Macraes, Macraes Flat

Have you got your tickets yet?

Have you got your tickets yet?

For just $15, you could win a fully furnished home in Clarks Beach, Auckland worth over $1 million. Buy your tickets today!

765 days ago

The Must-Give Christmas Gift!

Christmas Box

Meeting an ever-increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food in a time of need, it also brings a reminder that there is a community of people who care.

We believe by alleviating some of the pressure that families feel at Christmas time through our food parcels, … View more
Meeting an ever-increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food in a time of need, it also brings a reminder that there is a community of people who care.

We believe by alleviating some of the pressure that families feel at Christmas time through our food parcels, it will create a lasting impact that goes beyond a treat at Christmas.

For only $40 you can donate a Christmas Box to a family in need, providing not just practical help, but much deserved hope too.
Donate now

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770 days ago

Poll: Should there be a parade for the Black Ferns?

Ashleigh from Neighbourly.co.nz

Our national women’s rugby team took out the Rugby World Cup on Saturday in a tense finale at Eden Park. The Black Ferns won the match by just three points taking home their sixth world title.

With public celebrations taking place following the All Blacks (men's) Rugby World Cup wins … View more
Our national women’s rugby team took out the Rugby World Cup on Saturday in a tense finale at Eden Park. The Black Ferns won the match by just three points taking home their sixth world title.

With public celebrations taking place following the All Blacks (men's) Rugby World Cup wins (2011 & 2015) as well as parades for the America's cup team, do you think similar celebration plans are needed for our winning Black Ferns women?

Should there be a parade for the Black Ferns?
  • 65.8% Absolutely, it's an event to be celebrated.
    65.8% Complete
  • 5.6% No, times are tough.
    5.6% Complete
  • 24.3% No need for a parade, but I'm still very proud of the Black Ferns.
    24.3% Complete
  • 4.2% I didn't know the Rugby World Cup was on?
    4.2% Complete
4366 votes
766 days ago

Gift yourself and a loved one

Sunday Star-Times

Hey Neighbours!

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift? Between now and 31 December, purchase a 3-month subscription to Sunday Star-Times for a friend, loved one (or yourself), and you'll receive a gorgeous soy candle selection worth $49 from Linden Leaves absolutely free.

Use promo … View more
Hey Neighbours!

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift? Between now and 31 December, purchase a 3-month subscription to Sunday Star-Times for a friend, loved one (or yourself), and you'll receive a gorgeous soy candle selection worth $49 from Linden Leaves absolutely free.

Use promo code 'Christmas' at the checkout to redeem this unmissable deal!

The team at Sunday Star-Times
Subscribe now

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769 days ago

Home and property inspiration delivered to your inbox

Homed

What better way to while away a Friday afternoon and get your weekend DIY inspiration than drooling over the most beautiful house and garden content of the week?

|Homed newsletter| takes you inside gorgeous New Zealand homes, showcases the latest interior trends, provides project ideas, and … View more
What better way to while away a Friday afternoon and get your weekend DIY inspiration than drooling over the most beautiful house and garden content of the week?

|Homed newsletter| takes you inside gorgeous New Zealand homes, showcases the latest interior trends, provides project ideas, and more. Be inspired to dream big about your own space - and get on the path to making those dreams come true. Sign up for free here.
Sign up now

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778 days ago

Win a brand-new home!

Heart Foundation

For only $15 a ticket, you can win a brand-new home in Whitianga valued at over $1.2 million. Built to perfection by Jennian Homes, this three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is spacious, open-planned and comes fully-furnished!

Make it your permanent residence, a holiday home, a rental or sell it … View more
For only $15 a ticket, you can win a brand-new home in Whitianga valued at over $1.2 million. Built to perfection by Jennian Homes, this three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is spacious, open-planned and comes fully-furnished!

Make it your permanent residence, a holiday home, a rental or sell it – it could be all yours for only $15! Be in to win by purchasing a ticket today.
Find out more

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778 days ago

Know a deserving neighbour?

Ashleigh from Neighbourly.co.nz

Every week, locals are being nominated for a Nice Neighbour Award and we think there's likely someone in your life who is worthy.
Whether it's someone who has been there in a time of need, has helped your family, or who regularly volunteers their time in their community - we'd love… View more
Every week, locals are being nominated for a Nice Neighbour Award and we think there's likely someone in your life who is worthy.
Whether it's someone who has been there in a time of need, has helped your family, or who regularly volunteers their time in their community - we'd love to hear about them.

If your neighbour is picked as this week's Nice Neighbour, you’ll both receive a $25 Prezzy® card plus your special neighbour will feature in community newspapers around New Zealand as an inspiration to us all.

Let us know who should be recognised for their good deeds by nominating now.

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787 days ago

Poll: When it comes to mowing the street berm, do you take care of the neighbour's too?

Colleen from Neighbourly.co.nz

There's a fine line between being helpful and minding your own business.

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When it comes to mowing the street berm, do you take care of the neighbour's too?
  • 32.1% Of course! It's the neighbourly thing to do.
    32.1% Complete
  • 21.1% I'd consider it, but probably wouldn't without checking first.
    21.1% Complete
  • 13.8% No way, I can barely get my own done as it is.
    13.8% Complete
  • 30.3% I don't have a berm so it's not an option to consider.
    30.3% Complete
  • 2.8% People mow berms?
    2.8% Complete
109 votes
783 days ago

Is Queenstown really bucking the housing market trend?

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Otago News

By reporter Miriam Bell:

Queenstown house prices remain the highest in the country, and its market appears to be going against the broader declining trend, experts say.

In the latest figures from Quotable Value (QV), the Queenstown-Lakes District is the only region to record a quarterly … View more
By reporter Miriam Bell:

Queenstown house prices remain the highest in the country, and its market appears to be going against the broader declining trend, experts say.

In the latest figures from Quotable Value (QV), the Queenstown-Lakes District is the only region to record a quarterly price increase. It has the average price up 0.2% to $1.69 million in September.

On an annual basis, the average is up 11.6% from the same time last year, and it is 4.5% higher than at the start of the year.

Likewise, CoreLogic has Queenstown’s average up by 0.4% last month, and by 12.9% annually, to $1.68m in September.

In contrast, both property companies show the national average, and prices in much of the rest of the country, on a downward trajectory.

And in Auckland and Wellington, there have been double-digit price declines since the market peak late last year, according to the Real Estate Institute.

CoreLogic chief property economist Kelvin Davidson says the Queenstown market is a small market, and that means its price and sales figures can jump around quite a bit on a monthly basis.

But its prices have remained pretty stable in the last six to seven months, over a period when prices in other markets have fallen, he says.

“There is a sense of stability, rather than prices continuing to rise markedly, but that is in a market that is already expensive and which has affordability issues.

“It is not immune to trends around interest rates and lending, so I wouldn’t rule out some price falls in future, even if they are smaller than elsewhere, but currently Queenstown’s market is holding up well.”

There were concerns about the Queenstown market’s future in the early days of Covid, but the area’s physical attributes and lifestyle appeal meant it was always likely to bounce back, he says.

“Those attributes remain in play, but now the borders have opened, and tourists are returning, so there is a degree of confidence that Queenstown will be okay. It has a market that looks different to elsewhere, and is bucking the trend.”

As in the rest of the country, sales are down. There were 80 sales in September, down from 101 in August and from 106 last September, Real Estate Institute figures show.

But the institute’s regional director, Gail Hudson, says owner-occupier inquiry has increased markedly, with interest from Auckland and other areas of the South Island remaining strong.

Genuine buyers are attending auctions, and open homes are busy, which shows there is still a good amount of interested buyers, although there is less urgency, she says.

Ray White Queenstown principal Bas Smith says fluctuations in sales are not uncommon as it is a much smaller market than the focus it attracts suggests.

But the decline in sales volumes from last year was not a bad thing as the market was crazy last year, he says.

“At the higher end of the market, particularly in the $2.5m to $3m land sale space, we are finding it very busy, and activity is steady generally.”

Queenstown’s market never really has huge falls in prices, and even during the global financial crisis they held relatively steady, apart from the apartment market which had been oversold previously, he says.

“It is viewed as a safe haven, and a desirable place to live. Many people are envious of the lifestyle that they see here, especially during lockdowns.

“That has fired up people around the country and in Australia, and left them keen to come here to tap into the lifestyle on offer, and pursue remote working options.”

The market is benefitting from that, with a bit of a flow of capital from Australia and Auckland into Queenstown real estate, and little drag in prices despite the slower market, Smith says.

Another factor that puts a floor under Queenstown prices is a shortage of housing, despite continued development of areas such as Frankton, and significant planned development in Wanaka.

Harcourts Queenstown sales manager Priscilla Uhrle says a shortage of land means that when land comes on the market it gets sold before titles are issued.

This is helping keep supply tight, and the fact that many local buyers are reluctant to list until they have sold, to ensure they have somewhere to move to, also contributes to the shortage of stock, she says.

“It was a bit quieter over winter, and spring seemed to come a month late, but open home numbers have really lifted and October was very busy.

“All the auctions we have done in recent weeks have sold under the hammer, with multiple bids. One entry level house in Fern Hill went on the market last week, got five offers right away, and is now under offer.”

While sales and price figures can vary each month due to the size of the market, prices do seem to be holding up well, she says.

“The last two years have taught me there is no point in making predictions about what the market might do, but currently it is moving at a good, steady pace.”

More local first-home buyers are being pushed into the market by rising interest rates, Uhrle says.

“The wait and see approach isn’t working for them, and they want to lock in a purchase before rates go up too much more, so what rates do next could make a difference in future.”

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786 days ago

The Must-Give Christmas Gift!

Christmas Box

Meeting an ever-increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food in a time of need, it also brings a reminder that there is a community of people who care.

We believe by alleviating some of the pressure that families feel at Christmas time through our food parcels, … View more
Meeting an ever-increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food in a time of need, it also brings a reminder that there is a community of people who care.

We believe by alleviating some of the pressure that families feel at Christmas time through our food parcels, it will create a lasting impact that goes beyond a treat at Christmas.

For only $40 you can donate a Christmas Box to a family in need, providing not just practical help, but much deserved hope too.
Donate now

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786 days ago

Win 1 of 4 Premium 55” Panasonic 4K TVs worth $2999* each.

The TV Guide

To celebrate the FIFA World Cup, the TV Guide is giving you the chance to upgrade your lounge and impress your friends with a brand new 55” Panasonic 4K TV. Catch all the action with Panasonic’s new Premium LED TV, perfect for watching the FIFA World Cup, your favourite movies, streaming … View moreTo celebrate the FIFA World Cup, the TV Guide is giving you the chance to upgrade your lounge and impress your friends with a brand new 55” Panasonic 4K TV. Catch all the action with Panasonic’s new Premium LED TV, perfect for watching the FIFA World Cup, your favourite movies, streaming services, or classic TV shows.

Pick up a copy of the TV Guide each week between 13 Oct to 9 Nov, find the codeword, and follow the directions to be in to win! Each issue and codeword will be a new chance to win. You’ll have until 15 Nov to enter online or mail in your codeword. To view the T&Cs click here.

The team at the TV Guide

*based on recommended retail price
Find out more

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787 days ago

Smartsizing Your Future

Yvette Williams Retirement Village

Smartsizing is about creating a life of simplicity and enjoyment, by ensuring your home fits your lifestyle, now and in the future.

If you want to spend more time with family and friends, travel, stay active and learn new things, smartsizing makes this much easier. With less time spent on … View more
Smartsizing is about creating a life of simplicity and enjoyment, by ensuring your home fits your lifestyle, now and in the future.

If you want to spend more time with family and friends, travel, stay active and learn new things, smartsizing makes this much easier. With less time spent on maintenance and chores you’ll have more time to create a life full of enjoyment and meaning.

These webinars will offer insight into how you can make this happen.

Join us to hear from experts in their field as they offer insight into how you can achieve this.

Understanding the property market - Presented by Shane Cortese on Monday 14 November, 3:30pm.

Smart home technology - Presented by Grant Sidaway on Tuesday 15 November, 3:30pm.

Downsizing your way to a richer, happier life - Presented by Peter Walsh on Wednesday 16 November, 3:30pm.

These informative presentations are not to be missed, to find out more or to register click below.

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788 days ago

7 ways to garden greener

The Warehouse New Zealand

With spring in the air, the price of veggies on the rise and Christmas around the corner there has never been a better time to get gardening!

You don’t need to spend big to get involved, and The Warehouse has plenty of options for anyone – from the avid green thumbs to the gardening novices.… View more
With spring in the air, the price of veggies on the rise and Christmas around the corner there has never been a better time to get gardening!

You don’t need to spend big to get involved, and The Warehouse has plenty of options for anyone – from the avid green thumbs to the gardening novices. You could grow a few veggies, fruit trees or even some windowsill herbs – all are a small step to living more sustainably, while saving a little money! Check out 7 ways to garden greener with The Warehouse.
Find out more

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788 days ago

Have you met the volunteers at Addington Farm?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

These amazing community gardeners are finalists for our 2022 Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year. Read about their great work (and the other four finalists), and vote for your favourite!

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789 days ago

Have you met Wendy Zhou? She's helped saved more than 350,000kg of food

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Wendy Zhou is one of the finalists for the 2022 Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year. Read about her (and the other four finalists), and vote for your favourite!

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790 days ago

Have you met Kelly Francis?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

She is one of the five finalists for the 2022 Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year. Read about her (and the other four finalists), and vote for your favourite!

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