A new take on ACC levies ....
So ACC has gone to govt requesting that it increase its levy to pay for the escalating cost to fund people who have been involved in car crashes. These costs will escalate even further in the future as our medical technology enables more people to survive often horrific injuries. No way will this govt say yes to this proposal.....lit is not feasible given the petrol costs, etc. However who then will pay for these costs?? Why not those who are culpable! Surely it makes commonsense that any accident causing injury that results in significant ongoing medical treatment, in which the offending driver was on any drugs, alcohol included of course, or driving over the speed limit should pay for these costs. "They don't have the money" I hear you say. Everyone has or is entitled to an income, be it a benefit, employment etc. If that person is on a benefit and no matter how lacking they are in weekly income, could have a small amount taken out of their benefit. Accountability should not be constrained by race, income or power; it needs to be their as a reminder to everyone that there is a consequence to an action. And, maybe, just maybe, this will act as a deterrent to those who decide to flaunt the laws around driving.
Some Choice News!
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!
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.
Will these roadworks affect you?
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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