Plus Living+ Wellington Issue #3

An essential mindset to help you navigate modern life

How to make better decisions

Stress out

Making the most of every day

8 tips which involve doing surprisingly little

Why you shouldn’t worry about worrying Bang for your buck

Getting more out of your money

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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!

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.

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Lifestyles

By Jamie Quinn

Tropea 3 Piece Outdoor Lounge Set - Gunmetal

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Bryne Outdoor Cushion

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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.

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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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Abby Esler has been an Insurance Adviser for 3 years but has a long history with insurance and a clear love for her job. After working as a Claims Case Manager and then a Team Leader in Superannuation Insurance for a large super fund in Melbourne for 8 years, Abby has a wealth of knowledge from the claims perspective and knows the importance of having the right covers in place when things go wrong.

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Abby is passionate about people having the right covers in place to ensure that when bad things happen, her clients will be looked after, and money is one less thing to worry about.

If you are wanting to review your current insurance covers or discuss taking out insurance cover, give Abby a call.

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.

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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?

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• Fixed fee plans and monthly payments.

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.

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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?

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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.

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.

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Hutt & City Taxis

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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:

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, it is increasingly important to look after our mental health.

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

Crossword

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You can expect a warm welcome upon arrival to their offices, meeting Diane, Hannah, Rochelle, Chrissy, Rachel, Vanessa and Hamish along with their support staff of Anne, Theresa, Nikki,

Sam and Rebekah. It feels like you’re immediately embraced by family - truly unique to the real estate industry and a core reason why they have clients who repeatedly use them when listing. Achieving incredible results from their boutique team continues to drive them to reach bigger and better goals.

They believe these goals are accomplished by having the right people and the right culture. Being a little different to other companies in the area, they don’t want to be the largest in size but deliver better results and offer the best service possible - friendly, honest, genuine and results driven!

From presentation, premium photography, signage, marketing and complimentary staging when required, their listings stand out from all the rest.

When you choose CK & Co, you don’t just get one agent; you get a strong collaborative team striving to deliver results beyond expectations. You can call any one of them and know that you are getting the best.

Whether you’re buying, selling, or just want some friendly advice – they are always more than happy to chat. You can rest assured knowing that their team will provide a service that is second to none. Get in touch, they will get you where you want to go.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Serves 4

Serves 4

Shopping

Shopping Top online grocery shops

By Timmi Aplin-Barrett

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.

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

• Lyndale Care helps residents make the most of every day

• Lyndale Care is a special boutique facility that offers rest home and specialised dementia care

• Lyndale care is a warm, friendly, homely place that allows residents to be independent and safe

Lyndale care is a FAMILY

52/95 Cole Street, Masterton

P: 06 378 7059

M: 027 477 0828

manager@lyndalecare.co.nz

www.lyndalecare.co.nz

Outing to a sunflower field

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

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

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

Asbestos Specialists in Wellington, NZ

• Air Monitoring and Removal Clearance

• Asbestos Surveys

• Asbestos Management

• Asbestos Testing

We cover the wider Wellington region with our services and can easily get to Taranaki, Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay. We are not limited to Wellington and can travel NZ for your project.

Are you planning a demo or renovation project?

We work on a variety of jobs from high-end fit-outs to full site demolition. We assist you throughout the process, from the initial asbestos survey, sampling, and asbestos management, to the final removal clearance report. With a focus on quality surveying, communication, and our knowledge of the New Zealand asbestos industry, we are the company for your next project. www.traceasbestos.co.nz

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

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.

For the love of sheds

Whether you’re in need of a new garage, the next step for your business, or a bespoke custom residential or commercial design, the team at Affordable Sheds want their clients to love their sheds as much as they love building them.

Affordable Sheds specialise in residential sheds, sleepouts, dwellings, and commercial and industrial buildings, with both turnkey and kitset options to cater for clients’ unique preferences.

With a combined 30 years’ experience in the building industry, owners Russell Pickering and Rewa Parker lead a dedicated team of eleven; five qualified builders, three apprentices, and three labourers, all committed to delivering top-notch results. Their office team keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes, coordinating logistics and supporting the entire crew.

At Affordable Sheds, teamwork is at the heart of every successful build. Russell takes charge of designing commercial and bespoke sheds, collaborating closely with clients to turn their vision into reality, while Rewa handles quoting and client relations for all garage projects. With Affordable Sheds, you can trust you’re in capable, friendly hands from start to finish.

Based in Masterton, Affordable Sheds offer clients innovative buildings, custom designs, and realistic timeframes for the best possible outcome. They make sure to communicate throughout the entire project to ensure 100% satisfaction. The team is passionate, proud, and loves what they do.

Driven by their mission “For the Love of Sheds,” Affordable Sheds are poised to craft design solutions that perfectly match you no matter the scope of your project, with a wide range of customisation options from size and shape to features and finishes, ensuring a truly unique and personalised shed solution every time.

Discover your perfect shed today! Contact 06 3777 500 or email info@affordableshedswai.co.nz for more from the friendly team. Request a free quote and design your own shed.

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

Looking after your pets

Jen’s Pet Supplies is a small New Zealand business that caters for all cats and dogs. From microchip cat doors, feeders, flea treatments and much more!

Jen graduated with a diploma in veterinary nursing in 2005 and worked in a veterinary clinic in Palmerston North for ten years until deciding to start a family. Jen started off with a Facebook business page in 2015, and by 2019 Jen had established a healthy client base and decided it was time to take the next step and finally make a website. The business gives her the opportunity to be both a stay at home mum and small business owner.

“Excellent service. Prompt responses to my questions about a product, much cheaper than competitors and shipped the next day after ordering. Definitely recommend.” - Lucy

“Absolutely wonderful service. Question answered straight away - even on a Sunday! Package arrived the following day. Heaps cheaper than vet, dog is very happy! Will be a regular customer. Thank you Jen.” - Keely

“Jen is absolutely fabulous to deal with, and very prompt in processing orders or responding to emails or messages. I have bought it twice from her, and have already recommended it to a friend.” - Jaime

For more information on Jen’s in stock products, visit her website at www.petsupplies.nz, or call her today on 021 117 0483! www.petsupplies.nz FLEA

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.

Creating beautiful spaces

Discover a world of flooring possibilities with Harrisons Carpet & Flooring Porirua – your trusted flooring partners!

Refresh or update your home’s flooring effortlessly with Kerryn and Mark from Harrisons Carpet & Flooring Porirua. Whether you seek luxury or pet-friendly options, our diverse range has it all.

We bring the showroom to your living room with our fully mobile service, covering Porirua to Raumati South, offering over 500 flooring samples, including carpet, laminate, vinyl and timber to your doorstep.

Exclusive benefits await our valued customers. SuperGold cardholders enjoy special discounts, and every purchase earns you Flybuys points, our way of giving back to our loyal clients.

At Harrisons, it’s more than just flooring – it’s about building relationships. Kerryn and Mark provide a personalised and seamless experience, from the initial consultation to the final installation, ensuring you feel supported every step of the way.

No pushy salespeople, just honest advice and exceptional service. As a family-owned and operated business, Kerryn and Mark are your

direct points of contact throughout your flooring journey. Experience the personal touch from the business owners who genuinely care about your satisfaction.

Book with us today to experience the convenience of working directly with Kerryn and Mark. Discover why Harrisons Carpet & Flooring Porirua is the trusted choice for quality flooring solutions in the expansive Porirua region. Your comfort starts from the ground up!

Contact us to book your appointment at www.harrisonscarpet.co.nz or call our New Zealand based customer care team on 0800 421 001.

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

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.

Use the recommended grade of oil and fuel

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

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.

Avoid prolonged idling

Here are 10 simple changes to make that can help you reduce your petrol consumption. 4. 5. 6. 1. 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!

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.

We specialise in serving clients who need to use a hoist. We also provide services to clients with Dementia. Apart from these services, we added companion driving, preparing meals for elderlies who live alone or for frail couples. We also added a decluttering service to help them tidy the garage.

For inquiries, please email Connie.

Phone: 0800 10 24 63

Email: mconniedesilva@gmail.com

www.conniesangelshomecare.com

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.

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.

Building on the Kapiti Coast

JMC Builders is a home building company based on the Kapiti Coast that offers expert building services from Pukerua Bay to Otaki.

JMC Builders are experienced architectural home builders, and their team works on everything from your holiday bach to your family home and to your dream retirement lifestyle property.

JMC Builders owner Jamie Corrigan grew up on the Kapiti Coast, starting his building career with an apprenticeship at a local firm. During this time, Jamie had five years of intensive training followed with regular courses and exams until he became a fully qualified builder and carpenter. After his apprenticeship, Jamie worked for another local firm for several years. Then he took the next step, creating his own building company. Since then Jamie has enjoyed passing on his skills to the next generation of builders, taking on and training a number of apprentices.

As a new house builder, Jamie applies his natural problem-solving abilities and his keen eye for detail to more complex builds, including baches and weekend properties. Jamie and his team treat every build with the same level of care and attention as if it were their own. JMC Builders work closely with their clients, listening carefully to what they want, to make the building experience as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.

Whether you have a coastal, hillside or flat section, JMC Builders have the skills and equipment needed for every stage of your new build. If you’re demolishing and rebuilding a house, JMC Builders can also project manage your home demolition or removal, and all site preparation including extensive retaining walls and levelling.

If you are looking for a building company for your next project on the Kapiti Coast, JMC Builders are the best choice for you! Contact Jamie and his team today at 021 052 4447 or visit www.jmcbuilders.co.nz for more information.

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Nelson city serves as a gateway to the three national parks on its doorstep and has firmly established itself as a popular ecotourism and adventure tourism town.

Many areas within the greater Nelson Tasman region boast beaches, forests, pristine bodies of water and magnificent cave systems.

Nelson truly is the best of both worlds. It’s large enough to offer all the services and amenities of a large city, but at the same time it is small enough to be welcoming and friendly.

Nelson is New Zealand's largest fishing port and the gateway to a major forestry and horticulture industry.

There is the attraction of fine foods, great wines, an innovative craft industry, spectacular scenery and traditional Kiwi hospitality and the combination makes Nelson Tasman a place holiday-makers flock to all year round.

The beautiful coastline from Nelson to Golden Bay and the Abel Tasman National Park is famous for its clear blue waters and pristine golden sand beaches.

The park itself can be explored by guided walks, sea kayak, cruise boat, water taxi or freedom walking, allowing you to see penguins, seals, dolphins and native birds, all set in lush native forest and beautiful beaches.

Inland Nelson Tasman is equally as exciting, in a wonderland of water adventure, including kayaking, rafting and boating.

If frozen water is a preference, skiing and even ice skating make the

Nelson’s spot under the sun

Nelson Lakes National Park a popular winter destination, well served by some exquisite luxury lodges hidden away among mountains, lakes

Nelson Tasman is very family friendly. There are three national parks and the Abel Tasman should be a number one must do on everyone’s list. It is one of the country’s sunshine capitals and is also earning a title as the creative arts capital with more than 250 local artists, including

restaurants can tempt the most discerning palate with their superb and many fish varieties. The Taste Nelson festival is held each year to

The region is easily accessible, being one and half hour’s drive from hours from Christchurch, and is served by regular flights from all over

PAKAWAU BEACH CAMP PAKAWAU BEACH CAMP Golden Bay Golden Bay

Pakawau Beach Camp sits on the sea front enabling you to enjoy the sounds of waves meeting the shore, to amazing sunrise and sunsets over the ocean.

Come and pitch your tent, park your camper van or stay in one of our beach front cabins.

Less than a 20-minute drive from Pakawau you will discover an abundance of stunning scenery including, Cape Farewell, Farewell Spit, Puponga Farm and Wharariki Beach.

After a fun day out, enjoy casual dining at the Old School Café Restaurant, right across the road.

Pakawau Beach Camp 03 524 8308

accompakawaubeachpark@gmail.com

Ensuring a smooth first-time selling experience

Selling a first home can be an exciting yet daunting prospect with several factors to consider — and its normal to not be entirely sure about the process.

The best way to start is to get clear about what you want to achieve from your selling journey.

Understanding the ‘why’

Everyone’s circumstances are different — there are many reasons for selling a house, from family circumstances or lifestyle changes to downsizing or upsizing. You may need to move for a new job or want to live closer to your family. Or perhaps you are thinking about financial goals and would like to cash in your property and fund a new venture.

Figuring out your selling needs and goals will help form a better idea of the timeframe you’ll need to get your house market ready. Do you need extensive renovations or minor touch ups? A simple marketing campaign, or a more extensive one? Your why will also help your real estate profession deliver in a way that works for you.

What is your property worth?

A home is as much an emotional asset as it is a capital one, and it can be difficult to see it objectively, let alone put a price on it. There are several ways to get a precise idea of your property’s market value. You can pay for a registered valuation or get a current market

appraisal from a licensed real estate agent. Free online tools can give you a rough estimate, largely based on clever calculations using recent sale comparisons.

It is vital you have in depth conversations with your real estate professional. Automated tools and valuations are a great starting point, but your agent will know what’s happening in the market right now, what is impacting market values and the best approach to take to get a sale.

Consider any changes you can make to increase your property’s value, such as landscaping or fixing a broken fence.

Look at your property through a critical eye. First impressions can make a big difference in real estate: from curb appeal through to repainting the walls, some cosmetic changes inside and out may go a long way to attracting buyers and increasing the sale price.

For more targeted renovations, kitchens and bathrooms are usually key rooms to focus on. Although the most expensive rooms to remodel, if you have the time and budget, a well-planned renovation tends to add the most value.

The magic of marketing

Marketing is fundamental to reaching and attracting buyers and making your property stand out from the rest. Experienced real estate agents know the impact continuous and omnichannel promotion can have on a property’s sale.

High-quality imagery and videos are more important than ever for online listings that enable potential buyers to get a feel for the property and decide whether they are interested in taking their buying journey to the next step.

Article by Jen Baird, chief executive at REINZ.

Mike Lovell

027 435 6007

mike.lovell@nzsir.com

In only a few years, Mike has earned a Herculean reputation with clients and competitors alike. Nothing reflects this more than the fact that Mike is now Wellington City’s highest-reviewed agent through ratemyagent.co.nz - with 220 five-star reviews - a testament to his quality, service and level of commitment.

“Top Team, Exceptional Service, Outstanding Results”

Upper Hutt’s Top Real Estate Agent

Working as a team, combining their strengths and leveraging off the marketing, resources and networking advantages of the Harcourts brand allows Mike, Tania, Scott, Anne, Josh and Chay to maximise the values of their clients’ properties in every market condition. Commitment to the job has resulted in delighted vendors and multiple industry awards and accolades, giving their new clients the peace of mind that they are in good hands.

With more than 50 years combined experience in the Real Estate industry, Team Ledger have sold over 1360 homes valued at over 774 million dollars. Clearly established as one of the leading sellers of real estate with a global brand supporting their every move, they have been leading the way in the Wellington market since they entered real estate. Their values, passion, integrity, honesty and reputation of achieving outstanding results for their clients is hard to match.

0800 TEAM LEDGER

teamledger@harcourts.co.nz

11 King Street, Upper Hutt, Wellington

www.teamledgernz.com

chay.laurence@harcourts.co.nz

Looking to sell your home?

Learn more about our proven process with a free appraisal. For more information, give one of 'the team' a call today! “Top

TeamLedger look forward to seeing you there

www.teamledgernz.com

355 Fergusson Drive, Heretaunga

67 Chatsworth Road, Silverstream

45b Dowling Grove, Silverstream 3/631 Fergusson Drive, Trentham

Your Community Property Specialist

Immerse yourself in a real estate experience with a motivated and passionate sales professional. I understand the significance and impact in the decision of selling your home, and moving on to the next chapter. Its exciting, but you need someone to guide you, and that is what I do, with patience, empathy and a smile. I take great pride in ensuring that your experience surpasses expectations and is truly exceptional. Come visit me at one my open homes and say hi!

Hardworking with great communication I found Layne excellent to deal with. From the outset she was approachable, helpful and honest. We had a tricky settlement and tight timeframes, which required her to go above and beyond; she did an exemplary job. I highly recommend Layne.

– Scott R

Covering your Real Estate needs from Eastbourne to Akatarawa.

We know what you’re thinking - boutique means small, right? Well, sometimes. But for us, it’s so much more than that. It’s quality service, quality marketing, and importantly, it’s one-to-one service throughout the journey.

When you choose CK & Co, you don’t just get one agent; you get a strong collaborative team striving to deliver results beyond expectations. Our award winning salespeople were previously some of the highest performing for Lower Hutt’s largest real estate agency. You can call any one of us and know that you are getting the best. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just want some friendly advice – we are more than happy to chat.

Licensed Real Estate Consultant

Harcourts Paremata

Licensed REAA 2008

Having transacted hundreds of properties in and around Porirua for ten years, AM is the ideal choice when it comes to trusting her with your biggest asset, whether it’s a standalone family home, rural lifestyle property or developments of dozens of townhouses - she’s sold them all. Her honest approach and consistency has made her the #1 Harcourts Individual Agent for the Wellington region. 021461131

am.janssen@harcourts.co.nz

www.harcourts.net/nz/office/paremata/people/am-janssen

Paving your land

Paveway Landscapes has been providing quality landscaping services throughout Kapiti, Horowhenua, and Poriua for nearly 30 years. They provide a clean and efficient service, with an experienced and dedicated team.

Paveway Landscapes only use quality materials, and all their work is backed up by a workmanship guarantee. They are well recognised in the community, not only because of the amount of successful projects they’ve carried out over the years, but because of their fleet of bright pink trucks.

Paveway Landscapes have a highly experienced team - all experts in their fields, be it concreting, paving, building or retaining walls. Their focus is on providing a fast efficient service, using quality materials for lasting results, with an attention to detail.

Pave is in their name, because paving at the highest level is what they do. Most paving projects are

commissioned to carry out one to two days on average, including ground prep, levelling, and professional laying.

Colour selection is usually based on the colour of your house, and they carry real life paver samples for you to experience and select from. Paveway Landscapes supply pavers made of concrete or of natural stone from quality paving brands such as Firth, Premier, Paving Innovations, and Horizon.

The benefit of paving is that, unlike laid concrete, it doesn’t crack. Paved driveways also have the advantage over concrete, because you can easily dig up pavers to access utilities, and put them back again once you’ve finished.

The team works hard when inserting paving stones to reduce, if not completely remove, the chances of weeds growing between pavers. They also use products such as Pavelock to stop weeds.

For your next paving project contact Paveway Landscapes today on 021 449 941 or 04 293 2029, alternatively you can visit their website to view more of their services: www.paveway.co.nz.

Property Management

Should I use a property management company for my rental investment?

Article by Jo Rae, head of Property Management at REINZ.

For many Kiwis, owning a rental property is a key investment, often a component of retirement savings plans that generates a steady and passive income. However, it does come with great responsibility.

As the Government introduces more regulations, adding to the list of landlords’ responsibilities, a reputable property management company can add great value to your rental investment and ensure that your tenants and property are handled reliably and fairly, in line with your obligations.

Ensuring suitable tenants

A property management company will help find ideal tenants for your property. This can be a complex job, particularly if you do not have extensive experience in the property management profession.

Having a tenant-screening process that is compliant with the recently changed Privacy Act 2020, and facilitated by a property management professional, will enable you to find tenants who are reliable, longterm and with a mutually beneficial respect for the landlord and tenant relationship.

Managing all legal matters

Property management companies oversee all legal aspects of maintaining a property and working with tenants. They are fully informed on the legal responsibilities and up to date with complex legislative changes — giving you one less thing to worry about.

They help manage risk by ensuring landlords do not accidentally get themselves into a difficult situation that may result in a Tenancy Tribunal hearing or financial penalties.

The new Healthy Homes Standards, which became law on 1 July 2019, can be a challenge for real estate investors, as landlords are responsible for maintaining and improving the quality of their rental properties to meet the standards.

While it ensures the landlords provide healthier and safer properties to tenants and have lower maintenance costs, it can be time-consuming for people with already busy lives — particularly for those living in different cities or regions than their investment property.

Lower repair and maintenance costs

Property management companies have experience dealing with the various issues that can arise with maintenance and generally have trusted contacts for various service providers, such as plumbers, builders, and electricians.

They’ll also have access to comparative data about the market, ensuring that the rent a property investor is charging aligns with the market rate.

Identifying and repairing any maintenance issues early on will avoid larger and more expensive problems. Experienced property managers will inform you that keeping on top of maintenance and repairs will increase the value of your property and often the length of tenancy.

This will involve regular inspections and detailed documentation. A property management agency may also give you valuable feedback and suggestions on upgrades and modifications that tenants prefer, which benefit both parties.

Personal benefits — peace of mind

An underrated benefit of using a property management company is the alleviation of stress. Being a landlord can be a full-time job.

By engaging someone to care of this for you, you’ll be free from after hours emergencies, following up rent payments, repairing any damages, paperwork, finding maintenance contractors and other tasks that require a lot of time and thought.

As you may not live where you invest, working with a property manager means that you will meet your obligations and rest assured that someone is undertaking regular inspections of your rental property and supporting your tenants as required.

With an expert tending to the day to day management of your investment property, you’ll win back some precious time.

Managing and trusting your relationship with a property management company

It is clear that utilising the skills of a property management company is highly beneficial however, it is important to recognise that this will not remove all of your responsibilities.

As a landlord, you will need to manage and trust in your relationship with your property management company.

REINZ recommends doing your due diligence when choosing your property management company — have broad conversations, ask questions and seek legal advice to ensure you are choosing the right company for you, your wants and your needs.

Choosing a REINZ Property Management member is recommended as they are supported to excel in the profession, provide excellence in customer care, and uphold the best standards of practice.

We treat your property like it is our own.

We know the process of managing a property can be stressful, so we are here to ensure that our clients are stress-free and in the right hands.

We pride ourselves on being trustworthy, knowledgeable, professional and we care about our clients. We strive to make our clients lives much easier managing all requirements, with regular communication and property inspection reports.

We have a detailed screening process, so our clients can rest assured that we will find the best tenant for the property. We offer in-depth knowledge of healthy homes standards, urgent maintenance, rent arrears and management, inspections and competitive fees.

Full Property Management services include:

Tenant Selection

We complete a full reference and credit check of suitable tenants.

Property Inspections

We complete a full inspection of our clients property before any tenancy starts. This includes photographing the pre-tenancy condition and a full report alongside the photos.

Daily Rent and Arrears Monitoring

We check rent and arrears every day. If tenants are in arrears we will sort this out and send warnings if needed.

Cost

CK and Co Property Management provides a boutique style property management service which caters to a range of clients. Our friendly, experience and supportive team believes there is no “one size fits all”, so talk to us about designing a property management package to fit with your needs. We aim to keep it simple. Jack

We have various packages available depending on our clients needs. Please contact us for a quote.

Why Choose Us?

When you sign up with the CK & Co Family, you don’t just get one person working for you - you get the whole team. We can offer an exclusive service to both our tenants and our landlords to ensure all needs are going to be met on time.

Are funerals still relevant?

By Gillian Boyes, CEO Funeral Directors Association

Over the last few years many more people are choosing direct cremations – a form of unattended cremation where family and friends don’t have a funeral at all.

Often this can be about cost, although if the family chooses to have a memorial after there may not be a lot of saving.

So in defence of a full funeral, with a body present and managed by a professional funeral director, we’ve explored whether a full funeral is relevant today.

Who is the funeral for?

Often our members hear “Oh I don’t want a fuss”. Gently, they must remind families that the funeral is not just for them.

Funerals provide a socially acceptable and safe setting for the open expression of personal grief. They provide a focus for the expression of loss by individuals and by their communities. This latter can go beyond wider friends for many and so often we have seen people want to be celebrated and acknowledged by those who’s lives they have touched.

Funerals are also a vehicle for the support of the bereaved. The hugs, the kind words, the caring actions of those supporting the bereaved reinforce the important social ties that reflect what it is to be human.

A big part of the value of working wth a funeral director is helping put some order into what might seem a chaotic time. A good funeral director will not only manage the physical activities and logistics, but will point the family in the direction of what might be most meaningful for them.

Increasingly these events are as different and unique as we are. Funeral directors are experts in creating unique and special experiences, and as New Zealand society continues to change and grow so too will the end-of-life experiences they need to create

Telling a personalised story

Funeral celebrants are the ceremony specialists who can help bring the ‘event’ the funeral director has created to life.

Celebrants are curators – sifting through the information shared by a family to create a ceremony that truly reflects the personality of the individual being honoured.

Whether its through laughter, heart-warming recollections, the right music, or the opening of a beer at dad’s normal drinking hour, a celebrant will control the content for the family and ensure the farewell remains respectful of their wishes.

More relevant than ever

Order and meaning

Most of us don’t deal with death frequently. Even if expected, the grief associated with death affects our thinking and decision-making abilities. Death is also a bit complicated. There is paperwork to be done. Laws to be followed. An event to be created – all in the space of a few days.

With the pain of the Covid-affected funerals still in our rear-view mirror those dreadful months where funeral gatherings were not allowed reinforced more than ever the relevance and value of a funeral.

So yes, we believe funerals are still relevant. Talk to a member of the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand for your assurance of a meaningful farewell. Find a funeral director here: www.funeraldirectors.co.nz.

A place of comfort and support

Lychgate Funerals has served the Wellington community for over 135 years and has premises in Wellington City, Johnsonville and Karori. They offer a full range of facilities for funerals including catering and web streaming.

The team at Lychgate Funerals firmly believe in treating everyone with the dignity, sensitivity and respect they deserve. Their combination of modern facilities, new technology, experienced staff and personal service ensures you receive the highest possible standard of care.

Lychgate Funerals reputation comes from their experienced funeral directors and support staff, who are passionate and dedicated in ensuring families have peace of mind during their difficult time. It is important to know that you can depend on Lychgate’s professionalism to help you with all of the arrangements to ensure a meaningful farewell.

The team at Lychgate are used to guiding families through how to create a service with special meaning for the deceased and their

family and friends. The funeral ceremony is important for family and friends to share their sorrow and is an opportunity to celebrate the life of the person who has passed. To remember the good times, the humorous moments, their favourite music, their unique contributions, and to hear tributes and stories.

“Wonderful staff. So responsive and proactive in dealing with the logistics of moving mum to Dunedin and communication with the other funeral home. I was so grateful for their help and guidance, and so caring. Big hugs to the team. Thank you so much.” - Karen

“Keith and his team are wonderful and really care about what they do.” - Grant

If you would like to use Lychgate Funerals services, contact the friendly team by phone on 04 385 0745 or visit their website for more information on what they can offer you, your family and friends: www.lychgate.co.nz.

We help families create a personal funeral service or farewell which celebrates the life of a loved one, and support family and friends during their bereavement.

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 making things even easier, ensuring you get quality applicants, every time!

Purchase 1 ad (for 1 month) for $157+gst or unlimited ads for 12 months for $1597+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!

Include your company profile so applicants can see why they want to work for you! (once again, other companies charge for this)

Entrusting us to sell your biggest asset is an extremely important decision that we take very seriously. We treat every property as our own and are dedicated to using our skills, experience and hard work to achieve outstanding results for our clients.

ROSIES FURNITURE REMOVALS

Whether you are moving house or moving office, you are going to need removers that will get the job done properly and safely. Here at Rosie's Furniture Removals Ltd, we can do just that.

Our team are dedicated, hard-working & will move your items with care.

WAIRARAPA

Phone: 06 370 1258

Moblie: 027 487 5329

KAPITI

Moblie: 027 447 4280

office@rosiesremovals.co.nz

Rosie’s Furniture Removals

www.rosiesremovals.co.nz

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