Meremere, Mercer

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Do you have any festive tips your community needs to know about? Post them here!

2080 days ago

Thanks so much to all NZ Gardener readers!

Jo McCarroll - NZ Gardener editor Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

I just wanted to update everyone as to what is happening with the next copy of your favourite magazine. With the current restrictions we aren’t able to print or distribute at the moment, but we are working hard on a fantastic May issue for you and it will be on sale as soon as the restrictions … View moreI just wanted to update everyone as to what is happening with the next copy of your favourite magazine. With the current restrictions we aren’t able to print or distribute at the moment, but we are working hard on a fantastic May issue for you and it will be on sale as soon as the restrictions ease! I am hearing from so many readers right now about how their gardens have never been more important to them than they are now, so I want to ensure you get your NZ Gardener, packed with beautiful pictures, expert advice, inspiration and information as quickly as possible, so you can enjoy your own garden even more. Meanwhile, when you do your next shop, we’d love it if you could pick up a copy of the April issue which is on sale now (you can add a copy to your online shop too). As you’ve probably heard on the news it is a tough time for magazines right now, and we are incredibly grateful for the support of our regular readers and (especially!) our subscribers. If you are in a position to subscribe, or share your own love of plants and gardening by buying a subscription as a gift for someone else, then we’d be incredibly grateful: mags4gifts.co.nz.... Stay safe and enjoy the extra time in your garden everyone! Jo

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2080 days ago

Please donate to your rescue helicopter

Phillips Search & Rescue Trust

We live in an amazing country. But right now, we’re in a state of emergency. So we all need to stay home to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Now more than ever, we need our rescue emergency services available - for non-recreational accidents, and to support and transport patients with complex … View more
We live in an amazing country. But right now, we’re in a state of emergency. So we all need to stay home to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Now more than ever, we need our rescue emergency services available - for non-recreational accidents, and to support and transport patients with complex medical needs.

And while we hope you won’t need us, we need your help more than ever.

Please donate today. Together, we can save lives.
Find out more

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2082 days ago

Can you help us help our frontline this Easter?

ShieldsUp

ShieldsUp is a volunteer driven initiative of over 500 Kiwis, 3D printing, manufacturing and distributing face shields to our medical and emergency heroes across the country facing Covid-19 head on.

Within two weeks, we have delivered over 5,000 face shields, but we are still hearing the calls … View more
ShieldsUp is a volunteer driven initiative of over 500 Kiwis, 3D printing, manufacturing and distributing face shields to our medical and emergency heroes across the country facing Covid-19 head on.

Within two weeks, we have delivered over 5,000 face shields, but we are still hearing the calls of many. As the government and DHB’s publicly assure us that all necessary equipment is readily accessible, the demand for our face shields continues to grow daily, with requests for 30,000 shields.

If you would like to help us help them, sign up to volunteer at shieldsup.org.nz, or make a donation to ensure we can continue to produce and distribute our shields to protect our frontline heroes.

ShieldsUp, offering protection to Kiwi’s against COVID-19.
Find out more

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2084 days ago

Small businesses in your community need a hand!

SOS Business

Hi neighbours! SOS Business was set up to help local businesses in your community. It means you can buy gift cards from your favourite cafés, restaurants and service providers and then redeem them when they re-open after lockdown.

You can play a special part helping small businesses stay … View more
Hi neighbours! SOS Business was set up to help local businesses in your community. It means you can buy gift cards from your favourite cafés, restaurants and service providers and then redeem them when they re-open after lockdown.

You can play a special part helping small businesses stay afloat during this time. Spread the word to your friends and family so that we can help as many local businesses as we can.

Thanks for being a great neighbour by being a lifeline for businesses in your community.

PS - in case you were wondering, due to the success of SOS Café, and the number of other service businesses now on the Platform, the team have rebranded to SOS Business – Save Our Small Business!
Support a local business

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2085 days ago

Look our for others

The Team from Waikato Police

We know some of you are facing threatening and potentially harmful times at home right now. Police will be there for you if you call us.

If you are in immediate danger and can’t call 111, leave your house and get out of harm’s way. Get to a safe distance and then ask a neighbour over a fence, … View more
We know some of you are facing threatening and potentially harmful times at home right now. Police will be there for you if you call us.

If you are in immediate danger and can’t call 111, leave your house and get out of harm’s way. Get to a safe distance and then ask a neighbour over a fence, or a passer-by, to call 111 for you. Your safety comes first.

It’s everybody’s responsibility to speak out and keep each other safe right now. If you think something is not ok with a friend, neighbour, or colleague, it’s okay to call Police on their behalf. The person you’re worried about may not be able to speak up for themselves. You could be saving a life.

For more information or support: www.police.govt.nz...

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2085 days ago

Appreciation post

The Team from Waikato Police

Thank you to all our essential service workers working tirelessly to ensure our communities are kept safe.

Issac is 81years old and was observed by a member of the public struggling to walk to the supermarket. A quick interaction with Isaac revealed he was in need of some intervention.

Community … View more
Thank you to all our essential service workers working tirelessly to ensure our communities are kept safe.

Issac is 81years old and was observed by a member of the public struggling to walk to the supermarket. A quick interaction with Isaac revealed he was in need of some intervention.

Community Constable Reuben Boniface ?‍♂️ was able to connect Issac with Age Concern Southland and with their assistance provide a care package of cooked meals and loaves of bread to help him through this time ? #kindnessgoesalongway

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2085 days ago

Are you OK?

The Team from Waikato Police

Your emotional and mental wellbeing is important. It is normal to feel stressed or lonely when self-isolating, but there are some things you can do to feel better.

Even if you are not sick you may be feeling anxious about COVID-19. This is normal.

Reach out to your family and whānau, friends and… View more
Your emotional and mental wellbeing is important. It is normal to feel stressed or lonely when self-isolating, but there are some things you can do to feel better.

Even if you are not sick you may be feeling anxious about COVID-19. This is normal.

Reach out to your family and whānau, friends and workmates. Sharing how we feel and offering support to others is important.

We want to remind you that if you or someone you know is struggling right now, there is free help available.

See below a list of helplines throughout New Zealand ?

Kia Kaha Aotearoa.

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2085 days ago

Looking for inspiration?

Signature Homes

The team at Signature Homes Waikato wants to keep you entertained while at home with a free digital copy of our latest home design magazine, full of real stories from Kiwi homeowners.

If you’re thinking of building new, or just looking for some inspiration, Signature Style is a must-read! We … View more
The team at Signature Homes Waikato wants to keep you entertained while at home with a free digital copy of our latest home design magazine, full of real stories from Kiwi homeowners.

If you’re thinking of building new, or just looking for some inspiration, Signature Style is a must-read! We have a wide range of House & Land Packages and home designs to suit your taste, budget, section and lifestyle.

We look forward to reconnecting with the community very soon, in the meantime please click to get your free digital copy of our magazine.

Andrew Buttimore, Jamie Buttimore & Keir Bettley
Signature Homes Waikato.
Find out more

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2085 days ago

This week's latest Blueprint

Hamilton Harcourts

View Hamilton Harcourts' latest interactive Blueprint.

If you'd like to receive Blueprint in your inbox each week, subscribe here.
Read it now

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2087 days ago

Join us for lunch and some new ideas

Jo Haywood Reporter from Homed

Hey neighbours, it was great to see so many of you at our live lunch with NZ Home and Garden and NZ Gardener editors Naomi Larkin and Jo McCarroll. Thanks for stopping by :)

If you missed it, you can still drop in for a recap and see if Jo and Naomi answered your questions, here.

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2087 days ago

Largest NZ insurance broker, PIC, is exploiting the dire situation

Robert from Pukekohe

You may wish to know of this exploitation by a firm which is supposed to be respected.
Largest NZ insurance broker, P.I.C, is exploiting and dealing underhandedly with their clients in the dire situation that New Zealanders are in by charging an APR of nearly 25% to pay monthly. This is outrageous… View more
You may wish to know of this exploitation by a firm which is supposed to be respected.
Largest NZ insurance broker, P.I.C, is exploiting and dealing underhandedly with their clients in the dire situation that New Zealanders are in by charging an APR of nearly 25% to pay monthly. This is outrageous and disgusting at a time when we all need to pull together.
My partner’s 25 year old business lost 100% of its income when the lockdown started. Most suppliers helped to try and keep her afloat either by reducing their charges by up to 66% or deferring payment so that she would be in a position to restart when the lockdown ended.
PIC, NZ largest insurance broker, was approached to allow a monthly payment of the insurance premium payable on 15 April 2020. They agreed and quoted an interest rate of 9% - high but not extortionate at this time. No mention was made of the fact that a finance company would be involved. Finance papers were then emailed for a company called Stockade Premium Funding Ltd showing an APR of 24.83% and a flat rate of 9.8%. There is no risk to Stockade Premium Funding Ltd as a Direct Debit has to be signed and if payment stops the insurance is immediately cancelled.
When PIC office in Pukekohe was queried about the interest rate they stated that they had no knowledge of the 25% and that the interest rate was only 9%. When asked to review the position, they stated that the terms to go monthly were non-negotiable.
P.I.C INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED (Company #451964) and the finance company, STOCKADE PREMIUM FUNDING LIMITED (Company #1138701), are majority owned and totally controlled by Michael Geoffrey GARNER, 20 Chisbury Terrace, Shelly Park, Manukau, 2014 , New Zealand

2086 days ago

Let's chat about your garden today

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Hello neighbours, our editor Jo McCarroll is hosting another Live Lunch today (with colleague Naomi who edits NZ House & Garden), so jump online between 12.30 and 1pm to join them. You can ask questions in advance, so start firing through your gardening questions and pictures of your garden or … View moreHello neighbours, our editor Jo McCarroll is hosting another Live Lunch today (with colleague Naomi who edits NZ House & Garden), so jump online between 12.30 and 1pm to join them. You can ask questions in advance, so start firing through your gardening questions and pictures of your garden or the projects you've been tackling over lockdown anytime you like!

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