2251 days ago

Fire proofing Palmy - IF appropriate

Bruce from Takaro

- Sorry to post this at Christmas, but the constant fire news is waking me up to local family concerns far beyond shopping and nice dinners. This photo looked exactly like our Esplanade, 'was what triggered this...
- 'Just saw a hot, tired 18-years-service Aussie fire captain in uniform saying that the fires are "unprecedented", and that the govt should be preventing them in all the usual ways. Carbon reduction, different spending to protect environment, etc.
- The fires are gale-force-wind-driven, throwing burning embers up hundreds of metres in a high shower ahead, igniting the grass and vegetation and houses.
- I rang the PNCC civil defence person, Stuart someone I think, to ask bout Palmy's vulnerability. 'Wasn't called back.
- My questions are...
○ In view of many droughts I've experienced in my last 19 years here, how vulnerable is Palmy, the city where my home is, to being overrun by fires like the Aussies are getting? Note: We've even had small tornadoes in Manawatu, and generally the windstorms in the world are increasing because there's more energy in the atmosphere from global warming.
○ If there's significant chance of it (even small chance of such a dreadful damage) might the community agree to...
• Conserve water in our dam? On request by the authorities, we could water our lawns and shrubs etc. to keep them basically green. In a big, wind-blown fire we'd have emergency hose water and barrels of water to douse starting fires.
• Have public education (meeting, leaflet, online) so people learn about aluminium shielding vulnerable items (as some Aussies have successfully done to save their homes burning down), and sprinkers system options, evacuation options.

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More messages from your neighbours
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!

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🤖 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.

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Y
1 day ago

Flower knowledge

Yvonne from West End

Hi , does anyone know the name of this flower Has a bulb for each flower Only one flower from each bulb flower once a year Love them but dont know what they are Thank you

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