August’s property market shows steady trends for Coasties, reflecting optimism and growing confidence across New Zealand, according to the latest report by the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ).REINZ’s August 2024 figures reveal a mixed bag of results, with overall sales volumes down slightly by 0.7% compared to the previous year. However, several regions, including Northland and Bay of Plenty, saw significant upticks in activity. National median prices decreased by just 0.6% year-on-year, with the median price now sitting at $765,000.Despite the slight dip in prices, month-on-month trends indicate a stable market, as prices increased by 1.3%. REINZ Chief Executive Jen Baird emphasised this cautious optimism, noting: “August data shows a level of stability in the market.”Notably, Northland led regional growth, with a 22.7% increase in sales compared to the previous year. This trend reflects stronger buyer interest and the return of investors, especially as interest rates continue to decline. “There is a rise in optimism and confidence,” Baird added, though she cautioned against calling it a turning point just yet.While sales volumes saw only minor changes, the number of new property listings grew significantly across the country, with an 8.1% increase nationally. Gisborne recorded a staggering 69.2% rise in listings, while Northland, in contrast, experienced an 11.1% decline.Looking ahead, Baird mentioned that falling interest rates may provide much-needed relief to property buyers, which could lead to a more significant uptick in sales before year’s end.

Coasties may soon see increased clarity in contracting arrangements, thanks to upcoming changes to the Employment Relations Act. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced the adjustments, which aim to give both businesses and contractors greater certainty.“These changes to legislation are necessary to ensure businesses and workers have more clarity from the start of their contracting arrangement," said Ms van Velden. "It is an ACT-National coalition commitment and is another action completed in the Government’s Quarter 3 Action Plan.”The coalition Government plans to introduce a gateway test as part of the updated Employment Relations Act. This test will provide businesses with clear criteria to determine whether a person is a contractor or an employee, potentially reducing the legal disputes that have previously plagued the gig economy.Gateway Test CriteriaUnder the proposed changes, a contractor must meet the following four conditions:A written agreement confirming their status as an independent contractor.Freedom to work for other businesses, including competitors.No requirement to work specific hours or days, or the ability to subcontract the work.Protection from contract termination if they refuse additional tasks.The new rules aim to allow businesses to adopt flexible, innovative models without the fear that contractor status might be challenged. Ms van Velden hopes to introduce these changes through the Employment Relations Amendment Bill by 2025.“Contractors play an important role in New Zealand’s economy and society. This new approach will provide businesses with more certainty to proceed with innovative business models involving contractors,” she added.The changes come as a relief for businesses in industries like the gig economy, which rely heavily on contractors.By providing clear guidelines, the new legislation seeks to reduce the risk of misclassification and legal disputes.

Multiple videos of a man charged in relation to a homicide investigation - sparked by a body found in Auckland's Gulf Harbour - have been uploaded to YouTube, showing the man singing what appears to be Christian worship music.The remains of a woman inside a plastic bag were fished out of the sea in North Auckland's Gulf Harbour in March.Kaixiao Liu, 37 and Lanyue Xiao, 36, were arrested in July after being stopped at Auckland Airport, and each face a charge of performing an indignity to a dead human body.The identity of the victim - whom police believed to be a middle-aged Chinese woman of small stature - remains a mystery as the homicide investigation continues.Police conducted a 12-day scene examination of a house in Orewa in connection to the caseThe pair charged in relation to the woman's body have pleaded not guilty and are both on bail.Since Thursday, a YouTube account by the name of "Kaixiao Liu" has uploaded multiple videos of original worship songs by Liu in Mandarin, in which he sings about salvation, God and Jesus.In one video, Kaixiao Liu is seen dressed in a suit, performing a song named 'Real Salvation', as he paces around a beachfront area in Orewa.Two of the videos showed Liu singing, and the rest were accompanied by photos and short clips of the Christian cross and generic images of the universe and natural scenery.The YouTube account was created in October 2023 and has the description in Chinese: "Here are my original worship songs, you're welcome to communicate with me."A history of musicMeanwhile, a classical musician, who does not want to be named, told RNZ that they were among about 20 musicians hired by Liu as freelancers to perform orchestral music Liu had composed in the 2020/21 summer.The musician said late in 2020, they and other musicians - some were music students and others were from Auckland Philharmonia - were contacted by former Auckland Symphony Orchestra conductor Peter Thomas, about an opportunity to help Liu to record an album.The musician told RNZ the initial request for a few hours of playing turned into a few months of weekly sessions and hundreds of hours of playing music for Liu's project. They said the musicians were each paid a couple of hundreds of dollars for each session.They said the recording took place at a studio in an Auckland CBD building with "top of the line microphones, top of the line recording systems", and multiple people hired by Liu to take videos of them playing."It was this kind of ethereal, god-like music, that he kind of wrote to, in his words 'to connect people' and connect people across the universe," they said.They said they did not think much of the arrangement, other than that it was strange."Every week, it slowly unravelled and got a bit stranger and stranger, he would always be there in a kind of a nice looking suit, always had sunglasses on, always had a mask on, and Michelle, who was the other person accused, was always there," they said.They said they only saw Liu remove his mask twice when he drank water.Liu would often gather the musicians around after each session, treat them with food and sing them songs, and offer them wine in "crystal goblets", they recalled.They said the collaboration ended when Liu requested them to make recordings of themselves playing music when one of the Covid lockdowns hit and the musicians were not comfortable with that.They said all the musicians were asked by Liu to write paragraph long statements about why they loved to work with him for Liu's website for his music project - to which they obliged as they felt it was required in order to be hired for more work.They said they felt that Liu "wasn't much of a musician", but used a method where he would humm a tune and record it in his phone, then send it to a man in Austria who would turn the audio into a cohesive three minute piece of music.They said Liu claimed to have millions of dollars available for promoting his music and was looking for excellent expert teams to promote it - however they were under the impression that the hundreds of hours of music they recorded was never released.

Coasties traveling through Auckland Airport will soon see big changes on the horizon.Auckland Airport has officially partnered with Hawkins, a subsidiary of Downer Group, to manage the construction of a new domestic jet terminal.This development is part of a broader $2.2 billion terminal integration program aimed at modernising and expanding the airport’s infrastructure.The new terminal is expected to be a game-changer for both the airport and the local economy.The project, valued at approximately $800 million, is set to create 2,500 jobs at its peak and will support thousands more in South Auckland through subcontracting and supply chain opportunities."We’re pleased to announce that we have partnered with Hawkins on the delivery of the domestic jet terminal building," said Auckland Airport CEO Carrie Hurihanganui."This investment will create essential resilience, greater capacity, and improved services for domestic jet travellers."Construction will include a new terminal headhouse and a 240-metre gate pier, offering passengers 44% more processing space and 26% additional seating capacity.Another feature many Coasties will appreciate is the shorter indoor walk between domestic and international flights, making travel more convenient for local jetsetters.This project is Auckland Airport's largest terminal expansion in nearly 50 years.While construction is scheduled to take five years, with an opening slated for 2029, Ms. Hurihanganui emphasised the long-term vision.“It’s investment for the coming decades and beyond,” she said, underscoring the airport’s commitment to being a good neighbour to the South Auckland community.Peter Tompkins, CEO of Downer Group, echoed the sentiment, stating, “Hawkins is proud to be involved in this significant project, which will deliver a world-class terminal for travellers and provide employment opportunities for the local community.”

Access to New Zealand's tallest surviving kauri tree, Tāne Mahuta, will be closed for the next two months while the boardwalk and viewing platform are replaced.The upgrade is the first phase of a project by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Te Roroa iwi to improve visitor infrastructure in Northland's Waipoua Forest.The work also aims to protect the forest from the spread of kauri dieback, a deadly pathogen already present at Waipoua.DOC Kauri Coast manager Stephen Soole said facilities at Tāne Mahuta were no longer fit for purpose and put the forest and its 200,000 visitors per year at risk.Work by Milton Harward Construction would start on 30 September, and was due to be completed by the end of November in time for the busy summer season.Other walks in Waipoua Forest, including to another immense kauri, Te Matua Ngahere, remained open in the meantime.The new walkway was part of the wider Rākau Rangatira project to upgrade infrastructure and improve the visitor experience in Waipoua Forest, while prioritising forest health.Future initiatives could include guided walks and a park-and-ride option.If introduced, Soole said they could "deepen visitors' connection to culture and nature, increase public safety, minimise environmental impact, and allow visitors to play an active role in contributing to ongoing conservation".Improved infrastructure could allow visitors to experience previously inaccessible areas, such as a wetland behind Te Matua Ngahere.Tāne Mahuta, 51.5m tall with a trunk diameter of 4.5m, was estimated to be 1500 years old.Kauri dieback was caused by Phytophthora agathidicida, a soil-borne pathogen that infected kauri trees through their roots.It restricted the ability of kauri to transport water and nutrients between their roots and leaves, eventually causing the trees to starve.Kauri dieback had so far been found in Northland, Great Barrier Island, and Coromandel Peninsula.

Coasties, heads up! The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is reminding all motorists about planned closures on State Highway 1 (SH1) between Silverdale and Warkworth starting tonight.These closures are part of road resurfacing and essential maintenance work to keep our highways safe and smooth.For those heading northbound, a full overnight closure will be in place from Silverdale to Warkworth, including the Johnstones Hill tunnels.The closure starts tonight, Tuesday, 17 September, from 9 pm, and will continue until 5 am tomorrow, Wednesday, 18 September.A detour will be clearly signposted, directing traffic via Hibiscus Coast and Old State Highway 1.Southbound traffic will face a full closure tomorrow night, Wednesday, 18 September, from 9 pm until 5 am on Thursday, 19 September, between Warkworth and Silverdale.Motorists are advised to follow the same detour using Old State Highway 1 and Hibiscus Coast Highway.The Johnstones Hill tunnels will remain reduced to one lane in each direction until 5 am on Friday, 20 September.However, over-dimension vehicles cannot use the contraflow through the tunnels.NZTA asks drivers of such vehicles to contact them in advance at [email protected] for further instructions.

Snow season is coming as we draw closer to the Orewa Festival.On September 22nd, 20 tonnes of snow will find itself at Moana Reserve from 10 am to 2 pm.The event is funded jointly by Destination Orewa Beach, the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board and Harcourts Cooper & Co Millwater & Silverdale.In speaking to Hellen Wilkins, Destination Orewa Beach’s Business Association Manager, she shared about the planning that goes into the Winter Festival.She offers Coasties a teaser of what they can look forward to on the day.“Harcourts Cooper and Co Millwater & Silverdale branches came on board to partner with this event.""The Orewa Surf Life Saving Club will set up the floating prizes on the day…for the snow – it had to be Snow Planet… [and] the 20 tonnes of snow is being transported for free by Mike from Hiway Stabilisers and Skip from Golden Contracting.”Hellen also explains that they always work hard to find local food vendors and entertainers.Over half of the food options this year will be local to the Coasts, not to mention the activities available.This event happens once a year and is certainly not to be missed with all the attractions that are on offer.Bring your family and friends, and enjoy a fun time taking part and making new friends in your community!As the event is weather-dependent, please use this link to follow the Winter Festival as it develops. Updates regarding current weather forecasts and the event will be there.

Locals on the Hibiscus Coast, get ready to dive into an exciting new development in the world of artificial intelligence (AI). A recent study, led by University of Western Australia researchers, sheds light on how giving employees early control over AI decisions can enhance motivation and job performance—something that might shape how local businesses approach technology.The research, conducted by Business School lecturer Dr. Frank Ma, along with colleagues Stijn Masschelein and Vincent Chong, involved 161 participants in a series of online tasks. These tasks simulated real-world decision-making scenarios, especially in fields like banking and manufacturing, where AI is increasingly used to make recommendations."Imagine you're a financial specialist at a bank," Dr. Ma explains. "You input details for a mortgage application, and the AI system suggests declining it. As a human, you might recognise nuances—‘soft’ information—that AI might miss. Having the ability to override the system can be crucial."Accounting and Finance lecturer Frank Ma.The study's findings suggest that employees who are empowered to overrule AI from day one are not only more motivated but also quicker to grasp complex tasks. Dr. Ma believes that this early autonomy creates an environment where employees feel more engaged in their roles, which leads to improved learning and performance.The research also explored the role of incentive schemes in combination with early autonomy. Employees who were allowed to overrule AI decisions and given performance-based incentives showed higher engagement and a deeper understanding of their tasks. This combination, the study suggests, can significantly boost employee productivity."Humans can pick up on nuances that artificial intelligence can’t," Dr. Ma says, "so giving people the power to make the final call over AI decisions is critical."The study, titled Incentive Contracts and the Timing to Introduce Flexibility on Employee Learning, won the Best Paper Award for Management Accounting at the 2024 Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand conference. The findings have sparked discussions across various industries that rely on AI, and they could very well influence how businesses on the Hibiscus Coast, and beyond, think about integrating technology into the workplace.

A phishing email posing as the AA is currently circulating, targeting locals with a false promise of a "Car Emergency Kit." The fraudulent email includes phishing links, aiming to steal credit card information by directing recipients to a malicious website.AA has expressed concern over the misuse of its trusted brand. “We’re disappointed to have our trusted brand used in a scam,” the AA said, urging members and customers to stay cautious. They are proactively working to educate the public through various channels.The fraudulent email urges recipients to click a link and claims they have won a car emergency kit. Once clicked, users are taken to a website designed to gather sensitive credit card details. To protect yourself, follow these steps if you receive such an email:Delete the email immediately.If you’ve provided credit card details, contact your bank straight away to replace your card.Report any data breaches to CERT New Zealand at cert.govt.nzHow to Spot a Phishing EmailPhishing scams can be tricky to spot, but AA encourages locals to remain vigilant. Here are some key ways to identify a phishing email:Urgency: If the email pushes you to act quickly, take a moment to verify the sender’s details.Check the sender’s address: Always cross-check the domain of the sender’s email against the official AA website to ensure it matches.Avoid suspicious links: Hover over any links to see the full URL before clicking. If it looks unfamiliar, don’t click.Personal information safety: AA will never request sensitive details such as credit card information or passwords via email.Phishing scams are becoming more widespread across New Zealand. AA reminds customers only to use official channels, such as aa.co.nz or an AA Centre, when purchasing products or services to safeguard their personal information.

Coasties will be glad to hear that a coordinated effort to reduce crime in Auckland’s central business district (CBD) is showing positive results.Recent police data reveals a 22% decrease in serious assaults in the Auckland CBD from 1 January to 31 July this year, compared to the same period last year.Police Minister Mark Mitchell credits this decline to a cross-government strategy aimed at tackling both crime and anti-social behaviour.“Our central cities should be great places to live and work,” says Mitchell.“In Auckland, businesses and residents suffered as violent crime soared. Kiwis ought to feel safe going about their daily lives, and that is why this Government is focused on restoring law and order.”In July, an additional 21 police officers were deployed to the Auckland CBD, raising the total number of beat officers to 51.This increased police visibility, along with the government's broader initiatives, appears to be making a tangible difference.In addition to the reduction in serious assaults, incidents of assault resulting in injury have dropped by 18%.Police Minister Mark Mitchell.A coordinated strategy involving multiple stakeholders has been crucial in these improvements.Since May, representatives from the Auckland City Council, Kāinga Ora, the Ministry of Social Development, Māori wardens, and other community groups have been meeting regularly to address the issues.“Police cannot do this on their own, but together we are seeing positive results,” Mitchell adds.One standout success is the 68% reduction in the number of households relying on emergency housing in the CBD, which has decreased from 53 to 17.This drop has allowed for the closure of two emergency motels. Additionally, retail crime has fallen by 50%, according to Heart of the City, and Auckland Council reports an overall 35% drop in crime in the CBD.Despite these gains, Mitchell acknowledges there’s still work to be done.“Our government will keep working every day to ensure every Aucklander living or working in the CBD feels safe. That’s why we’re rolling out new powers for Police and introducing tougher sentencing laws for violent and repeat offenders.”

As of Monday, 16 September, Auckland’s local alcohol policy will impose a freeze on new off-licence liquor stores across 24 areas, including the city centre. This new regulation, adopted unanimously by Auckland councillors on 29 August, aims to curb the proliferation of liquor stores in areas already heavily impacted by alcohol-related issues.Councillor Josephine Bartley, chair of Auckland’s Regulatory and Safety Committee, highlighted the community's long-standing call for such measures. “Communities have been crying out for change,” Bartley said. “They want to see better for their neighbourhoods, and they’ve had enough of new liquor stores opening up.”Under the new policy, the District Licensing Committee (DLC) will now take into account the local alcohol policy when evaluating applications for new off-licences, which include liquor stores, bottle shops, and supermarkets selling alcohol. The policy strongly recommends denying applications in the 24 designated areas due to their already high concentration of liquor stores and associated alcohol-related harm.Rob Abbott, Principal Specialist Alcohol Licensing at Auckland Council, explained the stringent criteria for new licences in these areas. “The DLC must consider the high number of existing bottle shops and the negative impact of alcohol on public health and safety. There must be a very compelling reason for any new licence to be granted,” Abbott said.The freeze will not affect existing stores within these areas. They can continue operating, including during ownership transfers or licence renewals, as long as they adhere to the required conditions.Outside the 24 areas, applications for new off-licences will face additional scrutiny. The policy introduces a ‘rebuttable presumption’ making it more challenging to open new liquor stores in Auckland’s neighbourhood centres, which are typically areas with rows of shops.Additionally, starting Monday, the DLC will also review applications for new alcohol licences and renewals. New conditions may be imposed, including requirements for incident registers, customer transport information, CCTV, and staff training to enhance safety and responsible service.This policy marks a significant step towards creating safer and healthier environments across Auckland.

Coasties, exciting progress is being made on the Milldale State Highway 1 (SH1) crossing, also known as the Highgate Bridge.This important piece of infrastructure will connect John Fair Drive in Milldale to the Highgate Business Park, providing easier access to Silverdale and Millwater.Construction on the bridge foundations kicked off in mid-2023, and the piling work on both sides of SH1 began in September.According to the NZ Transport Agency, piling wrapped up ahead of schedule in October, marking a significant milestone for the project.The bridge is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, bringing long-awaited convenience to locals and businesses alike.As part of this project, there will be some upcoming road closures.Northbound lanes between Silverdale interchange and Orewa interchange will be closed on Wednesday, 18 September, and Thursday, 19 September, from 10 pm to 5 am.Southbound lanes will also be closed on Thursday, 19 September, during the same hours.NZTA advises, "These works are essential to progress on the Highgate Bridge construction and to ensure safety for all."

Coasties, it’s been a record-breaking season for the One New Zealand Warriors at Go Media Stadium, as they set a new benchmark for NRL home game attendance in 2024. Nearly a quarter of a million rugby league fans flocked to the stadium, with an impressive 235,581 fans attending 10 home matches. This makes the Warriors the first NRL team to sell out an entire season of home games.The average attendance of 23,578 per game surpassed their previous record of 22,739, set just last year. In total, 250,395 tickets were sold for the season, drawing fans from across New Zealand and beyond. According to Auckland Stadiums, around a third of attendees travelled from outside Auckland, with 84% visiting solely to see the Warriors in action.“This season will go down in history,” said James Parkinson, Director of Auckland Stadiums. “When the Warriors are thriving, it benefits all of Tāmaki Makaurau and Aotearoa.”Warriors CEO Cameron George echoed this sentiment: “Selling out the season is a testament to our amazing fans. They’ve turned the stadium into a fortress.”The passionate Warriors fans certainly made their presence known. Sound monitors regularly recorded noise levels exceeding 110db, equivalent to a rock concert, proving that the atmosphere at Go Media Stadium is like no other in the NRL.The excitement wasn’t limited to the field. Sustainability efforts saw over 80% of the season’s waste recycled or composted, and fans consumed over 107,000 portions of hot food, including 25,000 servings of hot chips.As for Warriors superfan Robert “The Sign Guy” Harris, he says the 2024 season was unforgettable: “Next season, we’ll be back bigger and better than ever.”

The latest property data from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) suggests that the real estate market is finding its feet again.While national sales dipped slightly in August 2024, there’s a noticeable uptick in activity and optimism across several regions, including some close to home.REINZ Chief Executive Jen Baird shared that August brought a sense of steadiness to the market."Despite a marginal 0.6% decrease in national median prices year-on-year, we're seeing prices hold steady, with a 1.3% increase month-on-month," said Baird.This signals some stability after a period of uncertainty.Nationally, the total number of properties sold dropped by just 0.7% compared to August 2023, with 40 fewer homes changing hands.However, in Northland, sales surged by 22.7%, and Hawke’s Bay saw a 21.6% increase.The Bay of Plenty also experienced a boost, with sales rising by 16.2%.These regions are bucking the national trend, offering some hope for a potential turnaround.Median prices across the country saw only a minor shift.The national median dropped by 0.6%, from $770,000 to $765,000, though it rose by 1.3% month-on-month.Some regions performed exceptionally well, with Otago leading the charge at a 6.7% increase, followed closely by the West Coast at 6.6%.Interestingly, new listings are up across most regions, with Gisborne (+69.2%) and Marlborough (+40.8%) leading the way, while Northland and Nelson saw slight declines.Baird also noted that a drop in interest rates has helped restore confidence among buyers and sellers.“We’re seeing increased activity, particularly at open homes in the latter part of August, as local agents report more optimism from vendors and purchasers alike,” she explained.Despite these positive signs, Baird cautions that it’s too soon to declare a turning point but acknowledges the growing sense of hope.National inventory levels have risen significantly, up 30% from last year, with nearly 30,000 homes on the market.However, properties are taking a little longer to sell, with the national median days to sell increasing from 42 to 50 days.The overall sentiment from REINZ’s data points to a market that’s steadying itself, and although challenges remain, there’s reason for cautious optimism as we look towards the rest of the year.

Ambulance officers will strike for a second time at the end of the month after rejecting a pay offer from Hato Hone St John.More than 1000 officers will strike for 24 hours on 27 and 30 September.The industrial action followed rolling strikes by ambulance workers and call takers in August - the first time they had ever taken strike action.Ambulance officers have been negotiating over pay and conditions with the employer, St John, since their collective agreement expired in December 2023.First Union had rejected a settlement proposal by St John.First Union organiser Faye McCann said the offer from St John included minimal pay increases, below the rate of inflation.Ambulance officers would continue to leave the workforce if a fair pay agreement was not reached, she said."They're burnt out, they're underpaid, and they're not being listened to by the government or St John."They need better working conditions and this is the action that they're having to take to be heard.There was a major funding gap and a critical need for a fully funded ambulance service, she said."It's very peculiar for us to hear that the government won't step up and fully fund the ambulance service when that's what the public needs, that's what the staff need.

Coasties will see snow at an unusual time this year.From 10 am to 2 pm at Moana Reserve, the community can enjoy 20 tonnes of snow to play in, with a variety of events available for family and friends.Best of all, everyone can attend the event for free!Destination Orewa Beach, also known as the Orewa Beach Business Association, coordinates the event.The Association comprises local business members with a focus on improving the regional economy.The organisation is always seeking to provide events to draw the community together; the Winter Festival is no different.“We turn to other town centres to see what they do and how they do it”, says Hellen Wilkins, Business Association Manager.Although events are usually centred in Summer due to Orewa’s coastal location, an exception was made with inspiration from the Winter Festival held in Napier.“We usually focus all our events in Summer to ensure the audiences get the best experience on the day. We realise businesses also need foot traffic and custom through winter as well, so we bit the bullet and sought out a winter event… the Napier Winter Festival was the right fit for the town and the location.”Come along next week not only for a good time, but also to support your local community who put this event together.Various local businesses have worked to come together and offer the community a wonderful time, packed with various prizes and freebies.

Coasties, get ready—Auckland is about to become the backdrop for a major Hollywood production.The action-comedy The Wrecking Crew, starring Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista, will begin filming across the region starting in October.The film will see Momoa play a loose-cannon cop and Bautista as his disciplined Navy Seal half-brother.After 20 years of bad blood, they must join forces to unravel a conspiracy surrounding their father’s murder in Hawaii.Auckland Unlimited, the organisation managing the city's screen sector, confirmed that the production will employ over 1,400 locals, including cast, crew, and extras.The project will also contribute significantly to the region's $1.7 billion screen industry, which currently supports 8,400 jobs.Nick Hill, Chief Executive at Auckland Unlimited, said, “We are delighted with the role Auckland’s screen industry has played in securing this incredible production. This will underscore Auckland's growing reputation as a world-class filming destination.”The production, led by award-winning director Ángel Manuel Soto, will utilise many of Auckland’s iconic locations, including its streets and tunnels, transforming them into cinematic scenes.Local businesses will benefit from increased demand for services like hospitality, transportation, and accommodation, as filming brings a boost to the local economy.The Wrecking Crew's arrival is a clear indication of Auckland's growing reputation as a top filming destination, attracting both international productions and global attention to its diverse landscapes and architecture.

Coasties should prepare for State Highway 1 (SH1) closures between Silverdale and Warkworth, as maintenance work is set to begin on Sunday, 15 September.The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) advises that the closures will affect traffic in both directions and may cause delays.Johnstone Hill TunnelsFrom Sunday, 15 September to Thursday, 19 September, the Johnstone Hill Tunnels will experience one-way closures nightly from 9 pm to 5 am.Northbound traffic will be closed from Sunday to Wednesday, while southbound traffic will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday.During the closures, northbound traffic will use one of the southbound lanes.Silverdale to Warkworth (17 September)On Tuesday, 17 September, a full northbound closure will take place between Silverdale and Warkworth, with several ramps closed, including the Silverdale northbound on-ramp and the Orewa northbound off-ramp.Detours will be in place via Hibiscus Coast Highway and Old SH1.Warkworth to Silverdale (18 September)The southbound route will be fully closed on Wednesday, 18 September, affecting ramps from Warkworth to Silverdale.Drivers are advised to use the same detour routes.NZTA reminds the public that the work is weather dependent and to check for updates on the NZTA Journey Planner.Increased noise levels are expected during the maintenance.

Coasties, stay alert! A swift police investigation has led to the recovery of tens of thousands of dollars' worth of stolen tech devices after a business burglary on the North Shore.Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Matt Bartlett confirmed that 50 devices, including phones and tablets, were recovered during a search warrant executed in Henderson. The burglary occurred overnight between Wednesday and Thursday at a Rosedale business, and the stolen items were quickly listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace.“A burglary had occurred at a Rosedale business overnight,” said Bartlett.“The offenders had taken a significant number of tech devices, including phones and tablets. The victim noticed similar items posted for sale on social media.”Waitematā East Police were quick to act, mobilising detectives, tactical crime units, and intelligence teams. Their efforts led to the successful recovery of the stolen goods.A man and a woman, aged 22 and 20, have been charged with receiving stolen property. They are due to appear in North Shore District Court next Thursday.Bartlett expressed his satisfaction with the operation, stating, “It’s a fantastic outcome that we’ve been able to recover this business’ items.” He also took the opportunity to remind locals to stay cautious when buying or selling goods online. “If something seems too good to be true, it probably is,” he added.