Pays to know your plants
A large family including 3 pre-schoolers just moved into new house. Soon the little ones were bringing the flowers in to show Mum. Long white trumpets blown from the neighbour's tree which overhung their shed. Angel's Trumpets or Datura related to the Nightshade (Solanaceae) which includes potato flowers and the Thorn Apple found commonly as a weed in NZ yet I recall a police car in England being sent to collect one and convey it for incineration, so deadly are they.
So would you recognise a red stemmed Castor Oil plant in your garden. My son had many when he moved to a new house.
What about an Oleander? There was a great clump outside my kids' primary school.
All extremely poisonous. Any others you'd add to the list.
Wild weather in the Waikato
The Waikato really copped it over the weekend, with wild weather leaving a hefty clean-up bill that may run into the millions.
While things are looking calmer in the days ahead, there are still plenty of slips and flooded roads across the district — so if you’re heading out, take it easy and stay alert.
We want to know: How did you and your whānau get on over the weekend?
Want to see what recovery will look like from here? The Waikato Times has the latest.
Starting gun sounds for housing on Te Rapa Racecourse land with re-zoning
Hamilton City councillors have signed off on a plan change that could see Te Rapa Racecourse swap stables for townhouses.
The deputy mayor says this paves the way for “basically creating a new suburb within the city”.
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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59.6% Yes, supporting people is important!
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25.9% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.5% ... It is complicated
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