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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coasties, get ready to dig through stacks of musical history as the vinyl record sale returns this Saturday, 14th September, at the Hibiscus Coast Community House. Located at 214 Hibiscus Coast Highway, next to the Op Shop, this bi-weekly event is a treat for music lovers and collectors alike.Every sale brings a fresh selection of vintage records, including classics from legendary artists like the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, and the Beatles. Whether you're a fan of Pop, Rock, or Country, there's something for everyone. With new arrivals every week, you'll want to get in early to find those rare gems before they’re gone.If you have old vinyl records you’d like to sell or donate, Christiaan is happy to help. You can reach him by phone or text at 021 022 52396. Plus, cash offers can be made on-site if you bring your records along.For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page, ‘Retro Records,’ and mark your calendars for a day of crate-digging fun. Whether you're hunting for a nostalgic find or gifting a music-loving friend, this event is not to be missed.

Welcome to This Week’s News Recap!Catch up on the top local stories from the past week before the weekend hits.We’ve rounded up the must-know headlines so you’re fully informed about our community.Missed something or just need a quick update? We’ve got you covered. Dive into this week’s key events now!Orewa's Rising Basketball Star Takes on CanadaGulf Harbour Bus Stop Gets Safety UpgradesFour-lane Auckland-Whangārei highway could cost 10 percent of government infrastructure budgetGold For Milldale Property in Builder’s AwardsOrewa College Faces Reliever Shortage CrisisStay Informed and ConnectedGet all your local updates at your fingertips. From breaking news and local business finds to job listings and events—our app has it all.Don’t wait for the recap. Explore the Hibiscus Coast App and stay ahead!

Coasties venturing to the CBD can look forward to a transformed Auckland city centre in 2026 as the City Rail Link (CRL) project nears completion.The $4.4 billion development promises to reshape how locals travel, with Te Waihorotiu Station set to become New Zealand's busiest train hub.As part of the preparations, significant construction is underway in midtown.Auckland Council's Head of City Centre Programmes, Jenny Larking, acknowledges the disruption but highlights the benefits to come."Towards the end of this year, we will begin to see more construction fences coming down and spaces being opened back up for Aucklanders to enjoy."The midtown redevelopment includes a new bus interchange outside Te Waihorotiu Station, wider streets, dedicated bike lanes, and the integration of Māori artwork.Watercare is also upgrading the wastewater network below Queen Street to support growth and reduce overflow risks.Quay Street mid-construction (photo credit Patrick Reynolds) and the finished street.Several key milestones are expected over the next two years, with 11 native trees being planted along Victoria Street in October 2024.By the end of 2024, Victoria Street West between Elliott and Queen Streets will open to the public with widened footpaths and seating areas.While construction continues, the council is committed to supporting businesses."We will continue to work with businesses and residents to ensure midtown feels safe, clean, and welcoming throughout construction," Larking adds.With CRL’s completion in 2026, midtown will offer seamless connections between buses and trains, providing Aucklanders with a modern, efficient transport system.

Locals living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will soon have access to a new funded medicine, Trelegy Ellipta, which allows patients to switch from multiple inhalers to a single treatment option.Approximately 15,000 Kiwis could benefit in the first year alone.COPD is a leading cause of death in New Zealand, affecting an estimated 200,000 people aged over 45.The disease often goes underdiagnosed, especially among Māori and Pacific communities, where the impact is more severe.Māori in the 50–64 age group are five times more likely to die from COPD-related causes than non-Māori.Hospitalisation rates for Māori are highest in the Central and Te Manawa Taki regions, while Pacific people in the Northern region experience the most severe hospital admissions.Dr Robert Young, a respiratory specialist, highlighted that many people with COPD dismiss symptoms like breathlessness as part of ageing, delaying critical early intervention.He advocated for the use of spirometry—a simple lung function test that can help detect the disease early and improve outcomes through timely treatment and lifestyle changes.“Early diagnosis and quitting smoking can significantly improve quality of life for those affected by COPD,” said Dr Young.Amanda Southcombe, GSK NZ’s General Manager, praised the funding of Trelegy Ellipta, saying it would create more equitable treatment options for people with moderate to severe COPD.

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown says he promised to "sink" the previous Labour government's plan for a tunnel beneath the Waitematā Harbour.The mayor has revealed a new idea for bridging the gap between the North Shore and the central city - with a second harbour crossing that would not require a tunnel.He had proposed a causeway or series of bridges from Meola Reef in the central suburb of Point Chevalier to Kauri Point in Birkenhead, on the North Shore.Labour's plan for a second harbour crossing - which included rail and road tunnels - was estimated to cost more than $45 billion.The current government's focus was on an additional crossing for vehicles.Brown told Checkpoint host Lisa Owen the government had told local councils to "stop wasting money - and so should they"."There's no way that ... New Zealand can afford [a tunnel]. The tunnel solution is anywhere between $34 and $55 billion which eats up all the road budget for 10 years - now that's just untenable."Meola Reef already jutted out "80 percent" across the Waitematā Harbour, so it made sense to build a second crossing there, he said."Our forebears weren't stupid - they built the bridge in the shortest gap, which is Northcote Point to Westhaven. And the next shortest gap is to the end of the Meola Reef."Owen asked Brown whether the land around the reef was stable, suggesting it was a "bog hole of reclaimed land"."The Meola Reef is a natural reef... it exposes itself at low tide so there's no boats going through, and makes it easy to build out [into the harbour]."Bridges are a lot cheaper than tunnels anyhow, and short bridges are even cheaper."Brown said the new bridge would go to a "big empty area" on the Shore owned by the government, which could subdivide it to fund the second harbour crossing, "and the profits would almost pay for the bridge"."So instead of something which is completely unaffordable, we'd have something which is quite quick and available, and relatively cheap."Owen pressed Brown on how much his proposed second crossing would cost."About 10 percent or less of the other. It's hugely cheaper; massively cheaper. [Unlike tunnels], bridges don't require air conditioning, they don't require air flow... there's nothing wrong with the existing bridge."Owen also asked Brown what sort of time frame they were looking at."In New Zealand, it takes longer to talk about things than it does to build them," he said, without providing specific details.Brown compared Auckland to river cities like London and Paris."When the first bridge got full, they didn't build another one immediately behind it, or a tunnel under the [river] - they went along river for a bit and put another bridge in, so you get a different group of people travelling to different places, so you reduce your traffic demand..."The net cost could be very low, when you consider that the land where you suddenly upvalue on the North Shore was owned by the government anyhow."They want to densify the population in Auckland and I'd rather have them in the North Shore in empty land rather than building over our vegetable areas at Pukekohe, which is completely stupid."Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown. Photo: RNZ / Marika KhabaziOwen again pressed Brown for an estimate on how long such a bridge would take to build."I've just had an international construction company come out... they glanced at what I was doing, rushed back and said, 'We'd love to get on with this.'"So it'd take a helluva lot less time than it'll take the government to buggerise around, making a decision about it."The proposed tunnel under the harbour would "never exist, I can assure you that", Brown said.Owen then asked, where the roads and motorways linked to the new crossing would go?"Well, there's plenty of traffic going towards the Point Chevalier area anyhow, coming off that western motorway [SH16] ... so that's a good idea, it stops that traffic fighting its way through the city to get to the Harbour Bridge now."Once over the harbour, the crossing would go to "a whole lot of new suburbs", he said."For a while, for just the people over there it would make it worthwhile."Any subsequent motorways would "slowly appear", he added.Residents in Point Chevalier and surrounds were already dealing with Meola Road being ripped up and narrowed to a single lane on each side, said Owen.What would the proposed crossing and linking roads do for this area?"Hang on. You're blaming me for stuff for me that AT does - and I don't have control of AT yet... but that's coming."You don't have to rip up a road to make it work ... grown-up people don't do that."So all the second bridge traffic would go up Meola Road? she asked."I think you're being a bit negative here... it's a helluva lot better than a tunnel... a tunnel goes from an existing traffic jam to an existing traffic jam and the bridge itself is not crowded, so why on earth would you build it in the same place?"Brown said he had not yet spoken to Minister of Transport Simeon Brown about the idea."I did tell the prime minister I was going to sink the bloody tunnel for him, and save him a helluva lot of money. Because it's embarrassing for a prime minister to be saying we're going to be spending the entire road budget of the next 10 years on one project, in one sitting."Owen asked if Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was pleased with this exchange."I don't know, he probably is, I suppose, I hope he will be."

Food prices in New Zealand climbed 0.4% in the 12 months to August 2024, slightly down from July’s 0.6% rise, according to Stats NZ.Locals on the Hibiscus Coast are noticing a sharp increase in restaurant meals and grocery items, with prices for ready-to-eat food up 3.6% and groceries up 2.4%.James Mitchell, Stats NZ’s consumer prices manager, explained that popular items such as hamburgers, takeaway coffees, and lunch options are contributing to higher restaurant bills.Grocery items like butter, olive oil, and chocolate blocks are also becoming pricier.“The average price of a 250g block of chocolate has increased 20% since this time last year,” Mitchell said.There is some good news for Coasties as fruit and vegetable prices have seen a notable drop, falling by 12.2%.Kūmara and potato prices, which were at record highs last year, have dropped significantly—kūmara prices are down 53.9%, and potatoes have decreased by 26.6%.“The average price of 1kg of potatoes in August 2024 was $2.18, the lowest price recorded since 2021,” Mitchell added.Transport costs also fell in August, with petrol prices dropping 1.7% and diesel prices down 2.8%.While most regions saw decreases, Whangārei recorded a slight rise in petrol prices.Domestic and international airfares also saw reductions of 0.8% and 2.0%, respectively.Despite these reductions in some areas, Coasties are still facing rising costs in key spending categories like groceries and dining out.

Low-price Australasian retail chain Kmart has announced it will open its largest New Zealand store.An outlet spanning more than half a hectare is to be built in Auckland's northwest at Westgate.That will be almost directly opposite the American-owned Costco Wholesale, in a street yet to be created: Maki Place, off the Maki Street thoroughfare.Kmart Australia and New Zealand chief executive John Gualtieri said the new store would be the 28th in this country where the business employs about 2400 staff."This is testament to the strong traction the Kmart brand has amongst New Zealand consumers, particularly at a time when customers are seeking out value," Gualtieri said.Kmart will offer its biggest range of affordable homeware, furniture, electronics, toys and clothing from the new store.It already has more than 300 Australasian outlets, serving millions of customers annually.At 6700sqm, the new big-box Westgate store will be larger than the almost half-hectare shop of just under 5000sqm, Kmart Manukau, which opened last year.Photo: Supplied / KmartKmart Westgate is to be developed in Maki Street on a greenfields site never built on before. It will rise opposite the Westgate Lifestyle Centre anchored by Harvey Norman, Briscoes and Rebel Sport.About 240 staff will be employed at the new store.Wider aisles, bold graphics and extended product ranges are planned for the shop, whose owner's mantra is "dropping prices again to make life a little easier".Mark Gunton, chairman of New Zealand Retail Property Group (NZRPG), which is developing Westgate, said: "The signing of Kmart at Westgate is a milestone achievement that has been years in the making. We have consistently received community feedback asking for a Kmart in Westgate, and we are thrilled to finally deliver on that promise."Westgate Town Centre has evolved into one of New Zealand's premier retail destinations hosting major retailers like Costco, Bunnings, Mitre 10, and Pak'n Save. The addition of Kmart helps solidify Westgate's status as a leading retail hub."NZRPG general manager Campbell Barbour said the new Kmart would be a "compelling offer".It would complement New Zealand's largest Asian supermarket, Foodie, which is 3200sqm.It would also complement the $100 million-plus Costco Wholesale, New Zealand's only store of that brand, at Westgate, Barbour said.Some have raised concerns about Westgate traffic, concerned about the arrival of further popular offerings and pressure on transport networks.Kmart has 27 stores: at Albany, Ashburton, Auckland, Bayfair, Bethlehem, Blenheim, Botany, Dunedin, Hamilton, Hastings, Henderson, Invercargill, Manukau, Napier, Palmerston North, Papanui, Papatoetoe, Petone, Porirua, Queenstown, Riccarton, Richmond, Rotorua, St Lukes, Sylvia Park, Te Rapa, Whakatane and Whangārei.Westgate's traffic problems concern Gunton too. Two years ago, he went to court against Auckland Transport and Auckland Council, arguing the authorities had not delivered on agreed roading networks in the ever-expanding hub.But Westgate Town Centre, Westgate Properties and NZRPG management failed to have claims upheld in Justice Gerard van Bohemen's High Court at Auckland decision in 2022.Kmart's expansion announcement today arrives in tough economic times.Map shows Westgate and all the businesses out there. Kmart's new location is shaded in blue in Zone 06. Photo: Supplied / NZRPGRetail spending has been "bleak" lately: electronic card spending for June fell 0.6 percent ($40 million) and 0.1 percent ($5.7m) for retail and core retail (excluding motor vehicles and fuel) industries when compared with May, Stats NZ said in July. It said on 30 August that retail sales had continued to decline in the past three months.Kmart is owned by ASX-listed Wesfarmers, which also owns Bunnings in New Zealand.The company appears to be bucking the retail downturn because on August 29, Wesfarmers announced its full-year result to 30 June 2024.It pushed revenue up 1.5 percent to A$44.2b and net profit after tax up 3.7 percent to A$2.6b.Kmart enjoyed "significant earnings growth", appealing to customers with its lowest-price positioning, it said. Sales growth was across all product categories: Kmart Group recorded 4.1 percent total sales growth in 2023-24.But New Zealand got special mention due to our economic doldrums."FY25 will be influenced by cost-of-living pressures affecting customers' capacity to spend, particularly in New Zealand, as well as increased competitive intensity," the investor presentation last month said.- This story was originally published by the New Zealand Herald.

Locals on the Hibiscus Coast will benefit from expanded access to the mpox vaccine following a significant announcement by the Government.Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health Minister David Seymour revealed today that Medsafe has granted provisional approval for the Jynneos vaccine.This approval means the vaccine, which has been available under a specific provision since 2023, will now be more accessible to those at risk.“While New Zealand’s overall risk remains low, it is crucial that we have robust measures in place,” Dr Reti stated.“The provisional approval of Jynneos signifies that it meets the necessary standards for safety, efficacy, and quality.”The vaccine’s approval aligns New Zealand with other countries, such as Australia, where similar exemptions have been in place.The approval was achieved through close collaboration between Medsafe and Health New Zealand, which acted as an intermediary to facilitate the process.Currently, there are two confirmed cases of mpox linked to the Winter Pride Festival.While investigations continue, the risk to the broader community remains minimal.Health officials are maintaining daily updates and have established a national Incident Management Team to oversee the response.Dr Reti encouraged those with symptoms to seek support from sexual health clinics and to avoid sexual activity if experiencing symptoms.He praised the coordinated efforts of health agencies in managing the situation and preventing further spread.The next step involves the National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group reviewing which groups are most at risk and could benefit the most from the vaccine now that provisional approval is in place.