Hoon Hay, Christchurch

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.

176 days ago

DeWalt Battery charger

Jeremy from Aidanfield

Selling this battery charger cheap as I have no use for it and im cleaning up the garage. Get a bargain if you’re quick as these chargers sell upwards of $200

Price: $40

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176 days ago

Shop vac wet and dry

Jeremy from Aidanfield

This huge shop vac runs great has been looked after and is perfect for cleaning up spills sucking up water or any liquid as well as any and all dry materials. It has a extra long hose attached which is excellent as the machine itself is very large.

Price: $150

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176 days ago

Full sized bar fridge

Jeremy from Aidanfield

A bargain for the man cave or bar . Runs and cools well. Very clean and tidy, only problem is it is quite noisy so might be good in the garage etc

Price: $70

176 days ago
176 days ago

Do you have a Bright Spot in your neighbourhood?

Resene

The skies might be grey but there's colour in our communities - and we want to see it!

Resene and Neighbourly have teamed up this winter to bring you Bright Spots - a celebration of the brightest and most colourful spaces in our neighbourhoods. We want you to snap and share all those spots… View more
The skies might be grey but there's colour in our communities - and we want to see it!

Resene and Neighbourly have teamed up this winter to bring you Bright Spots - a celebration of the brightest and most colourful spaces in our neighbourhoods. We want you to snap and share all those spots in your neighbourhood that bring a smile to your face and add a little colour to your day.

There are 10 prizes of $250 Resene ColorShop vouchers and $250 Prezzy® cards up for grabs so you can create your own Bright Spot!

Enter your local bright spots pics today and be in to *WIN*.
Share a Bright Spot!

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178 days ago

Dark sky nation: Tourism minister backs move to attract stargazing travellers

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Transforming Aotearoa into a dark sky nation could attract stargazing international tourists, creating huge economic benefits, Tourism Minister Matt Doocey says.

The Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand believes New Zealand could become a dark sky … View more
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Transforming Aotearoa into a dark sky nation could attract stargazing international tourists, creating huge economic benefits, Tourism Minister Matt Doocey says.

The Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand believes New Zealand could become a dark sky nation, an idea Doocey says he supports.

To become a dark sky nation the country would need to cut light pollution, such as outdoor lighting, to allow for greater stargazing and astronomy.

Tourism New Zealand research indicated more than 70% of people thinking about visiting New Zealand were interested in stargazing, he said.

The best times for stargazing were during the off-peak and shoulder seasons for tourism, which meant protecting New Zealand’s night skies could provide an economic boost when tourist towns were otherwise quiet.

"It is something I am keen to encourage," Doocey said.

‘‘We want to grow tourism because we know it brings jobs to rural New Zealand.

‘‘Tourism is very seasonal, so we need to be looking at how we can market and promote New Zealand during those shoulder and off-peak periods.’’

The Waimakariri MP said an economic impact report commissioned by Enterprise North Canterbury last year showed a dark sky trail would provide an economic boost in the region.

The report said a dark sky reserve could generate $4.6 million of visitor spending in Waimakariri and create up to 24 jobs.

The Oxford Dark Sky Group obtained dark sky park status in January for the Oxford Forest Conservation Area from the Dark Sky International.

Oxford Dark Sky president Raul Elias-Drago said there was no cost to the group, thanks to support from the community, the Waimakariri District Council, Oxford-Ohoka Community Board and Government agencies such as the Department of Conservation.

The group was now planning to apply for dark sky reserve status, which would incorporate the town of Oxford.

Doocey said the Oxford example showed how communities coming together could achieve economic benefits at little cost.

Enterprise North Canterbury has been working with other regional tourism organisations (RTOs) to develop a Canterbury dark sky trail.

The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve was established in 2012, while the Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust is about to apply for dark sky sanctuary status and interest is growing in other Canterbury communities.

‘‘I would encourage RTOs to think about whether dark skies should be part of their destination management plans,’’ Doocey said.

‘‘There is real potential for a ground up approach and I would be really supportive of that.’’

Elias-Drago, who is also the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand (RASNZ) secretary, said a national approach was needed, perhaps led by the Department of Conservation.

‘‘The Department of Conservation has been very supportive regionally,’’ he said.

‘‘The Rangiora office supported our application and other regional offices have supported other applications, but every time each regional office is doing the same thing.

‘‘If the work was done nationally, we wouldn’t have to replicate the work in every region.’’

Doocey has accepted an invitation to speak at the New Zealand Starlight Conference in Tekapo in October, which is organised by RASNZ and the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve board.

‘‘We are hoping to use the conference as a springboard to advance the discussion around becoming a dark sky nation,’’ Elias-Drago said.

Niue became the world’s first whole country to become an International dark sky nation in 2020.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

176 days ago

Embrace the Spice of Life with Cardamom!

Harpreet Singh from Indian Royal Brew | Proudly NZ owned Business

Explore the aromatic magic of cardamom in your cup of tea! 🍵 This enchanting spice isn't just a treat for your senses; it's packed with benefits that enhance digestion and freshen your breath. Why not turn your tea time into a healing ritual? Let cardamom's natural qualities … View moreExplore the aromatic magic of cardamom in your cup of tea! 🍵 This enchanting spice isn't just a treat for your senses; it's packed with benefits that enhance digestion and freshen your breath. Why not turn your tea time into a healing ritual? Let cardamom's natural qualities soothe and invigorate you throughout the day. 🌟

#CardamomBenefits #TeaTime #NaturalRemedies #AromaticTea #HealthyLifestyle #WellnessJourney

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180 days ago

Shamla

The Team from Humans of Christchurch Ōtautahi

“I am a reader. I didn’t grow up with siblings, I had a lot of free time. From my childhood, I read lots of books. One of my favourite authors, she’s Enid Blyton. I grew up reading Famous Five, Secret Seven, Malory Towers – they constituted a big part of my world. The first thing I did when… View more“I am a reader. I didn’t grow up with siblings, I had a lot of free time. From my childhood, I read lots of books. One of my favourite authors, she’s Enid Blyton. I grew up reading Famous Five, Secret Seven, Malory Towers – they constituted a big part of my world. The first thing I did when I came to New Zealand was to hunt down libraries nearby.

I usually visit Tūranga. Lot of events happen there. Being inside four walls doesn’t light up your mood, so I come out to Tūranga and spend my time there surrounded by people. It makes me calm. I borrow books and go for a walk around the city. That’s my way of getting to know Christchurch. I just close my Google Maps and explore. So far, I haven’t got lost! It’s very easy to find my way around. In Christchurch city, everything connects.

I earned my Bachelor’s in Environmental Science. I am also passionate about conservation, which made me join Conservation Volunteers. One of the first things that I did when I came to Christchurch was to call them and ask how I could participate.

Moving to a new city could be intimidating. But these volunteering events have helped me a lot to put myself out there and talk to people. People are usually nice and warm. When I say I’m new to Christchurch, they ask about, like, how are you doing? Settling down? How do you find Christchurch? I found a lot of people who are like-minded as well, a lot of people who do conservation work like working outdoors. I also get to go to new places, like Amelia Rogers Reserve and McCormack’s Bay.
And I’m enjoying it very much, that’s the most important thing. When you’re volunteering you should enjoy and really kind of get into what you’re doing. So, I’m happy. I’m learning a lot. I’m getting to know a lot of new people, new environments.

I’m grateful that we moved to Christchurch; it’s one of the best decisions that we have made. I feel welcome in New Zealand, in Christchurch, particularly.”

- Shamla

View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org...

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M
178 days ago

KENNEL - OUTSIDE KENNEL.

melanie from Somerfield

FREE AVAILABLE IN SOUTH CHCH

Free

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178 days ago

Four 65” Panasonic 4K TVs up for grabs worth $3,999 each

TV Guide

This winter, we are celebrating the 2024 Olympics with our TV Guide readers with a chance to win 1 of 4 65” Panasonic 4K TVs worth $3,999 each.

Pick up a copy of the TV Guide each week starting from the June 1 - 7 issue, find the codeword, and follow the directions to be in to win! We’ve put… View more
This winter, we are celebrating the 2024 Olympics with our TV Guide readers with a chance to win 1 of 4 65” Panasonic 4K TVs worth $3,999 each.

Pick up a copy of the TV Guide each week starting from the June 1 - 7 issue, find the codeword, and follow the directions to be in to win! We’ve put a codeword in each of the following three issues, so find them all for more chances to win. You’ll have until July 3 to enter online or mail in your codeword. T&Cs apply.
Learn more

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179 days ago

Last chance for tickets!

Heart Foundation Lotteries

Don’t miss out! For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in gorgeous Papamoa, worth just over $1.1 million.

Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be loved by … View more
Don’t miss out! For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in gorgeous Papamoa, worth just over $1.1 million.

Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be loved by its new owner.

Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, rent it or even sell it! Get your tickets today at heartlottery.org.nz.
Find out more

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185 days ago

Could the jury service process be improved?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Every year, thousands of New Zealanders are called up to serve as jurors in the High and District Courts, and it's an important way to contribute to your country.

But for some, jury service can be a huge disruption and a financial burden. Do you think changes could be made to our jury … View more
Every year, thousands of New Zealanders are called up to serve as jurors in the High and District Courts, and it's an important way to contribute to your country.

But for some, jury service can be a huge disruption and a financial burden. Do you think changes could be made to our jury service system to address these challenges?

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183 days ago

Canterbury ratepayers face 17.9% rates hike

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Canterbury households are facing a lower than expected rates rise after the regional council found savings, including delaying some transport projects.

After two days of deliberations last week, Environment Canterbury pulled back its proposed average … View more
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Canterbury households are facing a lower than expected rates rise after the regional council found savings, including delaying some transport projects.

After two days of deliberations last week, Environment Canterbury pulled back its proposed average rates rise from 24.2% to 17.9%.

Acting chairperson Craig Pauling said there were some tense negotiations, but he was pleased with the outcome.

The councillors voted on 15 main resolutions, with several resulting in close division among the 16 councillors, he said.

‘‘Even though it was tense throughout, there was good support at the end and people felt there was some good give and take in the room,’’ Pauling said.

‘‘The feeling in the room was, ‘we have done all we could have’.’’

More than 1300 submissions were received on the draft long-term plan, with 153 making oral presentations during the hearings, which were held over four days.

‘‘We tested the water with some bold options in our consultation and the response demonstrated there were mixed views, with some saying we needed to deliver more, while others identified we could make savings or prioritise work,’’ Pauling said.

Savings were made by delaying some of the proposed public transport projects, including delaying work on a mass transit business case until year 2 and postponing bus route improvement work until year three.

‘‘It makes sense to delay this work so we have a better idea of where the Government and Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) are heading,’’ Pauling said.

‘‘Some councillors thought we should be more cautious, but if we don’t put it in the plan, we don’t get anything from Waka Kotahi.’’

About three-quarters of submissions supported the council increasing its spending on ‘‘river resilience’’, including flood protection, and pest and weed control.

The council is proposing to invest $25 million a year, over the next 10 years, to boost flood protection.

There was strong support for a district-wide rate for river resilience in Selwyn, and the council was considering similar options from the Ashley Rakahuri River and other rivers in South Canterbury.

Pauling said it would need support from the community, local councils and ultimately central Government.

‘‘Over the last five years we have been getting more and more requests for how we might move forward in addressing our rivers.

‘‘It is recognition that rivers are important to everybody.’’

He said river resilience was a national issue, as disruption to bridges on major routes could affect the whole country.

‘‘Room for rivers’’ was an important conversation and could be achieved by buying land, such as Environment Canterbury buying land beside the Ashburton River.

Another example was the Waimakariri District Council’s land purchase on Lineside Rd, beside the Cam Ruataniwha River.

‘‘By acquiring the land we can do something great for the community,’’ Pauling said.

Council staff will now finalise the long-term plan before it is audited by Audit New Zealand and adopted by councillors on June 26.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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181 days ago

Home projects

The Team from Resene ColorShop Tower Junction

Creating an office out of a small room by utilising built-in furniture, floating shelves, a tidy charging station and Resene Atlas makes space-saving sense.

Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.

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182 days ago

Addictive Eaters Anonymous

The Team from Addictive Eaters Anonymous - Christchurch

Do you obsess about your weight, food, or exercise?

Is food just one of your many obsessions? Don’t know how to stop emotional eating? Are you also struggling with alcohol or other mind-altering substances?

Do you use mind-altering substances to change the way you feel?

Find out how … View more
Do you obsess about your weight, food, or exercise?

Is food just one of your many obsessions? Don’t know how to stop emotional eating? Are you also struggling with alcohol or other mind-altering substances?

Do you use mind-altering substances to change the way you feel?

Find out how AEA members have put down the food and other mind-altering substances and found freedom from obsession.

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