2419 days ago

The plastic bag ban has arrived - how are you going?

The Team Reporter from Hamilton Press

As of today, shops aren't allowed to hand out single-use plastic bags any more. What do you think about the ban, and what alternatives have you found?
Regular Vege King shoppers Pat and Les Oldman​ have a boot full of reusable bags in their car.
Both support the plastic bag ban, and have been using cloth bags for about six years.
They remember shopping when plastic wasn't common.
"The meat was wrapped in white paper with newspaper around it, milk was in glass bottles, flour in paper bags. It worked perfectly," Les said.
"I guess we have just gone with the flow until we have realised what has happened to the environment from plastic," Pat said.
Reade more here.

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More messages from your neighbours
4 days ago

Poll: What do you think should happen with Chateau Tongariro?

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

The Government has refused to commit to saving the Chateau Tongariro Hotel, leaving demolition, decommissioning or private restoration all on the table despite strong community pressure to preserve the iconic building.

In a formal response to a petition led by Ruapehu District Mayor Weston Kirton, ministers acknowledged the Chateau’s cultural and economic significance but said no changes to current policy or legislation were warranted Chateau Petition response.

What do you think should happen with Chateau Tongariro? Tell us more in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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What do you think should happen with Chateau Tongariro?
  • 5% Demolish it
    5% Complete
  • 0% Decommission it
    0% Complete
  • 95% A private operator should restore it
    95% Complete
  • 0% Other - explain in the comments
    0% Complete
20 votes
4 days ago

Tamahere home in dentist case was once centre of accountant’s fraud

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

It’s been a feature in a recent Hamilton District Court trial , but a Tamahere mansion already has an complicated history.

The property in Woodcock Rd - notable for having a hydroslide in the back yard - the scene of now-disproved alleged sexual offending by Hamilton dentist Rahul Gautam - made headlines more than 15 years ago, when it was a focus in the case of accountant Gary Soffe.

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1 day ago

Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

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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Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
  • 60.9% Yes, supporting people is important!
    60.9% Complete
  • 23.5% No, individuals should take responsibility
    23.5% Complete
  • 15.6% ... It is complicated
    15.6% Complete
327 votes