Kensington, Whangarei

Need some warm fuzzies?

Need some warm fuzzies?

Read the heart-warming neighbour stories here or even share about your Nice Neighbour.

2184 days ago

Planning on hitting the water this weekend? ⛵💦

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

Kia ora water-lovers!

Here are some tips to make sure you and your loved ones are well prepared and stay safe:

1. Check the marine weather forecast before you go out, it could save your life! 58% of boaties already check it. We want the other 42% to make it a habit. MetService New Zealand's … View more
Kia ora water-lovers!

Here are some tips to make sure you and your loved ones are well prepared and stay safe:

1. Check the marine weather forecast before you go out, it could save your life! 58% of boaties already check it. We want the other 42% to make it a habit. MetService New Zealand's Marine App makes it easy.

2. Tests your life jackets. Pull hard on the straps and see if any of them stretch or rip. Check all over for any existing tears in the straps and any cuts or punctures in the life jacket. If yes, do not use the life jacket, dispose of it, and replace it. Always check if it floats before putting them on. Keep in mind kapok life jackets should not be used as they can absorb water and sink, their cotton straps also easily rip! Burn them or bin them, but whatever you do - don't use or resell them.

3. For this year's Safer Boating Week, boaties are being reminded to “Prep, Check, Know” - prepare your boat, check your gear and know the rules before going on the water.

Let's put in the time and effort to make sure there are NO water related accidents or deaths this Labour Day long-weekend! Don't forget to look out for each other and report any concerns you have to local authorities.

#SaferBoatingWeek
#NSNZemergencypreparedness

Image
2185 days ago

Don't forget to enter Colour Your Community!

Resene

For a second year, Neighbourly and Resene are challenging you to Colour your Community! Make a positive difference in your neighbourhood by transforming an area that needs a little love. There's six prizes of up to $1000 worth of Resene paints, wood stains and accessories up for grabs!

View more
For a second year, Neighbourly and Resene are challenging you to Colour your Community! Make a positive difference in your neighbourhood by transforming an area that needs a little love. There's six prizes of up to $1000 worth of Resene paints, wood stains and accessories up for grabs!

Whether it's a new mural for your community hall, a graffiti clean up or a local playground paint job, apply now on behalf of your organisation, business, or for your own community project.
Enter now

Image
2185 days ago

Plan ahead for a safe and stress-free Labour Weekend on the road

Annette Lambly-Robinson Reporter from Whangārei Leader

A message from NZTA:
Motorists intending to go away for Labour Weekend are encouraged to plan ahead to stay safe and avoid delays on congested motorways.

The NZ Transport Agency has developed a tool that shows predicted traffic flow across popular journeys based on travel patterns from previous … View more
A message from NZTA:
Motorists intending to go away for Labour Weekend are encouraged to plan ahead to stay safe and avoid delays on congested motorways.

The NZ Transport Agency has developed a tool that shows predicted traffic flow across popular journeys based on travel patterns from previous years. It can be found at www.nzta.govt.nz...

“Holiday weekends are always busy across Auckland and the Northland so congestion and delays are inevitable in peak times. But if everyone leaves plenty of time for their journey, drives to the conditions and plans ahead before leaving home, the worst of the frustrations can be eased and everyone can concentrate on arriving safely,” says the NZ Transport Agency’s Auckland Operations Manager, Rua Pani.

“Look for an alternative route or consider leaving when the traffic is lighter, either early in the morning or later in the day.”

Because predicted peak times can change based on incidents, weather and even driver behaviour we suggest that you check www.nzta.govt.nz... before you leave for accurate information about current road and traffic conditions.

The holiday journeys site shows the busiest time heading north from Auckland is on Friday between 1pm and 8pm. But historically, traffic is free flowing on Saturday morning if you leave before 8am. Coming home on Monday, expect the most traffic between 10am and 6pm.

F
2212 days ago

Butterfly park/garden at Pohe Island

Fiona and Mark from Kensington

Hi There, I'm looking for a group of interested people to help with setting up an area to grow butterflies near the dog park on Pohe Island. Last year the round bales that were made looked so picturesque at dusk, it sparked my imagination to have butterflies flying around.

The WDC has … View more
Hi There, I'm looking for a group of interested people to help with setting up an area to grow butterflies near the dog park on Pohe Island. Last year the round bales that were made looked so picturesque at dusk, it sparked my imagination to have butterflies flying around.

The WDC has given approval and now we just need to plant swan plants and other butterfly food plants over time.

So, # i need some volunteers first up to pull up the kikuya in the area designated.
,
and # we need some swan plants to put in. I can get some for $15 per large plant, but donated ones would be awesome.



Who would like to help out?

Fiona Douglas fjdouglas61@gmail.com

Image
2185 days ago

Buy a pen. Break the silence.

The Warehouse Whangarei

We're partnering with Youthline to support young people in crisis to get the help they need. When you buy a $2 pen or donate at the checkout before 30th Oct you’ll help ensure that every call, text, and email to Youthline gets answered.

Image
2186 days ago

Get Ready To Drop, Cover, Hold! 😁👍

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

Kia Ora Neighbourhood Supporters -

Friendly reminder that Shake Out, our national earthquake drill and tsunami hīkoi, is happening tomorrow.

At 9:30am over 800,000 people across the country will drop, cover, and hold!

Are you joining in?

#NSNZemergencypreparedness

2193 days ago

Google Plus (Google+)

Peter from Kamo

So, I just recently found out that Google is quietly closing their attempt at competing with Facebook in the 'social media stakes'.



I am posting this here mainly to let anyone know who has stuff on that site, that they'd better hurry to get it off, if they still want it.


View more
So, I just recently found out that Google is quietly closing their attempt at competing with Facebook in the 'social media stakes'.



I am posting this here mainly to let anyone know who has stuff on that site, that they'd better hurry to get it off, if they still want it.


I was asked/invited to join that site when it first opened, and I did join, used it to display some of my digital photography (Flickr was in hiatus at that time) - then I read the terms and conditions. And I was out of there like a scalded cat. Google claimed intellectual ownership of everything uploaded. Thanks, but no thanks to that!


And now they have sat on a security bug that has left all the content of the site open to theft for many months and not let anyone know. That is all your personal data on there - up for grabs by any malicious hacker .... appalling!



My respect for Google, while not in free fall, is definitely tarnished. I don't even use their search engine any more; haven't for over a year. Duckduckgo is a viable alternative that does not sell your search history to marketers and is concerned about promoting and preserving privacy ... including making recommendations and providing tools and information.



just f.y.i. -Peter

2186 days ago

Social climbers - the comedy - is touring NZ!

Roger Halls Sparkling Comedy Social Climbers

What do you call six women stranded on a mountain in the rain: ridiculous! Or you could call them social climbers … but just not to their faces! Once at the hut, not only do they unload their packs full of food, wine, and a souvenir rock; their hang-ups get unloaded as well.

Torrential rain … View more
What do you call six women stranded on a mountain in the rain: ridiculous! Or you could call them social climbers … but just not to their faces! Once at the hut, not only do they unload their packs full of food, wine, and a souvenir rock; their hang-ups get unloaded as well.

Torrential rain and a flooded bridge keep them stranded for three days. What they get up to, to help pass the time, raises a few eyebrows and will have you laughing, tearing up and applauding enthusiastically as they bare all.

Of course, it’s not just souls that are exposed, there’s a little nudity, a cracking thunderstorm, explosions, screaming bloody murder, ghostly stories, a birthday celebration, a séance, a drunken party, confessions, meltdowns and revelations that will keep you and your friends entertained throughout.

Perfectly timed for your own social group’s ascent into summer, don’t miss this hilarious play when it comes to a town near you in November.
Buy tickets here!

Image
P
2187 days ago

Bathroom and Laundry Tiler

Philomina from Hikurangi Coastal

Hi all, looking for recommendations to get a bathroom and laundry tiled, including the floor, and maybe also the kitchen floor.
Thanks
Philomina

2201 days ago

Petrol Hike

Annette Lambly-Robinson Reporter from Whangārei Leader

Petrol has gone up again and so will car registrations soon as a result of ACC changes
Is there anyone who is willing to be interviewed on how this is affecting them and why? Please phone 09 470 4054.
On line general comments are welcomed as well - it helps to gauge the public opinion.
If you … View more
Petrol has gone up again and so will car registrations soon as a result of ACC changes
Is there anyone who is willing to be interviewed on how this is affecting them and why? Please phone 09 470 4054.
On line general comments are welcomed as well - it helps to gauge the public opinion.
If you don't want your comments to be used by media please put NFP on you comment.

2186 days ago

Bug man's visit to Whangarei

Annette Lambly-Robinson Reporter from Whangārei Leader

During his three day stay in Whangarei, Bug Man, Ruud Kleinpaste stopped in at Kiwi North where he was put to work carefully following the nationally standard recipe to make the kiwi food for the day.

Kevin Saxton, Kiwi North husbandry team leader and Northtec Environmental Science student … View more
During his three day stay in Whangarei, Bug Man, Ruud Kleinpaste stopped in at Kiwi North where he was put to work carefully following the nationally standard recipe to make the kiwi food for the day.

Kevin Saxton, Kiwi North husbandry team leader and Northtec Environmental Science student Courtney du Preez who is completing her 90 hours practicum here at Kiwi North thoroughly enjoyed the visit.

The diet is lean beef mince, oxheart, cat biscuits, vitamin mix, corn, peas, carrot, apple, banana, currants and oil. It is the same in all the captive facilities to reduce variables and reduce stress if the birds are moved from one location to another.

Later in the day Kleinpaste took a walk in the Pukenui forest with its rangers.

Image
2187 days ago

How To Write A Media Release (Press Release) - Free advice for Northlanders putting on events

Michael from Tikipunga

Don’t feel humble or unworthy when it comes to putting out news. Almost everybody wants to hear your news, from news publishers to journalists to consumers to staff.
Lay out your story as an upside-down pyramid (see image, borrowed from the internet)

>Most important at top; least impt bottom.… View more
Don’t feel humble or unworthy when it comes to putting out news. Almost everybody wants to hear your news, from news publishers to journalists to consumers to staff.
Lay out your story as an upside-down pyramid (see image, borrowed from the internet)

>Most important at top; least impt bottom.
> Clear, high resolution, print-quality photos help everybody
> Clear line of contact is essential if journalists want to follow up
> News must be NEW. Keep it fresh.
> Newsmakers want stories which have “legs”
> Legs means a story which readers will look for updates on as it develops
>It’s not okay to leave a journalist confused about spellings of names, products, brand, acronyms
> QUOTES are essential. Have a representative of your organisation provide quotes in the story.

Questions or advice? Head to my website.
michaelboturwriter.com...

Image
2191 days ago

accommodation to let

Sue from Kamo

Fully furnished, serviced self contained unit to let in Whau Valley area, suit single WORKING person, call 0212546706 or text for more details

2187 days ago

Book Bingo! Services for authors Mike can help with

Michael from Tikipunga

Mike can help authors get their words across the world with the following services:

> Formatting your book for Kindle, Kobo, Scribd, Wattpad and more

> Giving your book away via Bookfunnel

> Creating news stories to promote your book

> Setting up your International Standard Book … View more
Mike can help authors get their words across the world with the following services:

> Formatting your book for Kindle, Kobo, Scribd, Wattpad and more

> Giving your book away via Bookfunnel

> Creating news stories to promote your book

> Setting up your International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

> Sending out a regular Mailchimp newsletter updating your audience

> Promoting your book on social media inc. websites, blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest

> Publishing your book on Createspace (Amazon.com)

> Raising awareness of your writing across free websites such as Smashwords, Quora, Macguffin, Medium and Wikipedia

> Getting your book stocked by NZ online book retailers such as Wheelers, Fishpond, University Bookshops

>Social media and blogging on WordPress, Blogspot, Tumblr and more…

Contact Northland author Michael Botur on 021 299 0984 / mike@michaelboturwriter.com

Image
2187 days ago

Red Rack is here!

The Warehouse Whangarei

Shh no more - the secret is out! Find out more about #RedRack, where little ol' New Zealand can get its big brand fix at prices 20-60% less than current NZ prices ??

Image
Top