Long-term solutions to consider in Conservation Week
It is Conservation Week, that time each year when we are all asked to reflect on what needs to happen for our native species and biodiversity to survive and flourish.
Momentum Waikato exists to provide long-term financial resourcing solutions for people tackling social and environmental challenges. For conservation, we so far have three endowment funds that each use their investment income to provide grants and other support for local conservation efforts.
All three offer the opportunity to donate towards growing sustainable support systems for the genuine long-term solutions to the conservation challenges across the wider Waikato region.
The Fund for Nature Hauraki-Coromandel, set up by the Predator Free Hauraki Coromandel Community Trust, supports this umbrella group for the two districts’ 100+ conservation groups. See momentumwaikato.nz...
The Waikato Catchment Ecological Enhancement Fund, set up the Waikato Catchment Ecological Enhancement Trust, supports the Trust's grants to conservation work up and down the length of the awa. See momentumwaikato.nz...
The Waikato Hauraki Conservation Fund, set up by Selwyn and Dianne June, is a ‘gap filler’ funder for those things that volunteers need that are not usually covered by other funders. See momentumwaikato.nz...
You can find out more and donate by clicking the links above, or the one below that take you to our communities' funds index page, where you can select the funds you're interested in supporting.
Thanks!
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
Have you driven past this King Country icon lately?
Months after launching a campaign to have Waitomo’s famous big apple refreshed, the woman behind it has closed her petition and claimed victory.
Once the apple of the eye of passers-by, the big apple had suffered years of neglect, which took the shine off the apple and left a bad taste in the mouths of locals, until Piopio resident Karen Barrett took a bite out of its owners - Tourism Holdings Ltd (THL).
Have you driven past this King Country icon lately? Tell us your thoughts in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
Warnings about scams
This Fraud Awareness Week, we’re reminding everyone to stay sharp and look out for the warning signs of scams to stop them before they start.
Here’s what to watch out for:
🔍 Unrealistic offers or promises of easy money that are too good to be true
🔍 Pressure tactics: Scammers may rush or threaten you to act immediately.
🔍 Requests for personal info: Be cautious if you’re asked for bank details, passwords, or sensitive information.
🔍 Unusual payment methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
🔍 Unverified contacts: Emails, calls, or messages from unknown or suspicious sources.
How to protect yourself:
✅ Stop and think before sharing personal details or making payments.
✅ Don't click on any links until you know that it is safe.
✅ Verify the source: Contact the organisation directly using official channels.
✅ If something’s not right, it's OK to hang up, walk away, ignore it and move on.
If you wish to report a scam, contact Police on 105 or report it online via 105.police.govt.nz/use-105.