Poplars Range, Hanmer Springs

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2863 days ago

Poetic praise for the Waimakariri

Shannon Beynon Reporter from Northern Outlook

A lovely email arrived in the editor's inbox this week with the following attached. The author, Jack Horsley is now 83 years old and has recently moved into a rest home at Rangiora. Brother Tony came across the hand written copy while sorting through some of his belongings and wondered if it … View moreA lovely email arrived in the editor's inbox this week with the following attached. The author, Jack Horsley is now 83 years old and has recently moved into a rest home at Rangiora. Brother Tony came across the hand written copy while sorting through some of his belongings and wondered if it might be of interest. We loved it, and are sure you will too.

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2865 days ago

Mystery plant grows over the holidays.

Reporter Northern Outlook

A Rangiora resident has been left a bit perplexed. This mystery plant has grown in their garden, but they didn't plant it. It's 1.5 metres tall with 6cm purple flower and a large 10cm wide seed head. They asked friends, gardening stores and the Department of Conservation but nobody knew a… View moreA Rangiora resident has been left a bit perplexed. This mystery plant has grown in their garden, but they didn't plant it. It's 1.5 metres tall with 6cm purple flower and a large 10cm wide seed head. They asked friends, gardening stores and the Department of Conservation but nobody knew a thing about it. Are you a botany expert? Got a green thumb? Can you name this mystery piece of garden flora? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

2866 days ago

Neighbours Day 2017: Our first 'New Years Resolution' winner ... and more

The Team from Neighbours Aotearoa

Hello Neighbours!
Welcome to 2017!! We hope that the festive season has been fabulous and that you're well rested and ready for the coming year. We're kicking off the year with our first 'New Year's Resolution' winner, our first Neighbourhood Champion, and chances for … View more
Hello Neighbours!
Welcome to 2017!! We hope that the festive season has been fabulous and that you're well rested and ready for the coming year. We're kicking off the year with our first 'New Year's Resolution' winner, our first Neighbourhood Champion, and chances for you to get involved and be in to win too.
In this newsletter we have:
- Our first 'Make it a New Years Resolution' winner , and your chance to get into the next draw,
- Only 3 days till we find out who will become our First Neighbourhood Champion
- I Heart My Hood photo competition!!

Our First 'Make it a New Year's Resolution' Winner!
We all know the new years is a time for making plans for the coming year, and we have the easiest New Year's resolution yet, and you can tick off part of it pretty quickly. Just sign up and commit to getting involved in Neighbours Day. Those that do sign up go into the draw for a $100 grocery voucher - there is still a chance to win one in January and in February.
The first of our draws for the grocery voucher has been made and the winner is Stephanie Moran of Red Beach! Congratulations Stephanie!
More on the campaign and how to get involved is below!


Make it a New Year's Resolution!
Earlier this year we put it to the Neighbours Day community to vote on the best way to launch Neighbours Day 2017. The winning idea was is 'Make it a New Years Resolution', and so that is what we're rolling with. Make getting involved in Neighbours Day your New Year's Resolution.
If you or anyone else signs up for Neighbours Day 2017 between today and the 31st of January you go in a drawer to win a $100 grocery voucher. We'll be making 2 more draws, one this month and one in February.
We know there are some of you who are real champions of Neighbours Day Aotearoa, so for those that get the most people joining up we have a little incentive for you too. We've added a section in the join up page where people can mention how they heard about Neighbours Day. This is where all those awesome people you get to join up can pop your name. If you, or your organisation, come out on tops and have the most new members joining up then you will win a $100 grocery voucher as well!!! Whaaattt!! Now that will come in handy either for your awesome Neighbours Day event, or your friendly neighbourly bbq, or will pay for the TimTam's you bring when you have a cup of tea with your neighbours.
And just in case the chance to get involved in Neighbours Day and maybe win a voucher still isn't enough then how about this! - our Neighbours Day Members get tips and advice on how to make their Neighbours Day especially awesome, how and where to apply for funding or support in your community for your neighbours day activities, AND we'll be having a few more spot prize draws in the coming months that will help make your neighbours day activities even more fabulous.
Now that right there is a even more of an incentive to get either your fine self or others you know involved! So make sure you share the love and spread the word.


Neighbourhood Champions!
There are only a few days left to get your Neighbourhood Champion nominations in. Our January Neighbourhood champion gets the chance to win this beautiful pohutakawa necklace from Paul Harris Art and Design. Next month we have a lovely Orania skin care package to give our Neighbourhood Champion. So get those stories into Kiaora@neighboursday.org.nz

I Heart My Hood Photo Competition
This month we will launching the I Heart My Hood photo competition. We'll be announcing the launch date on facebook and on our website in the coming weeks.
This year we're doing it a little differently. We really want to see and hear about the people in your neighbourhood. Portraits of our neighbourhood champions, or the people that to you personify your community or 'hood'. To help focus (excuse the photography pun) we've chosen three themes.
1 - I Heart the History of My Hood
Everywhere we live has history, and stories. Do you know your hood's history? Or maybe you know someone who has lived in the community for what seems like a million years, and know the place like that back of their hand. Was your hood the birth place of the women's vote, or maybe site of the biggest lamington ever made way back in 53' ....(Yes I know, random, but honestly we're interesting in anything and everything)... We want to capture that both photographically and with a little text to accompany the image. It could be a quote, or a short version of the story that's been told. By the way - this is also an awesome way to get our older 'story tellers' involved.
2 - I Heart Diversity in my Hood
New Zealand really has become a melting pot and that brings with it the rainbow of diversity of all kinds. We want to capture some of that photographically and again with a little story, quote or text that adds to the diversity story of your community. Maybe you have the 'united nations' living on one street, maybe your neighbourhood pot luck dinners are better and more interesting than an international food fair could every dream of! We want to see and hear about it.
3 - I Heart My Healthy Hood
With our clean green image, amazing fresh foods, picture perfect outdoor environment, we know there are neighbourhoods out there that personify 'health'. Is your neighbourhood or neighbour one of them? It could be through a neighbourhood walking group, or a 'from garden to plate thanks to the shared neighbourhood community garden' kind of thing. It might be a neighbourhood that has committed to getting the kids off screens and outside, or maybe its a whole street of cross fit power vegans ..... probably not ... but you never know. What ever it is, we want to see and hear about it with a great photo of the people involved, and a great quote or (short) story to go with it.
So get snapping and chatting. We'll have more information on I Heart My Hood available on facebook and on our website.
We're starting 2017 with a hiss and a roar. We hope you are too!

Make sure you sign up for Neighbours Day 2017. If you get a sudden urge to share Neighbours Day on social media, don't fight that urge and use - #neighboursday . If you have some awesome neighbourly stories feel free to email them to us at kiaora@neighboursday.org.nz.

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2866 days ago

Back at work? Make a plan

The Team from Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management

If you're back in the office today, we hope you're not struggling too much. Do you know how you'll get home if there's no transport or who will get the kids if you can't get to them? Work through our Personal Workplace Emergency Plan and decide what you will do.
View more
If you're back in the office today, we hope you're not struggling too much. Do you know how you'll get home if there's no transport or who will get the kids if you can't get to them? Work through our Personal Workplace Emergency Plan and decide what you will do.
getthru.govt.nz...
Visit www.happens.nz... for more hints and tips.

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2878 days ago

Don't miss your chance to win!

Roadshow Films

Looking for something to do in the holidays? Why not check out RED DOG: True Blue!

When eleven year old Mick is shipped off to his grandfather's cattle station in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia, he prepares himself for a life of dull hardship. Instead he finds myth, … View more
Looking for something to do in the holidays? Why not check out RED DOG: True Blue!

When eleven year old Mick is shipped off to his grandfather's cattle station in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia, he prepares himself for a life of dull hardship. Instead he finds myth, adventure and friendship with a scrappy, one-of-a-kind dog that will change his life forever. RED DOG: True Blue is a story of friendship, loyalty and acceptance and is perfect for families and dog lovers of all ages. Want to win a double pass?

Simply like or thank this post before 9 January for your chance to WIN one of ten double passes to RED DOG: True Blue.
Watch the trailer

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2885 days ago

A true Christmas miracle

Matthew Salmons Reporter from Northern Outlook

Phillipa Gill was told to prepare for her husband John's funeral on Saturday. On Sunday he was awake and winking at nurses.
Check out the full story at: www.stuff.co.nz...

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2886 days ago

Christmas Connections

The Team from Age Concern New Zealand

If you haven’t already made contact with your neighbours and older relatives, the holiday season is a perfect opportunity to break the ice.

Sometimes we get caught up in the Christmas rush, and don’t take time to think about people who may be experiencing a much quieter holiday season. … View more
If you haven’t already made contact with your neighbours and older relatives, the holiday season is a perfect opportunity to break the ice.

Sometimes we get caught up in the Christmas rush, and don’t take time to think about people who may be experiencing a much quieter holiday season. Contact with older people can help families to connect with what Christmas is really about, and it’s a great time to explore memories and think about traditions.

We will posting 5 tips leading up to Christmas on how you can connect with your older neighbours this Holiday Season.

5. Look out for them
Look out for your neighbours this holiday season. Be mindful that Christmas can be a tough time for some older people, especially those who live alone. Small gestures of kindness can make this time much easier for older people who may be lonely.

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2886 days ago

Get decorating and $ave the GST!

Resene

Hi neighbours! Summer is here and it’s a great time to get decorating. Right now you can save the GST on Resene premium paints, stains, primers, sealers, wallpaper, decorating accessories and cleaning products at your local Resene ColorShop or participating reseller. Plus if you have a Resene … View moreHi neighbours! Summer is here and it’s a great time to get decorating. Right now you can save the GST on Resene premium paints, stains, primers, sealers, wallpaper, decorating accessories and cleaning products at your local Resene ColorShop or participating reseller. Plus if you have a Resene ColorShop Card or Resene DIY Card, you can enjoy extra savings on a range of products. It's our Christmas gift to you! Offer runs until 31 January 2017. Learn more

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2887 days ago

Win one of 10 double passes to the ultimate family movie!

Roadshow Films

When eleven year old Mick is shipped off to his grandfather's cattle station in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia, he prepares himself for a life of dull hardship. Instead he finds myth, adventure and friendship with a scrappy, one-of-a-kind dog that will change his life forever. … View moreWhen eleven year old Mick is shipped off to his grandfather's cattle station in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia, he prepares himself for a life of dull hardship. Instead he finds myth, adventure and friendship with a scrappy, one-of-a-kind dog that will change his life forever. RED DOG: True Blue is a story of friendship, loyalty and acceptance and is perfect for families and dog lovers of all ages. Want to win a double pass?

Simply like or thank this post before 9 January for your chance to WIN one of ten double passes to RED DOG: True Blue.
Watch the trailer

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2888 days ago

Christmas Connections

The Team from Age Concern New Zealand

If you haven’t already made contact with your older relatives or neighbour, the holiday season is a perfect opportunity to break the ice.

Sometimes we get caught up in the Christmas rush, and don’t take time to think about people who may be experiencing a much quieter holiday season. … View more
If you haven’t already made contact with your older relatives or neighbour, the holiday season is a perfect opportunity to break the ice.

Sometimes we get caught up in the Christmas rush, and don’t take time to think about people who may be experiencing a much quieter holiday season. Contact with older people can help families to connect with what Christmas is really about, and it’s a great time to explore memories and think about traditions.

We will posting 5 tips leading up to Christmas on how you can connect with your older people this Holiday Season.

4. Pop over with a jar of jam or pickles or your favourite recipe.
This will give you a good opportunity to have a chat. Maybe you will learn something about your neighbour that you don’t already know. This social connection can be a great chance to explore traditions and share memories.

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2891 days ago

Where will you go?

The Team from Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management

Do you know where to go if a tsunami happens when you are at home, work, school or anywhere else?

Contact your local Civil Defence group to find tsunami zone maps for your area and plan your route today. www.civildefence.govt.nz...
If you are near the coast, remember LONG OR STRONG: GET GONE
View more
Do you know where to go if a tsunami happens when you are at home, work, school or anywhere else?

Contact your local Civil Defence group to find tsunami zone maps for your area and plan your route today. www.civildefence.govt.nz...
If you are near the coast, remember LONG OR STRONG: GET GONE
If you feel an earthquake that lasts for more than a minute or makes it hard to stand up, don’t wait for an official tsunami warning. Move immediately to the nearest high ground or as far inland as you can. Walk or bike if you can. Stay there until you get the all clear.

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2891 days ago

Activate

Rachel Roberts from Inspiring Communities

Inspiring Communities is running a very cool two day event in Auckland in April. it's for everyone working in, with or alongside neighbourhoods and communities. We are taking buses to the four corners of Auckland to see first hand how communities are to see first-hand how community-led … View moreInspiring Communities is running a very cool two day event in Auckland in April. it's for everyone working in, with or alongside neighbourhoods and communities. We are taking buses to the four corners of Auckland to see first hand how communities are to see first-hand how community-led development is happening across the city. Local hosts will introduce participants to projects, approaches, relationships and success factors that grow resilience, that is driven by and works for local people. And then we will take what we learn into a second day of interactive workshops. Activate is the first of its kind in New Zealand - it's going to be great - click on our link for all the details.

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2893 days ago

Make time to call the older people you know this Christmas.

The Team from Age Concern New Zealand

Sometimes we get caught up in the Christmas rush, and don’t take time to think about people who may be experiencing a much quieter holiday season. Contact with older people can help families to connect with what Christmas is really about, and it’s a great time to explore memories and think … View moreSometimes we get caught up in the Christmas rush, and don’t take time to think about people who may be experiencing a much quieter holiday season. Contact with older people can help families to connect with what Christmas is really about, and it’s a great time to explore memories and think about traditions.

Age Concern New Zealand will posting 5 tips leading up to Christmas on how you can connect this Holiday Season.

3. Ring your older family members and friends to wish them happy holidays. Something as simple as a phone call can have positive benefits that go both ways. Connection with older people can help families to connect with what Christmas is really about.

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2894 days ago

Nominate your Neighbourhood Champion

The Team from Neighbours Aotearoa

We all know a neighbour who goes above and beyond, are the glue of our street or community and who really make a difference in our lives. Neighbours Day Aotearoa wants to celebrate those people, so we are introducing the NEIGHBOURHOOD CHAMPIONS. Each month we will be sending a wee gift of thanks to… View moreWe all know a neighbour who goes above and beyond, are the glue of our street or community and who really make a difference in our lives. Neighbours Day Aotearoa wants to celebrate those people, so we are introducing the NEIGHBOURHOOD CHAMPIONS. Each month we will be sending a wee gift of thanks to the neighbourhood champion of the month. How does it work? You can nominate a champion in your neighbourhood by emailing kiaora@neighboursday.org.nz with the story, a picture if you have one, and your neighbourhood champion's contact number or address if you have it so we can get in touch with the if they win. We will post the story and the picture on our facebook page. The story that gets the most likes that month wins the gift of thanks. Our first gift is this beautiful Pohutukawa Pendant from Paul Harris Art and Design .... perfect summer gift, and a perfect gift of thanks.

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2896 days ago

Connect with your older neighbours this Holiday Season - Tip 2

The Team from Age Concern New Zealand

If you haven’t already made contact with your neighbour, the holiday season is a perfect opportunity to break the ice.

Sometimes we get caught up in the Christmas rush, and don’t take time to think about people who may be experiencing a much quieter holiday season. Contact with older people… View more
If you haven’t already made contact with your neighbour, the holiday season is a perfect opportunity to break the ice.

Sometimes we get caught up in the Christmas rush, and don’t take time to think about people who may be experiencing a much quieter holiday season. Contact with older people can help families to connect with what Christmas is really about, and it’s a great time to explore memories and think about traditions.

We will posting 5 tips leading up to Christmas on how you can connect with your older neighbours this Holiday Season.

2. Pop over with a hand-made card from a child
A little note to say Happy Holidays can make the world of difference to an older neighbour. Have your son or daughter make up a card or get your crafty hat on and make one yourself. It’s a great excuse to pop over and have a nice chat.

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