Greymouth region, Greymouth

New lottery, new home

New lottery, new home

For just $15, you could win a fully furnished home in Clarks Beach, Auckland worth over $1 million. Buy your tickets today!

255 days ago

Easter Gift Guide 2024

The Team from NZ Compare

Hop into Easter with our Gift Guide 2024! Whether you're spoiling the grandkids or surprising your closest pals, we've gathered delightful gifts to make this Easter memorable.

Explore now and find the perfect treasures to cherish the season with those you love. Don't leave it to … View more
Hop into Easter with our Gift Guide 2024! Whether you're spoiling the grandkids or surprising your closest pals, we've gathered delightful gifts to make this Easter memorable.

Explore now and find the perfect treasures to cherish the season with those you love. Don't leave it to the last minute – start shopping now from the comfort of your couch!

Image
260 days ago

Neighbourly Q&A: The Garden Guru

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Can't make your roses sing? Wanting to know when to start planting your broccoli? We are kicking off our Q&A series with Jo McCarroll in the hot seat answering questions on all things gardening from 9am Friday.

As well as being the author of Vege Patch From Scratch, Jo is also the … View more
Can't make your roses sing? Wanting to know when to start planting your broccoli? We are kicking off our Q&A series with Jo McCarroll in the hot seat answering questions on all things gardening from 9am Friday.

As well as being the author of Vege Patch From Scratch, Jo is also the editor of NZ Gardener magazine and has been for 15 years. She is looking forward to answering your gardening questions.

Whether you're dipping your toe in the soil or have seasoned green fingers, we welcome you to...
↓ Share your question with our gardening guru below... ↓

Image
259 days ago

Happy International Women's Day!

The Team from NZ Compare

Today, we celebrate the heroes living right under our roofs, who uplift and empower us every day – the wives, mums, daughters, and nans.

Take a moment to say thank you to these incredible women who shape your lives with their grace and courage.

Don't forget to use NZ Compare to … View more
Today, we celebrate the heroes living right under our roofs, who uplift and empower us every day – the wives, mums, daughters, and nans.

Take a moment to say thank you to these incredible women who shape your lives with their grace and courage.

Don't forget to use NZ Compare to brighten your household bills!

Image
259 days ago

Ryman Care - Your Free Guide

Ernest Rutherford Retirement Village

Choosing the right care centre is an important decision. To help you, we’ve put together The Ryman Care Guide to highlight the care, kindness and comfort that our care centres provide.

At Ryman villages, we offer care options customised to suit your needs. Our villages all offer rest home … View more
Choosing the right care centre is an important decision. To help you, we’ve put together The Ryman Care Guide to highlight the care, kindness and comfort that our care centres provide.

At Ryman villages, we offer care options customised to suit your needs. Our villages all offer rest home care, and most also offer hospital and specialist dementia care.

Our assisted living apartments are in the heart of the village and include services like housekeeping and chef-prepared meals to make life easier.

Discover the kindness and comfort of Ryman care, request your free copy today.

Click read more for your free guide.

Image
260 days ago

A note about community mail theft

The Team from Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast Police

Please follow our top tips to reduce the risk of mail theft:
✉️ Clear your letterbox in a timely manner
✉️ Put a hold on your mail delivery if you’re going away
✉️ Provide clear delivery instructions for couriers to leave a package safely hidden or secured within your property
View more
Please follow our top tips to reduce the risk of mail theft:
✉️ Clear your letterbox in a timely manner
✉️ Put a hold on your mail delivery if you’re going away
✉️ Provide clear delivery instructions for couriers to leave a package safely hidden or secured within your property
✉️ Install security cameras and/or security camera messaging near your letterbox or front of property
✉️ Where practical, consider click and collect over delivery
✉️ Send parcels to a work address or ensuring you're home when they arrive
✉️ Contact Police (111 for immediate issues or 105 if it is after the fact) if you see people loitering around vehicles or looking into car windows
✉️ Engage in neighbourhood groups so more people can keep an eye out for suspicious activity

These tips are being shared after a 44-year-old woman will appear in Pukekohe District Court on 28 March charged with theft.
An alleged mail thief in the Pukekohe area has hand-delivered herself into Police, following assistance from the community.
Counties Manukau South Senior Sergeant MJ Riddle says Police were aware of locals discussing a mail theft on social media. A report was made to Police at the time in January and had included enough detail including CCTV footage and a vehicle of interest. Following Police enquiries, the woman has brought herself into the Pukekohe Police Station a few days later.

“This is a great result for the community and a timely reminder to the public to continue reporting any thefts from letterboxes.”
Senior Sergeant Riddle says
“Our community should be able to receive parcels and mail without concern of interference but unfortunately there are people in our communities who take advantage of opportunities to commit thefts from mail boxes and front porches."

“We encourage anyone who has been the victim of dishonesty offending to report it as soon as possible,” she says."

Image
260 days ago

Hokitika coastal protection project to push on

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

The Hokitika seawall extension project is to be pushed ahead despite the West Coast Regional Council not having any money yet to build it.

The northern extension to the 2013-built Hokitika Seawall has been in the pipeline for the past two years … View more
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

The Hokitika seawall extension project is to be pushed ahead despite the West Coast Regional Council not having any money yet to build it.

The northern extension to the 2013-built Hokitika Seawall has been in the pipeline for the past two years under council's Infrastructure Resilience Group 'shovel ready' programme for the town.

The programme includes the three stage Hokitika River stopbank programme on the southern edge of Hokitika, now at its second stage and awaiting final sign off by KiwiRail.

On Wednesday, the council announced it will drive forward its goal of providing better long-term coastal protection for the Hokitika residential area along the Revell Street-north beachfront.

Council chairperson Peter Haddock said they hope council can win some of the new 'shovel ready' money, set aside in the Coalition Government deal with NZ First, to build the extension.

But a requirement for the new money is the consent application is lodged to ensure no subsequent delay to what are supposed to be 'shovel ready' projects.

Haddock warned council is contesting for an annual pool of about $100m of funding nationwide.

"The priority for the Government will be that the projects are all ready to go because in the past a lot of projects that were 'shovel ready', weren't ready."

Haddock said council has applied knowing it will need to show it has the consent in train to qualify.

"It is in one of the tranches for funding. We have put that up for the Hokitika seawall, however it will depend on priorities around the country."

The new consent application encompassed future sea protection emergency work, a retrospective emergency work provision for the current 2013 seawall, and consent for the proposed extension.

Haddock said the emergency provision would allow council to be more proactive in the face of a future extreme event.

At the same time he expected some pushback from residents in the seawall extension area who stood to lose easy beach access from their properties.

"It will be contentious."

The township, founded in 1864, has a long history of inundation with the sea flooding the CBD within living memory.

Haddock said they hoped to have a formal hearing by about September - dependent on the availability of commissioners.

Council natural hazards analyst Dr Sharon Hornblow said Hokitika's natural hazard exposure is clear as it is built "within a dynamic coastal environment".

"Erosion issues are part of a long-term balance between sediment supply and highly active coastal processes," she said.

In particular the Hokitika shoreline is in a state of "dynamic equilibrium" balancing sediment supply from the river and earthquake induced landslides, with coastal bars and erosion troughs impacted by flood flows and storms.

Hokitika's seismic location between the Alpine Fault and the offshore Cape Foulwind Fault meant vertical land movement, along with sea level rise, is a future consideration, Hornblow said.

Council had decades of coastal erosion monitoring data, with the most recent data from 2021 showing "the potential" for river and storm surge flooding.

"Future projections for the Hokitika shoreline are more frequent severe flood events, coastal storms, future sea level rise from measured temperature increases and ice melt, and further sediment transport as well as coastal erosion," Hornblow said.

Extending and completing a new sea wall presented "a proactive short to medium-term option".

Hornblow said it would potentially help mitigate the ongoing impacts of sea level rise and the increased coastal hazard exposure while council worked towards a longer-term strategy for the area.

Image
261 days ago

Make money from your unused space

Heybarn

Unlock the potential of your unused space, whether it's a shed, garage or paddock and start making it work for you.

Kiwis from all over New Zealand are looking to rent affordable space for storage, a workshop or an event.

Visit - let us help you find the perfect renter for your space.
Find out more

Image
261 days ago

Could our dream of pest-free tomatoes come true?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

"What I have harvested from that greenhouse this year, that’s the cleanest crop I have ever grown. No whitefly at all. It’s pretty exciting,” says Anthony Tringham, who grows heirloom tomatoes commercially under the brand Curious Croppers, in Clevedon, Auckland

Image
262 days ago

WIN A $50 Gift Card

The Team from NZ Compare

WIN ONE of FIVE $50 Gift Cards - It's only a few clicks away! Simply complete our easy Broadband Survey and unlock your chance to WIN! Start Survey now.

Our recent neighbourly poll revealed some challenges with broadband providers, and we're here to help. The survey will help us get a … View more
WIN ONE of FIVE $50 Gift Cards - It's only a few clicks away! Simply complete our easy Broadband Survey and unlock your chance to WIN! Start Survey now.

Our recent neighbourly poll revealed some challenges with broadband providers, and we're here to help. The survey will help us get a better understanding of your experience with your current broadband provider. Let your voice be heard.
Start survey now

Image
262 days ago

Compare & SAVE on the Go

The Team from NZ Compare

Have a pesky power bill from Summer aircon use?

Dive into NZ Compare and effortlessly COMPARE broadband, power, mobile & more to uncover the best deals and save money for the rest of 2024!
So you can keep using that aircon!

Image
264 days ago

Last week to enter neighbours!

Prospa

Have you nominated a small business in your community yet? The Prospa Local Business Hero Awards close this week!

Whether you know a great plumber, supermarket, mechanic, bookstore, hairdresser, gardener, pharmacy, builder, shoe store, cafe or electrician - show some love to a small business and… View more
Have you nominated a small business in your community yet? The Prospa Local Business Hero Awards close this week!

Whether you know a great plumber, supermarket, mechanic, bookstore, hairdresser, gardener, pharmacy, builder, shoe store, cafe or electrician - show some love to a small business and make a nomination today.

You'll not only help drum up some support for them in your community, you could also help them win a $10,000 prize package. Plus if your nomination is a regional finalist you'll win a $100 Prezzy® card too!
Nominate now

Image
264 days ago

Want chocolate this Easter?

NZ House & Garden

The sweetest time of the year is just around the corner, and we’ve put together a great deal that will make it even sweeter.

Bennetto Chocolate has helped us put together an amazing chocolate box that’ll be the perfect addition to an NZ House & Garden subscription this Easter. Simply … View more
The sweetest time of the year is just around the corner, and we’ve put together a great deal that will make it even sweeter.

Bennetto Chocolate has helped us put together an amazing chocolate box that’ll be the perfect addition to an NZ House & Garden subscription this Easter. Simply purchase a 1 or 2-year subscription to NZ House & Garden and the Easter Bunny will deliver you a Bennetto Chocolate Box worth $50 for FREE! T&Cs Apply.

Enjoy,
The team at NZ House & Garden
Find out more

Image
265 days ago

Have you got your tickets yet?

Heart Foundation Lotteries

Don’t miss out! For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home in Pegasus, Christchurch worth almost $1 million dollars.

Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting for its new owner.… View more
Don’t miss out! For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home in Pegasus, Christchurch worth almost $1 million dollars.

Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting for its new owner.

Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, rent it or even sell it! Get your tickets today at heartlottery.org.nz.
Buy tickets now

Image
266 days ago

Local health initiative rollout paused, but West Coast work continues

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By local democracy reporter:

The Government has paused work on the rollout of health localities, but the West Coast pilot Takiwā Poutini will continue for now.

Takiwā Poutini chairperson Kevin Hague said the move was "not surprising" as Health Minister Shane Reti had indicated he … View more
By local democracy reporter:

The Government has paused work on the rollout of health localities, but the West Coast pilot Takiwā Poutini will continue for now.

Takiwā Poutini chairperson Kevin Hague said the move was "not surprising" as Health Minister Shane Reti had indicated he "wasn't convinced by localities" during the election campaign.

"But on the other hand, he talked up the need for community involvement in planning and decision making - which is exactly what localities provide," Hague said.

"What he has done ... is pushed out the deadlines for locality plans and establishment of geographic boundaries. Clearly that is to allow the development of an alternative."

A Cabinet paper presented by the health minister on the abolishment of the Māori Health Authority also called a stop to further work on the rollout of up to 80 health localities across the country by June.

Introduced as part of the health reforms in 2022, it was to support localism and promote work between sectors as the local decision making of district health boards were scrapped.

However, Reti said their implementation had been slow "and there is a lack of clarity for communities and the health workforce", the NZ Herald reported.

The West Coast was in the initial rollout of 12 pilot areas in May 2022.

The locality Takiwā Poutini has engaged with local government, iwi, community groups and the education sector to gauge priorities to determine future health services across the region.

Hague said he did not see the locality rollout pause as the end but an opportunity to build on the model.

"Clearly, that is to allow the development of an alternative. In the meantime we've been told to keep working."

The West Coast locality would continue to be supported by Health New Zealand-Te Whatu Ora as it continued its work, Hague said.

Hague said he foresaw their work already being tapped into in the formulation of a new structure rather than "throwing the baby out with the bathwater".

Two key aspects were important to continue, he said:
* The evolving partnership to plan services between local government, central government and iwi via Takiwā Poutini.
* Incorporating the key focus of wellbeing "in a broader sense".

"It's encouraging that [Reti] hasn't said stop work on this - he's kind of slowing down the process," Hague said.

The Takiwā locality formalised its charter in March 2023, partnering with the region's councils and two rūnanga.

Greymouth mayor Tania Gibson, who is on the Takiwa Poutini governance board, said they had been left questioning its future.

"The last couple of meetings have been the uncertainty about what the Government will be doing … we'll see where that goes."

Gibson said the locality's purpose had seemed "very confusing" at times, including local government being pulled into its mandate but there had been some positive gains for the region.

This included the provision of new mobile health units in the region and the gathering of "good information" through consultation on community wellbeing, Gibson said.

Those wellbeing aims were to be incorporated through her council's long-term plan, as one example of an integrated approach.

Tony Kokshoorn, the former West Coast DHB deputy chairperson until 2022, said while he had agreed with the health reforms, there still needed to be "a go-between" so a small region like the West Coast could be heard in the new centralised system.

He said he understood the locality idea was supposed to do that in lieu of the former boards.

"We still need a link. We need some type of link into the central system -- we need some way there to make sure we're not overlooked here on the West Coast."

Reti said: "During the process which moved through Parliament this week, I consistently reiterated this Government’s commitment to delivering healthcare close to home and to hapu – and that includes on the West Coast."

He said the pausing of localities gave time to consider how to ensure health agencies deliver this commitment on the ground.

"There will be more to say and more thinking to be done. The legislation provides for a pause while we work out how to ensure genuine local influence on local service design and delivery happens."

Reti said he agreed that ways of working that identify and support local solutions to local health challenges are needed.

"That means using data, measuring progress, and working with people who know their communities best.

"When we get this right, we'll be supporting New Zealanders to stay in good health for longer wherever they are, whoever they are, and whatever their health needs are."

He said primary and community healthcare is the gateway to the health system for most people, particularly on the West Coast. In this space, Iwi Māori Partnership Boards would be "an increased local voice for all", as will the existing Primary Health Organisations.

"I thank the teams such as West Coast Takiwā Poutini as we take the time to pause, and consider the way ahead," Reti said.

267 days ago

Enjoy Financial Certainty...

The Team from Ryman Healthcare

When you move to a Ryman village, the last thing you need to think about are unexpected costs. We offer financial security with rates, home insurance, exterior maintenance and gardening all covered under one fixed base weekly fee*, meaning once you’ve moved in you can focus on the things you … View moreWhen you move to a Ryman village, the last thing you need to think about are unexpected costs. We offer financial security with rates, home insurance, exterior maintenance and gardening all covered under one fixed base weekly fee*, meaning once you’ve moved in you can focus on the things you enjoy.

Find out more about our living options today and get ready for a new lifestyle.

*Weekly fee’s only increase if you change from independent living to serviced apartment living, or you add extra care options.
Find out more

Image
Top