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1514 days ago

Dentists chip in to give Auckland's Singing Cowboy his smile back

Caroline Williams Reporter from Rodney Times

Auckland’s famous Singing Cowboy has got his smile back.

Entertainer Jock Hume, 74, was swimming at Tiritiri Matangi Island, off Auckland’s Whangaparāoa Peninsula, on March 24, when two of his teeth were knocked out by kids who were skipping pebbles.

“It knocked out two of my lovely front teeth. It was such a shock to me, I was stunned,” Hume said at the time.

Hume is a familiar face on the streets of Auckland, where he has performed country and western songs with his acoustic guitar since busking was first permitted in the 1980s.

Following Stuff’s story on the matter, Dr John Wright of Hibiscus Coast Dental rallied a group of dental clinicians and technicians to fix Hume’s teeth, free of charge.

Hume said he was “most grateful and appreciative” of his new smile, which he described as “the best Christmas present ever”.

Click 'read more' for the full story.
Video by Stuff's Abigail Dougherty

More messages from your neighbours
21 days ago

Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.

Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.

We want to know: What do you think about automation?
Are you for, or against?

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As a customer, what do you think about automation?
  • 9.4% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
    9.4% Complete
  • 43.5% I want to be able to choose.
    43.5% Complete
  • 47.1% Against. I want to deal with people.
    47.1% Complete
2420 votes
19 days ago

Time to Tickle Your Thinker 🧠

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

If a zookeeper had 100 pairs of animals in her zoo, and two pairs of babies are born for each one of the original animals, then (sadly) 23 animals don’t survive, how many animals do you have left in total?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.

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4 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.

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