Westmere, Auckland

1328 days ago

Poll: Are you taking steps to save water in your household?

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Watercare is urging Aucklanders to keep conserving water this week- normally the region's highest water consumption week of the year.

The first week of February is traditionally the biggest week of the year when it comes to Aucklanders' water use, said Watercare head of servicing and … View more
Watercare is urging Aucklanders to keep conserving water this week- normally the region's highest water consumption week of the year.

The first week of February is traditionally the biggest week of the year when it comes to Aucklanders' water use, said Watercare head of servicing and consents, Mark Bourne.

“Last year was a little different because we were in the midst of a drought, and water use skyrocketed throughout the month of February because there was just no rain," Bourne said.

"We were breaking record after record, with water use peaking at 568 million litres a day."

Normally the first week in February is when Watercare would see water use spike dramatically, he said.

"It's when most people are back from their summer holidays, commercial production increases, the school term is starting and the weather is often very hot and dry."

Bourne said it was imperative that Aucklanders kept up the great water-saving habits they had adopted since restrictions were put in place in May.

"Together we’ve saved more than 10 billion litres in the past eight months, and in January our water use stayed comfortably under our target."

If you are doing your bit for conservation, what are some water saving hacks that you use?

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

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Are you taking steps to save water in your household?
  • 81.5% Yes
    81.5% Complete
  • 13.9% No
    13.9% Complete
  • 4.6% Undecided- it's too complex
    4.6% Complete
108 votes
1325 days ago
1325 days ago

Hunger for Colour - swap and save!

Resene

Swap a can of food for a FREE Resene testpot!

Bring a can of food into your local Resene owned ColorShop and you can swap it for a Resene testpot (60-80ml).

Resene will then donate all the food brought in to The Salvation Army local foodbanks and other community foodbanks.

By adding a … View more
Swap a can of food for a FREE Resene testpot!

Bring a can of food into your local Resene owned ColorShop and you can swap it for a Resene testpot (60-80ml).

Resene will then donate all the food brought in to The Salvation Army local foodbanks and other community foodbanks.

By adding a little more colour to your life you can also help those in need. When you donate a can of food you'll save on your testpot purchase (save up to $5.80 on an 80ml testpot) while also helping provide disadvantaged Kiwis with food parcels when they need them most.
Find out more

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1352 days ago

Make a submission - Draft Annual Plan 2021/2022

The Team from Auckland Museum

Aucklanders, do you want to help your Museum become even better? Take a few minutes to have your say on our Draft Annual Plan for 2021/2022 and tell us what's important to you.

Submissions close 5pm Mon 8 Feb 2021

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1326 days ago

Breville Juicer

Deborah from Point Chevalier

Breville juicer with all the bits. Works fine, just no longer used and taking up cupboard space.

Free

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1327 days ago

There are so many reasons to be grateful to call Aotearoa New Zealand our home. 😌🙏

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

Let's keep working together to make our communities better for everyone while honouring Te Ao Māori.

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1327 days ago

Wi-Fi? Computer Issues? Contact Us Today!

Thomas from

Do you have computer issues? Slow Internet? Or any other IT related problems?

Give us a call today!

We offer free site visits and quotes Auckland wide.

hello@thenetworkexperts.co.nz
0800-943-439
09-930-9233
332 Ponsonby Road, Auckland.

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1327 days ago

Summer Rugby Family Festival

Blues

Join the Blues whanau and their southern rivals, the Crusaders, for a (re)re-match at NZ’s first dedicated summer rugby festival.

Experience kids zones, live local music, food trucks, garden bar, marketplace and much more, whilst all supporting our local community. Kids are free with a paying… View more
Join the Blues whanau and their southern rivals, the Crusaders, for a (re)re-match at NZ’s first dedicated summer rugby festival.

Experience kids zones, live local music, food trucks, garden bar, marketplace and much more, whilst all supporting our local community. Kids are free with a paying GA adult ticket $20.
A portion of ticket sales will be donated to children’s charities; I Have a Dream Charitable Trust and KidsCan. Secure your tickets today – available now from ticketmaster.co.nz.
Book Now

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1328 days ago

Vegan Tempeh Singapore Noodles from JUK

Sri from

Craving for a Tempeh meal fix, but too tired to cook, why not check out New World stores for a meal from JUK for their Vegan Tempeh Singapore Noodles – using Sri’s Tempeh obviously!

1328 days ago

Don’t miss your collection day

The Team from Auckland Council

Waitangi Day is just around the corner. Please remember all council kerbside collections will be collected one day later than normal.

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

All collections will … View more
Waitangi Day is just around the corner. Please remember all council kerbside collections will be collected one day later than normal.

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

All collections will return to normal on 15 February 2021.

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1328 days ago

Fragrant Chicken Salad, Pork Loin & Poached pear

New Zealand School of Food & Wine

Our kitchen is bustling with activity today as the Level 4 Advanced cookery students prepare the first of three practical final assessments. Entree: Fragrant chicken salad made from tender chicken breast, chiffonade cabbage, onions and aromatic herbs of mint & coriander. Main Course: Pork Loin … View moreOur kitchen is bustling with activity today as the Level 4 Advanced cookery students prepare the first of three practical final assessments. Entree: Fragrant chicken salad made from tender chicken breast, chiffonade cabbage, onions and aromatic herbs of mint & coriander. Main Course: Pork Loin with sauce Madeira, onion carrots & Pommes Boulangère. Dessert: Pear, poached in red wine infused with cloves and cinnamon, Crème anglaise.

1334 days ago

Poll: Did you know old rice could make you sick?

New Zealand Food Safety

Just because it’s rice doesn’t mean it lasts longer than other food. Over time, cooked rice may grow bacteria that produces toxins, which can make you sick. So, make sure you cover, refrigerate and only keep for a day or two.

Don’t risk making your whānau sick. Eat any leftover food … View more
Just because it’s rice doesn’t mean it lasts longer than other food. Over time, cooked rice may grow bacteria that produces toxins, which can make you sick. So, make sure you cover, refrigerate and only keep for a day or two.

Don’t risk making your whānau sick. Eat any leftover food within two days. If in doubt, chuck it out.

Remember to Clean Cook Chill and check our easy food safety tips here.

The team at New Zealand Food Safety
Find out more

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Did you know old rice could make you sick?
  • 86% Yes I’m always careful
    86% Complete
  • 14% No I thought rice doesn’t go bad
    14% Complete
2996 votes
1329 days ago

Enjoy summer at Auckland Botanic Gardens

The Team from Auckland Council

Garden inspiration, music, an exhibition and heaps of fun for everyone. Bring a picnic, spend the day!

1328 days ago

Sri's Tempeh (Organic) at New World Milford

Sri from

Hello Vegans / Vegetarians and Flexitarians🙋🏽‍♀‍🌱🍽🥗
Sri's Tempeh available now in the frozen aisles
at New World Milford🎉
Get your plant-based goodness today and get creating in the kitchen!
141 Kitchener Road, Milford, Auckland 0620

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1336 days ago

HOUSING INTENSIFICATION

Kathy from Sandringham

Hello Neighbours!

You are probably all noticing the housing intensification that is beginning to take place, with houses being torn down and multi story buildings taking their place – sometimes changing the entire character of long standing residential neighbourhoods. No one can deny that … View more
Hello Neighbours!

You are probably all noticing the housing intensification that is beginning to take place, with houses being torn down and multi story buildings taking their place – sometimes changing the entire character of long standing residential neighbourhoods. No one can deny that Auckland needs more housing, but a more thoughtful approach to development could improve HOW housing intensification takes place by focusing on development of scale on the main arterial routes for transportation, business, infrastructure AND affordable multi story housing before randomly beginning to dismantle quiet residential neighbourhoods.

It is a fact that in 2016 the Auckland Unitary Plan established building zones throughout Auckland for the regulation of urban development. For example, in my street most of Huntingtree Ave and Vancouver St are zoned as “Mixed Housing Urban”. This allows 3 story townhouses and low rise apartments to be built – with no consent from neighbours - on subdivisions of 300 square meters. Interestingly, many of the major 4 lane arterial routes are not zoned for any greater housing intensification than are nearby quiet residential areas.

You can find the map showing what your zones are at unitaryplanmaps.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz...

Click the + sigh to enlarge the map and scroll for the area you want to explore. (The more you zoom in, the more street names you can see)

On the left click on legend and click the little cone symbol across form unitary plan zones to see what each colour represents

To see what you can do in each zone, go to
www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz... consents/Pages/what-can-do-zone.aspx

In August of 2020, the government issued a new National Policy Statement on Urban Development (www.mfe.govt.nz...) that reasserted the need for greater intensification in urban areas, especially on major arterial routes where infrastructure is best located. I believe that a National Policy directive trumps (excuse the pun) local council. With a push for greater focus on housing intensification and associated infrastructure on main arterial routes, this might be an opportunity to collectively urge Council to reassess current zoning regulations that allow for three story, two story and even single story housing zones along some of our main arterial routes while three story buildings, that tower over existing single story homes, are starting to pop up randomly in quiet residential streets.

With the number of commuters who park in residential streets close to main transportation routes, many of those streets are already reduced to a single lane for cars to pass through, and parking for locals is restricted. Housing intensification in those streets would only increase that problem. (Note: Residential parking permits are generally something that local residents have to pay for)

From : Recommendations and decisions report on the National Policy Statement on Urban Development Statement on Urban Development:

An NPS has two main effects:
• local authorities must amend their regional policy statements (RPSs), and regional and district plans, to give effect to the NPS

•decision-makers on plans, policy statements, resource consents and other matters must consider the NPS as part of their process.

“The aim is to encourage more effective growth, particularly close to frequent public transport, and walking and cycling facilities. It is also intended to help local authorities make decisions that work for all communities, offering choices for diverse groups and listening to a wider range of voices in the urban planning system”.

I am reaching out for your ideas about what we can do collectively to improve the way intensification is taking place on our streets, in our community, and in other Auckland communities. And I am reaching out for your support in seeking a solution from Council. What other streets might be facing the same problem? Do you know anyone who could be helpful in seeking a solution from Council?

Would you be willing to sign a petition asking Council to amend the Unitary Plan to accommodate a sequence of development that focuses on increasing housing intensification on main arterial routes before encroaching on residential streets?

Let’s get a discussion going!

Kathy Torpie, Sandringham

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