Grafton, Auckland

Wondering about something in your neighbourhood?

Wondering about something in your neighbourhood?

Whether it's a new building going up or a strange noise you keep hearing, ask your neighbours here.

1873 days ago

How hunting for bugs is linked to Daylight Saving Time

The Team from Auckland Museum

Fossicking amongst the flowers, turning over leaves and inspecting tree trunks: all essential parts of hunting for bugs, but not your typical after-work activity. However in 1895, George Hudson, a New Zealand entomologist, proposed a two hour time shift for this very reason, so he’d have more … View moreFossicking amongst the flowers, turning over leaves and inspecting tree trunks: all essential parts of hunting for bugs, but not your typical after-work activity. However in 1895, George Hudson, a New Zealand entomologist, proposed a two hour time shift for this very reason, so he’d have more after-work hours of sunshine to go bug hunting in the summer, and thus the modern concept of daylight saving time came to be!

As you enjoy your lighter summer afternoons now that daylight saving time has started, keep an eye out for bugs in your backyard – you never know what you might find!

Here is John Early our Curator of Entomology collecting kelp fly larvae in Takapuna, Robert Vennell our Botany Collection Manager collecting dragonflies in Piha and the daughters of our Land Fauna Collection Manager Ruby Moore off to collect insects from a stream in Ngataki. All in a day's work here at Auckland Museum!

1873 days ago

Gas Appliances

The gas fire is still an essential on these chilly nights!!!! Countdown til summer is on!!

Make sure your gas appliances are safe all year round, give us a call if you're due for your annual check!

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1873 days ago

National Gardening Week: Flower Power

Yates Gardener

The call is out to bring back flowers and create a riot of colour in gardens this October for National Gardening Week!

National Gardening Week: Flower Power - 21-28 October 2019

To get you started flower-bombing register online between 1st and 14th October to receive a free packet of seedsView more
The call is out to bring back flowers and create a riot of colour in gardens this October for National Gardening Week!

National Gardening Week: Flower Power - 21-28 October 2019

To get you started flower-bombing register online between 1st and 14th October to receive a free packet of seeds from Yates flower range including flowers for colour & bees.

We’re also on the search for Yates Budding Young Gardener 2019, the lucky winner will become a Yates Kid Ambassador for one year and win a family trip for four, to Hawaii. Entries close 6th October.
T's & C's apply.
Find out more

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1873 days ago

Ambury Farm Day 2019

The Team from Auckland Council

Get your gumboots ready, as Auckland Council's Ambury Farm Day is back! Give the kids a taste of life on the farm at Ambury Regional Park on Sunday 20 October, 10am-4pm.

There will be heaps of displays and activities for everyone to enjoy, including animal petting, wood chopping, sheep … View more
Get your gumboots ready, as Auckland Council's Ambury Farm Day is back! Give the kids a taste of life on the farm at Ambury Regional Park on Sunday 20 October, 10am-4pm.

There will be heaps of displays and activities for everyone to enjoy, including animal petting, wood chopping, sheep shearing, historical farm machinery, farm rides and a General Collective Market. Entry is free.
Learn more

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1873 days ago

Recipe: Asparagus with parmigiano and mayonnaise

New Zealand School of Food & Wine

Here's a great dish to make the most of asparagus when they're at their best.

Serves 4
Ingredients
20 Asparagus, spears (5-6 asparagus spears per person)
½ tsp Sugar
½ tsp Salt
½ cup Mayonnaise
View more
Here's a great dish to make the most of asparagus when they're at their best.

Serves 4
Ingredients
20 Asparagus, spears (5-6 asparagus spears per person)
½ tsp Sugar
½ tsp Salt
½ cup Mayonnaise
50 g Parmigiano cheese, grated

Directions

1. Snap off the asparagus ends or peel the last 2-3 centimetres.
2. Heat a pot of water to blanch the asparagus.
3. Add salt and sugar to the water — this helps heighten the green colour of the asparagus.
4. When water reaches a rolling boil, add the asparagus. Cover with a lid and cook for 3-4 minutes.
5. Drain in a sink with cold running water and ice if you have it.
6. Remove from the water when cool and drain and place on a serving plate.
7. Combine the parmigiano and mayonnaise and pour over the asparagus.
8. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and serve.

For the Mayonnaise recipe follow the link below!

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1873 days ago
1873 days ago

Ambury Farm Day is back!

The Team from Auckland Council

Get your gumboots ready, as Auckland Council’s Ambury Farm Day is back! Experience life on the farm up close and personal at Ambury Regional Park on Sunday 20 October.

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1873 days ago

Have you passed "inheritance" on to your kids?

The Team Reporter from Stuff

We're on the hunt for people who've passed "inheritance" on to their kids while still alive? i.e. you haven't made them wait for it to be distributed by a will. Do you fit the bill? Get in touch with susan.edmunds@stuff.co.nz

1873 days ago

Prepared For Anything - October 1st to 31st ⚠️

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

Here at Neighbourhood Support we know first hand that communities that stay connected and prepared fare better in emergencies than those without a plan.

For the month of October, we want to see how you tackle emergency preparedness. From getting first aid training to putting together a grab n’ … View more
Here at Neighbourhood Support we know first hand that communities that stay connected and prepared fare better in emergencies than those without a plan.

For the month of October, we want to see how you tackle emergency preparedness. From getting first aid training to putting together a grab n’ go bag with survival essentials, a little bit of planning goes a long way to make sure you can get through any situation.

This month also coincides with International Day of Disaster Reduction on October 13th and New Zealand’s national earthquake drill and tsunami hikoi, ShakeOut, on Thursday, October 17th at 1.30pm.

Let us know how you’re preparing for anything in your home, at work or in your community by tagging us in your posts + using the following hashtag so we can see what you get up to:

#NSNZprepared

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1874 days ago

Free firewood

Matt from Parnell

Hi all,
There's a heap of free firewood outside our house if anyone wants it. We've just pulled out an old deck and some kauri panelling. (We saved lots but the damaged stuff is out the front.)

4 Bradford St, Parnell.

Free

1875 days ago

Poll: Should 16-year-olds be allowed to vote?

Neighbourly.co.nz

The Greens are supporting the voting age being dropped to 16. Green party co-leader James Shaw said he saw "switched on" young people demanding to be heard by politicians. They were desperately unhappy about the decisions political leaders were making about their futures.

What do you … View more
The Greens are supporting the voting age being dropped to 16. Green party co-leader James Shaw said he saw "switched on" young people demanding to be heard by politicians. They were desperately unhappy about the decisions political leaders were making about their futures.

What do you think?

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Should 16-year-olds be allowed to vote?
  • 20.7% Absolutely - young people are our future!
    20.7% Complete
  • 68.2% No - they lack experience to make good judgements
    68.2% Complete
  • 11% It depends on the 16-year-old
    11% Complete
1259 votes
1874 days ago

Anyone like a large study desk or work bench? Free to take away.

Rae from Ponsonby

Anyone like a large study desk or work bench? It is sturdy - and currently in kitset form - 2 sides, and supporting bit. Very easy to assemble. Top is shown. Has plenty of 'character' marks. Approx 140cm long x 76cm wide. Free to take away from Ponsonby. text 021 170 6766

Free

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