Swannanoa - Ohoka, Swannanoa

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738 days ago

Cannot contact IRD or access returns and getting threatening letters

Kim from Oxford

Hey does anyone out there have any ideas on how to contact IRD. I have called their 0800 number and i just get a message saying they are too busy and to call back later or go online. Then it just hangs up on me, there’s no option to leave a message and no option to remain on hold.

I have been… View more
Hey does anyone out there have any ideas on how to contact IRD. I have called their 0800 number and i just get a message saying they are too busy and to call back later or go online. Then it just hangs up on me, there’s no option to leave a message and no option to remain on hold.

I have been online and requested they call me via myIRD as I need some assistance in filling out a return and correcting some gst returns someone else did for me and did wrong. However, 5 months after asking them to phone me and making it clear I could not do the return without someone calling me, still no one has called.

Now i cant even log in to ask them to call me, again. After I log in with ‘realme’ it asks me for a second secure authentication. I have no idea what the username/password for that is supposed to be as I have never set anything up for that and never been asked for it before. My existing realme login does not work for this, and there are no links on the page so that I can set one up (normally on a login oage you have links saying stuff like “forgot your password” or “reset your username/password”. There is nothing on this screen). The only options are to enter a user name and password and as I have no idea what they should be I cant. The only other option on the screen is to click cancel, which must logs me out of the whole thing and returns me to the main IRD login screen

So….
I cannot fill out my returns as the forms I was seeing on myIR, dont contain the fields I need, to put the figures into.
I cannot call them as their message just says they are too busy then hangs up on me.
I cannot get them to call me.
Now I cant even access myIR.

And I am getting letters with threatening subject lines (I cant actually read their contents as I cant log into myIR to read them)

Ive even tried emailing their general customer feedback email address and a survey email address I found (the only ird email addresses I can find which are not no-reply bounces) and no one has replied to those emails.

How can it be legal, for IRD to just threaten people and take their money? But not have a working phone number or any email addresses for anyone to contact them on. And not call people 5 months after the have asked them to (because they cannot do the returns till someone calls them to explain where to enter the return info into a form with only two vaguely/nonsensically, named fields), and then on top of all that, decide to just out of the blue, add in a second layer of authentication on their website, but have no information on how to set up a username and password to use for that second authentication, thereby making it impossible for anyone to login to myIR and even read their threatening emails, let alone do anything to resolve them?

I have a lot of business expenses I am unable to declare and very worried they will just take money out of my account based on my turnover and not my actual (significantly less) taxable income. Im just a sole charge contractor, and don't have the funds to pay thousands to an accountant just to get someone from ird to pick up the phone and call me.

Does anyone out there have any ideas on how to contact them?

Or maybe someone has been given a direct dial number for a real person at ird that they might be willing to share with me? (Your name will never be mentioned! Lol). I did have a number like that myself on my old phone but it died suddenly and the contact list couldn’t be retrieved from the dead ph the attempts to do so are a saga of their own).

So im really hoping someone out there might of an alternative contact method which is NOT any of the following methods I have tried which have failed:

The 0800 775 247 number (which is apparently always too short staffed for anyone to ever pick up the phone)
MyIR
The two emails address i could find which did not begin with “noreply@…”

Honestly do business not realise how bloody frustrating it is to receive an email that “requires your action” in some way, from an email address you cannot respond to!

Alternatively if you work at ird. Please call me on Monday 020 406 41485, and if i don’t answer because I am in a work meeting, please leave me a message with an actual number that is not 0800 775 247 that I can call you back on!

Ok rant over, but if anyone has an actual working number that i can call to speak to an actual real human being at ird, could you please share it with me? I don’t care what department, at least if a real person answers I can beg them to let me speak to a real person in the gst returns dept (or record the call as yet more evidence of the ridiculous impossibility of getting to speak to a real person at ird, if they wont put me thru).

At this rate maybe i could make up a youtube or other social media audio and video series entitled… ‘the long hunt for a real person at ird’, or something equally sarcastic…

At least till I cant afford internet after they withdraw all my savings to pay my horrifically inflated tax “assessment” that their combination of unusable systems and uncontactable departments has made impossible for me to file an actual return and expenses against!

Actually maybe thats what I could do next. Record every failed call to their 0800 number, till I have many hours worth, then post them on youtube or similar….till I set a Guinness record for the person who went to the most hours of effort to try and do her gst return, but still got penalised by ird because that was easier than actually calling her!
Despite how boring being on hold with IRD would be to listen to, I sort of feel at this stage, that getting my first million views on a long boring video of IRD hold music, and ‘sorry we are too busy, please call another day’ hangups, might happen faster than anyone real at IRD actually ever phoning me!

Seriously though

Does anyone know how i can actually get to speak to someone there? Or is the idea of real people at ird just a myth? How ridiculous is it that i have to take to social media because after 5 months of trying I don't have a way to communicate with a real person at IRD to find out how to fill in the gst return form !

Someone did call me about 5.5-6 months ago and told me now to fill out the gst return adjustment forms. Problem is the form and form fields they described to me and told me to enter the numbers into, do not actually exist on the gst return forms that were available to me when I was able to access myIR. They seemed to be describing an entirely different form that is not available to my myIR account.

725 days ago

Gift yourself and a loved one

Sunday Star-Times

Hey Neighbours!

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift? Between now and 31 December, purchase a 3-month subscription to Sunday Star-Times for a friend, loved one (or yourself), and you'll receive a gorgeous soy candle selection worth $49 from Linden Leaves absolutely free.

Use promo … View more
Hey Neighbours!

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift? Between now and 31 December, purchase a 3-month subscription to Sunday Star-Times for a friend, loved one (or yourself), and you'll receive a gorgeous soy candle selection worth $49 from Linden Leaves absolutely free.

Use promo code 'Christmas' at the checkout to redeem this unmissable deal!

The team at Sunday Star-Times
Subscribe now

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726 days ago

Skater clocks

The Team from Resene ColorShop Rangiora

Skate away! Turn an old skateboard into a handy clock with a little imagination and Resene paints.
Find out how to create your own.

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726 days ago

Court ruling may have significant impact, North Canterbury schools say

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

An Employment Court ruling around teacher working hours could have major implications, North Canterbury schools say.

The New Zealand Post Primary Teachers’ Association successfully argued that a school is ‘‘not open for instruction’’ during … View more
From local democracy reporter David Hill:

An Employment Court ruling around teacher working hours could have major implications, North Canterbury schools say.

The New Zealand Post Primary Teachers’ Association successfully argued that a school is ‘‘not open for instruction’’ during weekends, public holidays, vacations and outside of 8.30am to 4.30pm on school days, in a recent Employment Court hearing in the North Island.

But principals said there needed to be flexibility in a teacher’s day to ensure work/life balance and being available for meeting with parents.
Rangiora High School board of trustees chairperson Simon Green was unaware of the ruling, but said it would be ‘‘disappointing’’ if it became binding.

The teaching day was structured from 9am to 3pm and then it was ‘‘flexible’’, Rangiora High School principal Bruce Kearney said.

To accommodate the Employment Court ruling, Kearney changed the start time for staff meetings from 8.20am to 8.30am, ‘‘but you can’t put rigidities around the end time’’.

Some teachers might choose to start earlier or to remain at school after 3pm, while others needed to go and pick up their children after school and took home marking to do later in the evening, he said.

Schools also relied on teachers being available to run cultural activities and coach sports teams outside of teaching hours.

‘‘Teachers are paid a salary and there is a flexibility built in, and it is about how we can best serve our students,’’ Kearney said.

Oxford Area School principal Mike Hart said the ruling was about fairness in recognising an eight hour working day as the accepted limit for teachers.

Collective agreements had a ‘‘call back’’ clause, which gave provision for attending evening meetings, such as those with parents, or for staff training during term breaks.

‘‘Employment law is the guiding document, but we have to remember there are 12 weeks in a calendar year where we don’t expect teachers to do an eight hour day,'' Hart said.

‘‘It is a choice, where teachers can work out what is best for their work/life balance.

‘‘Some may choose to work longer hours during term time and take a break, while others choose to work a consistent number of hours throughout the year.’’

Kaiapoi High School principal Jason Reid said many teachers worked long hours with burnout a major concern, particularly for new teachers.
He said his advice for new teachers was to ‘‘pace yourself’’ in the first two years.

‘‘The challenges of doing this job are incredibly complex and it will absorb as much time as you will throw into it.’’

■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.

726 days ago

Overnight delays of up to 50 minutes at Hurunui Bridge on SH1

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has essential maintenance work to do on the single lane Hurunui River Bridge, starting Sunday night, November 20.

Drivers who use SH1 between Picton and Christchurch may need to build some extra time into their journeys over up to 15 nights of closure, Waka Kotahi… View more
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has essential maintenance work to do on the single lane Hurunui River Bridge, starting Sunday night, November 20.

Drivers who use SH1 between Picton and Christchurch may need to build some extra time into their journeys over up to 15 nights of closure, Waka Kotahi says.

The work on the bridge’s deck and joints will close the bridge for up to 50 minutes at a time, 7pm to 6am. The schedule is Sunday to Thursday, weather dependent, from November 20 to Thursday night, December 8, with 10-minute openings at the top of each hour.

The bridge is between Greta Valley and Cheviot on SH1, North Canterbury and is the key route for freight and the inter-island ferries.

“People who are using the route overnight to make the Picton Ferry may need to factor in delays of up to 50 minutes in their schedules,” Waka Kotahi network manager Jessica McFarlane says.

Emergency vehicles will be accommodated at all times.

The Hurunui River Bridge is south of Cheviot on SH1, north of Greta Valley.

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726 days ago

Help Kiwi kids this Christmas

Variety

Shockingly, 93% of Variety families live with food insecurity every day. Let’s make Christmas day different for them.

Mia and Jade love Christmas, but their parents are struggling financially. “Christmas time brings a lot of stress. I want to put a good meal on the table and give my kids a … View more
Shockingly, 93% of Variety families live with food insecurity every day. Let’s make Christmas day different for them.

Mia and Jade love Christmas, but their parents are struggling financially. “Christmas time brings a lot of stress. I want to put a good meal on the table and give my kids a good and exciting Christmas but with bills and rent, our credit card is already maxed out,” Jenna says.

Please donate today to provide grocery support for struggling families this Christmas.
Donate now

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728 days ago

Mrs Harris Goes to Paris - Fundraising Movie Night

Tiff Wafer from Cancer Society North Canterbury

Fundraising Movie Night for the Cancer Society North Canterbury.
Come and enjoy a fabulous evening, a heartfelt film, raffles & auction.
Tickets $25.00 includes film and small gift on arrival. Can be purchase online at: events.humanitix.com... or at the Centre, 143 Percival Street, Rangiora,… View more
Fundraising Movie Night for the Cancer Society North Canterbury.
Come and enjoy a fabulous evening, a heartfelt film, raffles & auction.
Tickets $25.00 includes film and small gift on arrival. Can be purchase online at: events.humanitix.com... or at the Centre, 143 Percival Street, Rangiora, eftpos available.
We'd love to see you there and greatly appreciate our community's support.

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727 days ago

The Sterling's Annual Garage Sale!

The Sterling, Kaiapoi

A few of our residents have been doing a bit of resizing and have some items to sell in The Sterling's Annual Garage Sale!

Come along to The Sterling, walk around the village and see if anything piques your interest. As they say, one person's trash is another person's treasure!

View more
A few of our residents have been doing a bit of resizing and have some items to sell in The Sterling's Annual Garage Sale!

Come along to The Sterling, walk around the village and see if anything piques your interest. As they say, one person's trash is another person's treasure!

Our Showhome Open Day is also on from from 10am to 2pm so why not come and check it out.

There will be a coffee van and sausage sizzle so you can take a break between all the browsing!

The Sterling's Annual Garage Sale will be taking place at 4 different villas at The Sterling, Kaiapoi from 9am - 12pm on Saturday 19th November.

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728 days ago

Mrs Harris Goes to Paris - Fundraising Movie Night

Tiff Wafer from Cancer Society North Canterbury

Wednesday 16 November, 5.45pm, Rangiora Town Hall Cinemas
Tickets $25.00 includes film and small gift on arrival. Doors open 5.00pm. Christmas gifts, raffles and auction on the night.
Get your friends together, glam it up and come for a entertaining night out!
Tickets available from the … View more
Wednesday 16 November, 5.45pm, Rangiora Town Hall Cinemas
Tickets $25.00 includes film and small gift on arrival. Doors open 5.00pm. Christmas gifts, raffles and auction on the night.
Get your friends together, glam it up and come for a entertaining night out!
Tickets available from the following locations:
Cancer Society North Canterbury, 143 Percival Street, Rangiora, Phone: 0800 226 695. Eftpos available.
Online: events.humanitix.com...
Contact Tiff on tiffany.wafer@cancercwc.org.nz or 021-139 4909 for more information.

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728 days ago

Home and property inspiration delivered to your inbox

Homed

What better way to while away a Friday afternoon and get your weekend DIY inspiration than drooling over the most beautiful house and garden content of the week?

|Homed newsletter| takes you inside gorgeous New Zealand homes, showcases the latest interior trends, provides project ideas, and … View more
What better way to while away a Friday afternoon and get your weekend DIY inspiration than drooling over the most beautiful house and garden content of the week?

|Homed newsletter| takes you inside gorgeous New Zealand homes, showcases the latest interior trends, provides project ideas, and more. Be inspired to dream big about your own space - and get on the path to making those dreams come true. Sign up for free here.
Sign up now

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S
729 days ago

Marble lawn roller

Sharlene from Kainga - Brooklands

Works really well.pick up kainga

Price: $100

732 days ago

Rangiora High School targets sustainability centre

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Rangiora High School plans to revitalise its school farm as a centre of sustainability.

The school’s board of trustees has made the decision to ‘‘regenerate’’ the school farm, principal Bruce Kearney said.

‘‘There is excitement in the … View more
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Rangiora High School plans to revitalise its school farm as a centre of sustainability.

The school’s board of trustees has made the decision to ‘‘regenerate’’ the school farm, principal Bruce Kearney said.

‘‘There is excitement in the community about the farm, but I find it difficult to market it because it is still very much a 1970s style farm and it has served its purpose.

‘‘But we are in a new world, with a focus on having a sustainable environment, so we need to re-address what we do.’’

Head of science David Newsham-West will take a year off from teaching next year to develop a plan for an ‘‘innovation hub’’ and a sustainability centre.

Newsham-West said he was keen to get buy-in from the local community and local businesses.

There were opportunities to work alongside Lincoln University, research organisations such as AgResearch, Industry Training Organisations and Ngāi Tūāhuriri, he said.

Rangiora students could even be involved in cutting edge research, such as testing digital collars on sheep and gathering the data or conducting soil tests.

One suggestion was even to develop a mountain bike track on the farm, with the school possibly hosting endurance events one day.

‘‘People are open to the idea of farms being diverse and flexible. Farms can’t just be a monoculture any more,’’ Newsham-West said.

‘‘We want to have a farm which models flexibility, sustainability and innovation.’’

The farm would continue to work alongside youth training service, ComCol, in offering equine studies and apiaries, while the intention was to continue farming sheep.

But it could also incorporate some viticulture, horticulture and other ideas which the school has not even thought of.

‘‘We are open to ideas across the board, we could have bio-nodes, we could teach pest control and biodiversity and we could even put in solar panels,’’ Newsham-West said.

He also saw opportunities for engaging staff across different subjects in the school and with ComCol North Canterbury next door.

‘‘There are opportunities for integrated learning and our geology and geography teachers are already talking about getting in drones and doing soil sampling.

‘‘Rather than fictitiously making up projects students can do on paper, we can get the students doing something real on site.

‘‘You can read a book or do film editing at home, but you can’t learn about moving stock unless you are hands on.’’

Building and hard materials and other school departments were also looking at ways of being involved in the farm, he said.

Whatever future plan was developed, Kearney said selling the farm was not option.

■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.

733 days ago

Skydiving for SPCA

Angela from Rangiora

Hello neighbours,

I’ve decided to fundraise for the SPCA, and I need to fundraise $800 dollars to sky dive. Any amount would be very very appreciated, I don’t see the money it goes directly to the SPCA and the link is below for donations.

jumptotherescue.spca.nz...

Thank you for … View more
Hello neighbours,

I’ve decided to fundraise for the SPCA, and I need to fundraise $800 dollars to sky dive. Any amount would be very very appreciated, I don’t see the money it goes directly to the SPCA and the link is below for donations.

jumptotherescue.spca.nz...

Thank you for reading, Angela.

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730 days ago

Kelvinator tumble dryer

Briony from Kaiapoi

Well used but still going strongly. Basic with 3 settings - hot, warm, cooling. On castors. It has a S.African plug on it. Compatible with a N.Z. adapter. Collect Kaiapoi. Msg 02108437041 if interested.

Price: $20

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K
730 days ago

Countdown bricks

Karyn from Kaiapoi

Does anyone please have any countdown bricks do not need please. Collecting for my wee grandson. Thankyou

Free

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