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Auckland Council reveals new proposal for Takapuna Golf Course
Auckland Council reveals new proposal for Takapuna Golf Course

07 July 2025, 11:19 PM

Construction to turn Takapuna Golf Course into a flood storage wetland is set to begin in 2027, Auckland Council has announced.It has chosen a design concept that could allow for both flood resilience and a nine-hole golf course with a driving range at AF Thomas Park, also known as Takapuna Golf Course.The council said the project aimed to reduce downstream flood flow through Wairau Creek, cutting flood risk to more than 250 homes and three residential care homes in Milford.It would also protect critical infrastructure and access to key facilities such as North Shore Hospital and Westlake Boys' and Girls' High Schools, as well as Eventfinda Stadium.Auckland Council general manager, healthy waters and flood resilience Craig Mcilroy said the project was a response to the 2023 Auckland floods which heavily impacted parts of Auckland's North Shore."We heard from the community that they wanted us to move swiftly and decisively while protecting the recreational greenspace they love. This design concept achieves both and we can now progress this important work."The project has garnered opposition from golfing bodies and prominent figures in the sport.Insurance companies said using the golf course to prevent flooding may be a necessary sacrifice for golfers.Auckland Council said staff evaluated more than 100 flood mitigation options.The Transport, Resilience and Infrastructure Committee endorsed a business case in April to integrate flood storage with recreational facilities at AF Thomas Park.At the same April meeting, the committee requested that the proposed concept be reviewed alongside an alternative put forward by existing leaseholders of AF Thomas Park, Takapuna Golf Course.It explores whether an 18-hole golf course could be retained on the land while providing the same level of flood storage.Tom Mansell, Auckland Council head of sustainable partnerships (healthy waters & flood resilience) said the golf club's initial proposal, creating a large number of smaller stormwater storage ponds throughout the park, was soon found to be unfeasible due to cost and maintenance requirements.The council granted the golf course a one-month extension to provide another option.A subsequent design was submitted by the golf club which was a very similar approach, both in land formation and stormwater detention, to the Auckland Council design."The council has worked closely with Takapuna Golf Course to complete a feasibility assessment of the two proposals. An eight-step technical review ensured both options were evaluated fairly for feasibility, cost-effectiveness as well as addressing environmental considerations," Mansell said."Both the council proposal and the golf course's revised proposal have similarities in terms of placement and the method of storing stormwater on the site. We're confident in the single design concept that's come out of the feasibility assessment and are ready to move this project forward for our communities."Auckland Council said while the confirmed design concept could allow for a nine-hole golf course and a driving range on the site, how the recreational sport could be incorporated into the park's future use was still to be determined and would be decided by the Kaipātiki Local Board in consultation with the community, mana whenua, and advice from council staff.Consultation with the wider community was planned for later this year on potential recreational activities in the green areas surrounding the new wetland.Any additional costs for sport or recreation come at a cost and were currently unfunded.They would be subject to Long-term Plan and alternative budget availability.A Community Advisory Group has been established for the project, with representatives from local community groups, rōpū Māori, schools, and the local board to provide ongoing input and help guide decisions that reflect local needs and aspirations.The Wairau flood resilience project is part of the $760 million Making Space for Water programme and aims to make Auckland's infrastructure more resilient to extreme weather events.Making Space for Water is co-funded with central government, which will provide 62 percent of the project costs.

Beef Wellington at Centre of Murder Case
Beef Wellington at Centre of Murder Case

07 July 2025, 9:55 PM

Beef Wellington is the kind of dish you pull out to impress.It’s the showstopper at Christmas tables, the star of many a fancy dinner party, and thanks to Gordon Ramsay, a bucket-list recipe for confident home cooks.But this week, it’s at the centre of a murder trial that’s left many Coasties speechless.Australian woman Erin Patterson, 50, has been found guilty of murdering three of her relatives after serving them a homemade Beef Wellington laced with death cap mushrooms.The meal was served during a quiet family lunch in Victoria, Australia.Three guests later died. Two others were hospitalised.The case has shocked both sides of the Tasman.Not just because of the outcome, but because the dish itself is usually associated with joy and celebration.If you’ve never had it, Beef Wellington is a labour of love.A centre-cut beef fillet, often seared and brushed with mustard, wrapped in a layer of finely chopped mushrooms called duxelles, sometimes pâté too, all tucked inside golden puff pastry.Slicing into it reveals pink, juicy meat, rich savoury flavour, and flaky crust.Done right, it’s a masterpiece.But in Patterson’s version, the mushroom layer contained one of the world’s most poisonous fungi.Death caps are nearly impossible to identify without expert knowledge.They grow in parts of New Zealand too, so it’s a sobering reminder to steer clear of wild mushrooms unless you’re absolutely sure.Patterson is awaiting sentencing.And the rest of us?Honestly, I think I’ll just stick to Gordon Ramsay’s version and leave the wild mushrooms right where they are.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Kiwi Startup Unveils Smart Power Panel
Kiwi Startup Unveils Smart Power Panel

07 July 2025, 8:01 PM

A New Zealand startup says its new tech could change how we power our homes and protect them too. The Basis Smart Panel, launched this month, is being called the world’s first fully digitised energy safety system.Unlike traditional switchboards, which only react once a fault occurs, the Basis panel monitors each circuit in real time. The company claims it could help households save over $1000 a year by detecting faults early and reducing power wastage.Using the Basis Home app, homeowners can track electricity use down to individual circuits and receive alerts for overheating wires, overuse, or any unusual activity. It’s all about spotting problems before they turn into hazards.“You’re not waiting for the power to cut out. You’re seeing exactly what’s happening and can act before anything serious happens,” says a spokesperson.The system can also be personalised. This is ideal for families wanting to safeguard areas like nurseries or grandparents’ rooms. It adapts as your home evolves too, whether you’re installing new appliances or extending the house.There’s no word yet on if or when the technology will roll out to Hibiscus Coast electricians, but the innovation could signal a shift in how local homes manage energy and safety.For Coasties keen on smarter living, this kind of tech might be worth watching.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Growth: The True Cost of Replacing a Staff Member
Growth: The True Cost of Replacing a Staff Member

07 July 2025, 5:13 AM

In today’s job market, staff turnover has become a regular challenge. Once-stable workforces are shifting, and with that comes a cost – one that goes well beyond simply swapping one salary for another.Yes, rising wages are a reality. Many employees expect pay rises due to inflation and increased living costs. Employers, still recovering from COVID impacts and supply chain issues, may feel squeezed. But here’s the critical question: can you afford not to meet a pay rise request?The true cost of replacing a staff member is much higher than many realise. Depending on the role, replacing someone can cost 30-50% of their annual salary – and that’s for mid-level staff. For senior or highly specialised roles, the replacement cost can be up to four times their annual salary before the new hire is fully effective.What Makes Replacing Staff So Expensive?Many of the costs are hiding in plain sight. Here are just some of the direct, often unavoidable expenses:Advertising the roleRecruitment agency feesScreening and background checksPsychometric testingTemporary staff or contractors to cover the gapRelocation costs or recruitment incentivesExternal training for the new hireAnd that’s just the beginning.There are also substantial indirect costs that affect time, morale, and productivity:Hours spent by management and team members on recruitment tasksClient handovers and introductionsOnboarding, training, and supervision of the new recruitReplacement of equipment and workspace setupReduced output during the transitionDisruption to team dynamics and moraleLoss of institutional knowledge and potential customer relationshipsThen there’s the emotional and performance toll. Remaining staff may feel overburdened or anxious. Productivity often drops – not just because someone is leaving, but because they may have mentally checked out well before their last day.A Costly Trade-OffSo, when a team member earning $70K asks for a raise to $75K, it’s tempting to say no. But if that refusal triggers a resignation, you may find yourself paying far more than $5K to replace them – both financially and culturally.Final ThoughtsRather than viewing pay rise requests as a threat to your bottom line, consider them a potential investment in stability. Sometimes the cheapest, most efficient move is to retain the staff you already have – especially if they’re performing well.Of course, there’s another solution altogether: create a workplace so engaging and rewarding that no one wants to leave. Let me know if you’d like to talk more about this, or any other, business management topic. I’m happy to help.

'We're cleaning up their mess' - oyster farmers want Watercare to deal with sewage overflow
'We're cleaning up their mess' - oyster farmers want Watercare to deal with sewage overflow

06 July 2025, 10:11 PM

A group of oyster farmers in the north of Auckland have reached their breaking point over sewage overflow and want the government to intervene.The 10 marine farms have been in a seven-year battle with Watercare to stop sewage overflowing into the Mahurangi Harbour, which contaminates their oyster crops.At least one farmer is having to close their business, while many fear they will not survive the year, despite a pipe upgrade in September that will provide a short-term fix.At this stage, a long-term solution to the piping problem on Elizabeth Street in Warkworth is expected in 2026.Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Shane Jones said Watercare had "failed in their statutory duty of care to the Mahurangi oyster farmers"."They are solely responsible for the collapse of the infrastructure that has ruined the businesses of the Mahurangi oyster farmers."I am astounded that this colossus will not step up to the plate and offer financial compensation to these marine farmers, who through no fault of their own are now penalised because of the failure of water care," he said.Oysters help remove pollution in water, but this means there is a high risk of food poisoning if they were eaten. Photo: Nick MonroJones said he was looking into what levers the government had over Watercare."There are many areas where the Auckland City Council wants the assistance of central government. The Auckland Council is in control of Watercare, and it seems extraordinary that we're expected as central government to deliver positive outcomes for the Auckland City Council, yet one of their organisations is driving local marine farmers to penury and offering no assistance, no relief whatsoever."Watercare is a well-heeled organisation, they're not short of capital. What they're short of, though, is corporate responsibility and obviously, don't place any importance on the maintenance of a social licence to continue to operate."Their organisation should be renamed Zero Care. But more importantly, this is a comment on their culture," said the minister."They know and they've known for a long time about how weak the piping system is around Mahurangi. They've chosen to find every excuse in the world to delay fixing it up and now the oyster farmers are the casualties of this corporate delinquency."According to the farmers, the pipe network was originally scheduled to be upgraded in 2021, but never was.Watercare says it had expedited repairs to the wastewater overflow.Chief executive Jamie Sinclair told Morning Report it had to build a new wastewater treatment plant and pump station, but will make a short-term fix by September."The first part is expediting what I'd call an interim solution, which is an over-pumping solution, which will be in place by the end of August, which will reduce those overflows by about 50 percent."That's not the end solution, there will still be overflows. For the final outcome, we have reorganised our programme - the previous timeline was 2028 - we are now looking to have the outcome, an almost full reduction in overflows by the end of 2026."So I know that that that's still time. There's still pressure today on on the oyster farmers and their businesses, but that is that is our priority is to fix this issue as quickly as possible."He said he felt for the affected farmers, their families and livelihoods, but would not comment on whether the farmers could sue Watercare for lost business."We've been investing for the last six years in this community. We'll be spending about $450 million. And it's really this final piece of the puzzle which will alleviate the overflows at that particular location."The issue of wastewater overflowing into the Mahurangi Harbour has been ongoing since 2018, when farmers first raised it with Watercare.Because oysters are filter feeders, they help remove the pollution in the harbour but by doing so, there was a high risk of food poisoning if they were eaten.Mahurangi Oysters farmer Jim Aitken. Photo: Nick MonroMahurangi Oysters farmer Jim Aitken said his own health working the oyster farms was also at risk."Yeah, we're cleaning up their mess and we're not receiving any support for literally working in human waste," he said."This farm is the exception, but most of these farms, you are in knee-deep in mud, waist-deep in water, getting cut on sharp oysters, nails, all kinds of things, and now we have to worry about potentially getting quite serious infections from sewage."When we get 9mm of rain - which is happening almost weekly - that should not be triggering a spill so easily, and consistently too. Like it's not a random thing, and we're told that the pipes that are connecting storm to wastewater have been disconnected, which should never have been connected in the first place."But the increase has tripled, so far it's on track to quadruple the number of spills because we've already doubled what we did last year, what they did last year for spills, it's pretty astounding that there isn't even an increase in rainfall compared to last year.""We're wondering what's going on here, why has it suddenly increased so dramatically, is another question too, what we're trying to figure out," said Aitken.Lynette Dunn of Orata Marine Oysters said she had not been able to sell any locally grown produce since Christmas and had to approach Work and Income for financial support.She said Members of Parliament needed to take action to save the estimated $8 million oyster industry in the Mahurangi Harbour."They need to start hammering the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, telling him we need some action. The government's the only person, or the only identity that's going to take Watercare on."Dunn's family business has run for 30 years and has overcome many adversities, but she said this has been the toughest period."Every day I've been crying, you know? I think to myself, like, I'm not going to cry today, you know? Because it's not our fault, it's their fault and they're not doing anything about it."You wail awake at night time, thinking, 'okay, how much sewage is going to go into the harbour', you know?"We used to have, like, 5 or 10 mils of rain, and we'd be closed for fresh water, or 50 to 60 mils of rain, we'll get closed for 10 days for fresh water, but now we're getting closed 28 days constantly on 5 mils of rain."In some instances, there's no rain and there's sewage spills, but this last one was 670 cubic metres of sewage pumped into the harbour on Thursday. You know, like, the water in the streets of Warkworth, running down their pipes are overflowing and sewage coming out," she said.

Thinking of Running? Now’s Your Chance
Thinking of Running? Now’s Your Chance

05 July 2025, 8:53 PM

Have you ever thought about standing for local government?Now’s the time to put your hand up.Nominations are open until midday Friday 1 August for this year’s Auckland local elections.And for the first time, candidates can nominate themselves online.Paper forms are still available at selected Auckland Council libraries, from Election Services, or downloadable from VoteAuckland.Auckland Council’s Governance and Engagement GM, Lou-Ann Ballantyne, is encouraging passionate locals to take the leap.“It’s time for Aucklanders to step up... and let voters know more about them,” she says.In 2022, 466 nominations were received across 172 roles, a jump from 423 in 2019.Council hopes to see that grow again—with candidates who truly reflect the people of Auckland.“Voters are more likely to turn out when they feel represented,” says Ballantyne.To run, you must:Be a New Zealand citizenBe at least 18 years oldBe enrolled to voteSubmit a nomination with two voter signatures from your areaPay a $200 deposit (refunded if you get more than 25% of the lowest successful vote)Important dates:Nominations close: Friday 1 August, 12:00Candidate list (preliminary): Released Friday 1 August eveningFinal list confirmed: Monday 4 AugustCandidate profiles online: From 1 SeptemberVoting opens: Tuesday 9 SeptemberWe’d love to see more Coasties throw their hat in the ring.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Customs Pushes Digital Travel Declarations
Customs Pushes Digital Travel Declarations

04 July 2025, 3:15 AM

With winter school holidays in full swing, New Zealand Customs is encouraging Kiwis heading overseas—or returning home—to ditch the paper forms and complete their arrival declaration online.More than five million digital declarations have already been submitted, and Customs hopes even more travellers will give it a go these holidays.“It’s easy, it’s free, and it can be done within 24 hours of your flight,” says Holly Stringer, Manager of the New Zealand Traveller Declaration programme.“You can even save your details for next time.”The online form is available at travellerdeclaration.govt.nz or through the official app. It supports multiple languages, and those needing help can have someone complete it on their behalf.Across June, about 68 percent of New Zealand passport holders submitted their declaration digitally, compared to 73 percent of Australians. Customs is keen to see that local figure rise as more Kiwis get comfortable with the system.Stringer adds that digital is now the standard for most travel tasks. From booking tickets to ordering Ubers, and this is just one more way to streamline the journey.While most Coasties are more likely to head off from Auckland Airport, anyone travelling overseas will need to complete the declaration, so it’s worth spreading the word.If you're not flying, Customs is asking locals to let friends and family know—going digital makes everyone's arrival smoother.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Wainui Site Wins National Award
Wainui Site Wins National Award

02 July 2025, 10:27 PM

A familiar Wainui property has just picked up a prestigious national award for its stunning transformation.The purpose-built Windowmakers facility on Haruru Road has been honoured with a Silver Award in the Industrial Category at the 2025 Commercial Project Awards.The site was once home to a well-known horse arena and later a film studio.Locals might remember the site for its connection to international films like The Chronicles of Narnia and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Now, it’s making headlines for a different reason—its clever reuse as a 5,500-square-metre aluminium joinery manufacturing hub.The project consolidated all of Windowmakers' operations into one location, complete with an on-site apartment and a staff cafeteria. It’s more than just practical. It’s beautiful, sustainable, and smartly designed.Managing Director Heidi Johnston says, “This facility represents a major step forward—not just for our business, but for local manufacturing innovation.”For the Hibiscus Coast, it’s another example of how forward-thinking businesses can breathe new life into iconic spaces while staying true to the community’s character.Locals can even pop into the new Design Room, where clients can view and try out the latest joinery products.From sliding doors to sleek windows, it’s all there to see and touch, helping builders and homeowners make confident, informed decisions.Congratulations to the Windowmakers team on this well-deserved recognition—a proud moment for Wainui and a promising sign of what’s ahead for local industry.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Schnapper Rock Break-Ins Lead to Arrest
Schnapper Rock Break-Ins Lead to Arrest

02 July 2025, 3:57 AM

A weekend crime spree in Schnapper Rock has landed a 28-year-old man in court, charged with 17 offences linked to car break-ins across the North Shore suburb.Waitematā East Police say the offending took place between 26 and 29 June, with multiple vehicles targeted for items like sunglasses, wallets, and bank cards left in plain sight.Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Williams says the turning point came when offenders were caught in the act on Sunday.Thanks to sharp-eyed victims who noted down a vehicle description, police were able to move quickly.Frontline officers traced the vehicle registration with help from camera operators.By Tuesday, the Tactical Crime Unit had identified a suspect and executed a search warrant at a Te Atatū Peninsula property, leading to the man’s arrest.Inside the West Auckland home, officers found multiple items of interest.The man was due to appear in the North Shore District Court today, and police have confirmed they will oppose bail.Williams praised the Schnapper Rock community for their quick reporting and helpful information, which helped stop further victimisation.Police say enquiries are ongoing and more charges may follow.This case is a reminder for Coasties and other Aucklanders to lock vehicles, remove valuables, and report suspicious behaviour.If you see something concerning, call 111 immediately or use the Police’s 105 line or online reporting tools.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

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