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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 moreWith 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).
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.
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 moreOne 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).
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 moreThe 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.
How many people now see a lot of the older movies in new versions including Lord Of The Rings and Moana, now with new movies but in cartoon version. What has happened to the New Zealand film industry? Cost cutting etc people like Peter Jackson now changed good movies into cartoons to cut costs.
Why not gift them a magazine subscription tailored to their interests? This Christmas, find the perfect gifts at Mags4Gifts! We're offering up to 30% off a wide range of magazines – there’s something for everyone in your whanau!
Whether you’re searching for a thoughtful secret Santa … View moreWhy not gift them a magazine subscription tailored to their interests? This Christmas, find the perfect gifts at Mags4Gifts! We're offering up to 30% off a wide range of magazines – there’s something for everyone in your whanau!
Whether you’re searching for a thoughtful secret Santa gift or something special to put under the tree, we’ve got you covered with a great selection for all interests.
Don’t miss out – shop now at Mags4Gifts.com and enjoy the savings!
Hi everyone.
As some of you know, my kiddo, Santiago makes beautiful crafts. He's making Christmas-scented organic candles. No nasties in these ones. It's all organic (coconut wax and the oils).
Please, check out his Instagram.
He's only 12yo but such an entrepreneur! If … View moreHi everyone.
As some of you know, my kiddo, Santiago makes beautiful crafts. He's making Christmas-scented organic candles. No nasties in these ones. It's all organic (coconut wax and the oils).
Please, check out his Instagram.
He's only 12yo but such an entrepreneur! If you're looking for a small last minute handcrafted gift, check him out. He's got beautiful handmade items.
I'm on Instagram as @supaartsbysantiago. Install the app to follow my photos and videos. www.instagram.com...
With Christmas fast approaching, Police are encouraging people to be aware of online phishing scams.
The holiday season can already be a stressful time, and the last thing you want is to lose large sums of money to a scam.
A phishing scam is an online scam, where the offender pretends to be a … View moreWith Christmas fast approaching, Police are encouraging people to be aware of online phishing scams.
The holiday season can already be a stressful time, and the last thing you want is to lose large sums of money to a scam.
A phishing scam is an online scam, where the offender pretends to be a trustworthy person or organisation to try and get a victim’s personal information.
Police has received a number of phishing scam reports with offenders targeting people who are selling items or services online like Trade Me and Facebook Marketplace.
The offenders pretend to be an interested buyer, and urgently request to buy your product and arrange a courier pickup.
The victim receives a fake courier website link to complete a verification process asking for personal details, like bank account numbers, passwords, and phone numbers.
Once provided these details, the offender uses these to access a victim’s bank account, tricking the victim into proving any multifactor authentication code sent from the victim’s bank.
The money in the victim’s bank account is then taken by the offender once access is gained.
Police are urging members of the public to be cautious, especially when someone in person or online is asking you to give them money or your personal details like bank accounts and passwords.
Never comply with a request asking you to provide or ‘verify’ your online banking details.
Legitimate organisations will never ask you to do this.
If you are unsure if it is real, please contact your bank by the phone number on their official website or go to your nearest branch.
If you receive a courier website link from a potential buyer, this is likely a scam.
Please do not fill out the verification process.
Use the social media/trading platform’s reporting tools to report the scam and the user involved.
You can also make a report to Netsafe at report.netsafe.org.nz.
If you have handed over your online banking details, contact your bank immediately and suspend your account.
If you think you have been scammed (provided your banking details and/or suffered a loss), please gather as much information you can and make a report to Police online through 105.police.govt.nz or call 105.
Greedy thieves have plundered a Hamilton community garden leaving angry growers without their own spuds to boil on Christmas Day.
Two women laden with produce from “all over the garden” were confronted last week by Fairfield Project gardens co-ordinator Graeme Richer.
Have you ever had … View moreGreedy thieves have plundered a Hamilton community garden leaving angry growers without their own spuds to boil on Christmas Day.
Two women laden with produce from “all over the garden” were confronted last week by Fairfield Project gardens co-ordinator Graeme Richer.
Have you ever had someone steal your fruit or veg? Tell us about it in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
Get creative by making a gorgeous leaf-printed tablecloth and gift your guests the perfect hand-painted decoration all painted in Resene testpot paint colours.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
The cost to repair and carry out planned maintenance on South Waikato’s Blue Spring/Te Waihou Walkway has topped $2m.
The tourist attraction usually welcomes tens of thousands of people a year but has been shut for more than a year after a rockfall. A partial re-opening is scheduled for … View moreThe cost to repair and carry out planned maintenance on South Waikato’s Blue Spring/Te Waihou Walkway has topped $2m.
The tourist attraction usually welcomes tens of thousands of people a year but has been shut for more than a year after a rockfall. A partial re-opening is scheduled for Thursday.
Will you be using the track once it's open again? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
The opportunity to www.waikatotimes.co.nz...
|get up close to an 11-month-old tiger cub|, a porcupine, a tuatara or the siamangs could be the perfect Christmas stocking fillers.
The Hamilton Zoo already offers encounters with macaws, tigers, ring-tailed lemurs and rhinos, however soon the … View moreThe opportunity to www.waikatotimes.co.nz...
|get up close to an 11-month-old tiger cub|, a porcupine, a tuatara or the siamangs could be the perfect Christmas stocking fillers.
The Hamilton Zoo already offers encounters with macaws, tigers, ring-tailed lemurs and rhinos, however soon the others will be on offer.
Would you like to do this? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
Kmart will be recalling a number of their Anko duvet sets.
What you need to know:
- The recall is involving Christmas-themed duvets: Mrs & Mrs Claus Reversible Queen Size Bed Quilt Cover Set and Christmas Elf Reversible Single Bed Quilt Cover Set
- A … View moreKmart will be recalling a number of their Anko duvet sets.
What you need to know:
- The recall is involving Christmas-themed duvets: Mrs & Mrs Claus Reversible Queen Size Bed Quilt Cover Set and Christmas Elf Reversible Single Bed Quilt Cover Set
- A recall of the products began in Australia following health concerns from several families.
- One woman said she thought she was having a heart attack after using one of the products which smelt of diesel.
- One customer said she’d purchased the quilt covers and said they smelled like gas. Another mum said hers did not have that smell but claimed her son developed a rash that only went away when he stopped using the product.
- The product is no longer available for purchase on the Kmart website.
Regardless of whether you have experienced an issue, customers who have purchased this item may return the product to store for a refund.
As a teenage graffiti artist Theo Arraj once threw his mark across the water tower in his hometown, he dreamed with his mates about one day wrapping the entire structure with his art.
Decades later, professional mural artist Theo Arraj is finally living his dream.
Surprise your loved ones with tickets for the Heart Foundation Christmas Lottery. It's a gift that could change their lives!
They'll have the chance to win a brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home in Clarks Beach, Auckland, valued at over $1 million. Plus, there are incredible prizes … View moreSurprise your loved ones with tickets for the Heart Foundation Christmas Lottery. It's a gift that could change their lives!
They'll have the chance to win a brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home in Clarks Beach, Auckland, valued at over $1 million. Plus, there are incredible prizes up for grabs, including international travel.
Tickets are just $15 each, and every purchase supports life-saving research. Get yours online today at heartlottery.org.nz.
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