Ti Rakau bridge repairs
Mayor Goff was reported recently as suggesting that some service cut-backs may have to be made in Auckland due to budget pressures.
Yesterday the finishing touches were being made to the repair of the footpath on the North side of the Ti Rakau bridge - filling the gaps between the new paving slabs and the surrounding footpath with cold-mix bitumen.
It looked to me like a very, very small job but there were 2 traffic control trucks and 1 Fulton Hogan truck and 7 men in hi-viz jackets, one of whom was using a shovel to place and smooth the filling compound.
When I returned, around 1/2 an hour later, the same 7 people and three trucks were filling a tiny pothole in the road surface - again 1 person with a shovel, but this time the other 6 weren't even pretending to watch him working.
I wonder how much this cost us.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84% Yes
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14.7% No
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1.3% Other - I'll share below
Spring gardening tips
Dreaming of a garden bursting with colour and fresh produce? Shane Fairbairn, Ryman Healthcare’s Landscape Manager, shares his top tips to make it happen. You’ll be set to create a gorgeous, relaxing space in no time - grab your trowel, and let’s dig in.
Click read more for more information.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.