Elections this year
One of the big problems we have, come local body election time, is that there is little in the way of reliable information about the candidates standing for (re)election. Sure, they'll all claim to be working for the community and acting in the best interests of the district but who's actually checking that, in the case of those re-standing, they're true to their word?
Well I've been keeping a very close eye on the actions of the SWDC and the individual councilors over the past decade or so and I will be publishing some extra information on who's performed as they promised and who hasn't.
Here's one thing voters should be aware of. Back in 2017 the SWDC promised to consult with the community before doing anything about the airfield tower at Tokoroa Airfield. Five short years later they demolished it without any consultation. So much for promises made to the community!
I've been told it cost ratepayers over $7,000 to have the tower demolished and it happened just weeks before a contingent of FORTY people went down to Wellington (on the ratepayer's ticket -- probably costing around $40,000) to beg central government for some cash. The Mayor claims we're an economically deprived region -- yet she and her council chose to refuse the offer made by members of the community to fully restore the airfield tower at no expense to ratepayers and instead demolish this globally recognised landmark. This move was made despite thousands of people from around the world showing their support (both morally and financially) on social media.
Just watch this video to see the level of support that the world showed to protect the Tokoroa Airfield Tower. The council spat in the face of these fine people and destroyed the tower that many of those people had put on their bucket-list to visit. Every year hundreds of people have come from around the world to visit the tower and get selfies but the council chose to destroy that tourist attraction. Yet they claim they want to attract visitors... more false promises. Sad, very sad.
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What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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83.3% Yes
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14.3% No
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2.4% Other - I'll share below
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
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