1346 days ago

Incredible Kai Experience

Lisa Beale from Beautification Trust

Finish off the school holidays with the free Incredible Kai Experience! Join us on Friday 29 April at the Auckland Botanic Gardens for a day full of activities and learning.

? Morning combo, 10am to 12pm
Experience the Tuna (Eel) Workshop and Fun with Conscious Kids back-to-back! Get up close with the amazing aquatic wildlife that lives in the urban waterscapes of Tāmaki Makaurau with Brent Condon, a.k.a. the Eel Whisperer. You’ll also get the chance to cradle live eels and view inanga (wild fish) in the onsite touch tanks. Then get stuck into Flax Weaving, Clay Creations and the Taste Test - Kai Challenge! Includes lunch at 12pm.

? Tuna (Eel) Workshop, 11am to 12pm
Get up close with the amazing aquatic wildlife that lives in the urban waterscapes of Tāmaki Makaurau with Brent Condon, a.k.a. the Eel Whisperer. You’ll also get the chance to cradle live eels and view inanga (wild fish) in the onsite touch tanks. Includes lunch at 12pm.

? Lunch, 12pm to 1pm
Free hangi or vege curry for morning attendees, provided by Papatoetoe Food Hub. Register for one of the morning sessions to secure your lunch. www.beautification.org.nz...

? Fun with Conscious Kids, 1pm to 4pm
Get stuck into Flax Weaving, Clay Creations and the Taste Test - Kai Challenge! This afternoon session wraps up with Campfire Connection at 3pm. Ignite and warm your tastebuds with a toasted marshmallow and a hot cup of cocoa while sharing stories and connecting around the fire.

Bookings are recommended, as spaces are limited. Some spaces may be available to those without bookings on the day.

This free event is brought to you by Brent Condon aka The Eel Whisperer, Papatoetoe Food Hub and Conscious Kids NZ as part of the Beautification Trust’s Eye on Nature EcoFest, a free month-long festival for families/whānau to connect with the environment.

BYO morning tea/afternoon tea snacks and reusable water bottle (water stations are available to fill up).

Our in-person events are held at the Eye on Nature EcoFest Hub on the central lawn at the Auckland Botanic Gardens.

Covid-19 Safety
· We encourage you to wear a face mask and maintain social distancing.
· This event will take place outdoors.

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More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Poll: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.

We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?

Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.

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🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
  • 81.5% Same!
    81.5% Complete
  • 18.5% Would have liked to try something different
    18.5% Complete
151 votes
26 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.

Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.

Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?

Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!

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13 hours ago

East Auckland Christmas light displays 2025

Mark from Northpark

Please help me find other light shows and updating this list!
Times when the lights turn on/off is helpful.

Last updated: 19 December 2025 18:47.
Google map with all of these houses pin pointed: maps.app.goo.gl...

Add a display: [Google forms] forms.gle... , or comment: [Location], [Lights on/off times], [Other features].
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CONFIRMED CHRISTMAS LIGHT DISPLAYS 2025:
7 Northpark Ave, Northpark. 8pm to 10pm Mon-Thu, 8pm to 11pm Fri-Sun. Synchronized to music. Website with status/information: northparklights.remotefalcon.com... (my own light show).
6 Kookaburra Place, Botany Downs. 8:30pm to 10:30pm every night. Donations for Bellyful.
5 Ben Lomond Cres, East Gate Church Christmas Light show. 7Pm[?] to 11pm. Christmas walk-through running 18 – 23 December 7pm – 10pm.
18 Redcastle Drive, East Tāmaki. 9:15pm to 11pm. Synchronised to music. FB page: www.facebook.com...
13 Tui Vale Road Shelly Park. 6:30pm to Midnight. Santa visiting 23rd & 24th December.
9 Drysdale Place, Somerville 8.30 to 11pm.
10 Saidia Place, Huntington Park. 8:30pm to 10:00pm.
1 Woodview Rise, Botany. 8:30pm to 11pm.
57 Palmcrest Grove, Highland Park, 7pm & overnight.
1 Palmcrest Grove, Highland Park, 7pm & overnight.
51a Paparoa Road, Cockle Bay, 8pm to 10pm, 8th Dec to 24th Dec.
111 Bradbury Road, Botany Downs. 8:00pm to 10:30pm [Assuming last year's times].
9 Cyclades Place, Shelly Park. 8:00pm to 11:00pm [Assuming last year's times].
98 Angelo Ave, Howick. On all the time.
** John Brooke Crescent, East Tamaki Heights. Unknown number of houses & times.
** Trust Place, Sunnyhills. 8:30pm to midnight. Multiple houses.
** Fern Place Beachlands. 8:00pm to midnight. Multiple houses.
** Paerata Rise, Paerata. Unknown times. Multiple houses.
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NO LIGHTS THIS YEAR (Moved or other reasons):
44 Archmillen Ave, Pakuranga Heights.
9 Harford Place, Pakaranga Heights.
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FEEDBACK REQUIRED FOR 2025.
These were confirmed in 2024:
2 Edingale Court, Flat Bush. 8:30pm to 10:30pm.
56 Sorrel Cresent, Bucklands Beach. 7:30pm to 9:00pm. Trains/miniature displays in the garage Wednesday to Sunday.
6 Rothwell Place, Sunnyhills. 8:00pm to 10:00pm.
4 Greenbrooke Drive, Flatbush. 830pm to 11:00pm.
75 Hutchinsons Road, Bucklands Beach. 9:00pm and overnight.
6A Kentville Place, Somerville. 8:00pm to 12:00am.
27 Amberwood Drive, Northpark. 7:00pm to 12:00am.
136 Kilkenny Drive, East Tamaki Heights. 8:00pm to 12:00am.
86 Sandspit Road, Shelly Park. Unknown times.
81 Tiraumea Drive, Unknown times.
29 Meadowlands Drive, Sommerville. Unknown times.
** Headcorn Place, Botany. 7:30pm to 11:00pm. Multiple houses.
****** ******
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVENTS 2025:
<none added so far>

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Please help find more houses and update this list!
Comment on this post.

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