A fix-it man with dwindling days, saving electronics from landfill
Rod Burch isn’t sure how much longer he’s got to live, but he wants to spend the time he does have keeping electronics from ending up in the dump.
An electrician trained by Auckland City Council (back in the days when “there wasn’t anything in the electrical line the council didn’t deal with”), Burch spends every Wednesday volunteering to fix up lamps, printers, coffee machines, and toasters.
What kind of volunteering would you most like to do? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
Poll: Are you feeling more optimistic about our local economy lately?
Waikato farmers are leading the way! 🚜🐄 With exports booming and "stellar seasons" on the books, our farmers are pumping value back into the region.
Even with a cautious approach to spending, the benefits are slowly making their way into the local economy.
We want to know: Are you feeling more optimistic about our local economy lately?
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0% Yes, definitely!
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0% Getting there...
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0% Still waiting to see it.
🧩😏 Riddle me this, Neighbours…
I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?
Do you think you know the answer?
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Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
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