Plus Living+ Magazine, Otago/Central Otago Issue #1

FREE OTAGO/CENTRAL OTAGO E DITION: 1 | 2021

Mind over matter How to connect with your inner creativity

Setting yourself up for success The art and craft of goal setting

Dollars and sense

The big financial mistakes older people make

The 13 traits of persuasive people

7 steps to emotional health

Simple ways to improve your headspace

Breaking bad habits 5 steps to break free

staying

connected online

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DID YOU KNOW: • 1 st December 2020: All new tenancy agreements must include a Healthy Home Standard Statement outlining compliance of the property.

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• There are fines of up to $4,000 for non-compliance

We can take care of your Healthy Homes assessment and complete your 13 page declaration taking the stress out of owning an investment property in these times of change.

Nidd Property Management Dunedin Phone: 03 477 4430 | Email: rentals@nidd.co.nz | www.nidd.co.nz 2 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

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www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 3

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Contents

REF#P21D1 OTAGO/CENTRAL OTAGO E DITION: 1 | 2021

Inside Navigating change There’s good reason why old sayings survive to be ‘old’ and that’s because they tend to be true. One such utterance is “The only constant in life is change”.

If Heraclitus was still with us, he’d probably be a big fan of the last year or so, due to it moving the goalposts on the entire planet no less - to the point where we’ve had to adjust some of our most basic, ingrained behaviours.

So, in the spirit of another old saying, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” this issue of Plusliving looks at ways you can act, and things you can change, in order to better navigate your way through days of change.

We look at simple ways to improve your headspace, how to connect with your inner creativity, the art and craft of goal setting, breaking bad habits, the big financial mistakes older people make, easy ways to stay connected to friends and family online, and much more.

Enjoy.

JonathanTaylor

Editor

Quaterly distribution: FREE distribution maximises readership Publisher: The Job Agency T|A Markat 38 Lowe Street, Addington, Christchurch 8011 Managing Director: Gary Collins GM of Operations: Kylie Palermo Sales: Angela Elley (03) 961 5184 | sales@markat.co.nz Editor: Jonathon Taylor (03) 961 5098 | editor@markat.co.nz Production: Jessica Ann (03) 961 5088 | design@markat.co.nz Accounts: Jo Pritchard (03) 961 5161 | accounts@markat.co.nz

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this issue

LIVING WELL AND AGEING GRACEFULLY IN A MODERN SOCIETY

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8

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Little changes with big consequences

Sittingitis - the new taboo

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15

23

The 13 traits of persuasive people

Setting yourself up for success

Staying safe around the home

48

Choosing a funeral director who’s right for you

FEATURE PROFILE

Saving made simple

30-31

- Hidden gems in our own backyard

Welcome to Plusliving – the magazine dedicated to living well and ageing gracefully in modern society. Aimed at the 50+ age group, you’ll find articles covering all aspects of contemporary life, including physical health and wellbeing, mental health and acuity, home life, working life and finances, technology, travel, self-improvement and more. Our aim is to provide information anyone can use, on any given day, so you can get more out of life.

Does your company have any information or products you would like to feature in an upcoming edition of Plusliving+?

Please contact us to discuss getting your business in print Disclaimer This publication is provided on the basis that The Job Agency T|A Markat is not responsible for the results of any actions taken on the basis of information in these articles, nor for any error or omission from these articles and that the firm is not hereby engaged in rendering advice or services. A-Mark Publishing expressly disclaim all and any liability and responsibility to any person in respect of anything and of the consequences of anything done, or omitted to be done, by any such a person in reliance, whether wholly or partially upon the whole or any part of the contents of this publication. Advertising feature articles are classified as advertising content and as such, information contained in them is subject to the Advertising Standards Authority Codes of Practice. Contents Copyright 2020 by The Job Agency. All rights reserved. No article or advertisement may be reproduced without written permission.

Lifestyles

Lifestyles

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1. Colony Pendant Designed by Alex Buckman in Wellington, the Colony Pendant is made out of CNC machined aluminium surrounding an LED component. This award-winning 3D-printed shade, consisting of geometric shapes, will stun whether it’s lit or dormant.

RRP: $390 www.alexbuckman.com

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2. Zig Zag 120 wall storage The Zig Zag wall unit is a modern storage solution to anything you’d like to showcase in your home – books, plants or whatever your heart desires. Made out of white and natural oak and created right here in New Zealand, the Zig Zag shelf and wall storage is available in Danske Mobler.

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RRP: $1949 www.danskemobler.co.nz

3. DeLonghi La Specialista Manual Coffee Machine in Red The La Specialista brings barista quality coffee to your kitchen. The sleek and modern design packs a powerhouse punch, with sensor grinding technology and active temperature control so your coffee is made to perfection for the best extraction. The advanced latte system lets you choose between hot milk or frothy milk.

RRP: $899 www.delonghi.com

4. Sony HTG-700 3.1ch Soundbar

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The HTG-700 is a Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundbar that brings the immersive cinema experience straight into your home in a slim package. When you hit the Immersive Audio Enhancement button, any TV or movie gets the surround sound treatment no matter the original audio settings.

RRP: $999 www.sony.co.nz

5. Oakley Hall Table This new contemporary table from Danske Mobler released post-lockdown is made from solid and veneer oak with a clear lacquer finish and matte black legs. This stylish rendition of a hall table comes from the Oakley line, where it was made here in New Zealand at Danske Mobler’s Mt Eden factory.

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RRP: $1999 www.danskemobler.co.nz

www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 5

Wellbeing

Sevensteps to emotional health A healthier diet and regular exercise are arguably the most common personal aspirations, but improving your emotional and mental health shouldn’t be ignored because exercise, diet and other tangible goals are then easier to meet.

The reason we make resolutions in the first place is to be happier, more creative, more aware of our direction in life and improve our sense of wellbeing. Arguably the largest obstacles to these are negative emotional states.

Negative emotions are hugely toxic to our health. It’s now commonly accepted that holding onto stress, resentment, anger and fear for years at a time can lead to myriad health problems, including high blood pressure, thyroid disease, hair loss and heart disease.

In fact, it has become accepted by health professionals that most diseases in some way have a stress-related component. It’s surprising, then, that more of us don’t focus on improving our state of mind.

Seven resolutions to improve your headspace: 1. Prioritise your happiness and health It’s important to decide for your health and happiness as number one.

As simple as it sounds, if you don’t have these, you are not in a position to contribute to others or yourself. Everything stems from here.

2. Spend more time with the right people Rather than resolving to spend more time with everyone – which can be exhausting – spend time with people who are naturally positive and uplifting, and who are going in the direction you want to go in. You’ll find these people have an energising effect on you.

3. Deal with toxic relationships You can identify relationships by the way they make you feel. Stand your ground, set your boundaries and make it clear to them what behaviour you won’t accept – even with family. You may need to disengage altogether from particularly toxic people. Your health will thank you for it.

4. Reassess your happiness at work This is must for those in a negative work culture that’s leaving them feeling overworked, uncertain of their future, anxious or stressed. It’s important to know that as an employee you can address the issue with your manager. If you know you can’t, it may be time to look for a healthier work environment.

6 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

5. Review your daily routine It takes courage to admit there are decisions we ourselves make that deflate us emotionally – from accepting a job with a long commute, to running around too much, to not giving ourselves enough ‘down’ time every day, to spending too much and putting ourselves in financial stress. By resolving to develop a strategy to solve them, you can be in an entirely different place by the end of the year.

6. Don’t let any negative emotions control you Negative emotions – however small – can overwhelm anything positive. Resolve to develop awareness of when you’re feeling upset or frustrated before it spoils your day. Examine what can you do personally to make yourself feel better. Each time you begin to feel down, take a walk in the park or go out in the sun to help centre you. Nature and movement nurture positive emotions.

7. Strengthen your relationships Deep and meaningful relationships, not just with your life partner but with all those close to youare important for a fulfilling life.

Make a list of all the factors you need for a meaningful relationship, identify what you do not want, and stick to your guns.

The13traits of

persuasive people Persuasive people have an uncanny ability to get you leaning toward their way of thinking. Their secret weapon is likeability. They get you to like more than their ideas; they get you to like them.

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They’re pleasers Persuasive people never win the battle only to lose the war. They know how and when to stand their ground, and yet they are constantly making sacrifices that help their cause.

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They aren’t pushy Persuasive people establish their ideas assertively and confidently, without being aggressive or pushy.

Behaviour 3 They aren’t mousy, either On the other hand, presenting your ideas as questions or as though they need approval makes them seem flawed and unconvincing. If you tend to be shy, focus on presenting your ideas as statements and interesting facts for the other party to mull over.

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They know their audience Persuasive people know their audience inside and out, and they use this knowledge to speak their audience’s language.

5 They paint a picture Research shows that people are far more likely to be persuaded by something that has visuals that bring it to life. Persuasive people capitalise on this by using powerful visual imagery.

6 They use positive body language Being cognizant of your gestures, expressions, and tone of voice (and making certain they’re positive) will engage people and open them up to your arguments.

7 They smile Persuasive people smile a lot because they have genuine enthusiasm for their ideas. This has a contagious effect on everyone they encounter.

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They use your name Persuasive people make certain they use others’ names every time they see them. You shouldn’t just use someone’s name only when you greet him or her.

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They form connections No matter how compelling your argument, if you fail to connect on a personal level, he or she will doubt everything you say.

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They are genuine No one likes a fake. People gravitate toward those who are genuine because they know they can trust them.

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They know when to pull back Urgency is a direct threat to persuasion, so tread lightly. When you try to force people to agree instantly, studies show that they are actually more likely to stand by their original opinion.

8 They acknowledge your point of view An extremely powerful tactic of persuasion is to concede the point.

Admit that your argument is not perfect. This shows that you are open minded and willing to make adjustments, instead of stubbornly sticking to your cause.

9 They ask good questions People like to know you’re listening, and something as simple as a clarification question shows not only that you are listening but also that you care about what they’re saying. You’ll be surprised how much respect and appreciation you gain just by asking questions.

www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 7

Healthy Living

Little changes with big consequences Four simple ways to improve your health By simply examining a few health facts and implementing some simple lifestyle changes each day can make a difference to your overall health.

1. Meditation minimises disease Meditation is a phenomenal way to instantly take control of your health. Studies indicate that a mere 20 minutes of quiet time a day can halve the risk of heart attack or stroke by reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol.

In countries such as India and China, meditation has been used for centuries as a way to lower stress levels and improve concentration.

Scientists have found that transcendental meditation, which promotes deeper relaxation through mantras, is even more beneficial for the mind and body.

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Fumes from washing machines and dryers release harmful chemicals, such as acetaldehyde, into the atmosphere, which may also find their way into the water supply. Shop for safer, less dangerous detergents which will help your health and the environment too.

3. Juice your own fruits and vegetables for better health Buying a carton of juice from the store can be hazardous to your health. Just because the label says “100% pure” or “freshly squeezed” does not mean it is true.

4. Reduce beer consumption and drink alcohol in moderation Heavy beer drinkers risk liver damage and a bigger beer belly.

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Certain liquid laundry detergents contain cancer-causing chemicals.

Research shows that these harmful cleaning aids contain around 25 volatile compounds, which may make people sick.

Avoid processed, stored products and take the time to juice your own fruits and vegetables as a great kick-start to better health.

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3.4

2. Replace hazardous laundry detergents

In processing orange juice, for example, most manufactures remove all the oxygen molecules from the liquid, which allows the juice to be stored for up to a year. As this process strips the juices of their flavors, juice companies then add fragrance and flavor additives to the product.

staff that just don’t quite understand?

2.6

Tests show that sufferers of atherosclerosis were able to reduce their risk of a fatal heart attack or stroke by 47 percent, compared to those who simply followed a healthy diet and exercise program.

According to experts who studied the health of more than 500,000 people between the ages of 35 to 70, it was found that those who drank 30g of pure alcohol a day from beer had a massive 75 percent increased risk of developing stomach cancer.

Worse still, heavy beer drinkers with a particular gene variant in the cluster of three genes that metabolize alcohol have an even greater chance of getting stomach cancer, according to the American Association for Cancer Research.

Ideally, all alcohol should be taken with food, such as a glass of wine with a meal, and spirits should be enjoyed in moderation.

Article kindly provided courtesy of NaturalNews.com

8 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

Healthy Living

Sittingitis

- the new taboo

Despite numerous health warnings on the negative effects of prolonged sitting, people continue to sit too much.

It is known that sitting too much increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart diseases, poor mental health and even certain cancers.

Some 78 percent of office workers feel they sit too much, but only 41 percent of office workers actually stand for more than 30 minutes per day at work.

The term sittingitis is the new taboo; most people know they sit too much, but the majority do nothing about it.

This may be down to work-placed habits and routine leading to sedentary repetition, or the lack of understanding on solutions to break the taboo.

There are three steps that will help turn inactive days into active days. These include:

1. Taking phone calls and meetings standing up It not only gets your blood flowing faster, it increases your confidence and you’ll actually get through the call quicker than taking it sat down.

2. Have a walk and eat lunch in the open air Fresh air really picks you up, your step count will increase and that little walk back to the office will help your blood sugar decrease, reducing afternoon dips in energy.

3. Adopt a standing desk Using a standing desk has been proven to help reduce blood sugar, improve mental wellbeing and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and using a standing desk for just 30 minutes per day can reduce your body weight by a staggering 5.2lb per year.

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www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 11

Self-Improvement

Mind over matter - how to connect with your inner creativity

Instead of forcing your brain to conjure up creative genius “on demand” you need to create thinking space where your mind can rest and let the magic flow.

Here are a few ideas to get your magic happening: Write – although you shouldn’t expect answers to show their pretty little face immediately after you have asked a question, jotting down your thoughts allows you to de-stress, clarify your thoughts and solve problems (fingers crossed). Writing a pros and cons list can also help to evaluate and make better decisions.

Choose a location – it’s been said that some of the greatest ideas are thought of while walking. A simple change in scenery, whether it be a brisk walk around the block, working out at the gym, relaxing in the botanical garden or quiet place, can give you a mental boost and change your mood.

ROOFING & SCAFFOLDING

Courtney McDowell

P: 027 716 9212 E: Courtney@atdroofing.co.nz

Take longer showers – think of a shower as an incubator. It makes you feel all fuzzy with warmth and essentially creates the right conditions to let our minds trigger creative wanderings. It’s an unwritten rule; give it a go and you might be surprised.

Stare into space – we’re not talking about people-watching out of your office window, although this may amuse and stimulate you for a couple of minutes. Concentrating takes a lot of our energy, so we need to focus more energy on doing, actually, nothing at all and generally just let your mind wander for a while.

Take your mind away from automatic tasks – our inner ninja is ready to pounce on emails, voicemails, messages and paperwork that come our way, and we keep pushing back relentlessly until it’s a full-on workout before you know it.

Stimulate your mind and take yourself away for a while: play a game of cards, listen to music, and chat with friends or colleagues, anything that isn’t already in your routine.

Attention to Detail Roofing We are a small family business based in Cromwell.

The roofing services we provide range from maintenance, repairs and replacements to the building and installation of new roofs.

Our hardworking team completes all jobs to a high standard and within the timeframe given, no matter how big or small the job.

While also working on site with the team, Courtney, the director, keeps very detailed records of each job and always knows where things are at.

Courtney himself lives in Cromwell with his two boys and

12 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

“

Our hardworking team completes all jobs to a high standard and within the timeframe given, no matter how big or small the job.

“

Hmmm… thinking. Too much of it can create problems which weren’t there in the first place and too little may mean missing out on a good opportunity. But what happened to a little downtime and those “eureka!” moments?

Avoid “eating al desko” – and don’t pretend you don’t do it. You’re probably reading this at your desk right now, aren’t you? It may be easy to drop your elbows onto your desk and munch away while scouring the Internet for interesting reads, but you’ve just been staring at the computer since 7:30am.

is well established in the roofing industry.

With quotes issued before commencement of the work, progress invoicing throughout the jobs and a high level of communication, our clients are constantly in the loop and do not get any unpleasant surprises.

Self-Improvement

Setting yourself up

forsuccess 2. Think as far into your future as you can.

Many of us have good intentions or some idea of where we would like to be in 10 years, but only three to five percent of people have clearly defined, established goals set in place.

At least a year out and ideally much further ahead. What do you want your life or business to look like in five or 10 years?

3. Write your goals down. Many people question the

It is crucial to set definitive long-term goals for ourselves to ensure we have the appropriate sailing attire ready for when that sunset finally arrives.

If you haven’t yet written your goals down (and it’s the writing down that’s the critical bit) use these steps and get started – it’s easier than you think:

significance of this, but the reason for it is that putting your thoughts down on paper forces clarity. Similarly, there is nothing more rewarding or motivating than physically ticking off your goals one by one.

When writing goals many people tend to focus on only the professional aspects of their lives. It pays to look at the bigger picture, as for many of us, our work and home lives are intertwined, especially if running a business from home. Structure helps us think.

4. Don’t limit yourself. Forget ‘realistic’ for now. Nothing 1. Find a quiet spot. Whether it is your office or

is too small or too large. Dream big. It isn’t your imminent tasks or relatively easy projects we’re interested in at this stage.

bedroom or favourite park, you need to be somewhere you feel comfortable and where the ideas will flow. Limit interruptions; don’t attempt it while other people are trying to engage with you, and remember to turn off your phone.

5. Be very specific. Goals need to be specific and larger goals should be broken down in to small, achievable blocks that you can work towards on a weekly or monthly basis.

Fairview South Otago

It is a family business that was established in 1994 by Laurence’s parents, Brian and Joan McLeod.

Starting as Hylight Aluminium, in 2010 it was renamed to South Otago Windows and Doors which reflected our extended area of operations.

Rebranded to Fairview South Otago in 2015, we have been providing home owners and builders across Otago and Southland with high quality aluminium joinery for over 25 years.

Our range of top quality aluminium comprises of entry level through to bespoke architectural for the discerning residential market. As part of the Fairview Group, we are known as the one stop shop having access to inhouse extrusions, hardware and our own double glazing supply.

“

Based on our reputation and experience, we are enjoying the return of third generation clients who are now looking to utilise our knowledge to fulfil their joinery dreams.

“

Fairview South Otago is proudly owned and operated

by Laurence and Paula McLeod.

Commercial & Residential Windows, Doors and Conservatories We’ve been providing home owners and builders across Otago and Southland with high quality aluminium joinery for over 25 years.

If you want helpful, experienced advice and customer focused service, call us first.

SOUTH OTAGO

46 Tokoiti Road, Milton 9220, South Otago P 03 417 8264 E bob@sowd.co.nz www.fairviewsouthotago.co.nz

www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 13

Self-Improvement

Breaking bad habits We all have our own little habits – the good and the bad – and it’s these habits that make us who we are.

But whether we are willing to acknowledge it or not, many of us have one (or maybe a few) bad habits that would do us good to break.

We might perceive our habits to be small, insignificant compulsions, but when repeated continuously our actions do have a significant impact on who we are as people. And whether we like to admit it or not, our habits mould us into the people we are.

From drinking excessively or routinely staying up all night, resulting in poor performance at work the following day, to procrastination, overspending, swearing, or binge eating – whatever the vice – if it is having a harmful effect on your work and personal life, it is time to break free of the negative behaviour pattern.

Here are five tips to help break free.

1

Create a plan - Once you’ve acknowledged the problem and got yourself into the right state of mind to tackle the habit, a plan can be useful to disrupt the automatic response to it.

Plan your approach by answering the following questions: What day do I start? Will I go cold turkey? How will I hold myself accountable for

Five steps to break free

my actions? Who else will be involved in the process? What rewards for success will I give myself? A clear plan with create the discipline needed to succeed.

2

Identify your trigger - Understanding what fuels your bad habit is the key to overcoming it. Identify the trigger, whether it is people or a place, which enables the habit and avoid it.

3

Change your environment - If you repeat the same behaviour in the same place every time, then the environment can prompt the undesirable behaviour. Avoiding the environment that triggers your habit can help towards kicking the cycle.

4

Retrain your thoughts - Even if we know a habit is damaging us physically or emotionally, we continue to do it. Why? Because despite the obvious drawbacks, it still provides us with some sort of satisfaction or psychological reward that entices us to repeat the behaviour again and again. Reframing your mind to put emphasis on the negative aspects should, over time, diminish the psychological reward received from acting out the habit.

5

Be patient - Be patient with yourself and don’t beat yourself up too much if you slip up and fall back into the habit – it’s called a habit for a reason. Established habits can be hard to break as they are ingrained into your life. It may take several attempts to make a change so be patient and persist.

WOW Carpet Cleaning Craig & Shona Mccorkindale PO Box 1619, Queenstown

This also means it’s me that does the job for you, not an employee. I was born and raised in Southland and have resided in Central Otago since 1982. I was the second Wow Carpet Cleaning franchise in New Zealand and have been going since 2004.

I am based in Queenstown but travel throughout Central Otago.

We pride ourselves in having a very high standard and quality of workmanship, which will leave you saying ‘wow’ once we are finished.

14 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

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You’ll say wow provide quality professional cleaning and stain removal services for your carpets upholstery and tiles.

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• Carpet Cleaning • Stain Removal • Lounge Suites • Vehicle Upholstery • Odour Removal • Lounge Suite Protection • Mattresses • Flood Work • Non-Slip Products

Hi, my name is Craig McCorkindale – owner operator of Wow Carpet Cleaning.

If a great result and true value is important to you, then please ring me on 0800 729 969 or direct dial 027 221 5862 Please visit our website or Facebook.

Safe Living

Staying safe around the home

Toptips on creating a safer home

The old expression ‘home is where the heart is’ is well and good, just so long as you watch your step!

Injuries in and around the home are the biggest cause of ACC claims – accounting for over 40 percent of all new claims received in 2011.

What may surprise many is the risk associated with seemingly benign objects, such as rugs and power cords, which can cause a fall-related injury at any time of the year.

It’s not just older and younger people who fall at home – over 40 percent of all home falls happened to people aged 25-64 years.

An injury can completely change your life for a while. It can stop you from doing the things you enjoy, like catching up with friends or playing with your children.

People often need to take time off work too, affecting their income.

ACC figures show 10,000 people are off work for a week or more because of a fall at home.

The good news is there are some simple things you can do around the home to greatly reduce the risk of you or someone in your family having a fall.

Remove moss • Waterblast, scrub or spray mossy areas with moss removal products • Cut trees and shrubs back to prevent shade – conditions which moss thrives in • Build new decks with grooved timber.

Secure power cords • Get cords out of harm’s way, with cord clips, quick-release power cords or multi-boxes • Secure loose cords or wires to the wall.

Fasten rugs and mats • Secure them with anti-slip tape, or spray on a non-slip coating • Use carpet grips for mats • Repair damaged carpet on stairs • If you’re buying a new rug, look for one with a non-slip backing.

Avoid using chairs as ladders • Use a ladder or step ladder to reach high objects • Store heavy, regularly used objects down lower • Use long-life smoke alarms and light bulbs so you don’t have to change them often.

Wipe up spills • Wipe up spills as soon as they happen, with mops, sponges or cloths • Use floor mats to absorb excess water • If renovating, install non-slip flooring in wet rooms (bathroom, kitchen and laundry).

L I M I T E D

Plumbers, Gas fitters & Drainlayers

Phone: 021 382 586

Email: admin@notjustplumbing.co.nz www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 15

We have many success stories where people have thought marketing is a waste of money, but have finally found something that gives them a transparent Return on Investment.

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You can either buy 1 ad (for 1 month) for $137+gst or unlimited ads for 12 months for $997+gst 100% money back guarantee if you don’t think it’s the best money you’ve spent all year, plus we’ll give you another 12 months FREE FREE access to search CVs – other companies charge thousands for this You can include your company profile so applicants can see why they want to work for you – once again, other companies charge for this.

VEHICLE SERVICING

• W O F’ s • F u l l Mec ha ni c a l R e p a i r s • W a r r a nt y C he c ks • Lu b r ica n t & O i l F i l t e r S e r v i c e s • Au to E l e c t r i c a l R e p a i r s Tyre repairs and sales | Swap Bottle- LPG

Fuel Pumps & Shop

Opening Hours

Phone 03 444 9011 5 Northland Street, Ranfurly

S u m m e r: Mon- F r i 7 :3 0 a m - 9 :0 0 p m S at - S u n 8 :0 0 a m - 9 :0 0 p m W in t e r: Mon - F r i 7 :3 0 a m - 7 :3 0 p m S at - S u n 8 :0 0 a m - 7 :3 0 p m www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 17

Home Life ???

Home hacks

rag with some salt on top. Rub it on your copper item and repeat until you’ve covered the whole surface. Rinse it off and it’ll look brand new!

A life hack is a clever technique adopted in order to manage life’s tasks in a more efficient way. Below are some life hacks for your home to give you some much-needed short cuts to free up your time.

Some people like their wine glasses face up, while others like theirs facedown. Why not both? By alternating your glasses by top and bottom, you can nestle a lot more wine glasses closer together.

Remove small furniture scratches with toothpaste

To keep your ventilation and air conditioning fresh and clean, put your HVAC vent registers in the dishwasher. Put them through a quick rinse cycle and then dry them thoroughly before reinstalling.

Instead of getting your couch refinished, try using toothpaste to get the marks out. Use a pea-sized amount of non-gel toothpaste and rub the scratch in a circular motion until buffed out. Clean the remainder up with a damp towel.

Polish copper with tomato sauce When your copper is looking tarnished, put some tomato sauce on a

Waitaki

Your Local Flooring Experts CARPETS • VINYL • CORK HARD FLOORING • GARAGE

0800 46 47 48

18 Itchen Street, Oamaru FLOORINGFIRST.CO.NZ 18 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

Flip your wine glasses for more space

Clean HVAC vent registers in dishwasher

Suspenders to keep a fitted sheet in place Your fitted sheet slipping off the corners of your bed is an annoyance that can be perplexing to fix. An easy way to solve the problem is to take a pair of braces for your trousers and clip each end to each corner under the mattress. That way, you sheet will definitely stay put.

Waitaki Flooring First “

Waitaki Flooring First is the ONLY 100 percent truly local flooring store in Oamaru, based from18 Itchen St at the start of the historic area.

We have been here for five years with current owners and over 30 years with previous owners, so we are not hard to find.

We have a large selection of samples for carpet, carpet tiles, vinyl, vinyl planks and tiles, outdoor and garage carpets and speciality wall linings from some

We have a large selection of samples for carpet, carpet tiles, vinyl, vinyl planks and tiles, outdoor and garage carpets and speciality wall linings from some of NZ’s major suppliers.

”

of NZ’s major suppliers such as Godfrey Hirst, Feltex, Robert Malcolm and Belgotex to name just a few.

Our friendly, helpful team can look after all your flooring needs from product selection and advice, free no obligation measure and quotes, right through to final install ready for you to live on your new floor.

Home Life

Wasteless ways

Did you know that every Kiwi produces 3,200kg When you visit the deli or butcher’s, bring your own containers to take your meat home in. That way, you can drastically reduce the amount of of waste per year? In total, that’s 12.5 million plastic you’re collecting from the supermarket alone. tonnes of waste each year, according to Recycle Repair your things NZ. As a nation, we only recycle 28 percent of Back in the good ol’ days, our parents would make sure they got the this waste. most use out of something before throwing it away.

One of the biggest ways you can lessen your impact on the planet is reducing your waste and reusing – or upcycling – the things in your home. With that, we can minimise our impact on the planet and keep New Zealand beautiful, especially as China stopped accepting our recycling in 2018 due to China’s National Sword policy banning the import of most plastics and materials heading for recycling processors.

Bring your own containers

In the era of the disposable, we’ve lost this way of thinking and instead have been throwing out things that could be easily fixed instead of repairing them.

Be it your clothes – a hole in your pants, a button pops off – or your clock stops working, spend a few minutes checking to see if you can fix it rather than throwing it straight in the bin.

All the supermarkets in New Zealand have moved to a zero plastic bag policy, reminding shoppers to bring their own reusable bags to take their groceries home.

Remaining conscientious and aware of the waste you create every day is the best way to reduce your waste and impact on this place we call home.

However, there is still a lot of plastic waste from the way meat is packaged to the way we bring home vegetables in little plastic bags.

Did you know you can also bring your own containers?

This paradigm shift can take a bit to get used to, but being mindful of how we interact with objects and waste is the best way to keep New Zealand green.

Phone 06 357 6022 E: admin@pncossieclub.co.nz W: www.pncossieclub.co.nz www.facebook.com/PNCossieclub

• Golf • Big Screen TVs • Indoor Bowls • 8 Ball • Fishing • Snooker • Darts • TAB Membership starting at $30 a year

OPEN 7 DAYS 18 Gaming Machines

Housie Thursday afternoon Restaurant Tuesday - Sunday Buffet: Friday evenings & Sunday lunch Piranis Restaurant

22 Linton St, Palmerston North

Affiliated members, guests & visitors welcome

Professional painters.

Endless possibilities We are passionate, professional tradespeople who are dedicated to provide an excellent service to all of our clients. We are committed to completing all of our jobs on time and within your budget. We place high value on our reputation for quality work and reliability.

Call 021 188 4170

Email kate@ppqueenstown.co.nz

ppqueenstown

www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 19

Housekeeping

Teagues We began Teague’s Commercial and Domestic services almost seven years ago with a simple thought of being able to provide a high standard of cleaning services at an affordable cost for families, the elderly and businesses.

Cleaning

Being a blended family of seven, we understand how valuable time is.

Lisa has an extensive background in support work and cleaning and saw a need where these services were (at the time) out of reach for the average person.

Kyle has a knowledgeable background in management and brought his skills to help Lisa.

Thus, Teague’s cleaning was created and continues to grow.

Seven years later, not only do we provide commercial and domestic cleaning services, but have expanded into garden and lawn maintenance, as well as carpet cleaning, floor stripping and polishing, while being able to maintain a high standard of service at an affordable cost.

With the continued growth, we have recently rebranded from Teague’s Cleaning to Teague’s Commercial and Domestic services, making it easier for our clients to reach out and acquire our services.

Along with our teams we are proud to service the Dunedin and Otago region.

SERVICES • Commercial cleaning • Domestic cleaning

Immaculate cleaning services for residential and commercial customers in Otago Teague’s Cleaning has over 10 years’ residential and commercial cleaning experiences and combines affordable prices with outstanding customer care. Dunedin and Otago customers rely on Teague’s Cleaning for a spotless and hygienic home or work environment.

P. 0800 TEAGUES 20 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

|

E. ADMIN@TCM.CO.NZ

• Carpet cleaning • Window cleaning • Oven cleaning • End of tenancy house cleans • House cleans needing a thorough move out cleaning service • Property maintenance • Builder’s cleans

|

WWW.TCM.CO.NZ

Otago Electrical Services RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURAL COMMERCIAL EV CHARGING DATA & COMMUNICATIONS DESIGN AND BUILD SERVICES Contact us today to book in your job Our electrical services are high-quality, reliable, and competitively priced, servicing Queenstown, Cromwell, Wanaka, Alexandra and surrounding areas

CALL 027 441 4030 www.otagoelectrical.co.nz

www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 21

Money Matters

Dollars and sense Spending too much - Pretty obvious, do your homework and budgeting. Be smart and find independent advice to help you monitor how fast you are spending your money. Then if you “live too long” hopefully you won’t have to live out your golden years in poverty.

Spending too much on housing - Not much good owning a $500,000 house and having only $50,000 in the bank to supplement your (rather lean) government super. Don’t get to retirement living in a castle with too little cash to supplement your super.

Worrying too much - The news media will drag you into the

The big financial mistakes older people make Not getting on-going financial and planning advice leading up to retirement - If you fail to plan, then plan to fail. Get advice – if it costs say $150 to $200 pa that is peanuts compared to what it might do for you. It might get you organised and might even save you tens of thousands.

Failing to understand what diversification really means - You can’t pick the hot investments; no one can.

Rather diversify properly, and you will make good money in good times, and survive the bad times pretty well too.

mire. Turn the news off and get out and about.

Not learning enough about investment before retirement - Knowledge is power. Learn about investments

Not living and spending too little - You can’t take it with you. Get advice and find out how much you can safely spend if you are worried.

as you save for retirement, and probably avoid the disaster some people incurred when they put all their money into one or to finance companies.

Believing that you can (or the “experts” can) pick the hot investments - No one can – buy quality and

Helping children too much and leaving yourself short - Love them or not, they may have 25 to 40 years

diversify widely. Beware of some apparently wonderful companies as the costs can be too high. After all someone has to pay for their big buildings and glossy brochures – and it will be you.

of working life in front of them - you don’t. Be careful; keep enough money back for yourself.

03 409 0770

www.denturecentre.nz admin@ denturecentre.nz

• • • •

Painters & Decorators Textured Coatings Commercial Domestic

Are you looking for professional painting and decorating services? Want to experience workmanship that is guaranteed for your peace of mind?

When only the best will do, you need to contact Simon and the team at Decorating Services.

T: 03 456 3530 E: admin@decoratingservices.co.nz 49C Broughton Street, South Dunedin 9012 WWW.DECORATINGSERVICESLTD.CO.NZ 22 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

Visit Queenstown for dentures that are sure to make you smile!

Providing quality denture services to Central Otago Free consultations | Appointments necessary

Money Matters ???

Saving made simple Whether you’re trying to pay off a debt or build your savings, sometimes saving money is simply about changing your mindset and bad habits to achieve financial freedom in the long term.

Here are a few money traps to avoid: Coffee/lunch - $4.50 for a latte or $8.50 for a Panini may not sound like much, but if you’re buying them everyday the total weekly cost is fairly significant. Times this by four and then by 12 and the yearly expenditure comes to around $3,000! Treat yourself every now and again, but think about where you’re better off spending your money.

Dining out - Sometimes we tell ourselves that we deserve a treat and say this at the end of every week just because it’s Friday. Eating out

can be a fine thing, and eating at home takes effort and planning, but at least you know exactly what’s going into your food. And your bank balance will thank you for it.

Not checking what you spend - Many of us probably don’t bother to check receipts and often leave them to decay at the bottom of our bags until we find them a month later and discard them accordingly. If you can’t be fussed handling a draw full of receipts, at least check your bank account online to keep an eye on exactly what you’re spending. If money is leaving your account and you don’t even recognise where it’s gone, be mindful when you spend from now on.

Don’t be influenced - Will Smith said, “We spend money that we do not have, on things we do not need, to impress people who do not care.” Just because your friend bought the latest flat screen TV doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. Don’t be a sheep and follow your own path.

Estate Property

Solutions

Property Solutions for the elderly Estate Property Solutions is a Dunedin family business with over nine years’ experience.

We can assist you with all the aspects of an estate so that you don’t have to. With our wealth of knowledge, we can manage a wide range of services such as: • full house clearing & cleaning • clearing sections and gardening • carry out any maintenance repairs and painting required • make a house ready for sale or hand back to a landlord • declutter assistance • hoarding clean up • arrange the sale of goods • organise unwanted items for rubbish or charity.

We can work alongside clients to do as much as they require.

Our services are not just limited to deceased estates as we can perform any of the tasks to assist, elderly, disabled or clients who do not have the time or resources to complete the work required.

All our services are handled in a professional, efficient, confidential and reliable manner.

We delicately and effectively work with our clients to provide solutions that best suit their needs in a professional and caring way. If you need any help managing the tasks of a property no matter how big or small the job let us help carry you through the process.

PO Box 7025, Dunedin 9040 Freephone: 0800 001126 info@estatepropertysolutions.co.nz www.estatepropertysolutions.co.nz

Carrying you through the process • House Clean-Up

• Sale of Goods

• Disposal of Unwanted Goods

• Packing, Storage & Moving

• Gardening & Section Tidy

• Declutter Your Home

• Maintenance, Repair & Painting

• Deceased Estate

Our team is ready to help you.

Call us on 0800 00 11 26 or email us on graham@estatepropertysolutions.co.nz www.estatepropertysolutions.co.nz www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 23

Entertainment

Club Waimea Club Waimea is your one stop shop for entertainment in Nelson. Become a member NOW! For members, their guests, and affiliated members, we have a whole raft of facilities and entertainment options, from bar, restaurant, weekly live music, TAB, gaming, recreational sections such as cards, snooker, pool, indoor bowls, darts, singing, fishing, line dancing, rock ‘n roll, golf, rugby supporters, and more. There’s something for everyone.

“

We have a whole raft of facilities and entertainment options, from bar, restaurant, weekly live music, TAB, gaming, recreational sections such as cards, snooker, pool, indoor bowls, darts, singing, fishing, line dancing, rock ‘n roll, golf, rugby supporters, and more.

There’s something for everyone.

On the function front, our staff can help organise every aspect of every social occasion you could want. Club Waimea has room for any sized work group with the hall seating up to 350 people or their two function rooms which can hold up to 50 people each. There is also an all-weather outdoor bowls green, along with pavilion that comfortably seats 100 people, with its own bar facility and kitchen.

Whether you want platters of finger food, a buffet or a set menu, we can co-ordinate your event or function so it runs like clockwork. If you’re after entertainment for your wedding, birthday or anniversary celebration or even a little workplace team building through sport, Club Waimea has what you want.

So now’s the time to come on down, become a member and start having some FUN.

FRIENDLY, SOCIABLE AND COMMUNITY MINDED SPIRIT

Club Waimea is a friendly place for Members to meet up with friends and family & Guests.

There is something for everyone with over 14 Recreational Sections, great restaurant, bar, gaming, TAB, weekly entertainment, conference/party facilities. Come join us now.

Ph 03 543 9179 | reception@clubwaimea.co.nz | www.clubwaimea.co.nz 24 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

”

WWW.ROSLYNMOWERS.CO.NZ

INFORMED ADVICE DEPENDABLE PRODUCTS BACK UP SERVICE Your Local for Outdoor Power Equipment, Mowers and Heating For more than 50 years, Roslyn Mowers & Heating has been selling lawn mowers and outdoor power equipment. Today, Roslyn Mowers & Heating is also established as a wood fire specialist and offers free, certified in-home installation.

Whether you require chainsaw repairs or a ride on lawn mower, you are provided with expert advice so you choose the right product for the job. You also receive full back-up service for all products sold.

Mowers & Power Equipment

Phone 03 476 3446

Repairs & Maintenance

150 Kaikorai Valley Rd, Dunedin, Otago

Heating Sales & Repairs

Phone 03 455 2555

547 Andersons Bay Rd (Everedi Mowers & Chainsaws)

www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 25

Technology

Staying connected Keeping in touch with your loved ones, even when they’re far away, has never been easier.

While nothing can quite beat face to face communication, technology has made it so you can connect with who you want in real time.

So here are different options for online communication that you can use with your computer or on your smart phone, from video chatting to messaging.

FaceTime - From the ever-popular iPhone to devices such as the iPad and MacBook, chances are someone you know and care about uses an Apple device.

That’s the beauty of FaceTime, Apple’s video chat software that comes preinstalled on all their devices (at least from 2010 onwards); you can easily video chat with anyone that has an Apple device, no matter where they are in the world.

Goldies Glass 24 Hours

Goldies Glass 24 Hours Glass Work, Glass Repairs and More in North Otago - Servicing Palmerston, Waimate and Waitaki Valley 77 Humber Street, Oamaru Ph: (03) 434 8701 Mob: 027 433 2258 Email: goldiesglass53@hotmail.com

www.goldiesglass.co.nz

If you have one, open up your iPhone, iPad or Macbook and log into your Apple ID account. If you’ve already set up your device before this, use FaceID or TouchID to log into FaceTime.

To make a FaceTime call, either search the name if they’re already in your contacts, or type in their number or email.

Facebook Messenger - With over 2.4 billion monthly active users, Facebook is the most popular social network site worldwide.

Beyond the website, did you know that the Facebook Messenger app makes it easy to message, video chat and call your friends?

One great thing about Facebook Messenger is it’s not limited to just iPhones – anyone with a smartphone and a Facebook account can

Southern

CITY TAXIS

• Airport Specialists • Credit Cards & eftpos accepted • Half price with a TMO card • 5% off price with a Gold card • Mobility Van Specialists

Call 03 477 1771 or 0800 829 428

info@southerntaxis.co.nz | www.southerntaxis.co.nz

26 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

Technology download it. Once you have an account, sign in and set up your contact list, also known as your Facebook friends.

was the first to offer messaging, voice calls and more exclusively for smartphones when it arrived in 2009.

Mainly people use WhatsApp for texting, especially while abroad. The best thing about WhatsApp is its ease of use. All you need for your account is to enter your Apple or Android devices telephone number, and it verifies who you are through that. If you change your mobile number, you can change that as well to keep your account up to date.

If you don’t have a smartphone or don’t want to download the app, you can also video chat through the website.

Skype - Skype was one of the first video chat websites and apps popularised worldwide. Owned by Microsoft, it comes preinstalled to your computer if you have a PC. If you have a Mac, it’s easily available for download. You can also download it on your Apple or Android device.

Another feature that makes Skype unique is you can affordably and easily make international calls to people who don’t have Skype. For example, 0800 numbers are free to call.

From there, WhatsApp accesses your contacts for you and connects you to people who already use the app, making it a streamlined process.

If you don’t have an account already, you can create one for free. Alternatively, you can use your Microsoft/Hotmail/Outlook account to sign in. Once you’re all set up, search for friends and family who already use Skype.

WhatsApp - The Facebook-owned app recently hit two billion users worldwide. What makes it so popular was that it

Welcome to Glenwood Glenwood feels like home; the friendly welcome, the sound of laughter and conversation as residents catch up with family and friends or enjoy a shared activity, the warm interaction between residents and staff.

Glenwood is a place where everyone is valued and life is celebrated. From the moment you walk through the door, you just know this is a really special place. Glenwood feels like home, a happy home. The Glenwood difference lies in its founding values.

Established in 1964, Glenwood continues to be owned and operated by a charitable trust, the Glenwood AnglicanMethodist Trust.

Glenwood is a not-for-profit organisation based on Christian values of love, care and respect for all people.

These core values ensure all of us at Glenwood are resident-focussed,

encouraging independence and individual choice as much as possible, while providing the highest quality standards of care and safety within a stimulating, homely environment.

Here at Glenwood everyone is valued for the unique person they are and their lives are celebrated.

Why Choose Glenwood Home • Excellent Staff • Superlative Clinical Care • Feels like Home

Why Choose Glenwood Village • A Home you can make your own • Accessible Manager and dedicated Liaison Support • Small Village with ease of making/renewing long-term friendships • Units that are modernized inside and out • Fun Get-Togethers • Personal Touch • Individualized Gardens • Community Activities with Home and Village. www.glenwood.org.nz

The Glenwood difference lies in its founding values of Love, respect & care for all people.

Glenwood community offers a fun-filled stimulating schedule offering the warmth of long-term friendships for home and village.

Get in touch

Enquire about home or village: P: 03 686 1090 | 027 686 1091 E: manager@glenwood.org.nz 6 Glenwood Ave, Timaru

www.glenwood.org.nz www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 27

Mobility

Mobility Solutions Centre At Mobility Solutions Centre, we recognise that independence, comfort and safety are three of the main things we all take for granted, until we no longer have them.

Whether your disability is permanent or temporary, we are here to help you regain Independence, Comfort and Safety.

Mobililty Solutions Centre is a locally owned and operated business here in Dunedin. We are the sub-contractors for Enable New Zealand and ACC who service and maintain equipment that has been issued to their clients we also offer an emergency after hours call out service to these clients.

Mobility Solutions Centre in Dunedin has an experienced team of technicians and administration staff. We cover a wide area of the lower South Island from Oamaru to Balclutha and through to Central Otago.

We have a showroom based in Dunedin that has a wide range of items to aid the immobile and/or elderly in their own homes, care facilities or rest homes. We also hire out a range of equipment to people who are recovering from surgery or just need that extra help in their homes.

“

We stock a very broad and interesting range of Mobility Equipment and Living Aids, to improve your independence, comfort and safety.

Our range includes mobility scooters to sock aids, electric beds to bidets, incontinence products and everything in-between. In consultation with our customers, therapists and suppliers we can identify the very best equipment that we can offer to our customers.

Mobility Solutions Centre 245 King Edward Street, South Dunedin Phone 03 455 1201 info@mobilitysolutionscentre.co.nz www.mobilitysolutionscentre.co.nz

Mobility Solutions Centre Dunedin SUPPLYING PRODUCTS TO IMPROVE YOUR INDEPENDENCE, COMFORT & SAFETY Mobility Scooters & Wheelchairs | Sporting Injury Equipment Incontinence Products | Walking Frames | Kitchen Aids Bathroom / Toileting Equipment | Dressing Aids | and much much more

245 King Edward Street, South Dunedin | Phone 03 455 1201 Email info@mobilitysolutionscentre.co.nz | www.mobilitysolutionscentre.co.nz 28 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

Electrical

Dunedin

Electrical Services

Owner Isaac is a conscientious and extremely professional electrician by nature. He is driven to build a business that delivers excellent results for his customers – whatever it takes.

Some of the key services provided by Dunedin Electrical Services include:

• New Build Electrical Wiring/Fit Outs

• Kitchen/Bathroom Wiring & Lighting Specialists

• Switch Board Upgrades

• General Electrical Re-Wiring

• Comprehensive Electrical Reports

• Updating Lighting

• Security Lighting

• LED Downlights

• Heat Pump & Ventilation Installation & Upgrade

Dunedin Electrical Services is at the cutting edge of modern electrical service provision, compliance and building requirement standards.

Built on traditional values and a personal customer service model our job is to take away the smoke and mirrors to make sure you get the best, long standing, results.

Safe families, happy customers.

Call Dunedin Electrical Services today!

As a Dunedin based electrical company we specialise in domestic and light commercial electrical work.

KEY SERVICES PROVIDED • New Builds • Renovations • Rewires

• Led Lighting Specialists • Heatpump & Ventalation • Switchboard Upgrades

www.dunedinelectricalservices.nz ● M: 027 312 1036 ● E:isaac@dunedinelectricalservices.nz www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 29

Destinations ???

South

By Claire Wright

Hidden gems in With international travel off the table for the foreseeable future, there’s never been a better chance to explore our own backyard.

New Zealand is home to a diverse range of climates and microecosystems, from subtropical places in the far North Island during the summer to snowy alpine areas inland on the South Island during the winter. We all have our favourite haunts, but how many times have you stepped off the beaten track to find some place new? We’ve curated a few suggestions for you below.

Motunau - Located in the Hurunui district just over an hour north of Christchurch, Motunau is a sleepy village with a beach unlike those seen on postcards and in travel magazines. It’s less tamed, with giant cliffs and rock fragments, as well as the Motunau River that runs next to its only campsite.

Curio Bay, the Catlins - The Catlins, located at the bottom

Nearby sits Motunau Island, a crucial refuge for many creatures including seabirds, geckos and over 5,000 little blue penguins. Access to the island is restricted to research only – permits issues by DOC – but you still view the island from afar on the beach or by boat.

Curio Bay in particular showcases lush marine wildlife and glimpses of the past – like yellow-eyed penguins, Hector’s dolphins, fur seals and sea lions – as well as a 180 million-year-old Jurassic fossil forests. It’s one of only three accessible fossil forests in the world.

For more information about the area, camping grounds and more, visit: www.hurunui.govt.nz.

For more information about Curio Bay and the Catlins, visit: www.southlandnz.com.

tip of the South Island, boasts stunning views in a remote region. With abundant wildlife and a wide range of waterfalls, forests, beaches and farmland, the area has a lot to offer with less foot traffic.

Tile Works INDUSTRIAL AND ARCHITECTURAL STAIRNOSINGS Latest innovations in antislip technology and with glow in the dark capability. Antislip treatment and cleaning of tiles.

P: 03 442 8453 M: 027 221 5862 E: cashnz@xtra.co.nz PO Box 1619, Queenstown

www.safetystep.com

30 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

“

SafetyStep

Safety Step New Zealand - The ultimate in Anti-Slip & Way Finding Systems. Safety Step New Zealand is recognized across the globe as the leading expert in the provision of integrated pedestrian safety systems that combine the very latest innovations in anti-slip technology.

Hi, my name is Craig McCorkindale.

I was born and raised in Southland and have resided in Cenral Otago since 1982.

I am the Central Otago agent for Safety Step New Zealand.

Safety Step was founded in Auckland 1993. We provide anti-slip systems for a variety of

”

situations. Anti-slip stair nosings both architectural and residential All made in New Zealand at our factory that come with a 10 year guarantee We can also anti-slip treat your slippery tiles to make them safe underfoot,in practically showers and wet areas Please visit our website at www.safetystep.co.nz or phone me on 027 221 5862

Destinations ???

North

our own backyard

Whangaroa Harbour - Located in Northland, Whangaroa in the Bay of Islands is a staggering place to explore by boat or through the various walkways and trails.

The Whangaroa Harbour is an old river system, drowned when the sea level rose about 6,000 years ago. Ancient volcanic rocks make up its steep rocky outcrops. You can visit the harbour two ways – by land or by sea – and it has three wharves, as well as two boat launching ramps. It’s home to small but important areas of mangrove and saltmarsh wetlands, as well as tidal rivers.

For more information on Whangaroa Harbour, visit: www.whangaroa.co.nz.

Putangirua Pinnacles - In the southern Wairarapa area only a short drive from Wellington sits the Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve, the “badlands erosion” where the Putangirua Stream has exposed ancient layers of gravel through rain and flood, forming “hoodoos” or individual pinnacles.

The Putangirua Pinnacles also feature as a backdrop in the Lord of the Rings: Return of the King film, where Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli ride to meet the Army of the Dead.

For more information on the Putangirua Pinnacles, visit: www.wairarapanz.com.

We are an 22 bed “Unique” establishment aiming to provide a positive, caring, friendly environment within a family atmosphere where residents receive quality care.

Wakefield Homestead’s point of difference is that we are a family of welcoming friends that provide an emotionally and intellectually safe, secure, and stimulating environment in which people can continue to grow.

•

Mob: 027 440 9083 Phone: (03) 541 8995 10a Edward Street, Wakefield, Nelson Email: tuiglen.23@xtra.co.nz

•

www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 31

Home Improvement

Cool’em Pools Otago Cool’em Pools Otago is thrilled to be the Leisure Pools dealers for Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes.

Great pools and great support. Rob and Robyn have been in the pool industry locally for the past 10 years and a prior 18 years in Australia.

Covering construction, renovation, repair and leak detection.

“We know the extreme conditions that the local area can produce, we will make sure your pool will handle it all.”

Rob is very knowledgeable in all areas of pool installation, excavation, plumbing, filtration and pool heating. He will be working onsite, on your swimming pool, so as their customer you can be assured you have a professional and experienced pool builder installing your new pool or working on your existing pool.

Fibreglass pools are growing in popularity. Leisure Pools has a great reputation for quality pool shells made from composite fibreglass, using vinyl ester resins as their standard construction process, fantastic warranties and value for money. They are market leaders in providing high quality, aesthetically pleasing, versatile swimming pools. They have a great range to meet every need.

Give Cool’em Pools a call to discuss new swimming pool options or upgrades to your existing equipment or pool on 0221887654 coolempools@gmail.com www.coolempools.nz

COOL’EM POOLS O T A G O

WE ARE YOUR LOCAL LEISURE POOLS AGENT. Contact us for all your swimming pool needs: including new installs of Leisure Pools fibreglass swimming pool range, leak detection, renovations and repairs.

Phone: 022 1887 654 or 0800 10 2345 Email: coolempools@gmail.com 32 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

Decorating

Guthrie Bowron Oamaru Guthrie Bowron Oamaru is your locally owned ‘One Stop Shop’ for all your decorating requirements.

We supply Dulux and Cabots paint, selected wallpaper brands, tiles, flooring, curtains, blinds, awnings, shutters and a wide variety of cushions, homeware and furniture.

We originally were branded as a Colourplus store and in December 2016, we purchased the Guthrie Bowron store from the North End of Oamaru and amalgamated the two stores into one at the Colourplus site being on the corner of Reed and Eden Streets by the roundabout. We are centrally located and we take pride in offering top service and a wide variety of products.

We offer a free in-home measure and quote for curtains, blinds and flooring. The team is made up of two interior design consultants who have a wealth of experience in curtains blinds, shutters and awnings.

We have an experienced seamster onsite who also does alterations and some drapery. We have an onsite installer who installs all our drapery department product, does all flooring measure and quotes and with the Manager he also works in the paint department. The owner/manager does the administration.

We also have a flooring specialist whose passion is customer service, hard flooring and tiles. She is the first friendly face you will see when you come into the store. We look forward to providing you with top service and advice on all your home decorating needs.

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Guthrie Bowron are New Zealand’s home decorating specialists. We offer Kiwis everything they need to refresh their homes, as well as advice from experts in every store. Our vision is to be New Zealand’s most inspiring home decorating destination, helping Kiwis turn their houses into homes.

New Zealand’s trusted decorating specialists CURTAINS & BLINDS

PAINT

WALLPAPER

FLOORING

One stop One shop Interior design - Drapes, blinds, paint, car paint, stains, wallpaper, wool carpet, nylon carpet, tiles, vinyl, luxury vinyl planks, commercial flooring, homewares and much more. Pop in store and check out what we have to offer...

03 434 8654 | shop@gboamaru.co.nz | www.guthriebowron.co.nz www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 33

Dunedin’s Plumber On time, on the job Call us today on 027 431 8086 for free advice and quotes.

PLUMBING | GASFITTING | DRAIN LAYING | HEATING SYSTEMS McNab Plumbing provide all services for plumbing, heating, gas fitting and drainage in Dunedin, Otago. We pride ourselves on being punctual, affordable and transparent. With decades of experience and plenty of happy customers residential and commercial - we get the job done time and again.

2 Bellevue Street, Belleknowes, Dunedin | www.mcnabplumbing.co.nz

contacted accordingly. Communication is key. We can help write your advert, screen and prepare for interviews. What takes your time and puts pressure on you; we can help manage. Building longterm working relationships is essential to us both, understanding your business and your recruitment needs.

NZ Recruit is offering services to help reach and fill your current vacancies by advertising your current jobs on Seek , Trademe and Myjobspace, also by expanding your reach through social media. Not only can NZ Recruit offer advertising services, we will ensure applicants are

We understand that sometimes you need an extra pair of hands to help for a few days or a few weeks; not a problem, we can provide both short and long term solutions to help your company during those busier times.

(03) 943 9505 | 022 648 5960 | info@nzrecruit.co.nz

34 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

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Public Services

Leslie Groves Services Our rest home is situated in a quiet street, accommodating up to 34 residents assessed as requiring rest home level care in a homely environment. Daily individual and group activities are planned to meet the needs of the residents. Long and short-term care and respite care can be provided.

Leslie Groves Hospital sits in a beautiful park-like setting. Redwood Unit provides care for 31 residents assessed as requiring hospital level residential care, with large, modern private rooms with ensuites -perfect for decorating with personal mementos and treasures. A registered nurse is always on duty.

Leslie Groves Services was founded in 1952 as an outreach ministry of St John’s Anglican Parish, Roslyn. It is a not-for-profit charitable organisation which provides residential care for those in need, particularly the elderly.

Rest Home Dementia Unit Hospital Specialist Hospital Day Care

Ferntree Unit provides care for 17 residents assessed as requiring a secure environment at rest home level (D4). Residents in this unit are encouraged to remain as independent as possible and often actively engage in the day to day “household tasks”.

Taieri Unit is a modern, purpose-built facility providing care for 23 residents assessed as requiring specialised hospital level residential care (D6) in a secure environment. Supported by 24-hour registered nursing oversight.

• Park like grounds • Warm, welcoming & compassionate staff • Freshly prepared ‘home-style’ cooked meals • Large, modern standard & premium rooms • Daily activities, regular outings & entertainers • Reconnect with old friends & make new ones • Caring support for all - spiritually, physically, emotionally, intellectually

Come and see how we can make a difference 321 Taieri Road, Wakari, Dunedin, Otago Phone: 03 476 3045 Email: reception@lesliegroves.co.nz www.lesliegroves.co.nz www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 35

Real Estate

What to look for in a real estate agent Selling your home, which is often your largest asset, can sometimes be stressful or overwhelming.

l o r a C h t i w Chat talk Real Estate Let’s

g? arket doin l? m e h t ’s t Wha ay to sel w t s e b e h orth?

What’s t operty w r p r u o y What’s

Carol Stafford

– Harcourts Alexandra From selling the frillies in retail, to buzzing around the town in her courier van, Carol is back in real estate. Re-joining the team in ‘Blue’ at Harcourts Alexandra, Carol is excited to be back and behind the wheel of her little orange Mini, out and about assisting people with their real estate moves.

Carol is excited to be a part of the real estate team at Harcourts Alexandra and is looking forward to ‘getting people moving’ – either into a new home, or selling their existing one.

027 685 1175 | carol.stafford@harcourts.co.nz

Alexandra Highland Real Estate Group Ltd Licensed Agent REAA 2008

36 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

So if you see Carol out and about, give her a wave, a shout or call her – she’s ready to get you moving in real estate.

Harcourts is a household name in real estate and a trusted brand dating back to 1888. Specialising in

residential, commercial and rural property sales, as well as property management services, Harcourts has a strong history with a future focus delivering the best results for clients with honesty and integrity.

Whether you’re buying or selling residential, commercial, rural, lifestyle, holiday rentals, land, or a new home, Carol and the team at Harcourts Alexandra is here to help you.

We place a huge amount of value on all real estate matters and believe each transaction should be a consultative process, whereby you get the best support and commitment from us in buying or selling your home, and you get the best result. We believe in an individual and personalised approach.

Real Estate It is important that you work with an agent that you can trust and that will help you achieve the best price and conditions for your property, all while making sure you are aware and happy with how the process is going.

It’s good to look for agents who can demonstrate knowledge of your local area and community, as this will help them with the marketing of your home and explaining the benefits of your home, such as the location, to potential purchasers.

Local agents also tend to have a network of potential buyers that they have been working with, or that they have access to through colleagues - ensuring your property is best positioned and marketed to potential buyers.

Many agents leverage technology to help market and sell your home, which can often reach a broader audience, for example: • Virtual Reality tours or 3D walkthroughs are one of the options that increase the accessibility of an open home to a wider range of potential purchasers, particularly out of town buyers • Augmented Reality can help potential purchasers rework the layout of furniture in the home so they can better picture themselves and their belongings in the home.

Asking family and friends if they know of an agent they would recommend is also a good course of action.

Referrals are often the best way to find an agent with a proven track-

record, and not just someone who knows how to say the right things at the right time to get you to sign on the dotted line.

When asking for recommendations, remember to ask why – what factors did they base their recommendation on? Did they feel the agent was trustworthy? Did they think the agent used the marketing spend wisely?

We often recommend meeting a few agents before you choose who to work with. We also recommend visiting open homes they are hosting to understand how they present their vendor’s home.

This will help you get more of a feel for how they work to get the best for your property.

You can also look online and see how agents are using social media or digital marketing to increase coverage for the properties they are selling, and therefore see what you could expect for your property.

While it is advisable to not select an agent based on their commission fee, it is definitely worth understanding what each of the fees are.

While these do vary by agency, our advice is to choose an agent on wider factors than just commission, as good agents can often achieve a better price for your property and understand the best strategies according to different market conditions.

At the end of the day, this individual is going to be a big part of your life when selling your home, so it is important that you feel comfortable with them and that you can trust them – this often comes down to gut instinct and trusting your intuition.

Judy Ludemann

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The Cromwell I’m proud to be a community has member of the successful, enjoyed the benefits positive team at Harcourts of Judy’s exemplary Cromwell. With cohesive care, service and teamwork and the best technology available in dedication, guiding real estate, buyers and sellers towards their goals I’m committed to making and dreams. every client a winner in each transaction.

Judy is inherently reliable, supportive and hard-working, and known for her commitment to the bigger picture in the lives of the people she works with. Personal integrity and willingness to go the extra mile have helped generate an impressive track record – many clients return to her as their only choice when they come to buy or sell again.

Judy Ludemann Sales Consultant - Licensed REAA 2008

Well aware of her obligations and responsibilities as a real estate professional, Judy is a consummate professional and a prime representative of the Harcourts brand.

Call Judy for advice any time.

Your Local Cromwell Residential Specialist M 027 459 9361 E judy.ludemann@harcourts.co.nz Highland Real Estate Group Ltd | Cromwell Office

CROMWELL.HARCOURTS.CO.NZ

www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 37

Real Estate

Property Brokers Otago Kate’s professional, down to earth approach and her ability to connect with people make her a great choice for anyone wanting to sell their property.

Kate Croy Residential Sales Consultants M 021 993 083 E kate.croy@pb.co.nz KateCroyPB

Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008

She prides herself on her very strong work ethic and her attention to detail is second to none. She can be trusted implicitly to have her clients’ best interests at heart and is open and honest at all times. Kate is warm, intelligent and sincere.

With her experience, Kate does not take the “one size fits all” approach, and tailormakes a “plan” for every vendor and

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Real estate for me is all about relationships and the phrase ‘Clients for Life’ resonates very strongly with me. I am very much down to earth and have empathy, understanding all clients have different needs and selling can often be an emotional time. I listen. I am here to offer my knowledge allowing my clients to move forward with ease and confidence

property to suit, with the result of a stress-free process achieving top financial results in a timely manner.

Less Talk – More Listen

Judd de la Roche p. 03 489 4455 e. judd@livingcorporation.com

www.livingcorporation.com 38 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

Over the years we have learnt that the house is the product and those selling or buying are the items of real interest.

The old adage that we are born with one mouth and two ears, so we should listen twice as much as we speak, is critical to success in a career in real estate.

Everyone is an individual and everyone has different needs and we are here to listen first, plan and then swing into action for you.

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Our team of property consultants know the areas surrounding Dunedin, North Otago, Balclutha and Mosgiel like the back of their hands. And because they have all the upto-the-minute market information right at their fingertips there’s nothing they can’t help you with.

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Through clever and unique use of technology, Judd ensures Living Corporation clients benefit from the latest developments, providing a seamless end-to-end sales process that few other companies can match.

Real estate is in our blood at Living Corporation with our team boasting 110 years of combined experience servicing the greater Dunedin market.

Living Corporation is not an international franchise, nor a national one, but rather a 100 percent locally owned company which supports local businesses and local jobs.

Call us today 03 489 4455.

Real Estate

Ryan Hannagan

–Loan Market I have been in the finance industry for over 15 years and have 10 years of lending experience working at various banks. In 2016, I left the bank to become a mortgage adviser with Loan Market.

I pride myself on being there for you every step of the way on your journey to buying a new property, whether it be your first home, a new home, or an investment. There’s nothing better than seeing a client’s satisfaction at having received the keys to their new home, having played an integral part of the process.

I work with all the major banks and strive to get the best deal possible for yourself and your personal situation.

2020 brought many challenges, and with it, the mortgage industry changed. Being a mortgage adviser means I can work with you around your schedule, whether that be meeting outside of normal work hours, at your place or via video chat. Best of all, my services are free.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing golf, watching sport, and spending quality time with my wife and two children.

If you want to find out how I can help you with your finances, please get in touch.

Ryan Hannagan I can help with all aspects of your home loan, from Fixed Rate Reviews, to brand new loans for property purchases, for either your own home, or an investment property.

P. 021 744 844 E. ryan.hannagan@loanmarket.co.nz www.loanmarket.co.nz

www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 39

Real Estate

Emily Mitchell – Harcourts Oamaru I am a recent arrival to your town and am absolutely loving it. I enjoy the close community feel and that everyone has time for each other. I feel very welcome and at home here and am looking forward to raising my children in such a beautiful and friendly town.

Previously I have lived in Wanaka, where I took up snowboarding, mountain biking and hiking. I worked as a home-based carer and was privileged to be able to help people to achieve a more fulfilling life. From there my husband and I moved to Gisborne for three years. After having two children we decided it was time to return to the South Island to be closer to our families.

I approach real estate with a fresh perspective, positive attitude and a passion to deliver the best possible service to my clients, doing my best to take the stress out of selling your home. I want to hear the stories and memories of your special home and will take the time to explain each

“

Honesty, respect and trust are what Emily prides herself on. She approaches real estate with a fresh perspective, enthusiastic attitude and a drive that will deliver a high standard to her clients, doing her very best to take the stress out of selling your home.

Emily’s ability to build strong, lasting relationships is what defines her in her real estate Business.

If you want dedication with a keen eye for detail, then Emily should be your first choice.

step along the way to make sure you are comfortable and understand the process. I believe success is based on building strong relationships and the ability to earn trust and respect from people.

If you want dedication and support from beginning to end and beyond, please give me a call. I won’t let you down.

EMILY

Mitchell

I approach real estate with a fresh perspective, positive attitude and a passion to deliver the best possible service to my clients, doing my best to take the stress out of selling your home.

I want to hear the stories and memories of your special home and will take the time to explain each step along the way to make sure you are comfortable and understand the process.

I believe success is based on building strong relationships and the ability to earn trust and respect from people.

If you want dedication and support from beginning to end and beyond, please give me a call.

Emily Mitchell | 027 816 9451 Harcourts Blackham & Co Real Estate Ltd Licensed Agent REAA 2008

40 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

Your

I.T.

Unifone is the largest, locally owned ISP in Otago. Based in Dunedin, with an office in Balclutha and agents across Otago and Southland, Unifone takes pride in offering high quality, affordably priced internet and phone services whether you are located in the city, town or country.

Unifone NZ

Choosing the right Internet Service Provider (ISP) can make all the difference between your broadband service being a topic of conversation because it’s so difficult to use and having a seamless broadband experience that just merges with your life.

Our team of technicians will talk you through your options in plain English and are not aiming for the quick sale. We’ll take the time to work out the best deal for you and the optimal way of getting internet to your phone, tablet, PC or even smart TV. If you are considering building a new home, we can get involved at the design stage to help you plan your broadband so it’s all ready when you move in.

Drop into our office at 130 Kaikorai Valley Road, Dunedin or 26A Clyde Street, Balclutha.

Our friendly support team can also be reached through our website www.unifone.net.nz or give us a call on 0800 894 114.

www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 41

Property Management

Modernising our

rental laws

The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) was introduced in 1986 when the world was a very different place. Most people owned their own homes and only a few people rented.

Fast forward nearly 20 years and more people rent than ever before which is why the Government has announced a number of proposals to bring the RTA up to date.

Broadly speaking the proposals will bring about a number of positive changes for those renting.

However, it’s important that as much balance as possible is achieved in terms of both tenants’ and landlords’ rights – particularly with the raft of legislation landlords have had to deal with over the past 18-24 months.

Proposals such as a ban on rental bidding, limiting rent increases to once every 12 months and making rental properties safer and more liveable for tenants are likely to bring about positive changes for tenants’ lives and will give them more certainty than they’ve had in the past.

However, as with any legislation, there are some aspects to the proposed changes to the Bill which have caused some concern.

The most significant and controversial proposal is the recommendation to end the no-cause 90-day notice.

The removal of the 90-day notice will likely influence landlords’ and property managers’ decisions around choosing tenants and could see tenants who have had small issues in past tenancies not selected.

42 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

In the vast majority of circumstances, landlords use “no-cause” termination notices as a way of bringing a tenancy to an end for serious issues.

Competent landlords always prefer to have a property tenanted, and would prefer to fix problems raised by tenants, so only use the 90-day notice as a last resort.

Under the proposals, tenants will have up until 28 days before the end of a fixed-term lease to let an owner know they are not going to renew their fixed term agreement – even if the landlord does not want the tenancy to renew.

This change could significantly affect areas that have strong student populations such as Christchurch, Hamilton, Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin.

Under the proposal, students could let their tenancy rollover to a periodic contract throughout the Christmas period.

Then in the New Year, after university has started back, the tenant could give notice to leave and the landlord will have missed the student market for a whole year.

In our view, a tenant’s desire for security of tenure needs to be carefully balanced against a landlord’s need to manage business assets.

Article by Bindi Norwell, chief executive of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand.

Property Management

Rental property heating

-urgent action required

Heating is the major element of the Healthy Homes Standards that requires swift action from rental property owners.

Although private rentals have until July 2021 to comply with the heating standard, planning early can only be a positive.

In 2019, the last-minute rush to meet insulation requirements resulted in a shortage of insulation materials and, for many, a failure to meet the deadline. Staying one step ahead and starting your planning now means you can avoid unexpected drawbacks and consequent penalties.

There is also a requirement to include intentions in any tenancy agreement which will be in place over July 1st 2021- so that will include some being written up now. Although the regulations will see an increase in immediate expenses, any required changes are likely to mean happier tenants who stay longer. By setting clear standards for heating, landlords and tenants will also finally have clarity on their obligations, hopefully meaning fewer disputes.

If you’re a DIY landlord, it’s essential that you have a strong understanding of the heating requirements. Since the Healthy Homes Standards became

law on 1 July 2019, there’s a lot more at stake if you get it wrong. It’s a big subject, but there is a wealth of resources available online.

Get started with the Tenancy Services online heating assessment tool to find out what size heater you need and existing heating meets the standards. Remember, just because a property has a recent code of compliance, it doesn’t mean that it meets the heating standard. We’ve come across modern homes that have been assessed using the Tenancy Services guidelines and still require additional heating.

Documenting results is an essential step, whilst a professional report can be viewed as “yet another cost”.

It’s worth getting a full assessment, covering all five points of the Healthy Home Standards - heating, insulation, draught stopping, moisture ingress and drainage, and ventilation. Once you have a comprehensive report, you’ll be able to use this to counter any potential claims.

Building yourself an experienced team is an easy way to reduce stress and ensure that your investment property meets regulations. Property management professionals can take your particular property and financial situation into account and create a plan that best suits you.

We know there are a number of alternative solutions that can be beneficial to both parties whilst still meeting the Standards.

If you have an open plan home, adding in a door could cost less than installing additional heating.

This is just one example of a win-win solution that an experienced property manager would know to suggest. After all, we’re here to add value to both sides of the rental experience.

We’re friendly. Approachable.

Flexible. Available 24/7 48 Papanui Rd, Merivale, Christchurch Tel: 03 355 0348 www.quinovic-merivale.co.nz

Not all property management companies are equal.

Some in the property sector offer property management as a service; others are small home-run businesses with limited experience, resources and backup. And then there is Quinovic - the largest network of independently owned property management companies in New Zealand.

www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 43

Property Management

Healthy homes

and your investment property

The purpose behind the introduction of Healthy Homes Standards across New Zealand was to ensure there is a benchmark for what tenants should expect from a rental property anywhere in the country.

Moisture ingress and drainage:

The intended outcome by improving the quality of rental accommodation was to significantly reduce associated health issues caused from cold, damp, and mouldy homes. Long-term, this is a benefit to both the landlord and the tenant.

• All gaps causing draughts must be covered, including open fires.

There are five criteria within the Healthy Homes Standards which must be compliant by 1st July 2021, alongside a 13-page statement outlining evidence of compliance which must be provided with each new tenancy to avoid costly penalties.

Heating: • The property must have one or more sources of fixed heating in the main living room, reaching at least 18 degrees.

Insulation: • Ceiling insulation must be at least 120mm thick and underfloor insulation must have a resistance value (R-value) of 1.3.

• There must be efficient drainage of stormwater, surface water and ground water away from the house through cleared gutters, downpipes, and drains • A moisture vapour barrier must be installed where accessible.

Draught stopping: There are exemptions which will apply to some properties due to the design of the property and therefore it is important to seek advice from a professional agency who are trained in identifying these.

The team at Nidd Property Management Dunedin can make this easy for you by arranging a Healthy Home assessment and coordination of any upgrades required. Furthermore, they can arrange the 13page Tenancy Services statement to be correctly filled out, ensuring compliance, and eliminating stress and risk of a $4000 fine.

Nidd Property Management Dunedin offers a wealth of experience, place importance on adapting to changes quickly and put client relationships at the centre of everything we do. There is an understanding that while landlords have been expected to comply with changes to legislation, so too must tenants, which is why tenant are educated with how to occupy the property without creating issues.

Ventilation: • All rooms must have at least one door or window that opens, ensuring air flow • All bathrooms and kitchens must have an externally vented extraction unit installed.

44 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

When you think of Nidd Property Management Dunedin, think: experience, systems, communication and transparency. We look forward to helping you maximise your investment return while minimising your stress.

We have many success stories where people have thought marketing is a waste of money, but have finally found something that gives them a transparent Return on Investment.

If you would like to be our next success story, please email: enquiries@fatweb.co.nz We have offices throughout New Zealand and can discuss your needs over the phone or by Skype.

Don’t let another year go by without truly discovering what digital marketing can do for your business.

With years’ of experience and having delivered outstanding results, we have some of the best digital experts in the business.

form of advertising you can measure, then increase or decrease, so you can manage your workflow accordingly!

You’ve probably heard people talk about digital marketing, Google AdWords, online traffic, SEO and social media. Then on top of all that, you need to have a lead generating web presence with good traffic etc.

This can sound complicated – but it doesn’t have to if you talk to the right people.

Let’s start with the basics

We are so confident, that if you aren’t 100% happy after the first month, you won’t pay a cent for the management fee. And if you mention this ad, set-up is free – a service other companies charge up to $3,000 for.

FREE call tracking, which means you can actually hear recordings of the phone calls coming into your business to see if your staff are doing things correctly or if they need more training. This tool can make a massive difference to the FAT on your bottom line.

Available to the first 25 people who book a consultation.

With 15 years’ experience - we know what we’re doing.

Call 0800 FATWEB, or email enquiries@fatweb.co.nz to book a FREE consultation.

Right now there are people looking for a business just like yours. However, if you don’t have AdWords, there’s a very good chance they’ve just clicked one of your competitors’ websites.

Most businesses would benefit from Google AdWords. It’s simple to set up, it’s fast, you set the monthly budget, and you can see the results immediately.

Included is a complimentary call tracking service to measure daily results, plus you get a monthly report that’s explained in as much detail as you like.

LOOKING FOR STAFF, LAUNCH YOUR SEARCH WITH US! Use the most cost effective and easiest job site in New Zealand. Now with a new and improved website RECEIVE making things even 15% OFF easier, ensuring you AN ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP USING THE CODE ONLINE get quality applicants, “MJS15” everytime!

0800 FATWEB | www.fatweb.co.nz

You can either buy 1 ad (for 1 month) for $137+gst or unlimited ads for 12 months for $997+gst 100% money back guarantee if you don’t think it’s the best money you’ve spent all year, plus we’ll give you another 12 months FREE FREE access to search CVs – other companies charge thousands for this You can include your company profile so applicants can see why they want to work for you – once again, other companies charge for this.

MYJOBSPACE.CO.NZ

www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 45

Funeral Directors

Dunedin Monumental Masons

Dunedin Monumental Masons, founded by a former staff member of R. Millan & Sons, commenced business in Dunedin in 1967.

The company was acquired in 1989 by Colin Morton, then later by son Craig, who currently manages the business with his wife Lisa.

Lisa is the past president of the New Zealand Master Monumental Masons Association and Craig is also a past president as well as a member of the National Advisory Group for the industry training.

46 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

Dunedin Monumental Mason has been contracted for the restoration of historic stonework with the NZ Historic Cemeteries Trust and Councils throughout the region, including the refurbishment of many war monuments in the greater Otago area.

Dunedin Monumental Masons services range from traditional headstones to custom made, one-off memorials and is Dunedin’s only registered member of the NZ Master Monumental Masons Association. Membership ensures an established quality criteria and consumer protection.

We are also members of “Headstone Shop” a network ensuring a constant supply of high quality granite memorials and some truly unique designs. Accessories include statues, flower vases, porcelain flowers and photographs and bronze adornments.

Retirement Villages

The Observatory Village

The Observatory Village offers a range of two and three bedroom villas as well as a selection of serviced apartments with varying levels of assistance.

New villas are being built in 2021.

We have both rest home and hospital levels of care available within the care facility.

As a village resident, priority access will be given to our care facilities should you require a short stay or longer term care. It is reassuring that nursing assistance is always close by should you require it and you can recuperate and be cared for in familiar surroundings by people you know.

The village has been designed to maximise sunshine and outlook. From the hill location there are many vistas of rural landscape, mountains, Oamaru township and the sea. Tranquil surroundings for residents to enjoy are achieved through landscaped gardens and creating a spacious feeling.

Our facility offers the highest quality with staff who offer a friendly service and skilled care. Observatory Village provides a community within a community – offering companionship, security and new experiences.

We invite you to be part of this.

Register your interest by emailing: village@observatoryvillage.nz or phone 03 4345450

Observatory Village provides a community within a community... offering companionship, security and new experiences. We invite you to be part of this.

21 Stoke Street, Oamaru 9400, PO Box 39, Oamaru 9444, New Zealand Ph 03 434 5450 | admin@observatoryvillage.nz | www.observatoryvillage.nz www.markat.co.nz Plusliving+ | 47

Funeral Directors

Choosing a funeral director

who’s right for you

By David Moger, Funeral Directors Association NZ CEO

One thing that seems to surprise New Zealanders the most is that Funeral Directors in New Zealand do not have to legally meet any standards and there are no requirements to be able to act as a funeral director.

This means that anyone can decide they want to be a funeral director, pop down to the car auction to pick up a cheap station wagon, buy a cheap mobile phone, set up a free Facebook account, fill in a simple form for the local council and start trading.

They do not need to know anything about funerals or how to care for the deceased.

It seems crazy but it’s true and is a real concern for those who want their loved one cared for respectfully and decently by trained and experienced professionals.

Funeral Directors Association NZ CEO David Moger.

48 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

This is why it is so important to choose a funeral director that is a member of the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand (FDANZ).

Funeral Directors To be a member of FDANZ, funeral homes have to adhere to a Code of Ethics, a Code of Professional Conduct, have NZQA recognised qualified staff and undertake ongoing professional development to keep their knowledge and skills up to date.

FDANZ members undergo regular inspections, have access to technical resources for any unusual circumstances and 135 other member firms around the country to share information and best practice.

When you deal with a FDANZ member you will be given a written estimate of the costs based upon your individual requirements and a written contract so you know you will be getting exactly what you asked for.

They are your only real assurance of receiving a quality service.

What’s more, even if something does not go well, all FDANZ members submit themselves to an independent complaints process.

They are confident that it will not be necessary but you have the added assurance of knowing the process is there just in case. This is an assurance of quality that is not available elsewhere.

Making the right choice of funeral director is critical in ensuring you have a meaningful funeral as part of a healthy grieving process. Our members are your best assurance of that.

Visit www.fdanz.co.nz today to find a FDANZ member firm near you.

Oamaru Funeral Services

When you need us, we’ll be there

ENSURING PEACE OF MIND Plan ahead with us and ease the burden on your loved ones by pre-planning.

Ensure your wishes are recorded and carried out.

NZ owned & operated Funeral Home

Funeral prearrangement simply means that by planning now, you can ensure that your funeral reflects your personal wishes.

You can determine your last wishes in advance.

Formally Wall’s Funeral Services 49 Humber Street, Oamaru P: 03 434 8266 E: admin@oamarufuneralservices.co.nz

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Building

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QUALITY BUILDER SERVICING OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND NEW BUILDS VILLAS AND BUNGALOWS RECLADS RENOVATIONS HARD LANDSCAPING TIMBER FLOORING

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PROUDLY SERVICING OTAGO/SOUTHLAND.

GET A DETAILED PROPOSAL - CALL TODAY 027 4583 121 50 | Plusliving+ www.markat.co.nz

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