Pukehangi - Mangakakahi, Rotorua

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857 days ago

Natures Bounty | Bast is Best

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Rotorua

Commonly known as ‘soft’ fibres, bast fibres are the fine, flexible fibres obtained from the stems of dicotyledonous plants.

Bast fibres have been used to manufacture ropes, sacks, sails, and other industrial fabrics for hundreds of years. Commonly known as ‘soft’ fibres, bast fibres are… View more
Commonly known as ‘soft’ fibres, bast fibres are the fine, flexible fibres obtained from the stems of dicotyledonous plants.

Bast fibres have been used to manufacture ropes, sacks, sails, and other industrial fabrics for hundreds of years. Commonly known as ‘soft’ fibres, bast fibres are the fine, flexible fibres obtained from the stems of dicotyledonous plants. A sustainable choice, bast fibres support regenerative agricultural practices that can help the soil sequester carbon and as a natural resource, are entirely biodegradable. In this article we will investigate four of the most utilised bast fibres: flax, hemp, ramie, and jute.

Between the epidermis (the outermost layer of cells) and the core of the plant’s stems are soft, woody fibre bundles or strands which can be over one metre long. The strands are composed of individual filaments made up of cellulose and hemicellulose cells bonded together by pectin or lignin, a cohesive gum which strengthens the stem of the plant.

During harvest the stems are cut close to the ground and the fibres are separated either through a natural decomposition process called retting (engaging moisture and bacteria to rot away the gummy cellular tissues) or by decortication (peeling the stems manually or mechanically). After retting, the fibres can be mechanically extracted through a process known as scutching.

In contrast to bast fibres, leaf fibres are obtained from the leaves of monocotyledonous plants with parallel-veined leaves, such as grasses, lilies, orchids, and palms. The long, stiff fibres of plants including abaca, cantala, Mauritius hemp, and sisal are generally used to create cordage or ropes, however, due to labour-intensive harvesting processes they are used less frequently than synthetic options.

Flax (Linen): Famously grown across northern France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Ireland, flax is the most popular and strongest of the bast fibres. Wild flax fibres found in the Upper Palaeolithic layers of a Georgian cave indicate that humans have been crafting cords and weaving flax baskets for over 30,000 years.

Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

857 days ago

The Great InsectBot Mission Competition

Stem Wana Trust

Step into a NASA engineer’s shoes to design and create a robot, inspired from insects’ unique characteristics, with the capability of surviving on Mars. The competition is for rangatahi aged 10 to 16 years across Aotearoa.

The finalists will get the chance to go to Tauranga STEM FestivalView more
Step into a NASA engineer’s shoes to design and create a robot, inspired from insects’ unique characteristics, with the capability of surviving on Mars. The competition is for rangatahi aged 10 to 16 years across Aotearoa.

The finalists will get the chance to go to Tauranga STEM Festival and present their InsectBot to a panel of judges. The competition winner will receive amazing “money can’t buy experiences” including a visit to Rocket Lab facilities as a VIP and other prizes will include a series of space and engineering themed experiences thanks to our generous partners.
Find out more

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858 days ago

International Chess Day

NumberWorks'nWords Rotorua

Almost everyone in the world has heard of the game of chess, but what not everyone knows is that there is an entire day dedicated to the celebration of this wonderful pastime!

A game of strategy and wits, chess has long been considered to be the thinking man’s game. From its early days in … View more
Almost everyone in the world has heard of the game of chess, but what not everyone knows is that there is an entire day dedicated to the celebration of this wonderful pastime!

A game of strategy and wits, chess has long been considered to be the thinking man’s game. From its early days in India in the 6th century, to everywhere in the world today, chess is a wonderful game to play anytime, anywhere, and with almost anyone.

Has your child played the game of chess? Why not try it today!

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858 days ago

Beef, ordered from here

McDonald's

For delicious grass-raised beef New Zealand is the perfect combo.

An ideal climate, lush pastures and innovative farming produces enough beef for Macca’s in New Zealand and around the world. Our patties are 100% quality beef, and all that’s added is a dash of salt and pepper when cooked.
View more
For delicious grass-raised beef New Zealand is the perfect combo.

An ideal climate, lush pastures and innovative farming produces enough beef for Macca’s in New Zealand and around the world. Our patties are 100% quality beef, and all that’s added is a dash of salt and pepper when cooked.

We partner with many Kiwi farmers who produce our beef, including those at the world-class Whangara Farms.
Find out more

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858 days ago

RECYCLE THE RUNWAY FASHION EVENT

Wendy from Rotorua Central

Charity Fundraiser Event by
DRESS FOR SUCCESS Bay of Plenty

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859 days ago

Haven Falls Funeral Home Ki Rotorua

Haven Falls

Haven Falls are very blessed to be opening their new branch in Rotorua.

Located at 271 Old Taupo Road, Rotorua these facilities offer a large chapel, dining hall and extended off road parking.

We invite you at anytime to pop in and speak with one of our team members and have a look around … View more
Haven Falls are very blessed to be opening their new branch in Rotorua.

Located at 271 Old Taupo Road, Rotorua these facilities offer a large chapel, dining hall and extended off road parking.

We invite you at anytime to pop in and speak with one of our team members and have a look around the facilities offered.

We operate 24 hours 7 days a week.
0800 428366
Learn more

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860 days ago

Ways to make your home feel cosier in Winter

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Rotorua

Find out how a few key elements can warm up your abode over the winter months. Anyone can make a home that is inviting and relaxing after a long cold day.

Choose a warm paint colour: Explore the colour wheel - Notice that yellows, oranges and reds are on the warm side so utilising those colours … View more
Find out how a few key elements can warm up your abode over the winter months. Anyone can make a home that is inviting and relaxing after a long cold day.

Choose a warm paint colour: Explore the colour wheel - Notice that yellows, oranges and reds are on the warm side so utilising those colours will simulate a cosier, warmer mood. Blue and purples are on the cool side so they will simulate the opposite mood.

Warm lighting: Group lighting by using task and ambience lighting and a mixture of table and floor lamps. Warm coloured bulbs throw out a softer light and give a room a cosy feel.

TIP: Having your lights on separate switches means you can control how bright/dim a space will be.

Add pot plants: Any living element contributes to a cosy and inviting feel. Plants in baskets are not only on-trend, but they also generate more oxygen inside your home too.

TIP: Group pots together using different shapes and heights to make a focal point.

Carpet, rugs and textiles: Tiles are great but can be chilly underfoot in the cooler months. Carpets insulate, soften and warm up a room and New Zealand wool carpets are environmentally friendly with a sustainable fibre, plus naturally flame retardant.

Don’t discount rugs even if you have carpets. Make sure you choose a rug that works with your existing carpet. Placing a rug between yourself and the floor instantly guarantees a warmer atmosphere. Rugs are also incredibly good at tying a space together.

TIP: Garage carpet reforms the space from a cold concrete feel to a soft warm space too!

Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

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860 days ago

Reading Tip #4

NumberWorks'nWords Rotorua

Choose a favourite time to read together as a family and enjoy it. This might be everyone reading the same book together, reading different things at the same time, or getting your children to read to each other. This time spent reading together can be relaxing for all ?‍?‍?‍??

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861 days ago

Paint it Red with Resene!

Resene

Simply visit your local Resene owned ColorShop, choose your favourite red testpots and for each one you buy Resene will donate $1 to Cure Kids to help fund vital child health research!

Offer applies to all Resene green 60mL testpots (excludes metallic and wood stains) purchased by retail … View more
Simply visit your local Resene owned ColorShop, choose your favourite red testpots and for each one you buy Resene will donate $1 to Cure Kids to help fund vital child health research!

Offer applies to all Resene green 60mL testpots (excludes metallic and wood stains) purchased by retail customers between 13-31 July 2022 at Resene owned ColorShops.

Come in and see the Resene team today!
Find out more

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863 days ago

“Donate and Shop at Red Cross”

The Team from

Come visit us at Red Cross urban ore @ 24 Te Ngae Road Victoria Rotorua

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863 days ago

Reading Tip #3

NumberWorks'nWords Rotorua

Give children lots of opportunities to read different things in their own time - it doesn’t just have to be books. There’s fiction, non-fiction, poetry, comics, magazines, recipes, and much more. Try leaving interesting reading material in different places around the home and see who picks it … View moreGive children lots of opportunities to read different things in their own time - it doesn’t just have to be books. There’s fiction, non-fiction, poetry, comics, magazines, recipes, and much more. Try leaving interesting reading material in different places around the home and see who picks it up ??

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863 days ago

King-size mattress

Diane from Hamurana

We have a King-size mattress for sale excellent condition ,has been covered since New 0211348900

Price: $250

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863 days ago

Concrete pad

The Team from Resene ColorShop Rotorua

Transform a dull concrete pad into an attractive seating area with a little bit of help from Resene Walk-on flooring and paving paint.

Find out how to create your own.

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864 days ago

Do you know a greenfingered hero in your community?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours,

NZ Gardener together with Ryman Healthcare is once again looking for greenfingered good sorts – individuals or groups who use their gardening skills to help others. Tell us about the great gardeners doing right by your community, and they could be one of five finalists who will… View more
Dear neighbours,

NZ Gardener together with Ryman Healthcare is once again looking for greenfingered good sorts – individuals or groups who use their gardening skills to help others. Tell us about the great gardeners doing right by your community, and they could be one of five finalists who will feature in the October magazine!

There are some amazing prizes up for grabs, so if you know a homegrown hero who is using their gardening skills for the greater good, nominate them now for Ryman Healthcare 2022 Gardener of the Year!

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865 days ago

Benefits of drinking water before bedtime.

Beds4U Rotorua

Drinking warm water before bed will keep you hydrated through the night and may help the body to get rid of unwanted toxins. It may also help to relieve pain or cramps in the stomach. Below is a list of benefits from drinking water before bedtime.

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