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The hunt is officially on for New Zealand's best collection of houseplants
. Which means you could be 2022 Houseplant Hero. There’s some great prizes to be won! To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) what potted plants you have, the time you put into caring for them, and what … View moreThe hunt is officially on for New Zealand's best collection of houseplants
. Which means you could be 2022 Houseplant Hero. There’s some great prizes to be won! To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) what potted plants you have, the time you put into caring for them, and what you love about them. Send us up to five photos of your indoor plant displays. Email mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Meanwhile, here's last year's winner Alyce Read, from Nelson.
Do you have questions about menopause? You are not alone and you are not losing your mind! Menopause Experts are changing the way menopause is talked about. Join the conversation with Bronwyn, Menopause Experts Champion and Educator.
Join Bronwyn on Thursday 26 May, 7pm at the KEDA meeting … View moreDo you have questions about menopause? You are not alone and you are not losing your mind! Menopause Experts are changing the way menopause is talked about. Join the conversation with Bronwyn, Menopause Experts Champion and Educator.
Join Bronwyn on Thursday 26 May, 7pm at the KEDA meeting room (Kapiti Airport). You can register anytime up to 5pm that day.
www.creative4life.co.nz....
Locomotive and coal wagon " Duchess of Montrose" #46232 plus two Passenger wagons #M4183 and #26133.
Locomotive "British Railways" # 69567 plus 7 assorted freights wagons.
A few houses, people and cars plus loads and loads of tracks etc.
20 long straight tracks, 18 assorted … View moreLocomotive and coal wagon " Duchess of Montrose" #46232 plus two Passenger wagons #M4183 and #26133.
Locomotive "British Railways" # 69567 plus 7 assorted freights wagons.
A few houses, people and cars plus loads and loads of tracks etc.
20 long straight tracks, 18 assorted shorter tracks.
20 long curved tracks, 4 shorter curved tracks, 7 changers, 6 left and right ones, buffers etc.
A transformer, I think that is what the name is plus other items that I don't know the name of
Buyer must pick up.
We have a soft spot for sheep. For many, sheep are symbolic to New Zealand culture with the rearing of sheep being the backbone of the economy for many years.
Sheep farming was established in New Zealand by the 1850s and for several decades wool accounted for more than one third of New … View moreWe have a soft spot for sheep. For many, sheep are symbolic to New Zealand culture with the rearing of sheep being the backbone of the economy for many years.
Sheep farming was established in New Zealand by the 1850s and for several decades wool accounted for more than one third of New Zealand’s exports by value, with the sheep population peaking at just over 70 million in 1982.
This number is significant when compared to New Zealand’s human population of 5 million. By 2020 sheep numbers dropped to 26 million following a decline in profitability compared to other types of farming, particularly dairy.
While also farmed as a food source, today’s article focuses on sheep wool and its environmental attributes.
Wool is a natural and renewable resource and as long as our beloved sheep are eating our tasty green pastures they will always produce wool. Wool has amazing properties that make it ideal for many applications from home furnishings to underwear.
Cotton and synthetic fibres are currently the most commonly produced fibres globally, however, their performance and environmental benefits do not compare to wool.
From Wool to Yarn
The wool clip (the total yield of wool shorn during one season from the sheep) is sent to the scourers where it is cleaned and dried before being spun into yarn. The yarn is then sent to the textile manufacturer where many different processes are involved.
The yarn is wound onto dye cones to be dyed the required colours. Next the yarn is warped onto beams which are threaded through the loom, allowing the weft yarn to run across the warp and create a woven fabric.
The fabric is then inspected, washed, and dried. Very few chemicals are used in the processing, typically only water and heat.
Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...
Don't forget the Mahara Place mid-week MARKET is on TODAY from 9.30am until midday near the new library in Waikanae. Fresh Fruit & Veg, Beautiful award winning Olive Oil, Plants & Seedlings, Local Honey, Delicious Locally Grown Avocados, Junk For Joy - Upcycled/Repurposed Homewares … View moreDon't forget the Mahara Place mid-week MARKET is on TODAY from 9.30am until midday near the new library in Waikanae. Fresh Fruit & Veg, Beautiful award winning Olive Oil, Plants & Seedlings, Local Honey, Delicious Locally Grown Avocados, Junk For Joy - Upcycled/Repurposed Homewares & Furniture, Crafts, Face Masks, Knits, The Rawleigh's Man, Bric-a-brac, Books and lots lots more. See you there...SUPPORT LOCAL!!
Karen Jones from Avalon, loves her two pets Ana and Mia.
"Although you can't tell they are sisters and they are now 13 years old and will be 14 this coming January. I brought them back from Australia with me when I came home to New Zealand. They are by my side every day. They love people,… View moreKaren Jones from Avalon, loves her two pets Ana and Mia.
"Although you can't tell they are sisters and they are now 13 years old and will be 14 this coming January. I brought them back from Australia with me when I came home to New Zealand. They are by my side every day. They love people, walks and treats. They were used to walking every day on the beach in Adelaide but here in Avalon the beach is too far away for us to walk to."
Remember if you want your pet featured on Neighbourly, email us on yourpet@dompost.co.nz with a recent photo. Please remember to say which suburb you live in.
A quote worthy of consideration: "A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination'. Nelson Mandela.
Built to last! Approx 8 Years old, excellent condition. Comes with manual, many attachments plus carpet shampoo system (unused). Price is negotiable.
Do you have questions about menopause? You are not alone and you are not losing your mind! Menopause Experts are changing the way menopause is talked about. Join the conversation with Bronwyn, Menopause Experts Champion and Educator. Check out Menopause Experts Workshops, Webinars and Coaching at… View moreDo you have questions about menopause? You are not alone and you are not losing your mind! Menopause Experts are changing the way menopause is talked about. Join the conversation with Bronwyn, Menopause Experts Champion and Educator. Check out Menopause Experts Workshops, Webinars and Coaching at www.creative4life.co.nz....
Single pure New Zealand wool blanket - Golden Fleece - cream with pink edging - freshly laundered in excellent condition, just some of the blanket stitching has come undone.
The Kapiti Pakeke Lions club are holding a garage sale in the near future. Do you have any clean suitable goods that you want to give to a charity? We collect.! Small or large lots accepted.
Contact Barry on Tel (04) 904 0568.
kapitipakekelions.org.nz.
WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT ME?
"Hello! I am a handsome devil named Ragnar. When I first came to SPCA, I was very very confused on what my role in life was, it took me a while to realise I wasn't being abandoned, through the help of the volunteers and staff. I previously spent a lot of time… View moreWHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT ME?
"Hello! I am a handsome devil named Ragnar. When I first came to SPCA, I was very very confused on what my role in life was, it took me a while to realise I wasn't being abandoned, through the help of the volunteers and staff. I previously spent a lot of time on a chain, so you can imagine it's been an adjustment for me. I still have a journey to complete, though have made great progress so far. I've enjoyed going for frequent walks, continuing basic training and of course giving all the cuddles and kisses I can! I am needing a home with some dog experience, to help coach me in life. I am also needing high, secure fencing of at least 1.8m. I will be a great companion for a lucky human, and won't hesitate to be your best pal in life. I am a big boy who may get overexcited around younger kids, but confident older kids in my new home would be fine. I have mixed with some dogs at the SPCA and have generally acted either very aloof or excited to see them, however I would get overwhelmed in an off lead area with other dogs such as dog parks. A social, patient existing dog could work well in my new home, or just human company is fine with me!"
Words and a picture from Louise Thomas.
"As a small city slicker, I don't see swamp harriers/kāhu (Circus approximans) that often (actually, I probably don't see them that often as we have falcons that live around here - the city raptor niche slot is full). We rumbled this one a … View moreWords and a picture from Louise Thomas.
"As a small city slicker, I don't see swamp harriers/kāhu (Circus approximans) that often (actually, I probably don't see them that often as we have falcons that live around here - the city raptor niche slot is full). We rumbled this one a couple of weekends ago feeding on some roadkill (as they do) on the gravel road to Boggy Pond in the Wairarapa. He was reluctant to go too far from his dinner, so I clicked a few shots as we walked past. Bird #58 in 2022."
Commentary Updated
I'm sure the education sector would be concerned to read the new chief executive for Horowhenua District Council Monique Davidson state, "I don't think we live in a world where... degrees matter."
It's not good form, or a very promising sign, the … View moreCommentary Updated
I'm sure the education sector would be concerned to read the new chief executive for Horowhenua District Council Monique Davidson state, "I don't think we live in a world where... degrees matter."
It's not good form, or a very promising sign, the first public comments she makes to Stuff is to demean a sector that works to achieve educational excellence in a very challenging 21st Century environment [Horowhenua Mail, May 12, 2022 New council boss ready to lead].
At its best knowledge gained by completing tertiary education courses, or "degrees", provide critical thinking abilities especially useful in professional roles such as the one she has secured.
The alternative in-house training is a poor return on investment for the community especially taking the salary the chief executive receives into account. What is it annually, $250,000?
The Horowhenua community would certainly be the beneficiary if Ms Davidson did have a degree or, at least, formal qualifications to apply in her role rather than the in-house training received as a long-time protege of former mayor Brendan Duffy and former chief executive David Clapperton who were both her mentors. And she does despite her comment in the community newspaper. She has a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from Victoria University of Wellington.
Her in-house training took place during the more well known infamous email blocking era instigated by Clapperton and Duffy. I'd be interested to know whether Davidson was involved in this activity during her time previously at Council. A question that would have been good for the reporter to ask. Were any questions asked? If Davidson was involved in the email blocking saga it certainly also raises concerns about the legitimacy of her appointment. Chief executives are appointed by councillors.
If Ms Davidson wants to genuinely demonstrate to the community she represents a fresh, new start (doubtful considering her local government origins) her very first decision would be to recommend a closure of the Levin Landfill.
It's a legacy that ended in her lap now it's time for her to show the community that she has the mettle, and the political maturity, to make the only recommendation that can possibly be made taking all the consultation done already into account.
Broadly speaking essential infrastructure is one of the biggest issues locally and nationally. Is Davidson prepared to demonstrate from the "get-go" that Horowhenua has a chief executive who does more than talk about leading from the front? Her recommendation to the Council on the Levin Landfill will answer that question.
Former deputy chief executive Nicki Brady left the Council three months ago - and not long into her role - to take up a position as general manager for the Wayne Bishop Group, an infrastructure company owned by councillor Wayne Bishop.
What! The former deputy chief executive of Horowhenua Council, who was appointed by Clapperton, is now employed as a general manager in an infrastructure company owned by a a councillor who exercises significant economic and political clout of his own around the council table?
If there was ever a need for restraint of trade conditions surely this is a clear example. The public need to be assured the Wayne Bishop Group does not gain commercial advantage from the intellectual property and confidential ratepayer information former deputy chief executive Brady had access to.
Veronica Harrod is a qualified freelance journalist who lives and works in Horowhenua. And, yes, qualifications matter.
#education #community #investment #training #council #Horowhenua #chiefexecutiveofficer
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