WAITANGI DAY CONCERT

■ Thumbs up to the wonderful concert on Waitangi Day. Brilliant acts, well-organised and great atmosphere for families.

■ Thumbs up to TreeLine Arbor Care Ltd (Ian Ashmore) for an excellent job removing a difficult dead tree so efficiently at a very competitive price. Many thanks.

■ Thumbs up to the kind ladies who on Waitangi Day found my wallet where I dropped it in the car park at Mitre 10 Mega and handed it in. $350 cash in the wallet was not touched.

■ Thumbs up from Hospice to M21 Meats for the delicious scotch fillet steak and also to the kind person who donated the 10 beautiful trout, which we had smoked. Both meals have been thoroughly enjoyed by all at the Tuesday Club at Hospice.

■ Thumbs up to the people who found my wallet and handed it in to the Bottle’O on the weekend. You’re awesome!

■ Thumbs up to Jolly Good Fellows restaurant. We had a superb meal on Monday night with the beautiful mountain views in the background and wonderful service!

■ Thumbs up to the awesome person who dropped my keys to the Taupo¯ police station on February 7. You’ve no idea how grateful I am. Restored my faith in humanity! Thank you.

■ Thumbs up to the businesses who sponsored the kids’ pool party at the AC Baths before Christmas. So much fun for our kids, really grateful.

■ Thumbs up to Christchurch for growing fruit trees in and around their city for freedom picking. Come on Taupo¯ , let’s follow suit — it’s food and it’s healthy.

■ Thumbs up to Allen and Elaine at Pita Pit. They always work so hard with a smile on their face. Perfect customer service even throughout the busy season. Well done guys. You are a real asset to this town.

■ Thumbs up to district nurses and many thanks to Emma and all the nurses who go out to the homes to help the elderly with their special needs, always a bright and happy lot makes my day God bless.

■ Thumbs up to Nukuhau Pa, Taupo¯ District Council and other organisers for a very cool concert and event on Waitangi Day.

■ Thumbs up to the beautiful makeup lady at Farmers. Highly qualified and capable of making you feel confident in makeup she helps you choose. Thank you for making this lady happy and confident, you are a blessing especially for your knowledge and going over and above to please. Such an asset to Farmers. I will be back.

■ Thumbs down to all the people complaining about nude bathing. Who cares a hoot? Instead, worry about all the real issues. Crimes, drugs, litter, cars everywhere, congestion etcetera. Two weeks wait to see a doctor, then you cannot get parking. All these things are only getting worse.

■ Thumbs down to all those irresponsible dangerous boat owners that were out on the lake to watch the powerboat racing on Sunday January 26. Have you ever actually educated yourselves on the Maritime NZ rules on the water? We were anchored for some time with our children swimming around our boats. At least six boats motored past us doing well over the 5 knots (some were up 25 to 30 knots) and within 50m of our boats. You must not exceed 5 knots! Please observe the rules at www.maritimenz.govt.nz. It’s about time the government introduces a law that all boat owners are to sit a licence as we do to drive a car.

■ Thumbs down to the residents new to Taupo¯ who regularly complain about the noise or inconvenience due to long time sports events like the speedboat racing, triathlons, bike and or running relay races including outdoor concerts held annually. These events bring thousands of dollars into our local economy with the emphasis on promoting the lake and tourism hotspots encouraging everyone to be proactive and healthy. This is the kaupapa of Destination Great Lake Taupo¯ . Taupo¯ isn’t solely a retirement village resort for the elderly. Long-term residents are aware of these events and accommodate or make the appropriate plans if bothersome. Whiners won’t be missed by Taupo¯ residents and iwi if you leave.

■ Thumbs down to the fluctuating (and at times, pathetic), water pressure in the Wharewaka area over the past six weeks. Taupo¯ District Council, what on earth is going on?

■ Thumbs down to the man who harassed my teenage daughter to buy him food while she was in the drive through at KFC on Thursday. She tried saying no multiple times, when he refused to take no for an answer she ended up saying she would buy him a drink then he demanded she get him fries as well. It left her feeling very shaken up.

■ Thumbs down to the people who thought it was a really good idea to put stop signs on a busy road. Another accident today at Napier/Kiddle/Arrowsmith intersection. How many more?

■ Do you have a bouquet or a brickbat? Email your thumbs up/ thumbs down to us at news@taupoweekender.co.nz, text us on 021 241 4568 (insert the code TW at the start of your text message) or drop them into our office in Waipapa House, Paora Hapi St, Taupo¯. Thumbs up/ thumbs down may be edited or abridged.

Personal attacks or thumbs down that refer to easily-identifiable people, businesses or groups won’t be published.