When talking to Kiwis about kiwi, very few have actually seen one in the wild, but most of us would love to spot the iconic bird in New Zealand’s wilderness. Consequently, when TOSSI asks for volunteers to sit in the dark on winter nights to listen...... Read More

How do you feel about inviting a few friends over to your place for a little rest and recreation? Maybe you’re relaxed about it or perhaps a bit stressed out? Compare your situation with the team at Shakespear Regional Park, who welcome two-thirds...... Read More

A tossed blanket gently wafts to the floor like a softly falling autumn leaf. Raindrops pirouette on the tin roof as the thunder plays a background tune. Chink-chink is the sound of glasses full of tepid red wine as bodies intertwine. The glow of a thousand...... Read More

The star of a midwinter backyard garden is undoubtedly citrus. Beautiful golden, yellow or bright orange fruits bring colour to an otherwise drab time of year, and the fresh, vitamin C rich fruit is a boon to family health during flu and cold season. Currently,...... Read More

When animals are known to have swallowed something poisonous or present with symptoms suggestive of poisoning, we often follow familiar, standard procedures. For example, our most common dog poisoning is caused by rat bait. If you know it has just been...... Read More

One of the most recognisable constellations in the winter sky is the Southern Cross, also known as Crux. It is so well known that it even appears on our flag, as well as on the flags of Australia, Brazil, Samoa and Papua New Guinea. Many people assume...... Read More

In the words of Haruki Murakami, “Death is not the opposite of life, but part of it.” For some, death may be the result of an illness, which allows them to prepare, but for many death is unexpected. A loved one leaves the home and never makes...... Read More

 We will have to behave as though we are at war if gardeners are going to control guava moth. The whole community needs to be involved. Guava moth (Coscinoptycha improbana) is a small, black and white speckled inconspicuous moth with a 15mm wingspan,...... Read More

 Cow’s milk has been a staple food for generations and our high-quality dairy products are lauded worldwide. However, a quick look around the supermarket shows there is a growing demand for non-dairy alternatives. We have the choice of fresh...... Read More

It is hard to imagine New Zealand has ever been in something like the current housing situation before – skyrocketing rents, which even those on middle incomes struggle to afford, an ever-smaller segment of society able to purchase their own home...... Read More

The Coast has recently seen the introduction of new community meal initiatives. Now Whangaparāoa, Ōrewa and Silverdale have free dinner meals on offer – the latest additions being St Chads Church in Ōrewa and Coast Vineyard Church in Silverdale....... Read More

Waste Management’s opening answer to questions posed by Mahurangi Matters was: “The reality is a new landfill is required to safely manage the waste produced by the people who choose to live in Auckland …” (MM June 30) Predictably,...... Read More

It was only a few months ago an under-strength Indian cricket team shocked the cricketing world by humbling the super confident Australians. Fast forward to the recent World Test Championship and it’s our very own Black Caps who were crowned world...... Read More

Conspiracy theory? When the Auckland Council was created 10 years ago, I often wondered why Rodney Hyde was so keen to include the Wellsford area. Then there was the urgency of completing the northern corridor from Puhoi to Warkworth. And of late, the...... Read More

Not surprised Al Weeks, Ōrewa The recent article on cost overruns on Penlink (HM June 16) must have raised a few eyebrows or even some computer rage. Actually, I don’t think there is any great mystery here. If we look at the numbers, the average...... Read More

Kaipara District Council (KDC) may have a legal dispute on its hands as an increasing number of motorists continue to damage their cars on new traffic islands on the Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Road in Kaiwaka. Mangawhai’s Zoey Liebeck wants to hear...... Read More

Auckland Council was established in 2010 with a very different system of local governance than prevailed under Rodney District Council. A decade on, there is still a lot of confusion about where Local Boards fit in. Local Boards are part of a co-governance...... Read More

With recent temperatures still up around 19 degrees and high humidity, we could be forgiven for thinking we were in early autumn, rather than nearing the solar minimum. The recent rain has certainly given the grass a much-needed boost. It’s the best...... Read More

Dogs are the only animal that can become a true family member. Sometimes better than that, considering my family. They provide practice in caring for a living being before having a child. They provide valuable lessons to children on how to deal with...... Read More