Mount Cook, Wellington

Fair play

Fair play

Whether it’s a playhouse, she shed or teenager’s sleepout, a stencil-painted floor in Resene Clockwork Orange will elevate it from meh to wow.

739 days ago

How to make your food last longer

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Wellington (The Wash House)

Tips to extend the shelf life of popular staples, such as bread, flour and fruit.

Dealing with a bulging pantry? Here are our tips to get the longest life out of your cupboard staples and fresh produce.

Best-before and use-by dates: know the difference: Best-before dates give you information… View more
Tips to extend the shelf life of popular staples, such as bread, flour and fruit.

Dealing with a bulging pantry? Here are our tips to get the longest life out of your cupboard staples and fresh produce.

Best-before and use-by dates: know the difference: Best-before dates give you information about food quality. Food can be eaten and sold after its best-before date. However, it may have lost some nutritional value and might not taste the best. If a food has a shelf-life of two or more years, it doesn’t need a best-before date.

As soon as you open any food’s packaging, its shelf life becomes the same as if the product was unpackaged. How long it’s safe to eat depends on several factors: its water and protein content, quality when you bought it, and how it’s been stored.

Use-by dates are usually on perishable foods such as poultry and deli foods. A food can’t legally be sold after its use-by date and shouldn’t be eaten because it can make you sick.

Bread: Bread keeps the longest in the freezer (though it’s not as convenient, as you have to wait for it to defrost). If you’re a pantry-only fan, it should be kept in its packaging (paper or plastic if it’s homemade) and stored in a cool dry area– ideally in a bread tin if you have one. A good compromise is the middle shelf of the fridge, but it will still get stale as it dries out.

If your bread’s stale, whiz it in the food processor to make breadcrumbs, which you can then pop into a resealable container for freezing. You can use it to crumb meat and fish or add it to dishes (for example, meatballs or pasta bakes).

Tip: Freeze half your loaf and keep the other half out. The half in the freezer won’t get stale or mouldy.

Eggs: Eggs keep longer in the fridge but they can be stored at room temperature (as long as it’s 15°C or lower). Either way, store your eggs in their original carton: it keeps them safe from cracking, slows moisture loss, stops them absorbing other food smells and you’ll know the best-before date.
Tip: Check eggs are safe to eat with the float test. Place the egg in a bowl or cup of water. If the egg sinks, it’s good to eat. If it floats, throw it away.

Flour and dry ingredients: Store your flour in a large, airtight container that your measuring cup can fit in. A container with a screw-top is best, but any well-sealed lid will be fine. Transfer other dry ingredients (for example, baking powder and baking soda) that don’t come in resealable packets to an airtight container. Or use a resealing bag clip.

This help prevents weevils getting into your baking stash. Some people swear that adding a bay leaf will keep weevils away.

Pantry moths are sometimes lurking in your dry goods – sometimes in new purchases. Freezing the ingredients should kill the moths and any larvae. Wrap the goods in a plastic bag and freeze for two days, before then storing in an airtight container.

Sugar: Sugar should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It shouldn’t be kept in the fridge because this exposes it to moisture, which can make it go hard.

Sugar doesn’t have a best-before date because it doesn’t grow mould.
Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

Image
739 days ago

Have you met Kelly Francis?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

She is one of the five finalists for the 2022 Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year. Read about her (and the other four finalists), and vote for your favourite!

Image
A
739 days ago

Looking for casual baby-sitter work

Annie from Berhampore

Kia ora, my name is Annie and I am a marketing manager at a local not-for-profit organisation.

I am currently available/ looking for casual evening/ weekend based baby sitting work. I have a lot of experience with both older and younger children, from 1 year old up to teens. Please reach out if… View more
Kia ora, my name is Annie and I am a marketing manager at a local not-for-profit organisation.

I am currently available/ looking for casual evening/ weekend based baby sitting work. I have a lot of experience with both older and younger children, from 1 year old up to teens. Please reach out if you are on the hunt for a baby sitter on a casual basis so you can enjoy a child-free evening once in a while!

739 days ago

Poll: Would you ask your neighbour for a cup of sugar?

Ashleigh from Neighbourly.co.nz

You’re baking your signature banana muffins and you're out of a vital ingredient...

Image
Would you ask your neighbour for a cup of sugar?
  • 62.3% Absolutely, my neighbour is a good sort.
    62.3% Complete
  • 25.4% No, that would be awkward. Where are my car keys?
    25.4% Complete
  • 9.2% Maybe. If I was feeling confident.
    9.2% Complete
  • 3.1% Who lives next door?
    3.1% Complete
130 votes
740 days ago

Get the day’s top news with Two Minutes of Stuff

Stuff

Satiate your news hunger with Two Minutes of Stuff, a bite-sized snack of the top stories and key issues of the day.

Two minutes is all you'll need to get up to speed on today's talking point and the biggest news of the day and stories you don't want to miss. A fully-curated … View more
Satiate your news hunger with Two Minutes of Stuff, a bite-sized snack of the top stories and key issues of the day.

Two minutes is all you'll need to get up to speed on today's talking point and the biggest news of the day and stories you don't want to miss. A fully-curated experience, with items hand-picked by Stuff staff, sent each weekday evening. Sign up for free here.
Sign Up

Image
V
740 days ago

Retro Arcoroc dessert bowls

Victoria from Berhampore

These stem bowls are great for serving desserts in and perfect for that retro classic prawn cocktail!
3 boxes of 12 bowls available. $6 per bowl or $65 per box, negotiable.

Negotiable

Image
740 days ago

United Nations Day

NumberWorks'nWords Kilbirnie

On 24 October each year, the United Nations celebrates its own “birthday”, which took place when the UN Charter was finally officially and fully ratified on 24 October, 1945.
People come together and celebrate the day with pomp and show in various cities in different countries. National … View more
On 24 October each year, the United Nations celebrates its own “birthday”, which took place when the UN Charter was finally officially and fully ratified on 24 October, 1945.
People come together and celebrate the day with pomp and show in various cities in different countries. National costumes, flags, speeches, slogans, and parades are organised to mark the day and promote the idea of diversity and unity.

Image
V
741 days ago

Cafe milk jugs, tea & coffee pots stainless steel

Victoria from Berhampore

Perfect for a cafe or catering. Never been used.
6 x 150ml milk jugs - $10ea
6 x 300ml tea pot - $20ea
6 x 300ml coffee/hot water pot - $20ea
Take the lot $220 neg.

Negotiable

T
741 days ago

Pyjamas Appeal

Tracey from Kelburn

I'm appealing for pajama donations for my non-profit organization, The Raindrop Project. The Raindrop Project is a non-profit initiative that delivers care packages to those in hospital settings who are going through a traumatic time. This November we are delivering packages to those in the … View moreI'm appealing for pajama donations for my non-profit organization, The Raindrop Project. The Raindrop Project is a non-profit initiative that delivers care packages to those in hospital settings who are going through a traumatic time. This November we are delivering packages to those in the Lower North Island's RRAIS unit, the adolescent mental health unit. Many of the children in this unit don't have their own pajamas. Wearing hospital clothes can lead to them feeling more isolated and out of control when they are in an environment with little they can control. A donation of pajamas will help them hugely in getting through a tough time. Your donation could be the light that shows them that people still care and that there's a life waiting for them out there. If you have pajamas that are new/unopened, or if you would be able to go out and buy a pair, that would be hugely appreciated. We are looking for sizes that would fit 12 - 17 year olds. I am happy to come and pick them up, just send me a text at 020 4184 9123 or email me at projecttheraindrop@gmail.com . Alternatively, if you can't find the time to go out and donate through this link: givealittle.co.nz...
A $5 donation buys a pair of pajamas for a kid. Any amount is appreciated though, thank you so much. Your actions will make a huge difference to these kids.

Thanks,
Lucia (Tracey's Daughter)

747 days ago

Garage Urgently Wanted to Rent for an Alfa-Aspirin.

Christopher from Brooklyn

Hi all - I'm looking for a secure garage to rent, preferably in Brooklyn but happy to consider elsewhere, for a pretty 80's Alfa. She's only little but is rain-phobic, and moisture threatens to return her from whence she came. If you have your own things in the same space that's… View moreHi all - I'm looking for a secure garage to rent, preferably in Brooklyn but happy to consider elsewhere, for a pretty 80's Alfa. She's only little but is rain-phobic, and moisture threatens to return her from whence she came. If you have your own things in the same space that's no problem. And I'd be happy to take you for drives!

Be great to hear from you - 021 784557.

Thank you!

Image
742 days ago

Win a Raglan Getaway

Raglan Food

We live and work right here in Whāingaroa Raglan, a really awesome neighbourhood and part of Aotearoa. Here at Raglan Food Co we’ve been lifting the vibe on plant-based eating, creating delicious dairy-free alternatives for nearly 8 years. Perhaps you’ve tried our tasty coconut yoghurts or … View moreWe live and work right here in Whāingaroa Raglan, a really awesome neighbourhood and part of Aotearoa. Here at Raglan Food Co we’ve been lifting the vibe on plant-based eating, creating delicious dairy-free alternatives for nearly 8 years. Perhaps you’ve tried our tasty coconut yoghurts or gut-loving kefir?

We want to share a slice of our paradise with you, so to win a Raglan getaway for you and three friends or family members simply head over to www.raglanfoodco.com to enter.
Find out more

Image
D
742 days ago

Can you do simple dress alterations?

Diana from Brooklyn

I have 3 cotton dresses (2 knit) plus a pair of outdoors trou, all need shortening. All different colours. Can you do the job and show a high standard of finish? Pls reply to Diana w a rough cost 021 1744195. Prefer Southern/central Wellington.

742 days ago

3rd Anniversary Gift

Naichao from Oriental Pantry

Dear Neighbours,

It has been three years since we started this business.
Thank you all for your support during the past three years!

Now we prepared some gifts for our third anniversary:
From 22nd to 24th,
If one purchase is more than $60, you'll get one specified bread.
If one … View more
Dear Neighbours,

It has been three years since we started this business.
Thank you all for your support during the past three years!

Now we prepared some gifts for our third anniversary:
From 22nd to 24th,
If one purchase is more than $60, you'll get one specified bread.
If one purchase is more than $120, you'll get one bottle of LKK oyster oil.
If one purchase is more than $200, you'll get one bag of Thai durian.
......

Terms and conditions do apply.

Please visit one of our stores:
123 Willis St, Te Aro, Wellington
3 Hillary Ct, Naenae, Lower Hutt

Happy shopping!

Image
743 days ago

Calling all music lovers!

NZ Modern School of Music

Since 1952, the NZ Modern School of Music has provided Kiwis of all ages, throughout the country, with a fun, www.nzmodernschoolofmusic.org.nz... |modern approach to learning musi. We’re currently on the lookout for both students and teachers.

If you love music, are proficient in an instrument… View more
Since 1952, the NZ Modern School of Music has provided Kiwis of all ages, throughout the country, with a fun, www.nzmodernschoolofmusic.org.nz... |modern approach to learning musi. We’re currently on the lookout for both students and teachers.

If you love music, are proficient in an instrument and would like to share your skills with others, think about becoming a teacher with the New Zealand Modern School of Music. You don't need to be an experienced teacher - we'll give you training and support - you just need to be enthusiastic and be proficient in your chosen instrument and music theory.

Do you have an interest in learning to play a musical instrument? If you are a beginner or already have some musical ability, www.nzmodernschoolofmusic.org.nz... |it's never too late to learn or re-learn| - whether you are eight years old or eighty! NZ Modern School of Music offers affordable one-to-one music tutoring across a range of instruments for children and adults, and all levels of musical ability.

If you’re ready to start your journey in mastering a musical instrument or share your music passion & skills with others please get in touch with Gail Boswell via email: nzmsm.wellington@gmail.com Phone: 027 289 2031
Find out more

Image
743 days ago

Inbox Inspiration for Sowing & Growing

Yates

Yates has been guiding gardeners for quite a while now (nearly 140 years), so we’ve learned a few crafty garden tricks along the way. We’re sharing our email newsletter, packed with our special Yates blend of leading-edge horticulture and old-school garden tips, fresh every month.

Stay on … View more
Yates has been guiding gardeners for quite a while now (nearly 140 years), so we’ve learned a few crafty garden tricks along the way. We’re sharing our email newsletter, packed with our special Yates blend of leading-edge horticulture and old-school garden tips, fresh every month.

Stay on top of the seasonal tasks with us; whether you’re into vegies, herbs, fruit trees or houseplants, we’ll help you navigate your way to a gorgeous and luxuriant garden. Click through to get our timely advice on feeding, watering, weeding and how to nip your garden problems in the bud!
Find out more

Image
Top