Posts by Waikato Local
25 days ago

Kākāpō ancestor found in Waitomo cave

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

Scientists have unearthed the remains of ancient wildlife in a cave near Waitomo, the first time a large number of million-year-old fossils have been found in Aotearoa.

The discovery of fossils from 12 ancient bird species and 4 frog species has opened a rare window into how New Zealand looked about 1 million years ago. It indicates that New Zealand’s ancient wildlife was significantly impacted by catastrophic climate changes and volcanic eruptions. This resulted in frequent extinctions and species replacements well before human arrival.

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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.

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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).

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Would you help your kids out with buying a home?
  • 20% I already have.
    20% Complete
  • 80% Yes.
    80% Complete
  • 0% No
    0% Complete
5 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).

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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