Waitomo District, Te Kuiti

Got a question about your lawn or backyard?

Got a question about your lawn or backyard?

Ask a Crewcut Lawn & Garden expert (and an ex-Black Caps coach!) now. Head here.

2354 days ago

Become a volunteer and create change in your community

Sarah Macdonald from Volunteering New Zealand

It's National Volunteer Week!

Volunteers create positive change on many fronts – human rights, faith communities, health, education, sports and recreation, social services, arts and culture, emergency services, the environment and conservation, animal welfare, and community support … View more
It's National Volunteer Week!

Volunteers create positive change on many fronts – human rights, faith communities, health, education, sports and recreation, social services, arts and culture, emergency services, the environment and conservation, animal welfare, and community support development – the list is endless.

If you're interested in volunteering please check out the link below to find out about the different ways you can volunteer:

nationalvolunteerweek.nz...

National Volunteer Week (17 - 23 June). The NVW 2018 theme: Volunteers, The Heart of our Community – By many, the work will be completed, Mā tini, mā mano, ka rapa te whai.


#NVW2018

Image
2355 days ago

How to turn your home into an investment property

Lodge Real Estate - City

Not everyone chooses to sell their current home when they decide to move on. Sometimes, it’s not even an option. If you’re looking to hang on to your personal home and turn it into a rental, there are a few things to consider first.

1. Wear and tear
This is perhaps the biggest thing … View more
Not everyone chooses to sell their current home when they decide to move on. Sometimes, it’s not even an option. If you’re looking to hang on to your personal home and turn it into a rental, there are a few things to consider first.

1. Wear and tear
This is perhaps the biggest thing homeowners need to know. As a rental, your personal home will experience more wear and tear than it otherwise would if you lived in it. Your garden will probably not look as immaculate as it once did, and your walls and floors may acquire new scuff marks. So, if you can’t shake off your emotional attachment to the property, you may be better off selling it rather than renting it.

2. Location
The location of your home can have a major impact on its rentability and how easy it is to find quality tenants. If you’re close to local amenities like schools, Waikato University, Waikato Hospital or public transport routes, you have a better chance of keeping your property tenanted.

3. Maintenance
If your home is high maintenance - perhaps it has a pool, a large garden, or old appliances - know that you’ll need to keep it maintained to a reasonable condition to meet your obligations as a landlord/owner. This may involve extra ongoing costs, or costs to remedy the amount of maintenance required.

4. Family homes do best
In Hamilton, family-sized homes do particularly well on the rental market. Four-bedroom houses in Hamilton fetch, on average, between $450 and $520 per week. As for the strongest performing suburbs, Hamilton East/University, Te Kowhai/St Andrews/Queenwood, Dinsdale South/Frankton, Dinsdale North/Nawton and Flagstaff/Rototuna have recently experienced the strongest rental growth for family-sized properties with three to five (or more) bedrooms.

5. Landlord responsibilities
When you turn your personal home into a rental, you will take on the mantle of landlord, which comes with its own set of responsibilities. This includes finding and screening tenants, conducting or arranging inspections, repairs and maintenance. It’s a lot to manage—especially if you’re no longer living in the region. It’s why so many investors hire professional property managers to take care of the day-to-day running of their properties. Moreover, their fees are tax deductible.

Important note: If you’re leaving the country for more than 21 days, you’ll need to either appoint someone as your landlord in your stead or hire a property manager.

6. Tax implications
If you turn your home into a residential investment, be aware that you may not be able to make tax claims against it. It always pays to talk to a professional accountant to make sure you set up your home-turned-rental properly to avoid issues with tax, ownership and debt allocation.
Get your FREE guide to learn more

Image
2356 days ago

A chance to say thank you

Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Let’s hear it for the amazing Fire and Emergency volunteers who help keep our communities safe.

This National Volunteer Week, head to the LetsHearIt landing page on Neighbourly and share a few words about why you’re thankful for what our volunteers do to keep our communities safe. We’ll … View more
Let’s hear it for the amazing Fire and Emergency volunteers who help keep our communities safe.

This National Volunteer Week, head to the LetsHearIt landing page on Neighbourly and share a few words about why you’re thankful for what our volunteers do to keep our communities safe. We’ll make sure they hear your message loud and clear.

Knowing how much we value their sacrifices is part of what keeps Fire and Emergency New Zealand volunteers going. Thank you for letting them know how grateful you are for everything they do.
Share your message now

Image
2356 days ago

How eco-friendly is your home and lifestyle?

Jo Haywood Reporter from Homed

As more and more of us try to do our bit for the environment, we'd love to hear what habits you've changed.

Have you gone off-grid? Found a way to create an environmentally home? Maybe you've given something up or swapped it for a greener alternative...? … View more
As more and more of us try to do our bit for the environment, we'd love to hear what habits you've changed.

Have you gone off-grid? Found a way to create an environmentally home? Maybe you've given something up or swapped it for a greener alternative...? Click here to share your eco tips, tricks and experiences and we'll publish a selection of the best.

Image
2356 days ago

Poll: Should international visitors be charged a levy?

Georgia Reporter from Stuff

Tourists arriving in New Zealand may soon have to pay to enter the country under a Government proposed international visitor levy.

The proposal would impact international visitors entering New Zealand for 12 months or less and would be at a rate between $25 to $35.

Do you think international… View more
Tourists arriving in New Zealand may soon have to pay to enter the country under a Government proposed international visitor levy.

The proposal would impact international visitors entering New Zealand for 12 months or less and would be at a rate between $25 to $35.

Do you think international visitors should be charged a levy to enter New Zealand?

Image
Should international visitors be charged a levy?
  • 77.3% Yes
    77.3% Complete
  • 22.7% No
    22.7% Complete
2415 votes
2357 days ago

Are you doing great work in the community?

The Warehouse New Zealand

Does your community group help families and young people in your local area and need of more funds to support the great work you do? Your local The Warehouse store is now calling for applications to become a partner for our Customer Choice ‘Bags for good’ Programme. In the last financial year … View moreDoes your community group help families and young people in your local area and need of more funds to support the great work you do? Your local The Warehouse store is now calling for applications to become a partner for our Customer Choice ‘Bags for good’ Programme. In the last financial year over $529,000 was raised for 279 community partners across NZ. Curious? For more information or begin the application click here.

Applications close on the 23rd of June.
Apply now

Image
2358 days ago

Get INSPIRED by wallpaper

Resene

Resene has just released the latest Habitat plus, full of inspiring ideas to help you bring out the best in your home with wallpaper. Pick up your FREE copy at your local Resene ColorShop. Make sure you view the extensive wallpaper library while you're in store; there's something to suit … View moreResene has just released the latest Habitat plus, full of inspiring ideas to help you bring out the best in your home with wallpaper. Pick up your FREE copy at your local Resene ColorShop. Make sure you view the extensive wallpaper library while you're in store; there's something to suit all tastes from neutral to bold, pattern to texture, fun to traditional, striped to botanical. Find your local ColorShop

Image
2358 days ago

Poll: Are you able to afford your own home?

Georgia Reporter from Stuff

Housing affordability is getting worse for Kiwis - especially in Auckland.

About four in five people renting are unable to comfortably afford mortgage payments, recent Government statistics show. Many Kiwis are fleeing expensive cities like Auckland in search of affordable housing in the … View more
Housing affordability is getting worse for Kiwis - especially in Auckland.

About four in five people renting are unable to comfortably afford mortgage payments, recent Government statistics show. Many Kiwis are fleeing expensive cities like Auckland in search of affordable housing in the regions - and they're not looking back.

So, in your current situation are you able to afford your own home?

Image
Are you able to afford your own home?
  • 41% Yes, I can
    41% Complete
  • 15.9% Only with the help of Kiwisaver/ partner
    15.9% Complete
  • 6.9% In another 5-10 years I could
    6.9% Complete
  • 36.3% No, renting is my only option
    36.3% Complete
1997 votes
2363 days ago

What do you think about our airports?

Georgia Reporter from Stuff

Hi Waikato,

Auckland Airport has been under fire recently and it got us wondering about what Kiwis think about their local airport. We want to hear about your airport experiences. What do you think are the best and worst Koru lounges in NZ? What are some of the weirdest or quirkiest airports … View more
Hi Waikato,

Auckland Airport has been under fire recently and it got us wondering about what Kiwis think about their local airport. We want to hear about your airport experiences. What do you think are the best and worst Koru lounges in NZ? What are some of the weirdest or quirkiest airports you've been to in NZ? Email your thoughts to our travel reporter at lorna.thornber@stuff.co.nz. (If commenting, please add "NFP/not for print" if you do not want your images/comments used on Stuff).”

Image
2360 days ago

Poll: Are home ventilation systems worth it?

Reporter Homed

Thanks to everyone who's already taken part in our poll. Home ventilation systems can cost thousands and opinions on their worth are definitely divided.

If you're not sure what type of ventilation system would work best for you - or whether you need one at all - … View more
Thanks to everyone who's already taken part in our poll. Home ventilation systems can cost thousands and opinions on their worth are definitely divided.

If you're not sure what type of ventilation system would work best for you - or whether you need one at all - read this to help find out.

Image
Are home ventilation systems worth it?
  • 62.1% Yes it's been great.
    62.1% Complete
  • 16.8% No, our windows still weep.
    16.8% Complete
  • 21.1% It's improved but not removed.
    21.1% Complete
972 votes
2360 days ago

National Volunteer Week 2018 - Quote

Sarah Macdonald from Volunteering New Zealand

National Volunteer Week is next week! (17-23 June). We’ve been busy collecting quotes to reflect our NVW theme:

“Volunteers, The Heart of our Community – By many, the work will be completed, Mā tini, mā mano, ka rapa te whai.”

#NVW2018

Image
2361 days ago

Look around a home of the future

Jo Haywood Reporter from Homed

Ever wondered what our homes will be like in 20 to 30 years? Away from predictions of robots doing everything for us, experts say it's not all about the gimmicks.

Take a tour of a house of the future to see what role technology will have to play and let us know what features you'd like… View more
Ever wondered what our homes will be like in 20 to 30 years? Away from predictions of robots doing everything for us, experts say it's not all about the gimmicks.

Take a tour of a house of the future to see what role technology will have to play and let us know what features you'd like your home to have.

Image
2364 days ago

Poll: What do people want to hear from St John on Neighbourly?

The Team from St John New Zealand

We want to help you and the communities with messages you want to hear.

What do people want to hear from St John on Neighbourly?
  • 52.1% First aid tips
    52.1% Complete
  • 2.6% Event medical services
    2.6% Complete
  • 3.2% Medical alarms
    3.2% Complete
  • 4.7% How you can support St John
    4.7% Complete
  • 5.5% Youth and community services
    5.5% Complete
  • 16.9% Volunteering opportunities
    16.9% Complete
  • 5.1% Ambulance services
    5.1% Complete
  • 9.9% First aid kits
    9.9% Complete
939 votes
2364 days ago

St John's message this winter

The Team from St John New Zealand

St John on Neighbourly is a way to connect with our communities across New Zealand and keep the public up to date with news, information, and tips across our frontline Ambulance Services, first aid training, event medical services, AEDs (defibrillators), first aid kits and supplies, medical alarms,… View moreSt John on Neighbourly is a way to connect with our communities across New Zealand and keep the public up to date with news, information, and tips across our frontline Ambulance Services, first aid training, event medical services, AEDs (defibrillators), first aid kits and supplies, medical alarms, St John Youth programme, and a wide range of community and volunteer programmes.

This winter, St John urges the public to prioritise health & wellbeing. The most important thing you can do is be immunised against influenza and seek advice from a health professional if you are unwell. Each winter the surge of 111 ambulance calls continues to increase, which despite St John’s best efforts to triage and treat people in-home, places a lot of pressure on the ambulance service and the hospital emergency departments.

St John has issued five key messages to the public to help them look after themselves and each other this winter – read them here: goo.gl...

Image
2364 days ago

Poll: Vote for your favourite Stuff Pix!

Stuff Pix

Vote for your favourite Disney/Pixar movie from Stuff Pix and enter to win 1 of 5 Incredibles 2 family packs, including merchandise and cinema tickets.

Check out all the great Disney/Pixar movies on stuffpix.co.nz/disney-pix

Image
Vote for your favourite Stuff Pix!
  • 22.9% The Incredibles
    22.9% Complete
  • 10.7% Coco
    10.7% Complete
  • 8.9% Finding Dory
    8.9% Complete
  • 31.8% Finding Nemo
    31.8% Complete
  • 25.7% Toy Story
    25.7% Complete
2880 votes
Top