Maeroa, Hamilton

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.

1222 days ago

Pay it Forward this weekend

Matihiko/Tech Support Librarian from Chartwell Library Kukutaaruhe

Are you heading to the library this weekend? Don't forget that we are still running our Pay it Forward campaign. We are collecting non-perishable items for Waikato Women's Refuge - Te Whakaruruhau up until the end of the month. If you are willing and able to donate, we are accepting … View moreAre you heading to the library this weekend? Don't forget that we are still running our Pay it Forward campaign. We are collecting non-perishable items for Waikato Women's Refuge - Te Whakaruruhau up until the end of the month. If you are willing and able to donate, we are accepting donations across all Hamilton City Library locations!

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1222 days ago

Pay it Forward this weekend

Matihiko/Tech Support Librarian from St Andrews Library Waiwherowhero

Are you heading to the library this weekend? Don't forget that we are still running our Pay it Forward campaign. We are collecting non-perishable items for Waikato Women's Refuge - Te Whakaruruhau up until the end of the month. If you are willing and able to donate, we are accepting … View moreAre you heading to the library this weekend? Don't forget that we are still running our Pay it Forward campaign. We are collecting non-perishable items for Waikato Women's Refuge - Te Whakaruruhau up until the end of the month. If you are willing and able to donate, we are accepting donations across all Hamilton City Library locations!

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1222 days ago

Secure your bull team now with no upfront cost!

PGG Wrightson

Apply for a Defer-A-Bull purchase agreement today – a simple, cost effective solution when sourcing your dairy service bulls.

Secure your bull team early with no repayments until bulls are sold.
Find out more

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1222 days ago

Curtains & Blinds: Which types are best?

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Hamilton

When it’s time to replace your curtains, most of us only worry about cost and style. But did you know this choice can make a massive difference to how warm and comfortable your home will be over winter? We tested which types were most effective at reducing heat loss in your home.


The … View more
When it’s time to replace your curtains, most of us only worry about cost and style. But did you know this choice can make a massive difference to how warm and comfortable your home will be over winter? We tested which types were most effective at reducing heat loss in your home.


The problem: If you have an insulated house, you can lose upwards of 45% of your heat through your windows. This drops to 30% in an uninsulated home, since it’s easier for heat to escape through the walls, ceiling and floors. This shows the importance of choosing wisely when it comes to your curtains or blinds; the right window coverings can save two-thirds of the heat lost through your windows.


Our test: We measured heat loss through an aluminium-framed single-glazed window fitted with different window coverings. The window was fitted to a mini-room inside our Thermal Comfort lab. The lab temperature was reduced to 4°C to simulate a chilly winter night, while an electric heater inside the mini-room beavered away to maintain a temperature of 20°C.


The different window coverings were tested for at least three hours and we measured the total power usage from the heater, along with the difference between indoor and outdoor temperature. These readings were then used to calculate how effective each window covering was at stopping heat escaping.

Reverse chimneys: Cool air is denser (heavier) than warm air. When it’s cold outside, the inside air close to a window pane is cooled and tends to sink. As this cooled air sinks, it gets replaced by warmer air from other of the room. This creates a circulating air current that cools the room parts.


Curtains that aren’t sealed at the top or bottom to stop these air currents can make the situation worse by forming a channel between the window and curtain. This allows cooled air to flow continuously and chill the room faster.


We tested two types of curtains, thermal and heavy lined, cut to both sill and floor length. The thermal curtains were in a single drop and had a plastic coating bonded to the fabric. You might have expected the thermal curtains would perform better, but the extra layer of fabric in the pricier heavy lined curtains made them better insulators. If you’re getting curtains fitted, opt for floor-length as they keep in heat better than ones that sit at the sill.


Which blinds are best?
We tested five types of blinds: honeycomb, roman, roller, and aluminium and wooden venetians.
Our blinds were installed within the window frame (with the exception of the romans), so there was no gap (like the one between the back of the curtain and the window frame) to allow a reverse chimney to form. Honeycomb blinds easily topped our testing for all window coverings. Air is a good insulator, as long as it’s not moving, and the honeycomb structure creates a large, still air gap between the cold window pane and the warm inside air.
Also, the honeycomb blinds fitted closer to the sides of the window frame than our other tested blinds, which also helped reduce heat loss.


While their public baths may have gone out of fashion, roman blinds are still going strong. Roman blinds were the best window covering after the honeycomb blinds and secondary double-glazing options. A roman blind’s good performance comes down to the close fit it has over the window frame. This good seal, along with a close fit to the wall at the top, helps retain heat.


Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

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1223 days ago

Do you have a great spinach 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. We are now on the hunt for spinach recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz before July 26, 2021.

Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Homegrown Recipes.

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1223 days ago

Rose Hughes’ latest project gives an old wooden crate a charming second life.

The Team from

Give an old wooden crate a charming second life with Resene.

Find out how to create your own.

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1223 days ago

Creative communities scheme funding

Creative Waikato

Looking for cash to supercharge your next creative project? Creative communities scheme funding is now open! Find out more

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1224 days ago

Kiwi Can - Payroll Giving

The Team from Graeme Dingle Foundation Waikato

Make every payday, a giving pay day.

Do you know about our Payroll Giving option? For just $20 per month, you can support one student to attend Kiwi Can for a term.

Payroll Giving allows you to make donations directly from your pay and receive immediate tax credits via PAYE. Head to our website … View more
Make every payday, a giving pay day.

Do you know about our Payroll Giving option? For just $20 per month, you can support one student to attend Kiwi Can for a term.

Payroll Giving allows you to make donations directly from your pay and receive immediate tax credits via PAYE. Head to our website to find out more and sign up today.

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1224 days ago

Fleece Track Pants/ Jacket

Debi from Hamilton East

New Never Used...Fleece Jumper and track pants.
Brand: Back Country
Jacket: 3XL Jacket is larger so you can wear clothes underneath.
Pants: XL
Color: Black
Great Christmas Gift Excellent Condition
Priced To Sell.
Unisex: Men's Or Ladies

Price: $50

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1224 days ago

Mood Flame

Debi from Hamilton East

Unique Have Never Seen This In NZ. Purchased In CANADA
Place In The Center of Your Coffee Table For Ambiance Whilst Watching TV... Or In The Center Of The Dinner Table Dinner Party.
Uses Methylated Spirits.
Comes With Flame Out Handle
Great Gift Idea If Your Looking For Something For That Person … View more
Unique Have Never Seen This In NZ. Purchased In CANADA
Place In The Center of Your Coffee Table For Ambiance Whilst Watching TV... Or In The Center Of The Dinner Table Dinner Party.
Uses Methylated Spirits.
Comes With Flame Out Handle
Great Gift Idea If Your Looking For Something For That Person Who Has Everything!
Actually Gives Off Heat While Burning...Burns For Over An Hour Then Let Cool 5 Minutes And Can Light Again Adding More Meth Spirits.

Price: $90

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1224 days ago

SHOGUN BOARDGAME

Debi from Hamilton East

Shogun Game Milton Bradley 1986. Fuedal Warfare Game
Plays Like Risk.
As New Never Been Played
All Pieces Complete
Rare And Collectable!

Price: $75

1224 days ago

Net Safety Night at Hillcrest Library

Matihiko/Tech Support Librarian from St Andrews Library Waiwherowhero

Did you know that across Aotearoa New Zealand, nearly 440 people every week contact Netsafe for online harassment, image-based abuse, hate speech, grooming, scams, and school incidents?

Join us on Thursday 29 July 6-7pm at Hillcrest Library to learn about some of the threats that are affecting … View more
Did you know that across Aotearoa New Zealand, nearly 440 people every week contact Netsafe for online harassment, image-based abuse, hate speech, grooming, scams, and school incidents?

Join us on Thursday 29 July 6-7pm at Hillcrest Library to learn about some of the threats that are affecting homes all across New Zealand. You can also ask questions to experts and get some advice on how to keep yourself safe online.

You can pre-register your interest, or you can simply show up on the evening. Link is below!

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1224 days ago

Net Safety Night at Hillcrest Library

Matihiko/Tech Support Librarian from Hamilton Central Library Te Koopuu Maania o Kirikiriroa

Did you know that across Aotearoa New Zealand, nearly 440 people every week contact Netsafe for online harassment, image-based abuse, hate speech, grooming, scams, and school incidents?

Join us on Thursday 29 July 6-7pm at Hillcrest Library to learn about some of the threats that are affecting … View more
Did you know that across Aotearoa New Zealand, nearly 440 people every week contact Netsafe for online harassment, image-based abuse, hate speech, grooming, scams, and school incidents?

Join us on Thursday 29 July 6-7pm at Hillcrest Library to learn about some of the threats that are affecting homes all across New Zealand. You can also ask questions to experts and get some advice on how to keep yourself safe online.

You can pre-register your interest, or you can simply show up on the evening. Link is below!

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1224 days ago

Net Safety Night at Hillcrest Library

Matihiko/Tech Support Librarian from Dinsdale Te Tiwha O Pareiiriwhare

Did you know that across Aotearoa New Zealand, nearly 440 people every week contact Netsafe for online harassment, image-based abuse, hate speech, grooming, scams, and school incidents?

Join us on Thursday 29 July 6-7pm at Hillcrest Library to learn about some of the threats that are affecting … View more
Did you know that across Aotearoa New Zealand, nearly 440 people every week contact Netsafe for online harassment, image-based abuse, hate speech, grooming, scams, and school incidents?

Join us on Thursday 29 July 6-7pm at Hillcrest Library to learn about some of the threats that are affecting homes all across New Zealand. You can also ask questions to experts and get some advice on how to keep yourself safe online.

You can pre-register your interest, or you can simply show up on the evening. Link is below!

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1224 days ago

Net Safety Night at Hillcrest Library

Matihiko/Tech Support Librarian from Chartwell Library Kukutaaruhe

Did you know that across Aotearoa New Zealand, nearly 440 people every week contact Netsafe for online harassment, image-based abuse, hate speech, grooming, scams, and school incidents?

Join us on Thursday 29 July 6-7pm at Hillcrest Library to learn about some of the threats that are affecting … View more
Did you know that across Aotearoa New Zealand, nearly 440 people every week contact Netsafe for online harassment, image-based abuse, hate speech, grooming, scams, and school incidents?

Join us on Thursday 29 July 6-7pm at Hillcrest Library to learn about some of the threats that are affecting homes all across New Zealand. You can also ask questions to experts and get some advice on how to keep yourself safe online.

You can pre-register your interest, or you can simply show up on the evening. Link is below!

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