Thank you for using Neighbourly
Cost of living has been on our minds lately, and one cost often lamented in our office is parking.
We all know that New Zealanders pay high parking fees! But research shows that the cost is driven by factors such as location, quality, and convenience.
The average daily parking fee being paid … View moreCost of living has been on our minds lately, and one cost often lamented in our office is parking.
We all know that New Zealanders pay high parking fees! But research shows that the cost is driven by factors such as location, quality, and convenience.
The average daily parking fee being paid in CBDs:
$39.53 in Auckland,
$37.83 in Wellington,
and $32.60 in Christchurch.
But again, the range is wild! Aucklanders could be paying anything from $12 to $80, Wellingtonians from $15 to $50, and if you are in Christchurch, you are looking at $10 to $98.
Neighbours, we want to know: How much are you paying for daily parking fees?
Do you have any tips on how to find cheaper parks?
The shortest day of the year was on Saturday, but we still have a fair bit of winter to get through! Do you experience winter blues?
Prominent specialists and personalities share their tips.
For example, comedian and author Sam Smith suggests that you "Stock up on supplies to get that DIY… View moreThe shortest day of the year was on Saturday, but we still have a fair bit of winter to get through! Do you experience winter blues?
Prominent specialists and personalities share their tips.
For example, comedian and author Sam Smith suggests that you "Stock up on supplies to get that DIY project underway. Call up the old bandmates to practice some songs for a jam session. Lay the groundwork for future fun."
Do you experience winter blues?
More importantly, do you have any tips for dealing with the gloomiest part of the year?
Share your thoughts with your neighbours!
Stuck on what to do these school holidays? Check out some of the school holiday events and programmes listed in your community
Library: School Holiday events
Out and About across Waikato
Hamilton Gardens: Fun for the family
Hamilton Zoo: Visit
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari: Visit
… View moreStuck on what to do these school holidays? Check out some of the school holiday events and programmes listed in your community
Library: School Holiday events
Out and About across Waikato
Hamilton Gardens: Fun for the family
Hamilton Zoo: Visit
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari: Visit
Waikato Museum & Gallery: School Holiday Programme
Find a local playground
What about a cycling or trail adventure?
Know of any other activities our tamariki can engage in? Post them below for your neighbours to see!
We’re still buzzing about being your choice for Most Trusted Brand.
For Bev and John, trust means packing up the motorhome without a second thought. Ryman’s lock and leave lifestyle means they can hit the road without worrying about maintenance or security, just freedom and adventure.
… View moreWe’re still buzzing about being your choice for Most Trusted Brand.
For Bev and John, trust means packing up the motorhome without a second thought. Ryman’s lock and leave lifestyle means they can hit the road without worrying about maintenance or security, just freedom and adventure.
Click read more to hear their story.
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!
Happy Matariki, neighbours!
An important aspect of Matariki is whakapapa - family, community, and our connections to living things. Communities across the country have put together events to celebrate.
The Māori New Year is also a great time to pause, reflect on the past year, and think … View moreHappy Matariki, neighbours!
An important aspect of Matariki is whakapapa - family, community, and our connections to living things. Communities across the country have put together events to celebrate.
The Māori New Year is also a great time to pause, reflect on the past year, and think about what’s ahead.
Got any goals or hopes for the coming year? Share them in the comments and inspire your neighbours.
As shared in an interview today, alongside other sick leave changes, Christopher Luxon said he is open to reducing sick leave from ten days to five days a year. This would reverse the change made by the last government which allows workers to have ten days off for sickness each year.
Would you be … View moreAs shared in an interview today, alongside other sick leave changes, Christopher Luxon said he is open to reducing sick leave from ten days to five days a year. This would reverse the change made by the last government which allows workers to have ten days off for sickness each year.
Would you be happy with this change?
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!
At Ryman you'll find a perfect blend of independence and community. Click read more to access our guides which will introduce you to life at Ryman, showcase our independent and assisted living options, and give clarity around the costs.
Stats NZ said food prices have been rising at their fastest rate in more than a year.
Drinking chocolate is now 27% more expensive, coffee is up 17% and 1kg of mince was $2 more expensive this March than it was the same time last year.
Dairy products have also increased astronomically in … View moreStats NZ said food prices have been rising at their fastest rate in more than a year.
Drinking chocolate is now 27% more expensive, coffee is up 17% and 1kg of mince was $2 more expensive this March than it was the same time last year.
Dairy products have also increased astronomically in price. Milk prices are up by 15.1% in the last year, cheese by 24% and butter has risen up by a shocking 63.6%.
Are you feeling the pinch lately? Share what you've noticed in the comments below and whether it makes you change your shopping habits.
A $10,000 grant from a CCS Disability Action regional fund has helped 63 athletes, supporters and staff from Parafed Waikato attend the 2025 Halberg Games – an unforgettable experience that strengthened bonds and inspired a renewed passion for sport.
The support came from the Fund for CCS … View moreA $10,000 grant from a CCS Disability Action regional fund has helped 63 athletes, supporters and staff from Parafed Waikato attend the 2025 Halberg Games – an unforgettable experience that strengthened bonds and inspired a renewed passion for sport.
The support came from the Fund for CCS Disability Action Waikato, a philanthropic endowment fund at Momentum Waikato Community Foundation established and grown through generous bequests and donations from supporters in the region.
Whakatāne District Council plans to crack down on residents recycling mistakes with a "three-strikes" rule - contaminate your bin three times and you could lose it for three months.
The goal? Less landfill, more proper recycling.
The search for missing 25-year-old Travis Langford remains ongoing, nearly five months after he was last seen.
His vehicle was located burnt out on a Tolley Road farm in Ngaroma in January, and his dog was found in a nearby paddock the following day.
Police recovered personal items belonging to… View moreThe search for missing 25-year-old Travis Langford remains ongoing, nearly five months after he was last seen.
His vehicle was located burnt out on a Tolley Road farm in Ngaroma in January, and his dog was found in a nearby paddock the following day.
Police recovered personal items belonging to Travis near his vehicle, and the Eagle helicopter surveyed the area not long after his vehicle was found.
An alleged sighting of Travis was reported to Police around Waitangi weekend, where it was believed he was seen at Lake Waipapa, however Police have not been able to confirm whether this was Travis or not.
A further alleged sighting was reported on 2 March, however it was confirmed this was not Travis.
Travis’s family are grateful for all the information that has been provided since he went missing.
His family are continuing private searches, and Police would like to remind the public to stay alert and report any unusual activity or potential sightings of Travis to Police.
His appearance may have changed over the last five months. Travis did not have any tattoos, however he does have a dark heart-shaped birth mark, about 3cm wide, on the left side of his neck. He is a slim build and approximately 5’10” tall.
There are serious concerns for his wellbeing. Travis was known to be very wary of people, however possibly has help from outside sources if he is hiding somewhere remotely.
Police are asking everybody in the wider Waikato region to keep an eye out for a man matching the description of Travis, and report any potential sightings to Police.
Please contact 105 either over the phone or online, referencing file number 250119/4439.
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.
The 2025 Local Elections are coming up this September - make sure you're enrolled to vote.
Before this time, locals can be nominated to be in the running for roles such as mayor, councillor, community & local board members. Could you see yourself stepping into a role like this?
© Neighbourly 2025
Loading…