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Hi neighbours! The judges from the Beautiful Awards, run by Keep New Zealand Beautiful, are keen to find out who you would pick as the most beautiful NZ town - out of the two finalists below.
The two towns have been picked as they demonstrate sustainable and environmentally conscious … View moreHi neighbours! The judges from the Beautiful Awards, run by Keep New Zealand Beautiful, are keen to find out who you would pick as the most beautiful NZ town - out of the two finalists below.
The two towns have been picked as they demonstrate sustainable and environmentally conscious behaviours across key areas, such as litter prevention & waste minimisation, community beautification, recycling projects and sustainable tourism.
Have you heard of the Beautiful Awards? they celebrate environmental excellence and recognise positive actions taken by communities, businesses, schools, individuals and councils, in local and urban areas to protect and enhance their local environments
Note: this poll runs externally from the Beautiful Awards and responses will not be included in the judging process.
You need probate because your brother had more than $15,000 in Kiwisaver. Your brother's lawyer holds his will. That lawyer says they will get probate for you. That's a relief!
Before you go ahead, ask them what it will cost. (If you don't ask, they don't have to tell you … View moreYou need probate because your brother had more than $15,000 in Kiwisaver. Your brother's lawyer holds his will. That lawyer says they will get probate for you. That's a relief!
Before you go ahead, ask them what it will cost. (If you don't ask, they don't have to tell you beforehand.)
Ask them whether that includes the High Court fee.
If they say something that totals more than $600, maybe ask them to wait until you get back to them.
Then take a look at our website. (Hint: in most cases, we charge $400, to which you add the High Court fee of $200.)
It's entirely up to you - although, as the executor and trustee of the estate, you do have a duty to act in the best financial interests of the beneficiaries.
All the best
Cheryl Simes
We’re looking for young gardeners (aged 5-15 years) who love getting into the garden, whether it’s growing fruit and veggies or flowers for the butterflies and bees. A Yates Budding Young Gardener may have been gardening for a few years and know how to sow seeds, rustle up a few radishes and… View moreWe’re looking for young gardeners (aged 5-15 years) who love getting into the garden, whether it’s growing fruit and veggies or flowers for the butterflies and bees. A Yates Budding Young Gardener may have been gardening for a few years and know how to sow seeds, rustle up a few radishes and turn lemons into lemonade. Or even just starting out!
Yates Budding Young Gardener will become a Yates brand ambassador for one year AND win an amazing family trip for four, to the Gold Coast, Australia.
The five day trip will include flights, accommodation, a rental car and tickets to the Queensland Gardening Expo (if travelling in July) and a three day pass to Gold Coast theme parks - Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World and Wet ‘n’ Wild.
The competition is open to all keen gardeners aged 5-15 years. Entries close 17th September - so enter your Budding Young Gardener now!
Have you received some great service from your local GP? What about a dentist or optometrist? Leave a review for them on the Whitecoat website and be in to win $3,000.
Whitecoat is all about helping Kiwis make more informed decisions about their healthcare providers.
There has been a lot of discussions lately about the neighbourly etiquette when it comes to rubbish bins. We're sure everyone has had a moment when their bin is full on collection day and the question arises around what to do with the rest of the rubbish. We're keen to hear what you … View moreThere has been a lot of discussions lately about the neighbourly etiquette when it comes to rubbish bins. We're sure everyone has had a moment when their bin is full on collection day and the question arises around what to do with the rest of the rubbish. We're keen to hear what you think - is it okay to put rubbish in a neighbour's bin?
Is it fair game to use a neighbour's bin if it's out on the street? Vote in the poll below!
We want to help all New Zealanders benefit from trade wherever they are. That’s why the Government is consulting New Zealanders to develop a Trade for All policy. We want to hear your views on trade policy and what matters most to you. Take our short poll, share your comments or make a submission… View moreWe want to help all New Zealanders benefit from trade wherever they are. That’s why the Government is consulting New Zealanders to develop a Trade for All policy. We want to hear your views on trade policy and what matters most to you. Take our short poll, share your comments or make a submission here.
- How can trade support sustainable economic development that takes into account the impact on our environment?
- How can trade benefit our regions and support women, Maori and small and medium enterprises to succeed globally?
Come to a public meeting or hui. You can find the details and register here.
Find more information about Trade for All and our current trade policy at www.haveyoursay.mfat.govt.nz
Have your say on Trade for All. Submissions close on 14 October 2018.
Christchurch isn't rebuilding, writes Vicki Anderson. We are ''reimagining'' ourselves as a city.
We are looking for great tomato growing tips and/or photos of your tomato harvest from last year. Do you have a piece of tomato growing wisdom to share with other New Zealand gardeners? Maybe a variety that does well for you, a way to treat or prevent diseases, or a recipe for homemade fertiliser. … View moreWe are looking for great tomato growing tips and/or photos of your tomato harvest from last year. Do you have a piece of tomato growing wisdom to share with other New Zealand gardeners? Maybe a variety that does well for you, a way to treat or prevent diseases, or a recipe for homemade fertiliser. Or do you have an amazing photo to share ... like this one from tomato enthusiast Minette Tonoli. Email us your tip (mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz) and/or share your pic in the comments... if we publish your tip or your photo we will send you a free copy of NZ Gardener magazine!
Public Trust charges $280 for a simple will, $500 for more complicated wills.
For simple wills, I like the look of ewills.co.nz which produces online wills for $100, but I haven't seen their output yet. Until further notice, I'd be happy to look over the results without charge if … View morePublic Trust charges $280 for a simple will, $500 for more complicated wills.
For simple wills, I like the look of ewills.co.nz which produces online wills for $100, but I haven't seen their output yet. Until further notice, I'd be happy to look over the results without charge if people use them, if you email the results to me, just to know what they produce. (There are also other online providers - I think the cheapest I found was about $45 - the same offer applies - I'd be interested to see what they produce and to know whether they are user friendly, and I'll let you know without charge whether what they have produced is 'legally okay'.)
For a will from scratch I would charge between $150 and $700 depending on complications and whether you provide information to me efficiently e.g. by email rather than by personal interview. HOWEVER, I don't provide a will-storage service - you have to make your own arrangements for keeping the original will safe. ALSO, I don't spend time witnessing the will - I send it to you with instructions for you to arrange to sign in front of two adults who are not mentioned in the will.
Mirror wills - where spouses make wills that are identical except for reversing the will-maker and executor - shouldn't cost more than a single will (in my opinion). It takes 30 seconds to reverse those details. If someone tries to charge you twice as much, just do one will and then copy it out yourself, swapping the details.
The main value that lawyers add to the will-making process is advice about how to deal with tricky situations. If you don't have a tricky situation, you don't need a lawyer's will.
Hi neighbours,
Did you hear a "sonic boom" and see an object flying across the Canterbury sky? Many residents witnessed a suspected meteor this week.
The burning rock was at least the size of a fist – much larger than what astronomers usually see above New Zealand. Usually the … View moreHi neighbours,
Did you hear a "sonic boom" and see an object flying across the Canterbury sky? Many residents witnessed a suspected meteor this week.
The burning rock was at least the size of a fist – much larger than what astronomers usually see above New Zealand. Usually the objects are about the size of a grain of sand.
The arrival of a meteor can be impressive, with even something pebble-sized lighting up in the sky, Canterbury Astronomical Society president Euan Mason says.
So what did you think of the meteor? Where were you when you saw it? And do you see them often from your place? Let us know in the replies!
(Please add "NFP/not for print" if you do not want your images/comments used on Stuff)
We're celebrating our launch on Neighbourly! Join Manchester Unity during September, October or November 2018 and take out a funeral benefit or join one of our medical schemes and be in the draw to spend a week in one of our holiday homes for free!*
Request a new member pack and start … View moreWe're celebrating our launch on Neighbourly! Join Manchester Unity during September, October or November 2018 and take out a funeral benefit or join one of our medical schemes and be in the draw to spend a week in one of our holiday homes for free!*
Request a new member pack and start enjoying all the benefits of being a member of one of the oldest organisations in New Zealand.
- Enjoy kiwi holiday homes
- Meet like-minded people
- Save money
- Protect your family’s health
- Receive kids’ scholarships
- Enjoy togetherness
Use our national network of branches. We have 26 branches nationwide that we call Lodges. The Lodge is where we meet to organise projects that help local members, discuss the local and national business of Manchester Unity, learn meeting skills and get together with friends.
* dates subject to availability
This month we're giving away a car. Not just any car, but a brand new Suzuki Vitara worth $30,690 to one lucky member. To make sure you're in the draw just click the button below - it's that easy. Good luck! Winner
T&Cs apply.
A new playground, basketball half court and disc golf course are among the proposed plans for the multi-stage upgrade.
Whatever hot water system you use, there are easy ways to reduce your bills and do your bit for the environment. If your water is metered, every litre you save will also save you money. Check out the tips in our blog!
The Christchurch City Council wants all staff, including those in council-controlled companies, to be paid the living wage within three years. The living wage is currently $20.55 per hour. Is this a good plan?
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