Hauraki, Auckland

1162 days ago

More on Wine, Foodography and Winter Classes

New Zealand School of Food & Wine

For the last few weeks I have been travelling around NZ running a series of Wine Tasting Competitions for the NZ Sommeliers and Wine Professionals for which I am chair. It's been fun putting together a selection of 40 classic wines and preparing sets of questions to test our teams of … View moreFor the last few weeks I have been travelling around NZ running a series of Wine Tasting Competitions for the NZ Sommeliers and Wine Professionals for which I am chair. It's been fun putting together a selection of 40 classic wines and preparing sets of questions to test our teams of winelovers.

We have used Kahoot! which has been enormously successful as a electronic quiz platform in these Covid times. It adds the results instantly and takes away the risk of calculation errors plus the backend provides detailed analytics on who got the answers to how many seconds it took to answer correctly. We know that of the 24 teams the highest scores were 75% correct with over 8 teams achieved above 68% correct. I can see we will use this platform for sometime!

It seems that interest in wines and spirits programmes is also bounding upwards and we have had record enrolments for all our wine classes including WSET Wine and Spirit Education Trust from UK.

This week I had the results of the latest WSET Level 2 Certificate in Wine and with a class of 20 students, 60% gained distinction, a pass of over 85%. Exciting.

Our NZQA Certificate in NZ Wine Micro-Credential is also going for strength to strength and we are about to start offering Corporate & Team Building wine options so that you can get together a group of 8 people and we will run a private programme.

New Zealand wines are much more diverse that most people imagine and it's a great thrill to be able to share lesser-known wineries and underrated regions with our participants as they taste through the wine selection. For more information, email admin@foodandwine.co.nz.

Coming up we have the Winter Forage with Riki Bennett which provides an opportunity to explore our native flora along with innovation around urban hāngi kai-cookery techniques. The FOODOGRAPHY Dinner is back and this year our theme is a Midwinter Christmas Dinner. Both events are part of Auckland's Elemental Festival.

On Sunday 1st August, we host the NZ Sommelier of the Year Awards along with wine tasting events and a Gastronomic Dinner prepared by Chef Finn and our students.

Ngā mihi,
Celia Hay

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1168 days ago

Can Auckland Council manage the local pushback on big ideas?

Todd Niall Reporter from Auckland Stuff

Kia ora Neighbours, Several council projects have sparked vocal opposition in communities. Henderson's street trial, Onehunga's low-traffic neighbourhood and Western Springs forest. If the council can't reach a consensus on these, what happens when the big changes come? Read the … View moreKia ora Neighbours, Several council projects have sparked vocal opposition in communities. Henderson's street trial, Onehunga's low-traffic neighbourhood and Western Springs forest. If the council can't reach a consensus on these, what happens when the big changes come? Read the story below:

1162 days ago
1183 days ago

Demand for rentals down on the North Shore

Caroline Williams Reporter from North Shore Times

Kia ora neighbours. While there is a shortage of rental properties nationwide, North Shore landlords are reporting they are struggling to find tenants.

Trade Me Property data showed the number of rentals on the North Shore market increased by 4 per cent in May when compared to June. At the same … View more
Kia ora neighbours. While there is a shortage of rental properties nationwide, North Shore landlords are reporting they are struggling to find tenants.

Trade Me Property data showed the number of rentals on the North Shore market increased by 4 per cent in May when compared to June. At the same time, demand in the district dropped by 7 per cent month-on-month.

NZ Property Investors Federation executive officer Sharon Cullwick said a number of North Shore landlords had reported they were finding it extremely difficult to get tenants for their rentals.

“One reason could be that more apartment buildings closer to the CBD are being finished and people are choosing to move into them instead.
Another reason could be the rents being asked for do not meet the market and are too high.”

Are you a landlord struggling to tenant your rental property, or a tenant struggling to find a place to call home on the North Shore? I'd love to hear from you - flick me an email at caroline.williams@stuff.co.nz

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1163 days ago

Paint it red with Resene for Red Nose Day!

Resene ColorShop

Buy any red testpot from your local Resene owned ColorShop between 13-31 July 2021 and Resene will donate $1 to CureKids Red Nose Day!

The more red testpots you buy, the more will be donated! Offer applies to all retail purchases of Resene red testpots (excludes metallics and wood stains).

View more
Buy any red testpot from your local Resene owned ColorShop between 13-31 July 2021 and Resene will donate $1 to CureKids Red Nose Day!

The more red testpots you buy, the more will be donated! Offer applies to all retail purchases of Resene red testpots (excludes metallics and wood stains).

Help us make a difference to the health of kiwi children.
Find your local Resene ColorShop
Find out more

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1164 days ago

Theatre Matinee - Neville's Island - Comedy

Sylvia Heywood from Soroptimist International North Shore

Neville's Island by Tim Firth - a comedy described as a cross between Lord of the Flies and The Office; needless to say, it is farcical and hilarious. At the Rose Centre Theatre, Belmont, Sunday, 15th August at 2pm.
Price $25 per person, afternoon teas included. To guarantee your place RSVP … View more
Neville's Island by Tim Firth - a comedy described as a cross between Lord of the Flies and The Office; needless to say, it is farcical and hilarious. At the Rose Centre Theatre, Belmont, Sunday, 15th August at 2pm.
Price $25 per person, afternoon teas included. To guarantee your place RSVP to Mary on 0211478945 or email hillmary@xtra.co.nz to reserve your seat before 12th August.

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1165 days ago

Car park available in central Takapuna

Ildiko from Takapuna

Hi there

I have a reserved car park available on Campbell rd, just off Hurstmere rd and Anzac s between Monday to Friday 9am till 5pm for $40/ week.
If anyone is interested, please let me know.

Thank you 😊

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1165 days ago

North Shore high school amends uniform policy so students may show tā moko and taonga Māori

Caroline Williams Reporter from North Shore Times

Westlake Boys High School has amended its uniform policy, allowing students to wear tā moko and taonga Māori.

The high decile school had a review of its uniform policy after two senior students, from Ngāpuhi, Te Aupōuri and Te Rarawa in the Far North, were said to be “deeply hurt” by a … View more
Westlake Boys High School has amended its uniform policy, allowing students to wear tā moko and taonga Māori.

The high decile school had a review of its uniform policy after two senior students, from Ngāpuhi, Te Aupōuri and Te Rarawa in the Far North, were said to be “deeply hurt” by a request to hide their tā moko last year.

Tā moko are traditional tattoos on the face or body done under traditional protocols. The designs typically represent the wearer’s iwi (tribe) and whakapapa (ancestry).

Following complaints from the students’ whānau, a hui was held, prompting the school board to review and amend its uniform policy.

Now, students may wear visible tā moko, as well as mau kakī, hei tiki and whakakai – traditional Māori neck pendants usually made with pounamu (greenstone) or bone.

Te Pouarataki o Te Huarahi Reo Rua (leader of the bilingual programme) Johnny Waititi said the policy amendment meant there were fewer barriers for Māori students to express themselves without fear of being “growled at” or looked at differently.

“We’ve made some really big movement in honour of kaupapa Māori (topic) and te ao Māori (the Māori world view).”

Click 'read more' for the full story.

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1165 days ago

Dog accessories & clothing, including Handcrafted Elevated Pet Feeder Dual Dog Bowl Stand. Takapuna

Ildiko from Takapuna

Everything you see on the pictures except the last picture which is for comparison.
Beautiful handmade dual bowl stand. RRP $170
Size S & XS

Takapuna pick up

Price: $40

1165 days ago

Magazine rack

The Team from Resene ColorShop Takapuna

Breathe new life into an old magazine rack by adding a pop of colour with Resene testpots. Find out how to create your own.

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1173 days ago

Stacy and Adam's Block heritage apartment up for sale

Colleen Hawkes Reporter from Homed

We think this was the best apartment on The Block NZ: Firehouse in Kingsland. Stacy and Adam did a stellar job, and now it is going to auction for a second time, on July 28. 2021. Great character apartment, great location.

1165 days ago

Supporting KidsCan is easy through the Trade Me Kindness Store

Trade Me

Hi there!

Here at Trade Me we're chuffed to let you know we’ve launched our Kindness Store again for winter, supporting KidsCan and the great work they do making sure our tamariki have a fair start – after all, little Kiwis can’t learn when they’re hungry, wet, and cold.

We’ve… View more
Hi there!

Here at Trade Me we're chuffed to let you know we’ve launched our Kindness Store again for winter, supporting KidsCan and the great work they do making sure our tamariki have a fair start – after all, little Kiwis can’t learn when they’re hungry, wet, and cold.

We’ve stocked the store with all the essentials. Think fleece-lined rain coats and shoes to keep kids warm and dry, and warm, healthy food.

Just pick, click, and give now – we take care of the rest, making sure your purchase gets to KidsCan.
Learn more

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1166 days ago

Affordable & Quality Cleaning

Laura from Takapuna

I am sole trader looking to expand into small cleaning business.

Running a busy life
but still want to keep your
home_ life clean,fresh and tidy...

if you are looking someone to clean your house or rental home with top quality, then give me a call or msg.. i charge $35 per hour. 0284106258 - … View more
I am sole trader looking to expand into small cleaning business.

Running a busy life
but still want to keep your
home_ life clean,fresh and tidy...

if you are looking someone to clean your house or rental home with top quality, then give me a call or msg.. i charge $35 per hour. 0284106258 - Laura

Price: $35

1166 days ago

Updates to the RTA 🏠

Office for Seniors

Are you renting? Recent changes to the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) make it easier for tenants to make minor changes to the rental property and improves the security of tenure. 🖼️🏠🔑

See the full list of changes, including a template for requesting to make a change to the property, on… View more
Are you renting? Recent changes to the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) make it easier for tenants to make minor changes to the rental property and improves the security of tenure. 🖼️🏠🔑

See the full list of changes, including a template for requesting to make a change to the property, on the Tenancy Services website 👉bit.ly...

You can also read our story about the recent changes - and more - in our latest edition of the SuperSeniors newsletter 👉 bit.ly...

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1166 days ago

Roces ice skate Made in Italy RRP$160

Ildiko from Takapuna

Roces ice skate
Made in Italy
Purchased in Europe

Size Eu38, NZ 5

Sitting in storage, needs to go
Used 1x … View more
Roces ice skate
Made in Italy
Purchased in Europe

Size Eu38, NZ 5

Sitting in storage, needs to go
Used 1x

First picture for attention, second picture comparison

RRP$160
Pick up from Takapuna

Negotiable

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