Tie everything down
If you have trampolines weighted down, I highly recommend you get them tied down. And leave the net openings undone. If the zips or ties are done up they are more likely to catch wind and tear. This is supposed to be a doozy, and trampoline weights are only good for bouncing ballast, not cyclone winds.
A packet of strops (tie downs) is about $20, from Tumu, Bunnings or M10. They are worth their weight in gold.
If you can’t tie your tramp down take the mat off, or tip it on its side and take the legs off, and shove it flat against a solid fence or wall, with a solid weight holding it in place, or even a couple of Waratahs in the ground to secure it in place, or behind a shed. Tie it to a tree or concreted clothesline or fence post. Secure it as best you can, even if the best you can do is shove it under the trees in the garden.
Put outdoor furniture away, or stack it flat against a wall, with something really heavy in front. Even ashtrays outside can become projectiles. And make sure your bbq gas bottle is in the shed or garage.
Shut your curtains and blinds before the big winds hit. They’ll offer extra protection from flying debris.
Be prepared for power outages. Have cooked food, or food that doesn’t need cooking, on hand. And get firewood in, if you have a fire. You can use that for cooking, heating, heating water, and light.
Make sure your phones are fully charged and you have batteries or charged power banks. And don’t use them up on Facebook or videos or using the flash for a torch.
And keep your pets inside too.
Take care and take care of each other.
The Summer Kiwi Quiz is back by popular demand
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
Home needed
We are still seeking a new home and time is passing quickly.
If you have, or know of, a cat friendly 3 bedroom, in or near the HNHS zone, for under $700 per week, please message me.
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 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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10.4% Yes! New Year, New Me
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19.9% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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69.7% Nah - not for me
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