Westmorland, Christchurch

1015 days ago

Annoucement

Office for Seniors

The Government has appointed Carolyn Cooper as the inaugural Aged Care Commissioner, to lead much needed systematic change in the sector, Minister for Seniors and Associate Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today.

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1015 days ago

Trying to get a new visa or have a question about the Immigration process

The Team from Citizens Advice Christchurch Area

Our free Immigration advice clinics has appointments between 11am-1pm tomorrow . The clinics is will be held via zoom .
If you would like to book in, email Christchurchclinics@outlook.com before 3pm today .

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1015 days ago

How about heart-shaped foliage plants for your Valentine?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

It's not too late to grab these sensational plants for your green-fingered, houseplant-loving Valentine. Here's a quick guide to the hottest indoor plants for that special person in your life.

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1015 days ago

Addictive Eaters Anonymous

The Team from Addictive Eaters Anonymous - Christchurch

Monthly AEA Web Events
Held on the third Sunday of the month from 9.00 to 10.00am.

Free monthly online meeting on Zoom with three 10 minute speakers and followed by member sharing. Anyone can join from their phone, desktop, mobile and tablet devices. ALL WELCOME

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1015 days ago

Share the love around Neighbours!

The Team from NZ Compare

Happy Valentines Day from the team at NZ Compare!
Take the time today to enjoy the love that surrounds you. Pass it onto your friends, family, pets, maybe even a neighbour! Brighten someone's day.

Don't forget to show yourself some love too!

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1015 days ago

Want to recognise your favourite local business?

Prospa

We all love a cheeky grin and a wave from our local grocer, or a toot from the delivery driver, or a coffee order that’s ready before we arrive. And especially over the last year, it’s been the small businesses in our communities that have almost made things seem ‘normal’. 

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We all love a cheeky grin and a wave from our local grocer, or a toot from the delivery driver, or a coffee order that’s ready before we arrive. And especially over the last year, it’s been the small businesses in our communities that have almost made things seem ‘normal’. 

Give your favourite local business owner the recognition they deserve by nominating them in the 2022 Prospa Local Business Hero awards.
Nominate now

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1015 days ago

Take the easy way in

Metro

Attention Waimakariri residents. Your weekday commute just got easier!

Metro’s weekday direct bus services from Kaiapoi and Rangiora to central Christchurch include four morning trips and five afternoon trips back to each town. The buses even have free wifi and USB changing ports.

Sit back … View more
Attention Waimakariri residents. Your weekday commute just got easier!

Metro’s weekday direct bus services from Kaiapoi and Rangiora to central Christchurch include four morning trips and five afternoon trips back to each town. The buses even have free wifi and USB changing ports.

Sit back and enjoy your non-stop commute while you take some time to clear those emails, make some calls, read a book, or just sit and let the mind wander. Keen to find out more? Visit metro.co.nz/traveltochch
Find out more

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J
1018 days ago

T-shirts

Jennifer from Hoon Hay

Had to share as I thought it was a great deal - I got a couple of white tee shirts for $2 each. Very rare that I buy new items but don't think I could do better second hand!

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1017 days ago

Hunger for Colour – Swap food for a FREE Resene testpot!

Resene

Bring 2 cans of food into your local Resene ColorShop and swap them for 1 Resene testpot (60-80ml).

Resene will then donate all the food brought in to The Salvation Army local foodbanks.

By adding a little more colour to your life you can also help those in need. When you bring in 2 cans of … View more
Bring 2 cans of food into your local Resene ColorShop and swap them for 1 Resene testpot (60-80ml).

Resene will then donate all the food brought in to The Salvation Army local foodbanks.

By adding a little more colour to your life you can also help those in need. When you bring in 2 cans of food you'll save on your testpot purchase (save up to $5.90 on an 80ml testpot) while also helping provide disadvantaged Kiwis with food parcels when they need them most.

So start gathering up those cans and bring them into your local Resene owned ColorShop.
Find out more

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1018 days ago

Artistic shopping bag

The Team from Resene ColorShop Hornby

Less is best – plastic that is. So what better way to help the environment than to create your own fun, reusable calico shopping bag? Paint your own with Resene testpots.

Find out how to create your own.

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1019 days ago

Native plants for sale

Patricia from Spreydon

Lacebark (hoheria lyalli) x3
Lancewood x1
Broadleaf (Griselinia) x1
Hebes (large & small) just a few left
Contact Pat tel: 337 0079 mob: 022 305 4030

Price: $4

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1019 days ago

Are you on the right power plan?

The Team from NZ Compare

We’ve all spent a lot of time at home last year, so many of us are in the same boat when it comes to our high power bills! GULP!

More Kiwis are now working from home, if that's you then it's time to check if you’re on the right power plan. SWITCH, SAVE and SMILE this Summer!

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We’ve all spent a lot of time at home last year, so many of us are in the same boat when it comes to our high power bills! GULP!

More Kiwis are now working from home, if that's you then it's time to check if you’re on the right power plan. SWITCH, SAVE and SMILE this Summer!

Compare with our help and find the right power plan for your household! It’s easy as!

Visit Power Compare to get yourself a better deal. Our service is free, we’re Kiwis helping Kiwis compare what’s out there across PowerBroadband and Money.
COMPARE MY POWER!

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1027 days ago

As a Christchurch street is blighted by starlings, how do you get rid of the winged pests?

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From reporter Lee Kenny:
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For the Christchurch residents living in a street blighted by bird poo starlings are a menace – but how do you deal with the flying pests?

According to New Zealand Birds Online, the common starling was introduced for insect control, but they … View more
From reporter Lee Kenny:
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For the Christchurch residents living in a street blighted by bird poo starlings are a menace – but how do you deal with the flying pests?

According to New Zealand Birds Online, the common starling was introduced for insect control, but they are now found across Aotearoa and the Subantarctic Islands.

They nest in hollow trees, under house eaves and even in letter boxes. As well as creating a mess, they eat crops and make a noise, which some people find annoying.

There are a range of methods to discourage starlings, from the cheap to the costly.

Westport-based Maintrac Group sells a range of equipment for dealing with pests, like starlings.

These include the high-tech Bird-X, a $795 device that uses red and green laser beams to deter birds.

Deploying bird spikes is among the least expensive options. The stainless steel spikes can be adhered to surfaces, preventing birds from landing and therefore pooping on property below.

“A successful way to deter starlings is to prevent them from landing,” Maintrac Group's website says.

“Starlings need a lot of energy just to fly, so if they are prevented from landing near a food source they soon use up what energy they do have, and have to move off to other areas to feed. If one goes, they all go.”

Shiny holographic tape can also be applied to surfaces to discourage the birds from settling, while an artificial osprey hawk does a similar job.

Another option is a Carousel Gas Gun, which makes a loud bang and scares unwanted birds away.

The noise will be familiar to anyone who has spent time in the countryside, but the intermittent blasts might not be suitable for suburbia.

A less noisy option might be an ultrasonic bird and animal repellent, which emits a high-frequency sound to scare away flying pests.

Despite the thousands of starlings that descend on Dudley St, Richmond, each summer, one pest expert said they are not a common problem in Christchurch.

“The bird-work we do is usually involving pigeons,” Gary Hendrikse, director of Elite Pest Control, said.

“I don't think I've ever had a call to get rid of starlings.

“The only other nuisance birds are ones that nest in people's ceilings, that's often to do with preventing access.”

Other methods for discouraging starlings include removing nests and food sources, and patching up holes to areas that could be used as a nesting site.

1020 days ago

Tai Chi Class - Exercising with Energy

Sandy from Aidanfield

Tai Chi for Joy Class – exercise with energy healing, 1pm Monday, Halswell
Welcome to try your first class for FREE!
Guided by experienced Chinese teacher, Sandy Jiang, an accredited provider of the Strength and Balance Programme (Sports Canterbury)

Venue: Halswell Community Hall, 450 Halswell … View more
Tai Chi for Joy Class – exercise with energy healing, 1pm Monday, Halswell
Welcome to try your first class for FREE!
Guided by experienced Chinese teacher, Sandy Jiang, an accredited provider of the Strength and Balance Programme (Sports Canterbury)

Venue: Halswell Community Hall, 450 Halswell Road, Christchurch
Time: Mondays, 8 classes a term

Improving balance, posture, memory, flexibility, energy, immune system, relaxation, and well-being and proven to prevent falls, protecting bones and joints.

Free 1st visit: Come and try the graceful Tai Chi movements
~ the combination of yoga, gentle stretching, energy healing and meditation ~

Contact your teacher: Sandy Email: sandyjsky@gmail.com

Beginners: 1~ 2 pm
$80 per term ($10) or $12 casual,
$64 per term ($8) or $10 casual for Community Service card or SuperGold card holders
Practising Warm-up, Tai Chi for Arthritis, Rotating Tiger or Shaking Plumes (Qigong)

Experienced: 1 ~ 2:30 pm
$112 per term ($14) or $16 casual,
$96 per term ($12) or $14 casual for Community Service card or SuperGold card holders
Practising Yang style Tai Chi - 8 form and 24 form, Tai Chi Kungfu Fan during the last 30 min

What to bring:
1. Vaccine pass
2. Mask use is encouraged (classmates and Sandy can take masks off when exercising though)
3. We will sit down about 10 min in between to read a Qigong book (Qigong is the foundation to Tai Chi). If you need reading glasses, please bring them with you.
4. Drinking bottle: a thermal one is suggested
5. Wear comfortable clothes with a pair of flat-soled shoes.

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1035 days ago

Covid-19: Older, vulnerable Kiwis urged to ‘hunker down’ when Omicron cases peak

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From reporter Cate Broughton:
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Older and vulnerable people are being encouraged to “hunker down” in their homes during the peak of the Omicron virus, by some health experts – but others say this isn’t necessary.

New Zealand epidemiologist Professor Tony … View more
From reporter Cate Broughton:
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Older and vulnerable people are being encouraged to “hunker down” in their homes during the peak of the Omicron virus, by some health experts – but others say this isn’t necessary.

New Zealand epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely is based at Melbourne University and says he encouraged his nearly 80-year-old parents – who live in Rotorua – to stay at home when Omicron cases climb and the virus becomes endemic.

However, Cancer Society medical director Kate Gregory said there was not enough evidence to support giving this advice to cancer patients.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed there was community transmission of the Omicron variant in New Zealand.

The Ministry of Health on Monday reported confirmed Omicron cases in the Nelson-Tasman region, Auckland and Palmerston North.

Blakely said he talked to his parents about continuing their usual activities while using a N95 mask, but “hunkering down” when cases climbed.

“You probably do that for another 10 days until case numbers start to go up in Rotorua, and then you really hunker down. So that’s what we’ve talked about.”

Blakely said “the maths of an epidemic” meant up to half of the population was likely to get infected with Omicron.

“The trick is to make sure the people who get infected are the young ones. So you accept that. You accept there will be hospitalisations associated with that.

But to minimise the hospitalisations, the mortality and morbidity – a bit like trench warfare – you send over the young ones, and you hunker down the oldies and those with co-morbidities.”

Blakely said his parents, who are double vaccinated and have had their booster, had already decided to stay at home when cases climbed.

But he said it was hard to say how long this period should last.

New Zealand’s traffic light setting of red – the highest level of restrictions under the traffic light system –would help to slow the spread of Omicron, and protect essential services from being overwhelmed, but this would also mean the peak of the virus would last longer, Blakely said.

“Here’s the deep irony, the better New Zealanders are at flattening the curve, the longer the hunker down will be.”

Blakely acknowledged prolonged periods of isolation for the elderly and vulnerable could have significant mental health impacts.

In Australia, Omicron has taken a huge toll on the aged-care sector with hundreds of outbreaks in aged care homes. But some families have said the lockdowns were overly cautious and too hard on the elderly residents, most of whom were fully vaccinated.

Wellington GP and Royal New Zealand College of General Practice (RNZCGPs) medical director Bryan Betty said the Australian experience of Omicron showed it could peak for as long as four to six weeks.

Betty said most people – including fit older people – would experience a mild to moderate illness, if infected.

“However, the caveat on this is ... we know the biggest risk factor for a poorer outcome from Covid is age, the elderly population in particular are vulnerable to a poorer outcome with Covid.”

Betty said it would be good for older people to consider staying home, with some support from friends and family, “as the case numbers rise” in the community.

Cancer Society medical director Kate Gregory said there was not enough evidence to date to support advising patients to stay home, but this could change “if we see much higher numbers”.

“If, in a week’s time we are seeing thousands and thousands of cases we may be advising people differently. I think the reassuring thing we’ve seen is that Omicron doesn’t seem to cause such severe disease and we know the vaccine provides very good protection.”

Gregory said for cancer patients the best defence is to be vaccinated and for the people in their households to be vaccinated.”

She said in her experience a “vast majority” of cancer patients had received two doses of Covid-19 vaccine, many with a third primary dose.

“It’s a frightening time, and especially for those who are more vulnerable.

"I think as long as people have the vaccine, wear the mask, do the hand-washing and get tested promptly, I think that’s probably fine. At the moment, that’s the advice we’re giving our patients.”

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