Merry Christmas Eve Everyone
Hi Neighbourly folk, I really enjoyed this post from Simon Woolf with its beautiful image and lovely words. I hope you all enjoy Christmas.
"Merry Christmas Eve Everyone.
This image is of possibly the Southern most Pohutakawa in the North Island. It is the third year since I noticed it, shortly after we lost our great friend Eva McGauley. It didn't flower last year!
It is located in one of the most exposed places, anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand! Wellington's South Coast can be one of the most rugged, extreme environments anywhere in the world, and especially when an Antarctic blast hits Cook Strait. Winds exceeding 200kph, eight to 10 metre swells, and a sub zero wind chill factor are regular occurrences in this area.
Evie's Tree, for that's what we have called it, symbolises resilience, hope, strength and beauty, everthing Evie was.
After the past year, where we all have come through some adversity, Evie's Tree, proves that with adversity there is opportunity. If this stunning little pohutakawa can flower in the conditions it faces, we too can overcome most of which is thrown at us, and flourish too."
- Simon Woolf
It’s Riddle Time – You Might Need an Extra Cup of Coffee!
Nobody has ever walked this way. Which way is it?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.7% Yes
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13.9% No
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1.4% Other - I'll share below
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.