THUMBS UP & DOWN

■ Thumbs up to the 10 councillors who voted for Ma¯ ori wards. Introduction of wards is a progressive step for all New Zealand but vehemently contested by ignorant, narrow-minded, poorly-informed single issueagitators opposing anything positive for Ma¯ ori. Ma¯ ori wards are a long-overdue necessity. Regular systemic racism still exists locally. This is 2021, not 1921.

■ Thumbs up to the incredibly kind person who dropped the awesome trolley anonymously at Best Start Abacus. We were all so surprised. The children absolutely love playing on it, and it has become the firm favourite toy. Whoever you are, thank you for your kindness, from the staff and the children.

■ Thumbs up and my heartfelt thanks to the person who found my wallet on the footpath outside the Tu¯ rangi Bakery and handed it to the shop where I was able to pick it up. You are a credit to your community as I was travelling and would have been in a difficult position.

■ Thumbs up to the lolly pop girls at the Acacia Bay road works for always smiling and waving at cars, rain, hail or shine, especially the one at the bay end of the road. You make the stop and go just a little more bearable.

■ Thumbs up to Pip King and her wonderful team of vaccinators! The Covid-19 vaccine management here in Taupo¯ runs like a well-oiled machine. The service is excellent and well managed. All our friends have had the vaccine and without exception have been impressed at the responsiveness to contact and the whole process. Well done team!

■ Thumbs up to Renee from Mike Pero Real Estate Taupo¯ . They sold our home a couple of months back and every day her communication was 100 per cent on point. They were so easy to deal with and super friendly. Highly recommend if you're looking to sell your home.

■ Thumbs up to Ellie at Briscoes. She gives top class service, always smiling and friendly and nothing is too much trouble. She has helped me several times and is always the same. Thanks Ellie.

■ Thumbs up to the roofing, electrical, painting, builder and other tradies in the Taupo¯ area who actually reply when asked for a quote or to come and look at a job. Many don´t even bother to show up or phone back. We know you´re all busy, but so is everyone. ‘Buy Local' is, or was, a thing, but it's a two-way street.

■ Thumbs up to Joy from Farmers Taupo¯ for her amazing assistance while buying a washing machine last week. She is very professional, knowledgeable, and helpful in assisting you with the right purchase. Such a joy she is.

■ Thumbs up to the local Creative Fibre group which has posted two large parcels of knitting down to the South Canterbury Rural Support Trust for them to distribute to people affected by the recent floods.

■ Thumbs up and thank you to Zara and the girls at Bed Bath & Beyond for great service. It's a real pleasure to shop in the store when customers really do matter.

■ Thumbs up to Nikki's Flowers in Nukuhau Street. Almost three weeks later and my bouquet is just as fresh as the day it was delivered!

■ Thumbs up to the efficient Covid vaccination team in Taupo¯ . All seems to be going well here.

■ Thumbs up to the Friends of the Tu¯ rangi Library. An extremely great night with excellent speakers. Thank you.

■ Thumbs up to Phil, Vicki, Ahmad and staff at Creative Kitchens and Laminates for the fantastic new kitchen they designed, built and installed in our home. Their assistance, knowledge, friendliness and workmanship is second to none. Absolute champs.

■ Thumbs up to Nigel and Christine at Shoe Clinic. Not only is their service impeccable, they are also extremely professional and they will go the extra mile for their customers. Highly recommended.

■ Thumbs down to the lazy dog owners who walk their dogs along Huka Falls Road and don't bother to pick up their dog's poop. Shame on you. If you own a dog then it's your obligation to pick it up.

■ Thumbs down to building regulations/consents seemingly not applying to the dwellings being erected at Five Mile Bay and Acacia Bay straight.

■ Thumbs down to the high prices for petrol in Taupo¯ . You can't blame the cost of transporting the fuel from the bunker to Taupo¯ , especially as the petrol in Mangakino is 15 cents cheaper than in town.

■ Thumbs down to the person who stole my leather look chair outside my bedroom window — taking a shortcut through pensioner flats into Konini Street. My dead cat used to sit on it; so hope he haunts you. Shame on you! Police informed.

■ Thumbs down to the petty thieves who continually raid the community gardens. This week, the fresh green vegetables due to go to the food bank, and the hyacinth bulbs planted by our children's group. They will be so disappointed not to see the pretty flowers they planted. How low to steal from children and the needy.

■ Do you have a bouquet or a brickbat? Email your thumbs up/ thumbs down to us at news@taupoweekender.co.nz, message Taupo Weekender on Facebook 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.