Doubtful Range, Hanmer Springs

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Head to our Know Thy Neighbour page.

1002 days ago

Sign up to Oval Office, Stuff's rugby newsletter

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1003 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours,

Last year, Greytown magician Paul Bates' Tardis-inspired shed was declared the Shed of the Year. This year, Resene and NZ Gardener are once again on the hunt for the country's best shed! Send in the photos and stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever storage … View more
Dear neighbours,

Last year, Greytown magician Paul Bates' Tardis-inspired shed was declared the Shed of the Year. This year, Resene and NZ Gardener are once again on the hunt for the country's best shed! Send in the photos and stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever storage spaces, cute chicken coops and potty potting sheds. The Resene Shed of the Year 2022 winners will receive prizes worth more than $2200. Just tell us in writing why your garden shed is New Zealand's best, and send up to five high-quality photos. Email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close Feb 27, 2022.

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1003 days ago

Do you have a great kūmara recipe?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours,

Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for kūmara recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz before February 27, 2022.

Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Homegrown … View more
Dear neighbours,

Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for kūmara recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz before February 27, 2022.

Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Homegrown Recipes.

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1004 days ago

Annoucement

Office for Seniors

The Government has appointed Carolyn Cooper as the inaugural Aged Care Commissioner, to lead much needed systematic change in the sector, Minister for Seniors and Associate Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today.

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1004 days ago

How about heart-shaped foliage plants for your Valentine?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

It's not too late to grab these sensational plants for your green-fingered, houseplant-loving Valentine. Here's a quick guide to the hottest indoor plants for that special person in your life.

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1004 days ago

Share the love around Neighbours!

The Team from NZ Compare

Happy Valentines Day from the team at NZ Compare!
Take the time today to enjoy the love that surrounds you. Pass it onto your friends, family, pets, maybe even a neighbour! Brighten someone's day.

Don't forget to show yourself some love too!

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1004 days ago

Want to recognise your favourite local business?

Prospa

We all love a cheeky grin and a wave from our local grocer, or a toot from the delivery driver, or a coffee order that’s ready before we arrive. And especially over the last year, it’s been the small businesses in our communities that have almost made things seem ‘normal’. 

View more
We all love a cheeky grin and a wave from our local grocer, or a toot from the delivery driver, or a coffee order that’s ready before we arrive. And especially over the last year, it’s been the small businesses in our communities that have almost made things seem ‘normal’. 

Give your favourite local business owner the recognition they deserve by nominating them in the 2022 Prospa Local Business Hero awards.
Nominate now

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1005 days ago

chesnut seedlings and yukas small and medium

Leen from Hurunui District

availeble in Amberly . 33 willowside place , just whatever you think they worth

Price: $0.50

1006 days ago

Hunger for Colour – Swap food for a FREE Resene testpot!

Resene

Bring 2 cans of food into your local Resene ColorShop and swap them for 1 Resene testpot (60-80ml).

Resene will then donate all the food brought in to The Salvation Army local foodbanks.

By adding a little more colour to your life you can also help those in need. When you bring in 2 cans of … View more
Bring 2 cans of food into your local Resene ColorShop and swap them for 1 Resene testpot (60-80ml).

Resene will then donate all the food brought in to The Salvation Army local foodbanks.

By adding a little more colour to your life you can also help those in need. When you bring in 2 cans of food you'll save on your testpot purchase (save up to $5.90 on an 80ml testpot) while also helping provide disadvantaged Kiwis with food parcels when they need them most.

So start gathering up those cans and bring them into your local Resene owned ColorShop.
Find out more

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1008 days ago

Are you on the right power plan?

The Team from NZ Compare

We’ve all spent a lot of time at home last year, so many of us are in the same boat when it comes to our high power bills! GULP!

More Kiwis are now working from home, if that's you then it's time to check if you’re on the right power plan. SWITCH, SAVE and SMILE this Summer!

View more
We’ve all spent a lot of time at home last year, so many of us are in the same boat when it comes to our high power bills! GULP!

More Kiwis are now working from home, if that's you then it's time to check if you’re on the right power plan. SWITCH, SAVE and SMILE this Summer!

Compare with our help and find the right power plan for your household! It’s easy as!

Visit Power Compare to get yourself a better deal. Our service is free, we’re Kiwis helping Kiwis compare what’s out there across PowerBroadband and Money.
COMPARE MY POWER!

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J
1008 days ago

GUINEA PIG PET SHOW AND FUN DAY.

Jen from Hurunui District

Sunday 13th February
38 Rangiora Woodend Road
Doors open 10a.m. - 2p.m.
Entries taken 10a.m. $5 per animal.
Demonstration on Grooming and animal care for showing.
BYO Lunch - Refreshments provided.
Requirements - Vax pass and Mask. Bring your Guinea Pig and come along and have… View more
Sunday 13th February
38 Rangiora Woodend Road
Doors open 10a.m. - 2p.m.
Entries taken 10a.m. $5 per animal.
Demonstration on Grooming and animal care for showing.
BYO Lunch - Refreshments provided.
Requirements - Vax pass and Mask. Bring your Guinea Pig and come along and have a fun day. Enquires - Ring 021 1457245.
North Canterbury Guinea Pigs. Look us up on Facebook.

1023 days ago

Covid-19: Older, vulnerable Kiwis urged to ‘hunker down’ when Omicron cases peak

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From reporter Cate Broughton:
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Older and vulnerable people are being encouraged to “hunker down” in their homes during the peak of the Omicron virus, by some health experts – but others say this isn’t necessary.

New Zealand epidemiologist Professor Tony … View more
From reporter Cate Broughton:
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Older and vulnerable people are being encouraged to “hunker down” in their homes during the peak of the Omicron virus, by some health experts – but others say this isn’t necessary.

New Zealand epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely is based at Melbourne University and says he encouraged his nearly 80-year-old parents – who live in Rotorua – to stay at home when Omicron cases climb and the virus becomes endemic.

However, Cancer Society medical director Kate Gregory said there was not enough evidence to support giving this advice to cancer patients.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed there was community transmission of the Omicron variant in New Zealand.

The Ministry of Health on Monday reported confirmed Omicron cases in the Nelson-Tasman region, Auckland and Palmerston North.

Blakely said he talked to his parents about continuing their usual activities while using a N95 mask, but “hunkering down” when cases climbed.

“You probably do that for another 10 days until case numbers start to go up in Rotorua, and then you really hunker down. So that’s what we’ve talked about.”

Blakely said “the maths of an epidemic” meant up to half of the population was likely to get infected with Omicron.

“The trick is to make sure the people who get infected are the young ones. So you accept that. You accept there will be hospitalisations associated with that.

But to minimise the hospitalisations, the mortality and morbidity – a bit like trench warfare – you send over the young ones, and you hunker down the oldies and those with co-morbidities.”

Blakely said his parents, who are double vaccinated and have had their booster, had already decided to stay at home when cases climbed.

But he said it was hard to say how long this period should last.

New Zealand’s traffic light setting of red – the highest level of restrictions under the traffic light system –would help to slow the spread of Omicron, and protect essential services from being overwhelmed, but this would also mean the peak of the virus would last longer, Blakely said.

“Here’s the deep irony, the better New Zealanders are at flattening the curve, the longer the hunker down will be.”

Blakely acknowledged prolonged periods of isolation for the elderly and vulnerable could have significant mental health impacts.

In Australia, Omicron has taken a huge toll on the aged-care sector with hundreds of outbreaks in aged care homes. But some families have said the lockdowns were overly cautious and too hard on the elderly residents, most of whom were fully vaccinated.

Wellington GP and Royal New Zealand College of General Practice (RNZCGPs) medical director Bryan Betty said the Australian experience of Omicron showed it could peak for as long as four to six weeks.

Betty said most people – including fit older people – would experience a mild to moderate illness, if infected.

“However, the caveat on this is ... we know the biggest risk factor for a poorer outcome from Covid is age, the elderly population in particular are vulnerable to a poorer outcome with Covid.”

Betty said it would be good for older people to consider staying home, with some support from friends and family, “as the case numbers rise” in the community.

Cancer Society medical director Kate Gregory said there was not enough evidence to date to support advising patients to stay home, but this could change “if we see much higher numbers”.

“If, in a week’s time we are seeing thousands and thousands of cases we may be advising people differently. I think the reassuring thing we’ve seen is that Omicron doesn’t seem to cause such severe disease and we know the vaccine provides very good protection.”

Gregory said for cancer patients the best defence is to be vaccinated and for the people in their households to be vaccinated.”

She said in her experience a “vast majority” of cancer patients had received two doses of Covid-19 vaccine, many with a third primary dose.

“It’s a frightening time, and especially for those who are more vulnerable.

"I think as long as people have the vaccine, wear the mask, do the hand-washing and get tested promptly, I think that’s probably fine. At the moment, that’s the advice we’re giving our patients.”

1009 days ago

Seniors Newsletter

Office for Seniors

Our February Seniors newsletter is out now. In this issue we announce our Age friendly fund successful recipients, shine a light on the those nominated for the New Years Honours for Services to Seniors and much more. Check it out here: mailchi.mp...

1011 days ago

Hot dry summer raised wildfire risk awareness

Climate Insights

Peri-urban areas can be described as the landscape interface between town and country or the rural-urban transition zone where urban and rural areas mix.

The probability of wildfire is driven by the amount and dryness of fuel, ambient weather and ignitions. Dry weather exacerbates wildfire risk… View more
Peri-urban areas can be described as the landscape interface between town and country or the rural-urban transition zone where urban and rural areas mix.

The probability of wildfire is driven by the amount and dryness of fuel, ambient weather and ignitions. Dry weather exacerbates wildfire risk in this zone and could significantly impact your property! With one of New Zealand’s hottest and driest summers, discover your property’s fire risk and what you can do to reduce it.

We can produce personalised reports for any house on the planet!

Click here to get your property report: https://property-climate-risk-report.co.nz/
Know more

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1012 days ago

Treat yourself or someone you care about this Valentines Day

Stuff

Purchase a six month subscription to the Sunday Star-Times for $102 and get a free $100 Interflora e-voucher. Terms and conditions apply. Subscribe Now

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