Lincoln, Lincoln

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62 days ago

Warning about purchasing power tool batteries from Aliexpress

Chris from Prebbleton

I have just purchased 4 x Makita 18v 6Ah batteries from Aliexpress. These were claimed to be genuine Makita with the rating above. I assumed that they probably wouldn't be 6Ah because Chinese sourced batteries are always less than claimed. The first thing I noticed was each battery felt a lot … View moreI have just purchased 4 x Makita 18v 6Ah batteries from Aliexpress. These were claimed to be genuine Makita with the rating above. I assumed that they probably wouldn't be 6Ah because Chinese sourced batteries are always less than claimed. The first thing I noticed was each battery felt a lot lighter than my 5Ah OEM batteries. That says that each cell is a lot less than claimed. Before posting this I also bought a battery load tester and tested the new batteries. 2 of the 4 have now tested as being 2.4Ah so probably using 1200mAh cells (should be 3Ah or 3000mAh). I opened one up and all the cells inside are unmarked. My conclusion is that this company has just committed blatant theft as has been my experience with Chinese supplied batteries. For comparison a genuine Makita battery rated 4Ah AND 8 years old still tested as being 3.2Ah.
The new batteries are still usable but obviously not the capacity claimed by the company nor are they Makita OEM.
Bottom line DO NOT purchase power tool batteries through Aliexpress until they start to police their suppliers.

64 days ago

Choice News Tuesday: Music will keep you sharp

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Thought you were past your prime to become a rockstar? Don't sell yourself - or your health - short.

Research published this year has demonstrated that playing music helps keep dementia at bay - no matter how late in life the skill is picked up.

The basic idea behind this research is not… View more
Thought you were past your prime to become a rockstar? Don't sell yourself - or your health - short.

Research published this year has demonstrated that playing music helps keep dementia at bay - no matter how late in life the skill is picked up.

The basic idea behind this research is not new - we know that 'cognitive reserve' (learning new things) plays a big role in delaying mental slowdown. But the reminder that "it is never too late" is welcome ...

We hope this news brings a smile!

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59 days ago

School Holiday Robotics Camp

Thilanga from Lincoln

Keeping children meaningfully occupied can be a real challenge — especially during the school break. If you're keen for your child to take their first steps into the exciting world of robotics, I’m hosting a free hands-on robotics workshop on 23rd September at the Upper Riccarton Community… View moreKeeping children meaningfully occupied can be a real challenge — especially during the school break. If you're keen for your child to take their first steps into the exciting world of robotics, I’m hosting a free hands-on robotics workshop on 23rd September at the Upper Riccarton Community Library.

🧠 Kids will get the chance to:
✅ Program real robots using visual, beginner-friendly programming tools
✅ Solve fun, real-world problems using creative thinking
✅ Explore the world of STEM — no prior experience needed!

👧👦 Open to kids aged 8+
💻 Each child will need access to a laptop
📍 Limited to 20 spots — register early to secure your place!

🔗 Register here: blis4.co.nz...

👨‍🏫 Tutor profile: www.linkedin.com...

#RoboticsWorkshop #FreeEvent #SchoolHolidayActivities #ChristchurchKids #STEMforKids #Blis4Technologies #FutureEngineers #UpperRiccartonLibrary #Robotics #BLIS4 #SchoolHoliday #STEAM

Free

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61 days ago

Make a Garden Bench with Resene Woodsman Skywater

The Team from Resene ColorShop Hornby

Make a stylish garden bench using inexpensive fencing timber finished in Resene Waterborne Woodsman Skywater. Find out how to make and stain your own bench seat with these easy step by step instructions.

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72 days ago

Show us your Snaps: Conservation Week

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

It is Conservation Week! Do you have any big plans for Conservation Week?

So many native fauna and flora make New Zealand special - show us a picture of your backyard native species in the comments below 💚 Perhaps we can inspire others to find the beauty in our local species.

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71 days ago

Choice News Tuesday: Spring is in full swing, and the birds are getting busy 🐣

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Spring’s here, and with it comes warmer weather and lots of activity from our birds. It’s a great time to get outside—many birds are easier to spot as they build nests, raise their chicks, or return from their Arctic adventures 👀

Keen to do some backyard birdwatching? The Department of … View more
Spring’s here, and with it comes warmer weather and lots of activity from our birds. It’s a great time to get outside—many birds are easier to spot as they build nests, raise their chicks, or return from their Arctic adventures 👀

Keen to do some backyard birdwatching? The Department of Conservation have put together a nifty guide on how to plan and plant a garden that attracts native birds.

We hope this brings a smile!

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63 days ago

Elissa - Part 1

The Team from Humans of Christchurch Ōtautahi

“I'm pretty sure I've got an ADHD brain.

I've had my first three assessments, because I want to learn more about myself.

My whole life I've kind of been a generalist. I'm interested in everything. And marketing, it's a generalist kind of discipline. I probably… View more
“I'm pretty sure I've got an ADHD brain.

I've had my first three assessments, because I want to learn more about myself.

My whole life I've kind of been a generalist. I'm interested in everything. And marketing, it's a generalist kind of discipline. I probably would have gone into something more artistic if I hadn't been steered towards things. My goal out of uni was always to find a company or organization whose values I aligned with and I was interested in. It's probably an ADHD thing, I struggle with work that I'm not invested in.

As a kid, I'd get told off for walking barefoot outside in the grass, because it was like, ‘oh, no, you're going to make the inside of the house dirty.’ I don't know if people who knew me when I was in school would actually recognize me now, because my interests are so different. As a kid, I did a lot of reading, drawing, did a lot of crafts, and had those things reinforced. ‘oh, Elissa doesn't like going outside, and she doesn't like sports’, that kind of thing. I think a lot of stuff has been masked or gone undetected because we were pushed as kids and given way more structure.

I've always lived in Christchurch, my parents are first gen immigrants from Malaysia, they moved here in 1988. I didn't really relate to people who were Chinese Malaysian, because they were growing up in a different culture to me. Going back to Malaysia as a kid for family things, we weren't really allowed out to explore by ourselves because we were told it wasn't safe.

I feel like I grew up in a very typical Asian household. You do good at school, you go to uni, you get a degree, get a good job, I was never given the space to be like, ‘What do I want to do?’

Aikido was the first thing that made me go, I actually enjoy movement. I was terrible at team sports. I started when I was 10 and I did Aikido for about 13 years. I was a third degree Black Belt and I was teaching some classes.

When I was like 21, 22 - It was a first relationship - I had a big breakup. I lost my sense of me, and maybe this is how I started to learn about myself more. I had to discover what I enjoyed doing, and had to think for myself again.

I did parkour for a bit. That didn't stick, I was pretty useless. I tried pole fitness. It was really fun, but too expensive. I started to discover that I like individual sports that you can do on your own and also with other people. That was when skating started to take over.”

- Elissa
Part 1 of 2

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63 days ago

cordless drills for parts

Richard from Hornby

Wanting to buy a Worx cordless battery drill charger unit also a makita cordless drill unit model number is DHP481 even if the gearbox is dead as long as its still running

63 days ago

Ryman Village Open Days

Anthony Wilding Retirement Village

Friday 12 & Saturday 13 September, 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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64 days ago

Ryman Village Open Days

The Team from Ryman Healthcare

Friday 12 & Saturday 13 September, 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.
Find out more

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66 days ago

Governors Bay Fete

Gail from Governors Bay

The Fête will be held at the Allandale Domain again this year, on Sunday 19th October 2025 from 11am till 3pm and we would love to see you there!
We have some great entertainment with live music and games for the kids as well as plant and garden clubs stalls, locally made crafts and pottery, … View more
The Fête will be held at the Allandale Domain again this year, on Sunday 19th October 2025 from 11am till 3pm and we would love to see you there!
We have some great entertainment with live music and games for the kids as well as plant and garden clubs stalls, locally made crafts and pottery, coffee and lots of yummy food options!

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67 days ago

Are you the Special Someone our SPCA animals have been waiting for?

The Team from SPCA Christchurch - Centre & Op Shops

From Sat 6 – Sun 21 September, all long-stay animals at SPCA will be available for adoption by donation/koha - for the right home.*

They might be older, shy, have only three legs or just need that extra bit of attention and care – but they all deserve a loving home. And they have been … View more
From Sat 6 – Sun 21 September, all long-stay animals at SPCA will be available for adoption by donation/koha - for the right home.*

They might be older, shy, have only three legs or just need that extra bit of attention and care – but they all deserve a loving home. And they have been waiting for a long time for that Special Love!

Look for the ‘Long-stay resident’ tag on our adoption profiles, check you can provide what they need to flourish & apply online at www.spca.nz...

*animals looking for their forever family for more than 42 days; our usual adoption criteria and processes apply.

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67 days ago

Lulu's Village Life

Anthony Wilding Retirement Village

Many of our villages are lucky to have four-legged friends like Lulu the poodle!

Lulu is a loved companion with a big personality and an even bigger routine. She’s up at 6am sharp and she never misses an outing - whether it’s a trip to the caravan, a ride in the Bunnings trolley, or even a … View more
Many of our villages are lucky to have four-legged friends like Lulu the poodle!

Lulu is a loved companion with a big personality and an even bigger routine. She’s up at 6am sharp and she never misses an outing - whether it’s a trip to the caravan, a ride in the Bunnings trolley, or even a spin on the jetski with her own life jacket!

Click read more to learn about Lulu's village life.

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68 days ago

Make It Yours: Create a Custom House Number Plaque with Resene Paints

The Team from Resene ColorShop Hornby

Create a stylish house number plaque from a terracotta plant saucer and some Resene testpots – we show you how. Find out how to make and finish your own plaque with these easy step by step instructions.

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68 days ago

Receive a skincare gift with your NZ House & Garden subscription this September

NZ House & Garden

Help your skin feel naturally soft, hydrated, and visibly replenished this spring. For a limited time when you subscribe to NZ House & Garden for 1 or 2 years, you’ll receive a FREE Ceramide Soufflé Fresh Hydration Cream from Antipodes - valued at $64!

Treat yourself to a … View more
Help your skin feel naturally soft, hydrated, and visibly replenished this spring. For a limited time when you subscribe to NZ House & Garden for 1 or 2 years, you’ll receive a FREE Ceramide Soufflé Fresh Hydration Cream from Antipodes - valued at $64!

Treat yourself to a beautiful magazine subscription and a self-care ritual, all in one.

From the team at Mags4Gifts

*T&Cs apply. Offer available to the first 200 people who subscribe to NZ House & Garden for 1 or 2 years between August 25 - September 21, 2025.
Find out more

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