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842 days ago

Electric vehicle experience to be aware of.

Warwick from Paraparaumu Beach

A couple of years ago my wife and I bought a new well-known and respected brand of hybrid car. We decided on a hybrid because of the advantages offered by electric vehicles coupled with the extended range of a petrol motor. It has been a gem of a car - until last weekend when it refused to start. No warning. No alarm. NOTHING. It just would not start. By absolute chance the local AA rep was across the road on a separate call-out. He was extremely efficient, explained the problem, and was able to start our car so we could get home. He then came to our home and fitted a new battery. It transpires that while the car is in the electric mode, the auxiliary battery is unable to be charged. As in conventional cars there is an alternator connected to the petrol motor, but not in electric. So, just a heads-up for hybrid owners: Be aware - save money, petrol and the planet by going electric, and be prepared for a great deal of inconvenience and annoyance and to pay out between $250 and $600 for a replacement auxiliary battery which could (and did) fail with no warning after about 35000 kilometers. Or just use the petrol mode. Maybe I'll just go and buy a horse.

More messages from your neighbours
16 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.

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1 day ago

Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑

Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.

We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

Want to read more? The Press has you covered!

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🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
  • 53.8% Human-centred experience and communication
    53.8% Complete
  • 14.1% Critical thinking
    14.1% Complete
  • 29.4% Resilience and adaptability
    29.4% Complete
  • 2.7% Other - I will share below!
    2.7% Complete
333 votes
M
18 hours ago

KAPITI GENEALOGY

Maureen from Paraparaumu

February Meetings outlined in attached flyer showing
Time, Dates & Locations
Members Free, Visitors $5

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