Whatawhata, Hamilton

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25 days ago

Beggars greet Tokoroa’s InterCity bus drivers but toilets the main concern

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

An InterCity bus driver with five decades behind the wheel says Tokoroa’s new public toilet block is welcome but insufficient for the hundreds of passengers stopping in the town each day.

Perry Davis, 73, who drives back and forward through Tokoroa most days says he and his passengers are also… View more
An InterCity bus driver with five decades behind the wheel says Tokoroa’s new public toilet block is welcome but insufficient for the hundreds of passengers stopping in the town each day.

Perry Davis, 73, who drives back and forward through Tokoroa most days says he and his passengers are also being greeted by habitual beggars asking for money, a situation he calls “more of a nuisance” but “could get a lot worse” if left unchecked.

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25 days ago

Mayor’s use of poo emoji costs ratepayers over $4k

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

South Waikato mayor Gary Petley will make a public apology, and has sworn off social media after admitting he got it wrong when an online dispute turned sour.

A code of conduct complaint was made by Putāruru ward councillor Zed Latinovic in January after Petley reacted to comments made about … View more
South Waikato mayor Gary Petley will make a public apology, and has sworn off social media after admitting he got it wrong when an online dispute turned sour.

A code of conduct complaint was made by Putāruru ward councillor Zed Latinovic in January after Petley reacted to comments made about council expenditure on Facebook by using the ‘poo emoji’.

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25 days ago

Waipā DC backs sale of large chunk of Puahue Cemetery land

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

Waipā District Council is set to dispose of 5880m² of surplus land at Puahue Cemetery as part of its ongoing property optimisation programme.

Councillors voted unanimously to approve, in principle, the sale of part of the site, which was identified as being underutilised in the 2023 Cemetery … View more
Waipā District Council is set to dispose of 5880m² of surplus land at Puahue Cemetery as part of its ongoing property optimisation programme.

Councillors voted unanimously to approve, in principle, the sale of part of the site, which was identified as being underutilised in the 2023 Cemetery Concept Plan.

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25 days ago

Waikato District Council narrowly retains LGNZ membership

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

Waikato District Council has voted against the mayor in retaining membership of the under-fire Local Government New Zealand advocacy group.

Councillors voted narrowly in favour of the organisation, to which the council pays between $60,000 to $80,000 a year in membership fees and training … View more
Waikato District Council has voted against the mayor in retaining membership of the under-fire Local Government New Zealand advocacy group.

Councillors voted narrowly in favour of the organisation, to which the council pays between $60,000 to $80,000 a year in membership fees and training programmes.

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27 days 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 … View more
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?
  • 62.5% They're needed
    62.5% Complete
  • 25% They won't change much
    25% Complete
  • 12.5% I'll wait and see
    12.5% Complete
32 votes
25 days ago

Chiefs resist rushing Damian McKenzie back for Super Rugby Pacific final

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

The Chiefs are keeping Damian McKenzie on ice, with coach Jono Gibbes resisting the temptation to throw his star playmaker straight back into the fray against the Crusaders in Hamilton on Saturday night.

Having sat out the opening two rounds of the Super Rugby Pacific season on paternity leave … View more
The Chiefs are keeping Damian McKenzie on ice, with coach Jono Gibbes resisting the temptation to throw his star playmaker straight back into the fray against the Crusaders in Hamilton on Saturday night.

Having sat out the opening two rounds of the Super Rugby Pacific season on paternity leave following the birth of his first child, son, Louie, in the first week of February, McKenzie has re-joined the franchise for training this week.

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28 days ago

Raglan tops unpaid rates bill list in Waikato District

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

More than $1.3 million in unpaid rates is owed to Waikato District Council by just 10 property owners — including one Raglan ratepayer who owes nearly a quarter of a million dollars.

An Official Information Act response reveals the council’s worst rates arrears, with a single Raglan property… View more
More than $1.3 million in unpaid rates is owed to Waikato District Council by just 10 property owners — including one Raglan ratepayer who owes nearly a quarter of a million dollars.

An Official Information Act response reveals the council’s worst rates arrears, with a single Raglan property topping the list at $234,017.07 outstanding.

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28 days 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, … View more
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?
  • 26.1% I already have.
    26.1% Complete
  • 60.9% Yes.
    60.9% Complete
  • 13% No
    13% Complete
23 votes
25 days ago

Seven people rescued from Waikato river near Taupō

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

Seven people were rescued from the Waikato River on Wednesday evening after a recreational float went wrong.

Police were alerted about 7.20pm to four men who had decided to float from the control gates down to Hipapatua Reserve, also known as Reids Farm, police said in a statement. The group had… View more
Seven people were rescued from the Waikato River on Wednesday evening after a recreational float went wrong.

Police were alerted about 7.20pm to four men who had decided to float from the control gates down to Hipapatua Reserve, also known as Reids Farm, police said in a statement. The group had only basic inflatables and were not wearing life jackets.

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26 days ago

Poll: Are you feeling more optimistic about our local economy lately?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Waikato farmers are leading the way! 🚜🐄 With exports booming and "stellar seasons" on the books, our farmers are pumping value back into the region.

Even with a cautious approach to spending, the benefits are slowly making their way into the local economy.

We want to know: Are… View more
Waikato farmers are leading the way! 🚜🐄 With exports booming and "stellar seasons" on the books, our farmers are pumping value back into the region.

Even with a cautious approach to spending, the benefits are slowly making their way into the local economy.

We want to know: Are you feeling more optimistic about our local economy lately?

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Are you feeling more optimistic about our local economy lately?
  • 20.5% Yes, definitely!
    20.5% Complete
  • 20.5% Getting there...
    20.5% Complete
  • 59% Still waiting to see it.
    59% Complete
39 votes
26 days ago

Board offered

Karen from Nawton

Board available and ready now for 1 person only in a Nawton smoke-free 3 bedroom/2 bathroom house. Unfurnished room, brand new carpet [laid 17/2/26].
Share home with older lady, male boarder and cats. No other pets allowed.
You MUST be honest, reliable, respectful and reasonably sociable.
View more
Board available and ready now for 1 person only in a Nawton smoke-free 3 bedroom/2 bathroom house. Unfurnished room, brand new carpet [laid 17/2/26].
Share home with older lady, male boarder and cats. No other pets allowed.
You MUST be honest, reliable, respectful and reasonably sociable.
preferable age group 40+.
Preferably working.
off street parking, quiet culde-sac, bus stop nearby, house backs onto a large park.
$230 pw rent (buy/cook own food). Rent includes room, electricity, unlimited fibre internet, use of washing machine/dryer and use of lounge TV, etc. Sole use of a fridge/freezer
1-2 weeks bond and references required.
ABSOLUTELY No TIME WASTERS please!
ABSOLUTELY No drugs.
ABSOLUTELY No criminal record, a police check may be required.
contact Karen
0273901487 or email kazzaskatz@hotmail.com

47 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop … View moreOnce again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.

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26 days ago

Step by step for a great cause!

The Team from Patrick Hogan Village

Our amazing Hillary Hikers from Edmund Hillary Village showed their support for Bowel Cancer New Zealand's Move Your Butt campaign this month!

Sporting the bright purple and orange campaign shirts, these wonderful walkers hit the Auckland waterfront and marched from Mission Bay to … View more
Our amazing Hillary Hikers from Edmund Hillary Village showed their support for Bowel Cancer New Zealand's Move Your Butt campaign this month!

Sporting the bright purple and orange campaign shirts, these wonderful walkers hit the Auckland waterfront and marched from Mission Bay to Kohimarama, raising awareness for bowel cancer and the importance of early detection along the way.

Click read more to read the full story.

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33 days ago

Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑

Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.

We want to know: … View more
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑

Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.

We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

Want to read more? The Press has you covered!

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🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
  • 53.9% Human-centred experience and communication
    53.9% Complete
  • 14.3% Critical thinking
    14.3% Complete
  • 29.4% Resilience and adaptability
    29.4% Complete
  • 2.4% Other - I will share below!
    2.4% Complete
659 votes
27 days ago

‘Humble hero’ carries two deaf women from floating car in rising floodwaters

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

A Taupō police officer rescued two profoundly deaf women from a floating car in fast-rising floodwaters, then put them up at his mum's house.
Constable Courtney Robertson has been called a “humble hero”.

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