Hamilton East, Hamilton

13 days ago

Poll: Are you buying decorations this Christmas?

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

Wendy Whatford is like a “rabbit in charge of lettuce” running Hamilton’s Christmas Heirloom Company store.

Her house almost matches the store this time of year. She drives her loved ones “nuts” with her festive obsession, but that’s just tough, she says.

Are you buying … View more
Wendy Whatford is like a “rabbit in charge of lettuce” running Hamilton’s Christmas Heirloom Company store.

Her house almost matches the store this time of year. She drives her loved ones “nuts” with her festive obsession, but that’s just tough, she says.

Are you buying decorations this Christmas? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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Are you buying decorations this Christmas?
  • 5.6% Yes
    5.6% Complete
  • 94.4% No
    94.4% Complete
18 votes
13 days ago

Ryman brings Christmas cheer

Hilda Ross Retirement Village

Hundreds of Kiwi children will receive something special this Christmas thanks to Ryman Healthcare’s support of the Catalytic Foundation’s Christmas Shoebox Project.

Instead of giving individual gifts to residents, the idea was to redirect those funds to support struggling New Zealand … View more
Hundreds of Kiwi children will receive something special this Christmas thanks to Ryman Healthcare’s support of the Catalytic Foundation’s Christmas Shoebox Project.

Instead of giving individual gifts to residents, the idea was to redirect those funds to support struggling New Zealand families having to cut back on essentials.

Ryman residents were overwhelmingly in support of the idea, with many volunteering to help choose the gifts to fill over 1000 shoeboxes with thoughtful items.

Click read more for the full story.

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34 days ago

What's your favourite tomato recipe?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to … View moreKia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.

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13 days ago

Watercolour Art Class

Arts for Health from Arts for Health Community Trust

Join our beginner to intermediate watercolour painting class and unleash your creativity! Whether you're new to watercolours or looking to improve your skills, this class is perfect for you. Our experienced instructor will guide you through essential techniques, from mastering washes to … View moreJoin our beginner to intermediate watercolour painting class and unleash your creativity! Whether you're new to watercolours or looking to improve your skills, this class is perfect for you. Our experienced instructor will guide you through essential techniques, from mastering washes to blending and layering colours. Each session offers a mix of creative freedom and structured guidance to help you grow as an artist.

Starts Tuesday 11th February - 8th April
9.30am -11.30am, 9 weeks $165
Tutor - Jennifer Park

Book here - www.artsforhealth.co.nz...

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13 days ago

Have you shown us your Christmas tree?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Less than a week left to enter this merry competition.

With lots of spot prizes to win (as well as the title of NZ's Merriest Home), it's worth getting out your camera phone and taking a picture of your festive abode!

Check out the Christmassy homes here.
Enter now

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14 days ago

New Zealand Red Cross - "Here for Good" Online Auction

New Zealand Red Cross Midland from New Zealand Red Cross - Midland Area

December 4-13th - Online Auction on "Trade Me"
Do a little bit of good this holiday season and bid to support those most vulnerable in our communities.

14 days ago

New Zealand Red Cross - "Here for Good" Online Auction

New Zealand Red Cross Midland from New Zealand Red Cross - Midland Area

December 4-13th - Online Auction on "Trade Me"
Do a little bit of good this holiday season and bid to support those most vulnerable in our communities.

20 days ago

Poll: Are quality products on the decline?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Gift-giving looks a lot different these days when you can pick up super-cheap goods made overseas. But do they last?

Do you have any old items like appliances, electronics or clothing that have stood the test of time? Share below!

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Are quality products on the decline?
  • 92.3% Yes
    92.3% Complete
  • 7.1% No
    7.1% Complete
  • 0.6% Other - I'll share below
    0.6% Complete
1721 votes
14 days ago

Poll: Did you go to your town's Christmas parade?

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

Dozens of floats were part of Hamilton’s Christmas Parade on Sunday, capturing the imagination of children who lined Anglesea Street.

As the First Credit Union Christmas Parade organisers pitched it: “join us to see crazy characters, lively marching bands, dance group, ethnic groups, … View more
Dozens of floats were part of Hamilton’s Christmas Parade on Sunday, capturing the imagination of children who lined Anglesea Street.

As the First Credit Union Christmas Parade organisers pitched it: “join us to see crazy characters, lively marching bands, dance group, ethnic groups, characters, amazing character balloons, and of course Santa Claus!”

Did you go to your town's Christmas parade? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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Did you go to your town's Christmas parade?
  • 5% Yes
    5% Complete
  • 95% No
    95% Complete
20 votes
14 days ago

Poll: What would you like to see happen at Whitianga's wharf?

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

With summer hordes about to descend on the Coromandel, one of the region’s busiest wharfs is set for an upgrade as Whitianga grapples with juggling growing tourist numbers alongside commercial and charter boats.

However, between the cost of $12.5 million for a new pier, a controversial plan to… View more
With summer hordes about to descend on the Coromandel, one of the region’s busiest wharfs is set for an upgrade as Whitianga grapples with juggling growing tourist numbers alongside commercial and charter boats.

However, between the cost of $12.5 million for a new pier, a controversial plan to move a waterfront playground in favour of trailer parking and perhaps also the wellbeing of local sealife, not everyone is chuffed with the plan.

What would you like to see happen at Whitianga's wharf? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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What would you like to see happen at Whitianga's wharf?
  • 50% Separate pier for tourism purposes
    50% Complete
  • 50% Extend current wharf, adding a dedicated charter and tourist boat berth
    50% Complete
  • 0% Something else
    0% Complete
10 votes
14 days ago

Request a build a gate in Te Rapa area

Jean Masters from Hamilton Methodist Social Services

Looking for someone who willing to make a gate in the entrance to the back sention to stop roaming dogs entering in her back section. The person is Deaf with other language and renting to Kaainga Ora. The problem is Kaainga Ora can not requires or to pay for the gate. She is receeving benefit. … View moreLooking for someone who willing to make a gate in the entrance to the back sention to stop roaming dogs entering in her back section. The person is Deaf with other language and renting to Kaainga Ora. The problem is Kaainga Ora can not requires or to pay for the gate. She is receeving benefit. Hopefully someone can do the job with little cost or free. Please email me or text me. Thanks

14 days ago

Protecting our wetlands and critically endangered wildlife

The Team from Momentum Waikato

Wetlands are a precious part of our ecosystem, acting like the kidneys of the earth, cleaning the water that flows into them. They trap sediment and soils, filter out contaminants; can reduce flooding and protect coastal land from storm surge; and return nitrogen to the atmosphere. In New Zealand … View moreWetlands are a precious part of our ecosystem, acting like the kidneys of the earth, cleaning the water that flows into them. They trap sediment and soils, filter out contaminants; can reduce flooding and protect coastal land from storm surge; and return nitrogen to the atmosphere. In New Zealand they support the greatest concentration of wildlife out of any other habitat and yet 90% of our wetlands have been cleared.

Many of the community conservation groups in the Hauraki Coromandel are working to protect remaining wetlands and the endangered species that inhabit them, such as the Matuku-Hūrepo or Australasian Bittern, pictured below.

This is a strikingly beautiful and secretive wetland bird that has perfected invisibility. Its colour and striations exactly mimic the close, vertical world of reeds and raupō, especially when it lifts its dagger beak right up, narrows itself to angular reed-thinness and sways gently with the wind-rustling stems. The male’s distinctive mating call is a sonorous, haunting boom that reverberates through its wetland habitat - the call of the wild.

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20 days ago

Poll: Do you think a partial demolition is the right call?

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

One of the most recognisable buildings at Waikato Diocesan School for Girls could be demolished, except for part of the façade.

The school is asking for resource consent to knock down most of the earthquake-prone Cherrington House as part of plans to build a larger, safer administration block.
View more
One of the most recognisable buildings at Waikato Diocesan School for Girls could be demolished, except for part of the façade.

The school is asking for resource consent to knock down most of the earthquake-prone Cherrington House as part of plans to build a larger, safer administration block.

Do you think a partial demolition is the right call? 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 a partial demolition is the right call?
  • 32.7% Yes
    32.7% Complete
  • 25% Not sure
    25% Complete
  • 42.3% No
    42.3% Complete
52 votes
14 days ago

Acrylics Art Class

Arts for Health from Arts for Health Community Trust

You'll explore a variety of acrylic techniques, from mastering washes to blending and layering colours. Each inspiring session balances the freedom to experiment with structured guidance, ensuring you enhance your painting abilities with confidence.
Materials supplied for the first two … View more
You'll explore a variety of acrylic techniques, from mastering washes to blending and layering colours. Each inspiring session balances the freedom to experiment with structured guidance, ensuring you enhance your painting abilities with confidence.
Materials supplied for the first two classes, after this you must bring your own.
Starts Monday 10th February - 7th April

9.30am -11.30am, 9 weeks $165

Book here - www.artsforhealth.co.nz...

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20 days ago

‘Devastated’ Lake Taupō Aqua Park owners first casualty of gold clams

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

The owners of a once popular water park are “absolutely devastated” after becoming the first casualty of freshwater gold clams in the Waikato region.

Lake Taupō Aqua Park will permanently close as a way to ensure the elimination of freshwater clams after being temporarily shuttered in March… View more
The owners of a once popular water park are “absolutely devastated” after becoming the first casualty of freshwater gold clams in the Waikato region.

Lake Taupō Aqua Park will permanently close as a way to ensure the elimination of freshwater clams after being temporarily shuttered in March when Biosecurity New Zealand discovered the presence of the invasive species in the lagoon.

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