Burwood, Christchurch

DIY right first time #resenetip

DIY right first time #resenetip

Need to brush up your DIY skills? Check out the free MasterStroke by Resene DIY Decorating Manual for everything you need to get started.

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2635 days ago

Landscape Design

Nick from Parklands - Marshlands

Morning All, my wife and I moved into Prestons a year or so ago and at the time everything was all a bit rushed and we just put in a basic garden. Square, plain and not much to get excited about. We are looking for someone who might know a little about landscape design, what plants to put in etc. … View moreMorning All, my wife and I moved into Prestons a year or so ago and at the time everything was all a bit rushed and we just put in a basic garden. Square, plain and not much to get excited about. We are looking for someone who might know a little about landscape design, what plants to put in etc. Thinking of a summer project to redo it all. Any help or recommendations would be appreciated.

2629 days ago

Spotlight on Employment Agreements (lack of . . .)

The Team from Citizens Advice Christchurch Area

Another part of the work Citizens Advice does is to track the sort of calls for help we get and shine a 'spotlight' on areas of concern.

Citizens Advice Bureau releases report that shows many employers are breaking the law

Media Release
7 September 2017

Employers are breaking … View more
Another part of the work Citizens Advice does is to track the sort of calls for help we get and shine a 'spotlight' on areas of concern.

Citizens Advice Bureau releases report that shows many employers are breaking the law

Media Release
7 September 2017

Employers are breaking the law by denying workers their entitlement to a written employment agreement. Citizens Advice Bureau has produced a report based on the situations of 473 clients who contacted the CAB in the six months from 1 December 2016 to 31 May 2017 who did not have written employment agreements and who were dealing with a range of other breaches of their employment rights.

“When there is no written employment agreement, employees are vulnerable to being treated badly by their employer”, said Jayne McKendry, Social Policy Advisor at Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand. Ms McKendry and her colleagues have looked closely at the 473 enquiries and they are appalled at the very clear breaches of law for these people.

“We have seen situations of employees not being paid wages owed to them, having their hours of work changed without discussion, and even being fired on the spot for taking a day’s sick leave” states Ms McKendry. “These are clear abuses of employees’ rights, rights which are very clearly stated in the law”, McKendry noted.

The CAB acknowledges that having a written employment agreement doesn’t guarantee that minimum standards of employment will be upheld, but they assert that a written agreement is a fundamental starting point for any employment relationship. They are calling on all employers, regardless of the size of their business, to make sure they understand their obligations to their staff.

“If you don’t know what’s legally required of you as an employer, it’s time you found out. There is plenty of information and support available to help you”, asserts McKendry.

CABs have seen many situations where things have gone awry at the end of the employment relationship, something that could have been prevented if there was a written employment agreement giving both parties a clear understanding about giving notice and about treating each other fairly and in good faith. “Having a written employment agreement makes life easier for both employers and employees” McKendry noted.

“CABs have received enquiries from clients who got fired on the spot for having a day off sick, or who’ve been told to either work longer hours or leave, or even for asking for an employment agreement. This is clearly unfair, and unlawful.”

“We’ve also talked to people who’ve just walked off the job with no, or very little, notice. In this situation, not having a written employment agreement doesn’t help the employer either”, Ms McKendry noted.

The Labour Inspectorate has statutory powers to enforce compliance with employment laws but given how widespread non-compliance is, they are seriously under-resourced to be able to respond to every breach. There is also currently nowhere for employees to go to safely report a breach of their rights and know that action will be taken in a way that will not back-fire on them.

The CAB believes that a more integrated cross-government approach is needed to address these issues, both in terms of educating employers and ensuring compliance with minimum employment standards.

The CAB hopes their report will prompt employers to get things in order and make sure every worker has a written employment agreement. “We also hope it will prompt government agencies to think of other ways to educate and upskill employers, to ensure there are consequences for those who knowingly disregard the law, and to make it easier for employees to report breaches of their rights without fear of losing their job if they do. We will certainly be advocating for this every chance we get,” Jayne concluded.

Link to full report attached

Also link on where to find us in Christchurch

Contact: Jayne McKendry, Social Policy Advisor, CABNZ, Phone 04 471 2735

Citizens Advice Bureau is an independent community organisation offering free, confidential and independent information, advice and assistance from 83 locations stretching from Northland to Invercargill. Last year volunteers received over 500,000 enquiries on issues ranging from health and family, immigration, housing and employment to consumer rights.

2629 days ago

Redcliffs landswap approved by Council

Media Team from Christchurch City Council

Christchurch's Redcliffs School will rebuild a new campus following today's Council decision.
Read more at NEWSLINE: bit.ly...

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2629 days ago

Poll: Mahuru Māori: what does mana mean?

Shannon Beynon Reporter from Christchurch Mail

Morena.
Here's our fourth challenge for the week, leading up to next week's Māori Language Week - we'll be running these over the weekend as well, so only toru more to go.
How good is your reo? We're going to challenge you to guess what common Māori words and phrases mean … View more
Morena.
Here's our fourth challenge for the week, leading up to next week's Māori Language Week - we'll be running these over the weekend as well, so only toru more to go.
How good is your reo? We're going to challenge you to guess what common Māori words and phrases mean every day this week. Take your best guess - and no cheating (Googling) until after you've guessed!

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Mahuru Māori: what does mana mean?
  • 26.8% Power or physical strength
    26.8% Complete
  • 3.7% Love or affection
    3.7% Complete
  • 1.2% Hope or optimism
    1.2% Complete
  • 68.3% Prestige or great authority
    68.3% Complete
82 votes
2630 days ago
2630 days ago

Christchurch Rental Market

For those of you interested in what the rental market is doing in Christchurch, please have a read of this link. If you have any questions, please call our office.

2630 days ago

John MacKay - The Creation, Guy On Climate Change

Carl from Avondale

TLC Baptist is excited to warmly welcomed all to an evening with world renowned Creation Scientist, director of Creation Research, John MacKay, presenting a multimedia presentation on "Climate Change". John is a global presented, educator and debater of academic, and experiential … View moreTLC Baptist is excited to warmly welcomed all to an evening with world renowned Creation Scientist, director of Creation Research, John MacKay, presenting a multimedia presentation on "Climate Change". John is a global presented, educator and debater of academic, and experiential distinction in the field of science and faith. Bring your friends, family and Questions for an informative and engaging evening. John will also be presenting Wednesday 13th September - at 7pm on "Science, Faith and Fact" at Hillview Christian School Gym. These are free events, and an offering will be taken up to support Creation Research for all those who wish to contribute to the vital ministry. Contact: Pastor Carl Bromley for further information: (021) 658 430 - carlbromley@gmail.com

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2630 days ago

City bees: hive of activity

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Hello neighbours, thought you might enjoy this article about the bees you share your city with.

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2630 days ago

Poll: Mahuru Māori: what does taonga mean?

Shannon Beynon Reporter from Christchurch Mail

Morena.
Here's our third challenge for the week, leading up to next week's Māori Language Week.
How good is your reo? We're going to challenge you to guess what common Māori words and phrases mean every day this week. Take your best guess - and no cheating (Googling) until after … View more
Morena.
Here's our third challenge for the week, leading up to next week's Māori Language Week.
How good is your reo? We're going to challenge you to guess what common Māori words and phrases mean every day this week. Take your best guess - and no cheating (Googling) until after you've guessed!

Image
Mahuru Māori: what does taonga mean?
  • 6.3% A fearless warrior
    6.3% Complete
  • 73.7% A highly prized resource or object
    73.7% Complete
  • 9.5% An ancient fable or story
    9.5% Complete
  • 10.5% An artifact from long ago
    10.5% Complete
95 votes
2631 days ago

How much do our customers save?

Electric from Auckland Central

Hey everyone. Over the past year over 1000 customers provided us with a bill from their previous supplier when they joined. We ran the numbers, and we’re proud to say that customers switching to Electric Kiwi save $240 a year on average! Maybe that’s why we are NZ's fastest growing power … View moreHey everyone. Over the past year over 1000 customers provided us with a bill from their previous supplier when they joined. We ran the numbers, and we’re proud to say that customers switching to Electric Kiwi save $240 a year on average! Maybe that’s why we are NZ's fastest growing power company?

Want to know what you could save? Head to our online calculator.
Find out more

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2631 days ago

How's your hongi?

Shannon Beynon Reporter from Christchurch Mail

In many parts of New Zealand the hongi is a pretty normal greeting,
between friends on the streets, family members or team mates after a
big game, filling the same function as a handshake. But the gesture
also has solemn and spiritual roots, useful on the marae and in the
home. A distinctively … View more
In many parts of New Zealand the hongi is a pretty normal greeting,
between friends on the streets, family members or team mates after a
big game, filling the same function as a handshake. But the gesture
also has solemn and spiritual roots, useful on the marae and in the
home. A distinctively kiwi greeting. Have you experienced a hongi?
Where was that? The big question though, with wiki o te reo Māori
coming up, would you use the hongi in your everyday life, making it
the standard greeting in your area?
** We may with to use your comments in print. Please indicate if you're not happy with your words appearing in the paper by placing NFP at the end of your comment.**

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C
2632 days ago

calling all facebook users

Crystal from New Brighton

Hey neighbours, I've entered my first design competition and need your help! if you are on facebook, are you please able to give my entry a like - its a reflective doggy coat made from an upcycled suit jacket :-) Thanks everyone for your help!
www.facebook.com...

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2632 days ago

Waterblaster dying out on me

Scott from Aranui

Hi does anyone know of someone who knows alot bout water blasters. I have a Briggs and Stratton 6.5hp. Which starts then Dies on me. It has been sitting for 6 months.

2631 days ago

Streets for People

Media Team from Christchurch City Council

Streets for People! Central City Street Party.. you don't want to miss it! More details to come: bit.ly...

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