836 days ago

The train hidden in the Waitākere Ranges - and the fight to bring it back

Melanie Earley Reporter from Western Leader

Kia ora neighbours, a tourist train nestled inside the Waitākere ranges has been rusting away for nearly a decade – but a group of volunteers hopes to get it running again.

The Rainforest Express was a miniature railway that ran 6km through the ranges from Jacobson's Depot on Scenic Drive to the Upper Nihotupu Dam, one of the main water supply reservoirs in West Auckland.

At the end of 2014 the express was closed after a geological report found there were 20 at-risk sites across the tramlines, with nine of those posing a “significant” risk to public safety.

Since then the rainforest express and its tramlines have been “rusting away”, Waitākere ward councillor Ken Turner said.

Read the full story below.

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More messages from your neighbours
4 hours ago

Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”

We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?

Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.

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Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
  • 39.4% Yes
    39.4% Complete
  • 33.3% Maybe?
    33.3% Complete
  • 27.3% No
    27.3% Complete
165 votes
6 days ago

Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

How many balls of string does it take to reach the moon?

(Peter from Carterton kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Peter!)

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!

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3 hours ago

is Windows 11 Dragging the Chain? Slowing yoU Down? ( it may not necessarily be your Hardwares' Fawlt!? ) or yoU Hate Micro$oft CoPlot interfering & Spying on yoU? Wishing Santa will stuff your Xmas Stocking w/ RAMemory?

Kevin from Henderson

Orchestrated Concerted Chorus ( ie. including Other Vocal Like Minded aLLies & Advocates ).
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Accordingly the Simple & Smart Solution iz Running Linux on your Laptop & Desktop PCs. Welcome 2 your Local West Auckland Linux eNthusiasts Network, We Meet @ Zeal West, 20 Alderman Dr, Henderson @ 6:30 PM on the 3rd Th'rs'day of the month ( Next Get 2gether iz This Th'rs'day 18th Dec 2025 ) or westauckland.linux.net.nz anytime or Join the Global Linux Community on the iNet.