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Kia ora neighbours,
A muralist from Glenbrook has been beautifying the Franklin district one wall at a time.
This week, Brigita Botma has been bringing a touch of colour to the Waiuku Coastguard club rooms, and has plans for more community walls in the region.
Botma has been painting since she … View moreKia ora neighbours,
A muralist from Glenbrook has been beautifying the Franklin district one wall at a time.
This week, Brigita Botma has been bringing a touch of colour to the Waiuku Coastguard club rooms, and has plans for more community walls in the region.
Botma has been painting since she was a child, and has been seriously working as a full time artist for the last few years.
Since then, she has been commissioned to paint over a hundred murals around the Franklin area, some stretching several metres and others as small as streetside Chorus cabinets.
She said she takes her inspiration from the natural outdoors, especially native plants and birds to Aotearoa.
When Botma paints, she says it’s like she’s dreaming. The painting comes naturally now, so she can let her mind drift and meditate.
One of her favourite parts of the job is the community support and encouragement, especially when people stop by as she is painting to say hello and watch her work.
The name she paints under, Manabell, is a combination of her maiden name Bell, and the Pacific word Mana. Her mother is Samoan, and she said Mana reminds her of the pride and respect she puts into her work.
Where she paints in areas prone to vandalism, graffiti and tagging drops off, she said.
“It does deter vandals a lot. I think a lot of people who spray paint walls consider themselves artists so they wouldn’t paint over someone else’s work,” she said.
Our region's vibrant cultures are celebrated this month with World of Cultures (18 March - 3 April).
This festival offers free activities online and in-person across Tāmaki Makaurau.
With easy long-distance international travel still a way off, you can still immerse yourself in Pacific … View moreOur region's vibrant cultures are celebrated this month with World of Cultures (18 March - 3 April).
This festival offers free activities online and in-person across Tāmaki Makaurau.
With easy long-distance international travel still a way off, you can still immerse yourself in Pacific weaving, admire hand-drawn Indonesian batik fabrics, join a Bollywood dance class and watch live cultural performances.
Although this year's festival is smaller due to COVID-19 restrictions, World of Cultures is a great opportunity to learn, dance, eat and explore everything that makes Auckland a unique and incredible place to live.
Visit the World of Cultures website for more activity details including COVID-19 restrictions for in-person events by clicking on -Read More'.
Maybe you’re thinking the recycling fairies at Auckland Council will magically sort your hazardous waste.
Gas bottles cause fires in rubbish and recycling trucks. Take your gas bottle to TankTest or Matagas for free, or drop it off at a Community Recycling Centre. Never put a gas bottle in … View moreMaybe you’re thinking the recycling fairies at Auckland Council will magically sort your hazardous waste.
Gas bottles cause fires in rubbish and recycling trucks. Take your gas bottle to TankTest or Matagas for free, or drop it off at a Community Recycling Centre. Never put a gas bottle in your kerbside bin, Think before you throw.
Autumn is here, and because your window furnishings are valuable, they must be carefully maintained. You can trust our experienced team to professionally clean your curtains, drapes or blinds.
We offer full take down and rehang service and can provide a replacement service while your drapes are… View moreAutumn is here, and because your window furnishings are valuable, they must be carefully maintained. You can trust our experienced team to professionally clean your curtains, drapes or blinds.
We offer full take down and rehang service and can provide a replacement service while your drapes are being cleaned.
Textile Cleaning Services Tip:
Did you know that privacy glass or tinted windows can help protect your curtains from 99% of harsh UV sun rays.
Phone us at (09)473-5350 for a free quote, visit us at 5A Kaimahi Road, Wairau Valley or www.textilecleaning.co.nz.
Come and have a look - as the last day is next Thursday, April 7th.
Inspired by root vegetables, our Diploma chef students have prepared vegetable Ravioli made not with pasta but from Beetroot and Swede (Rutabaga). The vegetable ravioli is stuffed with a puree of mushrooms.
For the second dish, tomatoes with stuffed with tomato compote, basil mayo, and … View moreInspired by root vegetables, our Diploma chef students have prepared vegetable Ravioli made not with pasta but from Beetroot and Swede (Rutabaga). The vegetable ravioli is stuffed with a puree of mushrooms.
For the second dish, tomatoes with stuffed with tomato compote, basil mayo, and Parmigiano wafers.
Temperatures are going down, but it's easy to bring the warmth up at home without heating up your power bill or our planet.
It's second nature to us to add layers when we go out. We pull on socks, leggings, jumpers, coats, and hats.
For a warm and inviting winter home, layer up … View moreTemperatures are going down, but it's easy to bring the warmth up at home without heating up your power bill or our planet.
It's second nature to us to add layers when we go out. We pull on socks, leggings, jumpers, coats, and hats.
For a warm and inviting winter home, layer up your spaces with our growing range of sustainable and affordable cushions, throws, and furniture.
Start adding your layers today and by the time winter really kicks in, you'll be ready to kick back and relax.
As we have seen with the flooding in New South Wales and Queensland in Australia, climate can pose a significant threat to our homes!
Thousands of people have been evacuated, and many made homeless as a result of the floods. Our homes are often our most significant investments, and the cost of … View moreAs we have seen with the flooding in New South Wales and Queensland in Australia, climate can pose a significant threat to our homes!
Thousands of people have been evacuated, and many made homeless as a result of the floods. Our homes are often our most significant investments, and the cost of these events can be devastating!
Using the Climate Insights residential property tool, you can identify any risks that your home may face in the future with a changing climate. This information, along with adaptation options, allows you to prepare!
Hi neighbours, a heads-up that we’re carrying out essential maintenance on State Highway 1 between Pokeno and Hampton Downs from 9pm-5am for periods between 27 March – 17 May. Traffic will be able to travel in both
directions using contraflow and the following signposted detours:
• … View moreHi neighbours, a heads-up that we’re carrying out essential maintenance on State Highway 1 between Pokeno and Hampton Downs from 9pm-5am for periods between 27 March – 17 May. Traffic will be able to travel in both
directions using contraflow and the following signposted detours:
• Northbound Mercer to Pokeno. Detour via Great South Road or Helenslee Road, Pokeno township
• Southbound Island Block Road to Springhill Road (Meremere) - Detour via Te Puea Ave
• Southbound Pokeno North off-ramp to Pioneer Road South SB intersection. Detour via Great South Road or Helenslee Road, Pokeno township
Thanks for your support during this time.
The team at Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
It’s almost time to Drive Away a Dream! Just spend $100 or more in-store or online at www.heathcotes.co.nz and you’ll be in to win a new Volkswagen Tiguan Sport!*
Shop our range of TV, Audio, Kitchen, Laundry, IT, Cameras & more and for a limited time, score double entries with every … View moreIt’s almost time to Drive Away a Dream! Just spend $100 or more in-store or online at www.heathcotes.co.nz and you’ll be in to win a new Volkswagen Tiguan Sport!*
Shop our range of TV, Audio, Kitchen, Laundry, IT, Cameras & more and for a limited time, score double entries with every eligible purchase! Entries close April 5th , so get in quick!
The Heathcotes Team
*T&Cs apply. Double Entries available on eligible purchases made between March 24th 2022 & April 5th 2022. View full promotion terms here.
Putting a tasty and nutritious meal in front of our families each night is important for many of us, but with work, school, and activities in the way, it can also become a stressful chore.
Dinner Sorted delivers a week's worth of delicious, satisfying recipes that should please the whole … View morePutting a tasty and nutritious meal in front of our families each night is important for many of us, but with work, school, and activities in the way, it can also become a stressful chore.
Dinner Sorted delivers a week's worth of delicious, satisfying recipes that should please the whole family, sent to your inbox on Saturday mornings. As a bonus you'll also get our Weekend Baking collection, perfect for filling the baking tins, lunchboxes, or just that 4pm gap.
Subscribe by 5pm on 4 April and go in the draw to win a 65" Sony TV. For details and T&Cs see here.
Sign up here (it's free!).
Sold something in record time? Reunited with a furry friend? Or maybe you formed a friendship with a neighbour? We'd love to hear about it.
Tell us your best Neighbourly story and you could win a prize from our spot prize cupboard. We’re looking for stories from our member's … View moreSold something in record time? Reunited with a furry friend? Or maybe you formed a friendship with a neighbour? We'd love to hear about it.
Tell us your best Neighbourly story and you could win a prize from our spot prize cupboard. We’re looking for stories from our member's experiences with Neighbourly. It doesn't have to be anything momentous; some of the simplest stories are the most heart-warming.
Have fun learning the fundamental baking and patisserie techniques required to prepare a range of classic cakes, pastries, desserts and breads.
You will learn to prepare delicious cakes and gateaux, shortcrust & puff pastry, breads, brioche, soufflés, ice-creams etc.
.
Part-time: 10 … View moreHave fun learning the fundamental baking and patisserie techniques required to prepare a range of classic cakes, pastries, desserts and breads.
You will learn to prepare delicious cakes and gateaux, shortcrust & puff pastry, breads, brioche, soufflés, ice-creams etc.
.
Part-time: 10 weeks, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 3 pm - 8pm.
Starts: 13 April - 16 June 2022
Hi everyone,
With overseas tourists set to return to NZ shortly, we're looking at doing a light-hearted piece on the odd questions Kiwis have been asked about NZ. You may have seen the post doing the rounds on social media at the moment asking whether English is spoken here and suggesting NZ … View moreHi everyone,
With overseas tourists set to return to NZ shortly, we're looking at doing a light-hearted piece on the odd questions Kiwis have been asked about NZ. You may have seen the post doing the rounds on social media at the moment asking whether English is spoken here and suggesting NZ is a state of Australia (see below). Have you ever been asked anything surprising about NZ? Feel free to message me or comment below. Please put 'NFP' (not for publication) in your comment if you do not want it or your name included in the article. Thanks very much for your help and happy travels.
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