1837 days ago

We Say, You Say: Fire Escape Plans

Neighbourly.co.nz

Hi Waikato,

Do you have a fire escape plan?

A fire that engulfed a house in Pokeno was found to have been caused by grass clippings catching alight on a lawnmower that was still hot from use.

Fire crews responded to the house fire on January 31, with four crews at the scene and another three dispatched.

Area Commander Geoff Purcell said that the occupants of the house were lucky to get out quickly. "This fire shows that fire can get very real, fast...It can take just three minutes for a fire to become deadly."

Share your thoughts below and please type NFP if you don't want your comments featured in your local community paper.

You can plan your fire escape at www.escapemyhouse.co.nz...
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More messages from your neighbours
4 days ago

Poll: What do you think should happen with Chateau Tongariro?

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

The Government has refused to commit to saving the Chateau Tongariro Hotel, leaving demolition, decommissioning or private restoration all on the table despite strong community pressure to preserve the iconic building.

In a formal response to a petition led by Ruapehu District Mayor Weston Kirton, ministers acknowledged the Chateau’s cultural and economic significance but said no changes to current policy or legislation were warranted Chateau Petition response.

What do you think should happen with Chateau Tongariro? 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 should happen with Chateau Tongariro?
  • 5.3% Demolish it
    5.3% Complete
  • 0% Decommission it
    0% Complete
  • 94.7% A private operator should restore it
    94.7% Complete
  • 0% Other - explain in the comments
    0% Complete
19 votes
3 days ago

Tamahere home in dentist case was once centre of accountant’s fraud

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

It’s been a feature in a recent Hamilton District Court trial , but a Tamahere mansion already has an complicated history.

The property in Woodcock Rd - notable for having a hydroslide in the back yard - the scene of now-disproved alleged sexual offending by Hamilton dentist Rahul Gautam - made headlines more than 15 years ago, when it was a focus in the case of accountant Gary Soffe.

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1 day ago

Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙

One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.

So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?

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Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
  • 60.8% Yes, supporting people is important!
    60.8% Complete
  • 23.8% No, individuals should take responsibility
    23.8% Complete
  • 15.4% ... It is complicated
    15.4% Complete
324 votes