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The kākāpō, our famously lovable but critically endangered land-parrot, are forecast to have a massive breeding season in 2026 - perhaps the biggest on record!
How do we know? Kākāpō only 'get busy' during rimu mast events (where rimu grow heaps of fruit), every 2-4 years. … View moreThe kākāpō, our famously lovable but critically endangered land-parrot, are forecast to have a massive breeding season in 2026 - perhaps the biggest on record!
How do we know? Kākāpō only 'get busy' during rimu mast events (where rimu grow heaps of fruit), every 2-4 years. Because we can anticipate rimu mast events, and kākāpō love rimu fruit, we can predict kākāpō breeding activity.
Since there are only 242 kākāpō today, this bumper season is important.
This positive outlook on population numbers is especially exciting since, due to the mahi of conservationists, the kākāpō have completed their first season on the North island (at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari). The booming of the kākāpō has not been heard on the North Island of Aotearoa for over a century!
Read more about Aotearoa's flightless parrot and their nesting plans.
We hope this news brings a smile!
Moving into William Sanders Village provided Graham and Karrin Byrnes with the perfect chance to give back to a community that was right on their doorstep, with beloved pet Maggie being the key to their success.
The couple heard about the St John therapy pets programme not long after moving into… View moreMoving into William Sanders Village provided Graham and Karrin Byrnes with the perfect chance to give back to a community that was right on their doorstep, with beloved pet Maggie being the key to their success.
The couple heard about the St John therapy pets programme not long after moving into Ryman Healthcare’s Devonport village in 2021, and now take Maggie to visit residents in the village care centre three times a week.
Click read more to read about Maggie's pawsome work.
Good news for fans of creative expression and kiwi excellence ... poet Selina Tusitala Marsh has been announced as the inaugural Commonwealth Poet Laureate!
Marsh says, "When we honour the artistry within our communities, whether it flows from Sāmoa, my mother's island, or New … View moreGood news for fans of creative expression and kiwi excellence ... poet Selina Tusitala Marsh has been announced as the inaugural Commonwealth Poet Laureate!
Marsh says, "When we honour the artistry within our communities, whether it flows from Sāmoa, my mother's island, or New Zealand, where I was born and grew up, we recognise the inherent dignity and worth of every person whose story deserves to be told."
Congratulations Selina, ka pai.
We hope this news brings a smile!
Kia ora neighbours. We will give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine, and we're looking for watercress recipes right now. Send your family's favourite way to use up this crop, especially if you're lucky enough to grow it in your garden. Email us: … View moreKia ora neighbours. We will give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine, and we're looking for watercress recipes right now. Send your family's favourite way to use up this crop, especially if you're lucky enough to grow it in your garden. Email us: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by July 20, 2025.
Friday 18 & Saturday 19 July, 10am - 2pm
Nestled alongside Riccarton Park Racecourse, Kevin Hickman Village is open now. Don’t miss your first chance to explore our brand-new village centre.
Join us to tour our exceptional new amenities including a café, swimming pool, gym and more, as… View moreFriday 18 & Saturday 19 July, 10am - 2pm
Nestled alongside Riccarton Park Racecourse, Kevin Hickman Village is open now. Don’t miss your first chance to explore our brand-new village centre.
Join us to tour our exceptional new amenities including a café, swimming pool, gym and more, as well as our townhouse, apartment, and serviced apartment show homes. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit our care centre.
Come and experience life at a Ryman village, we can’t wait to welcome you.
Click read more to find out more.
Kia ora neighbours! We will give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine, and we're looking for brussels sprouts recipes right now. Send your family's favourite way to use up this crop, especially if you're lucky enough to grow it in your garden. Email us: … View moreKia ora neighbours! We will give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine, and we're looking for brussels sprouts recipes right now. Send your family's favourite way to use up this crop, especially if you're lucky enough to grow it in your garden. Email us: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by June 12, 2025.
Its been a year since our Community Beat Team hit the ground running (literally), and have done over 3050 hours of foot patrols since starting in July last year to the end of April this year.
As a result, Christchurch has seen a huge reduction in robbery of 67%, unlawful entry by 29% and sexual… View moreIts been a year since our Community Beat Team hit the ground running (literally), and have done over 3050 hours of foot patrols since starting in July last year to the end of April this year.
As a result, Christchurch has seen a huge reduction in robbery of 67%, unlawful entry by 29% and sexual assault by 16%.
Our communities can expect to see a continued presence as we continue to be highly visible, deter crime and prevent harm on our streets.
For more information about our Beat Teams.
Ryman resident Robyn swears by her ratatouille recipe from her much-loved copy of the Joy of Cooking, given to her by her next door neighbour in 1964.
Moving to New Zealand in 1976 and with four children to cook for, Robyn said the ratatouille recipe was a firm family favourite which she would … View moreRyman resident Robyn swears by her ratatouille recipe from her much-loved copy of the Joy of Cooking, given to her by her next door neighbour in 1964.
Moving to New Zealand in 1976 and with four children to cook for, Robyn said the ratatouille recipe was a firm family favourite which she would cook up every couple of weeks when the veggies were in season.
Click read more for the recipe.
Picking up an incredible 27% of Neighbourly member votes, we are thrilled to announce Catnap Cafe as this year's Prospa Local Business Hero! Catnap is an incredible small business based in Christchurch - both a traditional cafe where cat lovers and cats can spend time together - as well as a … View morePicking up an incredible 27% of Neighbourly member votes, we are thrilled to announce Catnap Cafe as this year's Prospa Local Business Hero! Catnap is an incredible small business based in Christchurch - both a traditional cafe where cat lovers and cats can spend time together - as well as a home for rescues, helping them find forever homes.
Here's a few words from Alyssa and Nate, the founders of Catap Cafe: "We’re stoked to have won the Prospa Local Business Hero Awards! We’re so grateful to our community for the nominations, votes and ongoing support and we’re super proud of what Catnap means to people. Having this recognition means a lot to us."
A huge congratulations to the Catnap team - and a big thank you to every Neighbourly member who made a nomination and voted in this year's Prospa Local Business Hero campaign!
At Ryman you won't pay your base weekly fee for a whole year* when you sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse at a participating Ryman village before 30 June 2025.
That means that you won’t pay rates, water rates, building insurance, maintenance fees and more. That’s great … View moreAt Ryman you won't pay your base weekly fee for a whole year* when you sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse at a participating Ryman village before 30 June 2025.
That means that you won’t pay rates, water rates, building insurance, maintenance fees and more. That’s great financial certainty.
*Terms and conditions apply.
At Ryman you'll find a perfect blend of independence and community.
With our new Winter Special, we are offering a fantastic price on selected homes. These prices are available for a limited time only.
Call Wendy on 03 342 4755 or click read more for more information.
Dear neighbours, after reading about our search for New Zealand's most impressive and artistic wood piles in the May 2025 issue, Auckland's Anne Stephens Whitcombe sent us this photo that she had snapped while on holiday in Norway. Have you put together a wood pile that's just as … View moreDear neighbours, after reading about our search for New Zealand's most impressive and artistic wood piles in the May 2025 issue, Auckland's Anne Stephens Whitcombe sent us this photo that she had snapped while on holiday in Norway. Have you put together a wood pile that's just as impressive, or even more so? Send us a photo! Email: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. You could be in to win a Fiskars X36 splitting axe L blade and a Fiskars X14 universal axe. We're looking for wood piles of impressive size or of particular space efficiency or even an artistic vision!
As the cooler months settle in and we spend more time at home, a burst of greenery can brighten up your space and lift your mood.
But if you think you need a big backyard to nurture your green thumb, think again.
Just ask Kate, a Ryman resident, who has transformed her apartment into a lush … View moreAs the cooler months settle in and we spend more time at home, a burst of greenery can brighten up your space and lift your mood.
But if you think you need a big backyard to nurture your green thumb, think again.
Just ask Kate, a Ryman resident, who has transformed her apartment into a lush retreat filled with thriving plants and year-round colour.
Click read more for the full story.
"I was hit by a bus 22 years ago."
"I need to have a rest, that's very important to me, just for half an hour, just shut my eyes and no, no, no distractions, and then I can keep going on the rest of the day.
I had three days in Wellington. It was at six o'clock in the… View more"I was hit by a bus 22 years ago."
"I need to have a rest, that's very important to me, just for half an hour, just shut my eyes and no, no, no distractions, and then I can keep going on the rest of the day.
I had three days in Wellington. It was at six o'clock in the evening, going with a run with friends. I was on the island; in the middle, parliaments’ over there and I think the bus went through an orange light. It was an old bus, so the mirror was way out, and it clipped me I think; I mean, I don't know, but this, is what I’ve been told. I was in a coma for seven weeks. About a week after the accident, I started twisting my finger so that must’ve meant that I was not completely dead!
The hardest thing was I couldn't talk. I couldn't say a word. I could understand, but how do you communicate? So yeah, so that was just very frustrating. I couldn't do the alphabet. I could do A, B, C, D, what's after D? It took me about three years to speak the alphabet.
I did two degrees, one with honours; computer science and accounting. I had a big company, and I designed software for other companies. I had 200 people working for me. Now I’m completely dyslexic.
I’ve been banned from one supermarket. The manager came, you're not allowed to be here. Why not? Because you're so rude to the checkout two days ago. I said you've treated me badly and so and so... and the police came.
Before my accident, I could speak very fluently. So it's not going right, I get louder and I get frustrated. I don't get frustrated at them, I get frustrated at myself. But they don’t understand.
What can you do? You have to live life so it can be very frustrating. What choice do you have?
I did the Coast to Coast 15 years ago, with a friend. The half marathon in Christchurch. I've done that about six times, seven times. The best thing you can do for your brain is endorphin. So if you want to, if you want to keep things improving, they need some endorphins."
- Andrew
The regional finalists are in - and we have an incredible bunch of businesses vying for the title of this year's Local Business Hero. But we need your help to decide the winner! It'll only take a moment to vote - but it could change a small business's future.
Your vote puts them … View moreThe regional finalists are in - and we have an incredible bunch of businesses vying for the title of this year's Local Business Hero. But we need your help to decide the winner! It'll only take a moment to vote - but it could change a small business's future.
Your vote puts them in the running to win a prize package worth over $30,000. Be a good neighbour and make your vote today.
© Neighbourly 2025
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