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With our household budgets seeing higher interest rates, service price increases and the 12.5% rise in food prices since last year: the cost of living crisis is upon us.
As we head towards winter, let's share some cost of living hacks - whether it's recipe ideas, tips for saving on … View moreWith our household budgets seeing higher interest rates, service price increases and the 12.5% rise in food prices since last year: the cost of living crisis is upon us.
As we head towards winter, let's share some cost of living hacks - whether it's recipe ideas, tips for saving on power or where to buy the cheapest toilet paper! You may have some advice that could make a huge difference for another household, so comment away.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
Kmart has recalled a line of wooden trays after reports of an invasive wood-eating beetle species within them. A Northland woman found sawdust and holes in her serving tray and alerted the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), the government’s biosecurity agency.
What you need to know:
- The… View moreKmart has recalled a line of wooden trays after reports of an invasive wood-eating beetle species within them. A Northland woman found sawdust and holes in her serving tray and alerted the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), the government’s biosecurity agency.
What you need to know:
- The product is called Large $20 Acacia Serving Tray and was sold nationally.
- The product may be infested with Lyctus africanus (also known as the African powderpost beetle), a species not present in New Zealand.
- Kmart are no longer selling these products and will wait for instruction from MPI before destroying these.
Anyone who finds a suspected exotic pest is encouraged to call MPI’s hotline on 0800 80 99 66.
Don't let your parents go old-school this winter and just throw on another jersey to beat the cold.
They deserve to be truly comfortable in a warm, dry home without stressing about their power bills, or their health.
They might be eligible for Warmer Kiwi Homes, a government grant … View moreDon't let your parents go old-school this winter and just throw on another jersey to beat the cold.
They deserve to be truly comfortable in a warm, dry home without stressing about their power bills, or their health.
They might be eligible for Warmer Kiwi Homes, a government grant offering 80% of the cost of ceiling and underfloor insulation, and up to 80% off an energy-efficient heater, like a heat pump.
And they may get it even cheaper than that - lots of community organisations offer extra funding to reduce the cost further.
Go to warmerkiwihomes.govt.nz to check their eligibility.
If you experience a billing issue, you should talk to your provider first. For extra help, you can talk to TDR – your free and independent complaint service.
Almost 40% of complaints received by TDR in 2022 were about bills. Whether it’s a broadband, mobile or home phone billing issue, … View moreIf you experience a billing issue, you should talk to your provider first. For extra help, you can talk to TDR – your free and independent complaint service.
Almost 40% of complaints received by TDR in 2022 were about bills. Whether it’s a broadband, mobile or home phone billing issue, it’s free to resolve your complaint with TDR. It’s easy too – you can contact TDR online or by phoning 0508 98 98 98 – and we’ll start working with you and your provider.
From reporter Hamish McNeilly:
Dunedin has leapfrogged Christchurch and Wellington to move to second place in New Zealand for gaming studios.
The southern city now had 19 gaming studios, behind Auckland (27), but well ahead of Wellington (13) and Christchurch (5), according to a 2022 New … View moreFrom reporter Hamish McNeilly:
Dunedin has leapfrogged Christchurch and Wellington to move to second place in New Zealand for gaming studios.
The southern city now had 19 gaming studios, behind Auckland (27), but well ahead of Wellington (13) and Christchurch (5), according to a 2022 New Zealand Game Developers Association survey.
The secret to Dunedin’s success was the establishment of the government-backed New Zealand Centre of Digital Excellence (Code).
When Code was set-up in 2019, Dunedin only had four gaming studios in the city: Runaway, Rocketwerkz (which has since relocated), Spotted Kiwi Interactive and Balancing Monkey Games, a report presented to the economic development committee of the Dunedin City Council on Monday morning.
As a result of Code funding, 25 studios had been set up – of which some had been disbanded and staff absorbed into other studios.
The committee heard that Code funding, which included grants for studios and support to attend gaming conferences, had contributed to 90 jobs.
‘’Dunedin has become a destination for game development studios,’’ the report said.
That included an Auckland-based company choosing the city for its satellite base, while other larger studios visiting the city for ‘’scouting purposes’’.
Another example was Deep Field Games established by successful United States’ indie developer, Geoff Keene, who ‘’chose Dunedin over any other city in New Zealand, and New Zealand over any other city in the world to set up his new studio’’, the report noted.
The studio’s nine staff members, which included some laid-off from Rocketwerkz, had secured oversea’s investment and a publishing commitment, with the first game expected to be launched in September.
The report also noted that Māori representation, 8%, was almost three times higher than the national average, 3%.
Code chief executive Tim Ponting told the committee that the studios and their staff enjoyed being based in Dunedin, and there was loyalty between them and Code.
‘’We are building an ecosystem here.’’
The Government announced it was increasing its support to $2.25million a year, until 2027 to expand Code, which wil remain headquartered in Dunedin but have an expanded national focus.
‘’New Zealand’s game development sector has been rapidly growing,’’ Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications, David Clark said of the November announcement.
The latest data from the New Zealand Game Developers Association shows the total revenue for the industry was $407m, compared to $276m a year ago.
Code’s new focus would see the team expand from four roles to seven, with representatives to be added for Auckland and Wellington.
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Two men behind a plan to bring floating spa pools to Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu are yet to sample the soak themselves.
Civil engineer Jake Allen and aero commercial manager Michael Hawley learnt about the spas from a friend in Europe and thought it was a … View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Two men behind a plan to bring floating spa pools to Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu are yet to sample the soak themselves.
Civil engineer Jake Allen and aero commercial manager Michael Hawley learnt about the spas from a friend in Europe and thought it was a great idea for Queenstown.
“I think it will be pretty amazing sitting in one of the most beautiful locations in the world under the Remarkables,” Allen said.
They have formed Soak Industries Ltd and applied to the Queenstown Lakes District Council for resource consent to operate five of the motorised spa pools from Frankton Marina.
The application is being vetted and Allen said they were working closely with the Queenstown Coastguard and harbour master to ensure the spas would be as safe as possible.
That might yet require passengers wearing a life jacket belt, he said.
“We’re getting more comfortable with the idea. We don’t think it will affect the experience much.”
They were intending for passengers to be allowed two standard drinks while on board, excluding the designated skipper who would be required to be sober.
They would purchase the “high spec” pools from the United States, each costing a “large portion of a house deposit”, especially once GST, duties and shipping costs were included, Allen said.
The pools were recently approved by the US Coastguard and were considered “unsinkable”, weighing about 640kg without being filled with water, he said.
About 850mm of the spa sat underwater and 300mm above the surface.
Between two and six people would be permitted in each spa at any one time for up to 90 minutes.
They were 4m long, electrically powered and could travel up to 5 knots within an area about 1.8km long and 600m wide.
They would operate between 8am and 8pm and guests would not be allowed to access the foreshore at Frankton Beach.
A safety boat would be based at the marina and be available by radio and/or phone at all times, being only minutes away.
The water would be heated by propane or wood with a built-in saltwater cleaning and UV filtration system, meaning no water would be discharged into the lake.
The application was still be vetted by the council, but the men hoped to be operating by the end of 2023, Allen said.
“It’s a bit of an adventure.”
Ryman gives you peace of mind with certainty around your living costs, so you can focus on enjoying the things that matter.
From the day you move into a village you’ll know how much you’re paying and what’s guaranteed to be paid back when you move out.
With several Peace of Mind … View moreRyman gives you peace of mind with certainty around your living costs, so you can focus on enjoying the things that matter.
From the day you move into a village you’ll know how much you’re paying and what’s guaranteed to be paid back when you move out.
With several Peace of Mind Guarantees you can you feel confident and secure in your decision to move to a Ryman village.
Enjoy the everyday and have financial certainty with Ryman.
To all the strong, inspiring, devoted mums, the mums who are no longer with us, the mums who work hard everyday to make the house warm and put food on the table, the mums to be and who could forget the family members who take on the mums role too!
We hope you have a wonderful day, filled with … View moreTo all the strong, inspiring, devoted mums, the mums who are no longer with us, the mums who work hard everyday to make the house warm and put food on the table, the mums to be and who could forget the family members who take on the mums role too!
We hope you have a wonderful day, filled with smiles, appreciation and love. Happy Mother's Day.
One 'L' shape office desk and two shelves units. Good condition.
Two people will be needed to remove the desk as well as a large vehicle, truck or trailer.
Items are available in Pine Hill, Dunedin.
Priority will be given to the first person interested in all items.
Email '… View moreOne 'L' shape office desk and two shelves units. Good condition.
Two people will be needed to remove the desk as well as a large vehicle, truck or trailer.
Items are available in Pine Hill, Dunedin.
Priority will be given to the first person interested in all items.
Email 'elly.reichman@otago.ac.nz'
Bring a bit of nature inside with a simple tree mural in Resene colours.
Find out how to add colour to you child's room with this handy advice.
Talk to your provider and give them a chance to sort it. If it remains unresolved, you can talk to TDR – your free and independent complaint service.
TDR helps over 3,000 Kiwis every year with their telco troubles. Whether it’s a broadband, mobile or home phone billing issue, it’s free … View moreTalk to your provider and give them a chance to sort it. If it remains unresolved, you can talk to TDR – your free and independent complaint service.
TDR helps over 3,000 Kiwis every year with their telco troubles. Whether it’s a broadband, mobile or home phone billing issue, it’s free to resolve your complaint with TDR. It’s easy too – you can contact us online or by phoning 0508 98 98 98 – and we’ll start working with you and your provider.
We have been putting out lots of winter woolies, jackets, coats, hats and heaters out this week at the Red Cross Shop. ❄️❄️❄️
Also beautiful $1 cards on our Mothers Day table 💕
The King's coronation took place over the weekend which saw our Prime Minister pledging allegiance to King Charles III. Do you think Aotearoa should say goodbye to the royal family?
Share your thoughts and reasons below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be … View moreThe King's coronation took place over the weekend which saw our Prime Minister pledging allegiance to King Charles III. Do you think Aotearoa should say goodbye to the royal family?
Share your thoughts and reasons below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
But your Broadband and Power bills don't need to Neighbours!
It can be stressful to find more ways to save money. Comparing your bills using NZ Compare is one simple way you can cut costs!
It only takes a couple of minutes to check if you're on the right plan, for the right price. … View moreBut your Broadband and Power bills don't need to Neighbours!
It can be stressful to find more ways to save money. Comparing your bills using NZ Compare is one simple way you can cut costs!
It only takes a couple of minutes to check if you're on the right plan, for the right price. Remember the longer you leave it, the more money you could be choosing to spend instead of SAVE.
Read our guide on how to save on your Broadband and Power bills OR ring our NZ-based Customer Support Team on 0508 226 672 Monday-Friday 10am-6pm. They're here to help!
Deaf Aotearoa organises NZSL Week to raise awareness of the language and culture of New Zealand’s Deaf community.
Did you know NZSL has its own grammatical structure and ways of expressing ideas?
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