239 days ago

Poll: Do you think rates should be capped?

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

Waikato mayors have hit back at suggestions of “rates capping” to control council spending, saying capping councils’ main source of income could be a recipe for disaster.

Hamilton City mayor Paula Southgate and Ōtorohanga District mayor Max Baxter will end their careers in local government this year, and while Southgate said capping would lead to lower levels of service for ratepayers, Baxter said it was simply a distraction, and a “blunt tool” being used to put even more pressure on councils.

Do you think rates should be capped? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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Do you think rates should be capped?
  • 95.1% Yes
    95.1% Complete
  • 4.9% No
    4.9% Complete
61 votes
More messages from your neighbours
9 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.

Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.

For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.

Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?

We hope this brings a smile!

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5 hours ago

Bakery rave trend comes to Hamilton

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

An early-morning bakery rave, complete with DJs, dancing, coffee and pastries, is set to take over Riverbank Lane this Saturday.

Rudi’s Bakehouse is swapping bright lights for the Hamilton sunrise and alcohol for espresso as it hosts what it believes to be one of the city’s first “bakery raves”.

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5 hours ago

Get up to $30,000 back* with your new home

Hilda Ross Retirement Village

Sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse at a participating Ryman village by 31 March 2026 and receive a $30,000 credit on settlement or sign up to a serviced apartment and receive a $10,000 credit on settlement*.

Imagine a new smart TV, your next getaway or furniture for your new home. With more money staying in your pocket, it’s yours to spend!

Discover the lifestyle that awaits.

*Participating villages only, Terms and conditions apply.

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