Idyllic growing conditions have led to fresh fruit and vegetable prices dropping 25 percent compared to this time last year - and they are now at prices not seen for several years.United Fresh New Zealand president Jerry Prendergast said for the past 10 months, apart from a late summer drought in Horowhenua, growing conditions around the country have been "incredible".Rain and warm sunshine have arrived "enqueue"."We're seeing again the ability to plant vegetables, and to harvest vegetables in conditions that have been superb," he said.Yields have been massive and the normal losses in a system where plants may die off, just had not happened.The result was a massive over supply and lower prices."I can assure you, if you're a consumer, it's a consumer's market, in terms of the value."I've not seen the value of fruit and vegetables, in particular the green leaf vegetables and root vegetables, I've never seen the value at the levels that we are seeing now, since pre-Covid - perhaps 5 years plus. We are seeing values that are 20 to 25 percent less than this time last year," he said.But he said unfortunately for the growers, all this extra produce did not mean they were making more money."I wish I could say they did, but they're growing at below the cost of production. If you're harvesting cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, silverbeet, spinach, spring onions, lettuce, when you're producing and harvesting them like you are at the moment, for the value returns, it's actually below the cost of production."So it doesn't start to etch out. If you had a reasonable price point it would start to kick in for you. But right now it's very tough for growers."He said growers have the choice to not plant, but that was not a good option."The reality is you might also see some increase in prices so you can't afford to take the gamble to say 'I'm not going to plant' and hope that your business is going to survive. You need to have a programme of planting, you've got customers with expectations."Growers had to swing with the flow of supply and demand, but Prendergast said what was needed was more people eating vegetables because despite the lower prices, consumers were not buying more.There has never been a better time he said, to swap some of the protein on the dinner plate for more vegetables.

The family of the man killed in the Ponsonby Road shooting have paid tribute to him.Robert Sidney Horne, 33, had just got out of a car with three others when a man fired multiple shots in their direction. By the time emergency services arrived, he was already dead.In a social media post, Horne's family said they expected the coroner to release his body on Wednesday."It is with deep sadness we announce the tragic and sudden passing of our son, brother, moko, uncle & friend to many," the post on Facebook said.They said his body would lie at Parawera Marae once it was released.Police confirmed his name in a statement, saying their thoughts were with the family."The family of Mr Horne are understandably devastated at what has occurred and have requested privacy at this difficult time."The suspect, 31-year-old Hone Kay-Selwyn, was found dead at a rural address in the Broadlands area, near Taupō, on Tuesday. His death was being treated as unexplained.Police said he was a member of the Killer Beez gang, but the motivation behind the Ponsonby shooting remained unclear, and police knew of no links between the man shot in Ponsonby and any criminal groups.A woman who said she was the partner of Kay-Selwyn, had expressed remorse for his actions. In a now-deleted Facebook post earlier this week, she said her inbox had been "overflowing" with messages about her partner's actions on Sunday night in Ponsonby."I want to express my sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim. I'm deeply sorry and feel a great sense of shame about the situation."She said she was "grappling" with the fact he had taken someone's life.When contacted by RNZ the woman did not want to comment further.Police would not comment directly on the social media post or confirm if they had spoken to the woman.

First home buyers are taking full advantage of lower property prices and less competition from other buyers, the latest data is indicating.First home buyers accounted for 26 percent of purchases in the first quarter of 2024, which was well above the long-term average of 21 percent, according to CoreLogic's biannual First Home Buyer Report.NZ chief property economist Kelvin Davidson said first home buyers were taking advantage of the low-deposit lending allowances at banks, and FHB grants and loans, with some buyers compromising on the location and type of property.But he said fewer deals were settled in the first quarter, reflecting the overall downturn in the housing market."There was a small burst of price growth at the tail end of 2023, but more listings became available over the first few months of 2024, which has contributed to a slowdown in property values, as conditions swing back in favour of buyers," he said.The median house price fell to $695,000 in Q1 2024, compared with $699,000 last year, and $715,500 in 2022."The price being paid by FHBs (first home buyers) is significantly higher than the lower quartile, or bottom 25 percent, of all buyers, where the median price is $565,000," Davidson said."It shows that the 'typical' first home buyer doesn't always enter at the bottom of the market and work their way up. Many actually enter the market well above the 'bottom rung' of the ladder."Davidson said the increase in first home buyers also defied a significant gap between the cost of a mortgage and rents."With mortgage rates having risen sharply, and even despite a recent acceleration in rental growth too, the extra cost to pay the mortgage compared to rent is still quite high," he said."With rent being significantly cheaper it certainly highlights that most first home buyers are likely to be purchasing for reasons such as stability of tenure rather than due to simple financial drivers."Davidson said average FHB activity was expected to continue this year and possibly into 2025 as well, particularly given other buyer groups, such as investors, were still facing challenges.

Police have located the man sought in relation to the Ponsonby homicide investigation deceased.Detective Inspector Chris Barry addressed the media outside the College Hill Police Station, stating that the man was found at a rural address in the Broadlands area.The death is currently being treated as unexplained, with a post-mortem examination yet to be completed.However, it is believed that the deceased is the man sought by Police in relation to the homicide investigation.Auckland City CIB will work with Bay of Plenty CIB counterparts to investigate this development.The wider Police investigation into the homicide remains ongoing, with the team continuing to gather information and make enquiries on behalf of the Coroner.Police have confirmed that they are not currently seeking anyone else in regards to this investigation.The victim's family and the family of the man sought have been notified of these developments.Police have thanked the public for their assistance in providing information regarding the identity of the man sought.

Samantha Hayes will be the solo presenter for Stuff's new TV bulletin and will be joined by six other well-known Newshub journalists when the operation launches on 6 July.Stuff announced on Tuesday Jenna Lynch, Laura Tupou, Ollie Ritchie, Juliet Speedy, Zane Small and Heather Keats are among a group of new hires.Earlier this month, Warner Bros Discovery confirmed its plans to shut down Newshub, including its website and all TV news shows by 5 July.A week later, WBD and Stuff held a joint press conference to announce the latter would provide a daily news bulletin to run on TV3 from 6 July.In a statement on Tuesday, Hayes said she was delighted to be joining Stuff after almost 20 years at TV3."It's an honour to be anchoring this new iteration of the 6pm news and I'm grateful it will keep Newshub's legacy alive. This is the most exciting news project in the country and I hope our viewers will trust us and come along for the ride."Stuff also announced appointments for key production roles including Claire Watson, who has been appointed 6pm's executive producer, while Steve Gore-Smith, who is Newshub's senior manager of operations, will become Stuff's director of video operations and technology.Stuff digital managing director Nadia Tolich expected the Newshub staff would bring "additional firepower and specialist skills" to its newsroom."Their specialised skills will complement the teams we have producing our digital, audio, video and print news products."While there are some very familiar faces in our lineup, and we'll be reporting on all the major events in news, sport and business, this will be an evolution of a 6pm news product."Tolich said the expanded team would be intent on innovation in the way it told stories, used technology and engaged with audiences.Warner Brother Discovery head of networks for Australia New Zealand Juliet Peterson said a strong line-up had been confirmed."Sam as news anchor has been a cornerstone of Three for so many years - having her continue on in that role is a fabulous announcement."Ryan Bridge confirmed as Newstalk ZB hostBroadcaster Ryan Bridge will be the new host for Newstalk ZB's Early Edition programme, NZME announced.Bridge has held various radio and television journalism roles including two and a half years as co-host on TV3's AM Show.Ryan Bridge Photo: Warner Bros DiscoveryEarly Edition is on air from 5am to 6am on week days.In welcoming the appointment, NZME chief audio officer Jason Winstanley said: "Ryan is a popular, talented broadcaster with significant radio experience, extensive knowledge of local and global issues and a special ability to engage and connect with audiences."NZME chief executive officer Michael Boggs said it was pleasing to secure a broadcaster of Bridge's calibre.He will start as Early Edition host on 8 July.

A new online data dashboard launched this week by Associate Education Minister David Seymour aims to provide more timely information about school attendance to the public and parents. The interactive dashboard, which will be updated weekly, offers insights into the national average of daily school attendance.According to Mr Seymour, the dashboard's purpose is to address the nationwide attendance problem, which saw over 330,000 students missing school regularly in the last term of 2023. He stresses the importance of accurate and up-to-date data to tackle this issue effectively."Having high-quality attendance data available will empower students, parents, and school communities to identify and address absence," Mr Seymour explains. "It will also enable us to measure positive changes over time."The Government has set an ambitious target of ensuring that 80 per cent of students attend school for more than 90 per cent of the term by 2030. To achieve this goal, Mr Seymour urges schools to aim for a daily attendance rate above 94 per cent.While acknowledging that parents have the final say in their child's attendance, Mr Seymour encourages them to consider the impact of absenteeism on their child's education. He points out that attendance tends to decline on Fridays, highlighting the importance of monitoring attendance patterns.In a move to enhance data collection, Cabinet has approved mandatory daily reporting of attendance by schools to the Ministry of Education starting from Term 1, 2025. This data will be published on the website daily, providing real-time insights into attendance trends.Mr Seymour emphasises that understanding the root causes of non-attendance through data analysis is crucial for implementing targeted interventions. He urges collective support for schools in maintaining a strong focus on teaching and improving attendance rates.Highlighting the long-term consequences of truancy, Mr Seymour warns of an "80-year long shadow" if the issue is not addressed promptly. He stresses that addressing truancy is essential for ensuring equal opportunities for all students and preventing social and economic challenges in the future.The new attendance dashboard will be accessible to the public via the following link: https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/statistics/daily-attendance

A man wanted over a central Auckland fatal shooting has been found dead in or near Taupō.Police were searching for Hone Kay-Selwyn, 31, who they believed shot one person dead on Ponsonby Road on Sunday night.A source confirmed the discovery of the body to RNZ.It is not known how Hone Kay-Selwyn died.The victim, who had been with a group of people at the time of the shooting, was found dead by police when they arrived at the scene, outside a bar.Police said multiple shots were fired by another man who had earlier been refused entry to the bar.More to come...

The sale of a long-term lease for Ports of Auckland will not go ahead.Instead, as part of a new deal, the port has committed to $1 billion in profits to Auckland Council over the next decade.A new tripartite agreement has been reached where port land, assets, and operations will be retained under council ownership.Ports of Auckland chief executive Roger Gray said handing back Captain Cook Wharf and Marsden Wharf to council would cost more than $70 million.Auckland mayor Wayne Brown also negotiated public access to parts of Bledisloe Wharf - where all the imported cars are currently unloaded - as a shared space for public use and cruises.Gray said over the next three years, "we are looking to making in excess of $100m a year".There were a few different levers and it would be a combination of increased pricing and growing volumes.He said the peak access charge was likely to increase from $95 per container to about $295 in the next three years."[You can] expect to see our pricing be very close in line with the pricing in New South Wales," he said.He told Checkpoint this year the company was on track to make more than $52m but needed to double its efforts."The first is we're going to grow volume. We've seen great growth in cruise and cars. But also we've seen significant market share come back from the Port of Tauranga in containers as we've started to get our operations back to where we were pre-automation."And secondly, we've been quite open about this, we are going to continue to take price."He said the Ports had seen a double-digit growth in imports and exports in the last year."We'll continue to hold that. We think that's volume share that's come back."We're up year on year about 2 percent total container volume."There were no penalties if the Ports did not keep up to its end of the bargain."It's a memorandum of understanding, not a contract as such. We're still working through on what we're going to do, but we're committed to delivering these numbers and we will."Maritime Union Auckland secretary Grant Williams said he was relieved the mayor had changed his mind."Especially in this time now with what's going on everywhere else [in the public sector], to know that people recognise your place of work and that the work you do is valuable and necessary ... those things matter," he said.He said the union was satisfied with the result, even if it took a lot of pushing."We involved ourselves, so I'm satisfied with our own efforts," he said."We made something happen, through organising and getting support from people. We're happy with the result."

Auckland Transport (AT) has announced the reinstatement of some ferry services ahead of schedule, thanks to the success of an accelerated training programme aimed at addressing a skilled maritime crew shortage.In October 2023, AT temporarily reduced timetables for some ferry services to support Fullers360's training programme, which aimed to upskill existing crew and train new crew to fill gaps in Auckland's maritime workforce.The programme's success has enabled AT to restore some ferry services to their regular timetables earlier than expected, according to AT's Director of Public Transport and Active Modes, Stacey van der Putten."We're really pleased Fullers360 has been able to use this time to get more crew trained and ready to go out on the water. The temporary reduction in ferry services has not been easy for our customers, and though we still have work to do to get our ferry services back at the level they should be, we're thrilled to be able to bring some back ahead of schedule."From June 4, the Devonport ferry will return to a 20-minute frequency during peak times, while weekday off-peak and evening sailings for Half Moon Bay will also be reinstated, along with additional Friday night services. Later in the year, more Gulf Harbour ferry services will be added during the week, with weekend sailings to Half Moon Bay expected to resume in early 2025.Fullers360 Marine Manager, Andy Johnson, praised the success of the accelerated training programme, which has seen over 700 individual vessel signoffs achieved, 10 Skippers appointed, and 20 new Deckhands trained."I'm incredibly proud of our crew, and pleased to see the accelerated training programme delivering the results we set out to see. We'd like to thank our customers for their patience while we work hard to get services back up and running. With more qualified maritime crew, we're now able to reinstate some services and see greater resilience within the ferry network."Additional weekday sailings will also be added to the Bayswater, Birkenhead, and Te Onewa Northcote Point ferry routes from June 4, with AT working closely with Explore, the new operator for these services since September 2023, to restore frequent ferries for these communities.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says the sale of a long-term lease for Port of Auckland will not go ahead under the terms of a new deal.Brown signed an agreement in front of media, alongside Port of Auckland chief executive Roger Gray and Maritime Union secretary Grant Williams, on Tuesday morning.The port land, assets and operations would be retained under council ownership, he said.It was set to bring in $1.1 billion in profits to Auckland Council over the next 10 years, exceeding the projected net returns from investing the proceeds of a port lease by $172 million."Port of Auckland has agreed to deliver much improved profits to Auckland Council and we have agreed to take the proposed sale of a long-term port lease off the table," Brown said."This plan reflects my commitment to get better value and better returns from our strategic assets, and strengthen the council's long-term financial position. These higher returns will require increased port charges and improvements in productivity, and all parties are supportive of this."Port chair Jan Dawson welcomed the move, saying it provided "a clear direction and certainty for the port staff, our customers, and the community".Auckland Council and Eke Panuku have developed a framework plan for the central wharves to make better use of prime waterfront space.The port is backing the plan for the mayor's proposal to return Captain Cook Wharf and Marsden Wharf to Auckland Council.Brown has also negotiated public access to parts of Bledisloe Wharf, as a shared space for public use and cruise ships."Auckland's harbour and waterfront is a big part of what makes our city special, and it's important that we get this right. The success of the plan will be based on cooperation and joint planning, and the inclusion of mana whenua, stakeholders, and the public."The plan will be part of the mayor's proposal on the Long-Term Plan to be considered by the budget committee and governing body next week.Williams was also pleased with Tuesday's deal, saying the agreement highlighted the port's importance to the city."We're pleased to see that the value and contribution of port workers has been recognised by the mayor, councillors and the community."A formal arrangement will be made by way of Port of Auckland's annual statement of corporate intent and the council's Long-term Plan through to 2034.Brown said the port's board and management had already improved the port's performance and returns "and met our demands head-on".All the parties signing up to the agreement would work together to make the most of the port and the space it occupied.

Auckland City Police are urging the public's assistance in locating Hone Kay-Selwyn, a 31-year-old man connected to the recent homicide investigation in Ponsonby.A warrant has been issued for Kay-Selwyn's arrest on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm."Our investigation is progressing," says Detective Inspector Chris Barry of Auckland City CIB. "We understand the community has questions, and we want to assure them that our top priorities are providing answers to the victim's family and apprehending this suspect."Police warn that Kay-Selwyn should be considered dangerous and should not be approached by members of the public.Anyone who spots him is urged to contact emergency services immediately by dialing 111.Detective Inspector Barry emphasises the importance of public collaboration."We are aware that some people may have knowledge of Kay-Selwyn's whereabouts," he states. "We want to remind anyone who assists him in evading capture that they could face charges of being an accessory after the fact."The Detective Inspector expressed gratitude to those who have already come forward with information."The calls we've received have been instrumental in obtaining this arrest warrant," he acknowledges. "We appreciate your assistance, and now we need your help to locate him."Police are appealing to anyone with information or footage related to the incident to come forward.A dedicated portal has been set up for this purpose at http://hurley.nc3.govt.nzAlternatively, information can be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111, or by contacting Police on 105 and quoting file number 240506/9353.While the identity of the victim remains undisclosed due to ongoing notifications, police have assured the public that further updates will be provided as soon as possible.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has released a report on New Zealand, urging the government to tighten its belt on spending. Finance Minister Nicola Willis welcomed the report, saying it aligns with the government's ongoing fiscal sustainability program.The OECD, a group of developed nations, conducts regular reviews of its members' economic policies. Their latest report on New Zealand highlights "spending overruns" following the pandemic, which they say have led to a permanent increase in government spending relative to the nation's economic output. The report also suggests the government's stimulus measures may have contributed more to inflation than those of other countries.In response, the OECD recommends that the government establish spending limits and tax policies that will gradually reduce the budget deficit and achieve a balanced budget."This affirms the Government's decision to steadily bring government spending under control," said Minister Willis. She emphasised the government's commitment to its fiscal sustainability program, which aims to achieve responsible spending levels.While the report focuses primarily on spending control, the OECD also identified other areas for improvement. These include stricter enforcement of competition policies, easing restrictions on overseas investment, and boosting educational achievement through a more detailed national curriculum. The report additionally calls for further reform of the resource management planning system."The Government is already acting on many of the initiatives proposed by the OECD and we will give consideration to its other recommendations," stated Minister Willis. She acknowledged that while the government may not agree with every aspect of the report, they value the OECD's expertise and appreciate the opportunity to have their economic policies evaluated.Looking ahead, Minister Willis emphasized the urgency of rebuilding the New Zealand economy after a period of high spending, inflation, and interest rates. She expressed confidence in the government's plan to deliver better value for public spending, improve educational outcomes, and create a more favourable environment for business investment and growth. Minister Willis concluded by stating that the government's economic policies aim to provide New Zealanders with the cost-of-living relief, higher incomes, and improved public services they deserve.

The effect of deep cuts throughout Massey University outlines a stark statistic revealing the institution has cut more than 500 courses this year.At the same time, it would not say what its 2024 enrolment numbers were, as the sector faced a funding squeeze with scant likelihood of a Budget boost later in May.Last year was a tough one for Massey. It declared a deficit of $45.5 million and slashed courses and jobs, including major reductions to science.The extent of that was made clear in a Massey academic board paper, which revealed 624 courses were "retired" this year.Although some new courses have been introduced, the loss of courses was more than 500. Last year, 116 courses were "retired".Palmerston North-based politics professor Richard Shaw had been vocal in warning that continued cuts would lead to what he called the academic equivalent of an ice age."I would stand by those comments in as much as we are still in a part of the process that is disruptive for staff, for students, for managers up and down the hierarchy," Shaw told RNZ."It's a distressing period of time for people. We're still roiling through those circumstances."Shaw works in the college of humanities and social sciences. He said some staff there were competing against each other for jobs, while the number of courses would not be reduced - yet."We will have a smaller workforce and I think it's highly likely that from 2026 on we we will reduce the number of offerings of some of our courses."It may be that we don't lose significant numbers of courses, but we no longer offer them internally on two or three campuses as well as via distance."Students made their views clear at a forum in Albany this week. Photo: Supplied / Niklas PolzerThe 624 courses cut this year included 434 from sciences, 79 from business and 59 from humanities.Courses were cut and new ones added all the time, but this year's high number comes after 116 were retired last year.Meanwhile, university staff were battling on in trying circumstances, Shaw said."At the moment the people I work alongside of, including people who are in the throes of losing their positions, are conducting themselves with considerable professionalism and good grace."Josh Parsons, from Student Action Collective, was calling on Massey to be upfront about its strategy and where it was heading, given the extent of the cuts."It's 624 retired and 66 created, which means there's 558 courses less at Massey," he said."With a total course number of around 3000 that's over 1/6th of the courses at Massey. That's a sixth of the university gone."Students were not being given the full picture about what was happening, Parsons said."The mood among most current students at Massey is to just keep your head down and hope your degree doesn't get cut out from under you, and try and make it out the other side so you can leave it all behind."I don't know what future students are thinking."Massey's far from the only university that had faced financial pain. The government had appointed an expert advisory panel to explore better ways of operating.Universities New Zealand chief executive Chris Whelan said the varsities were having to make calls about how to balance their books.Whelan said he could not comment on Massey specifically, but spoke about the sector as a whole from his position leading the umbrella group."Right now, this is something I've never seen where government controls about 80 percent of university funding."Inflation since 2019's been 21 percent but government, perhaps realistically or fairly, has only been able to afford to increase university funding by 8 percent."That left a massive gap between costs and income, despite a $128m boost last year from the then-Labour government."We just don't know when that relief's going to come along and we can read the same runes as everyone else."There isn't a lot of money floating around. We'd obviously love government to invest in us, but we fully understand this is not the environment when that's likely to happen, certainly in the next Budget."Massey provost, professor Giselle Byrnes, said the university had a responsibility to reduce the size and scope of its academic offering to make sure it provided what was required, and in ways it could afford."Over time, student demand for and interest in qualifications changes in response to changing social, employment and industry demands."Closing courses - also known as papers at some universities - specialisations and qualifications that are no longer in demand is part of the normal cycle of academic management."Byrnes said many courses had no or few enrolments in recent years, or were offered every other year, and Massey could no longer maintain "this broad offer over the long term".Other courses on the list being cut had been joined together, such as "research methods" or thesis courses. Those were basically placeholders for research projects.Massey had 3209 approved courses. In 2023, 116 courses were cut and 54 added.Massey declined to release its 2024 enrolment numbers, but last year it had 26,632 students. Of those, 16,246 were classified as full-time equivalents.Those figures have declined from 30,491 students in 2019, with 18,835 full-time equivalents.A Massey spokeswoman said it had undergone significant changes, which skewed year-on-year enrolments patterns, so was not "yet in a position to provide contextually accurate enrolment numbers" for 2024.It would only say it has surpassed its 2024 annual targets for new students by 6.5 percent, made up of an increase of 3.8 percent for new domestic students and 24.3 percent for new international students.

Orewa College celebrated a new chapter yesterday as Wiri Warriner, a proud alumnus, was officially welcomed as the school's new Principal. A traditional pōwhiri ceremony, held at the Orewa Arts and Event Centre, marked the occasion and served as a warm introduction for Mr Warriner to the school community.Mr Warriner's appointment holds particular significance. Not only is he a distinguished educator, but he also boasts a personal connection to Orewa College, having graduated 23 years ago. During his time as a student, he left a lasting impression, captaining the 1st XV rugby team and holding the position of prefect.Returning as Principal, Mr Warriner expressed a clear vision for the school's future. He is deeply committed to upholding the traditions and values that have always made Orewa College such a special place. However, his commitment extends beyond simply preserving the past. He emphasised the need to embrace innovation and growth to ensure that every student thrives and reaches their full potential.Mr Warriner outlined an ambitious plan to solidify Orewa College's position as a cornerstone of the community. His overarching mission is to create a learning environment brimming with exceptional opportunities, encompassing a broad spectrum of disciplines. He explained that whether it's academics, sports, cultural pursuits, the arts, or leadership development, they will strive to provide a diverse and enriching experience that equips students for outstanding success.With Mr Warriner's leadership, Orewa College appears poised for an exciting new era. His unique blend of experience, passion, and commitment to both tradition and progress promises a bright future for the school and its students.

Coast Plaza Boosts Parking for ShoppersCoast Plaza has extended free parking to 4 hours (P240) after listening to customer feedback.This move aims to make parking easier, especially for those seeking extended shopping trips.The centre encourages shoppers exceeding 4 hours to visit the Centre Management Office on Level 2 for potential exemptions.Council Campaign Aims to Reduce Dog AttacksAuckland Council has launched a campaign to decrease dog attacks, particularly on children, after a 28% increase in attacks in the past year.Research reveals around 2700 related injuries each year, with just under 300 of those to babies and children under 14 years old.Auckland Council's Animal Management Manager Elly Waitoa says the problem comes down to irresponsible dog owners being complacent.The "Any dog can bite" campaign aims to educate the community on the importance of responsible dog ownership and child safety around dogs.OECD Advises Review of Supermarket DuopolyThe Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has advised the New Zealand government to consider breaking up the supermarket duopoly to improve competition and productivity.The OECD report acknowledges recent reforms but expresses uncertainty about their effectiveness. While economic growth is forecast, the OECD joins calls to address lagging productivity.

The country is being told it needs to get inflation under control, balance the books, raise educational achievement, and lift productivity.The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) annual survey highlighted a familiar list of problem areas that needed attention, and forecast economic growth of less than 1 percent this year, rising to just under 2 percent next year.It said economic growth has stalled and a "rebalancing" was under way to counter high inflation and large budget deficits caused by increased spending during the pandemic."Monetary policy will need to remain restrictive coupled with further fiscal consolidation to help curb inflation and restore fiscal space," the survey commentary said.It said the Reserve Bank (RBNZ) would need to keep interest rates high until inflation was close to its target band, but also said the government needed to control spending and get the budget back into surplus."The government should set operating allowances and tax policies that will gradually reduce the fiscal deficit to reach budget balance."It said any tax cuts needed to be fully funded either by spending cuts or an increase in revenue, and said tax reforms should consider a capital gains tax.Among other suggestions included an independent body to cost policies, and amending immigration rules to control population growth and help fill the country's real skill shortages:ProductivitySimilar to the International Monetary Fund report in March the OECD made much of New Zealand's low productivity.It pinpointed the lack of competition and restrictive foreign investment rules as barriers to improved productivity."In some sectors, market concentration can be so high that regulation will not suffice to improve competition enough, and structural solutions such as break-ups, although as a measure of last resort, could be warranted."It called foreign investment rules some of the most restrictive in the OECD and should be relaxed to allow easier entry of small to medium enterprises and foreign firms to markets.EducationThe report warned declining school achievement and long-standing inequity for Māori and Pacific students were "a serious threat" to prosperity.It said research had linked lower scores in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) tests of reading, science and maths to lower productivity."This suggests that the decline of almost 29 points in New Zealand's average PISA score between 2006 and 2018 will eventually reduce aggregate productivity by close to 4 percentage points," it said.The report said teachers needed more support including a detailed curriculum, efficient assessment tools, and more advice on the best ways to teach, with the support coming from the Education Ministry's regional offices."The system seems to be missing a sufficiently deep and well enough funded intermediate support layer to help schools and teachers put policy into action, design detailed curriculum guides and assessments and deliver them as well as spreading best practices more generally," the report said.It said the school system should remain devolved but the way policies were implemented needed a major overhaul.EmissionsThe OECD also said the country needed a more systematic approach to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and a coping with climate change.It said the recent cyclones had highlighted the ad-hoc nature of disaster recovery funding between government and private insurance companies, and the need for risk based decisions to help prepare and adapt for climate change events."Monitor the price and availability of insurance for climate related disasters, and, if required, stand ready with options for reform of the market, considering the balance of public and private, optional and mandatory insurance coverage, the nature of risks and household disadvantage," the report recommended.It also said the Emissions target Scheme (ETS) needed to be reviewed in how forestry resources are accounted for, while the pricing of agricultural emissions needed to be settled.

Auckland City Police are seeking the community’s help following a tragic event in Ponsonby on Sunday evening.Detective Inspector Chris Barry, head of Auckland City CIB, disclosed that Police have disclosed an image of a man believed to be connected to an incident on Ponsonby Road.Investigators are piecing together the sequence of events and are prepared to share what they've uncovered so far."Sunday evening saw this individual attempting entry into a Ponsonby bar, which was closing at the time," remarked Detective Inspector Barry."Subsequently, witnesses observed him lingering near the Richmond Road end of Ponsonby Road."At approximately 10.15pm, a group of four individuals, including the victim, emerged from a parked vehicle on Ponsonby Road and proceeded in the direction of the individual.Initial inquiries suggest that several gunshots were fired during the encounter."The man in question has been identified as the suspect, and we are urging the public to come forward with any information that may aid in his identification," stressed Detective Inspector Barry.He is described as having a robust physique, dark hair and facial hair, and a prominent forearm tattoo.Following the incident, the individual was spotted walking southward on Ponsonby Road, towards Richmond Road.Detective Inspector Barry issued a stern warning, advising against approaching the individual, considering him dangerous."If sighted, we urge the public to immediately contact emergency services by dialling 111," he emphasised.Furthermore, Detective Inspector Barry cautioned against harbouring the suspect, stating that individuals found doing so could face legal repercussions.Acknowledging community apprehension surrounding the incident, Detective Inspector Barry assured Ponsonby residents of Police dedication to resolving the matter."Any incident involving firearms is deeply unsettling for communities," he acknowledged."Despite the absence of an arrest, residents can rest assured that our team is tirelessly working to bring the perpetrator to justice."In response to circulating rumours, Detective Inspector Barry stressed the importance of refraining from speculation, asserting that it hinders investigative progress."Our focus remains on swiftly locating the suspect and understanding the circumstances leading to this tragic event," he affirmed.A police cordon remains in place on Ponsonby Road, with plans for its removal anticipated later today.Continued police presence in the area aims to reassure residents and encourage prompt reporting of any concerning activity.Police are eager for any information pertinent to the investigation and encourage individuals to reach out via the 105 phone service or online, referencing file number 240506/9353.Additionally, anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

MetService is predicting a week of biting chills and frosty mornings as New Zealand embraces the final leg of autumn.This week marks a stark contrast to last year, with a significant drop in temperatures signaling the impending arrival of winter."This May is quite different from last year," observes MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane."Many Kiwis might remember the tropical nights of May 2023, where places like Auckland and Hamilton saw record-breaking warmth. This year, however, expect overnight lows to dip into the mid-single digits in Auckland City, with Hamilton experiencing near-freezing temperatures in the early hours."The South Island can expect the coldest days to be Monday and Thursday, with the most bone-chilling mornings arriving on Thursday in the far south.Queenstown will see temperatures plummet to -1°C, while Christchurch will start Friday at a brisk -3°C.The North Island will also feel the chill on Thursday and Friday, with the cold extending even to typically temperate regions like Northland and Auckland.Wednesday and Friday mornings are predicted to be the coldest in the North Island, with Taupō experiencing -2°C on Wednesday and Hamilton dropping to 0°C by Friday morning."Frost will be a common sight this week," adds Makgabutlane. "With longer nights and colder air settling over the country, frost could linger well into the mornings on some days."This persistent cold snap is attributed to several cold fronts moving northwards, bringing rain and a noticeable temperature drop."These fronts will deliver most of their rain to the eastern parts of both main islands, with some rain even reaching eastern Northland," explains Makgabutlane.These fronts will also bring brisk southerly winds, particularly affecting the lower and eastern regions of both the South and North Islands."The combination of rain, chilly southerlies, and icy temperatures will undoubtedly create a wintry feel," remarks Makgabutlane."However, amidst the wintery mix, there's good news – brighter days are forecast for Tuesday and Friday."

Auckland Transport will look at sharing technology with NZTA to cut the costs of setting up the city's congestion charging scheme.It aims to use cameras to snap number plates to charge for using strategic roads from possibly early 2026."We want to crack on with the conversations now ... to see if there is a opportunity to jump on the back of their ... vendor," AT executive general manager of integrated networks Mark Lambert said.Questions remain, such as which roads will incur a charge, how many cameras will be needed and how the charge will vary during peak times.Lambert said they did not know what it would cost to set up, but it would not eat into funding to build more public transport infrastructure."There's certainly no forecast or intent to reduce capital investment on public transport as a result of any congestion scheme," he said.AT documents stated there must be good public transport as an alternative to charged routes.The two types of funding were in different pots, Lambert said.The bill for advice was already growing. Consultancy PWC wrote a pre-implementation report last December, and AT was running a tender to hire another advisory firm that closed next Monday"The work programme needs to be delivered at pace; builds on existing work while confirming previous key assumptions around congestion and travel patterns, and progressing analysis of forecast congestion and travel patterns," the tender document said.That previous work, in 2020, assessed five options and favoured two of them; a city centre cordon and "strategic corridors".The former was estimated to cost $46m to set up, $10m to operate a year and raise $21m in revenue. The latter was predicted to be $185m to set up, $84m to run and to bring in $205m a year in revenue.The costs for "time-of-use" charging could be reined in by using some of AT's own existing cameras, or off-the-shelf technology, Lambert said."What exists in the marketplace that we could purchase easily or use relatively easily to keep costs down ... as opposed to reinventing the wheel."Another option was sharing the new cameras and back-office technology at NZTA.Its projects to bring in new speed-safety cameras and tolling technology together are costing more than $180m.AT expected to start talks soon with the Transport Agency "to work with them to reduce costs".However, these talks are coming a year or two after NZTA signed up major overseas tech firms.AT had not left it too late to discuss what it might share with NZTA, Lambert said. "We've only just been asked to start looking at this at the end of last year from the council, and the legislation isn't even in place yet for congestion charging."Any cameras must have automated number plate recognition (ANPR); some existing AT cameras could run ANPR, but others not.The design for a new system was months away.This would determine if the scheme could also be used for "distance charging", which varied the fee according to how far a motorist travelled.However, Lambert ruled that out, at least initially."Any technology we will be looking at, we'll make sure that it can be future-proofed for enhancements to that, but we don't want to spend a load of money now on something that's actually is probably quite a few years away, if at all."The start date for congestion charging has been pushed back to early 2026, though that was "likely to be optimistic given the complexity of the deployment required", the PWC report said.Legislation to enable such charges was expected to be passed in coming months."I think we're pretty confident that once we've gone through the legislative process, we've done our policy work, we've got an investment case in place, funding will be available," Lambert said.NZTA's camera and tolling projects are running behind schedule.