The Warehouse Plastic Pollution
Last summer, with kids coming to stay, I went to the Warehouse to grab some buckets and spades for the beach. They had them alright, but they were flimsy, bendy even, and way less than useful at Tahunanui beach. Fortunately, I found solid ones at Para and all was sorted for the kids
Trouble is I could easily see the future of those zillions of The Warehouse plastic beach toys nation wide – soon broken and discarded at the beach by disappointed children so I wrote to The Warehouse explaining that I accepted it was too late to change that summer’s stock but asking they got better stuff this year.
The Warehouse responded saying they stood by the quality of their stock and it was the parents’ responsibility to stop their children littering.
Going back in this year I see their plastic spades can be bent into a circle with the gentle use of just one finger.
The buckets were, if possible, even flimsier.
The Warehouse may reckon it’s doing its bit by encouraging shoppers to not use single use shopping bags but they are doing parents, children and the environment – including all sea creatures – a major disservice (harm in the case of the sea creatures) selling such obviously not fit for purpose plastic to take to the beach.
My own kids buckets and spades only got taken to the op shop, battered but still perfectly serviceable, once they had left home and we finally cleared up after them.
This Christmas, if you don’t want to waste money on junk and do care for the environment you might want to look at how ‘single use’ a lot of The Warehouse stock – not just the buckets and spades – are.
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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58.9% Yes, supporting people is important!
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26.4% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.7% ... It is complicated
A Neighbourly Riddle! Don’t Overthink It… Or Do?😜
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
If you multiply this number by any other number, the answer will always be the same. What number is this?
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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