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When the odds seem stacked against you, this mindful craft project is a way to find peace. Create your own balance rocks using wood and Resene Waterborne Woodsman testpots. Find out how to make and stain your own wooden balancing rocks with these easy step by step instructions.
With Christmas fast approaching and trees beginning to twinkle in homes across New Zealand, we’re on the hunt for NZ’s Most Loved Christmas Tree!
Whether it’s bursting with colour, elegantly minimal, or filled with sentimental touches from years past, we want to see how Kiwis are spreading… View moreWith Christmas fast approaching and trees beginning to twinkle in homes across New Zealand, we’re on the hunt for NZ’s Most Loved Christmas Tree!
Whether it’s bursting with colour, elegantly minimal, or filled with sentimental touches from years past, we want to see how Kiwis are spreading Christmas magic this season.
And now for the showstopper... 🌟
One tree will rise above them all, capturing the most public votes and the title of NZ’s Most Loved Christmas Tree 2025, along with the iPhone 17 Pro in Cosmic Orange, this year’s ultimate Christmas prize. 🎁🎄
To spread the cheer even further, four lucky trees will be chosen as Santa’s Lucky Trees, each receiving a $200 Space General Gift Voucher, the perfect way to add extra sparkle this season. 🎅🎁
Need a tree first? Explore our beautiful range here and start your Christmas magic!
📅 Public voting opens: 10 November 2025
⏳ Entries close: 17 December 2025
🎄 Winners unwrapped before Christmas — so strike a pose and share your festive masterpiece!
WANTED WANTED WANTED:
Gold • Coins • Watches • Banknotes • Antique • Jewellery • Collectables
The market for many antiques, collectables, vintage watches, artefacts, gold and silver items has been buoyant these past few years. So if you are considering selling any of these or … View moreWANTED WANTED WANTED:
Gold • Coins • Watches • Banknotes • Antique • Jewellery • Collectables
The market for many antiques, collectables, vintage watches, artefacts, gold and silver items has been buoyant these past few years. So if you are considering selling any of these or similar items then our specialist buyers would like to make an offer.
Any items will be considered so please don’t be shy and visit one of our venues.
Large or valuable collections? Single items? Downsizing, moving or decluttering? Family not interested? or simply turning unwanted items into cash.
*Immediate payment made *No commission or waiting *Free no obligation appraisal *Onsite security *Please have your bank details handy
Whether you have a large and valuable collection or a single item of broken jewellery please take this opportunity to see us at a venue near you.
See us at a venue near you - See venues here:
Goldco Antique Buyers | Member NZNDA | website email: goldco@xtra.co.nz | Ph: 0800 105 228
Stroke can happen to anyone, at any age and at any time. The number of strokes among younger adults under 55 is rising worldwide, and every day in the UK around 240 people experience the traumatic and life-changing effects of a stroke.
A stroke is sometimes described by doctors and stroke … View moreStroke can happen to anyone, at any age and at any time. The number of strokes among younger adults under 55 is rising worldwide, and every day in the UK around 240 people experience the traumatic and life-changing effects of a stroke.
A stroke is sometimes described by doctors and stroke awareness campaigns as a “brain attack” to help people understand that a stroke is as urgent and life-threatening as a heart attack. Both happen when blood flow is suddenly cut off, depriving vital tissue of oxygen and nutrients.
There are two main types of stroke. In an ischaemic stroke, blood flow to the brain is blocked, usually by a clot in a blood vessel. Without oxygen, brain cells begin to die, which can cause loss of movement, speech, memory or even death. In a haemorrhagic stroke, a blood vessel inside the brain bursts. This is often due to high blood pressure, which weakens blood vessel walls and makes them more likely to rupture.
Treating a stroke is a race against time because, as doctors say, “time is brain”: the longer the brain is starved of blood and oxygen, the more brain cells die. Treatments that can dissolve or remove a clot in an ischaemic stroke or lower dangerously high blood pressure in a haemorrhagic stroke must be given quickly to limit brain damage.
Anyone with a suspected stroke should be taken by emergency services directly to a specialist stroke unit. Patients admitted to these dedicated units tend to have better outcomes because they receive expert care from doctors trained specifically to manage stroke.
How to recognise the signs of stroke
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A lack of early recognition of stroke symptoms is linked to higher mortality rates. The acronym “Fast” (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) has been a cornerstone of public stroke awareness for more than 20 years. It was developed as a quick screening tool for use before hospital admission, helping people recognise the signs of a stroke and seek urgent medical help.
Fast highlights the most common warning signs of stroke, but some strokes present differently. To make sure fewer cases are missed, additional symptoms such as dizziness, visual changes and loss of balance have been added, creating the Be Fast acronym.
B = Balance problems. A sudden loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, or a sensation that the room is spinning.
E = Eyes. Sudden blurred vision, loss of vision in one or both eyes, double vision, or difficulty focusing.
F = Face. Facial weakness or unevenness, often with a droop on one side of the mouth or eye.
A = Arm or leg weakness or numbness, often affecting one side of the body.
S = Speech difficulty, slurred speech, trouble finding words, or an inability to speak clearly.
T = Time to call an ambulance. Make a note of when symptoms began, as this helps doctors decide which treatment is most effective.
Other warning signs
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Stroke symptoms often develop suddenly and can vary from person to person. Some people, particularly women, may experience stroke symptoms that are not included in the Be Fast acronym. Women are less likely to be recognised as having a stroke because their symptoms can differ from men’s. These may include sudden fatigue, confusion, nausea, fainting, or general weakness rather than clear paralysis or slurred speech.
Other possible signs for any person include a severe headache with no clear cause, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, agitation, or sudden memory loss. In some cases, a person may collapse, lose consciousness, or have a seizure.
Sometimes stroke symptoms last only a few minutes or hours before disappearing completely within 24 hours. This may indicate a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA), sometimes called a “mini stroke.” A TIA happens when the blood supply to the brain is briefly interrupted, causing temporary symptoms. The difference between a TIA and a full stroke is that the blockage clears on its own before permanent brain damage occurs. However, a TIA is still a medical emergency and a serious warning sign that a major stroke could soon follow.
Advances in technology
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Telemedicine has become an important tool in making rapid diagnosis and early treatment possible. By using secure video links, paramedics can consult with hospital stroke specialists in real time, even while still at the scene or en route to hospital. This allows early diagnosis, faster decision making and immediate preparation for treatment once the patient arrives.
For example, some ambulances now operate as mobile stroke units equipped with brain imaging scanners and clot-busting medicines. In London, video calls between senior doctors and paramedics at emergency scenes have helped speed up care and direct patients to the most appropriate treatment centre.
While telemedicine connects specialists to paramedics on the move, other tools are bringing medical help directly to patients within moments of a 999 call. The GoodSAM app was first developed to improve survival after cardiac arrest by alerting nearby trained responders to begin CPR before an ambulance arrives. The platform has since expanded to support other life-threatening emergencies, including stroke.
When someone calls for help, the system identifies clinically trained staff or volunteers in the area and dispatches them to the scene while paramedics are on their way. These responders can provide rapid assessment, basic first aid and reassurance to the patient and family, and can help ensure that key information such as the time symptoms began is ready for the arriving medical team. By combining digital technology, trained volunteers and rapid communication, the app is helping bridge the critical gap between the onset of symptoms and hospital treatment: the period where, quite literally, every minute matters.
A stroke can strike suddenly and without warning, but quick recognition and immediate medical attention can mean the difference between life and death. Learning the Be Fast signs and acting immediately could save a life, protect the brain and preserve a person’s ability to speak, move and think.
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Kiwis love tourism ... it brings in cash and connection. But with more visitors comes more pressure on our beautiful places, housing, and local infrastructure.
So what’s the fix? Should we bring in a tourism tax or focus on spreading visitors beyond the hotspots to ease the load? 👇
… View moreKiwis love tourism ... it brings in cash and connection. But with more visitors comes more pressure on our beautiful places, housing, and local infrastructure.
So what’s the fix? Should we bring in a tourism tax or focus on spreading visitors beyond the hotspots to ease the load? 👇
Interested in what kiwis have to say? Andrea Vance shares some opinions in the Post.
Biosecurity New Zealand is urging Aucklanders to be on the lookout for yellow-legged hornets (Vespa velutina) following the discovery of a queen hornet in the early stages of building a nest in the suburb of Glenfield.
The yellow-legged hornet is a biosecurity concern due to its potential impact… View moreBiosecurity New Zealand is urging Aucklanders to be on the lookout for yellow-legged hornets (Vespa velutina) following the discovery of a queen hornet in the early stages of building a nest in the suburb of Glenfield.
The yellow-legged hornet is a biosecurity concern due to its potential impact on honeybee and wild bee populations.
Members of the public are asked to report any sightings of suspected hornets or hornet nests online at report.mpi.govt.nz or by calling Biosecurity New Zealand’s exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 809 966.
🍓 The Children’s Garden is back and this year it’s better than ever. There’ll be new games to try and plenty of old favourites to enjoy, including face painting, toys, a bouncy castle and treats like homemade lemonade and candy floss. Bring the family along to the Strawberry Fair at St … View more🍓 The Children’s Garden is back and this year it’s better than ever. There’ll be new games to try and plenty of old favourites to enjoy, including face painting, toys, a bouncy castle and treats like homemade lemonade and candy floss. Bring the family along to the Strawberry Fair at St Andrew’s Church, Epsom, and join in the fun!
👉 Opens 9am Saturday 8 November
📍 St Andrew’s Church, 100 St Andrews Road, Epsom
💳 EFTPOS available
Teachers, nurses and thousands of other workers are all expected to strike today, which police warn may lead to significant traffic disruptions.
All workers involved are still walking off the job despite a number of planned events being cancelled at the last minute in regions such as Canterbury, … View moreTeachers, nurses and thousands of other workers are all expected to strike today, which police warn may lead to significant traffic disruptions.
All workers involved are still walking off the job despite a number of planned events being cancelled at the last minute in regions such as Canterbury, Wellington and the Wairarapa.
Wellington, Wairarapa south of Carterton, the Canterbury High Country, Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains are all under a strong red wind warning.
The Post Primary Teachers’ Association said the strike cannot be cancelled because formal notices have already been sent to employers, RNZ reported.
Who is striking?
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More than 36,000 nurses are scheduled to strike from 11am to 3pm and about 40,000 to 50,000 teachers are also set to take similar action.
An estimated 11,500 other healthcare workers, including senior doctors, dentists, social workers and others, will join them.
Senior doctors were striking only in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, RNZ reported.
A Talbot Mills poll out yesterday showed more than six out of 10 New Zealanders backed the action.
Traffic disruptions
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In one of the larger rallies, thousands of workers are expected to march down Queen St, Auckland.
Police said they were aware of the strike action planned in central Auckland, which is expected to cause significant disruption on the roads.
The rally is due to start about midday at Aotea Square and will include a march down Queen St to Te Komititanga Square, where the event will conclude.
Police said motorists are advised to expect delays and to avoid Queen St and the surrounding areas if possible.
Public transport users should check Auckland Transport’s website for information on changes to services.
Mental health social worker Andy Colwell said he is striking because the Government needs to properly fund the public health system.
“The public of New Zealand needs to hear what is happening under this Government; people need to hear about the understaffing, under-resourcing and the impact this is having on services across the sector.
“Strike action is a legitimate form of action to take in order to fight for better pay and conditions of work,” Colwell said.
Public Service Minister Judith Collins said the strike is unfair, unproductive, unnecessary and should be called off.
“The strike will not help anyone.
“It is a stunt targeting the Government, but the people paying the price are the thousands of patients who have had appointments and surgeries cancelled, and the hundreds of thousands of kids who will miss another day at school,” Collins said.
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We’re celebrating National Gardening Week with a blooming great giveaway! Two lucky winners will each receive a Yates hamper valued at $225, packed with everything you need to help your garden flourish.
To enter, simply tell us what you’re planting this spring and share your best gardening … View moreWe’re celebrating National Gardening Week with a blooming great giveaway! Two lucky winners will each receive a Yates hamper valued at $225, packed with everything you need to help your garden flourish.
To enter, simply tell us what you’re planting this spring and share your best gardening tip.
Winners announced Wednesday, October 29 - good luck and happy gardening! ?
T&Cs apply.
Police are aware of strike action planned in central Auckland tomorrow, which is expected to cause significant disruption on the roads.
The rally is due to start about midday at Aotea Square, and will include a march down Queen Street to Te Komititanga Square, where the event will conclude.
… View morePolice are aware of strike action planned in central Auckland tomorrow, which is expected to cause significant disruption on the roads.
The rally is due to start about midday at Aotea Square, and will include a march down Queen Street to Te Komititanga Square, where the event will conclude.
Motorists are advised to expect delays and avoid Queen Street and the surrounding areas if possible.
Plan ahead and allow extra time.
==========================
Public transport users should check Auckland Transport’s website for information on changes to services.
Police are working closely with event organisers to ensure the safety of all participants and the wider public.
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We get it — budgets are tight. But when it comes to plumbing, gas fitting, or drainage, cutting corners on cost can cost you more in the long run.
💧 Ever had a “quick fix” that turned into a big repair job?
🔥 Got a quote that seemed too good to be true (and was)?
🔧 Tired of … View moreWe get it — budgets are tight. But when it comes to plumbing, gas fitting, or drainage, cutting corners on cost can cost you more in the long run.
💧 Ever had a “quick fix” that turned into a big repair job?
🔥 Got a quote that seemed too good to be true (and was)?
🔧 Tired of plumbers who disappear when things go wrong?
At Topline Trade Services we believe in the sweet spot — fair pricing, reliable service, and long-term solutions you can trust.
✅ Experienced expert advice
✅ Licensed & insured work
✅ 38+ years of solid local reputation in Auckland
📍 Based in Central Auckland
📞 Let’s have a chat — no pressure, just practical advice.
www.toplinetradeservices.co.nz...
#PlumbingAuckland #GasFitting #DrainageExperts #YouGetWhatYouPayFor #AucklandTradies #PlumbingDoneRight
We’re excited to welcome Wei from Compost Collective back for the final workshop in this free series: Free Introduction to Composting Workshop – Epsom
• Tuesday 11 November
• 11.30am-1.30pm
• Epsom Community Centre, 202 Gillies Ave
Learn about three easy composting systems for … View moreWe’re excited to welcome Wei from Compost Collective back for the final workshop in this free series: Free Introduction to Composting Workshop – Epsom
• Tuesday 11 November
• 11.30am-1.30pm
• Epsom Community Centre, 202 Gillies Ave
Learn about three easy composting systems for home and garden -traditional bins, worm farms, and Bokashi buckets. Afterwards, enjoy a visit to our community garden and share some food together. Please bring a plate to share.
Free workshop – bookings essential.
Register here: compostcollective.org.nz...
It now costs up to $8.49 to buy a block of Whittaker’s chocolate after the company upped its prices.
New World stores across Auckland were selling regular 250g blocks for $8.49 on Monday. Just last Friday, they were $7.69, 80c cheaper.
The cheapest Auckland price the Herald could find was $6.39… View moreIt now costs up to $8.49 to buy a block of Whittaker’s chocolate after the company upped its prices.
New World stores across Auckland were selling regular 250g blocks for $8.49 on Monday. Just last Friday, they were $7.69, 80c cheaper.
The cheapest Auckland price the Herald could find was $6.39 at Pak’nSave in Botany.
Blocks at Sylvia Park and Ormiston were $6.49, while other Pakn’Save supermarkets were selling them for $7.09.
Woolworths stores were selling the blocks for $7.69 on Monday.
Prices of other Whittaker’s products have also increased.
Last week, New World was selling 100g blocks for $5.99. Today, they cost $6.99.
The 45g bars, including “Peanut Slabs”, last week cost $2.09. Now they are $2.69.
Hike driven by a jump in ingredient and operating costs
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The company announced prices would be increased across its range of products last Friday.
“At Whittaker’s, we’re proud to craft all of our chocolate right here in New Zealand, using the finest ingredients,” the company said on its social media.
“For us, increasing our prices is always a last resort, however, over the past year, the cost of ingredients and operating costs have continued to rise.
“We’ll never compromise on the size or quality of our products so this price increase will enable us to continue bringing you our delicious chocolate made with the very best, ethically sourced ingredients.”
The announcement comes after Statistics NZ yesterday revealed food prices had increased 4.1% in the 12 months to September.
The average price of milk was 15.1% higher than a year ago. Stats NZ said the 3.9% increase in prices in the grocery food category had driven the overall food price.
Butter prices were 28.9% higher than a year ago and cheese prices rose 31.4%.
The social media response to Whittaker’s announcement appeared to be understanding of the cost pressures and appreciative of the company’s commitment to quality and block size.
“I’ll give credit where credit’s due. You are always up front when increasing prices and very clear in not compromising on quality, unlike competitors who slowly reduce their sizing and quality and hope the customer won’t notice. Will always buy Whittaker’s,” one social media user said.
“Consistent quality and transparency means I will always buy your chocolate,” another said.
“Love your chocolate, love that it never shrinks, and the recipe never changes. Happy to support local. We’re loyal to Whittaker’s,” another social media user said.
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