Macraes, Macraes Flat

Merry Christmas, neighbours

Merry Christmas, neighbours

From us at Neighbourly

30 days ago

PAINT IT ORANGE

Resene

Paint it Orange - Arthritis - 1st - 29th November 2025

Paint it orange with Resene for Arthritis NZ!

Buy any orange Resene testpot 60 ml at your local Resene owned ColorShop in November and Resene will donate $1 to Arthritis NZ!

The more orange testpots you buy, the more will be donated.
Find out more

Image
30 days ago

Tony and June ‘lucky’ to be together in their serviced apartment

Yvette Williams Retirement Village

Tony and June feel like the luckiest people living in a Ryman village.

The couple have lived in their large, sunny serviced apartment for four years now and still can’t quite believe what a good score it was.

“It was the best thing we’ve done,” says June. “It’s north facing, so it… View more
Tony and June feel like the luckiest people living in a Ryman village.

The couple have lived in their large, sunny serviced apartment for four years now and still can’t quite believe what a good score it was.

“It was the best thing we’ve done,” says June. “It’s north facing, so it gets lots of light, and it’s a good size, so I’ve got room for my card-making supplies.”

Click below to read their full story.

Image
35 days ago

Poll: What’s the top scam right now?

The Team from Netsafe

💸💸💸 Before you get caught, test your scam knowledge with Netsafe’s fun new Scam Spotting Quiz or try our online module for even more skill-building.

Image
What’s the top scam right now?
  • 65.2% Online shopping
    65.2% Complete
  • 19.7% Romance
    19.7% Complete
  • 15.1% The “free BBQ if you fill out a survey” classic
    15.1% Complete
431 votes
38 days ago

Poll: Have you faced any barriers when trying to access primary health care?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Your location can affect how much you pay to see a GP. So, someone on the West Coast might pay around $33, while a person in Wellington might pay closer to $70.

❔ We want to know: Where do you live, and how much do your GP visits cost?

These prices are influenced by underfunding, subsidy … View more
Your location can affect how much you pay to see a GP. So, someone on the West Coast might pay around $33, while a person in Wellington might pay closer to $70.

❔ We want to know: Where do you live, and how much do your GP visits cost?

These prices are influenced by underfunding, subsidy caps, and the pressure they put on wages. Read more about how the GP lottery impacts you in Harriet Laughton's piece in The Post.

Image
Have you faced any barriers when trying to access primary health care?
  • 17.4% I have experienced financial barriers
    17.4% Complete
  • 47.5% I have had issues with availability
    47.5% Complete
  • 35.1% No - I haven’t been impacted
    35.1% Complete
1004 votes
50 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Did you know there’s a global shortage of sweet pea seeds?

In Aotearoa New Zealand, dedicated gardeners are working to revive authentic sweet pea varieties and keep their beauty blooming for generations to come 🌸🪻🌻

Read more about their efforts here.

We hope this brings a smile!

Image
39 days ago

⚠️ Fraud Awareness Week: Shop Smart and Stay Scam-Safe

The Team from Netsafe

Scams can happen to anyone, especially during Black Friday and Cyber Monday when online shopping increases. Scammers use trust, hope and fear to get money or personal information:
TRUST: Pretending to be a courier, retailer, or bank.
HOPE: Offering fake “too good to miss” deals or miracle … View more
Scams can happen to anyone, especially during Black Friday and Cyber Monday when online shopping increases. Scammers use trust, hope and fear to get money or personal information:
TRUST: Pretending to be a courier, retailer, or bank.
HOPE: Offering fake “too good to miss” deals or miracle products.
FEAR: ‘Limited time deals’ messaging, fake ‘missed delivery’ updates

✋ Remember the SCAMS red flags:
Surprise contact
Control or pressure
Access to your device
Money request
Stop and seek support

If you think you’ve been scammed, stop contact, call your bank, and change your passwords.

Image
35 days ago

Some great news for the Great South ✈️✨

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Great South is set to receive $393,000 to boost its campaign encouraging Australian travellers to come over and explore the stunning Southern Way.

We want to know: How do you feel about highlighting our mountains and lakes to attract more visitors to the region?

Image
43 days ago

Poll: Can AI make flying more personal? ✈️

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🌿 Air New Zealand reckons the future of air travel lies in AI. To them, AI means boosting efficiency without bumping up prices.

But what do you think? 🤔
Can AI really make flying more personal?

Keen to find out more? 👉 Check out Grant Bradley's piece on the Post

Image
Can AI make flying more personal? ✈️
  • 29.6% Personal? I just want lower prices
    29.6% Complete
  • 52% No way! Great service needs real people
    52% Complete
  • 18.5% I’ll wait and see what this actually looks like
    18.5% Complete
710 votes
48 days ago

Poll: If you had a bit of spare cash, would you 'buy' into a pest-free island?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Kiwis have always had a soft spot for our animal friends. With so many unique and quirky birds and marine species calling Aotearoa home, it’s only natural that we feel a deep drive to protect them 🐧🦭

These days, we’re getting pretty creative about how we do it too. The latest idea? You… View more
Kiwis have always had a soft spot for our animal friends. With so many unique and quirky birds and marine species calling Aotearoa home, it’s only natural that we feel a deep drive to protect them 🐧🦭

These days, we’re getting pretty creative about how we do it too. The latest idea? You can actually buy a symbolic piece of one of New Zealand’s most remote islands as part of the Auckland Island Restoration Project.

If you had a bit of spare cash, would you 'buy' into the project?
And maybe the bigger question — should we be looking at doing the same kind of thing for wildlife refuges on our main islands too?

Image
If you had a bit of spare cash, would you 'buy' into a pest-free island?
  • 60% Yes - restoration needs creativity
    60% Complete
  • 40% No - Is this sensible?
    40% Complete
653 votes
49 days ago

Scam Alert: Cold calls from banks

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

A number of banks are reporting scam calls where actors are impersonating bank staff and are soliciting information from business customers.

Be cautious of any unexpected contact and only use verified banking channels.

Important security reminder:
⚠️ Your bank will never ask for your … View more
A number of banks are reporting scam calls where actors are impersonating bank staff and are soliciting information from business customers.

Be cautious of any unexpected contact and only use verified banking channels.

Important security reminder:
⚠️ Your bank will never ask for your login details – including your username and passwords – by email or phone.
⚠️ Your bank will never send direct links to log in to online banking platforms via email or SMS.
⚠️ Your bank does not need to know your full credit card number and CVV number (they already know these details!)
⚠️ Your bank will never ask you to download software or remotely access your device.

Image
43 days ago

Tackling Illegal Hunting in Southland

The Team from Southern District Police

Southland Police are teaming up with the Department of Conservation (DOC) and farmers to target illegal hunting and trespassing in the Mid Dome Conservation Area.

‘The Mid Dome Poaching Project’ brings puts poachers in the spotlight and focuses on educating hunters, in order to protect … View more
Southland Police are teaming up with the Department of Conservation (DOC) and farmers to target illegal hunting and trespassing in the Mid Dome Conservation Area.

‘The Mid Dome Poaching Project’ brings puts poachers in the spotlight and focuses on educating hunters, in order to protect private property, and ensure the safety of hunters and farmers.

The Mid Dome area has seen a rise in illegal hunting activity since 2022, with hunters breaching DOC permit conditions and trespassing onto privately owned farmland.

Senior Sergeant Peter Graham says farmers bordering the Mid Dome Conservation Area have reported repeated incidents of poaching and safety concerns. “This project is about working together to educate hunters, enforce the law, and protect Southland’s rural communities,” says Senior Sergeant Peter Graham.

Department of Conservation Ranger, Jono Airey says hunting permits are issued for public conservation land only. “Hunters must respect boundaries and seek permission before crossing private property, were committed to working with police and landowners to ensure responsible hunting practices,” says Jono Airey.

To help Police identify and hold poachers accountable, we ask anybody to report suspicious behaviour to us, including suspicious vehicles or people in your local area.

If it is happening now, call 111.

If you are reporting information after the fact, call 105 or go online.

Image
44 days ago

SILVER WINNER QUALITY SERVICE AWARD

Yvette Williams Retirement Village

We’re delighted to have been awarded silver in the 2026 Reader’s Digest Quality Service Awards.

This is the eighth time we’ve been honoured in these awards since they began in 2015.

Each year, Reader’s Digest conducts the Quality Service Awards survey to discover New Zealanders’ … View more
We’re delighted to have been awarded silver in the 2026 Reader’s Digest Quality Service Awards.

This is the eighth time we’ve been honoured in these awards since they began in 2015.

Each year, Reader’s Digest conducts the Quality Service Awards survey to discover New Zealanders’ attitudes towards services from business across various industries.

Companies are assessed based on five pillars: personalisation, understanding, simplicity, satisfaction and consistency.

This recognition reflects the hard work, dedication and excellence that our teams strive for every day in our villages to deliver exceptional service standards.

Thank you to our amazing teams and to all those who took the time to complete the surveys!

Image
49 days ago

Bright Spots winners!

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

A big congratulations to the 2025 Resene Bright Spots winners! We are proud to announce our ten winners who have all won a $250 Prezzy card and a $250 Resene Gift card!

Deepa Keenawinna - Lower Hutt (home crafts)
Slava Voronin - Kerikeri (blossoming tree)
Sam Holliday - Paraparaumu (hot pink … View more
A big congratulations to the 2025 Resene Bright Spots winners! We are proud to announce our ten winners who have all won a $250 Prezzy card and a $250 Resene Gift card!

Deepa Keenawinna - Lower Hutt (home crafts)
Slava Voronin - Kerikeri (blossoming tree)
Sam Holliday - Paraparaumu (hot pink outdoor chair)
Chris Carlyon - Waikanae (French Bulldog painting)
Joel Bradley - Auckland (Kea painting)
Jayne Walton - Rangiora (rainbow gate
Charmaine Macpherson - Cheviot (colourful bathtab)
Adele Whittaker - Auckland (school mural)
Karan Robson - Foxton Beach (blue backdoor)
Dave Bang - Levin (native bird mural)

Take a look at their wonderful colourful entries below. A huge thank you to everyone who shared a Bright Spot in their community this year; we have loved seeing the places in your neighbourhood that bring you joy.

55 days ago

Poll: What do you think about Fonterra's deal? 🐮🥛

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Fonterra is selling some of its well-known brands — including Anchor, Mainland, Fernleaf, and Kapiti Fine Foods — to French company Lactalis.

Why? Fonterra says it wants to focus on ingredients rather than consumer brands.

💭 What do you think about the move?

Keen to read more? Luke … View more
Fonterra is selling some of its well-known brands — including Anchor, Mainland, Fernleaf, and Kapiti Fine Foods — to French company Lactalis.

Why? Fonterra says it wants to focus on ingredients rather than consumer brands.

💭 What do you think about the move?

Keen to read more? Luke Malpass offers his opinion in The Press

Image
What do you think about Fonterra's deal? 🐮🥛
  • 6.1% Unsure - will wait to see how this affects my wallet
    6.1% Complete
  • 30.5% Sad to see Kiwi brands sold off
    30.5% Complete
  • 55.6% Against it – a loss for NZ manufacturing
    55.6% Complete
  • 7.8% For it – focusing on ingredients is the right move
    7.8% Complete
1927 votes
52 days ago

Ryman Village Open Days

Yvette Williams Retirement Village

Join us any Wednesday in November and explore our lifestyle, show homes and amenities.

More than just a place to live, Ryman villages are places where friendships grow, hobbies flourish and a genuine sense of community thrives.

The best way is to experience it for yourself. No appointment … View more
Join us any Wednesday in November and explore our lifestyle, show homes and amenities.

More than just a place to live, Ryman villages are places where friendships grow, hobbies flourish and a genuine sense of community thrives.

The best way is to experience it for yourself. No appointment necessary!

Image
Top