Crocky
“My name’s Crocky... the nickname I've had my whole life. When I was six I had a possum skin hat like the American folklore hero Davy Crockett. I never wanted to take off the hat.
Where I feel most at home is the Southern Lakes where I was born, but I had my school years in Christchurch after my mum moved here when my parents divorced.
I buggered off overseas in the 2000’s, at one point I lived in New York. In the last 10 years I lived in Wellington, it had everything of a big city but like a small village, everything is accessible. Now I'm back again in Christchurch.
I squirrelled and saved and saved and just brought my first home. It's a new build with a vintage feel. I try and get around on my electric motorbike or my push bike, makes me feel like I'm on a mission. It's the best way to see the city. I feel bad using a car when I'm the only one in it. I like going tramping and nature is really good for me.
My biggest thing at the moment; I have an addiction to thrift shopping. I think thrifting is so cool - there's a real market for it, you know what you're looking for and it's great for reselling stuff that's already been created. I have a full time job that's stable so it’s kinda become a bit of a side hustle.
I'm currently collecting digital cameras. I have about 15, op shops think they are no good as everyone is using their phones. I source the chargers and clean the cameras up and sell them on and give them new life. Everyone's going back to the Y2K era for nostalgic reasons, the noise of them clicking a photo - very cool.”
- Crocky
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
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Poll: Should we ditch daylight saving? 🕰️
First introduced in New Zealand in 1927 with the passing of the Summer Time Act, it's what we know as 'Daylight Saving' and this year it ends on the first Sunday in April.
While we do get to sleep in this time around, some people would like to scrap the clock tinkering for good.
And why? Some evidence suggests the time changes are bad for our health as they mess with sleep patterns leading to short-term fatigue and affecting mood. Meanwhile the hour change is frustrating for farmers and a nightmare for getting the littlies to sleep. But what's your take?
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39.3% Yes - get rid of the clock changes
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58.7% No, I enjoy it
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2% Other - I'll share below
Alan and Hazel Kerr share Senior New Zealander of the Year Award 2026
Dr Alan and Hazel Kerr describe themselves as ‘just ordinary old Kiwis’, despite being named as the 2026 Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealanders of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau.
The amazing couple prompted a standing ovation at a star-studded Auckland event which recognised their tireless efforts, with Alan travelling to and from Gaza and the West Bank 40 times to help children over 20 years, and Hazel travelling 20 times.
Click read more to find out more.
Happy Anniversary to Nancy and John!
Nancy and John Lawrence are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this weekend in Timaru.
Meeting by chance at a dance, the couple married in Oāmaru in 1966 and have lived in 14 houses over that time in both Ōamaru and Timaru.
John trained as an electrician while Nancy trained as a primary school teacher and did several jobs before going on to manage the South Canterbury Community College for 17 years.
They raised five children, ran the Rangitata Store in the early 1980s and John has also been a farmer. They now co-own Matai Nurseries in Waimate with their daughter and son-in-law and are kept busy travelling around and delivering plants.
“And when we said ‘til death do us part’, we meant it,’’ Nancy said.
You can read more about them in the article on The Press here.
Those are some great innings and we love to hear stories like these at Neighbourly!
Have you come across Nancy and John over the years, or are you nearing a big milestone like this?
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