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“A lot of adults don't play."
"I was in the city for whatever, I think I was with a colleague. We had just been to the convention centre and we walked back to where we parked. There were some puddles, and instead of walking around, I jumped onto one of the blocks, and ‘boink, … View more“A lot of adults don't play."
"I was in the city for whatever, I think I was with a colleague. We had just been to the convention centre and we walked back to where we parked. There were some puddles, and instead of walking around, I jumped onto one of the blocks, and ‘boink, boink’ jumped over. She was like, ‘you jump on things and play on things, but most people don't do that’. I think it's why a lot of people get bored - forgetting how to play.
I started skating mid 2010-ish, right before the September quake. Because I'd been doing Aikido for so long, stopping Aikido and gravitating towards skating instead, that was quite a big thing for me. And then I started getting more into downhill.
My first skate trip was to Auckland. I linked up with some of the Auckland crew, and joined them on a trip to the Coromandel. There's also Longboard Girls Crew which has created a worldwide community of female skaters, so I linked up with one of the Aussie girls, Gemma, and joined her crew for my first overseas trip in 2014.
Since I started doing the Asia Pacific tour and all those races I would be away for roughly about a month every year, because I’d do a race in Australia for a week, and then maybe another event in a different place, the Philippines, occasionally China or Korea, or whatever. I've been to the Philippines heaps. It's cool because a lot of the guys there know me now, so I get treated as one of them, like part of the fam. I linked up more recently with the Malaysian skate crew, it's been really cool going back and experiencing Malaysia as an adult.
The female skate community is like that as well. If you do downhill skating or even longboard dancing, it's cool that when you find other people that do the same thing, you just instantly have this connection with them.
I decided to join the Euro Tour in 2019. God, I'm so glad I did that, who knew that COVID was gonna happen, right? The European Circuit is seen as the pinnacle, it has some of the most prestigious races worldwide and a well-established downhill skate scene. I remember when we camped off the side of the road in the Dolomites to skate. You skate at sunset, then you set up your camp as it gets dark. You wake up at dawn, skate, then when traffic starts to get too heavy, you pack up and you chill for the rest of the day.
As I've become a better skater I've become more confident, I feel it's helped me to really grow as a person. I think it's such a good thing for other people. I like teaching adults, because A) adults have a greater understanding and awareness of body movement, and B) It is that growth in confidence thing that I really love. When you unlock that and you see that spark, that's the most rewarding thing.
I feel like I'm in a really good place now. The older I get, the more I learn that I have to prioritize what I want to do, because there's so many things that interest me. It's boring to just be stationary.”
Elissa
part 2 of 2
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Love raspberries? We will give away free copies of the December 2025 issue to readers whose raspberry recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way enjoy raspberry (dessert, salad, jam main?!): mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by October 24, … View moreLove raspberries? We will give away free copies of the December 2025 issue to readers whose raspberry recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way enjoy raspberry (dessert, salad, jam main?!): mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by October 24, 2025.
Police are appealing for sightings of Rowena, 39, reported missing from Christchurch.
Rowena was reported missing to Police on 22 October, however was last heard from on 15 July 2025.
Police are now appealing for any sightings of Rowena or any information that may assist in locating her. If … View morePolice are appealing for sightings of Rowena, 39, reported missing from Christchurch.
Rowena was reported missing to Police on 22 October, however was last heard from on 15 July 2025.
Police are now appealing for any sightings of Rowena or any information that may assist in locating her. If you see Rowena, or have information that could assist in our enquiries, please contact us.
You can contact us at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking "Update Report" or by calling 105, referencing file 251022/9026.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
size 41 Like the ones advertised on facebook. I brought a size too small and can't be blowed to send them back. Very light
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.
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.
Save up to 30% on Resene quality paints, wood stains, primers, and sealers at Resene ColorShops!
Choose from our huge range of paints and colours designed and made in New Zealand. Bring out the best in your home with Resene, NZ’s Most Trusted Paint
Have handmade these Halloween tags. Can be customised with letters etc
Price negotiable
Your cozy reading nook, a sunlit verandah, or a steaming mug of coffee with your curled up cat ...
We’d love to see a corner of your indoor happy place. Share a photo below...
Big news! Ryman has won Best Provider Nationwide at the 2025 Seniors New Zealand Awards - for the 6th time!
Leading the way in retirement living and aged care, again and again.
We are bringing you the latest list of recalled products from across the country. Make sure you aren't using these at home!
Click on the blue text to learn more about that particular product and why it was recalled.
Food and household item recalls:
… View moreWe are bringing you the latest list of recalled products from across the country. Make sure you aren't using these at home!
Click on the blue text to learn more about that particular product and why it was recalled.
Food and household item recalls:
Tom & Luke brand Snackaballs and Vogel's brand Cereal Products
Pams brand Mini Hash Browns
Gilmours Peanuts Chopped
FreshLife brand Chopped Peanuts
Piper’s brand Milkshake Biscuits Original and Caramel
Tasti brand various products
Dometic Drinkware Tumbler
Product Recalls: Infant care and clothing
Steelcraft One2 V2 and Britax One2 Strollers
Car Seat G405- sold at Panda Mart
Car Seat G401- sold at Panda Mart
Car Seat G410- sold at Panda Mart
Car Seat LB-828- sold at Panda Mart
Car Seat Q5- sold at Panda Mart
Car Seat 10911524- sold at Panda Mart
Car Seat 11630- sold at Panda Mart
Annabel Trends Toothy Teether and Annabel Trends Cactus Teether
Product Recalls: Cosmetics
Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+
Aspect Sun Sunscreens- Physical Sun Protection SPF50+ and Tinted Physical SPF50+
Product Recalls: Electronics
Tesla Powerwall 2 Battery Energy Storage Units
Midea Air Fryer- sold at Trade Depot
ANKO Portable Blender (4 colourways)- sold at Kmart
Product Recalls: Other
“Wobbly head Dino” Greeting Card
Trojan Developments Prox Rex
Zenith Taps- ChillTap Extra 60 (Residential), ChillTap Extra 140 (Commercial)
Hot Water Bottles- sold at MIDIO Lambton Quay Limited
Check the New Zealand Transport Agency's handy vehicle recall list here.
See past months' recalls. Stay safe, neighbours!
Wishing you all bright days! Happy Diwali from the Neighbourly Team 💚🕯️
A trailblazing Māori scholar has finally received the recognition she deserves — nearly 100 years after her passing.
Mākereti Papakura, believed to be the first Indigenous woman to study at the University of Oxford, has been awarded a posthumous degree certificate.
Papakura sadly passed … View moreA trailblazing Māori scholar has finally received the recognition she deserves — nearly 100 years after her passing.
Mākereti Papakura, believed to be the first Indigenous woman to study at the University of Oxford, has been awarded a posthumous degree certificate.
Papakura sadly passed away in 1930, just weeks before she was due to present her thesis. Her research was later published as The Old-Time Māori — the first ethnographic study written by a Māori author.
We hope this brings a smile!
PLANTARAMA is tomorrow - Saturday 18 October, 9am to 12noon, at Cashmere Presbyterian Church.
We've got plants galore: succulents, perennials, annuals, natives, veges, herbs, house plants.
We've got frogs!! Who can resist these cute crochet critters!
And don't forget the raffle … View morePLANTARAMA is tomorrow - Saturday 18 October, 9am to 12noon, at Cashmere Presbyterian Church.
We've got plants galore: succulents, perennials, annuals, natives, veges, herbs, house plants.
We've got frogs!! Who can resist these cute crochet critters!
And don't forget the raffle and the sausage sizzle.
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