1731 days ago

Silver travellers and their dollars are propping up the tourism industry

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

Semi-retired Alexandra lawyer Gordon Rayner is a prime example of the Kiwi “silver” travellers who are propping up the tourism industry.

His overseas itinerary for 2020 was supposed to include a sailing trip to Fiji, watching wildlife in the Australian outback, rafting in Russia and a road trip through the United States.

Instead, the 63-year-old and wife Mary Tritt visited Northland and the Marlborough Sounds, sailed the Hauraki gulf, made eight mountain biking and cycle trail trips, fished on charter boats in the Bay of Islands, and spent $24,000 on a bucket-list cruise to the subantarctic islands.

Have you switched your holiday plans due to the Covid-19 pandemic? Have you visited part of New Zealand you haven't been to before - or for a long time - or are you planning to? Read more about NZ's 'silver' travellers here and tell us about your experiences in the comments below.

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More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

How many balls of string does it take to reach the moon?

(Peter from Carterton kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Peter!)

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.

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17 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.

Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.

Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?

Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!

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1 day ago

Have you seen Rowena?

The Team from Canterbury Police

Police are urgently appealing for sightings of Rowena, 39, reported missing from Christchurch.

She was reported missing to Police on 22 October 2025, and was last seen on 14 August 2025. Rowena hasn’t been in contact with her children and her family are worried for her safety.

Police investigating her disappearance have identified her as being in Auckland, Tauranga and Christchurch in the recent months prior to her missing person report being made.

If you have seen Rowena, or have any information regarding her whereabouts, please contact us immediately.
You can contact us via 105 either over the phone or online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” and referencing file number 251022/9026.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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