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We're on the lookout for the most beautiful spots in New Zealand, and would love to hear your favourites.
While it will be impossible to include all of them in one article, we'd appreciate your help in narrowing it down. What do you think are most beautiful places in … View moreHi there,
We're on the lookout for the most beautiful spots in New Zealand, and would love to hear your favourites.
While it will be impossible to include all of them in one article, we'd appreciate your help in narrowing it down. What do you think are most beautiful places in NZ's regions? Do you have a favourite spot in the Waikato, Taranaki, Canterbury, Southland or elsewhere?
Feel free to comment below, send me a message or email me at lorna.thornber@stuff.co.nz. Please include 'NFP' in your comment if you do not want it or your name included in an article. Thanks in advance for taking the time to share.
With online being the main mode of communication these days, it's no wonder that there has been a worldwide mail decline and here in Aotearoa, NZ Post has needed to lay off 750 full-time staff. Do you think it's time to say goodbye to the trusty letterbox?
We have lots of vintage toys, winter warmies and around 100 clothing items on our $1 rack. It’s choc-a-block. Also bring your standard sized supermarket bag to fill a bag of $1 kids clothing for $4.
Heart attack is a leading cause of death in New Zealand.
Learn to recognise the warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack, so you know what to do if you see or experience them. Don’t try to walk it off, wash it off or push through it. Make the right call, it may save your life.
Get creative with colour with these art projects using Resene paints.
Find out how to get creative with these easy ideas.
The Blood Service says it needs 40,000 new donors in the next 12 months to ensure it can meet demand of those needing plasma and blood. Suggestions have been made to pay people for donating, however there are concerns about the dangers of that. Do you think we should pay people for these … View moreThe Blood Service says it needs 40,000 new donors in the next 12 months to ensure it can meet demand of those needing plasma and blood. Suggestions have been made to pay people for donating, however there are concerns about the dangers of that. Do you think we should pay people for these donations?
Meeting an ever increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food, it brings a reminder that people care. By alleviating some of the pressure families feel, especially in the time of inflation and cost-of-living, a Christmas Box sparks hope that goes beyond Christmas.
… View moreMeeting an ever increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food, it brings a reminder that people care. By alleviating some of the pressure families feel, especially in the time of inflation and cost-of-living, a Christmas Box sparks hope that goes beyond Christmas.
Don’t wait for December, it’s time to start thinking about how you can help today!
For just $40 a box, you can give the gift of hope and 100% of your donation will go to families who are doing it tough this year. Your generosity makes a difference.
Have you ever tried to look for a new power plan to end up stuck, super confused by all the specific lingo that’s used? Things like kWh, standard vs. low users, or free hours of power? Don’t get us started on controlled and anytime meters!
If you’re unsure of some of these terms, it … View moreHave you ever tried to look for a new power plan to end up stuck, super confused by all the specific lingo that’s used? Things like kWh, standard vs. low users, or free hours of power? Don’t get us started on controlled and anytime meters!
If you’re unsure of some of these terms, it really won’t help you feel confident in comparing different plans. We don’t want to see our Neighbours get tripped up and stuck with a big bill this chilly season!
So to help you, we’ve put together a list of all the power terminology that you need to know!
Combine paint and a vinyl adhesive to great effect.
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Read reporter Debbie Jamieson's full story
Two large-scale Queenstown accommodation developments have been accepted for fast-tracking as developers eye tourism opportunities.
One is a six-storey hotel with up to 185 rooms, on the Man St car park in central Queenstown.
The other is a … View moreRead reporter Debbie Jamieson's full story
Two large-scale Queenstown accommodation developments have been accepted for fast-tracking as developers eye tourism opportunities.
One is a six-storey hotel with up to 185 rooms, on the Man St car park in central Queenstown.
The other is a proposal to provide 400 to 600 residential units for temporary worker accommodation in Frankton.
Plans for both are yet to be lodged with the Environment Protection Authority and considered by an expert consenting panel.
The proposals show an ongoing enthusiasm by Queenstown developers to use the fast-track consenting process established during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The legislation blocked the public from the resource consent process in order to fast track projects that created jobs and stimulated the economy.
here (subscription required).
By reporter Hamish McNeilly:
Anna Hill remembers her last meal.
It was a salmon benedict at a Dunedin café, back in October 2021.
She hasn’t eaten a proper meal since, but can barely drink water.
‘’I can’t even move without regurgitating. Animals get put down for less.’’
… View moreBy reporter Hamish McNeilly:
Anna Hill remembers her last meal.
It was a salmon benedict at a Dunedin café, back in October 2021.
She hasn’t eaten a proper meal since, but can barely drink water.
‘’I can’t even move without regurgitating. Animals get put down for less.’’
When Hill was pregnant with her youngest, she started experienced chest pains whenever she ate or drank anything,
‘’It’s just horrendously painful when I was eating.’’
But it got worse, much worse.
Fifteen minutes after giving birth to her youngest, she deteriorated and could no longer swallow and was ‘nil by mouth’.
With food and drink struggling to go down, she would often vomit, requiring an ever-present bucket to be by her side.
‘’I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t work,’’ the former hospital nurse said.
‘’I want to go back to my old job, but I can’t even swallow my own saliva.’’
The 38-year-old mother-of-four has no energy to take her youngest child to the park, for a walk, or even hold her for any extended period.
Hill has to constantly pounding her chest to alleviate the pain.
’’I have no quality of life, this has ruined my life.’’
After the birth of her daughter 19-months ago, she found the pain persisted coupled with an inability to sleep.
After the birth of her daughter the pain persisted, but was compounded by her inability to sleep.
Constantly dehydrated and unable to breastfeed her baby daughter, she again sought a diagnosis from her doctor, who she had visited dozens of times over the issue.
Visits to specialists confirmed she had a rare disease, with the majority of muscles in her oesophagus, which connects the throat to the stomach, effectively dead.
While Hill no longer felt hungry, she often felt thirsty, but the pain of trying to drink made that a difficult task as ‘’my throat just shuts’’.
While her specialists were talking about the possibility of surgery, they had parked that plan in favour of a temporary feeding tube, which she would receive next week.
But Hill wanted an operation to restore her oesophagus, and started to look overseas for options.
’’I can’t afford to wait.’’
She found a surgeon in Delhi, India who could treat her by making a new oesophagus out of her stomach, followed by three weeks’ recuperation.
That would hopefully lead to Hill being able to eat and drink like normal, and she is unequivocal about what she would like.
‘’If I could have anything I would have a cup of coffee.’’
But unable to get a loan because she was unemployed, a friend of Hill’s created a Givealittle page, which had raised just under $4000 of the $25,000 goal.
’’I’ve lost everything. Literally I’ve lost everything. All my savings has been spent on medications and doctor’s visits.
‘’I’ve lost my career . . . I’ve lost everything.’’
Her three older children, who lost their father in a motor vehicle crash on Christmas Day in 2021, were worried they were about to lose their mother.
‘’It has been a real s... time.’’
‘’Imagine not getting up in the morning and not having a sip of coffee or tea, or anything, that is like me every day.’’
‘’I’ve spent two Christmases unable to eat or drink, and I am just over it.’’
Homebound, she had lost 38kgs and was now just over 50kg, with little energy left for basic tasks.
Unable to eat or drink she had lost some 38 kilograms, and was now down to just over 50kg.
‘’I just sit here and dribble into a towel, or a bucket,’’ Hill says as she pounds her chest.
The government's Road to Zero project seeks to set speed limits at 30kph in suburban streets across New Zealand. Do you think this is a good idea?
Stuff has been on the hunt for New Zealand’s best ski town and, after a week of pitting some of the country’s best-loved spots against each other, the results are in: Wānaka is our favourite by far.
Of the seven shortlisted towns announced on Monday, Queenstown’s quieter little sister … View moreStuff has been on the hunt for New Zealand’s best ski town and, after a week of pitting some of the country’s best-loved spots against each other, the results are in: Wānaka is our favourite by far.
Of the seven shortlisted towns announced on Monday, Queenstown’s quieter little sister secured 31% of reader votes, putting it well ahead of second placeholders Methven, at the base of Mt Hutt, and carrot capital Ohakune, each of which landed 18% of votes.
The photogenic old gold rush town of Arrowtown came third with 13% of votes, while fourth place was shared by Mackenzie alpine village Lake Ohau and Canterbury hot pool haven Hanmer Springs, which each claimed 9% of votes.
Just 2% of readers voted for Tūrangi in the Ruapehu region.
Queenstown, Albert Town, Saint Arnaud, Raetihi, National Park Village, Springfield and Tekapo were all eliminated in the semi-finals.
About an hour’s drive from Queenstown Airport via the super-scenic Crown Range Road or 90 minutes via the easier-going Kawarau Gorge, Wānaka is within easy driving distance of four ski fields.
With its mountain-hugged, glacier-carved lake, the Central Otago town has all the visual appeal of nearby Queenstown with smaller crowds. It’s far from a sleepy hollow, however, with adventure activities galore, and plenty of top spots to eat and drink.
NZ ski town face-off winners
Wānaka
Methven and Ohakune
Arrowtown
Lake Ohau and Hanmer Springs
Tūrangi
Is Wānaka New Zealand’s best ski town? Share your thoughts in the comments.
So you’re in Dunedin/Ōtepoti for the FIFA Women’s World Cup? Here’s what you need to know.
What matches can I go to in Dunedin?
July 21: Philippines v Switzerland
July 23: Netherlands v Portugal
July 26: Japan v Costa Rica
July 28: Argentina v South Africa
July 30: Switzerland v New … View moreSo you’re in Dunedin/Ōtepoti for the FIFA Women’s World Cup? Here’s what you need to know.
What matches can I go to in Dunedin?
July 21: Philippines v Switzerland
July 23: Netherlands v Portugal
July 26: Japan v Costa Rica
July 28: Argentina v South Africa
July 30: Switzerland v New Zealand
August 1: Vietnam v Netherlands
Where’s the stadium and how do I get there?
Dunedin Stadium/Forsyth Barr Stadium is being used for all matches in Dunedin. The stadium is located on Anzac Avenue, about a 20-minute walk from the Octagon (the uniquely-shaped city centre). On match days, fans will be able to gather in the Octagon to walk to the stadium together, with street entertainers set to be positioned along the route.
There will also be a free FIFA double-decker bus from the Octagon to the stadium. This will depart 90 minutes before the start of a match and run in a loop. Fans will also be able to take this service back to the Octagon after a match.
Park and ride will be offered from the carpark at 111 Victoria Rd in St Kilda (next to the Dunedin Ice Stadium) and Peter Johnstone Park in Mosgiel.
Best pre and post-match grub?
A short walk from the stadium is Emerson’s Brewery, a huge name in New Zealand craft beer. They have a spacious taproom where you can sample their range of legendary brews, with bar snacks, sharing plates and main meals also available to enjoy alongside a pint.
You’ll find plenty of places to eat around the Octagon – Prohibition Smokehouse is a crowd-pleaser for its cuts of dry-aged meats, paired with a selection of tasty sides (the mac and cheese is hard to beat).
For a local dining experience, head to Best Cafe, just down from the Octagon. It’s a Dunedin institution, having been around since 1932, and serves up fish and chip meals, including South Island delicacies like Bluff oysters and blue cod.
If you have time, it’s worth venturing a little further out (a 10-minute drive from the city) to the seaside suburb of St Clair. Here you’ll find Tītī, one of the city’s best restaurants, with ever-changing “trust the chef” menus available for lunch and dinner. Bookings are recommended.
I don’t have tickets, what about fan zones?
A FIFA Fan Festival zone will be located at the Dunedin Town Hall and Glenroy Auditorium in the Octagon, where you’ll be able to watch the action on the big screen, with live music, cultural performances and sporting activations providing plenty of additional entertainment.
Bic Runga, The Topp Twins, Ladyhawke and Ladi6 are among the artists who will be performing on selected days – see here for the schedule.
The venue will be furnished with seating, bean bags, cosy pub-style eating areas and food and drink from local food trucks.
While I’m in the city…
Dunedin is one of the best places in New Zealand to see wildlife, with seals, sea lions, little penguins, yellow-eyed penguins, albatross and more all found on the Otago Peninsula. Book a tour that takes you around the peninsula, or make your own way to attractions like the Royal Albatross Centre and Penguin Place.
The peninsula is also where you’ll find Larnach Castle – or the closest thing New Zealand has to a castle (it was the extravagant home of a prominent businessman and politician). You can tour the iconic building and its grounds, book in for high tea, or even stay at the on-site accommodation.
Be sure to leave time for a thigh-burning walk up Baldwin Street, which holds the record for being the world’s steepest street, with a gradient of 34.8%. It makes for some impressive photos.
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