Lake Tarawera, Rotorua

1708 days ago

Coronavirus: residents raise a glass to community spirit

Nicola Brennan-Tupara Reporter from Rotorua News

Hi neighbours,
The coronavirus has given rise to a number of quirky phenomenon: the elbow bump, teddy bears in windows and, now, driveway drinkies.
In an effort to boost morale and keep connected, residents along Hamilton's Gillies Ave organised a get together, of sorts, on Friday afternoon.
View more
Hi neighbours,
The coronavirus has given rise to a number of quirky phenomenon: the elbow bump, teddy bears in windows and, now, driveway drinkies.
In an effort to boost morale and keep connected, residents along Hamilton's Gillies Ave organised a get together, of sorts, on Friday afternoon.
It was strictly BYO as neighbours chatted to each other from the safety of their own driveways or berms.
READ MORE in link below.
What have you been doing to stay connected during this time?

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1710 days ago

How to spend our first weekend at Alert Level 4

New Zealand Government

This is a crucial time. You might be tempted to leave the house this weekend to enjoy your free time. But it’s incredibly important that you don’t revert back to ‘normal life’.

Remember why we are all taking these extreme measures. Stay home. Save lives. This breaks the chain and stops … View more
This is a crucial time. You might be tempted to leave the house this weekend to enjoy your free time. But it’s incredibly important that you don’t revert back to ‘normal life’.

Remember why we are all taking these extreme measures. Stay home. Save lives. This breaks the chain and stops the virus spreading.

How to break the chain, and protect us all:

STOP THE MOVEMENT
The virus is spread by us. It can’t move by itself. So we all need to avoid moving around as much as possible, eg:
● don't travel to and from baches or second homes
● avoid driving out of your neighbourhood
● don't travel across the country in campervans
● note that DOC has closed all of its campsites and huts.

KEEP EXERCISE LOCAL
There are very few exceptions to staying home, but exercise is one of them. Going for a walk, run or bike ride is good for your mental health. Just remember to:
● stay close to home. Enjoy your neighbourhood, but go no further
● keep it solitary, or only with those you live with
● keep a 2 metre distance from others.

DO SAFE ACTIVITIES ONLY
● Our emergency services need to be fully available to respond to COVID-19 cases. Any search and rescue operation reduces the ability of first responders to help others.
● Do your bit to help them by only undertaking safe activities, and avoiding going into areas where you could get lost or hurt and require their help. Avoid outdoor activities like swimming, surfing, tramping, or boating, hunting or hiking.

AVOID PUBLIC SPACES
● All bars, restaurants, cafes, gyms, cinemas, pools, museums, libraries and playgrounds are closed.
● Avoid places like beaches where people commonly linger, or are unable to maintain a 2 metre distance.
● Don't touch surfaces others may have touched when outdoors, like park benches or playgrounds.

When you return home carefully wash your hands, and any items you took with you outdoors.
Find out more

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1710 days ago

Colour pop tallboy

The Team from Resene ColorShop Rotorua

Renovate a bland old piece of furniture by giving it a spectacular colour block makeover!

Most homes have an old tallboy or set of drawers that need a little rejuvenation. Rather than put it in the too-hard basket, give your furniture a new lease on life with a fresh Resene paint finish that can … View more
Renovate a bland old piece of furniture by giving it a spectacular colour block makeover!

Most homes have an old tallboy or set of drawers that need a little rejuvenation. Rather than put it in the too-hard basket, give your furniture a new lease on life with a fresh Resene paint finish that can be enjoyed for many years to come.

Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene. Find out how to makeover your furniture.

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1711 days ago

This Bay of Plenty business needs your support!

Prospa

A huge congratulations to Tony & Julie from Pyes Pa SuperValue. These local legends are finalists in the Prospa Local Business Hero Awards.

Now they need your vote to give them a chance to take home a prize package worth $10,000!

Good on you, and good luck, Tony & Julie. Thanks for … View more
A huge congratulations to Tony & Julie from Pyes Pa SuperValue. These local legends are finalists in the Prospa Local Business Hero Awards.

Now they need your vote to give them a chance to take home a prize package worth $10,000!

Good on you, and good luck, Tony & Julie. Thanks for bringing joy to your community - especially in these uncertain times.

***********
Nominated by Robin Warner from Tauranga: "The owners, Tony & Julie, are great at communicating and continually ask their customers if they stock the products they want, and if they don’t, they then get it in. They have a very friendly manner and their Managers and Staff are all attentive. Thanks to Tony & Julie for choosing Pyes Pa, you have fitted in well."
Vote for Tony & Julie

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1711 days ago

Let's look after each other

Neighbourly.co.nz

Neighbourhoods can be a great source of support. Connect with each other through our Reach Out page, show kindness and compassion, and strengthen connections with your communities.

Reach out to your Neighbours here now.

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1711 days ago

Your wellbeing is our priority

Bob Owens Retirement Village

That's why we've created a whole new section on our website filled with great recipes, gardening tip and lists of helpful apps and entertainment sources - to name a few.

Our 'lifestyle and wellness' section will be updated regularly with great content to keep you entertained … View more
That's why we've created a whole new section on our website filled with great recipes, gardening tip and lists of helpful apps and entertainment sources - to name a few.

Our 'lifestyle and wellness' section will be updated regularly with great content to keep you entertained whilst we navigate these new times. Grab a cuppa and enjoy.

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1711 days ago

Keen on some music during lockdown?

Nicola Brennan-Tupara Reporter from Rotorua News

Hi neighbours,
Today is the beginning of our nationwide lockdown, so Operatunity is marking it with some music!
They plan to do it as often as they can through-out the four weeks, given they can't get out and about in the community.
They've rallied all the Operatunity artists to produce … View more
Hi neighbours,
Today is the beginning of our nationwide lockdown, so Operatunity is marking it with some music!
They plan to do it as often as they can through-out the four weeks, given they can't get out and about in the community.
They've rallied all the Operatunity artists to produce their own virtual concerts. Some footage is from their archives, some shot on phones and some was recorded before the lockdown.
There will be a variety of songs, singers and musicians over the next few weeks.
So if you want to check out today's one, head along to the link below.

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1712 days ago

We’re now at Alert Level 4. Stay home. Save lives.

New Zealand Government

Dear concerned citizen,

We must now all stay home. Because that’s how we’ll stop the virus.

Level 4 measures will likely be in place for a number of weeks.

Don’t worry. During that time you will still be able to access all the essentials you need, including medicine, food, and other… View more
Dear concerned citizen,

We must now all stay home. Because that’s how we’ll stop the virus.

Level 4 measures will likely be in place for a number of weeks.

Don’t worry. During that time you will still be able to access all the essentials you need, including medicine, food, and other home supplies.

ALL THE TIME, NO EXCEPTIONS
It’s incredibly important that we all follow the Level 4 plan, all the time. No exceptions. Because doing so will save lives.

A CHALLENGE FOR EVERYONE
We realise these are big changes. But these are challenging times.
If we don't all stay home, the whole country will need Level 4 restrictions for longer.

SUPPORT OUR EMERGENCY SERVICE PEOPLE
We owe it to the essential services. Our nurses, doctors and everyone else on the frontline. They’re working tirelessly to save lives. We should all do everything in our power to help them do this.
Thank you to each and every person, for doing their bit.

While you’re staying at home:

STAY CONNECTED
• Don’t let physical distance stop you staying connected. Keep in touch with people using video calls, phone calls, chat and texting.
• If you know people who are living alone, vulnerable, or separated from their loved ones, regularly check-in with them.

STAY WELL
• Continue to practice good hygiene – wash your hands with soap. Then dry.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
• Regularly clean surfaces in your home with disinfectant.
• Keep up regular physical exercise, and get some fresh air when possible. It’s good so long as this is solitary, or only with those you live with.

REACH OUT
If you need advice, support or help, try reaching out to friends, family, whānau or workmates.

WE'RE UPDATING INFORMATION CONSTANTLY
For all the latest advice, including answers to your health and financial questions, go to Covid19.govt.nz.

And remember: what you do now, will help protect all of us.
Find out more

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1712 days ago

Level 4 lockdown begins tonight...

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

As of tonight at 11:59pm New Zealand will move to a Level 4 alert in response to the #COVID19 pandemic. It will put the entire country on lockdown for four weeks. Here’s what that will mean for us moving forward:

1712 days ago

A message to our Adventurous Seniors

The Team from Readers Tours

There is a reason Readers Tours attract ‘Adventurous Seniors’.

Our itineraries are bold and colourful, so are our tour guides.
We drive scenic roads and coastal highway and have luxury accommodation waiting after a big day. We offer excursions such as Helicopter rides and guided walks and … View more
There is a reason Readers Tours attract ‘Adventurous Seniors’.

Our itineraries are bold and colourful, so are our tour guides.
We drive scenic roads and coastal highway and have luxury accommodation waiting after a big day. We offer excursions such as Helicopter rides and guided walks and have everything organised down to the last meal, with free newspapers for a spot of reading or challenging sudoku.

We are passionate about bringing like-minded individuals together to explore this beautiful landscape we call our backyard and are ready to go full steam ahead with our next tour the moment it is safe to do so.

For now, we will continue to bring you stunning photography, travel stories and helpful tips during these unprecedented times.

Our team remains dedicated to helping you, so please pick up the phone or fill out our contact form and we will be in touch. We look forward to you joining us and experiencing New Zealand like never before.

www.readerstours.co.nz... | 0800 0800 99

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1712 days ago

What if you don't have WhatsApp?

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

"We are now entering a time where families are separated into individual household bubbles and unable to communicate and interact the way they normally do. Our neighbours are the ones who can step up and help."

1713 days ago

Ideas for connecting with your neighbours while self-isolating:

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

- Leave a note in the letterbox with your contact details
- Create a Facebook page for your street / building
- Start a WhatsApp or Viber group chat
- Give a wave from 2m away and ask how they're going
- Find and join a local Neighbourhood Support group here:

www.neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz...View more
- Leave a note in the letterbox with your contact details
- Create a Facebook page for your street / building
- Start a WhatsApp or Viber group chat
- Give a wave from 2m away and ask how they're going
- Find and join a local Neighbourhood Support group here:

www.neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz...

There are plenty of ways to keep in touch and support one another over the next several weeks. Just don't forget about those with limited internet or mobile phone access!

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1714 days ago

Avoid food poisoning at home

Ministry for Primary Industries

It’s a great time to cook for family, and whether you’re dining in or grilling on the BBQ, good food will always be on the menu. But, did you know that half of all food poisoning occurs in the home?

Follow the three simple Cs – clean, cook, chill to avoid getting ill. We all want to keep … View more
It’s a great time to cook for family, and whether you’re dining in or grilling on the BBQ, good food will always be on the menu. But, did you know that half of all food poisoning occurs in the home?

Follow the three simple Cs – clean, cook, chill to avoid getting ill. We all want to keep our friends and families safe, and the 3Cs can help you avoid common foodborne illnesses.

Check out foodsafety.govt.nz/ccc for handy food safety tips.
Learn More

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