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Monday morning's heavy downpour after weeks without rain caused havoc with some of Auckland's power …
With the temporary suspension of the Packaging Forum’s Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme from 31 December 2018, Auckland Council is encouraging Aucklanders to make efforts to reduce their consumption of soft plastics.
Get your Bathroom New Year ready with these great bargains from Plumb'In Bathrooms
Hospitality New Zealand's 18+ Card has been revamped to be more inclusive of elderly and people with disabilities. As of today they've been rebranded as the Kiwi Access Card, in the hopes that the cards will be more suitable for a wide range of users. The new cards have been created to … View moreHospitality New Zealand's 18+ Card has been revamped to be more inclusive of elderly and people with disabilities. As of today they've been rebranded as the Kiwi Access Card, in the hopes that the cards will be more suitable for a wide range of users. The new cards have been created to "better facilitate access to goods and services for everyone in New Zealand". Vicki Lee, chief executive of Hospitality New Zealand, says the cards have been revamped to cater for minority groups who feel misrepresented. "We've got a lot of people in disabled communities who felt it didn't really represent them, so we're trying to go for a broad cross section so everybody can feel like it's their card." The new cards feature a map of New Zealand, along with "lots of security features" and even braille for people who are blind or visually-impaired. They have also been "specifically designed with New Zealand's over-60s and retired community in mind. The cards were created as a means of identification if you don't have a valid passport or driver licence. The cost of getting on is $55 including GST. No changes have been made in the process of obtaining a card. You can pick up the application form from your local New Zealand Post outlet, or download the form from the Kiwi Access website.
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Hi neighbours,
Many people setting up paddling pools for their children this summer will be breaking the law - are you one of them?
Any pool, fixed or portable, deeper than 400mm is now subject to safety provisions under the Building Act, meaning there a quite a few rules you probably aren't… View moreHi neighbours,
Many people setting up paddling pools for their children this summer will be breaking the law - are you one of them?
Any pool, fixed or portable, deeper than 400mm is now subject to safety provisions under the Building Act, meaning there a quite a few rules you probably aren't even aware of.
For example, do you have a 1.2-metre fixed childproof fence with a self-closing gate opening outwards?
What are your thoughts on paddling pool safety? If faced with an inspection, would your pool set-up pass? Do you think all these rules are essential? What are your tips for setting up a paddling pool safely?
To read more about how to keep your kids safe in and around pools, click here.
(Please add "NFP/not for print" if you do not want your images/ comments used on Stuff)
Founded by Celia Hay, the New Zealand School of Food & Wine has been educating the next generation of baristas, chefs, restaurant and café owners, wine professionals and food lovers since 1995.
Located in Auckland's Viaduct, our New Zealand Government accredited certificates offer … View moreFounded by Celia Hay, the New Zealand School of Food & Wine has been educating the next generation of baristas, chefs, restaurant and café owners, wine professionals and food lovers since 1995.
Located in Auckland's Viaduct, our New Zealand Government accredited certificates offer practical hands-on cooking and hospitality qualifications, taught by a team of chefs, restaurant managers and wine professionals who are experts in their field and focused on the success of our students.
The next cookery and hospitality programme intake is from 5th Feb 2019. Free fees may apply, places are limited, contact us now.
Now’s a great time to get decorating! Save on Resene premium paint, stains, primers, sealers, wallpaper, decorating accessories and cleaning products! Get the GST value taken off the price.
PLUS if you are a Resene DIY Cardholder you can get an extra 5% off! That’s 20% OFF for Resene … View moreNow’s a great time to get decorating! Save on Resene premium paint, stains, primers, sealers, wallpaper, decorating accessories and cleaning products! Get the GST value taken off the price.
PLUS if you are a Resene DIY Cardholder you can get an extra 5% off! That’s 20% OFF for Resene Cardholders!
If you don’t have a card, sign up free online, www.resene.co.nz/diycard or while you are at your local Resene ColorShop.
And if you need help choosing your paints, wood stains, colours or wallpapers, your local Resene ColorShop staff can help you with all the advice and inspiration you need!
If you're sitting your driver's licence, it would pay to take a trip to Blenheim, or Nelson or Hawera. New data obtained from the NZ Transport Agency reveals you're much more likely to pass a restricted or full licence in these three towns. The figures covered all Vehicle Testing New… View moreIf you're sitting your driver's licence, it would pay to take a trip to Blenheim, or Nelson or Hawera. New data obtained from the NZ Transport Agency reveals you're much more likely to pass a restricted or full licence in these three towns. The figures covered all Vehicle Testing New Zealand stations for the period January 2015 to September 2018. The average pass rate across the country was 63 per cent.
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Pass rates in Auckland were lower than the national average, with the three sites you're most likely to fail at located there. Manukau in South Auckland had the lowest pass rate at 48 per cent, followed by Westgate in West Auckland at 53 per cent, and New Lynn, also out west, at 55 per cent. The site with the highest pass rate in Auckland was Glen Innes at 64 per cent, while the highest in the country was Blenheim at 81 per cent.
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A factor for the high pass rate might be the lack of any traffic lights in Blenheim and low traffic volumes, Marlborough District Council road safety co-ordinator Robyn Blackburn said. Blenheim also had the equal cheapest lessons nationally for the AA Motoring Driving School at $65 an hour. Auckland, in contrast, has the equal most expensive at $75 an hour. VTNZ operations general manager Gavin McNaught said part of the difference could be explained by the different types of tests - including full or restricted being sat at each site - as well as traffic around testing sites. "In a busy metropolitan area like Manukau, test applicants will be presented with a greater number of, and more complicated, traffic interactions than if in a quieter urban area like Blenheim.
"The increase in traffic interactions inadvertently increases the likelihood of errors, which corresponds to the variances between rural and metropolitan test locations." McNaught said VTNZ was required to "provide an accessible testing service", which meant they had to be in a range of locations, even if some of those locations were naturally easier because of traffic conditions. "In the regions of lower North Island, you'll get one roundabout and maybe one set of red lights. If you do it in Auckland there's not only going to be a lot of traffic, you deal with extra hazards. I think it's pretty obvious it's not going to be a fair test in a place like Auckland." The 21-year-old got his learner's licence when he was 17 and had been practising driving in Levin since, as he is without a car in Auckland.
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AA Driving School general manager Roger Venn said the three lowest national licence pass rates of Manukau, Westgate, and New Lynn - all in Auckland - were probably the busiest areas for surrounding traffic and risk factors.
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"You've got very busy congestion in those areas: pedestrians, trucks," Venn said.
"You're more likely to be faced with more complex driving situations, and more likely to forget the basics perhaps than you might taking your test in Palmerston North for example.
"The only logical thing is the traffic environment is more stressful and therefore leads to more mistakes."
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