Thank you for using Neighbourly
Every dollar counts towards that first home or retirement. Are you confident your KiwiSaver is performing or maybe like a lot of us you tend not to think about it!
Get a FREE KiwiSaver health check and go in the draw to win up to $10,000* from our partners National Capital. It’s easy as!
… View moreEvery dollar counts towards that first home or retirement. Are you confident your KiwiSaver is performing or maybe like a lot of us you tend not to think about it!
Get a FREE KiwiSaver health check and go in the draw to win up to $10,000* from our partners National Capital. It’s easy as!
Hate feeling obligated? You're not! The health check will let you know if there is a better KiwiSaver provider for you - it's up to you if you do anything about it. Why wait till you're 65, make sure your KiwiSaver is working for you now!
For delicious grass-raised beef New Zealand is the perfect combo. An ideal climate, lush pastures and innovative farming produces enough beef for Macca’s in New Zealand and around the world.
Our patties are 100% quality beef, and all that’s added is a dash of salt and pepper when cooked. We… View moreFor delicious grass-raised beef New Zealand is the perfect combo. An ideal climate, lush pastures and innovative farming produces enough beef for Macca’s in New Zealand and around the world.
Our patties are 100% quality beef, and all that’s added is a dash of salt and pepper when cooked. We partner with many Kiwi farmers who produce our beef, including those at the world-class Whangara Farms.
A wee while back we asked you, our awesome Neighbourly members to share the ways you save money!
We received a truck load of great suggestions, tips and methods!
More importantly, we saw how it helped other Kiwis discover new ways to help their households cut down on costs and make things go… View moreA wee while back we asked you, our awesome Neighbourly members to share the ways you save money!
We received a truck load of great suggestions, tips and methods!
More importantly, we saw how it helped other Kiwis discover new ways to help their households cut down on costs and make things go further. It made us so happy to see neighbours supporting neighbours.
Read 10 of the tips that we saw you sharing!
Gibbston Valley resident Lisa White grew up walking to school via Windsor Castle and waving to the Queen, which was just “normal” if you grew up there, apparently.
White is a self-confessed fanatic of her majesty Queen Elizabeth II and will be celebrating the 70th jubilee just how a good … View moreGibbston Valley resident Lisa White grew up walking to school via Windsor Castle and waving to the Queen, which was just “normal” if you grew up there, apparently.
White is a self-confessed fanatic of her majesty Queen Elizabeth II and will be celebrating the 70th jubilee just how a good English girl would, she says.
“I am going to hang the bunting off the silver birch like they do in the celebrations in the UK.
“The platinum jubilee colour is purple, but I’m going red, white and blue, I have got Union Jack napkins, paper chains, scones and cream, tea.”
White is just as much a Kiwi as she is English now, having moved to New Zealand in 1994, but she is proud of what the Queen has achieved in her 70 years at the throne.
“She is such an advocate and to take all the rubbish that goes on around her out of it, she is wonderful.
“I just love the queen, I like her work. It is very English to celebrate, and we don't really have that over here.
On Saturday, White will host up to 25 monarch fans at her Gibbston Valley home, complete with tea, scones and jam. A dress up here and there too.
White’s ‘relationship’ with the queen has been long-standing. In 1992, she rode one of the Queen’s favourite horse on the Windsor property because her friend worked at the royal stables.
“I’ve been to the Queen’s stables, it isn't that big of a deal, you just need to get invited in.
“I went to school in Windsor, and we used to walk to school and wave at the Queen as she went up and down The Long Walk in her car. It is normal to do that in England.”
White tries to get back to England as much as possible to visit family and last year attended the royal horse show.
“Last year at the royal Windsor horse show I got a close as she drove past me, she nearly ran me over.”
Because she is missing out on the Jubilee with her fellow English back home, she’s decided to celebrate large in the valley.
“There will be hundreds of street parties in the UK on the weekend, so this will be something smaller.”
How can you take part in jubilee celebrations?
- Start your celebrations off by decorating your home, school, or workplace with jubilee-themed decorations.
- Decorate your windows with Jubilee Bunting.
- Make your own Jubilee Wreath to hang up on your door.
- Create your own Union Jack Paper Chains to make your space feel part of the celebrations.
- Host your own street party. The Big Jubilee Lunch takes place on Sunday, June 5 (Monday, June 6 NZT).
A proposed billion-dollar development will smash Queenstown’s height limits with five buildings about double the permitted levels.
The tallest building in the Taumata/Lakeview project will be a 13-storey, 51.3-metre accommodation block on a site with a 26m height limit.
Details of the proposal … View moreA proposed billion-dollar development will smash Queenstown’s height limits with five buildings about double the permitted levels.
The tallest building in the Taumata/Lakeview project will be a 13-storey, 51.3-metre accommodation block on a site with a 26m height limit.
Details of the proposal have been revealed in an application for the first stage of development.
The public is excluded from the decision process as it is being considered under the Government’s fast-tracking legislation.
Queenstown Lakes District Councillor Penny Clark was shocked at the height of the proposed buildings, which would be set against the Ben Lomond hill.
“It didn’t look like 13 stories in the pictures,” she said.
They would be the tallest buildings in Queenstown “by far”, although some existing hotels were about nine stories because they had been built into excavated hillsides.
Clark was supportive of the overall Lakeview/Taumata development as it would contribute to the revitalisation of the central town and was not concerned that the public would have no input. Continue reading here.
We're getting some amazing entries from gardeners obsessed with their indoor plants, and we're enjoying their stories too. There's still time to send us your entry for our Houseplant Hero 2022 competition. You could win some great prizes, and (of course) more houseplants!
Get 30% off the normal retail price of Resene wallpapers at your local Resene ColorShop until 20 June 2022.
Choose from thousands of wallpaper designs in the Resene Wallpaper Collection – everything from nature and geo inspired designs to textured and plain wallpapers – there really is … View moreGet 30% off the normal retail price of Resene wallpapers at your local Resene ColorShop until 20 June 2022.
Choose from thousands of wallpaper designs in the Resene Wallpaper Collection – everything from nature and geo inspired designs to textured and plain wallpapers – there really is something to suit all tastes!
Excludes wall decals, WallPrint and clearance items. Not available in conjunction with any other offer.
View the full collection at your local Resene ColorShop or get a taste of the latest wallpaper release and trends online.
Local community groups and sport and recreation clubs keen to run activities at Wānaka’s latest community space can now submit an expression of interest to the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
The council began leasing the former Mitre 10 building at 35 Plantation Rd on May 1 and is in the … View moreLocal community groups and sport and recreation clubs keen to run activities at Wānaka’s latest community space can now submit an expression of interest to the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
The council began leasing the former Mitre 10 building at 35 Plantation Rd on May 1 and is in the process of converting it into a new youth, community and sports facility that is expected to be fully operational by June 2023.
Sport and recreation manager Simon Battrick said the process would ensure the council captured the needs of a broad range of groups who might like to use it.
“With the fit-out due to get under way soon we’re asking local groups and clubs to think about the space they currently use and what they might need in the future. If that fits with plans for the new building and its proposed layout then now’s the time to let us know,” he said.
“Because we’re converting an existing building the overall space is limited, so the ... process will also help us assess how to accommodate demand fairly and ensure we can cater for a wide range of groups and activities."
The new community facility will have two bookable, multi-use indoor courts plus a separate studio that could be used for dance, yoga and fitness classes, or as a meeting space. There will also be dedicated areas for Kahu Youth and Aspiring Gymsports.
Anyone interested in finding out more should visit letstalk.qldc.govt.nz. Expressions of interest open today (Monday, May 30) and close at 5pm on Sunday, June 12.
Retirement is a chapter in life filled with possibility, and at a Ryman village we want to make that chapter the best it can be. That’s why we offer living options to suit everyone, it’s why our terms come with certainty, it’s why we continually innovate, and it’s why we offer care on site … View moreRetirement is a chapter in life filled with possibility, and at a Ryman village we want to make that chapter the best it can be. That’s why we offer living options to suit everyone, it’s why our terms come with certainty, it’s why we continually innovate, and it’s why we offer care on site so you can plan for the future. The Ryman Guide will help you choose the lifestyle you want to live at a Ryman village, so you can embrace every opportunity.
Click here to get your free copy.
It's time to unleash the artist within you, showcase your DIY creative skills and spruce up an old item or completely repurpose it! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.
We want to see your amazing creations so … View moreIt's time to unleash the artist within you, showcase your DIY creative skills and spruce up an old item or completely repurpose it! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.
We want to see your amazing creations so don't be afraid to go all out! Check out some of the previous entires here.
Take part in the 2022 Resene Upcycling Awards. There are four great prizes worth $500 up for grabs: a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!
Dear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for yam recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz before June 3, 2022.
Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Homegrown Recipes.
The hunt is officially on for New Zealand's best collection of houseplants
. Which means you could be 2022 Houseplant Hero. There’s some great prizes to be won! To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) what potted plants you have, the time you put into caring for them, and what … View moreThe hunt is officially on for New Zealand's best collection of houseplants
. Which means you could be 2022 Houseplant Hero. There’s some great prizes to be won! To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) what potted plants you have, the time you put into caring for them, and what you love about them. Send us up to five photos of your indoor plant displays. Email mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Meanwhile, here's last year's winner Alyce Read, from Nelson.
The new range of Line7 performance workwear has been designed, developed and tested by you – New Zealand farmers. We asked, listened, and collaborated directly with farmers in the making of this gear. We tested and re-tested in on-farm environments. We re-engineered what farming workwear can be … View moreThe new range of Line7 performance workwear has been designed, developed and tested by you – New Zealand farmers. We asked, listened, and collaborated directly with farmers in the making of this gear. We tested and re-tested in on-farm environments. We re-engineered what farming workwear can be with your needs front of mind.
We brought our decades of experience creating world-class performance gear. Add to that a legacy of Kiwi innovation, a challenger spirit and a practical attitude that’s been part of Line 7 since we started back in 1963.
Every detail has been reviewed and refined – without overlooking the obvious. Breathable, flexible, functional and comfortable, while still being supremely durable and waterproof. Made to fit farmers of all shapes and sizes, with a dedicated range for women. Built to last, and last a bit longer still, with an included repair kit that means you can fix it up quickly yourself.
Now take it out there, try it on and put it to the test. Wear it out and wear it again. We’re pretty damn confident you won’t be disappointed
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Queenstown median house prices have dipped below $1 million for the first time in 18 months.
Real Estate Institute figures for April show a 22.1% decrease from the same month last year, from $1.22m to $950,000 for the tourist town.
The last time it dipped below $1m… View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Queenstown median house prices have dipped below $1 million for the first time in 18 months.
Real Estate Institute figures for April show a 22.1% decrease from the same month last year, from $1.22m to $950,000 for the tourist town.
The last time it dipped below $1m was in August 2020, and the median price has regularly been in seven figures since 2018.
There was an even larger drop in Wānaka, where the median price dropped 43.3% to $635,000, largely due to sales of townhouses at the Riverside Residence development.
Of the 58 sales in Wānaka this April, 24 were townhouse purchases from Riverside Residence between $400,000 and $700,000, according to a report from the institute.
The median price excluding these sales would have been $1.115m.
There are 62 units within Riverside Residence, many of which are sold for short-term accommodation only.
Real Estate Institute Otago/Southland spokesperson Liz Nidd said the market across the country had been affected by Covid-19 and recent school holidays.
“There is a rationalisation of the market happening, but it’s too early to panic,” she said.
The report says owner-occupiers were the most active buyers in the Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes regions, although finance was challenging for many purchasers.
First home buyers in the region were scarce due to tightened lending conditions, loan to value ratios and rising interest rates.
“Anecdotally, unless first home buyers have support from the bank of mum and dad, they tend to be priced out of all but the outer suburbs,” Nidd said.
The 25 apartments are among the first of up to 4000 Housing Minister Megan Woods hopes will go through the $400m Progressive Home Ownership scheme.
Queenstown Community Housing Trust executive officer Julie Scott said even with the drop in sales prices, homes in the region remained far out of reach for low and middle income households.
“This makes absolutely no difference,” she said.
The trust has almost 800 households on its waiting list.
The institute’s report says investors had also stepped back from the market due to new tax legislation, despite rents increasing.
A lack of rental properties was making it difficult for prospective tenants.
Nationally, house sales nationwide tumbled by 29.3% between March and April, highlighting the ongoing slowdown of the market, the institute said.
Its latest figures showed there were just 4860 sales around the country in April. That was down 35.2% from the 7497 sales at the same time last year.
In Queenstown, sales decreased by 10.9%.
Agents said “fear of missing out” was replaced with a “fear of overpaying”.
“With fewer buyers in the market, there is less competition, not as much urgency and vendors have become more realistic in their expectations.”
Agents were hopeful that the Central Otago/Lakes region might see some more overseas buyers now that borders are open but are also aware that some Kiwis will leave New Zealand after two years of Covid-19.
While farming has changed significantly through the generations, LIC has had the privilege of journeying alongside farmers, their families and their businesses and have made constant improvements to deliver superior genetics and technology in response.
Visit our website to find out more about … View moreWhile farming has changed significantly through the generations, LIC has had the privilege of journeying alongside farmers, their families and their businesses and have made constant improvements to deliver superior genetics and technology in response.
Visit our website to find out more about how these advances are getting the next generation interested in dairy farming.
© Neighbourly 2024
Loading…
