Hunter Valley, Wanaka

44 days ago

Compare & SAVE on the Go

The Team from NZ Compare

Have a pesky power bill from Summer aircon use?

Dive into NZ Compare and effortlessly COMPARE broadband, power, mobile & more to uncover the best deals and save money for the rest of 2024!
So you can keep using that aircon!

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46 days ago

Last week to enter neighbours!

Prospa

Have you nominated a small business in your community yet? The Prospa Local Business Hero Awards close this week!

Whether you know a great plumber, supermarket, mechanic, bookstore, hairdresser, gardener, pharmacy, builder, shoe store, cafe or electrician - show some love to a small business and… View more
Have you nominated a small business in your community yet? The Prospa Local Business Hero Awards close this week!

Whether you know a great plumber, supermarket, mechanic, bookstore, hairdresser, gardener, pharmacy, builder, shoe store, cafe or electrician - show some love to a small business and make a nomination today.

You'll not only help drum up some support for them in your community, you could also help them win a $10,000 prize package. Plus if your nomination is a regional finalist you'll win a $100 Prezzy® card too!
Nominate now

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46 days ago

Want chocolate this Easter?

NZ House & Garden

The sweetest time of the year is just around the corner, and we’ve put together a great deal that will make it even sweeter.

Bennetto Chocolate has helped us put together an amazing chocolate box that’ll be the perfect addition to an NZ House & Garden subscription this Easter. Simply … View more
The sweetest time of the year is just around the corner, and we’ve put together a great deal that will make it even sweeter.

Bennetto Chocolate has helped us put together an amazing chocolate box that’ll be the perfect addition to an NZ House & Garden subscription this Easter. Simply purchase a 1 or 2-year subscription to NZ House & Garden and the Easter Bunny will deliver you a Bennetto Chocolate Box worth $50 for FREE! T&Cs Apply.

Enjoy,
The team at NZ House & Garden
Find out more

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47 days ago

Have you got your tickets yet?

Heart Foundation Lotteries

Don’t miss out! For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home in Pegasus, Christchurch worth almost $1 million dollars.

Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting for its new owner.… View more
Don’t miss out! For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home in Pegasus, Christchurch worth almost $1 million dollars.

Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting for its new owner.

Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, rent it or even sell it! Get your tickets today at heartlottery.org.nz.
Buy tickets now

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49 days ago

Enjoy Financial Certainty...

The Team from Ryman Healthcare

When you move to a Ryman village, the last thing you need to think about are unexpected costs. We offer financial security with rates, home insurance, exterior maintenance and gardening all covered under one fixed base weekly fee*, meaning once you’ve moved in you can focus on the things you … View moreWhen you move to a Ryman village, the last thing you need to think about are unexpected costs. We offer financial security with rates, home insurance, exterior maintenance and gardening all covered under one fixed base weekly fee*, meaning once you’ve moved in you can focus on the things you enjoy.

Find out more about our living options today and get ready for a new lifestyle.

*Weekly fee’s only increase if you change from independent living to serviced apartment living, or you add extra care options.
Find out more

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52 days ago

Have you made a nomination yet?

Prospa

Let your community know how a small business has made a difference in your life by nominating them in the 2024 Prospa Local Business Hero awards.

Whether it's your super friendly barista, the bookstore that knows the exact book you need to read next or the florist with the biggest blooms … View more
Let your community know how a small business has made a difference in your life by nominating them in the 2024 Prospa Local Business Hero awards.

Whether it's your super friendly barista, the bookstore that knows the exact book you need to read next or the florist with the biggest blooms in town nominate them now and make a small business' day.

Share a few words about your favourite local now. You could help them win an incredible prize package worth $10,000.
Nominate now

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52 days ago

Sustainable Style. A Special Price.

Mazda NZ

If you’re looking for a stylish SUV that stands out from the crowd and won’t break the bank, the convention-defying Mazda MX-30 has you covered.

Featuring a unique mild hybrid engine and cutting-edge style, as well as sustainable materials that reduce environmental impact, the Mazda MX-30 is… View more
If you’re looking for a stylish SUV that stands out from the crowd and won’t break the bank, the convention-defying Mazda MX-30 has you covered.

Featuring a unique mild hybrid engine and cutting-edge style, as well as sustainable materials that reduce environmental impact, the Mazda MX-30 is perfect for zipping around your neighbourhood.

Find out more and book a test drive at your local Mazda Dealer today.
Read More

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55 days ago

Queenstown housing shortage leads developers to innovate

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Otago News

By reporter Debbie Jamieson:

Property developers are coming up with new models for much-needed worker accommodation to alleviate a chronic housing shortage in Queenstown and Wānaka.

The South Island’s scenic Queenstown Lakes District has a well-documented housing crisis largely driven by … View more
By reporter Debbie Jamieson:

Property developers are coming up with new models for much-needed worker accommodation to alleviate a chronic housing shortage in Queenstown and Wānaka.

The South Island’s scenic Queenstown Lakes District has a well-documented housing crisis largely driven by the high cost of land, a shortage of housing and the financial appeal and growth of short-term visitor accommodation options such as Airbnb in residential property.

This has led to difficulties with finding accommodation for seasonal workers and working holiday visa holders employed in tourism and hospitality, which has affected many businesses.

Chris Broadhead, a Timaru-based commercial and industrial property developer, wanted to build a commercially viable development that would help the situation in Wānaka.

The solution he came up with was the 15-unit Reece Quarters project (artist's impression attached).

The seven-bedroom units would be based in a semi-industrial area, about 15 minutes’ walk from central Wānaka.

They would be sold separately and leased to people and businesses based exclusively in Central Otago.

They were different from traditional residential homes because they could be bought and leased as commercial entities, providing flexibility not available in traditional residential accommodation, Broadhead said.

Potential lessees included out-of-town businesses who wanted to house employees in Wānaka for short-term contracts, large seasonal employers, and local hospitality business needing homes for staff.

The apartments would each have en suites and separate heat pumps in each bedroom, dual kitchens and laundries, and communal living and dining spaces.

Some larger apartments would have configurations to cater for office space or extra bedrooms.

A covenant on the title requiring tenants to be working in Central Otago would ensure the units would remain as worker accommodation for the first 10 years, Broadhead said.

“I’m trying to support the community and make sure they don’t go to Airbnbs – it’s stuffing towns all over the world that are tourist destinations.”

The development has been on the market since the end of January with a starting price of $2 million (excluding GST), and one has sold.

Broadhead said the first stage would involve four units, and once that stage sold, he would commit to the remainder.

He anticipated investors would get a return of about 7.5% or more depending on their lease arrangement.

He had already been approached by another Wānaka investor looking to undertake a similar development in two years.

“The concept is completely new. It’s not been done in Queenstown or Wānaka at all,” he said.

The push for a new model of worker accommodation is forcing innovation in nearby Queenstown also.

Australian-based No.1 Hansen Road Ltd is seeking a fast-tracked resource consent for a 554-unit worker accommodation development known as Junction Village, in the suburb of Frankton.

Documents lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority say up to 710 people could live across eight buildings, in hostel-type rooms and one-, two- and three-bedroom units, next to the BP station.

Communal facilities would be provided within the buildings, and ground-floor commercial and retail tenancies were planned.

The ownership model for the units and buildings was unclear, but the application stated that the units were not short-term visitor accommodation and were not intended to be sold off individually.

The ongoing management of the worker accommodation was intended to be kept in-house with a management entity for the letting, supervision and operation of the complex.

The application noted that the applicant would determine whether to subdivide floors separately or retain entire buildings for sale or management by certain entities at a later date.

The company anticipated that the development would be built over four years, providing up to 540 full-time jobs.

In central Queenstown, the developers of the $2 billion Lakeview Te Taumata site have committed to a 96-apartment co-living hotel as part of the first phase of the wider development.

The apartments were small, private living units with shared lounge, dining room and workspace areas.

They would have a minimum booking requirement of seven nights, a spokesperson for Melbourne-based developer Ninety-Four Feet said.

“This will be a high-quality accommodation offering.

“We anticipate demand to stem from young professionals and corporate profiles who have regular business in the area, digital nomads – a key player in Queenstown’s burgeoning tech sector – as well as seasonal tourism workers.”

The company expected the first stage to be completed in 2027.

It would retain ownership of the co-living hotel, but it would be managed by an operator.

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56 days ago

Swap food for a FREE Resene testpot!

Resene

Hunger for Colour is back for 2024! Bring two cans of food into your local Resene ColorShop and swap them for one Resene testpot (60-80ml). Resene will donate all food to The Salvation Army foodbanks.

We accept all cans of food in good condition and suitable for humans to eat. If you prefer to … View more
Hunger for Colour is back for 2024! Bring two cans of food into your local Resene ColorShop and swap them for one Resene testpot (60-80ml). Resene will donate all food to The Salvation Army foodbanks.

We accept all cans of food in good condition and suitable for humans to eat. If you prefer to bring in canned pet food, we can accept that also and will donate it to the SPCA and local community animal shelters.

By adding a little more colour to your life you can also help those in need.
Find out more

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57 days ago

Ways to Lower your Power Bill

The Team from NZ Compare

Feeling the Summer heat? Don't let your power bill skyrocket along with the temperatures!

Check out these 10 simple tips to keep cool and save money on your power bills this season.

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58 days ago

Win this brand-new home!

Heart Foundation Lotteries

For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home in Pegasus, Christchurch worth almost $1 million.

Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting for its new owner.

Make this property … View more
For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home in Pegasus, Christchurch worth almost $1 million.

Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting for its new owner.

Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, rent it or even sell it!

Don’t miss out! Get your tickets today at heartlottery.org.nz.
Find out more

58 days ago

Don't forget to nominate your favourite local...

Prospa

There have been hundreds of wonderful entries in this year's Prospa Local Business Hero from across the country! If you haven't nominated a special local business yet, do it today.

- Got a great mechanic? Nominate them today.
- A barista who makes you smile? Nominate them today.
- … View more
There have been hundreds of wonderful entries in this year's Prospa Local Business Hero from across the country! If you haven't nominated a special local business yet, do it today.

- Got a great mechanic? Nominate them today.
- A barista who makes you smile? Nominate them today.
- A reassuring pharmacy team? Nominate them today.

Make a small business' day today by nominating them as your Prospa Local Business Hero - and you could make their whole year (our national winner picks up an incredible $10,000 prize package!)
Nominate now

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59 days ago

Have you got a family-favourite recipe for carrots?

Jo McCarroll Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

We're looking for delicious carrot recipes to feature in NZ Gardener's April issue. Send your family's favourite ways to eat this easy-to-grow vege crop to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by February 25, 2024. Every published recipe wins a copy of the April issue of NZ Gardener.

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60 days ago

$15,000 to welcome you home...

The Team from Ryman Healthcare

It could be our wonderful staff. Our vibrant communities. Our amazing amenities. Or just the peace of mind that our guaranteed fixed base weekly fee* brings. There are so many reasons to choose the Ryman lifestyle. We’d love to add one more reason to your list - $15,000 back for a limited time*.
View more
It could be our wonderful staff. Our vibrant communities. Our amazing amenities. Or just the peace of mind that our guaranteed fixed base weekly fee* brings. There are so many reasons to choose the Ryman lifestyle. We’d love to add one more reason to your list - $15,000 back for a limited time*.

If you sign up to one of our new home offers, you’ll get a $15,000 credit on settlement*.

There’s truly never been a better time to choose Ryman.

*Terms and conditions apply.
Explore our villages now

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62 days ago

Poll: What power issues have you faced?

The Team from NZ Compare

Hey neighbours! How has your power been treating you lately? Any sparks or stumbles in the past year?
Share the woes and let's brighten each other's day!

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What power issues have you faced?
  • 13.1% Power Outages
    13.1% Complete
  • 73% High Bills
    73% Complete
  • 2.9% Billing Errors
    2.9% Complete
  • 4.2% Voltage Fluctuations
    4.2% Complete
  • 6.8% Poor Customer Service
    6.8% Complete
382 votes
Top