Waikato expressway: Motorists can now bypass Huntly
A section of the new Waikato expressway opened to drivers on Monday. The $300 million, four-lane highway takes State Highway 1 east of Huntly - bypassing the small town. This particular section connects with the completed expressway at Ohinewai and Ngaruawahia. Work on the section of road has been underway since 2015. "The project has been complex and challenging but also hugely rewarding for all involved," NZTA portfolio manager Darryl Coalter said. It will improve safety and reduce time on the road cutting 35 minutes from the trip between Tirau and Auckland, the NZTA says. While drivers are happy about quicker travel times some Huntly retailers told they were worried they'd miss out on the more than 20,000 drivers that pass through the town most days. "We may stay for a couple of weeks and see how it goes and then we'll make a plan after that, but you know we are gonna miss out on the one-off people who are here on holiday," said Karen Putwain, who runs a seafood truck in the area.
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Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
Make a hearty dish. Take just half a minute. Add four parts of kestrel. Then just add one. What have you made?
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Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
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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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