Lake Matahina, Whakatane

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117 days ago

PAINT IT ORANGE

Resene

Paint it Orange - Arthritis - 1st - 29th November 2025

Paint it orange with Resene for Arthritis NZ!

Buy any orange Resene testpot 60 ml at your local Resene owned ColorShop in November and Resene will donate $1 to Arthritis NZ!

The more orange testpots you buy, the more will be donated.
Find out more

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118 days ago

Tony and June ‘lucky’ to be together in their serviced apartment

Bob Owens Retirement Village

Tony and June feel like the luckiest people living in a Ryman village.

The couple have lived in their large, sunny serviced apartment for four years now and still can’t quite believe what a good score it was.

“It was the best thing we’ve done,” says June. “It’s north facing, so it… View more
Tony and June feel like the luckiest people living in a Ryman village.

The couple have lived in their large, sunny serviced apartment for four years now and still can’t quite believe what a good score it was.

“It was the best thing we’ve done,” says June. “It’s north facing, so it gets lots of light, and it’s a good size, so I’ve got room for my card-making supplies.”

Click below to read their full story.

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122 days ago

Sprucing up our urban areas: good idea or not?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In central Palmerston North, landlords are being offered incentives to give their properties a tidy-up. Key to this: dedicated funding.

We want to know: Should city-wide refresh projects be rolled out across all Kiwi urban areas? Or would this be a waste of funds that could be allocated … View more
In central Palmerston North, landlords are being offered incentives to give their properties a tidy-up. Key to this: dedicated funding.

We want to know: Should city-wide refresh projects be rolled out across all Kiwi urban areas? Or would this be a waste of funds that could be allocated elsewhere?

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126 days ago

Poll: Have you faced any barriers when trying to access primary health care?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Your location can affect how much you pay to see a GP. So, someone on the West Coast might pay around $33, while a person in Wellington might pay closer to $70.

❔ We want to know: Where do you live, and how much do your GP visits cost?

These prices are influenced by underfunding, subsidy … View more
Your location can affect how much you pay to see a GP. So, someone on the West Coast might pay around $33, while a person in Wellington might pay closer to $70.

❔ We want to know: Where do you live, and how much do your GP visits cost?

These prices are influenced by underfunding, subsidy caps, and the pressure they put on wages. Read more about how the GP lottery impacts you in Harriet Laughton's piece in The Post.

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Have you faced any barriers when trying to access primary health care?
  • 17.4% I have experienced financial barriers
    17.4% Complete
  • 47.5% I have had issues with availability
    47.5% Complete
  • 35.1% No - I haven’t been impacted
    35.1% Complete
1004 votes
122 days ago

Create timeless garden art with Faux Rust

The Team from Resene ColorShop Whakatane

Create garden art that’s aged to perfection with Resene FX Faux Rust Effect. Find out how to make and paint your own garden sculpture with Resene FX Faux Rust Effect and these easy step by step instructions.

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126 days ago

Get $20,000 back* with your new home!

Bob Owens Retirement Village

At Ryman, we are making your move even more rewarding.

Sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse at a participating village by 30 November 2025, and you’ll get $20,000 back*.

Use it to make your new home your own, take a dream trip, or simply enjoy life’s little luxuries – the … View more
At Ryman, we are making your move even more rewarding.

Sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse at a participating village by 30 November 2025, and you’ll get $20,000 back*.

Use it to make your new home your own, take a dream trip, or simply enjoy life’s little luxuries – the choice is yours!

*Terms and conditions apply.

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131 days ago

Poll: Can AI make flying more personal? ✈️

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🌿 Air New Zealand reckons the future of air travel lies in AI. To them, AI means boosting efficiency without bumping up prices.

But what do you think? 🤔
Can AI really make flying more personal?

Keen to find out more? 👉 Check out Grant Bradley's piece on the Post

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Can AI make flying more personal? ✈️
  • 29.6% Personal? I just want lower prices
    29.6% Complete
  • 52% No way! Great service needs real people
    52% Complete
  • 18.5% I’ll wait and see what this actually looks like
    18.5% Complete
710 votes
129 days ago

Maximise small spaces with a colourful tiered planter!

The Team from Resene ColorShop Whakatane

Short on garden space? No worries. A tiered planter is ideal for small spaces and can be used for strawberries, herbs or salad greens. We finished ours in Resene Forest Green, Resene Green House, Resene Caper and Resene Red Berry. Find out how to create your own tiered planter with these easy step … View moreShort on garden space? No worries. A tiered planter is ideal for small spaces and can be used for strawberries, herbs or salad greens. We finished ours in Resene Forest Green, Resene Green House, Resene Caper and Resene Red Berry. Find out how to create your own tiered planter with these easy step by step instructions.

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136 days ago

Poll: If you had a bit of spare cash, would you 'buy' into a pest-free island?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Kiwis have always had a soft spot for our animal friends. With so many unique and quirky birds and marine species calling Aotearoa home, it’s only natural that we feel a deep drive to protect them 🐧🦭

These days, we’re getting pretty creative about how we do it too. The latest idea? You… View more
Kiwis have always had a soft spot for our animal friends. With so many unique and quirky birds and marine species calling Aotearoa home, it’s only natural that we feel a deep drive to protect them 🐧🦭

These days, we’re getting pretty creative about how we do it too. The latest idea? You can actually buy a symbolic piece of one of New Zealand’s most remote islands as part of the Auckland Island Restoration Project.

If you had a bit of spare cash, would you 'buy' into the project?
And maybe the bigger question — should we be looking at doing the same kind of thing for wildlife refuges on our main islands too?

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If you had a bit of spare cash, would you 'buy' into a pest-free island?
  • 60% Yes - restoration needs creativity
    60% Complete
  • 40% No - Is this sensible?
    40% Complete
653 votes
137 days ago

Scam Alert: Cold calls from banks

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

A number of banks are reporting scam calls where actors are impersonating bank staff and are soliciting information from business customers.

Be cautious of any unexpected contact and only use verified banking channels.

Important security reminder:
⚠️ Your bank will never ask for your … View more
A number of banks are reporting scam calls where actors are impersonating bank staff and are soliciting information from business customers.

Be cautious of any unexpected contact and only use verified banking channels.

Important security reminder:
⚠️ Your bank will never ask for your login details – including your username and passwords – by email or phone.
⚠️ Your bank will never send direct links to log in to online banking platforms via email or SMS.
⚠️ Your bank does not need to know your full credit card number and CVV number (they already know these details!)
⚠️ Your bank will never ask you to download software or remotely access your device.

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132 days ago

Police issue warning over electric dirt bikes

The Team from Bay of Plenty & Taupo Police

Electric dirt bikes are creating serious concerns for Police, with the vehicles featuring in a growing number of crashes and cases of illegal riding.

In most instances, the bikes, which can exceed 80kmh, are required to be registered. That comes as a shock to many of the riders who Police speak … View more
Electric dirt bikes are creating serious concerns for Police, with the vehicles featuring in a growing number of crashes and cases of illegal riding.

In most instances, the bikes, which can exceed 80kmh, are required to be registered. That comes as a shock to many of the riders who Police speak to, says Senior Sergeant Wayne Hunter, the Area Road Policing Manager for Western Bay of Plenty.
“We’ve seen people riding dangerously and crashes involving pedestrians and vehicles, and people need to realise that just because these dirt bikes are electric, it doesn’t mean they are allowed on the road.”

“Ignorance won’t protect you from fines or having your dirt bike confiscated, and Police are routinely stopping riders on electric dirt bikes to make sure both the bike and the rider are compliant with the law.”

It comes as the vehicles gain popularity.
“We’re now dealing with roughly four cases involving electric dirtbikes a week and people have been hurt. Currently one e bike has been impounded for dangerous riding and the cost to retrieve the e bike after the 28 days impound was $900.
"Two others have received injuries after colliding with cars and numerous riders have received infringements. If you have one of these bikes, you need to know where you can and can’t ride it, the same responsibilities as any motorist.”

You need a valid driver’s licence if:
🔹The electric motor exceeds 300 watts (not kilowatts)
🔹The bike is capable of speeds over 50kmh
🔹The bike does not have pedals (i.e., it cannot be classified as a power-assisted cycle).
The bike needs a Warrant of Fitness and registration if:
🔹If it can exceed 50kmh: It must be registered as a motorcycle
🔹If it cannot exceed 50kmh: It may be registered as a moped
🔹In both cases, the vehicle must be entry certified and meet roadworthy standards
🔹A Warrant of Fitness is required unless exempted (e.g., some mopeds).
Electric dirt bikes are not bicycles if:
🔹They lack pedals
🔹They have motors exceeding 300 watts
🔹They are capable of autonomous propulsion without rider input.

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131 days ago

Heavy Rain Warning - Orange

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain!

From 4 pm Wednesday 12 November till 9 am Thursday 13 November, Bay of Plenty, and Gisborne/Tairawhiti north of Tokomaru Bay are under an Orange Heavy Rain Watch.

Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and… View more
Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain!

From 4 pm Wednesday 12 November till 9 am Thursday 13 November, Bay of Plenty, and Gisborne/Tairawhiti north of Tokomaru Bay are under an Orange Heavy Rain Watch.

Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions are possible.
Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

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132 days ago

SILVER WINNER QUALITY SERVICE AWARD

Bob Owens Retirement Village

We’re delighted to have been awarded silver in the 2026 Reader’s Digest Quality Service Awards.

This is the eighth time we’ve been honoured in these awards since they began in 2015.

Each year, Reader’s Digest conducts the Quality Service Awards survey to discover New Zealanders’ … View more
We’re delighted to have been awarded silver in the 2026 Reader’s Digest Quality Service Awards.

This is the eighth time we’ve been honoured in these awards since they began in 2015.

Each year, Reader’s Digest conducts the Quality Service Awards survey to discover New Zealanders’ attitudes towards services from business across various industries.

Companies are assessed based on five pillars: personalisation, understanding, simplicity, satisfaction and consistency.

This recognition reflects the hard work, dedication and excellence that our teams strive for every day in our villages to deliver exceptional service standards.

Thank you to our amazing teams and to all those who took the time to complete the surveys!

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134 days ago

Living with advanced prostate cancer?

Prostate Cancer Foundation

Or maybe you’re caring for someone who is. Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ invites you to join them and local specialists for a patient information evening at Trinity Wharf Tauranga, Tuesday 11 November. Learn how new therapies, technologies, and innovations are improving outcomes and quality of … View moreOr maybe you’re caring for someone who is. Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ invites you to join them and local specialists for a patient information evening at Trinity Wharf Tauranga, Tuesday 11 November. Learn how new therapies, technologies, and innovations are improving outcomes and quality of life for men living with advanced prostate cancer.

7-9pm. FREE Entry. Registration required.
For patients, families, whānau, carers, and health professionals.
Find out more

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152 days ago

Win a Yates Gardening Hamper!

Bob Owens Retirement Village

We’re celebrating National Gardening Week with a blooming great giveaway! Two lucky winners will each receive a Yates hamper valued at $225, packed with everything you need to help your garden flourish.

To enter, simply tell us what you’re planting this spring and share your best gardening … View more
We’re celebrating National Gardening Week with a blooming great giveaway! Two lucky winners will each receive a Yates hamper valued at $225, packed with everything you need to help your garden flourish.

To enter, simply tell us what you’re planting this spring and share your best gardening tip.

Winners announced Wednesday, October 29 - good luck and happy gardening!

T&Cs apply.

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