Posts by Waikato Local
119 days ago

Christmas creep: The silly season now starts in spring

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

Opinion columnist Lyall Macfarlane has been shocked to see Christmas decorations start appearing - what do you think?

“Christmas comes but once a year.” But based on recent experience, the festival takes up about a quarter of it.
I saw my first Christmas retail displays last week – 3 of them, in early October.
A couple of days ago, my local mall’s walkways were festooned with trestle tables groaning under the weight of Yuletide novelty goods. You know the thing – archangels, elves, Christmas trees and Father Christmases/Santas in various poses. Some jolly old gents were capable of doing a wee jig while ho, ho, hoing or singing a jolly old festive ditty, far too early.

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More messages from your neighbours
6 days ago

Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙

One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.

So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?

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Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
  • 59.3% Yes, supporting people is important!
    59.3% Complete
  • 26.2% No, individuals should take responsibility
    26.2% Complete
  • 14.5% ... It is complicated
    14.5% Complete
1102 votes
5 days ago

Derelict Tokanui Hospital site in line for a clean-up

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

Derelict Tokanui Hospital buildings will be demolished and contaminated land cleaned up so the site can be offered back to iwi.

The former psychiatric hospital, southeast of Te Awamutu, sits on land taken from Ngāti Maniapoto under the Public Works Act in 1910.

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15 days ago

Poll: Are you a Te Huia fan?

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

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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Are you a Te Huia fan?
  • 81.6% Yes
    81.6% Complete
  • 18.4% No
    18.4% Complete
76 votes