Getting prepared for cyclone Gita
We’ve all got a part to play in being prepared for emergencies. Current MetService predictions are telling us cyclone Gita could be quite severe. To make sure you protect your home and property we recommend you:
- Check your guttering is clear.
- Check and clear the area around any drains you have on your property.
- If you’re aware of any areas where water collects or flows through your property, sandbags can help keep it away. Sandbags can be found at DIY stores such as Mitre10 and Bunnings.
- Have a look at the gutter and street drains outside your property. Are they clear of leaf litter and other debris? If you notice any significant blockages contact your local council.
- Put any rubbish in your wheelie-bin and tie down anything that might get caught in the wind, such as BBQ covers and trampolines.
- Check on your neighbours, and help them out if you can.
Flood events happen quickly, and can do a lot of damage in a short amount of time.
Stay out of flood waters, as there is a risk manhole lids have come loose, there could be debris floating in the water, and it can be contaminated with sewerage.
Some Choice News!
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!
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
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.
Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!
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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