302 days ago

The Best Backyard Build winner

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

It was a very hard decision but we've chosen our winner of the Best Backyard Build as Todd Haswell of Raureka. Congratulations, Todd!

His entry reads:
A couple of years ago my wife said "Can you make me a cuppa tea area down the back? Something with a cover over it."
Me being a graphic artist by trade, I went overboard and made this. Most of the timber is offcuts or leftover from years of not throwing anything out. The doors are from the old Napier Hospital. The two side ones open up on top like stable doors. At night lights come on in the windows (solar), which makes it look like a little house. However the back wall is the centre door.

We think his entry is very creative and impressive. Give this post a Like if you agree!

This wraps up our Backyard Awards - we hope you enjoyed taking part and seeing your neighbour's creations.

More messages from your neighbours
2 days ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.

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G
3 hours ago

Book Cellar Christmas Opening hours

Gail from Cashmere

Merry Christmas from The Book Cellar!
The summer break is the perfect time to relax with a book or two (or three or four…). And, of course, books make excellent gifts. There is still time to come in and find the perfect read for you or someone else.
We are open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week as usual, then our Christmas hours are:
Monday 22nd December, 10am – 3pm
Wednesday 24th December, 10am – 12noon
Friday 26th December (Boxing Day), 10am – 1pm (last day for the year).

We will reopen with our usual hours on Thursday 8th January 2026

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24 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.

Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.

Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?

Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!

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