Kaipātiki Information
Make a Difference
Moving around? Can you bike or walk or car pool? There are some great walk and cycle ways - try these out to get out and about in your local area. Save on travel hassles and check out AT’s Journey Planner at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/journey-planner/ for ideas to get about on bus, bike or walkways.
Think of other ways you can reduce, recycle, etc.
- Find out more about ways to make a difference - reduce some of your costs and live well in your home at www.livelightly.nz
- Shop and eat locally
- Walk or bike the greenways, car pool to make friends or stay home and skype into meetings
- Green up your backyard and beyond
- Set up a 4 minute Spotify play list for taking a shorter shower challenge to save on your hot water use
- Share, Repair or swap items before buying new
Home Health Check
Find out how much energy you are using and how to reduce it by borrowing a HEAT (Home Energy Audit Toolkit) kit from your local library for free.
An average New Zealand house spends around $2500 per year on energy and heating. By taking these low cost actions you could save up to $1000 a year.
Stop drafts - drafts make your home uncomfortable and harder to keep warm.
- Seal windows, doors and use draught excluders
- Hang full-length, lined curtains in bedrooms and living areas
Reduce dampness - damp air is unhealthy, causes mould and costs more to heat.
- Dry off windows and remove mould
- Dry clothes outside
- Put lids on cooking pots
- Use extractor fans when bathing/showering and cooking
- Open curtains sunny days to let the sun in
- Open doors and windows for 30 minutes daily
Smart energy use - use heating and appliances the right way.
- Switch to a low flow shower head or flow restrictor
- Take a five minute shower
- Swap portable gas heaters for safe effective heating
- Use timers and thermostats
- Dry clothes outside
- Wrap your hot water cylinder
- Wash clothes in cold water
- Switch to LED light bulbs
- Turn off appliances at the wall when not in use
