Time magazine ranked 500 universities using three measures: academic capacity and performance (60 percent), innovation and economic impact (30 percent), and global engagement (10 percent). University of Auckland scored 67.63 for innovation and economic impact, 62.84 for academic capacity and performance, and 57.4 for global engagement, for a total score of 63.73. The methodology also emphasised societal and economic impact, international reach, and student success such as patenting inventions or moving into business leadership roles.Professor Rod McNaughton. Photo: SuppliedProfessor Rod McNaughton said the “real significance” is what the ranking reveals about New Zealand’s innovation capability, and that the university would rank about 20 places higher if ranked only on innovation. He said it sits in a similar innovation-impact band to the University of Sydney, Boston University and the University of Manchester.For Hibiscus Coast readers weighing up New Zealand study options, this list has one local headline. University of Auckland is the only New Zealand university in the top 100, with University of Otago at 155, University of Canterbury at 258 and Victoria University of Wellington at 260.Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater. Photo: SuppliedVice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater said the ranking reflects growing international recognition for the university’s academic and research activity, and its ability to translate that strength into innovation and economic impact. The top ten were University of Oxford, Yale University, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Chicago, Harvard University, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University of Michigan and University of Pennsylvania.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Twelve-month prescriptions for long-term medications take effect from today.Patients can now get a script for up to 12 months of medication - up from three - with their doctor's permission.People with 12-month prescriptions will still need to collect their medication every three months, so the changes will not reduce their overall number of visits.Pharmacists remain concerned. Some have previously told RNZ that explaining the changes, and getting used to a new system, will only add to their already heavy workload when staff are in short supply.Gemma Perry-Waterhouse, who owns Sanders Pharmacy in Te Awamutu, said a shortage of pharmacists would make explaining the new system while keeping up with other responsibilities challenging."There has been a decline in the number of pharmacies in New Zealand, and there's a serious workforce issue. We don't have enough pharmacists."We are concerned about this rollout and how much time it will take to explain to all patients what to expect with 12-month scripts; the fact that it isn't for everyone, that their doctor needs to decide that."Be kind to your pharmacy if you're popping in to talk about a 12-month script and what to expect, because we're all under a lot of pressure at the moment."In announcing the plan, Health Minister Simeon Brown said the previous system "creates unnecessary barriers for patients on stable, long-term medications like asthma inhalers, insulin for diabetes, and blood pressure tablets."It means added costs for patients and more paperwork for health professionals, taking time away from patients with more urgent or complex needs…"It's a win-win for patients and the health system - fewer avoidable hospitalisations, better health outcomes and reduced long-term costs."Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Happy Sunday, Coasties! Grab a coffee and settle in.This is your essential 5-minute download of the week's most read Hibiscus Coast news and updates. Don't miss a thing!Auckland Congestion Charges Move Closer, Council StudiesRead more →Auckland Job Ads Dip, SEEK ReportsRead more →Manly Stanmore Bay Post Shops Lose ServicesRead more →Whangaparaoa Rockpool Limits, Shane Jones DecidesRead more →Penlink February Closures, SH1 Night DiversionsRead more →Never miss a beat again. Get instant alerts and local updates delivered straight to your pocket.Download the Hibiscus Coast App now for news, jobs, events, and essential community info, anytime, anywhere.

MoneyHub says the median New Zealand salary is $69,836, with a 16% gender pay gap.MoneyHub’s analysis of Stats NZ data puts the median at $69,836, up from $45,760 in 2015. It estimates real wage gains of about 15–20% after inflation. The average annual salary is $81,484, and the median hourly rate is $34.25.The analysis says earnings peak at ages 45–49, with a median of $81,900. It also says the gender pay gap is 16.0% nationally, down from 25.5% in 2010, and the widest age gap is 20.9% for 50–54 year olds.For Coasties, Auckland at a $72,800 median, behind Wellington at $76,544. The lowest listed region is Nelson/Tasman/Marlborough/West Coast at $63,232.MoneyHub says the full breakdowns, including age, regional gender gaps, and ethnicity data, are in its guide “NZ Average Salary Statistics”.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Auckland Airport has unveiled a 3m Lego model to mark 60 years since opening on Thursday, January 29.The model shows the original 1960s terminal and the future integrated terminal.It is on display at the international terminal, level one.Auckland Airport chief executive Carrie Hurihanganui said: “Auckland Airport is a story of community, connection, and commerce.”Auckland Airport says almost half a billion travellers, 458 million, have passed through since it opened on Thursday, January 29, 1966.Auckland Airport 1966 Grand Air Pageant. Photo: SuppliedTraveller numbers rose from 700,000 in 1966 to 18.9 million in 2025.Freight grew from 8,300 tonnes of domestic and international cargo in 1966 to more than 169,000 tonnes of international cargo in 2025.For Hibiscus Coast residents travelling through Auckland Airport, the lego display is inside the international terminal and is now part of the airport’s public space.Lego builder Jon-Paul Hansen. Photo: SuppliedThe airport says its $5.7 billion, 10-year capital plan to 2032 is building an integrated domestic and international terminal, with an indoor walk between domestic jet services and international flights.What’s next is continued construction.The airport says about 1,500 construction workers are on site each day, peaking at 2,500, as work progresses on the new domestic jet terminal and other upgrades.Watch the video: Auckland Airport history and the Lego build celebrating 60 years.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

That first-round feeling is back, equal parts focus and nerves.Hibiscus Coast rider Logan Rowell starts his New Zealand Superbikes national campaign in Christchurch at Euromarque Motorsport Park on Saturday, January 31 to Sunday, February 1, racing in the Supersport 600 class.He arrives with form already on the board from the Suzuki International Series, including P3 at Round 2 at Circuit Chris Amon at Manfeild, plus a double P4 at Round 1 at Taupo Motorsport Park.Moving up to the 600 class has changed the whole equation.The bike costs more to build and run, and there are more consumables like tyres, fuel, and brake pads, plus extra safety gear such as an airbag vest.Logan Rowell, and Cameron Leslie. Photo: Ninja PhotographyOn track, he says the speed and intensity lift again, with more variables and tougher competition.He has made a clear step forward in braking and corner speed.He is still chasing that perfect drive out of corners, which he puts down to how committed he is prepared to be on the throttle.“I feel ready, the time has finally come to start my national campaign. After a strong Suzuki International Series I feel ready to bring the fight to the front and show everyone what im capable of.”Photo: ASP Photography Looking ahead, his home round is Hampton Downs Motofest on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8. Tickets are listed at nzsuperbikeseries.co.nz/motofestbikeshow.Logan says to come find him and the Double Six Motorsport team and say hi.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

The head of an Auckland high school is defending high uniform costs, arguing it is in students’ best interests.Westlake Boys High School headmaster Paul Fordham told Morning Report while he acknowledged the start of the year was an expensive time for families, wearing a uniform was more economical long-term.“It’s a high-quality uniform that we believe to be quite accessible. The fact that it’s high-quality means it lasts longer.“I know there’s some commentary around school uniforms and the cost attached to that, but it means there’s no other clothing required to be purchased for school throughout the year.”The Westlake Boys uniform set, which includes a formal blazer, costs roughly $550 a year – a similar cost to several other high schools.Fordham said there were also social and cultural benefits to requiring a uniform.“Boys at our school are proud to wear the uniform. It gives them a strong sense of identity and belonging.“It aligns with our school image. We consider ourselves a relatively high-performing, conservative, traditional boys’ school.“The uniform being a shirt, a tie, and a blazer, when the boys put that on to come to school each day, they’re prepared and ready to go and understand the expectations of the school and the school day ahead of them.“I believe it contributes to a better learning environment.The school also expected students to wear their blazers at assemblies twice a week and at special events throughout the year.“They also wear them as extra layers of clothing,” Fordham said.“They might wear that as an alternative to a jersey or a jumper in winter. It’s a really warm garment to be wearing.”He said the school sold second-hand uniforms at a lower cost and families could both buy and sell uniform pieces.Education Minister Erica Stanford told The Post on Tuesday it was up to “individual schools to make sure that school uniforms are affordable for families, and it’s my expectation that they do that”.“I have noticed that other countries are moving in that direction, and it’s certainly something I’ll take a look at.”Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Penlink construction has moved past one million cubic metres of earth, with February night diversions set for SH1.Teams returned on Monday, January 5, to keep building the new highway linking Whangaparaoa with State Highway 1.Much of the progress is in earthworks that are not easy to see from the road.A behind-the-scenes video features the engineers working on this stage.In February, work continues on the new SH1 connection near Ara Weiti Road.A base for future signage over SH1 is planned, along with removal of temporary barriers and installation of permanent concrete barriers.Northbound lanes on SH1 will be closed at night for about three weeks, with northbound traffic diverted between Oteha Valley Road and Silverdale.Hibiscus Coast drivers should also expect short-term one-lane sections on key local routes.East Coast Road will drop to one lane for about one week during daytime hours in mid-February.In Stillwater, part of Duck Creek Road will run as a single lane under traffic lights while a retaining wall and drainage are built.In Whangaparaoa, some nights will see parts of Whangaparaoa Road reduced to one lane for wastewater pipe installation and asphalt works.Other February work includes bridge construction over East Coast Road, stormwater pipe installation along Ara Weiti Road, base layers for the new motorway offramp, and widening of Ara Weiti Road.A 104 metre concrete retaining wall is also starting in Whangaparaoa, alongside base layers and underground services visible from Whangaparaoa Road.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Community pharmacies serving the Hibiscus Coast are preparing for 12-month prescriptions from Sunday, February 1, with no detail yet on how dispensing will be reimbursed.From February 1, people with stable long-term conditions such as asthma and diabetes will be eligible for 12-month prescriptions, up from a three-month limit. The change is intended to reduce GP visits and lower costs for patients by allowing medicines to be paid for or collected less frequently.Sector leaders say the public funding model needs urgent reform so pharmacies can be financially sustainable from dispensing and clinical services alone, rather than relying on retail margins to support core healthcare functions.Zoom Health director David Taylor says the shift adds uncertainty for pharmacies already under pressure. He says retail cross-subsidy is no longer sustainable, particularly for New Zealand-owned community pharmacies competing with large discount operators.Te Whatu Ora data cited in the statement shows rising demand. As at September 2025, 1,806,836 New Zealanders were using community pharmacy services each month, up from 1,693,515 in September 2022. Pharmacies dispensed 98.6 million prescription items annually over the same period, up 4.4 percent year on year.Capacity has moved the other way. The number of community pharmacies fell to 1,069 in September 2025, down from 1,091 in September 2022. Workforce constraints are also flagged, with the statement citing around 8 pharmacists per 10,000 people in mid-2025, compared with about 9.4 in Australia and around 11 per 10,000 in Canada and the United States. It also cites regional gaps including Tasman at around 2.5 pharmacists per 10,000 people and Northland at about 6.8 per 10,000.Long-term condition demand is rising. Te Whatu Ora data cited shows publicly funded long-term condition medicine management services increased from 144,733 people in September 2022 to 170,078 in September 2025.Zoom Health pharmacist and director Din Redzepagic says declining physical access can increase the risk of missed doses, delayed treatment, and avoidable deterioration in health. He also says pharmacies have become an essential provider of vaccination services, and reduced access can push more pressure back onto general practice.For Hibiscus Coast residents, the immediate change is eligibility for 12-month prescriptions for stable long-term conditions from Sunday, February 1. Sector leaders are calling for a funding structure that recognises dispensing and clinical work, so access remains reliable as demand grows.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

If someone on the Hibiscus Coast searches for what you do, they should find you in seconds, not scroll past and give up.That is the point of the Hibiscus Coast App’s Local Businesses directory.It puts your key details in one place, so locals and visitors can quickly decide who to call, where to go, or what to book.That matters when someone is searching between Milldale and Gulf Harbour and wants to choose fast.We have added more Featured Listings over summer, and it has been a good reminder that “being good” is not enough if you are hard to find.A few of the newer Featured Listings show the range.NZHL (Brett Haeger), based in Silverdale, supports locals with home loan structuring and practical insurance advice for first home buyers, refinancers and investors.Studio Pilates Silverdale offers 40-minute Reformer workouts with an instructor present, from early morning to evening, plus a 6-classes-for-$60 intro offer for new clients.Auto Service Centre HBC does servicing, repairs and WOFs for Whangaparaoa locals, with diagnostics and EFI work, and courtesy cars if booked ahead.SBA Accounting Silverdale helps small businesses and rental property owners with bookkeeping, GST, tax returns, end-of-year financials, and Xero setup and support.If you want that kind of visibility, a Featured Listing is $87 + GST per quarter.It gives you priority placement and a full profile, including links, a map pin, and photos.If you are ready, use the “Create Featured Listing” link and we will do the setup for you.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

State Highway 1 between the Orewa interchange and Silverdale interchange will close southbound overnight on Sunday, February 1.NZTA says the full southbound closure is for general maintenance, running between 9pm and 5am. The Orewa (Grand Drive) southbound on-ramp, Millwater (Wainui Road) southbound on-ramp, and the Silverdale southbound off-ramp will also be closed, with signposted detours in place.For Hibiscus Coast drivers heading south late Sunday night, this means a longer trip and changed access from Orewa, Millwater, and Silverdale. NZTA notes ramp closures and lane restrictions may start before the advertised mainline closure times.NZTA’s recommended detour for light vehicles is via Grand Drive, West Hoe Road, Florence Ave, Centreway Road, and Twin Coast Discovery Highway to the Silverdale southbound on-ramp. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes will not be able to use Grand Drive during the closure and must exit at Pohuehue Road, Warkworth, then take Old SH1 to Twin Coast Discovery Highway.On Monday, February 2 and Tuesday, February 3, NZTA says there will be southbound lane restrictions between the Silverdale interchange and Oteha Valley Road, from 9pm to 5am, for safety improvement works near the southbound lanes. Traffic will be able to travel south at all times, with drivers asked to slow down and follow traffic management instructions.NZTA also advises a separate SH1 O Mahurangi Penlink project closure, with a full northbound closure between Oteha Valley Road and Silverdale interchange from Sunday, February 1 to Wednesday, February 4, between 9pm and 5am.This work is weather dependent and NZTA says dates may change. Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Auckland Council says using AI to help sort through bins will make the region's rubbish management more cost-effective.Almost a third of Auckland's recycling now ends up in landfill, and the council said it was costing ratepayers about $3.5 million a year.Auckland Council general waste manager Justine Hayes said that people putting the wrong items in the recycling bin was a big problem."We are getting rubbish in the recycling bins, which essentially means that the sorting process takes longer, and we have to pay to dispose of that rubbish in a landfill rather than recycling it."We're seeing people bagging recyclable items that unfortunately end up going into the rubbish, and nappies and soft plastics are unfortunately a common find in recycling bins."Hayes said the council conducting inspections and giving warning notices before confiscating bins, had been effective, but the new AI technology they had started using would speed up this process."AI is being trialled to see whether we can monitor the recycling that's coming into the truck. Through the use of AI, we can pick up the contamination as it enters the truck instead of having to inspect every bin manually."She said the AI technology would help them focus on areas where rubbish contamination was highest.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Positive sign for the economy: Stats NZ says New Zealand’s annual exports reached a record $80.7b in 2025.Total exports were valued at $80.7 billion in the year ended December 2025. Stats NZ said this is the first time annual exports have reached $80 billion.The value of total exports increased by $9.9 billion, or 14 percent, compared with the year ended December 2024.Stats NZ international accounts spokesperson Viki Ward said milk powder, butter, and cheese led the rise in exports, up $4.2 billion (21 percent) to $24.3 billion in the year ended December 2025.Ward said milk powder was up $1.6 billion and milk fats, including butter, were up $1.4 billion in the same period. She said the increase in milk powder, cheese, and butter was primarily due to higher unit prices.Ward said milk powder, butter, and cheese made up 30 percent of annual exports in December 2025.Meat and edible offal were the second largest value change, increasing by $1.8 billion to $10.4 billion in the year ended December 2025.The largest value increases for meat and edible offal exports by destination were the United States, up $379 million (15 percent), and the United Kingdom, up $343 million (69 percent) in the year ended December 2025. Ward said meat contributed to the largest proportion of increases in exports to the United Kingdom.For the Hibiscus Coast, if export prices stay high, more money can flow into local suppliers and local spending.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Coasties, here’s what the next four days have for us.Friday, 30/1Fine with some cloud, sou’wester breezes ease.High: 25Low: 17Saturday, 31/1Sun and cloud, breezy nor’wester at times, sou’wester may develop late.High: 26Low: 17Sunday, 1/2Mostly sunny, sou’wester breezes ease during the afternoon.High: 27Low: 17Monday, 2/2Partly cloudy, afternoon showers develop, northerlies swing westerly later.High: 27Low: 16See the full Weather section in the app for:🌊 Tides🌬️ Wind☔ Rain radar🌞 UV levels🏖️ Safe swimming spots...and more.The Hibiscus Coast App has everything you need for the region, accessible at any time and from any location.

A quarter of New Zealand's peak electricity use could be shifted to times of lower demand, lowering household bills and saving up to $3 billion in infrastructure investment, a new report has found.The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), which commissioned the analysis, said lower network costs from shifting demand should flow through to households and businesses.Households had the most potential to shift their demand, but some industrial processes and manufacturing could also make changes with the right financial incentives, the report found.New Zealand's electricity demands will grow by 35 to 82 percent by 2050, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment estimated last year.Upgrades to accommodate growing demand could cost tens of billions of dollars, EECA chief executive Marco Pelenur said.The electricity network is built to handle peak demand, which only occurs a few times a day for short intervals. Spreading the power load could help to defer or avoid increasing demand capacity."This [analysis] shows we could save billions as a country just by moving when we use power."Rooftop solar and batteries could help shift household demand, but much lower-cost measures - that would also save households money - were also available.That included Wi-Fi-enabled devices that could be retrofitted to most hot water cylinders and heat pumps for a few hundred dollars.The devices, which are being trialled by EECA in hundreds of households at the moment, allow users to control appliances remotely, such as switching on a heat pump in the late afternoon before peak demand kicks in, so a house could already be warm when people arrive home."The early results from the pilots show households are saving on their bills right now - and that doesn't include the system benefits of deferring network upgrades," Pelenur said.Peak demand savings would be even bigger if flexible energy use were enabled at scale, and people were paid directly for shifting electricity use off-peak, EECA said.University of Auckland professor Nirmal Nair said demand-side flexibility, as proposed in the report, had been "widely touted", but if households and other retail customers were being encouraged to change their usage, then what they were charged should be revisited."Expecting [retail customers] to invest in more technologies to give value to other upstream agents like electricity retailers and distribution companies appears unreasonable, if not unfair."Major electricity users surveyed as part of the report said continued production was their top priority, but many were open to more flexible electricity use if it did not disrupt production, or cost more money than it saved.The report identified food processing in Bay of Plenty, Waikato and North Canterbury, farming in Canterbury and Waikato, and offices in the main centres as having significant potential.That could be achieved with similar technology to households, such as battery installation and 'smart load controllers' to defer electricity usage to lower-demand periods, when it was possible to do so.The report suggested a "robust reward system" to compensate industries for their participation.That could include direct payments, along with long-term energy cost reductions, it said.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

New Zealand homeowners who are planning renovations based on AI-generated designs and reality-TV style timelines that have little resemblance to real-world building requirements are unnecessarily exposing themselves to significant financial risk, according to a leading construction expert.Reagan Langeveld, director of Symphony Construction and a Master Builders gold award winner, says digital design apps and media entertainment formats are oversimplifying the building process at a time when homeowners need accurate guidance.He says AI design tools and renovation reality shows are making the situation worse by presenting versions of the building process that do not reflect compliance requirements or regional differences.“AI can generate a perfect room but it cannot tell you what is inside your walls or whether your local council sees the work as exempt from resource consents. It has no understanding of load paths, moisture management or plumbing locations and it cannot flag when a design triggers additional compliance in one region but not in another.“As a result, homeowners are being shown digital concepts and edited television timelines that ignore the complexities of structural planning, waterproofing standards, trades coordination and regulatory obligations.“Reality TV renovation shows add to the problem by making construction look fast and simple. What you see on screen is the highlight reel. Behind the scenes there are engineers, inspectors and weeks of preparation that never make it to air. None of it reflects the actual process for renovating or building a home,” he says.Langeveld says the surge in AI home-design tools has created a growing misconception that construction is simply a matter of selecting styles and layouts from a digital catalogue.“These tools skip the messy parts. They do not know what is structurally possible and don’t factor in how the plumbing and ventilation will actually run through a house. They can show homeowners a flawless visual but they cannot tell them how to build it, how long it will take or what compliance steps sit in the background,” he says.Langeveld says builders are seeing an increasing number of AI-generated renovation plans that cannot be constructed without significant redesign. That includes layouts that interfere with bracing lines, cabinetry that covers structural fixings, and bathroom concepts that simply do not work with existing plumbing runs.“Homeowners come to us with beautiful digital images that look achievable at first glance, but once you strip back the layers you find structural conflicts, missing drainage, or design elements that are impossible to deliver safely,” he says.Langeveld says overseas research shows renovation reality shows compress timelines for television and rely on off-camera labour, subsidised materials and rapid-fire editing that misrepresents what a renovation actually requires.“When people watch a bathroom or kitchen transformation completed between ad breaks, they naturally assume the real thing should be just as straightforward. They do not see the engineering reviews, the sequencing of trades or the inspections that make up the bulk of a real project.”He says the combination of AI visuals and TV simplification is creating a “renovation optimism bias” that leaves homeowners unprepared for real pricing, lead times and technical requirements.“It creates a gap between expectation and reality that always lands on the homeowner. They are basing decisions on a fantasy workflow that does not exist outside of an app or a television set.”Langeveld is urging homeowners to seek professional advice early, before committing to a design or budget.“Talk to your builder first. It is the fastest way to understand what is possible, what is compliant and what it will really take to deliver a safe, durable and well-executed renovation.”Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Starship Children’s Hospital and the University of Auckland say paracetamol and ibuprofen are safe to use in babies’ first year of life, with no link to eczema or bronchiolitis.For Hibiscus Coast parents, these are the two pain and fever medicines you are most likely to be given or buy over the counter when your baby is unwell.The research is led by Professor Stuart Dalziel, a paediatrician at Starship, and is based at University of Auckland.Almost 4,000 babies across New Zealand took part from birth.Half were randomised so parents provided paracetamol when needed for fever or pain relief.Half were randomised so parents provided ibuprofen when needed.Parents were asked at regular intervals whether their child had eczema, asthma symptoms, or bronchiolitis.Researchers also checked prescribing and hospital records.The first-year results have been analysed and published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.Eczema affected about 16 percent of babies given paracetamol and 15 percent of those given ibuprofen.Bronchiolitis occurred in about five percent of babies in both groups.The differences were not significant.Serious side effects were rare, and none was caused by the medications.The paper is part of the PIPPA Tamariki study, described as the largest trial ever conducted in children in New Zealand.The children are being followed to age six, with results at age three due soon, and later findings at age six to help test any links with asthma and other conditions that are diagnosed more accurately at school age.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Explainer - A series of unprovoked attacks on Auckland public transport - including a fatal stabbing last month - have raised concerns about the safety of riders and drivers in Aotearoa's biggest city.Auckland Transport says the vast majority of public transport goes by without incident, and it has set up a variety of public safety measures.What can people do if they're worried about their own safety on public transport?Here's what you need to know.What's been happening on Auckland public transport?From January to December 2025, there were 2161 reported incidents of "aggression, violence, racism, discrimination, and inappropriate behaviour" on Auckland public transport, said Auckland Transport's Director of Public Transport and Active Modes, Stacey van der Putten."The number of reported cases fluctuates across the months, ranging from a low of 84 cases in December 2025 to a peak of 249 cases in March 2025," she said.The rough average from those numbers would work out to about six reported incidents per day in 2025.There have been several violent incidents on or around Auckland transport in recent weeks.A passenger suffered moderate injuries in an apparently unprovoked attack by a group of people earlier this month, while a young woman was arrested after two people were assaulted at a bus station in Ōrewa.A 32-year-old man was also arrested after a bus driver was allegedly sprayed with a fire extinguisher in Auckland on 13 January.Some attacks in the past few years have been fatal.On 8 December, a 59-year-old was fatally stabbed on a bus travelling from Glen Innes towards Ōrakei in East Auckland. Another man, 41, was seriously injured after boarding the same bus a short time later. A suspect has since been arrested.In October 2024, an Auckland woman was stabbed to death on a bus in Onehunga and a 16-year-old was charged with murder after another fatal attack at an Albany bus station in 2023, while an American PhD student died after an assault while waiting at a Meadowbank bus stop in April 2025."We are very, very concerned about those specific incidents," NZ Police Inspector Charles Ip, the area prevention manager for Auckland City East, told RNZ."The commissioner has made it quite clear for us as an organisation to ensure that everyone in New Zealand is safe and they feel safe."Is violence actually getting worse? Are buses safe?With schools restarting and the traditional "March madness" traffic surge soon to begin, Auckland's public transport numbers will be on the rise."Public transport is safe," van der Putten said. "These incidents are an absolute minority; it is important to remember that last week Aucklanders took around 1.8 million public transport trips, with the vast majority having safe, comfortable, and enjoyable journeys."AT's data showed that March 2025 was the peak month last year for incidents, at 249, while only 84 incidents were reported in December.Van der Putten said that data is based on reports from the public."This data is based solely on public submissions and may include subjective or anecdotal accounts. As such, they represent perceived incidents rather than confirmed legal breaches or verified violations of operational policy."According to AT, there were also slightly fewer assaults against public transport drivers from 2024 to 2025, down from 60 to 55, although December 2025's numbers are not yet included in that total."This is largely driven through the rollout of bus driver safety screens, with over 650 buses now having them installed," van der Putten said.Police are working hand in hand with AT to address the issues."We're also working very, very hard with our partner agencies such as the local council and AT to do everything that we can to understand what we are facing and how we work together to reduce as much of these incidents as we can," Ip said."The nature of these incidents appears to reflect broader trends in society as many cities have seen violence rise in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, amid wider social pressures and economic strain," van der Putten said.Auckland Transport's app has ways to report dangerous situations. Photo: RNZ / Jessica HopkinsWhat public safety measures are being taken?Auckland Transport has a page on its website with resources to improve safety.AT is "continuously monitoring and adapting our strategies to prevent harm and respond" when incidents happen, van der Putten said.People can report dangerous or threatening behaviour immediately by:Reporting immediately by texting 4030Clicking 'Report feeling unsafe' on the AT Mobile appFiling a Crimestoppers report online"Our awareness of incidents is increasing as we've made it easier for customers to report their experience through to us," van der Putten said.There are also bright orange "safety points" at every major bus, train and ferry terminal.The help button on them will connect people to the Auckland Transport Operations Centre which operates 24 hours a day.It won't connect directly to emergency services so if people are in immediate danger they should contact 111.AT said it has seen a "moderate" increase in safety point usage and has also launched a public awareness campaign to draw more attention to them.There are red emergency buttons on trains which immediately alert the driver to incidents on board.Auckland Transport also has more than 4800 CCTV cameras in place around the city which are monitored from the operations centre.There are also a total of 54 Auckland Transport Officers and six supervisors who monitor buses, trains and ferries."They are trained in self-awareness, situational awareness, incident management and de-escalation and tactical communication techniques," van der Putten said.They also are trained to escalate incidents to NZ Police but not physically intervene."We will be there at the earliest opportunity," Ip said.Police do not patrol buses and trains on a regular basis."We can't be there on every single bus, it's just not feasible," Ip said.The transport officers get a comprehensive six-week induction course supplemented through ongoing mentored field training, van der Putten said."We can confidently say, addressing these complexities has proven challenging across all sectors and takes a collective approach, working with police, other agencies, and communities."Should I be worried about getting on a bus? What can the public do?"Our recommendation is that everyone stay vigilant regardless of how they move around our city and communities," van der Putten said."Stay aware of your surroundings, secure your belongings, and know how to get help when needed.""Trust your gut feeling," Ip said. Avoid confrontations if you can or try to move away or get off the public transport, he said."The key is to try to de-escalate, not to increase the risk to your personal safety."Basic safety tips like keeping valuables out of sight and avoiding being too distracted by your headphones also is important, van der Putten said.If a violent incident is unfolding in front of you while on a bus or train, keep calm, Ip said, and contact police as soon as you can when it's safe to do so."I think the main message that we want to get out there is that whilst reporting an incident is important, nothing is as important as your safety, everyone's safety."It's also important that friends or family generally know where and when you are travelling, and you have access to a phone for emergencies.If you're a tourist, you should be aware of how to contact New Zealand authorities using 111.If you're travelling alone and have concerns, staying in visible lighting, with people around you if possible, or sitting close to the driver can also help."Just trying to be more visible in terms of where you are is actually quite important," Ip said.It's going to be a big year for Auckland Transport with the upcoming $5.5 billion City Rail Link opening, and van der Putten said the agency is well positioned for it."We have developed extensive training and development programmes for our network staff, including transport officers, security and customer service teams, control centre operators."These initiatives aim to enhance monitoring, increase visibility, bolster security, and ensure a rapid response to incidents from the very first day."Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]

Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones will decide next week on rockpool gathering limits for Whangaparāoa Peninsula.Officials have given Mr Jones options that include possible new restrictions on gathering from rockpools, plus public education. He says he is gathering full information before making “significant decisions”, including whether rules should better recognise the importance of rockpool species not usually taken for food.Fishery Officers are patrolling popular beaches around Auckland and other regions to enforce current rules. Mr Jones says most people gathering marine life from rockpools are doing so within the rules, but some will exploit the resource.Mr Jones says a recent checkpoint in Clevedon, South Auckland, found “significant non-compliance”. He says Fishery Officers carried out 130 inspections and identified 23 offences, including large hauls of cockles and mussels. He calls that “unacceptable” and says Fisheries New Zealand will hold rule-breakers to account.Ms Marcroft says rule changes are only part of resolving the issue.She says communities need to know how to support protection of marine ecosystems, and she is meeting community leaders and groups with Fisheries officials to help educate people about sustainability and the importance of local rockpools.For Hibiscus Coast residents, any decision could change what people can take from Whangaparāoa Peninsula rockpools. In the meantime, current rules are being enforced through ongoing patrols.Get the Hibiscus Coast headlines first.Corrections, tips, or photos, [email protected]