1520 days ago

Pre-loved teddies helping children cope with Covid induced anxiety

Jake Kenny Reporter from Community News

Happy Wednesday neighbours,

They were once forlorn teddy bear orphans, discarded to a charity shop – until a mother and daughter realised they could be the key to helping children cope with anxiety.

Nicky Buist​ and daughter Jaz​ Lotz​ have been re-purposing pre-loved soft toys by weighting them with sand and lacing them with lavender as a calming strategy for overwhelmed children.

Passionate about helping young people, the pair wanted to help combat what they see as an increasing need to help parents find ways of dealing with their child’s feelings of anxiety and sadness.

A month ago they formed Weighty Warriors after trials with weighted teddy bears proved successful with the children they worked with.

They have since begun selling the soft toys around New Zealand, including to schools in Auckland and Rolleston.

Read the full story by clicking 'Read more' below.

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More messages from your neighbours
8 hours ago

The Summer Kiwi Quiz is back by popular demand

Summer Kiwi Quiz - 2026

Grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper between 1 Jan - 28 Jan and participate in the Summer Kiwi Quiz! Test your knowledge, answer the daily New Zealand based questions, and find out how well you know our beautiful country!

Each correct answer will get you one entry into the draw to WIN 1 of 5 Ooni Karu 2 Portable Pizza Oven bundles, valued at $1024! Each bundle includes: an Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven, Ooni Karu 2 Carry Cover, Ooni 12" Perforated Peel, Ooni Digital Infrared Thermometer and an Ooni Cookbook: Cooking with Ooni. The more answers you enter correctly, the higher your chance of winning. For more information and to submit your answers, click here

The Team at Stuff
Enter Here

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3 days ago

Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎉 2026 is almost here!

We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?

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Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
  • 10.4% Yes! New Year, New Me
    10.4% Complete
  • 19.7% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
    19.7% Complete
  • 70% Nah - not for me
    70% Complete
829 votes
16 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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