Changing Seasons!
Hi Neighbours,
As we approach summer we are reminded of the change we are seeing in our New Zealand seasons.
We can all recall the images of the impacts of extreme recent rains in urban Auckland and rural Canterbury. As summer temperatures warm and the season gets longer and longer, the cooling degree day analysis and heatwave days can help you to prepare for such events.
Climate Insights has added two new variables to its Residential Property Climate Risk Report: tropical cyclone and tsunami risk. Information is knowledge. A Climate Insights property report on your residential property also includes tips on what can be done to improve the resilience of your property and householders to emerging weather and climate risks. It only takes minutes to generate a report for any address.
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.3% Yes
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15% No
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2.7% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
What is happening to our services?
Hi Neighbours
I'm concerned as to the level of services in our city, while our rates keep going up!
A short while ago we had 3 bins damaged in 1 rubbish-day pick-up. It took close to 6 weeks to resolve and I had to repeatedly follow-up progress as the case was closed 2x without any action - one of those instances stated they "couldn't find the bins" but they had never moved from the kerb side they are collected from since they got damaged.
Similarly I reported a small water leak on 1-Aug to Watercare just outside our property, on council land. I heard nothing back and the stream of water running grew and grew. I followed it up last week, only to be told it had been thoroughly investigated and it was not a Watercare issue. If I wanted to resolve it, I could pay a plumber. Yesterday I saw the water reader and said to him the running water is a problem - he agreed. I re-reported it and today it is being fixed - by Watercare - as it is gushing. They repairers assured me it is for sure a Watercare issue.
What can we do about this? We don't pay faulty money - but we get faulty service. It's not good enough.