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What better way to take a load off than to put your feet up and get inspired with a fresh copy of the Sunday Star-Times each week. For a limited time, when you subscribe to the Sunday Star-Times for just 6 months*, we are giving away a free Gourmet Spice Pack valued at $65 so you can get crafty in … View moreWhat better way to take a load off than to put your feet up and get inspired with a fresh copy of the Sunday Star-Times each week. For a limited time, when you subscribe to the Sunday Star-Times for just 6 months*, we are giving away a free Gourmet Spice Pack valued at $65 so you can get crafty in the kitchen with Raptor Naturals finest flavours.
Call us on 0800 339 000 or click on the button below and use the promo code “SSTRAPTOR” to redeem this special offer now.
Hurry as this offer ends 31st July, 2020!
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Hi neighbours, the next issue of Get Growing will now be released early next week, so keep your eyes peeled! In the meantime you can read all previous editions here, so dig in and enjoy!
The St John Health Shuttle service in Thames has welcomed a new vehicle donated by Grassroots Trust.
A ceremony was held at the St John Thames station on Wednesday, July 1, to dedicate the new vehicle, which will be used to transport locals to and from their health appointments.
“St John is … View moreThe St John Health Shuttle service in Thames has welcomed a new vehicle donated by Grassroots Trust.
A ceremony was held at the St John Thames station on Wednesday, July 1, to dedicate the new vehicle, which will be used to transport locals to and from their health appointments.
“St John is grateful for the generosity of Grassroots Trust. Their gift has made it possible for us to replace one of the older vehicles so we can continue to be there for those who need us,” Nissy Concisom, St John community programmes manager northern region said.
“St John is such an essential part of the fabric of New Zealand that it’s easy for us to support such an important service,” says Martin Bradley, Executive Chairman of Grassroots Trust.
“It’s great for us to be able to assist people who cannot assist themselves. It’s a great investment.”
The St John Health Shuttle service was first launched in Hamilton in 1991 and is now operating from 35 locations nationwide. Individuals who face challenges getting to their local doctor or medical appointments at hospital can access the door-to-door service for free but a koha or gold coin donation is appreciated.
The service is having a significant social impact on the communities that depend on it.
“We are providing better access to healthcare; people are missing fewer health appointments and they’re gaining more social contact and connection. We are also seeing a reduction in stress, improvements to health and wellbeing and money saved,” says Ms Concisom.
Dedicated volunteers like Thames resident, Ian Shaw, are crucial to the running of St John’s Health Shuttle service.
In the Hauraki-Coromandel District, there are five vehicles operating in Thames, three in Waihi, two in Whangamata and one in Paeroa, and more drivers are needed now.
“I absolutely love it. The reward of being a health shuttle driver is when someone says, “thank you.” There are so many people who need help and we can always do with more volunteers,” Shaw said.
Individuals who want to make a booking for the St John Health Shuttle service, or individuals wanting to volunteer as a driver, can call St John on 0800 934 287 or email stephen.robinson@stjohn.org.nz.
Conservation groups on the central east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula are marking a major success, with confirmation of a population kiwi in a scenic reserve in the settlements of Matarangi and Kuaotunu.
Representatives from Project Kiwi and Rings Beach Wetland Group spent several consecutive … View moreConservation groups on the central east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula are marking a major success, with confirmation of a population kiwi in a scenic reserve in the settlements of Matarangi and Kuaotunu.
Representatives from Project Kiwi and Rings Beach Wetland Group spent several consecutive nights in the reserve through June conducting audio monitoring for kiwi calls - essentially sitting quietly and recording kiwi calls, noting time, sex, distance and direction of the calls between 6pm and 8pm.
Dave Fitzgerald, the Secretary of Rings Beach Wetland Group, says the confirmation of the kiwi is the culmination of a long period of commitment and work by volunteers and supporters.
“We’re really excited – it’s very encouraging. It really shows the efforts of a number of people over many years is really paying off.”
He was involved in the monitoring and says the number of calls gradually increased over the course of the monitoring – with female birds heard responding to their male counterparts on the second night.
“We’re presuming there are at least two breeding pairs in there,” he says. “We noticed on one night an old pine tree stump which had been heavily carved at by kiwi, and kiwi droppings around that – they’d been looking for insects.”
Project Kiwi spokesperson Paula Williams says the confirmation kiwi are in the reserve is significant on numerous levels.
“It shows the reserve is suitable habitat for kiwi and kiwi have arrived of their own volition,” she said.
“We will conduct surveys in this reserve over the next two years to collect baseline data, but my expectation is the data will show birds are living in the reserve, not passing through.”
Williams said the strong likelihood breeding pairs are among the reserve’s kiwi population is a particularly positive sign.
“Breeding pairs also tell us the habitat is good enough in terms of year-round water supply and food source for a pair to inhabit and raise chicks. Pairs also help anchor a population, so it is likely the reserve will retain some of its wandering juvenile kiwi and the population will self-seed.
“Breeding pairs mean baby chicks and present us with the knowledge and the challenge to provide a level of predator control where they will flourish and go on to breed too,” she said.
The reserve’s new status as a habitat for our national bird will connect the Kuaotunu and Whangapoua Forest kiwi populations, she said.
Chris Twemlow, a Ranger with the Department of Conservation’s Coromandel District, says the confirmation kiwi are in the reserve demonstrates the value of community groups’ conservation effort.
“Conservation volunteers put in a huge amount of work and make contributions the wider public doesn’t always see. We’re delighted to see such a great result as this illustrates the power of sustained collaborative effort.”
People can find out how to support the work of the Rings Beach Wetland group by emailing ringsbeachwetlandgroup@gmail.com
A Thames woman has spray painted her property with hot pink graffiti calling out the local council a…
Colourplus is providing up to 100L of free paint for every Colourplus store ranging paint to support a local community project.
We need you to nominate local community projects in-store or online at woobox.com...
Key Dates:
Now - 10th Aug: Call for Nominations
11th Aug - 21st Aug: Stores to … View moreColourplus is providing up to 100L of free paint for every Colourplus store ranging paint to support a local community project.
We need you to nominate local community projects in-store or online at woobox.com...
Key Dates:
Now - 10th Aug: Call for Nominations
11th Aug - 21st Aug: Stores to Qualify Top 3 projects
28th Aug - 25th Sept: In-store voting on Top 3 to commence
25th Sept - 16th Oct: Awarding of paints to Communities
16th Oct - 13th Dec: Community project completion
1st Dec - 18th Jan: Celebrate completion of community projects
Hi everyone, I'm Lorna, a Stuff travel reporter. We're doing a story on how affordable travel within NZ is. For those of you who have travelled within the country post-lockdown, we'd like to hear whether you've been able to find suitable flights, accommodation and activities … View moreHi everyone, I'm Lorna, a Stuff travel reporter. We're doing a story on how affordable travel within NZ is. For those of you who have travelled within the country post-lockdown, we'd like to hear whether you've been able to find suitable flights, accommodation and activities within your budget. Do you think accommodation providers and tourism operators are doing enough to entice New Zealanders to explore their backyard? Please let us know in the comments below, your message may be used in our story.
View Hamilton Harcourts' latest interactive Blueprint.
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In life, Dawn Elliott was full of colour, and so too in death. At the Paeroa artist's funeral servi…
Organisers of the annual Summer Concert Tour are urging people to be vigilant after a scam Facebook …
The Resene Upcycling Awards are coming back this month, the third year in a row! Watch this space and get prepared for the announcement; there are great prizes up for grabs.
Upcycling is the term used for taking a preloved item and transforming it - whether it's for a new purpose … View moreThe Resene Upcycling Awards are coming back this month, the third year in a row! Watch this space and get prepared for the announcement; there are great prizes up for grabs.
Upcycling is the term used for taking a preloved item and transforming it - whether it's for a new purpose altogether, or just to give it an ‘extreme makeover'. Consider using the school holidays to get Upcycling with the smaller members of your household - or use the next rainy day to drag out the paint and your creativity!
In the meantime, check out some of the creative cookies from last year.
...actually it's winners - the dynamic duo of Murray and Judy Bramald!
Murray and Judy are in their 70’s yet still work a full day at Pureora. Although based in Taranaki, they travel four hours on a monthly basis to work on the Timber Trail as part of the Trail Angels. Their commitment to … View more...actually it's winners - the dynamic duo of Murray and Judy Bramald!
Murray and Judy are in their 70’s yet still work a full day at Pureora. Although based in Taranaki, they travel four hours on a monthly basis to work on the Timber Trail as part of the Trail Angels. Their commitment to the area is shown by the considerable input of both time and resources, including quad bike modifications! They are dedicated advocates for the Department of Conservation and the Timber Trail, helping to spread the word about the beauty and specialness of Pureora and the need to protect what we have.
The prize for this award was sponsored by First Credit Union.
Click the READ MORE button to see the announcement of this award!
Congratulations to Bill Hill - winner of the 2020 Long Service Award!
In 1956 Bill had a serious accident and was so grateful for the assistance of The Order of St John he decided he would give back to the organisation. He joined in 1977 as a volunteer, and for 42 years has undertaken many roles, … View moreCongratulations to Bill Hill - winner of the 2020 Long Service Award!
In 1956 Bill had a serious accident and was so grateful for the assistance of The Order of St John he decided he would give back to the organisation. He joined in 1977 as a volunteer, and for 42 years has undertaken many roles, the latest being Health Shuttle Driver. Bill loves all people, regardless of age, ethnicity, etc and always treats everyone with respect, caring and friendliness. It is safe to say that any debt Bill felt he owed to St John has been well and truly paid back.
Congratulations Bill! and thanks to Seasons Magazine who have provided Bill's prize.
Click the READ MORE button to see the announcement of this award!
If you’re hungry, please step away from your phone or monitor. Would you try this cheeseburger doughnut? Read more about the small NZ team with some big doughnut dreams below.
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