Are you following the Piarere progress?
Good progress is being made on a notorious Waikato intersection with the main foundations largely finished, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi says.
The Piarere intersection – a key connector for Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty - is used by about 20,000 vehicles a day and can regularly back up for hundreds of metres in peak times.
Do you think we need more midwives?
The owner of a major Hamilton birthing centre, who gets at least half a dozen requests a day for a midwife, is embracing a new Waikato University programme aimed at tackling the chronic shortage.
The programme is the latest in a strong catalogue of health options coming online at the university, including nursing, pharmacy and general practice with the institution at the forefront of tackling major health needs for the country and region.
Share your New Zealand music memories...
It's NZ Music Month and New Zealand really has some beautiful songs from artists that we call our own.
Whether it's April Sun in Cuba, Don't Forget your Roots, or How Bizarre or Bic Runga's 'Sway' - songs have a way of unlocking memories and evoking old feelings.
In honour of NZ Music Month, share a New Zealand song or artist that is special to you and explain why.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
Huge opportunity to accelerate ecological work
The Waikato Catchment Ecological Enhancement Trust, or ‘WCEET’, is a collaboration between Mercury Power and the conservation groups that were involved in the re-consenting process for the company’s Waikato River dams. Together they manage an enhancement fund that supports efforts to environmentally compensate for the dams’ impact.
WCEET’s financial support has had a hugely positive impact on the Waikato and Lake Taupo catchments since it was established two decades ago – its funding of 300+ conservation projects has collectively enhanced 2600+ hectares of wetland and 2600+ hectares of riparian habitat, with 2.43 million natives planted and predator control applied to 7200+ hectares.
“We’ve supported some truly inspirational volunteer groups, landowners and businesses dedicated to protecting and enhancing the environment,” said Trust Chair Gwyn Verkerk.
“Without any promotion, our funding rounds are always over-subscribed. So we’ve set up the WCEET Fund with Momentum Waikato, as both a new investment income stream in its own right, and to provide an easy way for the public to donate towards the expansion and long-term sustainability of this crucial local conservation funding.”
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