The kettle clicks off, you sink into the couch, and that first bar of the theme feels like home.From Waitoki paddocks to Army Bay living rooms, Country Calendar has been part of Sunday nights for generations, and 2026 is its 60th year on screen.The brand-new season starts tonight at 7pm on TVNZ 1.TVNZ is also marking the anniversary on TVNZ+, with a curated set of classic episodes available now and more archive episodes added weekly.It all began on Sunday, March 6, 1966, as a modest, studio-based programme hosted by Fred Barnes, built to inform farmers in a formal, instructional style.Field filming was limited at first, simply because it was hard and expensive to get cameras out on location.Over time, that changed, and so did the show.It became more visual, more relaxed, and more human, letting rural people tell their own stories while the camera quietly captured the work, weather, and everyday reality.A big shift came in 1974 when producer Tony Trotter recognised that plenty of urban viewers were watching too.The storytelling widened beyond farming into fishing, forestry, and broader rural life, and it helped Country Calendar become something closer to a national scrapbook than a niche industry programme.In a media era where other long-running local shows have been cancelled, its calm pace and high trust have helped it endure.Hyundai has renewed its naming sponsorship again for this milestone year, marking 16 years of partnership, and if you are choosing one easy watch at 7pm tonight, this is the one.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Unemployment has hit its highest level in a decade, but beneath the headline numbers some sectors are faring much better than others.Stats NZ said this week the unemployment rate hit 5.4 percent in the three months to December, the highest since March 2015.A total of 165,000 people were unemployed, a rise of 4000 on the previous quarter and 10,000 on a year ago. More people reported being available for work in the quarter.Brad Olsen, chief executive at Infometrics, said while the number of full-time roles was down 0.9 percent year-on-year, the number of part-time positions had increased 2.1 percent, or 11,400 jobs."Accommodation and food services has seen the largest increase in jobs over the last year, up just over 25,000, with around 17,000 more full time and 8000 more part-time roles," he said.He said retail, health and information, media and telecommunications also had strong part-time growth in employment."For retail, there were 400 fewer roles overall, with 4100 fewer full time roles but 3700 more part-time roles, as retailers look to right-size their workforce for still mixed spending patterns. Health roles are up 7000 jobs overall over the last year, but this is made up of around 3000 fewer full-time roles but nearly 10,000 more part-time roles as the health sector manages budgets."In manufacturing, there were 7000 fewer manufacturing roles in December compared to a year earlier, driven by a drop of 7300 full-time positions offset a little by a 200 lift in part-time roles.He said across the economy as a whole, a quarter of all roles were part-time."The increase in part-time work does seem to be a bit around businesses who are needing more capacity but aren't willing or able to commit to full-time work immediately. That's probably a bit of a sign of the slight tentativeness in the economy. You've had surveys recently which have suggested businesses are more upbeat about the general economy and have stronger expectations that they will both invest and hire more and there's evidence of that but I think everyone's just a bit shy at the start."He said there was a turnaround in tourism that was helping employment in that sector. "It's now in a good space above 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels. There does seem to be more consistency in accommodation and food services because you've had lifts in both full-time and part-time work."Accommodation and food services is one of the industries with a much stronger focus on part-time work anyway but that increase in employment seems fairly broad-based. I do wonder if there's an element of Kiwis seem to be spending a bit more on food and food-related items compared to straight-up retail options. You've seen retail employment actually fall a touch."Olsen said people seemed to be spending on groceries and going out to eat a bit more but not as much on physical items.The biggest declines in job numbers were in manufacturing, construction and some transport activity."Construction has seen declines across the board. You've got a nearly 11 percent decline over the last year in part-time construction work, an 8.2 percent decrease in full-time construction work, and that leaves an overall 8.4 percent decline."There's just less to do than what there was a couple of years ago, and so the construction workforce has had to right-size a bit more."Some industries were facing longer-lasting change than others, he said."For construction, I'd find it hard to believe at the moment that construction would make it back to its peak level of employment, just because construction activity levels are likely to remain below peak."So if you needed so many workers to do all the work back in 2022-23 when it was really difficult to find builders, if you don't have quite as much activity, you probably won't see that high level of construction employment again, not necessarily in the short term at least."A lot of those other industries, I'd certainly be expecting as we sort of go through the year a bit more of a transition from that part-time focus to more of a full-time focus. But that will, I guess, for a lot of businesses, again, who are thinking that they're a bit shy about hiring, they will be wanting to see sort of more stronger levels of sales and activity coming through before they commit to that permanent employment."Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Milldale housing stages have been approved under the Government’s Fast-track system, one year after the process opened for business.The Milldale Stages 4C and 10 to 13 development is one of nine projects approved nationwide under the Coalition Government’s Fast-track approvals system, which ministers say is already cutting years off infrastructure and housing decisions.RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says Fast-track was designed to address long delays that left major projects stuck in process while costs escalated. He points to the first Fast-track approval, the Ports of Auckland wharf extension, which took 111 days from officials confirming the application was complete to a final decision. Under standard consenting, the same project was expected to take about five years.Bishop says faster approvals are not just procedural wins. He says earlier decisions allow construction to start sooner, bring forward jobs, and deliver infrastructure when it is needed rather than years later.The Fast-track system brings multiple approvals into a single process, with decisions made by independent expert panels and subject to environmental conditions. Ministers say the intent is to apply the same level of environmental scrutiny more efficiently, rather than removing safeguards.Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says the system is already delivering results, despite early criticism. He says companies moving through Fast-track report significant savings in time and cost, which can instead be directed into construction activity and employment.For the Hibiscus Coast, the approval of stages at Milldale represents a direct local outcome. Across all Fast-track approvals so far, the Government estimates close to 2,000 new homes will be delivered over the life of the approved projects.Nationwide, nine projects have been approved, with another nine expected to receive decisions before the end of March. A further 17 projects are currently before expert panels, while 76 projects are progressing through the Fast-track system at various stages. On average, substantive applications have been decided within 128 days once confirmed as complete and in scope.Ministers say more housing, infrastructure, and energy projects are expected to move into construction as further decisions are made in the coming months.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Safer Internet Day will be marked on Tuesday, February 10, with Netsafe leading New Zealand’s national campaign.The annual global day of action takes place each February and promotes collaborative efforts to build a safer, more positive online world.In New Zealand, Netsafe is coordinating the initiative and providing resources for schools, families, and organisations.The 2026 theme is “Together for a better internet”, with a focus on shared responsibility, digital wellbeing, and helping users make safe and responsible choices online.A key focus this year is artificial intelligence, under the message “Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI”.For Hibiscus Coast families and schools, the day is an opportunity to talk with children and young people about how they use technology, including AI tools, and what to do if something goes wrong online.Five simple ideas for Hibiscus Coast localsShare Netsafe’s Safer Internet Day posts on social media or local community groups.Have a 10-minute family chat about apps, AI tools, and what to do if something goes wrong online.Run a short discussion at school, church, sport club, or a youth group using the “Together for a better internet” theme.Add a short online safety note to a school, club, or workplace newsletter, pointing people to saferinternetday.nz.Encourage a Year 10 or 11 student to apply for Netsafe’s Youth Action Squad (YAS).Among the initiatives linked to Safer Internet Day 2026 are applications for the Youth Action Squad, open to students in Years 10 and 11.New Zealand will take part alongside more than 180 countries worldwide in the global campaign.More information and resources are available at saferinternetday.nz.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Australian accountants are still getting paid more than New Zealanders - but the local sector had a bigger pay bump in the past year.That's according to the Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand (CAANZ) remuneration survey released on Wednesday.It showed that members' median pay was up 0.3 percent in Australia for the year, while New Zealand's was up 6 percent.People who were full-time employees in New Zealand were earning a median $153,000 a year. Part-timers were earning a median $98,800.In Australia, full-time employees were getting a median A$160,500 (NZ$185,800) and part-time employees A$138,664 (NZ$161,000).Full-time employees in the United Kingdom were earning a median GBP 133,522 (NZ$303,500).Charlotte Evett, general manager NZ regions at CAANZ, said there had been higher salaries in Australia through the history of the survey."Australia is a powerhouse economy compared to ours... they have the big mining engine in minerals that we don't have. But it's still very, very good pay in New Zealand."She said it was notable that Otago accountants reported a 27 percent pay increase year-on-year."Nelson was up 11 percent, Canterbury was up 7 percent. Even the South Island and West Coast were up 6 percent. If you compare that to Australia, they had some good growth, Queensland was up 10 percent but apart from that ours are certainly standout numbers."She said that was part of the "two-speed economy" that had been seen in other sectors recently as Auckland and Wellington were slower to recover."On top of that I think we'd be remiss not to look at lifestyle... central Otago has got rivers, lakes, mountains, snow, beautiful weather... the story has been New Zealanders are moving to Australia in droves. While that is true, I think the report shows that Kiwis should look at specific regions in New Zealand before considering Australia."In New Zealand, general managers were earning $287,000, chief financial officers $270,400 and directors $215,080.In Australia, CFOs were earning the most, at A$280,800 (NZ$326,000) and directors $231,000 (NZ$268,100).Aucklanders topped the New Zealand table.The largest pay growth was seen in the not-for-profit sector in Australia and corporate New Zealand.The survey showed that while 76 percent of people had received a pay increase, almost a quarter had received 2.5 percent or less.Only 8 percent of New Zealanders had experienced a pay increase of more than 10 percent. But 21 percent of those aged 20 to 29 had received such a lift.New Zealand's gender pay gap remains at 24 percent while Australia's is 14 percent.Artificial intelligence is expected to transform accounting further in the near future, with new tools emerging to assist with tools such as GST returns.Evett said the industry was making the most of it."When you look at accounting back over time, I think it continues to and historically has moved with technology faster than any other profession. When you think of technology as the abacus, the calculators, then we've gone to cloud computing and now AI. So, I think it's very exciting."It's definitely has and continues to reshape accounting, but it's not replacing accountants. Most New Zealand organisations would say they're using AI and report positive results, especially in finance teams."She said it could be used to free accountants up to add value, spend time and build trust. Recent research by Infometrics had shown there would be a shortage of 15,000 accountants over the next five years. "Pretty exciting when you combine that with technology."Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Hibiscus Coast homeowners weighing a move away from Auckland now have clearer options, as Trade Me data shows 44 districts with house prices below the national average.The national average asking price now sits at $856,950. Districts tracking under that level are being flagged as more affordable entry points for buyers priced out of larger cities.For Auckland buyers, the choices remain limited. Papakura is the only Auckland district currently below the national average, with an asking price of $781,150.Outside Auckland, affordability improves quickly.Northland offers Far North at $681,000 and Whangarei at $804,500. Waikato and Bay of Plenty feature several sub-$700,000 districts, including South Waikato at $548,000 and Rotorua at $674,950.Some of the sharpest affordability remains in central and lower North Island districts. Ruapehu is the cheapest on the list at $344,700, followed by Tararua at $464,300 and Rangitikei at $466,150.For Hibiscus Coast residents, the pattern is clear. Buyers looking to stay within commuting distance of Auckland have limited relief. Those prepared to relocate further afield will find significantly lower entry prices, especially in regional centres with established services.South Island affordability remains strongest on the West Coast, with Buller at $409,700 and Grey at $554,850. Canterbury also remains accessible, with Christchurch City at $721,350 and Selwyn just under the national average at $854,750.Worth noting, these figures are asking prices, not sale prices.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

That heavy, post-summer sluggish feeling can make “health” sound like another job to do.A new review, recently published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, argues plant-based diets could cut non-communicable disease risk, reduce future pandemic threat, and lessen climate-linked health pressure, with a University of Auckland researcher leading the work.The review was written by 19 authors across medicine, dietetics, and academia, and it frames Covid-19 as proof that reactive healthcare is expensive, while prevention is cheaper and more durable.Lead author Dr Komathi Kolandai says modifiable lifestyle factors matter because managing fallout after disease arrives can be hugely costly, and she notes most Covid diet research is observational, so it cannot prove cause and effect.Beyond Covid, the review points to established evidence linking plant-based eating patterns with lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney disease, and some cancers.It also cites modelling work suggesting large-scale dietary shifts could save billions in healthcare costs and add more than a million quality adjusted life years globally.Dr Komathi Kolandai. Photo: SuppliedThe authors connect diet to spillover risk, pointing to intensive livestock production, wildlife trade, and high demand for animal protein as drivers of zoonotic disease.They argue reducing reliance on animal-based foods could reduce the chance of new pathogens crossing into humans, which is more effective than trying to contain outbreaks later.They also link animal-based foods to more than half of global food-related greenhouse gas emissions, and say plant-forward shifts could cut agricultural emissions substantially, easing climate-related harms like heat stress, respiratory illness, vector-borne disease, and mental health strain.The review flags practical barriers too, limited nutrition training for clinicians, inconsistent definitions of “plant-based” in research, and unequal access to affordable, culturally familiar plant-based foods.For Hibiscus Coast families, the useful idea is modest, realistic shifts supported by access and good advice, so it feels like a workable default rather than a one-off reset.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Trade Me says buyers are hunting for a gold and silver bargain - but there's a warning that jewellery may not be the best way to get an investment slice of the precious metals action.Trade Me spokesperson Millie Silvester said from about mid-January, the site had started to receive significantly more searches for gold and silver.Gold and silver hit record prices in late January, before prices slipped, then rallied."After we saw the historic highs reported in New York last week that's when things really started to pick up on site," Silvester said."'Gold' and 'silver' were the second and third fastest rising search terms in the past week with 'silver bar' and 'silver bullion' also appearing in the top ten."She said searches for silver were up 264 percent year-on-year in January while gold was up 18 percent."Our Antiques & Collectables and Jewellery & Watches categories also saw a spike in activity in the past week. Whether it's an old chain that's seen better days or a collection of silver coins, the current 'metals meltdown' is actually creating a bit of a gold rush on Trade Me. It's a savvy, very Kiwi way of making the most of a global situation."She said people who wanted to sell precious metals should mention the carat and weight in grams to help buyers value them. Using keywords such as authentic and hallmarked would build trust. The listing should provide close-ups of hallmarks or stamps to prove metal purity.But Rich Elliott, from MyGold, said jewellery was not a good way to invest in previous metals."As an investment, jewellery is generally inefficient. You're typically paying a large premium over the gold content for design, brand and labour, and that premium is rarely recovered on resale," he said."There are also practical issues - most people don't have an easy way to verify purity, resale often means dealing privately with strangers or shipping items away, and because jewellery isn't investment-grade purity it's usually subject to GST."By contrast, investment bullion is standardised, easily verified, widely traded, and sold by reputable mints with certifications and guarantees. That makes pricing transparent, resale straightforward, and the market far more liquid."He said he had just returned from Europe where he had been meeting mints officials and precious metal suppliers."What stood out wasn't just the price movement, but the strain on physical supply."Many mints have paused taking new silver orders altogether, others are operating on strict allocations, and in several cases delivery timelines have stretched out by months."Over the past 12 months, silver prices are up roughly 140 percent, with gold up about 62 percent. We've also seen sharp corrections along the way, which underlines just how volatile - and globally significant - this market has become."Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Coasties, here’s what the long weekend has in store for us.Friday, 6/2Mainly fine, chance of a shower until afternoon, brisk sou’westerlies.High: 24Low: 17Saturday, 7/2Fine with sun and cloud, fairly breezy sou’westerlies.High: 26Low: 18Sunday, 8/2Partly cloudy, chance of a morning shower, fairly breezy sou’westerlies.High: 27Low: 17Monday, 9/2Fine and mainly sunny, breezy south to sou’westerlies.High: 26Low: 18See the full Weather section in the app for:🌊 Tides🌬️ Wind☔ Rain radar🌞 UV levels🏖️ Safe swimming spots...and more.The Hibiscus Coast App has everything you need for the region, accessible at any time and from any location.

Hibiscus Coast households in early 2026 are seeing a softer Auckland jobs market, while housing costs stay broadly steady in real terms.A February 2026 Auckland Council update says Auckland employment fell compared with a year earlier, marking another quarter of negative annual jobs growth. Unemployment remains high at 6.4 percent, which the update says is the highest level since 2014 and about double the 2021 low.Housing signals are mixed but calmer than the boom years. The median Auckland house price in December 2025 was $1,015,000 in real terms, which the update says is broadly flat over recent months and well below the 2021 peak. Sales have lifted from the 2023 low point, but remain well below the 2021 peak.Rents are not rising in real terms.The update puts Auckland’s average weekly rent in November 2025 at $673 in real terms, down on early 2021 and similar to around a decade ago.There are some early signs of a lift in building. The update says new dwelling consents have been rising since April and are up on a year earlier, though still below the 2022 peak.For Hibiscus Coast residents, the jobs slowdown matters most for people who commute south and for local businesses linked to construction and services.Steadier house prices and rents may reduce pressure on budgets, but job security is the bigger watch-out.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Biosecurity New Zealand has detected ten yellow-legged hornet nests on Auckland’s North Shore using radio tracking technology as the eradication response accelerates.Biosecurity New Zealand commissioner north Mike Inglis small nests were found, one in Takapuna and two in Forrest Hill, all within the intensive surveillance zone. More than 1,080 traps are operating, with no detections beyond the 11km area.For Hibiscus Coast residents, there is no direct impact at this stage. The response area is centred on the North Shore, and there have been no detections outside the defined zones.Public reporting remains central. Anyone who suspects a hornet, finds a possible nest, or has a clear photo is asked to report online at report.mpi.govt.nz or call 0800 809 966.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

If you're in the market for a new house, you might be wondering what to offer on any you're interested in.Do you offer the asking price? Try to cut 10 percent off? How hard do you negotiate?As new data from Realestate.co.nz shows a 1.5 percent dip in average asking price in January, Cotality has confirmed that the gap between what sellers are asking and buyers are willing to pay appears to be shrinking.Chief economist Kelvin Davidson said, excluding auctions, the median discount that buyers paid on the original list price of properties sold in 2025 was 3.8 percent.It was 4.2 percent in 2024, 4.6 percent in 2023, 5.1 percent in 2022 and 2.9 percent in 2021.Gisborne had the biggest discount, at 5.9 percent. That was followed by Northland at 5.5 percent and the West Coast at 5 percent. Taranaki had the smallest, at 3.1 percent.Davidson said that could be affected by sellers in Taranaki setting more reasonable asking prices to start with."In some ways it's a marketing tool. You're never quite sure if someone is just hoping for too much of whether they're actually setting a reasonable asking price or what their true motivations might be."Over time the availability of information to both sellers and buyers has widened. Any time, anybody can look up a free valuation estimate or you could come to Cotality, for example, and pay for a higher grade one but either way that information is widely available. It suggests that the chances vendors can sneak an above-market asking price in there have probably reduced because everybody's got the same information and they are going to know what' s unrealistic."I guess it applies to buyers as well …the chances putting in a sneaky 10 percent under offer and getting it accepted are also reduced because maybe asking prices are more realistic to start with."The scope for an excessive price is probably reduced but at the same time the scope for buyers to get a sneaky deal is probably reduced."The data does not include properties that went to auction.Property prices have been broadly flat in recent years even as vendor discounts have reduced, suggesting it is sellers who have shifted their expectations."The longer the flat patch goes on the more people are saying 'I just want to get this done I'll set a more reasonable asking price'," Davidson said."I think if you're a market watcher, maybe you've been thinking about selling, maybe you held back because you thought 'oh the market might pick up I'll wait'. Now you might not necessarily be… you have to sell at some point. I think in general the fact those discounts have been slowly trending down suggests people are just being a bit more realistic than they might have been a few years ago."Realestate.co.nz said national stock levels rose 2.3 percent year-on-year in January, the first time the number of available properties for sale hit more than 33,000 in January since 2014.Gisborne led the pack, with a 15.1 percent increase in available stock.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

For Hibiscus Coast drivers, AMI Insurance claims data shows the Toyota Aqua is New Zealand’s most stolen car for the fourth straight year.AMI says it received more than 9,000 claims for vehicle theft and attempted theft in 2025, across more than 760 makes and models.The Toyota Aqua made up 8% of all stolen vehicle claims, followed by the Toyota Corolla (7%) and the Nissan Tiida (6%).AMI says Aquas are disproportionately targeted. It recorded 54 theft claims per 1,000 insured Aquas, compared with 15 per 1,000 insured Corollas.Auckland is the top region for vehicle theft claims, followed by Canterbury, Waikato, Wellington, and Bay of Plenty.AMI says nearly nine in ten stolen vehicles were older than 10 years, which it links to older locking systems that are easier to compromise.AMI Executive General Manager Claims Steph Ferris says claim volumes have been relatively lower since a peak in 2023, which she links to lower crime rates, improved security in newer vehicles, and people being more mindful about where they park.AMI says about 64% of stolen vehicles are recovered. It says 40% of recovered vehicles are repairable, with the rest typically written off and auctioned for parts.AMI’s top 10 stolen cars listToyota AquaToyota CorollaNissan TiidaMazda DemioToyota VitzToyota HiluxSubaru ImprezaMazda AtenzaToyota Mark XMazda AxelaGet the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Auckland's mayor says the government's proposed legislation to cap rates rises is "ridiculous" and "nonsense".The government wants councils to limit annual rates increases and is seeking feedback on a rates cap.At Tuesday's full Auckland Council meeting, Wayne Brown put on a cap saying 'RATES' in a self-described move to mock the proposal.He said the rates cap plan was a "fascinating piece of nonsense from Wellington"."I shall put my rates cap on while we mock this piece of ridiculous legislation," Brown told the Council meeting."And I have a can of baked beans here which represents the amount of saving [over] a month that ratepayers will get, as a result of this fine work."The council opposes the cap on the grounds it is not an effective tool to provide affordability and would result in more debt."Auckland ratepayers are unlikely to achieve the savings estimated by central government of $2.79 a month for each household, or the cost of a can of baked beans as noted by some commentators," council's manager of financial strategy and modelling violet bird said in a report."This assessment from the government excluded Auckland Council from its calculations due to the council's 'moderate rates forecast' and size."Ratepayers 'fed up', Luxon saysPrime Minister Christopher Luxon previously said ratepayers were "fed up"."They're tired of having to prudently manage their own budgets while rates continue to go up, only to see their local council fail to demonstrate the same fiscal discipline."He said the government was not considering allowing councils to raise revenue through a levy on tourists, like a bed tax."We want councils to be focused on the money that they've got and make sure they're doing a much better job of managing it. Some councils are doing a really good job, some councils are doing a very very poor job."Consultation on the changes opened immediately, and was set to close in February 2026 with the legislation expecting to be passed by the end of that year.In December, the government announced it wanted councils to limit rates rises and more detail was released later that month, leaving councils a short runway to prepare a response.The rates rise cap would likely start with minimum increases of two percent and a maximum of four percent, with the cap taking effect from 1 January 2027.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Auckland led the national lift in new homes consented in 2025, accounting for more than half of New Zealand’s annual increase, according to new data from Stats NZ.There were 36,619 new homes consented nationwide in the year ended December 2025, up 9.0 percent on the previous year. Auckland recorded 15,617 consents, a 12 percent annual increase and the highest of any region.Stats NZ economic indicators spokesperson Michelle Feyen said Auckland continued to hold a large share of national building activity.The national increase was supported by a shift toward medium-density housing. In 2025, 16,139 townhouses, flats, and units were consented, up 14 percent, alongside 2,359 apartments, up 19 percent. Stand-alone house consents rose more modestly, increasing 5.4 percent to 16,635 homes.More than half of Auckland’s new homes consented over the year were multi-unit dwellings, reflecting ongoing pressure to build up rather than out.While the highest consent numbers sit elsewhere in Auckland, demand for housing continues to flow north, supporting further medium-density development around Silverdale, Orewa, and Whangaparaoa as infrastructure and transport projects come online.On a population basis, Auckland consented 8.6 new homes per 1,000 residents. Canterbury and Otago recorded the highest per-capita rates nationally, each at just over 10 new dwellings per 1,000 residents, compared with a national average of 6.9.Stats NZ says consent levels remain sensitive to construction costs, financing conditions, and population growth, with medium-density housing playing a growing role in meeting demand.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

A New Zealand-founded AI education platform has raised $2.3m to expand a tool designed to reduce teacher burnout worldwide.Teacher’s Buddy, created by entrepreneurs Matt Abraham and Ben Sze, helps teachers cut workload by automating lesson planning, assessment, marking, and report writing while staying aligned to curriculum requirements.The company has secured $2.3m in trans-Tasman seed funding led by Soul Capital and Australia-based Giant Leap, following rapid uptake across more than 130 countries in its first 18 months.The platform uses AI to generate differentiated lesson plans, assessments, planning documents, and personalised learning materials. It can align content with Te Reo language preferences, Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, and curriculum values, while supporting neurodiverse learners, English language learners, and students at different ability levels.Data from the company shows teachers using the platform save an average of two hours each day, time that can be redirected to face-to-face work with students. Research cited by the founders shows New Zealand teachers report higher stress levels than the OECD average, with one third saying they experience stress frequently and full-time teachers averaging 47.5 hours a week.Abraham says the platform was built after nearly a decade on the board of trustees at his children’s school in Northland, where he saw first-hand the pressure teachers face. More than 25 schools across New Zealand are already adopting, trialling, or contributing to the platform.For Hibiscus Coast students, reduced teacher admin time can mean more one-to-one support in the classroom.Many local students attend schools grappling with the same workload pressures seen nationwide, and tools that free teacher time can support more individual attention in the classroom.Soul Capital venture principal Jon Sandbrook says the education sector is caught between rising expectations and limited capacity, and that AI-enabled tools offer a chance to rethink how teachers are supported without losing sight of learner needs.Teacher’s Buddy is now preparing to launch a second-generation platform, including personalised professional development tools for teachers and a new extension allowing textbook publishers and education resource providers to license curriculum-aligned content into the system.The company aims to grow to more than 30,000 teachers and 200 school partners across New Zealand, Australia, and the UK within the next 12 months, with founders saying New Zealand will remain central to its long-term vision.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Hibiscus Coast job seekers will soon have a cheaper, simpler path to a full car licence. New figures suggest licence support is already helping more people into work.The Ministry of Social Development’s Driver Licence Support programme has exceeded its targets. It recorded 21,063 enrolments in the past year, ahead of a 19,000 target.Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says this matters because around 70 percent of jobs require a driver licence.The programme began in 2023. More than 34,000 licences have been issued since then.Nearly 40 percent of participants are aged 18 to 24. The overall pass rate is 82 percent.Upston says gaining a licence is often the turning point. It can open up shift work, traffic management roles, and jobs that involve travelling between sites.For Hibiscus Coast residents, that is a practical barrier. Many local roles in construction, trades, traffic management, care work, and logistics involve driving across Silverdale, Orewa, Whangaparaoa, and down the motorway to the North Shore or beyond.Alongside the support programme, the Government has confirmed the first major changes to New Zealand’s Graduated Driver Licensing System since 2011.Transport Minister Chris Bishop says the changes are designed to cut costs and complexity, while keeping road safety front and centre.Under the new system, drivers will no longer sit a second practical test to move from restricted to a full Class 1 car licence.For under 25s, the learner period will be 12 months. There will be an option to reduce this back to six months by recording practice hours or completing an approved practical course.Restricted licence periods will be 12 months for under 25s and six months for over 25s. There is no option to reduce the restricted period with a defensive driving course.The total cost of getting a full Class 1 licence will drop by $80. It will fall from $362.50 to $282.50.A zero-alcohol limit will apply to all learner and restricted drivers, regardless of age.Eyesight screenings will be required only at first application and at renewal. Oversight of training providers will be strengthened by NZ Transport Agency.Most changes take effect from Saturday, January 25, 2027. Until then, current rules remain.The Ministry of Transport will review the impact three years after implementation, including road safety, employment, and economic outcomes.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Education Minister Hon Erica Stanford says nationally consistent assessment and reporting starts this year in primary and intermediate schools.Students returning to classrooms in 2026 will be assessed and reported on using a single national framework.The change applies across primary and intermediate schools and is designed to give parents clearer, comparable information on how their children are progressing, regardless of which school they attend.The new system introduces nationally consistent reporting in reading, writing and maths, supported by twice-yearly progress check-ins.Parents will receive information on learning progress over time, attendance, phonics achievement, and clear guidance on next learning steps.Erica Stanford said parents have long asked for clearer reporting and that the new approach responds directly to that concern.She said consistent information helps parents play an active role in supporting learning at home and allows earlier support when students fall behind.The framework replaces an assessment system more than 20 years old.It was developed after consultation with principals and teachers, and trials in 85 schools involving about 12,000 student assessment engagements.Feedback from participating schools was reported as positive.The changes also reflect long-standing advice from the Education Review Office and the New Zealand Assessment Institute, which have both called for more reliable and consistent assessment data to support students and system-wide decision making.For Hibiscus Coast families, the practical impact is clearer, more comparable reports from local schools, even if children move between schools in Orewa, Silverdale, Whangaparaoa, or further afield.Parents will be able to see progress across the year, not just at a single reporting point.For students in Years 3–8, the second part of the change introduces twice-yearly progress check-ins using the new SMART progress monitoring tool.The Minister said the tool is designed to support teacher judgement, not replace it, and is intended to be low-stakes and light-touch.Consistent reporting across schools will also support targeted help for students.The Government is rolling out structured literacy and maths intervention teachers, expanding early intervention services, adding 800,000 teacher aide hours, and introducing new learning support coordinators and specialist staff this year.The Ministry says reporting on other learning areas, values and behaviour will continue as it does now, and schools can keep existing templates if they meet the new national expectations.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Vandalism appears to have struck the well-used bus stop on Silverdale Street.This morning, school students and public transport users were met with smashed glass panels piled inside the shelter.The glass appears to have been forced inward, with large sections collapsed onto the seating area, making the stop unsafe to use.There did not appear to be any obvious street-facing CCTV covering the stop, so anyone with nearby business cameras or dashcam footage is encouraged to report it to Police and Auckland Transport.Damage like this is often left unreported, which can delay clean-up and repairs.In this case, the damage has been logged.If you spot vandalism at a bus stop or other public transport facility, it can be reported directly to Auckland Transport via their online form.Reporting helps prioritise repairs, especially at stops used daily by students and commuters.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]