New Windsor, Auckland

Have you made your house all Christmassy yet?

Have you made your house all Christmassy yet?

Why not share a snap to be in to win spot prizes! (and the title of NZ's Merriest Home)

1702 days ago

25 years evolves into Remote Covid learning

New Zealand School of Food & Wine

We were lucky!

Over the weekend of 14/15 March, we celebrated our 25th Anniversary at NZSFW and 10 days later, New Zealand ground to a halt in the Covid19 Lockdown.

And while our day to day life has dramatically changed, looking at all these photos gives me a lot of pleasure and especially to be… View more
We were lucky!

Over the weekend of 14/15 March, we celebrated our 25th Anniversary at NZSFW and 10 days later, New Zealand ground to a halt in the Covid19 Lockdown.

And while our day to day life has dramatically changed, looking at all these photos gives me a lot of pleasure and especially to be able to share in the achievements of our current students and graduates. The highlight has to be the magnificent dinner; an inspired menu created by our gifted chef, Finn Gybel and prepared under his watchful eye by the cookery students.

Fortuitously, the lamb arrived fresh from Pigeon Bay via Harris Meats in North Canterbury and after a number of dramas leaving us worried that it would in time. Finn's dish, where he wrapped the lamb in crepinette, to hold it together while cooking, was certainly a new technique that we had not used in the past.

It was a thrill to have veteran broadcaster, Carol Hirschfeld as MC for the dinner and lend her distinctive and thoughtful commentary to our story. Carol asked me who she could "interview" during the dinner. Victoria Biddick, our first enrolled student from 1995, Oliver Hay and Joelle Thomson all shared their unique perspective on their association with the school.

There is certainly some irony in the fact that as we were celebrating these 25 years, another significant challenge was about to explode. Drawing on my earthquake experience, where we relocated our students to my second business at the Duvauchelle Store and Café, I knew that we had to find a way to keep going.

As the Covid19 crisis escalated, I discussed with our tutors how we could teach the programmes online and with the cookery students cooking in their own kitchens at home. Again, I was fortunate that my son Oliver, computer systems engineer, and recently returned from his super yacht chef sojourn, decided that he wanted to work full-time at NZSFW. Oli then set about finding the best platform for the tutors to stream their classes live and to administer the programmes. We have used Google Classroom and the Hangouts conferencing software to do this and it's working well.

By Friday 20 March, we had amended our cookery timetables to focus on baking, pasta and dishes that were easier to prepare at home. The students then went home with a 5kg bag of flour, 2 kg sugar, 1kg butter, 12 eggs and other ingredients. We trialled the video streaming from NZSFW while we could and then following the lockdown, the tutors now continue from their homes. The logistics are much easier for Franck with his hospitality students!

For the cookery students, the model is they watch the demonstrations at home and later upload photographs of their cooking. It's not ideal, as the tutor cannot taste their food and sometimes the livestream is pixellated or cuts out but it's better that doing nothing. Plus, everyone gets to chat and socialise from the safety of their bubble. And with supermarkets open, we can continue to buy supplies. View Foundation cooking shots here. And Advanced Cooking here.

Stay safe and have fun,
Celia Hay

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1702 days ago

Let's chat about your garden today

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Hello neighbours, our editor Jo McCarroll is hosting another Live Lunch today (with colleague Naomi who edits NZ House & Garden), so jump online between 12.30 and 1pm to join them. You can ask questions in advance, so start firing through your gardening questions and pictures of your garden or … View moreHello neighbours, our editor Jo McCarroll is hosting another Live Lunch today (with colleague Naomi who edits NZ House & Garden), so jump online between 12.30 and 1pm to join them. You can ask questions in advance, so start firing through your gardening questions and pictures of your garden or the projects you've been tackling over lockdown anytime you like!

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1702 days ago

Ancient tree proves Auckland's Maungawhau/Mt Eden erupted 28,000 years ago

Danielle Clent Reporter from Central Leader

Hi neighbours, a discovery during works for City Rail Link has helped experts prove Maungawhau/Mt Eden erupted 28,000 years ago.
DEVORA vulcanologist Elaine Smid said : "We have used other techniques to date this eruption, with similar findings. This new radiocarbon result removes any … View more
Hi neighbours, a discovery during works for City Rail Link has helped experts prove Maungawhau/Mt Eden erupted 28,000 years ago.
DEVORA vulcanologist Elaine Smid said : "We have used other techniques to date this eruption, with similar findings. This new radiocarbon result removes any lingering doubts about the age of Maungawhau/Mt Eden."

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1702 days ago

Two weeks into lockdown - how's everyone feeling?

Neighbourly.co.nz

How's everyone feeling at this stage of lockdown? Head over to the Reach Out page and let everyone know how you're coping and share any words of kindness that will help support each other during this time. Do you need help or can you help a neighbour in need? Perhaps you can offer a … View moreHow's everyone feeling at this stage of lockdown? Head over to the Reach Out page and let everyone know how you're coping and share any words of kindness that will help support each other during this time. Do you need help or can you help a neighbour in need? Perhaps you can offer a friendly phone call, have some great baking tips, ways to work from home or ideas to keep the kids entertained. Post on Reach Out and together we can all support each other and our communities during this time.

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1703 days ago

Keep calm and kind

Neighbourly.co.nz

Lockdown is a stressful and difficult time for many and showing kindness can go a long way in brightening someone’s day. Be Neighbourly and spread positivity, we all know there’s plenty of that on Neighbourly!

Need help or can you support someone in need? … View more
Lockdown is a stressful and difficult time for many and showing kindness can go a long way in brightening someone’s day. Be Neighbourly and spread positivity, we all know there’s plenty of that on Neighbourly!

Need help or can you support someone in need? Reach out to your Neighbours here now.
Reach out

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1703 days ago

Don't miss your collection this Easter

The Team from Auckland Council

Hey Auckland, we will continue to collect your kerbside collections during the Easter holiday, but with some changes to collection dates.

Collections from Easter Friday will be a day later and return to normal Monday 20 April.

Remember all rubbish, recycling bins and bags and food scraps bins… View more
Hey Auckland, we will continue to collect your kerbside collections during the Easter holiday, but with some changes to collection dates.

Collections from Easter Friday will be a day later and return to normal Monday 20 April.

Remember all rubbish, recycling bins and bags and food scraps bins (if applicable) are to be placed out before 7am on your collection day.
Learn more

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1704 days ago

Has your Tenancy Tribunal hearing been adjourned due to coronavirus?

Kendall Hutt Reporter from Auckland Stuff

Hi neighbours. Thousands of Tenancy Tribunal hearings have been adjourned due to coronavirus and the nationwide lockdown. The tribunal is restricted in what applications it can hear and is only able to hear ones which include issues such as substantial property damage or the property is … View moreHi neighbours. Thousands of Tenancy Tribunal hearings have been adjourned due to coronavirus and the nationwide lockdown. The tribunal is restricted in what applications it can hear and is only able to hear ones which include issues such as substantial property damage or the property is uninhabitable. Has your Tenancy Tribunal hearing been adjourned over Covid-19? Are you unhappy the hearing has not been able to go ahead? Feel free to get in touch with reporter Kendall Hutt at kendall.hutt@stuff.co.nz.

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1709 days ago

Growing an edible garden

Murray Halberg Retirement Village

Now is a great time to focus on your garden. Whether you have a large garden or a small balcony, growing vegetables is a great way to keep busy and enjoy the fruits (or vegetables) of your labour.

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1703 days ago

No line at pakn save mt albert

Sam and Mareah from Mount Roskill

Hi everyone, no line atm at paknsave mt albert 2.36pm, 7/4/2020 😊

1731 days ago

Replacing the private long-distance bus terminal would cost ratepayers

Todd Niall Reporter from Auckland Stuff

Hi Neighbours, If the long-distance bus terminal moves out of Sky City's complex, ratepayers will probably foot the bill. Ngāti Whātua opposes AT's plan to put it on their land. See below what it would look like, but should it stay where it is ?

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1703 days ago

Thanks to our community and front staff!

Mike from Anytime Fitness Mt Albert

Stay safe and look after yourself and each other.

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1703 days ago

Health Minister David Clark demoted after driving 20km to beach, breaking lockdown rules...What do YOU say???

Brian from New Lynn

Health Minister David Clark has been demoted after driving his family 20km to a beach to go for a walk in the first weekend of the lockdown - a breach that the Prime Minister says he would normally be sacked for. "At a time when we are asking New Zealanders to make historic sacrifices … View moreHealth Minister David Clark has been demoted after driving his family 20km to a beach to go for a walk in the first weekend of the lockdown - a breach that the Prime Minister says he would normally be sacked for. "At a time when we are asking New Zealanders to make historic sacrifices I've let the team down. I've been an idiot," Clark said in a statement this morning. Jacinda Ardern said he would be demoted to the bottom of the Cabinet rankings and stripped of his Associate Finance portfolio. Clark, who offered his resignation, sounded forlorn as he started a round of media calls this morning, saying he felt "like a complete dick to be honest". And speaking to Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking, Clark said he "wasn't thinking" when he drove to the beach with his family. His wife had asked him if it was within the rules, and he had decided to go because the family would still be within its household bubble. "I make no excuses for it, Mike. I got it wrong," Clark told Hosking. "I've made a fool of myself. I need to be really clear on that and apologise to New Zealanders." He said the Health Minister in the middle of a global pandemic was an incredibly important role, and he had a long way to go to rebuild the trust of New Zealanders. Clark has already come under fire for driving about 2km last week to go for a mountain bike ride.
Ardern said: "Under normal conditions I would sack the Minister of Health. What he did was wrong, and there are no excuses. "But right now, my priority is our collective fight against Covid-19. We cannot afford massive disruption in the health sector or to our response. For that reason, and that reason alone, Dr Clark will maintain his role." But Ardern said he would pay a price for breaking the rules. "While he maintains his Health portfolio, I am stripping him of his role as Associate Finance Minister and demoting him to the bottom of our Cabinet rankings.
"I expect better, and so does New Zealand."
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