588 days ago

Poll: Should more companies stop using silica?

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

A benchtop manufacturer is voluntarily banning silica from its workplaces so staff don’t have to worry about lung disease.

AGB has six factories across the country, including one in Te Rapa, Hamilton, and had already stopped working with high-silica engineered stone as the spotlight came on links with irreversible lung disease silicosis.

Do you think more companies should do what AGB's doing? Tell us why in the comments (please include NFP if you don't want your comments used in print).

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Should more companies stop using silica?
  • 83.3% Yes
    83.3% Complete
  • 0% No
    0% Complete
  • 0% There should be a maximum limit for silica content
    0% Complete
  • 16.7% Not sure
    16.7% Complete
18 votes
More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!

William Hansby Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

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.

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21 hours ago

Poll: Would you help your kids out with buying a home?

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

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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Would you help your kids out with buying a home?
  • 14.3% I already have.
    14.3% Complete
  • 71.4% Yes.
    71.4% Complete
  • 14.3% No
    14.3% Complete
7 votes
4 hours ago

Poll: What do you think of the new police move-on powers?

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

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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What do you think of the new police move-on powers?
  • 100% They're needed
    100% Complete
  • 0% They won't change much
    0% Complete
  • 0% I'll wait and see
    0% Complete
4 votes