Waimairi Beach, Christchurch

Explore more, worry less at Ryman

Explore more, worry less at Ryman

With Ryman’s lock-and-leave-style living, you’re free to explore without worrying about home maintenance or security.

621 days ago

PIPS - Pregnancy, Infancy, Parenting, Support

The Team from Citizens Advice Christchurch Area

Check out our podcast, where we were joined by PIPS Manager Megan, who talked about the issues young families face and how PIPS can support them.

PIPS are providing free, non-judgmental, client-focused practical and emotional support during pregnancy and early parenting. To find out more … View more
Check out our podcast, where we were joined by PIPS Manager Megan, who talked about the issues young families face and how PIPS can support them.

PIPS are providing free, non-judgmental, client-focused practical and emotional support during pregnancy and early parenting. To find out more click on the 'Read More' for links to the podcast and their website.

Image
626 days ago

City leaders 'gravely concerned' for Christchurch library rebuild

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From reporter Tina Law:

One of Christchurch's most popular libraries is at risk of being rebuilt as a “substandard facility” that will fail to meet the needs of its community, some city leaders fear.

There is a $2.5 million shortfall to rebuild South Library in Beckenham and with no … View more
From reporter Tina Law:

One of Christchurch's most popular libraries is at risk of being rebuilt as a “substandard facility” that will fail to meet the needs of its community, some city leaders fear.

There is a $2.5 million shortfall to rebuild South Library in Beckenham and with no extra money currently in the Christchurch City Council’s budget, councillors and community board members are worried the project will be scaled back.

They are urging the public to make a submission to the council’s draft annual plan, before submissions close at 11.59pm on Monday, to ensure more money is put in the budget.

Waihoro Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote Community Board chairperson Callum Ward​ told the council at its meeting last week that the board was “gravely concerned” about the project.

“Unless we adjust the budget now to meet the actual needs of the facility, the scope of this project will be eroded to the point where we will deliver a substandard facility that will fail to meet the needs of the community.”

Ward said the library, which was also a service centre, was one of the most well-used in the city and had a higher book turnover than Tūranga, the central library.

Read the full story here.

628 days ago

Large speed bumps recommended for dangerous Christchurch roundabout

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From reporter Steven Walton:

Controversial enlarged speed bumps are being recommended for a Christchurch roundabout to stop cars crashing with cyclists.

Christchurch City Council staff are recommending a raft of safety tweaks for the roundabout at the bottom of the Port Hills, which connects … View more
From reporter Steven Walton:

Controversial enlarged speed bumps are being recommended for a Christchurch roundabout to stop cars crashing with cyclists.

Christchurch City Council staff are recommending a raft of safety tweaks for the roundabout at the bottom of the Port Hills, which connects Dyers Pass Rd, Colombo St, Cashmere Rd and Centaurus Rd.

The Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote community board will decide at a meeting next week whether to go ahead with the staff recommendations.

During public consultation, the majority of people who lived near the roundabout did not support the changes or did not indicate their preference. Some feared it could worsen congestion.

One aspect of the tweaks was adding raised safety platforms at each roundabout entrance.

Similar platforms were previously added at a Lincoln Rd intersection and have faced criticism from some city councillors and mayor Phil Mauger.

Councillor Aaron Keown previously claimed the council does not have a mandate to install the platforms.

Another raised platform on Opawa Rd had not drawn any criticism.

In the case of this roundabout, council staff say a raised platform would reduce entry speed and therefore improve safety.

Staff said if people were hit by a car travelling at 50kph their chances of survival are 20%, but their survival chances would shoot up to 90% if the car’s speed was only 30kph.

Between 2012 and 2021, 27 crashes had occurred at the roundabout, with 10 of them resulting in serious injuries.

In all the instances of serious injuries, the crashes involved a cyclist, motorbike or scooter.

Council staff said about 2200 cars and 65 cyclists used the roundabout during the morning rush. About 2400 cars and 90 cyclists used it at peak time in the evening.

Other tweaks proposed by council staff were narrower entry lanes to the roundabout, wider pedestrian islands, and improved pedestrian crossing locations.

Council staff received a mixed reception when they consulted the public about the work.

Out of a total of 426 submissions, 197 did not indicate whether they supported the changes, 86 were in favour, and 143 were against.

About 150 submitters suggested that solving safety issues at the intersection would require traffic lights.

Council staff say this would not help safety and could cost $2.5 million, whereas the recommended tweaks would only cost $450,000.

The tweaks would be paid by the Government, thanks to a $40m cash injection for roading projects that was first promised in 2017.

Council staff noted that “the majority of submitters who live within the vicinity of the roundabout ... either did not support the changes or did not give a clear indication”.

The area’s community board will meet at 4pm on Thursday, April 13 to decide whether to go ahead with the proposed tweaks.

Image
622 days ago

Addictive Eaters Anonymous

The Team from Addictive Eaters Anonymous - Christchurch

MONTHLY AEA WEB EVENTS
The AEA Web Event is a monthly online meeting where AEA members from all over the world come together to share their experience, strength and hope. Three members speak for 10 minutes each, followed by member sharing.
The AEA Web Event is held on the 3rd Sunday of each month… View more
MONTHLY AEA WEB EVENTS
The AEA Web Event is a monthly online meeting where AEA members from all over the world come together to share their experience, strength and hope. Three members speak for 10 minutes each, followed by member sharing.
The AEA Web Event is held on the 3rd Sunday of each month which is this Sunday 16 April at 8.00am.

ALL NEWCOMERS WELCOME

Image
623 days ago

Antique Buyers in Christchurch

Goldco

WANTED WANTED WANTED:
Gold • Coins • Watches • Banknotes • Antique • Jewellery • Collectables

The market for many antiques, collectables, vintage watches, artefacts, gold and silver items has been buoyant these past few years. So if you are considering selling any of these or … View more
WANTED WANTED WANTED:
Gold • Coins • Watches • Banknotes • Antique • Jewellery • Collectables

The market for many antiques, collectables, vintage watches, artefacts, gold and silver items has been buoyant these past few years. So if you are considering selling any of these or similar items then our specialist buyers would like to make an offer.
Any items will be considered so please don’t be shy and visit one of our venues.

Large or valuable collections? Single items? Downsizing, moving or decluttering? Family not interested? or simply turning unwanted items into cash.

*Immediate payment made *No commission or waiting *Free no obligation appraisal *Onsite security *Please have your bank details handy

Whether you have a large and valuable collection or a single item of broken jewellery please take this opportunity to see us at a venue near you.

See us at a venue near you - See venues here: https://www.goldco.co.nz/.
Goldco Antique Buyers | Member NZNDA | www.goldco.co.nz | email: goldco@xtra.co.nz | Ph: 0800 105 228
Find out more

Image
624 days ago

Would you speak up?

Telecommunications Dispute Resolution

Telecommunications are an integral part of our lives, so when things go wrong it can be frustrating. Do you prefer to keep tight lipped, or are you willing to speak up?

The Telecommunications Dispute Resolution service, or TDR for short, is here to help. It’s ok to complain and we encourage … View more
Telecommunications are an integral part of our lives, so when things go wrong it can be frustrating. Do you prefer to keep tight lipped, or are you willing to speak up?

The Telecommunications Dispute Resolution service, or TDR for short, is here to help. It’s ok to complain and we encourage you to speak up and raise issues early.

For phone and internet disputes, talk to your provider first and give them a chance to sort it. If it remains unresolved or if you need some extra help, you can talk to TDR – your free and independent complaint service.

To get in touch or find out more, visit www.tdr.org.nz or freephone 0508 98 98 98.
Find out more

Image
624 days ago

Mealtime made easy with HelloFresh

HelloFresh

Sharing the joy with neighbours, family, and friends alike doesn’t have to be hard. HelloFresh makes mealtime easy, even for a crowd.

With HelloFresh you don’t have to think about meal planning or the hassle of going to the supermarket. Everything you need for a no-stress, … View more
Sharing the joy with neighbours, family, and friends alike doesn’t have to be hard. HelloFresh makes mealtime easy, even for a crowd.

With HelloFresh you don’t have to think about meal planning or the hassle of going to the supermarket. Everything you need for a no-stress, delicious meal is delivered straight to your door with quality, pre-portioned ingredients.

Experience the variety and convenience HelloFresh has to offer with meals like Chipotle Beef & Black Bean Loaded Wedges with Radish Salsa & Mayonnaise by using the code NEIGHBOURLYHF to get up to $175 off HelloFresh.
Find out more

Image
626 days ago

Flooding impossible to fix, so put up with - council report

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From reporter Tina Law:

Flooding on Christchurch properties and streets is impossible to fix and residents will just have to accept it, a council report warns.

The Christchurch City Council has spent $300 million reducing the flood risk across the city since 2010, mostly around the Flockton … View more
From reporter Tina Law:

Flooding on Christchurch properties and streets is impossible to fix and residents will just have to accept it, a council report warns.

The Christchurch City Council has spent $300 million reducing the flood risk across the city since 2010, mostly around the Flockton St area and along the Heathcote River, where water was regularly seeping into people’s homes.

There are still several low-lying areas across the city, mostly along river catchments, where properties and roads flood regularly, but a council report says it is not possible to resolve all aspects of flood risk, particularly in older areas.

“There will always be a bigger flood event, or areas that cannot be practicably remedied.”

The council decided last week to develop a prioritised list of works, but staff warned the scale of the task limited the council’s ability to address all areas at pace and significant time would be needed to complete all of the work.

The report said the council and community may have to accept that some surface water ponding and private property flooding could not be addressed through physical work, particularly as the climate changed.

Read the full story here.

Image
624 days ago

Thousands of Christchurch residents stung with bill for using too much water

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From reporter Tina Law:

More than 15,000 Christchurch residents have now been stung with a bill for using too much water this summer.

The average bill is $84, but one Woolston property has managed to rack up $2884 worth of excess water charges.

The property has used 2.1 million litres of … View more
From reporter Tina Law:

More than 15,000 Christchurch residents have now been stung with a bill for using too much water this summer.

The average bill is $84, but one Woolston property has managed to rack up $2884 worth of excess water charges.

The property has used 2.1 million litres of water across the quarter, which amounts to an average of 23,743 litres each day for roughly 90 days – about 34 times more than the 700-litre daily allowance.

A property in Sumner property received a $1622 bill after churning through about 12,300 litres of water each day between October and January.

In October, the Christchurch City Council started charging people a fixed rate of $1.35 for every 1000 litres they use over the 700-litre limit every quarter, which is the equivalent of 100 toilet flushes. The average residential use is about 540 litres.

The charges were designed to reduce extreme demand on the network, particularly over summer.

Council resources general manager Leah Scales said last month, anyone with a bill in the hundreds of dollars should check for leaks.

“If they identify and fix that leak they will be eligible for a remission of the charges.”

The council did not say last week how many people had paid their bill, but in mid-March it said 812 had already paid.

People have eight weeks to pay their excess water bill, with the first invoices due later this month.

The charges have sparked criticism from some residents, with some refusing to pay and one man, Phil Yarrall has not mown his grass verge since October in protest against the charge.

Yarrall, who has yet to receive a bill, believes it is discriminatory, arbitrary in its application and nothing more than a creeping tax.

In response to public criticism 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.

Others have been upset that about 25,365 homes are exempt from the water charge because they share a water meter with their neighbours.

However, Scales said 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.

Letters were sent to the city’s top water users last year, encouraging them to check their properties for leaks before the charges came into place.

Some households could be eligible for a remission, including families with more than eight members, if the high use is due to a personal medical condition and if the high use was caused by a leak that was repaired promptly.

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

However, the council estimates about 38 million litres of water a day is lost from the city’s pipes on public and private land – about 15 Olympic-sized swimming pools worth.

Despite efforts by the council to reduce leaks in recent years, the amount of water lost keeps going up and now represents 27% of all water use, up from 18% in 2018.

Image
631 days ago

Seniors Newsletter

The Team from Office for Seniors

Our Seniors newsletter is out today. We publish details on the annual increase to NZ Superannuation and Veterans pension payments, the start of the Winter Energy Payment and provide advice on travelling overseas while on Superannuation and what you need to be aware of. We also hear about MoneyTalks… View moreOur Seniors newsletter is out today. We publish details on the annual increase to NZ Superannuation and Veterans pension payments, the start of the Winter Energy Payment and provide advice on travelling overseas while on Superannuation and what you need to be aware of. We also hear about MoneyTalks and the free budget advice they provide. Plus so much more!

Image
624 days ago

What's your best onion recipe?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours, every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. This month, we're on the hunt for onion recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by April 20, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the June issue of NZ Gardener.

Image
624 days ago

ANNOUNCING THE WINNER OF THE HOUSEHOLD HERO COMPETITION

The Team from NZ Compare

Over 360 Household Heroes across the nation were nominated by you to win $350! This country is full of amazing Kiwis who are keeping things running at home no matter what! You’re all heroes!

BUT there can only be one winner, was it you? Find out who WON $350 towards their Broadband and Power … View more
Over 360 Household Heroes across the nation were nominated by you to win $350! This country is full of amazing Kiwis who are keeping things running at home no matter what! You’re all heroes!

BUT there can only be one winner, was it you? Find out who WON $350 towards their Broadband and Power bill!

Image
626 days ago

Gift a subscription and Receive Oriental Lily Bulbs Free!

NZ Gardener

Spoil the Mum in your life with a subscription to NZ’s favourite gardening magazine.

For only $79 get 12 issues of NZ Gardener PLUS 5 Oriental Lily Bulbs worth $17 RRP from NZ Bulbs. Since 1957, NZ Bulbs has been supplying top quality bulbs to New Zealand gardeners. This family-owned business… View more
Spoil the Mum in your life with a subscription to NZ’s favourite gardening magazine.

For only $79 get 12 issues of NZ Gardener PLUS 5 Oriental Lily Bulbs worth $17 RRP from NZ Bulbs. Since 1957, NZ Bulbs has been supplying top quality bulbs to New Zealand gardeners. This family-owned business has shipped hundreds of spring and summer flowering bulbs and tubers all over New Zealand from their base near Feilding.

Offer valid until 11:59pm 14 May 2023. For full terms and conditions click here.

Happy Mother’s Day
Find out more

Image
632 days ago

Do you know any 'Boomerang Babies'?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In previous generations, children left home at 18 years old and became independent. Now with student debt and the increasing cost of renting and buying a house, we are seeing the rise of the 'Boomerang babies' who stay or move back home for well into their 20's. Is this good for our … View moreIn previous generations, children left home at 18 years old and became independent. Now with student debt and the increasing cost of renting and buying a house, we are seeing the rise of the 'Boomerang babies' who stay or move back home for well into their 20's. Is this good for our communities and have you noticed it in yours?

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

Image
630 days ago

Grab an epic broadband and power deal!

The Team from NZ Compare

The NZ Compare Easter Bunny has been busy delivering some epic deals on BROADBAND and POWER!

No chocolate in sight, these treats are better! How about unlimited broadband starting from $62/m with 6 months FREE Prime Video PLUS a chance to WIN 1 of 6 $300 Prezzy Cards with 2degrees? Maybe … View more
The NZ Compare Easter Bunny has been busy delivering some epic deals on BROADBAND and POWER!

No chocolate in sight, these treats are better! How about unlimited broadband starting from $62/m with 6 months FREE Prime Video PLUS a chance to WIN 1 of 6 $300 Prezzy Cards with 2degrees? Maybe you’d like to bundle and get your first 2 months of broadband FREE with Electric Kiwi! Or sink your teeth into a $100 welcome credit with Flick.

There is more so hop to it Neighbours before they go!
GET EPIC EASTER DEALS

Image
Top