Dinsdale, Hamilton

1595 days ago

Nawton’s Elliot Park upgrade

The Team from Hamilton City Council

The skatepark and playground at Nawton’s Elliot Park is closed from today as we begin work on upgrading the park.

Image
1595 days ago

New Zealand International Film Festival

Resene

Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival will present the World Premiere screenings of five New Zealand films this winter for NZIFF At Home - Online available nationwide 24 July - 2 August.

Resene is proud to support this year’s homegrown selection which includes four … View more
Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival will present the World Premiere screenings of five New Zealand films this winter for NZIFF At Home - Online available nationwide 24 July - 2 August.

Resene is proud to support this year’s homegrown selection which includes four documentaries and one episodic drama. Plus there are plenty of other films to keep you entertained. Visit online for more information.

Image
1595 days ago

Experience the Ryman Difference!

Our villages are vibrant communities that offer something for everyone. Be social or enjoy the quiet life, go travelling, join a book club or enjoy the camaraderie of a walking group.

Enjoy the peace of mind that Ryman guarantees with resident-friendly terms, leading innovation, a caring team … View more
Our villages are vibrant communities that offer something for everyone. Be social or enjoy the quiet life, go travelling, join a book club or enjoy the camaraderie of a walking group.

Enjoy the peace of mind that Ryman guarantees with resident-friendly terms, leading innovation, a caring team and care options to suit your needs.
Get your free copy

Image
1596 days ago

Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival Brings The Arthouse To Your House This Week

New Zealand Film Festival Trust

The highlight event of Winter is back – and this year it’s coming right to your own living room!

Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival runs 24 July to 2 August with 79 feature films and seven short film collections from 41 countries screening in the unique At Home – … View more
The highlight event of Winter is back – and this year it’s coming right to your own living room!

Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival runs 24 July to 2 August with 79 feature films and seven short film collections from 41 countries screening in the unique At Home – Online digital edition. Browse the programme and choose from documentaries, drama, doco-drama, short films, animation and a special programme for kids, and enjoy special filmmaker introductions and Q&As.

Selected films will also screen in 16 cinemas and theatres in eight cities – Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, New Plymouth, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Gore.
Find out more

Image
1600 days ago

Humanely dealing with pests this winter.

Kylie Klein Nixon Reporter from Homed

Have you ever had a pest problem? I used to have a pet rat. They are smart, affectionate, clever little things. I'd never want to cause one unnecessary pain or suffering, which is why we've chosen to manage pests in our home with traps. It's not ideal, but it's better - and … View moreHave you ever had a pest problem? I used to have a pet rat. They are smart, affectionate, clever little things. I'd never want to cause one unnecessary pain or suffering, which is why we've chosen to manage pests in our home with traps. It's not ideal, but it's better - and safer - than poison. I've done a little research on humane, effective vermin control during the wet months, when they like to come in from the cold. Take a look:

Image
1598 days ago

Do you know what to plant in the garden right now?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

In this week’s issue of our ezine Get Growing, we list the veges to plant and harvest now plus it’s time to prune and plant roses, give wisteria a winter trim, sprout kūmara runners, chit seed potatoes and choose camellias to plant now.

Meet three generations of bulb grower in Northland and … View more
In this week’s issue of our ezine Get Growing, we list the veges to plant and harvest now plus it’s time to prune and plant roses, give wisteria a winter trim, sprout kūmara runners, chit seed potatoes and choose camellias to plant now.

Meet three generations of bulb grower in Northland and nominate a gardening hero for Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year. Plus go in the draw for wild bird packs from Tui and copies of NZ Gardener’s July issue.

Delivered every Friday to your email inbox, Get Growing digital magazine offers seasonal gardening advice from the NZ Gardener magazine's team of experts. Each week we answer all your burning questions on raising fruit and veges and tell you the top tasks to do in your backyard this weekend. Subscribe here:

Image
1598 days ago

Free measure and quote for your retrofit double glazing :)

RetroFit Double Glazing - Waikato

Check out our RetroFit Double Glazing - vimeo.com... |Healthier Home
video| Wanting a healthier home this winter? Enjoy the many benefits retrofit double glazing has to offer. Reduced condensation, reduce cold, reduce noise and reduce heating costs. Get your free measure and quote now or call us … View more
Check out our RetroFit Double Glazing - vimeo.com... |Healthier Home
video| Wanting a healthier home this winter? Enjoy the many benefits retrofit double glazing has to offer. Reduced condensation, reduce cold, reduce noise and reduce heating costs. Get your free measure and quote now or call us on 0800 658 658

1599 days ago

Free Tin of Zealanida Dog or Cat food with every order

Lucy from Natural NZ Pet Food & Treats

Order over $30 in Dog food or treats and receive a FREE tin of Zealanida Duck Dog or order over $20 in Cat food or treats and receive a FREE in of Zealanida Duck Cat for the month of July or while stocks last

1599 days ago

FAKE CONSULTATION: WHILE ROME BURNS?

Rudi from Hamilton Lake

HAMILTON RESIDENTS AND RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION (HRRA) OPINION PIECE
Hamilton Residents and Ratepayers (HRRA) support improvements in the city where appropriate consultation is carried out with the community and best practise cost benefit analysis, is firstly undertaken, and then peer reviewed by … View more
HAMILTON RESIDENTS AND RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION (HRRA) OPINION PIECE
Hamilton Residents and Ratepayers (HRRA) support improvements in the city where appropriate consultation is carried out with the community and best practise cost benefit analysis, is firstly undertaken, and then peer reviewed by independent experts. Once projects are completed, decision makers must be held to account for unsatisfactory outcomes.
We voted in Elected Members to be the liaison between Council plans and the community; openly discussing the tangible benefits and associated risks. In so doing, the community can decide for themselves whether they support a proposal, or not. Currently, and for some time, we feel that elected members have not communicated openly with the community nor actively listened to their opinions and expertise. This is not democracy.

In the Hamilton City Council’s ‘back on track’ budget, we do not see any real attempts to deal with major cost blowouts, tighten the belt, or reduce the burden on ratepayers of the covid-19 recession. Stephen Tindall in an open letter to the world (reported by stuff on Jul 14 2020) said “… the economic impact would ‘last for decades’ and could push more than half a billion people into poverty”. Sections of the community are already struggling financially, experts forecast a significant economic downturn and the loss of livelihoods. Tinkering around the edges will not fix this. Our Council does not seem to be taking the issue seriously.

The last thing Hamilton needs is family poverty, in part driven by out-of-control rate increases. Hamilton Council’s 3.8% rate increase is indicative of an organisation, that we believe, is out-of-control. Those at the top are apparently unable to address long-term systemic cost spirals.

Can we trust Council when a simple roundabout project budgeted at $4.7 million (already high), then (as discovered from an Official Request response, LGOIMA 20009, Feb 2020) rises in cost to $15.5 million, and now in a Financial Committee report (June 2020, page 31), those costs appear to have blown out to a staggering $19.5 million? Yes $19.5 million. Where is the accountability and consequence? Why this massive budget blowout? Where is the community consultation given that this represents a significant tax burden? Unfortunately for all of you who read the news, these types of Council cost blowouts appear common place throughout the country. Yet instead of addressing this and other major contract and project management issues, the Council budget directed us all to discuss issues which essentially amount to tinkering around the edges.

But wait there is more; tragically. Not only will rates continue to shoot up, the 2020 Annual plan is now forecasting $900M in debt. The community were outraged 10 years ago when debt was planned to exceed $100 million. We are looking at NINE TIMES this debt with no plans to pay it back.

Don't blame COVID for the problems. From what we can see, these problems are related to poor decision making, poor accountability and a general lack of transparency. Where are the Cost Benefit analyses using industry standard Best practice for all major projects?

All we ask for in these uncertain times is what most businesses would take as given. A Zero Rate Increase and Zero-based budgeting, with the elimination of slush funds and full external review of Council finances. "Do It NOW”

Our submission identifies opportunities for significant savings and deferrals until a full review can be completed for the 2021 LTP. We are not against expansion projects, we just want to ensure accountability, transparency, and democracy in those decisions. The community has a lot to gain by the Council implementing industry standard cost benefit analysis for major projects and reviewing the technical outcome with alignment to current practise. I repeat, a Zero Rate Increase and Zero-based budgeting implemented across all of Council projects, and proper preparation for the impending recession.

Common core community values of transparency, integrity, democracy, accountability and expertise are being called into question. When I was young it was common to chat about the weather. Now those conversations are about the public’s loss of respect for politicians. We all need to ask, Why?

When someone criticises. You Should always consider the criticism accurate.

1602 days ago

Things that surprise Kiwis returning to NZ

Lorna Thornber Reporter from Stuff Travel

Hi everyone,
I'm working on a travel story for Stuff about the things that have surprised returning Kiwis about New Zealand. If you have recently returned from overseas or know someone who has, it would be great to hear about the things that have stood out for you, for better or for worse. … View more
Hi everyone,
I'm working on a travel story for Stuff about the things that have surprised returning Kiwis about New Zealand. If you have recently returned from overseas or know someone who has, it would be great to hear about the things that have stood out for you, for better or for worse. Whether it's to do with the weather, the cost of things, the public transport, the food, the housing, the people or something else entirely, we'd be keen to hear about it. Please remember that your comment may be included in the article, unless you say you don't want it to be. Thank you.

1599 days ago

This week’s Kind Neighbour is Ann, nominated by Georgina Hamilton from Takanini.

Neighbourly.co.nz

Have you got a Kind Neighbour in your hood? We've teamed up with our mates at AMI to shout-out the good people up and down the country that have been nominated by others in their community. Get your shout outs in to our AMI Kind Neighbour Page and you and your nominee could win a $50 Prezzy® … View moreHave you got a Kind Neighbour in your hood? We've teamed up with our mates at AMI to shout-out the good people up and down the country that have been nominated by others in their community. Get your shout outs in to our AMI Kind Neighbour Page and you and your nominee could win a $50 Prezzy® Card AND a shout out in your local paper! Check out last weeks below ⬇️⬇️

"My neighbour Ann, a retired special ed teacher, goes the extra mile for her community. On her neighbourhood walks she notices blocked drains, or dangerous pavements on school routes and spends time phoning the Council to get them fixed. She is part of a local group that petitioned for new school crossings on Takanini School Road. She volunteers at the local school for free maths tuition. She sets a really great example of looking out for her community and makes the world a better place."

Image
1599 days ago

Scentsy

Alysha from Maeroa

Hi all.

Just reaching out to see if there are any scentsy consultants in Hamilton? If that's you can you please get in touch 😍😍

1601 days ago

Free Fun For Kids Tomorrow

Syrina Pene from Te Rongopai Community Trust (GOOD NEWS COMMUNITY CENTRE)

🤗🤗🤗Ata Marie Whanau
✅✅✅Remember to join us for Sports and Board Games
⏰⏰⏰ TOMORROW 9.30-11.30am
💯💯💯Feel free to send the kids down OR come with them
✅✅✅See you there

Image
1599 days ago

Have you had a job change in the wake of Covid-19?

The Team Reporter from Hamilton Press

A pilot and chef have joined a Hamilton arborist's team since lockdown.

And many people will be hunting for new jobs - last month, almost 10,600 people got Government support after losing their work in the pandemic.

Read more here. Have you had a job change in the wake of Covid-19?

Image
1599 days ago

This week's latest Blueprint

Hamilton Harcourts

View Hamilton Harcourts' latest interactive Blueprint.

If you'd like to receive Blueprint in your inbox each week, subscribe here.
Read now

Image
Top