889 days ago

Mānawatia a Matariki ... Happy Māori New Year!

Saint Johns Butchery

New Zealand officially celebrates Matariki today, a time for remembrance, celebrating the present and looking to the future. This year's theme is Matariki Kāinga Hokia, or Matariki calls you home. People are encouraged to return to their whānau and loved ones, wherever and whoever that might be. To journey home to celebrate, feast and be with whānau and friends.

Circumstances have not been ideal to view the rising of the Matariki star cluster, with the wet weather we're constantly having! There is a chance of clear weather first thing on Saturday and Sunday mornings though, so you might be able to see Matariki, which rises around 5.30am. Te Papa Museum has a great video showing you how to find the Matariki star cluster. You can check it out at youtu.be...

The Saint Johns Butchery store will be CLOSED today (Friday), so our team can return to their whānau and loved ones for the day. We'll be open for business as usual on Saturday and Sunday. Our opening hours this long weekend:
Friday ... CLOSED
Saturday ... 8.00am - 6.00pm
Sunday ... 8.30am - 5.00pm

Mānawatia a Matariki ... Happy Māori New Year!

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More messages from your neighbours
2 days ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.

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3 days ago

Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”

We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?

Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.

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Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
  • 41.5% Yes
    41.5% Complete
  • 33.6% Maybe?
    33.6% Complete
  • 24.9% No
    24.9% Complete
586 votes
24 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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