Police investigate suspicious approach, Whakatu
Hastings Police investigating a suspicious approach in the Whakatu area would like to advise parents to be alert, not alarmed.
At around 3.15pm on Tuesday 21 October, a man approached a young girl and began interacting with her as she was walking home. We acknowledge the girl who has done the right thing by avoiding the man, making her way home, and telling her caregivers.
We understand an incident like this can be unsettling to the community however, we ask parents to be alert, not alarmed.
Police encourages parents and caregivers to have discussions around behaviours and actions that are inappropriate or that make a child feel uncomfortable. This enables them to identify behaviours that make them uncomfortable, unsafe or scared, and take action by removing themselves from the situation and tell someone they trust.
Police ask those in the Whakatu area who have CCTV or dashcams to please review their footage from Tuesday around 3.15pm, and ask them get in touch with Police if they see any suspicious activity.
We ask the community to report suspicious activity to us as soon as possible by calling 111.
For non-emergencies, or to provide information after-the-fact, please contact Police through our 105 services.
Please use the reference number 251022/0221.
Time to Tickle Your Thinker 🧠
If a zookeeper had 100 pairs of animals in her zoo, and two pairs of babies are born for each one of the original animals, then (sadly) 23 animals don’t survive, how many animals do you have left in total?
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Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?
The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.
Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.
We want to know: What do you think about automation?
Are you for, or against?
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9.6% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
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43.2% I want to be able to choose.
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47.1% Against. I want to deal with people.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
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 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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