Makomako, Te Mata

2294 days ago

Got your Get Growing?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

In this week's issue of Get Growing we have top tips on cat-proofing raised beds, pruning roses, sowing seeds for flower power in your garden this summer, planting strawberries and growing peas. Check out our lists of 10 crops you can sow undercover now to get a head-start on spring and 10 … View moreIn this week's issue of Get Growing we have top tips on cat-proofing raised beds, pruning roses, sowing seeds for flower power in your garden this summer, planting strawberries and growing peas. Check out our lists of 10 crops you can sow undercover now to get a head-start on spring and 10 plants you can grow to feed the birds, plus join our campaign to create bird-friendly suburbs across New Zealand and get some free native plant seed from NZ Seeds! We also have a fabulous prize pack from Grosafe, copies of the latest issue of NZ Gardener and double passes to the 2018 New Zealand Flower & Garden Show.

Delivered every Friday to your email inbox, Get Growing digital magazine offers seasonal gardening advice from the NZ Gardener magazine's team of experts. Each week we answer all your burning questions on raising fruit and veges and tell you the top tasks to do in your backyard this weekend. Best of all, it's free! Click on the link to subscribe.

Image
2285 days ago

Share your green tips to WIN!

Countdown

Got any great ways we can all help the environment? Any green tips, tricks or habits that others might not know about? Share them on our page, and you could win one of 10 Countdown gift cards, worth $100 each! It’s all part of our commitment to helping our environment thrive. Share tips now

Image
2292 days ago

Should fast-food chains ditch plastic straws?

Georgia Reporter from Stuff

Hi neighbours,

What do you think of this campaign? Hamilton high school students Chelsea West, Haydee Anson and Abbey Huriwai are publicly challenging McDonald's to ditch plastic straws nationwide. Although the fast-food giant has a couple of small initiatives on straw use, it seems to have… View more
Hi neighbours,

What do you think of this campaign? Hamilton high school students Chelsea West, Haydee Anson and Abbey Huriwai are publicly challenging McDonald's to ditch plastic straws nationwide. Although the fast-food giant has a couple of small initiatives on straw use, it seems to have no intention of expanding that initiative any time soon.

What do you think of the challenge? Should fast-food places ditch plastic straws? Do you think a straw on request policy would work in NZ? Let us know in the replies! (Please add "NFP/not for print" if you do not want your images/comments used on Stuff.)

Image
2288 days ago

Want to make a real difference in your community?

Vision West

Be part of an award-winning organisation making a real difference in the community. Support workers are needed to assist clients in their own homes with housework, shopping, meal preparation and showering.

Guaranteed part-time hours and casual positions available. Full drivers licence and … View more
Be part of an award-winning organisation making a real difference in the community. Support workers are needed to assist clients in their own homes with housework, shopping, meal preparation and showering.

Guaranteed part-time hours and casual positions available. Full drivers licence and reliable vehicle, good communication skills with clear spoken English and New Zealand residency or valid work permit essential. Starting rate from $19.80 per hour.

APPLY TODAY

Email midlands.recruitment@visionwest.org.nz or phone the recruitment line on 07 846 1890.
Find out more!

Image
2288 days ago

The best animal bedding – Guaranteed supply

Bonnie the Cow

Bonnie the Cow animal bedding
Quality Animal Bedding is our business! Our mission is to find clever and simple ways to improve animal comfort, welfare and condition.

Untreated, recycled timber
Manufactured from naturally air-dried, recycled timber, our PREMIUM Grade Bedding is shredded to a … View more
Bonnie the Cow animal bedding
Quality Animal Bedding is our business! Our mission is to find clever and simple ways to improve animal comfort, welfare and condition.

Untreated, recycled timber
Manufactured from naturally air-dried, recycled timber, our PREMIUM Grade Bedding is shredded to a specific particle size to ensure an aerated surface. Guaranteed quality and year-round supply.

Animals stay warm and dry
Premium Grade Bedding has less than 20% moisture; installed dry and stays dry. Guaranteed quality and year-round supply.
Find out more!

Image
2290 days ago

Do you know what sick leave you’re entitled to?

Sacha Green from Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand

With winter bugs doing the rounds, it’s worth knowing what the rules are about sick leave. So what are you entitled to?

• In general you’re entitled to 5 days’ of sick leave each year after you’ve worked for your employer for 6 months.
• You can accumulate any unused sick leave up … View more
With winter bugs doing the rounds, it’s worth knowing what the rules are about sick leave. So what are you entitled to?

• In general you’re entitled to 5 days’ of sick leave each year after you’ve worked for your employer for 6 months.
• You can accumulate any unused sick leave up to a total of 20 days.
• Sick leave can be used when you’re sick or when you need to be off work to look after someone else who is sick or injured (your partner, child, or someone who relies on you for care).
• Even if you’re a part-time or casual worker, you’re still entitled to 5 days’ of sick leave a year (once you’ve worked for 6 months continuously or for an average of 10 hours per week, and at least one hour in every week or 40 hours in every month).
• Your employer can require you to provide a medical certificate if you’re sick for 3 or more days in a row, and you’ll need to pay to get it. If they want proof of sickness sooner then they will have to pay the costs of getting the proof.

These are the minimum sick leave entitlements. Your employer can agree to give you more.

Check out our website for more information about sick leave and other employment rights and responsibilities. If you’ve got questions get in touch with a CAB near you, call us on 0800 367 222 (0800 FOR CAB), or contact us online.

Image
2295 days ago

NZ MADE/NĀ NIU TĪRENI: Waikato-Tainui Raupatu settlement

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The confronting truth of what happened in our recent past is something New Zealanders have to reckon with. When the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, Māori owned more than 66 million acres of land. By 1975, almost 97 per cent had been sold or taken.

The land wars of the 1860s saw the confiscation … View more
The confronting truth of what happened in our recent past is something New Zealanders have to reckon with. When the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, Māori owned more than 66 million acres of land. By 1975, almost 97 per cent had been sold or taken.

The land wars of the 1860s saw the confiscation of half a million hectares in Waikato. People were driven from their homes. The second Māori king, Tāwhiao, and his followers became refugees in the King Country.

Find out more about what happened to Waikato-Tainui Raupatu, where you live, and how much the land was settled for - it may surprise.

Image
2292 days ago

Calling Kiwi kids who dig gardening!

T&G

The Young Gardener Awards 2018 are open! So it’s time for budding young gardeners across the country to get their green fingers dirty again.

The new T&G Passion for Growing Award is open to ALL primary schools nationwide that have a veggie garden.

So go on, encourage your local primary… View more
The Young Gardener Awards 2018 are open! So it’s time for budding young gardeners across the country to get their green fingers dirty again.

The new T&G Passion for Growing Award is open to ALL primary schools nationwide that have a veggie garden.

So go on, encourage your local primary school to get stuck in. Share your passion for growing fresh, nutritious food and win! There are some amazing prizes up for grabs and it’s really easy to enter.

Supported by T&G and Garden to Table.
Enter now

Image
2292 days ago

Superheroes raise money for deaf kids

Loud Shirt Day

Are there any superheroes in your neighbourhood?

This September we are raising money to help deaf children listen and speak and we’d love to have you join our squad! Thousands of workplaces, schools and community groups will put on their loud shirts to support deaf Kiwi kids with cochlear … View more
Are there any superheroes in your neighbourhood?

This September we are raising money to help deaf children listen and speak and we’d love to have you join our squad! Thousands of workplaces, schools and community groups will put on their loud shirts to support deaf Kiwi kids with cochlear implants.

Loud Shirt Day is a great way to commit serious fashion crimes and have a whole lot of fun. This year's theme is Superheroes, so grab your brightest, funkiest superhero outfits to wow others and raise money for a great cause. Register at loudshirtday.org.nz and we’ll send you a free fundraising pack. It’s that easy!

If you're keen to help kick-start our fundraising efforts, good news! You can donate via Givealittle here.

Thanks for your support,
Ankita
(Loud Shirt Day Coordinator)
Register now

Image
2294 days ago

How high are your power bills?

Jo Haywood Reporter from Homed

Hey neighbours, It's been a long hard winter and for many, power bills have been going through the roof. Have you been affected?

We're looking into ways we can all keep these costs down for a story on Homed and would love to hear from you if you have particularly large or small bills.… View more
Hey neighbours, It's been a long hard winter and for many, power bills have been going through the roof. Have you been affected?

We're looking into ways we can all keep these costs down for a story on Homed and would love to hear from you if you have particularly large or small bills.

Do your power bills come in way higher than your friends and family? Do you know why, or does the amount always take you by surprise? Maybe, like the family who created an effective solar panel heater out of drink cans, or the blogger who enjoys free power generated by a converted washing machine, you've found a creative way to minimise your bills. If so, how do you do it?

Whether your bills are high and you're looking for ways to reduce them, or you have some secrets to low power bills that you're willing to share, we'd love to hear from you. Leave a message in the comments, or email homed@stuff.co.nz.

*** Please write NFP (Not for Publication) when you comment if you don't want your comment published in print or online ***

Image
2294 days ago

Support workers needed in Te Kauwhata

Vision West

Be part of an award-winning organisation making a real difference in the community. Support workers are needed to assist clients in their own homes with housework, shopping, meal preparation and showering.

Guaranteed part time hours and casual positions available. Full drivers licence and … View more
Be part of an award-winning organisation making a real difference in the community. Support workers are needed to assist clients in their own homes with housework, shopping, meal preparation and showering.

Guaranteed part time hours and casual positions available. Full drivers licence and reliable vehicle, good communication skills with clear spoken English and New Zealand residency or valid work permit essential. Starting rate from $19.80 per hour.

APPLY TODAY

Email midlands.recruitment@visionwest.org.nz or phone the recruitment line on 07 846 1890
Find out more!

Image
2295 days ago

The Golden Era of Musicals

Claire Mitchell from Operatunity Daytime Concerts

See your favourite musicals, including The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof and My Fair Lady, performed by our music theatre specialists!

We pay tribute to singing greats like Jeanette McDonald, Nelson Eddy, Judy Garland and Dame Julie Andrews, and celebrate writers from the likes of Rodgers… View more
See your favourite musicals, including The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof and My Fair Lady, performed by our music theatre specialists!

We pay tribute to singing greats like Jeanette McDonald, Nelson Eddy, Judy Garland and Dame Julie Andrews, and celebrate writers from the likes of Rodgers & Hammerstein, Kern and Porter. Relive the romance and ‘feel-good’ attitude of the era!

All tickets include lunch after the show.

Booking in advance is recommended.
Book your tickets here!

Image
2297 days ago

Poll: Do you agree with the new firearm rules in schools?

Georgia Reporter from Stuff

Students are no longer able to hold or shoot army guns at school under new government guidelines. The move comes after much public debate on the appropriateness of firearms being brought into schools, including when soldiers taught children as young as nine how to assemble and shoot assault rifles … View moreStudents are no longer able to hold or shoot army guns at school under new government guidelines. The move comes after much public debate on the appropriateness of firearms being brought into schools, including when soldiers taught children as young as nine how to assemble and shoot assault rifles at a leadership exercise in Palmerston North last year. However students can still use firearms as part of shooting clubs and competitions. Click here to read the full article and guidelines.

So what do you think of the new rules? Are you for or against them?

Image
Do you agree with the new firearm rules in schools?
  • 40.7% Yes, the guidelines are great
    40.7% Complete
  • 50.2% No, this is PC gone mad
    50.2% Complete
  • 9% I'm on the fence on this one
    9% Complete
2776 votes
2297 days ago

Help us design a health system that works for you and your whānau

Andre Chivell from Waikato District Health Board

Kia ora neighbours, we at Waikato District Health Board are looking at health planning for the next ten years.

We have heard your concerns. We do some things right but we need to focus on areas where we are not doing so well, where people have poorer access to health services.
We want your … View more
Kia ora neighbours, we at Waikato District Health Board are looking at health planning for the next ten years.

We have heard your concerns. We do some things right but we need to focus on areas where we are not doing so well, where people have poorer access to health services.
We want your community to help us to design a health system that works for you and your whānau.

Come along to our wānanga:
When: Friday 3 August from 10.30am - 1.30pm
Where: Waahi Whaanui Trust , 17-23 Parry Street Complex, Huntly.

We look forward to meeting you.

To help us plan, please confirm your attendance and RSVP by 31 July to healthsystemplan@waikatodhb.health.nz
Find out more!

Image
2298 days ago

Come along to your Community Health Forum

Andre Chivell from Waikato District Health Board

Hey neighbours, we at Waikato DHB want more of you to have a say in health. Come along to your Community Health Forum next week.

When: 10am-Noon, Thursday 2 August
Where: Aparangi Resthome, 8 Pilgrim St, Te Kauwhata

Community Health Forums are a gathering of local people who come to listen … View more
Hey neighbours, we at Waikato DHB want more of you to have a say in health. Come along to your Community Health Forum next week.

When: 10am-Noon, Thursday 2 August
Where: Aparangi Resthome, 8 Pilgrim St, Te Kauwhata

Community Health Forums are a gathering of local people who come to listen to updates from the Waikato DHB, share their thoughts and talk about what matters to them about healthcare in their community.

On the agenda this time – preparing for health services changes, Mental Health update, meet the chairperson of our Waikato Consumer Council and more.

We look forward to meeting you. He whakarongo tātou – we’re here to listen

RSVP for catering purposes to communityhealthforum@waikatodhb.health.nz
Find out more!

Image
Top