A better bus service for our Huntly, Ohinewai and Te Kauwhata neighbours!
Hi there neighbours! Thank you for your feedback on how we can improve the 21 Northern Connector bus route! We are excited to say that improved bus services are coming your way from Monday 1 April.
What you need to know:
The 21 Northern Connector is now extending further into Huntly. The service will still run hourly weekdays to Huntly Main Street but will then continue on and service Huntly East and West every alternate trip.
The Huntly Internal service will now no longer operatedue to the Northern Connector service extending into Huntly East and West.
The 21 Northern Connector will now have extended operating hours during weekdays. With the first service leaving Hamilton and Huntly at 6am and travelling through until 7.50pm from Hamilton and 6.57pm from Huntly Main Street. Please note there will be no longer be a 9pm service from the Transport Centre via the Base on Thursday nights.
The new Comet bus service launches on Monday 1st April which runs between the hospital and the Base via the CBD every 15 mins (weekdays) and half hourly (evenings/ weekends). This service will replace the Transport Centre to Base separate trip on the 21 Northern Connector.
The Te Kauwhata service will now travel via Ohinewai - this means the service will leave Te Kauwhata 10 minutes earlier in the morning at 6.50am.
21 Northern connector double decker news:
From Monday 1 April the double decker bus will start on the Huntly/Horotiu Assist route which will mean timetable and route changes.
The bus will now leave Huntly 20 minutes earlier at 7am.
The Huntly Assist and the Horotiu Assist routes are combining.
Bus will arrive at Horotiu around 7:30am.
The bus will travel via Wairere Dr and Hukanui/Peachgrove Rd. This means that Clarkin Rd and River Rd will not be served. Fairfield Intermediate and Fairfield College students will now need to walk to stops on Peachgrove Rd.
Please check the timetable before travelling as many times have changed. Find out everything you need to know to travel with us here or call us on 0800 205 305.
See you on board the 21 Northern Connector!
Mr Minit in Chartwell: Be wary
Hi all,
Just sharing my experience. I had the battery for my car key replaced in March 2025 at Mr. Minit in Chartwell. I was given a one‑year warranty, which seemed impressive at the time.
However, the battery stopped working early Mar 26. With the warranty card, I brought the key back to have it checked and replaced. What I didn’t realise was that the battery was *not* actually replaced. He only tested it with a meter. When I asked whether he had replaced the battery, he said “yes,” but that wasn’t true. He then said he had tested the battery level and there was no need to replace it. When I asked to see the meter, it showed the battery was in the green zone which means it was ok.
I was then advised that I might need to replace the entire key unit. I asked whether he had properly troubleshot the issue to confirm it was the battery and not the key itself. His reply was that he normally doesn’t do that, but I was a “special case.” That means, the warranty card was a misrepresentation and there was no real intention of replacing the battery when it was faulty.
After he finally replaced the battery with a new one, my key worked perfectly again.
**Lesson learned:**
Make sure you take a photo of your warranty card. I feel like the warranty is mostly for show — if I had lost it, I would have been charged another $20+ for a battery. Worst still, I would have to pay more to change the key unit unnecessarily.
Make sure you witness that they replace your old battery with a new one if it's still under warranty.
Poll: Should we ditch daylight saving? 🕰️
First introduced in New Zealand in 1927 with the passing of the Summer Time Act, it's what we know as 'Daylight Saving' and this year it ends on the first Sunday in April.
While we do get to sleep in this time around, some people would like to scrap the clock tinkering for good.
And why? Some evidence suggests the time changes are bad for our health as they mess with sleep patterns leading to short-term fatigue and affecting mood. Meanwhile the hour change is frustrating for farmers and a nightmare for getting the littlies to sleep. But what's your take?
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39.7% Yes - get rid of the clock changes
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58.5% No, I enjoy it
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1.8% Other - I'll share below
Police forced to name Netflix as platform for Tom Phillips documentary
Police have confirmed Netflix will screen a reality-style documentary on fugitive Tom Phillips, after initially refusing to name the platform.
Phillips was shot dead on Te Anga Rd, west of Waitomo on September 8, after a near four-year manhunt for Phillips and his three children.
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