2146 days ago

Council bids for Government funding to help kick start economy

Steph Rangi Reporter from Taupō Times

In an effort to kick start the economy post COVID-19, one council has put in an application for over $300 million.

Taupō District Council made an application for $316 million of Government funding for 16 projects that have been previously identified in the council’s Long-Term Plan.

With the 16 projects comes an estimated employment benefit of almost 2300 jobs.

The Government announced two weeks ago it was looking to invest in construction and infrastructure projects considered ‘shovel ready’.

The council’s applications include ensuring safe drinking water by bringing forward upgrades required to ensure we can provide water that meets the Government’s Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand.

A social and community housing project that would bring forward a significant greenfield residential subdivision, with the intention of bu

• Funding for a community, service and emergency centre for the Taupō District, which will include the council’s administration building.

• A social and community housing project that would bring forward a significant greenfield residential subdivision, with the intention of building affordable housing.

• An events and cultural centre for Turangi to address youth issues and deliver a range of social and health benefits.

• District wide recreational improvements including the development of sporting facilities at Mangakino and in Turangi.

Mayor David Trewavas said there was no doubt the Taupō Disrict economy had been severely impacted by COVID-19.

“It is our job to now look for ways we can help our economy recover in the quickest way possible,” he said.

“A number of these projects will no longer be going ahead without Government funding so this was our opportunity to move our district forward without have a financial impact on our ratepaying community.”

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? 🛻🚨🚓
  • 38.3% The sting of a fine (Money talks!)
    38.3% Complete
  • 61.7% The threat of demerit points (Nobody wants to lose their license!)
    61.7% Complete
752 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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1 day ago

🍦 A Challenge for the Sweetest Tooth!

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

We all love a scoop (or three) of ice cream... but the owner at Little Liberty Creamery in Taranaki is taking things to a whole new level for 2026!

Her goal? 52 new flavours this year. That’s one brand-new, experimental creation every single week! 🤯

The Great Flavour Debate: We want to know what the current "Gold Standard" is for you.

What is the crème de la crème of ice cream flavours?
🍦 The Purist: Are you a "perfect vanilla or nothing" kind of person?
🍫 The Chocoholic: The darker and chunkier the better?
🧂 The Salty-Sweet: Is Salted Caramel still the reigning champ?
🌈 The Wildcard: Are you into the experimental stuff—think lavender, chilli, or charcoal?

Tell us your absolute favourite flavour in the comments below! 👇

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