A new take on ACC levies ....
So ACC has gone to govt requesting that it increase its levy to pay for the escalating cost to fund people who have been involved in car crashes. These costs will escalate even further in the future as our medical technology enables more people to survive often horrific injuries. No way will this govt say yes to this proposal.....lit is not feasible given the petrol costs, etc. However who then will pay for these costs?? Why not those who are culpable! Surely it makes commonsense that any accident causing injury that results in significant ongoing medical treatment, in which the offending driver was on any drugs, alcohol included of course, or driving over the speed limit should pay for these costs. "They don't have the money" I hear you say. Everyone has or is entitled to an income, be it a benefit, employment etc. If that person is on a benefit and no matter how lacking they are in weekly income, could have a small amount taken out of their benefit. Accountability should not be constrained by race, income or power; it needs to be their as a reminder to everyone that there is a consequence to an action. And, maybe, just maybe, this will act as a deterrent to those who decide to flaunt the laws around driving.
Poll: Are you a Te Huia fan?
All three Hamilton MPs appear to be united behind the retention of the Te Huia passenger rail service between Hamilton and Auckland, as well as potentially expanding it to Tauranga.
But whether Hamilton East’s Ryan Hamilton, Hamilton West’s Tama Potaka and soon-to-be Labour list MP Georgie Dansey have the combined power to shunt transport minister Chris Bishop and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon onto their line of thinking remains to be seen.
Are you a Te Huia fan? Tell us more in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
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80.6% Yes
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19.4% No
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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51.9% Human-centred experience and communication
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15.3% Critical thinking
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29.9% Resilience and adaptability
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2.9% Other - I will share below!
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