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Don’t miss your chance to WIN 1 of 5 Ooni Karu 2 Portable Pizza Oven bundles, valued at $1024!
All you have to do is grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper between 1 Jan - 28 Jan and participate in the Great Summer Quiz! Answer the daily New Zealand based questions, the more answers you … View moreDon’t miss your chance to WIN 1 of 5 Ooni Karu 2 Portable Pizza Oven bundles, valued at $1024!
All you have to do is grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper between 1 Jan - 28 Jan and participate in the Great Summer Quiz! Answer the daily New Zealand based questions, the more answers you enter correctly, the higher your chance of winning. For more information and to submit your answers, click here.
The team at Stuff
The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’
If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.
Surprise, surprise! Violence happens in the world of caterpillars too. The lower of the 3 caterpillars was climbing up to the top of the swan plant stem where the other 2 were feeding on the stem. When the larger of the two feeders felt the climber's presence, it swung its upper body over and… View moreSurprise, surprise! Violence happens in the world of caterpillars too. The lower of the 3 caterpillars was climbing up to the top of the swan plant stem where the other 2 were feeding on the stem. When the larger of the two feeders felt the climber's presence, it swung its upper body over and down like a punch to the climber's head.😲 Perhaps a bite was included. Result: The largest of the 3 caterpillars turned around and retreated.
My interactions with monarch butterflies lead me to the conclusion that in terms of planning and wisdom, monarchs share a lot with us humans. Monarchs depend for their future on swan plants. So, being concerned for them, some years ago, I planted a swan plant in early spring expecting that it … View moreMy interactions with monarch butterflies lead me to the conclusion that in terms of planning and wisdom, monarchs share a lot with us humans. Monarchs depend for their future on swan plants. So, being concerned for them, some years ago, I planted a swan plant in early spring expecting that it would be big enough to provide sufficient food to see the caterpillars through to the chrysalis stage. But I was wrong, very wrong! The monarchs laid so many eggs on the plant that the caterpillars had stripped the plant bare before they were mature enough to form a chrysalis. And of course they ate the leaves regardless of whether or not eggs had been laid on them. In desperation, they even chewed on the stems and trunk of the swan plant which subsequently withered and died, as you do when you are eaten alive.
The following year I doubled the food supply. However, not much changed though 3 caterpillars managed to get to the chrysalis stage before the food supply was completely consumed. That’s three new butterflies from dozens of hatched caterpillars and heaven knows how many eggs. And eggs continued to be laid when the food supply was already clearly insufficient to provide for the current population, let alone for any new mouths.
So, in the third year, I planted more swan plants but this time, I was a bit cunning. I planted one under the eaves of the house and away from other plants, and another between fennel and comfrey plants. I was planning a sort of benevolent alien intervention. It worked well. The butterflies either didn’t find them or didn’t like the camouflaged swan plants so the plants didn’t get egged. Then as I had planned, I intervened by selecting some caterpillars from the over populated plants and carried them against their will to the strategically planted ones. The strategy worked and very large numbers of chrysalises resulted. (See the photo of the chrysalises hanging from the eaves under which there was one of the hidden swan plants.) The other plants were again stripped bare but as a result of my benevolent intervention I had never seen so many monarchs flying around in my garden. Whenever I looked out the kitchen window there would be at least two or three chasing each other. Which brings me back to where I began. What is the characteristic we share? Like them, we are consuming, exploiting and destroying the natural resources essential to life on this planet. So, the only hope for the future, theirs and ours, seems to depend on a benevolent intervention by an intelligent alien power.
My strategic interference saved many monarchs but who will save us? And to where?
PS. There does however appear to be one point of difference between us. As far as I can make out, when they fly they make no negative impact on the environment.Monarchs & Humans, the habits we share. My interactions with monarch butterflies lead me to the conclusion that in terms of planning and wisdom, monarchs share a lot with us humans. Monarchs depend for their future on swan plants. So, being concerned for them, some years ago, I planted a swan plant in early spring expecting that it would be big enough to provide sufficient food to see the caterpillars through to the chrysalis stage. But I was wrong, very wrong! The monarchs laid so many eggs on the plant that the caterpillars had stripped the plant bare before they were mature enough to form a chrysalis. And of course they ate the leaves regardless of whether or not eggs had been laid on them. In desperation, they even chewed on the stems and trunk of the swan plant which subsequently withered and died, as you do when you are eaten alive.
The following year I doubled the food supply. However, not much changed though 3 caterpillars managed to get to the chrysalis stage before the food supply was completely consumed. That’s three new butterflies from dozens of hatched caterpillars and heaven knows how many eggs. And eggs continued to be laid when the food supply was already clearly insufficient to provide for the current population, let alone for any new mouths.
So, in the third year, I planted more swan plants but this time, I was a bit cunning. I planted one under the eaves of the house and away from other plants, and another between fennel and comfrey plants. I was planning a sort of benevolent alien intervention. It worked well. The butterflies either didn’t find them or didn’t like the camouflaged swan plants so the plants didn’t get egged. Then as I had planned, I intervened by selecting some caterpillars from the over populated plants and carried them against their will to the strategically planted ones. The strategy worked and very large numbers of chrysalises resulted. (See the photo of the chrysalises hanging from the eaves under which there was one of the hidden swan plants.) The other plants were again stripped bare but as a result of my benevolent intervention I had never seen so many monarchs flying around in my garden. Whenever I looked out the kitchen window there would be at least two or three chasing each other. Which brings me back to where I began. What is the characteristic we share? Like them, we are consuming, exploiting and destroying the natural resources essential to life on this planet. So, the only hope for the future, theirs and ours, seems to depend on a benevolent intervention by an intelligent alien power.
My strategic interference saved many monarchs but who will save us? And to where?
PS. There does however appear to be one point of difference between us. As far as I can make out, when they fly they make no negative impact on the environment.
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We are bringing you the latest list of recalled products from across the country. Make sure you aren't using these at home!
Click on the blue text to learn more about that particular product and why it was recalled.
Food and household item recalls:
⚠️Cereulide toxin risk in … View moreWe are bringing you the latest list of recalled products from across the country. Make sure you aren't using these at home!
Click on the blue text to learn more about that particular product and why it was recalled.
Food and household item recalls:
⚠️Cereulide toxin risk in Nestlé brand Alfamino Infant Formula (0-12 months) recalled due to the possible presence of the toxin cereulide
Pretty as a Bow Glass Mugs 2 Pack by dusk
Pretty as a Bow Tea Pot 500ml by dusk
Product Recalls: Infant care and clothing
Children’s poncho towel with ties - Sold at H&M
Product Recalls: Toys
⚠️Asbestos risk in Glow Sand Art
Bath Unicorn Toy Set - sold at 5MAX
Product Recalls: Cosmetics
Naked Sunday Collagen Glow Priming Lotion - Sold at Mecca Beauty and Naked Sunday online
Product Recalls: Electronics
Labka hot glue gun TY-G1001A 20w - Sold at PD Mart (Panda Mart)
Labka hot glue gun TY-G4001A 40w - Sold at PD Mart (Panda Mart)
Product Recalls: Other
Anko Small Gel Pak and Anko Large Gel Pak - Sold at Kmart
Giant Animator and Liv Adore Bicycles
Various Seatbelt extenders / extension straps sold via Kogan (by seller 'A.L.E. Trading')
Various Seatbelt adjusters / Seatbelt extenders sold via Kogan (by seller 'Sensual Sale')
Check the New Zealand Transport Agency's handy vehicle recall list here.
See past months' recalls. Stay safe, neighbours!
Hi Everyone and happy new year,
Mike here owner and operator of MTG Section Services,
I have recently gone into my business full time and are looking to build my client base,
I offer professional, reliable, guaranteed lawn mowing service,
I am fully insured, MSD registered,
If i can be of … View moreHi Everyone and happy new year,
Mike here owner and operator of MTG Section Services,
I have recently gone into my business full time and are looking to build my client base,
I offer professional, reliable, guaranteed lawn mowing service,
I am fully insured, MSD registered,
If i can be of service to you please feel free to get in touch,
Ph 0272363688, mtgsectionservices@gmail.com or check me out on Facebook.
Cheers Mike
Monarch over my lemon tree. It seems that something about lemon trees attracts monarch butterflies.
Step into the wide blue yonder with a tonal colour palette that starts with Resene Coast. Find out how to create your own relaxing tonal palette.
A scam or a fraud is any scheme designed to con you out of money or steal your personal information. If someone contacts you unexpectedly – whether over the phone, through the post, by email, on a website, in person or on social media – always consider the possibility that it may be a scam.
… View moreA scam or a fraud is any scheme designed to con you out of money or steal your personal information. If someone contacts you unexpectedly – whether over the phone, through the post, by email, on a website, in person or on social media – always consider the possibility that it may be a scam.
Scammers target lots of people, often for small amounts of money. They constantly evolve their approach making scams harder to spot. Most scams come from overseas, but they may pretend to be locally based — from a reputable company, bank, or government agency, or even from your friends on social media if your account has been hacked. It is very difficult to get your money back once it is sent overseas.
Scams hurt us all. You can protect yourself and others by learning how to spot scams, share what you see and report them.
Figure out if you are being scammed: Use these questions to help figure out if you have been targeted by a scammer.
Article compiled from information kindly supplied by ConsumerProtection.govt.nz
Q&A regarding Neighbourly data breach
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
Yesterday in the High Court at Auckland, Neighbourly was successful in being granted an injunction against any unauthorised use of the data taken in a recent breach.
As we alerted you on January 1 and confirmed on January 3, our systems were accessed illegally and members’ information, … View moreYesterday in the High Court at Auckland, Neighbourly was successful in being granted an injunction against any unauthorised use of the data taken in a recent breach.
As we alerted you on January 1 and confirmed on January 3, our systems were accessed illegally and members’ information, including names, email addresses, GPS coordinates from the address you provided to us, forum posts and direct member communications were among the data that was accessed.
We acted immediately upon hearing of a potential breach: we temporarily disabled the site, notified members and authorities including the Privacy Commissioner and worked with our external security consultants to understand if and how it had occurred. We then confirmed the breach with members, safely restored the site to service and began the process of seeking the injunction. Yesterday’s decision by Justice Johnstone prohibits the use of the data by any unauthorised person, and requires them to permanently delete it, or any information obtained from it.
This does not mean that vigilance against scammers is not still required: there is a large industry globally that seeks to use stolen information for identity fraud or to dupe people into providing details of their financial affairs for theft. Again, to keep yourself safe from scammers it is critical that you:
- Don’t click links in emails. Instead, type the web address directly into your browser. This helps ensure you’re visiting a real site, not a fake one
- Enable two-factor authentication where available as this adds an extra layer of security to your data
- Stay alert for phishing emails. Be cautious of unexpected emails asking for personal information, especially ones that create a sense of urgency.
Again, we want to apologise to you for this illegal access to the Neighbourly database and to assure you that we have carefully worked through how this occurred. We have safely secured the site and its services for use and ensured we have robust processes in place so this cannot happen again.
We are continuing to work with the relevant authorities, including the National Cyber Security Centre, on any further steps we need to take.
If you have any further questions please contact us via our customer support team at helpdesk@neighbourly.co.nz.
Barbary Dove. Also called African Collared Dove. The smallest pigeon in New Zealand.
© Neighbourly 2026
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