Opito, Whitianga

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3325 days ago

Poll: Near or far: How do your kids get to school?

Reporter Sunday Star Times

With the launch of the Foot It campaign, we've all been talking about walking, cycling and scooting to school, and you've been coming up with some great ideas to support our kids.
But for some families it's not an option - especially if you live in a rural area, or your kids go to a… View more
With the launch of the Foot It campaign, we've all been talking about walking, cycling and scooting to school, and you've been coming up with some great ideas to support our kids.
But for some families it's not an option - especially if you live in a rural area, or your kids go to a school on the other side of town. So tell us the main mode of transport by which your children or grandchildren commute.
Plus: Don't forget to join up to a Foot It Club at www.neighbourly.co.nz..., and go into the draw to WIN one of 50 Micro scooters.

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Near or far: How do your kids get to school?
  • 40.5% They walk, ride or scoot to their nearest school.
    40.5% Complete
  • 7% They take a bus or other public transport to their nearest school.
    7% Complete
  • 20.5% They go by car to their nearest school.
    20.5% Complete
  • 2.8% The walk, ride or scoot to a school further away.
    2.8% Complete
  • 5.2% They take a bus or other public transport to a school further away.
    5.2% Complete
  • 22.4% They go by car to a school further away.
    22.4% Complete
  • 1.6% Other - please post a message to tell us about it.
    1.6% Complete
974 votes
3325 days ago

Avoid hidden surprises...

The Team from Jennian Homes Coromandel

You’ve been in your brand new home for over a year now…Yay! But then you realise your home isn’t prepared for smart technologies like home automation for lighting, security and entertainment; let alone equipped for solar and electric vehicles. OH NO!

Avoid ‘OH NO’ moments...get along … View more
You’ve been in your brand new home for over a year now…Yay! But then you realise your home isn’t prepared for smart technologies like home automation for lighting, security and entertainment; let alone equipped for solar and electric vehicles. OH NO!

Avoid ‘OH NO’ moments...get along to a New Home Builders Info Session with Jennian. It’s all covered in the New Home Builders Info Sessions being held by us, your local Jennian Homes team. Register now.
Register now

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3325 days ago

Thames binocular man sculpture taken

Teresa Ramsey Reporter from Hauraki Herald

Binocular Man, also known as Graham, has been taken from the Thames Coastal Walkway.

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3325 days ago

Customer choice applications

The Warehouse Whitianga

We are still looking for some Customer Choice Partners in your area. If you’re a local community group helping the young people and families in your community and in need of some extra funds head along to www.thewarehousegroup.co.nz... for more information and to begin the application process. … View moreWe are still looking for some Customer Choice Partners in your area. If you’re a local community group helping the young people and families in your community and in need of some extra funds head along to www.thewarehousegroup.co.nz... for more information and to begin the application process. Applications close on the 27th November.

3326 days ago

Earthquake Appeal

The Warehouse Whitianga

The Warehouse is supporting New Zealanders affected by the recent earthquakes by accepting donations at every checkout coinbox for The Red Cross. Donations will be accepted until Sunday 18 December and all funds raised will go directly to help earthquake relief. The Warehouse appreciates the … View moreThe Warehouse is supporting New Zealanders affected by the recent earthquakes by accepting donations at every checkout coinbox for The Red Cross. Donations will be accepted until Sunday 18 December and all funds raised will go directly to help earthquake relief. The Warehouse appreciates the generosity of its customers in helping their fellow Kiwis at a time of need.

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3326 days ago

Take part in our Christmas Letterbox competition!

Mike Pero Real Estate New Zealand - HQ

You decorate your tree for Christmas right? How about your...letterbox?
Announcing the Mike Pero Christmas Letterbox Competition - a partnership between us (Mike Pero Real Estate) - and our friends at Neighbourly. It's pretty simple; we're challenging you to head down your driveway and … View more
You decorate your tree for Christmas right? How about your...letterbox?
Announcing the Mike Pero Christmas Letterbox Competition - a partnership between us (Mike Pero Real Estate) - and our friends at Neighbourly. It's pretty simple; we're challenging you to head down your driveway and decorate your letterbox for the festive season! Share a photo on your Neighbourly noticeboard using the hashtag #christmasletterbox before 11 December and we'll put you in the draw to win great prizes - including Prezzy® cards!

Help Santa find his way by decorating your letterbox this Christmas! Find out more.
Learn more

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3326 days ago

Poll: Are you ready for the big one?

Teresa Ramsey Reporter from Hauraki Herald

Take it as a warning. Consider it a celestial tap on the shoulder that asks the question: Are you ready for the big one?
That's what happened with the Kaikoura earthquake and tsunami threat that had thousands of Thames-Coromandel residents heading for the hills at 2am. Are you prepared?

View more
Take it as a warning. Consider it a celestial tap on the shoulder that asks the question: Are you ready for the big one?
That's what happened with the Kaikoura earthquake and tsunami threat that had thousands of Thames-Coromandel residents heading for the hills at 2am. Are you prepared?

www.stuff.co.nz...

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Are you ready for the big one?
  • 45.5% Yes, I'm prepared for anything with an emergency kit on hand.
    45.5% Complete
  • 54.5% Nope, I don't have an emergency kit.
    54.5% Complete
11 votes
3334 days ago

Did you evacuate last night? Did you feel the earthquake?

Teresa Ramsey Reporter from Hauraki Herald

Thousands of Coromandel residents ran for the hills after tsunami sirens sounded following last night's earthquake in Culverden, in the South Island.
At about 2am this morning, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake prompted a tsunami warning for the whole East Coast of New Zealand. There are have been … View more
Thousands of Coromandel residents ran for the hills after tsunami sirens sounded following last night's earthquake in Culverden, in the South Island.
At about 2am this morning, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake prompted a tsunami warning for the whole East Coast of New Zealand. There are have been numerous subsequent recorded earthquakes across the North and South Islands of New Zealand.
The earthquakes continue, with the highest concentration of reports in the Seddon and Kaikoura areas.
A Tsunami Warning has now been amended to a tsunami warning for eastern seaboard areas south of East Cape.
Tsunami sirens across Coromandel Peninsula were activated around 2am and deactivated 2:32am.
In Whitianga, many residents evacuated when they heard the siren, though some were concerned that they slept through it.
"I felt a quake around 12:15am so was still awake when the siren went off, it wasn't all that loud though," one resident said on social media.
"If I'd been asleep I wouldn't have heard a thing," another resident said.
"Luckily I was awake, woke up the parents, chucked the cats and rabbit in, tooted the car horn a lot to wake the neighbours, banged on one neighbour's door cause they weren't up and then off we went."
Hundreds of Pauanui residents drove up to the subdivision above the roundabout at the entrance to the the beach town at about 1:30pm and stayed there until around 3pm. A resident said many were directed to Duck Creek, just out of Pauanui, by Civil Defence.
Tairua School and Opoutere School are open today. Whangamata Area School is also open today and Year 9 and 10 exams are going ahead. Mercury Bay Area School is also open and operating as usual.
Waikato Civil Defence Group controller Lee Hazlewood residents of the eastern Coromandel responded well last night to instructions to evacuate.
"We initially told people in coastal areas to evacuate to higher ground if they felt a long and strong quake in their area.
"Later we made the formal decision to evacuate the eastern Coromandel seaboard and sirens were activated. People responded well. We were able to give the all clear at quarter to three and people were able to return to their homes."
There are currently no reports at this stage of major infrastructure problems.
"We will continue to monitor developments closely and respond as required," Hazlewood said.
"We will also assess any requests from our colleagues in the south of the country for help."
Mr Hazlewood urged people to stay alert to the potential for aftershocks and to follow the advice of authorities closely.
"For the moment, while the tsunami threat for our region has been cancelled, there is still potential for unusual currents around the coast. People should stay away from beaches and estuaries and avoid going on the water.
"During this potentially stressful time I ask people to support each other and help authorities as requested."
More info here: www.stuff.co.nz...
***Comments can be used in print unless you state otherwise with NFP (not for print)***

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3326 days ago

Matatoki School Trail Bike Ride

Teresa Ramsey Reporter from Hauraki Herald

There was a record turnout for the Matatoki School Trail Bike Ride on Sunday, did you go along?

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3327 days ago

Poll: What colours do you see?

Julie Kaio Reporter from Hauraki Herald

The internet is tripping up over a pair of jandals; people are debating what colours they see when looking at the jandals - similar to #dressgate last year.
www.stuff.co.nz...
What colours to you see (fyi - I can see blue and black)? Thanks!

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What colours do you see?
  • 20% Blue and black
    20% Complete
  • 10% White and gold
    10% Complete
  • 5% Gold and blue
    5% Complete
  • 60% Blue and brown
    60% Complete
  • 5% Other
    5% Complete
20 votes
3327 days ago

Reaching out in Kaikoura

New Zealand Red Cross

Red Cross team members have been working in Kaikoura to link households with services and essential supplies. They're also on hand to provide wellbeing support for those who are struggling with the quake's impact or for people who have just been told they can't stay in their homes.
View more
Red Cross team members have been working in Kaikoura to link households with services and essential supplies. They're also on hand to provide wellbeing support for those who are struggling with the quake's impact or for people who have just been told they can't stay in their homes.

"There's so much food and stuff gone, but we're alive - that's the main thing," says Kaikoura resident Diane Edkins (pictured) who finds out whether her house is given the all-clear while a Red Cross volunteer is with her: www.redcross.org.nz...

Please donate to Red Cross' November 2016 Earthquake Appeal at www.redcross.org.nz... Thank you for your support.

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3333 days ago

Marie Steer will deliver her last letter in Thames on Friday after 29 years.

Teresa Ramsey Reporter from Hauraki Herald

WATCH THE VIDEO: When Marie Steer started delivering the mail in Thames 29 years ago, her bike had no gears and was so heavy, she couldn't lift it.

That was a big deal considering her delivery run was all hills - taking her through the steepest part of town, from Brunton Cres to the Booms.

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3328 days ago

We're all busy - so how can we get our kids out of the car on the school run?

Jonathan Milne Reporter from Sunday Star Times

Since the 1980s, the proportion of children being dropped off in a car has doubled to nearly 55 per cent. With it has come worsened air pollution, greater congestion, and increased danger as more kids are involved in road accidents. Worse, it has undermined our community cohesion: Schools can and … View moreSince the 1980s, the proportion of children being dropped off in a car has doubled to nearly 55 per cent. With it has come worsened air pollution, greater congestion, and increased danger as more kids are involved in road accidents. Worse, it has undermined our community cohesion: Schools can and should be the hearts of our communities
.

We're backing schools to set up walking buses and other solutions, with parents and volunteers helping local kids get to class safely.
We wrote to the nation's mayors pleading with them to lower speed limits outside schools, and many have come back to us with expressions of support. We talked to well-known New Zealanders with school-aged kids, and they united behind the campaign.

You can get involved too. We know people are busy, so the Sunday Star-Times and Neighbourly are encouraging families to choose one day a week when they and their kids walk, scoot, cycle - even ride a horse if that's what works for you!

I've chosen Mondays as the days I'll cycle to school with my 6-year-old son. And Neighbourly has set up a special pledge page, where you can choose a day when you will try to Foot It with your kids, talk with others doing the same - and go into the draw to win one of 50 Micro scooters. www.neighbourly.co.nz...

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3330 days ago

Do you have earthquake damage?

EQC

Has your home been damaged by the recent earthquakes? Click here to make a claim with EQC. Make a claim

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3330 days ago

Ohinemuri athletics

Teresa Ramsey Reporter from Hauraki Herald

It was a brilliant day for the Ohinemuri athletics competition at Paeroa Domain today. Students from schools around the Paeroa district went head to head in a full day of running, high jump, long jump, discus and shot put.

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