Westland District, Hokitika

Big news in our community!

Big news in our community!

Ryman has been voted New Zealand’s Most Trusted Brand in Aged Care & Retirement Villages for the 10th time!

Last chance for tickets!

Last chance for tickets!

For only $15 a ticket, you could win this fully furnished home in Clarks Beach, Auckland. Buy your tickets today!

298 days ago
298 days ago

Worried About Winter Bills?

The Team from NZ Compare

Final call for winter deals, neighbours!
Worried about facing those winter bills? No worries, our budget-friendly power and broadband plans have you covered. Stay cozy, stay connected, and stress less. Hurry, these offers won't last!

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328 days ago

Cook a Heart Healthy Meal Today!

Heart Foundation NZ

A heart healthy diet is one rich in fruit and vegetables. Not only are they better for your heart, but they allow you to feel fuller with less calories. This amazing Vegetarian Lasagne from the Heart Foundation is definitely delightful. It's a perfect winter dish to warm you up and help keep … View moreA heart healthy diet is one rich in fruit and vegetables. Not only are they better for your heart, but they allow you to feel fuller with less calories. This amazing Vegetarian Lasagne from the Heart Foundation is definitely delightful. It's a perfect winter dish to warm you up and help keep your heart healthy. Let's get cooking! #HeartHealthy #EatingWell

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299 days ago

Have you got a great recipe for peas?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours, every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of reader recipes using a seasonal crop. This month, we're on the hunt for pea recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by August 27, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the September issue of NZ Gardener.

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299 days ago

More Kiwis eligible for insulation grants

EECA

Everyone deserves a warm, dry, healthy home – see if you’re eligible for financial support to insulate and heat yours.

Warmer Kiwi Homes is a government grant that offers 80% - 90% of the cost of ceiling and underfloor insulation, and up to 80% off an energy-efficient heater, like a heat … View more
Everyone deserves a warm, dry, healthy home – see if you’re eligible for financial support to insulate and heat yours.

Warmer Kiwi Homes is a government grant that offers 80% - 90% of the cost of ceiling and underfloor insulation, and up to 80% off an energy-efficient heater, like a heat pump. In August, the eligibility criteria were extended so over 50,000 more households are eligible for insulation grants.

And you may get it even cheaper than that - lots of community organisations offer extra funding to reduce the cost further.

Check your eligibility, or check for your whānau.
Find out more

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300 days ago

West Coast communities will need to ‘help themselves’ if disaster strikes

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

When disaster hits the West Coast, people should not expect that help is on the way.

That's the plain warning from Westland Mayor Helen Lash.

She notes that "crystal ball gazing" needs to move to personal action.

"There … View more
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

When disaster hits the West Coast, people should not expect that help is on the way.

That's the plain warning from Westland Mayor Helen Lash.

She notes that "crystal ball gazing" needs to move to personal action.

"There will be no knight in shining armour. It's not going to happen. People need to understand that. The people we're going to rely on is ourselves. Anything other than that is a bonus," Mrs Lash said Monday.

The prospect of a massive Alpine Fault rupture (AF8) is now overdue and lines of communication along the 650km long region including roads, bridges, and power will be completely severed for weeks, if not many months.

A recent presentation to Hari Hari farmers by a river engineer noted the AF8 region-wide reality would be mass collapses of river valleys and hillsides with a total transformation of the landscape.

And those living south of Hokitika and north of Westport are particularly vulnerable due to single road access and some big rivers.

West Coast Civil Defence and Emergency Management group manager Claire Brown said a big focus for West Coast CDEM is "about community development".

Ensuring people in every district had an awareness, knew what they needed to do, and had the plan and contingencies in place were the key pillars, "at the end of it, helping communities to help themselves".

"That takes a lot of time and effort, she said.

"It also begins at home, locally held preparedness in the community you live in, how organised you are, how quickly are you able to coordinate a response."

That included an individual and local plan around finding access external communications.

Brown said fairly major events had already proven the complexities for the region.

The reverberation of Cyclone Gabrielle only reinforced that vulnerability.

"We know that it doesn't take a lot for the roading or infrastructure to be compromised."

Hokitika mayor Helen Lash said her biggest concern is that local residents have yet to overcome a complacency and to take some personal responsibility.

In the event, every little contingency already in place in the various neighbourhoods would be vital for the authorities to understand the bigger picture.

Breaking through that complacency was "flipping hard," particularly when some people held to an expectation that somehow a whole lot of external aid would arrive in an event like AF8.

Lash said she was passionate about an "from the ground up" approach that actually started at home.

"At the end of the day resilience is going to be the number one factor in the ability of communities to cope. Some communities have got on board."

A very impressive example was Harhari getting organised more recently with "a great team there".

They already had the fundamentals for an emergency operations centre in their settlement, and were working on a plan for alternative accommodation in an event for example.

Tools like organising a generator or planning an independent water supply should be happening now, Lash said.

She gave the example of own neighbourhood at Tutaki just south of Hokitika, which was highly likely to be cut off in the loss of the bridge despite its proximity to the main town.

Lash said Franz Josef was another good example of self organisation given what it had experienced in the past decade.

But people in every area urgently needed "to understand" they would be relying on their own resources for some time in a big disaster.

"It's going to rely on everyone pulling their weight."

300 days ago

Nice Neighbour: Dave Murdoch - 'They don't come better!'

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Dave Murdoch of Tauranga was nominated by Ian Smith for being quite simply, the nicest neighbour!

"Dave next door is the best - we live in an apartment block in the CBD and every day he gets up and cleans the driveway- always puts out everyone’s rubbish bins and scrubs them out every time… View more
Dave Murdoch of Tauranga was nominated by Ian Smith for being quite simply, the nicest neighbour!

"Dave next door is the best - we live in an apartment block in the CBD and every day he gets up and cleans the driveway- always puts out everyone’s rubbish bins and scrubs them out every time they are emptied. He cleaned around our pool area after a storm recently as we were busy at work. He is always first to help others whenever he can whether they have an issue with their unit or a stranger having car trouble out on the street - They don’t come better!"

If you have a Nice Neighbour, don't keep it to yourself. You might win a $25 Prezzy® card each and a shoutout on Stuff. Go on, nominate them now!

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302 days ago

Poll: Covid restrictions: Too soon or about time?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced the end of the final pandemic-related public health orders which is the mandatory seven-day isolation for people infected and mask requirement in health facilities. For some, it's a welcome change but for others this is a concerning move. How are you … View morePrime Minister Chris Hipkins announced the end of the final pandemic-related public health orders which is the mandatory seven-day isolation for people infected and mask requirement in health facilities. For some, it's a welcome change but for others this is a concerning move. How are you feeling about the changes?

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.

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Covid restrictions: Too soon or about time?
  • 37.6% Too soon
    37.6% Complete
  • 39.3% About time!
    39.3% Complete
  • 23.1% I'm don't mind either way
    23.1% Complete
2580 votes
301 days ago

Win this brand-new home!

Heart Foundation

Dreaming of calling the City of Sails home?

For only $15 a ticket, you could win this brand-new, fully furnished home in Glenbrook, Auckland in the Heart Foundation Lottery. Worth over $1 million and built to perfection by Jennian Homes, this home features four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen… View more
Dreaming of calling the City of Sails home?

For only $15 a ticket, you could win this brand-new, fully furnished home in Glenbrook, Auckland in the Heart Foundation Lottery. Worth over $1 million and built to perfection by Jennian Homes, this home features four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen plus walk-in pantry, two beautiful living rooms and is only a short walk away from Glenbrook Beach with stunning views out to Āwhitu Peninsula.

Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, rent it or even sell it – it could be all yours! Be in to win by purchasing your tickets today.
Buy tickets now

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301 days ago

The power of social connection - your health depends on it!

The Team from Heart Foundation NZ

Did you know that socially well-connected people are happier and healthier according to the latest research? Reach out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while or catch up with your loved ones to benefit your mental health and wellbeing.

Read our blog on social connection to find out more!

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303 days ago

Refresh your home with Resene!

Resene

Get 20% off Kiwi-made Resene quality paints, primers, sealers and wood stains.

Plus buy one testpot get one free on 60-80ml testpots 60-80. Visit your local Resene ColorShop or reseller and get started on your decorating project.

Choose from the widest range of Eco Choice approved paints … View more
Get 20% off Kiwi-made Resene quality paints, primers, sealers and wood stains.

Plus buy one testpot get one free on 60-80ml testpots 60-80. Visit your local Resene ColorShop or reseller and get started on your decorating project.

Choose from the widest range of Eco Choice approved paints available in New Zealand!
Find out more

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304 days ago

Is your Mobile Plan adding stress?

The Team from NZ Compare

Hey Neighbours!
Is your Mobile plan one of the many Winter bills piling up? It might be time to review it so you can relax..even just a smidge?! Compare all the mobile plans and providers on Mobile Compare and find a plan that lets you stay connected without overpaying.

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305 days ago

Back from black

The Team from Resene ColorShop Timaru

Transform a basic cabinet using four simple steps and Resene Enamacryl.
Find out how with these easy step by step instructions.

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309 days ago

Poll: Should cellphones stay out of classrooms?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The leader of the National Party has announced a plan to ban cellphones from all classrooms to minimize distractions for students. The Labour party has commented that this is commonplace already and is a decision best left for individual schools. Do you think a ban should be enforced?

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Should cellphones stay out of classrooms?
  • 75.2% Yes, there's no need for phones in classrooms
    75.2% Complete
  • 24.1% Nah, let the school decide
    24.1% Complete
  • 0.7% I'm not sure
    0.7% Complete
4158 votes
306 days ago

Do you know a gardener using their greenthumbs to help their community?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Tell us about gardeners doing something worth celebrating in your community, and they could be in the running for the Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year! The winner will receive Vegepod product worth $1000. And the most colourful character receives $1000 worth of Resene paint.

Send up to five… View more
Tell us about gardeners doing something worth celebrating in your community, and they could be in the running for the Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year! The winner will receive Vegepod product worth $1000. And the most colourful character receives $1000 worth of Resene paint.

Send up to five high-resolution photos and explain why you wish to nominate a person or group to be the Ryman Healthcare 2023 Gardener of the Year. Email your entry to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Or post your nomination to 2023 Gardener of the Year, NZ Gardener, PO Box 6341, Victoria St West, Auckland 1142.

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