2820 days ago

Improve your computer skills for free

Ara Institute

Did you know, at your local Ara community computing hub you can gain computer skills for work, study and everyday life and it won’t cost you a cent!

It’s easy too. You can learn at your own pace and at times that fit around work, family and other commitments. If you’re working, you could even arrange with your employer to study during work time, as part of your professional development.

Courses include beginner, intermediate and advanced-level study in Word, Excel and Powerpoint. You can also learn how to touch-type, use the internet or make a website.
Ara’s friendly tutors will help you gain the skills you need to improve your job opportunities, become more productive at work or just get the most out of all the digital tools available to us these days.

There are five Computing For Free hubs in Christchurch and one each in Timaru and Oamaru. To get started, simply drop into your nearest hub (for locations see
ara.ac.nz/computing) or call 0800 24 24 76.
Find out more

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More messages from your neighbours
4 days ago

Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

Make a hearty dish. Take just half a minute. Add four parts of kestrel. Then just add one. What have you made?

(Trev from Silverdale kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Trev!)

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.

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3 days ago

Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑

Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.

We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

Want to read more? The Press has you covered!

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🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
  • 52.7% Human-centred experience and communication
    52.7% Complete
  • 15.2% Critical thinking
    15.2% Complete
  • 29.5% Resilience and adaptability
    29.5% Complete
  • 2.6% Other - I will share below!
    2.6% Complete
427 votes
17 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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