Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”

We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?

Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.

Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝

• Yes
• Maybe?
• No

Vote View Results

• 39.4% Yes
  39.4% Complete
• 33.3% Maybe?
  33.3% Complete
• 27.3% No
  27.3% Complete

165 votes

Principal defends $17k overseas trip as research

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

A Hamilton principal whose $17,000 trip to Hawaii and Alaska was highlighted in an report on questionable school spending says he was doing doctoral work on how streaming affects students.

Fairfield College principal Richard Crawford is defending the trip, saying it was his first sabbatical in his 19-year career as a principal and contributed to learning he’d be applying to both his school, and potentially others, through his research.

Festive cheer, fiscal fear - and questions about growth

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

Hamilton’s boom-town status has been called into question as Hamilton City Council grapples with the need to bring rates within Government mandated limits.

Councillor Andrew Bydder said assumptions about relentless population growth may be “out of date”, and called for a review of the issue early next year.