Thank you for using Neighbourly
Until 3 September, purchase any magazine or newspaper on Mags4Gifts and automatically go in the draw to win a Sunbeam Barista Max Espresso Machine worth $499.
Mags4Gifts has a wide range of magazine and newspaper subscriptions. There’s something for the whole family! Start by browsing our best… View moreUntil 3 September, purchase any magazine or newspaper on Mags4Gifts and automatically go in the draw to win a Sunbeam Barista Max Espresso Machine worth $499.
Mags4Gifts has a wide range of magazine and newspaper subscriptions. There’s something for the whole family! Start by browsing our best sellers which include NZ House & Garden, NZ Gardener, and The TV Guide. T&Cs apply.
The team at Mags4Gifts
Final call for winter deals, neighbours!
Worried about facing those winter bills? No worries, our budget-friendly power and broadband plans have you covered. Stay cozy, stay connected, and stress less. Hurry, these offers won't last!
A heart healthy diet is one rich in fruit and vegetables. Not only are they better for your heart, but they allow you to feel fuller with less calories. This amazing Vegetarian Lasagne from the Heart Foundation is definitely delightful. It's a perfect winter dish to warm you up and help keep … View moreA heart healthy diet is one rich in fruit and vegetables. Not only are they better for your heart, but they allow you to feel fuller with less calories. This amazing Vegetarian Lasagne from the Heart Foundation is definitely delightful. It's a perfect winter dish to warm you up and help keep your heart healthy. Let's get cooking! #HeartHealthy #EatingWell
Dear neighbours, every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of reader recipes using a seasonal crop. This month, we're on the hunt for pea recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by August 27, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the September issue of NZ Gardener.
Everyone deserves a warm, dry, healthy home – see if you’re eligible for financial support to insulate and heat yours.
Warmer Kiwi Homes is a government grant that offers 80% - 90% of the cost of ceiling and underfloor insulation, and up to 80% off an energy-efficient heater, like a heat … View moreEveryone deserves a warm, dry, healthy home – see if you’re eligible for financial support to insulate and heat yours.
Warmer Kiwi Homes is a government grant that offers 80% - 90% of the cost of ceiling and underfloor insulation, and up to 80% off an energy-efficient heater, like a heat pump. In August, the eligibility criteria were extended so over 50,000 more households are eligible for insulation grants.
And you may get it even cheaper than that - lots of community organisations offer extra funding to reduce the cost further.
Check your eligibility, or check for your whānau.
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
When disaster hits the West Coast, people should not expect that help is on the way.
That's the plain warning from Westland Mayor Helen Lash.
She notes that "crystal ball gazing" needs to move to personal action.
"There … View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
When disaster hits the West Coast, people should not expect that help is on the way.
That's the plain warning from Westland Mayor Helen Lash.
She notes that "crystal ball gazing" needs to move to personal action.
"There will be no knight in shining armour. It's not going to happen. People need to understand that. The people we're going to rely on is ourselves. Anything other than that is a bonus," Mrs Lash said Monday.
The prospect of a massive Alpine Fault rupture (AF8) is now overdue and lines of communication along the 650km long region including roads, bridges, and power will be completely severed for weeks, if not many months.
A recent presentation to Hari Hari farmers by a river engineer noted the AF8 region-wide reality would be mass collapses of river valleys and hillsides with a total transformation of the landscape.
And those living south of Hokitika and north of Westport are particularly vulnerable due to single road access and some big rivers.
West Coast Civil Defence and Emergency Management group manager Claire Brown said a big focus for West Coast CDEM is "about community development".
Ensuring people in every district had an awareness, knew what they needed to do, and had the plan and contingencies in place were the key pillars, "at the end of it, helping communities to help themselves".
"That takes a lot of time and effort, she said.
"It also begins at home, locally held preparedness in the community you live in, how organised you are, how quickly are you able to coordinate a response."
That included an individual and local plan around finding access external communications.
Brown said fairly major events had already proven the complexities for the region.
The reverberation of Cyclone Gabrielle only reinforced that vulnerability.
"We know that it doesn't take a lot for the roading or infrastructure to be compromised."
Hokitika mayor Helen Lash said her biggest concern is that local residents have yet to overcome a complacency and to take some personal responsibility.
In the event, every little contingency already in place in the various neighbourhoods would be vital for the authorities to understand the bigger picture.
Breaking through that complacency was "flipping hard," particularly when some people held to an expectation that somehow a whole lot of external aid would arrive in an event like AF8.
Lash said she was passionate about an "from the ground up" approach that actually started at home.
"At the end of the day resilience is going to be the number one factor in the ability of communities to cope. Some communities have got on board."
A very impressive example was Harhari getting organised more recently with "a great team there".
They already had the fundamentals for an emergency operations centre in their settlement, and were working on a plan for alternative accommodation in an event for example.
Tools like organising a generator or planning an independent water supply should be happening now, Lash said.
She gave the example of own neighbourhood at Tutaki just south of Hokitika, which was highly likely to be cut off in the loss of the bridge despite its proximity to the main town.
Lash said Franz Josef was another good example of self organisation given what it had experienced in the past decade.
But people in every area urgently needed "to understand" they would be relying on their own resources for some time in a big disaster.
"It's going to rely on everyone pulling their weight."
Dave Murdoch of Tauranga was nominated by Ian Smith for being quite simply, the nicest neighbour!
"Dave next door is the best - we live in an apartment block in the CBD and every day he gets up and cleans the driveway- always puts out everyone’s rubbish bins and scrubs them out every time… View moreDave Murdoch of Tauranga was nominated by Ian Smith for being quite simply, the nicest neighbour!
"Dave next door is the best - we live in an apartment block in the CBD and every day he gets up and cleans the driveway- always puts out everyone’s rubbish bins and scrubs them out every time they are emptied. He cleaned around our pool area after a storm recently as we were busy at work. He is always first to help others whenever he can whether they have an issue with their unit or a stranger having car trouble out on the street - They don’t come better!"
If you have a Nice Neighbour, don't keep it to yourself. You might win a $25 Prezzy® card each and a shoutout on Stuff. Go on, nominate them now!
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced the end of the final pandemic-related public health orders which is the mandatory seven-day isolation for people infected and mask requirement in health facilities. For some, it's a welcome change but for others this is a concerning move. How are you … View morePrime Minister Chris Hipkins announced the end of the final pandemic-related public health orders which is the mandatory seven-day isolation for people infected and mask requirement in health facilities. For some, it's a welcome change but for others this is a concerning move. How are you feeling about the changes?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
Dreaming of calling the City of Sails home?
For only $15 a ticket, you could win this brand-new, fully furnished home in Glenbrook, Auckland in the Heart Foundation Lottery. Worth over $1 million and built to perfection by Jennian Homes, this home features four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen… View moreDreaming of calling the City of Sails home?
For only $15 a ticket, you could win this brand-new, fully furnished home in Glenbrook, Auckland in the Heart Foundation Lottery. Worth over $1 million and built to perfection by Jennian Homes, this home features four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen plus walk-in pantry, two beautiful living rooms and is only a short walk away from Glenbrook Beach with stunning views out to Āwhitu Peninsula.
Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, rent it or even sell it – it could be all yours! Be in to win by purchasing your tickets today.
Did you know that socially well-connected people are happier and healthier according to the latest research? Reach out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while or catch up with your loved ones to benefit your mental health and wellbeing.
Read our blog on social connection to find out more!
Get 20% off Kiwi-made Resene quality paints, primers, sealers and wood stains.
Plus buy one testpot get one free on 60-80ml testpots 60-80. Visit your local Resene ColorShop or reseller and get started on your decorating project.
Choose from the widest range of Eco Choice approved paints … View moreGet 20% off Kiwi-made Resene quality paints, primers, sealers and wood stains.
Plus buy one testpot get one free on 60-80ml testpots 60-80. Visit your local Resene ColorShop or reseller and get started on your decorating project.
Choose from the widest range of Eco Choice approved paints available in New Zealand!
Hey Neighbours!
Is your Mobile plan one of the many Winter bills piling up? It might be time to review it so you can relax..even just a smidge?! Compare all the mobile plans and providers on Mobile Compare and find a plan that lets you stay connected without overpaying.
The leader of the National Party has announced a plan to ban cellphones from all classrooms to minimize distractions for students. The Labour party has commented that this is commonplace already and is a decision best left for individual schools. Do you think a ban should be enforced?
Tell us about gardeners doing something worth celebrating in your community, and they could be in the running for the Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year! The winner will receive Vegepod product worth $1000. And the most colourful character receives $1000 worth of Resene paint.
Send up to five… View moreTell us about gardeners doing something worth celebrating in your community, and they could be in the running for the Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year! The winner will receive Vegepod product worth $1000. And the most colourful character receives $1000 worth of Resene paint.
Send up to five high-resolution photos and explain why you wish to nominate a person or group to be the Ryman Healthcare 2023 Gardener of the Year. Email your entry to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Or post your nomination to 2023 Gardener of the Year, NZ Gardener, PO Box 6341, Victoria St West, Auckland 1142.
By Brendon McMahon, local democracy reporter
Stage 1a of the Hokitika River flood protection works behind Westland Milk Products is virtually complete.
West Coast Regional Council infrastructure resilience group project manager Scott Hoare told the council on Tuesday that installation of the … View moreBy Brendon McMahon, local democracy reporter
Stage 1a of the Hokitika River flood protection works behind Westland Milk Products is virtually complete.
West Coast Regional Council infrastructure resilience group project manager Scott Hoare told the council on Tuesday that installation of the rock work was "practically complete".
Work under way this week included backfilling and topping up to the right height the top of the new wall, where the West Coast Wilderness Trail passes behind the dairy factory.
The work being completed included a new riding surface for the cycle trail.
"I believe they will be in the position of being wrapped up by the end of next week," Hoare said.
Some minor matters including removing and realigning a power pole needed to be done. From there they would be looking to finalise the account for Stage 1a.
Hoare said they were also now in a position to finally sign off the cost-sharing agreement with Westland Milk Products, previously ratified by council, for the work.
Meanwhile background work to enable Stage 1b, adjoining Gibson Quay from Westland Milk Products down to the Hokitika River bridge alongside the Hokitika rail siding to the dairy factory, was getting close to the consenting and tendering stages.
Hoare said a cultural impact process for Stage 1b was due in about two weeks. They were considering if 1b could proceed as a variation of 1A for the consenting aspect.
Beyond that a draft concept was in the offing for preliminary work for stages two and three.
The total staged scheme to raise and extend the Hokitika River true right bank protection will eventually include raised stopbanks along Gibson Quay to protect the town centre, and Kaniere township.
*Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air.
© Neighbourly 2024
Loading…
