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State of the City Report Released
State of the City Report Released

17 July 2025, 9:00 PM

A new report, State of the City 2025, has just been released by the Committee for Auckland, in partnership with Deloitte and Auckland Unlimited, on behalf of Auckland Council.We’ve read the report so you don’t have to.It outlines the biggest issues facing Auckland, including rapid growth, housing pressure, and transport delays. It also highlights where the city needs to go next.Here are 10 key findings and recommendations from the report:Auckland’s growing fast – 55 more people every day. That puts pressure on housing, roads and local services.We need more housing and better – Not just more homes, but connected, liveable communities.Transport is falling behind – Congestion is costing $1.3 billion a year in lost productivity.There’s a big funding gap – Council can’t meet long-term needs with short-term budgets.Long-term investment is a must – Especially in transport, housing and stormwater upgrades.Storm resilience is critical – Flooding and infrastructure failures have exposed weak points.Growth should be around centres – Communities near town hubs and public transport will see more focus.Diverse voices need to be heard – Better outcomes come from involving Māori, Pacific and ethnic communities.We need better tracking – Public data and shared goals can help measure progress and guide spending.Aucklanders want clarity – People want a clear plan and better alignment between Council and Government.Why it matters to the Hibiscus Coast:Silverdale, Millwater and Orewa are already growing quickly. With more growth likely near transport routes and centres, this report helps locals understand what’s coming. Whether it’s better stormwater systems, transport upgrades or future housing plans, the Coast has a real stake in what happens next.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Council Pushes for Tougher Dog Laws
Council Pushes for Tougher Dog Laws

16 July 2025, 9:28 PM

Auckland Council is calling on the Government to tighten national dog control laws, aiming to reduce the growing number of roaming and uncontrolled dogs across the region.At a meeting this week, the council’s Regulatory and Safety Committee backed a push for legislative changes under the Dog Control Act 1996.The goal?To give councils stronger powers to manage dog-related harm and crack down on irresponsible owners.The proposed reforms include fencing requirements, desexing policies, mandatory reporting of attacks, and greater powers to detain dogs after an incident.In the past year alone, Auckland Council’s Animal Management team logged over 16,700 reports of roaming dogs, more than 1,300 attacks on people, and 1,500 on other animals.But officials believe that’s just the tip of the iceberg.“Most serious dog attacks on children happen inside the home and go unreported,” said Licensing and Compliance GM Robert Irvine. “We need hospitals and medical centres to report these incidents so we can step in before it happens again.”For Coasties, these changes matter.Families walking the dog at Red Beach or letting kids play in the front yard deserve to feel safe.The council has already invested $5.9 million in more staff, patrols, and public education, but says legislative change is the missing piece.“There’s no quick fix,” Irvine added. “But these changes are a big step toward safer communities.”Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Housing market 'steady on the surface', REINZ says
Housing market 'steady on the surface', REINZ says

16 July 2025, 8:00 PM

There has been an uptick in the number of houses sold last month with fewer listings, though little change in overall prices.The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) House Price Index (HPI) for June was up 0.3 percent year on year, which was well below the five-year average for June at a growth rate of 3.9 percent.The national median house price was steady year-on-year at $770,000, while the Auckland region saw a drop of 3.4 percent to $990,000."The unchanged national median price suggests stability, yet this reflects contrasting regional dynamics, with some areas experiencing renewed growth year-on-year," REINZ chief executive Lizzy Ryley said."We're seeing a market that is steady on the surface but with some movement underneath at a regional level."Ten out of the sixteen regions reported an increase in median prices compared with the year earlier, with the West Coast up more than 35 percent, while Southland hit a record high median price of $502,500."Most vendors are entering the market with realistic price expectations and a willingness to adapt to current conditions, especially those motivated to sell," Ryley said."However, many are receiving offers below their anticipated value, prompting some to delay listing, or relisting, until spring or summer, when market activity may show signs of improvement."The number of properties sold across the country increased by 20 percent year-on-year, though Gisborne saw a 70 percent increase, while Southland's sales rose 35 percent, and Bay of Plenty and Marlborough were both up 33 percent."June is typically a quieter month for real estate, and while the seasonal slowdown was expected, sales came in slightly below typical early winter levels," Ryley said."Nationally, seasonally adjusted sales fell by around five percent, suggesting some caution in the market, but compared to this time last year, sales remain significantly stronger overall."Still, national inventory levels rose two percent year-on-year."While properties are still selling, the increase in median days to sell indicates that buyers are taking a more considered approach," she said."This shift probably reflects a broader sense of caution, with many buyers feeling they have the time to explore their options, especially with the amount of choice they have."

EMA Joins Push to Reform Power Market
EMA Joins Push to Reform Power Market

15 July 2025, 9:19 PM

Power prices are hurting families and small businesses across Auckland, and now the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) has joined an urgent call for energy market reform.In an open letter to the Prime Minister, independent energy retailers and business groups, including the EMA, say New Zealand’s electricity market is broken and no longer serving everyday households or businesses.The letter warns that new power generation isn’t being built fast enough, gas is running out, and a lack of genuine competition is keeping prices high.“We’re running out of gas, and new electricity generation just isn’t being built fast enough,” the letter states.For many Coastie businesses, wholesale electricity costs have more than doubled.Smaller, independent retailers are disappearing, and families are struggling with steep winter bills.“Power prices are soaring, leaving New Zealand families with stark choices to make about whether to heat their homes,” the letter continues.The EMA, which represents thousands of businesses across Auckland and the Hibiscus Coast, says the current market structure, where a few companies control both generation and retail, limits innovation and fair pricing.That, in turn, is hurting productivity and competitiveness.The letter urges the Government to take bold action: unlock investment in renewables, protect consumers, and develop a bipartisan energy strategy that secures long-term affordability.For Coast-based employers trying to stay afloat, this push could be a lifeline.If reform is taken seriously, it might finally bring the fairer, more competitive energy system locals need.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Surf Park Adds New Amenities
Surf Park Adds New Amenities

15 July 2025, 12:03 AM

The eagerly anticipated Auckland Surf Park is expanding, and it’s not just about waves anymore.Plans to add a town centre, around 500 new homes, and a members’ surf clubhouse have just been referred under the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Act.The project is led by AW Holdings, a joint venture between global surf park developer Aventuur and New Zealand partners including Sir John Kirwan and Mark Francis.It’s based at 1350 Dairy Flat Highway, just a short drive inland from the Hibiscus Coast.At the heart of the community is a world-class 56-module Wavegarden “Cove” lagoon.It’ll offer safe, consistent surf year-round using the latest design tech, including new sideshores.Source: AventuurBut the vision goes much wider.The masterplan includes walking and cycling trails, eco-cabins, sports and wellness facilities, restaurants, and outdoor recreation spaces.Sustainability is a big focus.The park will feature a solar farm and Spark data centre campus.In a world-first, excess heat from the data centre will warm the surf lagoon.Other eco moves include native planting, composting, rainwater harvesting and removing single-use plastics.Source: AventuurSir John Kirwan says the response has been humbling.“There’s a lot of people who’d love to not only be members, but live here and shape something authentic.”Over 600 locals attended a recent community day, including MP Mark Mitchell and Mayor Wayne Brown, who called the project “a unique proposition of significant scale.”If approvals are finalised, construction will begin in late 2025.The surf park is set to open in 2027.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Older Aucklanders: Fast-Growing Group
Older Aucklanders: Fast-Growing Group

14 July 2025, 9:47 PM

You might’ve noticed a few more grey heads around the Hibiscus Coast, and you’re not imagining things.New census data shows the 65+ population in Auckland has grown by more than a third since 2013, now making up 13.3% of the region.That’s 219,753 older Aucklanders, and while most still live in standalone homes, more are shifting into joined dwellings or retirement villages.Nearly 79,000 are men, 93,000 are women, and over 100,000 were born overseas.The numbers also reflect growing diversity.While European New Zealanders still make up the majority, the proportion is declining.More older Aucklanders now identify as Asian (21%) and Pacific Peoples (7.9%), with Northern Chinese, Yue, and Samoan among the most spoken languages after English.Closer to home, that means more Coasties will likely be navigating life with a parent, grandparent, or neighbour needing a bit of extra care, or working well past retirement.One in four older Aucklanders are still in the workforce, with most in professional or managerial roles.Only 2.4% live in crowded homes, and fewer are dealing with damp or mouldy houses than five years ago.Still, nearly one in five live alone, and one in six live with a disability.It’s a reminder that ageing isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey.Whether it’s supporting independence or building more accessible spaces, the Coast’s changing age mix is something we’ll all need to plan for.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Supermarket loyalty card cyberattack prompts password warning
Supermarket loyalty card cyberattack prompts password warning

14 July 2025, 1:32 AM

A cybersecurity attack has prompted a warning for supermarket customers to change their passwords and some accounts may have been accessed by outsiders.Members of supermarket loyalty and online shopping programme New World Clubcard received an email on Friday night, telling them scammers had attempted to gain access to accounts by trying commonly used passwords.A "recent" cybersecurity incident had affected "a number of New World Clubcard accounts", the email said."Our technology team has identified suspicious external activity where scammers have attempted to gain access to accounts by trying commonly used passwords across many usernames," the supermarket said."Based on our investigation, it appears that some New World Clubcard accounts with weaker or reused passwords may have been accessed, without the cardholder's authorisation."Most customers were told their account had not been affected, but the supermarket advised them to change their passwords to be safe.In the email, New World said its own systems had not been breached and its technology team was monitoring for "any further malicious activity".The supermarket retailer, which is owned by parent company Foodstuffs, said it was working with cybersecurity experts to ensure customers' data remained secure."We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience. Your privacy and security are extremely important to us, we have taken these actions to protect you, and strongly recommend you [establish] a refreshed and strong password."Foodstuffs did not respond to RNZ's requests for comment.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Covid Lessons That Hit Home
Covid Lessons That Hit Home

13 July 2025, 11:03 PM

New Zealand’s Covid-19 inquiry is holding up a mirror, and what it’s reflecting is equal parts success story and sobering reality. Associate Professor Helen Petousis-Harris, a vaccinologist at the University of Auckland, says the lessons from phase one are clear: while lives were saved, we paid a heavy price.The Royal Commission’s first phase applauded the early elimination strategy, which helped avoid the scale of death seen overseas. But it also highlighted the toll — border pain, disrupted learning, and deep mental strain, especially in already marginalised communities.What’s more, New Zealand’s pandemic plan was built for a different kind of virus. Covid-19 exposed cracks in everything from ICU capacity to PPE logistics, revealing systems that weren’t ready for a 21st century threat.Crucially, voices that should’ve been central, particularly Māori and Pacific health providers, were often sidelined. The inquiry found that Te Tiriti obligations were poorly upheld, and trusted community networks were left underused.Communication also faltered. Early messaging was clear and empathetic, but became rigid and centralised as time went on, missing the mark with diverse communities.Phase two, now underway, will dig deeper. It’s set to examine vaccine equity, misinformation, mandates, and the long-term impacts on health, education, and trust.Why does this matter for Coasties? Because future pandemics could disrupt local schools, impact healthcare at Hibiscus Coast providers, and isolate our most vulnerable again. To protect our community next time, we need plans that listen to every voice, include trusted local networks, and make room for equity—not just strategy.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

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