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Just for April we're offering a very special discount on our Premium Business Listings! Usually $399*, you can grab a Premium Listing for just $199* for the whole year.
Here's five great things a Premium Listing will get you:
- up to 40,000 neighbours living around your business to … View moreJust for April we're offering a very special discount on our Premium Business Listings! Usually $399*, you can grab a Premium Listing for just $199* for the whole year.
Here's five great things a Premium Listing will get you:
- up to 40,000 neighbours living around your business to connect
- message scheduling (set and forget!)
- improved SEO (improve your online footprint!)
- fortnightly tips and tricks from the Neighbourly team to ensure your Premium Listing works for you
- support from the Neighbourly team whenever you need it
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CDANZ estimates that around 250,000 dogs are chained up for their entire lives in Aotearoa. Animal welfare inspectors from the SPCA can do little for them and only in the most extreme cases can dogs be seized, and owners prosecuted, due to the resources involved. Do we need to have better welfare … View moreCDANZ estimates that around 250,000 dogs are chained up for their entire lives in Aotearoa. Animal welfare inspectors from the SPCA can do little for them and only in the most extreme cases can dogs be seized, and owners prosecuted, due to the resources involved. Do we need to have better welfare rules for dogs?
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WANTED WANTED WANTED:
Gold • Coins • Watches • Banknotes • Antique • Jewellery • Collectables
The market for many antiques, collectables, vintage watches, artefacts, gold and silver items has been buoyant these past few years. So if you are considering selling any of these or … View moreWANTED WANTED WANTED:
Gold • Coins • Watches • Banknotes • Antique • Jewellery • Collectables
The market for many antiques, collectables, vintage watches, artefacts, gold and silver items has been buoyant these past few years. So if you are considering selling any of these or similar items then our specialist buyers would like to make an offer.
Any items will be considered so please don’t be shy and visit one of our venues.
Large or valuable collections? Single items? Downsizing, moving or decluttering? Family not interested? or simply turning unwanted items into cash.
*Immediate payment made *No commission or waiting *Free no obligation appraisal *Onsite security *Please have your bank details handy
Whether you have a large and valuable collection or a single item of broken jewellery please take this opportunity to see us at a venue near you.
See us at a venue near you - See venues here: https://www.goldco.co.nz/.
Goldco Antique Buyers | Member NZNDA | www.goldco.co.nz | email: goldco@xtra.co.nz | Ph: 0800 105 228
Telecommunications are an integral part of our lives, so when things go wrong it can be frustrating. Do you prefer to keep tight lipped, or are you willing to speak up?
The Telecommunications Dispute Resolution service, or TDR for short, is here to help. It’s ok to complain and we encourage … View moreTelecommunications are an integral part of our lives, so when things go wrong it can be frustrating. Do you prefer to keep tight lipped, or are you willing to speak up?
The Telecommunications Dispute Resolution service, or TDR for short, is here to help. It’s ok to complain and we encourage you to speak up and raise issues early.
For phone and internet disputes, talk to your provider first and give them a chance to sort it. If it remains unresolved or if you need some extra help, you can talk to TDR – your free and independent complaint service.
To get in touch or find out more, visit www.tdr.org.nz or freephone 0508 98 98 98.
Sharing the joy with neighbours, family, and friends alike doesn’t have to be hard. HelloFresh makes mealtime easy, even for a crowd.
With HelloFresh you don’t have to think about meal planning or the hassle of going to the supermarket. Everything you need for a no-stress, … View moreSharing the joy with neighbours, family, and friends alike doesn’t have to be hard. HelloFresh makes mealtime easy, even for a crowd.
With HelloFresh you don’t have to think about meal planning or the hassle of going to the supermarket. Everything you need for a no-stress, delicious meal is delivered straight to your door with quality, pre-portioned ingredients.
Experience the variety and convenience HelloFresh has to offer with meals like Chipotle Beef & Black Bean Loaded Wedges with Radish Salsa & Mayonnaise by using the code NEIGHBOURLYHF to get up to $175 off HelloFresh.
Our Seniors newsletter is out today. We publish details on the annual increase to NZ Superannuation and Veterans pension payments, the start of the Winter Energy Payment and provide advice on travelling overseas while on Superannuation and what you need to be aware of. We also hear about MoneyTalks… View moreOur Seniors newsletter is out today. We publish details on the annual increase to NZ Superannuation and Veterans pension payments, the start of the Winter Energy Payment and provide advice on travelling overseas while on Superannuation and what you need to be aware of. We also hear about MoneyTalks and the free budget advice they provide. Plus so much more!
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton’s new library and civic centre is facing a $5.6 million budget blowout, but ratepayers won’t have to pay any more.
That’s the assurance from Ashburton mayor Neil Brown, who’s confirmed a 10% budget overrun has been forecast for … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton’s new library and civic centre is facing a $5.6 million budget blowout, but ratepayers won’t have to pay any more.
That’s the assurance from Ashburton mayor Neil Brown, who’s confirmed a 10% budget overrun has been forecast for the $56.75m library, Te Pātaka o kā Tuhituhi, and civic centre, Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka.
“It won’t cost the ratepayers anymore as we have the $20m of [Government] shovel-ready money, exactly for this purpose,’’ Brown said.
“To make sure the project progressed and to insulate against any Covid-related impacts and cost increases.”
Shovel-ready is a term to show that planning is complete for a project, approval permits are in place, and laborers can get to work with sufficient funding secured.
The original library and civic centre project budget, set after public consultation in 2019, was $51.6m. But the council then secured a $20m Government shovel-ready grant in 2020, with an additional $5m contingency added in 2021 because of the uncertainties around the impacts of Covid-19.
Securing the Government shovel-ready funding meant that the council’s input figure dropped from $56.75m to $36.75m, with essentially a $20m contingency added to what it had planned to fund.
“The ratepayer will be paying no more than what we consulted on when we started the project,” Brown stressed.
“It won’t affect the ratepayer at all, and we are just thankful we have that shovel-ready contribution from the Government.”
The only way it would cost more is if the budget ballooned past $71m for a project originally scheduled for completion in October 2022 but now set to open by the end of this year.
The new building should be finished at the same time as the renovation of Baring Square East.
“We’re very disappointed that the cost has risen, but anyone undertaking a build in this current climate has experienced similar difficulties,” Brown said.
Dear neighbours, every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. This month, we're on the hunt for onion recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by April 20, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the June issue of NZ Gardener.
Over 360 Household Heroes across the nation were nominated by you to win $350! This country is full of amazing Kiwis who are keeping things running at home no matter what! You’re all heroes!
BUT there can only be one winner, was it you? Find out who WON $350 towards their Broadband and Power … View moreOver 360 Household Heroes across the nation were nominated by you to win $350! This country is full of amazing Kiwis who are keeping things running at home no matter what! You’re all heroes!
BUT there can only be one winner, was it you? Find out who WON $350 towards their Broadband and Power bill!
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The Tinwald Corridor Improvement project is a poor substitute for the benefits of the second bridge.
Councillor Richard Wilson didn’t hold back on describing the Tinwald project as a poor outcome compared to the bigger-picture benefits of the … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The Tinwald Corridor Improvement project is a poor substitute for the benefits of the second bridge.
Councillor Richard Wilson didn’t hold back on describing the Tinwald project as a poor outcome compared to the bigger-picture benefits of the second bridge.
“This doesn’t substitute for a second bridge,” Wilson said.
Waka Kotahi presented the Ashburton District Council with the plans for the Tinwald Corridor upgrade, which is currently out for tender.
Wilson described it as a “poor outcome” as it’s only a start to addressing the congestion woes.
Wilson believes the intersection upgrade will be beneficial for connectivity but is adamant the major issue is the congestion and traffic flow, which it won’t address.
He questioned how traffic lights will solve anything when the traffic through Tinwald is quite often “any time after 3pm nose to tail”.
Wilson remains concerned about the impact of the up to 10 months of road works on the already congested stretch of road, believing the project could be completed much faster.
“We’ve learnt that wet days no one works. Weekends no one works. A sniff of Covid no one works. Any excuse no one works, what’s in the contract to hold them to account effectively, because 10 months seems a long time.
“You said it could be done quicker, well this piece of infrastructure, there is no reason it couldn’t be squeezed.”
It’s a fixed-price contract, but Wilson said the longer it takes the costs to start to be “borne by our community”.
Other councillors agreed with Wilson that 10-months, much shorter than the 18 months the Walnut Avenue upgrade required, will be too long.
Waka Kotahi's director of regional relationships, James Caygill, said the length of the construction time will be clearer once the work is tendered.
The tender is scheduled to be awarded at the end of May or early June, and then a sod turn and site blessing will occur in early June before construction begins.
The Tinwald project in essence is the same as Walnut Ave – installing lights on SH1 and upgrading the rail level crossing.
Waka Kothai assured the council that the lesson learned from the Walnut Ave project would be put into practice in Tinwald.
The point which drew a wry response from councillors was the assurance KiwiRail has its plans already in place – to the point where its “critical piece of work” is already booked in.
A 33-hour block of line closure for the level crossing upgrade is already locked in for October 7 and 8.
The project design manager, GHD’s Grace Ryan, said the block of line is “the single most critical programme item”.
“KiwiRail has confirmed they are committed to this block of line and has said come rain, shine or anytime short of a national emergency, it will happen.”
The issue at Walnut Ave was Waka Kothai had largely completed its work but there was a gap between this and KiwiRail starting, much to the disdain and bewilderment of the community.
“You will not be in the situation you were with Walnut Ave, where everything looks done and we are waiting for the rail component to be delivered,” Caygill said.
“We know when that rail piece of work is happening.”
Caygill said the object of the project “was never about solving through traffic”.
“I absolutely acknowledge that through traffic is an issue for the community, and an issue for us on the state highway and that is why we have been working together on the bridge business case.
“This isn’t a replacement for the bridge, this is about absolutely improving the connectivity for residents of Tinwald who are severed by that exceptionally busy state highway.”
The second bridge will relieve the congestion and traffic flow, Caygill said, proving a “much better functioning network” but it’s a separate process.
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Happy Mother’s Day
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Mid Canterbury is at risk of future flooding but there is no major risk of forestry slash causing the same devastation that occurred in the upper North Island.
The location of forestry blocks and the geography of the region meant there was a low … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Mid Canterbury is at risk of future flooding but there is no major risk of forestry slash causing the same devastation that occurred in the upper North Island.
The location of forestry blocks and the geography of the region meant there was a low risk from forestry slash build-up in the rivers, Ashburton District Council group manager business support Leanne Macdonald said.
“The recent rainfall events that resulted in the large-scale mobilisation of tree slash in the Tairāwhiti, Hawkes Bay, and Nelson region were related to large-scale forestry covering significant catchments characterised by steep terrain and erodible soils, which is quite different to Mid Canterbury’s landscape.
“It is very unlikely to have slash from the council’s plantations entering rivers during flood events.
“Most of the council plantations are on the plains away from rivers.”
In the forestry industry, slash is considered any vegetative debris generated by the forest – all the parts of the tree not utilised following harvesting including branches.
Macdonald said slash that is mobilised during a flood can include harvesting slash from a plantation but can also include other trees involved in landslides and the vegetative material from the river berm including willows, poplars, and various weed species.
That occurred in the Ashburton River in the 2021 floods.
Slash generated during a harvesting operation is ultimately the responsibility of the forest owner, Macdonald said.
“When engaging contractors to harvest plantations, the treatment of slash is a priority and can form part of the sign-off for operations.
“Ideally, slash piles will be avoided or at the very least, reduced below three metres high.
“At the end of harvesting, the cutover area will have the slash windrowed to allow access for replanting. The practice of burning slash was stopped many years ago.”
The treatment of slash is addressed in logging plans required by the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry and Macdonald said the plans are required to be submitted to both district and regional councils.
The council’s forestry plantations cover 1330 hectares, of which Macdonald said 1079ha is currently stocked, with 22hawaiting to be restocked this winter.
Forestry slash has become a major talking point following Cyclone Gabrielle, with the government launching a ministerial inquiry that will make recommendations to improve land use, including changes needed to practices and regulations at central and local government levels.
In previous generations, children left home at 18 years old and became independent. Now with student debt and the increasing cost of renting and buying a house, we are seeing the rise of the 'Boomerang babies' who stay or move back home for well into their 20's. Is this good for our … View moreIn previous generations, children left home at 18 years old and became independent. Now with student debt and the increasing cost of renting and buying a house, we are seeing the rise of the 'Boomerang babies' who stay or move back home for well into their 20's. Is this good for our communities and have you noticed it in yours?
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The NZ Compare Easter Bunny has been busy delivering some epic deals on BROADBAND and POWER!
No chocolate in sight, these treats are better! How about unlimited broadband starting from $62/m with 6 months FREE Prime Video PLUS a chance to WIN 1 of 6 $300 Prezzy Cards with 2degrees? Maybe … View moreThe NZ Compare Easter Bunny has been busy delivering some epic deals on BROADBAND and POWER!
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There is more so hop to it Neighbours before they go!
Bring out the best in your home.
Get 20% off Resene premium paints, stains, wallpapers and accessories, on now at Resene ColorShops!
Hurry Resene sale ends Tuesday 11th April.
Shop online at shop.resene.co.nz or visit your local Resene ColorShop.
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