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The Government has appointed Carolyn Cooper as the inaugural Aged Care Commissioner, to lead much needed systematic change in the sector, Minister for Seniors and Associate Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today.
From reporter Joanne Naish:
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Residents of a West Coast community are relieved an application for a sand mine has been declined.
They were concerned the proposed mine at Barrytown would have destroyed a wildlife hotspot and significantly increased heavy traffic on a spectacular … View moreFrom reporter Joanne Naish:
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Residents of a West Coast community are relieved an application for a sand mine has been declined.
They were concerned the proposed mine at Barrytown would have destroyed a wildlife hotspot and significantly increased heavy traffic on a spectacular scenic drive.
The West Coast Regional Council and the Grey District Council decided last week to decline the proposal to mine 5000 tonnes of heavy mineral concentrate from 115 hectares of private farmland every week. The land is on the Coast Road tourist drive (State Highway 6), between Greymouth and Punakaiki.
The applicant has 15 days to lodge an appeal to the Environment Court. Read more here.
It's not too late to grab these sensational plants for your green-fingered, houseplant-loving Valentine. Here's a quick guide to the hottest indoor plants for that special person in your life.
Happy Valentines Day from the team at NZ Compare!
Take the time today to enjoy the love that surrounds you. Pass it onto your friends, family, pets, maybe even a neighbour! Brighten someone's day.
Don't forget to show yourself some love too!
We all love a cheeky grin and a wave from our local grocer, or a toot from the delivery driver, or a coffee order that’s ready before we arrive. And especially over the last year, it’s been the small businesses in our communities that have almost made things seem ‘normal’.
… View moreWe all love a cheeky grin and a wave from our local grocer, or a toot from the delivery driver, or a coffee order that’s ready before we arrive. And especially over the last year, it’s been the small businesses in our communities that have almost made things seem ‘normal’.
Give your favourite local business owner the recognition they deserve by nominating them in the 2022 Prospa Local Business Hero awards.
Bring 2 cans of food into your local Resene ColorShop and swap them for 1 Resene testpot (60-80ml).
Resene will then donate all the food brought in to The Salvation Army local foodbanks.
By adding a little more colour to your life you can also help those in need. When you bring in 2 cans of … View moreBring 2 cans of food into your local Resene ColorShop and swap them for 1 Resene testpot (60-80ml).
Resene will then donate all the food brought in to The Salvation Army local foodbanks.
By adding a little more colour to your life you can also help those in need. When you bring in 2 cans of food you'll save on your testpot purchase (save up to $5.90 on an 80ml testpot) while also helping provide disadvantaged Kiwis with food parcels when they need them most.
So start gathering up those cans and bring them into your local Resene owned ColorShop.
We’ve all spent a lot of time at home last year, so many of us are in the same boat when it comes to our high power bills! GULP!
More Kiwis are now working from home, if that's you then it's time to check if you’re on the right power plan. SWITCH, SAVE and SMILE this Summer!
… View moreWe’ve all spent a lot of time at home last year, so many of us are in the same boat when it comes to our high power bills! GULP!
More Kiwis are now working from home, if that's you then it's time to check if you’re on the right power plan. SWITCH, SAVE and SMILE this Summer!
Compare with our help and find the right power plan for your household! It’s easy as!
Visit Power Compare to get yourself a better deal. Our service is free, we’re Kiwis helping Kiwis compare what’s out there across Power, Broadband and Money.
From reporter Cate Broughton:
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Older and vulnerable people are being encouraged to “hunker down” in their homes during the peak of the Omicron virus, by some health experts – but others say this isn’t necessary.
New Zealand epidemiologist Professor Tony … View moreFrom reporter Cate Broughton:
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Older and vulnerable people are being encouraged to “hunker down” in their homes during the peak of the Omicron virus, by some health experts – but others say this isn’t necessary.
New Zealand epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely is based at Melbourne University and says he encouraged his nearly 80-year-old parents – who live in Rotorua – to stay at home when Omicron cases climb and the virus becomes endemic.
However, Cancer Society medical director Kate Gregory said there was not enough evidence to support giving this advice to cancer patients.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed there was community transmission of the Omicron variant in New Zealand.
The Ministry of Health on Monday reported confirmed Omicron cases in the Nelson-Tasman region, Auckland and Palmerston North.
Blakely said he talked to his parents about continuing their usual activities while using a N95 mask, but “hunkering down” when cases climbed.
“You probably do that for another 10 days until case numbers start to go up in Rotorua, and then you really hunker down. So that’s what we’ve talked about.”
Blakely said “the maths of an epidemic” meant up to half of the population was likely to get infected with Omicron.
“The trick is to make sure the people who get infected are the young ones. So you accept that. You accept there will be hospitalisations associated with that.
But to minimise the hospitalisations, the mortality and morbidity – a bit like trench warfare – you send over the young ones, and you hunker down the oldies and those with co-morbidities.”
Blakely said his parents, who are double vaccinated and have had their booster, had already decided to stay at home when cases climbed.
But he said it was hard to say how long this period should last.
New Zealand’s traffic light setting of red – the highest level of restrictions under the traffic light system –would help to slow the spread of Omicron, and protect essential services from being overwhelmed, but this would also mean the peak of the virus would last longer, Blakely said.
“Here’s the deep irony, the better New Zealanders are at flattening the curve, the longer the hunker down will be.”
Blakely acknowledged prolonged periods of isolation for the elderly and vulnerable could have significant mental health impacts.
In Australia, Omicron has taken a huge toll on the aged-care sector with hundreds of outbreaks in aged care homes. But some families have said the lockdowns were overly cautious and too hard on the elderly residents, most of whom were fully vaccinated.
Wellington GP and Royal New Zealand College of General Practice (RNZCGPs) medical director Bryan Betty said the Australian experience of Omicron showed it could peak for as long as four to six weeks.
Betty said most people – including fit older people – would experience a mild to moderate illness, if infected.
“However, the caveat on this is ... we know the biggest risk factor for a poorer outcome from Covid is age, the elderly population in particular are vulnerable to a poorer outcome with Covid.”
Betty said it would be good for older people to consider staying home, with some support from friends and family, “as the case numbers rise” in the community.
Cancer Society medical director Kate Gregory said there was not enough evidence to date to support advising patients to stay home, but this could change “if we see much higher numbers”.
“If, in a week’s time we are seeing thousands and thousands of cases we may be advising people differently. I think the reassuring thing we’ve seen is that Omicron doesn’t seem to cause such severe disease and we know the vaccine provides very good protection.”
Gregory said for cancer patients the best defence is to be vaccinated and for the people in their households to be vaccinated.”
She said in her experience a “vast majority” of cancer patients had received two doses of Covid-19 vaccine, many with a third primary dose.
“It’s a frightening time, and especially for those who are more vulnerable.
"I think as long as people have the vaccine, wear the mask, do the hand-washing and get tested promptly, I think that’s probably fine. At the moment, that’s the advice we’re giving our patients.”
Our February Seniors newsletter is out now. In this issue we announce our Age friendly fund successful recipients, shine a light on the those nominated for the New Years Honours for Services to Seniors and much more. Check it out here: mailchi.mp...
Kia ora Aotearoa. Stuff has just finished their annual Summer Snaps competition and we’re thrilled to announce that you'll be the judge of the People and Communities photograph category.
The entries in this category have been shortlisted and we now have five brilliantly captured … View moreKia ora Aotearoa. Stuff has just finished their annual Summer Snaps competition and we’re thrilled to announce that you'll be the judge of the People and Communities photograph category.
The entries in this category have been shortlisted and we now have five brilliantly captured photographs to battle it out. There's a camera up for grabs for our talented photographers, and it's up to you to choose who takes the crown...and the Canon EOS!
Cast your vote in the poll below before 12pm, 11 February.
Peri-urban areas can be described as the landscape interface between town and country or the rural-urban transition zone where urban and rural areas mix.
The probability of wildfire is driven by the amount and dryness of fuel, ambient weather and ignitions. Dry weather exacerbates wildfire risk… View morePeri-urban areas can be described as the landscape interface between town and country or the rural-urban transition zone where urban and rural areas mix.
The probability of wildfire is driven by the amount and dryness of fuel, ambient weather and ignitions. Dry weather exacerbates wildfire risk in this zone and could significantly impact your property! With one of New Zealand’s hottest and driest summers, discover your property’s fire risk and what you can do to reduce it.
We can produce personalised reports for any house on the planet!
Click here to get your property report: https://property-climate-risk-report.co.nz/
Purchase a six month subscription to the Sunday Star-Times for $102 and get a free $100 Interflora e-voucher. Terms and conditions apply.
Marcus Shenker thought he would spend his birthday fishing – instead, he spent it moving valuables into his roof attic in preparation for his already-damaged Westport home to flood again.
A state of emergency in the Buller District was declared on Wednesday, and MetService has issued heavy … View moreMarcus Shenker thought he would spend his birthday fishing – instead, he spent it moving valuables into his roof attic in preparation for his already-damaged Westport home to flood again.
A state of emergency in the Buller District was declared on Wednesday, and MetService has issued heavy rain warnings for Buller and Westland which last until Friday.
The red warning is the highest of MetService’s alerts, reserved for the most extreme storms. Forecasters have warned this rain could be worse than the storm that caused a devastating flood in Westport last July.
Shenker, a retired geofield assistant, had planned to spend his 66th birthday fishing, taking a walk on the beach, and a roast dinner.
Instead, he was storing valuables in the roof of his home, which is still damaged from last year's flood.
Carpet is missing, as are proper internal walls, while the bathtub is outside. He is still dealing with insurers from the previous flood.
Wednesday’s rainfall was not as bad as last year’s, he said.
After the July flood, Shenker lived in temporary accommodation for two months after water about waist-deep went through his home.
His home was also flooded in 2018, during Cyclone Fehi.
“These are all like once-in-a-100-year floods that are happening now like every six months.”
As of 7pm on Wednesday, 99mm of rain had fallen in Westport, while 48.6mm fell in Hokitika.
Westport’s O’Conor Memorial Rest Home, near the Buller River, evacuated 68 residents as a precaution.
Buller Health's Foote Ward also closed, while Buller Medical was preparing to provide care from an alternative location.
St John set up a temporary health centre at Carters Beach, near Westport, in the evening.
Four New Zealand Defence Force trucks and one support vehicle with 10 army personnel arrived in Greymouth on Wednesday evening. An NH90 helicopter would also fly south to help, a spokesperson said.
Buller mayor Jamie Cleine urged people to prepare getaway bags ahead of potential evacuations on Thursday.
Many spent Wednesday preparing sandbags. Volunteers filled them in the car park of Westport’s recreation centre.
Richard Sanders, 45, a chef, said helping fill sandbags was a distraction from thinking about his own house, which was still not fully repaired from the July floods,
Jan Woodcock, 67, a community health support worker, said the weather event left her with a feeling of "here we go again".
"We didn't get flooded last time, but the water is now lapping the footpath [outside my home]," she said.
Further south, power went out at Franz Josef and Fox Glacier at 11am on Wednesday when a tree hit lines at Lake Mapourika. Westpower said power was restored at 3.25pm.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said all West Coasts highways were still open on Wednesday evening, except SH6 between Fox Glacier and Makaroa, which was closed due to surface flooding.
NZTA West Coast maintenance contract manager Moira Whinham said overall there had only been minor slips, which were cleared easily.
“Our teams will continue to monitor key rivers and bridge approaches, with night patrols as needed," she said.
MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said residents should prepare for a possible “long-running” event, which could extend into the weekend.
There were parallels with last year's flooding and residents should again prepare for similar impacts, he said.
“There's going to be flooding, there's going to be slips, disruptions to roading networks, possibly even power and telecommunications.”
Hi everyone,
Hokitika has been named the most welcoming town in NZ in Booking.com's 10th annual Traveller Review Awards.
Would be keen to hear from those who live there or who have visited whether they think the town really is exceptionally friendly. What makes it a welcoming place, or … View moreHi everyone,
Hokitika has been named the most welcoming town in NZ in Booking.com's 10th annual Traveller Review Awards.
Would be keen to hear from those who live there or who have visited whether they think the town really is exceptionally friendly. What makes it a welcoming place, or otherwise? Were there any cafes, restaurants, shops or other places you received a particularly warm welcome?
Lake Tekapo and Oamaru came in second and third place respectively, followed by Cambridge, Picton, Invercargill, Martinborough, Kerikeri and Palmerston North. Would also love to hear from you if you have thoughts on these places. Please include 'NFP' (not for publication) in your comment if you don't want it to appear in a travel article.
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts?
The Tiger represents bravery and strength, so this Lunar New Year, we’d like to offer you the chance to WIN 1 of 3 $50 Prezzy Cards, to spend at your local café, takeaway or restaurant!
Our locals have been doing it tough but remaining resilient, brave and strong through the last year. … View moreThe Tiger represents bravery and strength, so this Lunar New Year, we’d like to offer you the chance to WIN 1 of 3 $50 Prezzy Cards, to spend at your local café, takeaway or restaurant!
Our locals have been doing it tough but remaining resilient, brave and strong through the last year. Let's go show them some love Neighbours!
Click 'read more' below to head over to the NZ Compare Facebook page and leave a comment on our Lunar Post telling us what awesome local you'd support if you won.
We hope this Chinese New Year will be filled with happiness, prosperity, and many precious moments with your loved ones.
Entries close midnight 8th February 2022.
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