Kawakawa Bay - Orere Point, Kawakawa Bay

Ryman’s Walk in Wednesdays

Ryman’s Walk in Wednesdays

Ryman villages across the country are open every Wednesday in November.

1384 days ago

Where did all the waterbeds go?

Kylie Klein Nixon Reporter from Homed

Did you have - or do you still have - a Waterbed? I hunted high and low for someone who still used one of the originals, but couldn't find a soul who'd own up to it.
What do you think about these wonderfully kitsch pieces of retro bedroom decor?

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1383 days ago

Final Push for Rail Replacement: Southern Line

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Trains will not run on Saturdays and Sundays between Papakura and Pukekohe until the end of March as KiwiRail finishes repairing worn rail on the Southern line.

The Pukekohe line is the final section of the Auckland rail network that needs re-railing since KiwiRail began urgent work on the tracks … View more
Trains will not run on Saturdays and Sundays between Papakura and Pukekohe until the end of March as KiwiRail finishes repairing worn rail on the Southern line.

The Pukekohe line is the final section of the Auckland rail network that needs re-railing since KiwiRail began urgent work on the tracks in August, said KiwiRail chief operating officer Todd Moyle.

“We know train users on this line typically travel longer distances so we have planned our work for weekends and evenings to avoid interrupting their weekday travel plans.

“To maximise productivity for KiwiRail teams working on the line, freight trains will also not run on weekends during the day."

Trains resumed running on the Eastern line this week after a two-week closure to replace worn rail track and sleepers.

Rail replacement work between Swanson and Papakura has been brought to fruition meaning trains can return to their 10-minute frequencies during peak times across the Auckland network.

Staff are working at night to de-stress the new rail and carry out other finishing work to avoid impacting daytime services.

Go to www.kiwirail.co.nz... for more information.

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1383 days ago

Our February SuperSeniors Newsletter is out now!

Office for Seniors

Our first SuperSeniors Newsletter of the year is out now!

This issue has information about a free driving course from Age Concern New Zealand and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, some advice from SPCA about pet ownership, a warning from Consumer NZ about a discount scheme being offered to … View more
Our first SuperSeniors Newsletter of the year is out now!

This issue has information about a free driving course from Age Concern New Zealand and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, some advice from SPCA about pet ownership, a warning from Consumer NZ about a discount scheme being offered to seniors, tips on how to look after your wellbeing and loads more.

Check it out and pass it on! bit.ly...

Want to subscribe? You can do so here: bit.ly...

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1386 days ago

Poll: Which photograph takes the cake?

Ashleigh from Neighbourly.co.nz

Kia ora Aotearoa! Stuff has just finished their annual Summer Snaps competition and we’re thrilled to announce that you'll be the judge of the People and Communities photograph category.
Stuff received almost 300 entries in the category featuring all things local and we have whittled these… View more
Kia ora Aotearoa! Stuff has just finished their annual Summer Snaps competition and we’re thrilled to announce that you'll be the judge of the People and Communities photograph category.
Stuff received almost 300 entries in the category featuring all things local and we have whittled these down to six brilliantly captured photographs in the running to win a Canon EOS camera.

You can hear more about these finalist entries on our blog, but judging is simple:
Cast your vote in the poll below before 3pm, February 11.

Which photograph takes the cake?
  • 42.5% Finalist 1: Ken Hansen (The beach)
    42.5% Complete
  • 11.8% Finalist 2: Tiana Golder (Mana Wāhine)
    11.8% Complete
  • 12.4% Finalist 3: Tom Mazey (Vintage cars)
    12.4% Complete
  • 7% Finalist 4: Vivian Gehrmann (On the farm)
    7% Complete
  • 16.6% Finalist 5: Stephane Dussau (Maori Battallion)
    16.6% Complete
  • 9.8% Finalist 6: Kate Henry (Kids playing)
    9.8% Complete
1332 votes
1384 days ago

Auckland's Waiheke Island seeks Dark Sky sanctuary status

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Waiheke Island groups are wishing on a star to keep the Milky Way clearly in their sight.

The Waiheke Local Board is finalising an application for International Dark-Sky Association accreditation to protect the island’s nightscape, which is heaven for stargazers.

The request, expected to be … View more
Waiheke Island groups are wishing on a star to keep the Milky Way clearly in their sight.

The Waiheke Local Board is finalising an application for International Dark-Sky Association accreditation to protect the island’s nightscape, which is heaven for stargazers.

The request, expected to be submitted by May, is backed by Dark-sky New Zealand, Piritahi Marae, Ngati Paoa Iwi Trust, the Department of Conservation and several community groups on the island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf.

Accreditation would highlight the island’s lack of light pollution and help protect dark night skies for future generations, Waiheke resident Nalayini​ Davies, from Dark-sky New Zealand, told the board.

She said visitors flocked to Waiheke to see the beaches and vineyards but the accreditation could spark a gradual shift towards eco-tourism and sustainability.

“If people come to look at the starry skies, it’s a different kind of people than the 20-somethings that have come here for a hen party.”

Research shows bright lighting at night is harmful to human health and impacts on wildlife, Davies said.

“Turtles come to the shore to lay their eggs and the baby turtles, when they hatch, use moonlight to navigate their way back to the ocean,” she said.

“If there are artificial lights on the shore, they get disoriented, don’t go to the ocean, and they get caught by predators.”

The beauty of the conservation initiative is that light pollution is the easiest type to control, she said.

“If we collectively switch our lights off there’s no light pollution.”

The board is working with the Waiheke Dark Skies Group on the application to establish a Dark Skies Park for eastern Waiheke and, if successful, might develop the concept across the island.

Davies said Auckland Transport had done its bit for conservation by replacing all the street lights in eastern Waiheke to 3000K LEDs at their own cost and had “made sure they were at zero tilt”.

This reduces sky glow and the effect on human melatonin production.

“They [Auckland Transport] are working their way slowly through west Waiheke as step two,” she said.

If successful, Waiheke will follow Great Barrier Island as the next bright star of New Zealand’s dark skies.

In 2017, Aotea/Great Barrier Island was named the world’s third Dark Sky Sanctuary, and the first island sanctuary, an honour it now shares with Rakiura/Stewart Island.

Photographs: Supplied: Mikey Mackinven: Waiheke Island's dark skies.

Would you like to see Waiheke Island achieve dark sky status?

Why?

*Please put NFP if you do not want your comments used by Stuff.

1384 days ago

Want or need a life coach?

Yvonne from The Real Life Coach Ltd

Call me, and in just FOUR simple questions (that take no more than about FIVE minutes), I'll be able to help you decide whether I'm the right person to coach you. I'm a qualified positive psychology coach, working from Beachlands, and available on Zoom. Very affordable, and great … View moreCall me, and in just FOUR simple questions (that take no more than about FIVE minutes), I'll be able to help you decide whether I'm the right person to coach you. I'm a qualified positive psychology coach, working from Beachlands, and available on Zoom. Very affordable, and great results.

1384 days ago

Bins out by 7am

The Team from Auckland Council

Please ensure that your rubbish bin or bag, and recycling bin are placed out on the kerbside by 7am.

Check your collection details here.

Together we can protect our land and waste nothing.
Learn more

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1385 days ago

Southern Homes

Sanjeev Thakur Reporter from Homed - Southern Homes

Check the latest listing from Jay Singh in Clevedon. Southern homes goes out to 92,000 letterboxes.You could also pick your own copy from the nearest Real Estate office

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1385 days ago

It's not too late to apply.

Manukau Institute of Technology

You've still got time to apply for our February intake.

We have options for everyone, from certificate, to diploma, or degree. You might also be eligible for one of our free* study options.

Come join us, where the best makers are made.

Don't delay. Demand for our February … View more
You've still got time to apply for our February intake.

We have options for everyone, from certificate, to diploma, or degree. You might also be eligible for one of our free* study options.

Come join us, where the best makers are made.

Don't delay. Demand for our February intake is high.
Apply now

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1386 days ago

Round the Bays 2021 with Harold the Giraffe

Papakura Toyota

We are delighted to support Life Education Counties Manukau ... you can too!

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1388 days ago

Is it OK in these Covid times to de-mask for a beer or a coffee on a ferry?

Todd Niall Reporter from Auckland Stuff

Hi Neighbours, If mask-wearing is mandatory on all public transport, why are more people not getting pulled up for failing to do so. And does it make sense to allowed masks to drop for a beer, wine or coffee? Read the story below:

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1388 days ago

Hunger for Colour - swap and save!

Resene

Swap a can of food for a FREE Resene testpot!

Bring a can of food into your local Resene owned ColorShop and you can swap it for a Resene testpot (60-80ml).

Resene will then donate all the food brought in to The Salvation Army local foodbanks and other community foodbanks.

By adding a … View more
Swap a can of food for a FREE Resene testpot!

Bring a can of food into your local Resene owned ColorShop and you can swap it for a Resene testpot (60-80ml).

Resene will then donate all the food brought in to The Salvation Army local foodbanks and other community foodbanks.

By adding a little more colour to your life you can also help those in need. When you donate a can of food you'll save on your testpot purchase (save up to $5.80 on an 80ml testpot) while also helping provide disadvantaged Kiwis with food parcels when they need them most.
Find out more

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1415 days ago

Make a submission - Draft Annual Plan 2021/2022

The Team from Auckland Museum

Aucklanders, do you want to help your Museum become even better? Take a few minutes to have your say on our Draft Annual Plan for 2021/2022 and tell us what's important to you.

Submissions close 5pm Mon 8 Feb 2021

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1390 days ago

There are so many reasons to be grateful to call Aotearoa New Zealand our home. 😌🙏

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

Let's keep working together to make our communities better for everyone while honouring Te Ao Māori.

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1390 days ago

Southern Homes- Homed

Sanjeev Thakur Reporter from Homed - Southern Homes

Invest- Develope with this offering from Rodney.

The Homed - Southern Homes , goes out to over 92,000 letterboxes in your area

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