A world-first study led by University of Auckland neuroscientists has shed new light on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a disease linked to repeated head impacts in contact sports like rugby.The research examined brain tissue from former athletes, primarily rugby players, revealing key insights into how the brain responds to ongoing trauma.Dr Helen Murray, senior author and neuroscientist at the Centre for Brain Research, said the study offers hope for better understanding the disease and developing future treatments.“This research brings us closer to diagnosing CTE in living people,” Murray said.CTE, often associated with sports involving repeated head knocks, is a neurodegenerative disease that currently can only be confirmed after death. It is marked by the buildup of tau proteins, which form tangles and impair normal brain function. These tau tangles are also linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.Here on the Coast, many families have a deep connection to rugby, whether it’s Saturday mornings at the rugby match or watching the big games at home. News like this resonates with Coasties who’ve grown up loving the game but are becoming more aware of its long-term health impacts.What makes this discovery especially significant is the role of astrocytes—support cells in the brain. Researchers found these cells appeared to respond to leaky blood vessels in the brains of CTE sufferers, highlighting a consistent pattern of inflammation across all cases studied.“Many astrocytes seem to be trying to protect the brain from further damage,” Dr Murray explained. “This discovery points to inflammation and vascular health as promising areas for treatment.”The team hopes that advancements in MRI technology could lead to diagnosing CTE in living people by detecting these vascular changes.For now, this research offers hope—not just for professional athletes, but for anyone concerned about the long-term effects of repeated head injuries.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

It’s been a tough week for some Coastie families, with the sudden news that school lunch provider Libelle has gone into liquidation. Libelle, which had been delivering around 125,000 lunches a day across New Zealand—including some here on the Hibiscus Coast—closed its doors abruptly, leaving several local schools scrambling to sort out what’s next for their students.According to the Ministry of Education, the Healthy School Lunches Programme was designed to give a hand to the 25% of students most in need, making sure they receive a nutritious lunch every school day.How The Programme WorksHere’s a quick recap of how the programme is set up:Schools that use external providers (like the School Lunch Collective) receive $3 per meal, per student.Schools that handle lunches internally get $4 per meal, per student. The extra dollar helps cover staffing, since they don’t benefit from the economies of scale that big providers do.Every lunch must meet strict nutrition guidelines, with input from the Ministry of Health. They also cater for students with specific dietary needs—whether that’s halal, coeliac, vegetarian, vegan, or other complex requirements. And like many of us do at home, sometimes the veggies are hidden in the sauces to encourage kids to eat up!What This Means For Some Local SchoolsLibelle’s liquidation announcement has left some schools on the Hibiscus Coast in a difficult spot. While the Ministry of Education is working on short-term solutions, it’s clear that finding reliable, long-term providers will be a challenge.I’ve done a bit of digging to understand the costs involved, and how parents might manage to create healthy, affordable meals under a tight budget. Using local Hibiscus Coast supermarket prices, a simple weekly menu with a variety of foods and a different menu each weekday could be put together for around $7.48 per child, per week—that’s roughly $1.50 a day for lunches made at home.That's real food for thought.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

The latest economic snapshot from the Auckland Council Social and Economic Research and Evaluation Team, covering data up to January 2025, reveals mixed conditions across the region. Median house prices dropped to $949,000 in January, marking a 4% decrease from a year ago and a 6% decline from December's $1.01 million median. This figure is 37% below the peak of 2021.House sales have improved, totalling 21,977 for the year ended January—20% higher than the low point in May 2023. Despite this increase, sales remain 40% below the peak of July 2021.Average weekly rents in Auckland stood at $690 in December 2024, marginally lower than a year prior. Across the rest of New Zealand, average weekly rent was $599, holding steady compared to recent years.The number of new dwellings consented reached 13,921 for the year ending January 2025, marking a 37% drop from the September 2022 peak, but showing a modest upward trend since July 2024. Non-residential building consents totalled $2.49 billion, a 17% decrease compared to the previous year, and down 28% from their November 2022 peak.Employment continues to face headwinds, with a 2.0% reduction in employed individuals from the December 2023 quarter, marking six consecutive quarters of declining employment growth. The unemployment rate reached 5.3%, equalling the highest level since the 2020 Covid lockdowns.Auckland’s GDP contracted by 0.6% for the year ending December 2024—nearly as low as the Covid-related trough of 2020 and below most growth periods since 2010. Retail sales saw a significant 4.3% decline over the same period.Imports through Auckland's seaports slightly decreased by 3% to $30 billion, signalling continued cautious consumer and business spending.Despite economic uncertainty, confidence among businesses has improved, with 27% optimistic about the next three months—the highest since 2016.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

The Government formally opened Registrations of Interest for the first stage of the Northland Expressway at last week's NZ Infrastructure Investment Summit, Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced.“Connecting Northland to the Auckland region through a resilient, safe and efficient new expressway will unlock economic growth, boost productivity and drive higher living standards for Northlanders and Aucklanders," said Minister Bishop.Minister Bishop highlighted the success of the Waikato Expressway, delivered by the last National-led Government, as a "game changer" for the Waikato region and noted the similar transformational potential of the Northland Expressway to boost jobs and growth.“The upper North Island is the economic powerhouse of New Zealand. Northland, Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty collectively account for 53.7 per cent of New Zealand’s population (2.7 million people), and 55.5 per cent of GDP ($215 billion). This isn’t just an investment into Northland - it’s an investment into the broader upper North Island area,” Bishop explained.The first stage of the project, from Warkworth to Te Hana, was confirmed as a 26km four-lane expressway connected to the new Pūhoi to Warkworth expressway. Map of the proposed route.The indicative design included an 850m twin bore tunnel in the Dome Valley and interchanges at Warkworth, Wellsford, and Te Hana. Being the most advanced section in terms of designation, consents, and property acquisition, it would resolve resilience challenges in the Dome Valley and enable early construction.NZTA had conducted extensive domestic and international market engagement, resulting in significant global interest. Cabinet approved NZTA to advance procurement via a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), starting immediately with the Registration of Interest process. Registered parties would be invited to submit a formal Expression of Interest (EOI), followed by a Request for Proposal (RFP) in mid-2025. A preferred bidder was expected to be announced in early 2026, with the PPP contract finalised by mid-year.Detailed design and construction for the Warkworth to Te Hana section were expected to start in late 2026, with completion anticipated around 2034. The Northland Expressway would utilise the Fast-track Approvals Act and recent amendments to the Public Works Act for critical infrastructure.Watch the video“Today is a great milestone for going for growth in Northland. This investment will not only unlock Northland’s economic potential but also provide long-term opportunities for the infrastructure sector, helping to build a stronger, more resilient supply chain for New Zealand,” said Bishop.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

US President Donald Trump has set global financial markets wobbling… again.The NZX opened lower on Tuesday and many KiwiSaver investors checking their balances might have had an unpleasant surprise.Here are five things to do if you're worried about market volatility.Check your risk profile against your fund typeEvery investor has a risk profile.This refers to how much risk you can afford to take, given your individual circumstances - particularly your investment timeframe.Growth and aggressive funds tend to be a lot more volatile, but over time they should deliver higher returns.Morningstar data shows that over the past 10 years they've delivered about twice the returns, per year, of the most conservative options.The longer your investment timeframe, the more risky you can be, because you have time to ride out market movements.It won't matter if your balance falls one year, because it has time to pick back up again before you need it.The other aspect that might go into your risk profile is your own personality.If you know you're the type of person who won't be able to cope with seeing a balance drop, and could react negatively, you might choose to take less risk. (Although it's worth noting you can sometimes overcome this with a good adviser.)When you know your risk profile, you can check that you're in the right sort of fund for it.If you've got 30 years until you're able to access your KiwiSaver and you're in a high growth fund, that's probably a suitable fit.But if you're buying a house in a few years' time and you're in a conservative fund, that might be okay too.Your first step in these circumstances should be to check that your profile lines up with your fund.Don't move now, unless it's absolutely necessaryFrom there, you can usually sit tight. Moving your KiwiSaver investment when the markets have dropped is almost always a bad idea because you just lock in your losses.We saw this in 2020, when the pandemic disrupted sharemarkets around the world.There was a surge in switching from growth funds to conservative funds.Westpac said it processed 18,140 requests to switch in that time, but the decision to go conservative could have cost investors a lot.It projected that someone with $25,000 in KiwiSaver who switched from a growth fund to a conservative fund on March 20, 2020, would end up with $387,938 in 2054.But if they had left their money in a growth fund, they would have $615,423.If they had shifted in March 2020 and then moved back a year later, they would have $588,955 in 2054.In some relatively rare occasions, you might have to move.If you're in a growth fund but plan to buy a house next month, you might now have realised you're not in the right fund.In order to ensure you know what you have available for your deposit, you might choose to move to cash, even if it means locking in losses.In this cases, it might make sense to seek financial advice.Stop checking your balanceProvided your settings are right, the best course of action is usually to do nothing.Stop looking at your balance, stop worrying about whether it's moving around, and let your contributions continue as normal.Look back again in a few months' time, when everything will probably look a lot better again.Increase your contributionsIt might seem counterintuitive, but if markets are really having a tough time, you could choose to put more money into your investments.Think about it like a sale at the supermarket - if you knew you were going to want to buy a bag of cat food every week for the next year, and this week the bag is on sale, you might take the opportunity to buy more.Sharemarkets must be one of the few places where a sale is seen as a bad thing.Get adviceIf you're really worried, or wondering whether you need to adjust your approach to your investments, it may be sensible to seek advice.You can contact your provider in the first instance, or seek advice from a KiwiSaver adviser.Research has shown that people who work with advisers tend to have better outcomes, and also can often cope with periods of volatility more comfortably.When you're investing, market movements are all part of the process but knowing what to expect, and how your KiwiSaver should respond, can make a big difference.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

The Commerce Commission has filed criminal charges against meal delivery company HelloFresh New Zealand for alleged misleading behaviour.The regulator claims the company misled customers in cold calls trying to get discontinued subscribers to sign up again.But in a statement, HelloFresh says it had co-operated with the Commission's investigation and took remedial action as soon as it became aware of the activities.The claim related to conduct between February 2022 and July 2023, when previous HelloFresh customers were offered vouchers without being told that accepting them would reactivate their subscription, the Commission said.Commission Deputy Chair Anne Callinan said the Commission believed HelloFresh breached the Fair Trading Act as the conduct resulted in some cancelled subscriptions being reactivated without the customers' express knowledge or consent."Taking payment for services customers aren't aware they're buying or have not agreed to purchase is unacceptable behaviour," she said."We're concerned some consumers have been misled into paying for services from HelloFresh they didn't want through the use of misleading wording and processes in cold calls."In these calls, it was not made clear to some customers that if they accepted a discount voucher offered, their subscription would be reactivated, and their bank account would be debited."The Commission started an investigation into HelloFresh after receiving a high number of complaints about its sign-up, cancellation, and reactivation processes.The charges were filed in Wellington District Court.HelloFresh issued a statement in response to the decision to file charges: "The alleged breaches are in relation to reactivation of cancelled subscriptions where call centre staff did not follow our strict processes and procedures relating to the reactivation of cancelled subscriptions following offers sent to former customers."This practice fell well short of our standards and should not have happened. We sincerely apologise to any customers who were impacted or inconvenienced at the time."Commission increasing scrutiny of online trading"Buying products online is increasingly a way of life for Kiwi consumers and so the Commission is prioritising action against illegal online sales conduct," Callinan said. "This includes subscription traps, which come in many forms and include situations where consumers are misled into signing up for a paid subscription without knowing."Subscription traps are becoming more common as more businesses offer subscription-based services. We're seeing more complaints about subscription services, the way consumers are being signed up to ongoing service contracts, and difficulties in cancelling subscriptions."Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Orewa Surf Sounds Concert is set to bring the Hibiscus Coast together on Saturday 22nd March at the Orewa Surf Club Reserve, starting at 4.30 pm. This free, community-focused event is a fundraiser for the Orewa Surf Club and promises an exciting afternoon and evening for all ages.The event will feature live entertainment, with local favourites Off the Wall performing a lively set of tunes guaranteed to get you on your feet. The concert will also host a variety of food trucks offering delicious options, and kids will be entertained with amusement rides. Professional fireworks will light up the sky at approximately 8.15 pm, adding a spectacular finish to the night.Key Details:Date: Saturday 22nd March (rain date: Sunday 23rd March)Time: 4.30 pm start, fireworks at 8.15 pmLocation: Orewa Surf Club ReserveParking: Available at Western ReserveTravel Tip: Local residents are encouraged to walk to the eventTo ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, please note that dogs are not permitted, and BYO fireworks are strictly prohibited. Additionally, the Hibiscus Coast Highway, between Riverside Rd and Centreway Rd, will be closed from 7.45 pm to around 9.15 pm for the safety of event-goers.The event will be hosted by Nick from More FM Rodney, adding a lively atmosphere to the community celebration.Don’t miss out on this fantastic evening of fun, music, and fireworks. Grab your blankets, bring your family and friends, and join in the fun at the Orewa Surf Sounds Concert!Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

New Zealand will showcase its extensive infrastructure pipeline and emerging growth sectors at the upcoming Infrastructure Investment Summit, says Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop.The event, set for next week, will be attended by international investors managing over $6 trillion in capital.The summit is designed to draw investment into vital infrastructure projects aimed at boosting New Zealand’s economy and enhancing living standards for Kiwis.It will bring together a range of global investment entities, including pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and major banks, alongside representatives from the construction and engineering sectors.“These entities manage enormous assets globally and their decision to come here demonstrates the international confidence in New Zealand’s economy,” said Mr Bishop.“We will highlight the vast opportunities available in sectors such as transport, health, education, and renewable energy, as well as four key growth areas—aquaculture, clean technology, advanced transportation, and space exploration.”The event, which spans two days, will also spotlight the Māori economy and its growing role in New Zealand’s infrastructure landscape.Iwi investment entities will present their own opportunities to international investors, further underscoring New Zealand’s potential as a destination for long-term capital.New Zealand is actively fostering an investment-friendly environment, with reforms to foreign investment laws, immigration policies, and streamlined approval processes.The Government’s “Fast Track Approvals” system aims to expedite the development of essential projects.The summit is part of a wider government strategy to drive economic growth and create more opportunities for New Zealanders.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Sporting organisations across the Hibiscus Coast and wider Auckland region are being encouraged to apply for their share of a $508,000 fund aimed at increasing participation in sport and recreation.Applications for Auckland Council’s Sport and Recreation Regional Programme Grant opened on 10 March and will remain open until 6 April 2025. The grant is specifically designed to support programmes that offer affordable sporting opportunities, targeting children, young people, Māori communities and inactive groups.Councillor Angela Dalton, chair of Auckland Council’s Community Committee, highlighted the grant's importance, saying, “Many tamariki and rangatahi across Auckland love participating in sports, physical activity and recreation. The grant aims to fund organisations that enable children and young people to develop skills, so they can enjoy sport and recreation activities now and into adulthood.”Kenneth Aiolupotea, general manager of Community Wellbeing at Auckland Council, is encouraging applications from eligible groups, particularly those with a regional focus.“Auckland Council encourages sports organisations including community groups, charities and not-for-profit organisations to apply for the grant."Organisations eligible for the funding include:Community groups, charities, and voluntary organisationsPlay, recreation, and sport “umbrella organisations” with regional reachRegional federations or groupings of local sports organisationsSport and recreation providers and advocacy groupsIwi and Māori organisations active in sport and recreationThe council recommends applicants seek partial funding and advises against relying solely on this grant to finance their programmes.Funding decisions will be made by the Community Committee in July 2025.Further details on applying can be found on the Auckland Council website.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

The latest population data released today indicates New Zealand is gaining approximately one new resident every 7 minutes and 17 seconds, driven by births and net migration.As of 15:00 on Monday, 10 March 2025, the country's estimated resident population stands at 5,370,450, according to Statistics New Zealand's population clock.The steady increase reflects ongoing demographic trends, with forecasts estimating:One birth every 8 minutes and 40 secondsOne death every 13 minutes and 13 secondsOne net migration gain every 10 minutes and 15 secondsThese figures are derived from the estimated resident population count as at 31 December 2024 and are based on recent demographic trends. Statistics New Zealand noted that the population clock figures do not directly correspond with census counts but rather rely on adjusted estimates from the 2018 Census data, factoring in net census undercount, residents temporarily overseas during the census, and subsequent population changes.The estimates provided are indicative and may differ from actual population changes recorded in census data.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Several months ago, Auckland Transport (AT) began looking into installing bus shelters at various stops along Bankside Road in Millwater.After receiving feedback from locals, AT acknowledged the need for better weather protection at these bus stops.Now, AT has confirmed that they are moving forward with a work package to design and install shelters and seats at the following stops along Bankside Road:Stop 4546 – 60 Bankside RdStop 4553 – Opposite 60 Bankside RdStop 4555 – 39 Bankside RdStop 4548 – 20 Bankside RdStop 4553 – opposite 60 Bankside Road, Millwater.However, the project has faced significant delays due to financial and resource constraints.AT has advised that construction work on the shelters will not be resourced until 2026 at the earliest, pushing back the anticipated timeline for residents who have been waiting for weather protection at these stops.Despite this setback, Auckland Transport’s response indicates that once funding and resources are available, the project will move forward with the design and consultation processes that were initially planned.In the meantime, residents of Millwater will need to continue using existing bus stops without shelter.What Can Locals Do?Locals can continue to voice their concerns and feedback to Auckland Transport through their website.The more input they provide, the better the chances of prioritising the project in future budgets.For now, school students and other locals who rely on public transport will have to wait a bit longer for better protection from the elements during their daily commutes.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

As a landlord in New Zealand's residential rental market, you may be overlooking a significant opportunity to reduce your tax burden. Many landlords fail to take full advantage of depreciation claims on chattels—everyday items in a rental property that lose value over time. Understanding how this process works and keeping track of your assets could mean substantial savings. Here’s what you need to know.What Are Chattels and Why Is Depreciation Important?In the context of residential rentals, chattels refer to movable personal items that are not permanently fixed to the property. These can include:Furniture: Beds, sofas, wardrobes, and dining setsAppliances: Refrigerators, washing machines, microwaves, and hot water cylindersElectronics: Televisions, coffee machines, and other small devicesFit-out items: Carpets, curtains, and blindsDepreciation represents the loss of value in these assets due to wear and tear, usage, or obsolescence. For landlords, depreciation is more than just an accounting tool—it’s a way to reduce taxable income. By recognising the gradual decrease in value of these chattels, you can claim a deduction, effectively lowering the amount of tax you pay.How Depreciation Claims Work for Residential RentalsUnlike commercial properties, residential rental properties in New Zealand come with specific rules around depreciation:Building Depreciation Limitations: The structure of a residential property cannot be depreciated. However, chattels, which are items you provide to tenants for their use, are eligible for depreciation.Claiming Depreciation: If your rental property is furnished with items, you may be able to claim a portion of the cost each year. For example, if you provide a washing machine or a fridge, you can deduct the depreciation for these items from your taxable rental income.Depreciation Calculation: The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has established guidelines and prescribed rates for calculating depreciation. These rates reflect how the value of each type of asset decreases over time, and they determine how much you can claim in deductions each year.Timing: It’s crucial to claim depreciation in the first year of ownership, as failing to do so means you cannot revisit past years for deductions. Once you opt out, you are deemed to have elected not to claim depreciation.For detailed IRD guidelines, you can check the official link here.The Bottom Line: Maximise Your Tax SavingsDepreciation claims on chattels provide a valuable tax deduction for residential landlords, acknowledging the natural wear and tear of everyday items. By understanding what qualifies as a chattel and following the IRD’s guidelines, you can reduce your taxable income and manage your tax liabilities more effectively.To take full advantage of these deductions, it’s important to maintain accurate records and stay updated on any changes to tax regulations. As tax laws can be complex, seeking professional advice is always a smart move. When done right, depreciation claims can be a powerful tool in your overall property management strategy.Note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional tax or legal advice.At David Hooper Chartered Accountants, we help landlords maximise depreciation claims to reduce tax liabilities. Get in touch today at [email protected] or call 09 421 1635.

A man has tragically died following a crash involving a motorbike and a vehicle on Postman Road in Dairy Flat on Saturday afternoon.Emergency services responded to the scene at approximately 5.30 pm, situated between Dairy Stream Road and Wilks Road.The motorbike rider was confirmed dead at the scene, with police offering support to both his family and the driver of the other vehicle involved.The Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination, and investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

In this opinion piece, Timothy Welch, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning at the University of Auckland, argues that the government’s push to raise speed limits on roads is both unsafe and financially unwise. Despite expert warnings and evidence showing the benefits of slower speeds, the government is moving ahead with its plan.Welch points to documents released by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), which show concerns raised by Land Transport Director Brent Alderton. Alderton warned in 2024 that decisions should be based on evidence, not ideology, especially since research links higher speeds to more crashes and worse outcomes.A report by consulting firm WSP, released under the Official Information Act, highlights the economic benefits of reduced speed limits. It found that lower speed limits led to 27 fewer deaths and serious injuries annually. For every dollar spent on slightly longer travel times, New Zealand saved between NZ$2 and $10 in crash costs.Despite this evidence, the government insists that raising speed limits will boost productivity by reducing travel times. However, Welch argues that any productivity gain is outweighed by the increased costs of crashes. The Ministry of Transport estimates that serious injuries cost NZ$769,400 each, and fatalities cost NZ$14,265,600.Welch also points to data showing that speed limit reductions led to fewer accidents than expected. For example, the Blenheim to Nelson stretch of State Highway 6 saw an 82% reduction in deaths and injuries, far more than the 22% predicted. Similarly, increasing speed limits in Waikato led to a 133% increase in serious accidents.In Auckland, speed limits are set to rise from 50 km/h to 60 km/h on several urban roads, and from 60 km/h to 80 km/h on a few key roads. Welch warns that these increases could lead to more crashes and injuries, pointing to the evidence of higher crash risks when speed limits are raised.Timothy Welch argues that lower speed limits are safer and more cost-effective. Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Welcome to The Week That Was—your go-to recap of the most important news, stories, and updates for the Hibiscus Coast community.Takapuna Golf Course Faces Major OverhaulRead moreTips for Smoother Commuting This MarchRead moreFlood of Small Businesses Expected to Come Up For SaleRead moreSilverdale Rugby to Host Sir Graham LoweRead moreEconomist Proposes New Approach to Pension ReformRead moreStay ahead of the curve—get the latest Hibiscus Coast news delivered directly to your phone.Download the Hibiscus Coast App today and never miss a story!Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Small businesses across Australia and New Zealand are facing one of their toughest periods in decades.A flat economy and shifting consumer behaviour have put pressure on already thin operating margins. A 2024 survey by business finance company ScotPac found 29% of Australian small businesses say they could face insolvency if they lose a major client.Accounting organisation CPA Australia’s latest small business survey shows only 48% of New Zealand’s small businesses grew in 2023. This is significantly down from 60% in 2022. There have also been a record number of business liquidations in both New Zealand and Australia.Yet some small and medium-sized businesses are thriving. Part of the reason for this is because they have embraced the concept of “digital leadership”.This is the ability to strategically integrate digital technologies – such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics and automation – into a business’s operations, decision-making and long-term vision.Digital leaders use emerging technologies to improve efficiency, redesign business models, scale operations and reach new customers in ways that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.Our review of the research on digital leadership, recently published in Digital Leadership and Contemporary Entrepreneurship, found that firms treating digital leadership as a core business strategy, rather than just using technology for isolated tasks, are the ones that successfully scale, grow and future-proof their organisations.Without this change in mindset, firms risk stagnation and missed opportunities. That difference is critical in an economic environment where small margins separate thriving businesses from struggling ones.Why some small businesses fall behindIt’s easy to assume small businesses lag in digital adoption because of costs or technical complexity. However, most of the studies we reviewed suggest the real issue is hesitancy at the leadership level.Some business owners are risk-averse and take a “wait and see” approach. Others believe their current solutions are sufficient even when new technology could improve efficiency.A 2021 survey commissioned by cloud accounting software company Xero, found fear of change, overconfidence in existing processes and decision paralysis are among the biggest barriers preventing small businesses from embracing digital solutions.Even businesses that already use digital tools – for example, to manage their social media – often fail to go further and integrate technology into core operations such as supply chain management and automation.Embracing digital leadershipThe lesson is that simply adopting digital tools without a strategic plan doesn’t lead to growth. True digital leadership requires businesses to rethink how they operate, compete and scale.The firms making the most of digital transformation embed technology in their core strategy. They use data-driven decision-making to refine products, forecast demand and identify new opportunities.They streamline operations by automating routine tasks, such as using AI-powered invoicing, chatbots for customer inquiries and predictive analytics for inventory management. This frees up time for strategic initiatives such as product development and market expansion.At the same time, they invest in training employees to effectively use and adapt to new technologies. Perhaps most importantly, they take an experimental approach – testing, learning and adapting in real time.Learning to thrive in the digital economyBusinesses that have successfully grown through digital leadership illustrate this approach in action.Set up in 2016, New Zealand-based investing company Sharesies fundamentally changed how everyday people access financial markets.Traditional investment firms required large deposits and complex paperwork, excluding many potential investors. Sharesies took a different approach. The company designed a mobile-first platform where users could start with as little as $5. The company now has more than 650,000 users and NZ$3 billion in investments.In Australia, The Very Good Bra, a sustainable bra company, used digital leadership to create a global, sustainable fashion brand without traditional retail infrastructure.Founder Stephanie Devine developed a direct-to-consumer model through e-commerce, bypassing wholesalers and physical stores. She utilised digital tools such as social media platforms for community engagement, online surveys to collaborate with customers to design products, and data analytics software for demand forecasting, ensuring every product had a market before it was manufactured.Both companies succeeded by leveraging digital technologies to disrupt traditional business models. Sharesies democratised investing by making it accessible to individuals with minimal capital, while The Very Good Bra utilised e-commerce and customer collaboration to create sustainable fashion products.Their digital-first approaches enabled them to identify and fill market gaps effectively.To thrive in the tougher economic climate, businesses need to think beyond software tools. The question is no longer whether to go digital, but how fast a business can rethink their work for the digital future.Authors: Rod McNaughton - Professor of Entrepreneurship, University of Auckland and Guy Bate - Professional Teaching Fellow, Strategy and Innovation, University of Auckland.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Overnight wire rope barrier maintenance will be carried out on the Pūhoi on- and off-ramps at the southern end of the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway next week, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has announced.Contractors will be modifying and checking the concrete post footings of the barriers to ensure the continued safety of motorists. The work is set to take place between 8 pm and 5 am, and it will require a full closure of one ramp per night. Each ramp is expected to be closed for two nights.The work schedule includes the following:Monday 10 and Tuesday 11 March: Northbound road users on the motorway heading to Pūhoi will need to detour at Grand Drive, Ōrewa, travelling to Pūhoi via Hibiscus Coast Highway, or continue north to Warkworth and take the southbound exit onto old SH1.Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 March: Southbound travellers intending to use the Pūhoi on-ramp will detour at Grand Drive, Ōrewa, through Hibiscus Coast Highway and Old SH1, or continue north to Warkworth and use the motorway south.A contingency night is scheduled for Monday 17 March in case any work is delayed.Temporary traffic management will be in place at the top and bottom of each ramp on their respective work nights. Motorists are advised to plan accordingly and expect disruptions during the maintenance work.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Ongoing dry weather has triggered the activation of Auckland’s Drought Management Plan, with the city’s total dam storage now sitting at 66.5 per cent. While the levels have dipped below the historical average for this time of year, officials assure Aucklanders that mandatory water restrictions are unlikely in the coming months.Over summer, the Hūnua dam catchments, which provide two-thirds of Auckland’s water, experienced 27 per cent less rainfall than usual, while the Waitākere catchments saw less than half the normal rainfall. Despite this, Auckland's chief operations officer, Mark Bourne, reassured residents that the situation is being managed effectively.“We’ve been monitoring dam levels, water demand, and weather patterns closely and actively managing our supply network to ensure we are in a strong position to weather an extended dry spell,” Bourne said.Aucklanders have been urged to continue being mindful of water use, following habits formed during previous dry spells. Bourne highlighted that although the weather forecast for March looks dry, normal rainfall is expected to return by autumn, with the potential for wetter-than-usual conditions in winter.For now, the primary focus is on managing demand and maintaining efficient water use. Simple actions like taking shorter showers, using trigger nozzles on garden hoses, and addressing any leaks can help reduce water consumption. Bourne commended Aucklanders for their efforts, pointing out that water consumption last week remained well below peak levels seen during the 2020 summer drought.To put it in perspective, Auckland's water consumption averaged 496 million litres per day, compared to 549 million litres during the height of the 2020 drought. Watercare’s efforts to manage supply are ongoing, with water being produced at the Waikato water treatment plants to slow the rate of dam decline.The city’s maintenance crews are also working diligently to fix leaks, with 16,112 leaks reported and repaired since the start of summer. Proactive leak detection efforts continue across Auckland to address hidden issues.Mayor Wayne Brown has expressed confidence in Watercare’s management of the situation. “Watercare is taking appropriate actions, and I am satisfied with how they are handling the situation,” he said.To support water conservation, Aucklanders are encouraged to:Keep showers to four minutes or less, even on hot daysUse water pistols or small paddling pools to cool off children, rather than sprinklersAttach a trigger nozzle to garden hoses to reduce wastageWater gardens during early morning or dusk to minimise evaporationRegularly check for leaks in the homeBy continuing to take these simple steps, Aucklanders can help ensure that the city remains prepared, even if the weather proves drier than expected.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Paul Brislen is on a mission this year and it could probably be summed up as: 'don't stuff things up like Australia did'.It is to do with New Zealand's 3G networks being shut down by the end of 2025, and upgraded to the next generation of technology.It is a world-wide move and Australia turned its 3G off last year. The trouble is, the repercussions are still going on there - to the extent that a Senate committee is investigating why some customers were left worse off, unable to make calls or send text messages in areas where they previously could - and that included emergency calls.Brislen is the chief executive of the New Zealand Telecommunications Forum, a quasi-regulatory body in charge of dealing with umbrella issues in the sector.He says we will be hearing a lot of him this year as he pushes the message that by Christmas, anyone whose device relies on 3G to work will have had to replace it. That could mean tens of thousands of people.Working out if that is you is not as easy as reading your phone to see what you are operating on."All the phones around today use 3G," he says. "You'll see it quite often on your handset when you are travelling around the country, you'll see it will pop up, it will connect to whatever network your phone wants to connect to."So at the moment everybody's using it. The problem is if your phone will only use 3G, or if it's reliant on 3G for various bits and pieces. And that is a problem because that will not connect to anything come early next year."Our three mobile network operators - Spark, 2degrees and One NZ - are upgrading their sites to either 4G or 5G now.You may not have to throw out your phone - in fact you should not throw it out, you need to recycle it - but you may have to take it into your provider and get a setting changed."Unfortunately there's no simple way to say, 'if you've got one of these, it won't work'," he says. "You actually have to check. New Zealand is wide open, we're very transparent when it comes to phones coming into the country, you can bring them in from overseas... we don't track all of the devices that come in and some of them are set up in a way that's different in other countries to the way we set them up in New Zealand - they may not work."For those old bricks though, it is going to become clear that a new phone is in order.Brislen says in the coming weeks there will be an announcement of a short code you can text to check to see if you are okay, if your phone needs replacing, or if it's in a 'grey area'.The 3G technology has been around since the early 2000s - considered ancient in the tech world - and is now out of date. 4G and 5G are much faster and more internet-connected.Phones are not the only issue with the changeover - some lifts, air conditioning, medical devices including pacemakers, electric vehicle chargers, security systems and burglar alarms use 3G. Brislen is making his way through companies whose devices connect to the internet to alert them to potential issues.The Detail also talks to e-waste expert Patrick Moynahan from Echotech, on the importance of safe disposal of devices that contain lithium and other rare earth minerals, many of which are a fire risk.He tells Amanda Gillies that there are more than 10 fires a day in New Zealand caused by batteries, often in landfills or rubbish trucks after people have dumped their old phones or gaming controllers in the bin - and that is just what gets reported."Five rubbish trucks and recycling trucks caught fire the first two weeks of 2025 alone."Moynahan says there would be a significantly higher number of phones disposed of that way than recycled properly."For me, it's wasteful. There's no regulation in the New Zealand market so there's not a tremendous amount of awareness for consumers."But if your phone ends up in landfill, chances are the toxic chemicals inside it will leach out into waterways or soil.