Couple stunned as bank takes half of home sale profit without consultation
A bank used half the profit from the sale of a Dunedin rental to pay down a mortgage on a couple's home – without consulting them.
“We never planned to be landlords,” Mike Bennett said of the couple's decision to sell their Forbury property before Christmas.
Bennett and his wife, Claire, had planned to use some of the $300,000 profit, after the mortgage had been settled, to renovate the home they lived in.
But days after the sale was completed, the couple received news from the bank that would change their plans.
Because of their change in circumstances – Bennett had changed jobs while his partner was completing a master’s degree – the bank advised it was effectively taking “a chunk of the proceeds”, Bennett said. Continue reading here.
Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.2% Yes
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46.8% No
A riddle to start the festive season 🌲🎁🌟
I'm a fruit. If you take away my first letter, I'm a crime. If you take away my first two letters, I'm an animal. If you take away my first and last letter, I'm a form of music. What am I?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
🚒 Our Fire and Emergency crews have been kept busy lately
And they’re once again reminding everyone: please don’t light fires when it’s windy.
Central Otago will move into a restricted fire season from 1 December 2025, which means anyone planning an outdoor fire will need to apply for a permit and plan ahead.
So we’d love to ask you — how do you make sure you’re being fire-safe at this time of year?
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