From today, SPCA Inspectors can step in sooner to protect dogs suffering from harmful tethering, thanks to two new national regulations.For the first time, there’s a clear, enforceable standard.Regulation 15A makes it an offence to tether a dog showing two or more signs of prolonged tethering, such as worn ground, faeces build-up, locked collars, injuries, or constant barking.Regulation 15B bans tethering of vulnerable dogs, including puppies under six months, mothers with pups, pregnant dogs, or those in heat, except in brief, supervised situations.Breaching the prolonged tethering rule brings a $500 infringement fee, while tethering vulnerable dogs can mean a $300 fine.Serious or repeated cases may still lead to prosecution and animal removal.The SPCA says most responsible owners won’t be affected, but the changes give Inspectors sharper tools to act where neglect is clear.“Simply removing an animal doesn’t always improve welfare,” the agency notes.“Our goal is behaviour change, with fines available when advice isn’t enough.”On the Hibiscus Coast, where dogs are part of many families’ daily lives, the rules reinforce a simple message: keeping pets chained up long-term is no longer tolerated.Locals who spot tethered dogs in distress are urged to report concerns directly to SPCA.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Auckland Council is urging households to use daylight saving weekend to get emergency ready, with a new campaign reminding families that disasters don’t wait for an invitation.The Get Ready Emergency Preparedness campaign, running until 29 September, encourages Aucklanders to make or update their plans, check supplies, and know their local risks.For Coasties, it’s a timely reminder as daylight saving begins this Sunday.“Emergencies don’t send calendar invitations, they just show up, sometimes in the middle of the night,” says Adam Maggs, General Manager of Auckland Emergency Management.“Having a plan and essential emergency supplies ready means you and your whānau can stay safer and connected, no matter what comes your way.”That plan could be as simple as agreeing on how to stay in touch, where to meet if separated, and what to do if power, water or internet suddenly go. Supplies should cover a three-day “indoor camping trip” with basics like food, water, torches, first aid and pet needs.Maggs says most households already own many of these items. “You don’t have to have them all in one place, as long as you know where they are and can find them in a hurry or in the dark.”For Hibiscus Coast homes, it’s also a good time to clear gutters and trim branches before the next storm rolls through. Whether it’s a power cut, earthquake or tsunami, taking a few steps now could make all the difference later.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Westpac expects more people will want to tap into low and no-interest loans offered by banks to install solar-power systems on their homes, as power prices rise.A survey shows nearly half of respondents were considering solar power, if they had not already installed it.Nine percent of people had solar panels at home and another 13 percent planned to install them within a year.Most were considering solar power due to the cost of traditional electricity supply, which has risen faster than inflation.Westpac NZ managing product, sustainability and marketing director Sarah Hearn said spring was a good time to consider solar, because people could get set up before higher winter bills rolled around again."Solar is environmentally friendly, widely available, can add value to a property, is getting cheaper to install and can lead to significant cost savings on energy bills over time," she said."However, installing solar panels can be a significant upfront cost. Nearly half of those surveyed who weren't planning to get solar cited cost as a reason."A quarter of respondents who do plan to get solar are putting it off for at least a year, which speaks to the cost pressures many are still facing."Hearn said banks could help.Westpac had a 'Greater Choices' option, which offered up to $50,000 interest-free for five years for home and vehicle improvements, including solar power.She said $270 million had been lent that way since 2020.ANZ, BNZ and ASB offer up to $80,000 fixed at one percent interest for three years.Kiwibank offers a potential $2000 contribution.Westpac consumer lending and insurance products head Jo McGregor said there had been less uptake of borrowing for solar panels than for other categories covered by the loan, such as energy efficiency improvements or low-carbon transport."It's still relatively low, but it's an area that we are keen to see a bit more in."She said the reduction in the upfront cost of solar also helped."Particularly if the financing costs can be minimised through the likes of a Greater Choices loan, then you can look to get payback between 5-10 years."She said having an alternative energy source also had benefits.Solar provides about two percent of New Zealand's electricity generation, but the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment says that could increase tenfold by 2050.

Coasties, before you reach for that afternoon snack, it’s worth a quick look at the wrapper. Tasti has widened its recall of bars, tubs and snack balls, after small pieces of metal were found in some batches. No one has been hurt, but just to be safe, the advice is not to eat any of the products listed below.Here’s the updated list of affected products sold nationwide, including supermarkets here on the Hibiscus Coast:Tasti SmooshedBerry Cashew & Cacao 69g – 07/07/26, 08/07/26, 16/07/26, 17/07/26Berry Cashew & Cacao Tub 207g – 20/08/26, 21/08/26Cacao Brownie 69g – 17/07/26, 18/07/26, 21/07/26, 08/09/26, 09/09/26Choc Peanut 345g – 23/07/26, 24/07/26, 05/09/26, 10/09/26, 11/09/26Peanut Butter & Caramel 69g – 10/07/26, 11/07/26, 14/07/26, 15/07/26, 21/07/26, 22/07/26, 23/07/26Protein Dark Cacao Brownie Tub 174g – 15/05/26, 30/05/26Protein Hazel Brownie 174g – 16/05/26Protein Raspberry Brownie 174g – 16/05/26Photos of the recalled items (via MPI).Tasti Snak LogApricot 240g – 21/07/26, 22/07/26, 23/07/26, 24/07/26Fruit & Nut 240g – 24/07/26, 25/07/26, 29/08/26Other Tasti ProductsChopped Peanuts 70g – 03/02/26, 03/03/26Nut Bar Deluxe 210g – 01/08/26, 04/08/26Photos of the recalled items (via MPI).Frooze Filled BallsCaramel Choc PB 70g – 05/08/26, 06/08/26Choc Hazelnut 70g – 22/07/26, 12/08/26, 13/08/26Choc Hazelnut Tub 210g – 21/07/26, 22/07/26, 14/08/26, 25/08/26, 26/08/26Cookie Dough 70g – 14/07/26, 20/08/26, 29/07/26, 30/07/26Cookie Dough Tub 210g – 14/07/26, 15/07/26, 18/08/26, 19/08/26Lemon Cheesecake 70g – 11/08/26, 12/08/26Peanut Butter & Jelly 70g – 04/08/26Raspberry Dark Choc 70g – 23/07/26, 30/07/26, 21/08/26, 17/09/26Raspberry Dark Choc Tub 210g – 15/07/26, 16/07/26, 31/07/26, 06/08/26, 07/08/26, 08/08/26Snack Balls Cranberry 70g – 28/07/26, 29/07/26If you spot any of these in your pantry or lunchbox stash, don’t eat them. You can return them to the store for a refund. And if you’ve already eaten one and feel unwell, check in with your doctor.It only takes a minute to scan those best before dates, and it’s one less thing to worry about.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

The Government has released the latest update to Going for Growth, its plan to lift New Zealand’s economic performance.This chapter highlights skills and immigration, with a focus on rebuilding a world-class education system and making sure immigration supports the local skills pipeline.For Hibiscus Coast businesses, this matters.Employers often talk about the challenge of finding staff with the right training, whether it’s trades, healthcare, retail, or hospitality.The update emphasises that businesses grow when they can access a skilled workforce, and individuals thrive when they gain qualifications that lead to lasting jobs.The changes already underway include more investment in Teaching the Basics Brilliantly, aiming to turn around declining student achievement with extra classroom resources and focused training for teachers.There is also more support for job seekers under 25, including those with health conditions or disabilities, to move into work, training, or further study rather than stay on a benefit.On immigration, refinements to the Accredited Employer Work Visa are cutting compliance costs for local businesses while tackling migrant exploitation.Two new residence pathways, due to start in mid-2026, are designed to help employers attract and retain skilled workers, something that could prove vital for Hibiscus Coast-based industries that rely on experienced staff.This is the third chapter of Going for Growth to be updated since the plan’s launch, with officials stressing the long-term goal of strengthening the economy for communities right across New Zealand.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

If you’ve noticed the evenings creeping in a little later, you’re right on time.This Sunday, 28 September, at 2:00am, New Zealand officially moves into Daylight Saving Time and clocks will spring forward one hour.For us Coasties, that means brighter evenings to squeeze in a beach stroll, a barbecue, or simply a few extra minutes in the garden after work.Daylight Saving Time has deep roots here.It was first proposed back in 1895 by George Hudson, an entomologist who wanted more daylight to chase insects after work.Though mocked at first, his idea eventually stuck.By 1927, Parliament had made it official with the Summer Time Act, placing New Zealand among the first countries in the world to adopt seasonal clock changes.This year, the shift lasts right through until 3:00am on Sunday, 5 April 2026.That means more light in the evenings all summer long, perfect for soaking up everything the Hibiscus Coast has to offer.So before you tuck in on Saturday night, remember to move your clocks forward by one hour.Brighter nights are just around the corner.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

We’re three days into the school holidays and the Hibiscus Coast has already had a taste of everything spring can throw at us. Rain is expected to ease into showers around midday, with some still heavy at times and the chance of thunderstorms.MetService meteorologist Dom Barry says while the weather isn’t ideal for parents wanting kids outdoors, there will still be breaks in the rain. “There will be gaps between periods of rain where the little bundles of energy can get outside,” he says.Simple Holiday Rhythm Helps ParentsA Heavy Rain Watch remains in place through to 2pm today, but the outlook improves later in the week. Friday and Saturday are shaping up to be the best days for getting outdoors, with drier spells expected.It’s far from the settled stretch parents might hope for, but that’s spring for you — unsettled skies, short-lived sunshine, and the need to grab those brighter breaks when they appear.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Police have arrested a 34-year-old man at a Long Bay property this morning in connection with more than 40 fraud-related offences totalling over $68,000.Waitematā East Area Prevention Manager, acting Inspector Tim Williams, says the alleged offending involved numerous credit card frauds across New Zealand during 2024 and 2025.“After a prolonged and complex investigation over nearly a year, our staff identified three people of interest,” he says.“A man and woman were recently charged in relation to these offences and since then, investigators have identified a third person they believe to be responsible.”The charges relate to goods fraudulently obtained, with the total value exceeding $68,000.Acting Inspector Williams says police take fraud seriously and offenders will be held to account.He urged anyone who suspects they’ve been a victim to contact their bank first, then police.“It’s important to contact your bank first, then Police, as soon as you realise you’ve been the victim of fraud to give us the best chance of catching the offender and helping you recover your losses.”Police have opposed bail for the man, who is due to appear in North Shore District Court tomorrow facing 41 fraud-related charges.For Coast residents, the case is a reminder of how widespread fraud can be, and why quick action is key if you suspect your details have been misused.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

The latest projections suggest New Zealand could be heading into a neutral or La Niña summer, which would bring rainier conditions to the north and east of the country.While the prospect of a wet summer might not appeal to most people, for pollen allergy sufferers this could be a blessing in disguise.Our latest research on pollen levels in Auckland backs up what we have long suspected but haven’t had the data to prove.Unlike many developed countries, New Zealand doesn’t routinely monitor airborne pollen, and speculation about how La Niña and El Niño summers affect allergy sufferers has been just that. Until now.With new data, we are able to show the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which brings us changing phases of a natural climate cycle, can have profound effects on pollen allergy levels in Auckland.For the one-in-five of us who suffer from hay fever or asthma, this has important implications.Tracking pollen levelsOver the 2023/24 summer – a dry El Niño season – we monitored pollen levels in Auckland each day using equipment located on top of the War Memorial Museum. This was something of a milestone, marking the first time pollen levels have been monitored in the city this century.We were able to compare our data with results from two previous pollen monitoring projects conducted almost four decades ago. By a stroke of luck, one of these projects monitored pollen levels during a strong La Niña season in 1988/89 and the second during a neutral summer (neither La Niña nor El Niño).This comparison clearly showed the pollen season during the La Niña summer was much shorter and less severe than during the other two seasons – just as we would have predicted.The main reason for the differences was rainfall, which is typically higher and more frequent in northern New Zealand during La Niña summers. Grasses, like all plants, need rainfall to survive and grow but they tend not to release pollen on rainy days which can also ‘flush’ already airborne pollen out of the atmosphere.So, periods of excessive or sustained rainfall in spring and summer can lead to suppressed or shortened pollen seasons. This seems to have been the case in Auckland during the La Niña summer of 1988/89. The grass pollen season in that year lasted 41 days.During warmer, drier years, pollen counts rise. Supplied by author, CC BY-SAIn contrast, the other two seasons had comparatively moderate rainfall – enough to maintain grass growth and pollen production but with plenty of dry, sunny and windy days for higher levels of pollen to be released and spread.In the 2023/24 El Niño summer, the grass pollen season lasted 77 days, almost twice as long as that seen in 1988/89.We must acknowledge that a sample of just three seasons bookending a 35-year interval would not normally be a convincing basis for confident conclusions.Nevertheless, the consistent pattern observed in this limited dataset is in line with expectations about how contrasting weather patterns affect pollen production and dispersal, and the results shouldn’t be sneezed at.Advice for allergy sufferersWhat does this research mean for those of us who suffer from pollen allergies?Better understanding of pollen season variability and its causes can inform the two pillars of allergy management: treatment and avoidance of allergy triggers.Sophisticated predictive models can forecast changing La Niña and El Niño phases many months in advance. Now that we can show these phases affect pollen levels, we can be forewarned about the likely severity of the pollen season ahead.Above all, our research shows that pollen seasons can be highly variable – from one year to the next and likely between regions due to variations in La Niña and El Niño effects in different parts of the country.This highlights the importance of continuing pollen monitoring to better understand the causes and consequences of seasonal pollen allergy.Climate change, and in particular rising temperature and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, altered patterns of precipitation and greater inter-annual variability all likely have an impact on pollen levels in New Zealand.In the longer term, climate projections suggest Auckland will see increasingly drier and warmer springs and summers – and that’s likely to mean more pollen in the air and more bad news for those with allergies.Author - Rewi Newnham, Professor in Physical Geography — Victoria University of WellingtonThis article is republished from The Conversation.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Lotto NZ will close MyLotto, the Lotto NZ App and all Lotto NZ counters early on Sunday 28 September, reopening later on Monday, to carry out a major system upgrade.The upgrade brings changes online and in-store. Spend limits will shift to a single 7-day rolling cap of up to $150 across all games, including Instant Kiwi Online. The limit refreshes daily based on the past week’s play, and when you log in after the upgrade, the lowest limit you’ve already set will carry over as your default. Any decreases take effect immediately, while increases activate after 48 hours.At counters, Lotto, Powerball and Strike will now print together on one ticket, meaning Triple Dips are combined on a single slip. A new screen will display purchases as they’re made, and scanning tickets, coupons and MyLotto favourites will be simpler. Ticket checkers will be out of service during the upgrade, so players are asked to use the MyLotto App or have tickets checked by the retailer.Instant Kiwi Online is also being refreshed, with some games retired and 13 new ones added. The upgrade goes live on 29 September, and Lotto NZ says the yellow tickets are staying. From then on, adding Strike to Lotto or Powerball will result in one ticket instead of two.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Aucklanders are willing to pay more for homes that bring daily life within easy reach, new research from Auckland Council’s Chief Economist Unit shows.The analysis, based on 2024 property valuations, found demand is strongest in suburbs close to jobs, public transport, shops, schools, and parks. Land values, a measure of what buyers will pay for location, drop the further you move from the city centre.Chief Economist Gary Blick says the pattern is clear. “The more central locations within Auckland tend to be in highest demand with land values generally declining as you move further out from the city centre,” he says. Estimated residential land values per square metreSource: Auckland Council Chief Economist UnitWhile every neighbourhood matters, the data shows people place the highest value on convenience and shorter commutes.On the Hibiscus Coast, the findings highlight the trade-offs many locals make. While the Coast offers beaches and space, higher land values closer to the city show how much weight buyers give to transport and job access. For many Coasties, that plays out in long SH1 commutes and the wait for Penlink to ease the pressure.Planning rules also matter. Land zoned for terraced housing or apartments carries higher value, as it allows more productive use. Blick says enabling housing where demand is strongest helps ensure new homes actually get built, making the city more affordable.Gary Blick, Auckland Council Chief Economist.“Cities work better when people can live closer to what they need,” Blick says. That, he adds, supports productivity, higher wages, and a more liveable Auckland.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

The Government says a new centralised approach to digital investment and procurement could save up to $3.9 billion over the next five years.Minister for Digitising Government and the Public Service Judith Collins confirmed that the Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO) will now oversee technology spending across most public service agencies and Crown entities.She said the move could cut up to 30 percent from the projected $13 billion public sector technology bill.“This potentially saves a huge amount of taxpayer money – and that’s money that can instead be spent on delivering better public services, for the benefit of all New Zealanders.”Collins said the days of siloed, one-off technology systems are over, with New Zealand aiming for a “citizen-focused, digital-first public service” modelled on global leaders such as Estonia.For context, Estonia has reached an extraordinary milestone by becoming a country that digitalises 100 percent of its government services. Its new Eesti.ee app gives citizens access to nearly 50 services, secure messaging, and even digital ID verification via QR code – showing how a fully digital state can deliver speed, security and convenience.Eesti.ee app. Photo: the Estonian Information System AuthorityA new NZ Government App is also in the works, designed to let people store identity documents, receive secure notifications, and eventually pay for services directly from their phones.For the Hibiscus Coast, where the GCDO has already certified new cloud data centres in Silverdale, the shift highlights how local infrastructure is becoming central to nationwide digital services. These facilities will help support the tools and systems the Government says will drive billions in savings and safer, faster services.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Agents say half of high-net-worth travellers looking for luxury rentals in New Zealand are being turned away, with too few properties to meet booming demand.Stay Luxe, a premium accommodation agency, reports up to 50 enquiries each week from overseas guests ready to pay as much as $15,000 per night. Many want full-service stays with chefs, wellness treatments, and long rental periods from three weeks to a year.Co-founder Greg Owen says the shortage means “as many guests as we accept, we turn away,” leaving money on the table for both homeowners and the wider economy. He notes one booking involved $500,000 for a 90-day stay plus $150,000 in support services. Another $150,000 waterfront rental was booked online without inspection, showing the level of trust in the market.Unlike hotels, Owen says luxury homes offer wealthy visitors a taste of local life, including schools, communities and suburban living, often leading to multimillion-dollar property purchases. About one in ten renters eventually buys the home they stayed in.The most sought-after areas include central Auckland’s Remuera and St Heliers, waterfront estates and lifestyle properties in Coatesville. Americans favour modern, open-plan waterfront homes, while Europeans lean toward renovated villas with character charm.For Coast homeowners, the trend could be a lucrative opportunity. With large executive homes often sitting empty while owners travel, Owen says properties could command $8,000 a week instead of $2,000 on the standard rental market.He warns that unless more stock is made available, New Zealand risks losing wealthy travellers and their spending in restaurants, retail and local services to countries like Australia.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Millwater Medical will reopen on Monday, 29 September, marking the end of a two-month closure first announced back in June.At the time, Silverdale Medical confirmed it was reducing urgent care hours and that Millwater Medical would temporarily close, with patients redirected to Silverdale and Weiti Creek. Foot Doctor Podiatry was the only service to remain open on site.Now, after winter months of reshuffling, the Millwater clinic is back in action. The team says new staff have joined to help ease pressures that forced the closure, and three familiar faces are returning. Dr Peter Chai, Dr Cho Kim and Dr Paul Kim will once again be seeing patients in Millwater, ensuring continuity of care for long-time locals.“While Silverdale Medical and Weiti Creek Medical are nearby, we understand that nothing compares to the connection and comfort of visiting your local clinic,” the Millwater Medical team wrote to patients today.Staff say they are excited to welcome patients back and keep Millwater thriving.For Hibiscus Coast families, the reopening means shorter trips, trusted doctors, and the comfort of knowing their local medical centre is once again open for business.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

If you’re working through the school holidays, you’ll know the juggle—Zoom calls at the table while someone tugs your sleeve asking what’s next.The trick isn’t filling every minute, it’s giving the days a gentle rhythm so kids know what to expect and you can still breathe.Think in threes: mornings to move, middays to calm, afternoons for projects.Start the day with movement: driveway chalk hopscotch, a backyard race, or a scavenger hunt for shells and leaves. By the time you’re into emails, they’re happily worn out. After lunch, shift into calm. Lego cities, puzzle challenges, or a reading picnic under the tree if the weather behaves. This is your golden work window. Later, round things out with a project: baking muffins, building a fort from cushions, or planting seeds in pots. Fresh, fun, but not all on you.Some parents theme the week: Monday art, Tuesday outdoor, Wednesday kitchen, Thursday building, Friday fun challenge—then remix it the second week.The beauty of this rhythm is it costs next to nothing, uses what you’ve got at home, and gives the kids variety without you scrambling. Two weeks later, they’ve had adventures, you’ve met your deadlines, and no one’s climbing the walls.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word

How much do you really need to save for retirement?Is it $48,000 as suggested by the Massey University retirement spending guidelines for a one-person household living a "no frills" life in a provincial area?Or $1 million, as mooted by those same guidelines, for a two-person house living a choices life in a main centre.The Retirement Income Interest Group - part of the New Zealand Society of Actuaries - has set out to attempt to answer the question.It said there needed to be a single framework for consistent discussion of what would be an adequate retirement income, and this should be clearly communicated to KiwiSaver members.The group said there were a few different ways income needs could be assessed.It could be done based on actual spending of current retirees, as in the Massey guidelines, or hypothetical spending based on the cost of living.But the data reported on actual spending was not representative of all retirees and the hypothetical basket was hard to interpret into the future.Instead, calculating a replacement income rate would be more effective, they said.With this method, a person would be deemed to have sufficient savings if their balance at retirement could generate 80 percent to 100 percent of their pre-retirement income, until they were at least 90.That would mean a median earner would need savings of about $605,000 if their retirement spending was assumed to increase with inflation.If it were to fall 2 percent per year, which is a pattern seen in retiree spending, the balance required for would be $375,000."Thinking about it in that way is really consistent with the KiwiSaver Act itself which talks about trying to allow people to enjoy standards of living in retirement similar to those in pre-retirement," said group convenor Ian Perera.He said it was likely that a 5 percent KiwiSaver contribution rate, matched by an employer, would deliver the target amount of income for most median-earners.This was assessed using a 6 percent drawdown rule, which allows for spending to reduce over a person's life.At 4 percent plus 4 percent, which the settings are shifting towards, someone who joined the workforce in their early 20s and earned a median income throughout their life and invested in a balanced fund would have a replacement income ratio of 75 percent, he said.It was likely to be higher in a growth fund, or if returns were higher than the modelling allowed for.But he said most people were not investing continuously from 20 to 65. Many would take money out for a first home."Then you've got less time to make up what you've taken out. So that's important and obviously there'll be various reasons why people might need to have a savings suspension. They might be taking a career break for family reasons or they might have lost their job."These sorts of gaps definitely can have an impact on your replacement rate."He said someone who withdrew for a first home would only end up with about 60 percent of pre-retirement income at a 4 percent contribution rate."I'm not saying that using KiwiSaver to buy a first home isn't a good thing. We know from the work that the Retirement Commission has done that people who own their own homes are probably in a better position in retirement because the cost of rents are quite a bit higher than the cost of house maintenance and rates and that sort of thing. So It's a good thing to do but it's something you're going to need to make some contributions to."The highest income 10 percent of earners could find they needed to save more than 5 percent for their own personal targets but they were more likely to have other investments and seek personal advice, anyway.He said people who were lagging in their saving could make a higher level of contributions in the years before retirement, or retire later."Retiring later may lead to over-saving with a high replacement income possibly available until age 100. However, these strategies cannot be relied on as health issues or employment situation may prevent working as late or at the same level as hoped for."He said when people knew the income level they wanted to generate, they could work back from that."You have NZ Super which is going to provide a significant amount of that target income for most New Zealanders and I guess you have a gap on top of that."If you're a high income earner then that gap is going to be larger because NZ Super doesn't depend on how much income you earn before retirement. And conversely if you've been earning something close to the minimum wage throughout your life then NZ Super provides quite a big chunk of that replacement income."He said Sorted's retirement navigator tool, which allows people to work out how they could spend their KiwiSaver total would help them to see the picture."There's a variety of different options you could use... your spending tends to go down in real terms through retirement."Some people talk about the go-go, slow-go and no-go years of retirement. So when you first retire, a lot of people can be quite active. They might want to be doing holidays and things that they haven't been able to do when they're working."But there comes a point where you slow down and you're probably going to be less interested in or capable of doing certain activities."

Marketing has long focused on boosting sales, profits and customer satisfaction. But a new review warns that the social and environmental costs are being left off the balance sheet.The research highlights three big ideas that could reshape the field: service-dominant logic, resource-advantage theory and market shaping. All are designed to help businesses think beyond transactions and build systems of value creation that last.Examples are already here. Silver Fern Farms launched carbon-neutral beef and advanced traceability, while agritech firms are using precision farming to regenerate soils. Greenbox keeps IT equipment in circulation through refurbishment and resale, and Ecostore has pushed for new packaging standards. Māori businesses weave intergenerational stewardship into their strategies, showing models that challenge mainstream practice.Associate Professor Julia Fehrer (Business School, University of Auckland)The authors say marketers should:• Think in systems, not silos• Count future generations as stakeholders• Treat sustainability as a strategic asset• Imagine tomorrow’s markets, not just today’sFor Hibiscus Coast businesses, the message is clear. Whether it’s farms in Wainui, retail in Silverdale or service providers across Whangaparaoa, sustainability isn’t a side project. It’s fast becoming central to how markets operate and how locals choose who to buy from.The research was carried out by Associate Professor Julia Fehrer (University of Auckland), Professor Mark Peterson (University of Wyoming) and Professor Bård Tronvoll (University of Inland Norway).Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Massey Business School has climbed the global rankings, with its Master of Business Administration (MBA) now ranked among the top 10 in Oceania and first equal in New Zealand. The MBA also moved into the 201 to 250 band worldwide, while its online version made its debut in the top 100 globally.Two other postgraduate programmes also rose. The Master of Business Analytics advanced into the 101 to 150 international band, securing 19th place for programme diversity, while the Master of Finance moved into the 151 to 200 band, marking its first appearance on the world stage.Research performance proved a standout across the board. The MBA scored 93.1% for research impact, the Master of Finance 98.7%, and the Master of Business Analytics 86.8%, underscoring Massey’s reputation for high-quality research.The rankings, released by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), are considered among the most influential globally, drawing insights from academics, employers and alumni. They measure how well business schools prepare students for leadership in a competitive international market.Professor Jonathan Elms, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Massey Business School, says the recognition reflects years of commitment. “These results highlight the impact our graduates are having on business and society, and they reinforce our position as a leader in business education in Aotearoa and the wider region.”For Coasties, Massey’s Albany campus is less than 20 minutes down the motorway, making these world-class programmes, including the highly ranked MBA and online MBA, an accessible option close to home.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

The growing view that New Zealand’s energy market is “broken” has brought with it a stream of suggestions for piecemeal changes that nibble at the edges of the problem, without tackling the real structural, legal and distributional issues.Nor do those suggestions demonstrate how such changes would fit into a coherent overall scheme for the future industry, or truly bring down soaring prices that are crippling households and businesses.NZ First’s Shane Jones seems to agree, and recently called for his party to consider a policy of renationalising the big “gentailers” (the combined generation and retail companies). But his solutions appear designed to lock in dependence on fossil fuels rather than hasten the 100% renewable energy future that now beckons.From the outset, it’s important to set clear goals for the electricity industry. Mine are: reliable abundant supply, and the lowest possible price to end-users, especially households.Those were the goals of the old New Zealand Electricity Department, and they had been largely achieved by 1986. So-called reforms since then have reduced reliability while massively increasing prices and profits for the benefit of asset owners (including the government).So, it’s also important to remember there are now entrenched vested interests whose incomes and asset portfolios are dependent on high prices and monopoly profits.Bringing prices and profits down will mean writing down the asset values of the gentailers, the national grid and the lines companies – at the expense of their shareholders.New Zealanders in general may be big winners. But there would be powerful and noisy losers. The sums involved will be large, and the politics will be difficult.Rents and rising pricesMost of New Zealand’s electricity is generated from low-cost renewables – hydro, geothermal and wind – but also some high-cost thermal generation (mainly from the coal-and-gas-fired Huntly power station).Before reform, the wholesale electricity price was set to cover the average cost of generation. Since reform, the wholesale price has been set by the highest-priced supplier, which these days mostly means Huntly.That highest price is paid to all generators, despite the fact most of them will have offered to supply (and would have covered their genuine costs) at much lower prices.As long as Huntly is kept in the mix as the highest-cost supplier that sets the market price, the market design will keep prices high – far above the cost of the solar and wind generation, whose entry to the market is being blocked by that same market design.The result has been to enrich the owners of low-cost hydro and geothermal plant inherited from the old New Zealand Electricity Department.From the moment this market mechanism was proposed in the mid-1980s, it was obvious it would drive prices up and deliver large rents (pure excess profits) on the legacy hydro and geothermal assets.Equally, from the moment the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter’s cut-price supply contract was signed in 1960, it was clear that exceptions could be made. It was – and is – possible to impose long-term contracts to have electricity supplied to target groups of consumers at a low price.In 1992, I and colleagues suggested how a contract similar to Tiwai Point’s could have provided 20,000 gigawatt-hours per year at two cents per kilowatt hour, to be passed through to consumers. The same contract structure remains an option today to lessen the burden of energy poverty on residential consumers.However, what would have been simple back in 1992 was rejected as too “regulatory” by the head of Electricorp, which was overseeing the deregulation of the electricity market in the 1980s and 1990s. Now, it is politically hard because of the overblown asset values, dividends and tax revenues that have flowed from the high-price regime.Worse, the first beneficiaries of monopolistic prices and asset values throughout the 1990s and 2000s have in many cases taken their capital gains and departed. The investors who bought their shares at high prices are now exposed to regulatory risk if the flow of economic rent is cut back.Energy poverty and job lossesIn 2012, in my submission to the select committee considering the Mixed Ownership Model Bill, I warned that future governments might find themselves forced to restrain anti-consumer and anti-competitive behaviour, which would push down the gentailers’ asset values and share prices.I wrote then that this would “be financially devastating for the balance sheets of the companies, in precisely the same way as their conduct since 1990 has been devastating for the household budgets of millions of ordinary people”.In the 13 years since, the conflict between monopoly profit and the public interest has worsened steadily, producing energy poverty for households and job losses in manufacturing, while asset values have soared.Meanwhile, the arrival of energy-hungry computer data centres threatens to preempt any low-cost new generation that comes online.Bringing down pricesGovernments seem paralysed, both by their own conflicts of interest as owner-shareholders and by the prospect of backlash from powerful corporate and shareholder interests that benefit from the status quo.Several broad solutions are straightforward in principle:breaking up the gentailersbringing in enough wind, solar, geothermal and battery power to remove the need for Huntly, even in dry yearsand redirecting the legacy hydro assets to operate as a battery-equivalent rather than a profit centre.But for electricity prices to come down significantly, the government would need to do at least these four things:break down monopoly power and the sympathetic regulatory regime of the Electricity Authority and Commerce Commissionresurrect local electrical supply authorities to operate “energy communities”, combining the cost benefits of local small and medium-scale sources of renewable supply, with local network operators as coordinatorstender out procurement contracts for large-scale offshore wind, onshore solar and battery storage, owned and operated outside of the gentailersand factor the true economics of renewable energy into the market by forcing the established vested interests to genuinely compete in the face of the renewables revolution.Consumers and small business deserve a break after three decades of the current system. The outlook, alas, is for more of the same government fiddling while the economy suffers.Author - Geoff Bertram - Visiting Scholar, School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations — Victoria University of Wellington.This article is republished from The Conversation.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]