2343 days ago

How hunting for bugs is linked to Daylight Saving Time

The Team from Auckland Museum

Fossicking amongst the flowers, turning over leaves and inspecting tree trunks: all essential parts of hunting for bugs, but not your typical after-work activity. However in 1895, George Hudson, a New Zealand entomologist, proposed a two hour time shift for this very reason, so he’d have more after-work hours of sunshine to go bug hunting in the summer, and thus the modern concept of daylight saving time came to be!

As you enjoy your lighter summer afternoons now that daylight saving time has started, keep an eye out for bugs in your backyard – you never know what you might find!

Here is John Early our Curator of Entomology collecting kelp fly larvae in Takapuna, Robert Vennell our Botany Collection Manager collecting dragonflies in Piha and the daughters of our Land Fauna Collection Manager Ruby Moore off to collect insects from a stream in Ngataki. All in a day's work here at Auckland Museum!

More messages from your neighbours
5 days ago

Denim, but make it one-of-a-kind 💙

The Team from SPCA Auckland - Centres & Op Shops

Not every pair of jeans makes it to the rack... but that doesn’t mean their story ends there. Our talented volunteer Annie has been transforming damaged denim into handcrafted bags, hats and aprons in our Onehunga SPCA Op Shop ✂️🧵

This latest batch even features her own hand-sewn designs, and customers have been loving them, they sell almost as soon as they hit the shelf!

It’s creativity, sustainability and community all stitched together, helping animals in need 🐾

📍 217 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga
🕘 9am–5pm, 7 days

7 days ago

Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!

William Hansby Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.

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3 days ago

Scam Alert: Bank cold calls

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

ASB is warning customers about reports of cold calls from scammers claiming to be from ASB. These scammers are trying to obtain personal information, including usernames, dates of birth, and verification codes sent to your mobile phone.

🛡️ The "Caller Check" Test
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from ASB and you’re unsure, just ask them for a Caller Check. You will then be able to verify the call through the app.

Remember, banks will:​​
❌ Never ask for your banking passwords, PINs, or verification codes​​
❌ Never need to know your full credit card number – especially the CVC
❌ Never ask you to download software or remotely access your device​​
❌ Never ask you to purchase gift cards or transfer funds.

If you have received a phone call and think your account has been compromised, call ASB on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or visit your local branch.

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