1843 days ago

DIY Chalkboard Houses

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Hamilton

These are super easy to make and provide hours of creative play as well as encourage the development of your toddler's hand-eye coordination and attention span.

To make some chalkboard blocks of your own you’ll need to gather a few supplies (Bunnings or Mitre 10 should have everything you need):
• plank of wood
• saw
• chalkboard paint
• paint brush
• paint tray
• sandpaper

Cut down the wood into rectangles and saw the corners off one end to form a house shape. You can make the blocks as tall, short, or narrow as you’d like. Variety makes your city scape more interesting!

When the blocks are cut, sand all the edges and front so they are smooth and there are no rough spots. Then, simply paint over with chalkboard paint and let dry overnight before use.


Once the paint has dried, have fun creating your little city!
Printable link: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

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More messages from your neighbours
1 hour ago

Raglan tops unpaid rates bill list in Waikato District

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

More than $1.3 million in unpaid rates is owed to Waikato District Council by just 10 property owners — including one Raglan ratepayer who owes nearly a quarter of a million dollars.

An Official Information Act response reveals the council’s worst rates arrears, with a single Raglan property topping the list at $234,017.07 outstanding.

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3 hours ago

Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!

William Hansby Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.

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21 days ago

Poll: Are you a Te Huia fan?

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

All three Hamilton MPs appear to be united behind the retention of the Te Huia passenger rail service between Hamilton and Auckland, as well as potentially expanding it to Tauranga.

But whether Hamilton East’s Ryan Hamilton, Hamilton West’s Tama Potaka and soon-to-be Labour list MP Georgie Dansey have the combined power to shunt transport minister Chris Bishop and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon onto their line of thinking remains to be seen.

Are you a Te Huia fan? Tell us more in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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Are you a Te Huia fan?
  • 80.9% Yes
    80.9% Complete
  • 19.1% No
    19.1% Complete
94 votes