Fairview Downs, Hamilton

Spread the Joy!

Spread the Joy!

Do you have any festive tips your community needs to know about? Post them here!

2324 days ago

Valuing our natural environment

Jamie Neighbourly Lead from Chartwell

The Waikato region has a fascinating and beautiful ecological past. Through the hard work and dedication of volunteers, conservationists, councils and government, excellent work is being done in the area of ecological restoration.

Hamilton City Council currently has 17 restoration projects in and … View more
The Waikato region has a fascinating and beautiful ecological past. Through the hard work and dedication of volunteers, conservationists, councils and government, excellent work is being done in the area of ecological restoration.

Hamilton City Council currently has 17 restoration projects in and around the region, ranging from weekly restoration of neighborhood sections, like the Riverlea Environment Society, to large public events like Arbor Day, which I had the privilege of attending earlier this year.

In 2018, volunteers spent over 7,000 hours assisting with restoration projects, planting over 30,000 native plants. The fantastic work achieved by those involved in these projects is clear to anyone who takes a walk through the sections.

This coalition Government has a goal of planting one billion trees over ten years, across a diverse range of species. We are well on the way to achieving this goal.

Maungatautari, a 40-minute drive from Hamilton, is the nation’s largest ecological ‘island’. With over 3400 hectares of predator-free land and approximately 30 native species within its boundaries, this sanctuary clearly demonstrates the value our region puts on our native environment. When I visited, I was impressed by the scale of this project, including the fence that surrounds the entirety of the site. Visitor tours provide revenue for maintenance and further protection of our native species.

Closer to Hamilton, the Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park, established in 2004, encompasses 60 hectares of land for restoration, aiming to revitalize the Hamilton basin’s ecological diversity. The project is starting to see major success, with early-planted trees starting to provide canopy closure for natural seeding of native plants. I recently joined with a number of students to plant trees on this site, and was inspired by their passion for our environment, and commitment to a long-term vision.

Focused on reintroducing native birds to the Waikato, Project Halo creates a 20km-wide ring around Hamilton, within which key breeding and feeding sites are actively encouraged and protected from pests. Since being introduced in 2007, Tui numbers have increased significantly. Reports of breeding pairs are becoming more frequent.

Hamilton is one of New Zealand’s only major cities that can claim a long tailed bat population; the bats being one of two native land mammal species left in our country. Project Echo, in collaboration with the Riverlea Environment Society, has been monitoring bat numbers, movements and behaviour for a number of years, in order to gain a better understanding of, and provide better protection for the bats. The population is tracking well, in large part due to the engagement of the public: bat detectors can be borrowed free of charge to confirm sightings.

Because much of the Waikato was initially wetlands, protecting the 20% of our region still in this condition is of paramount importance to local conservationists. Three of our wetlands have been recognised as habitats with global conservation value under the International Union for Conservation of Nature. With a goal of developing a National Wetland Discovery Centre at Lake Rotopiko/Serpentine between Te Awamutu and Hamilton, the National Wetland Trust hopes to create a wildlife sanctuary with research, educational and recreational facilities.

Established in 1971, the Otorohanga Kiwi house has been both creating appreciation for our region’s beautiful native animals, and providing a breeding sanctuary for close to 50 years. This facility is currently host to 20 native species.

The volume and effort put into conservation efforts here in the Waikato continues to inspire me; we owe it to future generations to take a long-term view. Our natural environment is unique and beautiful, and I look forward to seeing it continue to strengthen, grow and flourish.

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2322 days ago

This week's latest Blueprint

Hamilton Harcourts

View Hamilton Harcourts' latest interactive Blueprint.

If you'd like to receive Blueprint in your inbox each week, subscribe here.
Read it now

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2323 days ago

Take the ultimate Kiwi pie roadie

Paul Reporter from Stuff

Hi neighbours,

Love a pie? Love a road trip? We've mapped the perfect pie roadie, so you can sample New Zealand's best award-winning pastry treats while making your way around our beautiful country (and there's even a pie or two in your neck of the woods).

Check them out here.

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2330 days ago

10 things that don't belong in your recycling bin

Paul Reporter from Stuff

Hi neighbours,

A lot of what we're putting in our recycling bins cannot be recycled.

Paul Evans, chief executive of waste management industry body WasteMinz, says in 2018 about 10 per cent of each Auckland household's recycling bin was "contamination" – items that people… View more
Hi neighbours,

A lot of what we're putting in our recycling bins cannot be recycled.

Paul Evans, chief executive of waste management industry body WasteMinz, says in 2018 about 10 per cent of each Auckland household's recycling bin was "contamination" – items that people had put in hoping for the best, but which could not be recycled.

To read more, click here.

If you're in doubt whether something belongs in the recycling bin, the best practice is to simply leave it out.

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2323 days ago

PRODUCT RECALL: Kmart dining chair

Neighbourly.co.nz

Kmart has recalled their 'Bianca Dining Chair'.

There is a risk that the chairs are unstable and may break during use. If the chairs collapse during use, it could result in a fall and injury.

Stop using your dining chair and return it to any Kmart store for a refund. For more … View more
Kmart has recalled their 'Bianca Dining Chair'.

There is a risk that the chairs are unstable and may break during use. If the chairs collapse during use, it could result in a fall and injury.

Stop using your dining chair and return it to any Kmart store for a refund. For more information contact Kmart New Zealand.
See contact information here

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2323 days ago

SuperSeniors Newsletter August 2019

Office for Seniors

Hi Neighbours!

The August edition of the SuperSenior newsletter is out now! It's filled with all the latest news and Super Gold Card offers.

In this issue we find out about the Spark phone scam and how to avoid becoming a victim.

We also find out more about virtual reality technology being … View more
Hi Neighbours!

The August edition of the SuperSenior newsletter is out now! It's filled with all the latest news and Super Gold Card offers.

In this issue we find out about the Spark phone scam and how to avoid becoming a victim.

We also find out more about virtual reality technology being piloted at the Lady Allum rest home in Auckland.

To subscribe, follow this link: bit.ly...

To view the current edition go to bit.ly...

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2325 days ago

Poll: Does the name Garden Place fit our central square?

The Team Reporter from Hamilton Press

A Paris-based landscape architect visited Hamilton recently, and checked out the city centre on a walkthrough.
Catherine Mosbach was surprised to hear what Garden Place was called, as she wondered where the gardens were.
However, she noted it could be used for various public events - an important … View more
A Paris-based landscape architect visited Hamilton recently, and checked out the city centre on a walkthrough.
Catherine Mosbach was surprised to hear what Garden Place was called, as she wondered where the gardens were.
However, she noted it could be used for various public events - an important factor for public space.
She also thought work on Victoria on the River was well done, said, but the foliage by the seats was "a little shy".
Read more here.
Do you think Garden Place is the right name for our central square?

Does the name Garden Place fit our central square?
  • 50% Yes, that's how everyone knows it.
    50% Complete
  • 46.7% No, because there aren't really gardens there.
    46.7% Complete
  • 3.3% Other - leave a comment below to explain.
    3.3% Complete
122 votes
2324 days ago

What does it cost to stay warm at home?

Jo Haywood Reporter from Homed

If this cold snap is getting to you but you're worried about the cost of cranking up your heating, don't despair.

We asked the energy experts to breakdown the running costs of all our favourite winter warmers, so you can work out how to get the best heating bang for your buck.

And … View more
If this cold snap is getting to you but you're worried about the cost of cranking up your heating, don't despair.

We asked the energy experts to breakdown the running costs of all our favourite winter warmers, so you can work out how to get the best heating bang for your buck.

And while it's no shock that firing up a 2Kw electric heater doesn't come cheap, the price of a warm bed for a toasty night's sleep might surprise you. Check out the full rundown, including electric blankets, hot showers, heated towel rails and more, here.

2324 days ago

Looking for house to rent

Greg from Chartwell

Hi there I am looking for a house to rent for 3 to 4 mature adult males, all working 3 full time and 1 part time.

We are looking for a 4 to 5 bedroom with preferably 2 bathrooms and especially including a washing machine.

We are all mature, courteous, very tidy, respectful, empathetic people … View more
Hi there I am looking for a house to rent for 3 to 4 mature adult males, all working 3 full time and 1 part time.

We are looking for a 4 to 5 bedroom with preferably 2 bathrooms and especially including a washing machine.

We are all mature, courteous, very tidy, respectful, empathetic people and also Christian.

Looking for a place anywhere in Hamilton preferably Frankton, Ham East, Ham West, Enderly, Fairview Downs, Rototuna, Grandview, Chartwell, Fairfield, Dinsdale, Whitiora and Ham Central.

Please contact me Greg on 0277770699 and coffeycup71@gmail.com.

Look forward to hear from you.

2328 days ago

Moving boxes

Sarah from Hamilton East

Hi there everyone,

I am looking for moving boxes. Please message me should you have any I can have. Thank you :)

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2324 days ago

Teenage Years Parenting course

Frank from Hamilton East

A Toolbox Parenting course run by Parenting Place, 6 evenings from 15 August to 19 September, 7- 9 pm.
Course held at `The Masters House', 122 Masters Avenue
Silverdale, Hamilton
The Course costs $75 per person or $110 for a couple, if the cost is a barrier please contact Parenting Place … View more
A Toolbox Parenting course run by Parenting Place, 6 evenings from 15 August to 19 September, 7- 9 pm.
Course held at `The Masters House', 122 Masters Avenue
Silverdale, Hamilton
The Course costs $75 per person or $110 for a couple, if the cost is a barrier please contact Parenting Place (0800 53 56 59, parentingplace.nz)to discuss.

Facilitator: Frank Parry, 021 144 5616, frankparry@zoho.com

2325 days ago
2325 days ago

Redlid Garden Bins & Bags

Grant Wilson from

Good time of year to start thinking about getting the garden ready for planting.

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2325 days ago

Take a closer look

Triton Hearing

Make an appointment at Triton Hearing today to experience the very best hearing technology, and you’ll access a FREE premium upgrade*valued at $2,000 when you purchase PremiumPlus devices before October 31st 2019.

Come in and talk to the team for a FREE, no-obligation consultation on how the … View more
Make an appointment at Triton Hearing today to experience the very best hearing technology, and you’ll access a FREE premium upgrade*valued at $2,000 when you purchase PremiumPlus devices before October 31st 2019.

Come in and talk to the team for a FREE, no-obligation consultation on how the latest hearing technology could make a real difference in your life!

Terms and conditions apply.

Visit tritonhearing.co.nz for more details.
Make an appointment

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2326 days ago

Babysitting

Ashleigh from Fairfield

Hey everyone, I’m Ashleigh and I’m a year 12 student at Saint Paul’s Collegiate School. If anyone’s looking for a babysitter I am available during the week! I have babysitting experience and love kids! Contact me on 021334983 or message me on here. Thanks! 😊

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