412 days ago

Poll: Do you think this is a good idea?

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

The Government will today unveil the next stage of its building reforms, allowing building professionals with indemnity insurance to self-certify their own work with the goal of cutting out council inspectors and reducing cost and delays for consumers.

“The building consent system currently is one size fits all. There are really good trade professionals who aren't trusted to get on and do the work and certify their own work,” Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk told The Post.

Do you think this is a good idea? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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Do you think this is a good idea?
  • 29.6% Yes
    29.6% Complete
  • 59.3% No
    59.3% Complete
  • 11.1% Not sure
    11.1% Complete
27 votes
More messages from your neighbours
1 hour ago

Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”

We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?

Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.

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Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
  • 0% Yes
    0% Complete
  • 0% Maybe?
    0% Complete
  • 0% No
    0% Complete
0 votes
4 days ago

Principal defends $17k overseas trip as research

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

A Hamilton principal whose $17,000 trip to Hawaii and Alaska was highlighted in an report on questionable school spending says he was doing doctoral work on how streaming affects students.

Fairfield College principal Richard Crawford is defending the trip, saying it was his first sabbatical in his 19-year career as a principal and contributed to learning he’d be applying to both his school, and potentially others, through his research.

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3 days ago

Festive cheer, fiscal fear - and questions about growth

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

Hamilton’s boom-town status has been called into question as Hamilton City Council grapples with the need to bring rates within Government mandated limits.

Councillor Andrew Bydder said assumptions about relentless population growth may be “out of date”, and called for a review of the issue early next year.

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