Friday 23rd January 2026
EDUCARE
Opening Hours
ANNABEL’S EDUCARE & 3 YR & 4 YR OLD KINDERGARTENS
12-16 South Tce,
· Educare Ph 318 7943
· 3 Year Ph 318 7948
· 4 Year Ph 318 8843
7:30am - 5pm-
Providing Total Rural & Residential Property Management Solutions
Providing you with quality advice for Mortgages Refinancing & Re-fixing Loans, Mortgage Protection, Life/Trauma, Income Protection & Health Insurance
Phone: 03 3477 205 Mobile: 0275 391 006
Email: ginny.gmi@gmail.com
Web: www.gmi.net.nz Disclosure Document Available on Request
Kieran Heenan kph@meareswilliams.co.nz
Anita Molloy-Roberts am@meareswilliams.co.nz
W: www.meareswilliams.co.nz T: (03) 374 2547
Offices located at: Lincoln - 43 Gerald Street Rolleston - 80A Rolleston Ave Christchurch - 225 Papanui Rd
The informa on and opinions published are not necessarily those of the Malvern News proprietor. The final approval of le ers for print, rests with the editor. Le ers to the Editor should be no more than 200 words in length.
To the Editor:
Just to add to "the Battling Birds" article from last weeks issue. My father told me tales of his and his three brothers' bird and egg collecting days. This was during the mid-1910s to mid-1920s and of the bounty paid for heads and eggs.
I now wonder if the boys left the nests intact so the adult birds could re-lay, and the boys re-rob!
For some time, their farmyard cat joined the boys with their enterprise and caught many a sparrow. After the cat had caught and killed, it would deposit the bird on the back doorstep. If the boys were not home, the cat expected my grandmother to do the beheading, and only then would it decamp with the remainder to eat at leisure.
The chickens were never threatened! Chickens! Another tale. On one occasion, the boys experimented with brewing parsnip wine (I don't think the result was classified as of gold medal standards). Without thought, the dregs were tossed out to the chooks, who seemed to relish the offerings. Apparently, drunk hens are quite a spectacle!
Do you know this dog? It was found last week in the Coalgate area, and at the time of going to print, the Council was trying to reunite it with its family. If you recognise this dog or know someone who might be missing them, please get in touch by phoning 0800 SELWYN (735 996) or visiting: selwyn.govt.nz/ your-council/contact-us.
From 1st April 2026, the default contribution rate for both employees and employers increases from 3% to 3.5%, then to 4% from 1st April 2028. If you’re currently on the default 3%, both you and your employer will contribute more by default, boosting your long term balance.
If that’s too much for your budget, from 1st February 2026 you can apply to temporarily reduce your rate back to 3% for 3–12 months and reapply as needed. Your employer can match this reduced rate. Younger workers benefit too. Since 1st July 2025, 16–17 year olds became eligible for the government contribution, and from 1st April 2026 they’ll also receive mandatory employer contributions if they’re contributing from wages.
Balancing this, since 1st July 2025 the government contribution halved to a maximum of $260.72 a year, and those earning over $180,000 lose it entirely. Overall, most wage earners should still end up with higher KiwiSaver balances over time.
Ben Kahu is a KiwiSaver Advisor based in the area who can help you with all your KiwiSaver questions.
ST JOHN Youth Cadets. Wednesday. 5:30-6:30pm for 5-10 year olds. 6:30-8pm for Year7-13.4BraySt,Darfield.
ARE your accounts taking up valuable time you’d rather spend growing your business or with your family? Let the team at Sterling Accountants handle your accounting and tax compliance right here on your doorstep. Call Ann-Maree at Malvern BusinessHub:0212150981.
CARPET/Window Cleaning. Thorough job, good price, quick drying. Highly recommended. Phone/ text Robert anytime on 0272999599.
Malvern
Anglican Parish
SUN 25 JAN, 9:30am
Trinity Church, Darfield malvernparish.wixsite.com/ malvern-parish
SPOTTA Design. Darfield's digital design agency. Graphic design, website creation, branding and content creation. Phone: 021 025 20864. email: ruth@spottadesign.co.nz. Web:spottadesign.co.nz.
WILLOW wood. 4 and 8 Meter loads. Good clean burning wood. Free delivery. Phone 0277811492.
R
K
FIREWOOD
Supplying wood for this Season! Old Man Pine, Bluegum, Macrocarpa, Oregon. TRY THE HOT MIX! E pos available. All
LEASE land wanted. Selwyn area suitable for cattle grazing. All sizes consider. Please phone Reg 027 567 0720.
NEED someone to save you some time? I offer a great service on all those jobs you've been meaning to get done. Fencing, gorse control (spray or cut and swab), other spraying, chainsaw work, mowing, and general lifestyle block tasks. We've got the gear, just give me a call. H Donaldson, 027 789 9532.
SPIDERBAN NC LTD
Darfield owned and operated since 2008. Call Brian Walker for your pest control requirements!
EMERALD FARM Native plants, locally sourced. Lots of varieties. Call and see if we have what you need. Phone Annie0273702067.
CARRS Chimney Cleaning. Servicing the Selwyn district. $90 per chimney. Please ph Rodney on 03 324 2999 and leaveamessage.
CHIM Chim. We'll sweep your log-burners flue, check the firebricks, baffles, air-tubes and controls. We're experts oncoal-ranges,alsosweeping anysizedopen fire. Wequote and undertake repairs, flue extensions and install bird netting. Please phone us on 021939113.
SERVICES
10:30am every Sunday. Darfield Baptist Church 15 Greendale Rd, Darfield 9am, on the 2nd & 4th Sunday of every month. Glenroy Hall Windwhistle Rd, Glenroy
in
area. Domestic hedge trimming, pruning, edging, lawns and water blasting.Kane0274676613. LAWN mowing and Garden services. Large sections a specialty with catcher or side discharge. Hedge trimming and other garden maintenance services also available. Regular or one-off jobs. Based in Darfield and servicing Selwyn. Contact Granton021619165.
AREyouinneedofarefinance, firsthomeloan,buyinganew home,investmentpropertyor a property development? I deal with all the lenders, and Icangetyouthebestdealto suityou. Ihave30+yearsof lending experience, and I am local. I can come to you. Alan Lover Loan Market 0272516644. Ibringthe banksto you.
TENDERS, quotes, budgets, increased costs, variations, progress claims, final claims, disputeresolutions.CallSteve -0212644082.
UDI Painting & Decorating. For all painting & decorating services! Fully qualified. Interior & exterior painting & plastering. Wallpapering & roof painting. Quality Services. Free quotes. Please Ph.UdiAale0210742075. www.udipaintingndecorating.co.nz
Honest, practical, and reliable people are sought for the following two positions (roles could be combined for a suitable candidate):
Caretaker position 20 hours per week
Cleaner position 15 hours per week Positions will be subject to police vetting. Enquires: principal@darfieldprimary.school.nz OR 033188473
Please provide references and previous work experiences. Experience is preferable but training will also be provided.
ROOF & house maintenance.
All aspects covered including spouting, mortar, tiles, reroofing, roof painting, moss, mould & silicone sealing. General repairs. Ph 03 347 6702or0210302835.
WANTED! Amalgamated Scrap Ltd. Buying cars & farm machinery. Specialising in farm clean-ups. Best prices Rod McQuoid - buyer. Please phoneeither0276950480or alternatively0800030712.
TOOLS wanted - mechanics, engineering, wood working etc. Garage, shed, barn clearances, deceased estates etc. Please phone Rob on 033425885.
· Dead cars
· End of life cars
· Scrap cars
· Old farm vehicles
Melton,
Ph: 021 025 19197
The judge frowned at the tired robber and said, “then you admit breaking into the same store on three successive nights?”
”Yes, your honor.”
“And why was that?” said the judge
“Because my wife wanted a dress.”
“But why three nights in a row!”
"She made me exchange it two times.”