Totara Park – Alfriston, Auckland

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Do you have any festive tips your community needs to know about? Post them here!

2345 days ago

Ihumātao eviction live: Dogs pepper sprayed

Melanie Earley Reporter from Manukau Courier

Hi neighbours, a second day of protesting is underway at the long-disputed Ihumātao site in Māngere, keep up to date with what's happening with our live blog. What do you think of the situation?

Please add NP if you do not wish for your comment to be in print.

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2346 days ago

Three mayoral candidates one big topic - what next?

Todd Niall Reporter from Manukau Courier

Hi Neighbours, Most of us know the frustrations of getting around Auckland - transport is one of the cities big challenges. So when three mayoral candidates face a transport forum you would think some big ideas would be floated. What do you think needs to be done. Read the story below.

(Please … View more
Hi Neighbours, Most of us know the frustrations of getting around Auckland - transport is one of the cities big challenges. So when three mayoral candidates face a transport forum you would think some big ideas would be floated. What do you think needs to be done. Read the story below.

(Please type NFP if your comments are not for print)

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2346 days ago

Rangitoto Meringue Puff - Foodography

New Zealand School of Food & Wine

Welcome to the Rangitoto Meringue Puff in the making...key component for the #foodography dinner where you get to shape and style an evolving Auckland dessert.

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2346 days ago

Hitting The Sweet Spot

Nisaar Goga from First Class Accounts Botany

You might think you have the perfect product to tempt your customers but are you certain your perceptions align with theirs?

Failure to find your customer’s sweet spot may simply render your product out of date and out of touch.



A rare box of 120 year-old chocolates from the Boer War was for … View more
You might think you have the perfect product to tempt your customers but are you certain your perceptions align with theirs?

Failure to find your customer’s sweet spot may simply render your product out of date and out of touch.



A rare box of 120 year-old chocolates from the Boer War was for sale recently on Trade Me and attracted quite a lot of attention. But the asking price and viewers’ comments provide food for thought about the importance of making sure your value perceptions match those of your customers.



The tin gift box dating from 1900 with New Year’s greetings from Queen Victoria holds a certain value for collectors of Boer War memorabilia. But the fact that it still contains the six original uneaten chocolate bars adds enormously to the interest this item is generating.



Initially, the vendor was very confident in the value of this auction and asked upwards of $2,000.



But the auction has had no bites, and as one person said, "$2000 is a hell of a lot". Such comments about the exorbitant price tag have forced the vendor to lower their expectations to around $800.



Part of the problem here was that rancid fat and sugar bloom makes the chocolate inedible. And who wants to buy a 120 year-old product that is not fit for purpose?



This raises some really important points about value perceptions. In simple terms, if you want your product to be relevant you need to understand where your customers’ sweet spot is and how you can add value to that.



It’s very easy to have a distorted view of the value your product offers to the market. You know the enormous amount of time, effort and resources that have gone into the research, design, pricing, sales and marketing of your product. And so you’re rightly proud of what you have achieved.



But this same intense involvement can blind you to changing customer tastes, the value your competitors offer and any flaws in your own value perceptions. The harsh reality is that what was considered valuable 1 year or even 6 months ago may no longer be valued.



It may be that customers’ perceptions have changed. It could be that a competitor is offering a lot more value for the same price. A drop in perceived value might be due to the use of non recyclable packaging or increased awareness of a labour issue some other seemingly unrelated aspect.



Such a volatile market requires you to always be on your toes. You need to constantly review, and ask; does my product add value to my consumers’ lives?

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2347 days ago

Kmart's list of 31 recalls

Stacey Reporter from Stuff

Hi neighbours, do you love Kmart?

Hundreds of thousands of inexpensive items that pass through the retail giant's checkouts every year, so it's only to be expected there will be recalls – Kmart even has a recalls page on its website, and there are 31 products on the list.

The … View more
Hi neighbours, do you love Kmart?

Hundreds of thousands of inexpensive items that pass through the retail giant's checkouts every year, so it's only to be expected there will be recalls – Kmart even has a recalls page on its website, and there are 31 products on the list.

The $55 timber Occasional Chair is the latest casualty, although this is a withdrawal rather than a recall. We don't know the reason for its withdrawal, except Kmart says it is for "a potential quality issue". But what other products have been found wanting?

To find out what else is on the recall list, click here

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2347 days ago

Change your life – study massage therapy!

NZ College of Massage

Massage therapy is a rapidly growing industry, offering you the freedom to be your own boss while you improve the health and wellness of others.

If you’re looking for flexibility, ditch the dull 9-5 and study Massage Therapy with the New Zealand College of Massage.

We can provide you with … View more
Massage therapy is a rapidly growing industry, offering you the freedom to be your own boss while you improve the health and wellness of others.

If you’re looking for flexibility, ditch the dull 9-5 and study Massage Therapy with the New Zealand College of Massage.

We can provide you with the most in-depth massage therapy training in New Zealand, from a Level 4 Certificate through to a Level 7 Degree.

The 2018 New Zealand census showed that 70% of massage therapists are self-employed and 60% work part-time, so this really is a flexible career!

It’s not too late to change your life in 2019!
Call us now on 0800 692 666, or click below to ENROL into our JULY INTAKE.
Enrol now

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