Belfast, Christchurch

Want to get to know your neighbours?

Want to get to know your neighbours?

Check out our Know Thy Neighbour page here.

608 days ago

Poll: Should we scrap daylight saving?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

This Sunday we'll be putting our clocks back for the end of daylight saving. Despite the benefits of an extra hour of sun during daylight saving, these clock changes commonly bring disruptions to our households and sleep - some feel that it should be scrapped altogether. What do you think?

View more
This Sunday we'll be putting our clocks back for the end of daylight saving. Despite the benefits of an extra hour of sun during daylight saving, these clock changes commonly bring disruptions to our households and sleep - some feel that it should be scrapped altogether. What do you think?

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.

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Should we scrap daylight saving?
  • 32.5% Yes, scrap daylight savings
    32.5% Complete
  • 54.1% No, keep daylight savings
    54.1% Complete
  • 7% I don't mind either way
    7% Complete
  • 6.4% Keep daylight savings but change the dates
    6.4% Complete
6075 votes
J
606 days ago

Free Stuff

Janet from Northwood

I have a quantity of Farmlander Magazines to give away. If you would like some please contact me.

Free

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J
607 days ago

Sunglasses

Jo from Redwood

I found these sunglasses on Barnes Rd between the railway line and Cavendish road. They seem to be prescription glasses and are in good condition.

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607 days ago

Addictive Eaters Anonymous

The Team from Addictive Eaters Anonymous - Christchurch

Audio Recovery Stories
Hear how some of our members came to find a solution to their food obsession in Addictive Eaters Anonymous.

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608 days ago

Sam Whitelock Webinar

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

Neighbourhood Support members across New Zealand are invited to attend a special wellbeing webinar, 'Building Strong Communities', with Farmstrong Ambassador, Sam Whitelock, at 7:30pm on Tuesday April 4th.

For more information and to register, head to www.neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz....… View more
Neighbourhood Support members across New Zealand are invited to attend a special wellbeing webinar, 'Building Strong Communities', with Farmstrong Ambassador, Sam Whitelock, at 7:30pm on Tuesday April 4th.

For more information and to register, head to www.neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz....

Please invite those on your street and in your neighbourhood who might be interested (it's not just for rural folk, although those of you in rural communities might be particularly interested).

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608 days ago

Free tech clinic

The Team from Citizens Advice Christchurch Area

Geeks on Wheels will be holding their free drop in clinic
- Wednesday, 29 March – 1-2pm
- 250 Colombo Street (Salvation Army centre)

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609 days ago

'Move over, Auckland' - Christchurch up there as 'the capital of cool'

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

Christchurch’s economic development agency says it’s “very happy” with the country’s inaugural Sail Grand Prix (SailGP) last week, despite feedback about a lack of a windfall for Lyttelton businesses over the two days of racing.

Australian men’s lifestyle website, Man Of Many, … View more
Christchurch’s economic development agency says it’s “very happy” with the country’s inaugural Sail Grand Prix (SailGP) last week, despite feedback about a lack of a windfall for Lyttelton businesses over the two days of racing.

Australian men’s lifestyle website, Man Of Many, declared: “Move over, Auckland; Christchurch is giving you a run for your money as New Zealand’s capital of cool.” Read the full story from reporter Steven Walton here and tell us if you agree Christchurch is the "capital of cool" in the comments below (and why or why not).

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609 days ago

Bowls Canterbury D1 U5 Winners

Bowls Kaiapoi from Kaiapoi Outdoor Bowls

Congratulations to Kaiapoi Club Outdoor Bowls U5 Pairs team of Andree Ruitenberg and Dave Humphreys who not only made the final of the Bowls Canty Division 1 U5 Pairs competition but also won it.

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610 days ago

Waimairi school fair

Stephanie from Redwood

come along and see my stall at the waimairi school fair this coming saturday and be in to win a lovely handcut mandela picture see you there

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610 days ago

Waimairi school fair

Stephanie from Redwood

The Waimairi School Fair is just over a week away!
We have all the nostalgia of a traditional school fair! Chocolate Wheel, Bake Sale, Sausage Sizzle, Bacon Butty’s, Lucky Dips, Face Painting, Rock Painting, Plants, Popcorn, Candy Floss, Rainbow Elephant Second Hand Stall …
As well as an … View more
The Waimairi School Fair is just over a week away!
We have all the nostalgia of a traditional school fair! Chocolate Wheel, Bake Sale, Sausage Sizzle, Bacon Butty’s, Lucky Dips, Face Painting, Rock Painting, Plants, Popcorn, Candy Floss, Rainbow Elephant Second Hand Stall …
As well as an incredible array of Market Stalls! Food trucks! An Inflatable Zone! Mystery Bags! (see pic below!)

See you there! April 1, 11am - 3pm, 1 Tillman Ave!

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611 days ago

Get a free gift when you subscribe to NZ House & Garden!

NZ House & Garden Tours

Save up to $69 with an NZ House & Garden subscription. Subscribe today to get NZ’s favourite lifestyle magazine delivered straight to your home every month, plus you’ll receive ManukaRx’s Pro-Aging Skin Oil worth $44.95 absolutely free!

Achieve healthy and ageless skin with the … View more
Save up to $69 with an NZ House & Garden subscription. Subscribe today to get NZ’s favourite lifestyle magazine delivered straight to your home every month, plus you’ll receive ManukaRx’s Pro-Aging Skin Oil worth $44.95 absolutely free!

Achieve healthy and ageless skin with the Pro-Aging Skin Oil. This face oil features the powerful essential oil blend of East Cape mānuka oil and rosehip oil. Offer is valid until 16 April 2023. Offer applies for 1-year and 2-year subscriptions only. For full T&Cs click here.
Find out more

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611 days ago

Turning the tables

The Team from Resene ColorShop Papanui

Restore antique furniture with Resene Aquaclear.

Find out how with these easy step by step instructions.

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612 days ago

Want to win a chopper trip and Game Gear clothing?

Game Gear

Check out the never before seen deals on clothing in our massive winter sale. Genuine direct to you deals.

Every online purchase between now and 31st March is an entry to the comp. Buy once or go mad and make a number or purchases - every one of them is a chance to win. Get clicking and good … View more
Check out the never before seen deals on clothing in our massive winter sale. Genuine direct to you deals.

Every online purchase between now and 31st March is an entry to the comp. Buy once or go mad and make a number or purchases - every one of them is a chance to win. Get clicking and good luck!!
Show now

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612 days ago

Discover a career for life

Citycare Water

We deliver water to over 1.2 million Kiwis across the country, and we’re looking for great people to join our team and help provide safe water for your community. We provide meaningful work, and long-lasting careers. We hiring now for drainlayers, water servicepeople, operations roles, labourers … View moreWe deliver water to over 1.2 million Kiwis across the country, and we’re looking for great people to join our team and help provide safe water for your community. We provide meaningful work, and long-lasting careers. We hiring now for drainlayers, water servicepeople, operations roles, labourers and more!

- Get qualified at work
- Progress your career
- Join a friendly, diverse and supportive team
- Care for your local environment and waterways
Find out more

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619 days ago

'Definitely not': Residents refuse to pay 'stupid' excess water charge in Christchurch

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From reporter Tina Law:

Hundreds of Christchurch residents have already paid their water bills, as the number of invoices sent out has more than doubled in two weeks.

Some 9765 households have now received a bill for using too much water – a 150% increase on two weeks ago when 3913 bills … View more
From reporter Tina Law:

Hundreds of Christchurch residents have already paid their water bills, as the number of invoices sent out has more than doubled in two weeks.

Some 9765 households have now received a bill for using too much water – a 150% increase on two weeks ago when 3913 bills had been sent.

The number will grow each week as more meters are read, city council resources general manager Leah Scales​ said.

People have eight weeks to pay their excess water bill, with the first invoices due in April, and 812 have already paid.

However, some are refusing to, including Huntsbury residents Heather and Randal Law​.

The couple received a bill for $45.09 after using an average of 1041 litres of water a day over 98 days.

Heather Law said she would “definitely not” pay the bill.

She said she would if it was averaged out across an entire year, rather than over a three-month period, and if the council refunded her when she used under the limit during the winter.

“I water the garden in the summer. I have a vegetable garden and a flower garden and I’m not going to stop watering it.”

The pair operate a small Airbnb at their property and guests always comment on their “beautiful garden”, Randal Law said.

He said he would be invoicing the council $45.09 for his promotion of the Garden City – the same amount as their bill to him.

“If they are going to charge me a stupid bill, I am going to be equally stupid.”

They did not think it was fair that almost a quarter (25,365) of Christchurch households could not be charged because they share a meter.

The pair are not alone in their opposition to the new charge.

Linwood man Phil Yarrall​ has not mown his grass verge since October in protest against the charge. He believes it is discriminatory, arbitrary in its application and nothing more than a creeping tax.

Yarrall said this week he had yet to receive a bill, but expected one to arrive soon.

Mayor Phil Mauger, who has publicly labelled the charge “unfair” and voted against its introduction, said if residents receive a bill they should pay it, but he hoped respite was on its way in the form of an increase to the daily limit.

Under the existing rules people are being charged a fixed rate of $1.35 for every 1000 litres they use over the 700-litre limit, which is the equivalent of 100 toilet flushes.

Bills have not been sent out for charges of $25 or less, so people have to use more than 900 litres each day over 90 days to receive a bill under the current rule.

However, the council is consulting the public as part of its draft annual plan on whether it should increase the daily allowance from 700 litres to 900 litres.

Any change would not be put in place until July, so would not affect households that receive bills before then.

The charge came into force in October, after being consulted on twice. It was introduced to help reduce the extreme demand on the council’s water supply network over summer.

If this could be achieved, the council would not have to spend as much money upgrading and building new infrastructure.

Water use has decreased by more than 10% since charges were brought in, saving millions of litres.

Cashmere resident Graeme Niles, who adopted a number of water-saving techniques this summer, said he had managed to keep under the 700 litre limit, clocking up an average of 645 litres, despite his expansive garden.

Scales said any inequity around shared meters was not accurate, because only 194 properties out of the 25,365 with shared water meters would have received a bill – less than 1% of the total.

Meters would be installed in those properties first.

If people do not pay the bill they face a 7% penalty and the council could use debt collection services.

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