Lake Matahina, Whakatane

Explore more, worry less at Ryman

Explore more, worry less at Ryman

With Ryman’s lock-and-leave-style living, you’re free to explore without worrying about home maintenance or security.

2933 days ago

Make time to call the older people you know this Christmas.

The Team from Age Concern New Zealand

Sometimes we get caught up in the Christmas rush, and don’t take time to think about people who may be experiencing a much quieter holiday season. Contact with older people can help families to connect with what Christmas is really about, and it’s a great time to explore memories and think … View moreSometimes we get caught up in the Christmas rush, and don’t take time to think about people who may be experiencing a much quieter holiday season. Contact with older people can help families to connect with what Christmas is really about, and it’s a great time to explore memories and think about traditions.

Age Concern New Zealand will posting 5 tips leading up to Christmas on how you can connect this Holiday Season.

3. Ring your older family members and friends to wish them happy holidays. Something as simple as a phone call can have positive benefits that go both ways. Connection with older people can help families to connect with what Christmas is really about.

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2934 days ago

Nominate your Neighbourhood Champion

The Team from Neighbours Aotearoa

We all know a neighbour who goes above and beyond, are the glue of our street or community and who really make a difference in our lives. Neighbours Day Aotearoa wants to celebrate those people, so we are introducing the NEIGHBOURHOOD CHAMPIONS. Each month we will be sending a wee gift of thanks to… View moreWe all know a neighbour who goes above and beyond, are the glue of our street or community and who really make a difference in our lives. Neighbours Day Aotearoa wants to celebrate those people, so we are introducing the NEIGHBOURHOOD CHAMPIONS. Each month we will be sending a wee gift of thanks to the neighbourhood champion of the month. How does it work? You can nominate a champion in your neighbourhood by emailing kiaora@neighboursday.org.nz with the story, a picture if you have one, and your neighbourhood champion's contact number or address if you have it so we can get in touch with the if they win. We will post the story and the picture on our facebook page. The story that gets the most likes that month wins the gift of thanks. Our first gift is this beautiful Pohutukawa Pendant from Paul Harris Art and Design .... perfect summer gift, and a perfect gift of thanks.

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2939 days ago

Connect with your older neighbours this Holiday Season.

The Team from Age Concern New Zealand

If you haven’t already made contact with your neighbour, the holiday season is a perfect opportunity to break the ice.

Sometimes we get caught up in the Christmas rush, and don’t take time to think about people who may be experiencing a much quieter holiday season. Contact with older people… View more
If you haven’t already made contact with your neighbour, the holiday season is a perfect opportunity to break the ice.

Sometimes we get caught up in the Christmas rush, and don’t take time to think about people who may be experiencing a much quieter holiday season. Contact with older people can help families to connect with what Christmas is really about, and it’s a great time to explore memories and think about traditions.

Age Concern New Zealand will posting 5 tips leading up to Christmas on how you can connect with your older neighbours this Holiday Season.

1. Invite your older neighbour to share a meal or a cup of tea
Christmas can be a tough time for older people, especially those who live alone. Invite your older neighbour over for a meal this holiday season. This will give you a chance to build a relationship with them.

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2936 days ago

Connect with your older neighbours this Holiday Season - Tip 2

The Team from Age Concern New Zealand

If you haven’t already made contact with your neighbour, the holiday season is a perfect opportunity to break the ice.

Sometimes we get caught up in the Christmas rush, and don’t take time to think about people who may be experiencing a much quieter holiday season. Contact with older people… View more
If you haven’t already made contact with your neighbour, the holiday season is a perfect opportunity to break the ice.

Sometimes we get caught up in the Christmas rush, and don’t take time to think about people who may be experiencing a much quieter holiday season. Contact with older people can help families to connect with what Christmas is really about, and it’s a great time to explore memories and think about traditions.

We will posting 5 tips leading up to Christmas on how you can connect with your older neighbours this Holiday Season.

2. Pop over with a hand-made card from a child
A little note to say Happy Holidays can make the world of difference to an older neighbour. Have your son or daughter make up a card or get your crafty hat on and make one yourself. It’s a great excuse to pop over and have a nice chat.

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2938 days ago

Last chance to enter our Christmas letterbox competition!

Mike Pero Real Estate New Zealand - HQ

Untangle your tinsel and head down the drive! It's your last chance to enter the Mike Pero Christmas Letterbox Competition. Simply decorate your letterbox for the festive season, share a photo on your Neighbourly noticeboard using the hashtag #christmasletterbox before Monday 12 December and … View moreUntangle your tinsel and head down the drive! It's your last chance to enter the Mike Pero Christmas Letterbox Competition. Simply decorate your letterbox for the festive season, share a photo on your Neighbourly noticeboard using the hashtag #christmasletterbox before Monday 12 December and we'll put you in the draw to win great prizes - including Prezzy® cards!

Help Santa find his way by decorating your letterbox this Christmas! Find out more.
Find out more

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2938 days ago

CAROLS by candlelight SUNDAY 11 dec.

Pam from Whakatane District

A really great family affair. Riverbank Amphitheatre beautiful backdrop and the children love it.
People start arriving around 6.30 with nibbles or a takeaway. Band, choir and CAROLS commence at 7.30.
Candles, holders and glow sticks available for a gold coin donation. A great sight at dusk … View more
A really great family affair. Riverbank Amphitheatre beautiful backdrop and the children love it.
People start arriving around 6.30 with nibbles or a takeaway. Band, choir and CAROLS commence at 7.30.
Candles, holders and glow sticks available for a gold coin donation. A great sight at dusk when candles are lit.
A very popular event in our community. Please join us.

2939 days ago

Long or strong, get gone

The Team from Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management

All of New Zealand’s coast line is at risk of tsunami.
Knowing the right immediate action to take can save lives and prevent injury. If you are near the coast and feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up, or a rolling earthquake that lasts longer than a minute, move immediately … View more
All of New Zealand’s coast line is at risk of tsunami.
Knowing the right immediate action to take can save lives and prevent injury. If you are near the coast and feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up, or a rolling earthquake that lasts longer than a minute, move immediately to high ground, or as far inland as possible.
The earthquake is your first warning, tsunami waves can arrive within minutes. Do not wait for official advice or warning systems.
Contact your local civil defence group for tsunami zone maps and plan your route today. www.civildefence.govt.nz...
Talk to your neighbours about where you will go, and who might need your help.

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2939 days ago

Football pack winners announced!

McDonald's

We had hundreds of entries to our little Football star competition! Special thanks to every Neighbourly member who shared photos of their Kiwi kids playing outdoors with their favourite ball. We're excited to announce our 60 winners today! Is your little footie fan on the list? Help keep your … View moreWe had hundreds of entries to our little Football star competition! Special thanks to every Neighbourly member who shared photos of their Kiwi kids playing outdoors with their favourite ball. We're excited to announce our 60 winners today! Is your little footie fan on the list? Help keep your little Kiwis active by enrolling them in McDonald's Junior Football. You might just have the next All White or Football Fern kicking around your backyard. Check the winners!

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2940 days ago

What will your house be worth in 12 months?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

How would houses in your neighbourhood fare in a housing boom? Or a housing crash?
Maybe you're looking to buy...what will happen to house prices in the suburbs you're looking at over the next year? It's easy to find out how a housing crash, steady rate, or growth scenario will … View more
How would houses in your neighbourhood fare in a housing boom? Or a housing crash?
Maybe you're looking to buy...what will happen to house prices in the suburbs you're looking at over the next year? It's easy to find out how a housing crash, steady rate, or growth scenario will change your home's value. Find out now using the House Value Calculator.
Check your house value

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2945 days ago

Teardrop roundabout configuration to be reinstated

Chris Rawson from Whakatāne District Council

Following the recent traffic flow trial at the Landing Road Bridge in Whakatāne, the successful teardrop roundabout configuration is to be reinstated, as from 7 am on Friday, 9 December.

At yesterday’s Whakatāne District Council Projects and Services Committee meeting, Council elected … View more
Following the recent traffic flow trial at the Landing Road Bridge in Whakatāne, the successful teardrop roundabout configuration is to be reinstated, as from 7 am on Friday, 9 December.

At yesterday’s Whakatāne District Council Projects and Services Committee meeting, Council elected members voted to reintroduce the modified roundabout layout “as soon as possible”, to reduce traffic congestion at the western entrance to the town during the busy summer holiday period.

The teardrop configuration was trialled to assess whether it would ease the additional traffic congestion expected during the three-month closure of the Peketahi Bridge at Tāneatua, which will see all SH2 traffic rerouted through Whakatāne from mid-February next year. It means only traffic crossing the Landing Road bridge from SH30 will be able to turn onto Landing Road.

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2941 days ago

Drop, Cover, Hold in an earthquake

The Team from Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management

All of New Zealand is at risk of earthquakes, and lots of us travel to parts of the country where earthquakes are more common. Knowing the right action to take – Drop, Cover, Hold – and practising with your family, can save lives and prevent injury.
Everyone should know this - please share … View more
All of New Zealand is at risk of earthquakes, and lots of us travel to parts of the country where earthquakes are more common. Knowing the right action to take – Drop, Cover, Hold – and practising with your family, can save lives and prevent injury.
Everyone should know this - please share with your friends and family.

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2941 days ago

12 Days of Instant Wins...are you a winner?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

We love a bit of festive fun at Neighbourly which is why we're giving away Christmas gifts to our members - every day for 12 days! We have heaps of awesome prizes including The Warehouse gift cards, toy packs, gardening vouchers - and CASH! Want to see if you or one of your neighbours is a … View moreWe love a bit of festive fun at Neighbourly which is why we're giving away Christmas gifts to our members - every day for 12 days! We have heaps of awesome prizes including The Warehouse gift cards, toy packs, gardening vouchers - and CASH! Want to see if you or one of your neighbours is a winner? Just check the blog to see if there's a familiar name on Santa's list.

A special congratulations to yesterday's winner - Beni Alo from Wellington! He scored an AirNZ Mystery Break for two! Check out today's winners now. #hohoho
Check today's winner!

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2942 days ago

Neighbours Day Aotearoa Launch

The Team from Neighbours Aotearoa

Dates for Neighbours Day have been set! 25 & ­ 26 March 2017 is the weekend we're all working towards. Leading up to that weekend we'll be letting you know about some of the awesome events and activities happening near you, sharing stories, giving you a little inspiration around how … View moreDates for Neighbours Day have been set! 25 & ­ 26 March 2017 is the weekend we're all working towards. Leading up to that weekend we'll be letting you know about some of the awesome events and activities happening near you, sharing stories, giving you a little inspiration around how to get your neighbourhood revving to go for Neighbours Day, and for those of us who are a little shy, some helpful tips on how to get started.

Earlier this year we put it to the Neighbours Day community to vote on the best way to launch Neighbours Day 2017. The winning idea was is 'Make it a New Years Resolution', and so that is what we're rolling with. Make getting involved in Neighbours Day your New Year's Resolution.
If you or anyone else signs up for Neighbours Day 2017 between today and the 31st of January you go in a draw to win a $100 grocery voucher. We'll be making 3 draws, one in December, one in January and one in February.
We know there are some of you who are real champions of Neighbours Day Aotearoa, so for those that get the most people joining up we have a little incentive for you too. We've added a section in the join up page where people can mention how they heard about Neighbours Day. This is where all those awesome people you get to join up can pop your name. If you, or your organisation, come out on tops and have the most new members joining up then you will win a $100 grocery voucher as well!!! Whaaattt!! Now that will come in handy either for your awesome Neighbours Day event, or your friendly neighbourly bbq, or will pay for the TimTam's you bring when you have a cup of tea with your neighbours.
So make sure you share the love and spread the word.

For more info visit the links or email kiaora@neighboursday.org.nz

2942 days ago

Foot It campaign is getting results nationwide - how about in our neighbourhood?

Jonathan Milne Reporter from Sunday Star Times

It's going to be a beautiful morning pretty much everywhere in the country - so let's get as many kids and their families as possible out of their cars and walking/riding/scooting for this morning's school run. Tell us about it: what are you going to do; how does it work for you? How… View moreIt's going to be a beautiful morning pretty much everywhere in the country - so let's get as many kids and their families as possible out of their cars and walking/riding/scooting for this morning's school run. Tell us about it: what are you going to do; how does it work for you? How does it differ from your memories of footing it to school as a kid?

An important plank of our Foot It campaign this year has been to encourage councils to lower speed limits outside schools. Families and schools have been enthusiastic about our initiatives to make it easier for kids to get out of the car. And when we wrote to all New Zealand's mayors in February, they offered resounding support: many wrote back promising to do their best to lower speeds, but cautioning that their hands were tied by NZ Transport Agency rules that (extraordinarily) stood in the way of lower speed limits.

Now, the Government has stepped up too: Associate transport minister Craig Foss has announced new Speed Management Guidelines that will make it simpler for councils to lower speeds on the roads that are busiest with cyclists and pedestrians. Read more from this weekend's Sunday Star-Times: www.stuff.co.nz...

We welcome this. So last week, we wrote to the mayors again (many of whom are new to the roles after the local body elections) challenging them to commit to putting lower speed limits outside schools on their council agendas in the first half of 2017. The Sunday Star-Times and Stuff will report their responses, whether they be good or gutless.

It's not just about the Government and councils, though: it's about taking responsibility as communities and individuals. So take the initiative: bylaw or no bylaw, if enough of us voluntarily slow down as we drive past schools in our towns and neighbourhoods, that will slow other traffic and make our streets safer for our kids.

TODAY'S WEATHER: We've attached the MetService rain map for this morning. In short, it's a great day to walk, ride or scoot to school with your kids, anywhere in the country. But this afternoon, a pile of rain is going to land, splash, in the middle of the North Island and Hawke's Bay. Don't say you weren't warned ....

THE FOOT IT PLEDGE: We're all busy - but many of us can find ONE day a week when we can scoot or walk with our kids to school. So make the pledge! 
Join one of our Neighbourly Foot It clubs - the Monday Club, Tuesday Club, Wednesday Club, Thursday Club or Friday Club – and you'll go into the draw to win one of 50 Micro scooters, valued at up to $179.95 each. www.neighbourly.co.nz...

THE SUNDAY STAR-TIMES SAYS:
* Families: Choose one day a week when you walk, scoot or ride with your kids to and from school.
* Schools: Set up walking buses, with parents and volunteers helping local kids get to class safely.
* Councils: Create and enforce lower speed zones outside every school.

TELL US YOUR STORIES: What's the most memorable experience you or your kids have had while commuting to school? Share your story at Stuff Nation and go into the draw for 20 more Micro scooters. www.stuff.co.nz...

BE SAFE: Tips for a safe school run. www.microscooters.co.nz...

2947 days ago

Proudly supporting junior football - plus giving away great prizes!

McDonald's

We’ve supported junior football in New Zealand for over a decade – helping thousands of kids, their coaches and parents kick-start dreams. We've also been recognising the people who make it happen; over 6000 coaches around the country who give up their time every season to support their … View moreWe’ve supported junior football in New Zealand for over a decade – helping thousands of kids, their coaches and parents kick-start dreams. We've also been recognising the people who make it happen; over 6000 coaches around the country who give up their time every season to support their communities. A special congratulations to our 2016 Junior Football Coaches of the Year! Recognise anyone in your community?

We want to get even more Kiwi kids outdoors this summer and practicing their football skills for next season. That’s why we’ve partnered with Neighbourly to give away 60 football and bottle prize packs! Find out how to win!
Enter now

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