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Kia ora neighbours. We give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine. We're still on the hunt for tomato recipes, so send your family's favourite way to use up your homegrown harvest, to: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. If we use it in the mag, you will receive a free … View moreKia ora neighbours. We give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine. We're still on the hunt for tomato recipes, so send your family's favourite way to use up your homegrown harvest, to: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. If we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of the mag
Neighbourly members across the country have been sharing their festive decor to be in to win the title of NZ's Merriest Home. We've narrowed the entries down to six finalists (our toughest feat yet!).
Now it's up to you!
Click on the name of the finalist to see all of their … View moreNeighbourly members across the country have been sharing their festive decor to be in to win the title of NZ's Merriest Home. We've narrowed the entries down to six finalists (our toughest feat yet!).
Now it's up to you!
Click on the name of the finalist to see all of their photos before you cast your merry vote!
Nishan Wijesinghe from Te Atatu South - See all photos here
Mark Williams from Tamatea - See all photos here
Linda Clack from Cockle Bay - See all photos here
Luke Murphy from Hornby - See all photos here
Joanne Isles from Hokowhitu - See all photos here
Kirstyn Tait from Wigram - See all photos here
The finalist with the most votes will win the title of NZ's Merriest Home and $200 to go toward more Christmas goodies!
You can also enlarge the images below by clicking on them. Happy voting, neighbours!
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.
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 moreThe 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.
There's new ones every year, some become classics and some are not so good. What do you consider your favourite Christmas song.
And more importantly, what song would you ban? Share below!
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 morePack 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.
It's well over a year since the 2023 election. Whether you were pleased with the result or not, we'd love to know how you are feeling about the changes the government have made so far?
Share your thoughts below.
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.
A Wellington man was wrongly issued a parking fine and spent over 40 hours going back and forward with Hutt City Council about it.
Have you ever been unfairly fined?
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 moreWhy 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!
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 moreAt 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.
Give your furry best friend a shaded and comfy outdoor nap spot finished in Resene Waterborne Woodsman English Walnut.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
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.
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.
By local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
The Reefton man who was the third-highest polling candidate for a West Coast Regional Council seat in the last elections is putting his hand up for the seat left vacant by the untimely death of Westport’s Frank Dooley.
Dave Hawes who polled 794 … View moreBy local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
The Reefton man who was the third-highest polling candidate for a West Coast Regional Council seat in the last elections is putting his hand up for the seat left vacant by the untimely death of Westport’s Frank Dooley.
Dave Hawes who polled 794 votes in 2022, compared to Dooley’s 1769, was not far behind runner-up and sitting councillor Mark McIntyre, who took the second Buller seat on the council with 849 votes.
Under the Local Electoral Act, the Regional Council has only two options to deal with the vacancy for a second Buller representative.
It can leave Dooley’s seat vacant until the council elections next October or appoint someone in the interim.
A by-election is held only if there is a year or more to go until the next council elections.
The council resolved yesterday to appoint a qualified person in the new year, from a short-list to be drawn up by chairperson Peter Haddock, and councillors Mark MacIntyre and Brett Cummings.
Hawes said the most democratic option would be to appoint him – since Buller voters chose to put him next on the list two years ago.
“I don’t need the job but I’m willing to serve now, as I was then. I was a Buller District Councillor for 15 years, and I worked with people of all political stripes.”
Hawes’ ‘green’ credentials – 15 years leading DOC’s Reefton work crew - might work against him in a strongly pro-mining council, he said.
“But I’m a pragmatist - I come from old Westport and Reefton stock and my aim has always been to get the best outcome for the Buller.”
Regional councillors at Tuesday’s meeting this week’s noted major decisions were looming for Westport’s flood protection scheme, and suggested the appointee should be someone with a sound knowledge of the town, its land tenure and flood walls.
McIntyre said financial skills would be important, and the loss of Dooley had left a ‘ big hole’ for the council to fill in that regard.
Chief executive Darryl Lew said the ideal candidate would have all those attributes, but the council would in future have access to financial advice from the soon-to-be appointed independent chairperson of the Risk and Assurance committee.
Hawes said the primary objective should be fair and competent representation, and there was a risk in allowing a group that did not represent Buller to cherry-pick a councillor for the district.
Buller was bigger than just Westport, and there could be advantages in having a Buller rep who did not actually live in the town, he said.
“There’s going to be some tough calls to make with those floodwalls; some people will be left unprotected to protect others, and it might help to have a councillor with local knowledge but no skin in the game.”
The former BDC councillor is semi-retired and putting time into the Reefton Historical Society and local Powerhouse Trust – which aims to be generating hydro-power by Christmas.
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