Rotorua Central, Rotorua

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1576 days ago

Natural Textile Fibres

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Rotorua

Natural, plant-based textile fibres come from seed hair, such as cotton; from foliage, such as sisal; from the stem, such as linen; and some fibres come from shells, such as coconut.
Among the most widely used in the textile industry, important and recognized, we can list the following fibres:

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Natural, plant-based textile fibres come from seed hair, such as cotton; from foliage, such as sisal; from the stem, such as linen; and some fibres come from shells, such as coconut.
Among the most widely used in the textile industry, important and recognized, we can list the following fibres:

Abaca: Also known as Manila Hemp, abaca comes from leave sheaths around the stem of the plant of abaca, a species of banana. It is a leave fibre valued for its resistance to the damaging effects of salt water, its buoyancy and the length of the fibres, which can be more than 3 meters long. Currently, it is being increasingly used in the manufacturing of garments, household textiles and upholstery thanks to innovations in the process of this fibre. It is certainly still being used to manufacture sailing accessories, in the currency paper industry and automotive sector, and even in the food industry.

Cotton: Cotton grows in balls around the plant seeds and it is pure cellulose. Cotton is the natural textile fibre most widely used around the world and it is certainly the main protagonist in the global textile industry. There are two exceptional varieties of the highest quality: Egyptian cotton and Peruvian Pima.

It is widely used in the fashion industry, both in flat fabrics and in woven clothing items and household textile products. Cotton is used in combination with other natural and synthetic fibres, such as rayon, polyester, spandex, etc. Cotton fabrics are comfortable, very soft, have good heat conduction and absorbency; these characteristics make it perfect for garments that are in close contact with the skin, both in spring-summer and fall-winter seasons. Cotton tends to shrink; it is prone to wrinkles and fading.

Organic cotton: The biggest bet of sustainability is the use of certified organic cotton. It offers an efficient and sustainable use of natural resources avoiding synthetic or chemical pesticides and genetically modified seeds.

Coir: Coir is a short, hoarse fibre extracted from coconut husk. There are two types of coir: brown fibre, which comes from mature coconuts, and thin, white fibre, which comes from green, immature coconut husks. The white variety of coir fibre is used to manufacture rope and maritime elements because they are resistant to seawater. Brown fibre is employed to produce household textile items and even for the automotive industry. Additionally, geotextiles produced with coir mesh have special characteristics such as resistance to sunlight, great water absorption and they are 100% biodegradable.

Hemp: Hemp fibre is obtained from the stem of the plant. One of the most relevant features of this plant is that it captures large quantities of carbon. With 70% of cellulose, hemp is an excellent heat conductor, it absorbs dyes adequately, it blocks UV rays, it is very resistant to mildew and has natural antibacterial properties.

Recent developments to “cottonize” hemp fibre could open the doors of high-quality fashion market to this fibre. The longest hemp fibres can be woven and knitted to create curly fabrics, similar to linen, used in the textile industry. The mixture of hemp with cotton, linen, silk, and wool give hemp greater softness, while adding strength and durability to the product.
Hemp fibres are also used to manufacture paper and a wide variety of canvasses for different uses. It is also employed in the automotive and construction industries.

Linen: Linen is one of the strongest plant-based fibres in nature; therefore, it was one of the first to be grown, woven, and knitted to manufacture clothing and accessories. There are different types of linen based on their species. The main types are common flax and perennial flax.
Linen is a fabric with high mechanical resistance and little elasticity; therefore, it wrinkles easily. Its softness increases with washes. As linen quickly absorbs and releases water, and as it is an excellent thermal conductor, the fabric is fresh, highly valued and employed in the production of clothing for warm areas. Linen garments are fresh, comfortable, and they symbolize elegance in summer fashion.
Linen maintains a strong traditional niche among high-quality textiles for household products, beddings, upholstery, and interior design accessories.

Ramie: Ramie fibre is white with gloss similar to silk, and it is one of the strongest natural fibres, close to linen in absorption and density. It has little elasticity and it dyes easily. Ramie fibres have some transverse fissures that make it very fragile, but at the same time promote ventilation. The rugged ramie fibres are used to make ropes and nets. Through threading, they produce thin, very glossy thread that is used for a wide variety of garments.

Fabrics made 100% of ramie are lightweight, silky to the touch but with a linen appearance. Normally, as its elasticity and resistance are quite low, ramie is mixed with other textile fibres or used to improve the characteristics of other textile fibres. For example, ramie is added to wool to reduce shrinking or to cotton to increase strength.

Sisal: Sisal is an excessively hard fibre and inelastic to be used in the fashion industry. It is employed in small proportions and in combination with other fibres for the manufacture of accessories and home decor items. Currently sisal is mainly used in the furniture, automotive and naval industries, always combined with other materials.

Jute: Jute is extracted from the stem of a plant with the same name and it is very easy to grow and harvest. Jute is one of the cheapest fibres to produce. This fibre is also known as “golden fibre” because of its glow. Jute is one of the strongest, plant-based natural fibres, and it is second to cotton in terms of production volume. Jute presents poor absorption, so it deteriorates quickly when exposed to humidity; it has low thermal conduction, but it contains significant insulating and anti-static properties. Jute is used as supplementary material in textile and footwear manufacturing, as well as in household textiles.

Kapoc: It is a white fibre similar to hair that comes from the seeds of a tree called Ceiba Pentandra. Kapok is also known as “silk cotton” because of its gloss that resembles silk. Kapok’s fibre, weak and short, is resistant to moisture and it has a soft, lustrous texture. The largest volume of its production is used for household textiles.

Ramina: Ramina is a ligneous fibre also known as China grass. It is rigid, shiny, and lustrous. Ramina is used for household textiles.

1576 days ago

DO YOU HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD?

Faith Timu from HIPPY Rotorua

HIPPY is free. Would you like to know more about the HIPPY programme? HIPPY is now taking enrollments over the phone, so if you are keen to find out more, phone or text Faith on 027 346 0037

Free

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1577 days ago

First home buying stories wanted

Kylie Klein Nixon Reporter from Homed

Hi everyone! I'm Kylie, a Homed reporter. We're looking for people who have fairly recent, interesting, unique or off-the-wall stories to tell about how they bought their first homes. Did you move away from your home just to find a more affordable property? Did you scrimp and save for … View moreHi everyone! I'm Kylie, a Homed reporter. We're looking for people who have fairly recent, interesting, unique or off-the-wall stories to tell about how they bought their first homes. Did you move away from your home just to find a more affordable property? Did you scrimp and save for years to get a deposit together? Perhaps your family chipped in to help get you on the ladder? Are you older and buying for the first time? Did you choose to move into a home with a friend or another couple to make it more affordable? Please let us know in the comments below, or drop me a line in the messages. Your comments my be used in a story, but we'd also be interested in chatting to you for an exciting project coming up!

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1576 days ago

Jonsered 2095 (or 2094) Chainsaw Wanted

Rex from Hamurana

I'm keen to buy an old Jonsered 2095 (or 2094) chainsaw in any condition, will pay cash & travel to pickup. These old saws were legendary back in their day, so my plan is to rescue/restore one back to good working condition, & give it an easy retirement doing occasional jobs like … View moreI'm keen to buy an old Jonsered 2095 (or 2094) chainsaw in any condition, will pay cash & travel to pickup. These old saws were legendary back in their day, so my plan is to rescue/restore one back to good working condition, & give it an easy retirement doing occasional jobs like firewood, (& waking up the neighbours, LOL). So, if you've got a complete saw, or even a dismantled box of parts, then I'll pay many $100's for it.

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1577 days ago

Better balance is easy!

The Team from ACC New Zealand

Maintaining your balance is key to enjoying life and avoiding falls. With the easy-to-use app called Nymbl, you can improve your balance and live falls free. You just need a smartphone or tablet.

With Nymbl you’ll use simple and safe body movements and easy brain challenges like trivia. … View more
Maintaining your balance is key to enjoying life and avoiding falls. With the easy-to-use app called Nymbl, you can improve your balance and live falls free. You just need a smartphone or tablet.

With Nymbl you’ll use simple and safe body movements and easy brain challenges like trivia. It’s a technique called dual-tasking and it’s proven to be effective, it’s also fun. Just 10 minutes a day in the comfort of your own home and you can be Nymbl.

Register now to get Nymbl free. Nymbl is brought to you by Live Stronger For Longer and ACC, MOH and HQSC.
Learn more

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1577 days ago

Mental Health + Well-Being - September 1st to 30th 🧠🌸

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

1 in 4 New Zealand adults will suffer from a mental disorder or distress at some point in their lives. When they do, let’s make sure they don’t have to go it alone. To create safer, more caring communities we need to not only look after ourselves but those around us as well.

For the month of … View more
1 in 4 New Zealand adults will suffer from a mental disorder or distress at some point in their lives. When they do, let’s make sure they don’t have to go it alone. To create safer, more caring communities we need to not only look after ourselves but those around us as well.

For the month of September, we want to use our voice to raise awareness for mental health and well-being. Perhaps consider sharing a cuppa with someone you know who could use the support or challenge your family and friends to unplug from social media for the entire month to improve their well-being. If you or someone you know is going through a rough patch, don’t forget you can call or text 1737 anytime for FREE support from a trained counsellor.

This month also coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10th) followed by Mental Health Awareness Week (21 - 27 September).

However you choose to take part, make sure to tag us in your posts + use the following hashtag so we can see how you’re cultivating better mental health for yourself or in your community this month:

#NSNZmentalhealth

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1581 days ago

Zero tolerance on speeding drivers all year round as Kiwi cops get tough on motorists

The Team Reporter from Stuff

Hi neighbours,

Do you sometimes drive a few kms over the speed limit? Road police have scrapped their speed buffer on Kiwi roads in favour of a no tolerance approach.

All motorists edging over the limit at any time of the year can now expect to be pulled over and possibly fined, national road … View more
Hi neighbours,

Do you sometimes drive a few kms over the speed limit? Road police have scrapped their speed buffer on Kiwi roads in favour of a no tolerance approach.

All motorists edging over the limit at any time of the year can now expect to be pulled over and possibly fined, national road policing manager Acting Superintendent Gini Welch confirmed on Friday.

It brings an end to a long-standing convention that law enforcement would let minor speeding breaches slide.


“We don’t have a threshold,” Welch told Stuff, “we don’t have anything other than the speed limit.

Previously, besides zero tolerance long weekends, it was understood police could exercise discretion up to 10kmh over the speed limit.

Click here to read more.

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1578 days ago

Key tips for a warmer, drier home – 6/9 – Steam

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Rotorua

Open windows (ventilate) in the kitchen when you cook, and in the bathroom when you shower or take a bath, to let steam out.

When showering make sure to turn on the extractor fan and crack the window to let the steam out.
Use your kitchens extractor fan when cooking as it helps stop steamy … View more
Open windows (ventilate) in the kitchen when you cook, and in the bathroom when you shower or take a bath, to let steam out.

When showering make sure to turn on the extractor fan and crack the window to let the steam out.
Use your kitchens extractor fan when cooking as it helps stop steamy areas from getting damp and mouldy.

Created by New Zealand's Ministry of Health.

www.youtube.com...

1578 days ago

Meet our 2020 Houseplant Hero!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Congratulations to King George Diones , who wins $500 worth of Yates products and $300 worth of Kings Plant Barn vouchers. This surgical nurse in Auckland propagates and sells houseplants. He is currently giving all profits to colleagues in the Philippines to buy PPE.

1578 days ago

Having certainty inspires confidence

Bob Owens Retirement Village

When you choose a Ryman village, you're set. Our Peace of Mind Guarantees are designed to protect you, so whatever the future holds, we've got your back.

Having certainty inspires confidence. It's just one of the ways we're pioneering a new way of living for a new retirement … View more
When you choose a Ryman village, you're set. Our Peace of Mind Guarantees are designed to protect you, so whatever the future holds, we've got your back.

Having certainty inspires confidence. It's just one of the ways we're pioneering a new way of living for a new retirement generation.

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1579 days ago

Anyone can be Nymbl

The Team from ACC New Zealand

Now you can get better balance, in the comfort and safety of your own home, with Nymbl - the easy-to-use smartphone app.

Nymbl gives you simple body movements, combined with brain challenges like trivia, to really improve your balance.

It’s fun and only takes only 10 minutes a day.

Get… View more
Now you can get better balance, in the comfort and safety of your own home, with Nymbl - the easy-to-use smartphone app.

Nymbl gives you simple body movements, combined with brain challenges like trivia, to really improve your balance.

It’s fun and only takes only 10 minutes a day.

Get Nymbl now, for free. Just go to nymblscience.com...
Register now

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1598 days ago

Gutter, house wash, building wash, roof wash

Johnny from Exterior Washing Services

Small enough to LISTEN Big enough to DELIVER.

EXTERIOR WASHING SERVICES for all your Exterior cleaning needs!!

021 150 6361
www.exteriorwashing.co.nz...

1579 days ago

It's the final countdown

The Team from New Zealander of the Year Award | Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa

Neighbours! This. Is. Not. A. Drill! Bay of Plenty, you’ve got less than 24 hours to get your Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year nominations in.

Who will it be?

nzawards.org.nz...

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1590 days ago

WANTED TO BUY

Annette from Ngongotaha

Hi Does anyone have a Cubii, (as seen advertised from TV shop) Small machine you peddle while sitting FOR SALE please?

Price: $200

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