Latest news with #Christmas-NewYear
NZ Herald
23-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
East Coast netballer Kimiora Poi gears up for season
'In a typical week, we'll train on the netball court three to four times a week, and part of one of those trainings will be match-play against the Invercargill men's team, so we get a bit of match-play prep leading into a real game.' They also do fitness, strength and conditioning work in the gym. While the focus is on the ANZ Championship, national selection is in the bigger picture for Poi, who has played 16 tests for her country since 2019. 'The way that the Ferns selection works is that we play our normal A NZ Premiership... and then, after the grand final, they select a new Ferns squad for the year, and then they select the players to play in the team [for tests]. 'We won't find out [if they have made the squad] until after the grand final, which is in 10 to 12 weeks.' The Silver Ferns face South Africa in a three-test series for the Taini Jamison Trophy in September, followed by a four-test Constellation Cup home and away series against Australia in October. New Zealand won the Constellation Cup series 3-1 last year, and Poi knows only too well how tough it will be to hold on to the silverware. 'They [Australia] just don't let you breathe when you're playing ... they're with you the whole time ... across the board, they've probably got a bit of depth, where they can change it up.' Poi likes to relax and destress in different ways after a game. 'I quite like to watch the game back, initially ... kind of get that out of the way and debrief. 'In my spare time, I'm quite a nana and just like staying home or staying in a hotel, and watching series ... I do [read] a book now and then, but I have to be in the mood.' She also enjoys 'getting out ... getting some fresh air, maybe go to the pools or something, just [to] do a little bit of recovery as well.' Poi is of Ngāti Porou descent. She was brought up in Tikitiki and attended Tikitiki School before the family shifted to Napier, where she went to Napier Girls' High. Her parents are Billy Poi and Roanne Baker. She has two sisters, Jade and Ashleigh, and a brother, Morgan. Her parents are now back living in Tikitiki. Poi returns to the North Island a few times a year. 'I try to get back, definitely over the Christmas-New Year period, and then maybe one or two other times throughout the year. 'My parents are always very good, and they come and watch me around the country as well, so I get to see them a few times in the year.' Asked what messages she would have for young girls looking to go further with their netball, she said: 'One of them would be to take opportunities when they arise. You never know who's watching, so always put your best foot forward. 'Another one would be to keep enjoying what you're doing ... if you play your best netball or whatever you're doing.' Poi said the Steel were heading to Dunedin early to visit netball centres and schools. '[We'll] do some coaching and question and answers [and] hang out with some kids. That'll be really cool to get back out in the community.'
The Hindu
27-04-2025
- The Hindu
Major tourism projects nearing completion in Kozhikode
The State government has given administrative sanction for tourism projects worth ₹168 crore over the last four years. Some of these projects have been completed, while most others are nearing completion. Among the prominent completed projects is 'Oceanus Chaliyam,' which transformed the Chaliyam breakwater and the nearby areas into a beach destination at a cost of ₹9,53 crore. The 'Nature Walkway' project through the Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary was completed at a cost of ₹1.43 crore. An International Kayaking Centre was set up at Pulikkayam in Kodenchery at a cost of ₹1.63 crore. As much as ₹1.74 crore was spent on the first phase of the 'Sarovaram Nature Learning Centre' at the Sarovaram Biopark in Kozhikode city. The pond and its premises at Kuttichira were renovated at a cost of ₹1.25 crore in two phases. The Tourism department has given administrative sanction of ₹7.37 crore for 'Akasha Mithai', the Vaikom Muhammed Basheer Memorial being built in Beypore. The project is currently in progress. The department has introduced 'Facade Lighting' in various parts of Kozhikode city at a cost of ₹4.46 crore to encourage night tourism. The special lighting at Mananchira during the Christmas-New Year season was much appreciated. Many projects are being undertaken under the Beypore and Beyond- Development and Renovation of the Beypore tourism project. So far, works worth ₹9.94 crore have been spent on the first phase development of the Beypore Beach that hosts the International Water Fest every year. Meanwhile, ₹14.99 crore has been sanctioned for the second phase of development.
Otago Daily Times
23-04-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Plan to extend alcohol ban area during festival
Photo: ODT files The Central Otago District Council looks set to extend alcohol bans in the region during the blossom festival, as police say the event itself causes them little issue but the drinking around it is a "heat source" for trouble. Last December, the council proposed to increase the areas covered by an alcohol ban. As well as having bans on the towns of Alexandra, Clyde and Cromwell it also wanted to place a ban on the Teviot Valley to the council border at Raes Junction. The council has sought comment on its proposal and is set to confirm the new policy at a council meeting next week. In a submission, Senior Sergeant Clint Wright, of Alexandra, said the current bylaws, dates and times were appropriate but had limitations. "The new additions provide further tools to be able to enforce bylaws, control disorder and undesirable behaviours," he said. He said the festival was run very well and had made incremental improvements every year around safety and alcohol-related compliance. "The festival itself is minimal demand for local police however the hoard of vehicle enthusiasts and intoxicated passengers coming from Dunedin, Balclutha, Gore and Invercargill is still a significant heat source for Otago Lakes police." He said extending the ban to the Teviot Valley would enable police to enforce rules around the consumption of alcohol and choke points in the Teviot Valley's townships, on the Roxburgh Dam and other areas of concern. He said the proposed changes were not overly restrictive but were "prudent and provide further tools to rectify behaviours which rightly upset our locals". The proposal was to also extend the ban to the Merino Shears weekend, which happened a few weeks after the blossom festival. The centre of the blossom festival event is usually in the last weekend of September. Snr Sgt Wright said over the last couple of years, there had been a rise in alcohol-related offending around the Merino Shears event and two years ago, police had to form a skirmish line to move on a large number of intoxicated patrons. The council also proposed to continue with its liquor ban in certain areas over the Christmas-New Year period. Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora also supported the liquor ban as did Hospitality New Zealand.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Consumer confidence surges on back of interest rate cut
The Reserve Bank's first rate cut since 2020 has delivered a welcome boost to the economic outlook, but Australian consumers are still more pessimistic than optimistic. The Westpac-Melbourne Institute consumer confidence survey posted a strong four per cent gain in March, up to a three-year high of 95.9. Slowing inflation and good news on interest rates drove the bounce in sentiment following a slowdown in recovery over the Christmas-New Year period, said Westpac's head of Australian macro-forecasting, Matthew Hassan. "The RBA's decision to cut interest rates in February and a further easing in cost-of-living pressures have provided a clear lift," Mr Hassan said on Tuesday. "The survey detail shows a broad-based improvement with a notable rise in confidence around the labour market outlook." Mortgage holders recorded the largest jump in confidence, while the outlook also improved for people planning to buy a home. Expectations of the time it takes to buy a dwelling eased, although expectations that house prices would rise also grew. It came as the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed the value of Australian homes rose to a fresh record high, although the rate of growth was slowing. The value of Australia's 11.3 million residential dwellings rose 0.2 per cent to $11 trillion in the December quarter, despite a short slowdown in the housing market. "The relatively flat growth for the December quarter was the result of net additions to stock offsetting a slight fall in property prices," said ABS head of finance statistics Mish Tan. "Annually, growth slowed to 4.4 per cent from 8.1 per cent in December quarter 2023." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Australian Bureau of Statistics (@absstats) Another four per cent improvement in April would bring the Westpac-Melbourne Institute consumer sentiment index back to 100, which would denote an equal amount of optimists as pessimists. But concerns still persist, most notably in the form of unsettling news from overseas. "While it is not the most pressing concern, the US 'tariff war' and deteriorating relations with some of its allies is clearly unsettling," Mr Hassan said. Ex-tropical cyclone Alfred is also weighing on the mood of some consumers. Brisbane defied the rising national trend to record a 1.7 per cent decline in sentiment. Meanwhile, business confidence declined into negative territory in February, according to NAB's business survey. That came despite a boost in profitability and trading. Conditions improved the strongest in mining and construction, while the wholesale, manufacturing, finance, property and retail industries suffered a decline. "Activity measures in the survey continue to point to below average growth," said NAB chief economist Alan Oster. "Cost pressures are a step above output price growth pointing to the ongoing challenges in the business sector even though economic activity showed some improvement in H2 2024."
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Walmart's early Presidents' Day deals have got our vote — here are the ones worth buying
Seems like the Christmas-New Year's madness was just yesterday, and here we are with a one-two punch of big weekends. Super Sunday promises all kinds of gridiron spills and thrills (go Chiefs!), but no sooner will you recover from that then the three-day Presidents' Day hiatus looms. Don't stress, though — shop! Cuz a slew of early Presidents' Day sales are upon us, and we're all over the best Walmart deals this weekend. Got some post-game cleanup in your future? You'd be Inse-ane to pass up this cordless stick vac for just $79. Speaking of: There's nothing like a ginormous TV event to remind you how much you hate your monthly cable bill. Drop-kick it out of your life with a new Roku, now over 40% off at $17. Want to up your personal hygge factor here in the middle of winter? Snag these ultra-cozy suede house shoes/boots for a very chill $25 off. How hard was that, huh? And that's just a tiny taste, a mere hint, of the savings possibilities that await. Ready to dive in? Read on. Top Walmart weekly deals: Inse Cordless Vacuum Cleaner for $79 ($241 off) Apple iPad (10th Generation) for $299 ($50 off) Lego Botanicals Bouquet of Roses for $48 ($12 off) Skechers Summit Slip-On Shoes for $40 ($25 off) Untimaty 6-Inch Mini Chainsaw for $37 ($23 off) Henckels 14-Piece Knife Block Set for $200 ($457 off) Keurig K-Express Essentials Single Serve Coffee Maker for $35 ($24 off) Roku Express HD Streaming Device for $17 ($12 off) Want to save even more? Make sure you're signed up for Walmart+. It's easy to sign up for your free 30-day trial here. You'll get free shipping and grocery delivery, savings on gas and prescriptions, exclusive access to major deals, and more. The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
