Libraries popularity grows in new yearly stats
New stats show Whangārei libraries are thriving community hubs! 📔
Library Manager Paula Urlich says it’s really encouraging to see the use of libraries continuing to increase. “In the past, people thought that libraries would become obsolete with the rise of eBooks. In fact, we’re finding the opposite; people still want to read physical books and the borrowing of physical books is increasing at a faster rate than that of eBooks.”
The average number of items borrowed per month, over the past year is 66,000 and average monthly visitors to the libraries is 32,000. This is an increase from the previous year, which saw an average of 63,000 items borrowed per month and 31,000 average monthly visitors.
📸 Picture: Library staff are still buzzing from the Night Café Whangārei at the Central Library during the Love it Here Festival. Performances, tutorials, tours, board games and writing competitions generated a warm, inviting atmosphere where visitors could hang out and ‘just be’.
Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?
The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.
Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.
We want to know: What do you think about automation?
Are you for, or against?
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9.5% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
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43.4% I want to be able to choose.
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47.1% Against. I want to deal with people.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
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.
Pay no weekly fee until 2028*
When you sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse at a participating Ryman village by 28 February 2026, you won't pay your weekly fee until 2028*. And because life at Ryman means no home upkeep, you'll have more time for the things you love.
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