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Some vandal has knocked the little library cabinet off its mountings and it is slowly deteriorating. This is a much used and loved (by me anyway) resource but I do not have the basic carpentary skills to repair it. It was funded by he Albert-Eden Community Board and constructed by "The … View moreSome vandal has knocked the little library cabinet off its mountings and it is slowly deteriorating. This is a much used and loved (by me anyway) resource but I do not have the basic carpentary skills to repair it. It was funded by he Albert-Eden Community Board and constructed by "The Shed" . Is there someone I could contact to get it repaired before it is smashed completely.
Celebrate Music and Media Week with Red Cross Shop Onehunga 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻😍🥰
Unleash your inner rock star at your favourite Red Cross Shop!!!🥰😍💃🏻🕺🏽🎩
Our working hours:
Monday - Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday - 10am - 5pm… View moreCelebrate Music and Media Week with Red Cross Shop Onehunga 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻😍🥰
Unleash your inner rock star at your favourite Red Cross Shop!!!🥰😍💃🏻🕺🏽🎩
Our working hours:
Monday - Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday - 10am - 5pm
Location:
200 Onehunga Mall Road,
Onehunga
How to quieten the busy mind with ancient techniques taught from meditation master Sri Chinmoy.
This 2-part course will cover all the tips and techniques you will need to explore your limitless potential for a life of inner happiness.
When: Monday June 23rd, 5pm to 6:15pm (class 1)
Thursday … View moreHow to quieten the busy mind with ancient techniques taught from meditation master Sri Chinmoy.
This 2-part course will cover all the tips and techniques you will need to explore your limitless potential for a life of inner happiness.
When: Monday June 23rd, 5pm to 6:15pm (class 1)
Thursday June 26th, 5pm to 6:15pm (class 2)
Venue: Ponsonby Community Centre,
The Meeting Room, 20 Ponsonby Terrace
Auckland Central.
Registration: Registration is required to accommodate numbers attending. Please register your name plus number attending to Danny 021 831 382
You are welcome to join us on Sunday 22nd June at 3pm for the next in our series of Sundays at Three concerts. Entry is by koha and the concert is followed by afternoon tea.
In her 11 years as a real estate agent, Fiona Li has sold over $450 million worth of property and been in the top 1% of Harcourts agents internationally. She now has her own business, Harcourts Property Ventures in Epsom, Auckland, and life today is a far cry from when she was a single mum juggling… View moreIn her 11 years as a real estate agent, Fiona Li has sold over $450 million worth of property and been in the top 1% of Harcourts agents internationally. She now has her own business, Harcourts Property Ventures in Epsom, Auckland, and life today is a far cry from when she was a single mum juggling four jobs.
Q: What did you do before real estate?
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I had several jobs but mostly I was a waiter. I came to New Zealand from China when I was 20 and I found the language very hard. I dreamed of getting a job cleaning a shopping mall. I thought, if I can be a cleaner, I will be very happy. I did end up working for my sister, who had a cleaning business, but I also worked in restaurants.
I’d got married and had a son, but my marriage ended after three years and I was a single mum doing four part-time jobs, including at the Jade Dragon restaurant in Sky City and Hees Garden Restaurant in Mt Eden. I was also studying English for a couple of hours a week and looking after my son Ronan.
The owner at Hees said to me, “Have you thought about doing real estate?” I had found I had a talent for dealing with people. I loved talking with them, and I think that’s why she thought I would be good at real estate. I didn’t know anything about it but I thought I would try it.
Q: What was it like starting out in real estate?
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So hard. I got fliers and I walked to deliver them. I knew you had to present yourself well in real estate and you couldn’t wear flat shoes, so I delivered 1000 fliers a day wearing high heels.
Harcourts Property Ventures owner Fiona Li:
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Li says she has worked to achieve her success, investing a lot of time in upskilling. Photo / Fiona Goodall
I also did door-knocking. I remember asking someone in Mt Roskill if they were interested in selling their house and they said, “I’m not the owner, the owner is in Wellington.” When I talked to my manager, he laughed and said, “It’s a state house, the owner is Housing New Zealand.” I didn’t know. I had a lot to learn.
Q: How did you get your first listing?
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I went to the bank to deposit some cash and got talking to the banker. I said, “I’m a real estate agent, do you know anyone looking to sell their house?” They said, “My mum has a place to sell,” and that’s how I got my first listing. If you don’t ask, you don’t get! I sold it really fast, in just one and a half weeks, and things took off from there.
Q: Why do you think you’ve done so well?
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I think because I have always invested time in training and upskilling. You have to know about the property market, and you also have to focus on being the best marketer and negotiator. I worked hard to learn how to do that.
I have a lot of motivation and energy, and that is because I love what I do. I say to people, if you want to be a success in your industry, it is not enough to like it, you have to love it. I love talking to people, I love helping them out.
You have to work hard, you have to be consistent, and you have to stick at it. It takes time to become very good. My dad said to me, “In five years you come to know the job, in 10 years you become the King or Queen of the job.” He was right.
Q: Was it daunting, opening your own business?
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Yes. I opened it in January with a business partner, after thinking about it for a few years. I did it because I wanted to give my clients more value. Because I own the business, I can be more flexible. I don’t have to get permission from the business owner or manager because I am the business owner. I can make decisions fast, and I think that has been beneficial for my clients.
Some business owners don’t sell property themselves but I do because that is what I am good at. I pay someone to manage the office so I can focus on selling and also helping out the other agents in the office.
That’s the other reason I wanted my own business: to be able to help people coming into the industry. I like to be able to lead by example and pass on my skills. I love seeing them grow and learn fast. I’ve had people starting on five figures, and quickly they go to six. It is very satisfying seeing their success.
Q: What makes a good real estate agent?
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Someone who is professional, who understands the market and selling so they can give their clients good advice and help them to get the best result. You also need to be honest so people can trust you. A lot of sellers have not sold a property before, so they are relying on you. It’s their biggest asset and a big responsibility for the agent.
Q: What do you love about the job?
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The people I get to meet, and helping them to move on with their lives. Everyone has a story about why they are selling, and you become part of that. I see all areas of life, I see divorce, I see retirement, I see diseases, and death. Last year, I had four clients who were selling because of health – three were elderly, but one was quite young, and you see that life is short and you have to enjoy it while you can.
Harcourts Property Ventures owner Fiona Li:
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Li unwinds by walking her friend's dog. "I would love to have my own dog, but it wouldn’t be fair because I wouldn’t have the time to spend with one." Photo / Fiona Goodall
You have to be able to deal with some emotional things, and you have to be able to keep your clients positive and say, “It’s okay, I’m here, we’ll do this.” It makes me very happy when I am able to help them, and I see how happy they are.
I’m not just a real estate agent; sometimes I am a counsellor, I am a builder, I am a consultant. I am a problem solver, and I enjoy that.
Q: Do you have any particularly memorable sales?
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There are a lot of memories, especially when a sale changes people’s lives. I did one for an elderly couple in their 90s who were going to a rest home. It wasn’t a big sale, but I remember it because I liked them so much. It took a while to sell, but when it did, they were very happy to be able to go into the home. A week later, the wife died. It made me realise that you should do things sooner, do not put it off.
I have learned a lot from working in real estate. Even if I look back to when I first started out, I kept thinking I needed to be better at English before I tried to do new things. Actually, that was wrong. I just needed to be brave and go and do it and learn as I went along.
Q: What do you do when you’re not working?
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I don’t have a lot of spare time, I work seven days a week. I do try to take some time off in the mornings – I am not an early person – and I like to walk the dog. It is not my dog, it is my friend’s dog. We walk together sometimes but if she doesn’t feel like it I walk him. I would love to have my own dog but it wouldn’t be fair because I wouldn’t have the time to spend with one. This way it is a good deal, I get to walk the dog but don’t have to look after him.
I do a bit of reading and golfing – I go to the driving range. And I enjoy having a sauna and cold spa. When you have had a big day at work, it helps you to release all of your stress and to have a good sleep at night.
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📅 Upcoming Event: International Yoga Day 2025
Get ready to celebrate International Yoga Day on June 21, 2025 with us!
An immersive day of yoga, meditation, and community connection awaits. All are welcome!
Yoga Day 1 – Friday, 20 June
Celebrate International Yoga Day, a global tribute… View more📅 Upcoming Event: International Yoga Day 2025
Get ready to celebrate International Yoga Day on June 21, 2025 with us!
An immersive day of yoga, meditation, and community connection awaits. All are welcome!
Yoga Day 1 – Friday, 20 June
Celebrate International Yoga Day, a global tribute to the ancient practice uniting body, mind, and soul. A journey inward inspires wellness, balance, and harmony across the world, fostering connection. Let’s honor yoga’s transformative power through renewal and inspiration together.
Time Program
2:00 – 2:30 Registration and Welcome of Guests and Chief Guest
2:30 – 3:00 Chief Guest lights the lamp. Message from Chief Guest
3:00 – 3:30 Talk on Yoga and International Yoga Day
3:30 – 3:50 Introduction to: .”Prabhavati Devi - Soham Ashram,” “Yoga CliniK” “Facilitators” AND Program Overview
3:50 – 4:30 Transformation Session [Korero Awhi by Yogi Nitinananda]
“Why I am here? What is my purpose? “What is meaning of my life?”
4:30 – 5.00 Introduction to Dark Room Facility. Participants can Experience Dark Room Facility. [Half an hour each one after one] Book you time slot in advance to avoid miss-out & disappointment.
5 PM onwards: Tea - Coffee & Socialization
Yoga Day 2 – Saturday, 21 June
Begin your morning with sacred sound and stillness, focusing on inner cleansing and energy awakening. Engage in practices like mantra healing, pranayama, and mindfulness designed to energize your body. Awaken your spirit through a revitalized and balanced day ahead.
Time Program
6:30 – 7:00 Registration
7:00 – 9:00 Mantra Healing: Live Mantras for cleansing and activating chakras
9:00 – 10:30 Micro Yoga & Introduction to Pranayama – The Breathing Exercises
10:30 – 10:45 Short Break
10:45 – 1:30 Session by Ananda Marg (Path of Bliss): Relaxation, Yoga class, Yoga philosophy, Kirtan and meditation.
1:30 – 2:30 Lunch Break
2:30 – 3:15 Discourse – Questions & Answers
3:20 – 4:30 Yoga Nidra
Yoga Day 3 – Sunday, 22 June
Explore spiritual connection & holistic healing by delving into the cosmic dimensions of yoga. Experience energy practices like Reiki, meditation & transformative techniques that recharge your spirit.
Time Program
07:00 – 09:00 Mantra Healing: Live mantras for cleansing and activating chakras
09:00 – 09:15 Short Break
09:15 – 1:00 Cosmic Energy for Holistic Health and Sustainability:
1. Importance of Yoga: Physical Exercise, Kriya, Mudra, Pranayama, Chant
2. Invocation and Meditation to harness cosmic energy
3. Reiki’s simple modality for union with the cosmic realm and daily life uses.
4. Initiation and Practice
5. Question and Answer Session
1:00 – 2:30 Lunch Break
2:30 – 4:00 Yoga Nidra
Who Can Attend?
This event is open to everyone — whether you are just starting or already on your yoga journey. Discover practices to deepen your relaxation and inner balance.
What to Bring?
• Yoga Mat: Bring your own (Limited mats available – first come, first served)
• Warm Comfortable Clothes
• Blanket and Cushion
• Water Bottle or Flask
Hosted By
Yoga CliniK & Prabhavati Devi – Soham Ashram
RSVP today and invite your friends and family! Limited Seats
Pre-Registration is required. Book it now, Call Ash: 0225629762
Sponsors
Ananda Marg, Pavitra Yog, Arunjeev Law Firm, AucklandMindfulness Insurance Sannyasin Anugraha
Donations (Koha, Seva)
Your kind contributions are appreciated. Help us continue spreading peace, wellness, and spiritual unity.
NOTE:
If you feeling Sick on the days of event, please ensure to call and keep us inform, stay warm at home, get well soon & we will allocate your seat to those on waiting list.
In case you were found sick during event, you will be asked to leave the site & go home for wellbeing of other participants.
Participants attending full event will go into Draw for ‘FREE Dark Room Retreat for 12 Hrs’ (Normal price $ 500/-)
We reserve the right to change the programmer any time depending on no of participants, weather condition, and inability of facilitator to deliver session due to sickness or personal emergency.
Participants will be given a chance to enjoy dark room meditation facility one by one for ½ hour during our IYD 2025 festival celebration. Make your booking with Ash: 022 562 9762
As shared in an interview today, alongside other sick leave changes, Christopher Luxon said he is open to reducing sick leave from ten days to five days a year. This would reverse the change made by the last government which allows workers to have ten days off for sickness each year.
Would you be … View moreAs shared in an interview today, alongside other sick leave changes, Christopher Luxon said he is open to reducing sick leave from ten days to five days a year. This would reverse the change made by the last government which allows workers to have ten days off for sickness each year.
Would you be happy with this change?
Update an old cabinet with on-trend rattan and a retro-cool mint and gold palette using Resene Kandinsky and Resene Tussock. Find out how to refresh your old cabinets with these easy step by step instructions.
At Ryman you'll find a perfect blend of independence and community.
With our new Winter Special, we are offering a fantastic price on selected homes. These prices are available for a limited time only.
Call Liz on 09 636 3883 or click read more for more information.
This weekend, gather with whānau and friends to enjoy a range of exciting events across Tāmaki Makaurau. Here’s what’s on offer:
Te Hui Ahurei o Matariki – Matariki Festival Day
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Bring the whole whānau for a day full of culture and creativity at … View moreThis weekend, gather with whānau and friends to enjoy a range of exciting events across Tāmaki Makaurau. Here’s what’s on offer:
Te Hui Ahurei o Matariki – Matariki Festival Day
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Bring the whole whānau for a day full of culture and creativity at Auckland Botanic Gardens this Friday from 10am. Enjoy kapa haka, waiata, carving demonstrations, raranga activations, poi making and much more. A wide range of exciting and fun activities and experiences for everyone.
Matariki ki te Maunga
=================
Welcome Matariki rising in the sky with karakia on Pukekohe Hill from 6am this Friday. After the ceremony, head to Ngaa Hau e Whā Marae for a warm breakfast and entertainment. A beautiful way to start the day in reflection and connection.
Wheke Fortress
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Step into the Wheke Fortress this Pipiri and gather under the stars for an evening of music, mātauranga, kai, and celebration with community and whānau.
Matariki Evening Lights
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Soak up the festive atmosphere with music, fire pits, delicious kai, and good company at Silo Park’s Matariki Evening Lights this Saturday. A perfect winter’s evening by the waterfront.
For more Matariki Festival events, visit Matariki Festival Website.
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Get ready for an unforgettable experience at THE AUCKLAND ART SHOW!
This exciting event opens at:
The Viaduct Events Centre
Friday 27th June.
Weekend pass is Saturday 28th, 10 am – 8 pm and Sunday 29th 10am – 5 pm.
16 years and under go free Saturday and Sunday.
Explore a stunning … View moreGet ready for an unforgettable experience at THE AUCKLAND ART SHOW!
This exciting event opens at:
The Viaduct Events Centre
Friday 27th June.
Weekend pass is Saturday 28th, 10 am – 8 pm and Sunday 29th 10am – 5 pm.
16 years and under go free Saturday and Sunday.
Explore a stunning array of artwork from a stellar line up of artists! Enjoy live art demonstrations and meet the artists! All art is for sale. You can take home a unique work of art just for you!
Why it pays to compare plans
Did you know over 90% of New Zealanders who compare power plans find savings—often around $400 a year? Comparing power plans is quick and easy with a free online tool—it takes just five minutes and won’t disrupt your supply. A simple switch could lead to real … View moreWhy it pays to compare plans
Did you know over 90% of New Zealanders who compare power plans find savings—often around $400 a year? Comparing power plans is quick and easy with a free online tool—it takes just five minutes and won’t disrupt your supply. A simple switch could lead to real savings. Click here to compare
To save more, match your power plan to your lifestyle. If you're home during the day, a 'time of use' plan could cut costs by using power during off-peak hours. Tailoring your plan to your routine helps keep more money in your pocket.
Head to the Electricity Authority’s website, where they offer free tools to help you compare and switch plans with ease. With so many New Zealanders already saving up to $400 a year, there’s no reason to wait. Smart power choices start here, and the benefits can last all year long.
Take charge of your electricity costs and see how much you could save today. You might just wonder why you didn’t switch sooner.
Dear neighbours, after reading about our search for New Zealand's most impressive and artistic wood piles in the May 2025 issue, Auckland's Anne Stephens Whitcombe sent us this photo that she had snapped while on holiday in Norway. Have you put together a wood pile that's just as … View moreDear neighbours, after reading about our search for New Zealand's most impressive and artistic wood piles in the May 2025 issue, Auckland's Anne Stephens Whitcombe sent us this photo that she had snapped while on holiday in Norway. Have you put together a wood pile that's just as impressive, or even more so? Send us a photo! Email: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. You could be in to win a Fiskars X36 splitting axe L blade and a Fiskars X14 universal axe. We're looking for wood piles of impressive size or of particular space efficiency or even an artistic vision!
You probably know how to clean a toilet. It’s a chore most of us have done countless times. But knowing how to do something and knowing how to do something the right way are two different things.
“When you clean a toilet, not only do you clean the inside of the toilet where all the, you know, … View moreYou probably know how to clean a toilet. It’s a chore most of us have done countless times. But knowing how to do something and knowing how to do something the right way are two different things.
“When you clean a toilet, not only do you clean the inside of the toilet where all the, you know, action happens,” says Bill Strang, the president of corporate strategy, e-commerce and customer experience at Toto USA, “you also want to make sure that you wipe down the sides and the rim of the bowl, and even the top of the tank lid.”
Here, Strang breaks down everything you need to know to get the job done.
How often to clean a toilet
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Cleaning a toilet regularly is essential, but the definition of “cleaning regularly” will vary, based on what Strang calls “your use pattern”.
The primary toilet or toilets in your home – the ones that are used every day or several times a week – should be cleaned once a week. Less frequently used toilets, such as those in guest bathrooms, should be cleaned once a month. Staying on top of infrequently used commodes prevents mineral deposits and waterborne bacteria from building up, and it helps keep dust buildup at bay. And, of course, you should always clean toilets after someone in the household has been sick.
Choosing the right cleaner
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There are a lot of toilet cleaning agents on the market, including gels, foams and drop-in tablets that promise to do all the work for you. We asked Lou Manfredini, a home expert at Ace Hardware, to break down the options and explain which ones are best for your needs, as well as what to avoid.
Liquid cleaners are the most common type of toilet cleaner and the most versatile – most can also be used on other bathroom surfaces and fixtures. Liquid cleaning agents come in a variety of formulas, including heavy-duty bleach-based cleaners and those formulated with gentler, plant-based ingredients.
Gel cleaners are ideal if you have hard water because their viscosity allows them to cling to the sides and under the rim of the bowl, providing more contact time to break down tough stains from mineral deposits.
Foam cleaners expand and cling to the exterior and bowl and, like gel formulas, they provide more contact time, making them well-suited for eliminating stubborn buildup, stains and bacteria. Many foaming bathroom cleaners also can be used on sinks, showers and bathtubs.
Drop-in cleaners, generally available in tablet or gel form, are placed in the tank or bowl, then released with each flush. “For those that may not need the bowl to be perfect, the drop-ins offer reliable cleaning – just keep a toilet brush handy to use once in a while,” Manfredini says. It’s worth noting that they clean only the bowl, so you will still need to clean the exterior parts of the toilet, including the seat and flusher.
Powder cleaners are applied directly to the bowl, then scrubbed with a toilet brush. They offer less coverage and clinging power than liquid, foam or gel cleaners but are typically more shelf-stable because they don’t contain water.
Heavy-duty cleaners, such as chlorine bleach or calcium, lime and rust remover, are useful after someone in the household has been sick with a highly contagious illness (think norovirus) or to eliminate stubborn mineral deposit stains. But these are not intended for everyday use. “Ultimately, the flushed water ends up in a water treatment plant and then circles back,” Manfredini says. “The fewer harsh chemicals we all use, the better.”
You also will need the following tools:
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– Household gloves to protect your hands from bacteria, germs and chemical cleaning agents.
– Microfibre cloths for cleaning the exterior of the toilet, including the top of the tank, flusher, seat, base and the area around the toilet.
– A bowl brush.
- Paper towels (optional) for wicking away residue after cleaning.
How to clean a toilet
=================
Strang provided step-by-step instructions for cleaning a toilet from top to bottom. And don’t forget the area around the base of the toilet, he says, where a lot of nasty buildup lurks.
Step 1: Dry dust the exterior
Use a dry microfibre cloth to wipe the entire exterior of the toilet, starting with the top of the tank and working down, finishing with the base and the floor around the toilet, to pick up dust, hair and other debris before introducing liquid cleaners. Pay special attention to the top of the tank and behind the seat, Strang says, two areas where dust and hair often lurk.
Step 2: Apply cleaner to the bowl
Doing this early in the process gives the product agent time to penetrate and break down the buildup inside the bowl while you clean the exterior.
Step 3: Clean the tank and flusher
Apply toilet cleaner to a microfibre cloth, or use a premoistened cleaning wipe (“Don’t flush wipes,” Strang says), and wipe the top and sides of the tank, including the flusher. Pay particular attention to buildup in joints or crevices.
Step 4: Clean the seat and ring
Close the toilet lid and use the same microfiber cloth to wipe the top side, then open it and clean the other side. Next, clean the top and underside of the seat, including the ring where the seat rests. Finally, Strang says, wipe the area around the bolts that secure the seat to the toilet.
Step 5: Clean the base or skirt, floor and walls
Continue to work downward, wiping the toilet base or skirt. Then wipe the walls and floor around the toilet to remove drips and splatters, which will make the area look cleaner and eliminate odour-causing bacteria. This step may seem unnecessary, but don’t skip it. “When you’re cleaning the toilet, that is not just the toilet you’re cleaning,” Strang says, “but also the area around the toilet.”
Step 6: Clean the bowl
Use a toilet brush to scrub the bowl. If the toilet is a box-rim style, pay particular attention to scrubbing the lip of the bowl, where a lot of bacteria and buildup tends to form. (Box-rim toilets flush water into the bowl from holes underneath the rim, whereas a rimless design flushes water around the entire bowl.)
Step 7: Dry the exterior (optional)
Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth or paper towels to dry the exterior of the toilet to remove any dust, lint or hair and to eliminate streaks and droplets left by liquid cleaning agents. It’s okay to skip this step, but doing it can give your clean toilet some added sparkle.
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