Karapiro - Maungatautari, Cambridge

166 days ago

Poll: As an island nation, are we doing enough to protect our oceans?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The island nation of New Zealand claims guardianship over a vast ocean territory. In fact, our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spans 15 times our land area. Despite this, less than 1% of our ocean is highly protected.

Sheridan Waitai, member of One Oceania, argues that New Zealand is failing its … View more
The island nation of New Zealand claims guardianship over a vast ocean territory. In fact, our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spans 15 times our land area. Despite this, less than 1% of our ocean is highly protected.

Sheridan Waitai, member of One Oceania, argues that New Zealand is failing its obligations, and our failure is being noticed internationally.

Sheridan and others argue that the health of our oceans is declining as they face climate change, overfishing, and pollution. While other nations are championing ocean protection, New Zealand has been quiet on this topic.

We want to know: Are we meeting our responsibilities in the management of our blue territory?

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As an island nation, are we doing enough to protect our oceans?
  • 66.5% No - we can do more.
    66.5% Complete
  • 5% Yes - we are meeting our obligations.
    5% Complete
  • 25.6% It is a global problem, not just ours.
    25.6% Complete
  • 2.6% Maybe. I dont really have an opinion.
    2.6% Complete
  • 0.2% Other - share below!
    0.2% Complete
1254 votes
159 days ago

Bright Spots is back - and it's better!

Resene

We're looking for your most colourful photos! Resene ColorShops and Neighbourly have teamed up again this winter to bring you Bright Spots, a celebration of the colourful spaces and places in your life.

But this year it's a little different!

This year we're calling on … View more
We're looking for your most colourful photos! Resene ColorShops and Neighbourly have teamed up again this winter to bring you Bright Spots, a celebration of the colourful spaces and places in your life.

But this year it's a little different!

This year we're calling on Neighbourly members to share photos wherever there's a bright spot that brings you joy - whether it's in the office, at your home or when you're out and about in your neighbourhood. If it brings a smile to your face we'd love to see it.

Share a photo that brings a little colour to your day and you could win one of ten prize packages valued at $500 (including a $250 Prezzy® card and a $250 Resene gift card).
Share a pic now

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172 days ago

Choice News Tuesday: Kākāpō will be getting busy in 2026!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

The kākāpō, our famously lovable but critically endangered land-parrot, are forecast to have a massive breeding season in 2026 - perhaps the biggest on record!

How do we know? Kākāpō only 'get busy' during rimu mast events (where rimu grow heaps of fruit), every 2-4 years. … View more
The kākāpō, our famously lovable but critically endangered land-parrot, are forecast to have a massive breeding season in 2026 - perhaps the biggest on record!

How do we know? Kākāpō only 'get busy' during rimu mast events (where rimu grow heaps of fruit), every 2-4 years. Because we can anticipate rimu mast events, and kākāpō love rimu fruit, we can predict kākāpō breeding activity.

Since there are only 242 kākāpō today, this bumper season is important.

This positive outlook on population numbers is especially exciting since, due to the mahi of conservationists, the kākāpō have completed their first season on the North island (at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari). The booming of the kākāpō has not been heard on the North Island of Aotearoa for over a century!

Read more about Aotearoa's flightless parrot and their nesting plans.

We hope this news brings a smile!

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161 days ago

Quiz Night - Fundraiser for Junior Track World Championships!

Helena from Cambridge

Last chance to book a seat or a table at next Thursday's Junior World Champs, Team Sprint Quiz Night fundraiser to help our 3 local Waikato lads - Flynn Underwood, Alex Schuler and Ben Murphy, fund their way to The Netherlands in less than a month's time!

Live and silent auctions, … View more
Last chance to book a seat or a table at next Thursday's Junior World Champs, Team Sprint Quiz Night fundraiser to help our 3 local Waikato lads - Flynn Underwood, Alex Schuler and Ben Murphy, fund their way to The Netherlands in less than a month's time!

Live and silent auctions, Incl.:

A helicopter ride for 2
2 nights at the Hilton Lake Taupo (2 adjoining rooms)
1 day's exclusive sailing experience in Waitemata Harbour
Rod & Reel
Skyline Rotorua - family of 4 pass incl. gondola and 2 luge rides
Framed/signed rugby shirt, 2012 Waikato Women’s ITM Cup Team
18V LXT Pressure washer kit
Inghams 1.5kg whole chickens

(And Sam Cane just donated a signed AB jersey + boots)!

We will have raffles throughout the evening with loads of other great prizes including:

Beauty products & vouchers,
Coffee/Food vouchers
WOF vouchers
Stihl, ITM and Repco products
Yard Force Power Garden tool set
Sports items and vouchers

Plus, other amazing spot prizes!

Booking info. is on the flyer, we'll find you a table if you don't have a group, and we would love to see you there!

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161 days ago

Village pooch Maggie provides pet therapy for fellow residents

The Team from Patrick Hogan Village

Moving into William Sanders Village provided Graham and Karrin Byrnes with the perfect chance to give back to a community that was right on their doorstep, with beloved pet Maggie being the key to their success.

The couple heard about the St John therapy pets programme not long after moving into… View more
Moving into William Sanders Village provided Graham and Karrin Byrnes with the perfect chance to give back to a community that was right on their doorstep, with beloved pet Maggie being the key to their success.

The couple heard about the St John therapy pets programme not long after moving into Ryman Healthcare’s Devonport village in 2021, and now take Maggie to visit residents in the village care centre three times a week.

Click read more to read about Maggie's pawsome work.

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162 days ago

Outdoor chair and table, separately or together.

Louise from Tauwhare

These are a part of a set I had to buy just to get a 2 seater suitable out door sofa which I could also lift and move around easily to fit in the necessary small space.
They are exactly the same as the 4 piece set for sale now (Wednesday 16 July 2025) in South Bunnings, Kahikatea Drive, Hamilton … View more
These are a part of a set I had to buy just to get a 2 seater suitable out door sofa which I could also lift and move around easily to fit in the necessary small space.
They are exactly the same as the 4 piece set for sale now (Wednesday 16 July 2025) in South Bunnings, Kahikatea Drive, Hamilton at $599.00. They were purchased and immediately put into my warm dry cabin outside and the two seater used long enough to know it worked for me and would not be sold as a set. There is one chair complete with grey cushions and one oblong glass table top for sale. The glass is silky white smooth on one side and on the other side a traction fine mesh like surface which gives the appearance of greyish white. The metal should be maintenance free and I would recommend as with all cushions, keeping the cushions in dry places when not in use or in winter weather.
These are in brand new condition and very comfortable. If the set was priced individually, it would probably be something like:
2 seater, $250.00
1 seater $125.00
1 seater $125.00
Table $100.00.
This is now one chair and 1 table, for sale at suitable offers, together or separately. They fit easily in my hatchback car. Depending on your location, I may possibly be able to deliver them, or meet the purchaser in town with them.
Please phone 027-358-1945, Louise. Offers invited. They are in my way in the cabin.

Negotiable

165 days ago

Choice News Tuesday: New Zealander named first Commonwealth Poet Laureate

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Good news for fans of creative expression and kiwi excellence ... poet Selina Tusitala Marsh has been announced as the inaugural Commonwealth Poet Laureate!

Marsh says, "When we honour the artistry within our communities, whether it flows from Sāmoa, my mother's island, or New … View more
Good news for fans of creative expression and kiwi excellence ... poet Selina Tusitala Marsh has been announced as the inaugural Commonwealth Poet Laureate!

Marsh says, "When we honour the artistry within our communities, whether it flows from Sāmoa, my mother's island, or New Zealand, where I was born and grew up, we recognise the inherent dignity and worth of every person whose story deserves to be told."

Congratulations Selina, ka pai.

We hope this news brings a smile!

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162 days ago

Paint it red with Resene for Red Nose Day!

Resene

Buy any red testpot 60 mL from your local Resene owned ColorShop between 17 -31 July 2025 and Resene will donate $1 to Cure Kids.

The more red testpots you buy, the more will be donated!
Find out more

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162 days ago

Create a Kid-Approved Swing in Your Favourite Wood Stain

The Team from Resene ColorShop Cambridge

This quick and customisable project is ideal for those without a sturdy tree to hang a swing from, and it’s sure to bring joy to your little ones. Find out how to make and stain your own in your favourite Resene Woodsman wood stain finish with these easy step by step instructions.

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163 days ago

Poll: Hi Neighbours! What truly helps you let go of the day and fall asleep?

Marketing Manager from Beds4U - Matamata

Kia ora neighbours
We all wind down differently at the end of the day. Some of us drift off to the sound of soft rain, calming music, or a bit of white noise. Others? We need total silence and darkness to truly switch off.

How about you — do you need sound to soothe, or stillness to reset?
View more
Kia ora neighbours
We all wind down differently at the end of the day. Some of us drift off to the sound of soft rain, calming music, or a bit of white noise. Others? We need total silence and darkness to truly switch off.

How about you — do you need sound to soothe, or stillness to reset?
Vote below and feel free to share what works for you. Your go-to bedtime trick might help someone else in the neighbourhood get a better night’s rest too

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Hi Neighbours! What truly helps you let go of the day and fall asleep?
  • 48% Still & Silent
    48% Complete
  • 52% Calm & Soothing
    52% Complete
25 votes
170 days ago

Poll: Have you felt the impact of electricity price increases?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Last year, the Commerce Commission announced it had agreed to increase revenue limits to facilitate the maintenance and improvement of the electricity network.

Consumer NZ have revealed their latest annual energy survey, and found that 11% of consumers have had to cut back on their heating, and … View more
Last year, the Commerce Commission announced it had agreed to increase revenue limits to facilitate the maintenance and improvement of the electricity network.

Consumer NZ have revealed their latest annual energy survey, and found that 11% of consumers have had to cut back on their heating, and 20% of people have been struggling to pay their power bill in the past year.

How does your region compare? You can view and compare how the average monthly household use, charges, and bills vary regionally here.

We want to know: Is your household paying more for electricity this year?
Do you have any advice for your community on what changes you have found most effective in keeping costs down in your home or office? Share below!

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Have you felt the impact of electricity price increases?
  • 80.9% Yes! The increase has hit hard
    80.9% Complete
  • 14.8% I am managing - we have found some solutions
    14.8% Complete
  • 4.3% No - have not noticed much change
    4.3% Complete
2142 votes
165 days ago

2 weeks left to enter the Winter Puzzle Comp!

The Post

Don’t miss your chance to WIN one of five iPads, valued at $699 each!
Simply grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper, solve the puzzle, find the prize word, and enter it online at thepost.co.nz/puzzletime.

The more puzzles you complete, the higher your chance to WIN! The competition ends … View more
Don’t miss your chance to WIN one of five iPads, valued at $699 each!
Simply grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper, solve the puzzle, find the prize word, and enter it online at thepost.co.nz/puzzletime.

The more puzzles you complete, the higher your chance to WIN! The competition ends on 28 July. To find out more about participating newspapers,click here.

The Team at The Post
Find out more

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166 days ago

'The best-prepared families discuss values, not just valuables'

The Team from Momentum Waikato

Here's some wisdom from financial advisor Katie Wesney, in a recent Stuff column...

"The antidote to inheritance drama isn’t complicated: start talking.

The best-prepared families discuss values, not just valuables. They talk about timing - could part of the inheritance be gifted… View more
Here's some wisdom from financial advisor Katie Wesney, in a recent Stuff column...

"The antidote to inheritance drama isn’t complicated: start talking.

The best-prepared families discuss values, not just valuables. They talk about timing - could part of the inheritance be gifted earlier when it might have more impact? They update wills regularly and include everyone in understanding the bigger picture.

They also acknowledge that financial literacy isn’t inherited along with the money. If you’re expecting to leave or receive a significant sum, everyone involved should understand how money actually works.

And here’s the crucial bit: they treat inheritance as a nice-to-have, not a financial strategy. You can’t control when it comes, how much it is, or who else might need support."

If your values include supporting charities that tackle the issues you care about, and or the community in which you've thrived, then after taking care of your family, including a bequest in your Will to create a philanthropic endowment that gives back forever is a wise and effective strategy. Contact us at Momentum Waikato to find out more - via momentumwaikato.nz....

You can read more of Katie's column at the link below.

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173 days ago

Poll: Is AI rewiring our minds?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Artificial intelligence programs such as ChatGPT are here to stay - the question now is, how will they shape the future? Will the use of AI to complete daily tasks, particularly school work, impact cognitive abilities and creativity?

Recent work out of a MIT Media Lab suggests that people who … View more
Artificial intelligence programs such as ChatGPT are here to stay - the question now is, how will they shape the future? Will the use of AI to complete daily tasks, particularly school work, impact cognitive abilities and creativity?

Recent work out of a MIT Media Lab suggests that people who used ChatGPT have lower brain engagement than those who did not when writing their essays. While the MIT Media Lab work has driven headlines recently, others have been quick to remind us that the fear of technology is nothing new.

We want to know: Is AI an addition to the technological toolbox, or should we be having bigger conversations about the impact of AI technology?

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Is AI rewiring our minds?
  • 19.8% AI is making us lazy
    19.8% Complete
  • 51.5% Ai is great, BUT only if used as a tool and not a substitute for thinking
    51.5% Complete
  • 5.2% AI is great! People have a history of fearing new technology
    5.2% Complete
  • 21.7% Too early to tell
    21.7% Complete
  • 1.8% Have a different perspective? Share it below!
    1.8% Complete
1242 votes
166 days ago

What are your thoughts?

Libby Totton Reporter from Cambridge Edition

Te Awamutu residents are holding their breath.

They’ve fought their case against a proposed Paewira waste-to-energy plant in their backyard, standing shoulder to shoulder in their opposition with Fonterra and their local district and regional councils.

It’s the latest in a series of local… View more
Te Awamutu residents are holding their breath.

They’ve fought their case against a proposed Paewira waste-to-energy plant in their backyard, standing shoulder to shoulder in their opposition with Fonterra and their local district and regional councils.

It’s the latest in a series of local battles throughout the country against multiple attempts to launch waste incinerators.

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