Are granny flats a good retirement option?
Hi everyone, I'm Mikaela, a Stuff Homed reporter. We're doing a story on what granny flats are like as a housing option in retirement. For those of you that are either living in a granny flat, or are the family who built/bought a granny flat to add to your property for an elder family member, we'd like to hear about why a granny flat was right for you. What was the process of getting one and learning to live together like? If you're happy to share your story and be featured in the article, please email mikaela.wilkes@stuff.co.nz or let us know in the comments below, your message may be used in our story.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Craigs Workplace Giving for Christmas in Waikato focused on front line
It has been a delight for us to again coordinate the annual Christmas-time Workplace Giving by Craigs Investment Partners' Hamilton branch.
We've now passed on $13,100 in grants of various sizes from Craigs and its staff to the five Waikato community organisations they have chosen this year, namely Cambridge Lifeskills, Cambridge Tree Trust, Hamilton Land Search & Rescue, Paws 4 Life (who provided the photo below) and Waikato Women's Refuge - Te Whakaruruhau.
Quinton de Bruin, Investment Adviser at Craigs says: “We’re really proud of our Workplace Giving program here at Craigs.”
“Employees opt in to donate from their monthly pay cheque, building up funds over the year which we then donate to charities in need at Christmas time.
“Craigs also matches employee donations dollar for dollar, up to $500 per person per annum, so it’s a great way to be able to make a meaningful impact in our local community,” says Quinton.
We say well played Craigs Investment Partners!
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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81.9% Yes
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15.3% No
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2.7% Other - I'll share below