Lake Matahina, Whakatane

Voted for NZ's Merriest Home yet?

Voted for NZ's Merriest Home yet?

Check out the finalists and take your pick!

931 days ago

Kia ora Bay of Plenty!

Stuff

Hi, neighbours! Stuff is so pleased to have finally landed in the Bay. We've opened a local news hub on Maunganui Road with more local reporters on the ground ...

Click here to check out the latest news around the BOP.

Got a story to tell? Email your breaking news to … View more
Hi, neighbours! Stuff is so pleased to have finally landed in the Bay. We've opened a local news hub on Maunganui Road with more local reporters on the ground ...

Click here to check out the latest news around the BOP.

Got a story to tell? Email your breaking news to newstips@stuff.co.nz.
Find out more

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931 days ago

Happy Samoan Language Week!

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Fa’afetai mo le agalelei fa’atua’oi literally translates to "thank you for your neighbourly kindness". We think that's a pretty special way to show your appreciation for a neighbour. Happy Samoan Language Week!

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931 days ago

Have you got a crazy collection of houseplants? There's still time to become a Houseplant Hero!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

We're getting some amazing entries from gardeners obsessed with their indoor plants, and we're enjoying their stories too. There's still time to send us your entry for our Houseplant Hero 2022 competition. You could win some great prizes, and (of course) more houseplants!

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931 days ago

Severe weather and possible tornado

Ashleigh from Neighbourly.co.nz

MetService have issued a Severe Weather Watch for the west and north of the North Island today - Thursday 2nd June.

There are expected squally thunderstorms alongside heavy rain and hail, as well as a possible small tornado. There is some risk that the thunderstorm will become severe with … View more
MetService have issued a Severe Weather Watch for the west and north of the North Island today - Thursday 2nd June.

There are expected squally thunderstorms alongside heavy rain and hail, as well as a possible small tornado. There is some risk that the thunderstorm will become severe with localised downpours of 25 to 35 mm/h, 110 km/h wind gusts, and the chance of a localised damaging tornado.

Low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys with this intensity of rainfall may cause flash flooding and/or slips. This will make the driving conditions hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility due to the rain. Wind gusts of this strength, and damaging tornadoes can cause structural damage, including trees and power lines.

The weather watch is in place until 6pm tonight but any changes will be reported on the MetService website.

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933 days ago

Join the Stuff whānau and BE IN TO WIN!

Stuff

Kia ora! Stuff has landed in the Bay. We've opened a local hub with more reporters on the ground, up Mauao, at the port ...

Sign-up to hear more from Stuff and be in to win 1 of 3 gorgeous handmade surfboard art pieces from Bubala Creations!
Know more

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934 days ago

$ave with the Resene wallpaper sale

Resene

Get 30% off the normal retail price of Resene wallpapers at your local Resene ColorShop until 20 June 2022.

Choose from thousands of wallpaper designs in the Resene Wallpaper Collection – everything from nature and geo inspired designs to textured and plain wallpapers – there really is … View more
Get 30% off the normal retail price of Resene wallpapers at your local Resene ColorShop until 20 June 2022.

Choose from thousands of wallpaper designs in the Resene Wallpaper Collection – everything from nature and geo inspired designs to textured and plain wallpapers – there really is something to suit all tastes!

Excludes wall decals, WallPrint and clearance items. Not available in conjunction with any other offer.

View the full collection at your local Resene ColorShop or get a taste of the latest wallpaper release and trends online.
Find out more

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934 days ago

The Importance of Curtains for a Healthy Home

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean at Whakatane ChemDry

The Importance of Curtains for a Healthy Home
Curtains, blinds, or other effective window coverings are an essential way to ensure your home is healthy. Here’s why.

Curtains are good for insulation
Curtains reduce the amount of air exchange between a cold window and the rest of the room. … View more
The Importance of Curtains for a Healthy Home
Curtains, blinds, or other effective window coverings are an essential way to ensure your home is healthy. Here’s why.

Curtains are good for insulation
Curtains reduce the amount of air exchange between a cold window and the rest of the room. For keeping heat inside the home, high-quality curtains can reduce heat loss by around 40%. This means you will be less susceptible to illness in winter, and will save money on your heating bill.

The insulation efficiency of curtains depends on the fabric type (closed or open weave), colour and weight. Curtains also act as effective insulators to help keep your home cool in the warmer months.

Dust build-up and allergens
Curtains prevent allergens from getting into your rooms. When your windows are open, dust particles and pollen enter your home. Curtains act as a barrier and collect these particles. They also prevent moisture from condensation on windows entering your room at night.

Because curtains collect these particles, it is important to keep your curtains clean to prevent mould, dust and pollen build-up. Mould in particular will result in a less healthy home and is associated with several health problems.

Correct curtain installation matters for a healthy home
Curtains should completely cover the window and be as close to the window pane as possible, particularly if insulation or light-blocking are your priorities. This effectively ‘seals’ the room from heat, moisture and light exchange through windows.
Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

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935 days ago

The Ryman Guide

Retirement is a chapter in life filled with possibility, and at a Ryman village we want to make that chapter the best it can be. That’s why we offer living options to suit everyone, it’s why our terms come with certainty, it’s why we continually innovate, and it’s why we offer care on site … View moreRetirement is a chapter in life filled with possibility, and at a Ryman village we want to make that chapter the best it can be. That’s why we offer living options to suit everyone, it’s why our terms come with certainty, it’s why we continually innovate, and it’s why we offer care on site so you can plan for the future. The Ryman Guide will help you choose the lifestyle you want to live at a Ryman village, so you can embrace every opportunity.

Click here to get your free copy.
Learn more

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936 days ago

Can you help at Short Notice?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Do you ever walk past a business affected by Covid and wonder what you could do to help? We created Short Notice to link community members with spare time on their hands to surrounding businesses in need.

Whether you have a week, a day or an hour to volunteer, head to the … View more
Do you ever walk past a business affected by Covid and wonder what you could do to help? We created Short Notice to link community members with spare time on their hands to surrounding businesses in need.

Whether you have a week, a day or an hour to volunteer, head to the Short Notice community hub to introduce yourself and share how you can lend a hand.

If you're a business owner sign up for a FREE Premium Business listing to get access to Short Notice and let your community know what help you need.

Together, let's help keep our small businesses thriving!
Find out more

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937 days ago

Get Upcycling and win in 2022!

Resene

It's time to unleash the artist within you, showcase your DIY creative skills and spruce up an old item or completely repurpose it! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.

We want to see your amazing creations so … View more
It's time to unleash the artist within you, showcase your DIY creative skills and spruce up an old item or completely repurpose it! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.

We want to see your amazing creations so don't be afraid to go all out! Check out some of the previous entires here.

Take part in the 2022 Resene Upcycling Awards. There are four great prizes worth $500 up for grabs: a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!
Learn more

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937 days ago

Do you have a great yam recipe?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours,

Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for yam recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz before June 3, 2022.

Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Homegrown Recipes.

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937 days ago

Make your own sculptural side table

The Team from Resene ColorShop Whakatane

Ombre tones help create a gallery-worthy table. Choose tone on tone hues from the Resene Multifinish collection for a quick ombre look.

Find out how to create your own.

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939 days ago

Help stop the spread of wallabies

Bay of Plenty Regional Council

Wallabies are here, destroying native habitat.

Bay of Plenty and Waikato Regional Council's are working together to stop this from happening.

Find out about their wallaby control programme and why wallabies are a pest here.

You can help stop the spread of wallabies by reporting any … View more
Wallabies are here, destroying native habitat.

Bay of Plenty and Waikato Regional Council's are working together to stop this from happening.

Find out about their wallaby control programme and why wallabies are a pest here.

You can help stop the spread of wallabies by reporting any sightings at reportwallabies.com.
Know more

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940 days ago

Are you obsessed with your houseplants? Enter our Houseplant Hero competition!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

The hunt is officially on for New Zealand's best collection of houseplants
. Which means you could be 2022 Houseplant Hero. There’s some great prizes to be won! To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) what potted plants you have, the time you put into caring for them, and what … View more
The hunt is officially on for New Zealand's best collection of houseplants
. Which means you could be 2022 Houseplant Hero. There’s some great prizes to be won! To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) what potted plants you have, the time you put into caring for them, and what you love about them. Send us up to five photos of your indoor plant displays. Email mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Meanwhile, here's last year's winner Alyce Read, from Nelson.

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940 days ago

The Green Side of Wool

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean at Whakatane ChemDry

We have a soft spot for sheep. For many, sheep are symbolic to New Zealand culture with the rearing of sheep being the backbone of the economy for many years.

Sheep farming was established in New Zealand by the 1850s and for several decades wool accounted for more than one third of New … View more
We have a soft spot for sheep. For many, sheep are symbolic to New Zealand culture with the rearing of sheep being the backbone of the economy for many years.

Sheep farming was established in New Zealand by the 1850s and for several decades wool accounted for more than one third of New Zealand’s exports by value, with the sheep population peaking at just over 70 million in 1982.

This number is significant when compared to New Zealand’s human population of 5 million. By 2020 sheep numbers dropped to 26 million following a decline in profitability compared to other types of farming, particularly dairy.

While also farmed as a food source, today’s article focuses on sheep wool and its environmental attributes.

Wool is a natural and renewable resource and as long as our beloved sheep are eating our tasty green pastures they will always produce wool. Wool has amazing properties that make it ideal for many applications from home furnishings to underwear.

Cotton and synthetic fibres are currently the most commonly produced fibres globally, however, their performance and environmental benefits do not compare to wool.

From Wool to Yarn
The wool clip (the total yield of wool shorn during one season from the sheep) is sent to the scourers where it is cleaned and dried before being spun into yarn. The yarn is then sent to the textile manufacturer where many different processes are involved.

The yarn is wound onto dye cones to be dyed the required colours. Next the yarn is warped onto beams which are threaded through the loom, allowing the weft yarn to run across the warp and create a woven fabric.

The fabric is then inspected, washed, and dried. Very few chemicals are used in the processing, typically only water and heat.

Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

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