825 days ago

Fire causes 'extensive damage' to popular Westport restaurant

The Team Reporter from The Press

A popular restaurant in the West Coast town of Westport, Johnny’s, has suffered “extensive damage” after a fire ripped through the building on Wednesday.

Smoke could be seen billowing from the two-storey building on Palmerston St as five fire crews fought to bring the blaze under control.

Johnny’s owner John Lennon said he was relieved no-one was hurt.

“[We’re] still waiting for the fire to be [brought] under control, and then we can get an idea of what happened.”


Lennon and his wife, Janis, lease the downstairs part of the building where they set up Johnny’s about five-and-a-half years ago.

“Our kitchen is completely water and smoke damaged and the upstairs looks to be extensively damaged,” Lennon said.

Emergency services were called to the fire about 10.10am on Wednesday.

Palmerston St BP owner Raymond Gibson said he could see smoke coming from the building.

“I really feel for [the owners], they work really hard seven days a week,” he said.

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More messages from your neighbours
34 minutes ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

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21 hours ago

Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.

This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
.
Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

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Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
  • 85.1% Yes
    85.1% Complete
  • 13.4% No
    13.4% Complete
  • 1.5% Other - I'll share below
    1.5% Complete
611 votes
9 hours ago

Got a Minute? Prove You’re the Smartest Neighbour!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What is it that when given one, you’ll have either two or none?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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