Ohakana Island, Whakatane

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Seen anything suspicious lately?

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158 days ago

Love watercress? Share your recipe and win a copy of our mag!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. We will give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine, and we're looking for watercress recipes right now. Send your family's favourite way to use up this crop, especially if you're lucky enough to grow it in your garden. Email us: … View moreKia ora neighbours. We will give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine, and we're looking for watercress recipes right now. Send your family's favourite way to use up this crop, especially if you're lucky enough to grow it in your garden. Email us: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by July 20, 2025.

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151 days ago

Ryman Village Open Days

Bob Owens Retirement Village

Friday 18 & Saturday 19 July, 10am - 2pm.

Come and experience the warmth of our Ryman village communities, we'd love to show you around.

Discover our lifestyle and care options, tour our show homes and explore our premium amenities.

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182 days ago

Have you got a great recipe for brussels sprouts?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours! We will give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine, and we're looking for brussels sprouts recipes right now. Send your family's favourite way to use up this crop, especially if you're lucky enough to grow it in your garden. Email us: … View moreKia ora neighbours! We will give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine, and we're looking for brussels sprouts recipes right now. Send your family's favourite way to use up this crop, especially if you're lucky enough to grow it in your garden. Email us: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by June 12, 2025.

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155 days ago

Robyn’s ratatouille recipe is a real crowd pleaser

Bob Owens Retirement Village

Ryman resident Robyn swears by her ratatouille recipe from her much-loved copy of the Joy of Cooking, given to her by her next door neighbour in 1964.

Moving to New Zealand in 1976 and with four children to cook for, Robyn said the ratatouille recipe was a firm family favourite which she would … View more
Ryman resident Robyn swears by her ratatouille recipe from her much-loved copy of the Joy of Cooking, given to her by her next door neighbour in 1964.

Moving to New Zealand in 1976 and with four children to cook for, Robyn said the ratatouille recipe was a firm family favourite which she would cook up every couple of weeks when the veggies were in season.

Click read more for the recipe.

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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

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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192 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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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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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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193 days ago

Proud to be your Most Trusted Brand

Bob Owens Retirement Village

For the 11th time, you’ve voted us your Most Trusted Brand and that means the world to us.

Because trust this strong doesn’t happen by chance. One year? That’s nice. Ten years? That’s a perfect score. But eleven? That’s off the charts.

You feel it in the little things, like the … View more
For the 11th time, you’ve voted us your Most Trusted Brand and that means the world to us.

Because trust this strong doesn’t happen by chance. One year? That’s nice. Ten years? That’s a perfect score. But eleven? That’s off the charts.

You feel it in the little things, like the barista who knows your coffee order, the gardener who prunes your roses just right, and friends who feel like family.

That’s trust built over time, through shared experiences, thoughtful gestures and communities who care. It’s that feeling of trust that sets us apart.

Whether it’s your first visit or you call a village home, that feeling of trust is what sets us apart.

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199 days ago

Style inspiration from Kerry’s lifestyle of colour and joy

Bob Owens Retirement Village

Kerry, a resident at Bert Sutcliffe Village is a lifelong curator of beautiful spaces which reflect a life rich in décor, experiences, and sunshine.

With over 30 years of experience in lecturing and interior design, she opened her vibrant apartment to us and shared some of her tips.

Click … View more
Kerry, a resident at Bert Sutcliffe Village is a lifelong curator of beautiful spaces which reflect a life rich in décor, experiences, and sunshine.

With over 30 years of experience in lecturing and interior design, she opened her vibrant apartment to us and shared some of her tips.

Click read more to explore Kerry’s favourite styling tips and see how she’s brought colour, creativity, and joy into her apartment.

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204 days ago

Judy marks 60th wedding anniversary by taking the plunge again

Bob Owens Retirement Village

Ryman resident, Judy Harvey likes nothing better than to read a good book, take up a spot of crochet or tend to her pot plants.

But there is another more adventurous side to grandmother-of-six Judy, who admits she is something of an adrenalin junkie with a secret ambition to complete every … View more
Ryman resident, Judy Harvey likes nothing better than to read a good book, take up a spot of crochet or tend to her pot plants.

But there is another more adventurous side to grandmother-of-six Judy, who admits she is something of an adrenalin junkie with a secret ambition to complete every bungee jump in New Zealand!

In March, Judy and her husband Howard were on a trip to Queenstown when Judy decided she wanted to do the 43m bungee jump from Kawerau Bridge.

Click read more for the full story.

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212 days ago

Open Days

Bob Owens Retirement Village

FRIDAY 16 & SATURDAY 17 MAY, 10AM - 2PM

Come and experience the warmth of our Ryman village communities, we’d love to show you around. Discover our lifestyle and care options, tour our show homes and explore our premium amenities.

Plus, sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse … View more
FRIDAY 16 & SATURDAY 17 MAY, 10AM - 2PM

Come and experience the warmth of our Ryman village communities, we’d love to show you around. Discover our lifestyle and care options, tour our show homes and explore our premium amenities.

Plus, sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse before 30 June 2025 and you won’t pay your base weekly fee for a whole year.*

*Participating villages only, Ts & Cs apply.

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216 days ago

The perfect Mother's Day gift is here! 🌸

Mags4Gifts

Looking for a thoughtful gift for Mum? Give her something she'll enjoy all year round with a magazine subscription!

This Mother's Day, save up to 35% on subscriptions – perfect for Mum, Grandma, a special mother figure, or even as a treat for yourself!

Enjoy these 1-year … View more
Looking for a thoughtful gift for Mum? Give her something she'll enjoy all year round with a magazine subscription!

This Mother's Day, save up to 35% on subscriptions – perfect for Mum, Grandma, a special mother figure, or even as a treat for yourself!

Enjoy these 1-year subscriptions at unbeatable prices: NZ Gardener for $79 (was $106.80), NZ House & Garden for $99 (was $132), and TV Guide for $119 (was $166.40).

Whether she’s passionate about gardening, inspired by beautiful homes, or loves to keep up with the latest entertainment, you’ll find the perfect match at Mags4Gifts.co.nz.

Don't miss out – shop now and make her day unforgettable!

From the team at Mags4Gifts
Shop Now

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