Meremere, Mercer

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Does your organisation need new flooring?

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2445 days ago

Recap: Your decorating dilemmas answered

Jo Haywood Reporter from Homed

A talented duo of colour and painting experts from Resene joined us for a chat on Homed tonight to answer all your colour conundrums and share their top tips for perfecting your paint jobs.

If you missed it, you can still check out what they had to say and pick up some new ideas, here.

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2446 days ago

Displays Tell the Easter Story

Cecily from Pukekohe

The Pukekohe Anglican Church has created two displays using flowers, sculpture and artwork to help people immerse themselves in the story of Easter over the next few weeks.

The "Journey Towards Easter" garden and "Experiencing Easter" indoors display are now open for people … View more
The Pukekohe Anglican Church has created two displays using flowers, sculpture and artwork to help people immerse themselves in the story of Easter over the next few weeks.

The "Journey Towards Easter" garden and "Experiencing Easter" indoors display are now open for people to visit.

The Easter Garden, prepared by the Pukekohe Anglican Church and Pukekohe Garden Friends, with generous donations of plants from Mitre 10, is in the Vicarage garden beside St Andrew's Church, on the corner of Queen St and Wesley St in Pukekohe.

The indoor display, created by Ann Rollinson, is in a room on the courtyard in the St Andrew's complex.

Both displays have a guide to contemplation and prayer for each of the stations represented, and places to sit and think about the unfolding of the Easter story.

They are open daily until a week after Easter, with free entry. All are welcome.

Picture: From left, by part of the Easter Garden display, are Glenis Kerr, "Experiencing Easter" creator Ann Rollinson, Bob Wallace, Pukekohe Anglican Vicar Jan Wallace, Judith Parke, Alistair Parke , Pukekohe Garden Friends president Sheila Smith, Joy Browning, Leight Ohlin and Maria Fabrello.

2446 days ago

A beginner's guide to upcycling

Jo Haywood Reporter from Homed

Whether you're motivated by a tight budget or a desire for one-off pieces, if you like the idea of upcycling check out our beginner's guide for some top tips to get started.

We asked some upcycling experts to share their secrets on what works and what doesn't to breathe new life … View more
Whether you're motivated by a tight budget or a desire for one-off pieces, if you like the idea of upcycling check out our beginner's guide for some top tips to get started.

We asked some upcycling experts to share their secrets on what works and what doesn't to breathe new life into pre-loved treasures. We'd love to see the results of your own upcycling projects - you can share your before and after pics here. And don't forget you can enter them in Neighbourly's Upcycling awards too!

2447 days ago

Poll: Do you have a written employment agreement?

Sacha Green from Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand

Having a written employment agreement is the law. Even if you don’t have one, there are some minimum employment rights that everyone is entitled to. We’re here to help you know what your rights are and what to do if they aren’t being met. Call 0800 367 222 (0800 FOR CAB) for help or visit our… View moreHaving a written employment agreement is the law. Even if you don’t have one, there are some minimum employment rights that everyone is entitled to. We’re here to help you know what your rights are and what to do if they aren’t being met. Call 0800 367 222 (0800 FOR CAB) for help or visit our website www.cab.org.nz... for details about CAB services in your neighbourhood.

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Do you have a written employment agreement?
  • 70.6% Yes, I have a written employment agreement
    70.6% Complete
  • 9.1% No, I do not have a written employment agreement
    9.1% Complete
  • 11.3% No, I am not in paid work
    11.3% Complete
  • 6.8% No, I am an independent contractor
    6.8% Complete
  • 2.2% Other
    2.2% Complete
857 votes
2447 days ago

The best renovations to boost property values

Lodge Real Estate - City

If you’re looking to sell your house, but it needs a do-up to increase your property value and get people through the door. Even if you’ve mapped out a budget, it can be tricky to know where to start. Which renovations add the most value?

These are the home improvements known to bring the … View more
If you’re looking to sell your house, but it needs a do-up to increase your property value and get people through the door. Even if you’ve mapped out a budget, it can be tricky to know where to start. Which renovations add the most value?

These are the home improvements known to bring the best return and boost your property price:

INSULATION
If you’ve ever lived in a freezing house in the middle of winter, you’ll understand why insulation is such a big draw card. Which would you rather: sitting on the sofa in jeans and a sweater, or turning into a living michelin man/woman with five layers, gloves, beanie and two pairs of woolly socks (and still being cold)?

Insulation makes a home both comfortable and livable, so much so that from 1 July 2019 it will be compulsory in all rental homes. A well-insulated home also makes for an energy efficient home too. With less heat escaping, the less need you’ll have for heaters or a heat pump, which means lower power bills. It could be partly why midrange attic insulation in the US generates the best return on investment (107 per cent).

KITCHEN
A kitchen is more than a cooking space, it is a gathering point in many a home—especially for families and people who like to entertain. While we have no figures specific to New Zealand, in Australia a kitchen remodel can increase a property’s value as much as AUD $50,000 to $60,000.

The bad news is kitchens can be expensive. In New Zealand, a basic kitchen remodel can range from $10,000 to $30,000, so research the current value of your home and how much you it can sell it for with a redone kitchen. It may turn out to be more cost effective to do minor work such as repainting, changing the cupboard doors and handles, and installing new work surfaces, rather than a full gut and refresh.

BATHROOM
After the kitchen, a bathroom can be the second most cash-draining renovation you can make, but it can make a difference—not just on the resale value of a house, but also because it attracts more buyers.

Modernising a bathroom and ridding it of scunge, grime and mould can instantly draw a greater crowd of buyers. What’s more, they’ll be willing to pay top dollar for the convenience of moving into home that doesn’t need any work. If the budget is tight, replace the tapware, toilet and sink—in that order.

ADD A DECK
An outside deck can expand your home’s usable space and increase your home’s value by up to 30 per cent. Price will depend on the size and material you use. As a guide, a 20m2 deck can range from $3,400 to $12,100. Just keep in mind that if it is going to be over 1.5m high, you’ll need to get building consent before you start.

KERB APPEAL
First impressions count. That’s why kerb appeal - how your house looks from the street - continues to play a large role in generating strong returns. This includes replacing and/or changing garage doors, main entry doors, fences, windows, cladding, and sliding doors.
Get your FREE guide to learn more

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2448 days ago

*New Competition* Ready, steady... UPCYCLE!

Resene

Calling all creative cookies and DIY devotees! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards. Whether it's an old item you've spruced up or something you've found a completely new purpose for, we wanna see your creations!
View more
Calling all creative cookies and DIY devotees! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards. Whether it's an old item you've spruced up or something you've found a completely new purpose for, we wanna see your creations!

Submit your entry in the very first Resene Upcycling Awards by sharing your upcycled masterpiece with your neighbours. Of course, there are goodies to be won including four prizes up for grabs worth $500 (plus spot prizes). Multiple entries are welcome - don't forget to include your before and after pics and mention any Resene products you've used!
Submit a masterpiece

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2450 days ago

Do you have a caring heart and room in your home?

Ministry for Children, Oranga Tamariki

We are looking for people from all walks of life: couples, singles, families, city and rural dwellers who can provide care for children aged 8 to 18 years who have experienced loss and trauma in their lives. Providing connections to culture is vital so we are looking for caregivers in the Waikato … View moreWe are looking for people from all walks of life: couples, singles, families, city and rural dwellers who can provide care for children aged 8 to 18 years who have experienced loss and trauma in their lives. Providing connections to culture is vital so we are looking for caregivers in the Waikato from a range of cultural backgrounds. We are looking for caregivers who can provide day time, home for life, respite care, long term, short term and emergency overnight care.

If you are interested in becoming a caregiver please contact:

Joel Hastings 0508 (FAMILY) or 029 341 3765 or email Joel.Hastings@mvcot.govt.nz

Rhonda Mitchell 0508 (FAMILY) or 029 472 7371 or email Rhonda.Mitchell@mvcot.govt.nz
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