Sydenham, Christchurch

Get to know your neighbours

Get to know your neighbours

It starts with you introducing yourself. Head to our Know Thy Neighbour page now.

1629 days ago

Sign a new gardener up for our free weekly sow and grow advice!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

In this week's issue we say Asian greens are quick and easy for impatient gardeners. Plus check out shrubs to grow from hardwood cuttings, go on an autumn pest patrol, tidy up the vege patch, save nuts from rats and get ready for bad weather.

Read about growing herbs from cuttings and seeds. … View more
In this week's issue we say Asian greens are quick and easy for impatient gardeners. Plus check out shrubs to grow from hardwood cuttings, go on an autumn pest patrol, tidy up the vege patch, save nuts from rats and get ready for bad weather.

Read about growing herbs from cuttings and seeds. We also have some great prizes up for grabs, including Thrive Citrus Plant Food from Yates and Green Feed seed packs from Burnet’s.

Delivered every Friday to your email inbox, Get Growing digital magazine offers seasonal gardening advice from the NZ Gardener magazine's team of experts. Each week we answer all your burning questions on raising fruit and veges and tell you the top tasks to do in your backyard this weekend. Subscribe here:

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1629 days ago

Transform a wooden mail tray.

The Team from Resene ColorShop Lichfield Street

Refresh an old fashioned mail tray with a modern new look using the Resene Whites and Neutrals range.

Reinvent it as a magazine holder, spice rack or use it to hold your favourite cookbooks. Paint the front panel in Resene FX Blackboard Paint and use it as a handy writing space.

Make the most … View more
Refresh an old fashioned mail tray with a modern new look using the Resene Whites and Neutrals range.

Reinvent it as a magazine holder, spice rack or use it to hold your favourite cookbooks. Paint the front panel in Resene FX Blackboard Paint and use it as a handy writing space.

Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene.

Find out how to create your own Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene.

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1629 days ago

Don’t flush wipes, keep workers safe.

Ministry For The Environment

You might be using more wet wipes to keep your home clean, but it’s very important not to flush them afterwards.

They block up the pipes, which then need fixing immediately. When workers have to leave home to fix blocked pipes, they’re at risk of COVID-19. That puts everyone else in their … View more
You might be using more wet wipes to keep your home clean, but it’s very important not to flush them afterwards.

They block up the pipes, which then need fixing immediately. When workers have to leave home to fix blocked pipes, they’re at risk of COVID-19. That puts everyone else in their bubble at risk as well.

Do your bit for workers and their whānau, and put your wet wipes in the bin.
Find out more

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1629 days ago

TechMate here to help you

Operations Coordinator from TechMate

TechMate is here to help you during the Lockdown. If you want to do some learning around an aspect of digital technology or if you need help to troubleshoot an issue with a digital device give us a shout on 962 7244 or drop us a line at info@techmate.org.nz

1630 days ago

NumberWorks'nWords are Online

NumberWorks'nWords Cashmere

We are now online!

With most of us staying home at the moment, we have adapted our tutoring to be online! Our lessons are taken over zoom with our awesome tutors and are already a great success!

We are taking enrolments for Term 2 now. To find out more about our lessons please call.

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1631 days ago

Tune In To Your Neighbourhood

Neighbourly.co.nz

Hi there Neighbours!

With numerous gigs, concerts and festivals postponed or cancelled as a result of the level 4 response, we want you to dance the lockdown away with the new Neighbourly Spotify Playlist! Make your suggestions in the comments below - recommend anything you like on there, as … View more
Hi there Neighbours!

With numerous gigs, concerts and festivals postponed or cancelled as a result of the level 4 response, we want you to dance the lockdown away with the new Neighbourly Spotify Playlist! Make your suggestions in the comments below - recommend anything you like on there, as well as tunes you think your Neighbours will enjoy. Chuck in some taste-breakers, one-hit wonders or some good old Kiwi classics - it really doesn’t matter. So if you’re running out of ideas on things to do, why not a dance party?

Just remember: keep it PG, refrain from putting any songs in the mix that may cause offence to your Neighbours. You can find the playlist here.

Happy raving NZ!
Reach out

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J
1634 days ago

CHARGING FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES DURING LOCKDOWN

John from Woolston

I had to contact a plumbing/gasfitting co. as my gas cooktop stopped functioning, it seemed that the gas was not getting through to the burners to enable them to ignite.
I contacted a company that stated that a $250.00 "DEPOSIT" had to be in their bank account prior to them sending out a … View more
I had to contact a plumbing/gasfitting co. as my gas cooktop stopped functioning, it seemed that the gas was not getting through to the burners to enable them to ignite.
I contacted a company that stated that a $250.00 "DEPOSIT" had to be in their bank account prior to them sending out a technician. This I complied with and the technician duly arrived and sorted the problem in minutes, he didn't use any tools and no parts were needed.
It seemed fair to me that a "DEPOSIT" which I prefer to call a "BOND" was asked for as security, as it is obvious that until the technician arrives on the job and diagnosis the problem it is unknown as to what the actual problem is, therefore what is involved in rectifying the situation. It could be a large, time-consuming job needing a lot of parts, etc which obviously would incur extra cost above the $250.00 "DEPOSIT", but in other cases such as mine to charge $250.00 "DEPOSIT" is in my mind excessive. The online invoice had no details just a sum plus GST to arrive at the $250.00 total.
It was not explained to me on the phone or subsequent emails what the $250.00 "DEPOSIT" covered or what it actually was. There was no mention of this on any of their correspondence. If this was a minimum charge regardless, during this lockdown it should have been clearly spelled out and if not I see it as a breach of The Fair Trading Act or the Consumer Act or some other consumer protection act.
I will be interested to know other opinions or in fact anyone who has actual legal knowledge of this situation.
Thank you.

1631 days ago

Waimakariri District Council COVID19 Info

Waimakariri District Council

While Council buildings may be closed we are still here to help.
We encourage people to conduct business with us online or over the phone and will be posting regular updates on our website and social media channels regarding how we intend to maintain service levels within these new restrictions.
Find out more

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1632 days ago

Meet the Christchurch food entrepreneur at the top of his game

The Team Reporter from The Press

Get to know more about some of Canterbury's leading figures and how they're spending the four-week lockdown in the 15 Minutes With series. Today, hear from Troy Bilbrough, who started Christchurch's Bacon Bros food empire.

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1631 days ago

Thanks so much to all NZ Gardener readers!

Jo McCarroll - NZ Gardener editor Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

I just wanted to update everyone as to what is happening with the next copy of your favourite magazine. With the current restrictions we aren’t able to print or distribute at the moment, but we are working hard on a fantastic May issue for you and it will be on sale as soon as the restrictions … View moreI just wanted to update everyone as to what is happening with the next copy of your favourite magazine. With the current restrictions we aren’t able to print or distribute at the moment, but we are working hard on a fantastic May issue for you and it will be on sale as soon as the restrictions ease! I am hearing from so many readers right now about how their gardens have never been more important to them than they are now, so I want to ensure you get your NZ Gardener, packed with beautiful pictures, expert advice, inspiration and information as quickly as possible, so you can enjoy your own garden even more. Meanwhile, when you do your next shop, we’d love it if you could pick up a copy of the April issue which is on sale now (you can add a copy to your online shop too). As you’ve probably heard on the news it is a tough time for magazines right now, and we are incredibly grateful for the support of our regular readers and (especially!) our subscribers. If you are in a position to subscribe, or share your own love of plants and gardening by buying a subscription as a gift for someone else, then we’d be incredibly grateful: mags4gifts.co.nz.... Stay safe and enjoy the extra time in your garden everyone! Jo

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1632 days ago

Colouring-in for kids during NZ's lockdown

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

Christchurch's Lynette Hartley has created a colouring-in drawing for Kiwi kids to enjoy during the coronavirus lockdown.

"I thought an activity for children with a positive message about the current situation would be a good idea. This followed my (and everyone else's) … View more
Christchurch's Lynette Hartley has created a colouring-in drawing for Kiwi kids to enjoy during the coronavirus lockdown.

"I thought an activity for children with a positive message about the current situation would be a good idea. This followed my (and everyone else's) experiences during the earthquakes," she said.

"I learnt that it is important to give children a way of feeling empowered that there is a solution to the situation (in this case the bears catching the Covid virus and giving it a damn good soapy wash)."

Lynette normally works as a tour guide for Nature Quest, taking people on tours around the North and South islands with nature-related themes such as birding, general nature, plants, or walking.

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1634 days ago

Can you help us help our frontline this Easter?

ShieldsUp

ShieldsUp is a volunteer driven initiative of over 500 Kiwis, 3D printing, manufacturing and distributing face shields to our medical and emergency heroes across the country facing Covid-19 head on.

Within two weeks, we have delivered over 5,000 face shields, but we are still hearing the calls … View more
ShieldsUp is a volunteer driven initiative of over 500 Kiwis, 3D printing, manufacturing and distributing face shields to our medical and emergency heroes across the country facing Covid-19 head on.

Within two weeks, we have delivered over 5,000 face shields, but we are still hearing the calls of many. As the government and DHB’s publicly assure us that all necessary equipment is readily accessible, the demand for our face shields continues to grow daily, with requests for 30,000 shields.

If you would like to help us help them, sign up to volunteer at shieldsup.org.nz, or make a donation to ensure we can continue to produce and distribute our shields to protect our frontline heroes.

ShieldsUp, offering protection to Kiwi’s against COVID-19.
Find out more

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1634 days ago

Addictive Eaters Anonymous

The Team from Addictive Eaters Anonymous - Christchurch

Monthly AEA Worldwide Web events are held on the third Saturday (Greenwich Mean Time) of each month.
For April it is 8am on Sunday 19th (NZ time).
For newcomers interested in receiving a Zoom invitation for the event, please email aeawebevent@gmail.com.

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S
1635 days ago

Survey on pet sitters

Sarah from Waltham

I am currently studying small business studies. I have developed this wee survey looking into pet sitting.
Please if you have a couple of minutes I would appreciate you taking part.
Feel free to share with friends who may or may not currently use pet sitters. Should only take a few minutes.
View more
I am currently studying small business studies. I have developed this wee survey looking into pet sitting.
Please if you have a couple of minutes I would appreciate you taking part.
Feel free to share with friends who may or may not currently use pet sitters. Should only take a few minutes.
Thanks

www.surveymonkey.com...

J
1640 days ago

Council replaced my front lawn - whose responsibility?

Jimmy from Woolston

Hi all, some of you may have had your front lawns replaced with gardens as part of a council initiative along with the bike lanes. I dont usually have time to manage this but given the current circumstances i could look at this now. doing my front and back garden is already a lot normally. I … View moreHi all, some of you may have had your front lawns replaced with gardens as part of a council initiative along with the bike lanes. I dont usually have time to manage this but given the current circumstances i could look at this now. doing my front and back garden is already a lot normally. I understand it was my responsibility to mow my front patch of lawn, but will the council send people out to manage these gardens? A passerby (standing 2 metres away of course) advised that the council manages this, although i have never seen them.

Thoughts?

Cheers.

Jim

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