Lake Rotoma, Rotorua

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1266 days ago

Age Concern freephone line 0800 65 2 105

The Team from Age Concern New Zealand

If you have safety concerns for yourself, or an older friend or family member you can call us for free and confidential advice and support.


There are many reasons why elder abuse occurs. It often stems from attitudes that are ageist, and disrespectful of older people.

The majority of cases … View more
If you have safety concerns for yourself, or an older friend or family member you can call us for free and confidential advice and support.


There are many reasons why elder abuse occurs. It often stems from attitudes that are ageist, and disrespectful of older people.

The majority of cases that Age Concerns work with involves older people living in their own homes. In most instances it is family members like adult children who perpetrate elder abuse or neglect.


Call 0800 65 2 105 to contact your nearest Age Concern

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1258 days ago

Rainy Day Holiday Activities

Robert Anderson from

Rainy days are the one thing parents do not need during the holidays, but they happen. We have great ideas for free or low cost rainy day activities when the kids must play indoors.

In a perfect world, every school holiday would be filled with blue skies and sunny days, but unfortunately … View more
Rainy days are the one thing parents do not need during the holidays, but they happen. We have great ideas for free or low cost rainy day activities when the kids must play indoors.

In a perfect world, every school holiday would be filled with blue skies and sunny days, but unfortunately that’s not always the case – especially during Winter! It’s a good idea to have some inside activities up your sleeve for those ‘stuck indoors’ times. We’ve put together our favourite rainy day ideas for you to have on hand, just in case.


Let’s Get Physical: Just because you’re stuck inside, doesn’t mean the kids have to blob out and do nothing. In fact if one rainy day rolls into the next, they’ll be itching to move about and use up some energy. Try some of these ideas to get active while you’re stuck indoors:


•Make your own Ten Pin bowling alley by using plastic soft drink bottles and a rubber ball. Put a cup of sand or gravel in the bottom of each bottle to give them a bit of weight, and then arrange the ‘pins’ into a triangle shape at the end of the hallway. Children stand at the other end of the hall and take turns to bowl.Use your Ten Pin alley to fill in half an hour here and there, or arrange a whole tournament to take place amongst your children and their friends.


• Create an obstacle course that traipses through the whole house. I know it sounds like a nightmare to clean up, but it will keep the kids occupied for ages. Not only do they get to create the course, they then get to do it over and over. They can time each other to see who can do it the fastest, or experiment running the course backwards, blindfolded, or with their hands behind their backs. You’ll need to make sure the course is safe, so check it out before they launch into their races.

• Dancing is a great way to burn off some energy, so turn on some music and start moving that body. If you have a house full of kids, you could play musical games like statues or musical chairs.


Create your own Board Games: Board games are a great way to while away a few hours, but if your children are tired of the games you have at home, why not get them to make their own. Give them a large sheet of poster card, some felt pens, old magazines, scissors and glue, and let them go to it.
They’ll need to create their own rules, cards, counters and dice, and trust me – you’ll be amazed by what they come up with. The whole family can take turns playing each other’s games.

Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

1259 days ago

Do you know a greenfingered hero in your community?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

NZ Gardener is again looking for greenfingered good sorts – individuals or groups who have used gardening skills to help other people. Five finalists will feature in the October magazine and one will go on to become 2021 Gardener of the Year! There are some amazing prizes up for grabs so if you … View moreNZ Gardener is again looking for greenfingered good sorts – individuals or groups who have used gardening skills to help other people. Five finalists will feature in the October magazine and one will go on to become 2021 Gardener of the Year! There are some amazing prizes up for grabs so if you know a homegrown hero who is using their gardening skills for good, nominate them now!

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1260 days ago

No barriers to learning

Competenz

"Being deaf is no barrier to learning and seeing someone like me achieving qualifications and working in a job that has a lot of responsibility has hopefully encouraged them to give it a go.”

When Erich Krogmann started the Food and Beverage Level 2 qualification, he had to learn how to … View more
"Being deaf is no barrier to learning and seeing someone like me achieving qualifications and working in a job that has a lot of responsibility has hopefully encouraged them to give it a go.”

When Erich Krogmann started the Food and Beverage Level 2 qualification, he had to learn how to balance study with a night job and a young family, but his main challenge came in the form of his hearing disability.

Erich says he thinks he’s inspired other people with a disability to take on training.
Read Erichs full story here

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1261 days ago

Push further, defy expectations!

No one dreams bigger than an Olympian, and nothing connects us as a nation quite like sport!
As a proud partner of the New Zealand Olympic Team, we’re getting behind our Olympians so they can turn their dreams into a reality.
Learn more

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1262 days ago

Paint a cute cane basket

The Team from Resene ColorShop Rotorua

Bring some ordinary storage baskets to life using a few Resene testpots of Resene Nero, Resene Glamour Puss and Resene White and some leafy house plants!

Find out how to create your own.

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1264 days ago

Eco-Bricks

Robert Anderson from

What is an Eco-brick?
An eco-brick is a plastic bottle packed with shredded, single-use, non-recyclable plastics, compressed to a required density to create a reusable building block. They are a sustainable way to reusenon-biodegradable plastic waste as they are regarded as a long-lasting and … View more
What is an Eco-brick?
An eco-brick is a plastic bottle packed with shredded, single-use, non-recyclable plastics, compressed to a required density to create a reusable building block. They are a sustainable way to reusenon-biodegradable plastic waste as they are regarded as a long-lasting and durable material.

Eco-bricks = a low energy solution to keeping plastic out of the ecosystem!

What is the purpose of an eco-brick?
Making an eco-brick can be a tedious and time-consuming project (but great to do whilst watching TV!) and the purpose of it is to make you responsible for your own plastic waste and encourage you to reduce your own consumption.

The aim is to help you cut down on what you’re buying and ultimately produce less waste whilst creating something beneficial for yourself or the community!

What goes into the eco-brick?
The most important thing about an eco-brick is that the contents are CLEAN and DRY before they get stuffed. The reason for this is to prevent any bacteria or mould forming inside, which will undo all your hard work as they will not be validated!

You can put inside an eco-brick:
Potato chip, biscuit, cake packets etc.
Stretchy plastic e.g., carrier bags, bread bags, clingfilm etc.
Pasta/rice packets
Packaging – bubble wrap/plastic envelopes
Styrofoam/polystyrene
Hard plastic – meat trays, flowerpots etc (however, hard plastics will need to be cut up into much smaller pieces than soft plastic to allow you to reach the weight requirements)

What can I make with an eco-brick?
The most common personal projects are footstools! They can be as small or as large as you want, you can be creative with the bottle bottom colours to make a cool pattern or cover them in some fabric to make a decorative piece around the house!

There are other smaller projects you can make, like doorstops for example! I am personally taking inspiration from this one found on Pinterest:

Ok, so how do I make one?
It is very simple! The picture below shows you how in 5 simple steps. The key is to just keep stuffing until you can’t any more! With time and patience, your brick will come to life.

1266 days ago

Pursue higher education with a Masters Degree

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

Masters Study

Meet Hinerangi Busby who shares her journey with Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.

I am a graduate of the marae-centred programme, Te Pouhono, transforming Māori communities, promoting mātauranga-a-hapū, a-iwi. My participation took me to the Bachelor of Mātauranga Māori,… View more
Masters Study

Meet Hinerangi Busby who shares her journey with Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.

I am a graduate of the marae-centred programme, Te Pouhono, transforming Māori communities, promoting mātauranga-a-hapū, a-iwi. My participation took me to the Bachelor of Mātauranga Māori, and then postgraduate study.

Awanuiārangi centres you. This is the nurturing space of Māori researchers, with the support of academic and professional staff; this all transpires from an authentic indigenous and traditional Māori environment.

My studies have empowered me to play a more pro-active role in whānau and hapū affairs. Instead of being angry at a past that we cannot change, let’s become part of the solution for positive change.
Find out more

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1266 days ago

DIY – Terracotta Bud Vases

Robert Anderson from

Take on the terracotta trend and sculpt a unique floral feature.


You will need:

- Modelling clay (air-drying or baking)
- Rolling pin

View more
Take on the terracotta trend and sculpt a unique floral feature.


You will need:

- Modelling clay (air-drying or baking)
- Rolling pin

- Knife
- Straw
- Fine sandpaper
- Test pot brush
- Paint test pots (we like Resene Sakura & Resene Apple Blossom)
- Resene FX Paint Effects Medium
- Small sponge
- Cord to hang


Step one: Start by rolling out your clay about 7mm thick (A). It’s important to work on a clean, non-stick surface.
Step two: Use a knife to cut a rectangle as long as you want the main shape to be, then cut a square roughly twice the width of the rectangle and two-thirds the height (B). No matter what shape you’re making, the top piece must be wider to form a dome or pocket. The backing piece always needs to be taller and have enough height to support your flora and allow for a hole.


Step three: If using air-drying clay, dip your fingers in water and wet the edges of the clay slightly – baking clay does not require any water to seal together. Take the smaller, wider square piece and make an arc over the backing piece, bringing the sides together (C). Press the sides down so the clay bonds together, then do the same along the bottom (D), making sure you still have a curved opening at the top.


Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

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1267 days ago

Is your business future-ready?

Competenz

We are in a new era of change and an adaptable workforce is the best asset you can have. The right capability can open up massive opportunities for your business.

You may already have ambitious plans. So how do you build capability? By giving staff the opportunity to turn hidden talents into … View more
We are in a new era of change and an adaptable workforce is the best asset you can have. The right capability can open up massive opportunities for your business.

You may already have ambitious plans. So how do you build capability? By giving staff the opportunity to turn hidden talents into new skills!
But it’s hard to know where to start, or even where to turn for advice. That’s where Competenz can help. We’re your industry training partner, turning talent into capability.

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1269 days ago

Meet the team at Bob Owens

Bob Owens Retirement Village

The team at Bob Owens are helping residents feel safe, secure and at home.

Read about the team below.

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1271 days ago

Massive villa relocation "absolute madness"

Colleen Hawkes Reporter from Homed

What a pleasure to meet Hayley Parsons of Clarks Beach, Auckland. She and husband Chris relocated this huge three-storey villa from Palmerston North to Auckland, and project managed the rebuild of Huntly House from London. Wonderful house, wonderful history.

1268 days ago

Sustainable & Affordable means everything to us

The Warehouse

If seeing is believing, then we’d love to invite you to see how our sustainability journey is going at The Warehouse.
 
Look in our stores or online and you’ll see more than 7,000 sustainable products that are better for the planet and your budget.

Look for the Better Cotton Initiative … View more
If seeing is believing, then we’d love to invite you to see how our sustainability journey is going at The Warehouse.
 
Look in our stores or online and you’ll see more than 7,000 sustainable products that are better for the planet and your budget.

Look for the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) branding when you’re
browsing the racks, and you’ll see we’re proud to invest in making cotton production more sustainable.

Look for the FSC label on wood and paper products we stock, and you’ll see we’re dedicated to protecting our forests.

Sustainable & Affordable. It means more choice.
Find out more

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1270 days ago

Crate chair

The Team from Resene ColorShop Rotorua

Embrace a Modernist aesthetic with this simple chair decorated with Resene products.

Find out how to create your own.

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1270 days ago

Inclusive Communities – July 1st to 31st 🥰

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

This month we’re celebrating the diverse array of people who call New Zealand home. Regardless of our different faiths, abilities, cultures, ages, orientations and genders - we want to make sure that our communities are safe and welcoming for all.

There are many ways to take part! From hosting a… View more
This month we’re celebrating the diverse array of people who call New Zealand home. Regardless of our different faiths, abilities, cultures, ages, orientations and genders - we want to make sure that our communities are safe and welcoming for all.

There are many ways to take part! From hosting a multicultural potluck or film screening to providing prevention information / resources in other languages, there are thousands of ways big and small to make our households, neighbourhoods, schools and businesses even more inclusive. It could even be as simple as learning from a neighbour how to say ‘hello’ in their first language or ensuring local footpaths are clear and accessible.

Want to share your thoughts? Let us know how you’re creating inclusive communities this month by tagging us in your social media posts or emailing us your photos, videos, or experiences to:

info@neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz

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