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!

1264 days ago

DIY – Terracotta Bud Vases

Robert Anderson from

Take on the terracotta trend and sculpt a unique floral feature.


You will need:

- Modelling clay (air-drying or baking)
- Rolling pin

View more
Take on the terracotta trend and sculpt a unique floral feature.


You will need:

- Modelling clay (air-drying or baking)
- Rolling pin

- Knife
- Straw
- Fine sandpaper
- Test pot brush
- Paint test pots (we like Resene Sakura & Resene Apple Blossom)
- Resene FX Paint Effects Medium
- Small sponge
- Cord to hang


Step one: Start by rolling out your clay about 7mm thick (A). It’s important to work on a clean, non-stick surface.
Step two: Use a knife to cut a rectangle as long as you want the main shape to be, then cut a square roughly twice the width of the rectangle and two-thirds the height (B). No matter what shape you’re making, the top piece must be wider to form a dome or pocket. The backing piece always needs to be taller and have enough height to support your flora and allow for a hole.


Step three: If using air-drying clay, dip your fingers in water and wet the edges of the clay slightly – baking clay does not require any water to seal together. Take the smaller, wider square piece and make an arc over the backing piece, bringing the sides together (C). Press the sides down so the clay bonds together, then do the same along the bottom (D), making sure you still have a curved opening at the top.


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

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1264 days ago

Is your business future-ready?

Competenz

We are in a new era of change and an adaptable workforce is the best asset you can have. The right capability can open up massive opportunities for your business.

You may already have ambitious plans. So how do you build capability? By giving staff the opportunity to turn hidden talents into … View more
We are in a new era of change and an adaptable workforce is the best asset you can have. The right capability can open up massive opportunities for your business.

You may already have ambitious plans. So how do you build capability? By giving staff the opportunity to turn hidden talents into new skills!
But it’s hard to know where to start, or even where to turn for advice. That’s where Competenz can help. We’re your industry training partner, turning talent into capability.

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1267 days ago

Meet the team at Bob Owens

Bob Owens Retirement Village

The team at Bob Owens are helping residents feel safe, secure and at home.

Read about the team below.

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1269 days ago

Massive villa relocation "absolute madness"

Colleen Hawkes Reporter from Homed

What a pleasure to meet Hayley Parsons of Clarks Beach, Auckland. She and husband Chris relocated this huge three-storey villa from Palmerston North to Auckland, and project managed the rebuild of Huntly House from London. Wonderful house, wonderful history.

1265 days ago

Sustainable & Affordable means everything to us

The Warehouse

If seeing is believing, then we’d love to invite you to see how our sustainability journey is going at The Warehouse.
 
Look in our stores or online and you’ll see more than 7,000 sustainable products that are better for the planet and your budget.

Look for the Better Cotton Initiative … View more
If seeing is believing, then we’d love to invite you to see how our sustainability journey is going at The Warehouse.
 
Look in our stores or online and you’ll see more than 7,000 sustainable products that are better for the planet and your budget.

Look for the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) branding when you’re
browsing the racks, and you’ll see we’re proud to invest in making cotton production more sustainable.

Look for the FSC label on wood and paper products we stock, and you’ll see we’re dedicated to protecting our forests.

Sustainable & Affordable. It means more choice.
Find out more

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1267 days ago

Crate chair

The Team from Resene ColorShop Whakatane

Embrace a Modernist aesthetic with this simple chair decorated with Resene products.

Find out how to create your own.

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1268 days ago

Inclusive Communities – July 1st to 31st 🥰

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

This month we’re celebrating the diverse array of people who call New Zealand home. Regardless of our different faiths, abilities, cultures, ages, orientations and genders - we want to make sure that our communities are safe and welcoming for all.

There are many ways to take part! From hosting a… View more
This month we’re celebrating the diverse array of people who call New Zealand home. Regardless of our different faiths, abilities, cultures, ages, orientations and genders - we want to make sure that our communities are safe and welcoming for all.

There are many ways to take part! From hosting a multicultural potluck or film screening to providing prevention information / resources in other languages, there are thousands of ways big and small to make our households, neighbourhoods, schools and businesses even more inclusive. It could even be as simple as learning from a neighbour how to say ‘hello’ in their first language or ensuring local footpaths are clear and accessible.

Want to share your thoughts? Let us know how you’re creating inclusive communities this month by tagging us in your social media posts or emailing us your photos, videos, or experiences to:

info@neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz

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1271 days ago

5 cheap (or free) ways to keep the house warm this winter

Robert Anderson from

Don’t shiver in silence! Use these 5 simple (and cheap) techniques to warm up your home and stay toasty this winter.
Quick Summary
• Open curtains in the day, close them at night
• Make and use draft excluders
• Install window insulation films or use bubblewrap
• Keep furniture away… View more
Don’t shiver in silence! Use these 5 simple (and cheap) techniques to warm up your home and stay toasty this winter.
Quick Summary
• Open curtains in the day, close them at night
• Make and use draft excluders
• Install window insulation films or use bubblewrap
• Keep furniture away from heat sources and use rugs/blankets to insulate the floor
• Use as few rooms as possible and close off the rooms you aren’t using

1) STRATEGIC CURTAIN USE

After double-glazing, curtains are the next line of defence against the chill of winter. Thermal lined ones are best, and floor-to-ceiling ones provide a good ‘seal’ of warmth.


However, it’s also important to know when to open and close these curtains to get maximum effectiveness out of them. Generally, when the sun is up, keep the curtains open to let the sunlight and warmth in. As soon as the sun goes down, close them to trap that heat in overnight.

The advanced version is:
• In the morning, have north-facing and east-facing curtains open. Keep south-facing curtains closed throughout the day.
• In the afternoon, close the east-facing curtains and open the west-facing curtains. Keep the north-facing curtains open throughout the day.
• Once the sun sets, close all the curtains (including the north-facing ones).
• Repeat in the morning.
Curtains aren’t just for windows either! Pinning a rug or blanket over an external door can help give it an insulation boost too. Pro-tip: cover up pet flaps in the same way.

2) MAKE (AND USE) DRAFT EXCLUDERS
Draft excluders are long pieces of thick material, usually in the shape of a sausage, that are placed at the bottom of doors to keep the cold out and the warm in. You might be surprised at how much of a difference blocking even a small gap can make!



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

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1271 days ago

A Woolly Tale

Robert Anderson from

Humans have enjoyed wool for over 10,000 years and it continues to be a coveted textile in both high end fashion and interior design due to its many qualities. Here we deep-dive into the wonderful world of wool, sharing the tale of this ancient fibre’s origin, production and inherent attributes. … View moreHumans have enjoyed wool for over 10,000 years and it continues to be a coveted textile in both high end fashion and interior design due to its many qualities. Here we deep-dive into the wonderful world of wool, sharing the tale of this ancient fibre’s origin, production and inherent attributes.

ORIGIN

Britain is said to have lead wool manufacturing through spinning and weaving pre 1900 BC, a skill highly prized beyond their shores. Sheep were first exported beyond Europe to South Africa, New Zealand and Australia toward the very end of the 1700s. We have had a long time to accustom ourselves to the incredible natural qualities of wool and it is quite literally woven in to our trading, cultural and farming histories.


How does wool come to be? Fleece is shorn from sheep annually with a new fleece produced every year (unless you are Shrek the Sheep, who avoided shearing for 6 years – once finally caught in 2004 he produced enough wool for 20 large men’s suits, or 27 kg… blimey!). Once shorn, fleeces are thrown clean side down onto a wool table, skirted (a process to remove undesirable parts of the fleece), folded and rolled to determine class by a qualified wool classer. Bales of wool are then sent to be scoured, a bathing/cleaning process to remove dirt and impurities such as sweat and vegetable matter. Quality is determined by diameter, crimp, yield, colour and staple strength. Finer wools are used for apparel manufacture and heavier for soft furnishing textiles and carpets/rugs.
There are a wide variety of ways to process wool in to differing yarns, including worsted – a very fine yarn spun from carded wool producing a lustrous and smooth product especially suited to apparel. You may also be familiar with felted wools which are produced with heat, pressure and moisture compressing the fibres, entangling them together into a matted textile with a dense, ‘foamy’ or almost spongy appearance and feel. The woollen system of preparing carded wool for spinning ensures short fibres are retained, sometimes requiring combing. Wool can be spun to yarn on its own, or in conjunction with other fibres which can add desirable qualities and attributes to the finished fabric.


Despite a reputation as a land of sheep, New Zealand is actually the 4th largest producer of wool, with the top spot being taken out by Australia, responsible for 25% of global wool-clip. International wool production is about 2 million tonnes, 60% of which is apparel. Approximately 3% of the international textile trade is comprised of wool. We would like that number to be a little higher!

RENEWABILITY
A natural fibre similar to human hair, wool is made of keratin and therefore readily biodegradable. As long as there is grass to graze on, sheep will continue to produce fleece, making it an ideal renewable fibre. Safeguarding the environment is part of the important work undertaken by woolgrowers to guarantee future production and industry longevity. Due to the high quality and durability of wool, woollen products have wonderful longevity and it is also excellent for re-use and recycling. In some instances, wool products can be returned from the interior and fashion sectors to be carded and re-spun in to yarn for re-weaving – an excellent way to reduce waste and extend the life of the material. Because of its hardy nature, when properly looked after, wool has a longer lifespan than many other fibres - if you have ever visited an antique/vintage/mid-century furniture trader, you will often find original wool and wool blend upholsteries still going strong even after a few lifetimes, albeit in need of a good clean!

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

1271 days ago

Looking for an apprentice?

Competenz

Advertise your entry-level and apprentice roles with Competenz through our free online job board, we have pre-qualified and motivated jobseekers ready to match with your organisation.

Find your next apprentice with Competenz!

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1272 days ago

Wrap your home in nature

Resene ColorShop

Nature is far too beautiful to be kept outside. Create a haven in your home with the Resene Willow Wallpaper Collection. With designs to help you relax, recuperate and revive, this collection will help make your house a home.

View the full Resene Wallpaper Collection at your local Resene … View more
Nature is far too beautiful to be kept outside. Create a haven in your home with the Resene Willow Wallpaper Collection. With designs to help you relax, recuperate and revive, this collection will help make your house a home.

View the full Resene Wallpaper Collection at your local Resene ColorShop or get a taste of the latest releases online
Find out more

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1274 days ago

Looking back! GP Winners - Mixed Pairs

Lois Neighbourly Lead from Gisborne District

Congratulations! & Winners for the Gisborne Petanque Mixed Pairs Tournament went to these 2 amazing top players, Ray Young - Milieu (Captain) & Lyn Clark - Pointeur (Placer) who won 1st Prize. They had 4 straight wins and no loss. Well done⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
.....
Gisborne Petanque Mixed Pairs… View more
Congratulations! & Winners for the Gisborne Petanque Mixed Pairs Tournament went to these 2 amazing top players, Ray Young - Milieu (Captain) & Lyn Clark - Pointeur (Placer) who won 1st Prize. They had 4 straight wins and no loss. Well done⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
.....
Gisborne Petanque Mixed Pairs Tournament!

16th May 2021

1274 days ago

Looking back! GP 2nd place winners for the Mixed Pairs

Lois Neighbourly Lead from Gisborne District

Congratulations went to these 2 amazing top players Dave Frazer - Milieu (Captain) and Christine McKnight - Pointeur ( Placer) winning 2nd Prize in the GP Mixed Pairs Tournament. They had 3 wins & 1 Draw. Well done⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
.....
Gisborne Petanque Mixed Pairs Tournament!

16th May 2021

1274 days ago

Birdsong

The Team from Resene ColorShop Whakatane

Be entertained by feathered friends enticed to your garden by making your own bird feeder painted in favourite Resene colours. Find out how to create your own.

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1274 days ago

Winter Efficiency Tip #2: Hot Water

Northpower

Hot water makes up around 30% of an average power bill. Check your hot water temperature and turn down to 60 degrees at the tap (an economy temperature). Hot water for washing dishes is a good guide - if you add cold water to do the dishes you might want to turn the thermostat down.

Showers also… View more
Hot water makes up around 30% of an average power bill. Check your hot water temperature and turn down to 60 degrees at the tap (an economy temperature). Hot water for washing dishes is a good guide - if you add cold water to do the dishes you might want to turn the thermostat down.

Showers also use less water than a bath, especially when using an energy efficient showerhead.

Be sure to check out our other efficiency tips
Read more

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