Rural Whanganui, Upokongaro

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Head to our Know Thy Neighbour page.

648 days ago

Making a plan could save your life…

The Hello Project

All too often, our older community are found at home alone, suffering, physically hurt and unable to help themselves. If you’re living alone and would like some extra support, get to know your neighbours, reassure them that you're okay with them checking in on you, and together make a plan … View moreAll too often, our older community are found at home alone, suffering, physically hurt and unable to help themselves. If you’re living alone and would like some extra support, get to know your neighbours, reassure them that you're okay with them checking in on you, and together make a plan and talk through what warning signs to look out for should something be wrong. It could just save your life.

For more information, and tips to help you make a plan go to thehelloproject.nz
Learn more

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649 days ago

Want something to listen to this weekend?

Stuff

Needless to say, it's been a horrible week for a lot of us with the scary weather and all it's brought with it. If you're doing it tough, here's something which might help.

Stuff's podcast Stuff Explained has been talking with Hummingly's Jolie Wills, a … View more
Needless to say, it's been a horrible week for a lot of us with the scary weather and all it's brought with it. If you're doing it tough, here's something which might help.

Stuff's podcast Stuff Explained has been talking with Hummingly's Jolie Wills, a psycho-social expert in disaster and disruption. In this short podcast interview, Jolie shares her expert advice on what you, or the people you want to support, may need right now.

Whether you're currently involved, or you want to help others, it's worth a quick listen!
Listen now

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649 days ago

Poll: Which photograph should win the People & Communities category?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Canon Summer Snap competition has garnered some stunning photos from across Aotearoa. Once again, Neighbourly is the judge of their People and Communities photograph category so we need you!

There's a camera up for grabs for these talented photographers, and it's up to you to … View more
The Canon Summer Snap competition has garnered some stunning photos from across Aotearoa. Once again, Neighbourly is the judge of their People and Communities photograph category so we need you!

There's a camera up for grabs for these talented photographers, and it's up to you to choose who takes the crown...and the Canon EOS!

Cast your vote in the poll below before 4pm, 14 February.

Which photograph should win the People & Communities category?
  • 13.5% Sparrow stories at Oriental Bay
    13.5% Complete
  • 15.9% Forever Brothers
    15.9% Complete
  • 35.4% Fishing at Ngunguru
    35.4% Complete
  • 25.3% Summer evening at Lake Wakatipu
    25.3% Complete
  • 7% Runners on Himatangi Beach
    7% Complete
  • 2.8% Party colour at Wellington Botanic Gardens
    2.8% Complete
1930 votes
650 days ago

Our Waitangi Day Super Bed Sale is here!!

Beds 4 U

Celebrate Waitangi Day in the best way: With big savings and better zzz’s—upgrade your bed today. Get massive discounts of up to 60% Off on NZ-made beds & mattresses with Free Local Delivery* (Use code:WAITANGI23)

Shop online or at your nearest Beds4U store!
- 60-Night's Comfort … View more
Celebrate Waitangi Day in the best way: With big savings and better zzz’s—upgrade your bed today. Get massive discounts of up to 60% Off on NZ-made beds & mattresses with Free Local Delivery* (Use code:WAITANGI23)

Shop online or at your nearest Beds4U store!
- 60-Night's Comfort Guarantee
- 100% NZ Owned and Operated Business
- 19 stores across North Island
- Earn Flybuys with us

Apply Code (WAITANGI23) to your cart for Free Shipping on online orders above $999 and only valid for shipping rates under $99. While stocks last.
Shop now

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652 days ago

Poll: Should we be taking more action on climate change?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

With torrential rain and flooding caused by an 'atmospheric river', should this event convince us all that climate change is real and we need to be taking action?

*Add NFP if you don't wish for your comments to be used for We Say You Say in the local papers.*

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Should we be taking more action on climate change?
  • 66.8% Yes, we need to do more
    66.8% Complete
  • 10.9% No, there's no such thing as climate change
    10.9% Complete
  • 3.9% I don't know - I'd need more information
    3.9% Complete
  • 18.4% There's nothing we can do about climate change
    18.4% Complete
2675 votes
652 days ago

A Morning with Sir Ashley Bloomfield

Jane Winstone Retirement Village

Sir Ashley Bloomfield was New Zealand’s Director-General of Health from June 2018 to July 2022 and became a familiar figure as the public face of the health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

His vast career experiences over the last 25 years in public policy and health leadership include … View more
Sir Ashley Bloomfield was New Zealand’s Director-General of Health from June 2018 to July 2022 and became a familiar figure as the public face of the health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

His vast career experiences over the last 25 years in public policy and health leadership include being based at the World Health Organization in Geneva, working on non-communicable disease prevention and control with a global focus.

Join us for a morning with Sir Ashley Bloomfield as he shares insight into his career and the challenges he faced during uncertain times.

Time: Wednesday 8 February, 10.30am
Location: Online.

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660 days ago

Poll: Are uniform rules at schools sexist?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Many schools allow female students to wear earrings but male students aren't allowed to have an ear stud. Is it time to get rid of gender-based rules in regards to jewellery?

Share your thoughts below - write NFP if you don't wish your comments to be shared in the community … View more
Many schools allow female students to wear earrings but male students aren't allowed to have an ear stud. Is it time to get rid of gender-based rules in regards to jewellery?

Share your thoughts below - write NFP if you don't wish your comments to be shared in the community paper's We Say You Say column.

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Are uniform rules at schools sexist?
  • 49.6% Yes, the same rules for everyone is best
    49.6% Complete
  • 34% No, let's stick to the tradition
    34% Complete
  • 3.9% I don't know - I'd need more information
    3.9% Complete
  • 12.5% Get rid of uniform and clothing rules altogether
    12.5% Complete
4536 votes
657 days ago

Could you be a NZ House & Garden Tours volunteer?

Talia from Pink Caravan Education & Awareness - Manawatu-Wanganui

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is so excited to be the charity partner of the NZ House & Garden Tours 2023.
To make the tours a success, we need wonderful volunteers to be stationed at each of the houses, checking tickets and working alongside staff to keep the houses safe.

Dates:
Friday 24 … View more
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is so excited to be the charity partner of the NZ House & Garden Tours 2023.
To make the tours a success, we need wonderful volunteers to be stationed at each of the houses, checking tickets and working alongside staff to keep the houses safe.

Dates:
Friday 24 & Saturday 25 March

There are three shifts available: Morning (8.30am to 12.30pm), Afternoon (12.15pm to 4.15pm) or All Day (8.30am to 4.15pm).

Volunteers will spend their shift at one of the incredible homes on the tour, be given a 10% discount on your tour ticket, and a goodie bag from the tour sponsors.

We're also looking for House Supervisors! Responsible for looking after the team of volunteers at the house they're stationed at, they're also the point of contact at an assigned house. House Supervisors meet the homeowners the Thursday prior to the tour to go over important health and safety information.

If you're interested in being a NZ House & Garden Tours volunteer, register now!

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658 days ago

Get back-to-school sorted.

The Warehouse

Get back-to-school sorted in one shop at The Warehouse. Start smart and inspired with statement stationery, gear up with the best in tech and set them up for the future with options made with recycled materials. With a wide range of smart school essentials at even smarter prices, we’ve got … View moreGet back-to-school sorted in one shop at The Warehouse. Start smart and inspired with statement stationery, gear up with the best in tech and set them up for the future with options made with recycled materials. With a wide range of smart school essentials at even smarter prices, we’ve got everything you need to set up for an epic comeback.

Want to give back when you go back? Donate $1 to KidsCan in store to make sure more Kiwi kids get the essentials they need in 2023.
Shop now

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658 days ago

The difference between Lined and Unlined curtains

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean - Whanganui

Curtains are an essential part of every home’s decor. And having the right curtains can be the last piece to the puzzle - the furnishing that makes the room, while having the wrong ones . . . well, no one wants to look at bad curtains.

When given an option, should the curtains be lined or … View more
Curtains are an essential part of every home’s decor. And having the right curtains can be the last piece to the puzzle - the furnishing that makes the room, while having the wrong ones . . . well, no one wants to look at bad curtains.

When given an option, should the curtains be lined or non-lined? What are the differences? We'll find out in this article.

Lined curtains, as the name would suggest, have a supplemental lining on the inside of the curtain. This lining can be multifunctional so it’s best to consider what you want to achieve with your curtains.

Sometimes the lining is simply for decoration, giving the curtain a bit of depth and extra weight, perhaps offering a splash of colour to offset the primary colour of the curtain.

More often than not, they are often designed to be noise cancelling, heat insulating, or fully light blocking, among other things. If for example, you’re planning your living room to also be a fully functional home entertainment centre, 100% blackout - lined curtains would be your best bet.

Lined curtains offer better privacy due to the extra thickness of the fabric. They often have extended lifetime compared to unlined curtains due solely to the lining preventing the fabric from fading.

Unlined curtains, on the other hand, have their own advantages.

They are both lighter and airier making them perfect for rooms that have either smaller or fewer windows and a tendency to remain dark.

They allow natural sunlight to fill the chosen area while still providing privacy to the homeowner. This has the added benefit of reducing the potential need for electrical light and thus ultimately reducing one’s electric bill.

Another perk is that unlined curtains cost less than lined curtains on average and so are a more affordable solution. The reduced amount of fabric used for unlined curtains also means that they attract less dust than lined curtains, which in turn creates fewer risks for those with allergies.

They are washing machine-friendly which is huge in itself. You will save both time and money avoiding dry cleaning.

Lastly, for those people who enjoy changing the appearance of the room frequently, unlined curtains are easier to hang or take down and store, and with their reduced costs, infinite combinations are possible.

Whether choosing lined or unlined curtains, the fact remains that curtains are the one element that pulls a room together. Both options have their pros and cons so homeowners must consider what purpose the curtains will be fulfilled before making their purchase.

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659 days ago

Same village, different needs

Jane Winstone Retirement Village

Live independently while your loved one is cared for in the same Ryman village.

A full life for Helen is one that is surrounded by family. When she first moved to the village, Helen’s husband John was being cared for elsewhere. Now that he is living at the same village, it brings Helen and … View more
Live independently while your loved one is cared for in the same Ryman village.

A full life for Helen is one that is surrounded by family. When she first moved to the village, Helen’s husband John was being cared for elsewhere. Now that he is living at the same village, it brings Helen and her family so much happiness and reassurance.

“All the family cried when he moved in. They were so happy because it was such a beautiful thing to have him close by.”

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660 days ago

Sign up to Stuff's Furry Friday newsletter

Furry Friday

Get New Zealand’s cutest pets delivered to your inbox with Furry Friday.

Each Friday morning, editor Nick Barnett serves up your finest photos of your domestic friends. You’ll also receive exclusive content with pet-related stories and photos, as well as updates on the life of Riley, … View more
Get New Zealand’s cutest pets delivered to your inbox with Furry Friday.

Each Friday morning, editor Nick Barnett serves up your finest photos of your domestic friends. You’ll also receive exclusive content with pet-related stories and photos, as well as updates on the life of Riley, Nick’s own furry friend.
Sign up now

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661 days ago

The Air Force Band hits the road!

Royal New Zealand Air Force Band

Kia ora Neighbours! The Royal New Zealand Air Force Band is heading out on tour!

It’s our first since 2021 and we’ll be performing in Whanganui, Taupō, Hamilton and Tauranga. We’re playing symphonic hits, jazz standards some musical theatre, as well as featuring our super popular … View more
Kia ora Neighbours! The Royal New Zealand Air Force Band is heading out on tour!

It’s our first since 2021 and we’ll be performing in Whanganui, Taupō, Hamilton and Tauranga. We’re playing symphonic hits, jazz standards some musical theatre, as well as featuring our super popular drumline.

20th to 25th of February - Get your tickets at Ticketek and we’ll see you there!
Book now

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662 days ago

Get Deck-orating With Resene Wood Stains and Oils!

Resene

Hi Neighbours!

Bring out the best in your decks, fences and weatherboards with Resene wood stains and oils.

If you’re planning a dark colour, choose a Resene CoolColour to help keep the paint, stain and surface cooler.

Available from Resene ColorShops.
Find out more

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663 days ago

How to Clean a Burnt Pan — 5 Methods Tested

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean - Whanganui

Ever wonder how to clean a burnt pan? See what happened when we put different cleaning methods to the test on our dirtiest skillets.

Whether you burn dinner completely or your pans get dirtier and dirtier over time, eventually you’ll need to have a scouring session at the sink. And for this, … View more
Ever wonder how to clean a burnt pan? See what happened when we put different cleaning methods to the test on our dirtiest skillets.

Whether you burn dinner completely or your pans get dirtier and dirtier over time, eventually you’ll need to have a scouring session at the sink. And for this, the quicker the better! For this reason, we put five methods for cleaning a burnt pan to the test. Keep reading to learn how to clean a burnt pan—and see what methods are most effective.

Is a burnt pan ruined?
In most cases, no! A burnt pan can be revived with our cleaning methods below. If all else fails, or if the pan has endured multiple years of heavy use and never seems to get clean, it may be time to part ways with it.

The Testing Method: In an effort to make sure this guide gives you the most accurate results, we put some parameters in place for this skillet scrubbing experiment. All pans tested were made of stainless steel and scorched with the same combination of foods—cheese, eggs and grape jelly.

If the method recommended soaking, we allowed each pan to soak for up to 15 minutes, checking at intervals of 5 minutes and documenting when the charred remains began to lift with ease. We also limited any extra “active scrubbing” to 10 minutes because honestly, who wants to scrub a pan for longer than that?!

Ratings: Each method is rated on a scale of 1 to 5. Ratings were awarded based on how long each technique took to work its magic, how much extra elbow grease was required to remove the burnt-on food and the overall effectiveness in the cleaning process in terms of how much mess remained on the skillet after cleaning within our set parameters.

Cleaning Techniques for Greasy Skillets: Warning: Before cleaning your pans, test the method on a small, inconspicuous portion to ensure it won’t damage the surface. The methods below are intended for stainless steel cookware and not those with non-stick coatings.

Tools and Supplies

Bar Keepers Friend: We tested Bar Keepers Friend for one of our cleaning methods and the results were impressive. It’s a household cleaning product everyone should have in their cupboard since it can be used on a variety of surfaces like stainless steel, ceramic and more. It’ll be your new cleaning best friend in no time.

Dishwashing gloves: Though all of our testing methods require less scrubbing, some scrubbing is necessary. Keep hands dry and clean with these versatile dishwashing gloves. We love that it features a non-drip catch cuff and that they can be used for washing dishes, cleaning the bathroom and everything in between.

Sponges: It’s always a good idea to have a stockpile of sponges on hand for everyday household cleaning. When it comes to cleaning kitchen appliances or cookware, opt for non-scratch sponges. They’re durable enough to get burnt food residue off, yet gentle enough that they won’t scratch or tarnish your best gear.

Method 1: Baking Soda + Vinegar

Benefits: This method uses affordable pantry items most people have on hand.

How It Works: Fill your dirty pan with equal part water and vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil and then add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Remove from heat and let soak for up to 15 minutes. Discard the liquid down your drain and then use a sponge or scouring pad to scrub away any remaining burnt-on bits. If spots remain, apply a paste made of baking soda mixed with a little water and let sit for a few minutes before scrubbing again.

What Happened: After just 5 minutes of soaking, we noticed some charred bits starting to float to the surface! However, we opted to let this one continue to soak for the full 15 minutes since it seemed some stubborn bits were holding fast. After rinsing and 10 minutes of heavy scrubbing with a scouring pad we were able to lift most of the charred, burnt-on food. A follow-up application of baking soda paste was definitely needed and further scrubbing was essential to lift the remaining debris. Rating: 3/5

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

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