Oriental Bay, Wellington

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Head to our Know Thy Neighbour page.

1261 days ago

Get Involved – June 1st to 30th 🤝

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

This month we’re rolling up our sleeves, putting up our hands, and saying ‘YES’ to giving our time and skills to projects that make Aotearoa a better place to live.

As a mostly volunteer-led organisation, our members know first hand the value and impact that a single volunteer can make in … View more
This month we’re rolling up our sleeves, putting up our hands, and saying ‘YES’ to giving our time and skills to projects that make Aotearoa a better place to live.

As a mostly volunteer-led organisation, our members know first hand the value and impact that a single volunteer can make in our communities. Imagine then how much can be achieved when several volunteers or even an entire street or neighbourhood decide to work together to achieve the same goal!

Whether you plan to coordinate your own volunteer driven activity, take part in one that’s already been setup, participate in National Volunteer Week (20-26 June), or simply show your own volunteers some extra love this month, know that every bit of effort to give back is a priceless investment in all of our futures.

Want to share your thoughts? Let us know how you’re getting involved this month by tagging us in your social media posts or emailing us your photos, videos, or experiences to:

info@neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz

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1261 days ago

Travel the world with Wellington on a Plate

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

This year’s Wellington on a Plate food festival is being billed as a chance to travel around the world and back in time.
The theme, Out of Place, was chosen by festival organisers to give the capital’s eateries inspiration for the month-long event which will take place in August. The organisers… View more
This year’s Wellington on a Plate food festival is being billed as a chance to travel around the world and back in time.
The theme, Out of Place, was chosen by festival organisers to give the capital’s eateries inspiration for the month-long event which will take place in August. The organisers hope the restaurants will transport their guests to far-flung destinations with their international offerings.
Diners will also be able to go back in time. Daisy’s is set to celebrate Aunt Daisy, the well-known radio personalty who has been called New Zealand’s first foodie. Rita’s has been inspired by the dinners of early Pākehā settlers with their event Colonial Goose.
Katherine Mansfield’s childhood home will host guests, as will the Interislander, with restaurant Shepherd hosting a multi-course meal onboard the Kaitaki to recreate the golden age of travel.

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1261 days ago

Here they are! New roses of 2021: which one(s) are you getting?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Pink, red, yellow, climbing, rambling, oh so beautiful they are. New Zealand's rose breeders and specialist nurseries have such a treat for you. Pictured here is 'My Sweetheart' from Matthews Nurseries, and there's lots more. Sit back and enjoy.

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1261 days ago

Is Laundry Stripping as Good as it Looks?

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Wellington (The Wash House)

Laundry day makes your home feel fresh and clean. But maybe not quite as clean as you think.


Laundry stripping is a deep-cleaning trend that has been sweeping the internet for the past several months. The method claims to clean the built-up residues from the fibres of textiles.


The TikTok… View more
Laundry day makes your home feel fresh and clean. But maybe not quite as clean as you think.


Laundry stripping is a deep-cleaning trend that has been sweeping the internet for the past several months. The method claims to clean the built-up residues from the fibres of textiles.


The TikTok user who started the trend soaked her freshly-laundered towels in warm water with a regular laundry detergent, washing soda, and borax – and the water turned dark brown.


The video prompted many of us to wonder whether we’ve been unwittingly nestling into dirty linens our entire lives. Home cleaning enthusiasts have since tried the technique on everything from clothes to rugs and second-hand couch covers.


What laundry stripping does is soak out any leftover detergent, fabric softener, minerals and natural body oils that have collected on the fabric over time. But some cleaning experts say it's unnecessary and brings out more dye than dirt.


So, I decided to test it out on a white duvet cover. I clean my sheets weekly and duvet cover once every couple of months. As a general rule, someone who sleeps in make-up and eats in bed as frequently as I do, shouldn't have white linens. But as a basic white woman in her mid-20s, fashion dictates I must.


The duvet appeared pretty white before going into the laundry strip. The strip wash recipe called for a 1:1:2 ratio mixture of borax, washing soda (sodium carbonate) and laundry detergent.


Borax is available at hardware stores and pharmacists, and the other ingredients you can find in the supermarket.

What I used:
- Greenwoods Washing Soda Crystals: ($4.99 from Countdown)
- Fab laundry liquid Frangipani 1L ($6.00 from Countdown)
- Borax ($10.99 from Bunnings)



To strip laundry, combine borax, washing soda and a regular laundry detergent in a 1:1:2 ratio in hot water.


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

1261 days ago

Addictive Eaters Anonymous

The Team from Addictive Eaters Anonymous - Wellington

FINDING THE ANSWER

I have lived in New Zealand for the last twelve years, after being born and raised in Somerset, England. My parents ran a playgroup in our house for much of my childhood and I made close friends there, but I still felt isolated and different to everyone else.

I always loved … View more
FINDING THE ANSWER

I have lived in New Zealand for the last twelve years, after being born and raised in Somerset, England. My parents ran a playgroup in our house for much of my childhood and I made close friends there, but I still felt isolated and different to everyone else.

I always loved food. We were able to help ourselves from the cupboards at home when I was young, with no restrictions. I believe a normal eater would just eat until they were full, but I could not stop. I put extra food in Mum's shopping basket and would gorge on leftovers at night with my friends. My friend’s dad owned a pub and when the half-eaten plates came back, I would pick chips off them, chatting as I did so, to my friends' astonished faces.

From as far back as I can remember, I felt irritated and impatient with people. I would interrupt and correct the teachers at school and have furious rows with my family, then later tell them I loved them. I lived in a fantasy world. My favourite times at school would be writing stories and acting. My emotions were a rollercoaster, up and down. Food made me feel better, soothing all the anxiety. I never realised how dependent I was on food, until it got much worse.

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1268 days ago

English is confusing!

NumberWorks'nWords Kilbirnie

This is certainly one of the more obvious errors in a child’s writing. Knowing which one to use can be confusing.

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1262 days ago

Have you tasted these sweet, New Zealand-grown pineapples?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours,

It's taken seven years, but it was worth the wait. Have you tried them?

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1263 days ago

Pet of the Day: Meet Snowflake

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

The SPCA Neighbourly Pet of the Day is Snowflake.
"I am super sweet and thanks to my amazing foster family, I am used to dogs, cats and children.
I will need to be adopted to a home with an existing female rabbit, so if you have a lonely rabbit, maybe we could be friends. I will need a … View more
The SPCA Neighbourly Pet of the Day is Snowflake.
"I am super sweet and thanks to my amazing foster family, I am used to dogs, cats and children.
I will need to be adopted to a home with an existing female rabbit, so if you have a lonely rabbit, maybe we could be friends. I will need a weather-proof hutch, with a run for day time. At night, I will need a space inside your home. it can be a room, or a hutch, but some where I can spend time with the family.
If this sounds like your set up, please be in touch with my care givers to make an appointment to meet me."

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1265 days ago

Pet of the Day: Meet Charlie

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Charlie is a five year old poodle cross bichon who lives in Miramar. He belongs to Carol Colgate of Miramar and does therapy with cancer patients at Mary Potter Hospice and also visits Te Hopai Resthome. Charlie has a very gentle nature and the patients love him.
Remember if you want your pet … View more
Charlie is a five year old poodle cross bichon who lives in Miramar. He belongs to Carol Colgate of Miramar and does therapy with cancer patients at Mary Potter Hospice and also visits Te Hopai Resthome. Charlie has a very gentle nature and the patients love him.
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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1264 days ago

Way Back Wednesday

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

I realise it is not Wednesday but on such a special day, I thought I would ask Neighbourly users for their memories.
Did you ever meet him or do you have a story about our greatest New Zealander?

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1263 days ago

Bluetooth Car stereo with 6x9 speakers

Warren from Hataitai

Used as my garage radio. No longer needed.
Runs of mains power or you can dismantle and use in your car. Also has aerial/antenna.

Free

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1265 days ago

Friday Feathered Friend

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

This week we feature a picture and words from Rosa Marie from Stokes Valley.

"A visit to Silverstream yesterday afternoon to see if I could find some kingfishers and I was rewarded by the sight of several of them on powerlines, swooping down to grab tasty morsels, but couldn't get close … View more
This week we feature a picture and words from Rosa Marie from Stokes Valley.

"A visit to Silverstream yesterday afternoon to see if I could find some kingfishers and I was rewarded by the sight of several of them on powerlines, swooping down to grab tasty morsels, but couldn't get close enough to any of them to get decent shots so these photos are heavily cropped. At one point a kingfisher was sharing his line with a huge group of Starlings! I loved watching the two magpies displaying teamwork when tearing at a clump of grasses! As I walked through St Pats, the sparrows were enjoying a dustbath!"

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1263 days ago

We bought the hill!

Buy the Hill - Te Ahu Pātiki Maunga

Thank you, Aotearoa.

You helped The Press and the Rod Donald Trust buy Mt Herbert/Te Ahu Pātiki the highest peak in Christchurch.

But you can still help.

The generosity of Kiwis has now secured the land's future as a public conservation park.

Further donations will help the … View more
Thank you, Aotearoa.

You helped The Press and the Rod Donald Trust buy Mt Herbert/Te Ahu Pātiki the highest peak in Christchurch.

But you can still help.

The generosity of Kiwis has now secured the land's future as a public conservation park.

Further donations will help the trust restore the land to its former forested glory.
Donate now

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1264 days ago

Decorating Tips for a Shoestring Budget

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Wellington (The Wash House)

Call us optimists, but we think everyone under the sun can, and should, have a beautiful home.
If you're pinching pennies, there's plenty you can do to create a stylish and inviting home for yourself and your friends.

The first step (and this is true no matter where or how you live) … View more
Call us optimists, but we think everyone under the sun can, and should, have a beautiful home.
If you're pinching pennies, there's plenty you can do to create a stylish and inviting home for yourself and your friends.

The first step (and this is true no matter where or how you live) is to clean your home and get it organised. Doing those two things alone will drastically improve the quality of your space.

Then, on to decorating. With years of budget decorating behind (and in front of!) us, we've amassed a few helpful tips for 'making house' with a slim wallet.

1. Paint an accent wall

STAND OUT: This one wall, in the home of Melbourne designer Miranda Skoczek, brings something extra-special to her bedroom without going overboard.

Painting your walls is one of the most cost-effective decorative updates you can make to your home. But if you're on a shoestring budget, the two cans of $30 paint it may require to paint your bedroom could very well put you off.

Instead, consider painting an accent wall. One litre (which will cover around 9 square metres) or a 2.5-litre can (which covers up to 24 square metres) is likely all you'll need to cover a single wall, which can make just as much of an impact.



2. Get rid of unsightly items

FIRE THE WIRE: This clever little picket fence, designed by Karl Zahn, provides some fun inspiration for ways you can tidy up all those wires that often dominate the modern day living room.

Before you start worrying about what you can and cannot afford to buy, consider what you should get rid of, or unsightly items that you need to hide.

Dated, worn or damaged items could be doing the look of your home a disservice, and if they're non-essential, removing them can give your home a clean slate.

One of the worst offenders common in rental apartments is vertical blinds. Or how about those not-so-stylish college posters you've been holding on to? Let go, or at least put them in storage.



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

1266 days ago

Did you see the blood moon

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Dominion Post photographer Kevin Stent took this picture of moon rising over Palmer Head Fortress, Wellington, prior to a much anticipated blood moon later in the evening.
If you have a photo of the blood moon, please post it.

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