Ngamatapouri, Wanganui

Got any recipes for great festive treats?

Got any recipes for great festive treats?

Post them here!

24 days ago

We want to know: Should councils do more to support those who are championing community spirit?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Shoutout to the everyday heroes! 🌟 Community-first mindsets have been celebrated through the Civic Awards in Palmerston North—a great reminder that amazing people are making a difference right in our own backyards.

What do you think: Should councils do more to support those who are … View more
Shoutout to the everyday heroes! 🌟 Community-first mindsets have been celebrated through the Civic Awards in Palmerston North—a great reminder that amazing people are making a difference right in our own backyards.

What do you think: Should councils do more to support those who are championing community spirit? How?

Want to read more on this? We have got you covered.

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25 days ago

Update: Pahiatua homicide

The Team from Manawatu, Taranaki, Whanganui-Ruapehu Police

Police are continuing to search for a man wanted in relation to a Pahiatua woman’s death last month.

On the afternoon of 15 October, Karen Gilbert-Palmer, 74, was found deceased at her Arthur Street home by a friend who had been unable to contact her.
A homicide investigation was launched, … View more
Police are continuing to search for a man wanted in relation to a Pahiatua woman’s death last month.

On the afternoon of 15 October, Karen Gilbert-Palmer, 74, was found deceased at her Arthur Street home by a friend who had been unable to contact her.
A homicide investigation was launched, and 52-year-old Jeremy Robertson was identified as a suspect.

The victim’s vehicle was located in at the Blue and Green lakes lookout in Rotorua the following morning, and Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Thompson, Area Investigations Manager, says Police believe Robertson is likely still in that area.

“We have been making a lot of enquiries to locate Jeremy, and we are planning further Police activity in that area in the coming weeks."
“I want to thank the members of the public who came forward with information in the early days of the investigation, including the call that led us to the car within hours of it being parked up.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Thompson said work to find Robertson had not stopped.
“Our focus remains on seeing justice served for Mrs Gilbert-Palmer, and finding Jeremy is key to that.”

Anyone who sees Robertson should not approach him.
Call 111 immediately and advise Police.
Non-urgent information can be passed to Police via 105.
Please quote file number 251015/6286.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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26 days ago

PAINT IT ORANGE

Resene

Paint it Orange - Arthritis - 1st - 29th November 2025

Paint it orange with Resene for Arthritis NZ!

Buy any orange Resene testpot 60 ml at your local Resene owned ColorShop in November and Resene will donate $1 to Arthritis NZ!

The more orange testpots you buy, the more will be donated.
Find out more

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26 days ago

Tony and June ‘lucky’ to be together in their serviced apartment

Jean Sandel Retirement Village

Tony and June feel like the luckiest people living in a Ryman village.

The couple have lived in their large, sunny serviced apartment for four years now and still can’t quite believe what a good score it was.

“It was the best thing we’ve done,” says June. “It’s north facing, so it… View more
Tony and June feel like the luckiest people living in a Ryman village.

The couple have lived in their large, sunny serviced apartment for four years now and still can’t quite believe what a good score it was.

“It was the best thing we’ve done,” says June. “It’s north facing, so it gets lots of light, and it’s a good size, so I’ve got room for my card-making supplies.”

Click below to read their full story.

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31 days ago

Poll: What’s the top scam right now?

The Team from Netsafe

💸💸💸 Before you get caught, test your scam knowledge with Netsafe’s fun new Scam Spotting Quiz or try our online module for even more skill-building.

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What’s the top scam right now?
  • 65.2% Online shopping
    65.2% Complete
  • 19.7% Romance
    19.7% Complete
  • 15.1% The “free BBQ if you fill out a survey” classic
    15.1% Complete
431 votes
35 days ago

Poll: Have you faced any barriers when trying to access primary health care?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Your location can affect how much you pay to see a GP. So, someone on the West Coast might pay around $33, while a person in Wellington might pay closer to $70.

❔ We want to know: Where do you live, and how much do your GP visits cost?

These prices are influenced by underfunding, subsidy … View more
Your location can affect how much you pay to see a GP. So, someone on the West Coast might pay around $33, while a person in Wellington might pay closer to $70.

❔ We want to know: Where do you live, and how much do your GP visits cost?

These prices are influenced by underfunding, subsidy caps, and the pressure they put on wages. Read more about how the GP lottery impacts you in Harriet Laughton's piece in The Post.

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Have you faced any barriers when trying to access primary health care?
  • 17.4% I have experienced financial barriers
    17.4% Complete
  • 47.5% I have had issues with availability
    47.5% Complete
  • 35.1% No - I haven’t been impacted
    35.1% Complete
1004 votes
47 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Did you know there’s a global shortage of sweet pea seeds?

In Aotearoa New Zealand, dedicated gardeners are working to revive authentic sweet pea varieties and keep their beauty blooming for generations to come 🌸🪻🌻

Read more about their efforts here.

We hope this brings a smile!

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35 days ago

⚠️ Fraud Awareness Week: Shop Smart and Stay Scam-Safe

The Team from Netsafe

Scams can happen to anyone, especially during Black Friday and Cyber Monday when online shopping increases. Scammers use trust, hope and fear to get money or personal information:
TRUST: Pretending to be a courier, retailer, or bank.
HOPE: Offering fake “too good to miss” deals or miracle … View more
Scams can happen to anyone, especially during Black Friday and Cyber Monday when online shopping increases. Scammers use trust, hope and fear to get money or personal information:
TRUST: Pretending to be a courier, retailer, or bank.
HOPE: Offering fake “too good to miss” deals or miracle products.
FEAR: ‘Limited time deals’ messaging, fake ‘missed delivery’ updates

✋ Remember the SCAMS red flags:
Surprise contact
Control or pressure
Access to your device
Money request
Stop and seek support

If you think you’ve been scammed, stop contact, call your bank, and change your passwords.

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31 days ago

Sprucing up our urban areas: good idea or not? 🫧🧹🪥

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In central Palmerston North, landlords are being offered incentives to give their properties a tidy-up. Key to this: dedicated funding.

We want to know: Good idea or no?

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40 days ago

Poll: Can AI make flying more personal? ✈️

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🌿 Air New Zealand reckons the future of air travel lies in AI. To them, AI means boosting efficiency without bumping up prices.

But what do you think? 🤔
Can AI really make flying more personal?

Keen to find out more? 👉 Check out Grant Bradley's piece on the Post

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Can AI make flying more personal? ✈️
  • 29.6% Personal? I just want lower prices
    29.6% Complete
  • 52% No way! Great service needs real people
    52% Complete
  • 18.5% I’ll wait and see what this actually looks like
    18.5% Complete
710 votes
44 days ago

Poll: If you had a bit of spare cash, would you 'buy' into a pest-free island?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Kiwis have always had a soft spot for our animal friends. With so many unique and quirky birds and marine species calling Aotearoa home, it’s only natural that we feel a deep drive to protect them 🐧🦭

These days, we’re getting pretty creative about how we do it too. The latest idea? You… View more
Kiwis have always had a soft spot for our animal friends. With so many unique and quirky birds and marine species calling Aotearoa home, it’s only natural that we feel a deep drive to protect them 🐧🦭

These days, we’re getting pretty creative about how we do it too. The latest idea? You can actually buy a symbolic piece of one of New Zealand’s most remote islands as part of the Auckland Island Restoration Project.

If you had a bit of spare cash, would you 'buy' into the project?
And maybe the bigger question — should we be looking at doing the same kind of thing for wildlife refuges on our main islands too?

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If you had a bit of spare cash, would you 'buy' into a pest-free island?
  • 60% Yes - restoration needs creativity
    60% Complete
  • 40% No - Is this sensible?
    40% Complete
653 votes
46 days ago

Scam Alert: Cold calls from banks

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

A number of banks are reporting scam calls where actors are impersonating bank staff and are soliciting information from business customers.

Be cautious of any unexpected contact and only use verified banking channels.

Important security reminder:
⚠️ Your bank will never ask for your … View more
A number of banks are reporting scam calls where actors are impersonating bank staff and are soliciting information from business customers.

Be cautious of any unexpected contact and only use verified banking channels.

Important security reminder:
⚠️ Your bank will never ask for your login details – including your username and passwords – by email or phone.
⚠️ Your bank will never send direct links to log in to online banking platforms via email or SMS.
⚠️ Your bank does not need to know your full credit card number and CVV number (they already know these details!)
⚠️ Your bank will never ask you to download software or remotely access your device.

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41 days ago

SILVER WINNER QUALITY SERVICE AWARD

Jean Sandel Retirement Village

We’re delighted to have been awarded silver in the 2026 Reader’s Digest Quality Service Awards.

This is the eighth time we’ve been honoured in these awards since they began in 2015.

Each year, Reader’s Digest conducts the Quality Service Awards survey to discover New Zealanders’ … View more
We’re delighted to have been awarded silver in the 2026 Reader’s Digest Quality Service Awards.

This is the eighth time we’ve been honoured in these awards since they began in 2015.

Each year, Reader’s Digest conducts the Quality Service Awards survey to discover New Zealanders’ attitudes towards services from business across various industries.

Companies are assessed based on five pillars: personalisation, understanding, simplicity, satisfaction and consistency.

This recognition reflects the hard work, dedication and excellence that our teams strive for every day in our villages to deliver exceptional service standards.

Thank you to our amazing teams and to all those who took the time to complete the surveys!

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45 days ago

Vehicle owners: keep security top of mind

The Team from Manawatu, Taranaki, Whanganui-Ruapehu Police

Levin Police are reminding vehicle owners to keep security top of mind, after a number of recent vehicle break-ins.
Police have received about 15 reports of this activity over the past few weeks, with radar detectors and number plates being targeted.

Enquiries are ongoing into these matters, … View more
Levin Police are reminding vehicle owners to keep security top of mind, after a number of recent vehicle break-ins.
Police have received about 15 reports of this activity over the past few weeks, with radar detectors and number plates being targeted.

Enquiries are ongoing into these matters, however this is a timely reminder to keep your vehicle secure, particularly overnight.

🚙 Ideally, keep all vehicles in a garage or out of sight. If this isn’t possible, park in a well-lit area that is well-frequented by passers-by.
🚙 Always remove valuables from your vehicle – visible items are an incentive to thieves.
🚙 Lock your vehicle when you leave it, and use a car alarm, steering wheel lock or similar as an additional deterrent.

Anyone who is the victim of a vehicle break-in should notify Police through our 105 service.

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46 days ago

Bright Spots winners!

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

A big congratulations to the 2025 Resene Bright Spots winners! We are proud to announce our ten winners who have all won a $250 Prezzy card and a $250 Resene Gift card!

Deepa Keenawinna - Lower Hutt (home crafts)
Slava Voronin - Kerikeri (blossoming tree)
Sam Holliday - Paraparaumu (hot pink … View more
A big congratulations to the 2025 Resene Bright Spots winners! We are proud to announce our ten winners who have all won a $250 Prezzy card and a $250 Resene Gift card!

Deepa Keenawinna - Lower Hutt (home crafts)
Slava Voronin - Kerikeri (blossoming tree)
Sam Holliday - Paraparaumu (hot pink outdoor chair)
Chris Carlyon - Waikanae (French Bulldog painting)
Joel Bradley - Auckland (Kea painting)
Jayne Walton - Rangiora (rainbow gate
Charmaine Macpherson - Cheviot (colourful bathtab)
Adele Whittaker - Auckland (school mural)
Karan Robson - Foxton Beach (blue backdoor)
Dave Bang - Levin (native bird mural)

Take a look at their wonderful colourful entries below. A huge thank you to everyone who shared a Bright Spot in their community this year; we have loved seeing the places in your neighbourhood that bring you joy.

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