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Cyclone Gabrielle has had a devastating impact on hundreds of thousands of Kiwis. As the long clean up begins and support becomes more and more needed, Stuff is calling for readers to support the Red Cross and Mayoral Relief Funds in areas where a local state of emergency has been declared. … View moreCyclone Gabrielle has had a devastating impact on hundreds of thousands of Kiwis. As the long clean up begins and support becomes more and more needed, Stuff is calling for readers to support the Red Cross and Mayoral Relief Funds in areas where a local state of emergency has been declared. We'd love your support. You can donate here.
Dear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are still on the hunt for amazing and inventive taro recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by Feb 26, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the April issue of NZ … View moreDear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are still on the hunt for amazing and inventive taro recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by Feb 26, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the April issue of NZ Gardener.
It’s easy to transform a plain wicker chair into something special with Resene Colorwood natural wood stain.
Find out how to transform your furniture with our easy advice.
Your home is your sanctuary where you can relax, rejuvenate, and entertain family and friends.
That’s why Ryman villages are designed to be safe havens. We’ve prepared for adverse events, so you don’t have to.
Your safety and your family’s peace of mind are our top priority, no… View moreYour home is your sanctuary where you can relax, rejuvenate, and entertain family and friends.
That’s why Ryman villages are designed to be safe havens. We’ve prepared for adverse events, so you don’t have to.
Your safety and your family’s peace of mind are our top priority, no matter what the weather. Every Ryman village has staff available 24/7 and backup generators for emergencies.
We all hope we never have to experience a natural disaster or other emergency. But if it happens, we’ll take care of everything and make sure that you have what you need.
It's been a tough few weeks for our communities, including our small businesses. To help small businesses keep connected with their neighbours, we’re offering Neighbourly Premium Business Listings FREE for three months. You’ll feature in the local business directory, plus be able to engage… View moreIt's been a tough few weeks for our communities, including our small businesses. To help small businesses keep connected with their neighbours, we’re offering Neighbourly Premium Business Listings FREE for three months. You’ll feature in the local business directory, plus be able to engage with neighbours to ask for help, share new operating hours, move damaged stock, or simply give thanks for recent support. T&Cs apply.
If your answer is yes (or even a maybe), send us photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever storage spaces, cute chicken coops and potty potting sheds to win amazing prizes worth more than $2000. The Resene Shed of the Year 2023 winners will be announced in the April issue of … View moreIf your answer is yes (or even a maybe), send us photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever storage spaces, cute chicken coops and potty potting sheds to win amazing prizes worth more than $2000. The Resene Shed of the Year 2023 winners will be announced in the April issue of NZ Gardener.
Enjoy all the upsides of living independently in a Ryman village. Easy living, security, plus a huge bonus – the support of a vibrant village community.
Your fixed base weekly fee includes rates, window cleaning, gardening and exterior maintenance, which leaves you more time and energy to … View moreEnjoy all the upsides of living independently in a Ryman village. Easy living, security, plus a huge bonus – the support of a vibrant village community.
Your fixed base weekly fee includes rates, window cleaning, gardening and exterior maintenance, which leaves you more time and energy to enjoy a fulfilled village lifestyle. Relax with a book, invite friends over for dinner, or simply put your feet up. You'll love coming home to such easy living.
Lots of Cool themes and designs, come in and choose your favourites ✨ $8 each
From reporter Hamish McNeilly:
A potential u-turn over Dunedin’s George St makeover has been stopped in its tracks.
A report to the Dunedin City Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee noted incorporating flexibility – from the current one-way proposal to a two-way – would result … View moreFrom reporter Hamish McNeilly:
A potential u-turn over Dunedin’s George St makeover has been stopped in its tracks.
A report to the Dunedin City Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee noted incorporating flexibility – from the current one-way proposal to a two-way – would result in increased costs of potentially up to $1m a month.
It comes after mayor Jules Radich called for “a mid-project review” late last year, as he was sceptical about the value of a more pedestrian-friendly space and wanted to “minimise future expense if modification is deemed necessary”.
The report to council found any changes could involve the removal of planter beds, relocation of signals, and a change to kerbs to separate vehicles from passengers.
Any change could also result in “reputational risk” for the council, the report noted.
Work on the retail quarter began in October 2021, with work completed on Frederick St, London St and the ‘Farmers Block’ of George St.
Meanwhile, work has begun on the ‘Golden Block’ of George St – the main retail shopping block of Dunedin.
The forecast spend for the George St upgrade, which is set to be completed in early 2024, was $51m, including $23m for Three Waters upgrades.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi was contributing $12m for work above ground.
The committee heard debate on how much it would cost to end that contract, to which council chief executive Sandy Graham replied it "would be costly".
Radich said the council’s report, which includes options for flexibility for the project, was "insufficient".
The majority of the redeveloped George St was designed to be a one-way shared space.
Josh von Pein, council project manager of major projects, said: “The work was a complex project complicated by what was encountered during excavation.
“We have known knowns and known unknowns.”
Councillor Jim O’Malley, the committee’s chairperson, noted 60% of the work had been completed, with delays costing up to $5m depending on how long those delays continued.
He noted the council’s argument was the same argument it was making against the Ministry of Health over potential cuts to the redeveloped Dunedin Hospital.
The project had already been debated and costed, and it was not financially prudent to call for changes now, O’Malley said.
Councillor David Benson-Pope said the efforts of some councillors, including the mayor, to delay the project were “appalling”.
He urged councillors to support staff and “get on” with the project.
Radich noted it was “critically important” for the council to have all the facts in front of them, given the scale of the project, and incorporating flexibility was not a major cost in the overall plan.
However, a request for an updated report that provides further information on the contract break costs, a 10km two-way option, minimal change from current design, pedestrianisation and a “do-nothing” option by February 28, was lost 9-8.
That meant the project was likely to continue as planned.
The team at NZ Compare hope everyone is keeping safe and snuggled up with their loved ones n this terrible weather. 🥰
We've got the down-low on the best shows to stream on rainy days, take a look!
Regional updates for February 15th, see the live Stuff updates.
14th February - 10:45am Update: National State of Emergency
Minister for Emergency Management, Kieran McAnulty, has confirmed a National State of Emergency this morning due to the widespread damage across the country due to … View moreRegional updates for February 15th, see the live Stuff updates.
14th February - 10:45am Update: National State of Emergency
Minister for Emergency Management, Kieran McAnulty, has confirmed a National State of Emergency this morning due to the widespread damage across the country due to Cyclone Gabrielle.
While many regions have already declared a local state of emergency, a National State of Emergency gives the National Controller legal authority to apply resources across the country in support of a national level response.
Here's what you need to know:
- Heavy rain red warnings are in place for Northland and Hawke's Bay, with red strong wind warnings also for Northland, Coromandel and Taranaki. Check all weather warnings on the MetService website.
- States of emergency have been declared in Northland, Auckland, Tairāwhiti, Ōpōtiki, Thames-Coromandel District, Waikato District, Hauraki District, Whakatāne District, Bay of Plenty, Napier and Hastings.
- There has been a landslide in Murawai with one firefighter missing.
- Gisborne is feared cut off and the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. Residents are to take note of the Welfare Centres for Gisborne and Coromandel.
- A number of road closures are in place across the North Island. View these on the Waka Kotahi NZTA website.
- Fire and Emergency is urging people to only call 111 if life or safety is at risk after a surge in calls.
- In Auckland there are 27 shelters and civil defence centres where people can go in an emergency.
Stuff are posting live updates and have shared what you need in your 3-day emergency kit. Stay up to date with Civil Defence updates and track the storm here.
2pm Update for Hawke's Bay:
Multiple evacuations needed in Puketapu, Esk Valley, Rissington, Omahu, Waiohiki, Jervoistown and Meeanee and Waipawa.
Many remain trapped in cars and houses. Several bridges have been taken out with access between Hastings and Napier now cutoff. More than 20,000 people are without power and cellphone communication in and out of the region is patchy.
Omahu residents needing shelter can go to Hastings Sports' Centre. Taradale residents can head to St Joseph's Māori Girls' School.
Today is a day that celebrates love, yes, but it’s also Library Lovers' Day on February 14, dedicated to book lovers' across the globe.
It's a day to remember that our libraries are a place where we can get lost in a story, find an adventure we are seeking in a book, discover … View moreToday is a day that celebrates love, yes, but it’s also Library Lovers' Day on February 14, dedicated to book lovers' across the globe.
It's a day to remember that our libraries are a place where we can get lost in a story, find an adventure we are seeking in a book, discover more about an issue we feel passionate about, or learn something new!
Hi, I have two old candles suitable for melting down and remaking into another one. Am happy to give them away. Anyone interested?
From reporter Hamish McNeilly:
In a rubbish bin at a small Dunedin playground was a very big problem.
Inside the bin were hundreds of large monarch caterpillars. A few were able to crawl out before they were spotted.
Nat Russell said she was called to the Hocken St playground, in the … View moreFrom reporter Hamish McNeilly:
In a rubbish bin at a small Dunedin playground was a very big problem.
Inside the bin were hundreds of large monarch caterpillars. A few were able to crawl out before they were spotted.
Nat Russell said she was called to the Hocken St playground, in the suburb of Kenmure, after her sister’s children spotted the escapees.
The monarch enthusiast helped collect some of the caterpillars and then put a plea on social media to rehome them to anyone who had swan plants – a type of milkweed – where the butterflies like to lay their eggs.
She estimated there were “a good few hundred caterpillars” inside the bin.
People came from all over Dunedin to rehome the caterpillars.
“A few died, but almost all were rescued,” Russell said.
The caterpillars were large and entering their final moult, where they find a sheltered site, produce a tightly woven silk mat, and hang downwards until they become butterflies.
“The majority of them were only a few days off becoming monarchs.”
It appeared the caterpillars were dumped along with a container of food scraps, which was tied up in a jersey.
Jacqui Knight, who founded the Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust almost two decades ago, said it was the first case of mass monarch caterpillar dumping she had heard of in New Zealand.
“I presume they had run out of food and [whoever had them] didn’t know what to do with them.”
While it was “wonderful” they were rescued, it was a shame they were dumped in the first place, she said.
A shortage of swan plants was often an issue for those with very hungry caterpillars, which could eat 2700 times their birth weight in just over a fortnight.
To counter that problem, Knight recommended people with an excess of either caterpillars or swan plants join the Monarchmatchmaker group on Facebook to “share the love”.
“It is a bit like Tinder, but for butterflies.”
Part of the issue was that some nurseries had stopped selling swan plants because some had been sprayed with pesticides.
Instead, people wanting to attract monarchs were encouraged to grow swan plants earlier in the season and let them get to full size in their garden.
Having monarchs, considered a native in New Zealand, helped show children the various stages of an insect’s life cycle and “feeds their curiosity”, Knight said.
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