With its sliding base, this stand can snugly hold any recipe card, tablet or cookbook – no matter how chunky or slim. Choose your favourite colours to ensure it is the perfect match for your kitchen or as a great gift idea. Plus, when it’s not in use, you can easily store both parts flat! What you need: 1 x 300 x 230 mm sheet of pine board, 18 mm thick (backboard) 1 x 300 x 150 mm sheet of pine board, 18 mm thick (baseboard) 1 x 120 mm pine dowel, 12 mm thick 2 x 40 mm pine dowels, 8 mm thick Drill and drill bits Drop saw Drop sheet Jigsaw or reciprocating saw Measuring tape Paintbrush and mini roller Resene testpots – we used Resene Gold Dust and Resene Apache Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel paint, tinted to your choice of colour – we used Resene Bokara Grey Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer Ruler Sandpaper Wood glue Step 1: Cut your wood to the sizes listed above. Step 2: Measure and mark out a 155 x 25 mm slot, positioned 40 mm up from the base of the backboard, as shown. Step 3: Drill a hole in each corner of the marked slot to give your saw a starting point. Then, use either a jigsaw or reciprocating saw to carefully cut out the slot. Step 4: Smooth out any rough edges with sandpaper. Step 5: To make the handle, drill two 8 mm holes in the 12 mm dowel. Each hole should be drilled three quarters of the way through the dowel, centred and positioned 20 mm from each end. Begin by drilling small pilot holes to guide the larger drill bit.

We are on the cusp of a once-in-a-decade influx of properties on the market. Nathan Miglani, Director of NZ Mortgages, explains. As we have discussed, in the aftermath of the election we saw immediate momentum in the market. Since March we have seen this start to drop as the reality of interest rates remaining high dampened buyers’ appetite. Petrol prices are high, the cost of living continues to increase and while the OCR is holding, and forecasted to hold for the next few months, people are hurting, which in turn sees the property market slow. But there is hope on the horizon – we are predicting that by September/October we will start to see interest rates slowly start to come down, but do not expect them to drop as quickly as they rose. We are seeing some banks offer as low as 5.99 per cent on a three-year loan, and while this might sound good now, my advice is still to only fix for a short term to avoid costly break fees. The most active market we are seeing right now is in the $800,000 – $1.3 million range with lots of buying and selling happening. This is set to ramp up come 1 July with the changes to the bright-line property rule when it comes to being taxed on capital gain – dropping from 10 years (or five years for a new build) to two. For many it will seem too good to be true, but it is! This is set to put in motion a once-in-a-decade influx of properties to the market from Mum-and-Dad investors who are currently hurting with the high interest rates, creating massive opportunity for both first home buyers and first-time investors. Other sectors of the market continue to feel the pinch and as an advocate and passionate developer it was important to me to be able to assist the construction sector, which sees the launch of our construction division, Construction Loans. This is for those who have decided to build their first home, right up to those developing a subdivision. It is about helping everyone achieve their goals – which underpins everything we do. For this sector, it is about ensuring that the finances are in order before it is too late. Arranging finance for building a property is different from securing finance on an existing home, and it is critical to consider the best way to structure repayments on the section and the build while maintaining lifestyle.  It is about empowering builders, developers and everyone to make informed decisions that work for their unique situations. There is no one size fits all, which is why it is imperative that you seek professional advice before it’s too late. We are here to help you avoid pitfalls.

Whatever your work situation, here are some valuable insurance tips to help safeguard your home office. Kiwis love the flexibility of working from home, with Stats NZ reporting four out of five businesses offered flexible working arrangements in 2023. For the start-ups and sole traders though, this is nothing new, with many great businesses founded in garages, sheds or spare rooms. Whatever your work situation, here are some valuable insurance tips to help safeguard your home office. Check your current cover While homeowner’s insurance might provide some coverage for personal property, it may not extend to business-related equipment or liabilities. Check that any sub-limits meet replacement costs, especially for electronic equipment, and remember to keep your broker or insurer up to date with any new purchases to ensure your sum insured is adequate. Explore home-based business endorsements Some homeowner’s insurance policies offer endorsements or add-ons for home-based businesses. These endorsements can enhance your coverage by extending protection to business-related property and liabilities. Check with your broker or insurer to see if this is an option for you. Consider business insurance A recent Insurance Council of New Zealand survey reported only 38 per cent of homeowners have business insurance to cover their home-based businesses. Whether you’re a consultant, freelancer or entrepreneur, a comprehensive business insurance policy tailored to your unique situation can safeguard your equipment, inventory, and liabilities associated with your professional activities in a way homeowner’s insurance can’t. Liability protection From client meetings to product deliveries, your home workspace may expose you to various liabilities. Liability insurance provides crucial protection against potential lawsuits or damages arising from accidents or injuries that occur on your property, or errors and omissions in your work. It’s a vital component of your risk management strategy, offering financial protection and legal support when you need it most. Cyber security Cyber threats pose a significant risk to businesses of all sizes. Ensure you have adequate cyber security measures in place and consider investing in cyber insurance to protect your business against data breaches, cyberattacks and other digital risks. This coverage can mitigate financial losses and reputational damage stemming from cyber incidents, safeguarding your business continuity. Get professional advice Partner with an experienced insurance broker to ensure your home-based business and your future livelihood is protected.

NZ Mortgages Managing Director Nathan Miglani offers an insight into where the property market is heading and why stability is a reason for confidence.

Transforming walls into works of art, Resene’s FX Paint Effects – used to create a limewashed finish – offers a timeless and elegant way to add character and depth in any space, with its unique ability to create a soft, mottled texture reminiscent of aged plaster. Here we delve into the art of limewashing with Resene paints, exploring the techniques, benefits, and endless possibilities this classic finish brings to home décor. Here’s how Apply two basecoats, using Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in a light colour (for example Resene Double Alabaster). Using a darker colour (for example Resene Silver Chalice), dilute the paint using Resene FX Paint Effects Medium, and add Resene Hot Weather Additive to slow the drying process. Use a ratio of 40% paint colour, 50% medium and 10% additive. Working quickly, brush the darker colour over the base colour in a criss-cross pattern. Immediately wipe off with a dish cloth or piece of muslin, using a soft downwards motion, to reveal some of the basecoat and create a streaky look. Tips and Tricks If you are hiring someone to create the painted effect for you, ask them to prepare a sample panel and agree on that as your standard before the job starts. This way everyone will know what the finish should look like. If the final finish is not what you had in mind, you can always create a new paint effect by reapplying the basecoats and recreating your effects finish. Limewashing may be done over a smooth wall or over a textured finish, such as Resene Sandtex. Limewashing is a great way to help hide imperfections on less-than-perfect walls.

In today’s hyperconnected world, social media is an integral part of our daily lives. Matt Hantler from Abbott Insurance Brokers shares a social media survival guide to keep you, and your loved ones safe.

It is time to be positive. NZ Mortgages Managing Director Nathan Miglani offers an insight into where the property market is heading in 2024.

Underinsurance is a trap for business owners and individuals alike. So, how do you know if you’re underinsured and what can you do about it?

Transform an old bedside table into a retro-style drinks cabinet using Resene paint to ensure your fav tipple, glassware and cocktail-making tools are displayed in style.