Thank you for using Neighbourly
We're getting some amazing entries from gardeners obsessed with their indoor plants, and we're enjoying their stories too. There's still time to send us your entry for our Houseplant Hero 2022 competition. You could win some great prizes, and (of course) more houseplants!
Metservice have issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the areas of Nelson, Buller, Westland, Canterbury High Country and Fiordland for today, Wednesday 1 June.
Due to an airmass with rapidly moving thunderstorms, the watch is in place until 3pm These thunderstorms are expected to bring damaging… View moreMetservice have issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the areas of Nelson, Buller, Westland, Canterbury High Country and Fiordland for today, Wednesday 1 June.
Due to an airmass with rapidly moving thunderstorms, the watch is in place until 3pm These thunderstorms are expected to bring damaging wind gusts of more than 110 km/h and localised tornadoes.
Strong wind gusts of this magnitude could cause some structural damage to trees and power lines. If any tornadoes occur, they will only affect very localised areas.
Motorists are asked to drive with extreme caution during this time.
Get 30% off the normal retail price of Resene wallpapers at your local Resene ColorShop until 20 June 2022.
Choose from thousands of wallpaper designs in the Resene Wallpaper Collection – everything from nature and geo inspired designs to textured and plain wallpapers – there really is … View moreGet 30% off the normal retail price of Resene wallpapers at your local Resene ColorShop until 20 June 2022.
Choose from thousands of wallpaper designs in the Resene Wallpaper Collection – everything from nature and geo inspired designs to textured and plain wallpapers – there really is something to suit all tastes!
Excludes wall decals, WallPrint and clearance items. Not available in conjunction with any other offer.
View the full collection at your local Resene ColorShop or get a taste of the latest wallpaper release and trends online.
Retirement is a chapter in life filled with possibility, and at a Ryman village we want to make that chapter the best it can be. That’s why we offer living options to suit everyone, it’s why our terms come with certainty, it’s why we continually innovate, and it’s why we offer care on site … View moreRetirement is a chapter in life filled with possibility, and at a Ryman village we want to make that chapter the best it can be. That’s why we offer living options to suit everyone, it’s why our terms come with certainty, it’s why we continually innovate, and it’s why we offer care on site so you can plan for the future. The Ryman Guide will help you choose the lifestyle you want to live at a Ryman village, so you can embrace every opportunity.
Click here to get your free copy.
Do you ever walk past a business affected by Covid and wonder what you could do to help? We created Short Notice to link community members with spare time on their hands to surrounding businesses in need.
Whether you have a week, a day or an hour to volunteer, head to the … View moreDo you ever walk past a business affected by Covid and wonder what you could do to help? We created Short Notice to link community members with spare time on their hands to surrounding businesses in need.
Whether you have a week, a day or an hour to volunteer, head to the Short Notice community hub to introduce yourself and share how you can lend a hand.
If you're a business owner sign up for a FREE Premium Business listing to get access to Short Notice and let your community know what help you need.
Together, let's help keep our small businesses thriving!
It's time to unleash the artist within you, showcase your DIY creative skills and spruce up an old item or completely repurpose it! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.
We want to see your amazing creations so … View moreIt's time to unleash the artist within you, showcase your DIY creative skills and spruce up an old item or completely repurpose it! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.
We want to see your amazing creations so don't be afraid to go all out! Check out some of the previous entires here.
Take part in the 2022 Resene Upcycling Awards. There are four great prizes worth $500 up for grabs: a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!
Dear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for yam recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz before June 3, 2022.
Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Homegrown Recipes.
Ombre tones help create a gallery-worthy table. Choose tone on tone hues from the Resene Multifinish collection for a quick ombre look.
Find out how to create your own.
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A "lot of potential work" is seen necessary to repair and improve stopbanks on the Wanganui River flats near Harihari.
The Wanganui River badly damaged rockwalls and eroded farmland during the February flood which also struck Westport.
… View moreFrom local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A "lot of potential work" is seen necessary to repair and improve stopbanks on the Wanganui River flats near Harihari.
The Wanganui River badly damaged rockwalls and eroded farmland during the February flood which also struck Westport.
Already a new protection wall less than 0.5-kilometres long has been built after a huge chunk of farmland on the true right bank of the Wanganui was washed away.
The West Coast Regional Council heard at its May meeting that some of the urgent work was approved by the end of April as an emergency procurement, by the previous director of operations Randal Beal.
The emergency procurement is allowed under council's delegations manual due to natural disasters.
A report to the meeting said verbal quotes were to be confirmed and "availability to start" was the selection criteria.
"Rock lining the wall is a capital cost ... of approximately $100,000 to the adjoining landowners.''
Council engineer James Bell had met with affected landowners from the Wanganui rating district who had confirmed the plan to proceed.
The work had been awarded to Arnold Contracting with onsite stockpiles of rock to be used.
Cr Debra Magner said she had visited the area with regional council staff.
There were two pieces of work to be done, one of which was already under way. The other work would be reliant on rating district approval.
"There's going to be quite a lot of potential work on the Wanganui," Magner said.
Chief executive Heather Mabin said the issue facing the Wanganui rating district linked to a broader issue of how to pay.
From the February flood alone, $326,000 had been spent on emergency works.
"We are very aware that there needs to be a national plan."
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
The West Coast Regional Council has posted "an unexpectedly large" surplus of $16.6 million in its delayed 2020-21 annual report.
The draft, cleared by Audit NZ, will be tabled on Tuesday at the audit and risk committee meeting, and is … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
The West Coast Regional Council has posted "an unexpectedly large" surplus of $16.6 million in its delayed 2020-21 annual report.
The draft, cleared by Audit NZ, will be tabled on Tuesday at the audit and risk committee meeting, and is expected to be formally adopted next month.
The report is late due to Covid-related constraints on the auditing process. The reporting time was relaxed nationally through a law change for a large number of affected local authorities.
Chairman Allan Birchfield described 2020-21 as a "turbulent year" as the long-term impacts of Covid were felt throughout the region.
Revenue was greater than budgeted by $17.4m, mainly due to the transfer of the Greymouth floodwall assets from the Grey District Council to the regional council. The floodwall has since been valued at $15.6m.
The addition of the floodwall increased the infrastructure asset base to $103.7m, and dominated the council's balance sheet.
Subsidies and grants were $1.1m more than budgeted because of higher than expected funding from the Government for infrastructure projects.
Investment income was up $679,000 because of better than expected returns on investments.
Expenditure was up $809,000, mainly due to unforeseen spending on infrastructure. In particular, $452,000 was spent on modelling for the Westport flood warning forecast, part of the requirements for the proposed flood protection scheme.
In the year to June 30 last year, part-year remuneration for then chief executive Vin Smith totalled $168,115 (2019-20 it was $255,729).
Mr Smith left during July 2021, and therefore any related severance pay will not be disclosed until next year's annual plan.
Total costs for the council's 73 staff was $6.5m (75 staff and $5.8m the previous year).
Elected representative costs were $409,454 (2019-2020 $372,718).
Three staff members earned between $160,000 and $280,000. The council also had eight staff receiving between $100,000 and $159,999; the previous year it had six in that pay bracket.
Current chief executive Heather Mabin said 'governance' costs of $642,152 were over-budget by $220,149.
Ms Mabin said that reflected increased costs of finalising the 10-year long-term plan.
The increased governance cost was predominantly audit fees, she said.
Birchfield said the council was successful in receiving $900,000 in 2020-21 to fund flood resilience projects in the Hokitika, Greymouth and Westport rating districts.
The hunt is officially on for New Zealand's best collection of houseplants
. Which means you could be 2022 Houseplant Hero. There’s some great prizes to be won! To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) what potted plants you have, the time you put into caring for them, and what … View moreThe hunt is officially on for New Zealand's best collection of houseplants
. Which means you could be 2022 Houseplant Hero. There’s some great prizes to be won! To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) what potted plants you have, the time you put into caring for them, and what you love about them. Send us up to five photos of your indoor plant displays. Email mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Meanwhile, here's last year's winner Alyce Read, from Nelson.
Only 36 seats left - Showing 25th May at Ashburton Cinema.
Selling Fast.
Who would have thought pine chair feet could make such an amazing addition to your home décor? Painting these with Resene testpots and stacking them to make contemporary candle holders is a breeze.
Find out how to create your own.
Thinking about a career in IT as a Web Developer? Our NZ Diploma in Web Development and Design (Level 5) will teach you how to develop great websites in just one year! This programme will give you the development and design skills you need to make your mark in an exciting industry.
No University… View moreThinking about a career in IT as a Web Developer? Our NZ Diploma in Web Development and Design (Level 5) will teach you how to develop great websites in just one year! This programme will give you the development and design skills you need to make your mark in an exciting industry.
No University entrance required! All you need is NCEA Level 2 to |get yourself started| on this journey into the IT industry.
Enrol now for our July intake at vision.ac.nz
The Aviation Museum Ashburton is holding a pre-release screening of Top Gun Maverick at the Ashburton Regent Cinema 25th May.
Less than 53 tickets left!
Tickets Selling Fast!
Call Stephen - 027 649-0650 or Dennis - 027 222-1281 to purchase.
© Neighbourly 2025
Loading…
