Swannanoa - Ohoka news is brought to you by the team at Northern Outlook
Recent posts
Thank you for using Neighbourly
Take a look at Paul Bates' "surprisingly roomy" Tardis-inspired shed which took out our 2023 title, and if you reckon your shed is right up there, well, you could be in the running to win a robot lawnmower, Resene vouchers and a subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us why your… View moreTake a look at Paul Bates' "surprisingly roomy" Tardis-inspired shed which took out our 2023 title, and if you reckon your shed is right up there, well, you could be in the running to win a robot lawnmower, Resene vouchers and a subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us why your garden shed is New Zealand's best, and send up to 5 high-quality photos to Resene Shed of the Year 2025, NZ Gardener PO Box 6341, Victoria St West, Auckland 1142. Or email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2025.
It was a very hard decision but we've chosen our winner of the Best Backyard Build as Todd Haswell of Raureka. Congratulations, Todd!
His entry reads:
A couple of years ago my wife said "Can you make me a cuppa tea area down the back? Something with a cover over it."
Me being a … View moreIt was a very hard decision but we've chosen our winner of the Best Backyard Build as Todd Haswell of Raureka. Congratulations, Todd!
His entry reads:
A couple of years ago my wife said "Can you make me a cuppa tea area down the back? Something with a cover over it."
Me being a graphic artist by trade, I went overboard and made this. Most of the timber is offcuts or leftover from years of not throwing anything out. The doors are from the old Napier Hospital. The two side ones open up on top like stable doors. At night lights come on in the windows (solar), which makes it look like a little house. However the back wall is the centre door.
We think his entry is very creative and impressive. Give this post a Like if you agree!
This wraps up our Backyard Awards - we hope you enjoyed taking part and seeing your neighbour's creations.
Qualified instructor. St Bart’s church hall, Cass St Kaiapoi, Monday 10 March 10.30-12.00. Queries to Steve Schapel, steve@tcqci.club.
A popular Pam's frozen food has been recalled.
What you need to know:
- Pams brand Tempura Coated Chicken Nuggets (1kg) have been recalled by Foodstuffs.
- The product may contain foreign matter (blue rubber).
- This product is sold at Four Square, Gilmours, New World, Pak’nSave and … View moreA popular Pam's frozen food has been recalled.
What you need to know:
- Pams brand Tempura Coated Chicken Nuggets (1kg) have been recalled by Foodstuffs.
- The product may contain foreign matter (blue rubber).
- This product is sold at Four Square, Gilmours, New World, Pak’nSave and Social Supermarket stores throughout New Zealand.
- The affected batch has the marking of Best Before: 16 Oct 2025
- The issue was raised following a customer complaint.
- Customers should return the product to their retailer for a full refund.
For other recent food/product recalls, check our list here.
All of Ryman’s New Zealand villages have gained a Dementia Friendly Accreditation as recognised by Alzheimers New Zealand.
This reflects our commitment to creating safe, supportive communities to improve the experiences of residents living with dementia.
Our purpose-built care centres and … View moreAll of Ryman’s New Zealand villages have gained a Dementia Friendly Accreditation as recognised by Alzheimers New Zealand.
This reflects our commitment to creating safe, supportive communities to improve the experiences of residents living with dementia.
Our purpose-built care centres and personalised support ensure residents feel comfortable and secure while maintaining their independence.
We offer specialist dementia care at Charles Upham Village in Rangiora.
Click the read more below to learn more about our dementia friendly approach.
It's time to clean out the garage (or closet or cupboard!) and make some money back on your summer goods. Get involved with the Neighbourly online garage sale on Saturday, February 22nd.
Whether it's time to let go of your spare tent, your beach umbrella or maybe clear some clothes … View moreIt's time to clean out the garage (or closet or cupboard!) and make some money back on your summer goods. Get involved with the Neighbourly online garage sale on Saturday, February 22nd.
Whether it's time to let go of your spare tent, your beach umbrella or maybe clear some clothes from your wardrobe, the Neighbourly garage sale is the place to do it - it's free and it's local!
If this is your first Neighbourly garage sale, the way it works is that you list your items individually ahead of the event and members perusing the garage sale items online will contact you to buy it.
Make sure you check out the treasure trove of bargains on Saturday, February 22nd - it's well worth a look!
Neighbourly members LOVE their pets, whether it's a smoochy cat, a trusty pup or even a feathered friend.
We'd like to know how many of you who see this post actually have a pet at home. Let us know in the poll below!
We hope you've been enjoying the Neighbourly Backyard Awards so far, we know we have!
It is time for our last award. And the category is....Most creative backyard build
It could be a planter box, an outdoor table or even a backyard bar. We just want to see the sanctuary you've … View moreWe hope you've been enjoying the Neighbourly Backyard Awards so far, we know we have!
It is time for our last award. And the category is....Most creative backyard build
It could be a planter box, an outdoor table or even a backyard bar. We just want to see the sanctuary you've created in your backyard.
So share a photo, or two, in a comment below of your creation or backyard set up a to be in to win a $100 Mitre10 voucher. Winner will be announced next Monday 🛝🪴🛖
Perennial Salvia and Salvia uliginosa. Upright spreading perennial with spikes of blue flowers, both are flowering now. Perennial Salvia is mid blue, and S. ulignosa is a lovely sky blue. Both have a maximum height of approx 1.5 mtrs. Both prefer full sun/part shade. Lovely in a cottage garden. … View morePerennial Salvia and Salvia uliginosa. Upright spreading perennial with spikes of blue flowers, both are flowering now. Perennial Salvia is mid blue, and S. ulignosa is a lovely sky blue. Both have a maximum height of approx 1.5 mtrs. Both prefer full sun/part shade. Lovely in a cottage garden. Perennial Salvia dies down for winter. Uliginosa holds its green leaves through winter, then trim back in Spring to put out fresh growth.
Both are $7 each, these plants currently about 600mm tall. Pick up Rangiora by arrangement, cash on pickup. Message me for details.
Phormium Black Rage ... lovely Native flax with arching almost black leaves. Maximum height approx 1.2mt. Prefers full sun to part shade. This is a hardy evergreen plant that can tolerate damp ground. $7 each. Pick up Rangiora by arrangement, cash on pickup. Message me for details. See my other… View morePhormium Black Rage ... lovely Native flax with arching almost black leaves. Maximum height approx 1.2mt. Prefers full sun to part shade. This is a hardy evergreen plant that can tolerate damp ground. $7 each. Pick up Rangiora by arrangement, cash on pickup. Message me for details. See my other listings for perennials and cottage garden plants, including natives. $5 to $10 for most.
Lovely Native tussock - Carex secta. Green/gold arching growth, beautiful movement in the breeze in a bulk planting. Thrives in all conditions, even damp ground/streamside. Very gardy. Grows to approximately 1.5m x 1m. $5 each or 5 for $20. Pick up Rangiora by arrangement, cash on pickup. … View moreLovely Native tussock - Carex secta. Green/gold arching growth, beautiful movement in the breeze in a bulk planting. Thrives in all conditions, even damp ground/streamside. Very gardy. Grows to approximately 1.5m x 1m. $5 each or 5 for $20. Pick up Rangiora by arrangement, cash on pickup. Message me for details.
Rock Daisy aka Swan River Daisy.
Beautiful spreading perennial ground cover that has fine fern like dark green foliage. Full sun to part shade. Attractive flowers cover the plant. Grows to approximately 30cm. Perfect for containers or edging or rock gardens. 11cm pots $5 each. Pick up Rangiora … View moreRock Daisy aka Swan River Daisy.
Beautiful spreading perennial ground cover that has fine fern like dark green foliage. Full sun to part shade. Attractive flowers cover the plant. Grows to approximately 30cm. Perfect for containers or edging or rock gardens. 11cm pots $5 each. Pick up Rangiora by arrangement, cash on pickup. Message me for details.
Federation Daisy "Double Act" ... beautiful pink flowers fade to a cream colour, giving the effect of two toned flowering. Healthy compact shape, ideal for pots or flower borders. Prefers a sunny spot, protected from frost until established. 11cm pots $5 each. Pick up Rangiora by … View moreFederation Daisy "Double Act" ... beautiful pink flowers fade to a cream colour, giving the effect of two toned flowering. Healthy compact shape, ideal for pots or flower borders. Prefers a sunny spot, protected from frost until established. 11cm pots $5 each. Pick up Rangiora by arrangement, cash on pickup. Message me for details. Many more perennials available.
Dodonaea viscosa - Green Ake Ake. Lovely NZ native. Ornamental small bushy erect tree. Suits all soil types, drought resistant once established. Fast growing. Great as a specimen or as a hedge. PB3 bags $5 each. Pick up Rangiora, cash only, by arrangement. Message me for details. Other … View moreDodonaea viscosa - Green Ake Ake. Lovely NZ native. Ornamental small bushy erect tree. Suits all soil types, drought resistant once established. Fast growing. Great as a specimen or as a hedge. PB3 bags $5 each. Pick up Rangiora, cash only, by arrangement. Message me for details. Other natives available also.
Hedera Helix ... Variegated Ivy. A well behaved cultivar, suitable as a climber, a ground cover, in pots, or shaped to a pillar. (See example in photo). Tolerates a wide range of soils. Hardy. Can be trimmed at any time of year. 11cm pots. $5 each. Pick up Rangiora by arrangement. Message me for … View moreHedera Helix ... Variegated Ivy. A well behaved cultivar, suitable as a climber, a ground cover, in pots, or shaped to a pillar. (See example in photo). Tolerates a wide range of soils. Hardy. Can be trimmed at any time of year. 11cm pots. $5 each. Pick up Rangiora by arrangement. Message me for details.
© Neighbourly 2025
Loading…