Auckland oyster farmers are furious after what is believed to be the biggest wastewater spill into the Mahurangi River this year.Ten marine farms have been in a lengthy battle with Watercare to stop sewage overflow contaminating their oyster crops.Mahurangi Oysters owner Jim Aitken told RNZ that, in an email on Thursday, Watercare informed them of an overflow at its Lucy Moore Memorial Park pump station.In the email, seen by RNZ, Watercare said at about 2.30pm the pump station overflowed to the stormwater pond and wastewater began entering the Mahurangi River."We believe the overflow was caused by a power surge that tripped our pumps."Unfortunately, this was not flagged by our internal alert system, and we did not discover the overflow until a site visit this morning. The pump station was reactivated, and the overflow stopped about 8am [on Thursday]."Watercare estimated the overflow volume was about 1200 cubic metres, but did not know how much had reached the harbour.Aitken said continuous pollution of the water had ruined his business."We're going under, simple as that. I'm now burning through my personal cash flow. I actually advertised this week for another staff member to help us out over Christmas and next year. I've pulled the pin on the whole thing, I can't afford it."It's heartbreaking to see New Zealand, once known for clean, green food production, become unsafe because of repeated spills by Watercare."The future we've invested in for our family's legacy and our retirement is going down the drain. Watercare needs to be held to account."Aitken said the family-owned farm had to close for 28 days because of this latest spill.He said it had 80,000 dozen oysters ready to be sold, many of which would now have to be dumped.Matakana Oysters' Tom Walters said he's not only concerned about his fellow marine farmers, but also the Mahurangi Harbour environment.He said the persistent sewage spills will have damaged the harbour's marine ecosystem."You'll have oxygen levels depleted and marine organisms that are coming, like snapper that are coming into spawn right now, they'll be affected too.""Fish, people swimming, kayaking, fishing, boating. It's coming up to that time. We see people out there all the time at the moment bringing boats in."They'll have no idea that they're literally playing in a whole bunch of sewage."Walters said he'd lost faith in Watercare and said their latest apology was "ticking a box".He said this latest spill was different to the previous ones, considering it was a dry weather event."There's no dilution factor here, being a dry weather spill and also a high sewage component. You're not looking at much stormwater being in there, even though that is a stormwater pond. All of it would have been wastewater going in."Walters said he feared for the oyster industry in the Mahurangi Harbour, especially as they come into the busiest time of the year.He said he's only staying afloat financially by sourcing oysters from other areas."You're just trying to keep the lights on and the doors going until you open back up again."Mahurangi Oyster Association chairperson, Lynette Dunn told Morning Report the sewage overflow comes at the peak of their season."We need financial support from Watercare as this is going to continue happening for the next two years until the new treatment plant is up and running."Dunn said issues regarding sewage had been a problem oyster farmers in the area had been battling for seven years."So we are just pretty worn out about the whole thing, just the whole non caring about the harbour itself as well."She said it can create dead zones in the harbour where marine life can't survive.Dunn said there was not one business in the harbour that was not struggling.'Extremely disappointed' - WatercareIn a statement, Watercare chief executive Jamie Sinclair confirmed the "significant" wastewater overflow and said the company had alerted Auckland Council's pollution response team and the Ministry for Primary Industries."We are extremely disappointed and sorry that this has happened, particularly for the impact it is having on the local oyster farmers, who now face a 28-day harvest closure," Sinclair said."We had been seeing a positive impact from our recent improvements to the Warkworth wastewater network that had allowed oyster harvesting to resume, so we know this news will be very upsetting to farmers who are nearing the end of their harvest season."I have been in touch with the oyster farmers to convey how disappointed we are, and hope to meet them soon so I can apologise in person on behalf of Watercare and offer our support."The pump station did have internal storage, but this had overflowed to the nearby stormwater pond, and wastewater began entering the river.Crews had pumped the combined wastewater and stormwater from the pond back into the pump station, which was operating normally, on Thursday afternoon, Sinclair said."We have begun an investigation into what caused the power surge, and to look into why our alarm systems and monitoring didn't work as we'd expect. We are determined to learn from this and ensure we don't face a similar incident in the future."Jenny MarcroftNZ First MP Jenny Marcroft. Photo: RNZ / Samuel RillstoneNZ First MP Jenny Marcroft, also the under-secretary for oceans and fisheries, told Morning Report that Watercare had a responsibility to compensate the farmers."Their businesses have been crippled by these ongoing continuous overflow incidents and this latest one is probably going to break some of these oyster farmers' businesses," she said."At this stage 'sorry' is just not good enough. We have seen some financial support earlier for the oyster farmers, and I do acknowledge that. One of the important things they could do now is actually get their hands in their pockets and find some financial support for these oyster farmers."Marcroft said the farmers were now unable to harvest during a crucial time of year."This is when the oysters are their fattest and creamiest, and they feature premium price. Closing down now for 28 days, they will not be able to harvest those beautiful oysters and get top price for them."But she said there was nothing the government could do to help."In terms of what central government can do, there are no levers that we can use to get money out the door to them."This is a failure of Watercare, which is an organisation owned by Auckland Council. It is their responsibility."

Auckland’s mayor used his 2025 inauguration to set a five-point plan and promise faster fixes.He framed the result as a clear mandate to “carry on fixing Auckland, and prepare it for the future,” pointing to progress since the floods and Cyclone Gabrielle. Emergency Management has been strengthened, Making Space for Water is underway, and a new plan will stop homes being built on floodplains. He said savings targets have been exceeded, capital spending rules enforced, and a Better Value Projects programme now scrutinises big builds.On infrastructure, he confirmed record investment, Watercare finances reset to fund depreciation and growth, and two milestones looming, with the New Zealand International Convention Centre opening within months and the City Rail Link carrying passengers next year. CCO reform is central: Eke Panuku and economic development are back in-house, Auckland Transport will become a public transport service provider, and decision-making will return to elected members.For Coasties, the transport focus matters. He wants smarter traffic lights and dynamic lanes to speed trips, and intensification near key transport hubs under Plan Change 120, rather than pushing sprawl. That could shift where new homes go and how people commute to work and study across the region.Looking ahead, the “future five” policies target transport upgrades, a consensus on Plan Change 120, lifting economic performance, a safer, more inviting city centre, and a city deal with Government. He backed a user-pays bed levy to prepare for tourism growth and highlighted new tech initiatives, including the Auckland Tech Alliance and a national institute based in Auckland.“We must change Auckland from the world’s largest suburb to a global city,” he said, adding that the Port of Auckland will return $100 million a year to ease pressure on rates. “It’s a privilege and an honour, now let’s get on with it.”Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

As many as 150 people a week could get infected with measles if an epidemic takes hold, in a "pessimistic" scenario, official measles modelling suggests.Modelling to estimate the impact of a potential measles epidemic was done last year by the government-owned ESR, now known as the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF).The pessimistic scenario described what could happen if the virus took off in unfavourable conditions, such as in a community with low vaccination rates.However, it suggested any epidemic was more likely to look like the one in 2019, with a peak of about 100 cases a week.Then, there were 2185 known cases, with 768 people hospitalised, about half of them children.Health officials are currently trying to stamp out an outbreak, with 13 known cases across six regions centres, and 2142 people known to have been exposed.They have warned the health system would struggle to cope with more than 100 measles cases a week if the current outbreak got out of control.A summary of the modelling was included in measles advice given to Minister of Health Simeon Brown in May.That advice noted there was a high degree of variability between the two scenarios, but considering a higher one would be useful for planning.PHF's full report said the modelling used AI to create simulated populations and scenarios that ran over six months.It could not predict exactly what would happen, but looked at how measles could spread in similar conditions to the 2019 outbreak, with the lowered 2024 childhood vaccination rates factored in.It then looked at whether other variables would come into play, such as the outbreak taking hold in an area with particularly low vaccination rates, which could increase the rate of infection.The modelling also found that increasing vaccination rates by five percent could halve the number of hospitalisations in an outbreak, but noted that had to be done quickly to be most effective.PHF said the work was not a prediction or forecast. Instead, it looked at how scenarios might play out to help with planning a response.Experts have been saying for some time an outbreak of measles was inevitable in New Zealand given waning vaccination rates.There was a large cohort of young adults who likely missed out on getting the full dose of two jabs of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine in childhood, and current childhood rates have dropped to 82 percent for under-fives, and just 72 percent for Māori under-fives.Coverage of 95 percent was needed for herd immunity, where those who were not vaccinated would also be protected.'Entirely preventable'Tairāwhiti Medical Officer of Health Dr Oz Mansoor told Morning Report about 500,000 people could be susceptible to measles.He said the outbreak could be worse than the one in 2019 because vaccination coverage has dropped."The other aspect of what's going to happen is the vaccine uptake, because this is an entirely preventable condition."Unfortunately we are in a situation where coverage has not been so good, plus we have our young adults, so we do have quite a lot of measles susceptible - perhaps something around half-a-million or more people who are susceptible to measles - so that's where that potential for the very large outbreak that's been modelled."The measles outbreak in 2019 infected more than 2000 people, with about a third being admitted to hospital.There were currently 13 confirmed measles cases, with more than 2000 close contacts identified."It's like it's a fire ready to go, and I think we have eliminated measles - certified in 2017 by the World Health Organisation… and we've had a very aggressive response whenever we've had incursions because measles has been on the rise locally."He said the vaccine is close to 100 percent effective after two doses, and while it was not perfect, anyone vaccinated was less likely to get severe disease and to pass it on."We're not yet close to reaching our 95 percent [vaccination] target, but we are doing our best."I think the problems we have with immunisation is a reflection of the challenges we have in our health system."The Immunisation Advisory Centre's Dr Mamaeroa David told Morning Report that adults who are not sure whether they've been vaccinated or twice, should go and get the jab.The centre's senior Māori medical advisor said those born before1969 were likely to have good measles immunity."After 1969 there's a possibility that you only had one dose of MMR, which gives you a little bit of protection, but two doses gives you up to 98 percent or more, so it's very very effective."Adults are the people who pick up this disease and take it around to our babies, so that's why it's very important for adults to be protected."David said the vaccine was not free for non New-Zealand residents who haven't been exposed to the virus.She said people should see their GP or pharmacist if they wanted to get vaccinated.

AUT becomes Auckland FC’s Exclusive University Partner for 2025/26, backing research, player pathways, and fan engagement at Go Media Stadium.AUT Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Engagement, Amy Malcolm says the fit is natural. “With AUT widely recognised as being New Zealand’s leading sports science university, we are thrilled to have broadened our existing partnership with Auckland FC to become its Exclusive University Partner.” She adds that the club “is bold, young, diverse and inclusive and shares the same values of excellence, opportunity and community,” and that AUT looks forward to engaging with fans from the city’s many community groups and showing support for “one of the most exciting sports teams in Australasia.”The agreement keeps AUT’s expertise close to the pitch. It continues support with research and specialist knowledge, creates opportunities and pathways for players, and supplies a pipeline of graduates with sought-after skills. Eleven AUT alumni already work in support roles at the club, across performance analysis, sports science, physiotherapy, marketing, and commercial operations, showing how classroom learning carries through to professional football.Auckland FC chief executive Nick Becker says the club has benefited from AUT since day one. “We have been very fortunate to have had the support of, and access to, New Zealand’s top sports university since the inception of the club and we’re delighted to have strengthened our partnership, securing them as our Exclusive University Partner.” He points to AUT’s long record in sports science. “The university’s people, educational resources and innovations are extremely valuable to us and our aim of developing clear professional pathways and opportunities for New Zealand’s top talent.”For Coast-based fans following Auckland’s A-League journey, the partnership signals stronger links between higher education, elite performance, and the match-day experience.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

The Government has confirmed a streamlined process for Auckland’s new housing plan, Plan Change 120.Auckland Council asked Parliament for the option to withdraw Plan Change 78 to avoid applying the Medium Density Residential Standards in some areas and to downzone places vulnerable to floods. Ministers agreed and the Council has now withdrawn PC78. The new plan must provide at least the same overall housing capacity as PC78 and enable greater building heights and housing density around key stations that will benefit from the City Rail Link when it opens next year.RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop said the shift returns choices to residents. “By giving Auckland Council the option to withdraw PC78, we’ve returned decision-making to locals. Aucklanders will once again decide how and where housing growth happens in this important city for New Zealand’s future.”PC120 will proceed under the Streamlined Planning Process over 20 months. Public submissions open Monday, November 3, 2025, and close Friday, December 19, 2025. Hearings will be held in 2026 before a panel of eight to nine members, with four appointed by Ministers and the remainder by the Council. Ministers are working with the Council on who the Council will appoint as Chair. A friend-of-submitter service will be available to help people engage with the plan change.The panel and Council are asked to consider whether any provisions unduly frustrate development, to test the distribution of housing capacity across the city including greenfield development, and to check that all planned rapid transit stops have been identified, including the Northwest Busway. The Government declined the Council’s request to remove the greenfield reference.For the Hibiscus Coast, the submissions window is the practical moment to weigh in on housing capacity and transport-linked density that could affect commuting patterns and local centres. The direction takes effect on the date it is published in the New Zealand Gazette.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Making plans?Here’s what’s coming up around the Hibiscus Coast. From live music and local markets to family fun and outdoor adventures.Free Gentle Yoga for adults 50+Every FridayClick here for more detailsPre-Loved Fashion & Thrift MarketSat 8 NovClick here for more detailsThe Retro Event Volume 6Sat 8 NovClick here for more detailsFind more things to do anytime in the Hibiscus Coast App, your local hub for events, food, and fun.Got an event coming up? List it free today.

Trick-or-treaters will be out across the Hibiscus Coast this evening. Kids in costumes will wander with family and friends, knocking at homes that are taking part and swapping lollies on the footpath. If you’re joining in, remind the kids to skip houses that are opting out. A simple “No Halloween here tonight” note keeps things smooth, and no one is obliged to open the door.From Sunday, 2 November, fireworks are on sale for four days under national retail rules and buyers must be 18 with valid ID. Auckland Council sets local use rules: fireworks are only for private property and are banned on council land, including parks and beaches, and on roads, berms, forests and conservation areas. Fire and Emergency NZ advises keeping water handy, lighting one at a time, standing well back, avoiding wind or very dry conditions, and finishing by 10pm after telling neighbours if possible. The reasons are simple. Fewer fires, fewer callouts, and less stress for pets and shift workers. Elly Waitoa from Auckland Council’s Animal Management reminds owners to plan ahead, bring animals inside, and ensure dogs are registered and microchipped in case they bolt. On rural private land, daylight bonfires during 2–5 November must be fully out before nightfall, and any Restricted Fire Season needs a permit. That means Hibiscus Coast families can enjoy tonight’s fun and a quieter week if everyone follows these simple rules.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Coasties heading out this month might notice more cones and night crews as NZTA pushes ahead on Penlink and nearby works.On State Highway 1 and Ara Weiti Road, teams are shaping the on and off ramps.Abutment beams for the East Coast Road overbridge start this month.Bridge 3 at the Link Road 1 connection gets its beams, plus deck and headwall reinforcement.Expect a five-day stop go on Ara Weiti Road while drainage pipes and manholes are installed.Pavements team working at Duck Creek Road.In Stillwater, excavation for the Duck Creek Road bridge is about to begin.A single lane will remain, including over the new bridge once traffic is switched, so the old road can tie in.At the Weiti River Bridge, pylons keep rising with regular concrete pours and Pier 1 is close to its first diaphragm pour.Earthworks continue across all areas.Around Whangaparāoa, the future Whangaparāoa Road and Beverley Place intersection is taking shape with drainage underway.Traffic from Wiriana Place will be temporarily diverted.Future intersection of Whangaparaoa Road and Beverley Road.Night works will shift safety barriers.Locals might also see excavation for a retaining wall and new underground ducting for services.Check out the latest flyover video.Got questions?The NZTA team hosts an information evening on Tuesday, November 11, 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the Hibiscus Coast RSA.Heading north in November? SH1 over the Brynderwyn Hills will close for two super-weekends: Thursday, November 13, 12:01am to Sunday, November 16, 11:59pm, and Thursday, November 20, 12:01am to Sunday, November 23, 11:59pm.Allow extra time. Detours will be in place.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Coasties, here’s what the next four days have in store:Friday, 31/10Mostly fine with a breezy southwesterly.High: 19Low: 11Saturday, 1/11Mostly sunny with easing southerlies.High: 20Low: 12Sunday, 2/11Sunny spells with a fresh nor’easter developing.High: 21Low: 12Monday, 3/11Partly cloudy with a steady nor’easter.High: 21Low: 13See the full Weather & Travel section in the Hibiscus Coast App for:🌊 Tide times🌬️ Wind conditions🌊 Wave updates🌞 UV levels🏖️ Safe swimming spots...and plenty more.The Hibiscus Coast App has everything you need, accessible at any time and from any location.

Link Foods New Zealand is recalling Golden Island Pork Jerky Korean BBQ Recipe sold at Costco Westgate because some packs may contain metal, and Coast shoppers who stock up there are urged to check their bags now.The recall covers only the 410g plastic pouch.Check the Best Before date printed on the back.Affected dates are 24/11/2025, 25/11/2025, 26/11/2025, and 05/05/2026.If your pack matches one of these, do not eat it.Return the product to Costco for a full refund.This jerky is imported from the United States of America and was sold at Costco Wholesale Westgate. No other Golden Island products are affected.For many Hibiscus Coast households, a Costco run is part of the weekly routine, so a quick date check before opening the bag could save a return trip.If you buy snacks in bulk for sport, work lunches, or holiday roadies, take two minutes to scan the pantry.What to look for:• Product: Golden Island Pork Jerky Korean BBQ Recipe• Size: 410g plastic pouch• Best Before: 24/11/2025, 25/11/2025, 26/11/2025, 05/05/2026• Sold at: Costco Wholesale Westgate• Action: Do not consume, return for refundQuestions about the process or batch details can go to Link Foods New Zealand Ltd on 0800 522 554.Share this with friends who head to Westgate so they can check their shelves too.The simplest steps are best here, check the date, avoid eating affected packs, and take them back for your refund.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

A global Microsoft Azure outage disrupted travel and key New Zealand websites, affecting payments and digital boarding for Air New Zealand and interrupting several public services that Coast commuters rely on.Air New Zealand says the outage is impacting payments and digital boarding. Parliament’s website is down, as are NZ Police and Auckland Transport. Users reported issues throughout the day with Office 365, Xbox Live, Copilot, and other services on outage tracker Downdetector.Internationally, the BBC reported problems at Heathrow, plus impacts for Minecraft, British supermarket Asda, and Starbucks in the United States. Microsoft also warned Microsoft 365 users they may see delays with Outlook and other services.What Coast residents may notice is a mix of airline disruptions, slower or unavailable government and transport websites, and interruptions to widely used Microsoft tools. The disruption spans work, travel, gaming, and everyday online services, reflecting how many systems depend on Microsoft’s cloud.Downdetector showed thousands of reports of issues with websites globally as the outage unfolded.Reports cited impacts across Office 365, Minecraft, Xbox Live, Copilot, and many other services, indicating a broad footprint tied to Azure. The situation affected both public-sector platforms and private companies.Amazon is the dominant provider of cloud computing services in most markets, with Microsoft ranked second, ahead of Google. When a major cloud platform experiences an outage, the effects can appear across many unrelated services at once.For Coasties, the immediate takeaway from today’s events is straightforward: Air New Zealand’s payments and digital boarding are affected, and several national websites and tools used for daily life and commuting experienced problems linked to the Microsoft Azure outage.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Population growth slowed in all 16 regions in the year to 30 June 2025.New Zealand’s resident population up 0.7 percent to 5.3 million, a shift that matters for Auckland households and businesses planning around housing, jobs, and transport on the Hibiscus Coast.“Lower net migration gains in the June 2025 year led to slower population growth across all regions,” population estimates, projections, and coverage spokesperson Victoria Treliving said.All regions recorded lower net migration gains than the year before, and seven recorded net migration losses.“The six slowest growing regions all experienced net migration losses in the last year,” Treliving said.Wellington provisionally had the largest net migration loss (1,700), driven by moves overseas rather than to other parts of New Zealand.Auckland’s population surpassed 1.8 million, rising by 17,700 to an estimated 1,816,000.Auckland posted the largest net migration gain (6,300), far below the June 2024 year (32,000).A net internal migration loss of 3,200 was outweighed by an international migration gain of 9,500, and natural increase of 11,400 also added to growth.For the first time since 2013, excluding the pandemic years, natural increase made a larger contribution to population growth than net migration.Canterbury was the fastest growing region at 1.1 percent, followed by Auckland and Waikato at 1.0 percent.Nelson and Marlborough provisionally decreased by 0.3 percent, while Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay slipped by 0.1 percent.For Coasties, Auckland’s slower but steady growth signals a period where births are doing more of the lifting than arrivals.This can shape local demand for housing, school places, and daily travel patterns across the Hibiscus Coast.Estimated resident population change, by regional council, year ended 30 June 2025 (provisional).Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

If you opened the ANZ app after school pick-up and got “Temporarily unavailable,” you’re not alone. Reports of problems began just after 2pm today, with thousands flagging issues on Downdetector. ATMs, Eftpos and PayWave are still working, and balances are not affected. That means Coasties can still tap to pay in shops, but some online banking and app logins may fail for now. Locals might see delays paying tradies or sports subs this afternoon. If you need to move money urgently, call ANZ on 0800 269 296. Phone banking remains an option while digital channels are patchy. For live outage reports, Downdetector’s New Zealand page is tracking the spike. Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

NZTA is asking for public feedback from October 29 to December 17 on proposed changes to light vehicle warrants and certificates that could reduce visits and costs for many Hibiscus Coast motorists while keeping higher-risk vehicles on yearly checks.The proposal would shift warrant of fitness timing for private light vehicles, which include cars, motorcycles, mopeds, vans, people-movers, and trailers:• New vehicles: WoF valid for 4 years• Vehicles 4–10 years old: WoF every 2 years• Vehicles over 10 years: WoF yearlyNZTA says New Zealand checks vehicles more often than most countries, and more frequent inspections do not necessarily improve safety. The aim is to lower costs for people using lower-risk vehicles while maintaining safety settings for higher-risk vehicles.Other changes on the table:• Certificates of fitness for light rental vehicles, including taxis and rideshares• Inspectors checking fault lights for driver assistance systems such as automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist• Higher penalties, or demerit points, for offences like no valid WoF or CoF A, and for bald or damaged tyresFor the Hibiscus Coast, the two-year WoF for vehicles aged 4–10 years would mean fewer trips for many family cars, tradie vans, and trailers. Taxi and rideshare drivers operating locally should review the proposed CoF A settings and the new checks on safety system warning lights. Annual checks would remain for older vehicles, so owners of 10-plus-year cars still need to plan for a yearly visit.Consultation runs from 29 October 2025 to 17 December 2025. Have your say by 17 December using the online feedback form. Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Explainer – It’s the time of year some people love – and some people dread.Between Guy Fawkes Night and Diwali celebrations, suburbs around Aotearoa have been echoing with the sound of fireworks late into the night. For many it’s a celebration, but for others it’s an infuriating time of year.Every November, social media reliably fills up with chatter about banning fireworks sales to the public, and yet nothing has changed.What exactly is happening with proposed fireworks bans, and how would they affect people? Here’s a rundown of an explosive ongoing debate.What are the current rules around fireworks sales?Fireworks can only be sold for four days a year, from 2 November to the end of the day on 5 November, Guy Fawkes Day.They can only be sold to people over 18 and must comply with safety regulations.They must not be sold to the public unless the fireworks have been tested and have a fireworks certificate that confirms they meet the requirements of the Hazardous Substances (Fireworks) Regulations 2001.Those changes were made back in 2006 – previously fireworks were on sale for 10 days and people as young as 14 could buy them. The government of the time said it stopped short of a total ban but expressed frustration with rising damage and injuries, the New Zealand Herald reported.“The market is very heavily regulated,” said James York of Bad Boy Fireworks, a family-owned business which has been selling fireworks in Auckland since 1948.“The market has changed a lot in the last 10 years, with less importers, importing higher quality products. The importers all work together on compliance.”While sale periods are tightly restricted, there’s no general law against using fireworks any time of the year.Restrictions on where they can be used vary by location, and can be set by local councils. Many places such as Wellington and Auckland ban the use of them on public spaces or beaches and restrict them to private spaces.Temporary fireworks bans were placed on several regions by Fire and Emergency New Zealand during last week’s wind-fuelled storms.Some major chains stopped selling fireworks some time ago. Countdown – now Woolworths – stopped selling fireworks in 2019, while the Warehouse stopped selling them in 2021, saying “we no longer feel fireworks have a place on our shelves”.Will they ever be banned entirely?It’s unlikely the government will introduce a bill to ban the sale of fireworks to the public any time soon.The National MP who was presented with a petition calling for a ban told RNZ that “there’s no appetite whatsoever from the government’s agenda for looking at this”.“It’s well outside of our batting lane with everything focused on economic growth and controlling government expenditure, et cetera,” Maungakiekie MP Greg Fleming said.“If it is going to proceed I would imagine that its best chance is going to be through a member’s bill.”A member’s bill is pulled at random from the House’s famed “Biscuit tin” for consideration – previous issues that have come from the tin include marriage equality, end-of-life choice, or anti-smacking law reform.The petition calling for a ban was signed by 90,000 people – and a lot of animal pawprints as well – and was presented to Parliament in July.There’s actually three petitions currently before Parliament on the issue, said Fleming, who is deputy chair of the petition committee.So who’s calling for a ban – and who’s against it?The SPCA and many other animal rights groups have long called for a ban, said Christine Sumner, the SPCA’s scientific officer. They say that annual fireworks displays terrify animals.“We have received a number of reports of pets that had gone through fences,” Animates general manager of marketing Nathalie Moolenschot said recently. “A Saint Bernard jumped through a window to try and escape the noises.”“Every year, veterinarians are called to see horses that have been badly injured by panicking and running through fences, attempting to jump out of paddocks, or have run on to roads, endangering themselves and motorists,” New Zealand Veterinary Association spokesperson Sally Cory has said.Momentum for a ban is growing, the SPCA said.“This year, more people have signed petitions calling for a ban on the private sale of fireworks than ever before, with a combined 95,354 signatories between the three petitions currently under consideration of the Petitions Select Committee,” Sumner said.“This clearly demonstrates that previous actions have not been adequate in addressing the concerns of the public; the status quo is not tenable.”But others who sell fireworks disagree with a complete ban, and call for more responsible use.“We believe there is a small minority of people who would like to see a ban on the sale of fireworks,” York said.“If retail fireworks were banned this would cause significant harm to our business and others. It would also cause harm to the hundreds of people and families that sell fireworks around the country. This includes many charities, fund raising events etc.”It’s hard to get a firm picture of how many people support a ban, although a 2023 survey commissioned by AA Insurance showed that 53 percent of those surveyed supported a ban for recreational use, while an additional 20 percent wanted to go further and have fireworks banned entirely.So what will happen with these petitions?A hearing which will combine all three fireworks petitions will be heard on 6 November, the day after Guy Fawkes Night.“It’s just coincidence but I did think that was an appropriate time to be holding it,” Fleming said, laughing.The petitions committee would make a report to sum up the hearings and make a recommendation to the House on possible action, if any.The SPCA’s Sumner said 13 petitions have been presented in the past to Parliament.“Previous committees considering the petitions in recent years chose to make no recommendation, allowing the status quo to continue,” she said.“Despite assurances from the Petition Select Committee in 2021 that private sales of fireworks would decrease, there was an increase in sales, and subsequently an increase in fires and service calls to the NZ Police relating to fireworks.”Still, SPCA has sent in a submission on this latest petition.“We will be attending the hearing for this petition to advocate support of a ban on the private sale and use of fireworks in New Zealand,” Sumner said.Fleming said he personally has come around to the idea of a ban of some sort, and expressed willingness to potentially support a member’s bill on the subject.“We should review these with the idea in mind that maybe we end the … retail sale of fireworks and instead have that you’ve got to be a licensed operator to be able to purchase them.“And we could extend that license to people like schools or other public bodies … and I think that would also mean that you could protect fireworks for things like Diwali.”He felt there was still an appetite for change from some MPs in the Coalition.“My side of the house tends to have a little more libertarian view… but I would say even on my side of the House from the conversations I’ve had I reckon the majority are leaning towards saying, yeah let’s have a serious look at this.”Fleming also floated the idea of a conscience vote, in which MPs are officially not bound to vote along party lines.Sumner said “we need more leadership from government on this issue”.“SPCA urges the Petition Committee to recommend legislation be developed to ban the private sale and use of fireworks. Such a ban would not impact the use of fireworks at controlled and publicly notified events.“A member’s bill may be an alternative way forward, however, these bills rely on being lucky enough to be drawn from the ballot … and may sit for years never being drawn at all. New Zealanders have already waited long enough for a ban on the private sale and use of fireworks.”Are people using fireworks less?According to a December 2024 report from the Ministry of Environment, not really – and the number of fireworks coming into the country has gone sharply up.The report found:A total of 575,544kg of fireworks were imported in 2023 (around a 52 percent increase when compared with the 378,134kg of fireworks imported in 2022)One hundred and six fires were reported to be caused by fireworks in 2023 (around a 58 percent increase on the prior year which had a total of 67 incidents)A total of 341 new claims to ACC for fireworks-related injuries in 2023 (an increase of 92 injuries)A total of 1572 service calls to NZ Police relating to fireworks (around a 124 percent increase on the prior year)The report said overall it saw “an increasing trend in the quantity of fireworks imported, along with fireworks-related fires, calls to the police and fireworks-related injuries in the short term,” but that there had actually been an overall decline in firework-related incidents since 2000.“The majority of kiwis still purchase fireworks and use these responsibly,” York said. “It is seen as a start of summer event and a great way for families to spend time together, have a barbecue and some fun in their own backyard. It has been a tradition in NZ for decades.”How do people really feel about fireworks, anyway?One big source of irritation for many is fireworks going off long outside the Guy Fawkes or Diwali celebration periods, often for weeks on end. A Facebook page called “Ban the Boom NZ” has more than 15,000 members.This year Diwali, the Hindu Festival of lights which is arranged by the lunar calendar, fell close to Guy Fawkes around 20 October, which means fireworks have been heard from mid-October on.“New Zealand is now a very multicultural country and some of these cultures like to celebrate events such as Chinese New Year and Diwali,” York said. “With the growing population of the Indian community in NZ the demand for fireworks is increasing for Diwali.“The fireworks you see going off at other times of the year are from people who buy these during the four-day sales period and keep them for other events.”“People using fireworks at all hours of the night can be an issue,” York agreed.The idea of restricting fireworks to public displays only has also gained some traction.York said a retail sales ban would impact fireworks sellers’ overall ability to do business, however.“Retail fireworks make up over 95 percent of our business. Without retail fireworks we would no longer be in a position to do firework displays. Many of these are funded by our business selling retail fireworks.“For example our long-running display for Taupaki School, that we have been doing for them as a fundraiser for 38 years. This event draws in over 12,000 people each year and without retail fireworks this event would no longer exist. This is a major fundraising event and there are also many other businesses that attend and make revenue from this, such as the 30-plus food vendors.“Retail fireworks essentially props up the display firework market. There are simply not enough sponsors or councils willing to pay for displays.”Sumner said the SPCA supports public displays which would avoid harming animals.“We acknowledge that many New Zealanders include firework displays when celebrating special occasions such as Matariki, Diwali, Chinese New Year, and Guy Fawkes. We are supportive of efforts to minimise the impact of fireworks such as controlled and notified public firework displays, which allow communities to celebrate while minimising harm on animals.”Fleming said ultimately, responsible use of fireworks comes down to people being mindful of others – but that’s easier said than done sometimes.“There is one way and that’s for neighbours to be considerate but that’s not the world in which I inhabit.”The issue of fireworks bans won’t be resolved this year, but Fleming said it could still reach some kind of critical mass.“There’s been plenty of things over the years that their time has eventually come … If they can hit a tipping point I think this one definitely could.”

The Government will back the biggest Hauraki Gulf restoration in a generation with up to $26m in public and private investment to revive marine life, support jobs, and improve access for families across Auckland, including the Hibiscus Coast.At the heart is the Hauraki Gulf Marine Protection Act, creating 19 new protected areas so reefs, kelp forests, and marine life can recover while people still enjoy the water. Twelve are high protection areas, five protect seafloor habitats, and two extend existing marine reserves. The Department of Conservation is allocating $10.5m over four years to stand up these new protections.Tourism infrastructure gets a lift too. The Government is putting $6m from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy into upgrades on Rangitoto, Tiritiri Matangi, and Kawau. More than 150,000 people visit these islands each year, so safer wharves, better tracks, and improved water systems aim to make access easier for families, schools, and tour operators.A major philanthropic drive led by the NEXT Foundation will add up to $20m over five years for reef restoration.Starting with $2m for pilot projects around Little Barrier Island, the Noises, and a research programme at Motutapu with mana whenua, the University of Auckland, and the Department of Conservation. The work focuses on clearing urchins from barren reefs to allow kelp forests to regrow, boosting biodiversity and fish stocks. “Divers and local experts will clear urchins from damaged reefs, giving kelp a chance to regrow, and creating underwater forests that bring back fish, crayfish, and shellfish,” Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. “Within a couple of years, those reefs will be teeming with life again, real results for our moana and for the people who depend on it.”The plan builds on recent private efforts to seed millions of shellfish in the Gulf and on prior IVL spending of $8.5m at hotspots such as Cathedral Cove and Goat Island, plus $1.5m for weed control on pest-free islands. Officials say the Gulf contributes more than $5b a year to the economy, so restoring it is both an environmental and local livelihoods win for communities from the North Shore to the Hibiscus Coast.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

International Internet Day is today, October 29, and locals are more connected than ever. The day marks the 1969 moment a UCLA researcher sent the first network message to Stanford, when only “LO” from “LOGIN” got through before a crash. It’s a simple start to what became the modern internet, now central to work, learning, and daily life on the Hibiscus Coast.Globally, around 5.64 billion people use the internet in 2025, about 68.7% of the world’s population. Mobile rules how people connect, with about 4.32 billion users on phones. Roughly 96.3% of internet users go online by mobile, and more than 64% of website traffic now comes from mobile.The internet’s daily pull is clear. Users average 6 hours and 39 minutes online each day, including about 2 hours and 32 minutes on social media. Growth continues, though slower than in the past, with 136 million more users added in 2024, or roughly 370,000 people per day.Traffic concentrates on a handful of giants. In 2025, the most visited sites are Google (97.23 billion monthly visits), YouTube (44.49 billion), Facebook (9.16 billion), ChatGPT (5.43 billion), and Instagram (5.34 billion).New Zealand sits near the top for access. At the start of 2025, about 5.03 million people were online, a 96.2% penetration rate. Household access is even higher at an estimated 97.4%. There were 6.03 million active mobile connections, equal to 115% of the population because many people carry more than one device.For everyday habits, the average New Zealander spends about 3 hours online for personal use. Time varies by age. Sixty-seven percent of those aged 18–29 spend four or more hours online daily, compared with 53% for those aged 30–39. For Coast businesses, clubs, and schools, that attention is an opportunity, as long as privacy, security, and digital inclusion stay front of mind.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Lawyers say elderly couples married for more than 50 years and applying for visas are being asked to prove their relationship is real with WhatsApp chats.They want reform of partnership visas and a different approach to what evidence is requested by Immigration New Zealand (INZ)."They are asking for chat messages between 70-year-olds," said immigration lawyer Pooja Sundar. "There's no balance there, and there's no actual holistic assessment of that individual application. And especially when you're asked to provide such evidence for those who are in their 60s, 70s, 80s, and have lived together for the last 60 years of their lives."They are asked, 'Why is there no evidence of chat logs or messages or call logs between the two of you? If it's genuine and stable relationship evidence, show me texts that you send each other.' They don't send each other texts, they see each other every day. It's a relationship. They're living the relationship."Partnership visa criteria prioritised proofs such as shared assets and joint utility bills, which was also not possible for some applicants."It's a thought process that is both Western-centric and stuck in time. It's a mix of both. It is expecting there to be the possibility and the ability for people to be named on documents together. It doesn't take into account things like in some parts of the world, women can't own land. Therefore, you're not going to have shared assets."It is also expecting culturally arranged marriages to happen as they did 30, 40, 50 years ago and not realising they've also developed into something different now. I feel like they really haven't caught up in a certain way."Immigration minister wouldn't qualifyAbout 12,000 people had temporary partnership visas issued since July, and last year almost 14,000 people were granted residence as partners of New Zealanders.The problem cropped up for various visas, including parent visas, or when elderly relatives who arranged marriages for children or grandchildren were asked to show how the arrangement came about."The old granny's not on WhatsApp sending messages to this other old granny and another family," said immigration lawyer Stewart Dalley. "They're meeting, they're talking about it. But what INZ wants is the WhatsApp conversation with the old grannies that does not exist."Partnership visas needed reform, including the requirement for couples to maintain one residence, he added."It doesn't take into account how a lot of people work. I mean, it doesn't even take into account how the minister of immigration works. The minister works in Wellington four days a week. Is she no longer in a relationship with her husband and children because they don't live together seven days a week, because she's got a separate house in Wellington that she uses for legitimate business at Parliament?"But according to Immigration New Zealand, if she was to apply for a visa, she would not be living together with her husband because they're maintaining two separate houses. Clearly that's stupid. And nobody thinks that. But [INZ] thinks that because that's what the policy says. So there needs to be a change to recognise modern ways of living."Immigration Minister Erica Stanford Photo: Kim Baker Wilson / RNZReligious, cultural and practical reasons could prevent genuine partners from living together for 12 months before they apply for a visa, he added.Immigration NZ visa director Jock Gilray said evidence of a genuine and stable relationship will depend on each relationship, and officers consider "whatever evidence a couple can provide"."This might be, for example, documents showing shared accommodation. The immigration officer will need to be satisfied the couple is living together before an application can be approved. We recognise that applicants may have varied or limited evidence, depending on their unique circumstances."Factors include the duration of the relationship, the couple's common residence, their financial interdependence, children and public recognition of their relationship.Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said last year culturally arranged marriage visas were not fit for purpose.INZ policy manager Siân Roguski told the annual NZAMI conference on Friday its work programme for next year included looking at either visa policy for spouses in culturally arranged marriages or victims of family violence.

The Government will overhaul aged care funding, with a new Ministerial Advisory Group to recommend fixes by mid-2026, a move that could affect services used by many Hibiscus Coast families.Associate Health Minister Casey Costello and Health Minister Simeon Brown say the goal is better outcomes for the 900,000 New Zealanders over 65 and a fair, sustainable system. “Essentially, our aged care model is out of date and piecemeal change isn’t the solution,” Ms Costello says. “We want a system that provides the right type of care in the right place… that’s fair, and that is sustainable and will endure as our population ages.”The independent Group will report on three areas: a funding model that keeps services sustainable, including a reliable supply of standard aged care beds; how costs should be shared between people receiving care and the Government; and how to better connect aged care with health and disability support services.Mr Brown says the task is to identify the changes needed to build the system New Zealand requires. “Ensuring a sustainable supply of standard aged care beds is critical to ensuring all New Zealanders have the care they need as they age,” he says.The Government expects recommendations by mid-2026 and changes to the funding model from 2027. Ministers also stress a bipartisan approach, with this work continuing reviews started under the previous government and supported by a select committee inquiry.While long-term reform is developed, the Government says it has boosted sector funding by $270m over the past two years to relieve pressure and improve services. For the Hibiscus Coast, the focus on bed supply, clearer navigation, and support to stay at home if possible are likely to shape how local families access and move between levels of care.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]