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Dear neighbours,
Last year, Greytown magician Paul Bates' Tardis-inspired shed was declared the Shed of the Year. This year, Resene and NZ Gardener are once again on the hunt for the country's best shed! Send in the photos and stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever storage … View moreDear neighbours,
Last year, Greytown magician Paul Bates' Tardis-inspired shed was declared the Shed of the Year. This year, Resene and NZ Gardener are once again on the hunt for the country's best shed! Send in the photos and stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever storage spaces, cute chicken coops and potty potting sheds. The Resene Shed of the Year 2022 winners will receive prizes worth more than $2200. Just tell us in writing why your garden shed is New Zealand's best, and send up to five high-quality photos. Email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close Feb 27, 2022.
Dear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for kūmara recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz before February 27, 2022.
Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Homegrown … View moreDear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for kūmara recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz before February 27, 2022.
Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Homegrown Recipes.
The Government has appointed Carolyn Cooper as the inaugural Aged Care Commissioner, to lead much needed systematic change in the sector, Minister for Seniors and Associate Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today.
It's not too late to grab these sensational plants for your green-fingered, houseplant-loving Valentine. Here's a quick guide to the hottest indoor plants for that special person in your life.
Happy Valentines Day from the team at NZ Compare!
Take the time today to enjoy the love that surrounds you. Pass it onto your friends, family, pets, maybe even a neighbour! Brighten someone's day.
Don't forget to show yourself some love too!
We all love a cheeky grin and a wave from our local grocer, or a toot from the delivery driver, or a coffee order that’s ready before we arrive. And especially over the last year, it’s been the small businesses in our communities that have almost made things seem ‘normal’.
… View moreWe all love a cheeky grin and a wave from our local grocer, or a toot from the delivery driver, or a coffee order that’s ready before we arrive. And especially over the last year, it’s been the small businesses in our communities that have almost made things seem ‘normal’.
Give your favourite local business owner the recognition they deserve by nominating them in the 2022 Prospa Local Business Hero awards.
Bring 2 cans of food into your local Resene ColorShop and swap them for 1 Resene testpot (60-80ml).
Resene will then donate all the food brought in to The Salvation Army local foodbanks.
By adding a little more colour to your life you can also help those in need. When you bring in 2 cans of … View moreBring 2 cans of food into your local Resene ColorShop and swap them for 1 Resene testpot (60-80ml).
Resene will then donate all the food brought in to The Salvation Army local foodbanks.
By adding a little more colour to your life you can also help those in need. When you bring in 2 cans of food you'll save on your testpot purchase (save up to $5.90 on an 80ml testpot) while also helping provide disadvantaged Kiwis with food parcels when they need them most.
So start gathering up those cans and bring them into your local Resene owned ColorShop.
We’ve all spent a lot of time at home last year, so many of us are in the same boat when it comes to our high power bills! GULP!
More Kiwis are now working from home, if that's you then it's time to check if you’re on the right power plan. SWITCH, SAVE and SMILE this Summer!
… View moreWe’ve all spent a lot of time at home last year, so many of us are in the same boat when it comes to our high power bills! GULP!
More Kiwis are now working from home, if that's you then it's time to check if you’re on the right power plan. SWITCH, SAVE and SMILE this Summer!
Compare with our help and find the right power plan for your household! It’s easy as!
Visit Power Compare to get yourself a better deal. Our service is free, we’re Kiwis helping Kiwis compare what’s out there across Power, Broadband and Money.
From reporter Cate Broughton:
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Older and vulnerable people are being encouraged to “hunker down” in their homes during the peak of the Omicron virus, by some health experts – but others say this isn’t necessary.
New Zealand epidemiologist Professor Tony … View moreFrom reporter Cate Broughton:
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Older and vulnerable people are being encouraged to “hunker down” in their homes during the peak of the Omicron virus, by some health experts – but others say this isn’t necessary.
New Zealand epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely is based at Melbourne University and says he encouraged his nearly 80-year-old parents – who live in Rotorua – to stay at home when Omicron cases climb and the virus becomes endemic.
However, Cancer Society medical director Kate Gregory said there was not enough evidence to support giving this advice to cancer patients.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed there was community transmission of the Omicron variant in New Zealand.
The Ministry of Health on Monday reported confirmed Omicron cases in the Nelson-Tasman region, Auckland and Palmerston North.
Blakely said he talked to his parents about continuing their usual activities while using a N95 mask, but “hunkering down” when cases climbed.
“You probably do that for another 10 days until case numbers start to go up in Rotorua, and then you really hunker down. So that’s what we’ve talked about.”
Blakely said “the maths of an epidemic” meant up to half of the population was likely to get infected with Omicron.
“The trick is to make sure the people who get infected are the young ones. So you accept that. You accept there will be hospitalisations associated with that.
But to minimise the hospitalisations, the mortality and morbidity – a bit like trench warfare – you send over the young ones, and you hunker down the oldies and those with co-morbidities.”
Blakely said his parents, who are double vaccinated and have had their booster, had already decided to stay at home when cases climbed.
But he said it was hard to say how long this period should last.
New Zealand’s traffic light setting of red – the highest level of restrictions under the traffic light system –would help to slow the spread of Omicron, and protect essential services from being overwhelmed, but this would also mean the peak of the virus would last longer, Blakely said.
“Here’s the deep irony, the better New Zealanders are at flattening the curve, the longer the hunker down will be.”
Blakely acknowledged prolonged periods of isolation for the elderly and vulnerable could have significant mental health impacts.
In Australia, Omicron has taken a huge toll on the aged-care sector with hundreds of outbreaks in aged care homes. But some families have said the lockdowns were overly cautious and too hard on the elderly residents, most of whom were fully vaccinated.
Wellington GP and Royal New Zealand College of General Practice (RNZCGPs) medical director Bryan Betty said the Australian experience of Omicron showed it could peak for as long as four to six weeks.
Betty said most people – including fit older people – would experience a mild to moderate illness, if infected.
“However, the caveat on this is ... we know the biggest risk factor for a poorer outcome from Covid is age, the elderly population in particular are vulnerable to a poorer outcome with Covid.”
Betty said it would be good for older people to consider staying home, with some support from friends and family, “as the case numbers rise” in the community.
Cancer Society medical director Kate Gregory said there was not enough evidence to date to support advising patients to stay home, but this could change “if we see much higher numbers”.
“If, in a week’s time we are seeing thousands and thousands of cases we may be advising people differently. I think the reassuring thing we’ve seen is that Omicron doesn’t seem to cause such severe disease and we know the vaccine provides very good protection.”
Gregory said for cancer patients the best defence is to be vaccinated and for the people in their households to be vaccinated.”
She said in her experience a “vast majority” of cancer patients had received two doses of Covid-19 vaccine, many with a third primary dose.
“It’s a frightening time, and especially for those who are more vulnerable.
"I think as long as people have the vaccine, wear the mask, do the hand-washing and get tested promptly, I think that’s probably fine. At the moment, that’s the advice we’re giving our patients.”
Our February Seniors newsletter is out now. In this issue we announce our Age friendly fund successful recipients, shine a light on the those nominated for the New Years Honours for Services to Seniors and much more. Check it out here: mailchi.mp...
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.
The entries in this category have been shortlisted and we now have five brilliantly captured … View moreKia 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.
The entries in this category have been shortlisted and we now have five brilliantly captured photographs to battle it out. There's a camera up for grabs for our talented photographers, and it's up to you to choose who takes the crown...and the Canon EOS!
Cast your vote in the poll below before 12pm, 11 February.
Peri-urban areas can be described as the landscape interface between town and country or the rural-urban transition zone where urban and rural areas mix.
The probability of wildfire is driven by the amount and dryness of fuel, ambient weather and ignitions. Dry weather exacerbates wildfire risk… View morePeri-urban areas can be described as the landscape interface between town and country or the rural-urban transition zone where urban and rural areas mix.
The probability of wildfire is driven by the amount and dryness of fuel, ambient weather and ignitions. Dry weather exacerbates wildfire risk in this zone and could significantly impact your property! With one of New Zealand’s hottest and driest summers, discover your property’s fire risk and what you can do to reduce it.
We can produce personalised reports for any house on the planet!
Click here to get your property report: https://property-climate-risk-report.co.nz/
Queenstown Airport and the Hotel St Moritz Queentsown have been linked to a suspected Omicron case.
Anyone who was at Queenstown Airport on Saturday, January 22 between 2.15pm and 3pm or at the Hotel St Moritz on Saturday between midday and 12pm must self-monitor for Covid-19 symptoms for 10 days … View moreQueenstown Airport and the Hotel St Moritz Queentsown have been linked to a suspected Omicron case.
Anyone who was at Queenstown Airport on Saturday, January 22 between 2.15pm and 3pm or at the Hotel St Moritz on Saturday between midday and 12pm must self-monitor for Covid-19 symptoms for 10 days after these times, the Ministry of Health advised.
If symptoms develop, they should get a test and stay at home until they get a negative test result.
The new traffic light framework started on December 3, allowing more freedoms for fully vaccinated people. The Ministry of Health would not be publishing all low-risk locations of interest in red areas under the new Covid protection framework.
See the full list of locations of interest here.
Purchase a six month subscription to the Sunday Star-Times for $102 and get a free $100 Interflora e-voucher. Terms and conditions apply.
The Motatapu run and bike event in Queenstown has been cancelled for the second time in two years due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Event organisers “went down every avenue” but pulled the pin on the March event on Wednesday .
Organisers were “incredibly sad and disappointed” to cancel the … View moreThe Motatapu run and bike event in Queenstown has been cancelled for the second time in two years due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Event organisers “went down every avenue” but pulled the pin on the March event on Wednesday .
Organisers were “incredibly sad and disappointed” to cancel the event, they said in an email to participants.
“We have been doing our due diligence since the country moved to the Covid-19 protection framework red setting to try and deliver an event, which is not only safe but adheres to the government guidelines.
“We really went down every avenue to give you the opportunity to get out into our stunning high-country stations... But unfortunately, this is just not possible within the government protocols.”
The event attracts nearly 4000 competitors and this year had a new cycle track on exclusive country around the back of Queenstown’s Coronet Peak.
Organisers tried several strategies to fit within the level red regulations, but said they could not make it safe enough for athletes.
“We have been working through scenarios including, pods of 100, large holding areas at the start, separate registration areas, separated waves, a two-day format, starting far earlier than normal and finishing in the late evening.
“Also, the sheer volume of competitors we have moving through the courses makes it impossible to prevent convergence of 100 person pods and the potential spread of Covid-19 amongst our athletes.”
The event did not qualify for the government event Insurance scheme, which was set up for events of more than 5000 paid competitors.
The event is set to take place in March next year. Competitors can use this year’s entry for the following year or choose a refund of only 60 per cent.
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