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Solar Shake-Up Sparks Local Boost
Solar Shake-Up Sparks Local Boost

15 June 2025, 11:43 PM

Big changes are coming that could make it much easier and quicker for Coasties to go solar.The Government has just announced several updates aimed at encouraging more households to install rooftop solar panels.The biggest shift?You’ll no longer need building consent to add panels to an existing home.Plus, if you’re building new and include solar in your plans, the council will now need to process your entire building consent in just 10 working days instead of the usual 20.That could save homeowners around $400 a day in delays.There’s also a behind-the-scenes technical change that matters.The permitted voltage range for electricity networks is expanding, which will make it easier for homes to send unused solar power back to the grid.Energy Minister Simon Watts says this could add more than 500 gigawatt-hours of solar generation across New Zealand, which is enough to make a real difference in power supply and household bills.For the Hibiscus Coast, where sunshine is generally plentiful and community interest in sustainability is growing, these updates are likely to spark a surge in local solar installs.They’re especially welcome at a time when many Coasties are looking for ways to save on power and future-proof their homes.As Minister Watts put it: “Common-sense and cost-effective changes like these will make it easier for Kiwis to build sustainable homes and help strengthen our electricity system for the future.”Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

More Kiwis Making the Move South
More Kiwis Making the Move South

13 June 2025, 10:30 PM

A growing number of New Zealanders are swapping the North Island for the South, with new Census data revealing about 86,000 people made the move between 2018 and 2023.That’s roughly 30,000 more than those who headed north in the same period.The trend is backed up by fresh insights from Trade Me Property, showing more interest in South Island listings and a shrinking price gap between the two islands.“In December 2021, the average asking price difference was over $350,000. Now it’s around $182,000,” says Gavin Lloyd, Trade Me Property Customer Director. “That’s a big shift in just a few years.”The migration could be driven by the rising cost of living and housing affordability pressures in the North.More Kiwis are looking for a lifestyle reset, and the South Island’s combination of natural beauty, growing cities, and more accessible prices is striking a chord.Trade Me Property’s May data shows Canterbury listings saw a 7% year-on-year rise in views, and local agents are fielding more calls from potential buyers up north.While this isn’t a mass exodus, it does signal a change in the way people think about where they want to live, work, and raise families.For Coasties, it’s a timely reminder to keep an eye on shifting property dynamics, especially for those considering a move or watching the market for future investment.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Library Use Soars
Library Use Soars

13 June 2025, 1:29 AM

If you’ve popped into the newly renovated Orewa or the Whangaparaoa Library lately, you’re not alone.Locals have been making the most of our libraries, contributing to a record-breaking 14 million items borrowed across Auckland this past year.Auckland Council Libraries now rank among the top ten eLending services globally, with 5 million digital checkouts in 2024 alone.And it’s not just the e-books flying off the shelves, up to 15,000 physical items move through the central sorting system daily.We’re lucky to have access to Australasia’s largest public library network, with 56 branches including our two on the Hibiscus Coast, a fleet of mobile libraries, and borrowing available online.That means Coasties can get their hands on any of the 3.4 million items in the region-wide collection, often within days.Catherine Leonard, Head of Library and Learning Services, says the high demand has been paired with strong community satisfaction.“We’re sitting at 93% satisfaction, and we’re always looking at ways to improve,” she says.That includes expanding much-loved offerings like the Bestie collection of local authors and a new board game library—with a kids’ version coming later this year.Locals might’ve also noticed the steady stream of school holiday events hosted at Orewa and Whangaparaoa Libraries.These popular sessions keep our kids entertained and learning, and make the library a go-to spot during the break.Beyond books, our libraries offer safe spaces for creativity, free Wi-Fi, printing, public computer use, and access to one of the country’s largest heritage collections at Auckland Central.The new 2025–2028 plan aims to keep libraries creative and community-focused.And for Coasties, it’s clear—our local libraries are more than just bookshelves. They’re buzzing community hubs, full of free resources and friendly faces.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

More Premium Seats for Summer Flyers
More Premium Seats for Summer Flyers

12 June 2025, 9:16 PM

If you’re dreaming of a long-haul getaway next summer, Air New Zealand just made that a little easier, and comfier. From October 2025 through March 2026, the airline is rolling out over 34,000 extra seats to North America and a major uplift in premium cabin availability across its international network.That includes a hefty 15% increase in premium seats for the United States and Canada, with more flights and more comfort on offer. Auckland to Los Angeles, for example, will run 11–12 times a week over the peak, offering nearly 24,000 more seats, including 6,800 in premium cabins. Daily services to San Francisco and upgraded planes to Vancouver are also part of the plan, just in time for the snow season.For Hibiscus Coast locals planning overseas holidays or heading off to visit friends and family abroad, these changes mean more flight options, better timing, and a refreshed inflight experience, especially if you’re keen to upgrade from economy. The airline’s newly retrofitted Boeing 787 Dreamliners will also be in the skies by the end of the year, promising more space and comfort for long hauls.Asia-bound travellers won’t miss out either. Routes to destinations like Taipei, Bali, and Hong Kong are seeing a noticeable bump in premium seats, with up to 35% more premium capacity on Shanghai services alone.Air New Zealand’s Chief Commercial Officer Jeremy O’Brien says the move responds to surging demand.“Customers want a more comfortable and seamless experience,” he said, pointing to strong feedback on the airline’s refreshed cabin offerings.With many Coasties planning overseas trips, reconnecting with loved ones, or chasing a Northern Hemisphere winter, these added options will be welcome news. Whether you're heading to the US, Canada or Asia, there's now more room to fly in comfort.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

 Auckland CBD's community engagement model could be used in suburbs - Police Minister
Auckland CBD's community engagement model could be used in suburbs - Police Minister

12 June 2025, 8:00 PM

Social housing, rough sleepers and police responsiveness have been flagged as priorities for Auckland's Northcote community, after a meeting with the police minister this week.The meeting at the Northcote Birkenhead rugby club on Monday night brought together residents and business owners with Police Minister Mark Mitchell, as well as local MP Dan Bidois, police district commander Naila Hassan and other police staff.Mitchell told RNZ the community said to him that they had noticed a change."I've literally done hundreds of these public meetings around the country over the last few years, and the nice thing is for me is they seem to getting more and more positive in terms of, people are starting to see and notice a real difference in terms of, certainly, on the law and order and pubic safety side of it," he said.Mitchell said managing rough sleepers was a wide issue."It's been around for a while, we've been working on that in the CBD too," he said."Often, many of these people have actually got safe homes and beds to go to, it's more of a lifestyle choice where they're coming together as a community, and of course there's all the social issues around them, not only can they cause issues themselves but they can become targets too, for those coming into the CBD."Community members also raised concerns over some residents in local Kāinga Ora housing, with Mitchell focusing on those who did not live up to the "social contract that they have when they're provided tax-payer funded housing"."The government's been far more proactive in making sure that there is actually action taken against those people, because they do cause massive issues in the communities they're in," Mitchell said.There was an expectation that residents in social housing make their communities as safe and harmonious as they could, he said.When it came to the prioritisation of police callouts, a concern voiced by a local shopkeeper, Mitchell said officers had to put greater risk callouts first."Of course police always have to prioritise, and they always have had to prioritise, it'll be based on risk to human life first and foremost, and then they sort of start working down from there," he said.Mitchell said a similar model of community engagement as was done in the central city could be implemented in Northcote."I said the model that we used for the Auckland CBD was very effective, and that was bringing all the stakeholders together," he said."I suggested that [MP for Northcote] Dan Bidois take the lead on that, get everyone together; local board, business associations, residents and ratepayers associations or residents' associations, and the government agencies if they need them, make up a list of what the biggest issues are, and concerns and just start working through it."

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