Kinloch, Taupo

2409 days ago
2410 days ago

Neighbourly poll shows changing attitudes to eating meat across NZ

Jonathan Milne Reporter from Sunday Star Times

Thanks to the 2600 of you who completed our Sunday Star-Times/Neighbourly poll on NZ's changing attitudes to meat and veges. We reported the results this weekend - and they were fascinating.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, it reveals our most loyal meat-eaters are in farming provinces like Southland,… View more
Thanks to the 2600 of you who completed our Sunday Star-Times/Neighbourly poll on NZ's changing attitudes to meat and veges. We reported the results this weekend - and they were fascinating.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, it reveals our most loyal meat-eaters are in farming provinces like Southland, Manawatu-Wanganui and Taranaki, where nearly two-thirds of us eat meat most days. By comparison, fewer than half of respondents in Wellington, Auckland and Northland eat that much meat. More than a third of Aucklanders and Cantabrians say they are reducing their meat consumption; another 13 per cent have already cut it from their diets entirely.

>> So here's a question: should city-dwellers be supporting our farmers better, given they're still the backbone of our economy? Or do farmers and the rest of us need to be working together to find new solutions - new premium meats, new meat alternatives - to reflect reducing meat consumption around the world?


>> www.stuff.co.nz...

2410 days ago

How to turn your home into an investment property

Lodge Real Estate - City

Not everyone chooses to sell their current home when they decide to move on. Sometimes, it’s not even an option. If you’re looking to hang on to your personal home and turn it into a rental, there are a few things to consider first.

1. Wear and tear
This is perhaps the biggest thing … View more
Not everyone chooses to sell their current home when they decide to move on. Sometimes, it’s not even an option. If you’re looking to hang on to your personal home and turn it into a rental, there are a few things to consider first.

1. Wear and tear
This is perhaps the biggest thing homeowners need to know. As a rental, your personal home will experience more wear and tear than it otherwise would if you lived in it. Your garden will probably not look as immaculate as it once did, and your walls and floors may acquire new scuff marks. So, if you can’t shake off your emotional attachment to the property, you may be better off selling it rather than renting it.

2. Location
The location of your home can have a major impact on its rentability and how easy it is to find quality tenants. If you’re close to local amenities like schools, Waikato University, Waikato Hospital or public transport routes, you have a better chance of keeping your property tenanted.

3. Maintenance
If your home is high maintenance - perhaps it has a pool, a large garden, or old appliances - know that you’ll need to keep it maintained to a reasonable condition to meet your obligations as a landlord/owner. This may involve extra ongoing costs, or costs to remedy the amount of maintenance required.

4. Family homes do best
In Hamilton, family-sized homes do particularly well on the rental market. Four-bedroom houses in Hamilton fetch, on average, between $450 and $520 per week. As for the strongest performing suburbs, Hamilton East/University, Te Kowhai/St Andrews/Queenwood, Dinsdale South/Frankton, Dinsdale North/Nawton and Flagstaff/Rototuna have recently experienced the strongest rental growth for family-sized properties with three to five (or more) bedrooms.

5. Landlord responsibilities
When you turn your personal home into a rental, you will take on the mantle of landlord, which comes with its own set of responsibilities. This includes finding and screening tenants, conducting or arranging inspections, repairs and maintenance. It’s a lot to manage—especially if you’re no longer living in the region. It’s why so many investors hire professional property managers to take care of the day-to-day running of their properties. Moreover, their fees are tax deductible.

Important note: If you’re leaving the country for more than 21 days, you’ll need to either appoint someone as your landlord in your stead or hire a property manager.

6. Tax implications
If you turn your home into a residential investment, be aware that you may not be able to make tax claims against it. It always pays to talk to a professional accountant to make sure you set up your home-turned-rental properly to avoid issues with tax, ownership and debt allocation.
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2411 days ago

Wanted to lease or rent

Robert from Taupo Central

Lawn mowing company seek a self-contained and secure, small work shop or garage to operate from in the Taupo area. For further info please call 021765937 or leave a message.

2411 days ago

Boarding at Auckland Grammar School

Auckland Grammar School

Applications are now open to Auckland Grammar School’s boarding hostel, Tibbs House, for 2019. Founded in 1962, Tibbs House provides accommodation, study and recreational facilities for 120 boarders. Boarders are supported by eight full time Masters who offer a wide range of teaching subjects and… View moreApplications are now open to Auckland Grammar School’s boarding hostel, Tibbs House, for 2019. Founded in 1962, Tibbs House provides accommodation, study and recreational facilities for 120 boarders. Boarders are supported by eight full time Masters who offer a wide range of teaching subjects and activities, as well as nightly study guidance.

To apply, visit our website to download an application form. Alternatively, contact the Director of Boarding, Mr Daniel Oram, at d.oram@ags.school.nz.
Apply now!

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2412 days ago

Poll: Does someone you care for ride?

The Team from ACC New Zealand

New Zealand roads are some of the best in the world for motorcycling - open roads, the hilly terrain, spectacularly scenic highways. We want to know how many Neighbourly members ride a motorcycle or scooter or have someone close to them who does. Vote below and we'll share more about why … View moreNew Zealand roads are some of the best in the world for motorcycling - open roads, the hilly terrain, spectacularly scenic highways. We want to know how many Neighbourly members ride a motorcycle or scooter or have someone close to them who does. Vote below and we'll share more about why we're asking next week. Find out more

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Does someone you care for ride?
  • 39.9% I ride a motorcycle and I have friends/family who do too
    39.9% Complete
  • 7.1% I ride a scooter and I have friends/family who do too
    7.1% Complete
  • 53% I don't ride or have someone close to me who does
    53% Complete
2353 votes
2413 days ago

CouncilMARK BBB rating reflects strong performance

Darren Petry from Taupō District Council

​Taupo District Council has received a BBB rating from independent assessors as part of a local government excellence programme, reflecting "some areas of strong performance" and being "competent generally".

The result puts Taupo District Council fifth equal out of the 17… View more
​Taupo District Council has received a BBB rating from independent assessors as part of a local government excellence programme, reflecting "some areas of strong performance" and being "competent generally".

The result puts Taupo District Council fifth equal out of the 17 councils who have been assessed under the Local Government New Zealand programme, designed to give councils and communities an independent view on how their council is carrying out their role.

Read more here -

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2414 days ago

Let’s join together and put tamariki first!

Children's Day

There are lots of awesome events happening in neighbourhoods around Aotearoa for Children’s Day, Sunday 4 March. Check out what’s on near you. If you don’t head along to an event, remember the most important thing you can give tamariki is your time and aroha! Find out more

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2414 days ago

Poll: What part does meat play in your diet?

Reporter Sunday Star Times

More Kiwis are cutting back on meat; more farmers are noticing the downturn. So what part does meat play in your diet?

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What part does meat play in your diet?
  • 52% I eat meat most days
    52% Complete
  • 29.2% I am reducing the amount of meat in my diet
    29.2% Complete
  • 4.5% I eat only white meat
    4.5% Complete
  • 3% I eat only fish
    3% Complete
  • 7.2% I don't eat any meat
    7.2% Complete
  • 4% I don't eat any animal products at all
    4% Complete
2794 votes
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