Westland District, Hokitika

Want to get to know your neighbours?

Want to get to know your neighbours?

Check out our Know Thy Neighbour page here.

823 days ago

Support Daffodil Day this August

Cancer Society

Daffodil Day is the Cancer Society’s largest fundraising and awareness campaign, and it’s crucial to allow us to support those impacted by cancer. We offer everything from a helpline and counselling support through to transport and accommodation during treatment.

Cancer doesn’t stop, and … View more
Daffodil Day is the Cancer Society’s largest fundraising and awareness campaign, and it’s crucial to allow us to support those impacted by cancer. We offer everything from a helpline and counselling support through to transport and accommodation during treatment.

Cancer doesn’t stop, and with your help, we won’t either. More New Zealanders will get cancer this year than ever before and no one should face cancer alone. Just $24 helps get someone to treatment. Please give generously this Daffodil Day so we can continue to be a lifeline for people with cancer and their whānau.

To donate today, visit daffodilday.org.nz.
Know more

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826 days ago

The NZ Compare Awards are back for 2022 - Who are the best broadband, power and mobile companies?

NZ Compare

The NZ Compare Awards are back... and we have introduced MOBILE Awards for the first time returning as an in-person celebration with a Gala Awards night hosted by Mike McRoberts in Auckland on December 1st 2022.

Recognising excellence, leadership and innovation in the New Zealand utility … View more
The NZ Compare Awards are back... and we have introduced MOBILE Awards for the first time returning as an in-person celebration with a Gala Awards night hosted by Mike McRoberts in Auckland on December 1st 2022.

Recognising excellence, leadership and innovation in the New Zealand utility sectors, the NZ Compare Awards are back for the 6th year and in response to consumer demand, we have introduced MOBILE Awards for the first time.

As the boundaries between the utility industries continue to blur the organisers have responded to growing demand to increase the categories and industries celebrated by the NZ Compare Awards and will now recognise excellence and achievement within New Zealand’s BROADBAND, ENERGY and MOBILE sectors for the first time.

Award categories are consumer driven and informed by the 300,000 Kiwis who use NZ Compare websites each month. Winning carries real gravitas with the Kiwi consumer and the awards represent an opportunity to be confident in the talent and vision your company has worked so hard towards. This significant event will recognise the companies that provide New Zealanders with the very best products and services across these essential industries.

The NZ Compare Awards are supported by a wide range of companies including Movinghub, Vector Metering, Chorus, realestate.co.nz and Neighbourly. The prestigious awards will recognise the companies that provide New Zealanders with the very best products and services in their industries. With a range of different categories including best home and mobile provider, best customer support, fastest service, best rural provider and best broadband innovation.

Winning an NZ Compare Award depends on a combination of criteria. These include consumer surveys and reviews on the NZ Compare websites and decisions from our expert judging panel.

"Judged by an independent panel of New Zealand experts and presented at our gala awards event, the NZ Compare Awards provide a unique stage on which we recognize and reward the achievements of the New Zealand utility sectors." said Gavin Male, CEO of NZ Compare.

So what do you think? Give a shout out to your favourite utility provider here - not just for doing their job... we want to hear about those that go above and beyond! Who should be a winner?

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824 days ago

Are you happy in your region?

NowNext

What are the biggest issues your region is facing? Take part in the NowNext Local survey and you could win a one of twenty $100 Prezzy Card for your opinion.

Whether it’s how happy you are or if you plan on staying long term, the NowNext Local survey is getting a snapshot of how kiwis are … View more
What are the biggest issues your region is facing? Take part in the NowNext Local survey and you could win a one of twenty $100 Prezzy Card for your opinion.

Whether it’s how happy you are or if you plan on staying long term, the NowNext Local survey is getting a snapshot of how kiwis are feeling.
Take the survey

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826 days ago

Have you got a greener 'shed' than our Houseplant Hero winner?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours,

Meet our Houseplant Hero competition winner Alan Mckenzie! If all sheds came like that, we want one too. Congratulations to Alan and his many many houseplants.

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827 days ago

Celebrate a lifetime of mahi

Our passions and mahi play a large part in our legacy. When we channel that mahi into championing causes and giving back, that legacy is carried as inspiration for generations to come.

The rymanhealthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau celebrates Kiwis aged 70 and over… View more
Our passions and mahi play a large part in our legacy. When we channel that mahi into championing causes and giving back, that legacy is carried as inspiration for generations to come.

The rymanhealthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau celebrates Kiwis aged 70 and over who continue to inspire, champion causes, and give back, building lasting legacies that make us all proud to call New Zealand home.
Find out more

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829 days ago

Chill Your Bills with NZ Compare!

CEO from NZ Compare

"It’s been chilly hasn’t it Neighbours? Has your internet froze when you’re streaming all your fave shows on rainy weekends or maybe the power bill has gone crazy from trying to keep snug?!

Don't stress, we’ve got a tonne of awesome broadband and power deals to chill your … View more
"It’s been chilly hasn’t it Neighbours? Has your internet froze when you’re streaming all your fave shows on rainy weekends or maybe the power bill has gone crazy from trying to keep snug?!

Don't stress, we’ve got a tonne of awesome broadband and power deals to chill your bills instead of your wallet. Think BIG joining credits, cheap broadband, beneficial power plans and more. Limited time only, DEALS END 30th AUGUST 2022! BE QUICK!

It’s easy, just sit down over a hot cuppa or a beer – whatever tickles your fancy and take a look here. We’ll do the rest for you!"
Grab a deal

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831 days ago

Subscribe to Stuff's First Time Buyers' Club

Stuff

Making it onto the first rung of the property ladder can be an incredibly rewarding journey – and Stuff is here to help you through.

Stuff Homed has launched the First Time Buyers’ Club, an email series to help you navigate the equal-parts exciting and terrifying process of buying your first… View more
Making it onto the first rung of the property ladder can be an incredibly rewarding journey – and Stuff is here to help you through.

Stuff Homed has launched the First Time Buyers’ Club, an email series to help you navigate the equal-parts exciting and terrifying process of buying your first ever home. When you join our six-week LearnStuff course, you’ll get an email every week giving you all the basics on what you need to know, who you need on your side, and what you need to do at each stage of the journey.

We can’t make the houses any cheaper, but we can guide you through the process, share some tips from the experts, and help you avoid some of the trips and traps.

Sign up (it's free) and get started on your house-buying journey.
Find out more

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832 days ago

What would you add to this list of budget-boosting crops?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours,

Have you grown these veges and fruits, and what's on your list of money savers and budget boosters?

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832 days ago

Buller residents urged to prepare for emergency as severe floods threaten once again

The Team Reporter from The Press

From reporter Liz McDonald:

Pumps are being brought in and sandbags distributed as the Buller region on the West Coast braces for heavy rain and fast rising rivers which could bring severe flooding for the third time in just over a year.

MetService has issued weather warnings for early … View more
From reporter Liz McDonald:

Pumps are being brought in and sandbags distributed as the Buller region on the West Coast braces for heavy rain and fast rising rivers which could bring severe flooding for the third time in just over a year.

MetService has issued weather warnings for early Tuesday morning until Thursday evening.

Buller mayor Jamie Cleine said on Monday an emergency operations centre and staffing rosters were being set up.

Sandbags and sand to fill them were available at several locations on Monday for residents to collect.

He advised residents to keep a close eye on updates, including on social media.

“We’re asking people to stay tuned in.”

Civil Defence has warned Buller residents to have emergency supplies ready, be prepared for power outages, and keep up to date with the latest weather warnings. It also advised stock be moved to higher ground, pets be brought indoors, leaves be cleared from drains and spouting, and people check on neighbours.

“This could be a serious event and it is important that people know what may happen as the event unfolds,” Civil Defence regional director Claire Brown said in a statement.

MetService has issued heavy rain warnings for Buller, western Tasman, Westland, the Marlborough Sounds, and the Bryant and Richmond ranges, as well as some North Island areas. Modelling indicates 700mm to 800mm of rain could accumulate during that period in the Tasman ranges, which contain part of the catchment of the upper Buller River.

Cleine said the West Coast Regional Council’s rivers team is doing analysis on what areas will be most at risk of flooding.

The catchments of the Buller, Mokohinui and Karamea Rivers are expected to be heavily affected, and the coast would also see significant rainfall, he said.

“The numbers are currently a cause of concern to us. There’s potential for a significant event of a scale not dissimilar to July [2021] and February.”

Flooding in July last year was the region’s worst for decades, leading to evacuations over almost half of Westport and a three-week-long state of emergency.

More floods in February this year again caused widespread damage and left the town cut off.

Cleine said six water pumps have been ordered from Greymouth and Canterbury and will be placed around Westport. Placement depended on what worked last year, and whether there was somewhere for water to go, he said.

It was too early to know whether any areas would need to be evacuated, he said.

MetService has forecast rain to peak at 10mm to 15mm an hour about the Buller ranges from Tuesday morning to Thursday evening, with 300mm to 500mm expected to accumulate about the ranges south of Little Wanganui, and 150mm to 250mm elsewhere in the region.

“Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous,” the weather service has warned.

In next door Tasman district, rainfall could peak at 10mm to 15mm on Tuesday, then 15mm to 25mm on Wednesday and Thursday.

Waka Kotahi/NZ Transport Agency has warned drivers to be alert and prepare for road closures.

Civil Defence said sand is available at the following Westport locations:
Pulse Energy Recreation Centre car park – by the courts
Kawatiri Coastal Trail – Buller Bridge car park
Craddock Park – car park
Coates St – Rayner Park
Mokihinui/Seddonville – Mokihinui campground
Ngakawau/Granity – Ngakawau information centre car park
Reefton – Westreef Yard
Carters Beach – McIntyre Rd pull in
Westport Airport

Following the previous series of floods, a $26 million West Coast Regional Council flood wall and stopbank scheme to protect Westport is now awaiting Government sign-off as part of a business case for $45m of flood protection work.

The regional council recently approved a contract to repair historic stopbanks upstream of the town damaged in the July floods.

837 days ago

Support our Yuri Bear Project

Yvette Williams Retirement Village

Knitting needles are clicking across our villages and the wider community for the Yuri Bear project🐻❤️.

We’re aiming to knit 20,000 teddy bears for children displaced as a result of turmoil in their country.

We’ve been overwhelmed by the response so far, but 20,000 bears is no … View more
Knitting needles are clicking across our villages and the wider community for the Yuri Bear project🐻❤️.

We’re aiming to knit 20,000 teddy bears for children displaced as a result of turmoil in their country.

We’ve been overwhelmed by the response so far, but 20,000 bears is no small ask!

If you can knit, know someone who can or would like to find out how you can help, please click on the link below.

835 days ago

Love your compost? Pimp it up to win great prizes for your garden!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours,

To celebrate National Gardening Week (October 17-25), Yates have partnered with NZ Gardener to give away some fantastic prizes to some of the most inspirational compost builders in the country. Show us your compost setup, whether it’s tiny or huge, and the best looking compost … View more
Dear neighbours,

To celebrate National Gardening Week (October 17-25), Yates have partnered with NZ Gardener to give away some fantastic prizes to some of the most inspirational compost builders in the country. Show us your compost setup, whether it’s tiny or huge, and the best looking compost wins 1 of 9 Compost Kits (RRP $319 each).

So email through your best tip for successful compost and one photo of your composting setup to loveyourgarden@yates.co.nz by August 26, 2022 to be in to win.

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836 days ago

Ombre bedside drawers

The Team from Resene ColorShop Timaru

Use Resene Colorwood stain and colour to easily refresh a dated bedside drawer unit.

Find out how to create your own.

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836 days ago

Your whole retirement is our consideration

With the 75+ population projected to double in 20 years’ time, it’s more important than ever to choose a retirement village that is equipped to support you when you’re fully independent as well as if you need care.

That’s why Ryman villages plan ahead by offering independent living in … View more
With the 75+ population projected to double in 20 years’ time, it’s more important than ever to choose a retirement village that is equipped to support you when you’re fully independent as well as if you need care.

That’s why Ryman villages plan ahead by offering independent living in apartments and townhouses, assisted living in serviced apartments, resthome care and, in most villages, hospital and specialist dementia care.

We offer a higher ratio of care in our villages so that if your needs change, you have priority access to our care centres.
Find out more

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837 days ago

Fire causes 'extensive damage' to popular Westport restaurant

The Team Reporter from The Press

A popular restaurant in the West Coast town of Westport, Johnny’s, has suffered “extensive damage” after a fire ripped through the building on Wednesday.

Smoke could be seen billowing from the two-storey building on Palmerston St as five fire crews fought to bring the blaze under control.

View more
A popular restaurant in the West Coast town of Westport, Johnny’s, has suffered “extensive damage” after a fire ripped through the building on Wednesday.

Smoke could be seen billowing from the two-storey building on Palmerston St as five fire crews fought to bring the blaze under control.

Johnny’s owner John Lennon said he was relieved no-one was hurt.

“[We’re] still waiting for the fire to be [brought] under control, and then we can get an idea of what happened.”


Lennon and his wife, Janis, lease the downstairs part of the building where they set up Johnny’s about five-and-a-half years ago.

“Our kitchen is completely water and smoke damaged and the upstairs looks to be extensively damaged,” Lennon said.

Emergency services were called to the fire about 10.10am on Wednesday.

Palmerston St BP owner Raymond Gibson said he could see smoke coming from the building.

“I really feel for [the owners], they work really hard seven days a week,” he said.

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837 days ago

Did you start gardening in school?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours,

How many of you remember gardening in school? Hopefully, more students and teachers will be inspired by the great work being done at this amazing school.

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