Vandalism is costing ratepayers - what can be done to better protect our public spaces?
Vandals have repeatedly damaged public amenities across the Waikato District, leaving ratepayers to pick up the bill. So far in 2025, the cost has climbed to nearly $123,000, reports the Waikato Times.
The council is urging residents to report vandalism as soon as possible.
If you witness vandalism in progress, please contact the police immediately.
We want to know: Do you have ideas on how we can better protect our public spaces?
Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!
Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.
Poll: Would you help your kids out with buying a home?
OPINION: Over the past year, I’ve had the same conversation with many Waikato families again and again.
A child has found a house. The market feels like it’s moving. There’s pressure to act quickly. And before anyone has really had time to think it through, parents are being asked to step in with cash, guarantees, or equity from their own home.
Would you help your kids out with buying a home? Tell us more in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
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20% I already have.
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80% Yes.
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0% No
Poll: What do you think of the new police move-on powers?
Central Hamilton businesses are welcoming police being given new powers to move on vagrants, with a city retail advocate saying the previous hands-off approach wasn’t working.
On Sunday the Government announced it would grant police powers to order any individual rough sleeping, begging, or displaying disorderly behaviour to move on.
What do you think of the new police move-on powers? Tell us more in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
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100% They're needed
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0% They won't change much
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0% I'll wait and see
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