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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 moreThe 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!
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 moreMoving 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.
Counties Energy Trust Elections are OPEN NOW! Check your mailbox if you usually receive your power bill via post AND check your inbox if you usually receive your power bill via email. 🥳 (don't forget the spam folder!) It's time to VOTE for the candidate you think will represent your … View moreCounties Energy Trust Elections are OPEN NOW! Check your mailbox if you usually receive your power bill via post AND check your inbox if you usually receive your power bill via email. 🥳 (don't forget the spam folder!) It's time to VOTE for the candidate you think will represent your needs best!
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 moreGood 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!
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!
Elections are on and voting opens for Counties Energy residents on Friday 18 July. Make sure you're ready!
Shed dried poplar, pine, oak mix.
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t's 'Thrifty Thursday!'
Come on in and see us today and buy any 6 items of clothing from our $4 everyday racks for just $10!!!
We have everything you need to fill your winter wardrobe. Jeans, jumpers, hoodies, thermals, winter pjs and more.
We are open between 9:30am - 4pm.
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 moreLast 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!
Do you live in the Franklin area but have never heard of the Counties Energy Trust? Let us bring you up to speed. The Trust is a very special consumer-owned (that’s you!) trust whose Trustees are elected by the community. The Counties Energy Trust holds 100% of the shares of the Counties Energy … View moreDo you live in the Franklin area but have never heard of the Counties Energy Trust? Let us bring you up to speed. The Trust is a very special consumer-owned (that’s you!) trust whose Trustees are elected by the community. The Counties Energy Trust holds 100% of the shares of the Counties Energy business on your behalf, to ensure it benefits our community.
Households in the Counties Energy area will receive a voting pack by post or email so keep a look out. Voting opens soon for this year's elections and we want to know..Have you ever voted in the Counties Energy Trust elections..ever?!
Observational drawing, painting and making with Artist Margaret Feeney
When: Saturday’s 02, 09, 16, 23 August, 10am -12pm
Where: Franklin Arts Centre, Wētā Room
Cost: $140 for the four week programme
We’ll be covered in charcoal one week, in clay the next- learning traditional … View moreObservational drawing, painting and making with Artist Margaret Feeney
When: Saturday’s 02, 09, 16, 23 August, 10am -12pm
Where: Franklin Arts Centre, Wētā Room
Cost: $140 for the four week programme
We’ll be covered in charcoal one week, in clay the next- learning traditional techniques like mark making, cross-contour, planar structure, reductive drawing, and linear volume. Formal instruction is interspersed with play: conceptual drawing, 3D drawing, drawing with light and with the silhouette, stop motion, and painting sketch techniques. Both absolute beginners and practicing artists are welcome!
To book your place, please contact Margaret: margaretfeeneyart@protonmail.com
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 moreDon’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
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 moreHere'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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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 moreArtificial 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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