Mangatawhiri - Maramarua news is brought to you by the team at Franklin County News
Recent posts
Thank you for using Neighbourly
The 12th Fulton Swim School Triathlon saw 324 primary school students sprint and pedal their way aro…
A captivating public artwork was officially unveiled in Wynyard Quarter on 16 March by Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods. The artwork is a painting by Erin Forsyth that wraps around the battery system that is powering Vector Lights on Auckland Harbour Bridge.
From today, energyclubnz's electricity-at-cost service is available in Counties Manukau across the C…
Having a written employment agreement is the law. Even if you don’t have one, there are some minimum employment rights that everyone is entitled to. We’re here to help you know what your rights are and what to do if they aren’t being met. Call 0800 367 222 (0800 FOR CAB) for help or visit our… View moreHaving a written employment agreement is the law. Even if you don’t have one, there are some minimum employment rights that everyone is entitled to. We’re here to help you know what your rights are and what to do if they aren’t being met. Call 0800 367 222 (0800 FOR CAB) for help or visit our website www.cab.org.nz... for details about CAB services in your neighbourhood.
If you’re looking to sell your house, but it needs a do-up to increase your property value and get people through the door. Even if you’ve mapped out a budget, it can be tricky to know where to start. Which renovations add the most value?
These are the home improvements known to bring the … View moreIf you’re looking to sell your house, but it needs a do-up to increase your property value and get people through the door. Even if you’ve mapped out a budget, it can be tricky to know where to start. Which renovations add the most value?
These are the home improvements known to bring the best return and boost your property price:
INSULATION
If you’ve ever lived in a freezing house in the middle of winter, you’ll understand why insulation is such a big draw card. Which would you rather: sitting on the sofa in jeans and a sweater, or turning into a living michelin man/woman with five layers, gloves, beanie and two pairs of woolly socks (and still being cold)?
Insulation makes a home both comfortable and livable, so much so that from 1 July 2019 it will be compulsory in all rental homes. A well-insulated home also makes for an energy efficient home too. With less heat escaping, the less need you’ll have for heaters or a heat pump, which means lower power bills. It could be partly why midrange attic insulation in the US generates the best return on investment (107 per cent).
KITCHEN
A kitchen is more than a cooking space, it is a gathering point in many a home—especially for families and people who like to entertain. While we have no figures specific to New Zealand, in Australia a kitchen remodel can increase a property’s value as much as AUD $50,000 to $60,000.
The bad news is kitchens can be expensive. In New Zealand, a basic kitchen remodel can range from $10,000 to $30,000, so research the current value of your home and how much you it can sell it for with a redone kitchen. It may turn out to be more cost effective to do minor work such as repainting, changing the cupboard doors and handles, and installing new work surfaces, rather than a full gut and refresh.
BATHROOM
After the kitchen, a bathroom can be the second most cash-draining renovation you can make, but it can make a difference—not just on the resale value of a house, but also because it attracts more buyers.
Modernising a bathroom and ridding it of scunge, grime and mould can instantly draw a greater crowd of buyers. What’s more, they’ll be willing to pay top dollar for the convenience of moving into home that doesn’t need any work. If the budget is tight, replace the tapware, toilet and sink—in that order.
ADD A DECK
An outside deck can expand your home’s usable space and increase your home’s value by up to 30 per cent. Price will depend on the size and material you use. As a guide, a 20m2 deck can range from $3,400 to $12,100. Just keep in mind that if it is going to be over 1.5m high, you’ll need to get building consent before you start.
KERB APPEAL
First impressions count. That’s why kerb appeal - how your house looks from the street - continues to play a large role in generating strong returns. This includes replacing and/or changing garage doors, main entry doors, fences, windows, cladding, and sliding doors.
Acacia Cove Village had their Annual Village Picnic after having to postpone it because of ill weather. It was a roaring success as people came together, enjoyed a sausage sizzle a lovely drink and played games.
The competition was stiff and as usual, went along with a lot of … View moreAcacia Cove Village had their Annual Village Picnic after having to postpone it because of ill weather. It was a roaring success as people came together, enjoyed a sausage sizzle a lovely drink and played games.
The competition was stiff and as usual, went along with a lot of bantering and laughs. Some of our staff as well as our Manager, Bruce Cullington joined with great enthusiasm much to the delight of the Residents. A marvellous afternoon, to be repeated next year for sure.
Calling all creative cookies and DIY devotees! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards. Whether it's an old item you've spruced up or something you've found a completely new purpose for, we wanna see your creations!
… View moreCalling all creative cookies and DIY devotees! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards. Whether it's an old item you've spruced up or something you've found a completely new purpose for, we wanna see your creations!
Submit your entry in the very first Resene Upcycling Awards by sharing your upcycled masterpiece with your neighbours. Of course, there are goodies to be won including four prizes up for grabs worth $500 (plus spot prizes). Multiple entries are welcome - don't forget to include your before and after pics and mention any Resene products you've used!
Around 80 paintings by the late Papakura artist Nancy Purdie are up for sale, with proceeds going to…
We are looking for people from all walks of life: couples, singles, families, city and rural dwellers who can provide care for children aged 8 to 18 years who have experienced loss and trauma in their lives. Providing connections to culture is vital so we are looking for caregivers in the Waikato … View moreWe are looking for people from all walks of life: couples, singles, families, city and rural dwellers who can provide care for children aged 8 to 18 years who have experienced loss and trauma in their lives. Providing connections to culture is vital so we are looking for caregivers in the Waikato from a range of cultural backgrounds. We are looking for caregivers who can provide day time, home for life, respite care, long term, short term and emergency overnight care.
If you are interested in becoming a caregiver please contact:
Joel Hastings 0508 (FAMILY) or 029 341 3765 or email Joel.Hastings@mvcot.govt.nz
Rhonda Mitchell 0508 (FAMILY) or 029 472 7371 or email Rhonda.Mitchell@mvcot.govt.nz
Hi neighbours, I'm Sue from Go Dive Center, a family run business here in the South Auckland/Franklin area for all your diving needs. We love diving and offer a range of dive equipment to get you into diving, or to continue exploring the incredible underwater world. We provide … View moreHi neighbours, I'm Sue from Go Dive Center, a family run business here in the South Auckland/Franklin area for all your diving needs. We love diving and offer a range of dive equipment to get you into diving, or to continue exploring the incredible underwater world. We provide onsite tank fills and can assist you with your servicing needs.
Check out our website www.godivecenter.co.nz for some of the quality Mares equipment we have on offer, or come in and try the gear on to get that all important perfect fit.
I look forward to catching up with you soon,
Sue
PS. Check us out on Facebook.
Happy World Sleep Day neighbours! Or is it? At Patney we believe a good night’s sleep is key to finding the energy to live your life to the fullest, so on World Sleep Day we're here to talk about snoring!
Anyone can be affected by snoring, at any time in their lives. Patney’s founder … View moreHappy World Sleep Day neighbours! Or is it? At Patney we believe a good night’s sleep is key to finding the energy to live your life to the fullest, so on World Sleep Day we're here to talk about snoring!
Anyone can be affected by snoring, at any time in their lives. Patney’s founder Frances Anderson has experienced first-hand the impact snoring can have on your energy levels, confidence and happiness.
Frances spent years searching for an effective way to control her snoring, to no avail. Fed up and exhausted, Frances set out on a journey to create her own solution. The Patney sleep positioner is the result of an intensive research, development and testing process.
Frances sought independent validation of the Patney sleep positioner through the University of Otago. The independent study proved the Patney sleep positioner is an effective way to control snoring.
No one should have to put up with snoring. Take a look at Patney and experience the benefits a good night’s sleep can bring. We offer a 30-day money back guarantee, so on World Sleep Day you can celebrate having had a great night's sleep!
Hot issues and hot curries! Tune in to our 'Troy Talks' Facebook Live on Monday the 19th of March at 7pm where Emily will chat with our expert Troy Churton about the hottest issues in retirement village living. You don't want to miss this one.
Is swimming naked a natural, liberating experience or a weird act that forces bare bodies into the view of reluctant onlookers? Waiheke Island residents have been fiercely debating the subject after it was raised by resident Micah Courtney in a Facebook post.
*www.stuff.co.nz...
A north Waikato woman is calling for tougher regulations around boarding kennels and catteries after she found her cat hanging dead from a galvanised chain-link fence.
Where will future Aucklanders’ live? What will future housing look like in Auckland? Have your say on Auckland’s housing future. #akhaveyoursay
© Neighbourly 2025
Loading…
