Queenstown Lakes District, Queenstown

Voted for NZ's Merriest Home yet?

Voted for NZ's Merriest Home yet?

Check out the finalists and take your pick!

387 days ago

Foodies take note, this is the next big destination in New Zealand

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Otago News

Hi neighbours. If you haven’t heard of Ayrburn, take note – that’s about to change. Developer Chris Meehan is indulging his long-held passion for design on a 60-hectare farm near Arrowtown.

The Ayrburn project – somewhat of an eminently stylish playground for devotees of good food and … View more
Hi neighbours. If you haven’t heard of Ayrburn, take note – that’s about to change. Developer Chris Meehan is indulging his long-held passion for design on a 60-hectare farm near Arrowtown.

The Ayrburn project – somewhat of an eminently stylish playground for devotees of good food and wine – is taking shape on a 160-year-old estate, with five venues opening officially on December 9, and more to follow in 2024.

Read the full story here and tell us what your favourite foodie venue is and why in the comments below.

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388 days ago

Respite care when you need it

Rowena Jackson Retirement Village

From rehabilitation after a hospital stay, to a little extra support, whether it’s for a few nights or a few weeks - respite care provides temporary care in a range of circumstances.

Ryman’s respite care is offered at resthome-level and, in most villages, hospital and specialist dementia … View more
From rehabilitation after a hospital stay, to a little extra support, whether it’s for a few nights or a few weeks - respite care provides temporary care in a range of circumstances.

Ryman’s respite care is offered at resthome-level and, in most villages, hospital and specialist dementia care. We also offer respite care in the comfort of an assisted-living apartment.

We’ve been providing industry-leading care for over 35 years, it's what we do best.

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391 days ago

Happy Black Friday!

The Team from NZ Compare

Black Friday Special: Uncover great deals & a chance to WIN a $200 Prezzy Card!

Here's the #1 must-buy recommended by YOU: Home & Garden. Uncover the top 10 anticipated must-have products for Black Friday 2023 HERE: www.priceme.co.nz...

And don't forget to enter our … View more
Black Friday Special: Uncover great deals & a chance to WIN a $200 Prezzy Card!

Here's the #1 must-buy recommended by YOU: Home & Garden. Uncover the top 10 anticipated must-have products for Black Friday 2023 HERE: www.priceme.co.nz...

And don't forget to enter our giveaway for a shot at a $200 Prezzy Card: www.nzcompare.com...
Act fast, it all wraps up on 29/11/2023!

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391 days ago

Lofty thoughts

The Team from Resene ColorShop Queenstown

Transform a bland attic or rumpty garage space into a rustic studio or spare room with Resene paints. Find out how to make the more of your spaces with these easy instructions.

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391 days ago

Level up your vege patch with NZ Gardener

NZ Gardener

As the sunny days get longer and more frequent, it’s the perfect time to get stuck into the garden. Grab a subscription to NZ Gardener and get a Free Vege Patch from Scratch book written by NZ Gardener’s editor Jo McCarroll worth $44.99.

Make your garden one of the best in the neighbourhood … View more
As the sunny days get longer and more frequent, it’s the perfect time to get stuck into the garden. Grab a subscription to NZ Gardener and get a Free Vege Patch from Scratch book written by NZ Gardener’s editor Jo McCarroll worth $44.99.

Make your garden one of the best in the neighbourhood this summer with the help of a monthly NZ Gardener subscription and Vege Patch from Scratch. Purchase a subscription today at Mags4Gifts.co.nz to receive your free book. T&Cs apply.
Find out more

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395 days ago

Veg-up Macaroni and Cheese

The Team from Heart Foundation NZ

Being heart-healthy isn't just for grown-ups. Kiwis of all ages will benefit from eating a diet rich in fruit and veggies. However, getting veggies into children can sometimes be a small challenge, but who says you need to tell them? Our kid-friendly recipes helpfully hide the good stuff with … View moreBeing heart-healthy isn't just for grown-ups. Kiwis of all ages will benefit from eating a diet rich in fruit and veggies. However, getting veggies into children can sometimes be a small challenge, but who says you need to tell them? Our kid-friendly recipes helpfully hide the good stuff with a healthy spin on a classic dish. Click the link to check out our version of Mac n' Cheese!

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395 days ago

Poll: Should fruit cake lose its Christmas reign?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

This hardy dessert has stood the test of time but is it time for a new dessert to step into the (Christmas) light? Share your vote, and tell us what kiwi classic you'd put in its place.

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of … View more
This hardy dessert has stood the test of time but is it time for a new dessert to step into the (Christmas) light? Share your vote, and tell us what kiwi classic you'd put in its place.

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.

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Should fruit cake lose its Christmas reign?
  • 14.4% Yes, goodbye fruit cake
    14.4% Complete
  • 32.8% No, it's tradition
    32.8% Complete
  • 52.8% No way, it's delicious
    52.8% Complete
2204 votes
393 days ago

Subscribe and save with Sunday Star-Times

Sunday Star Times

For as little as $61, unwrap thought-provoking articles, entertainment and adventure every Sunday!

Purchase a subscription to Sunday Star-Times via mags4gifts.co.nz before December 25 and receive a free Linden Leaves diffuser worth $40.

For more information visit mags4gifts.co.nz/sstchristmasView more
For as little as $61, unwrap thought-provoking articles, entertainment and adventure every Sunday!

Purchase a subscription to Sunday Star-Times via mags4gifts.co.nz before December 25 and receive a free Linden Leaves diffuser worth $40.

For more information visit mags4gifts.co.nz/sstchristmas

Happy Shopping! The team at Sunday Star-Times
Find out more

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395 days ago

Winner winner...

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The winners of the $100 restaurant vouchers are:

James Nelson of Lyal Bay

Shirleyann Gray of Parklands

Fung Yo of Flat Bush

View more
The winners of the $100 restaurant vouchers are:

James Nelson of Lyal Bay

Shirleyann Gray of Parklands

Fung Yo of Flat Bush

Tipene Atama of Hamilton

Winners, you can claim your prize here before the 28th of November. Enjoy!

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395 days ago

Downsize to a Richer, Happier Life

Rowena Jackson Retirement Village

What do you want to do with your life? Would you like to travel, downsize, have more money and more free time? Do you ever feel like your stuff holds you back, but the thought of decluttering just seems too hard? If so, you’re not alone.

This is the first of a series of articles dedicated to … View more
What do you want to do with your life? Would you like to travel, downsize, have more money and more free time? Do you ever feel like your stuff holds you back, but the thought of decluttering just seems too hard? If so, you’re not alone.

This is the first of a series of articles dedicated to helping you to downsize, declutter and rightsize your life, brought to you by Ryman Healthcare in conjunction with decluttering expert Peter Walsh.

When helping people to declutter, Peter never starts by focusing on the stuff itself. Every item in your home has a story, so the first step is to think about what that story is.

Maybe you’re thinking about downsizing as you approach retirement but still have all the artwork and toys and books that belonged to your now adult children, and don’t know what to do with them. Perhaps letting go of that old sports equipment means letting go of a vision you had of yourself that no longer fits who you are. Maybe you’re holding onto heirlooms you have no use for because you want to keep the memory of the person alive.

No matter what your situation is, it’s easier to declutter and downsize if you start by identifying the feelings that underlie your attachment to your stuff before tackling the stuff itself.

Click to read more.

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395 days ago

People's Choice Awards Finalists

The Team from NZ Compare

Exciting News! The finalists for the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS in the Power, Broadband and Mobile categories have been revealed! It's a public vote, so have your say on the best retailers. Check them out now.

Your votes have made a difference, and we can't wait to celebrate the best … View more
Exciting News! The finalists for the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS in the Power, Broadband and Mobile categories have been revealed! It's a public vote, so have your say on the best retailers. Check them out now.

Your votes have made a difference, and we can't wait to celebrate the best in the industry.

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395 days ago

The Gift of Better Hearing

Triton Hearing

At Triton Hearing, we are dedicated to bringing the joy of better hearing to all New Zealanders. So this year, we’d like to give you the Gift of Better Hearing, to help you reconnect with the world and the people you love.

Simply get in touch to enjoy your gift of a complimentary upgrade … View more
At Triton Hearing, we are dedicated to bringing the joy of better hearing to all New Zealanders. So this year, we’d like to give you the Gift of Better Hearing, to help you reconnect with the world and the people you love.

Simply get in touch to enjoy your gift of a complimentary upgrade valued at $2,000, to enjoy even better hearing* when you purchase a new pair of hearing devices from Triton Hearing.
Find out more

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398 days ago

Homemade headboard

The Team from Resene ColorShop Queenstown

Give your bedroom a fresh look with this creative bedhead project and Resene paints. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.

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399 days ago

Court fight after millions lost from failed Wānaka retirement village sale

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Otago News

By reporter Debbie Jamieson:

Two men who planned to build a retirement village on the shores of Lake Wānaka have been ordered to pay $3.4 million to financial backers, after their company went into liquidation.

Roy’s Bay Estate Limited fought through the Environment Court to build a … View more
By reporter Debbie Jamieson:

Two men who planned to build a retirement village on the shores of Lake Wānaka have been ordered to pay $3.4 million to financial backers, after their company went into liquidation.

Roy’s Bay Estate Limited fought through the Environment Court to build a 73-unit retirement village on a 1.4ha block near central Wānaka.

However, it went into liquidation earlier this year with only 10 dwellings complete.

According to a November High Court decision, property development financier Senior Trust Limited financially backed the company.

But in September 2021, Roy’s Bay Estate was unable to meet its payments, following a third time extension.

Conscious that it would achieve a better financial result from a private sale than a mortgagee sale, Roy’s Bay Estate entered a conditional contract to sell the site to S5 Consulting Group Ltd for $24m, in October.

That deal became unconditional in December 2021 but was replaced with a new sale and purchase agreement also with S5 at a price of $22m.

The reduction related to consenting and works issues. It was due to settle on March 31, 2022.

However, it did not settle, and Senior Trust entered into a contract in May 2022 to sell the property, as mortgagee, to a company called Roy’s Bay GCO Limited – a subsidiary of S5.

That sale went through for $18m, and Senior Trust sought summary judgement of about $3.4m from Christopher Holmes and Anthony Hannon of Roy’s Bay Estate, for the debt shortfall.

Holmes was the director of Roy’s Bay Estate and Hannon was an indirect shareholder. They both provided a guarantee in respect of the company’s debt.

Holmes and Hannon argued to the court that Senior Trust had breached its duty to obtain the best price reasonably obtainable at the time of sale.

They also complained that Senior Trust’s actions were designed to exclude them from the development and were aimed at securing ongoing finance business as Senior Trust would provide finance to the purchaser.

Counsel for Holmes and Hannon argued that Senior Trust were aware of the previous agreement, but conceded Senior Trust was within its rights to proceed with a mortgagee sale.

Associate Judge Dale Lester found a proper test of the market produced the price of $18m – and that was negotiated from an initial offer of $12m.

He also found no evidence that Holmes, Hannon or Roy’s Bay Estate had asked Senior Trust to allow time for the $22m deal to settle.

Because some vendor’s warranties and two units were removed from the agreement, the discrepancy between the two sale prices was not as great as it appeared, he said.

The judge ruled that the men were to pay Senior Trust the full claim of $3.4m, plus costs.

Stoney Creek GCO Ltd is now building and selling luxury town houses on the site.

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399 days ago

Poll: What's on Your List?

The Team from NZ Compare

Black Friday is around the corner, and we'd love to know what's on your shopping list this year as the season of amazing deals kicks off!

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What's on Your List?
  • 16.4% Electronics: Computers, Phones, and Tablets
    16.4% Complete
  • 14.2% Household Appliances
    14.2% Complete
  • 39.9% Home and Garden
    39.9% Complete
  • 4.6% Toys and Hobbies
    4.6% Complete
  • 24.9% Special Treats for Yourself
    24.9% Complete
281 votes
Top