Wattle Downs, Auckland

Got a question about your lawn or backyard?

Got a question about your lawn or backyard?

Ask a Crewcut Lawn & Garden expert (and an ex-Black Caps coach!) now. Head here.

Does your organisation need new flooring?

Does your organisation need new flooring?

Apply for up to $2,000 and also be in to win a $20,000 makeover.

1295 days ago

Does your partner work at the border or in an MIQ facility?

Caroline Williams Reporter from Auckland Stuff

Hi neighbours, Are you the partner of a border or MIQ worker but don't live with them? If so, have you been offered the Covid-19 vaccine? If you haven't, does this cause you concern? If this sounds like you, please email me at caroline.williams@stuff.co.nz

1296 days ago

Electrical cable falls on motorway, diversions in place

Neighbourly.co.nz

UPDATE
May 12
3.15pm

Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has reported that all lanes on the Upper Harbour highway are open. Expect delays as traffic eases.
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Auckland motorists are told to expect delays to their afternoon commute after … View more
UPDATE
May 12
3.15pm

Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has reported that all lanes on the Upper Harbour highway are open. Expect delays as traffic eases.
_________________________________________________________________

Auckland motorists are told to expect delays to their afternoon commute after electrical cabling fell on the motorway.

The southbound Upper Harbour highway off-ramp is currently closed as contractors work to clear the blockage. Police have reported that this is currently impacting city-bound traffic and diversions are currently in place.

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1298 days ago

Million-dollar dumps: The Auckland car park worth $82.5 million

Caroline Williams Reporter from Auckland Stuff

Downtown Auckland is going through huge transformation with its various streetscape and transport projects. But in stark contrast, several plots of land worth hundreds of millions of dollars have sat as car parks since buildings were knocked down in the 1980s.

The Elliott St car park sits on a … View more
Downtown Auckland is going through huge transformation with its various streetscape and transport projects. But in stark contrast, several plots of land worth hundreds of millions of dollars have sat as car parks since buildings were knocked down in the 1980s.

The Elliott St car park sits on a 4417 square metre plot of land, valued at $82.5 million.

The land has sat undeveloped as a car park - where an hour will cost you $19 - since the Royal International Hotel was demolished in 1987.

It was purchased by Singapore company NDG Asia Pacific (NZ) Limited for $53m in 2012, and in 2017 the company was given approval by the Overseas Investment Office to build and operate a 52-storey, five- star Ritz-Carlton Hotel, with 300 guest rooms, four floors for hotel facilities, six for retail and five for car parking.

The development is expected to cost $350m, with the start of construction dependent on the completion of City Rail Link. However, the resource consent for the tower is due to expire in October.

Click 'read more' for our full story.

1296 days ago

Parents of 4 - 7 month olds

Melissa Walton from Weymouth Playcentre

We run a special session called "Space" for parents and babies on Wednesday afternoons.

This group is especially for parents of babies born Oct 2020 to Jan 2021.

At Space you and your baby will connect with other parents & their babies as you explore music, rhymes, books and a … View more
We run a special session called "Space" for parents and babies on Wednesday afternoons.

This group is especially for parents of babies born Oct 2020 to Jan 2021.

At Space you and your baby will connect with other parents & their babies as you explore music, rhymes, books and a variety of play experiences to support & extend your baby's learning & development.

We have had 3 places open up for new families to register. Book now to secure a spot for you and your baby.

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1309 days ago

Mother's Day Flowers for only $60!

Sophie from The Wild Rose

Hi neighbours,

We don't think showing Mum that you care this Mother's Day should break the bank, so we've created a new $60 value range that includes not only flowers but bubbles and chocolate as well!

All boxes below are only $60 - crazy right?!
We only have a limited range … View more
Hi neighbours,

We don't think showing Mum that you care this Mother's Day should break the bank, so we've created a new $60 value range that includes not only flowers but bubbles and chocolate as well!

All boxes below are only $60 - crazy right?!
We only have a limited range available so pre-order now to secure yours. Afterpay & Laybuy available.

Shop our full Mother's Day at www.thewildrose.co.nz...

1297 days ago

Digital Coaching in Papakura

Nivedita Sharma Vij from Muskaan4all

Share with senior members and any one keen to become digital savvy and build hier confidence with navigation leading to wellness🌄

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1297 days ago

Hi

Darcy from

Good morning we do gardening and lawns and landscaping and water blasting jobs in Auckland if you need a free quote texts or call Richie 0272955541 or me 0211479346 going to be cutting and cleaning up the hedges around Clendon mc doulds

1298 days ago

Major track upgrades launched: Mangere Mountain

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

The track to Mangere Mountain's summit is getting a facelift.

It will be recreated with aggregate stone paths, basalt rock steps and rest areas with seating at key viewing areas.

A floating staircase will be built on the steeper northern descent from the south Auckland summit which is prone … View more
The track to Mangere Mountain's summit is getting a facelift.

It will be recreated with aggregate stone paths, basalt rock steps and rest areas with seating at key viewing areas.

A floating staircase will be built on the steeper northern descent from the south Auckland summit which is prone to erosion from foot traffic.

Work begins on May 17 and is expected to take five months to bring to fruition.

The goal is to preserve historic pa features and provide a safer, enhanced experience for pedestrians.

Also planned is a major redevelopment of the playground.

Inspired by the landscape, the design will reflect stories associated with the mountain and Maori culture.

A $1 million budget has been earmarked for the playground.

More details will be released later.

1298 days ago

Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who cleaned up South Auckland’s waterways!

Louise Beuvink from Beautification Trust

Thank you to everyone who came along for your huge effort at Te Puhinui Big Clean on Saturday! Around 500 people pitched in to clean up our waterways and protect our precious natural environment.

Volunteers removed tonnes of rubbish, including road cones, car parts, building materials, old … View more
Thank you to everyone who came along for your huge effort at Te Puhinui Big Clean on Saturday! Around 500 people pitched in to clean up our waterways and protect our precious natural environment.

Volunteers removed tonnes of rubbish, including road cones, car parts, building materials, old furniture and even a Harley Davidson motorcycle!

Want to help keep the Puhinui Stream clean?
We're asking local businesses, schools and community groups to adopt a spot along the Puhinui Stream and help keep it free of rubbish. Want to adopt a spot? Get in touch with us at admin@beautification.org.nz.

1298 days ago

Mahinga Kai - Forage with Riki Bennett

New Zealand School of Food & Wine

Learning about plants and their purpose - from medicinal to edible, the legend of Maui and fire with Riki giving an impressive demonstration of traditional fire making with a Mahoe stick rubbed until it creates an ember. Meanwhile at NZSFW, the kai cooker smokes and steams our lamb, packages of … View moreLearning about plants and their purpose - from medicinal to edible, the legend of Maui and fire with Riki giving an impressive demonstration of traditional fire making with a Mahoe stick rubbed until it creates an ember. Meanwhile at NZSFW, the kai cooker smokes and steams our lamb, packages of plantain with coconut cream, wrapped in cabbage leaves, potatoes, spinach emulsion and finishing with golden syrup steamed pudding and caramelised coxes orange apples.
The next one will be in July this year.

1298 days ago

Māori names and stories returned to the whenua

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Names dating back to stories treasured by Māori are being returned to the whenua in parks across communities in the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board area.

The local board has adopted 18 names from mana whenua as part of the council’s cultural identity programme, Te Kete Rukuruku.

Names for … View more
Names dating back to stories treasured by Māori are being returned to the whenua in parks across communities in the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board area.

The local board has adopted 18 names from mana whenua as part of the council’s cultural identity programme, Te Kete Rukuruku.

Names for another 32 parks are being determined.

The first of the names has now been revealed with the unveiling of signs bearing the new dual name Waenganui / Allenby Park in Papatoetoe.

“Our local board is incredibly honoured to receive and reinstate these taonga, the names and histories of mana whenua," said Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia.

“The distinct cultures in our local board area are our strength. Our community has told us that ensuring Māori arts, culture and history being more visible in public places is really important to them and this is a really simple but powerful way we can do that and something we will look after and treasure.”

Ngāti Tamaoho, who named the park, said the ceremony marked an important milestone.

"For Ngāti Tamaoho that is exciting because focussing on the whenua is something we have really pushed for over the years,” said Ngāti Tamaoho Charitable Trust chair Tori Ngataki.

The board chose Waenganui / Allenby Park to have a full suite of bilingual signs including a new entrance sign with the name Waenganui / Allenby Park, an interpretive sign with the narrative in te reo Māori and English, and a QR code allowing people to scan their phone to hear the correct pronunciation.

Information helping people to navigate will be displayed in English and Maori on public facilities around the park.

Regulatory signs such as bylaw and alcohol ban information will feature in English and te reo Maori.

1298 days ago

Have you seen this amazing garden?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

They had a vision for their property, but they also had three floods in 20 years. That didn't stop them pursuing the garden of their dreams though.

1304 days ago

Poll: Do you support the fine increase for using a mobile while driving from $80 to $150?

Reporter Community News

Drivers have been captured on camera boldly using their phones while driving, to video call, text and make calls.

The footage, taken in Auckland, comes as the Government increased the cost of a fine for using a cellphone while driving from $80 to $150.

Over the course of a week, ahead of the fine… View more
Drivers have been captured on camera boldly using their phones while driving, to video call, text and make calls.

The footage, taken in Auckland, comes as the Government increased the cost of a fine for using a cellphone while driving from $80 to $150.

Over the course of a week, ahead of the fine increase, a Stuff visual journalist captured numerous people using their phones while driving, including a woman who appeared to be on a video call while passing through an intersection, a man speaking on the phone and numerous people texting or looking at their phone.

Last year, police issued more than 40,000 infringement notices for the offence.

A driver for Dingo Groundworx NZ was captured using their phone while driving a truck along Williamson Ave, in Ponsonby.

Owner Cameron Hadley told Stuff all employees were very aware they should not be using their phones while driving.

He said he would be raising the issue in a staff meeting.

AA road safety spokesman Dylan Thomsen told Stuff he wasn’t surprised to hear about the woman video calling while driving.

While AA supports the Government’s fine increase, Thomsen said it wasn’t going to solve the problem.

“People just can’t resist the temptation if they hear their phone go off ... it’s not something you do by accident.”

“A lot of people use their phone behind the wheel and don’t do other risky things.”

He hopes as there are further advancements in technology, phone companies can have default “do not disturb” modes that activate as soon as drivers start moving in their car.

“Until we change the mindset it will be hard with enforcement alone, people don’t appreciate the risks until it’s too late,” Thomsen said.

To see video footage, go here:

www.stuff.co.nz...

*Please put NFP if you do not want your comments used by Stuff.

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Do you support the fine increase for using a mobile while driving from $80 to $150?
  • 90.2% Yes
    90.2% Complete
  • 8% No
    8% Complete
  • 1.8% Unsure- it's too complex
    1.8% Complete
2161 votes
1298 days ago

Your Big Mac, ordered from here.

McDonald's

New Zealand’s lush green pastures and temperate climate means our country produces some of the world’s best beef.

New Zealand is one of McDonald’s top ten beef-producing markets and it’s such a hit with the rest of the world that a significant percentage of NZ’s beef exports are to … View more
New Zealand’s lush green pastures and temperate climate means our country produces some of the world’s best beef.

New Zealand is one of McDonald’s top ten beef-producing markets and it’s such a hit with the rest of the world that a significant percentage of NZ’s beef exports are to international McDonald’s markets.

We partner with many Kiwi farmers who produce our beef, including Whangara Farms which was the first beef farm outside of Europe to be invited to the McDonald’s Flagship Farmers programme.

ANZCO Foods, based in the small Taranaki town of Waitara, are responsible for making our 100% beef patties. About 90% of the staff at the Waitara plant are locals and they manage to produce around half a million patties each day.

Our quality beef cuts are minced and that’s it. No additives or fillers, just mince that is formed in patties, before they’re flash-frozen and sent to restaurants.
Learn more

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1299 days ago

Mother's Day

NumberWorks'nWords Manukau

Thank you to all our amazing mums from the team at NumberWorks'nWords.

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