Doubtful Range, Hanmer Springs

Want to get to know your neighbours?

Want to get to know your neighbours?

Check out our Know Thy Neighbour page here.

1182 days ago

Planning what to grow? Put these new varieties on your to-plant list!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours,

Here's our list of the best new-release varieties of edible plants to grow this season.

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1182 days ago

Print company soaring with success

Competenz

Family-owned Auckland print company Soar is flying high, with two of its team winning accolades at the prestigious Pride in Print 2021 awards.

Print apprentice Travis Jordan was named the Print Industry Apprentice of the Year, while Alex Huynh won the Workplace Trainer of the Year. For Travis, … View more
Family-owned Auckland print company Soar is flying high, with two of its team winning accolades at the prestigious Pride in Print 2021 awards.

Print apprentice Travis Jordan was named the Print Industry Apprentice of the Year, while Alex Huynh won the Workplace Trainer of the Year. For Travis, the award is an acknowledgement of the time and effort he has put into his craft.

“It’s really special and a reminder that you get out what you put in,” he says. “The award is something I’ll happily carry with me throughout my career.”

It's awesome to see not only one of our apprentices getting recognition, but also the skilled team member who trained him winning an award.

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1188 days ago

Support local in lockdown: Do you have a favourite dairy?

Jake Kenny Reporter from Community News

Hi Cantabrians,

Do you have a favourite dairy?

We are keen to hear about your favourite local dairy and why you like it so much. Submissions will contribute to a story about dairies in lockdown and the need to support them.

Please let us know below.

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1185 days ago

Study IT for Free in Christchurch

Aspire2

Looking to upskill or reskill for quality work in a thriving industry?

The NZ Diploma in Information Technology Technical support is your terrific tech option! You don’t have to be super tech-savvy to start your studies, this diploma teaches you Information Technology essentials from the … View more
Looking to upskill or reskill for quality work in a thriving industry?

The NZ Diploma in Information Technology Technical support is your terrific tech option! You don’t have to be super tech-savvy to start your studies, this diploma teaches you Information Technology essentials from the ground up. It's fully funded by the government's TTAF scheme, designed to help Kiwis get work in high-growth industries (and to help those industries get good staff too).

Classes start Monday 30 August in Christchurch, from 9am to 1pm weekdays.

Signing-up is easy, book your place today!
Find out more

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1186 days ago

Gardening live chat on now!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Hello neighbours,

It’s coming up to spring, and with everyone stuck at home in Covid lockdown, what better time to get the garden in order? NZ Gardener editor Jo McCarroll and Jack Hobbs, manager of the Auckland Botanic Gardens, are live on Stuff now to answer all your gardening questions.

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1186 days ago

Cancer doesn't stop, we won't either.

Cancer Society

COVID-19 has taken away our Daffodil Day Street Appeal.

The demand on our cancer services goes up during lockdown. And that's why we need you now more than ever. $24 helps to provide transport to and from cancer treatment.

Donate now to support the Cancer Society's vital services … View more
COVID-19 has taken away our Daffodil Day Street Appeal.

The demand on our cancer services goes up during lockdown. And that's why we need you now more than ever. $24 helps to provide transport to and from cancer treatment.

Donate now to support the Cancer Society's vital services to support New Zealanders going through cancer.
Learn more

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1187 days ago

Last week to nominate!

The Team from New Zealander of the Year Award | Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa

We're in the last week of nominations for the 2022 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards. So come on, Canterbury – who’s your New Zealander of the Year?

Tell us with a nomination! Nominations close 31 August.

Get in quick – www.nzawards.org.nz...

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1188 days ago

Community kindness

Kamala Hayman Reporter from The Press

Heartwarming to see neighbours help Christchurch four-year-old Emery Maclean​ celebrate her birthday after lockdown meant her party was cancelled. What is happening in your neighbourhood?

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1188 days ago

Help your local small business - and get $10!

David Downs from SOS Business

If you are missing your morning coffee, your cafe lunch or even your haircut - jump on www.sosbusiness.nz... and help a local small business out with cashflow - they get the money now and you get a voucher for later.
If you buy a $50 voucher, we will give you another $10 one (while stocks last).
View more
If you are missing your morning coffee, your cafe lunch or even your haircut - jump on www.sosbusiness.nz... and help a local small business out with cashflow - they get the money now and you get a voucher for later.
If you buy a $50 voucher, we will give you another $10 one (while stocks last).
SOS Business - A not-for-profit helping NZ small businesses during a tough time. All the money (less credit card fees) gets paid to the businesses.

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1189 days ago

Are you using our 2021 Garden Diary?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours,

We're all working from home during this lockdown, not just to bring you your favourite gardening mag, but also our Garden Diary 2022! This is where we need your help: Show us how you've been using your 2021 Diary -- take photos of the pages, tell us what was most … View more
Dear neighbours,

We're all working from home during this lockdown, not just to bring you your favourite gardening mag, but also our Garden Diary 2022! This is where we need your help: Show us how you've been using your 2021 Diary -- take photos of the pages, tell us what was most useful, did you have enough space to write your notes, what have you scribbled on the pages? Did you clip your plant labels on them? Perhaps shoot a little video with your phone as you turn the pages. Your feedback will help us put together next year's diary.

Please email your comments and photos to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by this Friday, Aug 27. The five most helpful readers will each receive a free copy of the 2022 diary.

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1189 days ago

One to watch

Competenz

We love seeing our apprentices making waves in the industry.
Wade Peek was recently named Plastics Apprentice of the Year, is definitely one to watch. With two qualifications under his belt, he’s been earmarked as a future plastics industry leader.

He hopes to one day start his own … View more
We love seeing our apprentices making waves in the industry.
Wade Peek was recently named Plastics Apprentice of the Year, is definitely one to watch. With two qualifications under his belt, he’s been earmarked as a future plastics industry leader.

He hopes to one day start his own manufacturing business and says: "I really want to pass on what I have learnt to support apprentices in their training. I also want to be able to teach people outside of the plastics industry about what we do, as I truly believe we can't solve any of the really important environmental issues that surround plastic unless as many people as possible understand it."

If you are thinking of signing up for an apprenticeship, get in touch with us here

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1194 days ago

Covid-19: Hospital visitors restricted, toilet paper in hot demand in Canterbury

Jake Kenny Reporter from Community News

Hi Cantabrians,

Hundreds are queueing for Covid-19 tests in Christchurch, while grocery shoppers are heeding pleas to not panic buy as the country enters the first day of a nationwide lockdown.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the shift to alert level 4 for at least three … View more
Hi Cantabrians,

Hundreds are queueing for Covid-19 tests in Christchurch, while grocery shoppers are heeding pleas to not panic buy as the country enters the first day of a nationwide lockdown.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the shift to alert level 4 for at least three days for the entire country after a 58-year-old Auckland man contracted Covid-19 from an unknown source.

On Wednesday, a long line of cars ran down the length of Orchard Rd near Christchurch Airport as people waited to access a Covid-19 testing centre – some as long as three hours. There were similar scenes at a centre on Pages Rd.

As panic buying set in after the 6pm announcement, some supermarkets were running out of toilet paper and flour. A number of photos had been shared on social media showing empty shelves and long queues.

Read the full story by clicking 'Read more' below.

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1194 days ago

Covid-19: What a move to alert level 4 means for New Zealand

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

All of New Zealand will move to alert level 4 at 11.59pm after a new community Covid-19 case emerged in Auckland.

New Zealand will initially spend three days at alert level 4, except for Auckland and the Coromandel, which will remain at level 4 for seven days at this stage.

What are the rules… View more
All of New Zealand will move to alert level 4 at 11.59pm after a new community Covid-19 case emerged in Auckland.

New Zealand will initially spend three days at alert level 4, except for Auckland and the Coromandel, which will remain at level 4 for seven days at this stage.

What are the rules at alert level 4?

Staying at home
People are asked to stay at home, unless they are undertaking essential travel to the supermarket or dairy, seeking necessary medical care or being tested for Covid-19, or to get physical exercise in their neighbourhood.

Unnecessary trips outdoors have spread the variant overseas, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.

She advised people to wear a mask when leaving the house, and stay 2 metres away from others. “Stay local, do not congregate. Don't talk to your neighbours.”

Schools, workplaces and business

Businesses will be closed, except for essential services such as supermarkets, pharmacies, health clinics, petrol stations and lifeline utilities.

Only essential workers are permitted to go to work, others must work from home.

Schools and universities will shut down, and travel is severely limited.

Events and recreation
All gatherings are cancelled at alert level 4.

All public venues, including libraries, pools, leisure centres, gyms, early childcare centres, community venues and playgrounds are closed. Some public toilets will remain open.

Many large events have been canned.

Staying in your bubble
Once you go into a bubble you must stay in it, Ardern said.

If you are completely isolated, or you live alone, you can join a bubble with one other person.

Households are advised to nominate just one person to go shopping, and “always act like you have Covid-19”.

Travelling home
There is a grace period of 48 hours for people who are away from home to return home, if they cannot shelter safely in place. After this time, movement between regions will be restricted.

Covid-19 jabs
Covid-19 vaccinations will be suspended for 48 hours to ensure they can be carried out safely.

Read more here.

1191 days ago

Missing your favourite local paper?

Reporter Northern Outlook

It’s not in your letterbox this week because of alert level 4 restrictions - but it’s still available online! You can read the latest issue of the Northern Outlook right now. Want to catch your favourite columns, puzzles, community news and local views each week? Simply subscribe here. Read now

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1192 days ago

Do you have a great rocket 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 rocket recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz before Aug 31, 2021.

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

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