Ongaonga
Onga-onga or stinging nettle is an ever present threat in many parts of New Zealand. A light brush with the nettle on your leg or arm, can leave you with a tingling sensation that persists for 24 hours.
Ongaonga has been linked to unexplained deaths of people walking through a dense patch and being overcome. With this mind, I decided to have a go cutting back a particularly annoying patch on our main track to the paddock we call, Waterses.
The Ongaonga bushes were above and below the track so I had to form a strategy so that I would safe. I found a large set of old tree branch loppers (giant secateurs) in the shed and then opted to take a piece of cloth, that used to cover our cool display cabinet in my old café.
Poll: Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?
With the government cracking down on gangs, it is now illegal for gang members to display their insignia in public places whether through clothing or their property.
This means arrests can be made if these patches are worn in places like restaurants, shops, on public transport or ferries, and on airplanes. Arrests were made recently at a funeral.
Do you think this ban is reasonable?
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77% Yes
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21.6% No
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1.4% Other - I'll share below
2 degrees phone calls dropping out
Hey neighbour's. Sorry, I'm not on social media e.g Facebook so I'm reaching out to you all hoping this is not just happening to me.
Have any of you had phone calls to other 2 degree customers (phones) where in less than 4-5 minutes the call drops out. You call the person back, don't get a ring tone and goes straight to their leave a message and takes a few calls before you get hold of the person again but after again 4-5 minutes, the same thing happens. This is calling another person within NZ. Also, occasionally the call breaks up so you can't understand what they are saying for a few seconds. This us not from not having bills unpaid or anything like that and has been happening since October.
I would appreciate your feedback and experiences and advice on how to get around this or have resolved.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.