60 days ago

Homecoming with a twist: Award-winning chef brings destination dining to Taumarunui

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

Six seats. That’s all it takes for one of New Zealand’s most celebrated chefs to make his grand return home.

After closing the doors of Napier’s acclaimed Pacifica, a restaurant that earned three Cuisine hats and was twice crowned New Zealand’s Best Regional Restaurant, chef Jeremy Rameka and his partner - sommelier Natalie Bulman - are trading their seaside stage for something far smaller and far more personal.

Their new venture, Ni, will seat just six diners at a time in a tiny railway cottage in the heart of Kākahi, near Taumarunui.

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More messages from your neighbours
6 hours ago

Roadworks on SH1 between Hampton Downs and Rangiriri

NZ Transport Agency (NZTA)

From 7 to 18 December, there will be night-time closures on SH1 between Hampton Downs and Rangiriri (Sundays to Thursdays, 9pm to 5am) to carry out wire rope barrier maintenance. Please expect delays when travelling through this area. Find out more

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6 days ago

Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.

We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?

Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.

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Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
  • 53.1% Yes
    53.1% Complete
  • 46.9% No
    46.9% Complete
1877 votes
1 day ago

Hospital ED new location of interest in measles spread

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

Waikato Hospital’s Emergency Department is the latest location of interest for measles.

Two separate days in the last week were listed on Health NZ’s website on Friday morning as a place where someone with measles was known to have visited.

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