2004 days ago

Major scrub fire near Aoraki/Mt Cook burns for second day

Jake Kenny Reporter from Community News

A large blaze burning through wilding pines near the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park has spread significantly overnight.

The fire has been burning since about 11.25am on Sunday after flaring up on a Twizel riverbed and spreading to a large forest on Mt Cook Rd (State Highway 80).

It grew to 2500 hectares and had a 23 kilometre perimeter by Sunday night but on Monday, there was "significant spread" overnight and it was now covering 3100 hectares.

There are 17 helicopters and two fixed-wing aircraft battling the fire, with the first helicopters equipped with monsoon buckets going up at first light.

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More messages from your neighbours
21 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.

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4 hours ago

Step by step for a great cause!

The Team from Richard Hadlee Retirement Village

Our amazing Hillary Hikers from Edmund Hillary Village showed their support for Bowel Cancer New Zealand's Move Your Butt campaign this month!

Sporting the bright purple and orange campaign shirts, these wonderful walkers hit the Auckland waterfront and marched from Mission Bay to Kohimarama, raising awareness for bowel cancer and the importance of early detection along the way.

Click read more to read the full story.

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20 hours ago

🧩😏 Riddle me this, Neighbours…

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?

Do you think you know the answer?

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