Poplars Range, Hanmer Springs

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222 days ago

Have you got your tickets yet?

Heart Foundation Lotteries

Don’t miss out! For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in stunning Taupō, worth just over $1 million.

Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be loved by its … View more
Don’t miss out! For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in stunning Taupō, worth just over $1 million.

Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be loved by its new owner.

Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, a rental, or you can simply sell it! Get your tickets today at heartlottery.org.nz.
Buy tickets now

228 days ago

Neighbourly Q&A: The Councillor LIVE

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

We are continuing our Q&A sessions on Neighbourly with the wonderful, Sam McDonald - a second-term Christchurch city councillor representing the Waimairi Ward. We invite you to share a question for him!

A little bit about Sam:
A chartered accountant by profession, Sam has experience in both… View more
We are continuing our Q&A sessions on Neighbourly with the wonderful, Sam McDonald - a second-term Christchurch city councillor representing the Waimairi Ward. We invite you to share a question for him!

A little bit about Sam:
A chartered accountant by profession, Sam has experience in both the public and private sectors. He currently serves as a director of Civic Building Limited (a Ngai Tahu property Joint Venture) and is an Independent Trustee of Development West Coast. Sam is a Chartered Director of the Institute of Directors and has experience in Audit and Risk, Health and Safety and Infrastructure projects.

Sam shares that within Council he is focused on 'financial oversight, particularly of the capital programme and the day-to-day operational expenditure, and how this provides impact investment into Christchurch communities.'

Leave a comment below and Councillor Sam McDonald will answer your questions on all things council, whether it's the budget, rate rises or even about the new stadium.

↓ Share your question now! ↓

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224 days ago

Popular alpine town looks at new attractions

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

The alpine resort of Hanmer Springs is looking to add a museum and sporting development to its growing list of attractions.

The proposal could see the development of a sports field and pavilion on the former Queen Mary Hospital site.

Plans to turn … View more
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

The alpine resort of Hanmer Springs is looking to add a museum and sporting development to its growing list of attractions.

The proposal could see the development of a sports field and pavilion on the former Queen Mary Hospital site.

Plans to turn the Soldiers' Block on the site into a museum are also progressing.

"It will be absolutely brilliant," Hanmer Springs-based councillor Tom Davies said.

"It will be a real point of interest that shows Hanmer means business, and it will attract huge numbers."

The southern part of the former hospital site, and the existing Hanmer Springs Sports Reserve are earmarked for residential and commercial development.

Aimed at putting the town on the map, the Hurunui District Council will consult on the proposal as part of its 2024-34 long-term plan.

It has signed an agreement with Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura (Ngāti Kurī) and Ngāi Tahu Property, after buying the southern 9 hectare site in October last year.

The council already owned the northern area where the Soldiers Block is sited.

The block was opened in 1916 to rehabilitate soldiers returning from World War 1, and was later used as a drug and alcohol treatment facility.

The council has already announced a $3.1 million project to upgrade the Soldiers’ Block, which is being funded by a Lotteries grant, $1.5m from the Government’s Better Off funding, and council funding.

Plans are being developed to turn it into a museum in partnership with Wētā Workshop, which will require a further $5m to raised.

The council has budgeted $400,000 to build the new sports pavilion, and is likely to seek external funding.
The site development will be debt funded and offset through property sales.

Davies said the trees in the former hospital grounds would create an "absolutely beautiful" backdrop for the new sports facility.

"It won’t be a first class sports venue, but if we can develop a tier two sports centre we could attract some of the bigger rugby and netball teams to come and have training camps and exhibition games."

Pre-season rugby matches between Canterbury and Tasman are already played in Hanmer Springs.

Davies said the grounds were also ideal for a concert venue.

"We generally only have one big concert a year, but if we have the facilities, there is no reason why we couldn’t have one a month."

Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura is also planning to build a wharenui on the site.

"It is really exciting Ngāti Kurī is involved in the project and intends to put a wharenui on the site," Davies said.

"It is quite incredible that there is no marae in Hurunui."

The southern part of the site contains a spiritual garden of significance to Ngāti Kuri and will be retained.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

224 days ago

Boom season for resort town

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Hanmer Springs is booming as Kiwis spend their holidays closer to home.

Hurunui Tourism product development manager Graeme Abbot said the domestic market had grown and he expected the town to be back to pre-Covid levels by Christmas.

"We thought… View more
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Hanmer Springs is booming as Kiwis spend their holidays closer to home.

Hurunui Tourism product development manager Graeme Abbot said the domestic market had grown and he expected the town to be back to pre-Covid levels by Christmas.

"We thought it would take a good three years to get the international market back, so we are doing pretty well.

"Talking to the accommodation and hospitality businesses, they all seem to be doing pretty well and forward bookings seem pretty positive."

Businesses have been affected by power outages, but the Hanmer basin has come through the fire season largely unscathed.

The town has a permanent population of about 1000 people, but it can swell to more than 5000 in the weekend.

Events like the recent Hanmer MotorFest, the new Bandquet music festival, and running and multisport events, consistently draw visitors to the town.

Abbot said there was a growing number of attractions in the village, with Manuka Skies now offering a dark sky experience.

Manuka Skies started up last year offering a stargazing experience, with the goal of setting up an observatory on Mt Rodney for private and community use.

The hot pools, winter skiing, mountain bike and walking trails continue to be the biggest drawcards.

A new Hanmer Forest sculpture walk was challenging the Conical Hill loop track as "the busiest walk", while disc golf was also proving to be popular, Abbot said.

Hanmer Holiday Homes owner Jason Fletcher said Hanmer tended to do well in a recession, as New Zealanders opted to visit the tourist town in preference to heading overseas.

But people were "a bit more cautious", leading to a change in the nature of bookings.

"Forward bookings used to be six months in advance and then it became six weeks, but now it is six days in advance, so there are a lot more last minute bookings."

Fletcher said about 80% of his business was from Canterbury visitors, which remained strong.

Guest surveys indicated the thermal pools and forest walks were the most popular activities for Hanmer Holiday Homes guests.

Dining, retail therapy, mountain biking and relaxation were also popular.

Hurunui Tourism is a partnership between the Hurunui District Council and tourism operators.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

229 days ago

Happy Easter!

The Team from NZ Compare

Don't miss out on egg-cellent savings this season!

Hop into incredible deals and don't miss out on the chance to WIN a month of FREE broadband: Simply switch your broadband or power plan using Power Compare or Broadband Compare by 2/4/2024 to be in to WIN!

T&Cs: … View more
Don't miss out on egg-cellent savings this season!

Hop into incredible deals and don't miss out on the chance to WIN a month of FREE broadband: Simply switch your broadband or power plan using Power Compare or Broadband Compare by 2/4/2024 to be in to WIN!

T&Cs: www.nzcompare.com...

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231 days ago

Bob Francis Wins Senior New Zealander Of The Year

Ernest Rutherford Retirement Village

Seven-term Mayor of Masterton, Bob Francis CNZM QSO MBE JP, has been named the 2024 Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau.

Affectionately dubbed ‘Mr Wairarapa’, Bob has served his community in multiple areas, including health services, commercial … View more
Seven-term Mayor of Masterton, Bob Francis CNZM QSO MBE JP, has been named the 2024 Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau.

Affectionately dubbed ‘Mr Wairarapa’, Bob has served his community in multiple areas, including health services, commercial development, the arts, aviation, homelessness, conservation and sports.

Bob’s award signifies the sixth time Ryman Healthcare has supported this category of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards, which provides a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Kiwi seniors who continue to make positive contributions towards the future of Aotearoa.

Click read more for the full article.

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233 days ago

Easter Streaming 2024

The Team from NZ Compare

Dive into Easter streaming! Explore our top picks for movies and TV shows to enjoy this long weekend!

Plus, discover how to watch them for FREE. Don't miss out – COMPARE broadband plans with Broadband Compare and start saving today!

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234 days ago

Say goodbye to tyre waste

Tyrewise

About 40% of the 6.5 million tyres Kiwis use every year are recycled, repurposed, or used as tyre-derived fuel. But the rest end up in landfills, stockpiled or dumped.

The good news is now there’s an easy solution to all that tyre waste. It’s called Tyrewise and is New Zealand’s first … View more
About 40% of the 6.5 million tyres Kiwis use every year are recycled, repurposed, or used as tyre-derived fuel. But the rest end up in landfills, stockpiled or dumped.

The good news is now there’s an easy solution to all that tyre waste. It’s called Tyrewise and is New Zealand’s first national tyre recycling scheme.

Tyrewise ensures that tyres in Aotearoa New Zealand are recycled or repurposed properly, saving millions from going to the landfill.

Find out more about the scheme online.
Find out more

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237 days ago

Budget-friendly Easter Activities

The Team from NZ Compare

Looking for affordable Easter weekend activities in NZ?
Whether it's a movie day or beach picnics, we've got you covered with 5 exciting ideas that won't break the bank!

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237 days ago

Are you ready to buy carpet?

Carpet Mill

How it works:
Enquire at carpetmill.co.nz or free phone on 0800 255 855 and let us know the coupon code that best suits you, then we will arrange a free, no obligation measure and quote based on your requirements.

We're Consumer Trusted, so you can trust that it's just that easy
Find out more

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239 days ago

Poll: What's your mortgage interest rate?

The Team from NZ Compare

Have you noticed that home loan rates are increasing?
Share your current mortgage interest rate to find out if you might be paying more than you need to.

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What's your mortgage interest rate?
  • 30.6% Under 6%
    30.6% Complete
  • 40.6% 6-7%
    40.6% Complete
  • 17% 7-8%
    17% Complete
  • 11.8% More than 8%
    11.8% Complete
389 votes
240 days ago

Don't miss out on $15,000 back...

The Team from Ryman Healthcare

It could be our wonderful staff. Our vibrant communities. Our amazing amenities. Or just the peace of mind that our guaranteed fixed base weekly fee* brings. There are so many reasons to choose the Ryman lifestyle. We’d love to add one more reason to your list — until 31 March if you sign up … View moreIt could be our wonderful staff. Our vibrant communities. Our amazing amenities. Or just the peace of mind that our guaranteed fixed base weekly fee* brings. There are so many reasons to choose the Ryman lifestyle. We’d love to add one more reason to your list — until 31 March if you sign up for one of our new home offers, you’ll get a $15,000 credit on settlement*.

There’s truly never been a better time to choose Ryman.

*Terms and conditions apply
Find out more

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241 days ago

Feel your best self in a serviced apartment

Ernest Rutherford Retirement Village

Discover the ease and comfort of assisted living in a serviced apartment at Ernest Rutherford Village.

Serviced apartment living gives you more time to embrace the things that bring you joy, while we take care of your housekeeping, home maintenance, a daily chef-prepared meal and more.

We … View more
Discover the ease and comfort of assisted living in a serviced apartment at Ernest Rutherford Village.

Serviced apartment living gives you more time to embrace the things that bring you joy, while we take care of your housekeeping, home maintenance, a daily chef-prepared meal and more.

We currently have serviced apartments available now, priced from $350,000.*

Call Jacqui on 03 538 0882 to join our welcoming community today or click read more for more information.

*Pricing subject to availability.

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243 days ago

New Lottery, New Home ...

Heart Foundation Lotteries

For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in stunning Taupō, worth just over $1 million.

Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be loved by its new owner.

View more
For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in stunning Taupō, worth just over $1 million.

Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be loved by its new owner.

Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, a rental, or you can simply sell it! Get your tickets today at heartlottery.org.nz.
Buy tickets now

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243 days ago

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The Team from NZ Compare

Thinking about going green this St. Paddy's?

Discover the different types of sustainable energy sources and how they combat climate change.

Don't forget to COMPARE your power bill with Power Compare - it's the easiest way to save money!

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