South Waikato District, Tokoroa

90 days ago

Ratepayers foot $58k bill in battle over Te Aroha tenant

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

Ratepayers have spent more than $58,000 on a drawn-out legal battle over a Te Aroha pensioner living in a commercial building.

The Environment Court on Tuesday ordered Dave Stewart to vacate his Whitaker Street home within 90 days, siding with Matamata-Piako District Council after years of … View more
Ratepayers have spent more than $58,000 on a drawn-out legal battle over a Te Aroha pensioner living in a commercial building.

The Environment Court on Tuesday ordered Dave Stewart to vacate his Whitaker Street home within 90 days, siding with Matamata-Piako District Council after years of wrangling.

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94 days ago

What's your favourite pie flavour?

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

On a quiet corner of Rimu Street in Maeroa, a modest lunch bar has turned into an international food destination, all thanks to a pie that most people never imagined would exist.

Eighty8 Lunch Bar, co-owned by Kim and Ra Sok, has built a reputation for seafood pies so unusual – and so beloved … View more
On a quiet corner of Rimu Street in Maeroa, a modest lunch bar has turned into an international food destination, all thanks to a pie that most people never imagined would exist.

Eighty8 Lunch Bar, co-owned by Kim and Ra Sok, has built a reputation for seafood pies so unusual – and so beloved – that people now fly in from overseas and get their hands on them.

What's your favourite pie flavour? Tell us in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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93 days ago

Are you the Special Someone our SPCA animals have been waiting for?

SPCA - Rotorua Centre

From Sat 6 – Sun 21 September, all long-stay animals at SPCA will be available for adoption by donation/koha - for the right home.*

They might be older, shy, have only three legs or just need that extra bit of attention and care – but they all deserve a loving home. And they have been … View more
From Sat 6 – Sun 21 September, all long-stay animals at SPCA will be available for adoption by donation/koha - for the right home.*

They might be older, shy, have only three legs or just need that extra bit of attention and care – but they all deserve a loving home. And they have been waiting for a long time for that Special Love!

Look for the ‘Long-stay resident’ tag on our adoption profiles, check you can provide what they need to flourish & apply online at www.spca.nz...

*animals looking for their forever family for more than 42 days; our usual adoption criteria and processes apply.

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94 days ago

Lulu's Village Life

The Team from Patrick Hogan Village

Many of our villages are lucky to have four-legged friends like Lulu the poodle!

Lulu is a loved companion with a big personality and an even bigger routine. She’s up at 6am sharp and she never misses an outing - whether it’s a trip to the caravan, a ride in the Bunnings trolley, or even a … View more
Many of our villages are lucky to have four-legged friends like Lulu the poodle!

Lulu is a loved companion with a big personality and an even bigger routine. She’s up at 6am sharp and she never misses an outing - whether it’s a trip to the caravan, a ride in the Bunnings trolley, or even a spin on the jetski with her own life jacket!

Click read more to learn about Lulu's village life.

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94 days ago

Receive a skincare gift with your NZ House & Garden subscription this September

NZ House & Garden

Help your skin feel naturally soft, hydrated, and visibly replenished this spring. For a limited time when you subscribe to NZ House & Garden for 1 or 2 years, you’ll receive a FREE Ceramide Soufflé Fresh Hydration Cream from Antipodes - valued at $64!

Treat yourself to a … View more
Help your skin feel naturally soft, hydrated, and visibly replenished this spring. For a limited time when you subscribe to NZ House & Garden for 1 or 2 years, you’ll receive a FREE Ceramide Soufflé Fresh Hydration Cream from Antipodes - valued at $64!

Treat yourself to a beautiful magazine subscription and a self-care ritual, all in one.

From the team at Mags4Gifts

*T&Cs apply. Offer available to the first 200 people who subscribe to NZ House & Garden for 1 or 2 years between August 25 - September 21, 2025.
Find out more

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105 days ago

Lemon Season: Got any ideas?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

It is lemon season - our trees are bursting and our gardens are covered in citrus peels ... what do you do with your excess lemons?

Share with your community your tips on:
🍋 Harvesting and storage
🍋 Creative uses: recipes, cleaning solutions, health benefits
🍋 Tree care and … View more
It is lemon season - our trees are bursting and our gardens are covered in citrus peels ... what do you do with your excess lemons?

Share with your community your tips on:
🍋 Harvesting and storage
🍋 Creative uses: recipes, cleaning solutions, health benefits
🍋 Tree care and maintenance

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95 days ago

What do you think, does this reflect what you're seeing?

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

Waikato people are getting fatter, sadder and poorer according to a long-term study of the region’s progress indicators.

The Waikato Progress Indicators - Tupuranga Waikato report has found just 31% of people in 2024 reported being physically active on five or more days in the past week - down… View more
Waikato people are getting fatter, sadder and poorer according to a long-term study of the region’s progress indicators.

The Waikato Progress Indicators - Tupuranga Waikato report has found just 31% of people in 2024 reported being physically active on five or more days in the past week - down from 61% in 2006.

What do you think, does this reflect what you're seeing? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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102 days ago

🏋️‍♀️ Help us exercise our brains!

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

We’ve worked our way through our usual batch of The Press puzzles … so now the Neighbourly Team are on the lookout for fresh challenges to keep our brains buzzing 🧠✨

We want to know: When you have a spare moment, what brain-boosting games, puzzles or activities do you reach for?
View more
We’ve worked our way through our usual batch of The Press puzzles … so now the Neighbourly Team are on the lookout for fresh challenges to keep our brains buzzing 🧠✨

We want to know: When you have a spare moment, what brain-boosting games, puzzles or activities do you reach for?
Inspire us in the comments below ...

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96 days ago

Scentsy Halloween & spring summer products available now!

Toni from Te Awamutu

tonisfragrance.scentsy.co.nz...

Taking orders for Halloween and Spring Summer orders.
Halloween scents and warmers are available. Get ready to decorate for October. Our warmers are beautiful and creative this year.

Contact me to place your order. Layby available.

Negotiable

96 days ago

Thames Coromandel snubbed by the Western Bay, left out of waters group

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

Thames Coromandel District Council’s attempts to join a multi-council water services group have been blocked by one of the councils involved, leaving it to fend for itself.

The snub has seen the council call on the Government to appoint a facilitator to resolve the impasse which has been … View more
Thames Coromandel District Council’s attempts to join a multi-council water services group have been blocked by one of the councils involved, leaving it to fend for itself.

The snub has seen the council call on the Government to appoint a facilitator to resolve the impasse which has been labelled “a surprise at the 11th hour” by deputy mayor Terry Walker.

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96 days ago

Share your strawberry recipe and win a copy of our mag!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

We will give away free copies of the November 2025 issue to readers whose strawberry recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way enjoy strawberry (dessert, salad, main?!): mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by September 15, 2025.

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96 days ago

Poll: Have you ever taken a ferry from the Coromandel to Auckland?

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

Auckland to Coromandel ferry services are set to return this summer, but it’s not yet confirmed who will be at the helm.

Fullers announced in October 2022 it was removing its Coromandel ferry service for the summer season until staffing levels allowed it to resume.

Have you ever taken a … View more
Auckland to Coromandel ferry services are set to return this summer, but it’s not yet confirmed who will be at the helm.

Fullers announced in October 2022 it was removing its Coromandel ferry service for the summer season until staffing levels allowed it to resume.

Have you ever taken a ferry from the Coromandel to Auckland (or vice-versa)? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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Have you ever taken a ferry from the Coromandel to Auckland?
  • 0% Yes
    0% Complete
  • 100% No
    100% Complete
18 votes
101 days ago

Taking the pulse with Paora: Plastic wet wipes ban has ‘potential’, local MP says

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

Reporter Paora Manuel has been out and about again, asking locals what they think - and checking in with the decision makers too.

One local MP is open to the possibility of banning plastic wet wipes in New Zealand.

But the Environment Minister is wiping out any suggestions that we go ahead … View more
Reporter Paora Manuel has been out and about again, asking locals what they think - and checking in with the decision makers too.

One local MP is open to the possibility of banning plastic wet wipes in New Zealand.

But the Environment Minister is wiping out any suggestions that we go ahead and follow the UK’s lead.

What do you think? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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97 days ago

The old, the new, and a wildcard too among Matamata-Piako District Council mayoral contenders

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

Electors in Matamata-Piako will need to choose from a former mayor, the current mayor, or a wildcard contender recently returned from overseas in October’s council elections.

But whether they’re keen on baking cupcakes for councillors, like the incumbent one has done in the past, is yet to … View more
Electors in Matamata-Piako will need to choose from a former mayor, the current mayor, or a wildcard contender recently returned from overseas in October’s council elections.

But whether they’re keen on baking cupcakes for councillors, like the incumbent one has done in the past, is yet to be seen.

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98 days ago

Did you know this work was happening in our region?

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

Two University of Waikato scientists have secured major health research grants, with projects that could directly change lives – from helping amputees gain confidence with prosthetic limbs to creating new ways of stopping harmful cells from spreading.

For many amputees, learning to use a … View more
Two University of Waikato scientists have secured major health research grants, with projects that could directly change lives – from helping amputees gain confidence with prosthetic limbs to creating new ways of stopping harmful cells from spreading.

For many amputees, learning to use a prosthetic limb is so mentally demanding that almost half eventually give up on it. Dr Mahonri Owen (Ngāti Hine; Ngāti Tūwharetoa), Senior Lecturer in Engineering, wants to change that.

Did you know this work was happening in our region?

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