Hanmer Forest Park, Hanmer Springs

Seen anything suspicious lately?

Seen anything suspicious lately?

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351 days ago

On the range

Resene

Venetian plaster finishes are on-trend at the moment, so why not recreate this look at home and cover that unsightly rangehood at the same time? Find out how to create your own with Resene Sandtex and these easy step by step instructions. Find out more

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352 days ago

Give the gift of tickets this christmas!

Heart Foundation Lottery

The festive season is nearly here—what better way to celebrate than by giving yourself or others the chance to win a stunning, brand-new home in Clarks Beach, Auckland!

Valued at over $1 million, this fully furnished home features three bedrooms, plus a spacious open-plan kitchen, living, and … View more
The festive season is nearly here—what better way to celebrate than by giving yourself or others the chance to win a stunning, brand-new home in Clarks Beach, Auckland!

Valued at over $1 million, this fully furnished home features three bedrooms, plus a spacious open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area.

Make it your dream home, a holiday retreat, a rental property, or sell it—the choice is yours!

Tickets are just $15 each, and every purchase helps fund life-saving heart research. Get yours today at heartlottery.org.nz.
Find out more

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353 days ago

Explore more, worry less at Ryman

The Team from Ryman Healthcare

Pack your bags, hit the open road, or set sail on your next big adventure. With Ryman’s lock-and-leave-style living, you’re free to explore without worrying about home maintenance or security.

While you’re off enjoying life, we’ll take care of everything back home – from mowing the … View more
Pack your bags, hit the open road, or set sail on your next big adventure. With Ryman’s lock-and-leave-style living, you’re free to explore without worrying about home maintenance or security.

While you’re off enjoying life, we’ll take care of everything back home – from mowing the lawns to watering the garden, pulling weeds, and even cleaning the windows.

Ryman residents are free to embrace adventure because they're not tied down with home maintenance stress and security worries. They're rediscovering lost passions and plunging headfirst into new ones whenever they feel like it.

Click find out more to discover the lifestyle.
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354 days ago

Essential Christmas hacks

Charles Upham Retirement Village

William Sanders resident Suellen loves Christmas and the joy of having family close by. To make the holiday season easier, she shares her favourite tips and hacks. From decorating with lights and faux snow to prepping meals ahead of time and using reusable gift bags, Suellen’s ideas help bring … View moreWilliam Sanders resident Suellen loves Christmas and the joy of having family close by. To make the holiday season easier, she shares her favourite tips and hacks. From decorating with lights and faux snow to prepping meals ahead of time and using reusable gift bags, Suellen’s ideas help bring festive cheer without the stress. Whether you're looking for budget-friendly options or simple ways to enhance your celebrations, these tips will make your Christmas brighter and more enjoyable.

Click read more for Suellen’s tips.

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356 days ago

🎄 Need a gift for the hard-to-buy-for?🎄

Mags4Gifts

Why not gift them a magazine subscription tailored to their interests? This Christmas, find the perfect gifts at Mags4Gifts! We're offering up to 30% off a wide range of magazines – there’s something for everyone in your whanau!

Whether you’re searching for a thoughtful secret Santa … View more
Why not gift them a magazine subscription tailored to their interests? This Christmas, find the perfect gifts at Mags4Gifts! We're offering up to 30% off a wide range of magazines – there’s something for everyone in your whanau!

Whether you’re searching for a thoughtful secret Santa gift or something special to put under the tree, we’ve got you covered with a great selection for all interests.

Don’t miss out – shop now at Mags4Gifts.com and enjoy the savings!
Find out more

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357 days ago

Get amongst it this festive season

Triton Hearing

At Triton Hearing, we believe you should make the most of the holiday season and the moments that matter.

That’s why we’re excited to introduce our revolutionary new Infinio Sphere devices. With cutting-edge technology delivering double the speech clarity*, you’ll hear every joke, every … View more
At Triton Hearing, we believe you should make the most of the holiday season and the moments that matter.

That’s why we’re excited to introduce our revolutionary new Infinio Sphere devices. With cutting-edge technology delivering double the speech clarity*, you’ll hear every joke, every story, and every cheer like never before.

This festive season, don’t just be present - be at the heart of the fun.

Sonova proprietary research (2024), visit hearmore.co.nz to learn more.
Find out more

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359 days ago

New year, new look?

Resene

Get big summer savings at Resene ColorShops! Bring out the best in your home with kiwi made Resene paints, colours and wood stains. Plus choose from a huge range of wallpaper and accessories. Find out more

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388 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

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359 days ago

Hanmer flyride gets green light

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy

A proposed Hanmer Springs flyride has been given the go ahead by the Environment Court.

But there are still a few bumps in the road.

The Environment Court issued an interim decision on Friday to reject an appeal by The Friends of Conical Hill Incorporated, … View more
By David Hill, Local Democracy

A proposed Hanmer Springs flyride has been given the go ahead by the Environment Court.

But there are still a few bumps in the road.

The Environment Court issued an interim decision on Friday to reject an appeal by The Friends of Conical Hill Incorporated, three years after a Hurunui District Council appointed commissioner granted a resource consent.

The Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa had applied to install and operate a gravity-based recreation activity at Conical Hill Reserve.

Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said the council is relieved to finally get a decision.

‘‘It is good news. It has taken a long time to get here, but at least we’ve got a decision.

‘‘We will need to work through the viability of the project and then the council can consider what it does next.’’

Dobbie said staff would prepare a report to present to the council early in the new year.

The project received $2 million from the Government's ‘‘Shovel Ready’’ fund in 2020.

When first proposed, the attraction was expected to create 23 jobs and inject $4m into the local economy in its first five years of operation.

Submitters opposed to the flyride said it would have a visual impact on the recreation character, biodiversity and horse trails in the area.

Concerns were also raised about parking, traffic congestion, noise, along with the risk of fire, and devaluation of properties.

In her decision, Judge Lauren Semple said she was satisfied the effects of the proposal could be managed under the Hurunui District Plan and the National Policy Statement on Indigenous Biodiversity.

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360 days ago

Ryman brings Christmas cheer

Charles Upham Retirement Village

Hundreds of Kiwi children will receive something special this Christmas thanks to Ryman Healthcare’s support of the Catalytic Foundation’s Christmas Shoebox Project.

Instead of giving individual gifts to residents, the idea was to redirect those funds to support struggling New Zealand … View more
Hundreds of Kiwi children will receive something special this Christmas thanks to Ryman Healthcare’s support of the Catalytic Foundation’s Christmas Shoebox Project.

Instead of giving individual gifts to residents, the idea was to redirect those funds to support struggling New Zealand families having to cut back on essentials.

Ryman residents were overwhelmingly in support of the idea, with many volunteering to help choose the gifts to fill over 1000 shoeboxes with thoughtful items.

Click read more for the full story.

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381 days ago

What's your favourite tomato recipe?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to … View moreKia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.

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363 days ago

🎄 Need a gift for the hard-to-buy-for?🎄

Mags4Gifts

Why not gift them a magazine subscription tailored to their interests? This Christmas, find the perfect gifts at Mags4Gifts! We're offering up to 30% off a wide range of magazines – there’s something for everyone in your whanau!

Whether you’re searching for a thoughtful secret Santa … View more
Why not gift them a magazine subscription tailored to their interests? This Christmas, find the perfect gifts at Mags4Gifts! We're offering up to 30% off a wide range of magazines – there’s something for everyone in your whanau!

Whether you’re searching for a thoughtful secret Santa gift or something special to put under the tree, we’ve got you covered with a great selection for all interests.

Don’t miss out – shop now at Mags4Gifts.com and enjoy the savings!
Find out more

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365 days ago

Hanmer’s Soldiers’ Block restoration remains on track

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Work remains on track for the opening of an iconic Hanmer Springs building, as local leaders eye up a future Weta Workshop exhibition for the site.

Hurunui Tourism product development manager Graeme Abbot says the restoration of the former … View more
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Work remains on track for the opening of an iconic Hanmer Springs building, as local leaders eye up a future Weta Workshop exhibition for the site.

Hurunui Tourism product development manager Graeme Abbot says the restoration of the former Soldiers' Block in the Queen Mary Historic Reserve is progressing, ahead of its planned official opening on Anzac Day.

‘‘It will be a very important day for the town. That building has been sitting there since 2003 not being used, so to have it back in use is important for the town.’’

The Soldiers’ Block was opened in 1916 to rehabilitate soldiers returning from World War I, and was later used as a drug and alcohol treatment facility.

The site also has cultural significance for Ngāti Kurī.

When the building opens it will have a small historical display of information about the building’s past use, Abbot said.

Longer term plans are to create an interactive experience called ‘‘A Place of Light and Life’’ in partnership with Weta Workshop to tell the story of the site.

But it will require the community to raise a further $6 million.

Abbot said the newly formed Queen Mary Historic Reserve Charitable Trust Hanmer Springs has been working behind the scenes and plans to kick off its fundraising effort over the next few months.

‘‘We are excited by the challenge and the work we have done should set us up well.’’

Last week the Hurunui District Council voted to appoint mayor Marie Black as its nominee on the trust for a three-year term.

‘‘As a long-term resident of the Hurunui district, I'm incredibly passionate about this project and want to see it fostered and grow to be a really important part of our shared history,’’ she said.

Black recently visited Belgium on Remembrance Day with Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon and a delegation from the Rangiora and Amberley RSAs.

She said the visit gave her ‘‘great insight into what this project could potentially do for this district’’.

Black joins Abbot and Hanmer Springs locals Mark Inglis and Jason Fletcher as trustees.

Council chief strategy and community officer Judith Batchelor said Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura has been invited to appoint a trustee, while the trust deed allows for the appointment of three more trustees.

Batchelor said the trust was established to fundraise and provide input into the design of the interactive visitor experience.

The council has also agreed in principle to lease the Soldiers’ Block building to the trust to support the ongoing project.

The $3.6 million restoration project is being funded by a Lotteries grant, $1.5m from the Government’s Better Off funding, development contributions and a grant from the council’s Earthquake Prone Buildings Fund.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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367 days ago

Give the gift of tickets this Christmas!

Heart Foundation Lottery

Surprise your loved ones with tickets for the Heart Foundation Christmas Lottery. It's a gift that could change their lives!

They'll have the chance to win a brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home in Clarks Beach, Auckland, valued at over $1 million. Plus, there are incredible prizes … View more
Surprise your loved ones with tickets for the Heart Foundation Christmas Lottery. It's a gift that could change their lives!

They'll have the chance to win a brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home in Clarks Beach, Auckland, valued at over $1 million. Plus, there are incredible prizes up for grabs, including international travel.

Tickets are just $15 each, and every purchase supports life-saving research. Get yours online today at heartlottery.org.nz.
Find out more

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367 days ago

Pamela’s Kiwi food tour

Charles Upham Retirement Village

Pamela, a resident of Bert Sutcliffe Village, has a passion for good food, great company, and exploring new places. A seasoned traveller and cruising enthusiast, Pamela has sailed to numerous destinations, sampling local cuisines along the way.

Closer to home, alongside her son-in-law and … View more
Pamela, a resident of Bert Sutcliffe Village, has a passion for good food, great company, and exploring new places. A seasoned traveller and cruising enthusiast, Pamela has sailed to numerous destinations, sampling local cuisines along the way.

Closer to home, alongside her son-in-law and daughter, she has discovered a variety of restaurants that showcase the diversity of New Zealand’s culinary scene. Whether you’re planning a road trip, dreaming about your next cruise, or simply searching for a great dining spot, these are Pamela’s top food recommendations to inspire your next adventure.

Click read more for the full story.

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