Cycling fan to undertake gruelling Le Race dressed as Darth Vader
Happy Friday neighbours,
Andrew Luddington is hoping he will have a little luck when he takes on a gruelling ride from Christchurch to Akaroa, all while dressed as Darth Vader.
Luddington is preparing to transform into the Star Wars villain for the upcoming 100-kilometre Miles Continental Le Race cycle event, on an all-steel, 12-speed bike from 1978.
The 55-year-old will be among hundreds of participants at the start line on Saturday, blasting Star Wars music from a megaphone attached to his 40-year-old bike while in full Sith Lord attire.
Have you checked out Le Race before?
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
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Warnings about scams
This Fraud Awareness Week, we’re reminding everyone to stay sharp and look out for the warning signs of scams to stop them before they start.
Here’s what to watch out for:
🔍 Unrealistic offers or promises of easy money that are too good to be true
🔍 Pressure tactics: Scammers may rush or threaten you to act immediately.
🔍 Requests for personal info: Be cautious if you’re asked for bank details, passwords, or sensitive information.
🔍 Unusual payment methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
🔍 Unverified contacts: Emails, calls, or messages from unknown or suspicious sources.
How to protect yourself:
✅ Stop and think before sharing personal details or making payments.
✅ Don't click on any links until you know that it is safe.
✅ Verify the source: Contact the organisation directly using official channels.
✅ If something’s not right, it's OK to hang up, walk away, ignore it and move on.
If you wish to report a scam, contact Police on 105 or report it online via 105.police.govt.nz/use-105.