1286 days ago

How to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in New Zealand

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Otago News

Gibbston Valley resident Lisa White grew up walking to school via Windsor Castle and waving to the Queen, which was just “normal” if you grew up there, apparently.

White is a self-confessed fanatic of her majesty Queen Elizabeth II and will be celebrating the 70th jubilee just how a good English girl would, she says.

“I am going to hang the bunting off the silver birch like they do in the celebrations in the UK.

“The platinum jubilee colour is purple, but I’m going red, white and blue, I have got Union Jack napkins, paper chains, scones and cream, tea.”

White is just as much a Kiwi as she is English now, having moved to New Zealand in 1994, but she is proud of what the Queen has achieved in her 70 years at the throne.

“She is such an advocate and to take all the rubbish that goes on around her out of it, she is wonderful.

“I just love the queen, I like her work. It is very English to celebrate, and we don't really have that over here.

On Saturday, White will host up to 25 monarch fans at her Gibbston Valley home, complete with tea, scones and jam. A dress up here and there too.

White’s ‘relationship’ with the queen has been long-standing. In 1992, she rode one of the Queen’s favourite horse on the Windsor property because her friend worked at the royal stables.

“I’ve been to the Queen’s stables, it isn't that big of a deal, you just need to get invited in.

“I went to school in Windsor, and we used to walk to school and wave at the Queen as she went up and down The Long Walk in her car. It is normal to do that in England.”

White tries to get back to England as much as possible to visit family and last year attended the royal horse show.

“Last year at the royal Windsor horse show I got a close as she drove past me, she nearly ran me over.”

Because she is missing out on the Jubilee with her fellow English back home, she’s decided to celebrate large in the valley.

“There will be hundreds of street parties in the UK on the weekend, so this will be something smaller.”

How can you take part in jubilee celebrations?
- Start your celebrations off by decorating your home, school, or workplace with jubilee-themed decorations.
- Decorate your windows with Jubilee Bunting.
- Make your own Jubilee Wreath to hang up on your door.
- Create your own Union Jack Paper Chains to make your space feel part of the celebrations.
- Host your own street party. The Big Jubilee Lunch takes place on Sunday, June 5 (Monday, June 6 NZT).

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2 days ago

Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

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Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔

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Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
  • 72.7% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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  • 16.6% Hmm, maybe?
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Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

How many balls of string does it take to reach the moon?

(Peter from Carterton kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Peter!)

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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16 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.

Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.

Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?

Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!

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