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2308 days ago

Queen’s Birthday advice for South Island drivers

Elesha Gordon from Neighbourly.co.nz

The NZ Transport Agency is encouraging people in the South Island who are heading away for the long weekend, to plan ahead to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

The Transport Agency has set up a traffic hot spot map, showing the areas which are the traditional long weekend congestion points, as well as predicted peak times.

Important tips from NZTA:
- Bear in mind localised events and winter conditions
- Allow extra time as weather and road conditions can change in a relatively short period of time at this time of year
- Make sure your vehicle is ready for winter driving and stocked with food, water and blankets in case of any delays.
- Central Otago drivers: The Brass Monkey Rally, Idaburn Dam, Oturehua: Please take care whether you are in a car or on a motorbike with many more motorcyclists using the highways leading to and from Idaburn Dam this long weekend.

Check the latest weather conditions and warnings here:
- Keep updated with - Metservice's weather updates.
- Motorists can get real-time information from 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)
- Follow traffic updates at the NZTA website.

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More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Poll: How do you feel about dogs being allowed indoors in cafes?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

For most of us, seeing a friendly doggo while out and about instantly brings a smile to our faces. But how do you feel about cafes welcoming pups inside?

Cast a vote and share your thoughts below.

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How do you feel about dogs being allowed indoors in cafes?
  • 27.6% I love it!
    27.6% Complete
  • 32.2% Only in designated areas
    32.2% Complete
  • 40.3% No, it should be outdoors only.
    40.3% Complete
1552 votes
3 hours ago

Kalle

The Team from Humans of Christchurch Ōtautahi

"Sports and travelling run in the family, and that's kind of what's led me to come to New Zealand."

"I grew up in a small town in Finland. My dad was involved with sports all his life, he was a shot putter, discus thrower, powerlifter, we traveled quite a bit when I was a kid. He never mentioned much of the rugby days. He just said he broke both of his shin bones playing rugby, so he said, ‘never play the sport, It's crazy.’

I started playing when I was 18. I played my first cap for the Finnish national team in 2014, we won the Finnish championship with my club. Rugby is not a big thing in Finland.

I moved here to play rugby in 2017. The club that wanted me to come over was Methven Rugby Club. They got me here and they were like, ‘what do you do for work? I’d just finished chef school in Finland. ‘We'll get you a job at Mount Hutt as a chef, you can do that while you play rugby with us.’ I said, ‘Perfect. Yeah, I'm in’.

I've always loved food. My mum was an amazing cook, and still is. When I was studying tourism I worked in some hotels in Finland, and I saw how the chef's worked. I just loved the kitchen vibe and I was like, Yeah, that’d be something I'd love to do.

I've had more of a culinary journey In New Zealand than in Finland. I started at Mount Hutt, after that I worked at The Dubliner in Methven. I worked as a senior pizza chef at Sal’s for maybe six months then worked as chef de partie at Cellar Door. At Eliza's Manor, I worked myself up to a junior sous chef. Then the opportunity came to work my first head chef job at Moon Under Water.

We're privileged to have a busy atmosphere, we can try new things and get a bit creative. There are no TV’s, just come here with your family or with your mates, play board games, to socialise.

I really want to drive the local food and ingredients through the menu. We don't mind spending more for quality ingredients as long as it's supporting New Zealand businesses. We just love to use local. And it's pub food, but I feel like it's elevated.

I play club rugby here for the Christchurch Football Club, the oldest club in New Zealand and I still play regularly for the Finnish national team, whenever they can fly me over to play."

- Kalle

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

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6 hours ago

2 recliner frames *FREE*

Peter from Aranui

2 recliner frames *FREE*
As-is, where-is. Pick up only, from Aranui.
1 has a cushion which you can have if you want it.
(Replacement cushions are available at homewares stores like Briscoes)

PM if interested.