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15 Tips To Packing More Efficiently For Your Next Move

Packing your things can seem like a daunting task. We always have a lot more things than we think we do, and packing always takes much longer than we expected it to.

To help you plan and approach your big move, here are 15 tips for packing your home more efficiently. Hopefully they will help you save time and avoid damage to your things during your next home move.

1. Decide Whether to go Pro or Pack Yourself

Packing your house can seem a daunting task, so if you don’t think you can get it done in time or would just prefer to leave it to the experts, consider hiring professional packers to pack your home for you.

If you are hiring a professional moving company to move your items, it may be worth finding out how much extra it will be to pack your items as well.

Hiring professional packers can save a lot of time and stress. Professional packers will have quality boxes that are of a uniform size, which means they will stack better in the moving truck. They will know how to pack items efficiently to fill the boxes completely, as well as ensuring that everything is safely packed to avoid any damages to your things.

Yet, packing yourself will save you money. So it’s worth weighing up to decide on which avenue is best for you and your whānau.

2. Use a Packing List

So you’ve decided to pack your things yourself. The first step now is to get a packing checklist to help you plan your move.

A packing checklist will help you remember all the things you need to pack, some time frames around packing your items, as well as things you cannot pack.

Some moving companies will provide you a packing checklist when you hire them for your home move. If you are moving yourself, check online for a packing checklist that you can download such as this one.

3. Buy Your Packing Kit

The next step to packing your home is to buy your packing kit.

A packing kit consists of all the things you need to pack up your home. Here are some items you will likely need in your packing kit, based on an average 3 bedroom house.

20 boxes – mixture of 10 small boxes, 10 large boxes

1 tape dispenser

2 tape rolls

1 roll of bubble wrap

50 newsprint sheets

1 permanent marker pen

Read full article: https://affordablemoving.co.nz/12-tips-to-packing-more-efficiently-for-your-next-move

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Easy Tips to Extend the Life of your Pontoons

Modular pontoons are a great way to create a jetty, walkway or floating platform without a huge expense, council permits and other hindrances. Our pontoons have an average lifespan of 10 – 15 years which is pretty cool, but we’ve got some great tips to help you extend that life even further! 

1. Cover your pontoons with marine carpet

You can significantly extend the life of your pontoon by covering it with a marine carpet flooring. This durable covering shields your pontoon from damaging UV rays, everyday wear and tear, and even adds an element of slip resistance. Marine carpet is readily available from hardware or marine stores, and easily adheres using a spray-on carpet glue.

2. Pull your pontoons out of the water in extreme weather

To help you protect your investment, our pontoons are modular, which makes towing them out of the water fast and convenient. In Winter, or periods of low usage, just take them out of the water and disassemble them hassle-free. Plus, during extreme weather, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your pontoon is safeguarded and out of harms way.

3. Regularly clean and maintain your pontoons

Maintaining a clean pontoon not only keeps it looking great, but also prevents weeds, barnacles and other marine debris from causing long-term damage. Regularly inspect each individual modular component for signs of wear and tear, making sure that all connections and fasteners are tight and secure. Paying attention to any little issues as soon as possible, will help stop them from turning into major problems.

Read full article: https://www.pontoonplus.co.nz/easy-tips-to-extend-the-life-of-your-pontoons/

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Becoming a doTERRA Wellness Advocate: Building a Successful Business

Becoming a dōTERRA Wellness Advocate offers an exciting opportunity to embark on a rewarding journey of personal growth, financial independence, and holistic wellness. Come with me while I explain the steps to becoming a dōTERRA Wellness Advocate and how you can build a thriving business by sharing your experiences with these amazing products.

My name is Anna, and I am a Wellness Advocate. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to connect with me on Instagram and ask.

Step 1: Understand dōTERRA's Mission

To begin your journey as a dōTERRA Wellness Advocate, you should first understand dōTERRA's mission and values.

Founded in 2008, dōTERRA (a Latin derivative meaning “Gift of the Earth”) aims to provide the highest quality essential oils while empowering individuals and communities through sustainable sourcing practices.

dōTERRA oils are Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade and alongside sustainable sourcing, dōTERRA also helps communites through its Co-Impact Sourcing® model and the dōTERRA Healing Hands Foundation™.

Step 2: Enrol as a Wellness Advocate

The next step in your exciting new journey is to enrol as a dōTERRA Wellness Advocate. Click here to enrol with dōTERRA.

It will cost you $40 a year for your membership, but you also get a free Peppermint Essential Oil so it really doesn't cost anything. When you sign up, it's a good idea to choose a starter kit as this will provide you with a selection of popular oils and essential tools to get started. You can choose to just enrol, but if you want to help educate others on the amazing benefits of dōTERRA products you need to use them in your own daily life.

Becoming a Wellness Advocate allows you to build your own dōTERRA business, get up to 30% back in points on your purchases, and free products. There is no obligation however, you are not locked into anything and can choose to spend nothing if you choose.

Step 3: Educate Yourself

Now that you are enrolled as a Wellness Advocate, it's time to learn about essential oils, their benefits, and safe usage. dōTERRA offers extensive training materials, webinars, and online resources to enhance your knowledge.

You can also reach out to your upline (me for example) with any questions you have and they will help you. Our group also has a really cool Facebook group you can become a part of and reach out to others in the group for help, advice and to make connections.

It's also a great idea to attend workshops and seminars organized by dōTERRA or other experienced Wellness Advocates whenever you can. This will help you to keep growing your understanding of the products and their applications as well as new products coming to us here in New Zealand or elsewhere in the world.

Keep reading here: https://www.lovenewzealand.net.nz/posts/how-to-become-a-doterra-wellness-advocate

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5 Natural Remedies for Hay Fever

Hay fever is an increasingly common condition that many New Zealanders suffer from every day. In fact around 1/3 of kiwis are estimated to be affected by hay fever.

I have to admit I've been lucky, I've never had hay fever. Until this year. This year I got hit with an awful case of hay fever. My eyes were so scratchy I couldn't help but rub them which made them so much worse. It hurt to keep them open, it hurt to keep them closed. My nose ran like it was a fountain, my throat hurt from my nose running constantly and my head felt foggy. This all led to not being able to sleep properly, and after a few weeks of this I was struggling to work on my computer and struggling to get through my days.

I love natural medicine, but sometimes it can be hard finding that solution that works for your body and your lifestyle. After spending weeks trying different things I almost gave up - I told myself on a certain Friday that if this last thing I tried didn't work, I was going to the chemist on Monday. Luck for me, my final attempt worked amazingly and I now no longer suffer from hay fever.

I'm sharing the five different natural remedies I tried, and how effective they were or weren't for me, and the one that resolved all my hay fever symptoms.

1 - Essential Oils

For those who know me, they'll know how much I love essential oils. Essential oils are extracted from plants and tress grown all around the world. They are highly concentrated and amazing for a huge range of things - from natural health to mood to cleaning.

Essential oils were my first go to for my hay fever symptoms, but I'll admit, I didn't have a lot of luck...at first! I have diffusers in most rooms in my home, including beside my bed. So I was constantly diffusing a range of oils known to help with hay fever and its symptoms. While eucalyptus definitely helped with breathing, it wasn't making any of my symptoms go away.

Then I found that doTERRA have a hay fever capsule that is equal parts Lavender, Peppermint and Lemon essential oils. I had some empty capsules so I started by putting 2 drops of each, diluted in fractionated coconut oil, and taking this each morning.

After around 2 days I noticed a huge difference, it actually worked! When I ran out of my capsules, the routine stopped and my symptoms came back. Now I pop 1 drop of each oil in a large glass of water each morning and drink that. This works perfectly for me, and I am hay fever free!

Essential oils to help with hay fever include:

Lavendar

Lemon

Peppermint

Eucalyptus oil

Shop pure essential oils here.

Keep reading here: https://www.lovenewzealand.net.nz/healthy-living/blog/5-natural-remedies-for-hay-fever

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8 Reasons to Elope to Wanaka, New Zealand

Are you thinking of eloping for your dream wedding? New Zealand is a beautiful country full of magical scenery, diversity and culture. Here are 8 reasons to elope to Wanaka New Zealand for your perfect wedding.

1. Wanaka is a Picture Perfect Location

Have you ever seen the photo of the lonely tree in the middle of a beautiful lake, surrounded by mountains? If you have, chances are that's Lake Wanaka! Whether you are dreaming of a sunny summer wedding, or a beautiful snow-backed winter wedding, Wanaka is the ideal elopement wedding venue.

The beautiful lake is surrounded by mountains. In Spring and Winter, these mountains are snow covered or snow tipped creating a majestic background to the beautiful lake. Autumn brings beautiful colours of golden to the trees surrounding the countryside and Summer, well Summer is just beautifully warm and the water inviting!

2. Wanaka is a Popular Holiday Resort Town

The small resort town of Wanaka is a popular place for holidays, and in peak seasons such as Christmas comes alive with hustle and bustle!

Avid boaters come from around New Zealand, keen to get their boats, jetskis and other water craft out on the lake. Hikers visit from around the world to walk the surrounding Mt Aspiring National Park, including the well known Rob Roy Glacier Track. Others come to just relax beside the lake and enjoy the sheer beauty that is Wanaka.

3. Get Married beside a Beautiful Lake

Do you love the water? At 45 km long and 10 km wide, Lake Wanaka is the fourth largest lake in New Zealand - that's 192 km2!

All around the lake there are little bays and beautiful hidden spots, many accessible only by water.

Whether you want to say your vows on the shores of Lake Wanaka, or on a mountain top overlooking the lake, Lake Wanaka is the perfect lakeside elopement wedding destination.

Read the full article: https://www.lovenewzealand.net.nz/posts/8-reasons-to-elope-to-wanaka-nz.php

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Discover rugged, untamed New Zealand with Driftwood Eco-Tours

Based in Kaikōura, Driftwood Eco-Tours have a passion for exploring, sharing and protecting rural New Zealand.

Their inclusive eco tours of the South Island are suitable for anyone with a sense of adventure, a love of nature, and of learning about the world around us. 

Explore locations of rugged, untamed beauty and splendid isolation, including:

- D'Urville Island - Chatham Islands - St James Station - Molesworth Station - Muzzle Station - Kaikoura - Marlborough Sounds - Cape Campbell - Arthur’s Pass

In the evenings, relax and enjoy stories with their tour guides over a home-cooked dinner, and foster new and lasting friendships.

Read more about these South Island eco tours.

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12 Awesome Animal Encounters in Auckland

New Zealand is full of fascinating animals. We’re talking about rare creatures that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. In particular, Auckland is home to a myriad of amazing creatures.

Exotic birds fly through Auckland’s skies. Unique sea creatures swim through the ocean. This city is an animal lover’s dream come true. Here are 12 awesome animal encounters in Auckland you have to experience.

Use a luggage storage service to stash your bags before heading out on your animal-seeking adventure

Ambury Park

We’re willing to wager that most of you readers are city folks. You’ve probably lived in a suburb or a major metropolitan area for most, if not all, of your lives. If that’s the case, the closest you’ve likely been to a cow is the carton of milk in your refrigerator.

That’s why Ambury Park is so great. This venue lets Aucklanders get up close and personal with farm animals. Sheep, goats, and of course, cows all call this place home.

Butterfly Creek

On the other end of the animal kingdom, we have Butterfly Creek. This location is one part public park, one part zoo, and all parts fun. There’s something for guests of all ages, and there’s always a special event taking place.

The animals here run the gamut between bugs, fish, monkeys, and crocodiles. Naturally, there’s a butterfly house that features creatures like the Owl Butterfly and the African Monarch.

Fur Seal

Seals are one of the most instantly lovable members of the animal kingdom. The way they waddle around on land is nothing short of endearing and these guys are naturally curious about humans.

Plenty of online videos that feature seals interacting with humans have gone viral over the years. A trip to Auckland also means that you might encounter a New Zealand Fur Seal. These creatures can stay submerged for more than 10 minutes at a time! They also love fish, so bring plenty of chum with you.

Hector’s Dolphin

Dolphins are smart. Like, 1000 IQ smart – to the point where it’s almost scary. Researchers have observed dolphins perform all sorts of incredible feats over the decades. These creatures also form complex social groups, just like us humans.

Hector’s Dolphin is one of the rarest species of dolphin on Earth. They tend to be incredibly elusive, giving seasoned professionals a run for their money. Hector’s Dolphins can sometimes be found near the South Islands of New Zealand.

Keep reading

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Covid-19 is a severe respiratory disease that is currently responsible for more than 2,000,000 deaths worldwide. Ensuring you regularly clean and sanitise your workplaces - especially high touch points - can help reduce the risk of transmission of the disease.

Read the full article here: https://yourcleaners.co.nz/sanitisation-disinfection-avoiding-the-spread-of-covid-19

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Christchurch Commercial Cleaning Services

Present the very best to your clients and staff with clean, safe and healthy workspaces. 

Your Cleaners trained team of professional cleaners are passionate about providing outstanding service to businesses throughout Christchurch. Their driving mission is to earn to be your cleaning partner. 

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Why you should visit the Hobbiton Movie Set in New Zealand

In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort. “THE HOBBIT” OR “THERE AND BACK AGAIN”

Imagine a place with colourful houses and lush gardens completely surrounded by emerald hills. A place where having seven meals per day and attending parties would be part of your daily routine. Such is the life of Hobbits, the joyful residents of Hobbiton, a tiny piece of land somewhere in Middle Earth, Tolkien’s epic fantasyland.

Where is Hobbiton located?

Well, you got it right, visiting Hobbiton means you need to travel all the way to New Zealand and book your place to the official two-hour guided tour. Matamata, the nearby village, saw an increased flow of tourists since Hobbiton Movie Set officially started welcoming visitors. It was back in the 1990s when Sir Peter Jackson spotted a picturesque 1.250-acre farm stretched across rolling hills with some amazing views over the Kaimai Ranges – a typical New Zealand countryside. After negotiating with the Alexander family (the owners of the farm), he received permission to recreate Tolkien’s Hobbiton for the “Lord of the Rings” and the “Hobbiton” trilogies.

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Award Winning Christchurch Real Estate Agent

Looking to sell your home in Christchurch? Wondering what your home might be worth? Give award winning Harcourts real estate agent Jonny Nicholls a call. He and his expert team are here to help - with a friendly chat or a free market appraisal. 

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Cycle Trails in New Zealand

Photograph: Cycling in Nelson. Copyright: Dean McKenzie

Explore New Zealand on one of our Great Rides and enjoy an epic experience of breathtaking scenery, heritage and history, and nature and wonder that you will never forget. Whether you are looking for a short cycle route or a multi-day bike trail, there are cycle trails all through New Zealand.

New Zealand Cycle Trail

The New Zealand Cycle Trail is made up of 22 Great Rides throug the South Island and North Island of New Zealand. These trails will take you through some of the most diverse and wonderful areas of New Zealand, including through wine country, around lakes, across mountains and through remote areas of New Zealand.

Alps 2 Ocean

The Alps 2 Ocean cycle trail is the longest cycle trail in New Zealand. Covering 306km over 1-6 days, this trail winds through the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean in the beautiful Mackenzie Country of North Otago.

Otago Central Rail Trail

One of the original Great Rides, and voted the best place to ride in New Zealand, the epic Otago Central Rail Trail covers 152km of Otago landscape over 1-5 days.

Hauraki Rail Trail

Covering 160km over 1 - 4 days, this is a nice easy bike trail, ideal for families. Explore the countryside and gold mining heritage of the Waikato.

Twin Coast Cycle Trail

This cycle trail stretches between the Bay of Islands and Hokiana Harbour. It is an easy 2-day trail covering 87km.

Waikato River Trails

An advanced cycle trail alongside the Waikato River. Covering 106km over 1-4 days, you will see hydro dams, cross suspension bridges and explore volcanic rock formations.

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What is the Best Wine Tasting Tour in Marlborough?

Marlborough is New Zealand's premier wine growing region. In fact, around two thirds of the total vines in New Zealand are grown here in Marlborough.

What better way to see the beautiful Marlborough region, than on a wine tasting tour? If you can find the best wine tour in Marlborough, you will enjoy a relaxing, informative and fun experience, being driven around the different wineries. On a great wine tasting tour, you will learn everything about how wine is produced, from growing the grape in the vineyard, to how they are harvested and turned into wine. On some wine tours you can visit the winery cellar of a vineyard and see how they are stored. You may be able to include a lunch, a brewery stop or even a stop to a delicious chocolate shop! (Nothing better than wine, food and chocolate right?!)

Wine Production in Marlborough

It's no secret, Marlborough is the region to visit if you love fine wines! In 2018, there were 510 wine growers in Marlborough who produced some 313,038 tonnes of wine!! 1

There are lots of varieties of wine grown here, including:

Sauvignon Blanc - coming in at more than 86% share of all the wines produced!

Pinot Noir

Riesling

Pinot Gris

Gertwurztraminer

Chardonnay

Merlot

Delicious dessert wines

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Where to Buy Hearing Aids in New Zealand

Buying hearing aids is something that most New Zealanders will have to face at some point in their life. For many, hearing loss is a gradual thing that happens over their life, while for others it can be the result of an illness or an accident. If you are faced with hearing loss, its better to deal with it before your brain gets used to not being able to hear certain frequencies. If you wait for years, it is harder to readjust to hearing those frequencies again later.

Where to Buy Heairng Aids in New Zealand

The biggest question you're likely to be faced with after being diagnosed with hearing loss, is where can you buy hearing aids in New Zealand? Luckily, there are a few options available to you.

Buy from your Audiologist

An audiologist is a trained and registered professional who deals specifically with hearing. If you visit your General Practitioner (GP), they will be able to give you a referral to an audiologist and prepare you for what is likely to happen next. The first thing the audiologist is likely to do is give you a hearing test, this audiogram shows what frequencies you are able to hear at, and which you are not. It also shows the level of your hearing loss. Your audiologist will explain your results to you, and then recommend an appropriate hearing aid from their associated hearing companies.

Buying your hearing aid from an audiologist will give you peace of mind in that they are highly trained professionals. It will however be the most expensive way to buy your aids.

Buy from an Independent Supplier

Buying your hearing aids from an independent supplier will potentially save you thousands, but you do need to do your research first. Many companies will sell very cheap Chinese brands, which may not be very high quality and you may struggle to get help if you have issues with your aids. In saying that, there are lots of reputable, New Zealand-based businesses selling high quality hearing aids, without the huge markups of audiologists.

So, how do you find the best company to buy your hearing aids from?

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Ventech Supplier of Quietest Rangehoods in NZ

A quiet, efficient rangehood is an essential part of every kitchen. Whether you are looking to upgrade an existing kitchen or you are building a new home, you’ll want to source the best rangehood for your unique kitchen spaces.

Quietest Rangehoods Available in New Zealand

Ventech’s whisper quiet rangehoods are the quietest rangehoods available in New Zealand. These high performance rangehoods work silently to eliminate odours and condensation from your home.

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Top 10 Places to Advertise Online for Tourism Businesses

Advertising your New Zealand based tourism business online can be a daunting prospect. With so many options, where are the best places to advertise?

1. 100% Pure New Zealand

If you have a tourism business in New Zealand, the first place you should start with your online marketing is the official New Zealand tourism site – 100% Pure New Zealand. It is free to add your business to their website, and includes distribution through their partnerships.

Add your business to 100% Pure New Zealand

2. Love New Zealand

The Love New Zealand website is unique in that it is much more than simply tourism, it is a popular website promoting everything and anything kiwi. It’s free to add your business, or you can upgrade to a paid membership for increased exposure. The paid membership is just $150+GST per year, so it’s quite competitive compared to alternate options.

Add your business to Love New Zealand

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Compare Campervan Prices

If you are looking to travel New Zealand via campervan, check out My Campervan Hire for the best campervan prices available.

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