Karori, Wellington

Are class sizes too big these days?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Primary, secondary and kindergarten teachers are striking this week as they look for a pay offer that meets inflation at 7.2% and makes concessions around staffing issues - in particular, student to teacher ratios.

A ratio of 1 teacher for 23 students applies for year 11 students, however … View morePrimary, secondary and kindergarten teachers are striking this week as they look for a pay offer that meets inflation at 7.2% and makes concessions around staffing issues - in particular, student to teacher ratios.

A ratio of 1 teacher for 23 students applies for year 11 students, however support staff can be counted as teachers so the reality is that class sizes can be much higher.
What do you think are the ideal sizes for classrooms?

Type NFP alongside your comments if you don't wish these to be shared in the We Say You Say column of the local paper.

Poll: How much is your monthly POWER bill?

The Team from NZ Compare

We can see you're paying a lot for your broadband each month (we'll have some helpful advice on that soon)! Now let's shine the spot light on Power! The other BIG bill Kiwis are juggling.

We know usage can fluctuate quite a bit meaning so would your bill but to keep it simple, … View moreWe can see you're paying a lot for your broadband each month (we'll have some helpful advice on that soon)! Now let's shine the spot light on Power! The other BIG bill Kiwis are juggling.

We know usage can fluctuate quite a bit meaning so would your bill but to keep it simple, how much does your power bill usually come to?

How much is your monthly POWER bill?

• Under $200
• Between $200-$300
• Between $300-$400
• Over $400

Vote View Results

• 63.3% Under $200
  63.3% Complete
• 25.8% Between $200-$300
  25.8% Complete
• 7% Between $300-$400
  7% Complete
• 3.9% Over $400
  3.9% Complete

1124 votes

Don't forget to nominate a small business...

Prospa

Know the friendliest barista around? Does your mechanic always go the extra mile? Got a lawn-mowing legend? Hairdresser hero?

Give your favourite local business the recognition they deserve by nominating them in the 2023 Prospa Local Business Hero awards.

There's been hundreds of … View moreKnow the friendliest barista around? Does your mechanic always go the extra mile? Got a lawn-mowing legend? Hairdresser hero?

Give your favourite local business the recognition they deserve by nominating them in the 2023 Prospa Local Business Hero awards.

There's been hundreds of incredible entries already but don't forget to nominate your local this week. The recognition will make their day (and they're in with a chance to win a $10,000 package!).

Share a few words about your favourite local now. Nomiante now

Your home, your safe haven

The Team from

Your home is your sanctuary, and that’s why Ryman villages are designed to be safe havens.

We’ve prepared for adverse events, so you don’t have to.

Your safety and your family’s peace of mind are our priority. Every Ryman village has staff available 24/7 and backup generators for … View moreYour home is your sanctuary, and that’s why Ryman villages are designed to be safe havens.

We’ve prepared for adverse events, so you don’t have to.

Your safety and your family’s peace of mind are our priority. Every Ryman village has staff available 24/7 and backup generators for emergencies. If something happens, you’re in safe hands.

We’ll take care of everything and make sure that you have what you need.

If you or a loved one are over 70, Ryman has a range of options from emergency accommodation through to townhouses or apartments available to purchase. Learn More

Drag Racing at Masterton this weekend

Denise Landow from Destination Wairarapa

More than 36 cars have been confirmed for the country’s biggest ever drag meet in Masterton this weekend.


Wildbunch vs Outlaw 71

This is the first of many killer match ups for Marsh Motorsport Mayhem at Masterton. Dean Scott leads off for the Wildbunch team in the stout Chevy S10 Ute. … View moreMore than 36 cars have been confirmed for the country’s biggest ever drag meet in Masterton this weekend.


Wildbunch vs Outlaw 71

This is the first of many killer match ups for Marsh Motorsport Mayhem at Masterton. Dean Scott leads off for the Wildbunch team in the stout Chevy S10 Ute. Ross Brown will be driving in the super consistent and fast FED. Having just run 7.00, Rosco will be right there and this race will be a game of inches.

Each match up announced will be the ‘best of three’ across the day, unless one of the lads breaks with a point scored for their team for each win.

Gate Entry $30 per day, Under 14 Free
*No Alcohol or Pets Please

Karori Repair Cafe coming

Julia from Karori

Hey Karori crowd! The Karori Repair Cafe is coming to the Karori Community Centre! This is a pop-up koha workshop where you can bring that broken/torn/failing appliance or favourite item and find out if it can be saved from a premature trip to the landfill. With the venue sorted, your keen duo of … View moreHey Karori crowd! The Karori Repair Cafe is coming to the Karori Community Centre! This is a pop-up koha workshop where you can bring that broken/torn/failing appliance or favourite item and find out if it can be saved from a premature trip to the landfill. With the venue sorted, your keen duo of Julia and Karin are looking for people interested in being involved.

We are after volunteers with fix-it skills willing to give up 2-3 hours one Saturday, either one-off or more regularly. Electrical, sewing, and computer skills are the core expertise needed, but tool sharpening, jewellery repair, or any other skill that can assess and, where possible, save treasured or useful items from an unnecessary trip to the dump are most welcome.

If you don't have fix-it skills but are keen to be involved, we'd also love to hear from you. There's plenty else you can do to help us help our fixer volunteers and make the cafe a fun and successful ongoing event.

Message us here and join this amazing community-centred initiative.

Pi Day

NumberWorks'nWords Karori

Pi Day is on March 14, and any day that combines fun, education, and pie is a day worth celebrating! Pi, also known by the Greek letter “π,” is a constant value used in math that represents the ratio of a circumference of a circle to its diameter, which is just about 3.14….15…9265359… … View morePi Day is on March 14, and any day that combines fun, education, and pie is a day worth celebrating! Pi, also known by the Greek letter “π,” is a constant value used in math that represents the ratio of a circumference of a circle to its diameter, which is just about 3.14….15…9265359… (and so on). Not only that, but the fourteenth of March is also Albert Einstein’s birthday, so all together it’s nothing short of a mathematician’s delight.

Ngaio Village Market

Sharon from Karori

Foxtail Events invites you to come along to the Ngaio Village Market on Sunday, 2 April 2023 at the newly refurbished Ngaio Town Hall.

This gorgeous little craft market will be open from 10am – 3pm and have a stunning selection of locally made products including:

• Plants, fresh flowers … View moreFoxtail Events invites you to come along to the Ngaio Village Market on Sunday, 2 April 2023 at the newly refurbished Ngaio Town Hall.

This gorgeous little craft market will be open from 10am – 3pm and have a stunning selection of locally made products including:

• Plants, fresh flowers & seedlings
• Jewellery
• Clothing, bags and accessories
• Crochet & knitted toys
• Scented Candles
• Homewares & soft furnishings
• Children & baby items
• Skincare & soaps
• Gifts & Treasures
• Crystals
• Wooden Products
• Ceramics & pottery
• Pet accessories
• Carvings & sculptures
• Wool products
• Much much more!

A coffee cart, food trucks and fresh artisan bakery items will provide a selection of the delicious food and drink to enjoy while you peruse the various treasures and beautiful items for sale.

Each stall will have either cash or eftpos facilities available, however it is best to bring cash to the market too.

Invite a friend or 2 and have a great day out at this fantastic community event.

To apply for a stall, please fill in the application form here - forms.gle...

FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE - fb.me...

Poll: How much is your monthly BROADBAND bill?

The Team from NZ Compare

Internet is something we need these days for work, study, keeping in touch with loved ones or just to watch a movie! It's another bill to manage right?!

With the cost of living rising, we want to know how much your broadband bill is setting you back each month?

How much is your monthly BROADBAND bill?

• Under $75
• Between $75-$85
• Over $85

Vote View Results

• 28.1% Under $75
  28.1% Complete
• 27.6% Between $75-$85
  27.6% Complete
• 44.3% Over $85
  44.3% Complete

1593 votes

Have you got a great recipe for jerusalem artichokes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are still on the hunt for amazing and inventive jerusalem artichoke recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by March 26, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the May issue of NZ … View moreEvery month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are still on the hunt for amazing and inventive jerusalem artichoke recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by March 26, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the May issue of NZ Gardener.

Addictive Eaters Anonymous

The Team from Addictive Eaters Anonymous - Wellington

MONTHLY AEA WEB EVENTS
The AEA Web Event is a monthly online meeting where AEA members from all over the world come together to share their experience, strength and hope. Three members speak for 10 minutes each, followed by member sharing.


The AEA Web Event is held on the 3rd Sunday of each … View moreMONTHLY AEA WEB EVENTS
The AEA Web Event is a monthly online meeting where AEA members from all over the world come together to share their experience, strength and hope. Three members speak for 10 minutes each, followed by member sharing.


The AEA Web Event is held on the 3rd Sunday of each month which is this Sunday 19 March at 9.00am.
ALL NEWCOMERS WELCOME

NZ: Share a favourite female historical figure...

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

We're all mostly familiar with Kate Sheppard's role in the women's suffrage movement (and her face on the $10 note) and you've likely heard of the bold, Jean Batten. But who else should not be forgotten? Tell us why!

Let's celebrate Women's History month as well as … View moreWe're all mostly familiar with Kate Sheppard's role in the women's suffrage movement (and her face on the $10 note) and you've likely heard of the bold, Jean Batten. But who else should not be forgotten? Tell us why!

Let's celebrate Women's History month as well as International Women's Day (this Wednesday) by sharing some of the lesser-known, inspiring women who've played a part in New Zealand's history.

Share your thoughts below for the We Say You Say column of the local paper - write NFP if you wish your comments to be excluded.

Clear the decks

The Team from Resene ColorShop Basin Reserve

Refresh your outdoor spaces with Resene Lumbersider and Resene Walk-on with these easy ideas.

Stop Your Curtains Getting Damp and Mouldy

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Wellington (The Wash House)

It’s time to bid farewell to summer for another year and start facing the reality that soon it’s going to be cold and damp for a while. As we enter those colder months and condensation appears on the windows, we thought it was a good time to share some tips on preventing mould and mildew … View moreIt’s time to bid farewell to summer for another year and start facing the reality that soon it’s going to be cold and damp for a while. As we enter those colder months and condensation appears on the windows, we thought it was a good time to share some tips on preventing mould and mildew growing on your curtains.

What makes mould and mildew grow?
Interestingly, it’s not directly the condensation on your windows that causes mould and mildew because most curtains don’t come into contact with it. Mould and mildew grow when there’s moisture and warmth in the home, which condensation does contribute to.

Just like everything absorbent in your home, as temperatures go up the moisture in the air evaporates and is absorbed into the fabric. As they cool, the moisture changes back from its gaseous state to being closer to its liquid form. In absorbing this moisture they also take in any bacteria it holds. Repeated over time, this is what causes the nasty growths.

The difference between mould and mildew
Mould is a broad term that encompasses multiple identical nuclei and can grow beneath and penetrate the surface of affected material. Mildew is a type of mould that grows on the surface and can therefore be much more easily treated/removed. When it’s live, moulds are orangey or reddish in colour. The black patches we see are actually the hibernating mould spores waiting for the sun to warm them up and bring them back to life.

Where does all this moisture come from?
We live in a pretty humid climate in New Zealand at the best of times; in some areas it’s even greater. But it’s not all weather related. Cooking, showering, drying clothes, unflued gas heaters and simply breathing and existing all produce moisture content within our homes.

Preventing moisture build up and/or drying out your home
• Install a home ventilation system of some kind.
• Crack the windows a little during the day to allow a bit of cool air to flow through your home. North facing windows are best.
• Get a dehumidifier. Emptying this once a day (or more!) will really open your eyes to how much moisture is in your home. Remember the science though, you need to warm the air (and thus the moisture in it) before the dehumidifier can suck it in and remove it.
• Pop a DampRid moisture absorber container on the windowsill behind the curtains.
• Install a ShowerDome and extractor fan in the bathroom.
• Make sure your clothes dryer is vented to the outside.
• Install a rangehood in the kitchen and use lids on pots and pans.
• Change the curtain rail brackets to 80 or 100mm so the curtains are further from the walls and the windows allowing for more air circulation. Bear in mind however, this will likely lower their thermal insulating capabilities.
• Invest in double-glazing. Although this does not prevent mildew it can work to slow the onset.
• Minimise what mould growth feeds on. Clean soft furnishings regularly, clean windows and wipe down window surrounds with warm soapy water.
• Check plumbing for leaks.
• Maintaining an even inside temperature throughout the house helps stop moist air from condensing.
• Insulate well. Start with the ceilings and under floor as a priority, then the walls.
• Close curtains/blinds as soon as the sun goes down.

Don’t worry if it’s too late - Curtain Clean can treat and remove mould and mildew from your curtains. Call us on 0800 579 0501 or visit curtainclean.co.nz to find out more.

SUN SUN SUN for 121 Festival in Wairarapa this weekend

The Team from Destination Wairarapa

GREAT SUNNY weather is forecast for Wairarapa's 121 Festival this weekend ☀🌞. 121 Festival is a musical, wellness and arts celebration with more than 40 international and national musicians and artists performing across multiple stages, playing house, techno, dub, roots, soul, funk, … View moreGREAT SUNNY weather is forecast for Wairarapa's 121 Festival this weekend ☀🌞. 121 Festival is a musical, wellness and arts celebration with more than 40 international and national musicians and artists performing across multiple stages, playing house, techno, dub, roots, soul, funk, rock and hip hop over three days this weekend, starting tomorrow (Friday 10th). Tickets including day tickets for Saturday are still available - check it out. www.121festival.co.nz...