Te Kowhai, Hamilton

2223 days ago

Poll: Should fireworks be banned?

The Team from ACC New Zealand

Setting off fireworks has become an annual Kiwi backyard tradition, and it’s almost time to break out the sparklers again. However, critics say they’re dangerous and people are injured by them every year. Fans, on the other hand, argue that all fun involves some level of risk, it just needs to … View moreSetting off fireworks has become an annual Kiwi backyard tradition, and it’s almost time to break out the sparklers again. However, critics say they’re dangerous and people are injured by them every year. Fans, on the other hand, argue that all fun involves some level of risk, it just needs to be managed safely.

Last year, we saw a 23% drop in the number of fireworks-related injury claims (171 claims across 2017 versus 223 across 2016). What do you think? Should personal fireworks be banned? Click here for advice on how to use fireworks responsibly.

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Should fireworks be banned?
  • 18.4% Yes - get rid of them altogether
    18.4% Complete
  • 59.5% No - let's keep professional public displays only
    59.5% Complete
  • 18.2% No - I think they're great
    18.2% Complete
  • 3.8% I don't mind either way
    3.8% Complete
5408 votes
2223 days ago

Mad mike's summer bash 2018

Hampton Downs Motorsport Park

Hampton Downs and Mazda present Mad Mike Summer Bash 3! - Where mad mike and radbul will take on New Zealands Best! NZs best drifters will again feature in the headline summer bash shootout event where all comers will go up against Mad Mike.

The event format includes the 767B demo's, top 16… View more
Hampton Downs and Mazda present Mad Mike Summer Bash 3! - Where mad mike and radbul will take on New Zealands Best! NZs best drifters will again feature in the headline summer bash shootout event where all comers will go up against Mad Mike.

The event format includes the 767B demo's, top 16 drift superclass, triple threat team event, open drift sessions, time attack outlaws, gymkhana, international cruise sessions and the new summer bash skid king.

There will be the Family Fun Zone, VIP Trackside Lounge and grandstands so the fans can get up close to the action. Don't miss out - come and join us for the third instalment of Mad Mike's Summer Bash!

See the cars, see the stars.
Get your tickets here!

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2224 days ago

Breaking news: Earthquake rattles central New Zealand

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Hi neighbours - keep safe out there! A strong earthquake 6.7 magnitude has struck central New Zealand.

It struck at a depth of 193km about 35km south-west of Taumarunui.

More than 9000 people reported feeling the quake within 10 minutes of it striking at 3.14pm. The quake was felt as far as … View more
Hi neighbours - keep safe out there! A strong earthquake 6.7 magnitude has struck central New Zealand.

It struck at a depth of 193km about 35km south-west of Taumarunui.

More than 9000 people reported feeling the quake within 10 minutes of it striking at 3.14pm. The quake was felt as far as the South Island.

We will keep you up to date with the latest. For updates and more info, click here.

So far:
- Parliament has been suspended until further notice on the advice of Civil Defence.
- Make sure you check on your neighbours - even though there may have not been any damage near you, your neighbours may still need your help.
- If you need to alert your neighbours urgently, then don't hesitate to send out an Urgent Alert to your community. You can find this function when you go to post a message on Neighbourly.
- Metlink Wellington said rail services would continue to run with some delays following the recent earthquake.
- Fire and Emergency NZ had no reports of injuries nor damage across the South Island.
- GNS Science have advised there is no tsunami threat to New Zealand

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2224 days ago

Poll: Does your family take part in trick-or-treating?

Georgia Reporter from Stuff

Hi neighbours,

Get ready, the scary season is here and trick-or-treaters may soon be knocking at your door. So we want to know, is trick-or-treating something your family gets involved in? How about the US trend called 'trunk-or-treat'? Take part in our poll to let us know!

The New … View more
Hi neighbours,

Get ready, the scary season is here and trick-or-treaters may soon be knocking at your door. So we want to know, is trick-or-treating something your family gets involved in? How about the US trend called 'trunk-or-treat'? Take part in our poll to let us know!

The New Zealand police are encouraging parents, caregivers, and children to celebrate Halloween, on Wednesday, safely. To read police advice, click here.

Also, for tips on how to make your home seem scary or how to celebrate Halloween without the sugar rush, click here.

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Does your family take part in trick-or-treating?
  • 13.6% Yes
    13.6% Complete
  • 80.9% No
    80.9% Complete
  • 5% We sometimes go trick-or-treating
    5% Complete
  • 0.6% We're doing trunk-or-treat this year
    0.6% Complete
2655 votes
2224 days ago

Did you experience the tornado?

The Team Reporter from Hamilton Press

Flying trampolines and netball hoops, a doormat in the tree, and sheets of iron swirling through the air - a tornado est of Hamilton stunned people in the area.
According to MetService forecaster Cameron Coutts, thunderstorms and tornadoes are from the same sort of cloud.
"It's driven by … View more
Flying trampolines and netball hoops, a doormat in the tree, and sheets of iron swirling through the air - a tornado est of Hamilton stunned people in the area.
According to MetService forecaster Cameron Coutts, thunderstorms and tornadoes are from the same sort of cloud.
"It's driven by the upper atmosphere."
Read more here.

2224 days ago

Did you experience the tornado?

The Team Reporter from Hamilton Press

Flying trampolines and netball hoops, a doormat in the tree, and sheets of iron swirling through the air - a tornado est of Hamilton stunned people in the area.
According to MetService forecaster Cameron Coutts, thunderstorms and tornadoes are from the same sort of cloud.
"It's driven by … View more
Flying trampolines and netball hoops, a doormat in the tree, and sheets of iron swirling through the air - a tornado est of Hamilton stunned people in the area.
According to MetService forecaster Cameron Coutts, thunderstorms and tornadoes are from the same sort of cloud.
"It's driven by the upper atmosphere."
Read more here.

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2228 days ago

Free Agapantha's

Hugh from Whatawhata

Dug up, free to anyone who wants to pick them up and take away. Approx 50.
Whatawhata address

2225 days ago

Funnel cloud touches down in rural Waikato

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

A rare funnel cloud has been spotted in Waikato, with several reports of the weather phenomenon being reported across the region, mainly to the east of Hamilton.

The funnel cloud was seen by several people who contacted Stuff on Monday afternoon.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says more isolated tornados… View more
A rare funnel cloud has been spotted in Waikato, with several reports of the weather phenomenon being reported across the region, mainly to the east of Hamilton.

The funnel cloud was seen by several people who contacted Stuff on Monday afternoon.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says more isolated tornados are possible this afternoon in the upper North Island due to instability in the atmosphere plus warmer than average weather. There's also the risk of isolated thunderstorms.

Sheryl Barlow, of Morrinsville, was travelling to Hamilton with her husband Ron when they spotted what looked like a tornado near Eureka, west of Hamilton, on State Highway 26. Read more

Photo credit: Alex Fear, NIWA.

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2225 days ago

Are you hoping to catch a glimpse of Harry and Meghan?

Sarah Reporter from Stuff

Hey neighbours,

The royal tour is underway, and the Duke and Duchess will be covering quite a bit of ground across the country in the next few days.

Are you planning to line up and see Harry and Meghan? Perhaps you already spotted them during their first couple of outings in Wellington, or even … View more
Hey neighbours,

The royal tour is underway, and the Duke and Duchess will be covering quite a bit of ground across the country in the next few days.

Are you planning to line up and see Harry and Meghan? Perhaps you already spotted them during their first couple of outings in Wellington, or even managed to have a chat?

To find out when and where you need to be to have the best chance of seeing Harry and Meghan, click here for our detailed tour breakdown.

For the latest on the royals' visit, click here.

Share your thoughts on the royal tour and your plans for meeting our special visitors in the replies below. (Please add "NFP/not for print" if you do not want your images/ comments used on Stuff)

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2227 days ago

Dodgy footpaths? The inspector's coming

The Team Reporter from Hamilton Press

Dodgy footpaths are a constant source of complaints, but now there's a man on a scooter checking out pavements across Hamilton.
Voltaire Villalobos and his three-wheeled scooter will cover more than 1000km of pathways, looking for parts that are uneven, cracked, or crumbling.
He stays away … View more
Dodgy footpaths are a constant source of complaints, but now there's a man on a scooter checking out pavements across Hamilton.
Voltaire Villalobos and his three-wheeled scooter will cover more than 1000km of pathways, looking for parts that are uneven, cracked, or crumbling.
He stays away from schools at peak hours though, because all the kids want a go on his scooter.
Have you seen him out and about?
And did you know that Hamilton City Council had a $2.3m budget for footpaths in 2017/18? It's set to increase to $5.1m for 2018/19.

2225 days ago

Future of civil defence emergency management - have your say!

The Team from Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management

Have your say about the future of civil defence emergency management in New Zealand.

We want to know what you think about a proposed National Disaster Resilience Strategy for New Zealand.

The strategy sets New Zealand’s vision and long-term goals for civil defence emergency management. It has a… View more
Have your say about the future of civil defence emergency management in New Zealand.

We want to know what you think about a proposed National Disaster Resilience Strategy for New Zealand.

The strategy sets New Zealand’s vision and long-term goals for civil defence emergency management. It has a strong focus on building community and societal disaster resilience to protect New Zealand’s prosperity and well-being.

Your input will help us to make the strategy relevant, and better able to meet its objectives, for all New Zealanders. You can view the proposed National Disaster Resilience Strategy and find out how to make a submission at www.civildefence.govt.nz...

The consultation will close on Friday, 7 December 2018.

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2229 days ago

Where do you reckon the best sausages are?

The Team Reporter from Hamilton Press

New World Te Rapa's Angus beef sausages have just been crowned supreme champions in a national competition - an honour shared with a beef and mushroom sausage from Westmere Butchery in Auckland.
Where's your top sausage spot?
The Te Rapa win was in the Devro Great New Zealand Sausage … View more
New World Te Rapa's Angus beef sausages have just been crowned supreme champions in a national competition - an honour shared with a beef and mushroom sausage from Westmere Butchery in Auckland.
Where's your top sausage spot?
The Te Rapa win was in the Devro Great New Zealand Sausage Competition.
"You have nothing to hide behind when you make a beef sausage. It has to be quality," butcher Chris Nicol said.
"You can take shortcuts when you make sausages, but if you use quality ingredients and put the time and effort into it and if you hand mix it and use the right meat to fat ratio you're going to come up with a good product."

2225 days ago

Live Stronger for Longer!

The Team from ACC New Zealand

Maintain your strength and balance with Live Stronger for Longer classes. You'll learn simple exercises in your local community to help keep you steady on your feet and reduce the risk of falls. These classes are safe and you’ll have fun while meeting new people in your community. Go to … View moreMaintain your strength and balance with Live Stronger for Longer classes. You'll learn simple exercises in your local community to help keep you steady on your feet and reduce the risk of falls. These classes are safe and you’ll have fun while meeting new people in your community. Go to livestronger.org.nz to find an approved class near you. Brought to you by ACC, Ministry of Health and Health Quality and Safety Commission. Find out more

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2227 days ago

Help Tom Thank the Blind Foundation

The Team from Givealittle

Hi New Zealand,

This week is Blind Week raising awareness and funds for the Blind Foundation to support those who are blind or have low vision.

94 year old Tom Beale is on a mission to thank the Blind Foundation after they helped him through a tough time. Let's help Tom give back to … View more
Hi New Zealand,

This week is Blind Week raising awareness and funds for the Blind Foundation to support those who are blind or have low vision.

94 year old Tom Beale is on a mission to thank the Blind Foundation after they helped him through a tough time. Let's help Tom give back to this wonderful organisation through Givealittle!

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2227 days ago

Dodgy footpaths? The inspector's coming

The Team Reporter from Hamilton Press

Dodgy footpaths are a constant source of complaints, but now there's a man on a scooter checking out pavements across Hamilton.
Voltaire Villalobos and his three-wheeled scooter will cover more than 1000km of pathways, looking for parts that are uneven, cracked, or crumbling.
He stays away … View more
Dodgy footpaths are a constant source of complaints, but now there's a man on a scooter checking out pavements across Hamilton.
Voltaire Villalobos and his three-wheeled scooter will cover more than 1000km of pathways, looking for parts that are uneven, cracked, or crumbling.
He stays away from schools at peak hours though, because all the kids want a go on his scooter.
Have you seen him out and about?
And did you know that Hamilton City Council had a $2.3m budget for footpaths in 2017/18? It's set to increase to $5.1m for 2018/19.

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