South Waikato District, Tokoroa

148 days ago

Poll: Did you join in any Matariki activities?

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

Eyes were on the skies at Hamilton Gardens on Sunday - and the skies were full of colourful kites.

Waikato Times photographer Mark Taylor stopped in to Manu Tukutuku (Kite Day).

Did you join in any Matariki activities?

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Did you join in any Matariki activities?
  • 6.3% Yes
    6.3% Complete
  • 93.8% No
    93.8% Complete
16 votes
155 days ago

Poll: Is AI rewiring our minds?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Artificial intelligence programs such as ChatGPT are here to stay - the question now is, how will they shape the future? Will the use of AI to complete daily tasks, particularly school work, impact cognitive abilities and creativity?

Recent work out of a MIT Media Lab suggests that people who … View more
Artificial intelligence programs such as ChatGPT are here to stay - the question now is, how will they shape the future? Will the use of AI to complete daily tasks, particularly school work, impact cognitive abilities and creativity?

Recent work out of a MIT Media Lab suggests that people who used ChatGPT have lower brain engagement than those who did not when writing their essays. While the MIT Media Lab work has driven headlines recently, others have been quick to remind us that the fear of technology is nothing new.

We want to know: Is AI an addition to the technological toolbox, or should we be having bigger conversations about the impact of AI technology?

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Is AI rewiring our minds?
  • 19.8% AI is making us lazy
    19.8% Complete
  • 51.5% Ai is great, BUT only if used as a tool and not a substitute for thinking
    51.5% Complete
  • 5.2% AI is great! People have a history of fearing new technology
    5.2% Complete
  • 21.7% Too early to tell
    21.7% Complete
  • 1.8% Have a different perspective? Share it below!
    1.8% Complete
1242 votes
149 days ago

Ngakau Hailey’s final ride

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

Ngakau Hailey was only 18 when everything changed.

The promising young jockey had already carved out a life packed with adventure, adrenaline, and deep connections when his life was cut short on a Wednesday afternoon in downtown Hamilton.

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155 days ago

Got a tricky neighbour situation?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Join us live this Wednesday from 9:30am with Sacha Green from Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand (CABNZ). Sacha will be answering your questions about common neighbourhood issues – from shared fences and driveways to noise complaints and more.
Sacha is CABNZ’s national legal and strategic … View more
Join us live this Wednesday from 9:30am with Sacha Green from Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand (CABNZ). Sacha will be answering your questions about common neighbourhood issues – from shared fences and driveways to noise complaints and more.
Sacha is CABNZ’s national legal and strategic advisor. With over 10 years at CAB and a background in community law, she’s passionate about making the law simple and accessible. She also supports over 2,000 CAB volunteers across 80 locations in Aotearoa.
She and the CAB team are here to help you understand your rights, responsibilities, and how to resolve neighbour disputes through good communication.
✅ Free advice
✅ Plain language answers
✅ Real solutions

Got a question? Pop it below in replies to this message, and CAB will be around today to answer you!
Find out more

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162 days ago

Love watercress? Share your recipe and win a copy of our mag!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. We will give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine, and we're looking for watercress recipes right now. Send your family's favourite way to use up this crop, especially if you're lucky enough to grow it in your garden. Email us: … View moreKia ora neighbours. We will give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine, and we're looking for watercress recipes right now. Send your family's favourite way to use up this crop, especially if you're lucky enough to grow it in your garden. Email us: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by July 20, 2025.

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152 days ago

We are moving back to our Roche Street home!

Trish Seddon from Te Awamutu Museum

The doors to our Te Awamutu Museum Education and Research Centre’s temporary Rickit Road site will close from Monday 14 July as we prepare to move back.

The Roche Street building has been made safer for taonga, visitors and staff following seismic strengthening work.

All going to plan … View more
The doors to our Te Awamutu Museum Education and Research Centre’s temporary Rickit Road site will close from Monday 14 July as we prepare to move back.

The Roche Street building has been made safer for taonga, visitors and staff following seismic strengthening work.

All going to plan you'll be able to experience Waipā’s precious taonga, including Uenuku, once again in late October.

Read more here: bit.ly...

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159 days ago

Jaffas are leaving our shelves 🫠

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Jaffas, iconic orange-coated chocolate lollies that have been around since 1931, will soon be leaving our shelves.

We want to know: Will you miss them?
Also, in the spirit of Throwback Thursday, what other iconic brands are still lodged in your memory?

(We can confirm that a number of the … View more
Jaffas, iconic orange-coated chocolate lollies that have been around since 1931, will soon be leaving our shelves.

We want to know: Will you miss them?
Also, in the spirit of Throwback Thursday, what other iconic brands are still lodged in your memory?

(We can confirm that a number of the Neighbourly team will be heading out to stock up our lolly jars before Jaffas disappear!)

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153 days ago

Waikato Women's Fund invites you to 'Still We Rise: The Work Continues'

The Team from Momentum Waikato

We’ve come a long way—but there’s still work to do.

This isn’t a gala. It’s a gathering. A rally cry. A night for the women who keep showing up - for themselves, for each other, and for the generations coming next.

Charlotte Twigg is a powerhouse. She brings truth, fire, … View more
We’ve come a long way—but there’s still work to do.

This isn’t a gala. It’s a gathering. A rally cry. A night for the women who keep showing up - for themselves, for each other, and for the generations coming next.

Charlotte Twigg is a powerhouse. She brings truth, fire, fatigue—and hope.

She’ll speak to what it means to lead, to rise, to rest, and to keep going anyway.

We won’t pretend everything’s fine. But we will remind each other: this work, while unfinished, is already changing the world.

Free event | Limited seats - use the button below to click through to Eventbrite to book tickets.

Join us. Back us. Build with us.

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161 days ago

What are your thoughts on the mill stopping paper production?

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

It was the end of an era, and the end of employment for more than 150 Kinleith Mill workers after New Zealand’s last paper making machine was shut down for good on Monday.

One worker told the Waikato Times that while the news had taken six months to sink in, it was still … View more
It was the end of an era, and the end of employment for more than 150 Kinleith Mill workers after New Zealand’s last paper making machine was shut down for good on Monday.

One worker told the Waikato Times that while the news had taken six months to sink in, it was still an emotional day for many workers, some who had been there for more than 40 years.

What are your thoughts on the mill stopping paper production? Tell us in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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159 days ago

Poll: Do you vote in local council elections?

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

Less than a third of Hamiltonians are picking the leaders who make huge decisions for the city and its residents - and the council boss wants that to change.

“It’s too crucial to leave to too few,” said city council chief executive Lance Vervoort, as the council grapples with rapid growth … View more
Less than a third of Hamiltonians are picking the leaders who make huge decisions for the city and its residents - and the council boss wants that to change.

“It’s too crucial to leave to too few,” said city council chief executive Lance Vervoort, as the council grapples with rapid growth and financial challenges, issuing a 15.5% rates rise.

Do you vote in local council elections? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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Do you vote in local council elections?
  • 80% Yes
    80% Complete
  • 16.4% Sometimes
    16.4% Complete
  • 3.6% No
    3.6% Complete
55 votes
154 days ago

Do you use a travel agent when you go on a trip?

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

Waikato travel agents are busier than ever driving a remarkable resurgence for an industry once brought to its knees by the pandemic.

“We’re sitting very high in the amount of bookings we take a month. The amount of phone calls we take a day are pretty big,” says Richard Brewer, owner of … View more
Waikato travel agents are busier than ever driving a remarkable resurgence for an industry once brought to its knees by the pandemic.

“We’re sitting very high in the amount of bookings we take a month. The amount of phone calls we take a day are pretty big,” says Richard Brewer, owner of Team Brewer Travel in Hamilton.

Do you use a travel agent when you go on a trip? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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155 days ago

Poll: Do you enjoy a cat show?

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

The 74th Hamilton Cat Club show at Tamahere on Sunday attracted over 160 cats.

More than 20 breeds from Maine Coon to orientals, ragdolls, domestic and companion cat were judged by national and international judges.

Do you enjoy a cat show? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if … View more
The 74th Hamilton Cat Club show at Tamahere on Sunday attracted over 160 cats.

More than 20 breeds from Maine Coon to orientals, ragdolls, domestic and companion cat were judged by national and international judges.

Do you enjoy a cat show? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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Do you enjoy a cat show?
  • 28.6% Yes, love them
    28.6% Complete
  • 7.1% I'll have a look
    7.1% Complete
  • 64.3% No, not my thing
    64.3% Complete
14 votes
154 days ago

Poll: Do you think these special powers are working?

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

Police have used new Gang Conflict Warrants only a couple of handful of times.

But Police Minister Mark Mitchell he believes the powers - which were invoked in Waikato after a new Years eve killing - are working.

Do you think these special powers are working? Tell us your reasons in the … View more
Police have used new Gang Conflict Warrants only a couple of handful of times.

But Police Minister Mark Mitchell he believes the powers - which were invoked in Waikato after a new Years eve killing - are working.

Do you think these special powers are working? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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Do you think these special powers are working?
  • 0% Yes
    0% Complete
  • 0% Making some difference
    0% Complete
  • 0% No
    0% Complete
0 votes
155 days ago

Ryman Village Open Days

The Team from Patrick Hogan Village

Friday 18 & Saturday 19 July, 10am - 2pm.

Come and experience the warmth of our Ryman village communities, we'd love to show you around.

Discover our lifestyle and care options, tour our show homes and explore our premium amenities.

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162 days ago

Poll: What's your take on these policy changes taking effect in July?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Kiwis are bracing for policy changes taking effect in July - these include, changes to rental housing rules, rising GP fees, rising transport fares, and halving Kiwisaver government contribution.

We want to know: What is your take on these changes? Will they impact you and your whanau, or will… View more
Kiwis are bracing for policy changes taking effect in July - these include, changes to rental housing rules, rising GP fees, rising transport fares, and halving Kiwisaver government contribution.

We want to know: What is your take on these changes? Will they impact you and your whanau, or will it be business as usual?
Discuss your thoughts below

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What's your take on these policy changes taking effect in July?
  • 17.7% Change is needed! I support
    17.7% Complete
  • 68.4% ! These changes are heading in the wrong direction !
    68.4% Complete
  • 13.9% It is complicated ...
    13.9% Complete
1403 votes
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