Mabel Howard Reserve
I live next door to Mabel Howard Reserve in King Street, Sydenham.
Over the past 6 months or so, the maintenance of the reserve has declined considerably with the grass not being mowed as regularly as it was and weeds being left to take over.
In early December, I noticed the two chestnut trees in front of the reserve(one close to my driveway) were looking sick, with the previously healthy leaves suddenly dying off. On further investigation, I noticed some of the flower beds in the reserve had been sprayed with weedkiller, in the vicinity of the trees and near the playground area.
I called Christchurch City Council and lodged a complaint and asked if the trees could be looked at asap in the hope of saving them.
This week I finally received an email from the council's community parks team leader, part of which reads "I’ve passed your concern about the two trees to our arborist team, who will investigate further. The spray used by our maintenance teams is called Bio-Weed Blast, an organic product, and would not cause any decline in the trees or be applied near playground equipment. Mowing and gardening are now handled by council staff, who are proactive and committed to delivering the best results".
Just wanted to share this in the hope some others may raise concerns with the council as well.
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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58.9% Yes, supporting people is important!
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26.4% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.7% ... It is complicated
A Neighbourly Riddle! Don’t Overthink It… Or Do?😜
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
If you multiply this number by any other number, the answer will always be the same. What number is this?
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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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