Latest news with #King'sBirthday
NZ Herald
7 hours ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
‘No regrets' for Rotorua Retiree
A 600m move brought Lesley new friends, fun and peace of mind. Despite moving just 'around the corner' from her family home, Lesley Evanson reckons it is one of the biggest – and best – steps she's taken in her life. After selling her family home, the 73-year-old shifted three months ago into a brand-new unit in the recently completed 87-unit Karaka Pines Regency Park Estate in Rotorua. 'I haven't gone far,' she says. 'My home was literally 600m from the village and I've lived in the area for 40 years. I've no regrets. Everyone here is so friendly and it has a nice vibe. I don't even think about my old house now.' Regency Park Estate is owned and operated by Tauranga-based Karaka Pines Villages and is one of eight retirement villages the company runs throughout New Zealand. With 59 units occupied when Karaka Pines purchased the complex in 2019, a further 28 have since been constructed, with the final one completed in February this year. One of the advantages for people moving into Karaka Pines Villages like Regency Park Estate is that they get to retain capital gains, unlike the situation at most other retirement communities in New Zealand, where it is kept by village operators. Karaka Pines CEO Adam Yates says this financial model is a fair one for residents and can make the difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars in their pockets. The last unit to be constructed at Regency Park Estate was the one snapped up by Evanson, and already she says it feels like home. 'It's got two bedrooms, a joint bathroom (between the bedrooms), a visitor toilet and a huge kitchen, living area and patio. I love it,' she says. 'I had watched the village being built and a few years ago I took an aunt to have a look at it. Then I had some of my friends move in here which started me thinking 'oh, maybe it's time for me too'. 'Since I've been here, I've had other residents knock on my door and introduce themselves, it's been really nice. The staff and managers are lovely and keep us informed about what's going on.' While Evanson enjoys plenty outside the village – including aqua jogging, knitting, crochet and quilting – she's kept just as busy within Regency Park Estate. 'There is always something to do,' she says. 'A lot of activities are organised for us. We had a Mother's Day night and I believe they are arranging something for the King's Birthday weekend in June.' Evanson, who lives alone, was just six when she emigrated to New Zealand from England with her parents. Before settling in Rotorua, she lived in many areas of the country including Northland, Lower Hutt, Christchurch and Auckland. She retired four years ago from her job in the information systems department at Rotorua Hospital, a position she held for 33 years. Another plus for Evanson is that she still sees her five grandchildren regularly. Ranging in age from 3 to 23, they all live nearby apart from her 23-year-old granddaughter who is away studying in Hamilton. 'One of my granddaughters goes to high school not far from Regency Park Estate and she often pops in to see me on her way home.' Yates describes Regency Park Estate as a boutique lifestyle retirement village set in 'beautiful' landscaped grounds. It is close to the Redwoods Forest Park and is a short drive from the Green and Blue lakes, Lake Tarawera and Lake Rotorua. 'Everything people need to live a satisfying and easy-going retirement is close at hand as well,' he says. 'The Te Ngae shopping centre is just across the road and a bus stop is right outside the village.' Yates says construction on the first home in the new development started in July 2021 (progress had earlier been held up amid the Covid-19 pandemic) with the first resident moving in in December 2021. 'In the time we have owned Regency Park Estate we have renovated the resident community centre, introduced a weekly fee that's fixed for 15 years, and had the pleasure of watching residents thrive.' He says homes come up for sale in the village from time to time. Before being put on the market, they are refurbished to near new condition with modern kitchens and bathrooms. Apart from Regency Park Estate, Karaka Pines operate Roseland Park in Hamilton, Kempton Park in Tauranga, Karaka Lifestyle Estate in Auckland, Karaka Pines Rototuna in Hamilton, Woodcroft Estate in Christchurch, Karaka Pines Waihī Beach and Karaka Pines Pāpāmoa.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Repaired Blue Pools bridge reopens
The renowned Makarora and Blue Pools bridges near Wānaka will reopen today, in time for King's Birthday weekend, after comprehensive upgrades. A small group of Makarora residents and conservation groups met to admire the bridges and upgraded Blue Pools Track walkway on Thursday. The track is located 70km north of Wānaka. Department of Conservation operations manager Charlie Sklenar said the occasion warranted a royal celebration after a two-year slog involving engineers, contractors, specialists, geotechnical consultations, unexpected complexities and a lot of hard work. The Blue Pools bridge is set to reopen today. PHOTOS: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION "In May 2023, engineering reports on Blue Pools and Rob Roy bridges showed they needed to be upgraded for public safety, while Makarora's swing bridge had to be completely replaced. "We closed all three to get the work done," he said. "In peak summer season, 550 people a day cross the Blue Pools and Makarora bridges. "At times, 75 people would cross the bridges each hour, and visitors were regularly exceeding the signposted 'safe number of people to cross' advice. "We needed to ensure these structures were safe for the public." The Blue Pools, located near Wānaka. Upgrades included a new longer Makarora swing bridge with higher capacity, a 160m-long elevated boardwalk, and extensive upgrades to the Blue Pools bridge improving experience for visitors. "We are so fortunate to have the stunning clear waters, native forest and dramatic alpine scenery of Tititea Mount Aspiring National Park on our doorstep." "These upgrades mean people can safely experience this special place for years to come and do so in a way that protects nature," Mr Sklenar said. "It's an investment that preserves our natural taonga species and supports our local communities who rely on outdoor recreation and tourism." The Blue Pools and Makarora bridges provide high-water access to the Young Valley and Gillespie Pass Circuit. — APL
The Spinoff
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
Watch live: the 2025 NZ Scrabble Nationals
The biggest event on the New Zealand Scrabble calendar brings players of all ages and experience levels together over three days this King's Birthday weekend. Day one – Saturday (stream starts 9am) Click here for live results and standings. What's all this then? Nationals is the biggest tournament on the New Zealand Scrabble calendar – this year 69 players are competing over 24 rounds across three days. This is the 45th edition of the tournament, and the first one that's being live streamed. Unlike previous live streamed tournaments (the Trans-Tasmans and the Masters) Nationals is open to all, with players split into six grades based on their ratings, so for the first time we'll get to see a range of skill levels on the stream. What's the format? This year's tournament is double round-robin (22 games, everyone plays everyone else in their grade twice) followed by two rounds of 'king of the hill' (first plays second, third plays fourth etc). This should make for some mouthwatering match-ups come Monday. Who are the players to watch? It's shaping up to be very competitive at the top of the pyramid this year, with 2024 Nationals champion Howard Warner looking to defend his crown, 2025 Masters champion Dylan Early out to dethrone him. Their game at the Masters earlier this year was a classic for the ages: But it's certainly not a two-horse race – top five rated players Chris Tallman, Blue Thorogood and Australia-based Joanne Craig are bound to be be in the mix, with plenty of other dark horses lurking. And the focus won't just be on the A Grade, either! This weekend will showcase match-ups from all grades, offering a chance to see plenty of Scrabblers who've never played in front of an online audience before, from Scrabble documentarian Alexander Gandar (B Grade) to the tournament's youngest player Maheu Papau T-Pole (12, F Grade). Even I (E Grade) might get a game on stream. Who's commentating? Good commentary plays a huge part in making Scrabble so much fun to watch, and we will be in the safe hands of some of the best in the game all weekend, including world champion New Zealander Alistair Richards, Canadian Scrabble rock star Josh Sokol and more. What dictionary are they using? NZ Scrabble adopted the CSW24 lexicon at the start of the year, bringing us in line with most of the rest of the world. The update means a handful of potentially offensive slur words are no longer valid and introduces modern lingo like ADORBS, CHONKY, and WOKERY. (See the full list of new additions here.) How do I play? There are Scrabble clubs scattered around New Zealand, and they welcome new players of all ages, abilities and competitiveness levels. There's also a weekly on Tuesday nights where you can test yourself against other keen Scrabblers around the country.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Repaired bridges reopen
The renowned Makarora and Blue Pools bridges near Wānaka will reopen today, in time for King's Birthday weekend, after comprehensive upgrades. A small group of Makarora residents and conservation groups met to admire the bridges and upgraded Blue Pools Track walkway on Thursday. The track is located 70km north of Wānaka. Department of Conservation operations manager Charlie Sklenar said the occasion warranted a royal celebration after a two-year slog involving engineers, contractors, specialists, geotechnical consultations, unexpected complexities and a lot of hard work. The Blue Pools bridge is set to reopen today. PHOTOS: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION "In May 2023, engineering reports on Blue Pools and Rob Roy bridges showed they needed to be upgraded for public safety, while Makarora's swing bridge had to be completely replaced. "We closed all three to get the work done," he said. "In peak summer season, 550 people a day cross the Blue Pools and Makarora bridges. "At times, 75 people would cross the bridges each hour, and visitors were regularly exceeding the signposted 'safe number of people to cross' advice. "We needed to ensure these structures were safe for the public." The Blue Pools, located near Wānaka. Upgrades included a new longer Makarora swing bridge with higher capacity, a 160m-long elevated boardwalk, and extensive upgrades to the Blue Pools bridge improving experience for visitors. "We are so fortunate to have the stunning clear waters, native forest and dramatic alpine scenery of Tititea Mount Aspiring National Park on our doorstep." "These upgrades mean people can safely experience this special place for years to come and do so in a way that protects nature," Mr Sklenar said. "It's an investment that preserves our natural taonga species and supports our local communities who rely on outdoor recreation and tourism." The Blue Pools and Makarora bridges provide high-water access to the Young Valley and Gillespie Pass Circuit. — APL
NZ Herald
a day ago
- Climate
- NZ Herald
King's Birthday Weekend Weather: 130km/h winds and large swells hit NZ
This long King's Birthday weekend, a strong west to southwest flow is set to hit the country with severe 130km/h winds and 6m waves. Warnings and watches for severe gales are in place for several areas, with large swells expected to build along most coastlines, especially along the western South
