1421 days ago

Odd questions people from overseas ask about NZ

Lorna Thornber Reporter from Stuff Travel

Hi everyone,
With overseas tourists set to return to NZ shortly, we're looking at doing a light-hearted piece on the odd questions Kiwis have been asked about NZ. You may have seen the post doing the rounds on social media at the moment asking whether English is spoken here and suggesting NZ is a state of Australia (see below). Have you ever been asked anything surprising about NZ? Feel free to message me or comment below. Please put 'NFP' (not for publication) in your comment if you do not want it or your name included in the article. Thanks very much for your help and happy travels.

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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?
  • 5.3% Demolish it
    5.3% Complete
  • 0% Decommission it
    0% Complete
  • 94.7% A private operator should restore it
    94.7% Complete
  • 0% Other - explain in the comments
    0% Complete
19 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?
  • 60.8% Yes, supporting people is important!
    60.8% Complete
  • 23.8% No, individuals should take responsibility
    23.8% Complete
  • 15.4% ... It is complicated
    15.4% Complete
324 votes