The days left to vote for Waianakarua’s famous “Chook Tree” as New Zealand’s Tree of the Year 2025 are dwindling.The tree is one of six to have made it into the final round of the national competition, after being anonymously nominated by a fan. Voting closes on Monday (June 30).Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher is urging the district to get behind the sculpted conifer.“Waitaki’s got something truly eggstra special in this year’s national Tree of the Year competition – a tree shaped like a chicken, right here in Waianakarua,” he says.“It’s quirky, it’s iconic, and it’s got the whole district clucking with pride.” New Zealand Tree of the Year is in its fourth year.Trustee of the New Zealand Notable Trees Trust, Brad Cadwallader, says when they select trees, judges consider the stories associated with them and how people connect with them."We try to ensure regional representation across the country and a mix of exotic and native trees where possible. Importantly, Tree of the Year is about an individual tree, not a species like oak or pōhutukawa." The competition shares stories of trees that hold cultural, historical, and personal significance, drawing inspiration from the long-running European Tree of the Year, he says. "The heart of the competition lies in community engagement. “These trees are part of our shared story - they hold our memories, mark our histories, and shape our landscapes. Tree of the Year is about celebrating that connection and recognising the communities who care for them.”The winner will be announced next Saturday (July 5).The Chook Tree stands out from the other competitors for obvious reasons.Positioned along State Highway 1 near Wainakarua, it’s almost impossible to miss. Also, it weirdly resembles a giant hen, and thirdly, (also weirdly) there is a strategically placed Moeraki boulder “egg” under its tail feathers.You might be surprised (or not) to learn the tree wasn’t born that way.The Hespercyparis macrocarpa suffered some broken branches in stormy weather back in 1978, which left it looking uncannily chicken-like.  Local poultry farmers Norman and Evelyn Clarke saw its potential for their business, and carefully pruned it into the bird it is today.The unusual roadside attraction has been capturing the imagination of passersby for close to 50 years. The Chook Tree (NZ Tree Register number OR/0578) is a reminder of creativity, resilience, and the charm of the unexpected, according to the Tree of the Year website.The Fairy Tree, a Morton Bay Fig in Auckland Domain, is cool, but not as cool as the Chook Tree. Photo: Supplied/Tree of the Year websiteOther trees in the running for taking out top spot are the Fairy Tree in Auckland Domain, the Phantom Rātā at Makiti Dome, Bay of Plenty, the Greytown Gum, at St Luke’s Church, Greytown, the Rangiora Borough School Redwood, at Rangiora Borough School, Canterbury and Te Herenga Ora, at Burnside High School, Christchurch.Although all naturally spectacular in their own ways, none of them is as unnaturally spectacular as the Chook Tree.The finalists were chosen by an expert panel, who looked at hundreds of nominations, before whittling them down to six trees to represent regions across the country. "​Tree of the Year is not about the biggest or most beautiful tree, but about the stories and heritage that connects us to our trees. It’s about celebrating the trees that play an important part in our lives, our history and our future,” the website says.Gary urges Waitaki to get the Chook Tree over the line.“Let’s not let this feathered favourite go unnoticed – get your vote in now!”Visit the Tree of the Year website to vote.

Believe it or not, it’s school holiday time, yet again!For those not lucky enough to be travelling to a tropical island somewhere, or hitting the slopes, there is still plenty happening in the Waitaki to keep the kids occupied. We have selected a few options …Kick your holidays off, by exhausting the children with a good boogie at the Kids Disco Night, a fundraiser for the Network Waitaki Event Centre this Friday night (June 27).This is the second time the fundraiser disco has been run, and it will be at the Loan and Merc, at two separate times for different ages, to keep everyone safe and happy.Years 1 to 4 can dance themselves to a standstill from 5pm to 6.30pm, and Years 5-8 from 7pm to 8.30pm.The younger ones need to be accompanied by an adult, while the older kids will be supervised, with no pass-outs, so you know they’re safe.  Entry is $5 and includes the necessary disco glowstick accessory, with drinks and snacks also available for $2 a pop.Scenes from the last disco fundraiser held for the Waitaki Event Centre. Photo: Supplied/FacebookOnce the kids have recovered from dancing the night away, you might want to take them to soak up some culture.The George Burns Memorial Art Exhibition is running until July 13, at the Forrester Gallery.Every year schools and pre-schools from around the district contribute a number of artworks to the exhibition as a celebration of children’s art. See if your child can spot their own artwork - or a friend’s.The Waitaki Recreation Centre is once again running its Active Kids Holiday Programme in the first week of the holidays.For $10 a day or $36 for all four days, your primary-age children will be kept off the devices, and get to experience a range of different sports and activities, thanks to a bunch of great volunteers. Be quick to register though, places fill up fast.Also at the Recreation Centre, in the second week, the latest craze - Cross Over Basketball - is running on Monday (July 7) and Tuesday (July 8), in the mornings for years 3 to 6.Again, don’t forget to register, or you could miss out.Not against picking a pocket or two, are Fagin's young gang of followers, who can be seen on stage in Oliver! at the Ōamaru Opera House. Photo: FacebookPerfectly timed with school holidays, Musical Theatre Ōamaru's production of Oliver! has two 4pm performances in the last weekend of the holidays.This means the younger children who want to see this classic family musical aren't kept out past their bedtimes.And now that Riviera Cinema Oamaru has opened a third screen, the movie options are aplenty, for some kid (and parent) quiet time.Don’t forget Aqualand is at the Waitaki Aquatic Centre with its amazing-looking indoor inflatable water park on July 5 and 6, for kids over six. The pool is open every other day as well.Waitaki Libraries also have things in the pipeline, with the promise of Superhero Fun - details yet to be released.Pottery Patch - where you can paint your own ceramic piece - is open seven days from 10.30am to 5pm these holidays, at 1 Ribble St. And just for the holidays they are offering a free hot chocolate with every paint. For those parents who are still working, and need a hand with the childcare, Youthtown and Oscar@Fenwick have once again got your back, and WINZ support is available to help cover costs.

By RNZ Digital Explainer Editor Nik DirgaExplainer - Love it or hate it, artificial intelligence is everywhere these days.But for every new technology, there are always people who will exploit it.AI-generated images are unavoidable online, with many intentionally being used to mislead, scam or monetise outrage.If you are not a computer or AI expert, how do you even know what's what anymore?The good news: You can often still tell the real from the AI. The bad news: It's getting harder all the time.False images and videos are frequently being churned out in response to real-life events - many regarding the Israel-Iran conflict were just the latest example of propaganda hitting social media.RNZ spoke to AI and fact-checking experts about how the average internet scroller can figure out if that amazing viral image of Abraham Lincoln with his iPhone might just possibly be fake.Did Godzilla attack downtown Auckland? Sorry, it's just AI. Photo: Made with Google AI via RNZHow can I even tell if an image is fake now?"It's really hard," Victoria University senior lecturer in AI Andrew Lensen admitted."Generative AI models, where users provide a description (caption) of what they want and the model tries to create it, have come a long way over the past few years."Andrea Leask, deputy CEO of the online safety non-profit organisation Netsafe, said the easy availability of apps and technology using AI had played a big part."Anyone can generate AI content," she said. "A child can create digitally altered images."Ben James is the editor of AAP FactCheck, a division of the Australian Associated Press. (Full disclosure: This reporter also writes for AAP FactCheck.) James said the flaws and mistakes in AI imagery were becoming much more subtle."AI fakes are far more sophisticated than they were six months ago, and they will continue to evolve. Gone are the days of six-fingered people."A bizarre AI generated video of Will Smith eating spaghetti went viral online in 2023. Photo: Screenshot / Reddit via RNZLensen agreed, noting the early rubbery clunkiness of older AI images was rapidly fading away."We all laughed at Will Smith eating spaghetti or people having seven fingers in 2023, but now the AI models are sufficiently advanced that it basically no longer happens."I think for the general public, reliably recognising AI images is no longer possible, and for AI/media experts, there's not much time left."James said that AAP FactCheck asked three questions at the beginning of every check it does: Who is making the claim, what is the evidence, and what do trusted sources say."Whether we are talking to journalists, schoolchildren, or seniors, we always return to that three-question process."It doesn't have to be overly burdensome, but it is a way of prompting those key critical thinking skills and will, nine times out of ten, keep you out of trouble."Google's Gemini AI was asked to generate a view of Wellington's Cuba Street, and this is what it came up with. While on first glance it may be all right, look closer at the signs in the background. Photo: Made with Google AISo what can the average person do to detect an AI image?Looking closely at images can reveal clues they are not what they appear to be."AI still struggles with textures and shadows," James said."It also struggles with small details, particularly writing. Look for name badges, logos, road signs, and similar elements; often, the words will be garbled."Be wary of perfection. Often, AI images are just a little too perfect: airbrushed skin, background details all perfectly framed."With video, there could also be tell-tale signs."Look for distortions, particularly around the face, hair and hands," Netsafe's Leask said."For example, flickering around the face and hair, inconsistencies in skin texture, unnatural eye movements or finger placements."Another simple solution is to use what's called a reverse image detector - a search engine that looks for other instances of a photo to determine where it first came from.It can be useful for tracking down the original version of an altered photo or a photo of a past event being presented as a current one.Popular reverse image searchers included TinEye and Google Images' own search."Various AI-detection tools, while not perfect, can offer further indications as to whether an image or video is genuine," James said.However, Lensen was sceptical about their long-term usefulness."There is a real 'arms race' of AI generation vs AI detection, and I don't see a way for the detectors to win," Lensen said."After all, we train these AI models to generate the most realistic content possible, which means as the generator gets better, the detector has an increasingly harder task."In fact, many of these models will be trained by having an AI detector that the generator has to 'fool' during the training process!"Lensen said in his university work, he does not support using AI detectors to check over student work as the consequences of "false positives" - being accused of using AI when you aren't - can be quite harmful.Look for trusted sources - who might not be your cousin sharing posts on FacebookWhen it comes to detecting AI, your own brainpower and detective skills may be the most important tool.That means cultivating a wider base of sources - and yes, responsible media plays a big part."You need to have your trusted sources," James said."Despite all the talk of deception, reputable media organisations do a pretty good job of separating fact from fiction. Therefore, you need reliable sources you can count on.""My advice in 2025 is to look at the provenance of the image," Lensen said."On social media, is it a profile with a history of legitimate posts (around a common theme) or is it a strange profile who seems to post very regularly on different topics?"This is, really, all those 'critical thinking'/source checking that we used to do pre-internet days."It is, unfortunately, more work for/onus on the person consuming the content, but I think being a sceptic is a really important skill in the age of mis/disinformation."A fake video claiming Christopher Luxon was promoting online trading did the rounds last year. Photo: Supplied / AAP Factcheck via RNZVideo scams aren't just of celebrities anymoreFalse videos could be trickier to debunk, but one of the key things to look out for was whether it was an unlikely subject for the person in the video to be talking about - celebrities were often "duplicated" for crypto and investment scams.For instance, last year, a fake video featuring Prime Minister Christopher Luxon backing an online trading company did the rounds.Sometimes, victims were not even celebrities. Sir Jim Mann, a leading New Zealand endocrinologist, was shocked recently to discover his face and voice were being used to scam patients with type 2 diabetes."The AI was so effective, it looked like I was actually saying those words," he told RNZ.With video, a key thing to look at is whether the person's face movements match what they were saying, or whether the audio sounded a bit distorted or robotic.It used to be more difficult to make convincing "deepfakes", Leask said."Now, a single image or a handful of words are all you need to create a very convincing deepfake. And ordinary people are being targeted."Can anything be done about malicious use of AI deepfakes?ACT Party MP Laura McClure recently put forward a bill in the House to restrict the generation and sharing of sexually explicit deepfakes.In Parliament when discussing the bill in May, she held up a faked nude photo of herself that she created, saying "this image is a naked image of me but it's not real."McClure argued the sharing of explicit deepfakes could ruin a person's life."For the victims, it is degrading and it is devastating," she said.The bill was lodged in Parliament's members' ballot, where it could get pulled at random, but it was still a long way from becoming law.ACT MP Laura McClure holds up a faked nude photo of herself that she created when discussing the Deepfake Digital Harm and Exploitation Bill. Photo: Facebook / Laura McClure via RNZNetsafe said they received a significant increase in reports of harm relating to digitally altered images in the past year, Leask said."We have found that where the producer of the content is a young person, typically, the digitally altered content will have been created for fun, to ridicule or bully someone."In contrast, where the producer of the content is an adult, they are more likely to be motivated by sexual gratification, abuse or harassment."But it may be difficult to ban such images outright."Outlawing it is good in principle, but how will it ever be enforced?" Lensen asked."There is a pretty high burden of proof to show that someone produced a deepfake, and that gets even more complex when it could be done cross-border."He said the government needed to provide more detail of implementation and enforcement to make it a substantive effort to actually solve the problem.As for legally requiring all AI-generated content to be labelled, it might be a good idea in theory, but Lensen said it was not very workable."I think that ship sailed a long time ago. Even if we brought in such legislation now in NZ, there is no way it would be adopted worldwide, and so the 'bad actors' could just be located in another jurisdiction."And that's not to mention enforcement: even if we could detect AI content (we can't), who is going to police that and take the content down?"What if you've been targeted by false images or video?"If the content is digitally altered and abusive, threatening, harassing, or includes intimate material (such as nudity, sexual activity, undressing, or toileting), and it has been shared or threatened to be shared without consent, the Harmful Digital Communications Act may apply," Leask said."This includes deepfake intimate images or videos.""We can often help you get the online content removed and explain the options available under the law."You could report online harm at Netsafe's website, text "Netsafe" to 4282, email [email protected] or call 0508 638 723.Media literacy is key, say expertsThen there was the broader problem of media literacy.A survey last week showed that for the first time the majority of Americans are getting their news from social media and similar results were seen in Australia too.In New Zealand, the Trust In News Aotearoa New Zealand report released earlier this year found only 32 percent of respondents trust the news."Media literacy needs to start from an early age," James said."There really needs to be a co-ordinated effort if we are to have functioning democracies making big decisions based on fact."Lensen criticised the increasing use of AI in some newsrooms in New Zealand."We need the media to be a trusted source now more than ever, and using AI really makes that social license harder to maintain."RNZ has laid out a series of Artificial Intelligence principles which state it "will generally not publish, broadcast or otherwise knowingly disseminate work created by generative AI" and that any use of AI, generative or otherwise, should be done in consultation with senior managers.Is social media being ruined by the flood of AI slop?"Maybe?" Lensen said."I think it undermines the value of social media for many," he said."The big appeal of social media originally was being able to connect with friends/family (e.g. OG Facebook) and like-minded humans (e.g. Reddit, FB groups) to share human experiences and have social connections that don't rely on physicality."Injecting AI into that inherently removes that human-ness."A frequent issue seen by fact-checkers is almost nonsensical AI 'slop' being posted simply to harvest engagement."A lot of social media accounts have gained followers by posting AI media (without disclosure) because it allows them to draw clicks/reactions," Lensen said.News organisations are also still being caught out by AI falsehoods despite their best efforts.A story earlier this month that was picked up by media worldwide featured a manipulated video of a Chinese paraglider covered in ice after supposedly being sucked into the upper atmosphere.RNZ partner the Australian Broadcasting Corporation was one of those and posted a note explaining why they removed the story."It is difficult" to catch some things now, James said."We live in a time of instant news."Journalists are no longer just competing with other journalists but also with influencers, agitators, and commentators on social media. They can afford to be wrong, but journalists have to be more careful. Our reputation is everything." - RNZ

A free new online tool to help local people and groups access funding has been launched by the Waitaki District Council.The Waitaki Grant Finder provides access to $3.4 billion in available grants nationwide, in an effort to make it easier for businesses, community groups, not-for-profits and individuals to find funding opportunities.Leanne Kingan, who has been appointed to the newly created role of Grants and Funding officer, is also available to support people with advice and application development.“We’re here to make it easier to access funding and maximise the benefit to our district,” she says.“The feedback from early test users has been great - it’s easy to navigate, saves time, and helps people get grant-ready.”Locals interested in exploring funding opportunities are encouraged to visit the council website and take a look at the Waitaki Grant Finder.People can search for funding by keyword or topic – whether for a startup, project, business expansion or community initiative, Community and Economic Development manager Melanie Jones says.“This is about helping our district thrive.“We know the funding landscape is tougher than ever. This tool saves time, simplifies the process, and ensures no opportunity is missed.”The Grant Finder is part of the council’s wider transformation journey to make services more accessible, proactive and community-focused, council chief executive Alex Parmley says.“Instead of community groups approaching council for funding, we can support them to find funding elsewhere. This transformational change also opens up funding opportunities for businesses, growing our local economy,” he says.For more information, or for help accessing with using the Grant Finder, people can contact Leanne Kingan on email: [email protected]

When Ōamaru woman Karen* was considering joining the Buddy Programme, she remembered the adults who took her “under their wing” as she was growing up.“Which inspired me to do the same,” she says.The Family Works Buddy Programme is a mentoring programme where an adult “buddy” and a child between the ages of five and twelve are matched together and meet for two to three hours a week.Karen has been Rachel’s* buddy for two years now, and the relationship has developed over that time.“When she first came, she would be all ‘look at me’ . . . now she comes and feels safe and part of the home, interested in the things around her, in the garden, and interested in my family.”She enjoys the “genuine relationship and trust” that has developed between her and Rachel. Karen supports Rachel to follow her dreams and explore different things beyond what her normal life offers.“We have our dreams and ambitions in our scrapbook. She has quite a few dreams.“Not all children have the same opportunities, for many different reasons. Being part of a child’s life is very rewarding - watching them grow and achieve their goals.”Rachel brings joy to the home, Karen says.“The relationship builds over time . . . there are small difficulties, but it’s a journey.”Ongoing communication, “being there, being real and being loyal” are all important, she says.“Walking over that bridge together.”The programme has been running in North Otago for almost 30 years, says Buddy Programme coordinator Christine Moffat.Children are referred to the programme for various reasons.“It may be because possibly they come from a large family, or they may have a sibling with a disability . . . it would just be a child who just needs that extra one-on-one time with a trusted adult,” Christine says.Christine is on the hunt for some more adult buddies. She has a waiting list of children, and says it is a small commitment from an adult that can make a huge difference to a child’s life.The buddies spend two to three hours a week, or even a fortnight, together, doing low or no-cost activities.“First of all [the adults] come and see me, we do a police check and then we get references and they do a day's training. It's not difficult, it's quite interactive, and I suppose you would say just commonsense stuff really,” she says.A lot of effort goes into matching a child to the right buddy, Christine says.“So when I'm matching a child with an adult, I'm thinking about the personality of the adult buddy and the child and the interests that they both have and whether I think they're going to gel together.”The adult buddy has some say about the age and gender of the child, although men are only matched with boys.Over the years the local programme has been running, there have been numerous success stories, Christine says. “Just the difference that two to three hours a week, or a fortnight, can make.“We've seen lots of positive things come out of just having that one-on-one time, regularly, that person comes consistently, and that's another person that they can trust outside of the family.”Christine recommends being a buddy best suits someone who does not have young children who need a lot of time, or their children have grown up.“Lots of people come into the programme as adult buddies, so quite a cross-section - from 25-year-olds, through to some well into their retirement - and they all do it differently, and for different reasons.”Being a buddy can be as rewarding for the adult as it is for the child. Photo: Siggy Nowak from PixabayKaren was encouraged by a friend to take part in the programme, and admits the idea was out of her comfort zone, but the education and support she has received through the programme put her at ease, she says.“There is always support if you have any concerns.” One mother who has children in the programme joined up because her own mother had passed away when she was young.“The love I got from my grandmother, I wanted my children to feel that kind of love, which all three have from their buddies.“The buddy system has been such a blessing for my children,” she says.The North Otago Buddy Programme has 14 matched up buddies currently, and a number of children sitting on the waiting list, Christine says.“So we're always on the lookout for more adult buddies to match up with children, and it really is, it's a really cool thing to do.“Buddies have said to me . . . they didn't realise how much they're going to get out of it, so once they've been in it for a while, they'll come back and say. . . ‘I came into it because I thought that I wanted to give back, but I didn't realise how much I'd get out of it’.”Teething issues can come up as the relationship develops, but the adult buddy is well supported by the team at Family Works, Christine says.“And we can also support the family as well if they're needing support.”After 10 years in the job, Christine says the biggest thing she notices in the children in the buddy programme is an increase in confidence, and willingness to try new things.“They might be introduced to things that they may not otherwise get to do. and that has led on to some young buddies, when they become adults, say, for example becoming a chef or something like that after they've done cooking together with their adult buddies.” Children can be self-referred into the programme by a parent, or any agency in the community can refer them. To find out more about the programme contact Christine on 021 191 6327.*Karen and Rachel are not their real names.

We are hitting the grumpiest time of the year - after Matariki there are no public holidays until October, it's cold and dark and gloomy. How do we keep ourselves feeling okay?By RNZ Digital Journalist Isra'a EmhailWhen New Zealand-born Anna Wirz-Justice headed to London about 50 years ago, she was studying the very thing she was experiencing – seasonal depression.“I just laid under the bed covers and waited for spring, which is not a good idea,” she says, based off the decades of research she has done into Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).Now living in Switzerland, the neurobiologist, who introduced light therapy to treat seasonal depression in Europe, says unusual physiological symptoms differentiate SAD from classic depression.Neurobiologist Anna Wirz-Justice is Professor Emerita at the Centre for Chronobiology, Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Basel in Switzerland. Photo: Supplied / The Daylight Award via RNZRelated stories:Why seasonal affective disorder impacts our mood in winter, and how to treat itThe 'winter blues': Seasonal Affective DisorderDaylight essential for our sleep, health and mood“Depression is a serious disease… There is no emotion. It's not just feeling miserable. It's feeling nothing. You're unable to participate in the joys and troubles of everyday life," Wirz-Justice says.“Winter depression looks like hibernation in hamsters because it's putting on the fat and eating a lot and sleeping a lot to get through these dark, dismal days.”Another clue to SAD is it settles in when daylight becomes shorter, she says.Listen here on Saturday Mornings: Prof Anna Wirz-Justice: Why winter makes us S.A.D.But she says allowing bright light into your eyes early in the morning for about half an hour can work like an antidepressant - no matter whether it’s snowing, foggy, or raining outside.“Whether it's seasonal or not, both can be treated with light. Seasonal depression takes about a week or two. Major depression without the seasonal component requires a few weeks, which is the same as if you're taking antidepressant drugs,” Wirz-Justice says.“Light therapy, as we use it for seasonal depression, is not vitamin D therapy.“[Light] comes through your eyes, the retina, to the biological clock and various regions of the brain involved in sleep and mood. So you don't just go outside and shut your eyes and have a little nap.”Listen here on Nine to Noon: Daylight essential for our sleep, health and moodPeople experiencing symptoms of clinical depression should see a medical practitioner for guidance on light therapy, Wirz-Justice says.“Light affects the brain just like a drug, but it is a non-drug. It has less side effects. You have to be careful of combination with other drugs you might be taking that photosensitise (like St John's Wort).”'It's cost me a fortune in umbrellas'Psychologist Karen Nimmo says playing golf has helped her beat winter blues. Photo: Supplied / Karen Nimmo via RNZPsychologist Karen Nimmo plays golf in the wind and rain.“It’s cost me a fortune in umbrellas! But it forces me to get some fresh air, take a walk and catch up with golf mates — all of which are mood boosters.”She suggests people look to the Scandinavians for some tips on SAD, because their rates are not as high as one would expect for a cold climate.“The famed Danish concept of hygge — warmth, comfort and connection — is worth tapping into. Instead of just gritting your teeth through the cold months, prepare for it intentionally and aim for pleasure."Create small rituals of cosiness — think hot chocolates, glowing candles, thick socks — and stack up the TV series for some binge watching."'You find yourself wading through snow waist-high'Kath Akuhata-Brown (Ngāti Porou) is the director of 2025 film Kōkā. Supplied / Kirsty Griffin via RNZKōkā filmmaker Kath Akuhata-Brown is up before the crack of dawn in the bush for her some of her outdoor shoots, but she relishes the privilege to experience nature in all its glory - and encourages others to do the same.“The depression actually, if I feel any depression, it kicks in when I'm at home and not doing anything.“I went on a shoot in Canada. Standing in the forest, I think it was 15 degrees below zero, snow falling, could hear coyotes howling in the distance. I remember standing there in the dark, looking around, thinking to myself ‘where in any other job would I get to do this?’“Filmmaking is amazing because it pulls you out of yourself, takes you to some interesting places, and there's a level of bravery that comes with that, that you find yourself wading through snow waist-high, going into the forest in a strange country.”'I spend winter being Spider-Man. Literally.'Kids party entertainment company A Couple of Characters founder Jeandre Zwart says his job keeps him upbeat when the skies turn grey. Supplied / Jeandre Zwart via RNZ On most weekends, Jeandre Zwart is dressed up as a superhero or a sparkly disco unicorn for his children’s entertainment hire company - A Couple of Characters - in Auckland.“There’s no time to feel gloomy when every small human you meet screams like you’re the real deal. Their excitement is ridiculously contagious,” Zwart says.“They're hilarious, brutally honest, and totally unfazed by the weather. We could all use a bit more of that energy.”'The cheapest holiday you'll ever have'Comedian and author Sam Smith says wearing bright colours can lift the mood of people around you and in turn yours too. Photo: Supplied / Sam Smith via RNZComedian and author Sam Smith’s tips for surviving the winter blues include watching a series or reading a book you’ve been meaning to, wearing bright colours, and starting to plan for Christmas or your annual leave.“Half the fun of a holiday is in the planning. So go ahead — plan a dream trip in detail: dates, hotels, meals, flights, everything. Then… don’t go. When the dates roll around, you’ll still feel some of the thrill at the time you were meant to be at the top of the Eiffel Tower. It's also the cheapest holiday you’ll ever have.“You can’t fix the world, but you can give yourself a fresh living room by rearranging the furniture and chucking out all that junk that's piled in the corner. Focus on your space, not what's happening on the other side of the world.“Stock up on supplies to get that DIY project underway. Call up the old bandmates to practice some songs for a jam session. Lay the groundwork for future fun.”'A cheerful melody, hearty dumplings, and a few laughs'Pianist Jian Liu says playing music keeps his soul (and fingers) warm. Photo: Supplied / Jian Liu via RNZPianist Jian Liu, who won best classical artist at the Aotearoa Music Awards this year, suggests lifting the mood with the magical tunes of Tchaikovsky or Brahms."It’s hard to feel gloomy when you’re surrounded by beautiful sound — and at the very least, it keeps my fingers warm (and nimble)!"While the weather outside may be gloomy, a cheerful melody, hearty dumplings, and a few laughs with loved ones make everything delightful."The key (pun intended) is balance: music for the soul, food for the body, and warmth from the people who matter most. Everything feels a little brighter when your heart, and your piano, are in the right place."'An endless supply of ways to stay upbeat'Tōtara Hospice specialty nurse Andrea Lawrence with her loyal confidant. Photo: Supplied / Andrea Lawrence via RNZTōtara Hospice specialty nurse Andrea Lawrence leaves works at the door and gets her loved ones to call her by a nickname to help her mentally and emotionally shift gears.“Talking through my day helps and so does spending quiet time with my horse. He’s a loyal confidant who never shares my secrets, quietly carrying the stories I bring home.“My colleagues often tease me for having an endless supply of ways to stay upbeat. I love creating things for others — whether it’s pottery fairy houses, baking birthday cakes, or decorating our workspace.“Each year, I take on something new: learning sign language, organising team walking events, or stirring up a bit of harmless mischief at work. These acts of creativity and joy are more than just hobbies — they’re how I debrief, recharge, and stay cheerful through the challenges of hospice care.”Small but meaningful ritualsTōtara Hospice community networking lead Marleen Tuigamala (centre) with her husband Semisi, children Elijah, Jamison, Eden and Mia, daughter in-laws Eliezer and Whitney, and mokopuna Noah and Apikaira. Photo: Supplied / Marleen Tuigamala via RNZAlso at Tōtara Hospice, Marleen Tuigamala starts the day by reflecting on everything she's grateful for - even if it's her daily coffee fix - and says a karakia before stepping into work. She is in charge of managing the cultural and spiritual team and the Palliative Outcomes Initiative team."At the end of each workday, I take a moment in my car to remove my Tōtara Hospice lanyard and ID. It’s a small but meaningful ritual that marks the shift from professional to personal life, reminding me to return home as a wife, daughter, mother, and grandmother."My long drive home gives me time to reflect, listen to uplifting music or podcasts, and simply recharge."'I roll out of bed like a superhero'Penelope Brown says striking a superhero pose can lift your spirits. Photo: Supplied / Penelope Brown via RNZLaughter yoga leader Penelope Brown, based in Motueka, says Kiwis are often fixated on being cheerful, but feelings, even downtrodden ones, can be a doorway to healing.“To balance the blues, I move and PLAY! Anything that gets endorphins flowing. Sometimes I roll out of bed like a superhero and strike a Wonder Woman pose. Or, I raise my arms in the air in a silent cheer of triumph like I’ve just won the lottery! I have! I’m alive! Why walk, when you can dance or roll giggling down the hallway?“These playful shifts can lift your spirits more than you think. Include others in a sock wrestle. First one to get the sock off the others foot is the winner! All of these ideas can be adapted for people with limited movement.”'I remind myself that nothing in nature blooms all year'Mindset and behaviour change coach Bex Bell, of Remix Coaching and Consulting. Supplied / Bex Bell via RNZMindset and behaviour change coach Bex Bell, of Remix Coaching and Consulting in Blenheim, says she goes with the flow of that low energy instead of fighting it.“When I feel the winter blues creeping in, I’ve stopped trying to ‘fix’ my mood. Instead, I name it: ‘Ah, I see what’s happening here. It’s a low-energy kind of day’. That small act of noticing softens the resistance. I let the feelings be there without beating myself up.“Then I check in with what matters. Even if I feel flat or sluggish, can I still show up as someone who’s kind? Brave? Connected?“And most of all, I remind myself that nothing in nature blooms all year. We’re not meant to either. It’s okay to have slower, quieter seasons.” - RNZ

A Waitaki start-up is gaining national attention following a double win at Mystery Creek Fieldays 2025.North Otago man Daniel Carson says he was “a bit emotional” when his company’s meat snack Mīti was named both the Early Stage Innovation Award winner and the People’s Choice Award winner last week.Fieldays is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest agricultural trade show, held in June every year. This year, it attracted 1200 exhibitors and more than 110,000 visitors, organisers say.Alps2Ocean Foods Tapui Ltd was one of 63 entrants in the Innovation Awards, which Daniel attended with his co-founder and food technologist, Dr Lily Liu.They were excited when Mīti was named one of the top five finalists, and even more surprised to win, he says.“It’s an incredible honour, especially knowing how many innovative technology ventures are out here trying to make a difference . . . and on the surface we're a meat snack.”Daniel is grateful to the award judges who, through interviews and the information in his Fieldays application, saw the science-backed benefits behind Mīti's smokey kānuka and honey beef bites. The prize is $15,000 cash, and $7,000 worth of product development and delivery services. The People's Choice Award was $2,000.“It’s the kind of boost that makes you feel like, yeah… we’re on the right track," he says.“The whole value-chain innovation, the low-carbon science, the opportunity for New Zealand Inc. with a unique sort of stock class, and I suppose this approach of looking at red meat as a functional food and as an ingredient you can incorporate with other functional ingredients to produce some pretty special things.” Head judge Shane Dooley says Mīti provides a game-changing solution, transforming bobby calf waste from the dairy industry into a high-value, low-carbon protein product.“By addressing a long-standing social license challenge, they're helping reshape the wellbeing narrative around calf management in New Zealand.”Mīti creates value from waste, reduces emissions, and offers a commercially viable path forward for a more circular and ethical agri-food sector, he says.Daniel says Mīti was never just about trying to insert New Zealand as a player in the multi-billion dollar world of meat snacks - it was about “fixing a broken bit of the system” and giving bobby calves a life beyond four days old.“We figured if we could turn that into something good that people actually want to eat, that farmers are proud of, and that holds up in export markets, then we were onto something.”Daniel came up with the concept of Mīti almost four years ago, as a potential solution for the non-replacement calf issue in the dairy industry, where most bull calves are killed almost straight away.His theory was that if the calves are raised on grass over the spring and summer months, they do not require surplus feed, and the “feed conversion efficiency” means they are easier on the environment.The results of an AgReseach study Daniel commissioned were released late last year confirming this, and proving dairy-derived beef raised to 10-18 months has a carbon footprint up to 48% lower than the average for mixed beef cattle in New Zealand.From Mīti’s initial appearance at Fieldays two years ago, with samples in the prototype category, it is now being sold online as a shelf-stable protein snack. Further research is now going into creating new flavours, the possibility of using different proteins and functional ingredients. “It’s been a big ride,” Daniel says.“We’ve had some tough patches, especially financially, but we know it can work - we just have to stick at it.”Next steps for the company are figuring out how to scale up production in New Zealand without sacrificing values.The first round of production was partially funded through crowdfunding platform PledgeMe and took place at Auckland’s Food Innovation Network (The Food Bowl).High costs and unavailability of the necessary equipment mean this will not be a viable option for the next production run.“We’re going to need to raise capital later this year - mainly so we can keep manufacturing in Aotearoa, which has always been a core part of the vision.”“It’s about more than just growing a brand. It’s about showing you can take a waste stream and turn it into value here at home - backing the farmers, creating jobs in the regions and keeping the benefits in communities,” Daniel says.

When Chris and Grace Rottenberry opened Riviera Cinema Ōamaru, almost exactly a year ago, a third screen was not part of the script.The movie industry was still in recovery from Covid, and Chris says with the schedule of films available, they thought they’d only be able to sustain two theatres.“And then after opening, we dabbled a little bit. We did a French film, we did some arthouse stuff, and it all did really well.“So we thought, with the release schedule ramping up to pre-Covid levels this year, from about now, that we needed the third screen because there was too much content and Ōamaru likes a bit of everything.”So, plot twist, in January the decision was made to run three screens, with a target opening date of June 19. “And we have met the target, which is nice,” Chris says.The couple have done most of the hard work bringing the room up to scratch themselves, and the past few nights haven’t been in bed much before 3am while they get everything done.The theatre seats 42, with 36 individual chairs and three, two-seater couches.They have replaced everything in the original theatre, except the curtains and the red carpet.“The bits of the red carpet you see is the original carpet, but everything else used to all just be wood. So we gutted everything and we carpeted ourselves,” Chris says.“We put the chairs together ourselves and did all the painting with the help of our landlord. And we ripped down the old screen frame and rebuilt it all.Only the new electrics were left to the experts.Chris says the demand for a third screen is not only a good sign for cinema in Ōamaru, but also for New Zealand.“Or really, worldwide. It's bouncing back, which is great. It's a good mixture of original and sequel content.”Three screens offer much more flexibility, and outside of the school holidays, the business will be able to offer around 80 to 90 sessions a week.“And then in the school holidays, who knows, there will be over a hundred.”The Rottenberrys haven’t had a chance to stop and think how they’ll celebrate opening night of screen number three, but it is appropriate that the first screening is Cleo from 5 to 7, an arthouse film for the local film society.“The film society night will be sort of the grand opening,” Chris says. “We have a really good partnership with them. The first public screening is on Matariki (June 20).“Sony's given us a week-early screening of Karate Kid Legends, so that’s very nice of them. We told them we'd open it to the public with their film, so they’re pretty happy.”As for first birthday celebrations, the pair say watch this space.“We’re not just sure yet, it’s probably along the lines of very cheap tickets, so keep an eye out for that.”

As the Matariki public holiday approaches, the Waitaki community can take their pick from a number of events, to help celebrate the Māori New Year.Matariki is one of the brightest star clusters in the sky, only visible in the early morning during mid-winter in Aotearoa New Zealand.Its appearance signifies the Tangaroa period of Piripi, when the moon is waning and moving towards a new moon, in the first month of the Māori lunar calendar (June or July). It also means the celebration of the Māori New Year, and since 2022, has been marked by a public holiday.Matariki is seen as a time for reflection and renewal. Remembering those who have passed and preparing for the future.Welcoming Communities - Te Waharoa ki ngā Hapori co-ordinator Ana Tangaroa says the group has organised a Matariki Hautapu, with the help of Stronger Waitaki and Te Hā o Maru Health, at Makotukutuku (Cape Wanbrow) this Friday (June 20) at 6.30am, followed by kai at the Ōamaru Fire Station at 7.30am.The Hautapu is a ceremony held at dawn to honour those who have passed, give thanks for abundance and the harvest and set intentions for the year ahead, she says.Ana is working with Mani Malloy-Sharplin of Te Hā o Maru to make this year’s event happen. She says last year, a celebration was run with Waitaki Multicultural group.“We've actually done Matariki with them the last couple of years, and last year we managed to get him involved to do a hangi. And so that was at the Migrants Meet and Share that they have every month, and so that was their Matariki celebration.”The significance of the Hautapu ceremony is that four out of nine of the stars represent different food groups, “and so this is our way of showing gratitude and appreciation for the year's harvest”, Ana says.“And, of course, to bring in the Māori New Year.”The ceremony begins with a karikia and karanga, and acknowledging Pōhutukawa (the star which represents those who have passed in the last year. “Once we acknowledge our loved ones who have passed, we then offer food to the stars . . . we have food cooking during the ceremony, and once we've honoured our loved ones, that is when we honour the other stars and unveil some cooked food and then the steam rises up and that's our offering to them,” Ana says.There will then be a waiata to end, before local astronomer Damien McNamara shares his knowledge on the stars, and the Matariki cluster.“So we’re very lucky to have him available for that … because he has one of those massive lasers where you can actually point to stars, so we know which ones he's talking about,” Ana says.Damien will be offering his expertise at another Matariki event organised by Ōamaru Library at Makotukutuku (Cape Wanbrow) on Thursday morning at 6.30am.The frosty mornings across Waitaki this week have presented the perfect opportunity for stargazing, and Ana hopes the clear skies will hold for Friday.“Once Damien's given his kōrero, we will head down to the fire station for a Matariki-style meal, which will represent the four food groups of the stars.” Tupuānuku is associated with the food grown in the ground, and Tupuārangi with the food grown above the ground and from the sky, including birds.Waiti represents all freshwater and the living creatures in the rivers, streams and lakes, and Waitā is associated with the ocean and all the types of food it provides.“Which is traditionally, they were the main food groups that our ancestors would harvest,” Ana says.“So when I say Matariki-style breakfast, they'll be representing those food groups.”The food is being provided with help from Stronger Waitaki, Waitaki Multicultural and Te Hā o MaruThe public is invited to attend the morning ceremony and share the kai. Ana says they are expecting to cater for around 300 people.As well as the two dawn ceremonies, other events being held in the district include a colouring competition and scavenger hunt organisd by the library. Toddler Storytime on Thursday at 10.30am will have a Matariki theme, with singing and a special Matariki haka.There is also an evening whānau storytime for all ages tonight (Wednesday) at the library. People are encouraged to come in their PJs or snuggly clothes and bring their favourite pillow or blanket to listen to stories by lantern light.“Stories will be told, songs will be sung, supper will be served,” the library says.There is also a new Matariki Waitaki Storybook Trail in place along Ōamaru Harbour to help get the kids out and about over the long weekend. 

Narrowing down to just 10 shows was no easy task, this could have easily been a Top 20 list without breaking a sweat. Nevertheless, hard decisions had to be made. So here are the 10 shows we consider the best of the year so far.By RNZ contributor Karl PuschmannThe first half of 2025 came out firing, delivering a consistently impressive line-up of television.Returning faves didn’t disappoint, like the dependably disturbing Black Mirror (Netflix), the surreally mindbending Severance (Apple TV+) and the religious irreverence of The Righteous Gemstones (Neon).A wave of new standouts also debuted to dominate watercooler conversations, including the sharp crime-dramedy Your Friends and Neighbours (Apple TV+), the raw, devastating drama Adolescence (Netflix) and the sweat-inducing intensity of hospital drama The Pitt (Neon). Related stories:The top 10 TV shows we're excited for in 2025The top TV shows of 2024The Pitt is the hardest day at work I never hadThe RehearsalNothing can prepare you for the surreal, nightmarish rabbit hole that comedian Nathan Fielder drops you into in the second season of his… well, I’m not even sure what to call this show anymore. Comedy, maybe? It’s certainly very funny, providing you can stomach its near-unbearable levels of cringe and appreciate its extreme absurdism.Ostensibly, it’s about the hilarious topic of *checks notes* aviation safety, but that’s merely the runway for Fielder to launch into a singular work of mind-blowing genius.Watch: NeonMarried At First Sight AustraliaTears! Tantrums! Betrayals! Fights! Love? Er… not so much. But what this controversial season of MAFS Au lacked in happily-ever-afters, it made up for with genuinely jaw-dropping behaviours that swung wildly between wackadoo bananas and deeply concerning.Still, it all made for unmissable car-crash television. Now, when’s the announcement for a new season of MAFS NZ?Watch: ThreeNowThe StudioSeth Rogen’s heartfelt homage to Hollywood is, hands down, one of the most hilarious shows of 2025 so far. Taking you behind the scenes of a failing movie studio, The Studio is consistently laugh-out-loud funny as Rogen’s clueless executive struggles to balance his passion for cinema with the board’s desire for money. With its A-List cast and blockbuster cameos, it all culminates in a double-episode finale that’s destined to become a comedy classic.Watch: Apple TV+Choir GamesThis uplifting docu-series from award-winning director Leanne Pooley takes you inside the World Choir Games. The competition saw about 250 choirs from 42 countries descend on Spark Arena when the event was held in Auckland last year.Listen on Saturday Morning: Choir Games captured on film: Leanne PooleyThe series follows two of these, New York’s prestigious Young People’s Chorus and Kaitāia’s amateur-yet-big-hearted Community Voices Choir as they prepare to sing their hearts out on the world’s stage. Joyful, deeply moving, and worth singing about.Watch: NeonMobLandDirector Guy Ritchie and star Tom Hardy come out guns blazing in this geezer-gangster drama, which follows Hardy’s fixer as he tries to clean up the bloody chaos left behind by the Irish mob family he works for.With its escalating tension, bloody gang violence, an increasingly unhinged performance from former-007 Pierce Brosnan and a delightfully wicked turn from screen legend Helen Mirren, MobLand left us hooked. A guilty pleasure, perhaps, but a pleasure nonetheless.Watch: Prime VideoHappinessThis local musical comedy is a real showstopper. Starring Rebecca Gibney and Shortland Street’s Harry McNaughton, the series follows a theatre troupe in Tauranga as they go about staging a musical under the direction of Charlie, a former stage prodigy and failed New York director who’s reluctantly returned home to the Bay. The songs are pitch-perfect, and the cheerful series hits a perfect tone of humour and heart that’s enough to win over even the most musical-averse viewer.Watch: ThreeNowThe White LotusSatirical dramedy The White Lotus took an even darker turn in this third season as a new crop of wealthy guests check into the Thailand branch of the titular resort, only for their holidays to quickly spiral into the abyss of human depravity.It’s all brilliantly disturbed, and by its final episode, the tension becomes excruciating as multiple plots collide and death once again casts its black shadow over paradise. Bonus points awarded for Sam Rockwell’s unravelling and twisted monologue.Watch: NeonThe Four SeasonsMidlife crises hit hard in Tina Fey’s keenly observed dramedy about three married couples navigating their early-50s. Set over a life-changing year, the eight-part series follows the couples as they take seasonal holidays together, exchange witty repartee and try to stay afloat in the increasingly choppy waters of their relationships.It’s a talky, smartly funny, occasionally absurd look into the complexities of middle-aged malaise that doesn’t discount the beating heart of long-term love.Watch: NetflixAndorThe quality of Star Wars shows has been as wildly inconsistent as a stormtrooper’s aim in recent years. For every hit like The Mandalorian, there’s been a miss, like the third season of The Mandalorian. Fans had been holding out hope that the second season of acclaimed espionage-thriller Andor wouldn’t be corrupted by the dark side. Thankfully, it wasn’t.The slow-burning series erupts from its world of murky greys and morality into full-blown rebellion to deliver the sort of Star Wars story fans have been hoping for.Watch: Disney+Don’tThis funny and insightful doco-series sees comedian Bubbah tackling the big questions facing those nearing the big 3-0 in Aotearoa. Across three episodes, she weighs the pros and cons of marriage, home ownership and parenting, discussing these life-changing topics with fellow comedians, qualified experts and people she bumps into on the street in her quest for definitive answers to life’s most unanswerable quandaries. The kind you can only ever figure out by doing. Or, I guess, don’t-ing.Watch: TVNZ+ - RNZ

Gabrielle Roney is excited to be back doing what she loves.With 22 years’ experience as a hairdresser, Gabby is officially back in business with Gabrielle Roney Hair, at 2a Harbour Street.The Ōamaru-born mum of two closed her previous Tees Street business, Estella Hair Studio, to have her first daughter Vida almost five years ago. Her youngest Olive is three, and Gabby has decided the time is right to have her own studio again. She sees it as a chance to challenge herself.“I sort of wanted to do this all on my own a little bit. “I had to prove to myself after being away, having the kids and stuff, that I could kind of scare myself a little bit again, because it's different this time round, there's people relying on me a little bit more.”The space is smaller and more intimate than Estella, which suits Gabby, whose clients have become friends.“It’s quite one-on-one at times,” she says.The Harbour Street premises is owned by the Whitestone Civic Trust, and while Estella was also based in an older building, it was not heritage-listed, which added an extra dimension to the process of getting the business up and running this time.“I’ve never been shy of a building with a bit of character in it, so it appealed when this space came up for lease,” Gabby says. But she “underestimated” the things she would have to do out of town, which meant it took her longer than she planned to get her doors open.“In terms of getting an understanding for the fact that the resource consent had to go through Heritage New Zealand . . . but I love that, because they want to know that what this person's doing is beneficial for the building, and okay for the building.”The Civic Trust was very patient going through everything with her, she says."Because obviously there's just wee things that we have to kind of tick off and do.”Now that she is up and running, it feels “really good” to be part of the street, and surrounded by a lot of other creatives, and people “doing really good things”. Gabby grew up in Ōamaru, and moved to Dunedin when she began her hairdressing apprenticeship and started work. After travelling overseas, she moved back home for “all the things that matter when you get a little bit older”.Having been out of the industry for a few years, Gabby is clear on how she wants her business to operate this time around, for herself and her clients.“I really know what I want now, and am really focused on the people. You know, it's all about the people.”While the equipment she uses is important too, it’s just an “add-on extra” towards helping make people feel good.Now that she’s facing the public again and re-connecting with past clients, Gabby realises how much she missed knowing what is going on in people’s lives, when she was at home “mumming”.“I'm looking forward to catching up again with people and chatting about their kids now they're older . . . it's actually really beautiful.”With young children Gabby no longer has the ability to carve out massive days and “work, work, work”, she says.She is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and occasionally Saturdays by appointment, and is looking forward to meeting new clients, as well as welcoming back old ones.“I've been touching base with people popping up that I haven't seen for four years or so, and feels like a privilege.”Gabby stocks Kevin Murphy and Davroe haircare products, which are both Australian brands, and “very gentle and safe”, she says.

16 out of the 20 popular sunscreens tested didn't meet the mark, including one that was wildly out of reach.By RNZ Reporter Nicky ParkA new study has found more than half of sunscreens tested didn't reach their SPF claims, including one marked SPF50+ that only clocks an SPF of 4.Australian consumer group Choice took a close look at household sunscreens, including many available in New Zealand, and found that 16 out of the 20 tested didn't meet the mark.While most still provided moderate or high SPF protection, one product – Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF50+ Mattifying Zinc Sunscreen – only returned an SPF of 4.A screenshot of Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF50+ Mattifying Zinc Sunscreen which returned an SPF of 4 in the latest Australian Choice study. Photo: ScreenshotRelated stories:Are all sunscreens created equal?Homemade sunscreen on TikTok? Give me all the chemicalsSunscreen in winter urged as study reveals flaws in UV adviceChoice tested the sunscreen again at a second lab to confirm this result and got a similar low SPF of 5. This sunscreen is sold in New Zealand for $58.After testing, Choice contacted manufacturers of the sunscreens with their results.Ultra Violette suggested that "human error" or a "mix-up of samples" was a "highly probable scenario", Choice reported on their website.The manufacturer also said that, given the levels of zinc oxide in its Lean Screen sunscreen, an SPF of 4 was scientifically impossible."We are deeply committed to the health and safety of our customers, rigorously retesting our entire SPF range every two years," Ultra Violette said in a statement to Choice."Lean Screen has been on the market for five years in 29 countries and we have not received a single substantiated claim of sunburn during use – reinforcing our confidence in the testing we have. If the Choice results were at all feasible, we would have had hundreds of cases of reported sunburn and skin damage while using this product in real life situations."Consumer NZ research and test writer Belinda Castles says the results are worrying given these companies’ lack of transparency about when and where their products are tested.“Sunscreens sold in New Zealand are now regulated under the Sunscreen (Product Safety Standard) Act 2022 and must meet the Australian and New Zealand sunscreen standard, which has requirements for independent testing," Castles said in a statement releasing the new data on Thursday."However, when we updated our sunscreens database last year, the companies that market Banana Boat, Bondi Sands, Neutrogena, Nivea and Sun Bum refused to provide this information.” Consumer NZ ran a sunscreen testing programme until 2022. Castles says they had been campaigning for companies to regularly test products to ensure they continue to meet their label claims.“Our sunscreen research found some companies were relying on test results that are several years old. The latest Choice tests back our call.”Invisible Zinc Face + Body Mineral Sunscreen SPF50+ tested at 38 in the Australian test. The company told Consumer NZ this product was last tested in 2017. Woolworths Sunscreen SPF50+ Everyday Lotion tested at 27 in the Australian test. The company told Consumer this product was last tested in 2018. The latest Choice test found Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture Lock SPF50+ and Sun Bum Premium Moisturising Sunscreen Lotion SPF50+ both tested at SPF40.Consumer’s 2021 tests of both these sunscreens also got SPF results in the 40s.SPF is a measure of how effective sunscreen is at protecting your skin from UVB rays. If it takes five minutes of sun exposure for your skin to start burning, applying an SPF 50 sunscreen protects you for 50 times that amount of time – in this case 250 minutes. Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 would protect you – ideally – for 180 minutes.Products tested available in New ZealandSPF results in 50+La Roche-Posay Anthelios Wet Skin Sunscreen SPF 50+ – tested at 72Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Lotion SPF 50 – tested at 56Mecca Cosmetica To Save Body SPF 50+ Hydrating Sunscreen – tested at 51 SPF results in the 40sNivea Sun Kids Ultra Protect and Play Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ – tested at 41Nivea Sun Protect and Moisture Lock SPF 50+ Sunscreen – tested at 40Sun Bum Premium Moisturising Sunscreen Lotion 50+ – tested at 40SPF results in the 30sBanana Boat Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ – tested at 35Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Fragrance Free Sunscreen – tested at 32Invisible Zinc Face + Body Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 – tested at 38SPF results in the 20sBanana Boat Baby Zinc Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ – tested at 28Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Zinc Mineral Body Lotion – tested at 26Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Lotion SPF 50 – tested at 24Woolworths Sunscreen Everyday Tube SPF 50+ – tested at 27 SPF results <10Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen SPF 50+ Mattifying Zinc Skinscreen – tested at 4. - RNZ 

Two South American chefs are coming together later this month to support Ōamaru’s Zonta Club in raising money for the fight against ovarian cancer.Local restaurant Cucina’s Argentinian chef Pablo Tacchini and Queenstown-based Uruguayan chef Federico Scattone of Southern Feugos will combine their skills to cook an asado feast at the home of Windsor couple Grant and Ele Ludemann.Former Waitaki Boys’ High School pupil and television presenter Peter Williams, whose first wife Cecile died of ovarian cancer, will speak at the event.The Ludemanns also have a personal connection to the cause - their daughter Jane founded the Ovarian Cancer Foundation of New Zealand following her own diagnosis in 2017, aged 32.Zonta is an international organisation with the mission of “building a better world for women and girls”.Fundraising committee member Michelle Harrison says fundraising for the cause fits well with Zonta’s values, and one of it's main focuses, which is health.Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cause of female cancer death and deadlier than the other four gynaecological cancers combined, because it is often misdiagnosed or undetected until it is in the later stages. “One of the reasons for that is a lack of research,” Michelle says. “All funds raised at the lunch will go to help support women with the disease and fund research to improve treatment and, ultimately, find a cure.”Fellow committee member Andrea Armstrong says South American chefs are renowned for their method of cooking of red meat and vegetables over outdoor charcoal and wood fires.  “This will be a unique opportunity to enjoy the collaboration by the two chefs, hear from someone with personal experience of the devastating impact of ovarian cancer and support Zonta’s fundraising for a very worthy cause,” Andrea says.The lunch is on Sunday, June 29. For more information or tickets, email [email protected] Fuegos chef Federico Scattone basting an asado. Photo: Supplied/Facebook

Georgia Campbell admits the construction industry might not be every woman’s “cup of tea”, but she loves her job.The Whitestone Contracting Ltd project foreman was recognised last Friday (June 6) in Queenstown, at the Otago Hynds Civil Contractors New Zealand (CCNZ) awards ceremony, winning the Women in Contracting Award.Georgia started working at Whitestone Contracting as a labourer about seven years ago, after finishing school and taking a gap year.She already had her truck driver’s license when she joined Whitestone, and has also been studying as she works, through infrastructure training company Connexis.“The last few years I think I've done four different papers. I’m just keeping studying as I'm going,” she says. Georgia is foreman on civil projects, mainly to do with the three waters, or when things are quiet, she helps out with any roading or overlay jobs that need doing.Her favourite part of the job is working outside in summer.“And definitely the crew,” she says. “We've got a really good civil projects crew. You always have a laugh and have fun. It's not always so serious.”Cold, wet, winter days are definitely the “downside”.The job is “physically demanding”, but she also enjoys that part of it.“I love it, because you can just stay fit, you know. You're walking everywhere or doing something in the trench. So, it is cool for that physical side, but obviously that's not every female's cup of tea.”She has no issues working in a male-dominated industry.“Especially at Whitestone, everyone's so welcoming. “I've never had any issues with any of the guys . . . it's quite a welcoming company to come and work for, and they do look after you.”Whitestone Contracting Ltd Civil Division manager Callan Brash and project foreman and award winner Georgia Campbell with her awards. Photo: Supplied/FacebookGeorgia encourages other girls to consider the industry when they finish at school. She would welcome the female company.“Some days I do miss having females around, but it's generally pretty good.”She was part of a “Girls in Hi-Vis” initiative two years ago, encouraging secondary school girls to try their hand at various jobs within the industry.“It was quite cool to see some of the young high school girls on the diggers; some of them were almost better than I was at that age.”When Georgia began her job, she never saw herself in a foreman role, and her biggest job has been running the Kakanui watermains upgrade project, which took just over a year to complete.She said the experience was “satisfying but stressful”.“But, no, it's good. Especially, you know, I've had a great crew helping out."Georgia’s boss, Civil Division manager Callan Brash says it was fantastic to see Georgia and her work recognised.“Her skill, knowledge, and positive work ethic set a great example for others, and her leadership continues to lift the standards - not just for herself, but for her entire team,” he says.“I’m proud to have Georgia as part of our team and have no doubt that she has a bright and successful future ahead of her.”Another Whitestone Contracting employee, Jonty Comins, was a finalist for Young Contractor of the Year at the awards night, while other teams were nominated for project awards which included various Hanley’s Farm projects at the Jack’s Point development near Queenstown, and for a Kakanui flood mitigation project at Mill Creek.

New hoops, new forms and a different kind of water news: It’s another big week at Waitaki District Council.If you're a food business, a future councillor, a basketball fan or just someone trying to get your building consent through before the next price hike, there's something for you in this week's round-up from Waitaki District Council.Let’s get into it.The new Food Business Levy is on its way, from July 1The Government’s new Food Business Levy kicks in next month, and councils around the country – including ours – are tasked with collecting it on behalf of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).The invoice for $57.50 plus GST for the 2025/2026 year and then rising annually to $115 for 2027/2028, will arrive separately from your regular registration.More info is available on the MPI website, or the setting up a food business' page on the council website.Fast consents are keeping our economy hummingWaitaki is one of the fastest places in the country to get a building consent processed, according to the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ).Using data from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) BRANZ placed Waitaki District Council second equal with Kapiti Coast for fast processing of building consents.In the first quarter of this year, consents were approved, on average, within six working days, only just behind Buller and Carterton (at five days).Council Natural and Built Environment director Roger Cook says the speed isn’t just about numbers.“Getting consents done quickly, and well, allows developers, businesses and homeowners to get things done and boost our local economy."The news comes on the back of extremely positive survey responses, an excellent four-day International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) assessment and the launch of the transformation programme's new online applications process, he says."We knew our building team is one of the best in the country, and we have the stats to prove it."Council HQ gets quieter with a new focus for customer serviceFrom Monday, June 23, if you need to talk to someone at the council about rates, registrations or applications - the Ōamaru Public Library is your new go-to.The Service Centre at the library will now host the customer liaison team six days a week, with longer opening hours than the former setup at council headquarters.Meanwhile, the council building on Thames Street is still the place to go to access property files, and for officer meetings and public workshops.Council customer engagement and experience director Lisa Baillie says there will be "more time, on more days, for people to speak face-to-face with someone at council by using what we’ve already got sensibly".Council also recently launched a one-stop shop of digital forms, meaning the community can apply for everything from alcohol licenses to water connections online, with new online forms being added every week.Chief executive Alex Parmley says transformation is about making the organisation leaner and more cost-effective, "whilst improving access and our level of customer service".Council’s digital application forms can be found here:Aqualand is coming to town (and bringing its inflatables)On the middle weekend of the school holidays (July 5 and 6) the main pool at Waitaki Aquatic Centre will transform into a massive indoor inflatable water park, thanks to a school holiday visit from Aqualand NZ.Tickets are already on sale, and with sessions running from 10am to 4pm both days, it's expected to be a sell-out.Children must be six years or older and able to swim. Under-10s need a supervising adult, and lifejackets are included.While the main pool will be all about obstacle course chaos, the children's pool and spa will stay open as usual for those after a more relaxing experience.Ever thought of running for council?If you’ve got ideas, opinions and a desire to help shape the future of the district, now’s the time to consider stepping up.Waitaki District Council, Otago Regional Council and the Oamaru Licensing Trust are co-hosting a Candidates Information Evening at the Oamaru Opera House next Tuesday (17 June) at 5.30pm.There’ll be info from Elections NZ, an introduction from Alex Parmley, and a chance to ask questions about what it really takes to serve as an elected representative.Local elections are coming in October, with nominations opening 4 July.Whether you’re aiming for the mayor’s seat, a community board or just want to learn more, the information evening is a great place to start.Backboard boost at the steampunk playgroundOamaru’s steampunk playground half-court just scored big - quite literally.Waitaki District Council won a nationwide competition run by Basketball NZ and Schick, landing a brand new hoop and backboard for the town’s basketball lovers.The old setup is already gone, and contractors Green By Nature have been busy getting the new gear in place.Council Sport and Leisure manager Matthew Lanyon says the win wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Sport Waitaki and Basketball Otago.“These community organisations really do a lot to make sure Waitakians have great sporting options, and inspire the athletes of the future,” he says.If you’re keen to stay in the loop, you can sign up for alerts or follow Waitaki District Council on Facebook for updates, consultations and the occasional spirited comments thread.And if you’ve got your eye on a seat at the council table this October, now’s the time to start practising your decision-making face.

When Andrew Dunn’s father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, his family struggled to know where to go for information and support.His experiences during this difficult time ultimately led to him co-founding Parkinson’s New Zealand in 1983, with the goal of providing people affected by the disease with high-quality information, education and support.The group was initially 25 separate societies, and is now one large charitable trust, he says.Andrew was last year named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King’s Birthday Honours, for his services to people with the neurodegenerative disease.He was living in Wellington when the group was started, and moved south to Ōamaru in 2008, where he continues to dedicate himself to the cause, now as chairperson of the Red Tulip Action Group for Otago.It is estimated around 12,000 people in New Zealand are living with Parkinson’s, a number which is expected to double in the next 20 years.The condition is caused by the loss and degeneration of nerve cells which produce dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is important for the regulation of movement, and the loss of it results in slowed movements and tremors.Other symptoms are changes in mood and cognition, low blood pressure and interrupted sleep.Andrew says sometimes on receiving a Parkinson’s diagnosis, people will give up the things they love doing, which is the opposite of how they should respond, and can make the condition worse.“So the two big things you need to do when you get Parkinson's is get your head around it, and get your hand around an exercise programme.“Whichever state you're in. If you don't exercise, you need to start at some point,” he says.Exercise is crucial for people with Parkinson’s as it significantly improves their quality of life and can slow progression.Tulips are a symbol for Parkinson’s, the same way the daffodil is for cancer, he says. And an initiative to sell red wooden tulips as a fundraiser is a way to keep the issue front of mind.Andrew says the idea of selling tulips began in Tauranga a few years ago and has now spread nationwide.In Ōamaru, the flowers are made voluntarily by Waitaki Woodturners, and distributed across Otago. Parkinson’s New Zealand provides the paint.They have become both a fundraiser and a conversation starter, he says.“So, if I go down to the market on Sunday morning, I will take a bunch of these (tulips) and put them in a vase. It's a talking point.“Parkinson's can be a difficult thing to talk about. You can see it, the tremor and so on, but it's not an easy thing to talk about because it's a progressive, degenerative, neurological disorder, and so it can be hard for carers to get their head around that, but they're doing their best.”The initiative works, he says, and the tulips, which sell for $5, have raised more than $1200 for the Otago area so far.“People don't usually buy just one. It’s ‘oh this would look good in a vase, I'll take three, I'll take five’ and away they go.”Following a Parkinson’s diagnosis, support networks are important, along with social interactions and exercise.The money raised by the group goes towards providing home visits from educators, phone and video support, advice, advocacy, and social activities, among other things.While November is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, the tulips are available year round.“These guys are making them all the time,” Andrew says. “And they just give me a ring every couple of months and say ‘we've done some more’.”He admits there are only so many wooden tulips people need, so he tries to promote them every now and then, rather than all the time.“You can get to a saturation point with the people that know about them. I mean, how many vases do you need? I get that.”There are about 25-30 people with Parkinson’s in the Waitaki, and about 40 in the wider group here.Andrew says his father was a minister, and diagnosed in his fifties. He retired early, due to head tremors.  “This is back in the eighties and . . . his doctor didn't know much about it. And the health department that I wrote to didn't. I was about 30.”“There wasn't much in the way of information, so I met up with a guy and said: ‘What's going on? We need a support group for this. So we started one there, and then it grew over the years. “We did a pilot, ran a pilot scheme for, we called them field officers back then. Now they call them educators.”Educators began as nurses, but the costs added up, and so the title changed and any “health professional with some knowledge and understanding and community spirit” could put their hand up to help, Andrew says.Waitaki did have two educators, but is now down to one, who is Timaru based. Funding is becoming harder and harder to come by, Andrew says.Parkinson’s New Zealand, which relies on grants, bequests and individual donations, missed out on a Lotteries Commission grant this year, for the first time. It is in the process of applying for Ministry of Health funding to supply more educators.“So there's just less money going around . . . educators are not being replaced when they phase out,” he says.If people are interested in buying a red tulip (or three) or making a donation to the Parkinsons Trust they can contact Andrew on 0274 658 733.

Hotly-tipped Wanaka rockers have played in town before, supporting The Feelers at the Ōamaru Club in 2022. Now they're back, headlining, and if you like rock music, you should probably go. Here's why:1. You might not catch them in a venue this small again, because Powder Chutes look like they're headed for bigger rooms. It's entirely possible that, in years to come, you'll tell people you were there, and they may not believe you.2. Don't believe us? Then check in with Johnny Stevens, frontman of American rockers Highly Suspect, who loves them. "Everybody wake up," enthuses Johnny. "These boys have got the sauce!" So much so, that when Highly Suspect headlined Auckland's massive Spark Arena late last year, they brought Powder Chutes on stage to play with them.3. Another band who loves them? NZ's biggest metal band, Alien Weaponry, who declared the Powder Chutes song Scalpel as the winner of the inaugural AJ Hackett Bungy Thrash More contest in 2023. More recently, Alien Weaponry bassist Turanga Morgan Edmonds described Powder Chutes as "a super dope young band that’s keeping punk and hard rock alive”.4. People abroad are paying attention. The band's Moth To The Flame single was playlisted on a radio station in Scotland, while the UK's Classic Rock Magazine described the song as sounding like Pearl Jam, Tool and Velvet Revolver... at the same time!5. Locals are, too. Moths To The Flame hit the Top 10 NZ Singles Chart and was among the 40 most-played rock songs on New Zealand radio for eight weeks. The album hit the Official Top 20 Aotearoa Albums at No.4 and the Official Top 40 Albums at No.22. Not bad for a band of teenagers!6. The band's debut album has received widespread praise. Music NZ describes the band as possessing "a swagger and confidence that oozes through from their songs". 1964 magazine says it is "a bundle of joyous grunge-infused angst that simultaneously looks forwards and back”. NZ Musician says: "There is not a single song on this album that doesn’t have an absolutely ripping riff and catchy lyrics”. Classic Rock Magazine calls it "a debut album so packed with riffs, it’s a miracle there are any left for others”, while pop culture site Empty Spaces describes the album as "a thunderous, tightly-wound collection of riffs, hooks, and heart, bursting with purpose and confidence".7. That album has local connections, having been recorded up the Waitaki Valley at the much-loved Sublime Studios in Kurow.8. It promises to be a good night. In addition to Powder Chutes, there'll be support from Timaru desert rockers Wild Eyed Empress, who recently competed in the South Island final of the Battle Of The Bands 2025 National Championship, and Slöer, who reportedly sound a bit like Portishead, but they've got an umlaut in their name, so they must be good.9. The bar at the Penguin Club will be selling reasonably-priced alcohol, but it's an all-ages show. So if you know a youngster who's learning to play and might be inspired by Powder Chutes – who are all great players – then bring them along. "Everyone is welcome," say the band, "from the rugrats to the blue rinses and grey beards!"10. The band would very much like you to be there. "We’re coming to the end of a 15-date national tour," they say. "Many shows have either sold out, or been packed, and Ōamaru, you’re the last. The finale. The conclusion. The joyous musical climax of the tour! We can’t promise you a good time… but we can promise you that we’ll have a good time, and that we’ll give it everything we’ve got to bring you along with us."Powder Chutes play the Penguin Club on Saturday (June 14). Tickets are available in advance from Under The Radar.

You’re familiar with the motivational adage “Live, laugh, love”, what about “Learn, laugh, live”?It’s the motto of the University of the Third Age, or U3A: a community where curiosity, connection, and culture don't retire with age.For Ōamaru member Heather Brown, U3A might just be the best-kept secret in lifelong learning.Heather’s U3A journey began back home in England.“My uncle in Britain belonged to U3A and really enjoyed it. And when I came here and semi-retired, I thought, I wanna carry on learning, that's what I wanna do. That's how I joined up.”The “Third Age” refers to the third stage of life, the post-work period, the golden years, Heather says.It offers the opportunity for new experiences and pursuits.“It provides members a chance to re-discover past passions or new interests and activities in an informal and friendly atmosphere.“We are a group that likes to listen to speakers and we're a group of inquiring minds, who want to continue learning, but not necessarily through to some kind of certification or recognition.“The university part of the University of Third Age is a bit misleading. You don't have to have been to university to come along to us.And the third age just means we are mature learners.” Heather says.The group of about 30 members meets weekly during term time and considers a wide range of subjects according to the specialism of the invited speaker.Speakers are “very diverse”, and it's a big job finding the right ones who are willing to speak in front of an audience, she says.“We have a programme for the first three weeks of the term, [with] our speakers, and then the fourth week is something else - it might be a quiz, it might be people talking about their own experiences within house - and then we carry on with another three speakers in the next three weeks.”Examples of previous speakers who have educated the group include international figures from Antarctica to Zimbabwe—a true A-Z of learning.The general manager of the Victoria Falls Hotel in Zimbabwe, has been a speaker, Heather says.“We've had a cancer specialist come and talk to us about genome sequencing when we all had COVID; we've had someone talking about their trip from Ramsgate in England on a bicycle to Budapest - 2000 kilometers on a push bike, two of them.We've had someone come and talk about his year in Antarctica.”For local U3A members, variety is the spice of life. Artificial intelligence and the career of a nun have also been memorable learning highlights.The most recent speaker to impart his expertise is local specialist Andrew Killick from Silenzio Pottery, “coming to talk about his potting and all his things”.Heather says U3A is for anyone.“Everyone can come along as long as they have an inquiring mind.“If they want to continue learning, if they want to continue challenging their own mind, this is a fantastic group. It's very supportive and very friendly.“It's very open and some of the subjects are very challenging. And that's exactly why it was set up, to continue that challenge of learning for life.”Members never know what they might learn, and it gives them something to think about when they leave, she says.“There are no essays to write, no tests.”All that’s required to attend is an open mind and sense of humor.Meetings are held at St John’s Hall on Exe Street, on Tuesday afternoons, with doors opening at 1.50pm for the speaker to begin at 2pm.“There is a cup of tea in the middle, and there's always challenging questions for the speakers.”As a lifelong learner, Heather’s takeaway as a local U3A member is you never know what you will find interesting.“The speaker might, on paper, look quite dry. It might look a bit weird.“We had a balloon lady come once and she went to conventions all over the world and it was amazing.“I'd thought, oh, I'm not sure about that one, but you never know what you're gonna get.”Consider this your invitation to be part of a vibrant learning community because even if it’s your third age, the learning never stops.For people aged around 55-plus, who are interested in joining the U3A Ōamaru, contact Catherine on 021 687 637 or Pat on 027 479 1725.

~ Opinion ~The jobs our kids dream about might not exist yet and the ones we grew up with are disappearing fast.So, it's no surprise that parents and young people alike are wondering about the future of work for young people. Let's take a look at this together.Parents are feeling concern but also hopeI hear from many parents who are genuinely worried.They see traditional entry-level jobs such as checkouts and retail disappearing as AI and automation step in.There’s anxiety about whether schools are preparing kids for this fast-changing landscape.And a real fear that some young people might get left behind because they don’t have access to the right tools or training.But here’s the hopeful side - many parents also believe AI can free young people from boring, repetitive work, opening the door to more meaningful, creative and human-centred roles.Skills like empathy, adaptability and problem-solving are going to matter more than ever.Young people feel excited but uncertainYoung people are living the AI shift right now.Some are genuinely excited, dreaming of careers in AI, robotics or digital arts.Others feel overwhelmed, unsure what jobs will actually be available when they finish school.Many feel frustrated by unequal access to technology or training.Like all of us, they're looking for clear guidance and meaningful direction with some flexibility.There will be jobs (and a future) but they'll look differentRoutine, manual jobs are shrinking.But new roles are growing, especially ones where humans and AI work together, like:Tech jobs designing and overseeing AI systems.Healthcare, education, and caregiving - roles that need a human touch.Creative gigs in the green economy, entertainment and the digital world.The future belongs to those who learn to work with AI (not against it) and lean into uniquely human skills.AI can be creative but it won't replace peopleAI is impressive - it can paint pictures, write music, and tell stories - but it’s not creating like we do.AI doesn’t live life, it doesn’t feel heartbreak, joy or wonder, it doesn’t create from passion or purpose.Instead, AI generates patterns based on what it’s been taught.It’s like an echo of human creativity, but without the soul behind it.Real creativity comes from experience, emotion and a desire to say something true and important.The future of work is where humans and AI work togetherInstead of AI replacing us, the best opportunities will be where people use AI to do more of what matters.Think:Creative technologists building new digital experiences.AI art directors guiding machines with human vision.Storytellers and game designers crafting emotional journeys.Ethical experts ensuring AI is fair and responsible.Remember the soft skills: empathy, storytelling, curiosity and critical thinking will be superpowers!So, where to from here?Whether you’re a parent or a young person, start thinking about purpose.What drives you? What do you want to create or build in the world?This isn’t just about jobs — it’s about meaning.Invest time in learning how AI works, but don’t lose sight of the human qualities that no machine can touch.And stay curious and adaptable because this future will keep evolving.“AI won’t take your job. But someone who knows how to use AI might.”The future needs people who can be that someone.Jenny Bean is a professional member of the Career Development Association of NZ (CDANZ). If you are looking for career development support (personal or organisational), contact her at CareerBeanz.