2431 days ago

Merlin - There when you need him

The Staff from Avenal Park Funeral Home

Merlin is our lovely Samoyed and belongs to Nigel and Christine Edwards (owners of Avenal Park Funeral Home). Merlin is a frequent visitor to Avenal Park Funeral Home, and he welcomes visitors with his wonderful smile and temperament. Merlin is not a therapy dog, but he can bring comfort without saying a word.

Research indicates dogs provide a unique way to cope with loss. The presence of a dog is enough to release “feel good” hormones such as serotonin and oxytocin. They are able to soothe when someone is sad or in mourning. They can also be a welcome distraction.

If during your time of loss, you would like to meet Merlin, please advise your Funeral Director at Avenal Park Funeral Home - Nigel, Donna, Chris or Mel.

Avenal Park Funeral Home (including Merlin) – there when you need them.
If you have any questions, please contact us on 03 218 9021 or call to our office at 75 Fox Street, Invercargill.
Find out more

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More messages from your neighbours
11 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.

Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.

For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.

Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?

We hope this brings a smile!

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4 days ago

Poll: If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In the Post's article on speeding penalties, the question is asked whether speeding fines are truly about road safety, or are they just a way to boost revenue for the Crown?

What do you think? Should speeding motorists receive speeding fines or demerit points?

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If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓
  • 37.9% The sting of a fine (Money talks!)
    37.9% Complete
  • 62.1% The threat of demerit points (Nobody wants to lose their license!)
    62.1% Complete
809 votes
11 days ago

Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!

William Hansby Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.

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