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Approaching later primary school years can be a time of mixed emotions for students and their parents. Independence is emerging in the form of homework and study time, interest in specific subject areas might be developing, and ideas about the world and how to make a positive impact are surfacing.
… View moreApproaching later primary school years can be a time of mixed emotions for students and their parents. Independence is emerging in the form of homework and study time, interest in specific subject areas might be developing, and ideas about the world and how to make a positive impact are surfacing.
By working together with your child to build these 5 actions, habits can be formed now in time to start high school in the coming years, with confidence.
We know it's our first long weekend since June and many of us are itching to hit the roads, but there's no need to rush. Make sure to slow down, buckle up and have a plan so that you can arrive safely to wherever you're going. 💖
If you're getting behind the wheel:
🌧 … View moreWe know it's our first long weekend since June and many of us are itching to hit the roads, but there's no need to rush. Make sure to slow down, buckle up and have a plan so that you can arrive safely to wherever you're going. 💖
If you're getting behind the wheel:
🌧 Drive to conditions
↔️ Keep a safe following distance
😇 Be patient with other drivers
☕️ Take regular breaks to stay alert
⌚️ Allow plenty of time
👉 Use that indicator!
For the latest traffic updates:
In this week’s issue we say growing organic tomatoes is easier than you think. We list more crops to plant on Labour Weekend and give tips for bigger and better tulips next year. Learn the right way to harvest herbs and enlist predatory insects to eat up aphid pests.
Build a foldable climbing … View moreIn this week’s issue we say growing organic tomatoes is easier than you think. We list more crops to plant on Labour Weekend and give tips for bigger and better tulips next year. Learn the right way to harvest herbs and enlist predatory insects to eat up aphid pests.
Build a foldable climbing frame for upwardly mobile crops plus go in the draw for vouchers from Awapuni Nurseries and a vege grower’s hamper from Yates.
Delivered every Friday to your email inbox, Get Growing digital magazine offers seasonal gardening advice from the NZ Gardener magazine's team of experts. Each week we answer all your burning questions on raising fruit and veges and tell you the top tasks to do in your backyard this weekend. Subscribe here:
Auckland bakers are being called to roll up their sleeves to help vulnerable animals.
The SPCA is appealing for keen cooks to take part in its annual Cupcake Day fundraiser on November 2.
The event has raised nearly $3.2 million over the years, helping tens of thousands of animals that come … View moreAuckland bakers are being called to roll up their sleeves to help vulnerable animals.
The SPCA is appealing for keen cooks to take part in its annual Cupcake Day fundraiser on November 2.
The event has raised nearly $3.2 million over the years, helping tens of thousands of animals that come through SPCA's doors each year in need of care, shelter and veterinary treatment.
Budding chefs are invited to whip up a batch of cupcakes before selling them at work, school and to family and friends.
Last year saw 1092 home bakers and 641 businesses get involved.
SPCA CEO Andrea Midgen said recent events had taken a big bite out of the charity but here was something tangible supporters could do to help.
Funds raised will be used to aid in rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing animals in need around the country.
Go to www.spcacupcakeday.co.nz... to register.
Come on into Grasslands, 20 Shamrock Drive Kumeu for everything you need for a spring clean this weekend. We now stock a range of Simple Green cleaners, Yates weed killers and fertilisers and Easy Trap pest control. Stock up and get your property ready for a great summer ahead.
Box of books of different authors
With 5 of Eric lustbader
Good reading or put in the cupboard for next lockdown
Pick up henderson heights
Check out our Retrofit Double Glazing Summer Special! Get a FREE* Low E double glazing upgrade on you retrofit job. The choice is yours, don't let your house overheat this summer and beat the winter rush to avoid a cold and damp home. Enjoy the benefits of retrofit double glazing all year … View moreCheck out our Retrofit Double Glazing Summer Special! Get a FREE* Low E double glazing upgrade on you retrofit job. The choice is yours, don't let your house overheat this summer and beat the winter rush to avoid a cold and damp home. Enjoy the benefits of retrofit double glazing all year round. So, don't wait we also offer a free no obligation measure and quote. click here to request for your free measure and quote. *Terms apply click here to view them
Take an old children’s table and turn it into a fun and tactile sensory board.
Sensory boards can be made with all sorts of textures and themes for young children, and are great learning tools. Let your children help choose the Resene colours and help fun with contrasting colours.
Make the most… View moreTake an old children’s table and turn it into a fun and tactile sensory board.
Sensory boards can be made with all sorts of textures and themes for young children, and are great learning tools. Let your children help choose the Resene colours and help fun with contrasting colours.
Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene. Find out how to create your own
Straight from the plant it self, still in it's cluster formation.
I have enough for 5 people to have plenty to put in their gardens.
They are in a snack size bag for you.
What’s great? What’s ok? And what could be improved?
Have your say on the future of regional parks in Tāmaki Makaurau by clicking on 'Read More' below.
Consultation closes on 26 October 2020.
📷 Ōmana Regional Park
Explore the abundance of hidden gems across Tāmaki Makaurau, support Auckland's recovery and make the most of everything our region has to offer.
Our Second Chance Op-Shop is open Tuesday and Wednesdays 10am - 2pm.
Come check it out if you are looking for a bargin. Located at Ranui Baptist Church, 464 Swanson Road, Ranui
The Great Moscow Circus has returned after 20 long years.
Come and enjoy the magic under the almighty Big Top!
DON'T WAIT ANOTHER 20 YEARS! BOOK NOW!
A former orphaned duckling is fostering another.
The newborn bird was rescued on Christmas Eve as it defied death darting between cars on Kumeu's Main Rd.
Ten months later, Dennis the duck is paying it forward.
The magisterial mallard has taken another abandoned creature under its wing … View moreA former orphaned duckling is fostering another.
The newborn bird was rescued on Christmas Eve as it defied death darting between cars on Kumeu's Main Rd.
Ten months later, Dennis the duck is paying it forward.
The magisterial mallard has taken another abandoned creature under its wing after owner Ellie Seamons from Dairy Flat appealed for one.
A woman running an animal shelter nearby saw Seamons' post on community pages and delivered Daphne, the runt of the litter.
"Daphne was the smallest and she was the only one which needed a heat lamp," said Seamons, an early childhood teacher in Kumeu.
"If you have a smaller duckling and a lot of bigger ones, they walk all over them and beat them to the food.
"It's survival of the fittest," she said.
Seamons nursed the ailing duckling back to health with a natural powder used to treat mites and parasites.
Daphne joined Dennis' own brood of seven ducklings and thrived.
Seamons admits she earlier mistook Dennis for a male because of the duck's feisty personality.
"Dennis is quirky, bossy and bolshie. She will let you know what she wants, when she wants it, and she wants it now."
When the duck grew a second set of gender revealing feathers, Seamons realised her error.
But the name stuck.
Seamons and partner Luke Hodge found Dennis last Christmas Eve when they were driving through Kumeu bound for Helensville to drop relatives home.
Rounding a corner, they spotted a day-old duckling dodging heavy traffic.
"Luke jumped out of the truck and Dennis pretty much ran straight up to him," Seamons said.
"She (Dennis) definitely would've been a pancake within a few seconds."
With the duckling cradled in Hodge's hand, the couple scoured neighbouring paddocks and ponds in vain for the mother.
They decided to take Dennis home.
"Because it was Christmas eve, we couldn't get to a stock food place so we made her mushy peas and mashed up mixed veges to eat," she said.
Seamons and Dodge, a carpet layer, had just begun Christmas leave so they spent their three-week holiday raising Dennis at home.
"We spent every minute of the day with her," Seamons said.
"She went everywhere with us for the whole summer holidays."
They took Dennis swimming at Whitianga creeks where the couple hunted for crystals, at waterways in South Head and at the Cement Works lake in Warkworth.
Now an independent adult, Dennis swings between being a wild duck when it suits and returning home to feed whenever hunger strikes.
The duck once vanished for a week before returning home with seven new ducklings in tow.
She led her charges straight into one of Seamons' enclosures.
"A really nasty pukeko was stalking them," she said.
"Pukekos kill ducklings.
"I think Dennis knew that I'd keep her babies safe."
Pictured: Seamons' son Dayton Rata, 7, with Dennis as a duckling and today, as a fully fledged duck.
Hi neighbours, National MPs Paula Bennett, Nikki Kaye and Maggie Barry have now retired from politics. Maggie Barry is looking forward to saying goodbye to the "100-hour weeks" that come with a career at the Beehive. Nikki Kaye is also keen to have a break. Meanwhile, Paula Bennett is … View moreHi neighbours, National MPs Paula Bennett, Nikki Kaye and Maggie Barry have now retired from politics. Maggie Barry is looking forward to saying goodbye to the "100-hour weeks" that come with a career at the Beehive. Nikki Kaye is also keen to have a break. Meanwhile, Paula Bennett is starting a new job on Monday in a very different industry.
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