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Knowing how to make rope was once a critical skill for survival and self-sufficiency on the frontier. Early settlers were able to make rope from a variety of materials, but the main thing they used was hemp.
A rapid growing plant, hemp is perfect for making rope. Hemp grows fast. It produces up … View moreKnowing how to make rope was once a critical skill for survival and self-sufficiency on the frontier. Early settlers were able to make rope from a variety of materials, but the main thing they used was hemp.
A rapid growing plant, hemp is perfect for making rope. Hemp grows fast. It produces up to 75 tons of dry matter per acre per year. It thrives in poor soil, needs no fertilizers or pesticides to succeed, and gobbles up atmospheric CO2, stymieing the greenhouse effect. It produces more fibre per pound than either cotton or flax, and these fibres are easily extracted in order to make hemp rope, twine, or cord.
Hemp rope is easy to make. Some methods involve using a rope machine, but fortunately such an investment isn’t necessary to the process. All you really need is some hemp fibre or hemp twine, and a short piece of wooden dowel. Our hemp rope maker, available in our shop, will really streamline the process for you if you plan on making lots of hemp rope.
Step one: Separate the hemp fibres or unwind the hemp yarn and cut into lengths approximately twice as long as the desired length of the rope. Continue cutting until you have a bundle of fibres approximately half the size of the diameter of rope you’d like to make.
Step two: Grab the bundle of fibres and fold it in half, securing the fold by placing a dowel rod through the resultant loop and into the ground. Smooth the fibres of this bundle down by running your hand along the length of the cord.
Step three: Divide the bundle in two, holding half the fibres in your left hand and half the fibres in your right.
Step four: Twist each bundle clockwise until the cord you are creating begins to kink and loop. Pull as hard as you can while twisting.
Step five: Twist the two cords together, wrapping one over the other in a counter clockwise motion, to form a rope.
Step six: Secure the ends with overhand knots beginning with the end in your hands. Once the first end is tightly tied, slip the rope off the dowel rod and tie it as well.
To make a cable, repeat steps 2 through 6 and twist the two ropes together. This process can be repeated as many times as you like, making thicker, stronger cables as you go.
Enjoy making your own hemp rope! This technique can be used to make hemp twine, hemp cord. and hemp yarn as well. It all depends on the size of the fibres you start with. Need some ideas for what to do with your newly made hemp rope? Try using a piece as a clothesline, for air-drying your clothes. Make a hemp leash for your pet, or keep your hemp twine petite for use in jewellery making.
Making rope is a great way to be self-sufficient and eliminate the supply chain requirement. Everything you can make yourself is one less packaged product– in this case, one less coil of synthetic rope– that needs to be manufactured for you. Have fun!
"We’d been trying to recruit a young person for a couple of years", says Stainless Machinings owner Brian Lawry. “We’d been in touch with local high schools to arrange work experience at our precision component business and liaised with many career advisors and even advertised at … View more"We’d been trying to recruit a young person for a couple of years", says Stainless Machinings owner Brian Lawry. “We’d been in touch with local high schools to arrange work experience at our precision component business and liaised with many career advisors and even advertised at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT), but with no success.”
After years of searching for a new recruit for their business, Auckland engineering firm Stainless Machinings turned to Competenz’s free job matching service to find them an ideal candidate.
In the space of a few short months, school leaver Stuart Martin joined the company.
Read the full story at the link below.
If you are an employer looking for the right apprentice for your business, get in touch with us to make use of our free job matching service
Hi neighbours,
The Tokyo Olympics are about to kick off, and some of our country's best sports stars are set to represent New Zealand on the world stage.
The opening ceremony takes place on Friday (about 11pm NZ time), and the Games will run through until August 8.
Over the next … View moreHi neighbours,
The Tokyo Olympics are about to kick off, and some of our country's best sports stars are set to represent New Zealand on the world stage.
The opening ceremony takes place on Friday (about 11pm NZ time), and the Games will run through until August 8.
Over the next two-and-a-half weeks, some of the world’s best athletes competing in a range of sports will battle it out in Tokyo in the hopes of walking away with a medal.
So get your New Zealand flags and popcorn ready and sign up for our Tokyo Olympics newsletter to have all the highlights, talking points, medal tally and analysis delivered to your inbox every day. Click here.
We'll also be live blogging our Kiwi athletes' events every day of the Games. Just bookmark this page to stay up to date.
I know this is long, but please read to the end. If you don't want to have the water assets ratepayers have paid for over the last hundred or more years confiscated by the Government, if you don't want the Water Management Boards they will set up borrowing $160 BILLION dollars using those… View moreI know this is long, but please read to the end. If you don't want to have the water assets ratepayers have paid for over the last hundred or more years confiscated by the Government, if you don't want the Water Management Boards they will set up borrowing $160 BILLION dollars using those assets as security, then please write or email your local Council and tell them to say NO to the 3 Waters reforms. The childish ad that the Government has put out is also full of misinformation!
Bruce Smith Westland District Mayor. 24-07-2021
On the 3rd of March I published my journey to date with the three Waters reforms being proposed by Government. You can see this summary on youtube.
www.youtube.com...
Now with the 2021 local government conference behind us where we listened to the Prime Minister and Minister Mahuta and had discussions with a number of Mayors and CEs its time for a further update. Some call it a bribe I prefer incentive.
At the LGNZ conference a 2.5 billion dollar incentive was announced by the Prime minister to encourage councils to opt into the government three water proposals.
Westland District Council was to receive 11 million dollars which we were advised could be used on any project and not refined to three waters. Its stated purpose was to ensure Councils were no worse off after their three waters function and assets were removed by government.
Nothing was mentioned about strings attached by the Prime Minister in her speech.
On the second day of the conference we were informed the money would become available in July of 2024.
It could be spent on projects consulted and approved by IWI and was not confined to three waters investment.
It was subject to councils joining the government masterplan for three waters reform.
This included the transfer of Councils 3 water assets to one of four companies to be established to control the allocation of water,the assets transferred by Councils and the funding of the current and future three water supplies.
It was clarified that Maori would be granted membership and voting rights of 50% of the governance groups that controlled the three water activities and future strategic direction of each of the four entities.
The voting would be 50% Maori and 50% councils who had transferred 100% of the assets to the operating companies.
This government proposal gives Maori who makeup at June 2020 10.4% of the West Coast population and 16.7% of the New Zealand population according to statistics NZ.
Maori in commercial terms gets the right of Veto in perpetuity from government.
This is an unorthodox proposal where 100% of the population have paid for the existing assets and will be paying 100% of all future water costs.
Amongst the conversations it was observed how undemocratic this proposal was. It was noted that the proposal would create a real backlash in our communities. An unintended consequence or is it a further implementation of the HE PUAPUA report.
You can see the report here.
www.nzcpr.com...
The proposed governance structure sits over the operating companies which have no ownership structure as defined in the companies act, have no shareholding and what appears to be an ad hoc distribution of voting rights.
The Mayors were informed by Minister Mahuta that councils have until the end of September 2021 to advise government if they are in or out of the proposed 3 waters reform structure.
Mayors were also informed that information which has not been received at present would be supplied by government via DIA and sent to councils for consideration during August/September.
Councils are required by The Local Government Act to consult with its ratepayers when strategic asset purchases or Disposals are being considered.
I can't speak for other councils but Westland will need at least 3 months upon the receipt of the information to engage experts and receive their advice on the merits and risks of the transfer of assets as proposed by government.
This will then go to ratepayers for consultation and seeking of submissions.
My view is that because of the implications of transferring over a quarter of Councils total assets at below valuation there is only one safe road to take.
I will be advocating for a binding referendum to go out to the people of Westland seeking direction on in or out. It’s called democracy.
It's hard to imagine how any council in New Zealand will be able to make a decision without the clear direction a referendum will bring.
Discussion occurred about what information ratepayers would require to make a decision as at present they are 100% in the dark and will only know what has been read in the media much of which is spin doctor sourced.
The first information required from any ratepayer that has not been in the papers:
what do I pay now?
What will I pay if this proposal is mandated?
I can only talk about Westland.
At present a household pays $527.40 pa water rates.
A commercial business pays $927.12 pa water rates.
If the proposal is mandated households will pay $1,640 to the water supplier for their water.
We have not been told what a commercial user will be charged by the water supplier.
Households need to know if the $1640 is plus GST or inclusive of GST as 99% are not registered for GST.
Another question that ratepayers will need answered is will the $1640 dollars account they received from the water supplier come off my current rates bill?
The answer is a firm NO.
If your WDC household rates are say $3000 at present the $527.40 for water you pay at present will come off your rates from Council.
Your rates will drop to $2472.60 and at the same time you will receive an account from the water supplier for $1,640.
Your cost today is $3,000 which includes water.
Your total cost if the proposal is mandated will be $4,112.60 and that's an increase of 37%.
The mayors talked a lot about democracy and the loss of localism which needs to be considered.
Perhaps we should consider how much influence coasters have with say NZTA.
All Councils have had the NZTA roading contribution this year reduced by a minimum of 10% due to a government directive to put road user charges into rail networks and cycleways.
Health services on the coast now have no direct local input. Its government controlled.
The Tai Poutini Polytechnic now has no direct local input. Its government controlled.
Education is 100% completely controlled from Wellington. Its government controlled.
Social housing is 100% controlled out of Wellington. Its government controlled.
The coast has a serious shortage of social housing and no sign of this being rectified.
Now the proposal is to take all three water assets from the people of Westland, to have them transferred to one of four water supply companies.
There will be no tangible compensation. Households will pay much more for water with no control of future costs.
The government keeps repeating the PR teams key message “ we have proven the case for change”
Government keeps referring to the one event where a failure that occurred in Hastings which had never occurred before or after in New Zealand and is no-where near a justification for change.
There is discussion going on around New Zealand about the removal of control and assets for three waters from councils. Assets which generations of families have paid for with hard earned cash.
What’s proposed seems to fly in the face of our New Zealand democracy and way of life.
I will try and summarise as at 24th of July my journey to date.
The case for change has not been proven.
The water quality bar has been set at a level unaffordable to New Zealanders this is evidenced by the increased cost they will be invoiced by the water regulator to every household.
One size does not fit all.
The loss of local control and influence feels like a step too far.
Confiscation of assets paid for and built up over generations with no compensation will struggle to gain public support.
Some say the proposal to give a right of VETO to Maori who make up 16.7% of the population is undemocratic and will find little support. It follows closely the objectives set out in the HE PUAPUA report
The borrowing of up to 160 billion dollars by the new proposed entities using the assets transferred from our councils and paid for by generations of New Zealanders as security feels reckless.
If its aimed at increasing borrowing in New Zealand away from governments balance sheet it is going to struggle to get support.
The time frames being urgently pursued by government suggest this is not about three waters. If it was why the urgency?
What other councils do around New Zealand is up to them however a public referendum in every district would allow our residents and ratepayers who have along with their families over generations paid for these three water assets and on that basis the decision to opt in or out must come directly from them.
Bruce Smith
Westland District Mayor
021-922860
Low levels of digital literacy among staff is a challenge facing many manufacturing businesses, and strengthening those skills is not only essential to meet rapid technological changes in the workplace, it’s vital to increasing productivity.
“As technology progresses and we move further into… View moreLow levels of digital literacy among staff is a challenge facing many manufacturing businesses, and strengthening those skills is not only essential to meet rapid technological changes in the workplace, it’s vital to increasing productivity.
“As technology progresses and we move further into Industry 4.0, workers must be upskilled to keep pace with new systems and processes, especially older employees who are not digital natives, but who have invaluable experience in their fields,” says Competenz Sector Manager Jahn Vannisselroy
Competenz has developed a new micro-credential to meet the demands brought about by Industry 4.0.
Hi there!
Here at Trade Me we're chuffed to let you know we’ve launched our Kindness Store again for winter, supporting KidsCan and the great work they do making sure our tamariki have a fair start – after all, little Kiwis can’t learn when they’re hungry, wet, and cold.
We’ve… View moreHi there!
Here at Trade Me we're chuffed to let you know we’ve launched our Kindness Store again for winter, supporting KidsCan and the great work they do making sure our tamariki have a fair start – after all, little Kiwis can’t learn when they’re hungry, wet, and cold.
We’ve stocked the store with all the essentials. Think fleece-lined rain coats and shoes to keep kids warm and dry, and warm, healthy food.
Just pick, click, and give now – we take care of the rest, making sure your purchase gets to KidsCan.
Apply for a Defer-A-Bull purchase agreement today – a simple, cost effective solution when sourcing your dairy service bulls.
Secure your bull team early with no repayments until bulls are sold.
When it’s time to replace your curtains, most of us only worry about cost and style. But did you know this choice can make a massive difference to how warm and comfortable your home will be over winter? We tested which types were most effective at reducing heat loss in your home.
The … View moreWhen it’s time to replace your curtains, most of us only worry about cost and style. But did you know this choice can make a massive difference to how warm and comfortable your home will be over winter? We tested which types were most effective at reducing heat loss in your home.
The problem: If you have an insulated house, you can lose upwards of 45% of your heat through your windows. This drops to 30% in an uninsulated home, since it’s easier for heat to escape through the walls, ceiling and floors. This shows the importance of choosing wisely when it comes to your curtains or blinds; the right window coverings can save two-thirds of the heat lost through your windows.
Our test: We measured heat loss through an aluminium-framed single-glazed window fitted with different window coverings. The window was fitted to a mini-room inside our Thermal Comfort lab. The lab temperature was reduced to 4°C to simulate a chilly winter night, while an electric heater inside the mini-room beavered away to maintain a temperature of 20°C.
The different window coverings were tested for at least three hours and we measured the total power usage from the heater, along with the difference between indoor and outdoor temperature. These readings were then used to calculate how effective each window covering was at stopping heat escaping.
Reverse chimneys: Cool air is denser (heavier) than warm air. When it’s cold outside, the inside air close to a window pane is cooled and tends to sink. As this cooled air sinks, it gets replaced by warmer air from other of the room. This creates a circulating air current that cools the room parts.
Curtains that aren’t sealed at the top or bottom to stop these air currents can make the situation worse by forming a channel between the window and curtain. This allows cooled air to flow continuously and chill the room faster.
We tested two types of curtains, thermal and heavy lined, cut to both sill and floor length. The thermal curtains were in a single drop and had a plastic coating bonded to the fabric. You might have expected the thermal curtains would perform better, but the extra layer of fabric in the pricier heavy lined curtains made them better insulators. If you’re getting curtains fitted, opt for floor-length as they keep in heat better than ones that sit at the sill.
Which blinds are best?
We tested five types of blinds: honeycomb, roman, roller, and aluminium and wooden venetians.
Our blinds were installed within the window frame (with the exception of the romans), so there was no gap (like the one between the back of the curtain and the window frame) to allow a reverse chimney to form. Honeycomb blinds easily topped our testing for all window coverings. Air is a good insulator, as long as it’s not moving, and the honeycomb structure creates a large, still air gap between the cold window pane and the warm inside air.
Also, the honeycomb blinds fitted closer to the sides of the window frame than our other tested blinds, which also helped reduce heat loss.
While their public baths may have gone out of fashion, roman blinds are still going strong. Roman blinds were the best window covering after the honeycomb blinds and secondary double-glazing options. A roman blind’s good performance comes down to the close fit it has over the window frame. This good seal, along with a close fit to the wall at the top, helps retain heat.
Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...
Dear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for spinach recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz before July 26, 2021.
Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Homegrown Recipes.
Give an old wooden crate a charming second life with Resene.
Find out how to create your own.
Make every payday, a giving pay day.
Do you know about our Payroll Giving option? For just $20 per month, you can support one student to attend Kiwi Can for a term.
Payroll Giving allows you to make donations directly from your pay and receive immediate tax credits via PAYE. Head to our website … View moreMake every payday, a giving pay day.
Do you know about our Payroll Giving option? For just $20 per month, you can support one student to attend Kiwi Can for a term.
Payroll Giving allows you to make donations directly from your pay and receive immediate tax credits via PAYE. Head to our website to find out more and sign up today.
Peter Williams reports a natural cream that supports his joints and helps to keep him active.
“When I get up in the morning, I want to know that my joints are healthy, flexible and ready for the day.”
“I recommend Koru FX cream by Koru Nutrition. It’s New Zealand made, natural, fast … View morePeter Williams reports a natural cream that supports his joints and helps to keep him active.
“When I get up in the morning, I want to know that my joints are healthy, flexible and ready for the day.”
“I recommend Koru FX cream by Koru Nutrition. It’s New Zealand made, natural, fast acting and long lasting. It has become NZ’s #1 fastest growing topical joint and muscle support cream and I can see why.”
“Ask for Koru Nutrition’s Koru FX cream next time you’re in the pharmacy and try it for yourself.”
All most 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 game. From its early days in India to … View moreAll most 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 game. From its early days in India to everywhere in the world today, chess is a wonderful game to play anytime, anywhere and with almost anyone.
If your child is a real movie lover, then here are some Movie Magic activities to keep them busy over the school holidays.
Think outside the box (excuse the pun!), and create some real movie magic in your own home. Here are a few indoor ideas to get you started.
At home movie theatre … View moreIf your child is a real movie lover, then here are some Movie Magic activities to keep them busy over the school holidays.
Think outside the box (excuse the pun!), and create some real movie magic in your own home. Here are a few indoor ideas to get you started.
At home movie theatre experience: It’s always nice to go out to the movies, but you can recreate that movie theatre feel at home, and turn an ordinary DVD, or streaming movie, into a real experience. Not only will your children have lots of fun, but with so many things to organise it will entertain them for a whole day or more.
Firstly choose a movie, and have your kids make a movie poster to advertise that it is ‘Coming Soon’ to your ‘at home’ theatre. Stick the poster to your lounge window, or if you’re really brave – to your letterbox.
Make invitations to attend the official premiere, and send them to your children’s friends with details of date, time and occasion. If you want, ask everyone to dress in fancy clothes so that the premiere can be extra special.
Set your lounge or theatre room up with rows of chairs, cushions or beanbags, and roll out a red carpet for your guests. If you don’t have a red rug, make a pathway with garden stakes up to your door, and tie on lots of red balloons. Make sure the curtains are closed, so the room is dark like a real theatre.
As your children’s guests arrive, greet them with a bag of sweet ‘n salty popcorn or a chocolate dipped ice-cream, and usher them to their seat with a torch. The premiere will be the talk of tinsel town!
Make your own movie: Think you might have a budding peter Jackson in the house? Have your children make their own movie with a video or sports camera, or even on your mobile phone. They can do the post-production editing using free phone apps, or there’s simple, free software you can download onto a desktop computer.
They will have to come up with a storyline first, and then spend time putting it together. You can even take them right through the process of drawing a movie storyboard and writing a short script. Of course there will also be the grand opening premiere at the end.
In some cities there are ‘movie making’ holiday programmes available, specifically using the computer. Start by asking your child’s school if they know of any movie making workshops, or check out your local computer shops. If all else fails, advertise at your local polytechnic, university or high school for a capable student who can help out. Give your child a few hours with an expert, and you’ll be amazed by what they come up with.
Hollywood ‘Walk of Fame’ paver: Nothing says Hollywood like a ‘Walk of Fame’ paver, and there are two ways to make one depending on the age and stage of your child. You can either buy a concrete paving stone and simply paint on their details, along with painted hand prints, or make a concrete paver right from scratch.
To make a mould, cut the bottom off a plastic bucket so you’re left with a dish approximately 5 cm deep. Mix up some quick set concrete and pour it into the dish. Using a stick (or the end of a paintbrush), draw on the Hollywood star and write your child’s details, then have them press their hands into the centre of the star.
Decorate the paver by pressing in pieces of coloured glass, tiles, old coins, marbles or shells. After 24 hours, or once the concrete is completely set, remove the paver from the mould and it’s ready to grace your ‘Walk of Fame’.
Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...
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