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South Canterbury man Sam Pierce has found time during lockdown to get stuck into restoring his 1967 VW Beetle convertible.
A Timaru exporter has donated more than 10 tonnes of mānuka honey to charities across New Zealand.
The engine is in the spare room and the body of the 1967 Volkswagen Beetle convertible is in the sleepout as its South Canterbury owner gets stuck into his first ever restoration project during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Pareora-based pest controller Sam Pierce had only been in the job he loves for a … View moreThe engine is in the spare room and the body of the 1967 Volkswagen Beetle convertible is in the sleepout as its South Canterbury owner gets stuck into his first ever restoration project during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Pareora-based pest controller Sam Pierce had only been in the job he loves for a month before lockdown and after running out of gib and plaster to upgrade the inside of the house, has turned all his attention towards the disassembled car.
The car restoring rookie has been learning as he goes through watching You Tube and asking others in Facebook car groups.
"It's fun. It's going to cost a fortune, more than if I bought it done."
He purchased the vehicle from his mother about a year ago. She warned him about the rust, but he was unperturbed.
Since then he has been stripping out the rust and replacing the panels when the mood took him.
One problem has been the body is welded to the chassis, instead of being bolted, making it difficult to access the undercarriage.
He has taken out the engine, rewired it and cleaned the fuel tank.
The hardest part of the project so far he said was knowing there were a million things to do and not knowing where to start.
There was no room in the sleepout for the engine so it's in the spare room.
But now he was stuck.
"There's no more I can do. I don't have the tools. I don't know what tools I need, I'll have to Google that too."
He reckons it will look good once its finished which he expects may take about five years.
"If there was no lock down it would still be sitting there."
A recent spectacular lightning storm that crossed South Canterbury apparently owed its purple-hue to rain scattering the light.
Get to know more about some of Canterbury's leading figures and how they're spending the four-week lockdown in the 15 Minutes With series. Today, hear from Troy Bilbrough, who started Christchurch's Bacon Bros food empire.
I just wanted to update everyone as to what is happening with the next copy of your favourite magazine. With the current restrictions we aren’t able to print or distribute at the moment, but we are working hard on a fantastic May issue for you and it will be on sale as soon as the restrictions … View moreI just wanted to update everyone as to what is happening with the next copy of your favourite magazine. With the current restrictions we aren’t able to print or distribute at the moment, but we are working hard on a fantastic May issue for you and it will be on sale as soon as the restrictions ease! I am hearing from so many readers right now about how their gardens have never been more important to them than they are now, so I want to ensure you get your NZ Gardener, packed with beautiful pictures, expert advice, inspiration and information as quickly as possible, so you can enjoy your own garden even more. Meanwhile, when you do your next shop, we’d love it if you could pick up a copy of the April issue which is on sale now (you can add a copy to your online shop too). As you’ve probably heard on the news it is a tough time for magazines right now, and we are incredibly grateful for the support of our regular readers and (especially!) our subscribers. If you are in a position to subscribe, or share your own love of plants and gardening by buying a subscription as a gift for someone else, then we’d be incredibly grateful: mags4gifts.co.nz.... Stay safe and enjoy the extra time in your garden everyone! Jo
A young German family who have been riding out New Zealand's Covid-19 lockdown in Timaru have only praise for the district's community spirit.
Timaru's Mildred Low, who passed away on Saturday, was one of New Zealand's oldest drivers up until she put the brakes on 65 years of driving shortly before her 102nd birthday in January.
Jobs saved as Timaru bakery lands big bread contract in midst of Covid-19 lockdown
ShieldsUp is a volunteer driven initiative of over 500 Kiwis, 3D printing, manufacturing and distributing face shields to our medical and emergency heroes across the country facing Covid-19 head on.
Within two weeks, we have delivered over 5,000 face shields, but we are still hearing the calls … View moreShieldsUp is a volunteer driven initiative of over 500 Kiwis, 3D printing, manufacturing and distributing face shields to our medical and emergency heroes across the country facing Covid-19 head on.
Within two weeks, we have delivered over 5,000 face shields, but we are still hearing the calls of many. As the government and DHB’s publicly assure us that all necessary equipment is readily accessible, the demand for our face shields continues to grow daily, with requests for 30,000 shields.
If you would like to help us help them, sign up to volunteer at shieldsup.org.nz, or make a donation to ensure we can continue to produce and distribute our shields to protect our frontline heroes.
ShieldsUp, offering protection to Kiwi’s against COVID-19.
Recreate a classic game in an unconventional format using Resene testpots to paint your own dominoes. Smooth rocks, like those found on the beach or in a river bed, work best for this project.
Take the kids out to search for ones that lay flat and are generally round or oblong in shape. If you … View moreRecreate a classic game in an unconventional format using Resene testpots to paint your own dominoes. Smooth rocks, like those found on the beach or in a river bed, work best for this project.
Take the kids out to search for ones that lay flat and are generally round or oblong in shape. If you don’t live near water, you should be able to get some from your local garden supply store.
Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene.
Find out how to create your own rock domino set.
Hi neighbours! SOS Business was set up to help local businesses in your community. It means you can buy gift cards from your favourite cafés, restaurants and service providers and then redeem them when they re-open after lockdown.
You can play a special part helping small businesses stay … View moreHi neighbours! SOS Business was set up to help local businesses in your community. It means you can buy gift cards from your favourite cafés, restaurants and service providers and then redeem them when they re-open after lockdown.
You can play a special part helping small businesses stay afloat during this time. Spread the word to your friends and family so that we can help as many local businesses as we can.
Thanks for being a great neighbour by being a lifeline for businesses in your community.
PS - in case you were wondering, due to the success of SOS Café, and the number of other service businesses now on the Platform, the team have rebranded to SOS Business – Save Our Small Business!
We know some of you are facing threatening and potentially harmful times at home right now. Police will be there for you if you call us.
If you are in immediate danger and can’t call 111, leave your house and get out of harm’s way. Get to a safe distance and then ask a neighbour over a fence, … View moreWe know some of you are facing threatening and potentially harmful times at home right now. Police will be there for you if you call us.
If you are in immediate danger and can’t call 111, leave your house and get out of harm’s way. Get to a safe distance and then ask a neighbour over a fence, or a passer-by, to call 111 for you. Your safety comes first.
It’s everybody’s responsibility to speak out and keep each other safe right now. If you think something is not ok with a friend, neighbour, or colleague, it’s okay to call Police on their behalf. The person you’re worried about may not be able to speak up for themselves. You could be saving a life.
For more information or support: www.police.govt.nz...
Thank you to all our essential service workers working tirelessly to ensure our communities are kept safe.
Issac is 81years old and was observed by a member of the public struggling to walk to the supermarket. A quick interaction with Isaac revealed he was in need of some intervention.
Community … View moreThank you to all our essential service workers working tirelessly to ensure our communities are kept safe.
Issac is 81years old and was observed by a member of the public struggling to walk to the supermarket. A quick interaction with Isaac revealed he was in need of some intervention.
Community Constable Reuben Boniface ?♂️ was able to connect Issac with Age Concern Southland and with their assistance provide a care package of cooked meals and loaves of bread to help him through this time ? #kindnessgoesalongway
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