South Waikato District, Tokoroa

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Does your organisation need new flooring?

Apply for up to $2,000 and also be in to win a $20,000 makeover.

1242 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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1234 days ago

This week's latest Blueprint

Hamilton Harcourts

View Hamilton Harcourts' latest interactive Blueprint.

If you'd like to receive Blueprint in your inbox each week, subscribe here.
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1235 days ago

Well-traveled carer has experience but not the pieces of paper

The Team Reporter from Taupō Times

Sheree Petersen has had an interesting and full working life but a lack of formal qualifications is holding the 58-year-old back from finding work.
This, despite three decades working as a professional carer in England and the United States.
“I spent nine years in England, 23 years in Los Angeles… View more
Sheree Petersen has had an interesting and full working life but a lack of formal qualifications is holding the 58-year-old back from finding work.
This, despite three decades working as a professional carer in England and the United States.
“I spent nine years in England, 23 years in Los Angeles and then I got the offer of a lifetime to go to Hawaii, my flight would be paid, I would have my own room, own bathroom, floor to ceiling ocean views, convertible Camaro and to name my price. And this man had two weeks to two months to live and with my sole care he lived for another seven and a half years.

“Now I can’t get a job because it’s all agencies... I don’t have any piece of paper that says I have the qualifications.”

Her experience has made her contemplative rather than bitter.

“My message to young people today is that school doesn’t work for all of us, but if you find what you love, some kind of employment that’s never like working... do it well and you get better at it.”

She was hopeful for herself and others, she said.

“I am currently homeless, from having an awesome, awesome life and travelling, I have come back to New Zealand to a very different scene. And I am starting from the bottom again, but I definitely know this is not a forever situation... I think going through this gives one humility, so when you are up to the next level and the next, you are better able to help other people because you identify.”

Petersen’s father drowned when her mother was pregnant with her, she said, and she moved to Taupō in her early teens to escape an abusive step-father.

She soon left school and found a job at stationers and toy store Leisure Time.

“I drank after hours and in the weekends rather excessively. I never drank to enjoy a drink. I drank for the oblivion it would give me from what I didn’t want to remember.”

At 16 or 17, she was sent to Hanmer Springs.

“I hitch-hiked down there. Truck drivers picked me up… It was a whole lot safer than now.”

Since that short two months of treatment in the early 1980s, she has not drunk since.

But a desire to then study nursing fell flat when she wasn’t accepted into the small class at Tauranga Hospital.

“At that time I just saw death or jail. I didn’t see my life going forward.”

However an invitation from an old friend to visit England set her up.

“I had enough money for a one-way ticket… and I clearly remember my mother saying ‘if you get in trouble over there don’t think you’re calling us’.

“Next thing I remember is sitting on the plane saying ‘my life, my rules’ so that was the beginning of some awesome decisions.”

She even bumped into Elton John while working in the private Princess Margaret Hospital in Windsor, just outside of London.

“Even though I didn’t get accepted for nursing here I pursued that path… because I loved what I was doing I asked questions, I showed initiative. And after nine years in England I went on to America and worked in a private hospital in the operating room because of the experience I had.”

Eventually she ended up taking care of people in their own homes, including a doctor’s wife who had fallen off her bike and been in a coma for three months.

“She had a catheter, a feeding tube and a tracheotomy, her eyes couldn’t focus. The husband wanted to bring her home, there was nothing more they could do.”

Petersen cared for her for nine months - “longer than anybody had expected.”

And her reputation led to the offer in Hawaii.

“They said this man had suspected lung cancer, hadn’t been to the doctor in years, had congestive heart failure, a brain aneurysm and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, he was 50 pound underweight and he was six three.

“He lived for seven and a half years and he didn’t die of lung cancer, he had an aortic aneurysm.”

Coming back to New Zealand though hasn’t really met her expectations.

“I was brought up in the Maori culture and it was being among the Hawaians that gave me the desire to come home. If I’d known then what I know now I wouldn’t have come,” she said with a wry smile.

After 18 months in Tauranga she’s treating a return to Taupō as an opportunity.

“What’s happened, has happened, it can’t be undone… how we think about it and the attention we give it, we have the power to change...

“I really want to use what I feel is a gift. I don’t have the pieces of paper but I have a wealth of experience and I’m really looking to help somebody to be able to stay in their own home, be that private carer to help in whatever way is needed.”

Sheree Petersen can be contacted on 021 090 00099.

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1249 days ago

Call out for Community support for Children's Show

Dave from Te Awamutu

Hey Everyone, I'm a creative artist here in Te Awamutu

I have been working on a project the last 3 months to bring a FREE Childrens show into Libraries by ways of a Pantomime Puppet show!

I can do the physical work to get the show running, but I haven't got the financial means to be … View more
Hey Everyone, I'm a creative artist here in Te Awamutu

I have been working on a project the last 3 months to bring a FREE Childrens show into Libraries by ways of a Pantomime Puppet show!

I can do the physical work to get the show running, but I haven't got the financial means to be able to fund this myself.

This is where I am calling for your help and the whole communities help, to be able to fund the building of the puppets and their theatre.

Please any help, even if only $5 will go a long way to get this project across the finish line!

Btw there are REWARDS!! click the #Pledgeme link to check them out!!

www.pledgeme.co.nz...

Thank you!🌈🌈🌈
#Puppetsforthepeople

Check out this YouTube video for more details
youtu.be...

1234 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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1235 days ago

Half Price Pay Monthly plans!

Heathcotes

Looking to upgrade your phone? Join an eligible 2Degrees Pay Monthly plan with Heathcote Appliances this month and get 50% off for the first 3 months.*

Get unlimited calls & texts & choose between endless or carryover data. PLUS, all pay monthly plans come with a free data hour each day!… View more
Looking to upgrade your phone? Join an eligible 2Degrees Pay Monthly plan with Heathcote Appliances this month and get 50% off for the first 3 months.*

Get unlimited calls & texts & choose between endless or carryover data. PLUS, all pay monthly plans come with a free data hour each day!

Come and see us at one of our four Waikato stores to explore our huge range of models – including the latest from the big brands like Apple, Oppo & Samsung.
Shop now

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1235 days ago

Susuki GS 550

Alison from Ngongotaha

Suzuki GS 550, 1980, Red, low mileage,
NEW: tyres/chain/drive sprockets/battery/seat cover.
REGO ON HOLD, NO WOF

Sold as is where is - sensible offers welcome

Call Steve 021 0604844

Negotiable

1236 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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1236 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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1237 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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1237 days ago

Fishing gear

Elwyn from Ngongotaha

Simms G3 Gore-tex sock Waders L-Long. Very good order, little use. $300. Brand new Chota Wading boots Size 11 US $150. Near new Simms Wading Boots, size 11 US $120. phone 07 3575867

Price: $300

1241 days ago

This week's latest Blueprint

Hamilton Harcourts

View Hamilton Harcourts' latest interactive Blueprint.

If you'd like to receive Blueprint in your inbox each week, subscribe here.
Read more

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1241 days ago

Free grazing 3-4 weeks

Karen from Matamata

Quiet pony or horse top paddock. Companion for spelling 2yo filly. Separate paddocks.3m north matamata
Ph 0272569668

1243 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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1247 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.

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