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From reporter Lee Kenny:
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For the Christchurch residents living in a street blighted by bird poo starlings are a menace – but how do you deal with the flying pests?
According to New Zealand Birds Online, the common starling was introduced for insect control, but they … View moreFrom reporter Lee Kenny:
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For the Christchurch residents living in a street blighted by bird poo starlings are a menace – but how do you deal with the flying pests?
According to New Zealand Birds Online, the common starling was introduced for insect control, but they are now found across Aotearoa and the Subantarctic Islands.
They nest in hollow trees, under house eaves and even in letter boxes. As well as creating a mess, they eat crops and make a noise, which some people find annoying.
There are a range of methods to discourage starlings, from the cheap to the costly.
Westport-based Maintrac Group sells a range of equipment for dealing with pests, like starlings.
These include the high-tech Bird-X, a $795 device that uses red and green laser beams to deter birds.
Deploying bird spikes is among the least expensive options. The stainless steel spikes can be adhered to surfaces, preventing birds from landing and therefore pooping on property below.
“A successful way to deter starlings is to prevent them from landing,” Maintrac Group's website says.
“Starlings need a lot of energy just to fly, so if they are prevented from landing near a food source they soon use up what energy they do have, and have to move off to other areas to feed. If one goes, they all go.”
Shiny holographic tape can also be applied to surfaces to discourage the birds from settling, while an artificial osprey hawk does a similar job.
Another option is a Carousel Gas Gun, which makes a loud bang and scares unwanted birds away.
The noise will be familiar to anyone who has spent time in the countryside, but the intermittent blasts might not be suitable for suburbia.
A less noisy option might be an ultrasonic bird and animal repellent, which emits a high-frequency sound to scare away flying pests.
Despite the thousands of starlings that descend on Dudley St, Richmond, each summer, one pest expert said they are not a common problem in Christchurch.
“The bird-work we do is usually involving pigeons,” Gary Hendrikse, director of Elite Pest Control, said.
“I don't think I've ever had a call to get rid of starlings.
“The only other nuisance birds are ones that nest in people's ceilings, that's often to do with preventing access.”
Other methods for discouraging starlings include removing nests and food sources, and patching up holes to areas that could be used as a nesting site.
Ngā mihi nui to everyone who has gifted to us through The Good Registry! We’ve now received $4,800 thanks to people gifting with The Good Registry’s charitable registries and gift cards.
You can gift to us through The Good Registry any time of the year - for birthdays, weddings, Christmas, … View moreNgā mihi nui to everyone who has gifted to us through The Good Registry! We’ve now received $4,800 thanks to people gifting with The Good Registry’s charitable registries and gift cards.
You can gift to us through The Good Registry any time of the year - for birthdays, weddings, Christmas, workplace celebrations, baby showers, in-memoriams … any special life moments and milestones.
It’s super easy with gift cards and registries, just click on the link below!
Tai Chi for Joy Class – exercise with energy healing, 1pm Monday, Halswell
Welcome to try your first class for FREE!
Guided by experienced Chinese teacher, Sandy Jiang, an accredited provider of the Strength and Balance Programme (Sports Canterbury)
Venue: Halswell Community Hall, 450 Halswell … View moreTai Chi for Joy Class – exercise with energy healing, 1pm Monday, Halswell
Welcome to try your first class for FREE!
Guided by experienced Chinese teacher, Sandy Jiang, an accredited provider of the Strength and Balance Programme (Sports Canterbury)
Venue: Halswell Community Hall, 450 Halswell Road, Christchurch
Time: Mondays, 8 classes a term
Improving balance, posture, memory, flexibility, energy, immune system, relaxation, and well-being and proven to prevent falls, protecting bones and joints.
Free 1st visit: Come and try the graceful Tai Chi movements
~ the combination of yoga, gentle stretching, energy healing and meditation ~
Contact your teacher: Sandy Email: sandyjsky@gmail.com
Beginners: 1~ 2 pm
$80 per term ($10) or $12 casual,
$64 per term ($8) or $10 casual for Community Service card or SuperGold card holders
Practising Warm-up, Tai Chi for Arthritis, Rotating Tiger or Shaking Plumes (Qigong)
Experienced: 1 ~ 2:30 pm
$112 per term ($14) or $16 casual,
$96 per term ($12) or $14 casual for Community Service card or SuperGold card holders
Practising Yang style Tai Chi - 8 form and 24 form, Tai Chi Kungfu Fan during the last 30 min
What to bring:
1. Vaccine pass
2. Mask use is encouraged (classmates and Sandy can take masks off when exercising though)
3. We will sit down about 10 min in between to read a Qigong book (Qigong is the foundation to Tai Chi). If you need reading glasses, please bring them with you.
4. Drinking bottle: a thermal one is suggested
5. Wear comfortable clothes with a pair of flat-soled shoes.
There are still places available in our Absolute Beginners Course which starts this Friday morning 9.30am-11am At Kohinga: St. Albans Community Centre. Small class so great one-on-one teaching. Ring Jan on 03-3519796 or 021-2394090 now for more information.
From reporter Cate Broughton:
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Older and vulnerable people are being encouraged to “hunker down” in their homes during the peak of the Omicron virus, by some health experts – but others say this isn’t necessary.
New Zealand epidemiologist Professor Tony … View moreFrom reporter Cate Broughton:
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Older and vulnerable people are being encouraged to “hunker down” in their homes during the peak of the Omicron virus, by some health experts – but others say this isn’t necessary.
New Zealand epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely is based at Melbourne University and says he encouraged his nearly 80-year-old parents – who live in Rotorua – to stay at home when Omicron cases climb and the virus becomes endemic.
However, Cancer Society medical director Kate Gregory said there was not enough evidence to support giving this advice to cancer patients.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed there was community transmission of the Omicron variant in New Zealand.
The Ministry of Health on Monday reported confirmed Omicron cases in the Nelson-Tasman region, Auckland and Palmerston North.
Blakely said he talked to his parents about continuing their usual activities while using a N95 mask, but “hunkering down” when cases climbed.
“You probably do that for another 10 days until case numbers start to go up in Rotorua, and then you really hunker down. So that’s what we’ve talked about.”
Blakely said “the maths of an epidemic” meant up to half of the population was likely to get infected with Omicron.
“The trick is to make sure the people who get infected are the young ones. So you accept that. You accept there will be hospitalisations associated with that.
But to minimise the hospitalisations, the mortality and morbidity – a bit like trench warfare – you send over the young ones, and you hunker down the oldies and those with co-morbidities.”
Blakely said his parents, who are double vaccinated and have had their booster, had already decided to stay at home when cases climbed.
But he said it was hard to say how long this period should last.
New Zealand’s traffic light setting of red – the highest level of restrictions under the traffic light system –would help to slow the spread of Omicron, and protect essential services from being overwhelmed, but this would also mean the peak of the virus would last longer, Blakely said.
“Here’s the deep irony, the better New Zealanders are at flattening the curve, the longer the hunker down will be.”
Blakely acknowledged prolonged periods of isolation for the elderly and vulnerable could have significant mental health impacts.
In Australia, Omicron has taken a huge toll on the aged-care sector with hundreds of outbreaks in aged care homes. But some families have said the lockdowns were overly cautious and too hard on the elderly residents, most of whom were fully vaccinated.
Wellington GP and Royal New Zealand College of General Practice (RNZCGPs) medical director Bryan Betty said the Australian experience of Omicron showed it could peak for as long as four to six weeks.
Betty said most people – including fit older people – would experience a mild to moderate illness, if infected.
“However, the caveat on this is ... we know the biggest risk factor for a poorer outcome from Covid is age, the elderly population in particular are vulnerable to a poorer outcome with Covid.”
Betty said it would be good for older people to consider staying home, with some support from friends and family, “as the case numbers rise” in the community.
Cancer Society medical director Kate Gregory said there was not enough evidence to date to support advising patients to stay home, but this could change “if we see much higher numbers”.
“If, in a week’s time we are seeing thousands and thousands of cases we may be advising people differently. I think the reassuring thing we’ve seen is that Omicron doesn’t seem to cause such severe disease and we know the vaccine provides very good protection.”
Gregory said for cancer patients the best defence is to be vaccinated and for the people in their households to be vaccinated.”
She said in her experience a “vast majority” of cancer patients had received two doses of Covid-19 vaccine, many with a third primary dose.
“It’s a frightening time, and especially for those who are more vulnerable.
"I think as long as people have the vaccine, wear the mask, do the hand-washing and get tested promptly, I think that’s probably fine. At the moment, that’s the advice we’re giving our patients.”
Our February Seniors newsletter is out now. In this issue we announce our Age friendly fund successful recipients, shine a light on the those nominated for the New Years Honours for Services to Seniors and much more. Check it out here: mailchi.mp...
Kia ora Aotearoa. Stuff has just finished their annual Summer Snaps competition and we’re thrilled to announce that you'll be the judge of the People and Communities photograph category.
The entries in this category have been shortlisted and we now have five brilliantly captured … View moreKia ora Aotearoa. Stuff has just finished their annual Summer Snaps competition and we’re thrilled to announce that you'll be the judge of the People and Communities photograph category.
The entries in this category have been shortlisted and we now have five brilliantly captured photographs to battle it out. There's a camera up for grabs for our talented photographers, and it's up to you to choose who takes the crown...and the Canon EOS!
Cast your vote in the poll below before 12pm, 11 February.
The Phillipstown Community Hub is relaunching it's walking group.
Come along Wednesdays at 10am.
All ages welcome.
Meet at the hub
Peri-urban areas can be described as the landscape interface between town and country or the rural-urban transition zone where urban and rural areas mix.
The probability of wildfire is driven by the amount and dryness of fuel, ambient weather and ignitions. Dry weather exacerbates wildfire risk… View morePeri-urban areas can be described as the landscape interface between town and country or the rural-urban transition zone where urban and rural areas mix.
The probability of wildfire is driven by the amount and dryness of fuel, ambient weather and ignitions. Dry weather exacerbates wildfire risk in this zone and could significantly impact your property! With one of New Zealand’s hottest and driest summers, discover your property’s fire risk and what you can do to reduce it.
We can produce personalised reports for any house on the planet!
Click here to get your property report: https://property-climate-risk-report.co.nz/
Hi all
Can anyone tell me who does garage door repairs? The make is a Merlin power lift and the door only goes up a few centimetres. On investigation it seems like the cable may have broken. Many thanks
Min
Helen's Crafty Corner NZ. sells gifts for all ages, made in Christchurch. For more information to view and purchase goods you can follow me through Facebook or contact me via Battersby.helen@yahoo.co.nz.
See below a small sample of items we sell. Knitted flowers in a container $18, … View moreHelen's Crafty Corner NZ. sells gifts for all ages, made in Christchurch. For more information to view and purchase goods you can follow me through Facebook or contact me via Battersby.helen@yahoo.co.nz.
See below a small sample of items we sell. Knitted flowers in a container $18, Traditional story finger puppet sets $20, Children's knitting ranges between $20-$40 depending on style and size, Fashion bags $35, Children's picture book $14.50 or book/bag/toy combination $40.
Is your local supermarket low on toilet paper again? Never fear, My Fundraiser is here!
You can support the Foundation through My Fundraiser NZ allowing you to buy toilet paper by the carton. Practical, right? 🚽
Every time you order your toilet paper through My Fundraiser NZ, we receive a … View moreIs your local supermarket low on toilet paper again? Never fear, My Fundraiser is here!
You can support the Foundation through My Fundraiser NZ allowing you to buy toilet paper by the carton. Practical, right? 🚽
Every time you order your toilet paper through My Fundraiser NZ, we receive a 10% donation on your behalf of the full purchase price - that’s $5 for every box sold!
Purchase your toilet paper through the link below! 💚
A Life Beyond Food and Addiction
I don’t remember being obsessed with food when I was very young, the way I was to become. I remember starting to eat at any opportunity I could get. I would arrive home early at meal times to check what was in the pans. Saturday afternoons were spent baking, … View moreA Life Beyond Food and Addiction
I don’t remember being obsessed with food when I was very young, the way I was to become. I remember starting to eat at any opportunity I could get. I would arrive home early at meal times to check what was in the pans. Saturday afternoons were spent baking, while my friends were out shopping. I went on to develop a love for raw cake batter and butter icing and I would make it up when I was desperate for food. Once I started getting money, I would buy sweets and secretly eat them. Meal times were awful, I never felt fulfilled.
Today is Waitangi Day Aotearoa New Zealand! A day to commemorate the signing of New Zealand’s most historic document Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Treaty of Waitangi.
Our National Support office is closed tomorrow but we will be back in the office on Tuesday and look forward to the week ahead.
… View moreToday is Waitangi Day Aotearoa New Zealand! A day to commemorate the signing of New Zealand’s most historic document Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Treaty of Waitangi.
Our National Support office is closed tomorrow but we will be back in the office on Tuesday and look forward to the week ahead.
Photo Credit: Andy Thompson Photography NZ
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