3 days ago

Riccarton landlord’s lucky catch!

Enviroflo

A local landlord in Riccarton https ://www.enviroflo.co.nz/ |booked what was meant to be a simple, routine CCTV drain check, | just a bit of peace of mind for a tidy, well-kept rental. But under that neat garden and solid paths, our camera told a different story…

We found several cracks and offsets in the old ceramic drain lines, likely hidden damage from the 2010–2011 quakes. Nothing too dramatic yet, but it was only a matter of time before things got messy.

Luckily, the property still had an EQC (now Natural Hazards Commission) claim on record. Our team stepped in to help the owner with the process, and before long, the repairs were fully approved and sorted at no extra cost to them.

We replaced the damaged sections, tidied everything up, and left both the tenant and landlord relieved they’d caught the problem early.

Moral of the story: sometimes a “routine check” can save you a lot of stress (and cash) down the line!

Have you claimed your free drain check with Enviroflo yet?
Find out more

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More messages from your neighbours
5 days ago

Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.

We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?

Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.

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Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
  • 53.5% Yes
    53.5% Complete
  • 46.5% No
    46.5% Complete
1788 votes
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1 day ago

POTTING MIX QUALITY

Patricia from Taradale

If, like me, you are an experienced and avid gardener you know how frustrating it is when those beautiful seedlings recently purchased fail to thrive. Have you ever considered it may not be your fault, you've done all the right things but it may be the new bag of potting mix you bought to plant them in . Have you ever complained to the garden centre? My recent experience showed the blatantly obvious difference between brands. The recently purchased product was nothing more than raw compost, whereas the previous product was a good mix and made the plants thrive. I was the only one to complain, there could not possibly be a problem with the product as they sell pallet loads of it........ Your comments would be appreciated.

2 hours ago

Stay sun safe

Julie Neighbourly Lead from Havelock North

The temperature is rising, rapidly. My house is making those “I’m about to go nuclear” noises and the forecast is for 35°C on Monday.

Stay in the shade, but put sunscreen on 20 minutes (ears, noses, hands, feet, back, front, top, bottom, and everything in between) before you go into the sun or the water. It doesn’t work otherwise. And reapply no more than 2 hourly, staying out of the water and sun for 20 minutes afterwards.

Wear teeshirts and hats. Keep hydrated. Milk keeps you hydrated longer than water. You won’t pee as much. Alcohol dehydrates you. Save that till after the sun goes down.

Reflective sunburn is a thing, too. The sun reflecting off of other surfaces, including water, will burn you as quickly, if not quicker, than direct sunlight. Some reflective surfaces can magnify the suns effect.

If you are taking little ones out in strollers cover them with a light cloth, if you don’t have a stroller cover. A thin sheet will do, but leave the side open for fresh air. And you can get kids sunnies from most emporiums, like 1,2,3 plus or “Everything is $2” or the like.

And if you are going out, secure your windows and doors. Shut the curtains on the sun side to keep it cooler. Opportunists will opportune. And insurance doesn’t like it if you leave the house unsecured.

If you are staying in, open the windows and close the curtains. Make sure you use door jams, or you’ll find doors slamming with the lightest breeze.

Cover pets paws if you are walking them on concrete or bitumen. They will burn badly as the dark ground heats up. You can also get sunscreen for large animals.

Make sure there is plenty of water out for your pets. Cats need at least a cup a day, dogs up to 4 litres.

If you are on a walking route, put out buckets of water for dogs and cats, just to be neighbourly.

This photo was a school afternoon at the village pools.
He ended up with second degree sunburn. The white spots were the blisters forming. The scabs on his back were popped blisters, not just peeling, and he was sick for three days.
It’s no joke. And NZ has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. And skin cancer is a killer.

Check on your friends and family, especially the vulnerable ones.

You all matter. Take care of yourselves and each other.