1505 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
10 hours 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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1 day 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”? 🥝
  • 40.8% Yes
    40.8% Complete
  • 33.4% Maybe?
    33.4% Complete
  • 25.8% No
    25.8% Complete
449 votes
9 hours ago

Appeal for information following burglaries: Christchurch

The Team from Canterbury Police

Police investigating a stolen trailer and motorcycles in the Christchurch area are seeking help from the public.

On Monday 15 December, Police received a report that the trailer [pictured] had been stolen sometime overnight on Sunday 14 December, from an address on Kairua Road in Hornby.

The trailer - registration U110C - was then used in a burglary of four motorcycles from an address on Almond Lane, Prebbleton on Monday 15 December.

Police have since located the trailer and are now needing the public’s assistance to try find where the trailer has been or who may have been driving the vehicle towing it.

If you have any information regarding the thefts or the trailers movements from Sunday 14 December, around 4pm, onwards please contact Police.

Information can be provided through 105, either online or over the phone, please use reference number: 251215/1054.

Alternatively, you can make a report anonymously though Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111, using the same reference number.