Waiohau, Whakatane

Seen anything suspicious lately?

Seen anything suspicious lately?

Share it with your neighbours here.

123 days ago

Ryman Village Open Days

Bob Owens Retirement Village

Friday 15 & Saturday 16 August, 10am - 2pm.

Experience the award-winning lifestyle at a Ryman village.

Join us at our open days and explore our lifestyle and care options, tour our show homes and see the premium amenities on offer.

We look forward to seeing you.

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131 days ago

Poll: What do you do with your stuff when you get the urge to declutter?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Life gets busy—really busy. Between work, family, appointments, and a never-ending to-do list, it’s easy for things to pile up. Add fast fashion, online sales, and homewares aisles that whisper “just one more basket won’t hurt”, and suddenly we’re swimming in stuff and tat.

View more
Life gets busy—really busy. Between work, family, appointments, and a never-ending to-do list, it’s easy for things to pile up. Add fast fashion, online sales, and homewares aisles that whisper “just one more basket won’t hurt”, and suddenly we’re swimming in stuff and tat.

Sometimes, that stuff is cozy and familiar. But other times, after a long day, you walk through the door, look around, and think: “Okay. Something’s got to go.”

And when that urge to declutter hits, the question is—where does it all go? We're not talking about broken bits and pieces, but those perfectly good things that simply no longer fit your life or your space.

In her piece When decluttering can’t be avoided much longer, Joanna Davis shares the everyday items she's finally ready to part with—and it might just inspire your own clear-out mission.

We want to know:
🧹 How often do you get the urge to declutter?
🎯 Are there certain things you’ve got your eye on to donate or rehome?
💛 Do you have any favourite charities, op-shops, or community organisations you support with your preloved items?

Let’s swap stories, share ideas, and help great stuff find a second life—outside our closets and shelves.

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What do you do with your stuff when you get the urge to declutter?
  • 74.1% Op-shops!
    74.1% Complete
  • 10.3% I pop items on the local online Market.
    10.3% Complete
  • 4.9% Friends and family - I buy with care, and so I give with care.
    4.9% Complete
  • 4.4% The tip - if I don't want it, others won't either.
    4.4% Complete
  • 2.3% I love an old fashioned Garage Sale or a local car-boot market.
    2.3% Complete
  • 2.3% I repurpose - I craft, rework, and give things new life.
    2.3% Complete
  • 1.6% Other - share your secrets below.
    1.6% Complete
1600 votes
126 days ago

Savour the moments that matter with Ryman

Bob Owens Retirement Village

Some of the best moments are shared over food. That’s why we’re giving you 10,000 New World Dollars when you sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse by 30 September 2025.*

We’ll cover the grocery bills, so you can spend less time worrying about what’s in the trolley and more … View more
Some of the best moments are shared over food. That’s why we’re giving you 10,000 New World Dollars when you sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse by 30 September 2025.*

We’ll cover the grocery bills, so you can spend less time worrying about what’s in the trolley and more time enjoying who’s around the table.

And because life at Ryman means less home maintenance, you’ll have even more time for the things you love.

*Participating villages only, promotion terms and Clubcard terms and conditions apply.

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127 days ago

Brighten Your Backyard: Create a Colourful Outdoor Oasis with a DIY Mural

Resene ColorShop Gisborne

Create your own oasis by colouring up an outdoor area with a punchy mural using Resene Lustacryl or Resene testpots. Find out how to add a bright spot to your backyard with these easy step by step instructions.

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138 days ago

On July 22 1987, New Zealand's first Lotto went on sale 🎉🎉

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Imagine checking your ticket and realising that you have won big ...

Tell us your dreams - what is the very first thing you would do with the winnings?

Would you make that silly purchase you have always wanted, but could never justify?
Call the bank and immediately pay off your mortgage? … View more
Imagine checking your ticket and realising that you have won big ...

Tell us your dreams - what is the very first thing you would do with the winnings?

Would you make that silly purchase you have always wanted, but could never justify?
Call the bank and immediately pay off your mortgage?
Stop by the SPCA on the way home and make a donation?
Buy a captain's hat, open up Trade Me and browse "boats for sale"?

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135 days ago

Poll: Are the guidelines around when a child is too sick for school clear?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

A few weeks ago, the Neighbourly team shared a round of complaints over our morning cuppa about the challenges of juggling runny noses and work commitments.

After reading Flip Grater's opinion piece, Playing germ roulette with our kids’ health, we felt a collective sense of relief - … View more
A few weeks ago, the Neighbourly team shared a round of complaints over our morning cuppa about the challenges of juggling runny noses and work commitments.

After reading Flip Grater's opinion piece, Playing germ roulette with our kids’ health, we felt a collective sense of relief - another parent shares our niggling worries.

We wanted to check in with our online neighbours: do you feel the same way? We are all busy, and keeping children home from school is sometimes impossible given other responsibilities. Busy lives and the apparent loss of collective energy around monitoring cold symptoms have led to more students and staff in shared spaces with sniffles and coughs.
But what do you think? Is this a concern?

We want to know: Are there clear Guidelines on when to keep kids off of school?
Should we be having a nuanced conversation about risk management, and how to better support working families?
Share your opinion with us below!

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Are the guidelines around when a child is too sick for school clear?
  • 55.8% Yes - The messaging about when to keep kids home is consistent.
    55.8% Complete
  • 35.4% No - I want guidance. An illness response flowchart for my fridge would be handy
    35.4% Complete
  • 8.8% It is more complicated - share your thoughts below.
    8.8% Complete
387 votes
134 days ago

Turn an Old Window into a Portable Cold Frame with Resene

Resene ColorShop Gisborne

Transform an old window into a handy cold frame decorated in Resene Kwila Timber Stain and Resene Lustacryl that you can move around the garden to extend your growing season. Find out how to make and finish your own with these easy step by step instructions.

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142 days ago

Poll: Whether young or experienced, has age been a barrier to opportunity?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Neighbourly Team came across the third installment of 'Work, Interrupted', an article series looking at the job struggles different generations face, and we thought it would resonate with our Neighbourly community.

In this article, Amelia Wade reports on what it’s like to seek … View more
The Neighbourly Team came across the third installment of 'Work, Interrupted', an article series looking at the job struggles different generations face, and we thought it would resonate with our Neighbourly community.

In this article, Amelia Wade reports on what it’s like to seek employment when you’re 50+. Many factors - from financial to social pressures - are keeping people in the workforce longer. The reality is that times are tough, even for our most experienced workers: of those receiving Jobseeker benefit, a third are 50-64 years old.

We want to know: Have you felt overlooked in the job market?
Do you have advice for your community on how to stand out in an increasingly crowded job seeker market?
Share your experience below!

📖 Want to read more from the 'Work, Interrupted' series?
Work, Interrupted: The kids, the mortgage, but no job. What next?
Young and shut out: Gen Z face the harshest job market in years
Work, Interrupted: Is 50 the new 60? Older workers battling algorithms to get CVs seen

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Whether young or experienced, has age been a barrier to opportunity?
  • 67.2% Yes - In my experience, age has been a factor.
    67.2% Complete
  • 29.5% No - In my experience, age has had little to do with my employment opportunities
    29.5% Complete
  • 2.4% As an employer, age is not a factor.
    2.4% Complete
  • 1% Other - I will share below.
    1% Complete
808 votes
134 days ago

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Award – Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau!

Bob Owens Retirement Village

This is a great way to celebrate our seniors who are leaving an amazing legacy for future generations. Let’s give a shoutout to those who have made a positive contribution to Aotearoa later in life, and who are still actively making the world around them a better place, following their careers in… View moreThis is a great way to celebrate our seniors who are leaving an amazing legacy for future generations. Let’s give a shoutout to those who have made a positive contribution to Aotearoa later in life, and who are still actively making the world around them a better place, following their careers in any service, sector or field.

Take a moment to nominate the deserving individuals in your life who are making a difference every day, either in our villages or in the wider community.

Follow the link below, and let’s make their stories known!

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145 days ago

Poll: As an island nation, are we doing enough to protect our oceans?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The island nation of New Zealand claims guardianship over a vast ocean territory. In fact, our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spans 15 times our land area. Despite this, less than 1% of our ocean is highly protected.

Sheridan Waitai, member of One Oceania, argues that New Zealand is failing its … View more
The island nation of New Zealand claims guardianship over a vast ocean territory. In fact, our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spans 15 times our land area. Despite this, less than 1% of our ocean is highly protected.

Sheridan Waitai, member of One Oceania, argues that New Zealand is failing its obligations, and our failure is being noticed internationally.

Sheridan and others argue that the health of our oceans is declining as they face climate change, overfishing, and pollution. While other nations are championing ocean protection, New Zealand has been quiet on this topic.

We want to know: Are we meeting our responsibilities in the management of our blue territory?

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As an island nation, are we doing enough to protect our oceans?
  • 66.5% No - we can do more.
    66.5% Complete
  • 5% Yes - we are meeting our obligations.
    5% Complete
  • 25.6% It is a global problem, not just ours.
    25.6% Complete
  • 2.6% Maybe. I dont really have an opinion.
    2.6% Complete
  • 0.2% Other - share below!
    0.2% Complete
1254 votes
138 days ago

Bright Spots is back - and it's better!

Resene

We're looking for your most colourful photos! Resene ColorShops and Neighbourly have teamed up again this winter to bring you Bright Spots, a celebration of the colourful spaces and places in your life.

But this year it's a little different!

This year we're calling on … View more
We're looking for your most colourful photos! Resene ColorShops and Neighbourly have teamed up again this winter to bring you Bright Spots, a celebration of the colourful spaces and places in your life.

But this year it's a little different!

This year we're calling on Neighbourly members to share photos wherever there's a bright spot that brings you joy - whether it's in the office, at your home or when you're out and about in your neighbourhood. If it brings a smile to your face we'd love to see it.

Share a photo that brings a little colour to your day and you could win one of ten prize packages valued at $500 (including a $250 Prezzy® card and a $250 Resene gift card).
Share a pic now

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140 days ago

Village pooch Maggie provides pet therapy for fellow residents

Bob Owens Retirement Village

Moving into William Sanders Village provided Graham and Karrin Byrnes with the perfect chance to give back to a community that was right on their doorstep, with beloved pet Maggie being the key to their success.

The couple heard about the St John therapy pets programme not long after moving into… View more
Moving into William Sanders Village provided Graham and Karrin Byrnes with the perfect chance to give back to a community that was right on their doorstep, with beloved pet Maggie being the key to their success.

The couple heard about the St John therapy pets programme not long after moving into Ryman Healthcare’s Devonport village in 2021, and now take Maggie to visit residents in the village care centre three times a week.

Click read more to read about Maggie's pawsome work.

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141 days ago

Create a Kid-Approved Swing in Your Favourite Wood Stain

Resene ColorShop Gisborne

This quick and customisable project is ideal for those without a sturdy tree to hang a swing from, and it’s sure to bring joy to your little ones. Find out how to make and stain your own in your favourite Resene Woodsman wood stain finish with these easy step by step instructions.

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149 days ago

Poll: Have you felt the impact of electricity price increases?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Last year, the Commerce Commission announced it had agreed to increase revenue limits to facilitate the maintenance and improvement of the electricity network.

Consumer NZ have revealed their latest annual energy survey, and found that 11% of consumers have had to cut back on their heating, and … View more
Last year, the Commerce Commission announced it had agreed to increase revenue limits to facilitate the maintenance and improvement of the electricity network.

Consumer NZ have revealed their latest annual energy survey, and found that 11% of consumers have had to cut back on their heating, and 20% of people have been struggling to pay their power bill in the past year.

How does your region compare? You can view and compare how the average monthly household use, charges, and bills vary regionally here.

We want to know: Is your household paying more for electricity this year?
Do you have any advice for your community on what changes you have found most effective in keeping costs down in your home or office? Share below!

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Have you felt the impact of electricity price increases?
  • 80.9% Yes! The increase has hit hard
    80.9% Complete
  • 14.8% I am managing - we have found some solutions
    14.8% Complete
  • 4.3% No - have not noticed much change
    4.3% Complete
2142 votes
152 days ago

Poll: Is AI rewiring our minds?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Artificial intelligence programs such as ChatGPT are here to stay - the question now is, how will they shape the future? Will the use of AI to complete daily tasks, particularly school work, impact cognitive abilities and creativity?

Recent work out of a MIT Media Lab suggests that people who … View more
Artificial intelligence programs such as ChatGPT are here to stay - the question now is, how will they shape the future? Will the use of AI to complete daily tasks, particularly school work, impact cognitive abilities and creativity?

Recent work out of a MIT Media Lab suggests that people who used ChatGPT have lower brain engagement than those who did not when writing their essays. While the MIT Media Lab work has driven headlines recently, others have been quick to remind us that the fear of technology is nothing new.

We want to know: Is AI an addition to the technological toolbox, or should we be having bigger conversations about the impact of AI technology?

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Is AI rewiring our minds?
  • 19.8% AI is making us lazy
    19.8% Complete
  • 51.5% Ai is great, BUT only if used as a tool and not a substitute for thinking
    51.5% Complete
  • 5.2% AI is great! People have a history of fearing new technology
    5.2% Complete
  • 21.7% Too early to tell
    21.7% Complete
  • 1.8% Have a different perspective? Share it below!
    1.8% Complete
1242 votes
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