First National Blog

Top tips for sellers this winter

Top tips for sellers this winter

Vayle Hammond   3/06/2025 7:07am

While many sellers plan to wait until the warmer months to list their home, there are plenty of compelling reasons to list your home in winter. Buying a home isn’t a seasonal decision, after all! Here, we dive into 10 real estate tips – from cosy staging to strategic pricing – that will help you turn the coldest days into hot offers.
 

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Swap, share, and connect with like-minded book lovers

Swap, share, and connect with like-minded book lovers

Vayle Hammond   5/05/2025 8:08am

The book nook is overflowing, but you just can’t resist picking up a copy of that juicy new page-turner. A book swap or exchange might just be the answer you’re looking for! Here’s everything you need to know about this fun, cost-effective, eco-friendly, and healthy habit that will help you discover new reads and connect with fellow book lovers in your local area.

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8 Egg-stra Special Ways To Celebrate Easter

8 Egg-stra Special Ways To Celebrate Easter

Vayle Hammond   2/04/2025 7:07am

Easter is the perfect time to relax, celebrate, and create lasting memories with loved ones. Whether baking, crafting, embarking on a long weekend adventure, or heading to local Easter events, there are endless ways to make the most of the holiday and deviate from your norm. In this guide, we’ve got 8 egg-stra special ways to celebrate this Easter!

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Celebrating International Women’s Day – 12 Women Who Accelerated Action!

Celebrating International Women’s Day – 12 Women Who Accelerated Action!

Vayle Hammond   3/03/2025 8:08am

From civil rights to computing, scientific breakthroughs and cultural change, this International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the fearless female history makers, rule breakers and risk-takers that have reshaped society as we know it.
 
This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the fearless female history makers, rule breakers, and risk-takers who have accelerated action across civil rights, computing, scientific breakthroughs, and cultural change, reshaping society as we know it.

 

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Autumn home maintenance tips

Autumn home maintenance tips

Vayle Hammond   3/03/2025 8:08am

From cleaning gutters and sealing drafts to servicing heating systems and checking smoke alarms, small seasonal maintenance tasks can make a big difference to your home's comfort, function, and future condition, as we weather the cooler months. Get prepped for the shift to autumn with these 10-home maintenance and makeover essentials.

 

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What you need to know for moving in and moving out

What you need to know for moving in and moving out

Vayle Hammond   4/02/2025 8:08am

From transferring utilities to packing efficiently, there’s much to think about when moving to a new home. Our comprehensive checklist is here to make your move smooth – you’ll stay organised and stress-free, leaving you to concentrate on the exciting part – your new abode!
 

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Looking back at home renovation trends from 2024 and forward to 2025

Looking back at home renovation trends from 2024 and forward to 2025

Vayle Hammond   14/01/2025 7:07am

It’s time to reflect on the year’s top home renovation trends and gaze into our crystal ball for the year ahead. And whether you’re planning on selling or staying in 2025, there’s no better time to start planning renovations that hero functionality, aesthetics, sustainability, and wellbeing.


 

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9 Festive food and drink favorite's to enjoy in the sun

9 Festive food and drink favorite's to enjoy in the sun

Vayle Hammond   2/12/2024 10:10am

While snowy scenes and cosy fires define the holiday for many, down under, we’re enjoying Christmas with a side of sunshine, BBQs, and plenty of outdoor fun. Isn’t it time we swapped out the roast turkey and traditional Christmas pud with a menu more fitting? We’ve rounded up ten favourite festive foods and drinks to make a Kiwi Christmas the best kind of Christmas.
 

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Big Smoke or Big on Lifestyle? Benefits of Rural Living

Big Smoke or Big on Lifestyle? Benefits of Rural Living

Vayle Hammond   1/11/2024 7:07am

Is moving rurally an itch you’d like to scratch? From better work-life balance and a lower cost of living to improved overall wellbeing and much more, here, we’ve rounded up the biggest benefits you can expect from a shift to rural New Zealand.

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Beekeeping for Beginners

Beekeeping for Beginners

Vayle Hammond   1/10/2024 6:06am

Have you ever dreamed of bringing the buzz to your backyard with your very own thriving hive? Whether you’re looking to support your local honeybee populations, are fascinated by these pint-sized pollinators or simply love the thought of producing your own honey, there’s a lot to learn about keeping your own bees. Wing your way through our beekeeping guide for beginners and see if this sweet-as-honey hobby could be for you.

 
 

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