Matahina Forest, Whakatane

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Head to our Know Thy Neighbour page.

2358 days ago

Proposed rates increase trimmed

Richard Parfitt from Whakatāne District Council

After deliberating on community submissions to its 2018-28 Long Term Plan, the Whakatāne District Council has signalled a number of changes, and a small decrease in the average rate rise proposed for 2018/19.

Mayor Tony Bonne says the LTP hearings and deliberations were a lengthy but rewarding … View more
After deliberating on community submissions to its 2018-28 Long Term Plan, the Whakatāne District Council has signalled a number of changes, and a small decrease in the average rate rise proposed for 2018/19.

Mayor Tony Bonne says the LTP hearings and deliberations were a lengthy but rewarding process. “This is an opportunity for people to tell us about their concerns and aspirations for the District and for elected members to consider how the Council can address the community’s priorities,” he says. “As always, there is a gap between what we would like to do and what the community can afford to do, but I feel we have found a good balance through this LTP. We’ll now prepare the final LTP for auditing and approval next month.”

Read the full article and more about the key changes to the budgets set out in the LTP consultation document (subject to audit confirmation) on our website:
www.whakatane.govt.nz...

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2358 days ago

National Volunteer Week 2018 - Quote

Sarah Macdonald from Volunteering New Zealand

Who doesn’t love a good quote?! 😍

With National Volunteer Week coming up next month (17-23 June) we’ve been busy collecting quotes to reflect our NVW slogan.

“Volunteers, The Heart of our Community – By many, the work will be completed, Mā tini, mā mano, ka rapa te whai.”

View more
Who doesn’t love a good quote?! 😍

With National Volunteer Week coming up next month (17-23 June) we’ve been busy collecting quotes to reflect our NVW slogan.

“Volunteers, The Heart of our Community – By many, the work will be completed, Mā tini, mā mano, ka rapa te whai.”

nationalvolunteerweek.nz...

Have a favourite volunteering quote? Share it below!

#NVW2018 #volunteering #newzealand

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2358 days ago

Poll: Would you live in a retirement village?

Jo Haywood Reporter from Homed

New retirement villages are popping up everywhere, with some retirees so keen to get in they're putting down their money before building begins. But would you live in one or would you rather stay in your own home?

View more
New retirement villages are popping up everywhere, with some retirees so keen to get in they're putting down their money before building begins. But would you live in one or would you rather stay in your own home?

Find out more about the upsides, downsides and realities of retirement village living, and let us know what would influence (or already has influenced) your decision for or against it.

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Would you live in a retirement village?
  • 11.1% Yes, it's already on the agenda
    11.1% Complete
  • 51.2% Possibly, I wouldn't rule it out
    51.2% Complete
  • 37.7% No, it's not for me
    37.7% Complete
2274 votes
2359 days ago

Supporting Kids in the Middle

The Warehouse New Zealand

The Warehouse stores will be fundraising for Women’s Refuge Kids in the Middle Programme for the next three weeks. Stop by to purchase a $2 key ring at our checkouts or add a donation, where funds raised will go towards helping over 4,102 children across New Zealand rebuild a life free from … View moreThe Warehouse stores will be fundraising for Women’s Refuge Kids in the Middle Programme for the next three weeks. Stop by to purchase a $2 key ring at our checkouts or add a donation, where funds raised will go towards helping over 4,102 children across New Zealand rebuild a life free from violence.

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2359 days ago

15 finalists, thousands of winners

Teach NZ

Every single day, teams in schools and early learning services across the country work together to create brighter futures for our children and young people.

And every Matariki, the Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate their outstanding achievements at a … View more
Every single day, teams in schools and early learning services across the country work together to create brighter futures for our children and young people.

And every Matariki, the Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate their outstanding achievements at a prestigious awards ceremony.

The finalists were recently announced for the 2018 Awards, and schools or early learning services from your region could be among them. You can catch up on the last few years’ finalists and winners and find out more about what this year’s finalists achieved on our website.
Find out more

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2360 days ago

Home safety checklist: Fall-proofing your home when over 65...

The Team from ACC New Zealand

With cooler weather embracing the country, you may find you’re not getting out and about as much. So now is the ideal time to make sure your home is as fall-proof as possible.

The home safety checklist will give you practical tips on how to make your home safe. It covers how to avoid slips and… View more
With cooler weather embracing the country, you may find you’re not getting out and about as much. So now is the ideal time to make sure your home is as fall-proof as possible.

The home safety checklist will give you practical tips on how to make your home safe. It covers how to avoid slips and falls in the home’s most used areas. For example, paths can get icy in winter, applying salt or sand to your path can help avoid any icy slips.

Having a fall can be upsetting. Those over 65 have a one in three chance of having a fall, while those over 80 it’s one in two.

The good news is falls are preventable. A new movement called Live Stronger for Longer is helping to reduce the risk of falls by providing practical information and free resources. We want to help you stay on your feet, and living the life you want to live.

Take the home safety checklist with your friends and family and join the movement today.

Proudly brought to you by ACC, HQ&SC, MOH and your local community health providers.
Find out more

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2362 days ago

New Zealand youth urgently need your help

Appliance Shed

Did you know that three families lose a loved one to suicide every two days? You can help change this by donating to Mike King's work.

The current “harden up, stay staunch and let’s not talk about it” attitude is a problem. By changing this attitude, lives will be saved. Every … View more
Did you know that three families lose a loved one to suicide every two days? You can help change this by donating to Mike King's work.

The current “harden up, stay staunch and let’s not talk about it” attitude is a problem. By changing this attitude, lives will be saved. Every dollar raised enables Mike to continue his vital work with communities across NZ.

The Appliance Shed is leading a fundraising campaign to support Mike King's Key To Life Trust. Read more about the long-standing relationship Appliance Shed has with Mike King here

The Key to Life Trust equips our nation's young people to check in on their mates and remind them it’s okay to ask for help. It’s important we all feel valued and know that someone has our backs when times are tough. Please donate and make a difference in your community.

Thank you for your support!
Donate here

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2362 days ago

We're New Zealand's most trusted - again!

The Team from

At Ryman Healthcare we pride ourselves in providing care that has to be ‘good enough for mum.’ In order to achieve this, we must build trusting relationships with our residents.

That is why we are so thrilled to once again be voted New Zealand’s Most Trusted Brand in the retirement village… View more
At Ryman Healthcare we pride ourselves in providing care that has to be ‘good enough for mum.’ In order to achieve this, we must build trusting relationships with our residents.

That is why we are so thrilled to once again be voted New Zealand’s Most Trusted Brand in the retirement village sector. It’s our fourth win and an accolade we’re incredibly proud of – so thank you New Zealand!
Find out more!

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2363 days ago

We offer second chance finance

Zodiac Motors

This is what you need to get a vehicle:
1. Full time & permanent job (with minimum 3 months at current job)
2. Minimum $600 p/w after tax
3. NZ driver's licence (Learners, Restricted or Full)

How to apply:
- on-line at www.zodiacmotors.co.nz
- over the phone 08004963422
- drive … View more
This is what you need to get a vehicle:
1. Full time & permanent job (with minimum 3 months at current job)
2. Minimum $600 p/w after tax
3. NZ driver's licence (Learners, Restricted or Full)

How to apply:
- on-line at www.zodiacmotors.co.nz
- over the phone 08004963422
- drive in at 300 Great South Road in Manurewa, Auckland

Customers out of Auckland:
We reimburse your travel cost once the purchase is done also full tank of gas for out of Auckland customer

Warranty:
Our cars come with nationwide warranty.
Find out more!

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2365 days ago

Poll: Have you suffered a hot water bottle burn?

Jo Haywood Reporter from Homed

As the temperature drops more of us our reaching for our trusty hot water bottles to stay toasty, but at what risk?

Hundreds of people are reporting hot water bottle burns every year and it's getting worse, especially among children. For the latest hot water bottle safety tips, click here.

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Have you suffered a hot water bottle burn?
  • 14.6% Yes
    14.6% Complete
  • 85.4% No
    85.4% Complete
1057 votes
2367 days ago

Police seeking information on crash near Rotorua

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Bay of Plenty Police are investigating a serious crash near Rotorua today are appealing for information from the public. A woman is in a serious condition as a result of the two-car crash at the intersection of State Highway 30 and State Highway 33 at Tikitere, which happened just after 9:30am.

View more
Bay of Plenty Police are investigating a serious crash near Rotorua today are appealing for information from the public. A woman is in a serious condition as a result of the two-car crash at the intersection of State Highway 30 and State Highway 33 at Tikitere, which happened just after 9:30am.

A number of people who were at or near the scene at the time may have information that could help Police piece together what happened.

Anyone who can help is asked to please contact the road policing team at Rotorua Police Station on (07) 349 1604.

Source: Police website

2367 days ago

Poll: Would you move house for the right school zone?

Reporter Homed

*** UPDATE *** Thanks to everyone who's voted in the poll and been in touch to share their thoughts on this topic. You can read our full story, here.

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Would you move house for the right school zone?
  • 45.4% Yes I would.
    45.4% Complete
  • 44% No I wouldn't.
    44% Complete
  • 10.6% I have already.
    10.6% Complete
1128 votes
2367 days ago

Take your skills on an adventure!

Volunteer Services Abroad

Looking for a rewarding overseas experience? Volunteer with local people and organisations throughout the wider Pacific to help transform lives. Aged 25 to 75 - our Kiwi volunteers come from diverse industries and all walks of life.

We cover flights, accommodation, insurance and even provide a … View more
Looking for a rewarding overseas experience? Volunteer with local people and organisations throughout the wider Pacific to help transform lives. Aged 25 to 75 - our Kiwi volunteers come from diverse industries and all walks of life.

We cover flights, accommodation, insurance and even provide a living allowance for volunteers and their partners.

Make a real difference in the lives of our Pacific neighbours. Learn more about volunteering with VSA.
Find out more!

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2368 days ago

National Volunteer Week - next month!

Sarah Macdonald from Volunteering New Zealand

How will you be celebrating National Volunteer Week next month?

National Volunteer Week (17-23 of June 2018)
celebrates the 1.2 million Kiwis who are volunteering their time and skills to our communities every year.

The theme this year is Volunteers, The Heart of our Community – By many, … View more
How will you be celebrating National Volunteer Week next month?

National Volunteer Week (17-23 of June 2018)
celebrates the 1.2 million Kiwis who are volunteering their time and skills to our communities every year.

The theme this year is Volunteers, The Heart of our Community – By many, the work will be completed, Mā tini, mā mano, ka rapa te whai.

We think this captures the essence of what volunteering is about. This is a time to acknowledge how volunteering efforts contribute to and enrich all communities within Aotearoa.

#NVW2018 #volunteering

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2368 days ago

Could you move from a 3-bed to a motorhome?

Jo Haywood Reporter from Homed

Would you give up your home for a life on the road? When Lynette and John Valk sold their three-bedroom home in Blenheim to live in a nine-metre motorhome and explore New Zealand, it was easier than they thought, and they don't regret a thing.

"We have seen so many hidden gems of New… View more
Would you give up your home for a life on the road? When Lynette and John Valk sold their three-bedroom home in Blenheim to live in a nine-metre motorhome and explore New Zealand, it was easier than they thought, and they don't regret a thing.

"We have seen so many hidden gems of New Zealand that we would never have seen if we were still living in a house," says Lynette.

Does the idea of selling up to make a big life change appeal to you? What changes would you like to make?

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