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There's new ones every year, some become classics and some are not so good. What do you consider your favourite Christmas song.
And more importantly, what song would you ban? Share below!
Pack your bags, hit the open road, or set sail on your next big adventure. With Ryman’s lock-and-leave-style living, you’re free to explore without worrying about home maintenance or security.
While you’re off enjoying life, we’ll take care of everything back home – from mowing the … View morePack your bags, hit the open road, or set sail on your next big adventure. With Ryman’s lock-and-leave-style living, you’re free to explore without worrying about home maintenance or security.
While you’re off enjoying life, we’ll take care of everything back home – from mowing the lawns to watering the garden, pulling weeds, and even cleaning the windows.
Ryman residents are free to embrace adventure because they're not tied down with home maintenance stress and security worries. They're rediscovering lost passions and plunging headfirst into new ones whenever they feel like it.
Click find out more to discover the lifestyle.
Free Queen size mattress to anyone to pickup around the back by back door.does have a water stain on one side otherwise firn and comfortable and has no smells. Collect 7 G Ordon Street Southbridge
It's well over a year since the 2023 election. Whether you were pleased with the result or not, we'd love to know how you are feeling about the changes the government have made so far?
Share your thoughts below.
William Sanders resident Suellen loves Christmas and the joy of having family close by. To make the holiday season easier, she shares her favourite tips and hacks. From decorating with lights and faux snow to prepping meals ahead of time and using reusable gift bags, Suellen’s ideas help bring … View moreWilliam Sanders resident Suellen loves Christmas and the joy of having family close by. To make the holiday season easier, she shares her favourite tips and hacks. From decorating with lights and faux snow to prepping meals ahead of time and using reusable gift bags, Suellen’s ideas help bring festive cheer without the stress. Whether you're looking for budget-friendly options or simple ways to enhance your celebrations, these tips will make your Christmas brighter and more enjoyable.
Click read more for Suellen’s tips.
A Wellington man was wrongly issued a parking fine and spent over 40 hours going back and forward with Hutt City Council about it.
Have you ever been unfairly fined?
Why not gift them a magazine subscription tailored to their interests? This Christmas, find the perfect gifts at Mags4Gifts! We're offering up to 30% off a wide range of magazines – there’s something for everyone in your whanau!
Whether you’re searching for a thoughtful secret Santa … View moreWhy not gift them a magazine subscription tailored to their interests? This Christmas, find the perfect gifts at Mags4Gifts! We're offering up to 30% off a wide range of magazines – there’s something for everyone in your whanau!
Whether you’re searching for a thoughtful secret Santa gift or something special to put under the tree, we’ve got you covered with a great selection for all interests.
Don’t miss out – shop now at Mags4Gifts.com and enjoy the savings!
At Triton Hearing, we believe you should make the most of the holiday season and the moments that matter.
That’s why we’re excited to introduce our revolutionary new Infinio Sphere devices. With cutting-edge technology delivering double the speech clarity*, you’ll hear every joke, every … View moreAt Triton Hearing, we believe you should make the most of the holiday season and the moments that matter.
That’s why we’re excited to introduce our revolutionary new Infinio Sphere devices. With cutting-edge technology delivering double the speech clarity*, you’ll hear every joke, every story, and every cheer like never before.
This festive season, don’t just be present - be at the heart of the fun.
Sonova proprietary research (2024), visit hearmore.co.nz to learn more.
Give your furry best friend a shaded and comfy outdoor nap spot finished in Resene Waterborne Woodsman English Walnut.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Get big summer savings at Resene ColorShops! Bring out the best in your home with kiwi made Resene paints, colours and wood stains. Plus choose from a huge range of wallpaper and accessories.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Residents living in the Ashburton District have been warned to start using water wisely or face restrictions.
Canterbury is "staring down the barrel of a fairly dry summer”, but people are watering their gardens in peak times, putting … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Residents living in the Ashburton District have been warned to start using water wisely or face restrictions.
Canterbury is "staring down the barrel of a fairly dry summer”, but people are watering their gardens in peak times, putting pressure on the system, officials say.
The Ashburton District Council has signalled water restrictions are a real possibility unless usage habits change.
Ashburton’s seven-day rolling average daily water use has been above 22,000m3 three times in the past few weeks, a high level of use has which has put pressure on the system.
During the hot and windy weather over the weekend the consumption was around 16,000 cubic metres in Ashburton on both days.
Council staff said it’s not a supply issue, it’s a volume issue, with the people using a lot of water simultaneously causing low-pressure problems.
Mayor Neil Brown said households need to avoid excessive use during peak times or risk restrictions.
“If we need water restrictions to keep the level of service up, then we need them.”
Group manager of infrastructure and open spaces Neil McCann said water restrictions hadn’t been issued on the Ashburton scheme for a few years.
“We’re concerned right now about levels of service and complaints about low pressure.
“The time period from 5pm to 9pm is typically when demand increases significantly partly due to people watering their gardens and lawns.
“We also see people watering their lawns in the middle of the day, which is also not a good time as most of the water evaporates.
“We would like people to conserve water through smart use, so everyone has the water they need.”
Asset manager Andy Guthrie had raised the issue at the first-ever Three Waters Committee meeting on Thursday, signalling to councillors restrictions are a real possibility this summer.
It’s early in the summer period and the Ashburton scheme is already suffering from low-pressure issues, which Guthrie said he was “almost certain” was caused by people watering lawns and gardens in the peak evening period.
He warned unless consumption habits change, restrictions would need to be introduced.
“It’s a district-wide message. We are staring down the barrel of a fairly dry summer.”
The Mt Somers intake is already getting low and will need to be managed carefully over the summer, Guthrie said.
It’s a similar situation for the Methven supply, which also has a river intake.
Previously the trigger point for introducing restrictions was a rolling 7-day average of 15,000 cubic litres per day.
the latest seven-day average was over 20,000, Guthrie said.
The consent limit is 25,000 cubic litres per day.
Like Ashburton, the Selwyn District Council issued a notice encouraging people to use water wisely, following a significant increase in peak usage each day last week.
Council executive director infrastructure and property Tim Mason believed there had not been water restrictions in Selwyn before.
“If water use continues to increase beyond the levels it did during the last week, we could be reaching the conditions set down by the Council where restrictions are required on some schemes," Mason said.
Water use comparison:
The average daily water use per person in the Ashburton District is 838 litres per person – based on data from the 2023-24 year.
It’s a measure of water leaving the various water treatment plants, and includes rural schemes that also deliver piped stockwater, and any unaccounted-for water (such as illegal connections, unauthorised consumption like the filling of tankers, and losses through the network and on private property).
In the Selwyn District, the average litres per person was around 650L last week in the main urban areas (Darfield, Leeston, Lincoln, Prebbleton, Rolleston, Southbridge and West Melton), which triggered a water conservation message.
In comparison, Napier City Council hit the headlines last week when it claimed its water use was higher than most other place, with an average of between 500 and 570 litres of water per person per day.
It had a record day for water consumption in November of 637 litres per person and is on level 3 water restrictions (hand watering on alternate days).
Just 20km away, Hastings has an average of 634L per person in 2024 – with a peak of 973L per person on November 9, and is only on level 2 restrictions (alternate days).
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Facing a rapidly ageing population, the Ashburton District has received a funding boost to prepare an age friendly action plan.
Safer Mid Canterbury, a local community service provider, has a steering group leading the project that has been … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Facing a rapidly ageing population, the Ashburton District has received a funding boost to prepare an age friendly action plan.
Safer Mid Canterbury, a local community service provider, has a steering group leading the project that has been awarded $15,000 from Office for Seniors Age friendly Fund.
The Government agency provides grants to projects that promote the inclusion of older people and help cities and communities prepare for their ageing populations.
Safer Mid Canterbury steering group chairperson, deputy mayor Liz McMillan (pictured) said the grant will be used for a needs assessment as the first step in developing an age friendly strategy.
“A steering group will be set up next year and there will be some research into what the need is in the district.”
The research will include speaking with older people in the Ashburton District and to the agencies which work with them, as well as analysing Census and other relevant data.
Findings and data collected in the needs assessment research will be developed into an Age Friendly Strategy and Action Plan for Ashburton District.
The number of over 65s rose by 14% since 2018, according to the Census data.
Residents aged over 65 make up a fifth of the district’s population and the number is predicted to grow, McMillan said.
“Older Ashburton residents contribute hugely to the wellbeing of our community through continuing to work, volunteering, caring for grandchildren, being involved in community activities as well as being good neighbours and active members of society.
“We look forward to highlighting and celebrating the contributions of older people to our district and further developing and improving areas which will make the lives of our district’s older residents better.”
Office for Seniors age friendly programme lead Karen Piercy said she was proud of Ashburton for taking their first steps in developing an age friendly strategy.
“By identifying what’s important for older people in their community, we can help make Ashburton an amazing place to age well.”
Neighbours, we are looking ahead to December 25th and it's always a busy time.
Each family does things a little different and we'd love to know where you stick to tradition and where you strongly differ. Perhaps there's a tradition that you think is just overrated! Share your … View moreNeighbours, we are looking ahead to December 25th and it's always a busy time.
Each family does things a little different and we'd love to know where you stick to tradition and where you strongly differ. Perhaps there's a tradition that you think is just overrated! Share your thoughts below.
Hundreds of Kiwi children will receive something special this Christmas thanks to Ryman Healthcare’s support of the Catalytic Foundation’s Christmas Shoebox Project.
Instead of giving individual gifts to residents, the idea was to redirect those funds to support struggling New Zealand … View moreHundreds of Kiwi children will receive something special this Christmas thanks to Ryman Healthcare’s support of the Catalytic Foundation’s Christmas Shoebox Project.
Instead of giving individual gifts to residents, the idea was to redirect those funds to support struggling New Zealand families having to cut back on essentials.
Ryman residents were overwhelmingly in support of the idea, with many volunteering to help choose the gifts to fill over 1000 shoeboxes with thoughtful items.
Click read more for the full story.
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