2181 days ago

Civil Defence alert systems being tested this weekend

Richard Parfitt from Whakatāne District Council

Apps, alerts and some fixed sirens will be tested this weekend, as Bay of Plenty Emergency Management carries out their second alerting test of the year.

Director Clinton Naude said the focus for Sunday evening’s test is making sure that the systems and processes in place behind the scenes are all working as they should.

"Importantly, it also provides a valuable opportunity for the public to make sure they’re ready should an emergency occur," he said.

"If you have a smartphone and haven’t already downloaded the Red Cross Hazard App and set it up, I strongly recommend you do. The app is free, and there are instructions about how to set it up so it works for you on the Red Cross website – it’s an incredibly useful tool for keeping informed."

The app can be set up to monitor different locations and hazard types, and users only get alerts for the locations they are monitoring.

"This is a great feature if you have family living in a different part of the country," Mr Naude said. "You can set it up to get alerts for the Bay of Plenty, and if you have family living in Canterbury you can also keep an eye on what is happening there."

This weekend’s test will occur around the same time as the Ministry for Civil Defence and Emergency Management (MCDEM) tests its Emergency Mobile Alerts.

"Emergency Mobile Alerts are another great tool that Civil Defence can use to keep the community informed in case of emergency, and the test of this system will be managed by MCDEM staff."

Also being tested this weekend will be fixed sirens in the eastern Bay of Plenty (Whakatāne, Ōhope and Ōpōtiki), vehicle mounted sirens in Tanners Point, and text alerts. The test will occur on Sunday evening.

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25 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.

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4 days ago

One week to go 🌸🌸🌸Garden and Art Festival - Volunteer!

Nicki Turner from Volunteering Services

Got a few spare hours next week?
Grab a friend and come down and volunteer at this year's Garden and Art Festival. There are sites across Tauranga Moana, including at the festival hub on The Strand.

Roles include:
🌸Ushering: Welcome festival pass holders at events downtown and across Tauranga.
🌸Parking Assistance: Help manage car parks and shuttle service stops for a smooth visitor experience.
🌸Staff Support: Aid festival staff with various tasks to keep everything running seamlessly.

For your amazing efforts you'll get a festival t-shirt that you can wear when you go and explore what's on with your complimentary festival pass. 🙌🙌🙌

For more details follow the link:
www.volunteeringservices.org.nz...
or email office@gardenandartfestival.co.nz to sign up.

💚Get involved in this iconic local celebration of community and creativity and help make this year's event a blooming success 💚

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7 days ago

Respite care when you need it

Bob Owens Retirement Village

From rehabilitation after a hospital stay, to a little extra support, whether it’s for a few nights or a few weeks - respite care provides temporary care in a range of circumstances.

If you still live in your own home, a short stay at one of our care centres could be a welcome break from your usual routine.

Our respite care is offered at rest home-level care, hospital and specialist dementia care. In some circumstances, we may be able to offer you respite care in a serviced apartment.

If you've been thinking about moving to a Ryman care centre, spending time with us in respite care is a great way for you to experience the lifestyle in our villages before making your decision.

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