Ashhurst - Pohangina, Ashhurst

Got a question about your lawn or backyard?

Got a question about your lawn or backyard?

Ask a Crewcut Lawn & Garden expert (and an ex-Black Caps coach!) now. Head here.

1539 days ago

Love daffodils? Find your favourite variety here

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

There are literally thousands of daffodils here, where Ian Riddell has spent over 25 years in the business, from preparing the soil and planting bulbs to harvesting flowers and selling them.

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1540 days ago

Timber Pallets Wanted

Phil from Kelvin Grove

I am after 8 or so timber pallets to use as bases for some small water tanks to keep them off the ground so I can get a bucket under the outlet. Have a ute so can pick up easily enough.

1540 days ago

Spring has sprung and we're loving all of the flowers blooming! 🌷

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

As we start tending to our gardens and planning what to grow for the warmer months ahead, perhaps consider if there's something else you should be growing in your community such as stronger connections to your neighbours.

Research shows that loneliness is strongly associated with low mental … View more
As we start tending to our gardens and planning what to grow for the warmer months ahead, perhaps consider if there's something else you should be growing in your community such as stronger connections to your neighbours.

Research shows that loneliness is strongly associated with low mental health + well-being. Whether you have a wide social network or prefer to only have a few close friends, joining Neighbourhood Support is a great way to feel supported and connected to those nearby. You never know when you might need a little help from a local friend!

Join or setup a group for FREE by getting in touch with us here...

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1542 days ago

Driveways driven away by new rule

The Team Reporter from Stuff

Hi neighbours,

A move to free up more land for new builds is likely to see fewer driveways and garages in modern housing, in a move some say could have New Zealand looking like Coronation Street.

Councils across the country must scrap planning rules that require car parks to be put down near new … View more
Hi neighbours,

A move to free up more land for new builds is likely to see fewer driveways and garages in modern housing, in a move some say could have New Zealand looking like Coronation Street.

Councils across the country must scrap planning rules that require car parks to be put down near new housing or business developments, under newly released housing guidelines.

The change comes as the Government looks to encourage development, in part by freeing up land held up by car parks, under its new National Policy Statement for urban development.

Property developer Phil Robinson said scrapping car park rules was a “big change”, but he was unsure if it was a “big win”.

What do you think of having more new builds in your area with fewer driveways and garages?

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1541 days ago

Unknown phone number: 0017377082651

Ian from Hokowhitu

Has anybody received calls from this number, which self-identifies as a caller named "Texas"?
I didn't answer any of the three calls made in three minutes, and they didn't leave a message. I suspect a scam but couldn't find anytrhing about that particular number, but … View more
Has anybody received calls from this number, which self-identifies as a caller named "Texas"?
I didn't answer any of the three calls made in three minutes, and they didn't leave a message. I suspect a scam but couldn't find anytrhing about that particular number, but I'm guessing I'm not the only one to have received a call from them.
001737...is the international dialling code for USA/Texas/Austin, but I don't know anyone there...

1540 days ago

See how our Houseplant Hero runnerup Hollie Procter fits all her plants into her tiny home!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

“So I would say it’s possible I might have the most plants per square metre,” she quips.

1541 days ago

Your thoughts on making Matariki a public holiday

The Team Reporter from Stuff

Hi neighbours,

Labour will make Matariki New Zealand's 12th public holiday from 2022 if re-elected, Jacinda Ardern has announced.

The new winter public holiday would fall at some point during the Matariki period, with an expectation that it would always happen on either a Monday or a Friday.… View more
Hi neighbours,

Labour will make Matariki New Zealand's 12th public holiday from 2022 if re-elected, Jacinda Ardern has announced.

The new winter public holiday would fall at some point during the Matariki period, with an expectation that it would always happen on either a Monday or a Friday.

The policy announcement follows a series of public campaigns for Matariki, which acts as the Māori New Year, to be recognised.

We want to hear your thoughts about Matariki becoming a public holiday. Do you support the idea, or are you against it? Perhaps you have a counter proposal.

Share your thoughts here.

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1541 days ago

90% OFF the price of insulation

The team from EnergySmart - Palmerston North

You could be eligible for a grant for ceiling and underfloor insulation.

Cut down on those power bills today by making your home more energy efficient.

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1541 days ago

Unravelling textile testing - Colourfastness

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Palmerston North

Unravelling textile testing - Colourfastness
Colourfastness is one of four key topics (others include Abrasion Resistance, Pilling, Seam Slippage) that we are covering to provide some background as to how we test and why.

Test results provide us with critical information about textile’s … View more
Unravelling textile testing - Colourfastness
Colourfastness is one of four key topics (others include Abrasion Resistance, Pilling, Seam Slippage) that we are covering to provide some background as to how we test and why.

Test results provide us with critical information about textile’s durability and suitability for certain applications. We externally test all James Dunlop and Mokum textiles in Melbourne at a highly reputable laboratory who are amongst the most conservative and stringent in the world, due to the extremely harsh environmental conditions we face here in Australia and New Zealand.


We have gathered a number of frequently asked questions relating to colourfastness so we asked our Mokum studio designers Stephanie Moffitt and Annie Moir to share their expert knowledge.

One of the most important textile tests is that of colourfastness.

Simply put, a colourfastness test measures how well a textile will resist or withstand fading. Fading typically means a change in colour which may be a change in hue, depth or brightness of colour. We perform a range of different colourfastness tests when developing a new textile, we test its resistance to fading against UV light, as well as washing / dry cleaning and also rubbing.

Can you briefly outline the colourfastness to washing/ laundering test?
Colourfastness to washing and/or dry cleaning measures a fabrics ability to withstand fading or colour loss from laundering. The test replicates specific cleaning methods then measures any colour loss against a set of five grey scales, creating a result (1 being least colourfast and 5 being most colourfast). In this instance, a result of 4-5 is the result we strive for.

One question pops up a lot, if a product is machine washable can it be spot cleaned?

We would always approach spot cleaning with water or a cleaning product with caution. Most of our washable textiles are rating as delicate or gentle washing which means a delicate setting and we would prefer a delicate washing liquid. Whereas spot clean tends to be more localised and more aggressive. If spot clean is needed always first try a dry white clean cloth, to reduce any colour loss as this often can remove a stain.

Can you briefly outline the colourfastness to rubbing test?

Colourfastness to rubbing, or commonly known as ‘crocking’ measures fabric resistance to colour loss when subjected to rubbing or friction from another fabric. This is particularly relevant for upholstery textiles – you can imagine wearing white pants and sitting on a dark coloured sofa, you’d want to be confident that when you stand up your pants haven’t changed colour.

With this test, a white cloth is used as a standard abradant, and rubbed against the test fabric in both in both dry and wet conditions, with wet being more severe. Any colour transfer onto the white cloth, and colour loss from the test fabric is analysed and measured against a set of 5 grey scales (1 being least colourfast and 5 being most colourfast). The result we receive from the lab helps us to determine the recommended usage for the upholstery fabric.

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1542 days ago

Source Quality Yearling Bulls

PGG Wrightson Ltd

In the market for yearling bulls? We know every advantage counts in the farming industry. Advantage is exactly what we give the breeders and farmers we partner with.

PGG Wrightson Livestock Genetics combine decades of hands-on rural experience with the most comprehensive data available.

We … View more
In the market for yearling bulls? We know every advantage counts in the farming industry. Advantage is exactly what we give the breeders and farmers we partner with.

PGG Wrightson Livestock Genetics combine decades of hands-on rural experience with the most comprehensive data available.

We partner with forward-thinking breeders and farmers to enhance animal performance and improve business results.

If you’re looking for better business results, then view upcoming PGG Wrightson Yearling Bull Sales around New Zealand.
Find out more

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1544 days ago

Grazing/lease land.

Rob from Cheltenham

LOOKING FOR:

Vacant or unused sections to graze. Or land to lease. Anything considered up to 30acres.

K
1546 days ago

Wear mask all the time people

Kyle from Aokautere - Fitzherbert

📣 Wearing the mask all the time when you leave home, it will dampening down transmission risk. As u dont know are there any invisible disease patient in the community! It will be too late to wear mask if there are community transmission around you!!

📣School, SUPERMARKET and work place … View more
📣 Wearing the mask all the time when you leave home, it will dampening down transmission risk. As u dont know are there any invisible disease patient in the community! It will be too late to wear mask if there are community transmission around you!!

📣School, SUPERMARKET and work place should wear masks. As they can’t keep the distance.

🔱 If u see any ignorance people approaching to ur space (2meter) and not wear mask, just tell them to keep the distance. Especially those people didnt wear the mask🙄

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1545 days ago

Caccia Birch House Open Afternoons - Spring 2020

Caccia Birch House

We are bringing to you Caccia Birch House Open Afternoons this Spring starting from this Sunday 6 September!

ENTRY IS FREE!!
Open day one Sunday 6 September
1.30pm - 4pm

Event details can be found on Eventfinda or our Facebook page:
www.eventfinda.co.nz...
www.facebook.com...

1546 days ago

Poll: Upcycling Award finalists *VOTES ARE OPEN!*

Resene

We need your help! The calibre of entries for this year's Resene Upcycling Awards has blown us away. We now need YOU to vote for your favourite below. The four designs with the most votes will each receive a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!

Find out more about each entry here. … View more
We need your help! The calibre of entries for this year's Resene Upcycling Awards has blown us away. We now need YOU to vote for your favourite below. The four designs with the most votes will each receive a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!

Find out more about each entry here. If you entered and didn't make the cut, don't worry! There's still spot prizes and other special category winners that are yet to be announced...

Thanks for voting; your clever neighbours thank you!

Upcycling Award finalists *VOTES ARE OPEN!*
  • 8.1% 1. Plant Drawers (Lee Morris from Levin)
    8.1% Complete
  • 6.4% 2. Garden Fridge Box (Daniel Todd from Linton)
    6.4% Complete
  • 16.6% 3. Plastic Spool Racetrack (Helen McFetrish from Hei Hei/Hornby)
    16.6% Complete
  • 20.2% 4. Playhouse (Pete Knewstubb from Waikanae)
    20.2% Complete
  • 12% 5. Remu Wall Art (Richard Barnett from Huntsbury)
    12% Complete
  • 3.4% 6. Pink and Grey Desk (Fran Bellingham from Hataitai)
    3.4% Complete
  • 7.6% 7. Kid's Kitchen (Wendy van der Voort from Hoon Hay)
    7.6% Complete
  • 25.5% Plastic Knives, Forks & Spoons Bird (Edith Gibson from Mount Albert)
    25.5% Complete
2384 votes
1545 days ago

Do you know what to plant in the garden right now?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

In this week’s issue we say you can grow herbs even in small gardens. Plus get cracking with spring seed sowing, repot houseplants, sow sweet peas, feed rhubarb plants, and look after newly-planted fruit trees. Follow this month’s guide to plants to sow and grow and meet the 2020 Houseplant … View moreIn this week’s issue we say you can grow herbs even in small gardens. Plus get cracking with spring seed sowing, repot houseplants, sow sweet peas, feed rhubarb plants, and look after newly-planted fruit trees. Follow this month’s guide to plants to sow and grow and meet the 2020 Houseplant Hero. Plus go in the draw for Tui potato growing products and Mr Fothergill’s ultimate gardening pack.

Delivered every Friday to your email inbox, Get Growing digital magazine offers seasonal gardening advice from the NZ Gardener magazine's team of experts. Each week we answer all your burning questions on raising fruit and veges and tell you the top tasks to do in your backyard this weekend. Subscribe here:

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