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1139 days ago

Tie everything down

Julie Neighbourly Lead from Havelock North

If you have trampolines weighted down, I highly recommend you get them tied down. And leave the net openings undone. If the zips or ties are done up they are more likely to catch wind and tear. This is supposed to be a doozy, and trampoline weights are only good for bouncing ballast, not cyclone winds.
A packet of strops (tie downs) is about $20, from Tumu, Bunnings or M10. They are worth their weight in gold.

If you can’t tie your tramp down take the mat off, or tip it on its side and take the legs off, and shove it flat against a solid fence or wall, with a solid weight holding it in place, or even a couple of Waratahs in the ground to secure it in place, or behind a shed. Tie it to a tree or concreted clothesline or fence post. Secure it as best you can, even if the best you can do is shove it under the trees in the garden.

Put outdoor furniture away, or stack it flat against a wall, with something really heavy in front. Even ashtrays outside can become projectiles. And make sure your bbq gas bottle is in the shed or garage.

Shut your curtains and blinds before the big winds hit. They’ll offer extra protection from flying debris.

Be prepared for power outages. Have cooked food, or food that doesn’t need cooking, on hand. And get firewood in, if you have a fire. You can use that for cooking, heating, heating water, and light.
Make sure your phones are fully charged and you have batteries or charged power banks. And don’t use them up on Facebook or videos or using the flash for a torch.

And keep your pets inside too.

Take care and take care of each other.

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Local Highlight

2 days ago

Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑

Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.

We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

Want to read more? The Press has you covered!

🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

53.7% Human-centred experience and communication

53.7% Complete
14.6% Critical thinking

14.6% Complete
29.1% Resilience and adaptability

29.1% Complete
2.6% Other - I will share below!

2.6% Complete

350 votes

17 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.