Whakarewarewa, Rotorua

Wondering about something in your neighbourhood?

Wondering about something in your neighbourhood?

Whether it's a new building going up or a strange noise you keep hearing, ask your neighbours here.

1339 days ago

Keep it up Aotearoa! 💕

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

It's been heartwarming to hear stories from across the North Island of people taking others into their home and sharing a cup of tea together or fixing them a meal.

For the latest official updates:

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1341 days ago

Buying by tender: Did you write a letter?

Kylie Klein Nixon Reporter from Homed

Hi folks,
My colleague Jo is writing a story about buying by tender, specifically, the new trend of writing letters to the vendor to explain why they should pick your offer over all the rest.
As the market gets harder and harder to break into, we've been hearing more and more about people … View more
Hi folks,
My colleague Jo is writing a story about buying by tender, specifically, the new trend of writing letters to the vendor to explain why they should pick your offer over all the rest.
As the market gets harder and harder to break into, we've been hearing more and more about people trying to make a personal connection with vendors to give their tender offers the edge. We've heard folks will include personal details about their family, why the love the house and what their plans for the property are.
Jo would love to talk to anyone who's written a letter like this to accompany a tender - perhaps it's you, perhaps a relative or friend - or from vendors who've received letters like this, accompanying a tender.
Perhaps you asked for such letters?
We'd love to hear more about that experience for you and how it shaped the way the sale went.
You can reach out to jo here (she'll be joining the Neighbourly neighbourhood soon!) or via our email: homed@stuff.co.nz.
Looking forward to hearing your stories.

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1339 days ago

*** THIS IS THE THIRD EARTHQUAKE THIS MORNING ***

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

A Tsunami Warning has been issued following the M8.0 earthquake north-east of New Zealand near KERMADEC ISLANDS REGION.
People near coast from BAY OF ISLANDS to WHANGAREI including GREAT BARRIER ISLAND and from MATATA to TOLAGA BAY must MOVE IMMEDIATELY to nearest high ground, out of all tsunami … View more
A Tsunami Warning has been issued following the M8.0 earthquake north-east of New Zealand near KERMADEC ISLANDS REGION.
People near coast from BAY OF ISLANDS to WHANGAREI including GREAT BARRIER ISLAND and from MATATA to TOLAGA BAY must MOVE IMMEDIATELY to nearest high ground, out of all tsunami evacuation zones, or as far inland as possible. Evacuate these areas even if you did not feel the earthquake. DO NOT WAIT. A damaging tsunami is possible.

People in all other areas who felt a LONG or STRONG earthquake should MOVE IMMEDIATELY to the nearest high ground, out of tsunami evacuation zones, or as far inland as possible.

This evacuation advice overrides the current COVID-19 Alert Level requirements. Do not stay at home. MOVE IMMEDIATELY. Stay 2 metres away from others if you can and if it is safe to do so.

People evacuating should walk, run or cycle if possible to reduce chance of getting stuck in traffic. Do not return until all-clear is given by Civil Defence.

Go to www.civildefence.govt.nz... for the most up to date information.

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFO with friends, family, neighbours!

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1339 days ago

Distressed garden shelves

The Team from Resene ColorShop Rotorua

Create more space in your garden with these handy garden shelves. Try out an easy to create distressed paint effect using two Resene colours.

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

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1339 days ago

Got a gem next door?

Neighbourly.co.nz

Think of a neighbour that's done wonders in your neighbourhood, who's helped you out without you even asking them or who's dropped some homegrown goodies to you just because they can.

You thought of one yet? Now craft that thought into a nomination that could earn your neighbour … View more
Think of a neighbour that's done wonders in your neighbourhood, who's helped you out without you even asking them or who's dropped some homegrown goodies to you just because they can.

You thought of one yet? Now craft that thought into a nomination that could earn your neighbour recognition in all of Stuff's community papers nationwide - you could even score a bit of cash from us!

It's simple - Click the button below and nominate them on our Nice Neighbour nomination page now
Nominate Now!

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1339 days ago

From first arrivals to first encounters

Trust Tairāwhiti

Tairāwhiti is a welcoming place for new beginnings and new discoveries – the landing place of great Pacific navigators and the origins of Aotearoa New Zealand’s defining dual heritage.

Steeped in vibrant arts, rich history and authentic Māori culture, we invite you to discover the many … View more
Tairāwhiti is a welcoming place for new beginnings and new discoveries – the landing place of great Pacific navigators and the origins of Aotearoa New Zealand’s defining dual heritage.

Steeped in vibrant arts, rich history and authentic Māori culture, we invite you to discover the many stories Tairāwhiti has to tell.

The treasures of Tairāwhiti are ready for you to uncover.
Find out more

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1340 days ago

9 Home Cleaning Hacks Tested

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Rotorua

The internet is awash with natural cleaning hacks. We put them to the test.


1. REMOVING A WATERMARK BY RUBBING WITH A WALNUT

The advice: Get rid of watermarks on wood by rubbing it with pieces of walnut (the nut not the shell).

How it worked: Vigorous rubbing was needed and we went … View more
The internet is awash with natural cleaning hacks. We put them to the test.


1. REMOVING A WATERMARK BY RUBBING WITH A WALNUT

The advice: Get rid of watermarks on wood by rubbing it with pieces of walnut (the nut not the shell).

How it worked: Vigorous rubbing was needed and we went through a few walnuts, but gradually the watermark disappeared. A quick polish with a clean cloth to finish it off.

Worth repeating? Yes, we were surprised at how well it worked, we even tried it on larger surfaces and it did the trick there too. | Rating: 5/5


2. USE OIL TO GET RID OF GREASE STAINS ON STAINLESS STEEL


The advice: Use a smear of olive oil (or similar) on a rag to clean fingerprints and grease smears off stainless steel appliances.


How it worked: Like a dream! It was easier and neater than using the spray-on stainless steel cleaner I have been buying from the supermarket. Trick is not to use too much, you just need the slightest smear...

Keep reading (with pictures: www.curtainclean.co.nz...)

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1341 days ago

Pioneering Dementia Care

Bob Owens Retirement Village

Our village is a supportive and caring community with a focus on improving the lives of residents living with dementia.

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1342 days ago

Sunset Road - Help needed to put lounge suite on a trailer for dumping.

Mike from Owhata

It won’t take long and I’m happy to pay $25 cash for your help.

1346 days ago

Who needs a plant doctor?

Reporter Homed

UPDATE: Thank you for all your questions. We're picking the best to send off to the houseplant doctor from Kings Plant Barn and the answers will be published in an article on Homed soon.

Are your houseplants looking worse for wear? The experts at Kings Plant Barn would love to help. Send us … View more
UPDATE: Thank you for all your questions. We're picking the best to send off to the houseplant doctor from Kings Plant Barn and the answers will be published in an article on Homed soon.

Are your houseplants looking worse for wear? The experts at Kings Plant Barn would love to help. Send us your houseplant questions and problems to homed@stuff.co.nz, or leave them in the comments, for the houseplant doctor to diagnose. Pictures are encouraged.

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1344 days ago

Covid 19

Dennis from Lynmore

So Auckland goes into level 3 and the rest of us into level 2 because some people don’t abide by the rules and decide to go to work and possibly infect their work colleagues and customers how inconsiderate of them. These people should be made accountable for their actions

1343 days ago

Home hacks: Your best tips for cleaning jobs around the house

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Rotorua

Most of these are free or inexpensive, and we can only assume they are tried and tested user-submitted hacks. It's interesting to note that the same everyday products crop up again and again, so let's hear it for dishwasher tabs. Here's what people to say...

IN THE KITCHEN

* … View more
Most of these are free or inexpensive, and we can only assume they are tried and tested user-submitted hacks. It's interesting to note that the same everyday products crop up again and again, so let's hear it for dishwasher tabs. Here's what people to say...

IN THE KITCHEN

* Dishwasher tabs are good to soak muffin trays and cake tins.
* I use dishwasher powder and a splash of bleach diluted in water to soak stained whites overnight. It will bring even whites that have been turned another colour in the wash back to sparkling white.
* Dishwasher powder works for the silver oven racks. I put them in a bath lined with an old towel, then add dishwasher powder, but the tablet would work and a bit of washing powder. Leave it to soak for four hours and it comes off pretty easily.
* To get tea stains off cups, use 1 tsp dishwasher powder and fill the cup up with hot water. Stir to dissolve the powder and let soak for a couple of hours. Put the cup in the empty sink so any overspill doesn't damage the benchtop.
* I clean my glass oven door with ash from my firebox. I clean my firebox glass door the same. Wet newspaper dipped in ash, rub all over glass, dry with clean newspaper. Brings it back like brand new. Used tea bags are also good with the ash.
* Got a pot which is filthy disgusting? Put a dishwasher tablet in put enough boiling water in to cover the filth, stick a lid on and leave over night. Amazing results.
* Soak your filters from the kitchen rangehood extractor fans in warm water and clothes washing powder. Grease and oil just melts off with no scrubbing at all. Good as new!
* Here are two tips to save your money. Let oven warm up. Once warm, the oil stain on door turns soft, and it just wipes off. Tip 2, if it's been baked on for years you just need a sharp blade. You can use one of those window scrapers, but no liquid. Scrape it (when warm); grab a vacuum and suck up all the dust.
* To clean stainless steel tub. Get a tube of Autosol from Mitre 10 or similar and clean with that. Have done it and it works brilliantly. First used to restore chrome on vintage car (brilliant) so gave it a go and delighted at the outcome.
* Oil of cloves is brilliant on mould. Smells a bit like dentist for an hour but it kills mould spores. The chemist sells it fairly cheaply, or Trade Me.
* We run a motel and polish the stainless steel every day. You need three rags. First rag works Polaris paste into the stainless steel. You end up with a rag caked with the paste. Add a little water and mop it up with a second rag. Then with a third clean rag you buff up the surface. We cut up old worn-out towels into squares to make rags.
Other cleaners such as Jif and Chemco also work, but Polaris gives the best shine.
* I put my oven racks and rangehood filters in the dishwasher and let that do the hard work. As soon as the cycle has finished, I remove the racks one at a time, closing the washer door between each one to keep hot, and just wipe over each rack with a Scotchbrite scourer dipped in hot water. The remaining grease marks come off easily; no hard rubbing needed. For the filters, I just rinse them in hot water and give them a good shake to remove as much water as possible then stand them on one edge outside to dry. I do this every three months and clean-up is easy. Oh, and if my oven door glass has grimy grease-spots, I use a putty scraper. It doesn't scratch the glass and it works a dream.

IN THE BATHROOM
* Try using dishwash liquid to clean your bath and shower, including the glass.
* Dishwasher tabs get brown stains out of your toilet.
* To get those stains off toilet bowls, use a very, very fine wet and dry sandpaper.
* Razor blades/paint scraper blades are awesome for removing water stains from around your taps or tiles.
* For the shower, I use 30 Seconds water spot remover to clean first. Then use Rain-X water repellent (the car windscreen stuff). The water just beads off the glass and makes cleaning easier. Reapply the Rain-X every few months when the beading has reduced.
* Try a piece of pumice – free from the beach. Wet the door and clean it with the pumice. It does a brilliant job and is also good on burnt saucepans.

FIREPLACE
* Dirty logburner glass? Dip a wet cloth in the ashes. Scrub with that.

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1343 days ago

Celebrate Community - March 1st to 31st 🎂

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

This month is all about bringing your community together and having a great time! We want March to be all about celebrating the connections we have while making new ones along the way. As we all know, what makes a neighbourhood great isn’t the houses and cars, gardens and streets - it’s the … View moreThis month is all about bringing your community together and having a great time! We want March to be all about celebrating the connections we have while making new ones along the way. As we all know, what makes a neighbourhood great isn’t the houses and cars, gardens and streets - it’s the people who share their presence and aroha with each other.

A wonderful way to take part is to participate in Neighbours Day Aotearoa which takes place from 20 - 30th March. This year’s theme is ‘The Great Plant Swap’ - as an easy way for our neighbourhoods to grow stronger together. If you’re hosting an event, make sure to register it on their website: neighboursday.org.nz/join-in

Show us how you’re celebrating community this month by tagging us in your social media posts or emailing us your photos, videos, or experiences to: info@neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz

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1343 days ago

Support your local news

Mags4Gifts

Save $30 off RPP when you subscribe to your local newspaper at mags4gifts.co.nz, and enjoy the convenience of safe delivery straight to your home.

By subscribing, you will also be supporting our journalists across the country who work tirelessly to ensure you remain informed as situations … View more
Save $30 off RPP when you subscribe to your local newspaper at mags4gifts.co.nz, and enjoy the convenience of safe delivery straight to your home.

By subscribing, you will also be supporting our journalists across the country who work tirelessly to ensure you remain informed as situations evolve.
Take the offer

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