Punaruku Island, Rotorua

2589 days ago

Poll: What section of the Sunday Star-Times do you enjoy reading the most?

Reporter Sunday Star Times

Tell us more about what you look forward to reading each week.

Image
What section of the Sunday Star-Times do you enjoy reading the most?
  • 51% News
    51% Complete
  • 10.5% Focus Features
    10.5% Complete
  • 3.5% Columns
    3.5% Complete
  • 35% Sunday Magazine
    35% Complete
314 votes
2589 days ago

The untold story of the fatal Battle of Baghak

Reporter Sunday Star Times

Afghan soldiers who fought shoulder to shoulder with New Zealand troops against insurgents in a deadly battle have spoken for the first time and described what really went on.

The soldiers were in the Battle of Baghak in August 2012 when two New Zealanders and four Afghans died, but were never … View more
Afghan soldiers who fought shoulder to shoulder with New Zealand troops against insurgents in a deadly battle have spoken for the first time and described what really went on.

The soldiers were in the Battle of Baghak in August 2012 when two New Zealanders and four Afghans died, but were never interviewed as part of the Court of Inquiry carried out by the New Zealand Defence Force.

Image
2591 days ago

Everyone’s a winner with a $40 gift from Ring!

Ring

Thanks to the thousands of Neighbourly Neighbours who entered our draw for a free Ring Video Doorbell! Congratulations to Suzy P. of Auckland for taking home the grand prize!

Even if you didn’t win, we don’t want you to leave empty-handed. To show our thanks, we’re giving you an exclusive… View more
Thanks to the thousands of Neighbourly Neighbours who entered our draw for a free Ring Video Doorbell! Congratulations to Suzy P. of Auckland for taking home the grand prize!

Even if you didn’t win, we don’t want you to leave empty-handed. To show our thanks, we’re giving you an exclusive $40 discount only for Neighbourly members.

To claim your discount, simply go to Ring.com and purchase a Video Doorbell or Security Camera. During the checkout process, enter promo code NEIGHBOURLY40 to save $40 on your new device. The promo code will expire on August 31, so be sure to redeem it soon. Limit two per household.

Ring sends alerts to your phone, tablet and PC whenever motion is detected. Answer the alert, and you can see, hear and speak to people on your property from anywhere. With Ring, you’ll never miss another visitor. Because with Ring, you’re always home.
Shop now

Image
2592 days ago

Celebrating World Orangutan Day

The Warehouse New Zealand

Saturday 19 August is World Orangutan Day. Sadly, these beautiful animals are under threat. How can you help? By making sustainable choices. Many of our wood and paper products are FSC certified, which means the wood content is sourced from sustainable forests and plantations. When you choose … View moreSaturday 19 August is World Orangutan Day. Sadly, these beautiful animals are under threat. How can you help? By making sustainable choices. Many of our wood and paper products are FSC certified, which means the wood content is sourced from sustainable forests and plantations. When you choose these products, you’re helping to protect forests and the animals that call them home. Find out more. Learn more

Image
2593 days ago

Do you know someone aged between 14 and 18 years?

The Team from Ministry of Education

Would they be interested in being part of our Youth Advisory Group? Registrations of interest have opened for a new youth advisory group and online youth forum for education.

Encourage them to register their interest for this exciting opportunity to have a say in our education system. … View more
Would they be interested in being part of our Youth Advisory Group? Registrations of interest have opened for a new youth advisory group and online youth forum for education.

Encourage them to register their interest for this exciting opportunity to have a say in our education system. Register here today

Image
2594 days ago

Your kindness could WIN you a prize!

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

We're gearing up for this year's Random Acts of Kindness Day on Friday 1st September. Neighbourly members seem to be the experts when it comes to kindness. This is why we want you to share your ideas of how to celebrate the day, or even a story of a time you've experienced an … View moreWe're gearing up for this year's Random Acts of Kindness Day on Friday 1st September. Neighbourly members seem to be the experts when it comes to kindness. This is why we want you to share your ideas of how to celebrate the day, or even a story of a time you've experienced an unexpected friendly gesture. It might even be something you've seen on Neighbourly!

Comment below before Monday 28th August and we'll pick THREE lucky story tellers to win a $30 Prezzy® card.

Please note: comments may be shared with your local community newspaper and used for publication.

Image
2594 days ago

Save in your first year. Guaranteed.

Electric Kiwi

Hi Neighbours. We know Kiwis like a good deal. We also understand it can be tricky to tell if you are better off. At Electric Kiwi, we are so confident that you'll save in your first year, that we guarantee it. Maybe that’s why we are NZ's fastest growing power company? T&C’s … View moreHi Neighbours. We know Kiwis like a good deal. We also understand it can be tricky to tell if you are better off. At Electric Kiwi, we are so confident that you'll save in your first year, that we guarantee it. Maybe that’s why we are NZ's fastest growing power company? T&C’s apply. Find out more.

Figure out how much you will save in 2 minutes, grab your latest power bill and head to our handy online calculator.
Find out more

Image
2595 days ago

Job not up to scratch?

Consumer Protection

If you have problems with services or products, you may be protected by the CGA. You should expect services to be carried out with appropriate competency and skills, and completed to a reasonable standard.

For example, Jan had two painters provide quotes for some painting and wallpaper work. … View more
If you have problems with services or products, you may be protected by the CGA. You should expect services to be carried out with appropriate competency and skills, and completed to a reasonable standard.

For example, Jan had two painters provide quotes for some painting and wallpaper work. She chose her painter and the work was completed. Two weeks later she noticed bumps and lumps in the wallpaper, that she hadn’t noticed at the time the bill was paid.

With a faulty product, you can return it and ask for a repair, replacement or refund. But that’s not so easy with a service! But Jan’s story ended well, the painter came back and rectified the problem at no cost to Jan.

Check out YOUR rights at consumerprotection.govt.nz
Check your rights

Image
2596 days ago

Attention first home builders! Our experts are here to help

The Team from Jennian Homes

Most new home builders have a long list of questions...what building materials should we use? How can we include energy-saving features? How (and when) will the final price for my home be determined? How can we minimise unexpected costs and what warranties and guarantees will my new home have?

View more
Most new home builders have a long list of questions...what building materials should we use? How can we include energy-saving features? How (and when) will the final price for my home be determined? How can we minimise unexpected costs and what warranties and guarantees will my new home have?

Questions like these are exactly the sort of questions we answer at our FREE Jennian New Home Builder Info Sessions. We invite you to come along, meet your local Jennian team and join us for an informative evening which will cover off these common questions and more.

Want to find out the answer to these key topics and more? Book a FREE complimentary seat at our next info session in your area.
Register now

Image
B
2609 days ago

Rubbish

Briana from Lake Tarawera

Hi Neighbours. I live at Lake Tarawera and go around blue lake regularly and my dogs sniffed out this rubbish on Tuesday. It had been dumped down the bank by the lookout carpark to Blue lake. I didn't notice any 'no rubbish dumping' signs and I would have though this was common sense… View moreHi Neighbours. I live at Lake Tarawera and go around blue lake regularly and my dogs sniffed out this rubbish on Tuesday. It had been dumped down the bank by the lookout carpark to Blue lake. I didn't notice any 'no rubbish dumping' signs and I would have though this was common sense but it makes me wonder if the council should put some in. I assume it was dumped by tourists who come to view our beautiful country and then have no respect for it's clean green image.

2603 days ago

Interesting posts we've seen this month!

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

A chicken apocalypse in Levin, a furry glove thief in Woolston and a bit of graffiti-proof kiwi ingenuity in Dunedin.

We've found a small selection of goodies from this month that we just couldn't help but share with you all. Click on the titles to see the original posts!

Did you … View more
A chicken apocalypse in Levin, a furry glove thief in Woolston and a bit of graffiti-proof kiwi ingenuity in Dunedin.

We've found a small selection of goodies from this month that we just couldn't help but share with you all. Click on the titles to see the original posts!

Did you know that you can browse posts from neighbourhoods across the country on our Public Notices tab? Any content shared to these public pages are posts that have been made with the "Public Post" box ticked.

2608 days ago

Council confirms ongoing support for Mudtopia

The team from Rotorua Lakes Council

Rotorua Lakes Council has reconfirmed its commitment to the Mudtopia mud festival, despite the potential negative impact on revenue streams for the event as a result of recent publicity.

The purchase and importation of cosmetic mud powder from South Korea, as part of a reciprocal arrangement with … View more
Rotorua Lakes Council has reconfirmed its commitment to the Mudtopia mud festival, despite the potential negative impact on revenue streams for the event as a result of recent publicity.

The purchase and importation of cosmetic mud powder from South Korea, as part of a reciprocal arrangement with the renowned Boryeong mud festival, attracted negative publicity which had increased the risk profile of the event, council’s Acting Group Manager Henry Weston told the Operations and Monitoring Committee today [Thursday, 3 August 2017].

Read the full story at bit.ly...

Image
2608 days ago

Are you a pie-hard fan of pies? *WIN*

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

We kiwis sure do love a good pie. InsPIEred by the 2017 Supreme Pie Award celebrations, we want to know where to get the best pie in YOUR neighbourhood!

Comment below where to find your best local pie, sweet or savoury, and you'll be in the draw to WIN a $50 Prezzy® card!
Winner … View more
We kiwis sure do love a good pie. InsPIEred by the 2017 Supreme Pie Award celebrations, we want to know where to get the best pie in YOUR neighbourhood!

Comment below where to find your best local pie, sweet or savoury, and you'll be in the draw to WIN a $50 Prezzy® card!
Winner announced Monday 7th August.

Image
2608 days ago

Free online education for mini makers and do-ers!

MindLab Kids

What's fun, free, safe and tailor-made for creative Kiwi kids? MindLabKids.com, that's what! This super online learning website is the home of home-based fun for 5-12 year-olds. Sign them up today to get their creative cogs turning, and be in to win some cool freebies! Check it out!

Image
2609 days ago

Support NZ Paralympians by joining Spirit of Gold Mufti Day - 8 Sept

Communications Manager from Paralympics New Zealand

Join us in 'going gold' for Paralympics New Zealand's annual Spirit of Gold® Mufti Day!
This year the event celebrates 6 months until our Paralympians compete in the PeyongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games. Donations will greatly contribute to getting our team to South Korea.

View more
Join us in 'going gold' for Paralympics New Zealand's annual Spirit of Gold® Mufti Day!
This year the event celebrates 6 months until our Paralympians compete in the PeyongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games. Donations will greatly contribute to getting our team to South Korea.

As a big thank you for your support, we will be awarding a Paralympian visit to two lucky organisations; one who raises the most funds, and one for the best photograph posted on social media with our #SpiritOfGold hashtag!

Head over towww.paralympics.org.nz... to get your Mufti Day Toolkit and for other ways that your organisation can get involved in supporting us this September!

Image
Top