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The newest addition to the NZ Compare suite of comparison brands has landed - Mobile Compare is the home of Kiwi Mobile Plans. A one stop shop for Neighbours everywhere!
Start 2023 right! Forget overspending and getting stuck with a plan that offers too much or too little.
Whether you’re … View moreThe newest addition to the NZ Compare suite of comparison brands has landed - Mobile Compare is the home of Kiwi Mobile Plans. A one stop shop for Neighbours everywhere!
Start 2023 right! Forget overspending and getting stuck with a plan that offers too much or too little.
Whether you’re after unlimited minutes and calling, endless data or flexible payment options to fit your budget, Mobile Compare has it all from your favourite providers. Plus, the website is super easy to use — you’ll find a fantastic deal in no time! Check it out today!
Jazz up a tired set of wicker chairs with eye-popping colours and Resene FX Metallic paint.
Find out how to add a little shimmer of your own with these easy instructions.
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
The first apartment block in Ngāi Tahu Property’s 350-home Queenstown development Te Pā Tāhuna is complete.
The name “Takiwai” was bestowed on the building at a dawn ceremony on Thursday morning.
Ngāi Tahu Property general manager Blair Forgie said … View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:
The first apartment block in Ngāi Tahu Property’s 350-home Queenstown development Te Pā Tāhuna is complete.
The name “Takiwai” was bestowed on the building at a dawn ceremony on Thursday morning.
Ngāi Tahu Property general manager Blair Forgie said the development would help increase the housing supply in Tāhuna Queenstown.
Queenstown is in the midst of a housing crisis that is forcing much-needed workers to leave town or sleep in cars or at backpackers because they cannot find anywhere to live.
The Takiwai building consisted of 27 apartments, of which 10 were sold as part of the KiwiBuild programme, Forgie said.
At the time of sale, the KiwiBuild properties cost no more than $600,000.
The residential apartments sold in the open market were below $800,000.
They were a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments.
The median sale price for a house in the Queenstown Lakes District in December was $1.2 million, according to the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand.
All the residential apartments had sold while four live-work apartments that combined residential and non-residential uses were still available and ranged in price from $850,000 to $975,000.
Roading and services infrastructure for the overall Te Pā Tāhuna development was nearing completion and the next stage of the construction was due to begin later this year.
It would have 66 apartments and was expected to be completed mid-2025.
The development is built on the former Wakatipu High School site in Gorge Rd, a short walk from central Queenstown.
Takiwai is a translucent variety of greenstone, olive-green with streaks of white – found at Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) and Te Wai Pounamu.
Takiwai is favoured as a softer type of pounamu as it is easier to make into a finer quality product.
In March 2019, then Minister of Housing and Urban Development Phil Twyford announced the old high school land would be redeveloped to address help Queenstown’s housing shortage.
In October that year, Minister of Housing Megan Woods announced the development agreement for the Tāhuna Development had been signed off.
The complete development would have more than 350 homes including 100-plus KiwiBuild apartments for first home buyers.
With rising inflation, the pressure is piling on councils this year to tighten their budgets to keep rates payments down for households across the country.
Overall, do you feel that your council and community board does a good job for your area?
If you don't wish for your replies to be … View moreWith rising inflation, the pressure is piling on councils this year to tighten their budgets to keep rates payments down for households across the country.
Overall, do you feel that your council and community board does a good job for your area?
If you don't wish for your replies to be used in the We Say You Say column, include NFP in your comment.
Our February issue of our Seniors Newsletter is out now. In this issue we're keeping you in the know how on copper withdrawal and how that may affect you, plus lots more.
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, subscribe to NZ House & Garden, NZ Gardener, or TV Guide online at Mags4Gifts and receive an iconic box of Guylian Belgian seashells.
Simply enter the promo code ‘VALENTINES’ at the checkout to redeem this great offer. Valid until 11:59pm 14 February … View moreTo celebrate Valentine’s Day, subscribe to NZ House & Garden, NZ Gardener, or TV Guide online at Mags4Gifts and receive an iconic box of Guylian Belgian seashells.
Simply enter the promo code ‘VALENTINES’ at the checkout to redeem this great offer. Valid until 11:59pm 14 February 2023, white stocks last. For full terms and conditions click here.
The team at Mags4Gifts.
Following the summer holiday pause on roadworks, resealing is set to resume on sections of SH6 in the Kawarau Gorge and at the SH6-Jack Hanley Drive intersection.
The work by Aspiring Highways is part of the biggest nationwide summer works programmes ever undertaken by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport … View moreFollowing the summer holiday pause on roadworks, resealing is set to resume on sections of SH6 in the Kawarau Gorge and at the SH6-Jack Hanley Drive intersection.
The work by Aspiring Highways is part of the biggest nationwide summer works programmes ever undertaken by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
Because of the large volume of daytime traffic on SH6, work will be done at night with rolling closures, Waka Kotahi maintenance contract manager Peter Standring said.
“The road will open at least hourly for a contractor vehicle to pilot waiting drivers through the site. This will keep construction crews and road users safe and lessen damage to the new seal.”
All sealing work needs fine, warm weather, with the dates below subject to these conditions:
- SH6 Kawarau Gorge from Victoria Flats Bridge to east of Pearson Road:
Sunday, February 12, and Monday, February 13, 9pm to 5am
- SH6 Kawarau Gorge from Crown Range intersection to Bungy Bridge:
Tuesday, February 14, and Wednesday, February 15, 9pm to 5am
- SH6 intersection with Jack Hanley Drive, Jack’s Point:
Thursday, February 16, 9pm to 5am
“This work is necessary to improve the surface on these sections of highway, and ultimately makes our roads safer for people,” Standring said.
“We understand resealing can be noisy, our team will be doing all we can to get this job done as quickly as possible to minimise the impact of this work on households and businesses.”
Speed restrictions will be in place after the work is completed to enable the seal to fully set.
All too often, our older community are found at home alone, suffering, physically hurt and unable to help themselves. If you’re living alone and would like some extra support, get to know your neighbours, reassure them that you're okay with them checking in on you, and together make a plan … View moreAll too often, our older community are found at home alone, suffering, physically hurt and unable to help themselves. If you’re living alone and would like some extra support, get to know your neighbours, reassure them that you're okay with them checking in on you, and together make a plan and talk through what warning signs to look out for should something be wrong. It could just save your life.
For more information, and tips to help you make a plan go to thehelloproject.nz
Needless to say, it's been a horrible week for a lot of us with the scary weather and all it's brought with it. If you're doing it tough, here's something which might help.
Stuff's podcast Stuff Explained has been talking with Hummingly's Jolie Wills, a … View moreNeedless to say, it's been a horrible week for a lot of us with the scary weather and all it's brought with it. If you're doing it tough, here's something which might help.
Stuff's podcast Stuff Explained has been talking with Hummingly's Jolie Wills, a psycho-social expert in disaster and disruption. In this short podcast interview, Jolie shares her expert advice on what you, or the people you want to support, may need right now.
Whether you're currently involved, or you want to help others, it's worth a quick listen!
The Canon Summer Snap competition has garnered some stunning photos from across Aotearoa. Once again, Neighbourly is the judge of their People and Communities photograph category so we need you!
There's a camera up for grabs for these talented photographers, and it's up to you to … View moreThe Canon Summer Snap competition has garnered some stunning photos from across Aotearoa. Once again, Neighbourly is the judge of their People and Communities photograph category so we need you!
There's a camera up for grabs for these talented photographers, and it's up to you to choose who takes the crown...and the Canon EOS!
Cast your vote in the poll below before 4pm, 14 February.
With torrential rain and flooding caused by an 'atmospheric river', should this event convince us all that climate change is real and we need to be taking action?
*Add NFP if you don't wish for your comments to be used for We Say You Say in the local papers.*
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Queenstown’s only indoor public swimming pool will close on weekends, indefinitely, with the council blaming a lifeguard shortage.
And the news for families in the area gets worse: Arrowtown’s outdoor pool will close about a month early – on February 13 … View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Queenstown’s only indoor public swimming pool will close on weekends, indefinitely, with the council blaming a lifeguard shortage.
And the news for families in the area gets worse: Arrowtown’s outdoor pool will close about a month early – on February 13 – for the same reason.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council-owned pools are the latest businesses to be hit by a widespread staff shortage, exacerbated in Queenstown by an extensive housing shortage.
Council sport and recreation manager Simon Battrick said the decision to close Alpine Aqualand in Frankton, Queenstown on weekends from February 18 was unavoidable due to a lack of staff.
The council chose to close on weekends to avoid disrupting swimming and fitness programmes.
Battrick said the district’s pools always struggled to find staff in February when high school and university students returned to their studies.
However, a global shortage of lifeguards and Queenstown’s local staff shortage meant the situation was worse this year.
Alpine Aqualand was down to nine staff and needed another 10 (full-time and part-time) to fill rosters.
A minimum of three full-time and one part-time lifeguards were needed to open on weekends.
The Queenstown Lakes district was not the only area suffering a shortage of lifeguards. In the Timaru District several pools have also been forced to reduce their operating hours in the last week.
Battrick said anyone who could swim 200 metres in under six minutes could apply to be a lifeguard.
Staff underwent two weeks training and two weeks supervision before being independent lifeguards.
The starting pay rate was $23.65 an hour and tops out at about $26.
As of the first of April the pool would be able to sponsor migrant workers but needed to pay a minimum $29.66 an hour, which was too high, he said.
“The reality is that this is an entry level job. “We have to live within our means.”
The hourly rate in the Queenstown Lakes was higher than at many other pools around New Zealand, as it recognised the higher cost of living in the district.
The council had advertised the roles extensively and had some bites, he said.
“It’s just really hard at the moment.
“Someone can give us a call, and we can take them through the process, give them a contract, and then next day they say they’re taking a job at the supermarket.”
There would be some exceptions to the use of the pool on the weekend including the locals swimming club, which was coached by a qualified lifeguard and swimming lessons.
The weekend closures would hit families and children who visit and play at the pool,
The situation would continue until more staff were available.
Mayor Glyn Lewers said the staff shortage issue was being felt right across council and there was no magic solution.
He was concerned about the impact of the closure of the pool on local families on weekends when the weather was not good for swimming in local waterways.
The pools provided a low cost recreational activity and social connection.
Now there was a barrier to providing that.
“We went through this with Covid. We don’t want to go through it again,” he said.
This was the first time in six years the pool had been closed, except during Covid-19.
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Many schools allow female students to wear earrings but male students aren't allowed to have an ear stud. Is it time to get rid of gender-based rules in regards to jewellery?
Share your thoughts below - write NFP if you don't wish your comments to be shared in the community … View moreMany schools allow female students to wear earrings but male students aren't allowed to have an ear stud. Is it time to get rid of gender-based rules in regards to jewellery?
Share your thoughts below - write NFP if you don't wish your comments to be shared in the community paper's We Say You Say column.
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is so excited to be the charity partner of the NZ House & Garden Tours 2023.
To make the tours a success, we need wonderful volunteers to be stationed at each of the houses, checking tickets and working alongside staff to keep the houses safe.
Dates:
Wānaka - … View moreBreast Cancer Foundation NZ is so excited to be the charity partner of the NZ House & Garden Tours 2023.
To make the tours a success, we need wonderful volunteers to be stationed at each of the houses, checking tickets and working alongside staff to keep the houses safe.
Dates:
Wānaka - Friday 24 & Saturday 25 February
Nelson - Friday 10 & Saturday 11 March
There are three shifts available: Morning (8.30am to 12.30pm), Afternoon (12.15pm to 4.15pm) or All Day (8.30am to 4.15pm).
Volunteers will spend their shift at one of the incredible homes on the tour, be given a 10% discount on your tour ticket, and a goodie bag from the tour sponsors.
We're also looking for House Supervisors! Responsible for looking after the team of volunteers at the house they're stationed at, they're also the point of contact at an assigned house. House Supervisors meet the homeowners the Thursday prior to the tour to go over important health and safety information.
If you're interested in being a NZ House & Garden Tours volunteer, register now!
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