The Government is stepping up its efforts to tackle anti-social driving, including boy racers and fleeing drivers, with new tougher penalties.Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Police Minister Mark Mitchell announced the proposed measures, which include vehicle forfeiture or destruction for repeat offenders, and stricter fines for noise and illegal vehicle gatherings.For Hibiscus Coast residents, these measures could have a significant impact on reducing dangerous driving behaviour seen in some local hotspots.Police are increasingly dealing with anti-social driving events, particularly on rural roads and in more remote areas of the Coast, where street racing and noisy vehicle gatherings are becoming more common.With these tougher penalties, authorities will be better equipped to curb these behaviours and create safer conditions for our local communities.Key highlights of the plan include:Stronger penalties for those who flee from police, engage in street racing, or participate in intimidating convoys, including mandatory vehicle destruction or forfeiture.More powers for the police to manage illegal gatherings, such as closing off roads or public areas and issuing fines.Noise fines for making excessive noise from a vehicle will increase, from $50 to $300.The new laws, set to be introduced in mid-2025, will make it clear that there will be serious consequences for reckless and dangerous driving behaviours.Bishop and Mitchell say Kiwis are fed up with the danger and disruption caused by these drivers, and it’s time to take decisive action.This comes as police have reported an increase in such anti-social driving behaviours, with many offenders showing no regard for the safety of others.The measures aim to ensure that those who put others at risk face consequences that will deter future offences.The Government has committed to stronger action to protect communities, with the new penalties sending a clear message to boy racers and fleeing drivers across the country, including those causing trouble on the Hibiscus Coast.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

With Road Safety Week kicking off today, 12 May, Auckland Transport has revealed plans to increase speed limits on several local streets. For Coasties, this could mean changes to familiar routes, including those closer to home.Using Auckland Transport's interactive map, locals can check if speed limits will rise in their neighbourhoods. These changes are designed to improve traffic flow, but they also come with added responsibilities. As always, keeping our roads safe is a shared effort.Road Safety Week is a timely reminder of the importance of safe driving. With more cars on the road, it’s crucial that drivers adjust to any new limits and stay vigilant. Let’s remember, slower streets help maintain the safety and well-being of our communities.You can find the full map of upcoming changes on the Auckland Transport website. Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

A new measles case has been confirmed in Auckland, with Health New Zealand linking it to recent overseas travel. The National Public Health Service (NPHS) is now supporting the individual and their household, while non-immune people exposed are being asked to stay in quarantine to help prevent the disease's spread.The individual travelled to Asia and contracted the virus there, though they were not infectious while on their flight back. Public health authorities have identified several public locations in Auckland where the individual was present during their infectious period, including Fullers360 ferries and a local supermarket.Measles, a highly contagious virus, can affect both children and adults. Health authorities are advising everyone to check their immunisation status, as the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is the only effective protection. Those unsure of their vaccination history should contact their healthcare provider.For those who may have been exposed at these locations, it’s important to monitor for measles symptoms, which include a high fever, cough, sore red eyes, and a characteristic rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.Locals on the Hibiscus Coast who frequent Auckland’s public transport system or local supermarkets are urged to check their immunisation status, especially if they have recently travelled or were in these high-traffic locations.Measles cases are rising globally. If you are not immune and have been in contact with the individual, please call Healthline at 0800 611 116 for advice.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

This King’s Birthday Weekend, Auckland Showgrounds will come alive with Wintergeddon, bringing three action-packed days of gaming, cosplay, and more. From May 31 to June 2, fans can enjoy everything from Stranger Things displays to the world’s-first CARmageddon super-car.Wintergeddon 2025 will feature an incredible lineup of TV, film, and gaming talent, with stars like Ioan Gruffudd (Fantastic Four), Renee O'Connor (Xena: Warrior Princess), and Kim Rhodes (Supernatural) ready to meet fans. Cosplay is a major part of the event, with international guests like Alyson Tabbitha and Rachel Maksy showcasing their detailed craftsmanship and creative flair.Don't miss the Stranger Things costume exhibit, featuring iconic pieces from the show, or the debut of CARmageddon, a custom 1975 Cadillac Eldorado with missile launchers and a flux capacitor.Esports tournaments, anime screenings, and unique experiences like Minecraft VR and the Spookers Horror Hall will keep attendees entertained all weekend. Grab your tickets and prepare for an unforgettable event celebrating pop culture in all its glory now at www.armageddonexpo.comKnow something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Welcome to The Week That Was—your go-to recap of the most important news, stories, and updates for the Hibiscus Coast community.New Air Ambulance Helicopter Launched Read moreGolf Course Plans Stir Property ConcernsRead morePilot's flight path reveals sweet messageRead moreCoasties Travelling Overseas Soon? Passport Still Valid?Read moreiHeart Country: NZ's Newest Radio StationRead moreStay Connected, Stay Informed. Get the latest updates, stories, and events from around the Hibiscus Coast—right at your fingertips.Download the Hibiscus Coast App now for instant access to local news and stay ahead of the curve—whenever, wherever. Don’t miss out on the stories that matter most to you!Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

It’s Mother’s Day, a time to celebrate all the wonderful mums, grandmothers, and maternal figures in our lives. For those of us here on the Hibiscus Coast, today offers a perfect moment to reflect on the importance of the women who’ve shaped our families and our communities.The tradition of honouring mothers dates back centuries, starting with ancient Greek and Roman festivals dedicated to mother goddesses. In medieval Britain, people celebrated Mothering Sunday on the fourth Sunday of Lent, a time for families to reunite. Today, the modern Mother’s Day is a beautiful celebration of the love and care mothers give, not only to their families but to the broader community as well.Whether you’re treating mum to a special breakfast, enjoying a family outing, or simply sharing a quiet moment, today is about showing appreciation for all that she does. So here’s to all the mums on the Coast—your dedication, love, and care make this community what it is.Wishing you all a beautiful and peaceful Mother’s Day!Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Maintenance work is set to begin on State Highway 1 (SH1) from the Silverdale interchange to Oteha Valley Road, scheduled for Monday, 12 May, through Thursday, 15 May, between 11:00am and 7:00pm. The work is weather-dependent, so these dates could change based on conditions.During this period, there will be southbound lane restrictions in place. Additionally, some ramps may close, and lane restrictions could be implemented ahead of the scheduled closure times. Southbound traffic will remain open at all times, but drivers are advised to slow down and follow the traffic management instructions.Expect increased noise levels as slip remediation work is carried out.This maintenance is essential to keep our roads safe and in good condition, NZTA appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this period. Stay safe on the roads!Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

From next Tuesday (13 May), the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) will begin rolling out its first mobile safety camera, marking a significant step in the transition of safety camera operations from NZ Police to NZTA. This new initiative will see speeding vehicles detected not only by the traditional vans used by the police but also by camera-equipped Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), as well as trailers later this year.This is the first time in New Zealand’s history that safety cameras will be deployed from cars, a move that NZTA hopes will increase road safety across Auckland and beyond. The cameras will detect vehicles exceeding speed limits, helping to reduce accidents and save lives. For those of us here on the Hibiscus Coast, this will be an important step in improving safety on our busy roads—especially as many of us regularly travel to Auckland for work or leisure.Speeding vehicles will be detected by cameras operating in SUVs from next week, with trailers to be added to the fleet later this year. Photo: Supplied.Tara Macmillan, NZTA's Head of Regulatory Strategic Programmes, shared the importance of this initiative: “Speeding drivers can cause serious and irreparable harm on the roads, including deaths and serious injuries. Evidence shows that we can reduce the chance of people being killed or seriously injured in crashes if drivers travel within speed limits, and that is why we have safety cameras.”While the SUV-mounted cameras will be visible to drivers, they won’t be signposted, following research showing that unsigned mobile safety cameras are twice as effective in reducing crashes compared to those with signage. The aim is clear: reduce road fatalities and injuries by catching speeding drivers, wherever they are.NZTA's initiative will be part of a broader transition, with NZTA set to take full responsibility for safety camera operations by July 2025. At that point, NZ Police will no longer operate their mobile safety camera vans. Importantly, all funds from infringement fees will go directly into the Government Consolidated Fund, not to NZTA.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

With Auckland's rainy weather making it the perfect evening to stay in, rugby fans are in for a thrilling match as the Auckland Blues face off against the Fijian Drua in Suva tonight.The forecast for Suva predicts overcast skies, 78% humidity, and possible thunderstorms with a warm 27°C, making for challenging conditions on the pitch. But the Blues will be ready for the heat as they aim to continue their impressive run from their recent victory over the Western Force.Head coach Vern Cotter has made only two changes to the starting XV from that dominant win. Corey Evans earns a well-deserved start at fullback, while AJ Lam replaces Stephen Perofeta on the left wing after a late change in Round 12. Perofeta misses out due to injury, with Zarn Sullivan returning to the bench, alongside Finlay Christie and Harry Plummer."We were much more consistent against the Force, and we want to carry that momentum into tonight’s game," Cotter said. "The Drua are a dangerous side, full of flair, and they will be confident at home. We need to bring high intensity from the get-go and feed off their energy."The match kicks off at 7:05 PM, and fans can expect a thrilling encounter as the Blues take on one of the competition's most dynamic teams.Blues Starting XV for Round 13:1. Joshua Fusitu’a (32)2. Ricky Riccitelli (46)3. Marcel Renata (61)4. Patrick Tuipulotu (capt) (119)5. Laghlan McWhannell (18)6. Anton Segner (33)7. Dalton Papali’i (92)8. Hoskins Sotutu (74)9. Taufa Funaki (31)10. Beauden Barrett (39)11. AJ Lam (53)12. Xavi Taele (3)13. Rieko Ioane (123)14. Cole Forbes (25)15. Corey Evans (23)Reserves:16. Kurt Eklund (70)17. Mason Tupaea (6)18. Angus Ta’avao (77)19. Josh Beehre (22)20. Adrian Choat (50)21. Finlay Christie (63)22. Harry Plummer (84)23. Zarn Sullivan (40)Enjoy the game from the comfort of your home, Coasties!Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

People are being told to stop charging their e-devices once they are full as the number of fires caused by batteries rises.Data from insurer AMI said there had been a 17 percent increase year-on-year in fires started from lithium ion batteries - which are used in phones, hearing aids, power tools, computers and more.Insurance Council of New Zealand consumer affairs manager Sarah-Jane Knox told Nine to Noon the fires were often caused because people were charging incorrectly.That could mean using the wrong charger, using a device that had been physically damaged, or over charging."Really with these lithium ion batteries, once they are charged you should unplug them... they're not safe to be left on overnight for things like power tools," she said.That advice tended to be different for cars because the manufacturers' instructions allowed that.People charging their phones while they slept should take precautions, she said."You shouldn't have it on any soft furnishings like beds or couches, that sort of thing."If the batteries overheated they emitted a toxic, flammable, explosive gas, she said."It causes quite an intense fire and you can't extinguish it and, because it's so explosive, it can quickly spread," she said.The batteries were responsible for 10 percent of all total-loss house fires, Knox said.This week, Auckland recycling firm Simsmetal Industries was fined $30,000 after a fire at a scrap metal yard in 2023 caused by a lithium-ion battery.In Western Australia, an average of three house fires a week were caused by the batteries exploding, and a growing number of Australian apartment buildings were banning electric vehicles due to fire-risk concerns.Australian insurers, many of which were the same companies that operated in New Zealand, have said while there were no immediate plans to charge higher premiums for households with the batteries, or to try to restrict their use, they were deeply concerned.

Looking for plans? Explore events happening soon on the Hibiscus Coast and start planning your next activity!Tradie FridaysFridaysMore detailsThe Black Flames are BackSat 10 MayMore detailsDigital SeniorsEvery WedMore detailsWant to see more events?Explore everything happening in our community on the Hibiscus Coast App.Have an event to share?Promote it for FREE - click here

Well, here’s something for country music fans to get excited about—iHeart Country New Zealand has officially launched today!You can tune in on the iHeartRadio app and selected FM frequencies around the country, including 105.4 in Auckland.It’s the first new radio station to hit New Zealand in recent years, offering up a Hot Country format that mixes current hits with fresh, emerging tracks.The catch? There are no live presenters yet, so it's all pre-programmed music for now.For locals on the Hibiscus Coast, this new station is a pretty cool addition.iHeart Country offers another way to enjoy commercial-free tunes, especially with the promise of no ads for the first 10,000 songs—what a treat!It’s a perfect way to get your country fix without interruptions.If you're wondering about Gold FM, which used to occupy 105.4, it’s now moved exclusively online.This reflects the ongoing shift to streaming and on-demand music—something we’re all getting more used to these days.That said, I have to admit it’s a bit of a letdown that the iHeart Radio app doesn’t show song details, like the artist and track name.Right now, it feels more like a jukebox than a proper radio station.For those of us who like to know exactly what we're listening to, it’s a small miss.Still, if you’re after new country music, iHeart Country is a solid addition to your playlist.Whether you’re out on the road or at home, it’s nice to have another station to choose from.And while there are no live presenters yet, it’s an opportunity for more seamless, on-the-go listening.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

A solid marketing strategy is crucial for small businesses seeking growth.While building brand recognition is important, the primary focus should be on acquiring new customers and retaining existing ones.These elements lay the foundation for expanding your customer base, increasing sales, and ensuring long-term success.Effective Marketing Components for GrowthAn impactful marketing plan should incorporate key components that collectively drive business growth:1. Customer Engagement and LoyaltyBuilding lasting relationships with your customers is fundamental. Encourage repeat business and foster loyalty by engaging with your audience and making them feel valued. A loyal customer base doesn’t just return; they become advocates, helping attract new prospects through referrals.2. Lead GenerationCapturing potential customers' interest is the first step toward growth. Use targeted content to draw attention, gather valuable information, and guide leads through the sales process. Offering incentives like free resources or discounts can help convert interest into action.3. Market DifferentiationTo stand out, define what makes your business unique. Whether it’s exceptional customer service, innovative products, or community involvement, highlighting your unique value proposition is key to attracting your ideal customers.4. Compelling Content and CopywritingQuality content is vital in converting readers into customers. Whether it’s a blog post, email, or social media ad, your copy should grab attention, create interest, and encourage action. Craft messages that resonate with your audience’s needs and emotions, providing a clear next step for them to take.The Power of Digital MarketingDigital marketing offers small businesses powerful tools to target specific audiences and measure performance in real-time. Unlike traditional methods, digital platforms provide the flexibility to quickly adjust campaigns, ensuring better outcomes and more efficient resource use.Managing ExpectationsMarketing results take time, especially when it comes to building brand awareness or customer engagement. Set realistic goals and understand that consistent, ongoing effort leads to meaningful growth over time.Tracking Success with KPIs and the SMART FrameworkMeasuring success is essential to ensure your marketing strategy works. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as website traffic, email open rates, number of views, clicks, and conversion rates provide valuable insights. The SMART framework offers a clear structure for goal-setting:Specific – Clearly define your goal.Measurable – Track your progress.Achievable – Ensure the goal is realistic.Relevant – Align it with your overall business objectives.Time-bound – Set deadlines for results.How Business Owners Can Implement This AdviceStart Small: Focus on one or two strategies at a time—like building a customer loyalty program or refining your website’s content with strong Call-to-Action (CTAs). Don’t try to overhaul everything at once.Use Affordable Tools: Take advantage of low-cost tools such as Mailchimp for email marketing, Canva for content creation, and Google Analytics for tracking website performance.Be Consistent: Marketing success requires regular effort. Set aside time weekly or monthly to review your strategy, track progress, and make adjustments.Measure Progress: Use the SMART framework to set clear, achievable goals for each marketing activity. Track performance and adjust based on what works best.For small businesses on the Hibiscus Coast, leveraging local platforms—like the hyper-local Hibiscus Coast App—can enhance visibility and connect with a highly engaged audience.A comprehensive marketing strategy blending branding, customer engagement, lead generation, and compelling content is essential for small business growth. Digital marketing provides the tools to measure and refine efforts for ongoing improvement. By setting clear, achievable goals and staying consistent, small businesses can achieve sustainable success.Remember, as the saying goes, "You can't manage what you can't measure." Ensuring every dollar spent on advertising and marketing is trackable allows you to assess its return on investment (ROI) effectively. This approach not only validates your marketing decisions but also empowers you to optimise your strategies for better outcomes.If you're navigating the challenges of local marketing or seeking fresh ideas, feel free to reach out. Townsquare Media is always open to a conversation and happy to offer guidance where we can.

Your weekend weather at a glance.Coasties, here’s what the next four days have in store:Friday, 9/5Rainy and windy. Breezy to brisk Northerly winds.High: 20Low: 13Saturday, 10/5A mix of sun and cloud. Fairly breezy South to Sou'West winds.High: 18Low: 12Sunday, 11/5 (Mothers Day)A mix of sun and cloud. Breezy Southerly winds.High: 19Low: 12Monday, 12/5Mainly sunny. Light Sou'East winds.High: 19Low: 10Looking for more weather details?Check out our full Weather & Travel section in the Hibiscus Coast App for:🌊 Tide information🌬️ Wind conditions🌊 Wave updates🌞 UV levels🏖️ Safe swimming areasand much more.Everything you need is inside the Hibiscus Coast App – anytime, anywhere!

Many Aucklanders say the supercity model has failed to deliver the city's potential and it's falling behind.Research from Auckland University examines the city's progress since the creation of the supercity 15 years ago, as Auckland leaders gather for an event marking the milestone.Among them are the Minister for Auckland Simeon Brown, current Mayor Wayne Brown and former Prime Ministers John Key and Helen Clark.The survey showed Aucklanders overwhelmingly supported a long-term infrastructure plan, and most (76 percent) believe the city lacked a cohesive public transport plan.The consulting firm Deloitte has produced two of three annual State of the City reports which compare Auckland with similar cities globally.Deloitte NZ chief executive Mike Horne told Nine to Noon the building blocks were there but the country's biggest city was falling behind, compared to overseas cities."It's set some of those key building blocks but it's not seeing Auckland deliver its potential and it's not seeing Auckland compete on the global stage to the degree that it really needs to."Deloitte New Zealand CEO, Mike Horne. Photo: SuppliedThe survey showed 77 of respondents believed Auckland needed to position itself as a global innovation city to attract talent and strengthen its economy, but expressed concern that the city didn't maximise this advantage compared to overseas cities.Horne said the supercity model allowed the city to be unified in order to make decisions around key infrastructure challenges.He said the City Rail Link and Waterview tunnel may not have been delivered at all under the previous structure."We're at that early stage where we need a lot more of that infrastructure investment to deliver in the future."Horne said there was support for greater intensification to be built around transport corridors, while retaining green space."There is a divide as to exactly how does that play through on private transport as well where there is a sig no that see private car transport as a big part of the future."The survey showed 61 percent of Aucklanders thought reducing congestion should be the city's top transport priority, even if it meannt introducing charges on some roads at times when they were most congested.Just over half think cycling and pedestrian access needed more investment.Committee for Auckland Director Mark Thomas said if Auckland didn't reset its direction with a new agenda that focused on bolder action, smarter investment and much stronger global competitiveness, it would continue to fall behind."We must learn more effectively from the best globally and have the courage to back bold, transformative ideas locally or risk continuing to lose the economic opportunity, talent and quality of life we need to thrive," Thomas said."The annual State of the City report shows Auckland is already being overtaken by faster-moving global competitor cities."Without much clearer commitment from central and local government and their partners, Auckland's standard of living and growth prospects will continue to suffer."Auckland University of Technology Vice-Chancellor, Damon Salesa. Photo: The University of AucklandAuckland University of Technology Vice-Chancellor Damon Salesa said the organisation was acutely aware of the need for Auckland to succeed in the next 15 years and beyond."Our city will be home to the greatest number of international students, Māori and Pacific young people and indeed of all youth. They have enormous potential and deserve a city that provides education, infrastructure and employment opportunities," Salesa said."AUT is focused on partnerships to amplify the impact our university, students and academics can provide for Auckland and beyond so our city's people can thrive. This means focusing on our city's unique combination of talented people with diverse and cosmopolitan experiences and viewpoints."Former Prime Minister Helen Clark, patron of the Helen Clark Foundation, said there had been concern that Auckland's potential could not be maximised with its governance dispersed across a number of territorial councils."The Royal Commission was established to look at better options, and I have no doubt that the single city has been the right outcome."

Coasties, if you’re planning to head overseas soon, make sure your passport is up to date!As of 2 May 2025, the cost of obtaining a New Zealand passport has risen.The price for an adult passport has increased from $215 to $247, and the price for a child passport has gone up from $125 to $144 (including GST).The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) states this fee increase is necessary to cover the growing costs involved in producing passports, including rising wages, technology, materials, and insurance.Briget Ridden, Acting Deputy Secretary of Regulatory and Identity Services, explained, "We are conscious of putting up fees only where necessary and are already taking steps to increase efficiency and minimise costs."This includes better use of technology and scaling back on non-essential upgrades.The revenue generated by passport applications helps to maintain New Zealand’s global reputation, ensuring that Kiwis can continue to travel to over 185 countries without needing a visa or with visa-on-arrival access.New Zealand’s fully online passport application process remains one of the most convenient in the world, allowing Kiwis to apply from anywhere, anytime.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

A study has found New Zealand's slice of the ocean is absorbing more heat than any other.One of the scientists behind the work says the effect is not just making the sea feel a bit warmer for a dip, but worsening storms like ex-tropical Cyclone Tam, which wreaked havoc with heavy rain over Easter.Hotter oceans do not just affect marine creatures - they are linked to shrinking glaciers and wilder, wetter storms.Oceans absorb most of the excess heat that people are pumping into the climate system and without them, air temperatures over land would be hotter.But the seas are not heating evenly.A study led by top New Zealand climate scientist Dr Kevin Trenberth and others shows two circular bands of the ocean have been taking up more heat than the rest.One band is located about 40 degrees latitude south and the other is around 40 degrees latitude north."The pattern comes out to be quite striking and what we've found is that the biggest warming [in] the ocean is occurring in the middle latitudes near New Zealand's latitudes and also at comparable latitudes in the Northern hemisphere."The band with the strongest heating is the southern one where New Zealand sits, because southern latitudes have more ocean, so the effect is more pronounced.Dr Trenberth said the main reason is storm tracks and strong winds in the upper atmosphere shifting towards the poles and corresponding changes in ocean currents.He said while warmer seas helped us enjoy long fine summer weather, it is a different matter when weather systems start to get more active in autumn and winter.Flooding on State Highway 10 at Kāeo during ex-tropical Cyclone Tam in April. Photo: RNZ/Peter de Graaf"They start to encounter these warmer oceans and suddenly these warmer oceans put more water vapour into the atmosphere which fuels these storms. It means the rainfalls are a lot heavier and we've seen a couple of examples of that over the last two or three weeks, especially with ex-tropical Cyclone Tam."Dr Phil Sutton, an oceanographer at NIWA, said the latest study fits with what observers have been seeing in oceans around New Zealand for 30 years, and adds to their understanding by looking at both atmospheric changes and oceans.He said westerly winds have grown stronger and moved to the south, meaning water piles up in the South Pacific's subtropical gyre - a circular system he describes as being like a huge whirlpool - and gets warmer. The core of the changes is happening just northeast of New Zealand, he said.While the water around Antarctica is often a topic of concern, Dr Sutton said the study confirms that the ocean near us are heating much more rapidly."Not to say you shouldn't be highly concerned about even small changes down there, because even small changes could have a huge impact on forming ice, but there's not so much happening down there in fact [compared with New Zealand]."So New Zealand really is in a very interesting and challenging - interesting scientifically but perhaps concerning environmentally - spot in the world's oceans."Photo: NIWA / Luke McPakeDr Sutton has been studying a particularly unusual warming hotspot just south of Chatham Islands, where he said heating has gone "beserk" since 2015 and marine heat waves now persist for more than 200 days of the year."We seem to be seeing the first sign of systematic change around New Zealand, where those subtropical waters are pushing into an area where they didn't used to be," he said.He said his colleagues in fisheries want to know what that means for hoki and orange roughy fisheries in the area, but it was too soon to say.Dr Sutton was pleased to see that the latest study drew ocean temperatures from a programme of Argo floats, robotic instruments that drift in the ocean, measuring temperature and salinity in the upper 2000 meters."At the moment there are about 4100 floats operational around the world and New Zealand has been a big player with the US and Australia in deploying the floats. Around 890 or so of those were deployed by New Zealand, so we have an outsized contribution to maintaining that global array."You can sit at your desk and know what the ocean is doing."You used to have to get on a ship and ... you'd only know what was happening right where you took the ship."Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Building on the positive news from Auckland's recent economic update, today’s labour market data offers more encouraging signs.Stats NZ has reported that unemployment remains steady at 5.1% for the March 2025 quarter, matching last quarter’s figures and outperforming predictions from Treasury and the Reserve Bank.The report also revealed that average hourly wages have risen by 4.5% over the past year, further highlighting the economic stability.Finance Minister Nicola Willis spoke on the results, emphasising the importance of continued fiscal discipline.She acknowledged that many are still feeling the strain of the economy but reassured that the upcoming Budget on May 22 will be a responsible step towards ensuring long-term economic growth.This ongoing positive trend is significant for the Hibiscus Coast community, with stable unemployment and wage growth benefiting local workers and businesses alike.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Auckland’s economy continues its steady recovery, with several key indicators showing improvement as of March 2025.According to the Auckland Council’s Social and Economic Research and Evaluation Team, the median house price for the month was $1,040,000.While slightly above recent months, it remains 5% lower than a year ago and 31% below the peak seen in 2021.This signals that the housing market is stabilising, although still below its post-pandemic highs.For the year ending March 2025, the total number of houses sold reached 22,473.This marks a consistent rise over the last six months and is 23% higher than the low point of May 2023.However, it remains 38% below the peak reached in July 2021.The increase in sales, though still well below the highs of 2021, indicates a steady recovery and could mean a more balanced market in the coming months.Rents in Auckland have also remained stable, with the average weekly rent for February 2025 sitting at $685.This is comparable to the previous few months and similar to rent levels from one and two years ago, though still below the highs seen between 2017 and 2021.The rest of New Zealand saw an average weekly rent of $643, with only a modest 2% annual increase over the last five years.New housing developments have shown a modest increase as well. In the year ending March 2025, 14,049 new dwellings were consented, which is a 2% rise from February 2025.This marks the largest increase since 2022, though it remains 36% below the peak seen in September 2022.The construction of new homes is still lagging behind pre-Covid levels, but this increase may signal a shift towards recovery in the housing supply.Meanwhile, the real value of non-residential building consents stood at $2.39 billion for the year, showing a slight recovery from earlier months but still 22% lower than a year ago.This mirrors the cautious approach many developers are taking in the current economic climate.On the trade front, the value of imports through Auckland’s seaports for the year ending March 2025 was $30.5 billion, which represents a steady recovery from the Covid lows but is still 9% below the peak of April 2023.One bright spot is business confidence, which has been on the rise.The latest data from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) shows that 31% of businesses expect the general business situation to improve in the next three months.This marks the third consecutive quarter of rising optimism, reaching its highest level in ten years.For Coasties, these economic updates hold several implications.The stability in housing prices and the steady sales figures could provide opportunities for those looking to buy or sell in the coming months.The property market, while still lower than the highs of 2021, is showing signs of resilience.Rent prices holding steady may also offer some relief to those navigating the rental market, as more people consider relocating to areas like Orewa and Silverdale, where housing is often more affordable than in central Auckland.In addition, with the rise in business confidence, local businesses on the Hibiscus Coast could benefit from a positive shift in consumer sentiment.The uptick in property sales and the construction of new homes could also lead to increased demand for services, making it a potentially good time for local enterprises to expand and attract new customers.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]