1807 days ago

'Nauseating, shaking, shock': Stuff reporter Jo McKenzie-McLean on learning she has bowel cancer

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Otago News

The Cromwell mother-of-two was suffering from intense stomach pain and vomiting before being diagnosed in January.

"It is shocking that cancer patients, fighting for their lives, have to rely on the generosity and kindness of family, friends and strangers to get drugs to help treat this cruel disease that affects so many of us," Jo says.

"My heart is bursting with overwhelming love and gratitude for the support shown to me and my family. It is giving me a surge of strength and faith in my ability to fight this every step of the way."

Read Jo's story here.

Jo is fundraising to cover her medical bills. If you would like to contribute, visit her Givealittle page here.

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More messages from your neighbours
4 days ago

Poll: If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In the Post's article on speeding penalties, the question is asked whether speeding fines are truly about road safety, or are they just a way to boost revenue for the Crown?

What do you think? Should speeding motorists receive speeding fines or demerit points?

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If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓
  • 38.1% The sting of a fine (Money talks!)
    38.1% Complete
  • 61.9% The threat of demerit points (Nobody wants to lose their license!)
    61.9% Complete
743 votes
10 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.

Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.

For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.

Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?

We hope this brings a smile!

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11 days ago

Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!

William Hansby Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.

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