142 days ago

Poll: Are you interested in building a granny flat?

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

At this year’s Tiny Home Expo at Mystery Creek, a new addition is drawing the crowds: granny flats.

The Building and Construction (Small Stand-alone Dwellings) Amendment Bill which would allow buildings up to 70sqm to be built without a building consent, is expected to be confirmed by the end of the year.

Are you interested in building a granny flat? 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 interested in building a granny flat?
  • 50% Yes
    50% Complete
  • 25% If I had the room
    25% Complete
  • 25% No
    25% Complete
8 votes
More messages from your neighbours
21 hours ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.

Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.

For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.

Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?

We hope this brings a smile!

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20 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

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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8 hours ago

Will these roadworks affect you?

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

Don’t expect a quick trip between Cambridge and Tamahere for much of this year, because major roadworks are starting.

Asphalt works on that section of Waikato Expressway will run from March through to late 2026, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says. Motorists are warned to plan for significant delays.

“Unfortunately the pavement, particularly in the slow lanes, has deteriorated faster than expected,” NZTA’s Roger Brady said.

Will these roadworks affect you? Tell us more in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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