Posts by Waikato Times
2155 days ago

Coronavirus: A breakdown of which shops are open during lockdown

Nicola Brennan-Tupara Reporter from Waikato Times

Hi neighbours,
All non-essential businesses were required to shut their doors once the coronavirus lockdown came into effect, with only supermarkets and pharmacies among the few still trading.
However, the government has made changes to the essential services list, allowing a number of retailers the opportunity to open their doors and sell select products they deemed essential to life in New Zealand. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) announced the changes on Tuesday.

Here's a link with an update of which shops will be open for the remainder of lockdown and what you can purchase from them.

Image
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.

Image
19 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).

Image
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
2 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).

Image
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