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798 days ago

Dunedin Kmart to return after years of hours-long road trips

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Dunedin News

From reporter Sinead Gill:

It’s been years of rumour and six-hour return trips for locals looking for affordable home goods from Australian retail giant Kmart.

On Thursday, the company finally confirmed they would be returning to Dunedin.

The city was possibly the retailer’s biggest … View more
From reporter Sinead Gill:

It’s been years of rumour and six-hour return trips for locals looking for affordable home goods from Australian retail giant Kmart.

On Thursday, the company finally confirmed they would be returning to Dunedin.

The city was possibly the retailer’s biggest gap in the New Zealand market, according to Ben Smith​, Kmart’s property group general manager.

“We’ve got a fantastic support base in Dunedin, it’s amazing, I’ve heard of customers driving to Invercargill just to shop at Kmart,” he said.

The city’s Kmart closed in 2020 after 23 years of operating in Meridian Mall in the CBD, citing earthquake risk concerns.

The mall closed during the March 2020 level 4 Covid-19 lockdown, then produced a seismic safety report showing it was too far below the new building standard.

Despite the mall not legally needing to strengthen the building for several years, Kmart chose not to renew its lease. Smiths City later moved into its old George St location.

Smiths City’s former site at 375 Andersons Bay Rd was now officially the site of the new Kmart.

The land was owned and would be developed by the Otago Land Group, and leased exclusively to Kmart.

Smith said the new Kmart would essentially be a completely new build. Developers would use the existing structure to speed up the construction process.

There was no estimated opening time, as the building consent was still being considered by the Dunedin City Council.

Smith said there would not be basement level car parking, nor would any additional land be leased to provide more parks.

He said the business had completed a traffic management plan and after many years in the business was “comfortable there is enough car parks”.

The new Kmart, located right beside a fleet of popular fast food chains, also had the benefit of “ample parking” around South Dunedin, he said.

Kmart Dunedin would employ over 100 staff from the community.

It was unclear how many staff lost their jobs in 2020. A Kmart spokesperson said they hoped former staff would apply for the new roles, though applications would be open to all.

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798 days ago

Offender broke into pub for 'a beer and a feed' after ramming police cars

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Otago News

From reporter Olivia Caldwell:

A ute driver rammed two police cars, fled through three small towns and broke into a pub for a “beer and a feed” before his eventual arrest.

Police notified Moorings Restaurant owner Anthony Robertson that his venue near Cromwell had been broken into at 2am … View more
From reporter Olivia Caldwell:

A ute driver rammed two police cars, fled through three small towns and broke into a pub for a “beer and a feed” before his eventual arrest.

Police notified Moorings Restaurant owner Anthony Robertson that his venue near Cromwell had been broken into at 2am after they caught the alleged offender.

“He broke in through the door, had a beer and a feed ... and off he went. We weren't involved in all the rest of the carnage,” Robertson said.

He could not say which beer the suspect chose to drink or what food he ate.

The crime spree began with a family violence incident just before 6pm on Tuesday.

As officers responded, the offender drove his Toyota Landcruiser into two police cars, damaging them.

The officers were uninjured, Sergeant Derek Ealson said.

The offender then drove through three Central Otago townships in a chase that lasted several hours.

A dog handler from Dunedin eventually caught the man in Pisa Moorings, north of Cromwell, as he tried to flee.

“He was involved in a burglary incident, and was on foot. While on foot he attempted to damage another police car with rocks,” Sergeant Mike Calvert alleged.

The dog handler had driven more than four hours from Dunedin to pursue the offender in Central Otago.

Calvert said police were reviewing where police dogs and handlers were placed.

“The Central Otago region is growing and has the same need for dog handlers as further south, where there are five dog handlers.”

The alleged offender, a 35-year-old Southland man, was remanded in custody to face 11 charges, including trespass, attempting to take a vehicle, careless operation of a motor vehicle, entering a building with intention to commit an imprisonable offence, assault with intent, assaulting police officers, threatening to kill a police officer and contravening a protection order.

He is next due to appear in the Queenstown District Court on October 25.

“While this was an unpredictable and concerning incident, we want to reassure the Central Otago community that there is no further threat,” Ealson said.

Police wanted to hear from anyone with video of the Toyota Landcruiser as it was driven through Tarras, Wānaka, Lowburn and Pisa Moorings, or video of the man’s arrest.

Anyone with information should call police and quote file number 221018/3292.

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798 days ago

Study for a Growing Career

Lisa from South Dunedin

Want a job that you will love? Study for the New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (Level 3) and join a growing industry.

Contact:
Otago Polytechnic/ Te Pūkenga
0800 762 785
www.op.ac.nz...

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798 days ago

Happy Halloween

NumberWorks'nWords Dunedin

It’s everyone’s favourite October holiday. That time of year when you decorate your home with spiders and dress up in costumes. Have a spookylicious night!

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798 days ago

Your base weekly fee is fixed

Ryman Healthcare

Retirement is an exciting time, filled with possibilities. Our fixed fee guarantee is one of the ways we provide financial certainty. Ryman residents love it as it helps them reduce rising living costs and surprise expenses.

Enjoy the quality amenities at every Ryman village and splurge a little… View more
Retirement is an exciting time, filled with possibilities. Our fixed fee guarantee is one of the ways we provide financial certainty. Ryman residents love it as it helps them reduce rising living costs and surprise expenses.

Enjoy the quality amenities at every Ryman village and splurge a little on yourself if you feel like it! Take up that hobby you’ve dreamed of or plan a holiday somewhere warm.

It’s easy to live life your way when you have freedom to do the things you enjoy. It’s another example of how we’re pioneering retirement living.
Find out more

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799 days ago

There's still time (just!) to send in your basil recipe

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours,

Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are still on the hunt for amazing and inventive basil recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by Oct 21, 2022. Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition … View more
Dear neighbours,

Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are still on the hunt for amazing and inventive basil recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by Oct 21, 2022. Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Vegetable Growing Made Easy.

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801 days ago

STOP TREATING SOIL LIKE DIRT

Yates

Nourish the soil and the soil will nourish you! Healthy soil is at the very foundation of gardening success - and life itself - and this National Gardening Week Yates wants to help you grow good soil.

We’ve pulled together a bunch of ways to measure your soil health – how about planting a … View more
Nourish the soil and the soil will nourish you! Healthy soil is at the very foundation of gardening success - and life itself - and this National Gardening Week Yates wants to help you grow good soil.

We’ve pulled together a bunch of ways to measure your soil health – how about planting a pair of undies to find out how healthy your soil is? Or try a quick “worm count” test, building a “compost jar” (great fun for kids) or do a food waste audit.

Plus we’ve easy to follow steps on how to turn your food scraps & garden waste into fabulous compost.
Find out more

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802 days ago

Plant seeds every month with a subscription from Kings Seeds.

The TV Guide

Sick of expensive veges from the supermarket? Purchase a subscription to the TV Guide for your chance to win 1 of 20 1-year seed subscriptions from Kings Seeds, worth $450. Delivered monthly to your home, what better way to go green and save money than growing your own food?

Purchase a 6 month, … View more
Sick of expensive veges from the supermarket? Purchase a subscription to the TV Guide for your chance to win 1 of 20 1-year seed subscriptions from Kings Seeds, worth $450. Delivered monthly to your home, what better way to go green and save money than growing your own food?

Purchase a 6 month, 1 year, or 2 year subscription to the TV Guide before 31 October and you’ll automatically be placed in the draw to win. There are three different subscriptions to choose from to suit your needs; Vegetable seeds, Microgreen seeds, and Sprouting seeds. To view the T&Cs click here.
Find out more

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804 days ago

Painted fence

The Team from Resene ColorShop Dunedin

It’s easy to transform a tired timber fence into a stylish feature with Resene Lumbersider. Find out how to create your own.

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804 days ago

3 Peak Pass | $899

NZ SKI

Get The Best Price on Your 3 Peak Pass.

The 3 Peak Season Pass gives you a huge variety of terrain across Coronet Peak and The Remarkables in Queenstown and NZ's best ski resort Mt Hutt in Canterbury.

No holiday blackouts, FREE Night Skiing at Coronet Peak and a whole lot more.

THE … View more
Get The Best Price on Your 3 Peak Pass.

The 3 Peak Season Pass gives you a huge variety of terrain across Coronet Peak and The Remarkables in Queenstown and NZ's best ski resort Mt Hutt in Canterbury.

No holiday blackouts, FREE Night Skiing at Coronet Peak and a whole lot more.

THE EARLIER YOU BUY, THE MORE YOU SAVE. INSTALMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE.

Super Earlybird sale ends 1 Nov.
Know more

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805 days ago

'I take no prisoners': Former circus ringmaster's long path to Dunedin politics

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Dunedin News

From reporter Hamish McNeilly:

What does a circus background and a black belt in taekwondo mean for a city councillor?

‘’It means I take no prisoners.’’

That’s the answer from Mandy Mayhem-Bullock, 49, who was one of four newly-elected councillors in Dunedin.

‘’But I’m … View more
From reporter Hamish McNeilly:

What does a circus background and a black belt in taekwondo mean for a city councillor?

‘’It means I take no prisoners.’’

That’s the answer from Mandy Mayhem-Bullock, 49, who was one of four newly-elected councillors in Dunedin.

‘’But I’m dropping the ‘Bullock’, I’m just going to be Cr Mayhem.’’

Mayhem was a stage name from her five years with Ridgway Circus.

Months after the tragic death of her partner, who died in a crash on the Desert Road, the then-25-year-old Bullock received a call saying the circus was in town, and they were looking for a clown.

In Wellington, Mayhem-Bullock had been working as Slaphappy the Clown, and also working as a driver, escorting the likes of singer Peter Andre.

She and her late partner had plans to start their own circus, and so she took her chance and joined.

‘’We had all lost our dreams and went on the road.”

As soon as she joined, the current clown left to be a fireman along with his girlfriend – the ringmaster.

Mayhem-Bullock was promoted to ringmaster, which included holding up a newspaper while the whip cracker whipped it to shreds, or having a cigarette whipped from her mouth.

‘’Quite often I’d get smacked on the bridge of my nose ... it stings and makes your eyes water,’’ she said.

Another part of the show involved a man throwing knives, two at a time, in her direction.

‘’One time a knife ricocheted out of the board, and went straight down and stuck into my shoe.

“I pulled the knife out and then squelched around with my blood filling up my shoe.’’

The job also involved her becoming a business partner, driver, agent, education officer, and buddy to Sonny the chimpanzee.

The circus used to breed animals, such as lions and chimpanzees, but that became increasingly problematic. Animal rights groups regularly protested but it was difficult to find a solution as the animals could not be reintegrated into the wild or given to a zoo, Mayhem-Bullock said.

After five years she left the circus and returned south, first to Oamaru and then to Waitati, north of Dunedin.

Her life in the circus helped shape her politics, travelling to many small forgotten towns gripped by poverty.

‘’I saw a lot of New Zealand,” she said.

Mayhem-Bullock, who was born and raised in Dunedin, said she was in the top class at Otago Girls’ High School, alongside future lawyers, doctors and accountants, but she was “a misfit”.

‘’I wore Doc Martens and old ripped petticoats and pyjama pants on mufti days.’’

She trained to be a teacher, but stopped studying to focus on taekwondo, the Korean martial art, and holds a third Dan black belt.

She was aiming to represent New Zealand at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, where taekwondo was a demonstration sport, but the significant costs prevented her.

Now she was a mother-of-five, or as she puts it, ‘’three from my womb, and two I gave away’’.

She has two daughters, aged 19 and 6, and a 17-year-old son. After her son was born, she was an egg donor twice for her lesbian friend.

‘’We had to go to Australia, because that was pretty unheard of,” she said.

She has an open relationship with both children, aged 14 and 13, who live in Wellington.

Back in Waitati, known for its alternative community, she became involved in the Waitati Militia, which was established in opposition to the Vietnam War 50 years ago.

She later married Lee Bullock, who hails from the island of Guernsey, and the couple have a 6-year-old daughter.

Her family were victims after their miniature horse, Star, was stabbed 41 times in 2019.

Her stepping stone to the Dunedin City Council was when she was elected to the Waikouaiti Coast Community Board, which she served for six years.

While she was unsuccessful with her council campaign last election, a $5000 loan from her mum helped her obtain hoardings and advertising on the back of a bus.

Her focus for the campaign was ‘’wellbeing’’.

‘’We are in unprecedented times, people are under the pump, and they are feeling the pressure financially.’’

Mayhem-Bullock said she got on well with mayor-elect Radich, and was looking forward to working with him.

Apart from her new role as a councillor, she had her 50th birthday to plan next month.

That would include a freak show and a guest appearance from someone called, ‘’Charlotte, the three-tittied woman’’.

806 days ago

Treasures at the Red Cross shop this week ✨

The Team from Red Cross Shop Dunedin

We have lots of Tupperware, some beautiful Temuka pieces, lots of newly knitted baby wear. New stock out daily 🙌

805 days ago

Have you got a great recipe for nasturtium?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours,

Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for nasturtium recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by Oct 16, 2022. Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Vegetable Growing Made… View more
Dear neighbours,

Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for nasturtium recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by Oct 16, 2022. Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Vegetable Growing Made Easy.

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806 days ago

Ryman residents aren’t defined by dementia

Ryman Healthcare

Through Ryman’s bespoke model of dementia care, myRyman Life, our villages aim to challenge perspectives on dementia and to create inclusive communities where staff receive cutting-edge training, families can feel reassured, and residents can thrive.

At Ryman villages our focus is on … View more
Through Ryman’s bespoke model of dementia care, myRyman Life, our villages aim to challenge perspectives on dementia and to create inclusive communities where staff receive cutting-edge training, families can feel reassured, and residents can thrive.

At Ryman villages our focus is on experience-based care rather than processes, enabling residents to live in the moment and to feel kindness, love and security.

Most of all, Ryman residents living with dementia are supported to continue doing the things that bring them joy so they can live fulfilled lives.
Learn more

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808 days ago

World Mental Health Day

NumberWorks'nWords Dunedin

Every year, World Mental Health Day is held on 10th October. The theme for World Mental Health Day 2022 is "Mental Health in an Unequal World".

World Mental Health Day is dedicated to promoting the understanding of mental health education, awareness, and advocacy. It's important … View more
Every year, World Mental Health Day is held on 10th October. The theme for World Mental Health Day 2022 is "Mental Health in an Unequal World".

World Mental Health Day is dedicated to promoting the understanding of mental health education, awareness, and advocacy. It's important to raise awareness of mental health conditions and ensure that communities recognise the part each person has to play in creating a mentally healthy society. World Mental Health Day is a great opportunity to do this.

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