South Waikato District, Tokoroa

2477 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...

2478 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.
Get your FREE guide to learn more

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2479 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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2480 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
2480 days ago

Do something good today!

Heather Moore from Volunteering Waikato

If you are in the Waikato and can spare some time, we have lots of groups looking for people to help them provide their vital services to the community. If you can help, please check out the available positions on our website!!
www.volunteeringwaikato.org.nz...

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2480 days ago

Tokoroa Gambling Awareness Day

Sweet Rose Espresso Ltd

All of the gold coin donations received on the Tokoroa Gambling awareness day will be donated to The Tokoroa community Foodbank Trust.

It exists to provide food to people in Tokoroa who are in need, through hardship. The foodbank is open on weekdays from 10am to 12pm.



42B Roslin Street

View more
All of the gold coin donations received on the Tokoroa Gambling awareness day will be donated to The Tokoroa community Foodbank Trust.

It exists to provide food to people in Tokoroa who are in need, through hardship. The foodbank is open on weekdays from 10am to 12pm.



42B Roslin Street



Tokoroa

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2482 days ago

Tokoroa Gambling Awareness Day

Sweet Rose Espresso Ltd

Free Calciyum milk drinks and our local Chef, Jimmy Boswell , the Jamie Oliver Kids Food Ambassador, will be on thew BBQ grill.

Saturday 17th February
12 pm - 4 pm
Tokoroa Youth Park

Feed Families Not Pokies

2482 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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2482 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
2482 days ago

Poll: Is it time to remove the large trees in Tokoroa's CBD?

Luke Kirkeby Reporter from South Waikato News

A South Waikato woman wants the large trees in Tokoroa's town centre to be replaced with smaller ones after her car was crushed by a falling branch. What do you think?
Read more here: www.stuff.co.nz...

*Information gathered may be used for editorial purposes.

Is it time to remove the large trees in Tokoroa's CBD?
  • 36.8% Yes, only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt or killed
    36.8% Complete
  • 63.2% No, removing them will ruin the look of the town.
    63.2% Complete
19 votes
2482 days ago

Tokoroa waka ama teens making waves

Luke Kirkeby Reporter from South Waikato News

Four Tokoroa teenagers made it to the semi final during the 2018 Waka Ama Sprint Nationals at Lake Karāpiro.
Click the link to read more.

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