Omanawa, Omanawa

19 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

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2 hours ago

Ashburton bridge announcement expected before Christmas

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

Christmas might come early in Ashburton.

Ashburton mayor Neil Brown visited Wellington recently for a Local Government NZ meeting and took the opportunity to pop into the Beehive to meet with Minister of Transport Simeon Brown.

“We are … View more
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

Christmas might come early in Ashburton.

Ashburton mayor Neil Brown visited Wellington recently for a Local Government NZ meeting and took the opportunity to pop into the Beehive to meet with Minister of Transport Simeon Brown.

“We are progressing discussions on the second bridge and we hope to have an announcement in December,” mayor Brown said.

“Hopefully it will be a good Christmas present for Ashburton and the people of the South Island, as it’s a resilience project for the state highway network.”

The second bridge project is about improved connectivity between Tinwald and Ashburton that will reduce congestion along State Highway 1 where the existing bridge has had to close due to flooding twice in recent years, cutting the South Island off in the middle.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon made the pre-election pledge to start constructing a new bridge for Ashburton in its first term.

When he was in town on Friday he said it was “officially on the programme”.

“Ashburton Bridge is on its way.

“Timing will be worked through very quickly with Simeon, but it’s on the plan.”

The council and Government remain in negotiations over how to fund the $130m second Ashburton/Hakatere River Bridge.

“All funding options are part of the discussions,” mayor Brown said.

The discussion will include the possibility of a toll and areas of the project that can be refined to keep costs down.

The transport minister has repeatedly mentioned the possibility of introducing a toll on a second Ashburton bridge - either on the new bridge or the existing State Highway 1 crossing - to help pay for its construction.

Rangitata MP James Meager said he was aware of the meeting between the Browns.

“I don’t know what the outcome of that conversation was, but I understand they are getting closer and closer to reaching an agreement on what the funding mix should be.

“That’s the last big hurdle to get past.

“Then we can start making decisions around applying for consents and of course it’s in the fast track process so should go through quickly.

“Before we know it there will be shovels in the ground.”

Luxon and Meager were both confident the construction will begin this term, as promised.

The second bride project, a new 360m-long bridge across the Ashburton/Hakatere River, was included in the National Land Transport Plan and listed as a road of regional significance.

It guarantees the Government, through the NZ Transport Agency, will fund at least 51% ($66m) of the estimated $130m project.

That leaves $64m to find.

The council rolled over the $7.5m figure in its long-term plan budgets, but was aware it may need to increase its contribution.

Council chief executive Hamish Riach previously confirmed the council was applying to the Government’s $1.2 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund as the second bridge "fits very well with the fund’s criteria" in the council’s view.

The fund is a capital fund, supporting projects through a mix of loan and equity investments.

19 hours ago

It’s Riddle Time! Beat the Neighbourhood with Your Smarts!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

Which of the following words don't belong in the group and why?
CORSET, COSTER, SECTOR, ESCORT, COURTS

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at … View more
Which of the following words don't belong in the group and why?
CORSET, COSTER, SECTOR, ESCORT, COURTS

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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7 hours ago

Searing Wednesday forecast

Jennifer Eder Reporter from Marlborough Express

Better pop some iceblocks in the freezer - Blenheim is expected to be the hottest spot in the South Island this week, reaching 30C on Wednesday, and 28C on Thursday. Have you got any tips to stay cool?

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9 days ago

Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.

John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass … View more
This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.

John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!

As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!

John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.

Share your question below now ⬇️

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11 hours ago

Meal prepping for the holidays? Check out our compostable tray sealing Starter Pack

Jo Weir from Enduro by Contour International

Save $600 when you get started with ready meals with the Enduro Tray Sealer Starter Pack that includes:

* END-5TS Manual Tray Sealer with easy lock assist
* 500 Compostable serving trays
* 500 metres of Compostable lidding film (enough to seal over 2,000 trays)

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