Tauranga, winner of the Most Beautiful Large City
Congratulations Tauranga, winner of the Most Beautiful Large City (more than 100,000 residents) at the annual Keep New Zealand Beautiful Awards announced at Parliament House last night!
This is the first time the awards judges opened nominations to the public, and they received an overwhelming response from our community.
Here’s what the judges had to say:
“Tauranga has taken huge strides into investing in itself, and there’s a lot of passion about the local environment. The city now revolves much of it’s thinking around three main pillars: making it a vibrant and inclusive city, and a city which celebrates the environment. Beautification efforts and campaigns, increased cycleways and walkways, and cultural storytelling in conjunction with iwi are making the city even more desirable to live in. Tauranga also has a large community environmental fund and is championing trees and shade to be part of the city’s infrastructure, with tens of thousands of trees planted and over 11,000 hectares of wetlands restored.”
Check out a video of some the beautificaton efforts here - www.youtube.com...
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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5.1% Second half of November
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44.3% 1st December
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16.8% A week before Christmas
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32.5% Whenever you wish
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1.3% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
The Upside to Down-sizing
Embrace the Freedom! ✨🏠
Ever dreamt of trading in your big house for a simpler, stress-free life filled with travel, friends, and freedom? You’re not alone! Many over 55 are considering downsizing, and it's easy to see why.
👵👴 Why Downsizing?
Once the kids have flown the nest, the appeal of a smaller, more manageable home becomes crystal clear.
💰 Financial Benefits
There are some sweet financial perks too! For those over 65, selling your home and downsizing don’t forget to factor in selling and buying costs and have a chat with your financial advisor about how this could impact your pension.
🌟 Positive Mindset
Downsizing is all about a positive mindset and focusing on what you truly need versus what you want. It's like saving for your first home all over again, but this time with a twist.
📦 Declutter and Organise
Decluttering is key! Go through your stuff room by room and decide what to keep, discard, donate, or sell. You'll be amazed at how liberating it feels to let go of the excess.
🏡 Maximise Your Space
With less space, it’s crucial to make every inch count. Measure your furniture to ensure it fits and consider using one statement piece per room. Smart storage solutions are your best friend – think under-bed storage, wall-mounted TVs, and multi-purpose furnishings.
Once you’ve settled into your cosy new space, you’ll love the newfound simplicity and joy that comes with downsizing. Here’s to new adventures and a hassle-free future! 🌈✨