Kensington, Whangarei

851 days ago

Love to Dance - A Ryman Healthcare Grant

Jane Mander Retirement Village

Could your local dance group use a $5,000 cash injection?

Whether it’s pre-schoolers or seniors, Scottish dancing or salsa, kapa haka or Kathak, breakdance or ballet – if you’re encouraging people of all ages and abilities to keep moving through dance, we have three Love to Dance grants up… View more
Could your local dance group use a $5,000 cash injection?

Whether it’s pre-schoolers or seniors, Scottish dancing or salsa, kapa haka or Kathak, breakdance or ballet – if you’re encouraging people of all ages and abilities to keep moving through dance, we have three Love to Dance grants up for grabs.

Receive one of three $5,000 grants to spend on equipment, transport, costumes or anything you need to support your community’s love of dance.

Image
852 days ago

Check your freezer stash...

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

George Weston Foods (NZ) Ltd is recalling specific batches of various Tip Top brand Supersoft Wholemeal and Oatilicious breads as the products may contain foreign matter (plastic).

This recall affects loaves of bread with the Best Before Date of 26JUL22 in these products:
Tip Top brand … View more
George Weston Foods (NZ) Ltd is recalling specific batches of various Tip Top brand Supersoft Wholemeal and Oatilicious breads as the products may contain foreign matter (plastic).

This recall affects loaves of bread with the Best Before Date of 26JUL22 in these products:
Tip Top brand Supersoft Wholemeal Sandwich (700g)
Tip Top brand Supersoft Wholemeal Toast (700g)
Tip Top brand Oatilicious Sandwich (700g)
Tip Top brand Oatilicious Toast (700g)
Tip Top brand Oatilicious Super Thick (700g)

There have been no reports of associated injury but consumers are being advised not to eat these products. If you have concerns about your health after consuming this bread, seek medical advice.

Customers should return the products to their retailer for a replacement or full refund, and direct any questions to George Weston Foods (NZ) Ltd by phone - 0800 449 660.

Image
S
855 days ago

Riverside conference centre - Council to pay $3 million

Stephen from Central Whangarei

RNZ News reports today:-

Plans to build an 850-seat riverside conference and events centre in Whangārei have been revived.

Last year councillors voted not to help pay for the Ōruku Landing project, originally pitched by private developers.

The government had committed $59 million in … View more
RNZ News reports today:-

Plans to build an 850-seat riverside conference and events centre in Whangārei have been revived.

Last year councillors voted not to help pay for the Ōruku Landing project, originally pitched by private developers.

The government had committed $59 million in funding.

The designs have since been scaled back, and today the council agreed to give $3m for footpaths, stormwater and traffic upgrades - far less than the $70 million needed for the former version last year.

The Prosper Northland Charitable Trust said the centre would spur $40m in visitor spending in the first five years.

It had taken over the conference centre project, and would own the finished product.

The trust's revised design provided to council had 850 seats and a 40 percent smaller floor area. Theatre capacity was removed and the building height was reduced.

Trustee Ian Reeves told RNZ the centre was also still expected to stimulate other builds nearby, including a 4-star hotel "which is very necessary - and has been acknowledged for years and years as necessary - and also further apartment developments".

More than 5000 people submitted their views on the proposals last year - nearly 80 per cent were against the old proposals.

When the council rejected the project, Whangārei MP Emily Henderson said she was "very disappointed".

Northlander and former deputy Prime MInister Winston Peters told RNZ the city was looking "a gift horse in the mouth".

Government funding of $59m for the build was about to go back into the Crown Infrastructure Partners' pool, but Ōruku campaigners asked for the money to stay ringfenced while they revised the plans. They have now retained the allocation.

Councillor Vince Cocurullo complimented their stickability today.

"They have kept it alive, they have kept the communications going," he said.

"We all thought the project was completely dead. We thought the government had turned around and said 'right this council, the Whangārei District Council doesn't want it, therefore it's not going to happen'."

But the councillors' vote was not unanimous.

Tricia Cutforth chose to abstain, and Simon Reid (Ngāpuhi) was against, and said it was unfair for some building projects to have infrastructure costs cut, and others not.

"Our ratepayers have clearly told me - well the ones that have contacted me - that they have not had any help in a development."

853 days ago

not the best tiume to go North, maybe

Peter from Kamo

Several red-and-blues have been sitting on the intersection of SH1 and Apotu Rd. for quite some time, traffic is stop-and-go. No idea what's happened or what's going on, but traffic is affected.

854 days ago

Re-energise your morning with the Sunday Star-Times

Mags4gifts

Enjoy an Antipodes skincare duo (RRP$50) when you purchase a three-month subscription to the Sunday Star-Times for just $52.

Subscribe at mags4gifts.co.nz/antipodes Terms and Conditions apply.
Find out more

Image
854 days ago

Fence and trellis

The Team from Resene ColorShop Whangarei

It’s easy to give an old fence and trellis a new lease of life with Resene Waterborne Woodsman.

Find out how to create your own.

Image
854 days ago

Whangarei Film Society - screenings for Thursday August 4th

Geoff from Central Whangarei

Good People

For this Thursday, the 4th August at 6pm, WFS will be screening the British Comedy The Duke starring Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren.

Our 8pm session will be Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom.

Please Note: We are at the Orange traffic light setting and so we must abide by the … View more
Good People

For this Thursday, the 4th August at 6pm, WFS will be screening the British Comedy The Duke starring Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren.

Our 8pm session will be Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom.

Please Note: We are at the Orange traffic light setting and so we must abide by the guidelines set out by the WDC Forum North Events and Venue department. Please show courtesy to others by practicing social distancing within the venue, particularly around the bar and food areas on the mezzanine floor.

The Duke
Cast: Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren, UK, Comedy, 95 mins

Kempton Bunton [Jim Broadbent], was a real-life political agitator in the early 1960s. Notorious for challenging everything from the size of a pint at the local pub to having to pay for a television licence, his crusades against perceived injustices meant he struggled to hold down a job and also exasperated his long-suffering wife, Peggy [Helen Mirren].

Promising he’ll give up his campaigning after one last attempt at persuading those in London to wipe the TV licence fee, Kempton secretly returns home with an illegally obtained bargaining chip. Namely, Goya’s portrait of The Duke of Wellington.

To Kenton, it is a symbol of everything that’s wrong about the country’s priorities and he now has to meticulously plan how to hand it back if his demands are met.

And there’s also the matter of how to keep the theft a secret from his wife…

View the trailer at: www.youtube.com...

Tickets: Door sales only. Price: $10 for WFS members, $15 for non members.

Cash only please - no Eftpos/credit card services available.

Visit whangareifilmsociety.org and sign up for our free weekly email for information on our films and screening dates for 2022.

855 days ago

Learning to read

NumberWorks'nWords Whangarei

There's more to reading than learning to read. If you're struggling to get your child into reading, visit us in our centre and ask for tips and a recommended reading list for your child! ?

Image
855 days ago

Register your dog by August 1 to avoid price increase

The Team from Whangarei District Council

Quick reminder before prices increase: make sure you register your dog before 1 August. Please use the link below - it only takes a moment and funds 90% of the dog-control programme in Whangarei.

WDC - Register your dog

Image
855 days ago

WINGS QUIZ NIGHT FUNDRAISER

The Team from WINGS

WINGS (Women’s International Newcomers Group Social) is holding a QUIZ night fundraiser. The theme is “What were you wearing when the ship down?” Join us and Dress up!!

Date & Time: Saturday 13th of August'22 at 5.30 PM
Venue: Onerahi Community Hall
Ticket: $15 per person, … View more
WINGS (Women’s International Newcomers Group Social) is holding a QUIZ night fundraiser. The theme is “What were you wearing when the ship down?” Join us and Dress up!!

Date & Time: Saturday 13th of August'22 at 5.30 PM
Venue: Onerahi Community Hall
Ticket: $15 per person, food (optional) $10

Team of 6-8 people. No team? no worries, we will find you a team.

If you have any questions or would like to book, please email us at wingsnz@hotmail.com or check our website at www.wingsnz.org.nz....

Image
857 days ago

Poll: VOTE for the Resene Upcycling Finalists!

Resene

It’s that time again neighbours - we need your help! Look at all this creativity hiding behind front doors. We now need YOU to vote for your favourite Upcycling Award finalist. The four designs with the most votes will each receive a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!

View more
It’s that time again neighbours - we need your help! Look at all this creativity hiding behind front doors. We now need YOU to vote for your favourite Upcycling Award finalist. The four designs with the most votes will each receive a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!

Find out a little more about each entry here. Voting closes 5pm Thursday 4 August.

Thanks for voting; your clever neighbours thank you!

VOTE for the Resene Upcycling Finalists!
  • 8.4% 1) Storage cabinet (Christine Olson, Carterton District)
    8.4% Complete
  • 19.1% 2) Bench Seat (Mary McRae, Hauraki)
    19.1% Complete
  • 4.4% 3) Modern Tech Desk (Julie Cronin, Havelock North)
    4.4% Complete
  • 9.7% 4) Alice in Wonderland table (Lynda Cree, Halswell)
    9.7% Complete
  • 17.3% 5) Terracotta Steps (Angie Farrow, Hokowhitu)
    17.3% Complete
  • 7.1% 6) Drinks cabinet / piano bar (Maurice van Liempd, Whakatane District)
    7.1% Complete
  • 4.8% 7) Garden feature (Marjanna Jones, Henderson)
    4.8% Complete
  • 2.2% 8) Spacerocket lamp (Jen Asquith, Nelson South)
    2.2% Complete
  • 25.1% 9) Paintbrush art (Bonnie Stretton, Motueka)
    25.1% Complete
  • 2% 10) Writing Desk (Steve Nicholson, Brookfield)
    2% Complete
1951 votes
J
861 days ago

Dog Boarding

Joy from Kamo

Would like recommendation for a kennel for overnight stay for a small indoor dog (fully vaccinated)
Even a home stay that has a fully fenced yard could suit
Only short term required and not that frequently

859 days ago

Time to escape your neighbourhood?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Are you overdue a getaway? You could win a 13-day Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer South Island Rail & Coach tour by participating in Neighbourly’s 8th birthday celebration.

To enter the competition, just tell us what you love about your neighbourhood. It could be your favourite spot, a … View more
Are you overdue a getaway? You could win a 13-day Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer South Island Rail & Coach tour by participating in Neighbourly’s 8th birthday celebration.

To enter the competition, just tell us what you love about your neighbourhood. It could be your favourite spot, a beautiful view, or something that makes you smile. You could be in for a once-in-a-lifetime getaway!
Find out more

Image
859 days ago

Reading Tip #5

NumberWorks'nWords Whangarei

Make a calm, comfortable place for your family to relax and read independently - or together ?‍?‍?‍??

Image
859 days ago

The local government elections might get messy

Oliver Neighbourly Lead from One Tree Point

Last week's Local Government Conference showed a promising focus on elected membership, co-governance and climate change. I am however worried that we might see a number of single-issue candidates in the upcoming local elections, who will exploit the current controversies around major … View moreLast week's Local Government Conference showed a promising focus on elected membership, co-governance and climate change. I am however worried that we might see a number of single-issue candidates in the upcoming local elections, who will exploit the current controversies around major initiatives and dominate the debates. The Three Waters reforms are the obvious choice for such tactics.
Past and present councils have shown foresight and made prudent decisions to secure excellent drinking water systems in our district. There is however no guarantee that it will forever stay like this and not be run into the ground, as it has happened in so many other districts all over NZ. WDC have unfortunately taken a very adversarial approach to the reforms, rather than deciding to support these, hand over our well-maintained water assets to the professionals, accept the offered rewards for a job well done, and quit while we're well ahead.
However, the narrative that WDC can keep doing it better and cheaper has now been seriously undermined by the recent 31% price hike in water consumption rates, due to the closure of the refinery. It is completely counterintuitive that the price goes up when demand goes down, it provides zero incentives for us to conserve water and reduce our usage, and it shows that WDC's financial governance of our water services hasn't been as prudent as claimed, by allowing a single large customer to cross-subsidise household connections. It is obvious that losing Refining NZ would have been just a blip and not have had such a large negative effect (if at all) on our water rates if we had already been part of the proposed "Northwater" Entity A.
Councils do not provide other utilities, like electricity and telecommunications services. We should ask ourselves what is so different about water services that councils would have to continue to be the ones to provide these, and we should strongly reject any campaign slogans that try to sell us more opposition and promise us rollback of the reforms. This is not the time for pretending to know better and going it all alone.
Given the division and misinformation around co-governance in general as well as the introduction of Māori wards we should also be prepared for further challenges to these developing changes and inoculate ourselves against any forms of propaganda and thinly-veiled racism.
Personally I will ignore any single-issue campaigners and only consider candidates who can present a credible pathway for a just and respectful transition to a circular, sustainable low-carbon economy in our district. Unfortunately our options might be limited, since the decision to elect all WDC councillors district-wide was overturned. We are once again confined to our wards and constituencies and stuck with the archaic First Past The Post voting system. If all I get to choose from were more dairy farmers, businessmen and long-term incumbents selling us Past As Future and Back To Normal, then I might not even bother voting.

Top