Bottle Lake, Christchurch

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Love hearing about people in our communities?

Read posts from interesting Kiwis on our Know Thy Neighbour page.

847 days ago

Do you know a greenfingered hero in your community?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours,

NZ Gardener together with Ryman Healthcare is once again looking for greenfingered good sorts – individuals or groups who use their gardening skills to help others. Tell us about the great gardeners doing right by your community, and they could be one of five finalists who will… View more
Dear neighbours,

NZ Gardener together with Ryman Healthcare is once again looking for greenfingered good sorts – individuals or groups who use their gardening skills to help others. Tell us about the great gardeners doing right by your community, and they could be one of five finalists who will feature in the October magazine!

There are some amazing prizes up for grabs, so if you know a homegrown hero who is using their gardening skills for the greater good, nominate them now for Ryman Healthcare 2022 Gardener of the Year!

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848 days ago

South Island's biggest bulk retail centre planned for Rolleston

The Team Reporter from The Press

Rolleston near Christchurch could become home to the South Island’s biggest bulk shopping centre if a plan by property developer the Carter Group gets the go-ahead.

To be called The Station, the development would have about 50 stores and eateries, including a large hardware barn and parking for … View more
Rolleston near Christchurch could become home to the South Island’s biggest bulk shopping centre if a plan by property developer the Carter Group gets the go-ahead.

To be called The Station, the development would have about 50 stores and eateries, including a large hardware barn and parking for almost 2000 cars.

The 18-hectare site is in the Rolleston industrial area near State Highway 1. It is part of the Christchurch-based Carter Group’s $500 million Iport business park.

The land is opposite a 6-hectare site where the developer obtained resource consent in 2020 to build a Costco warehouse with about 875 car parks.

Carter Group director Tim Carter said The Station would be the South Island’s biggest outdoor shopping complex, and one-and-a-half times bigger than Tower Junction, Christchurch’s largest bulk retail complex.

It would have entrances off Jones Rd, Iport Dr, Link Dr and Hoskyns Rd, and include new internal roads.

Carter said they had been in negotiations with a number of potential tenants, including hardware chains.

“We now want to get on and get it consented, so we can sit down and focus on cementing agreements with tenants.”

He said he was unable to comment on any plans to build the Costco store.

Despite the Costco consent, the Carter Group would need to secure a deal with the American retail giant to go ahead with the project. The retailer has discount member-only bulk-buy stores around the world selling groceries and other items.

Costco will open its first New Zealand outlet in Auckland next month, and has announced an interest in expanding to Wellington and Christchurch.

Carter said that if Selwyn District Council approves the resource consent application for The Station, construction would start next year. It would be built in stages over several years.

They were confident of obtaining consent, he said, as zoning allowed bulk retail use and only minor matters of earthworks, waste management and access needed to be addressed.

The consent sketch plan shows a hardware barn at the north-west corner of the site, with a large furniture store and about 25 medium-sized stores selling goods including homewares, home furnishings, books, electronics, sporting goods, clothing and footwear, and auto parts.

About 20 smaller tenants in the centre of the complex could include food and drink outlets, a bank, post store, pharmacy, hair salon, and real estate office.

The Station plan includes space for a potential park-and-ride facility and bus station, alongside Rolleston’s existing city-bound railway station.

The Carter Group has recently argued that a flyover to be built by Waka Kotahi linking Rolleston residential and industrial areas should be angled to end near Iport and the railway station.

A park-and-ride could then be used for residents to catch buses, and in future trains, into the city, it says.

Carter said while this facility would be very helpful for Rolleston, it was not vital to the success of The Station.

Last year the Carter Group applied to the council to rezone 98 hectares nearby, between Two Chain Rd and Main South Rd, from rural to industrial.

The group also has plans for a subdivision with 2100 homes and a commercial area in Rolleston, but its rezoning application was turned down by the council earlier this year. The Carter Group has appealed the decision to the Environment Court, but a hearing date is yet to be set.

Another Christchurch developer, Cooper Developments, is seeking tenants for a planned town centre style shopping centre on the residential side of the town, to be called Rolleston Fields.

848 days ago

Reduce rising living costs

Enjoy the flexibility to do what you want and be more in control of your finances. Our fixed base weekly fee means Ryman residents can relax and make confident financial choices. And as living costs continue to rise, our fixed fee guarantee is more important than ever.

Ryman residents say that … View more
Enjoy the flexibility to do what you want and be more in control of your finances. Our fixed base weekly fee means Ryman residents can relax and make confident financial choices. And as living costs continue to rise, our fixed fee guarantee is more important than ever.

Ryman residents say that this financial security helps them plan ahead for large expenses like holidays while still enjoying themselves today. Because fewer responsibilities mean that you can live on your own terms. It’s one of the ways we’re pioneering retirement living – so you can embrace life and blaze a new trail in retirement.
Learn more

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848 days ago

Time to escape your neighbourhood?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Are you overdue a getaway? You could win a 13-day Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer South Island Rail & Coach tour by participating in Neighbourly’s 8th birthday celebration.

To enter the competition, just tell us what you love about your neighbourhood. It could be your favourite spot, a … View more
Are you overdue a getaway? You could win a 13-day Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer South Island Rail & Coach tour by participating in Neighbourly’s 8th birthday celebration.

To enter the competition, just tell us what you love about your neighbourhood. It could be your favourite spot, a beautiful view, or something that makes you smile. You could be in for a once-in-a-lifetime getaway!
Share now

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849 days ago

Meeting for Submissions process Mill and White Rd Ohoka

Tina from Swannanoa - Ohoka

Hi please come to the Ohoka hall tonight at 7:00 to get an explanation of the submissions process for the proposed plan change for Mill Rd and Whites Rd in Ohoka.

849 days ago

Addictive Eaters Anonymous

The Team from Addictive Eaters Anonymous - Christchurch

Monthly AEA Web Events
Held on the third Sunday of each month at 8:00am - 9:00am

Free monthly online meeting on Zoom with three 10 minute speakers and followed by member sharing. Anyone can join from their phone, desktop, mobile and tablet devices. ALL WELCOME



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850 days ago

Popular ice cream product recalled

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Popular ice cream brand Häagen-Dazs has recalled a specific batch of their product due to a low level chemical (ethylene oxide) contamination

The ice cream product is the Häagen-Dazs brand Classic Collection Mini Cups (4x95mL) with the Best Before dates from the 04.07.2022 up to and including … View more
Popular ice cream brand Häagen-Dazs has recalled a specific batch of their product due to a low level chemical (ethylene oxide) contamination

The ice cream product is the Häagen-Dazs brand Classic Collection Mini Cups (4x95mL) with the Best Before dates from the 04.07.2022 up to and including 21.07.2023.

Ethylene Oxide has been found in the vanilla cup. This chemical is normally used as a fumigant for controlling post-harvest insects, moulds, and pathogens in a variety of food however there is low risk from ingesting this amount.

This product is sold in Pak'n Save, New World, Four Square, and Gilmours stores throughout the North Island and can be returned to these stores for a full refund.

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851 days ago

Re-energise your morning with the Sunday Star-Times

mags4gifts.co.nz

Enjoy an Antipodes skincare duo (RRP$50) when you purchase a three-month subscription to the Sunday Star-Times for just $52. Subscribe now by clicking here!

Terms and conditions apply.
Subscribe now

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853 days ago

Terracotta planter

The Team from Resene ColorShop Shirley

It’s easy to create this simple planter using a couple of terracotta pots and some Resene testpots.

Find out how to create your own.

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854 days ago

Vacuum cleaner

Elizabeth from Kaiapoi

Dyson V6 cord free. Works perfectly, clean, filter clean and no cracks or broken parts. All accessories. Needs a new battery, quoted $100.Too good to sell for parts as battery plus $50 still makes for a good cleaner. Have been gifted a new one. Phone 033270633

Price: $50

854 days ago

Sausage Sizzle at fireworks Sunday 10th July 2022

The Team from The Lions Club of New Brighton

The Lions Club of New Brighton will be doing a sausage sizzle and selling candy floss and cold drinks in the New Brighton mall Sunday 10th July 2022 before the fireworks. Come on down and say hi!

854 days ago

School Holidays

Adrenalin Forest Christchurch

School Holidays are fast approaching! If you have left your plans to the last minute, we have you covered.
We will be open every day (weather dependant) of the school holidays so you and your tamariki don't miss out

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854 days ago

First animal MRI clinic opens in Christchurch as more Kiwis willing to spend big on their pets' health

The Team Reporter from The Press

New Zealand’s first dedicated animal MRI clinic has opened in Christchurch as a growing number of Kiwis are willing to invest in their pets’ care, including one man who spent $75,000 flying his cat to Auckland to be operated on by a top animal surgeon.

Pacific Radiology has teamed up with … View more
New Zealand’s first dedicated animal MRI clinic has opened in Christchurch as a growing number of Kiwis are willing to invest in their pets’ care, including one man who spent $75,000 flying his cat to Auckland to be operated on by a top animal surgeon.

Pacific Radiology has teamed up with McMaster & Heap veterinary practice in Hoon Hay to offer the service using the same technology currently used to treat human patients.

Able to scan animals less than 180 centimetres in circumference, the wide bore MRI technology can be used on household pets, farm animals and some zoo animals, including tigers.

Costing upwards of $3500, MRI is considered the gold standard of veterinary diagnostic treatment according to McMaster & Heap veterinarian Michelle McMaster, but they have not been widely used on animals.

Used to look inside a body, Magnetic Resonance Imaging utilises magnetic fields and radio waves to create a three-dimensional image, providing accurate high resolution images of an animal’s brains, spine, limbs and joints.

For the past four years McMaster has been taking pets that needed an MRI to Forté Health, but the scans had to be fitted around human patients and were often undertaken at night.

With clients prepared to spend more money on their pets, McMasters, who has been working as a vet for over 30 years, has been helping scan up to nine animals a month alongside Pacific Radiology MRI Animal Imaging Lead Gareth Leeper using Forté Health.

Christchurch pet owner Justin, who did not want his last name used, knows all too well how important having an MRI facility close at hand is after Sashenka (pictured), his 14-year-old Norwegian Forest cat, became ill in 2019.

After many tests and with no diagnosis a CT scan eventually showed Sashenka had a meningioma tumour.

Considered to be his fur daughter, Justin, whose partner is expecting their first child, had no hesitation in making an appointment and flying her to Auckland to be operated on by a top animal surgeon.

There Sashenka could get an MRI scan that would enable the surgery to take place – without it she would not have survived.

“It was critical,” Justin says.

Sashenka made a miraculous recovery from the operation but required a further five scans, two CT scans and three rounds of chemotherapy before she died two years later.

Town and Country vet Roger Bay and his team euthanise a growing number of animals at home, where the pet’s last memory is of its happy place.

Although Justin estimates he spent around $75,000 on Sashenka’s care, he has no regrets and is part of a growing number of Kiwis willing to invest in their pet’s care.

“She was my everything…my fur daughter and my best friend.”

McMaster said most pet owners that come to her clinic will try and fix “everything”.

“We very rarely put anything down.”

PD Insurance NZ chief operating officer Michelle Le Long said year-on-year they have seen growth in the pet insurance market, although she thinks the market is still under-insured with less than 25% of the estimated 1.7 companion pets not insured.

Le Long said it wasn’t unusual to have pet owners in their early 20s signing on as the value of pets have increased.

A lot of insurers covered diagnostic MRI scans, she said.

859 days ago

The stadium: Should Christchurch put a lid on it?

The Team Reporter from The Press

A roof on Christchurch’s planned stadium is being described as key to making the venue competitive, despite its cost.

Following recently revealed cost blowouts, public feedback has been pouring in on whether Te Kaha stadium should be built as planned.

Rising construction costs have hiked the … View more
A roof on Christchurch’s planned stadium is being described as key to making the venue competitive, despite its cost.

Following recently revealed cost blowouts, public feedback has been pouring in on whether Te Kaha stadium should be built as planned.

Rising construction costs have hiked the forecast cost to build the 30,000-seat venue, described as a multi-use arena, from $533 million to $673m. Further escalations are possible.

City councillors will decide on July 14 whether to top up the budget, pause and redesign the project, or scrap it all together. Paying the extra would boost the average rates bill by $144 a year, or about $2.75 a week.

Read more here and tell us what you think of the stadium plan - and whether it should have a roof, or whether it should go ahead at all - in the comments below.

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854 days ago

Stand Up Comedy 5 Stags Tonight

Tina from Swannanoa - Ohoka

Come on out of the cold and warm up with some laughs tonight at 5 stags Rangioria. A brand new show with new comics you have not seen before. Come on out and grab a glass of mulled wine and have a laugh. See these guys before they get too famous to see in small pubs. Show starts at 7:00.

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