2332 days ago

Poll: Should parents be fined if their children drop out of school?

Neighbourly.co.nz

The National Party is considering a policy of fining parents $3000 if their children drop out of school and don't enter further education or training.

Simon Bridges says "The reality is if you're not in work, education or training, you're going to be languishing in a dole queue, and the evidence is potentially for a long time". Do you agree with this policy? Should parents be fined?

Image
Should parents be fined if their children drop out of school?
  • 35.3% Yes - they are responsible for their children
    35.3% Complete
  • 25.9% It's not fair to assume they'll end up in the dole queue
    25.9% Complete
  • 38.8% No - it's not the parents' choice
    38.8% Complete
1509 votes
More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!

William Hansby Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.

Image
20 hours ago

Poll: Would you help your kids out with buying a home?

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

OPINION: Over the past year, I’ve had the same conversation with many Waikato families again and again.

A child has found a house. The market feels like it’s moving. There’s pressure to act quickly. And before anyone has really had time to think it through, parents are being asked to step in with cash, guarantees, or equity from their own home.

Would you help your kids out with buying a home? Tell us more in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

Image
Would you help your kids out with buying a home?
  • 14.3% I already have.
    14.3% Complete
  • 71.4% Yes.
    71.4% Complete
  • 14.3% No
    14.3% Complete
7 votes
3 hours ago

Poll: What do you think of the new police move-on powers?

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

Central Hamilton businesses are welcoming police being given new powers to move on vagrants, with a city retail advocate saying the previous hands-off approach wasn’t working.

On Sunday the Government announced it would grant police powers to order any individual rough sleeping, begging, or displaying disorderly behaviour to move on.

What do you think of the new police move-on powers? Tell us more in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

Image
What do you think of the new police move-on powers?
  • 100% They're needed
    100% Complete
  • 0% They won't change much
    0% Complete
  • 0% I'll wait and see
    0% Complete
4 votes