1981 days ago

KCRFU announce new chairman

Chris Marshall Reporter from Taupō Times

Ron Thomassen has been announced as the new chairman of the King Country Rugby Union.
He replaces outgoing chairman Ivan Haines who will remain on the union’s board.
Thomassen, who runs Thomassen Logging Ltd, has been active in the local rugby and business community for many years, said KCRFU rugby manager Josh Standen.

“Ron has sat on numerous other boards and committees in the wider Taupō area through this time and has been on the KCRFU board for the past five years.”

Thomassen played rugby in his day in Putaruru, said Standen, and his son, Ben is currently pursuing rugby in Canterbury.

The union was still on the hunt for a new general manager, he said, at a presentation of two new Hilux SR Prerunners at Taupō Toyota on Friday (July 10) morning.

The vehicles, purchased by the union and serviced free by the business, would allow him and operations manager Kurt McQuilkin to get around the area they had to cover, including the union’s significant rural heartland.

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More messages from your neighbours
9 hours ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.

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1 day 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”? 🥝
  • 40.8% Yes
    40.8% Complete
  • 33.4% Maybe?
    33.4% Complete
  • 25.8% No
    25.8% Complete
449 votes
22 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.

Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.

Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?

Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!

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