Avonside - Dallington, Christchurch

Helping hand #resenetip

Helping hand #resenetip

Need to paint but need some help?  Resene Eco.Decorators can repaint your home with Eco Choice approved Resene paints.

21 days ago

Ryman Care - Your Free Guide

Diana Isaac Retirement Village

Choosing the right care centre is an important decision. To help you, we’ve put together The Ryman Care Guide to highlight the care, kindness and comfort that our care centres provide.

At Ryman villages, we offer care options customised to suit your needs. Our villages all offer rest home … View more
Choosing the right care centre is an important decision. To help you, we’ve put together The Ryman Care Guide to highlight the care, kindness and comfort that our care centres provide.

At Ryman villages, we offer care options customised to suit your needs. Our villages all offer rest home care, and most also offer hospital and specialist dementia care.

Our assisted living apartments are in the heart of the village and include services like housekeeping and chef-prepared meals to make life easier.

Discover the kindness and comfort of Ryman care, request your free copy today.

Click read more for your free guide.

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21 days ago

Laundry love

The Team from Resene ColorShop Shirley

Banish plastic and add style with painted cane and wicker baskets in your laundry in your favourite Resene colours. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.

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22 days ago

A note about community mail theft

The Team from Canterbury Police

Please follow our top tips to reduce the risk of mail theft:
✉️ Clear your letterbox in a timely manner
✉️ Put a hold on your mail delivery if you’re going away
✉️ Provide clear delivery instructions for couriers to leave a package safely hidden or secured within your property
View more
Please follow our top tips to reduce the risk of mail theft:
✉️ Clear your letterbox in a timely manner
✉️ Put a hold on your mail delivery if you’re going away
✉️ Provide clear delivery instructions for couriers to leave a package safely hidden or secured within your property
✉️ Install security cameras and/or security camera messaging near your letterbox or front of property
✉️ Where practical, consider click and collect over delivery
✉️ Send parcels to a work address or ensuring you're home when they arrive
✉️ Contact Police (111 for immediate issues or 105 if it is after the fact) if you see people loitering around vehicles or looking into car windows
✉️ Engage in neighbourhood groups so more people can keep an eye out for suspicious activity

These tips are being shared after a 44-year-old woman will appear in Pukekohe District Court on 28 March charged with theft.
An alleged mail thief in the Pukekohe area has hand-delivered herself into Police, following assistance from the community.
Counties Manukau South Senior Sergeant MJ Riddle says Police were aware of locals discussing a mail theft on social media. A report was made to Police at the time in January and had included enough detail including CCTV footage and a vehicle of interest. Following Police enquiries, the woman has brought herself into the Pukekohe Police Station a few days later.

“This is a great result for the community and a timely reminder to the public to continue reporting any thefts from letterboxes.”
Senior Sergeant Riddle says
“Our community should be able to receive parcels and mail without concern of interference but unfortunately there are people in our communities who take advantage of opportunities to commit thefts from mail boxes and front porches."

“We encourage anyone who has been the victim of dishonesty offending to report it as soon as possible,” she says."

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22 days ago

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”

Leslie from Avonside - Dallington

This is the true meaning of kindness - Family remember Life Guard & offer him a home 'I wanted to cry': Amputee no longer homeless thanks to Stuff reader
For the first time in almost a year, an amputee who was living in a garage has secure housing.

29 days ago

Regional council ECan proposes hefty rate rises

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By reporter Keiller MacDuff:

Environment Canterbury (ECan) floated one of the largest proposed average rates rises in the country on Wednesday - more than 24% - a day after the Christchurch City Council adopted a draft proposal for a 13% rates rise.

Councils nationwide are proposing … View more
By reporter Keiller MacDuff:

Environment Canterbury (ECan) floated one of the largest proposed average rates rises in the country on Wednesday - more than 24% - a day after the Christchurch City Council adopted a draft proposal for a 13% rates rise.

Councils nationwide are proposing significant rises as interest rates bite and increasing severe weather calls for more resilience work.

ECan councillors voted 14:2 to adopt the consultation document for its long-term plan (LTP), which outlines the council's activities, services and finances for the next decade, with councillors Clair McKay and Deon Swiggs voting against the recommendation.

The plan will see ECan spend more than $340 million in the first year, a 26% increase on the $270m programme carried out in 2023-24.

The draft says the council gave “strong consideration“ to the financial pressures the community is facing, but previous decisions on flood management and public transport combined with high inflation meant just maintaining current work required a double digit increase.

The actual rating impact will differ depending on location and targeted rates, meaning the increase will be between 13% and 27%.

If the regional council’s preferred options are adopted, a Christchurch city ratepayer with a $820,000 property would pay $750 in the first year of the plan, while a $1.9m rural property in Hurunui faced a $1030 rates bill for 2024-25, and a $4.76m rural Ashburton property would pay $2681 in rates.

Of ECan's three core services - environmental regulation and protection, hazard preparedness and response, and public transport - the latter has the biggest cost.

The council’s preferred public transport option has a $160m price tag for the first year (a total of $542m over three years) and would see the Public Transport Futures programme improvements delivered within seven years, including upping core bus routes to ten minute frequencies or better by 2028, with average wait times of five minutes.

It also includes:
- More direct services to parts of Waimakariri and Selwyn, starting in 2026-27.
- A review of connector and local services by mid-2026, with improvements implemented by 2031.
- An additional Diamond Harbour ferry and refurbishment of the existing ferry.
- Improvements to the network, such as increasing capacity on crowded buses and small tweaks to routes or frequency
- Enhanced safety improvements, increased investment in reliability and the continued replacement of end-of-life diesel buses with new electric buses.

The option also includes funding to “explore opportunities” to improve transport to and from Te Kaha, on demand services in Greater Christchurch, and - long term - looking at asset ownership.

The document notes the region has “historically under-invested in public transport,” leading to low usage, and proposes “considerable investment.” But both the regional council and the auditor, whose report was also tabled, drew attention to the “high level of uncertainty” surrounding the government’s contribution.

The council’s preferred option for environmental regulation and protection would cost $135m for the LTP’s first year, and could sit alongside a targeted rate for additional biodiversity work in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.

The separate biodiversity rate works out at 72 cents per $100,000 capital value of rateable properties.

ECan’s preferred option for community preparedness and hazard response - $50.5m - includes a targeted rate for Selwyn residents for district-wide flood and river resilience work.

The targeted rate would cost $7.08 per rate paying property in the first year, $10.62 in the second year, and $14.16 in the third year, raising $400,000 in 2026-27.

Most councillors expressed misgivings about the scale of the proposed rise, but backed the document through the consultation process.

McKay accused her fellow councillors of being “tone deaf”, and asked what right the council had “to treat our ratepayers as an ATM machine?”

She criticised the amount of borrowing and said she was “embarrassed to be associated” with the amount council sought.

Swiggs also expressed misgivings about debt funding, and criticised the local government funding model in general.

“Imagine if Wellington had to budget the way we have to,” Swiggs said, commenting on the discrepency in tax take between central and local government,.

On Tuesday, the Christchurch City Council voted 13 to 4 in favour of a draft long-term plan that proposes an average rates increase of 13.24% from June, followed by 7.76% in the following financial year, and 4.67% the year after.

Consultation on ECan’s draft LTP will run from mid-March to mid-April, with hearings scheduled for the end of April and early May. The council is scheduled to deliberate at the end of May with a view to adopt the plan and set rates in late June.

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23 days ago

Could our dream of pest-free tomatoes come true?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

"What I have harvested from that greenhouse this year, that’s the cleanest crop I have ever grown. No whitefly at all. It’s pretty exciting,” says Anthony Tringham, who grows heirloom tomatoes commercially under the brand Curious Croppers, in Clevedon, Auckland

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25 days ago

Poll: Is it okay to take fruit from a neighbour's tree?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

This week we are wondering about some neighbour etiquette that can cause conflict. If your neighbour has a tree overflowing with fruit that is visible from the road, is it okay to help yourself? Share your thoughts below.

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded … View more
This week we are wondering about some neighbour etiquette that can cause conflict. If your neighbour has a tree overflowing with fruit that is visible from the road, is it okay to help yourself? Share your thoughts below.

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.

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Is it okay to take fruit from a neighbour's tree?
  • 18.3% Yes
    18.3% Complete
  • 75.6% No
    75.6% Complete
  • 6.2% Other - I'll share below
    6.2% Complete
2438 votes
23 days ago

WIN A $50 Gift Card

The Team from NZ Compare

WIN ONE of FIVE $50 Gift Cards - It's only a few clicks away! Simply complete our easy Broadband Survey and unlock your chance to WIN! Start Survey now.

Our recent neighbourly poll revealed some challenges with broadband providers, and we're here to help. The survey will help us get a … View more
WIN ONE of FIVE $50 Gift Cards - It's only a few clicks away! Simply complete our easy Broadband Survey and unlock your chance to WIN! Start Survey now.

Our recent neighbourly poll revealed some challenges with broadband providers, and we're here to help. The survey will help us get a better understanding of your experience with your current broadband provider. Let your voice be heard.
Start survey now

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23 days ago

Quality planters

Bruce from Edgeware

Hand made quality planters done in different sizes to suit your back or front yard will measure your area for a size free quotes, text on 0221713116 or message me

24 days ago

Compare & SAVE on the Go

The Team from NZ Compare

Have a pesky power bill from Summer aircon use?

Dive into NZ Compare and effortlessly COMPARE broadband, power, mobile & more to uncover the best deals and save money for the rest of 2024!
So you can keep using that aircon!

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25 days ago

Building & repairs

Scott Bennetts from Reaction Homes Ltd

Hi all,
We are qualified licensed builders that specialize in:
Bathroom renovations.
Renovations
General building & repairs .
Gutter repairs & cleans
Carport builds
Decks & Pergolas… View more
Hi all,
We are qualified licensed builders that specialize in:
Bathroom renovations.
Renovations
General building & repairs .
Gutter repairs & cleans
Carport builds
Decks & Pergolas
Gib repairs
Window replacements
Door replacements
Door handles
Shed builds
Roof repairs
Waterblasting
If you would like a free no-obligation quote, please call
Scott 0278442388

25 days ago

Last week to enter neighbours!

Prospa

Have you nominated a small business in your community yet? The Prospa Local Business Hero Awards close this week!

Whether you know a great plumber, supermarket, mechanic, bookstore, hairdresser, gardener, pharmacy, builder, shoe store, cafe or electrician - show some love to a small business and… View more
Have you nominated a small business in your community yet? The Prospa Local Business Hero Awards close this week!

Whether you know a great plumber, supermarket, mechanic, bookstore, hairdresser, gardener, pharmacy, builder, shoe store, cafe or electrician - show some love to a small business and make a nomination today.

You'll not only help drum up some support for them in your community, you could also help them win a $10,000 prize package. Plus if your nomination is a regional finalist you'll win a $100 Prezzy® card too!
Nominate now

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25 days ago

Want chocolate this Easter?

NZ House & Garden

The sweetest time of the year is just around the corner, and we’ve put together a great deal that will make it even sweeter.

Bennetto Chocolate has helped us put together an amazing chocolate box that’ll be the perfect addition to an NZ House & Garden subscription this Easter. Simply … View more
The sweetest time of the year is just around the corner, and we’ve put together a great deal that will make it even sweeter.

Bennetto Chocolate has helped us put together an amazing chocolate box that’ll be the perfect addition to an NZ House & Garden subscription this Easter. Simply purchase a 1 or 2-year subscription to NZ House & Garden and the Easter Bunny will deliver you a Bennetto Chocolate Box worth $50 for FREE! T&Cs Apply.

Enjoy,
The team at NZ House & Garden
Find out more

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25 days ago

Wanted to buy/sell

Kay from Mairehau

Hi I have replaced my child’s bunks with full sized ones for my teenage grandchildren
I now wish to sell the smaller bunks&2 mattresses($100)& buy 2 good single mattresses

Price: $100

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26 days ago

Would you like to take part in the paper clip challenge?

Tanya from Burwood

Hi all (this is my mum's account - I don't have my own), I've been set the paper clip challenge in my high school commerce class, where you start with a paper clip and trade it up for another item, which you then trade up for another item, etc (if you’ve not heard of this … View moreHi all (this is my mum's account - I don't have my own), I've been set the paper clip challenge in my high school commerce class, where you start with a paper clip and trade it up for another item, which you then trade up for another item, etc (if you’ve not heard of this challenge, see link below to learn more).

I've done pretty well so far; I've traded up to a Vodafone Smart V8 (VFD710) in amazing condition. It’s barely used, factory reset, and has no marks or scratches (see photos attached and link for specs). It looks like it retails for around $120 e.g. from Ebay (see link below).


Do any of you or someone you know need a phone, and have something of a bit higher value but that you have no use for, and would be happy to trade for the phone? If you do, please reply to this post, or message me directly.

Or it might not be a phone that you want. If there’s something else you’re after, and you’ve got something suitable to trade it for, let me know, in case it comes up in one of my later trades.

I can put updates on here to let you know how the challenge goes 😊

Thanks so much for your time!!

Learn more about the challenge:
en.wikipedia.org...

Phone specs:
www.gsmarena.com......

Current Ebay listing (as of 23/02/2024): www.ebay.co.uk......

Negotiable

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