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While the New Zealand government enforces severe lockdown measures in a bid to ‘stamp out’ COVID-19, there is a growing international endorsement of the public health strategy in Sweden, which has now recorded far fewer deaths per capita than the United Kingdom – despite keeping schools, restaurants, and workplaces open throughout the duration of the pandemic.

On Friday 17 July 2020, Karaka Playcentre were extremely lucky to have Bunnings transform their wilderness area through the Bunnings community support programme. Bunnings is committed to participating in the communities in which they operate by contributing to local, regional and national causes, charities and organisations throughout Australia and New Zealand. The south facing…

Kia ora, my name is Anahila Kanongataʻa-Suisuiki, I’m a List MP and the Labour candidate for Papakura. I was born in Tonga, grew up in Onehunga and now Papakura is my home away from home. I’m a team player, I chair the Labour Women’s Caucus and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Pacific Caucus, which represents 15 countries. I have a background in social services, leading teams…

Not 48 hours after I sent what I thought was the final version of this column to the editor, events proved just how true the headline was: Todd Muller resigned as Leader of the National Party just eight weeks after he assumed the role. Twelve hours later, the National Party caucus elected Judith Collins as Leader and Gerry Brownlee as Deputy Leader. The political landscape…

elocal sat down with local independent candidate Ian Cummings and asked him why constituents in the Port Waikato electorate should vote for him on September 19th 2020. I am standing as an independent candidate for one reason and one reason only, you and I deserve better. My point of difference is that unlike the other candidates, who represent the interests of their political…

We started our house hunting journey in early 2019. We were looking to downsize to our forever home away from the city. We couldn’t find anything we liked, having come from a fairly new house. It had been suggested we build but as we had not built before we were a little reluctant to take on a project. However, we visited a number of show homes at Paerata Rise and when we…

The first thing you notice about the new Papakura Flooring Xtra showroom, is how much more there is to see and how much room there is to see it! Spanning an impressive 350sm, the showroom at 20 Elliot Street, is designed to fully showcase the extensive range of flooring options chosen by local owners Trish and Richard Wickett. “We have always wanted a space big enough to house…

Working together in a business as a married couple is not always easy, and for Bobbie-Jo and Rocky Butler from Conveyancing Plus, they have had their disagreements about little things. But they both feel that major business decisions made while walking their dogs along the beach have allowed them to focus and decide on strategies that allow them to develop resources that allow…

The National Library of New Zealand is proceeding with removing about 600,000 books from its Overseas Published Collections. It is doing so in the misguided belief that these books are not important to New Zealanders and get little use. In fact, neither of these claims are true, as the library’s own statistics reveal. The Library claims that its consultation – which was mostly…

Local couple Paul and Margot Tindall are celebrating 20 years of owning and operating Trailer World in Pukekohe. From small beginnings the business has grown into a leading manufacturer of trailers – not only locally, but countrywide and into the Pacific Islands. In a market full of imports, they have stuck fast to the business’ original philosophy. Their emphasis is on providing…

Currently the market is showing no signs of slowing down due to COVID or the anticipated recession if the recent buyers and sellers who have worked with Jason Tabrum are anything to go by. In the last 6 weeks 6 of Jason’s listings have sold and most have experienced multiple quality offers, high interest and a low number of days on the market prior to selling. What it does mean…

Jason’s feature property this month is a four bedroom, two bathroom builder’s own built home. Built looking down on the beautiful Pukekawa countryside, this luxurious lifestyle home provides modern living and all the extras you would expect in a build of this quality. Call Jason Tabrum today on 022 567 9662 to view.

When you renovate or build with Lance, Jana and the Hutton Builders team you will not be disappointed. The company was set up in 2010 with the vision to deliver top quality building and the very best project experience for every client. Since then, they have delivered on that promise time and time again whether renovating a bathroom or kitchen, remodelling an entire house…

When the doors open on Sunday November 22nd to showcase Pokeno’s formula manufacturing plant you won’t be bombarded with Yashili branded memorabilia. Because despite being partly responsible for the area’s considerable economic growth since it opened in 2015, the company is driven largely by its community involvement. The open day provides not only an opportunity for Yashili to…

Is there a way that the NZ government could handle a second wave of COVID-19 in such a way as to protect people who are most vulnerable to experiencing complications or dying from a SARS CoV-2 infection yet still allow most people to work and enjoy a normal social life and keep our economy and society healthy? The answer to this question is yes. In the more than six months since…

He was a brilliant playwright, poet and author who was a larger than life figure in the Victorian era. He advocated for socialism and the literary movement, Aestheticism and was famously imprisoned for his homosexuality at a time of illegality, rife sexual repression and hostility. Nevertheless, he broadened the horizons of 19th century literature and helped open the doors to the…

WELCOME TO NEW BUSINESSES INTO PAPAKURA It is with great pleasure we can let you know that Red Earth Bistro and Wine Bar has reopened in Papakura on the Great South Road. Check out their details on www.facebook.com/Redearthbistro And Toasted As Gourmet Toasted Sandwiches are open in Broadway. Check out their details on www.facebook.com/toastedas NEW WEBSITE –…

I write this sitting in a paddock surrounded by cows. This is of course, entirely irrelevant, but I was assured by someone in the know that a catchy first line would result in greater engagement. And, following advice from someone claiming to be someone in the know seems to be the thing to do, particularly in the fitness industry. For those of us in the fitness industry who,…

Sales volumes have returned to normal in June, they were the highest for the month of June in four years - indicating that the impact of lockdown is truly behind the country and people are making positive decisions about their futures. Predictions that house prices would fall dramatically post COVID are not demonstrated in the market and certainly not in our area. There are…

Sciatica is one of the most common disorders seen in the acupuncture clinic. It is estimated that up to 40% of the New Zealand population will experience sciatica at some point in their lives. What is Sciatica? The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve in the body. When this nerve inflames, it is called sciatica. Sciatica nerve originates in the lower spine travels…