Mount Cook, Wellington

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Head to our Know Thy Neighbour page.

1217 days ago

Updates to the RTA 🏠

Office for Seniors

Are you renting? Recent changes to the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) make it easier for tenants to make minor changes to the rental property and improves the security of tenure. 🖼️🏠🔑

See the full list of changes, including a template for requesting to make a change to the property, on… View more
Are you renting? Recent changes to the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) make it easier for tenants to make minor changes to the rental property and improves the security of tenure. 🖼️🏠🔑

See the full list of changes, including a template for requesting to make a change to the property, on the Tenancy Services website 👉bit.ly...

You can also read our story about the recent changes - and more - in our latest edition of the SuperSeniors newsletter 👉 bit.ly...

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1217 days ago

Staying Warm for Less

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Wellington (The Wash House)

Brace yourself. Severe weather is on its way for parts of the country and experts predict at least two days of icy temperatures, howling gales and torrential rain. Get the temperature up while keeping your power use down.

Our energy-saving tips will help reduce your overall electricity … View more
Brace yourself. Severe weather is on its way for parts of the country and experts predict at least two days of icy temperatures, howling gales and torrential rain. Get the temperature up while keeping your power use down.

Our energy-saving tips will help reduce your overall electricity consumption, meaning you won’t feel guilty for having a toasty home.


1. Don’t fear the electric blanket: they cost little to run (just over $10 per winter if used every night), especially compared to electric heaters. But only sleep with it on if it has a delay timer that can switch it off after a few hours. And it’s important not to neglect heating your bedroom – the World Health Organization recommends keeping bedrooms at 16°C.


2. Break out the crock pot: running a slow cooker all day uses a third of the electricity compared with cooking a roast in an electric oven for two hours.


3. Check your heat pump filter: it needs vacuuming every three months. The good news is it’s easy – just slide the cover off the front of your heat pump, lift out the filter and hoover away. If you haven’t cleaned it all year, you’ll immediately notice the difference. You don’t need to pay for a pricey heat pump service to get this sussed.


4. Clean your clothes dryer’s lint filter: don’t put your vacuum cleaner away just yet. Remove your clothes dryer’s lint filter, then give it a lux as well. This can significantly improve your dryer’s energy efficiency, thereby reducing its running costs.


5. Draught-proof your home: are your door hinges loose or your window latches rattly? Grab a screwdriver and tighten them up. This reduces the chance of nasty draughts blowing through your home. If that doesn’t work, buy some vinyl strips that adhere to the insides of the window frames to achieve a better seal between the window and the frame.


6. Cheapo double-glazing: you don’t have to be made of money to improve the heat retention of your windows - DIY window film, which fits across your frame and sits a little off the pane, can cost less than $10 per pane. You simply fit it to the frame to create an insulating layer of air between your room and the cold glass. Alternatively, taping bubble wrap to the window frames will achieve the same effect.


7. Light smarter: switch from your old incandescent, halogen or compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs to LEDs. They use far less energy and last much longer.


8. Check your power deal: visit Powerswitch.org.nz to see if you could be getting a better deal for power elsewhere. If you’re on a spot-based tariff, consider switching for the winter to avoid the high spot prices currently experienced on cold winter evenings.


9. Shower smarter: grab a 10L bucket, chuck it under your shower and start timing. If it fills in less than a minute, your showerhead is a water-waster. You can snag a low-flow, energy-efficient showerhead for less than $100.

10. Revisit your childhood with a wheat bag or hot water bottle: it costs next to nothing to fill a hot water bottle or heat a wheat bag, and they’re a great way to keep the bed warm in a pinch.

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1217 days ago

There’s the great outdoors, then there’s Ruapehu

Visit Ruapehu

Stay and play around our beautiful maunga this winter! Immerse yourself in wide-open spaces, epic activities, hidden gems, and untamed wilderness in the Ruapehu region.

The perfect place to relax, refresh, and have a bit of adventure.

Hit the slopes on NZ’s largest ski field or choose … View more
Stay and play around our beautiful maunga this winter! Immerse yourself in wide-open spaces, epic activities, hidden gems, and untamed wilderness in the Ruapehu region.

The perfect place to relax, refresh, and have a bit of adventure.

Hit the slopes on NZ’s largest ski field or choose from an array of off-mountain activities. So what are you waiting for?

Get over here and make it mountainside!
Know more

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1246 days ago

Wellington Community Choir Concert Sat 26th 5pm - 6:30pm

Bob from Vogeltown

'Are we nearly there?' concert at Wesley Methodist Church, 75 Taranaki Street, Saturday 26th June 5pm. Tickets at the door $20, children under 12's free.
Songs from around the world about journeys and family, directed by Lala Simpson.

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1220 days ago

Who vs. Whom?

NumberWorks'nWords Kilbirnie

Who vs. Whom? If you can replace the word with “he”’ or “’she,” use who. If you can replace it with “him” or “her,” use whom.

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1220 days ago

Hunt for stranded orca's family off continues by air and sea

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

More than 100 people, three boats and a plane have been involved in the effort to reunite a baby orca with its family. It found stranded north of Wellington from its pod.
f Wellington from its pod.
Orca Research Trust founder Dr Ingrid Visser was with the orca on Monday and said the search for its … View more
More than 100 people, three boats and a plane have been involved in the effort to reunite a baby orca with its family. It found stranded north of Wellington from its pod.
f Wellington from its pod.
Orca Research Trust founder Dr Ingrid Visser was with the orca on Monday and said the search for its family was critical.
"We’re still desperately looking for his pod. We’ve got three boats and a plane out. The fire service, maritime police and Coastguard have all been great,” Visser said.

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1218 days ago

Fresh Durian

Naichao from Oriental Pantry

Dear Neighbours,
Do you love Durians?
We've got some fresh durian meat from Thailand.
Really special, taste really nice!

Please visit one of our stores to check them:
123 Willis St, Te Aro, Wellington
3 Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt

Cheers!

Price: $60

1227 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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1219 days ago

Assorted essential Oil bottles and other glass jars

Bex from Roseneath

Also including some eye droppers. Over 30 empty essential oil bottles, varying in sizes. 3 glass jars from supplements - would be good to re-purpose but I have no need. $10 the lot.

Price: $10

1220 days ago

Covid boat berthed in Wellington

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Authorities are expecting further Covid-19 cases from a fishing vessel which has docked in Wellington with two confirmed cases already on board.
The Viking Bay pulled into Queens Wharf in central Wellington just after midday on Monday and mariners wearing masks could be seen aboard.
Most of those … View more
Authorities are expecting further Covid-19 cases from a fishing vessel which has docked in Wellington with two confirmed cases already on board.
The Viking Bay pulled into Queens Wharf in central Wellington just after midday on Monday and mariners wearing masks could be seen aboard.
Most of those on board would be taken to one of Wellington’s two managed isolation and quarantine facilities by bus, with those who tested positive travelling separately from those who returned negative tests. Those buses would then be deep-cleaned.

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1219 days ago

Rainy Day Holiday Activities

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Wellington (The Wash House)

Rainy days are the one thing parents do not need during the holidays, but they happen. We have great ideas for free or low cost rainy day activities when the kids must play indoors.

In a perfect world, every school holiday would be filled with blue skies and sunny days, but unfortunately … View more
Rainy days are the one thing parents do not need during the holidays, but they happen. We have great ideas for free or low cost rainy day activities when the kids must play indoors.

In a perfect world, every school holiday would be filled with blue skies and sunny days, but unfortunately that’s not always the case – especially during Winter! It’s a good idea to have some inside activities up your sleeve for those ‘stuck indoors’ times. We’ve put together our favourite rainy day ideas for you to have on hand, just in case.


Let’s Get Physical: Just because you’re stuck inside, doesn’t mean the kids have to blob out and do nothing. In fact if one rainy day rolls into the next, they’ll be itching to move about and use up some energy. Try some of these ideas to get active while you’re stuck indoors:


•Make your own Ten Pin bowling alley by using plastic soft drink bottles and a rubber ball. Put a cup of sand or gravel in the bottom of each bottle to give them a bit of weight, and then arrange the ‘pins’ into a triangle shape at the end of the hallway. Children stand at the other end of the hall and take turns to bowl.Use your Ten Pin alley to fill in half an hour here and there, or arrange a whole tournament to take place amongst your children and their friends.


• Create an obstacle course that traipses through the whole house. I know it sounds like a nightmare to clean up, but it will keep the kids occupied for ages. Not only do they get to create the course, they then get to do it over and over. They can time each other to see who can do it the fastest, or experiment running the course backwards, blindfolded, or with their hands behind their backs. You’ll need to make sure the course is safe, so check it out before they launch into their races.

• Dancing is a great way to burn off some energy, so turn on some music and start moving that body. If you have a house full of kids, you could play musical games like statues or musical chairs.


Create your own Board Games: Board games are a great way to while away a few hours, but if your children are tired of the games you have at home, why not get them to make their own. Give them a large sheet of poster card, some felt pens, old magazines, scissors and glue, and let them go to it.
They’ll need to create their own rules, cards, counters and dice, and trust me – you’ll be amazed by what they come up with. The whole family can take turns playing each other’s games.

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

1219 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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1220 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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1222 days ago

Pet of the Day: Meet Beano

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Deb Botes is the proud owner of Beano, who calls Melrose home.

"Beano loves nothing better than running and playing at Lyall Bay beach."

Remember if you want your pet featured on Neighbourly, email us on yourpet@dompost.co.nz with a recent photo. Please remember to say what suburb you … View more
Deb Botes is the proud owner of Beano, who calls Melrose home.

"Beano loves nothing better than running and playing at Lyall Bay beach."

Remember if you want your pet featured on Neighbourly, email us on yourpet@dompost.co.nz with a recent photo. Please remember to say what suburb you live in.

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1221 days ago

SPCA Pet of the Day: Meet Chewie the rabbit

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

"I came into SPCA with a damaged eye, and the wonderful vet team couldn't save it, so I had an operation to have it removed. It hasn't slowed me down at all, you just have to be aware that I can’t see you approaching me so please don't startle me.
I would love to be a single … View more
"I came into SPCA with a damaged eye, and the wonderful vet team couldn't save it, so I had an operation to have it removed. It hasn't slowed me down at all, you just have to be aware that I can’t see you approaching me so please don't startle me.
I would love to be a single indoor bunny where I get all the human attention. I am a clean boy and will go into my large litter tray for toileting. I love gentle pats on my head and sometimes come up to you for treats. I regularly binkie around super fast, and when I'm tired I do bunny flops as I am a happy boy.
I love space and the outdoors so I will need a large grassy area with a weatherproof hutch for outside during the day. My indoor area must be big enough for me to spend the day and night comfortably. My caregivers ask that rabbits always come inside at night, to be part of the family and to keep me safe. I could go to a home with friendly cats as I've met some before."

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