445 days ago

A fix-it man with dwindling days, saving electronics from landfill

Libby Reporter from Waikato Local

Rod Burch isn’t sure how much longer he’s got to live, but he wants to spend the time he does have keeping electronics from ending up in the dump.

An electrician trained by Auckland City Council (back in the days when “there wasn’t anything in the electrical line the council didn’t deal with”), Burch spends every Wednesday volunteering to fix up lamps, printers, coffee machines, and toasters.

What kind of volunteering would you most like to do? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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More messages from your neighbours
20 hours ago

Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎉 2026 is almost here!

We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?

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Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
  • 10.4% Yes! New Year, New Me
    10.4% Complete
  • 21.5% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
    21.5% Complete
  • 68.1% Nah - not for me
    68.1% Complete
376 votes
1 day ago

From rugged campsite to 7.5ha resort

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

Grant Kilby has always loved camping. His mum was director of health at the YMCA, and he would attend YMCA camps in the school holidays. “I think it was mandatory that I was there,” he jokes.

He went on camping holidays with his parents, and later, took his own kids.
“Camping’s been in my blood.”

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8 days ago

Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!

Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?

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Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
  • 78.8% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
    78.8% Complete
  • 21.2% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
    21.2% Complete
1297 votes