Oporo, Invercargill

Seen anything suspicious lately?

Seen anything suspicious lately?

Share it with your neighbours here.

123 days ago

Choice News Tuesday: Conservation win in the Kaituna

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Thanks to a generous gift, 730 Hectares in Kaituna Valley are now protected for everyone to enjoy

Four incredible donors have come together to gift 730 hectares of land in the Kaituna Valley to the nation — a multimillion-dollar contribution that will benefit generations to come.

This land,… View more
Thanks to a generous gift, 730 Hectares in Kaituna Valley are now protected for everyone to enjoy

Four incredible donors have come together to gift 730 hectares of land in the Kaituna Valley to the nation — a multimillion-dollar contribution that will benefit generations to come.

This land, which has now been protected and opened to the public, forms part of a much larger conservation area — nearly 2,400 hectares stretching from sea level at Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour, up to the Summit Walkway, and back down into the Kaituna Valley.

Once used for farming, the land has now been cleared of livestock, and pest control efforts are underway to help native plants and wildlife thrive. The goal? A richer, more diverse ecosystem that everyone can experience and be proud of.

This is a powerful example of how the actions of a few can have a huge impact. Thanks to their vision and generosity, a precious piece of our natural heritage is now protected.

Read more about the Massive win for conservation and recreation in the Kaituna.

We hope this news brings a smile!

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120 days ago

Applications for our Love to Dance grants are now open!

Rowena Jackson Retirement Village

Whether it's pre-schoolers or seniors, Scottish dancing or salsa, kapa haka or Kathak, breakdance or ballet - if you're encouraging people of all ages and abilities to keep moving through dance, we have three $5000 Love to Dance grants up for grabs.

Click read more to nominate your … View more
Whether it's pre-schoolers or seniors, Scottish dancing or salsa, kapa haka or Kathak, breakdance or ballet - if you're encouraging people of all ages and abilities to keep moving through dance, we have three $5000 Love to Dance grants up for grabs.

Click read more to nominate your community dance group.

Applications close 31 August 2025.

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127 days ago

Love broccoli? Share your recipe

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. We're on the lookout for broccoli recipes! We will give away free copies of the October 2025 issue to readers whose broccoli recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite broccoli recipe to us, at: … View moreKia ora neighbours. We're on the lookout for broccoli recipes! We will give away free copies of the October 2025 issue to readers whose broccoli recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite broccoli recipe to us, at: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by August 15, 2025.

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122 days ago

There's still time...

Resene

Does your home have a bright pink front door? Know a secret rainbow-coloured park bench? Is there art in your office that makes you smile every time you walk past it? If it's bright - we need to see it!

Bright Spots is back for a third year - a celebration of the crazy colourful places in … View more
Does your home have a bright pink front door? Know a secret rainbow-coloured park bench? Is there art in your office that makes you smile every time you walk past it? If it's bright - we need to see it!

Bright Spots is back for a third year - a celebration of the crazy colourful places in our communities and homes. Share a pic today and you could win one of ten prize packages worth $500!

Need inspo? Check out the entries so far.
Share a Bright Spot now

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123 days ago

Ryman Village Open Days

Rowena Jackson Retirement Village

Friday 15 & Saturday 16 August, 10am - 2pm.

Experience the award-winning lifestyle at a Ryman village.

Join us at our open days and explore our lifestyle and care options, tour our show homes and see the premium amenities on offer.

We look forward to seeing you.

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130 days ago

Choice News Tuesday: Dog adoption numbers rise

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Have you seen James Gunn's 'Superman' yet?

The new movie stars Krypto, Superman's capable and floofy sidekick. Following the movie release, online searches for dog adoption surged globally! Krypto is based on Gunn's own rescue dog, Ozu. The Neighbourly team is sure that … View more
Have you seen James Gunn's 'Superman' yet?

The new movie stars Krypto, Superman's capable and floofy sidekick. Following the movie release, online searches for dog adoption surged globally! Krypto is based on Gunn's own rescue dog, Ozu. The Neighbourly team is sure that Gunn is pleased that his own rescue pup may lead to more fluffy adoptions!

Looking to match with your own super pet? The SPCA is spotlighting animals waiting for their new and committed families.

We hope this news brings a smile!

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131 days ago

Poll: What do you do with your stuff when you get the urge to declutter?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Life gets busy—really busy. Between work, family, appointments, and a never-ending to-do list, it’s easy for things to pile up. Add fast fashion, online sales, and homewares aisles that whisper “just one more basket won’t hurt”, and suddenly we’re swimming in stuff and tat.

View more
Life gets busy—really busy. Between work, family, appointments, and a never-ending to-do list, it’s easy for things to pile up. Add fast fashion, online sales, and homewares aisles that whisper “just one more basket won’t hurt”, and suddenly we’re swimming in stuff and tat.

Sometimes, that stuff is cozy and familiar. But other times, after a long day, you walk through the door, look around, and think: “Okay. Something’s got to go.”

And when that urge to declutter hits, the question is—where does it all go? We're not talking about broken bits and pieces, but those perfectly good things that simply no longer fit your life or your space.

In her piece When decluttering can’t be avoided much longer, Joanna Davis shares the everyday items she's finally ready to part with—and it might just inspire your own clear-out mission.

We want to know:
🧹 How often do you get the urge to declutter?
🎯 Are there certain things you’ve got your eye on to donate or rehome?
💛 Do you have any favourite charities, op-shops, or community organisations you support with your preloved items?

Let’s swap stories, share ideas, and help great stuff find a second life—outside our closets and shelves.

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What do you do with your stuff when you get the urge to declutter?
  • 74.1% Op-shops!
    74.1% Complete
  • 10.3% I pop items on the local online Market.
    10.3% Complete
  • 4.9% Friends and family - I buy with care, and so I give with care.
    4.9% Complete
  • 4.4% The tip - if I don't want it, others won't either.
    4.4% Complete
  • 2.3% I love an old fashioned Garage Sale or a local car-boot market.
    2.3% Complete
  • 2.3% I repurpose - I craft, rework, and give things new life.
    2.3% Complete
  • 1.6% Other - share your secrets below.
    1.6% Complete
1600 votes
138 days ago

On July 22 1987, New Zealand's first Lotto went on sale 🎉🎉

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Imagine checking your ticket and realising that you have won big ...

Tell us your dreams - what is the very first thing you would do with the winnings?

Would you make that silly purchase you have always wanted, but could never justify?
Call the bank and immediately pay off your mortgage? … View more
Imagine checking your ticket and realising that you have won big ...

Tell us your dreams - what is the very first thing you would do with the winnings?

Would you make that silly purchase you have always wanted, but could never justify?
Call the bank and immediately pay off your mortgage?
Stop by the SPCA on the way home and make a donation?
Buy a captain's hat, open up Trade Me and browse "boats for sale"?

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135 days ago

Poll: Are the guidelines around when a child is too sick for school clear?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

A few weeks ago, the Neighbourly team shared a round of complaints over our morning cuppa about the challenges of juggling runny noses and work commitments.

After reading Flip Grater's opinion piece, Playing germ roulette with our kids’ health, we felt a collective sense of relief - … View more
A few weeks ago, the Neighbourly team shared a round of complaints over our morning cuppa about the challenges of juggling runny noses and work commitments.

After reading Flip Grater's opinion piece, Playing germ roulette with our kids’ health, we felt a collective sense of relief - another parent shares our niggling worries.

We wanted to check in with our online neighbours: do you feel the same way? We are all busy, and keeping children home from school is sometimes impossible given other responsibilities. Busy lives and the apparent loss of collective energy around monitoring cold symptoms have led to more students and staff in shared spaces with sniffles and coughs.
But what do you think? Is this a concern?

We want to know: Are there clear Guidelines on when to keep kids off of school?
Should we be having a nuanced conversation about risk management, and how to better support working families?
Share your opinion with us below!

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Are the guidelines around when a child is too sick for school clear?
  • 55.8% Yes - The messaging about when to keep kids home is consistent.
    55.8% Complete
  • 35.4% No - I want guidance. An illness response flowchart for my fridge would be handy
    35.4% Complete
  • 8.8% It is more complicated - share your thoughts below.
    8.8% Complete
387 votes
137 days ago

Choice News Tuesday: Little spotted kiwi rediscovered on mainland Aotearoa

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Kiwi pukupuku (the little spotted kiwi) have been rediscovered in the wild on mainland Aotearoa New Zealand for the first time in five decades!

The pukupuku is the smallest and one of the most vulnerable kiwi species. Only around 2000 birds remain on offshore islands and predator-free … View more
Kiwi pukupuku (the little spotted kiwi) have been rediscovered in the wild on mainland Aotearoa New Zealand for the first time in five decades!

The pukupuku is the smallest and one of the most vulnerable kiwi species. Only around 2000 birds remain on offshore islands and predator-free sanctuaries, and are the descendants of just 5 birds which had been translocated to Kapiti Island from South Westland in 1912.

The March discovery in the remote Adams Wilderness Area, on the West Coast, is definitely choice news.

Ka pai to the amazing investigation team: DOC biodiversity ranger Iain Graham and his conservation dog, Brew!

We hope this news brings a smile!

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142 days ago

Poll: Whether young or experienced, has age been a barrier to opportunity?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Neighbourly Team came across the third installment of 'Work, Interrupted', an article series looking at the job struggles different generations face, and we thought it would resonate with our Neighbourly community.

In this article, Amelia Wade reports on what it’s like to seek … View more
The Neighbourly Team came across the third installment of 'Work, Interrupted', an article series looking at the job struggles different generations face, and we thought it would resonate with our Neighbourly community.

In this article, Amelia Wade reports on what it’s like to seek employment when you’re 50+. Many factors - from financial to social pressures - are keeping people in the workforce longer. The reality is that times are tough, even for our most experienced workers: of those receiving Jobseeker benefit, a third are 50-64 years old.

We want to know: Have you felt overlooked in the job market?
Do you have advice for your community on how to stand out in an increasingly crowded job seeker market?
Share your experience below!

📖 Want to read more from the 'Work, Interrupted' series?
Work, Interrupted: The kids, the mortgage, but no job. What next?
Young and shut out: Gen Z face the harshest job market in years
Work, Interrupted: Is 50 the new 60? Older workers battling algorithms to get CVs seen

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Whether young or experienced, has age been a barrier to opportunity?
  • 67.2% Yes - In my experience, age has been a factor.
    67.2% Complete
  • 29.5% No - In my experience, age has had little to do with my employment opportunities
    29.5% Complete
  • 2.4% As an employer, age is not a factor.
    2.4% Complete
  • 1% Other - I will share below.
    1% Complete
808 votes
134 days ago

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Award – Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau!

Rowena Jackson Retirement Village

This is a great way to celebrate our seniors who are leaving an amazing legacy for future generations. Let’s give a shoutout to those who have made a positive contribution to Aotearoa later in life, and who are still actively making the world around them a better place, following their careers in… View moreThis is a great way to celebrate our seniors who are leaving an amazing legacy for future generations. Let’s give a shoutout to those who have made a positive contribution to Aotearoa later in life, and who are still actively making the world around them a better place, following their careers in any service, sector or field.

Take a moment to nominate the deserving individuals in your life who are making a difference every day, either in our villages or in the wider community.

Follow the link below, and let’s make their stories known!

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136 days ago

Sourdough starter swap with kombucha scoby

Cassandra from North Invercargill

Hi there! Looking to swap for kombucha scoby, if keen, let me know, i have some sourdough starter i'm happy to swap with you! :)

Free

145 days ago

Poll: As an island nation, are we doing enough to protect our oceans?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The island nation of New Zealand claims guardianship over a vast ocean territory. In fact, our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spans 15 times our land area. Despite this, less than 1% of our ocean is highly protected.

Sheridan Waitai, member of One Oceania, argues that New Zealand is failing its … View more
The island nation of New Zealand claims guardianship over a vast ocean territory. In fact, our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spans 15 times our land area. Despite this, less than 1% of our ocean is highly protected.

Sheridan Waitai, member of One Oceania, argues that New Zealand is failing its obligations, and our failure is being noticed internationally.

Sheridan and others argue that the health of our oceans is declining as they face climate change, overfishing, and pollution. While other nations are championing ocean protection, New Zealand has been quiet on this topic.

We want to know: Are we meeting our responsibilities in the management of our blue territory?

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As an island nation, are we doing enough to protect our oceans?
  • 66.5% No - we can do more.
    66.5% Complete
  • 5% Yes - we are meeting our obligations.
    5% Complete
  • 25.6% It is a global problem, not just ours.
    25.6% Complete
  • 2.6% Maybe. I dont really have an opinion.
    2.6% Complete
  • 0.2% Other - share below!
    0.2% Complete
1254 votes
138 days ago

Bright Spots is back - and it's better!

Resene

We're looking for your most colourful photos! Resene ColorShops and Neighbourly have teamed up again this winter to bring you Bright Spots, a celebration of the colourful spaces and places in your life.

But this year it's a little different!

This year we're calling on … View more
We're looking for your most colourful photos! Resene ColorShops and Neighbourly have teamed up again this winter to bring you Bright Spots, a celebration of the colourful spaces and places in your life.

But this year it's a little different!

This year we're calling on Neighbourly members to share photos wherever there's a bright spot that brings you joy - whether it's in the office, at your home or when you're out and about in your neighbourhood. If it brings a smile to your face we'd love to see it.

Share a photo that brings a little colour to your day and you could win one of ten prize packages valued at $500 (including a $250 Prezzy® card and a $250 Resene gift card).
Share a pic now

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