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Fancy a week or weekend away in the country, free accommodation in return for some urgent typing.
Area is Kaukapakapa 8km north from Kaukapakapa village. There is a family on the property. Typing is needed now. Please call me on 021 2072117
Does your home have a bright pink front door? Know a secret rainbow-coloured park bench? Is there art in your office that makes you smile every time you walk past it? If it's bright - we need to see it!
Bright Spots is back for a third year - a celebration of the crazy colourful places in … View moreDoes your home have a bright pink front door? Know a secret rainbow-coloured park bench? Is there art in your office that makes you smile every time you walk past it? If it's bright - we need to see it!
Bright Spots is back for a third year - a celebration of the crazy colourful places in our communities and homes. Share a pic today and you could win one of ten prize packages worth $500!
Need inspo? Check out the entries so far.
A Fire and Emergency shift manager said they were called to Sandringham Rd, Kingsland, just before 5.30am.
He said one truck and crew were sent to the scene, and they left just after 6am.
Photos from the scene show a large pile of rubbish dumped off to the side of the road along the outside of … View moreA Fire and Emergency shift manager said they were called to Sandringham Rd, Kingsland, just before 5.30am.
He said one truck and crew were sent to the scene, and they left just after 6am.
Photos from the scene show a large pile of rubbish dumped off to the side of the road along the outside of Eden Park.
He also said incidents like this “were not very common” and it is unknown at this stage what caught fire inside the truck.
The manager said the driver followed “standard procedure” by dumping the load on to the roadside.
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Some of the best moments are shared over food. That’s why we’re giving you 10,000 New World Dollars when you sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse by 30 September 2025.*
We’ll cover the grocery bills, so you can spend less time worrying about what’s in the trolley and more … View moreSome of the best moments are shared over food. That’s why we’re giving you 10,000 New World Dollars when you sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse by 30 September 2025.*
We’ll cover the grocery bills, so you can spend less time worrying about what’s in the trolley and more time enjoying who’s around the table.
And because life at Ryman means less home maintenance, you’ll have even more time for the things you love.
*Participating villages only, promotion terms and Clubcard terms and conditions apply.
Both in frames with window sills, no panes broken. One 1927W x 1480H, 3 opening windows - see pic. Other 1750W x 1380H, one tall opening window. Require 2 people to carry. Pick up from Avondale.
That’s a wrap on nominations! 🗳️ Head over to our page to see the list of candidates
Candidate profiles will be available from 1 September so you can learn more about who’s standing and what they stand for — before voting opens on 9 September. ✅
Did you know that a clean home during the cold months is key to your health and well-being? 🙌
Spending more time indoors means indoor air becomes vital.
Regular cleaning helps reduce dust and allergens, perfect for everyone's breathing! Plus, a tidy and cozy space can boost your mood … View moreDid you know that a clean home during the cold months is key to your health and well-being? 🙌
Spending more time indoors means indoor air becomes vital.
Regular cleaning helps reduce dust and allergens, perfect for everyone's breathing! Plus, a tidy and cozy space can boost your mood and reduce stress. ✨
Dedicate some time to your winter sanctuary! Your home will thank you, and your health will too! 🏠🤍
➡️ Book your free quote now and enjoy these amazing benefits!
📨 info@helpingyou.co.nz
📲02108162521
We understand that winter can be quite challenging at times, especially with the constant rain here in Auckland! ⛈️
But we truly hope that these wonderful benefits of having a clean and tidy home will help lift your spirits and make getting through it as pleasant as possible. ✨️🤍
Friday 15 & Saturday 16 August, 10am - 2pm.
Experience the award-winning lifestyle at a Ryman village.
Join us at our open days and explore our lifestyle and care options, tour our show homes and see the premium amenities on offer.
We look forward to seeing you.
Have you seen James Gunn's 'Superman' yet?
The new movie stars Krypto, Superman's capable and floofy sidekick. Following the movie release, online searches for dog adoption surged globally! Krypto is based on Gunn's own rescue dog, Ozu. The Neighbourly team is sure that … View moreHave you seen James Gunn's 'Superman' yet?
The new movie stars Krypto, Superman's capable and floofy sidekick. Following the movie release, online searches for dog adoption surged globally! Krypto is based on Gunn's own rescue dog, Ozu. The Neighbourly team is sure that Gunn is pleased that his own rescue pup may lead to more fluffy adoptions!
Looking to match with your own super pet? The SPCA is spotlighting animals waiting for their new and committed families.
We hope this news brings a smile!
For the past 12 years, we’ve been helping you find the perfect bed and enjoy the restful sleep you deserve. Now it’s our turn to celebrate this milestone with you. We’re marking the occasion with unbeatable birthday deals, exciting bed giveaways, and a few special surprises along the way.
… View moreFor the past 12 years, we’ve been helping you find the perfect bed and enjoy the restful sleep you deserve. Now it’s our turn to celebrate this milestone with you. We’re marking the occasion with unbeatable birthday deals, exciting bed giveaways, and a few special surprises along the way.
Visit your local Beds4U or shop online and be part of the celebration – here’s to many more years of great sleep together.
Five former New World staff members have accused supermarket giant Foodstuffs of ageism as they wait for new jobs following a catastrophic fire that levelled their central Auckland workplace. New World Victoria Park employed 189 staff before it was badly damaged in the blaze on June 17, resulting … View moreFive former New World staff members have accused supermarket giant Foodstuffs of ageism as they wait for new jobs following a catastrophic fire that levelled their central Auckland workplace. New World Victoria Park employed 189 staff before it was badly damaged in the blaze on June 17, resulting in all the workers being made redundant. While 80 roles were reserved for workers at a new supermarket in Pt Chevalier and others have been employed elsewhere, more than 70 are yet to find jobs. The five workers claim Foodstuffs North Island has given positions in other supermarkets to younger, less experienced members of staff while they're still out of work.
The response: Foodstuffs has pushed back strongly on the workers' claims, arguing age, gender and ethnicity are never factors in its recruitment. A company spokesman said 106 former Victoria Park team members had secured roles with other Foodstuffs stores and another nine had found other employment. "We’re continuing to connect remaining team members with roles that match their availability, travel preferences and experience," the spokesman said.
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Life gets busy—really busy. Between work, family, appointments, and a never-ending to-do list, it’s easy for things to pile up. Add fast fashion, online sales, and homewares aisles that whisper “just one more basket won’t hurt”, and suddenly we’re swimming in stuff and tat.
… View moreLife gets busy—really busy. Between work, family, appointments, and a never-ending to-do list, it’s easy for things to pile up. Add fast fashion, online sales, and homewares aisles that whisper “just one more basket won’t hurt”, and suddenly we’re swimming in stuff and tat.
Sometimes, that stuff is cozy and familiar. But other times, after a long day, you walk through the door, look around, and think: “Okay. Something’s got to go.”
And when that urge to declutter hits, the question is—where does it all go? We're not talking about broken bits and pieces, but those perfectly good things that simply no longer fit your life or your space.
In her piece When decluttering can’t be avoided much longer, Joanna Davis shares the everyday items she's finally ready to part with—and it might just inspire your own clear-out mission.
We want to know:
🧹 How often do you get the urge to declutter?
🎯 Are there certain things you’ve got your eye on to donate or rehome?
💛 Do you have any favourite charities, op-shops, or community organisations you support with your preloved items?
Let’s swap stories, share ideas, and help great stuff find a second life—outside our closets and shelves.
It might not be making quite so many headlines these days, but unfortunately, Covid is still here. If you’re 65 or over, taking care of yourself is just as important as ever.
The good news is, the Covid vaccine can help protect you from serious illness. It’s free, and recommended for you … View moreIt might not be making quite so many headlines these days, but unfortunately, Covid is still here. If you’re 65 or over, taking care of yourself is just as important as ever.
The good news is, the Covid vaccine can help protect you from serious illness. It’s free, and recommended for you and many others as long as you haven’t had the vaccine, or Covid, in the last 6 months.
To book your vaccination, or talk to your healthcare provider.
Derek Cossey has “old rugby player knees”, which significantly limit his mobility.
A small relief for the 67-year-old Onehunga man is his parking permit which, when displayed in his vehicle, allows him to park in dedicated mobility spaces, or for double the time shown on time-restricted car … View moreDerek Cossey has “old rugby player knees”, which significantly limit his mobility.
A small relief for the 67-year-old Onehunga man is his parking permit which, when displayed in his vehicle, allows him to park in dedicated mobility spaces, or for double the time shown on time-restricted car parks in Auckland’s on-street parking areas.
But recently, he has received two infringement notices from Auckland Transport (AT) because its new automatic number plate recognition technology, used for parking enforcement, does not recognise mobility permits.
And he is not alone.
It is a “big issue” and one that “greatly concerns” CCS Disability Action, the primary provider of about 180,000 permits.
BJ Clark, of CCS Disability Action, said other councils were also using the technology, and he had been contacted by up to 30 permit holders nationwide who had been incorrectly fined.
Clark said CCS was not consulted before AT launched the technology, and the service was “desperately” trying to find a solution for its permit holders.
AT has recognised it is an issue and says it is also trying to find a solution.
‘A law unto themselves’
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For Cossey, the situation has been extremely frustrating.
Last year, he received a fine by post for exceeding the displayed time restriction in an on-street car park.
However, his permit allowed him double the displayed time, and he had moved on before that time was up.
He managed to have the fine overturned, but said it was not easy.
“It must have taken me four or six emails backwards and forwards to get them to quash the ticket.
“On top of that, it was like they were reprimanding me and saying ‘We’ll do that in this instance...’”
Then he got another ticket in the same circumstances more recently.
He has yet to have it overturned.
Emails, seen by NZME, to Auckland Transport about the ticket have gone unanswered, and the matter has been referred to debt collection agency Baycorp.
Cossey has had to explain the situation to Baycorp and hopes to get that issue resolved.
“I’ve had to go through the wringer.”
He is concerned about AT’s lack of communication in his case, saying he has asked what it is doing to resolve the parking permit issue, but has not received a response.
“They never come back and say, ‘Look, we’re really sorry that this has happened. We didn’t think about it in the first place, but we’re trying to find a way around it.’ None of that.”
“It’s just ignorance. They’re a law unto themselves. It’s so frustrating to deal with them.”
‘It is a big issue’
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Clark said AT had launched the technology without consultation with CCS Disability Action.
“The first thing we knew about it was when this problem started.
“It is a big issue and one that concerns us greatly.
“I’m intrigued by how the council gets away with issuing a ticket to a person who is legitimately parked. It seems to me a little bit strange.”
The service has since met AT, but Clark said an agreeable solution had not yet been found.
AT’s solution of registering number plates against a permit was less than ideal, he said.
“That sounds like a good way to solve the issue but, from our point of view, it’s not.
“We issue a permit to a person, not a vehicle number plate, and we don’t want people to be able to have more than one vehicle being permitted to use that one permit.
“It opens up the system to abuse.”
Clark said registering vehicles could also pose a problem for older permit holders who might not remember to use the right vehicles if they had multiple registered vehicles.
And permit holders visiting Auckland might not be recognised.
“It restricts the ability for people to use the permit in the way that we give it out,” Clark said.
“That is, it shouldn’t be controlled to one vehicle. It should be controlled to wherever that person is.”
The service has made other suggestions to AT, such as rolling out permits that a mounted device on the council’s vehicles could scan.
But Clark said that method would need to be developed, and there were questions about who would bear the costs.
“We are desperately trying to find a solution.”
We know this isn’t a great experience’
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AT, which launched the technology in 2019, has recognised it is a “complicated situation”.
John Strawbridge, its group manager of parking services, said: “Our preference is to manage mobility spaces by a parking officer, on foot, so that they can sight whether a vehicle has a current mobility permit displayed. Sometimes the permits are hard to spot.
“However, our camera cars also issue fines to vehicles parked in a mobility spot, with or without a permit, as we do not have access to digital data on active permits.”
The issue was that the permit was for a person, not a vehicle, and the person could ride in multiple vehicles.
“We know this isn’t a great experience for mobility permit holders, and we encourage anyone who has received a fine in error to contact us to see if it warrants being waived.”
Strawbridge said AT was working on a solution that would allow Auckland permit holders to apply for a digital permit through AT’s Park app.
The e-permit would enable people to add all vehicles they intended to use to the AT Park app and switch between them.
AT has also sought access to the CCS database to confirm active permits.
“Our proposed solution will address many of the challenges experienced by permit holders and, when it’s ready to be rolled out, we will be reaching out to them to provide more information. There may be some more improvements needed, and we are committed to making continuous improvements.”
AT confirmed the first of Cossey’s fines was waived, but maintained it had not received any correspondence from him on the second.
However, after “a bit more digging”, it found his emails. It said it would review the matter and respond directly to Cossey.
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