Is the budget blowout on the Christchurch Town Hall rebuild worth it?
The budget for the delayed Christchurch Town Hall project has blown out to more than $152 million – and the city council tried to cover up the latest increase.
Three years ago the Christchurch City Council told ratepayers they "did not expect" to pay more than the original $127.5m restoration cost. But councillors met in secret last week to discuss the latest $12m top-up, which takes the total budget to $152.2m, after it already ballooned to $140.6m.
Read more by clicking the link below and share your thoughts in the comments. (Please tell us if you don't want your comments published in The Press/Stuff).
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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85.5% Yes
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13.4% No
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1.2% Other - I'll share below
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.
Railing planters
To gain extra growing space, make and hang these easy-to-build planters on almost any wooden fence or deck railing. Use Resene FX Blackboard Paint so you can easily identify what plants are in each. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.