Iwitahi, Taupo

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.

1648 days ago

Taupō GPs encouraging people to keep with health care needs.

Steph Rangi Reporter from Taupō Times

Taupō GP Dr Bronwen Thomas says Taupō GPs are open and are encouraging people to keep up with all their normal health care needs.

“If patients have a clinical problem or need a prescription they should still ring up their GP as they normally would and we will help them find the right way to … View more
Taupō GP Dr Bronwen Thomas says Taupō GPs are open and are encouraging people to keep up with all their normal health care needs.

“If patients have a clinical problem or need a prescription they should still ring up their GP as they normally would and we will help them find the right way to resolve it.

Dr Thomas says GPs are managing both routine and urgent care. The full GP service is operational even though much if it is happening in a virtual space.

"As far as acute medical problems go, we definitely want patients to contact us as promptly as normal. So, if patients have an injury, a worrying symptom for example, a pain, a lump, a change with their bowels or their breathing we want to know. We will still manage the problem, send them for any tests they need and refer them on to the hospital specialists when required.

“It may all look a bit different and some routine things may be postponed if safe to do so, but, we are still here doing our job as always,” she says.

Bronwen says that early on at the start of the lockdown, GPS did have to change some pre-booked face to face appointments to phone calls, to ensure not too many people came to the practice. This was done to keep staff and patients safe. Some tests and reviews were postponed where it was safe to do so.

“We are running phone, video and face to face (with doctor or nurse approval) consultations for both urgent and routine care. We will help patients with the safest and easiest option for their individual problem.”

Dr Thomas says GP practices have been working hard to ensure practices have measures in place to ensure the safety of staff and patients from any COVID-19 exposure.

She says the local Community Based Assessment Centre (CBAC) also provides a referral option to GPs for patients with possible COVID-19 i.e. fever or respiratory symptoms; runny nose, sore throat or cough, who need a clinical assessment and swabs.

1648 days ago

Kids Greening Taupō's online success

Chris Marshall Reporter from Taupō Times

The nationwide Covid-19 lockdown has provided an opportunity for innovation and creativity for Kids Greening Taupō, as demand surges for the organisation’s online materials.

The Kids Greening Taupō programme – initiated in 2014 - is based on the Department of Conservation’s (DOC) … View more
The nationwide Covid-19 lockdown has provided an opportunity for innovation and creativity for Kids Greening Taupō, as demand surges for the organisation’s online materials.

The Kids Greening Taupō programme – initiated in 2014 - is based on the Department of Conservation’s (DOC) Collaborative Community Education Model and was the first programme to test and pilot this model.

The model which focuses on place-based education, student-led conservation change, and collaboration across communities has been rolled out across the country, said Taupō-based DOC Outreach and Education Co-ordinator Kerryn Penny.

The Kids Greening Taupō Nature Connectors series encourages parents or caregivers to get children outside and engaged with nature through a variety of simple activities and challenges. The Online Nature Classroom has different themes every week and a strong inquiry and observation aspect, such as identifying pests and making tracking tunnels, including information linked to DOC resources.

The lessons are designed to become permanent education resources.

Kids Greening Taupō Education Co-ordinator Rachel Thompson said the likelihood of a COVID-19 lockdown saw staff develop online materials for activities that children could do in their neighbourhood.

“We’ve been posting (online) right from day one of the lockdown. We believe connecting to nature for mental and physical well-being is more important than ever at a time like this.”

Kids Greening Taupō had done an amazing job of providing fun, practical activities to engage young people and their whānau with nature, said Penny.

Kids Greening Taupō is an offshoot of Greening Taupō, a non-profit group, and it is part of the local Taupō Environmental Education Collaborative which comprises a range of organisations providing Environmental Education programmes and support – including the Department of Conservation (DOC). The organisation has also received grants from DOC’s Community Conservation Fund to support its work.

For more information on Kids Greening Taupō visit www.kidsgreeningtaupo.org.nz...

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1648 days ago

This week's latest Blueprint

Hamilton Harcourts

View Hamilton Harcourts' latest interactive Blueprint.

If you'd like to receive Blueprint in your inbox each week, subscribe here.
Read now

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1648 days ago

Notice of 2020 Triennial Election of Trustees

WEL Energy Trust

Nominations for the WEL Energy Trust triennial election are now open!

WEL Energy Trust seeks nominations for seven (7) trustee positions with an election to be held on Friday 26 June 2020.

To find out more, please visit the WEL Energy Trust website where you can access the Candidate … View more
Nominations for the WEL Energy Trust triennial election are now open!

WEL Energy Trust seeks nominations for seven (7) trustee positions with an election to be held on Friday 26 June 2020.

To find out more, please visit the WEL Energy Trust website where you can access the Candidate Handbook, Nomination Form and other relevant information.

Nominations close at 12 noon on Thursday 14 May 2020.
Find out more

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1649 days ago

Time to get decorating!

The Team from Resene ColorShop Taupo

Now’s a great time to get decorating... and enjoy savings on your favourite Resene products.

The 25% off sale has been extended until 4 May 2020 for all Resene cardholders!

Get 25% off the normal price of Resene premium paints, stains, primers/sealers, wallpaper, decorating accessories and … View more
Now’s a great time to get decorating... and enjoy savings on your favourite Resene products.

The 25% off sale has been extended until 4 May 2020 for all Resene cardholders!

Get 25% off the normal price of Resene premium paints, stains, primers/sealers, wallpaper, decorating accessories and Resene cleaning products at Resene owned ColorShops. If you’re not a cardholder already you can sign up at www.resene.co.nz/diycard or when you order online.


You can order:

Order now via the online shop, shop.resene.co.nz, for click and collect or contactless delivery, staff will confirm when orders are ready to collect.

Email your order to your local Resene ColorShop or reseller. Resene staff will arrange it for collection or contactless delivery.

Phone your local Resene ColorShop or reseller during normal shop hours to place your order. See www.resene.co.nz/colorshops for email and phone details for your local Resene ColorShop.

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1649 days ago

Need to save on power?

Electricity Authority

If COVID-19 means you’ve been using more power, or if it’s affected your income, talk to your power company to check you’re on the best plan.

Find more advice and support at the Electricity Authority’s website.

Talk, Check, see if you can save.
Find out more

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1657 days ago

Please share an ANZAC story with us Waikato...

RSA

Dear Wakato - ANZAC Day will look a little different for us this year - however, there are many ways for you to acknowledge the incredible men and women who have served our communities and given their lives for our country.

We invite you to share a memory or photo to commemorate this special … View more
Dear Wakato - ANZAC Day will look a little different for us this year - however, there are many ways for you to acknowledge the incredible men and women who have served our communities and given their lives for our country.

We invite you to share a memory or photo to commemorate this special day on Neighbourly below. It could be a story of a member in your family who served - or perhaps the way you and your family celebrate ANZAC Day each year. (It might even be a photo of your freshly baked can't be-beaten ANZAC cookies).

We also invite you to take part in Stand at Dawn and join us at 6:00 am on Saturday 25 April. Stand at your letterbox, at the front door, in your lounge rooms, balconies, in your driveway. Wherever you are in the world, stand with us and take a moment to remember our fallen – but please stay within your ‘bubble’.

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1650 days ago

Looking forward to your next copy of NZ Gardener?

Jo McCarroll - NZ Gardener editor Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

I am (very) pleased to tell you that now that the country is in Level Three, the May issue of NZ Gardener will be sent to our printers, and the magazine will be on sale from May 7. And believe me the May issue is packed with the good stuff, with ideas of what you can sow, plant, pick and preserve … View moreI am (very) pleased to tell you that now that the country is in Level Three, the May issue of NZ Gardener will be sent to our printers, and the magazine will be on sale from May 7. And believe me the May issue is packed with the good stuff, with ideas of what you can sow, plant, pick and preserve to make the most of your garden right now, plus Lynda Hallinan reflects on 60 lessons for gardeners from the lockdown, a bumper gardening quiz, and you can visit a spectacular Taupō garden alive with birds, a whimsical wonderland in Glenorchy in full bloom and meet the clever and resourceful gardeners of the Chatham Islands... all without leaving your bubble. And thanks so much to everyone who has been in touch to offer their support to the NZ Gardener team, especially those who have subscribed or renewed or purchased a subscription as a gift (an NZ Gardener subscription is a great Mother's Day idea, just sayin'!) We are so grateful to you all, and it's your support that allows us to keep inspiring and informing gardeners from all around New Zealand as we have been doing now for more than 75 years. Please share this message with your gardening groups on social too. We’re looking forward to the many more years of celebrating the amazing gardens and gardeners of New Zealand that lie ahead.

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1650 days ago

Taupō Times is back!

Steph Rangi Reporter from Taupō Times

Hey, Taupō community!

We have just been given word that the paper will be back next week.

We'd love to see what you all got up to during the lockdown so please send some photos through to us of all the lockdown fun you had.

Photos can be emailed through to steph.rangi@stuff.co.nz

1650 days ago

Economic recovery campaign launched

Chris Marshall Reporter from Taupō Times

A ‘Love this Place’ campaign has been launched to support businesses in the Taupō District.

The campaign also aims to share inspiring stories of enterprises adapting to the current environment, and shine the light on the area.

The primary goal of the ‘Love this Place’ campaign, said its… View more
A ‘Love this Place’ campaign has been launched to support businesses in the Taupō District.

The campaign also aims to share inspiring stories of enterprises adapting to the current environment, and shine the light on the area.

The primary goal of the ‘Love this Place’ campaign, said its creators, was to stimulate the local economy post Covid-19.

The campaign is a partnership between Destination Great Lake Taupō, Enterprise Great Lake Taupō, Towncentre Taupō, Taupō Business Chamber, and Turangi Tourism Group with support from Taupō District Council, and district-wide i-SITE visitor information centres.

Taupō District Mayor David Trewavas said he was delighted to see the initiative launched and urged all locals to get on board.

“This is all about showing our love and support for everything we have right here in our backyard. The Taupō District is an amazing place to live, work and play. Now is the time for everyone to support our local businesses, explore more of our own backyard and become an ambassador for our district.”

He urged the community to unite and spend locally whenever possible.

Turangi Tourism Group Chairman, Mike Bowie, also pplauded the launch of the new initiative.

“Our business community at the southern end of the lake has been severely impacted by Covid-19, with the immediate closure of so many tourism related operations,” he said.

“We know our Turangi locals will dig deep and support our business owners to come through this, and I think this initiative is a great jumpstart.”

He encouraged local residents to check the list of Turangi businesses trading at Level 3 before they went shopping.

Marketview figures show that in the year to March 2020, local spending across the district contributed 60 per cent of the total revenue through retail, accommodation, entertainment and other consumer spending.

The remaining 40 per cent was from a mix of domestic and international tourist spending. The same data shows that Taupō district residents spent $150m in retail purchases outside the district.

Locals can see which businesses are operating at various alert levels in the district at the ‘Love this Place’ Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LoveThisPlaceTaupoDistrict) from today (Tuesday, April 28).

Businesses are encouraged to register their details to be listed as trading during Level 3 by completing the form on the Facebook page and next week, the ‘Love this Place’ team will be launching a number of activities and promotions that the whole family can take part in, like treasure hunts and shopping incentives, said project coordinator Andrea McLaren.

Locals keen to be part of ‘Love this Place’ can share their story on Facebook by tagging @LoveThisPlaceTaupoDistrict.

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1651 days ago

Need advice on a DIY fail or reno dilemma?

Jo Haywood Reporter from Homed

Hey neighbours, how's lockdown life treating you? If you've been trying to sort some long overdue DIY jobs around the home, with mixed results, help is at hand. 

Have you already had a DIY disaster you need to fix, or are you looking to do some home improvements but don't where … View more
Hey neighbours, how's lockdown life treating you? If you've been trying to sort some long overdue DIY jobs around the home, with mixed results, help is at hand. 

Have you already had a DIY disaster you need to fix, or are you looking to do some home improvements but don't where where to start? Email homed@stuff.co.nz to tell us all about it - including photos if you can - and we'll ask our experts for their advice on how you can fix things up, or where to start with your project. 

So whether you have a interiors design dilemma, a need for some home DIY know how, bigger plans for a reno you'd like an expert opinion on, or even a tough cleaning problem you want cleared up, we'll get you some answers. What are you waiting for? Email your questions and photos to homed@stuff.co.nz and we'll get back to you.

Please note: We are unable to recommend specific businesses or tradespeople to provide quotes etc.

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1650 days ago

New Zealand is now at Alert Level 3

New Zealand Government

Alert Level 3 is a milestone in our struggle against COVID-19. We are all responsible for what happens next. Every contact we make is a chance for the virus to spread.

We could easily lose what we have gained. Our success, or failure, depends on the decisions that we’ll each make alone – … View more
Alert Level 3 is a milestone in our struggle against COVID-19. We are all responsible for what happens next. Every contact we make is a chance for the virus to spread.

We could easily lose what we have gained. Our success, or failure, depends on the decisions that we’ll each make alone – but which in turn – will affect all of us.

Two weeks then a review
• On 11 May, we will review our progress and decide if we can safely continue to step down restrictions, or if more measures are required to protect us all.
• So the decisions we each make now, matter. Because every interaction we have is an opportunity for the virus to spread.

Keeping safe at Alert Level 3
• At Alert Level 3, the best way to keep those around you safe, is by keeping your bubble small. Interact with as few people as possible. Less people equals less risk. And continue to stay at home whenever you can.
• We should each be making the minimal number of trips. Be sure to stay local, and only make necessary trips.
• And importantly, work and learn from home if you can.

Let’s do this
We’re a team of 5 million. Formidable. And we can do this.
So thank you New Zealand for making the right decisions, when it really counts.
Find out more

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