sometimes they cry. Having an appropriate location for people to take some time out – and small touches like offering a box of tissues – can make a big difference.
Show empathy. Listen actively, don’t jump to conclusions and respect boundaries. Your reaction and behaviours can have a big influence on what happens next.
Challenge your bias. One crying episode does not necessarily demonstrate weakness or a lack of professionalism.
Understand your zone of influence. Is the crying a result of something you, as a manager, have control over? Know your responsibilities and obligations.
Seek help. Unless you are a trained counsellor, you are not a trained counsellor. Know when to seek professional support for yourself or others.
With the intensity and uncertainty of life, it is not surprising that workers may become overwhelmed at times. Crying is a natural part of human behaviour, and it should not come as a surprise in the workplace.
=====================================================
Where is Te Anihana?
The mother of a young woman who went missing more than two weeks ago has made a plea for her daughter to come home.
Te Anihana Pomana, 25, was last seen leaving Sky City on 21 August around 5.06am, leaving all her belongings at the hotel. CCTV footage showed her last known movements.
She was … View moreThe mother of a young woman who went missing more than two weeks ago has made a plea for her daughter to come home.
Te Anihana Pomana, 25, was last seen leaving Sky City on 21 August around 5.06am, leaving all her belongings at the hotel. CCTV footage showed her last known movements.
She was dressed in all white and Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend said she appeared to be "confused" before she disappeared.
Her mother, Catherine Anderson, joined Friend at the Auckland Central Police Base on Friday morning to talk to media and bring more attention to the case.
Anderson said she had travelled to Auckland from Dunedin to help search for her daughter who was last seen in a "dishevelled state" in central Auckland.
"Te Anihana is a much loved daughter, auntie, sister, friend and mokopuna," she said, "as a mother I'm appealing to anyone who has seen her to come forward.
"Te Anihana, if you see this we all love you and miss you and want to know you're okay."
Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend said there was nothing to suggest foul play but the length of time Pomana had been missing and the fact she left all her possessions was worrying.
"We just do not know what's happened to her."
Friend said with such vast networks of CCTV in Auckland city it was surprising Pomana had not been seen on CCTV after leaving Sky City hotel.
Flyers were also being distributed to local businesses.
'Linking up with her heritage'
=======================
Friend said Pomana had been travelling the country before she disappeared and it was believed she was trying to learn more about her heritage, including contacting maraes in Northland.
However, he said there were no recent sighting of her in the Far North.
Police had been in touch with maraes in that area, Friend said.
The last time Pomana was seen was when she was walking down Victoria St West in Auckland's CBD, Friend said, but it was believed on August 20, the day before she disappeared she had taken the WX1 bus to Henderson.
"She got off and caught another one instantly to the city," Friend said. "We are reaching out to anyone who was on that bus to get in touch with us."
He said police were in the process of getting footage from that bus.
Pomana did have whānau in Henderson and West Auckland, Friend said, although most of her whānau lived in the South Island.
"There are people she does know in Auckland, we're trying to establish where she might be.
"She's travelled quite extensively - flew down to Dunedin and stayed briefly with her mother, then travelled to Christchurch with her father, then sought treatment at Middlemore Hospital [in Auckland] for an existing injury, then stayed at multiple hostels and bedsits in Auckland and Sky City Hotel on August 18."
Friend said Pomana was "very resourceful" but police and her loved ones just did not know where she was.
"Our aim is to find her and bring her home to her family."
Te Anihana Pomana's mum Catherine Anderson, with a family member and Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend putting up fliers in Auckland.Te Anihana Pomana's mum Catherine Anderson, with a family member and
Pomana is of thin build, around 154cm tall, with curly black hair and tattoos.
=============================================================
Pomana's last known movements
===========================
Early August - Pomana travelled from Dunedin to Christchurch with her father.
August 2 - She arrived in Auckland and was treated at Middlemore Hospital for existing injuries. She was later discharged.
It's believed she moved between multiple hostels, hotels, and bedsits in early August.
August 18 - Pomana checked into SkyCity Hotel in Central Auckland, at 11.11pm.
August 20 - She was seen on CCTV boarding WX1 bus from Hobson St at 6.37pm. Police believed she travelled to Lincoln Rd in Henderson then returned to city.
August 21 - There was a confirmed sighting on CCTV of Pomana leaving Sky City at 5:06am, where she left all of her belongings behind.
The last confirmed sighting was on Victoria St West that day at 5.16am.
August 29 - Police released CCTV of Te her last known movements.
September 5 - Pomana's mother and police issue an appeal for information about her location.
=====================================================
Lulu's Village Life
Many of our villages are lucky to have four-legged friends like Lulu the poodle!
Lulu is a loved companion with a big personality and an even bigger routine. She’s up at 6am sharp and she never misses an outing - whether it’s a trip to the caravan, a ride in the Bunnings trolley, or even a … View moreMany of our villages are lucky to have four-legged friends like Lulu the poodle!
Lulu is a loved companion with a big personality and an even bigger routine. She’s up at 6am sharp and she never misses an outing - whether it’s a trip to the caravan, a ride in the Bunnings trolley, or even a spin on the jetski with her own life jacket!
Click read more to learn about Lulu's village life.
Find your Candidates in the 2025 local elections
Voting opens soon on Tuesday 9 Sept! 🗳️
You can now find out more about the people standing in your area — candidate profiles are live and ready to view.
👉 Take a look, learn about who’s running, and get informed before you choose who represents you.
Receive a skincare gift with your NZ House & Garden subscription this September
Help your skin feel naturally soft, hydrated, and visibly replenished this spring. For a limited time when you subscribe to NZ House & Garden for 1 or 2 years, you’ll receive a FREE Ceramide Soufflé Fresh Hydration Cream from Antipodes - valued at $64!
Treat yourself to a … View moreHelp your skin feel naturally soft, hydrated, and visibly replenished this spring. For a limited time when you subscribe to NZ House & Garden for 1 or 2 years, you’ll receive a FREE Ceramide Soufflé Fresh Hydration Cream from Antipodes - valued at $64!
Treat yourself to a beautiful magazine subscription and a self-care ritual, all in one.
From the team at Mags4Gifts
*T&Cs apply. Offer available to the first 200 people who subscribe to NZ House & Garden for 1 or 2 years between August 25 - September 21, 2025.
Make It Yours: Create a Custom House Number Plaque with Resene Paints
Create a stylish house number plaque from a terracotta plant saucer and some Resene testpots – we show you how. Find out how to make and finish your own plaque with these easy step by step instructions.
Wanting someone to water blast 10 small cottages. Do you know a reasonably priced person or business to do this.i do have a water blaster that I can supply.
Wanting a person or business to waterblast several small cottages. Can supply a water blaster if needed.
Spring School Holiday Programme
Looking for a fun, safe and engaging way to keep your children active these school holidays? Join Auckland's most awesome school holiday programme!
We offer two activity options every day:
• Adventure Seekers: Enjoy activities like skating, indoor climbing, theatre shows, the All Blacks… View moreLooking for a fun, safe and engaging way to keep your children active these school holidays? Join Auckland's most awesome school holiday programme!
We offer two activity options every day:
• Adventure Seekers: Enjoy activities like skating, indoor climbing, theatre shows, the All Blacks Experience, mini golf and much more.
• Club House: Creative arts, crafts, outdoor games & science experiments, held on-site.
Drop off your children as early as 7:30am and pick up as late as 6pm for no extra charge.
• Dates: 22 September to 3 October
• Locations: Balmoral School, Epsom Normal Primary, Parnell Community Centre
• Time: 7.30am-6pm / 9am- 3pm
• Ages: 5-13
✅ Safe & supervised
✅ Friendly staff
✅ Affordable pricing
✅ MSD approved and OSCAR accredited
For more info and to enrol online visit: villagesquare.org.nz...
From One Home to the Next, We’ve Got You Covered
Moving, relocating or downsizing your home?
Self storage is a great option to save money by reducing the costs of staging your home and being able to make the move at your pace.
Plus you get the peace of mind that retaining access and possession of your belongings brings.
Our staff are … View moreMoving, relocating or downsizing your home?
Self storage is a great option to save money by reducing the costs of staging your home and being able to make the move at your pace.
Plus you get the peace of mind that retaining access and possession of your belongings brings.
Our staff are storage experts and can advise you on all things storage. We are located close to SH20 and Dominion Road. Our undercover loading area makes things easy. Plus we also sell packaging to help keep your items safe. Undercover vehicle storage is also available.
For a free quote or a look around our facility contact us now:
kiwiselfstorage.co.nz...
Call: 09 625 6161
4C Carr Road, Mt Roskill, Auckland 1042
www.kiwiselfstorage.co.nz...
Lemon Season: Got any ideas?
It is lemon season - our trees are bursting and our gardens are covered in citrus peels ... what do you do with your excess lemons?
Share with your community your tips on:
🍋 Harvesting and storage
🍋 Creative uses: recipes, cleaning solutions, health benefits
🍋 Tree care and … View moreIt is lemon season - our trees are bursting and our gardens are covered in citrus peels ... what do you do with your excess lemons?
Share with your community your tips on:
🍋 Harvesting and storage
🍋 Creative uses: recipes, cleaning solutions, health benefits
🍋 Tree care and maintenance
Loading…- Premium Businesses
-
James Clarke Property Property Development & Investment
-
Burford Dental Dentists
-
Clinical Smiles Dental Clinics
- Community Organisations
-
Epsom Community Creche 200 Gillies Avenue, Epsom, Auckland
-
Ficino Montessori Preschool 29 Esplanade Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
- View all organisations
© Neighbourly 2025
