Plus Living+ Bay of Plenty Edition #3

An essential mindset to help you navigate modern life

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Bang for your buck

Getting more out of your money

Top online grocery shops

Stress out Why you shouldn’t worry about worrying

Making the most of every day

8 tips which involve doing surprisingly little

The freedom a little organisation offers

This issue of Plusliving takes a practical look at how impactful even a modicum of self-organisation can be.

The good news is getting more organised doesn’t need to be difficult. The piece ‘Making the most of every day’ includes productivity tips which involve doing surprisingly little, and ‘Keeping time on your side’ has simple ideas to help you stay on track time-wise.

We also look at how to make better decisions, delve into the benefits of being financially organised, and even if you’re concerned that you’re chronically unorganised, talk about why you shouldn’t really worry about it.

No matter how well planned your days may or may not be, our lead story ‘The power of gratitude’ can benefit anyone by reminding us all of an essential mindset perhaps needed now more than ever.

Enjoy!

Publisher: The Job Agency Ltd

38 Lowe Street, Addington, Christchurch 8011

Managing Director: Gary Collins

GM of Operations: Kylie Palermo

Sales Manger: Angela Elley

(03) 961 5184 | sales@markat.co.nz

Editor: Jonathon Taylor (03) 961 5098 | editor@markat.co.nz

Art Director: Jarred Shakespeare (03) 961 5088 | jarred@markat.co.nz

Product Coordinator Manager: Amber Mundy (03) 961 5075 | amber@markat.co.nz

Accounts: (03) 961 5050 | info@markat.co.nz

How to make

Making the most of every day

Eight productivity tips which involve little

In today’s fast-paced world, everyone appears to be action-orientated and being “busy” is worn like a badge of honour.

It’s easy to assume that doing as much as possible and filling every hour of the day is the best way to be productive. In fact, sometimes the opposite is true.

Robert Half New Zealand general manager Megan Alexander says “It’s not always about pushing ourselves to do more and more. Rather, global perceptions of productivity are changing to favour more flexible and people-centred work styles.

By encouraging rest periods and more flexible work options, people actually focused their attention more effectively. “They could produce just as much, often to a higher quality, and were more loyal to the organisations that gave them the flexibility to care about life outside of work.”

Finding yourself in a productivity rut? Megan shares eight productivity tips that everyone can adopt which involve doing surprisingly little.

1. A tired brain is a useless brain

When considering how to be productive, think about how you can boost your energy levels. Rest plays a key part in this.

To give your brain a chance to recharge and avoid burnout and fatigue,

try some age-old resting techniques. Some people love daytime naps (which may be restricted to weekends, depending on how progressive your workplace is), and others practice guided meditation on a daily basis.

2. Make switching off part of your daily routine

Switching off from the online world sounds impossible these days, but it’s worth considering – at least in short bursts. We consume more information now than ever before simply because it’s right at our fingertips. However, this can mess with our brains.

Set some time aside at night to deliberately wind down and switch off, perhaps starting with a technology-free hour before bed. This has been proven to increase the quality of sleep and reduce insomnia, which in turn will do wonders for your productivity during the workday.

3. Manage email overkill

That familiar pinging sound goes off and you feel the tension rise. You can no longer concentrate on the task at hand, instead you feel the pressure to reply to every email that’s beeped at you – and quickly. It’s time to manage your email program (and its incessant notifications), but if you think lessening your email time sounds unrealistic or unproductive, then think again.

When thinking about time management tips and improving productivity, research has shown that establishing boundaries between emails, concentrating on other work and work-free time is a lesson in how to be productive.

Then you can set designated time to respond to emails when you’re in the right frame of mind, making better use of your time and creating more considered replies.

4. Hold off on making rush decisions

At times it may feel like you are under pressure to make an immediate decision, like giving feedback on a piece of work or responding to a colleague about an internal situation.

Taking a bit of extra time to think about the solution and next steps can prevent a lot of back and forth in the long run. Assess the urgency of a situation and then decide appropriately.

5. Step back from technology frustration

Technology is great when it works, yet there’s nothing more frustrating than a computer that’s frozen up or a software system that refuses to behave itself. Let alone someone suggesting that you “try turning it off and on again”.

Instead of getting wound up, try taking a few minutes to think calmly through a solution and take some deep breaths. It can save time and energy in the long run.

6. Don’t let emotions get the better of you

It’s easy to act defensively when you receive an inquisitive email or when a colleague seems to be coming across offensively. Instead of reacting immediately, it’s wiser to step back and cool off. You’ll come back to it with a clearer and calmer head, which will only have a positive effect on your productivity levels.

7. Take advantage of the wealth of fantastic apps now available

While technology can be a huge distraction during the day, it can help boost your productivity. It’s worth trying some productivity-boosting apps.

A couple of the most popular include Wunderlist (a new take on the old-fashioned to-do list) and Pomodoro (a timer to help you focus on one task at a time). And in keeping with the meditation suggestion, Headspace is a great resource to use to help make this a daily practice.

8. Use designated breaks to get out and exercise

Getting angry, frustrated or overwhelmed by work or colleagues? It’s time to run or walk it out. Even half an hour of exercise a day, which can be done before or after work or during your lunch break, is great for your mind and motivation.

Getting outside is the best option if you can: fresh air boosts your mood and energy levels, which can be a great productivity boost during your workday.

“Doing nothing might sound like the fast track to wasting time, but it could be the answer to getting through that ever-growing to-do list. It’s worth a shot. After all, it won’t take much effort,” Megan says.

Helping you pick the right flooring

Warehouse Carpets & Vinyls in Rotorua offers prompt and professional service from their fabulous and friendly staff.

You will find an extensive range of top quality carpets and carpet underlay, vinyls, vinyl tiles and wood plank flooring their showroom. Duane Frost and the team at Warehouse Carpets & Vinyls are the business to call when you need the best in residential and commercial flooring!

The carpet industry has evolved greatly in the 20 years since Duane first entered the business. Product quality has changed and new fibres, both natural and synthetic have emerged, heralding a time of greater choice for you. Duane aims to remain at the forefront of these changes, and through dedication and hard work, has made sure Warehouse Carpets & Vinyls provides you with choices you won’t find anywhere else.

From top quality loop pile carpets and cut pile plush carpets to wood look vinyls and hard wearing synthetic flooring for commercial applications, Warehouse Carpets & Vinyls have all your standard options plus, carefully selected styles and brands you won’t find at run-of-the-mill carpet franchises.

Because Warehouse Carpets & Vinyls are a small team of local professionals, they place emphasis on making the experience a

personal one. For you this means greater focus on listening to your needs so that you get exactly what you hoped for.

Whatever your budget or preference, Warehouse Carpets & Vinyls have something for you.

Visit their retail showroom at 175 Lake Road, Mangakakahi, Rotorua or contact them today on 07 348 0838!

Lifestyles

By Jamie Quinn

Tropea 3 Piece Outdoor Lounge Set - Gunmetal

This contemporary chic outdoor lounge set features an aluminium frame, deep seats, and trendy mesh side panels. Tropea is built to handle the elements, ensuring that your outdoor space stays stylish year-round.

Elevate your deck or patio with Tropea, where modern design meets durability.

RRP $3,797 | www.targetfurniture.co.nz

Bryne Outdoor Cushion

Add a splash of style to your outdoors with the Bryne Outdoor Cushion. UV and fade resistant, it holds up to regular use in your outdoors. Showcasing a striking diagonal swirl pattern in copper, spruce yellow and lichen green hues, this outdoor pillow adds pop of colour to any living room or outdoor setting.

RRP $79.95

www.freedomfurniture.co.nz

Bampton Fire Pit

Send your summer evenings roasting marshmallows around the Bampton fire pit. This modern wood burning outdoor fire pit is crafted from iron and features matte black heat resistant paint. Perfect for creating a cosy atmosphere for those nights spent under the stars.

RRP $329.00 | www.earlysettler.co.nz

Mimosa Caymen Wooden Cantilever Umbrella

This elegant Mimosa Caymen Wooden Cantilever umbrella is the ultimate shade solution to your outdoor area. The frame is made from a gorgeous eucalyptus timber and accompanied by a strong powder coated steel swivel cross base. With UPF50+ protection combined with a 360-degree swivel base, this umbrella ensures you are always protected, no matter which direction the sun is shining.

RRP $799 | www.bunnings.co.nz

DISCLAIMER: Please note prices listed here are recommended retail pricing. Prices are subject to change at the discretion of the seller. The information on this page is for information purposes only. The Job Agency T|A Markat assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

Baya Summit Peak Outdoor Rug – Khaki

Revitalise your outdoor space with these contemporary and fully reversible floor rugs. Soft underfoot, the handcrafted double weave stripe design looks stunning on any surface and can be used in and outdoors interchangeably. The Baya Summit Peak outdoor rug features a heavy stripe on one side, and a finer design on the other, simply turn the rug over to create a new look in moments.

RRP $545 SML, $900 LGE | www.inkandbrayer.co.nz

Keeping ontimeyour side

Most people have experienced “time regret” – that feeling of frustration over yet another day passing by without having made a significant dent in the ‘to do’ list.

Both work and home life are easily derailed by time-eaters such as meetings, ad hoc requests and the distractions enabled by technology – including email and mobile phones.

Having difficulty meeting goals is a common problem both professionally and personally.

The situation can be greatly improved however, by making some simple adjustments.

The real secret to time management – and accomplishing objectives – is better self-management. Here are six tips that can help you take control of your day.

Analyse your schedule

Where does your time really go? For the next week, make a point to write down what you do and when during either the work day, or when you have a lot of errands to run.

Examining how you spend a typical day will help you to identify when you are most productive and in what ways (or by whom) you are most often interrupted or distracted.

Create ‘time windows’

After you’ve determined what can be changed in your current schedule, develop an action plan.

Think about setting aside “time windows” for specific tasks, such as reviewing emails, making and returning phone calls, or doing those daily things the just need to be done.

Also, create a regular schedule that takes advantage of your body clock – if you are sharpest before lunchtime, schedule more difficult tasks for completion in the morning hours.

Let messages wait

Keeping a constant vigil on your email and voicemail can distract you from more demanding tasks and can end up occupying lots of time.

Schedule times throughout the day when you focus exclusively on messages. You’ll cut down on ongoing anxiety while making your responses less hasty and more useful.

Rediscover single-tasking

You can’t solve a technical challenge while talking on the phone, filing paperwork or planning for an upcoming event.

When you’re occupied with something important, give the issue at hand your undivided attention so you do it right the first time. Fight the urge to multitask, which often impedes your ability to get already started tasks finished.

Give yourself permission to ‘check out’

This is a good one for work, be it at an office or working from home.

If unnecessary interruptions tend to prevent you from completing important tasks, don’t be afraid to close the door, or advise your colleagues that you are off limits for the next few hours, so you can focus on your work.

Reward yourself

Keeping to a schedule, no matter how personalised or flexible, is challenging because it takes discipline.

Give yourself credit for adhering to your agenda and accomplishing all “must-do-today” items.

Be realistic too – some days you will be more productive than others, so don’t worry if you get off track temporarily.

Ensure you also create a balanced schedule that makes the most effective use of your time while allowing you to do things for yourself.

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Stress out

Why you shouldn’t worry about worrying

History is full of poets, philosophers and sages espousing the benefits of a positive disposition.

But it seems scientists disagree.

Why? Because it pays to worry a little bit - literally.

A study published in the Journal of Behavioural Decision Making in 2012 monitored 213 people’s behaviour in relation to a simulated gambling game.

The study found participants in a sad or worrisome mood were more likely to make logical bets they knew had a higher likelihood of winning, even after a series of losses.

Whereas positive, happy bettors were quicker and more likely to play what they knew was a riskier move. Their jovial outlook influenced them to make unpredictable decisions on gut feelings, despite the opportunity to play a logical bet.

The study shows you are more likely to make winning decisions while you are in an anxious, worried state of mind.

But these findings don’t just apply to gambling.

The positive effect of this negative feeling can impact all aspects of your life and in moderation, worry can work wonders.

Sometimes a negative attitude is actually beneficial trait to have because it allows you to look at a situation in a more realistic light.

Feeling worried means you are more likely to make a logical decision with a higher outcome of success, compared with your cheerful counterpart in the same situation.

Worry can be the side effect of a strong desire to achieve perfection. And in the pursuit of perfection worry can prompt you to double check and even triple check your work.

Without worry there is a risk you can become complacent, a little too relaxed and more likely to make a mistake.

Under a moderate amount of worry you are capable of learning and remembering new information more effectively.

This is because the primary stress hormone, cortisol, improves learning and memory at moderate concentrations compared to low or high concentrations.

People who are more susceptible to worry consequently exhibit the following personality traits:

Pros

• More attentive to detail

• More motivated to work

• More polite and attentive to others

• Vigilant for risks and threats.

Cons

• Overcautious

• Less creative

• At risk of becoming too stressed

• More closed minded.

In comparison, worry-free people exhibit these contrasting behaviours:

Pros

• More creative

• Form better relationships

• Healthier

• Willing to explore.

Cons

• Prone to overlooking threats and dangers

• Open to unwise risks

• More gullible

• Lacking appropriate embarrassment or guilt.

The power of gratitude

An essential mindset to help you navigate modern life

A year and a half ago, the whole of Aotearoa (and indeed the wider world) stepped up for the first big Covid lockdown.

Together our nation united to face the largest health challenge facing the country since the First World War.

Everyone has their own memories of getting through that first Level four Lockdown and for so many it marked a period of terrible change, even an end of an era.

While we never want to belittle the myriad challenges people around the globe have faced since, we are forever aware of the large body of scientific research demonstrating the psychological benefits of gratitude.

Tuning into what’s still good in our world (cognitive reappraisal) is a foundational skill for resilience.

Multiple studies have demonstrated the psychological benefits of noticing positive events, gratitude, mindful awareness, positive reappraisal, the use of personal strengths and acts of kindness during times of significant stress, and suggested the importance of these strategies for supporting people through the ongoing challenges of the pandemic (Waters et al, 2021).

Gratitude is just one positive emotion that serves to buffer and bolster mental health in times of adversity and stress, aiding recovery from loss and trauma via widening perceptual field and allowing people to see the big picture (Vernon et al., 2009).

Kim Tay, director of online training from the New Zealand Institute of Wellbeing and Resilience says, “There’s no doubt the past year has been tough, and we don’t want to diminish that, but wherever you are on the spectrum of how the pandemic has impacted you, taking a moment to notice what’s still good in your world, and particularly who you are

grateful for, is such a powerful way of broadening our perspective and enabling us to cope in the face of uncertainty, challenge and change.

“The benefits of a grateful mindset and grateful orientation toward life would appear to be especially valuable in the midst of uncontrollable stress, such as that engendered by the coronavirus crisis,” reports Professor Lea Waters and colleagues from around the world in their paper on psychological strategies for ‘buffering, bolstering and building’ psychological health.

And so, we encourage you, your colleagues, your teams, families, whānau and communities to make an intentional effort to tune into the good at this time.

To pause and reflect, for a moment, on the magnificent job done by all the people involved with delivering essential services, on the extraordinary ways families coped with homeschooling, and the businesses and organisations of all shapes and sizes doing their utmost to keep going.

Consider all those behind-the-scenes legends who keep New Zealand moving through adversity, never seeking the limelight or praise, and the massive contribution they make every day of the year.

We encourage you to take a moment to ponder, who is essential to you and your way of life?

It could be anyone involved in keeping your whānau safe and healthy, the food flowing, the power on, the rubbish collected. Or simply someone you can’t imagine facing the tough times without.

Questions you can ask yourself:

• Who are you grateful for?

• Who wouldn’t you want to live without?

• Who stood up for you last year – at work or home?

• Who are you most proud of?

• Have you ever thought of thanking the people behind the essential services in some way?

Do your eyes get red, sore or blurry? You may have Dry Eye Disease

Irritable eyes are a common problem for New Zealanders. Most often this discomfort is caused by Dry Eye Disease; when someone’s tears do not keep their eyeball wet enough throughout the day.

It is important to accurately diagnose Dry Eye Disease and its severity. This is best done with an in-depth dry eye assessment where a range of specialised diagnostic equipment, such as TearLab tear chemistry testing, is used to thoroughly evaluate your ocular surface.

Dry Eye Disease can be caused by a range of factors, with the most common being Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). This condition occurs when the oil-producing glands in the eyelids stop functioning correctly. If the oils sitting on top of the watery tears are compromised, then the ocular surface dries out faster, and your eyes become irritable. MGD is a chronic condition, which means eventually symptoms will recur without treatment; simply using watery eye drops does nothing to stop the underlying cause.

Treatments for MGD depend on the severity of the condition and can include: oil-based lubricant eye drops to ‘top-up’ the tear layer,

anti-inflammatory eyedrops and ointments, omega-3 nutrition supplements, heat bags and digital oil gland manipulation, and antiinflammatory oral medications.

However one of the most effective therapies to improve Dry Eye Disease is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). IPL is a revolutionary treatment where high energy light is applied to the skin around the eye. The treatment safely stimulates the oil glands in the eyelids to improve their secretions, settling Dry Eye Disease, and making people less reliant on ongoing eye-drops and other treatments. The therapy is painless and long-lasting, with many people getting improvement in symptoms for years afterwards.

If you think you may have Dry Eye Disease, contact the optometrists at your local dry eye specialist Bay Eye Care, to get your ocular surface back under control!

eyes seriously

Mr Alex Petty

Mr Aidan Quinlan

Bay Eye Care optometrist Mr Alex Petty provides IPL treatment

How to make better decisions

Consider both costs and benefits

One factor we often forget is the 'opportunity cost'. When we do one thing, we can't be doing something else at the same time. It’s either or. When you watch TV, the benefits are relaxation and enjoyment – but the cost is that you can't use that same time to read a business book. Therefore, force yourself to list the pros and cons.

Justify yourself

When we think someone will check up on us, we make more mental effort, leading to better decision-making. Imagine you have to justify your decision to someone else. Would you still make that decision?

Distance yourself from the issue

Our brains are influenced by our current emotions, which can impair rationality. Big decisions are better made after a good night's sleep. Step back and consider the likely chain of events. What are the future implications of this decision?

Don't believe the hype

It's easy to be persuaded by vivid stories and ignore scientific evidence. Look carefully at the information source and sample size – are you being manipulated?

Make fewer decisions

Peter Drucker said effective executives do not make many decisions, they concentrate on making a few important ones. Make the big strategic decisions, rather than try to solve lots of little problems.

Do not make fast decisions. Make the right decisions that have the biggest impact.

What would Spock do?

Just reminding ourselves to think rationally helps us make better decisions. Consciously trying to think rationally will also help activate all the other techniques described here.

Bang for your buck Getting more out of your money

Should you live for today or for tomorrow? Should you take a holiday on a Pacific Island or pay off the car loan?

When it comes to managing your money, it is hard to find the right balance and there is no absolutely right or wrong answer. The right answer for you depends primarily on what your priorities are.

Most people earn between $1 million and $2 million in their lifetime, but manage to save very little of what they earn. The problem is not our income, it’s what we spend.

So how can we make the most of what we earn?

Five key principles to stick to:

• Take control of your money and control your life

• Spend less than you earn

• Set aside a percentage of every dollar of your income and live off the rest

• Let time and compound interest work for you

• Invest in yourself — especially your skills and qualifications.

In practice, this means paying off debt and focusing on saving.

According to the IFA, this includes joining a subsidised superannuation scheme such as KiwiSaver, paying off high-cost short term debt, creating

an emergency cash fund, paying off your home mortgage as soon as possible and establishing a long-term savings plan.

That may sound difficult right now, but the best way to start managing your money is to draw up a budget. Your budget will consist of your income, your expenses including fixed and variable costs, and discretionary spending.

Remember that in the long run even the fixed costs like your house and car are choices that you make and if they cost too much, you can change that. How much you spend on the discretionary items is also your choice, which means that how much you have left over for saving is entirely your decision.

Money management tips:

• Watch your cash expenses — cash from ATMs can add up very quickly

• Beware of luxuries dressed as necessities

• How much you buy is a choice; e.g., clothing

• Aim to spend no more than 90 percent of your income – this allows you to pay for some of the big-ticket items

• Beware of spending creep as your income rises

• Give yourself a credit card haircut

• Never spend more than $100 on anything without taking 48 hours to think about it.

Recognising online scams – what to watch out for

Phishing scams

Phishing, or the fraudulent practice of posing as a reputable company to obtain personal information like passwords and credit card numbers, can happen to anyone. It can be someone posing as your bank, your Netflix account, or even an alternative email of yours.

Example: You open your emails to see your bank requesting you log in to check on suspicious activity on your account. The log in page looks exactly like it does on your online banking app!

However, when you click on the email sender, the email looks a little bit strange. When you look at the domain name (the part of the email address after the @ symbol), it misspelled the name of the bank.

If this is the case, contact your bank independently from details on the back of your card or from an independent search you can trust.

Romance scams

Through dating websites, apps, and even social media, dating scammers reach out pretending to be prospective partners. They take advantage of people using emotions to lure you in to giving them money, gifts or personal details.

A lot of romance scammers catfish people, or use fake pictures and details, and make up online profiles to lull people into a false sense of security.

The scammer will go to great lengths to gain their victim’s trust and to keep them romantically interested, from professing their love and even

According to the 2019 Annual Report from Netsafe,

nearly $23 million was

reported as lost to scammers.

There were 16,355 scam reports with 2,343 scams involving financial losses. The best way to protect yourself is to be aware that scams exist and understand the common tactics used to open up your wallet and spill your information.

What are some of the most common types of scams on the internet? You may have encountered some without even realising it.

sending gifts. A lot of times they can take months to establish this trust and may even pretend to book flights to come visit but don’t actually come because of some excuse or another.

Example: One of the most common romance scams is pretending to have a personal emergency that requires a lot of money, like an ill family member or that the scammer is stranded somewhere without credit cards. They’ll then ask for money (or even manipulate the victim into offering it).

Shopping scams

A lot of online sellers are legitimate, but some scammers set up fake websites to rip off shoppers trying to find the best bargains.

These websites can use modern layouts and designs, even having a “.co. nz” domain name to make it seem like an actual New Zealand business.

Other times, the business even advertises on your Facebook or Instagram page, giving it an extra air of legitimacy.

Often, the fake website’s biggest draw are really discounted prices. The victim can either receive a knock off item or no item will ever come through the mail.

One of the biggest giveaways of a shopping scam website is they ask the customer to pay via money order or wire transfer. Legitimate companies will offer a secure payment option like credit/debit card, PayPal, and POLi payments.

Enduring Powers of Attorney

We have always had powers of attorney – documents that appoint someone to act for us if we are sick or absent from the country.

But these powers of attorney were only to be used if we could ratify the decisions that our attorney has made. So if we become mentally incapable that is the end of the power of attorney.

In 1988 a law was enacted that enabled enduring powers of attorney (EPoAs) to be created, i.e. they endure or last beyond our incapacity, right up until our deaths. Many people now make EPoAs at the same time as they make their wills.

An EPoA can be for property, which covers your house, bank accounts, other investments, cars etc, or for personal care and welfare, covering where we live (such as in a rest home), medical treatment, etc.

Many married couples appoint each other as their attorney, with one or two of their children as successor attorney(s) in case one’s spouse has died or become mentally incapable.

An EPoA for property can have more than one person acting as attorneys, whereas the EPoA for personal care and welfare can only have one person at a time. The EPoA for property can be activated straight away, or on incapacity, whereas the one for personal care and welfare can only be activated on your incapacity.

If you don’t have EPoAs in place, and if you become mentally incapable, then a family member will have to apply to the Court to be appointed as your attorney, and this procedure can be quite expensive. EPoAs can be witnessed only by a solicitor or registered legal executive. We have prepared many of these documents for clients, and we invite you to make an appointment to call and discuss the matter.

Sudoku

RULES: Sudoku rules are simple. A 9×9 square must be filled in with numbers from 1-9 with no repeated numbers in each line, horizontally or vertically. To challenge you more, there are 3×3 squares marked out in the grid, and each of these squares can't have any repeat numbers either.

ANSWERS:

Crossword

Across:

1. Stage lamp

8. Starting point in reasoning

9. Makes a ties less tight

10. Concept

12. Item on a belt

13. UFO pilots

13. Wet period in the tropics

16. Bog fruit

Down:

2. Piece of office gear

2. Small spade

4. You look through it

5. Salon stylist

6. Fruit pastry

7. By the way

11. Lining fabric

14. Spiritual song

ANSWERS:

ANSWER:

Mind Games

The old saying ‘use it or lose it’ applies as equally to mental acuity as it does to physical wellbeing, and more so as we age.

With people progressively living longer lives,

increasingly

important to look after our mental

it is

health. So here are some activities for the mind… brain food for improving your state of mind.

Our vets have many years experience, so between them there aren’t many conditions that they haven’t seen. There will often be a vet think-tank to discuss the more puzzling and rare cases they are working on, in the treatment room after consults or around the morning tea table.

WE ARE A GOLD STANDARD SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE, WITH A REPUTATION FOR GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND.

Kitten & Puppy Care

Health Checks

Surgery & Anaesthesia

Consultations

Dentistry

Microchipping

De-sexing

Vaccinations

(07) 576 9555 • bethlehem@vetcareltd.co.nz

182 Moffat Road, Tauranga

Giving your pet

the care they need

Everyone with a beloved pet should have a regular vet to attend to when their pet needs any kind of animal care.

Vetcare Tauranga are a gold standard small animal practice, with a reputation for going above and beyond. They believe in treating every animal like their own. Their great team of vets offer a range of services including surgery, dentistry, free nurse consultations, skin and eye specialists, emergency care and more.

Vetcare Tauranga has two clinics available in the region, Vetcare Bethlehem and Vetcare Cherrywood. At their Cherrywood Site they run a popular puppy school which is a fun-filled and informative class for puppies aged between

eight and 16 weeks old, perfect for every dog owner who needs professional help with training, To book an appointment at one of Vetcare Tauranga’s clinics, contact them today in store, by phone or book online at www.vetcaretauranga.co.nz.

House calls are available where appropriate and when time is available.

Vetcare Bethlehem

Phone: 07 576 9555

182 Moffat Road, Tauranga

Vetcare Cherrywood

Phone: 07 576 9807

Cherrywood Shopping Centre, Tauranga

With a wide variety of hardware, brands, designs, and styles to choose from, there’s a door for everyone. Whether you want the strength of fiberglass or the beauty of solid wood, we believe that quality never goes out of style.

Plumbing your needs

The General Plumbing Company is your trusted source for expert plumbing solutions and drain-laying services in the Tauranga and Bay of Plenty region.

any plumbing problems from leaky taps to a broken shower mixer to a blocked drain, contact Warren for fast and reliable plumbing maintenance.

Alterations and Home Plumbing in Tauranga

Warren Ashdown is known as The General and is the proud owner of this reputable business. With 20 years of dedicated service, Warren brings a wealth of knowledge as a qualified certifying plumber and certifying drainlayer.

With an apprenticeship completed in 1989, Warren boasts nearly four decades of experience in maintenance plumbing, new home construction, and alterations. As an adept drainlayer, he can efficiently address drainage issues and install new drainage systems.

Discover a range of services that The General Plumbing Company can provide you:

Professional Plumbing Maintenance

Tap dripping? Blocked toilet? Leaking dishwasher? Is Wastemaster not working? Shower head broken? Drains blocked? If you have

021

Warren can provide home plumbing services, including supply of baths, showers, waste masters and more. With years of experience in all aspects of home plumbing repairs and drainage, you can be sure you’re contacting the right person.

Experienced Drainage Solutions

For all new drain-laying for new homes, Warren can install all the drainage required and ensure you’re connected to the local council sewage and stormwater drainage systems.

When you choose The General Plumbing Company for new homes, enjoy peace of mind with a ten-year guarantee on plumbing and drainage work. Rest assured that all manufacturer warranties will be honoured. For alterations and maintenance plumbing, customer satisfaction takes precedence – reach out with any concerns.

For all your plumbing and drain-laying needs, contact Warren today on 021 574 577.

Keeping your will up to date

Your will should not be a document which you write once and never look at again. As life changes, your will may need to reflect this.

Wills should be reviewed every three to four years, so that you ensure you have included, or in some instances excluded, benefactors.

For instance, if a spouse dies or more grandchildren have been born, these are times to take another look at your will to make sure it is a true reflection of the legacy you want to leave.

Remember, that your last will and testament is the legal document that has your final wishes. It is the instructions that will be left for your executor to carry out and really needs to accurately reflect what you have and who you want to leave it to.

There have been instances where an ex-spouse has forgotten to remove their former husband or wife from the will. This has resulted in shock and anger from children at an already stressful time and lengthy and costly court battles to rectify the situation.

If you have inherited money or assets, gone into or sold a business or your financial situation has drastically changed, these are times when you should review your will.

You may have inherited heirlooms from a family member since writing your original will and you may want to make sure you leave those precious family keepsakes are passed on to a member of your family.

It can also include such things as funeral arrangements including burial wishes, so it is important to get them on the will so there is no confusion.

there to help you at a difficult time

• Probate documents to you directly (usually $490) or to your lawyer (usually $390)

• Get a free copy of the 40-page Kiwilaw Guide to Estate Administration with your SuperGold card when you get probate through Kiwilaw (usually $49)

Cheryl Simes LL.B (Hons) MA (Hons)

Kiwilaw Director/Lawyer

03 312 1508 www.kiwilaw.co.nz

A living will

The Public Trust website also advises that if your medical situation changes then it is a good time to consider a living will.

“A living will, also called an “advance directive”, states what medical care you should be given if you become physically or mentally unable to decide. You might want to make a living will saying you should or shouldn’t be resuscitated or that you want life support turned off in certain circumstances.

“Medical professionals can’t ignore an advance directive unless there are reasonable grounds to doubt its validity.”

It is relatively easy to update your will. Your lawyer or a Public Trust representative can assist you with this process.

Times when you should update your will

• Change of marital status

• When your financial situation changes

• Your partner or spouse dies

• Your health changes

• Already-named benefactors have passed away

• The birth or adoption of a family member

• The acquisition or sale of a significant asset

• Children reach 18 years

• If you have come into an inheritance.

Accurate legal help

Created by lawyer Cheryl Simes, Kiwilaw’s probate services are accurate, excellent, and affordable –and accessible online, nationwide.

Cheryl started developing this online legal solution as it was the natural next step. She had a lifetime of interest in computers, the law, and communication, and wanted to help ordinary people with paperwork. It came after years of challenges in the legal system and the desire to do better. It came from a belief that legal fees shouldn’t be exorbitant and should be transparent.

Kiwilaw takes the hassle out of accessing essential legal services after a loved one dies. Families don’t need to visit a

lawyer’s office – Kiwilaw’s online services make the paperwork less expensive and easily accessible.

Whenever someone dies and leaves more than $15,000 in the bank or Kiwisaver, the High Court has to approve the will (probate) or issue letters of administration (if no will) before the funds can be released.

Instead of paying perhaps $2000 or more, most families can get the High Court approval they need for less than $1000 (including the $200 High Court fee), or even less with a valid will. Then they can use Kiwilaw’s online resources to choose whether to pay professionals for the rest of the estate work, or do it themselves.

For accurate help at a confusing and difficult time, enquire online via www.kiwilaw.co.nz or reach Cheryl at probate@kiwilaw.co.nz, or phone 03 312 1508.

All vehicle services

SR Automotive is owned and operated by Seth Roberts, who is located in Tauranga.

Seth has been repairing vehicles in the Bay of Plenty since 2004 and took over ownership of the company in 2020 when it was previously named Forlong’s Automotive.

SR Automotive can provide services for any type of vehicle, including:

Servicing

Modern vehicle servicing isn’t just about changing the oil and filter. No matter what type of vehicle you drive, it needs regular and comprehensive care and attention to keep it safe and efficient.

The qualified team at SR Automotive have many years of experience and can perform a WOF inspection quickly and easily without compromising your safety.

Batteries

Vehicles have become very reliant on electrical systems to function properly. The alternator, battery and other electrical and electronic systems control much of the functionality of your car, including your braking and acceleration.

WOF inspections and repairs

Having a current WOF is a legal requirement if you’re driving on New Zealand roads. But it’s also an opportunity to perform a regular vehicle safety check that ensures your vehicle is safe to transport you and your family. The qualified team at SR Automotive have many years of experience and can perform a WOF inspection quickly and easily without compromising your safety.

Coolant flush

Radiator repairs are a crucial part of maintaining the health and longevity of your vehicle’s engine. The radiator is responsible for dissipating the heat generated by the engine, preventing it from overheating and causing damage to the vehicle’s engine.

Transmission flush

It’s easy to forget the transmission during daily driving. As long as your vehicle gets you from A to B regularly and without fuss, we can become complacent about just what’s happening under the hood. When the transmission is running properly it transfers more power to your wheels more efficiently, saving fuel and reducing engine wear.

If you are needing top-notch repairs and maintenance on your vehicle and you are located in Tauranga, then contact SR Automotives today on 07 571 4241.

Wall to wall choices

For many homeowners, the different walls that make up their homes are blank canvases used to create a sense of familiarity.

There are many ways to fill these vertical spaces, but before you pick out your photos and wall décor, how are you going to surface the walls?

The first instinct for many of us in New Zealand is to reach for the white paint. Using the same white paint throughout a rental property is expected, but it’s a bit drab when a house is absentmindedly doused in it.

It says: ‘yeah, this place is just one rung on my way up the property ladder’. Even if it’s true, that doesn’t really translate to ‘home sweet home’ does it?

Plus, it’s a shame to leave so much potential untapped. Sometimes we go for the safe choice because we don’t want to have to think about all of the possibilities.

Brainstorming, however, is half the fun. With new technologies available to us the options are practically endless. Of course, it doesn't stop with paint, there’s wallpaper too.

Playing with paint

A bucket of paint is a portal to colours galore. Paint can be altered to match or complement the statement piece in your room, whether it’s a bold, hot pink couch or the intricate pattern of a family heirloom, faded with time.

Paint doesn’t have to be applied in any one way either. Different techniques, patterns and finishes can add visual interest as well.

On the flip side, it’s important to remember that painting is a process. There’s the prep work, primer and dry times to consider before applying your new paint colour.

Overenthusiastic and eager to get their colour choices on the wall, DIYers often have their bubbles burst when their paint job doesn’t turn out the way they’d hoped after skipping necessary preparations.

Wondering about wallpaper

Gone are the days of pasting wallpaper onto the wall. Nowadays DIYers have the choice between pasting wallpaper or adhesive wallpapers. Also, homeowners can further personalise their wallpaper choice with high resolution photos which can be blown up to fit the wall space. Patterns and textures are easily integrated into a space with wallpaper available in a variety of colours and materials like paper, vinyl, fabric and more.

Nevertheless, whether pasting or adhering wallpaper, wrinkles and misalignment show up easily. Also, hanging photos and wall décor is a bigger decision since holes aren’t patched in the same way as paint. Also, wallpaper, like paint, requires proper preparation before application.

Decisions, decisions

It’s not so much about which one is superior, but which is right for the space you’re creating. Both have their pros and cons, but who said you had to choose one or the other?

With the use of paint and wallpaper samples, you can really make a statement by using a bold wallpaper for a feature wall and then paint the other walls with a colour found in the wallpaper to create a cohesive look.

Linen Wildflower wallpaper by Carol Robinson at Wallsauce. Photo by Wallsauce.com.

Book your dream destination

Have you been searching for a wedding travel specialist? Someone who knows the destination wedding, honeymoon and romance sector? Whether you want to stay in the country or travel overseas, travel broker Anita Gatley from Wedding Travel is who you need to get in touch with!

Anita has been in the travel industry for 30 years and has been specialising in this niche market for the past 18+ years.

Based in New Zealand, Wedding Travel can negotiate accommodation and tour deals on behalf of you and your group. With a particular speciality in group travel, Anita has negotiated wedding travel airfares to various destinations and deals with all airlines. A particular specialty is making recommendations for properties and experiences that may be unusual and not widely marketed; this allows you a truly unique trip.

Wedding Travel offers a one-stop travel experience and can assist with flights, accommodation, cruises, tours, passport and visa information, show tickets, rental cars and insurance for the entire wedding group.

You don’t need to be getting married to enjoy stress-free travel,

Wedding Travel can also help with your dream holiday or business trip too.

Anita is a qualified and registered Travel Broker from the Travel Managers Group Ltd (owned by Flight Centre) and is IATA & NZITT accredited. Wedding Travel is a proud member of the Destination Wedding Specialist Honeymoon Association and is currently the only New Zealand member of this North American association.

With options for every taste, budget and destination, Wedding Travel is excited to be a part of making your vision come to life.

When you begin planning your wedding, contact Anita at Wedding Travel in New Zealand for expert assistance. Enjoying unforgettable destination weddings has never been so easy. For more information contact Anita today on 021 212 9513 or email her at anita@weddingtravel.co.nz.

Anita offers a one-stop travel experience & can assist with flights, accommodation, cruises, tours, passport and visa information, show tickets, rental cars and insurance for the entire wedding group.

You don’t need to be getting married to enjoy stress-free travel – Wedding Travel can also help with your dream holiday or business trip too.

deicious Simply

By Jamie Quinn

Baked feta pasta

Serves 4

This baked feta pasta has it all, bold flavours, creamy comfort, and carbs!

* This dish is easily adaptable and can be tweaked to suit your preferences. Add spinach for extra vege or try adding a cooked protein of your choice before serving. Some good options are chicken, bacon pieces or even grated tofu.

Ingredients

• 500g cherry tomatoes

• 4-5 garlic cloves

• 1 block of feta

• ½ cup olive oil

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 350g (approx) pasta of choice

• Fresh basil, sliced or torn

Easy pesto eggs

Serves 1

These easy pesto eggs are a savoury and delicious breakfast or lunch option!

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C.

2. In a baking dish, add the cherry tomatoes and garlic cloves. Place the block of feta into the middle of the baking dish. Pour over olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

3. Bake in the oven for approximately 30 minutes, or until the tomatoes are bursting nd the feta is browning.

4. While the feta and tomatoes are cooking, cook your pasta of choice in a pot of salted boiling water. Once cooked, drain and reserve.

5. Once the feta and tomatoes are cooked, remove from oven. Add the fresh basil. Stir, and mash tomatoes slightly to combine all ingredients together into a sauce.

6. Add your pasta. Stir to coat the pasta in the sauce. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons pesto

• 2 eggs

• Pinch of salt

• Pinch of ground black pepper

Method

• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

• 2 pieces sourdough bread

• 2 tablespoons herbed goat's cheese

1. Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Once hot, spread the pesto in a thin layer across the pan.

2. When the pesto is warm, crack the eggs into the pan. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook the eggs for 4 to 5 minutes or until the whites are set and no longer translucent.

3. Meanwhile, toast the bread and spread with the goat cheese.

4. Remove the eggs from the pan and place them on the toast.

5. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Curried kumara soup

Serves 4

Best described as a soul-warming goodnes.

This soup is super easy to make and is a great winter warmer, perfect for the cooler months.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp oil

• 2 medium onions peeled and chopped

• 1 tsp minced garlic

• 1 tbsp curry powder or red curry paste

• 2 medium orange kumara, peeled and chopped

• 4 cups chicken stock

• 2/3 cup evaporated milk.

Method

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan.

2. Add onion and garlic and stir over a medium heat until the onion softens.

3. Add curry powder or red curry paste and cook for a further 1-2 minutes.

2. Add kumara and chicken stock and simmer for 10 minutes or until the kumara is soft.

5. Puree the mixture, and add evaporated milk and heat through without bringing to the boil. Adjust the seasonings to taste.

Serving suggestion:

Serve sprinkled with chopped fresh coriander or parsley.

Easy minestrone soup

Serves 4

Minestrone is a hearty Italian vegetable soup made with tomato-y broth and pasta or rice.

There is no set recipe for minestrone, which can usually be made with whatever vegetables you have on hand.and is a great winter warmer, perfect for the cooler months.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup (135g) pasta spirals or shells

• 1 large onion, peeled and chopped

• 6 cups chicken stock

• 1 x 500ml jar tomato pasta sauce

• ½ tsp dried oregano

• 1 tbsp sugar

• 1 cup pumpkin, peeled and chopped

• 1 large potato, peeled and chopped

• 1 large carrot, scrubbed and chopped

• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed

• 1 x 425g 4 bean mix, or red kidney beans (drained)

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped.

Method

1. Combine pasta, onion, chicken stock, pasta sauce, oregano, sugar, pumpkin, potato and carrot in a saucepan.

2. Boil uncovered for 15 minutes.

3. Add peas and 4 bean mix and cook uncovered for 10 minutes. Add parsley, stir until hot.

Serving suggestion:

Serve sprinkled with parmesan or grated tasty cheese and bread.

Home hacks

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 shortcuts to free up your time.

Remove small furniture scratches with toothpaste

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

Duncan Wills Builders

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!

Flip your wine glasses for more space

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.

Clean HVAC vent registers in dishwasher

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.

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.

Your

M: 021 160 8495

E

www.duncanwillsbuilders.co.nz

Build with real

peace of mind

is a big deal, as they take time, money and passion, so being able to put full trust in your builder makes all the difference.

Being a licensed builder means you are dealing with competent building contractors who are committed to a reputable work history.

Not only will your project be backed by a 10-year residential building guarantee, you’ll have a builder who puts your needs first, always.

Whether you need to upgrade your home to suit your needs for health and safety, or if you need a builder to fix up any other part of

your house, Duncan Wills Builders offer a broad range of building services from the design and build of new homes through to renovation needs and retirement villages. Rest assured that your job will be completed to extremely high standards. Contact the team at Duncan Wills Builders today for your next project! Call 021 160 8495 or visit www.duncanwillsbuilders.co.nz.

Wasteless ways

Did you know that every Kiwi produces 3,200kg of waste per year? In total, that’s 12.5 million tonnes of waste each year, according to Recycle NZ. As a nation, we only recycle 28 percent of this waste.

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

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.

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?

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 plastic you’re collecting from the supermarket alone.

Repair your things

Back in the good ol’ days, our parents would make sure they got the most use out of something before throwing it away.

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.

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.

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.

We are passionate about helping you achieve transformational health and wellbeing.

56 Heads Rd Gonville Whanganui

Whanganui’s

Hi there, Facilitate Group Ltd is a leading provider of facilities maintenance and renovation services in the beautiful Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to delivering high-quality and cost-effective solutions to meet your needs.

Services

At Facilitate Group Ltd, we understand that maintaining your facilities is critical to the success of your business. That’s why we offer a wide range of services, including but not limited to:

Meet the Team

027

The Company

In 2021 a group of maintenance professionals identified an increased demand for specialised property maintenance services. By combining heir extensive skill sets and experience, Facilitate Group Ltd. was formed to plug this gap. Since then the company has established an enviable reputation in the industry for its commitment to quality, punctuality and customer service.

In a shit time, the team has grown from a few individuals to a team of twelve. We offer comprehensive maintenance services for residential, commercial and industrial properties in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato.

Our team consists of carpenters, painters, handymen, landscapers, exterior cleaning specialists and project managers. We also have a qualified quantity surveyor and a team of civil engineering designers.

You can trust in our know-how and resources to get the job done.

Whether you own a home or a business, whether you are a property manager or look after facilities, our team of professional can help.

Get in touch for an on-site consultation and an obligation-free quote.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER ON THE WEBSITE FOR GREAT SEASONAL PROMOTIONS!

Estian du Plooy

GROUP CEO

Barry Toerien

Iwan

Green with envy

If you haven’t begun preparing your lawn for the warmer months, now is the time to start. The experts from Kennards Hire have produced 10 handy tips to make sure that your lawn leaves your neighbours green with envy.

1. Do a good scan of your yard and remove any sticks. Rake up any leftover autumn leaves so that your lawn is receiving maximum sunlight and oxygen.

2. Make sure all of your lawn care equipment is in good working order.

3. Aerating your lawn will reduce soil compaction and increase air circulation. A well aerated lawn will become more efficient in absorbing rain and irrigation water, instead of it just running off the surface.

4. Testing your lawn’s pH levels will establish how acidic or alkaline your soil is. This will help you to determine the condition of your soil, and what your soil may require to nourish and sustain a healthy lawn.

5. If your lawn is suffering from any dead patches or is a bit sparse in some areas, this is the perfect time to sow some new seed for spring. Remove dead grass and fill with loose soil, then sow your seed. Make sure you use the same seed as the rest of your lawn.

6. Until spring really starts to kick in, keep your cutting height high and begin evening the length out. Make sure that you don’t cut

Providing the bestpet care

Bayfair & Papamoa

Vets has been providing quality care to animals in the Mount Maunganui and Papamoa region for over 25 years and prides themselves on their high standard of care.

Their experienced team is passionate about pets and excited to welcome you and your pet. Bayfair & Papamoa Vets have two clinics in a close radius of each other. The Bayfair clinic is located on Farm Street in Mount Maunganui, and the Papamoa clinic is on Percy Road in Papamoa. Both of

these clinics use an interlinked computer system, so you can purchase products or have consultations at whichever branch is more convenient.

Bayfair & Papamoa Vets provides various services for you and your beloved pet, from grooming and boarding advice to eye care, desexing, vaccinations and microchipping. They also offer a puppy training school. These two top-notch vet clinics are the best choice for you!

If your furry friend needs excellent care, contact one of the Bayfair & Papamoa Vet clinics today or visit their website for more information: bayfairandpapamoavets.co.nz.

your lawn more than one third of its height, as this may expose your lawn to disease and the lingering weather extremes of winter.

7. Grass clippings are a form of organic fertiliser and a great way to keep your lawn healthy. By using a mulching mower and returning the grass clippings to your lawn you are essentially retuning 15 percent more nutrients back into your soil.

8. The key to a healthy lawn in summer is a deep root system. To create a deep lawn root system, you need to train the grass roots of the lawn to search deeper for water. This is done by reducing the time between watering, and increasing the duration that you irrigate.

9. There is nothing worse than a patchy lawn that is riddled with weeds. Hire a spray unit and use a Bindii and broad leaf herbicide to apply directly to the weeds.

10. Grass grows fastest in the warmer months, so decreasing your cutting height down to 2.5cm won’t affect it too much. During cooler months, grass grows much slower so it’s a good idea to raise your cutting height a little so as not to damage it.

Keeping the light out

B&T Blinds is a local familyowned business in Rotorua supplying quality blinds for your homes and businesses.

If you are looking for a wide variety of quality window coverings at competitive prices and easy online ordering, then B&T Blinds is your first choice! They can provide manufactured sunscreen and blackout blinds across New Zealand in all colours and styles.

The team at B&T Blinds can service most of the North Island, whether you are a homeowner or retailer. So, whether you need to block

out a pesky glare, protect your furniture and privacy or want to revamp your decor, B&T Blinds has got you covered.

Contact the team today at 07 347 8821 or visit them online at www.bandtblinds.co.nz for their wide range of stock. Alternatively, if you are in the neighbourhood, pop in-store for a first glance at designs. They are located at 129 Riri Street and are open from Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.

Testimonial

“Fantastic service, Jeff was great to deal with, gave us some good recommendations on options and they only took a couple of weeks to get made and installed. The blinds were for our little Airbnb cottage and they look fantastic. Definitely recommend.”

- James

EMAIL: jeff@bandtblinds.co.nz

We’re

Clean and green Sustainable bathroom products

By Timmi Aplin-Barrett

Shampoo and conditioner bars

The effort to reduce plastic waste has brought a wave of people “ditching the bottle”. Instead of buying shampoo and conditioner in plastic bottles, you can switch to a bar which is essentially like a bar of soap but for your hair. Ethique offer some excellent hair care products and ship them to you in sustainable packaging. You can also purchase some in your local supermarket.

www.ethiqueworld.com

Reusable razor

Disposable razors are another big contributor to plastic waste. Eco friendly, reusable razors are becoming more common place and with many companies offering free postage to return used blades and purchase new ones, it’s an excellent way to reduce your overall plastic waste. The metal handle can last a lifetime and the blades are extremely cheap. Cali offer a great blade return service.

www.caliwoods.co.nz

It’s more than a gym

The team at Empower Fitness is a diverse bunch, each with their own unique backgrounds and stories. However, they all share a common mission: to empower their members on their health and fitness journey. They believe in authenticity and genuine connections, values that strike a chord with their members and help them form deep, meaningful relationships.

At Empower Fitness, there’s something for everyone. You can participate in group fitness classes, opt for personalized one-on-one

training, or work out at your own pace. They offer Taupō’s largest fully equipped gym facility, accessible 24/7, including a dedicated area for women and an array of 70 group fitness sessions! Their space features a spacious 200-square-meter Functional Training studio, a Cycle Studio with over 40 bikes, and a sizable Group Fitness Studio.

Check out their website at www.empowerfitness.co.nz for complete sign-up details or drop by the gym located at 26 Tōtara Street in Taupō.

Inflation breakers Top online grocery shops

Ever since the pandemic hit, people have been working on finding more ways to shop online. From gifts to outdoor gear and electronics to stationery - people are enjoying the ease of shopping online.

By Timmi Aplin-Barrett

During the height of the pandemic, online grocery shopping became a hit and has continued to prove useful for many people, especially those who work from home or have extremely busy schedules.

We’ve compiled a list of some excellent online grocery stores (that aren’t the usual of New World, Pak’n’Save or Countdown) to make your life that little bit easier.

These stores all stock fresh foods as well as dried goods.

There are plenty of other online grocery stores that stock a huge range of non-perishable food or dried products such as flours and nuts but we wanted to focus on those that offer fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and more. If you’re someone who can’t find the time to pop into the supermarket or you want a little more range in the products you can purchase, consider checking out some of these fantastic online grocery stores.

They carry a great range of products, deliver quickly and efficiently and take all the hassle out of grocery shopping.

Simply sit back, relax and shop to your heart’s content.

Farro

Farro supplies artisanal quality foods across the country. They’re committed to protecting the environment and less than one percent of their food waste goes to landfill.

Over 80 percent goes to stock feed through Eco Stock,10 percent is composted through We Compost and five to eight percent goes to people through their work with Fair Food. From fresh foods to deli goods and bakery delights, Farro has something for everyone. They stock meat and poultry, seafood, dairy products, beer and wines, pantry essentials and more.

Farro also has meals, ready to eat, ranging from cottage pie to meatballs to make dinner time a little easier. And, as the cherry on the cake, they also have a delicious range of desserts.

www.farro.co.nz

Eat Local

Eat Local is a Christchurch based online grocery store catering to the South Island. It prides itself on delivering fresh, quality foods that are delivered quickly and efficiently.

Customers can choose from a huge range of goods such as apples, avocados, sourdough bread, broccoli, cheese, chocolate, cordials and so much more.

With great prices and a focus on ethical, sustainable goods, Eat Local is great for everyone.

www.eatlocal.nz

The Market

The Market is a massive New Zealand online store that sells pretty much everything from groceries to games and much more.

They deliver everything, straight to your door. It stocks all the pantry essentials while also making sure you have access to some treats.

It has everything from pastas and rice, marinades and sauces to canned food and nuts.

Not only this, but depending on where you’re based, The Market offers fresh fruits and vegetables. They also sell a cheeky beverage or two.

www.themarket.com

Soul Food

Soul Food, based in Queenstown, is another great supplier of fresh goods and organic supplies.

They offer a great range of fruit and vegetables as well as Fruit and Vege Boxes which are great if you don’t want to muck around choosing your produce.

Instead, these boxes have a great selection of fruits and vegetables, designed to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients and delicious flavour you need.

Soul Food also sells meats, breads, eggs and a good range of dry food such as flours, grains, nuts, pulses and more.

To top things off, Soul Food carries a great range of eco-friendly and useful wellbeing products such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, lip balms, soaps and much, much more.

www.soulfoodorganic.co.nz

Huckleberry

Huckleberry is all about wellness and stock a huge range of organic and wholefoods. Based in Auckland, they do stock fresh fruits and vegetables, but if you’re in the South Island, they warn it could take up to five days for delivery.

Nevertheless, if you’re someone who enjoys the very best in organic and wholefood-based groceries, Huckleberry is the online grocery store for you.

They stock products that don’t harm the planet and have a great range of gluten free, dairy free, vegan and vegetarian and free-range products. From Ceres Organics to Manfuso Organics, this store combines ease of shopping and organic goodness to create a fantastic online experience. www.huckleberry.co.nz

1.

Ten steps to help lower fuel costs Want to lower your fuel costs?

Here are 10 simple changes to make that can help you reduce your petrol consumption.

Service and tune your vehicle

Regular services and tune ups could reduce fuel consumption by up to four percent. To make your car more efficient, replacing worn components such as spark plugs and regularly changing lubricants and filters is important. An MTA General Repairer can help keep your car in good condition.

4.

Fill it up

When filling up, stop at the first click – if you continue beyond this, you risk overflowing the tank and wasting fuel. Also, remember it’s better to use most of your fuel before visiting your local service station. Each time you remove the filler cap, fuel evaporates and is lost to the atmosphere.

Use the recommended grade of oil and fuel

Use the oil and fuel recommended in your owner’s handbook to maximise fuel economy.

2. 3.

Properly inflate your tyres

Check tyre pressure monthly and before long trips. Underinflated tyres are a significant contributor to increased fuel consumption. Not sure if your tyres are correctly inflated? Use our tyre checklist to find out!

Avoid prolonged idling

Modern vehicles are designed to operate efficiently from start-up and don’t need to be ‘warmed up’. If you stop for an extended period and can restart safely, consider turning off your engine.

Use high gears and cruise control

Use the highest gear, relative to the speed you are travelling, to save fuel and reduce wear. Cruise control (if fitted), helps maintain a constant speed and can reduce fuel consumption when used on long flat roads.

7.

Read the road ahead

Avoid quick starts and aggressive driving. You’ll save fuel and avoid unnecessary wear and tear. It also helps if you accelerate smoothly, look well ahead and anticipate stops.

Clean out your vehicle and remove roof racks

Unnecessary weight burns fuel, so avoid carrying heavy items if you don’t need to. Things like roof racks and storage boxes create excessive drag and increase fuel consumption, so remove them if they’re not being used.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A PROFESSIONAL AND RELIABLE EARTHMOVING

Avoid rush hour and combine trips

Where possible, avoid rush hour driving, as stop-and-go driving burns more fuel. Try to plan ahead and combine several trips into one.

Slow down

Fuel consumption increases by around six percent for every 10km/h faster you go over 90km/h. Besides being the open road’s speed limit, 100km/h is a good compromise between travel time and fuel economy for most drivers.

NEW BUILD

What to look for in a real estate agent

By Jen Baird, chief executive of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand

Your home is often your largest personal asset, so selling it can be both exciting and stressful at the same time.

That’s why having an agent that you can trust to help you achieve the best price and conditions possible for your home – all while being transparent and ensuring all parties are comfortable and aware of the processes, will make a big difference.

Certain attributes differentiate a great agent from a good agent. We recommend that you look for agents who demonstrate a great deal of professionalism, local knowledge and have a good reputation.

Look for someone who understands the kind of people who will be interested in your home. This will help with the marketing of your home and communicating the benefits of your property to potential buyers.

Local agents often have a network of potential buyers that they have been working with or regularly communicate with, who are ready and able to provide the best price for your home.

Great real estate agents are well connected, therefore asking family and friends if they know an agent they would recommend is a great start;

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.

When asking for recommendations, remember to ask what factors their recommendation is based on. Did they get the level of communication they wanted? Did they think the agent used the marketing spend effectively? Did they manage any challenges through the process well?

Agents are usually more than happy to come to your property, share their knowledge and talk you through your options for selling. We recommend meeting a few agents before you choose who to work with.

Try visiting open homes they are hosting to understand how they present their vendor’s property. This will help you get a feel for how they will work to get the best for your property.

Take a look online and see how agents are using social media and digital marketing to increase coverage for the properties they are selling, and therefore see what you could expect for your home. Many agents will also use advanced 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 in the first instance, particularly out of town buyers

• Augmented Reality is another option that can help potential purchasers rework the layout of furniture in the home, so they can better picture themselves and their belongings in the home.

Try not to select an agent based solely on their commission fee, but it is important to understand what the fees are. While these do vary by agency, our advice is to choose an agent you trust and whose previous work gives you confidence.

Great agents can achieve a better price for your property by understanding the best strategies according to different market conditions.

At the end of the day, the person you choose is going to be a big part of your life while you sell your home, so it is important that you feel comfortable with them and that you can trust them to get the job done.

A real estate agent for all

Karen has been immersed in the world of real estate for an impressive two-decade-long journey. Her passion for this industry is the driving force behind her continued success. Karen began her career in the United Kingdom, where she honed her skills and learned the intricacies of the real estate market. In 2009, she relocated to New Zealand, further enriching her knowledge base and expanding her horizons.

One of Karen’s standout qualities is her meticulous attention to detail, which plays a pivotal role in her professional life. She possesses an extraordinary ability to spot value-adding opportunities that often go unnoticed by others. Whether you’re a prospective buyer seeking the perfect property or a seller aiming to maximise the value of your real estate assets, Karen’s insights and guidance prove invaluable.

active and healthy lifestyle. Her fitness regimen includes a particular fondness for Pilates, and she takes full advantage of the thriving Pilates community in Taupō. This commitment to well-being underscores her personal philosophy of balance and harmony in all aspects of life.

Karen’s core principle is to simplify the real estate sales process and make it as stress-free as possible for her clients. She accomplishes this by emphasising clear, open, and consistent communication. Your best interests are always at the forefront of her decision-making, ensuring that you receive the utmost attention and care throughout your real estate journey. With Karen as your trusted partner, navigating the complexities of the real estate market becomes a seamless and rewarding experience.

Contact Karen today on 021 245 7975 or at karen.wood@bayleys.co.nz for your real estate needs!

With a keen eye for detail, Karen also has an exceptional ability to recognise value- add opportunities, thus maximising the potential for both buyers and vendors alike.

With her goal to keep the sales process as simple and stress free as possible, through clear, open and consistent communication, Karen will ensure that your best interests are always paramount.

Dan Towers is the latest, fresh-faced graduate that’s just landed at Powers Realty. He’ll need no introduction for a lot of you, as you’ll already be friends through his involvement in many of the local clubs and community organisations at the Mount.

Making people happy drives Dan. The next natural step from hospo was a move into event management. He played a part in the legendary New Zealand House and Garden Tours – homes with the most spectacular interiors oozing with memories while showcasing on-trend inspirations. This event fired his passion for interior design and ignited the seed for a future career in real estate.

His journey to become a permanent resident of Mount Manganui hasn’t come easily, so he appreciates every sunrise and sunset he experiences. This is the perfect reflection of Dan – mindfulness in abundance, and the ethos nothing is an issue. It’s all about you, helping you on your property journey and making sure you find your happy place.

Give Dan a call now or stop by and meet him at the beach. He’s been waiting years to meet you.

021 842 326

dan.towers@powersrealty.co.nz

Having

Dan

Lakeside Homes

Born in Wellington, Tim spent a good part of his adult life in Auckland where he owned and managed a painting and decorating company specialising in the restoration of old villas and bungalows in some of Auckland’s most prestigious suburbs.

Prior to settling in the beautiful Lakes District of Rotorua, Tim and his wife Jacqueline lived and worked in Zurich Switzerland for three fantastic years, during that time they purchased a property in Rotorua, this was totally unplanned at the time, however they both fell in love with Rotorua after spending only two days there whilst visiting friends. With all the beautiful lakes, forests and natural surroundings who could blame them, 18 months later they moved to Rotorua.

People and real estate have been the main focus in Tim’s previously successful profession however, he felt it was time for a career change. Tim began his new career path selling real estate. In his first year he won Rookie of the Year and every year following has achieved top rankings which he has sustained to this day.

2011 was another year of change and when the opportunity arose to become a business owner, Tim decided this was a chance not to be missed. As the proud co-owner of Ray White Rotorua, he is looking forward to assisting you with selling or buying a property. His goal is to consistently provide a 10 out of 10 service which is one of the reasons why Tim is one of Rotorua’s top-selling agents. Tim’s love for our beautiful lakes and having experienced living on a lifestyle property are driving factors for specialising in lake and lifestyle properties.

To purchase or sell your Rotorua property, contact Tim today on 027 497 4986 or 07 348 6172. Visit the Ray White website for all of Tim’s listings: www.rwrotorua.co.nz.

Tim is looking forward to assisting you with selling or buying a property.

His goal is to consistently provide a 10 out of 10 service which is one of the reasons why Tim is one of Rotorua's top-selling agents. Tim's love for our beautiful lakes and having experienced living on a lifestyle property are driving factors for specializing in lake and lifestyle properties.

Unlocking Build to Rent housing

The Property Council, whose members are some of New Zealand’s largest property developers, owners and investors, has come out in support of the government’s Build to Rent tax exemption boost.

Property Council New Zealand chief executive, Leonie Freeman, says the initiative could mark a key turning point towards unlocking the potential of Build to Rent.

“Our members share the government’s view that enabling Build to Rent will provide warm, dry rental homes that offer Kiwis long-term security of tenure.

“It is encouraging to see that the government has listened to our sector and acknowledged Build to Rent as a unique property asset class.

“The government’s announcement is a major step towards boosting New Zealand’s emerging Build to Rent sector.

“Build to Rent will transform the experience of renting in New Zealand.

“Property Council research shows that our members stand poised to deliver over 25,000 Build to Rent homes in the next decade, with the right policy settings.

“Build to Rent refers to multi-unit residential developments, typically located in city centres within walking distance of key transport links.

“These developments are professionally managed, with brilliant amenities available onsite, offering residents bespoke lifestyle options for as long as they want to stay.

“By enabling Build to Rent, the property sector will be able to deliver thousands of new high-quality, high-density rental houses, supporting New Zealand’s urban intensification and climate ambitions.

“Kiwis will hopefully soon have many choices to access to a warm, dry and climate friendly Build to Rent home.

“Over the past 18 months, the Property Council has been working closely with the government to highlight the untapped potential of Build to Rent and explain the legislative actions required to enable it.

“As part of this, we have collaboratively resolved the unintended consequences of last year’s interest deductibility changes.

“While the announcement has been a fantastic step in the right direction, there are a few remaining speedbumps to truly unlock the concept.

“For Build to Rent to flourish, access to large institutional investment via the overseas investment act and commercial depreciation is also required.

“The Property Council looks forward to continuing our engagement with the government to support the roll out of the world’s fastest growing residential sector in Aotearoa.”

I don’t want a fuss

By Gillian Boyes, Funeral Directors Association CEO.

Shortly after I began in this role I spoke to my parents about their wishes for a funeral.

“I don’t want a fuss,” said my mum. “And it’s so expensive,” dad added.

It’s a common refrain and as a newcomer to the industry was one I was initially challenged to respond to. But over the last few months I’ve come to understand why some kind of farewell is essential to those of us left behind.

Some of the early healing can help when you’re preparing for a funeral

Going through old photos and reminiscing and sharing stories can be a powerful way to remember the significance of the life of your loved one. There will be laughter as well as tears and it can be an important bonding time for your family.

An ‘event’ helps a family move through the grief process

The funeral ‘event’ can help you begin to acknowledge the reality that someone in your life has died. Grief is a biological reaction, and it can be externalised though the event –something that will help with your immediate and future mental wellbeing.

Funerals help us recall and remember – and even learn about a loved one

They can involve people near and far

Many funeral homes now offer livestreaming of services reducing the cost and burden on physically attending.

Traditional, scripted services are no longer the norm

Modern funerals are personalised and can encompass whatever a family needs to help them farewell their loved one in a meaningful way. Venues these days, for instance, range from churches and chapels to sports clubs, theatres, or the local club. And families are encouraged to add their own touches and tributes – both to save money but to also make it meaningful for them.

Your needs are just as important as those of the person who died

Finally, people often think they must ‘respect a person’s wishes’. But what about your own? You’re the one left behind so it’s important for you and your own wellbeing that you get that chance to say goodbye, and to have support around you.

If you genuinely fear disrespecting their wishes, have ‘that’ conversation. It doesn’t have to be morbid or difficult – after all you’ll be talking to the person you love most, and they’ll understand you will need help to carry on without them.

How many times have you sat through a funeral eulogy and realised you didn’t know a certain fact about someone? Sharing unique memories and stories helps provide support to all those who attend.

Luckily, my parents were already planning to use a Funeral Directors Association member so I don’t have to have that conversation. But with my new found knowledge I’ve also been able to talk to them about what I need from the funeral itself. And at least a little bit of fuss is what’s right for me.

Are you looking for a memorial for your lost loved one? The friendly team at B.O.P Memorials – The Bay’s Headstone Shop can assist you. We are a family operated business, servicing the Bay since 1996.

If your loved one has been cremated, and you want the ashes to be placed in a public Cemetery, you will need to purchase a plot from the local Council. Our local cemeteries have many different options for ashes memorials, from plaques in various sizes, to recumbent desks and even small upright headstone sets. Each area has a different sized memorial and we can help you to select what material would be best for you, either granite, photographic ceramic tile or a bronze plaque.

Bay of Plenty Memorials

If your loved one has been buried, we have a large selection of different headstone sets available, which can be made in a variety of granite colours and sizes. Whether you want a simple traditional headstone or want to add some unique feature, we specialise in creating custom memorials unique to you and your family. All this information can be viewed on our website: www.bopmemorials.co.nz.

We have a small team of qualified monumental masons, who work on the various granite pieces in our local workshop. They then travel around the Bay of Plenty installing these into the various public cemeteries and Urupa’s. Everything from second inscriptions to existing memorials, old grave restorations to full concrete grave enclosures and granite kerb sets are all done by the team at B.O.P Memorials.

Suppliers of:

• Granite Headstones & Grave Covers

• Custom Designs

• Granite & Marble Statues

• Laser Etching Specialist

• Porcelain Photos

• Photo Ceramic Tiles

• Bronze Plaques

• Granite Plaques & Recumbent Desks

• Second Inscriptions

• Memorial Repainting

• Grave Restorations

Tauranga 225

tauranga@bopmemorials.co.nz

SERVING OUR COMMUNITY WITH SINCERITY AND DIGNITY SINCE 1979

Taupō Funeral Services Ltd is privately owned and operated by the McIntosh family and along with their dedicated team have been serving and caring for the Taupō, Turangi and surrounding communities since 1979. As members of the Funeral Directors Association of NZ (FDANZ) and Funeral-Link New Zealand, we adhere to the responsibilities entrusted to us in accordance with the Code of Ethics of these associations.

Once appointed by a bereaved family, we promise to provide prompt and dignified care for the deceased, while respecting all cultures and religions. With integrity and sincerity, we can offer various options for consideration and extend professional guidance in creating a personalised and fitting funeral service.

TAUPO CREMATORIUM THE FOUNDERS CHAPEL OF REMEMBRANCE THE FOUNDERS LOUNGE CHAPEL THE FOUNDERS RECEPTION LOUNGE

“At a difficult time, know that you won’t pay a fortune for you and your loved one to be looked after with dignity and respect.”

Caring for your loved ones

Care on Call provides high quality and personalised home care support services for people of all ages throughout New Zealand.

Whether you live in your own home, a retirement village or a rest home; their highly trained staff are provided with the latest available technology to ensure that you or your loved ones have the best support available. Care on Call focuses on training, care and client compatibility, best practice and clinical oversight. It’s your life and they want to help you live it to its potential!

In 2009, Care on Call was founded on the North Shore in Auckland. The company started with a very small client base, which has increased consistently over the last decade as more offices were opened around the country.

In 2012, they brought their business to Palmerston North, and Wellington, then multiple other regions in the following years. Now, Care on Call supports over 1000 clients nationwide, a large network achieved through their client-first philosophy, local presence and highly trained workforce.

Where Care on Call provides home care, Medcall, their sister company, provides Healthcare assistants and Registered Nurses to the aged care sector and the DHBs. Together, the two organisations cover all areas of caregiving across the country.

Care on Call is large enough to provide safe and structured support, while remaining small enough to be flexible, proactive and personalised at every point.

Their Values

• Caring - they approach each client in a compassionate and understanding way

• Ethical - they are principled, honest and operate with the highest levels of integrity at all times

• Reliable - they build relationships with a foundation of trust

• Responsive- they are proactive, flexible and available whenever you need them

• Individual - they acknowledge and respect each client’s unique needs and circumstances.

Contact the friendly Care on Call team today on 0800 66 44 22 or visit their website for more information: www.careoncall.nz.

Think more time for quality time

Think Summerset serviced apartments.

With help always on hand, Summerset serviced apartments provide the perfect balance of independent living for loved ones, and peace of mind for you. We can even take care of the cleaning, washing, medication and meals, so you can focus on the important stuff, like making lasting memories together. Think this sounds like you or someone you love?

Our brand-new serviced apartments are pre-selling now.* Pop along to Summerset by the Dunes to view our serviced apartment show homes today.

07 542 9082

summerset.co.nz/papamoa