Lake Matahina, Whakatane

Seen anything suspicious lately?

Seen anything suspicious lately?

Share it with your neighbours here.

164 days ago

Share your pet adoption story and be in to win!

The Team from SPCA Whakatane - Centre

SPCA have teamed up with @MoreFM and @Petdirect to celebrate the joy of adoption — and we want to hear your heartwarming stories!

Share your pet adoption story for a chance to win a $500 product voucher, generously sponsored by our friends at Petdirect. Plus, MoreFM will donate $500 to SPCA on… View more
SPCA have teamed up with @MoreFM and @Petdirect to celebrate the joy of adoption — and we want to hear your heartwarming stories!

Share your pet adoption story for a chance to win a $500 product voucher, generously sponsored by our friends at Petdirect. Plus, MoreFM will donate $500 to SPCA on behalf of the winner. Visit the MoreFM Facebook page to enter the draw and help us spread the love for animals and giving them a second chance!

And if you are still looking for your perfect match, head to www.spca.nz... now!

164 days ago

Celebrating our 2025 Prospa Local Business Hero winner!

Prospa

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!
Learn more about Prospa

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164 days ago

Don't miss out on a year of free fees*

Bob Owens Retirement Village

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 more
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 financial certainty.

*Terms and conditions apply.

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169 days ago

Poll: Got any goals or hopes for the coming year?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

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 more
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 about what’s ahead.
Got any goals or hopes for the coming year? Share them in the comments and inspire your neighbours.

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Got any goals or hopes for the coming year?
  • 57.7% Yes
    57.7% Complete
  • 42.3% No
    42.3% Complete
418 votes
172 days ago

Poll: Would you support reducing sick leave to five days?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

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 more
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 happy with this change?

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Would you support reducing sick leave to five days?
  • 18.6% Yes, ten is too much
    18.6% Complete
  • 79.9% No, keep it at ten
    79.9% Complete
  • 1.5% Other - I'll share below
    1.5% Complete
2313 votes
169 days ago

Transform Old Cabinets with Mint, Gold & Rattan Flair

The Team from Resene ColorShop Whakatane

Update an old cabinet with on-trend rattan and a retro-cool mint and gold palette using Resene Kandinsky and Resene Tussock. Find out how to refresh your old cabinets with these easy step by step instructions.

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169 days ago

Find your new home

Bob Owens Retirement Village

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 Jan on 07 579 2519 or click read more for more information.

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193 days ago

Have you got an amazing wood pile?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

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!

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179 days ago

Poll: Have you noticed these increased grocery prices?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

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 more
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 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.

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Have you noticed these increased grocery prices?
  • 98% Yes, my bank balance has noticed
    98% Complete
  • 1.7% No, I haven't noticed
    1.7% Complete
  • 0.3% Other - I'll share below
    0.3% Complete
3363 votes
176 days ago

Easy Lampshade Upgrade with Resene Wallpaper

The Team from Resene ColorShop Whakatane

Upgrading a lampshade is a cinch. Add a touch of design flair to your home by updating an old lightshade with Resene wallpaper. Find out how to refresh your lampshade with these easy step by step instructions.

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186 days ago

Poll: Is losing your bin a fair way to stop recycling mistakes?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

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.

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Is losing your bin a fair way to stop recycling mistakes?
  • 70.6% Yes, you get three chances
    70.6% Complete
  • 26.5% No, that's not fair
    26.5% Complete
  • 2.9% Other - I'll share below
    2.9% Complete
1454 votes
183 days ago

Rustic Wooden Garden Markers: Keep Track of Your Plants

The Team from Resene ColorShop Whakatane

Bring charm to every corner of your garden and keep track of where you planted those precious seeds. These larger wooden discs finished in Resene Furniture and Decking Oil add rustic flair to your fruit and berry garden. Find out how to make and finish your own with these easy step by step … View moreBring charm to every corner of your garden and keep track of where you planted those precious seeds. These larger wooden discs finished in Resene Furniture and Decking Oil add rustic flair to your fruit and berry garden. Find out how to make and finish your own with these easy step by step instructions.

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183 days ago

Kate’s top 5 plants for apartment living

Bob Owens Retirement Village

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 more
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 retreat filled with thriving plants and year-round colour.

Click read more for the full story.

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193 days ago

Poll: Have you ever thought of standing for local council?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

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?

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Have you ever thought of standing for local council?
  • 15.9% Yes
    15.9% Complete
  • 82.9% No
    82.9% Complete
  • 1.2% Other - I'll share below
    1.2% Complete
1130 votes
187 days ago

Who gets your vote?

Prospa

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 more
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 in the running to win a prize package worth over $30,000. Be a good neighbour and make your vote today.
Vote now!

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