SPCA Pet of the Day: Meet Xena
The SPCA Pet of the Day is Xena, a 17 year-old thoroughbred, who has a had a tough life.
"She entered SPCA care after being seized from a property due to a cruelty complaint and was subsequently surrendered. After weeks of rehabilitation, she is ready for her new home. Xena is a very sweet mare, who loves attention and meeting new horses and people. She is good to graze with others but doesn't stress if her paddock mate heads out for a ride without her.
She is good for farrier, vet, covering (even in Wellington winds!), leading and feeding. She has been floated, but is still a little anxious loading so would benefit from some additional work in this area. We understand Xena was ridden for most of her life but hasn't been for the past three years. Xena would make an excellent addition to a family wanted an older, kind horse to keep their youngsters' company. Xena has grazed with sheep with no problems.
She is a good doer and put on weight easily once put on grazing. Xena has had a dental, been vaccinated (Strangles and Tetanus), drenched and vet checked."
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
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.
Summer on the South Coast
Summer is here again! Fantastic weather beckoning all to get out and enjoy it.
So my request is, if you are cycling, running, walking on our beautiful south coast roads between Breaker Bay and Ohwiro Bay - please be courteous to all road users, even those of us stuck in cars.
The roads are scenic, but they are also narrow, with lots of blind corners. This makes it very difficult for faster moving traffic (cars) to pass slower moving traffic (cycles, walkers, runners). On a bad day this can result in frustrated cars making rash decisions to overtake - putting everyone in danger.
If you are enjoying the coast road on a cycle, and there are cars behind you, please do be considerate and pull over when you have a chance so that they can pass. "Hugging the left" does not really help on a narrow road with blindspots. Stopping is ideal.
If you are enjoying coast on foot, please be conscious of visibility and stay off the road where possible.
If you are enjoying the coast in a car, please be courteous to others - good will spreads, unfortunately so does selfishness.
Lastly - everyone watch out for penguins, they were here first but they don't read Neighbourly or road signs.
Happy and Safe summer everyone.