Dogs on the Beach
Recently, there have been calls to place restrictions on unleashed dogs or all dogs at any time on all beaches. This is totally unreasonable.
It is understandable that some people want to restrict dogs in some ways under certain circumstances, but this needs to be fair to dog owners and their pets who enjoy the beach as much as anyone else. For a person who lives alone, their dog may be their only companion.
There are no dedicated dog parks in the Mount or Papamoa even though a large number of rate payers are also dog owners, so there is nowhere else for dogs, large and small, to freely play and exercise.
Some beaches (like Whangamata) have dedicated hours to walk off leash dogs during the summer (November to end of March). When I was there, the hours for unleashed dogs were 6pm till 10am, with all the rest of the day available to people and leashed dogs only.
Although this means some minor restrictions, it allows maximum freedom for everyone to enjoy the beach in their own way. I have written to the council with this suggestion. If you have an opinion about dogs on the beach, please contact the council on info@tauranga.govt.nz
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.1% Yes
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13.4% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Become an SPCA Foster Hero!
Kitten season has arrived, and over the next six months, over 8,000 cats and kittens will come into SPCA’s care. Please help us give these babies the best start in life and sign up to be a foster parent today! It's not just cats and kittens - we are also urgently seeking foster homes for dogs and small animals.
Fostering saves lives and helps these tiny babies grow into healthy, well-adjusted adults, ready for adoption. We cover all training and costs. All you need is time and love to spare!
Sign up today and save a life!
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