Hibiscus Coast locals heading overseas for a summer getaway will have more choice, with Auckland Airport adding 207,000 extra international seats and lifting total capacity to 5.8 million seats across 43 global destinations.Chief Customer Officer Scott Tasker said overall international capacity is up close to 4 per cent on last summer, with Kiwis embracing overseas travel.In the year to September, more than 2.4 million New Zealanders flew out of Auckland, mainly to Australia, Fiji, China, the United States and the Cook Islands.Leisure trips are leading the recovery. Holiday travel is up 5 per cent, and journeys of 15 to 27 days have jumped 12 per cent, while shorter breaks have dipped slightly.Although summer capacity is still down 8 per cent, or 526,000 seats, on 2018/2019, each extra international aircraft touchdown brings around $1.4 million in economic value.North America is a major growth story, with seven airlines flying direct to seven cities and more premium seats on long-haul routes.Asia is also on the rise, with strong growth to China, Indonesia including Bali, and Japan.Six airlines now link Auckland to eight mainland Chinese cities, with new and returning services expected to bring tens of thousands more visitors.“It’s shaping up to be a solid summer for our local tourism industry and for New Zealanders heading overseas,” Mr Tasker said.“With more capacity, extended seasonal flights and growing choice across our global network, it’s another step forward in connecting New Zealand with the world.”Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Holiday timetable changes will affect buses and Gulf Harbour ferries used by many Hibiscus Coast commuters from Wednesday, 24 December 2025 to Friday, 2 January 2026, with Gulf Harbour changes continuing through to Sunday, 4 January 2026.On buses, Christmas Eve runs to the normal timetable.Christmas Day and Boxing Day use a Sunday timetable, with late-night services between midnight and 3am on Boxing Day.Saturday, 27 December runs a Saturday timetable with extra late-night buses after midnight, and Sunday, 28 December returns to the normal timetable.Monday, 29 and Tuesday, 30 December, plus New Year’s Eve on Wednesday, 31 December, all use a Saturday timetable, with extra late-night services after midnight on New Year’s Eve.New Year’s Day on Thursday, 1 January runs a Sunday timetable.Friday, 2 January also uses a Saturday timetable with extra late-night services after midnight.The NX1 will operate a special peak timetable, with 13 peak services extended from Albany through to Hibiscus Coast Station.For Gulf Harbour ferries, the pattern is:Wed 24 Dec: normal timetableThu 25 to Sun 28 Dec: no servicesMon 29 to Wed 31 Dec: normal timetableThu 1 to Sun 4 Jan: no servicesSeen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

More nurses can now prescribe more medicines locally, speeding up care for people across New Zealand.Health Minister Simeon Brown says improving access to healthcare in communities is a key priority for the Government. “These changes will mean people can get the medicines they need more quickly, with fewer delays and better continuity of care,” he says.Under changes authorised by the Director-General of Health, registered nurse prescribers will be able to prescribe 211 additional medicines, on top of the more than 240 they can already prescribe. The new list covers common and long-term conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, respiratory conditions and menopause symptoms, which many people rely on for regular treatment from their local clinic.There are around 1,570 registered nurse prescribers working in primary care, community health and specialist services such as diabetes, respiratory and sexual health. Pharmacist prescribers in hospitals and general practice can already prescribe over 1,700 medicines and will see their list expanded by 20 more, supporting more integrated care close to home.The expanded lists reflect the advanced education, training and clinical expertise of nurse and pharmacist prescribers and sit alongside wider work to improve access to medicines, including more flexibility for other prescribing professions and new powers for podiatrists. From 1 February 2026, some people on stable long-term medicines will also be able to receive prescriptions for up to 12 months, reducing costs and helping them stay on top of their treatment.Mr Brown says enabling health professionals to work at the top of their scope will improve care while easing pressure on other parts of the health system.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Biosecurity New Zealand urges Aucklanders to be on the lookout for yellow-legged hornets or nests, as numbers of the pest keep climbing.Thirty-three Queen Hornets have so far been found in the Glenfield and Birkdale areas of the North Shore - two more since Friday - 21 with developed nests or signs of nests.Biosecurity NZ north commissioner Mike Inglis said the hornets had not spread yet from Glenfield and Birkdale.Officials have put up signs within one kilometre of where the hornets were initially found, including in the suburb of Milford, alerting people to the invasive insect.Biosecurity NZ north commissioner Mike Inglis. Photo: RNZ/Marika KhabaziInglis said that was just to raise awareness of the issue, rather than to signal the hornets had spread."All we are doing is continuing to engage the public, get some signage up."If you spot one, take a picture of it - if it's a nest, take a picture of it. Don't disturb it, contact our hotline and our expert staff will be out to deal with it."Inglis said teams had set more than 617 traps to eradicate the invasive insects, which were nearly twice the size of the common wasp and could wipe out bee colonies.Trapping has already been extended out to 5km from the hornet detections, with a combination of carbohydrate and protein traps.Inglis said staff would consult the technical advisory group overseeing the issue over extending further.The insect traps hanging from trees around some locations in Auckland. Photo: RNZ/Marika KhabaziHe said tracking technology from the Netherlands had arrived, which focused on worker hornets and tracked those hornets back to the nest.There were signs of worker hornets operating and more were likely to appear over the next 4-6 weeks, he said."We'll start to find some worker hornets as well, in terms of they're going out and building a secondary nest, they go foraging generally within the same area."He said Biosecurity NZ had received more than 4860 messages from the public so far about the hornets.

Happy Sunday, Coasties! Grab a coffee and settle in.This is your essential 5-minute download of the week's biggest Hibiscus Coast news and updates. Don't miss a thing!Waiwera Hot Pools Reborn In $50m MakeoverRead more →Stolen Car Chase Ends Under Child’s BedRead more →Coastie House Prices Close Gap On AucklandRead more →Waiwera Pipe Upgrade Brings Highway Lane ClosuresRead more →Thank You, Coasties: Our App Keeps GrowingRead 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, events, and essential community info, anytime, anywhere.

On the Hibiscus Coast, a Facebook Marketplace scam is a reminder to double check payments before handing things over. Police say a man listed his PlayStation 5 last month to raise $750 for his wife’s dental surgery and agreed to sell it to a woman who contacted him online. She sent a screenshot claiming she had paid, and he handed over the console outside an address on Geordie Street in Henderson. When he later checked with his bank, no money had arrived. He went back to the address, met a different person, and neighbours mentioned similar incidents. Officers from the Waitematā West Enquiries Team identified a 37-year-old woman living on the street, arrested her without incident, and then found the PS5 at a nearby Cash Converters, where it was still in store. The console has been returned and she is due in Waitākere District Court on Monday, December 9, charged with obtaining by deception. Coasties can expect more reminders to meet buyers and sellers in public with a friend, not go into homes, and not pay or hand over items until money has cleared. You can find scam advice and safety tips at netsafe.org.nz/scams, and police.govt.nz/advice-services/cybercrime-and-internet. Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

A Friday morning burglary in Albany has Coasties reminded to report trouble quickly after Police recovered $20,000 in stolen clothing.At about 2.54am, alarms went off at a clothing retailer on Don McKinnon Drive. When officers arrived, they found the glass shop front smashed and the roller door pulled up. A stolen vehicle was parked outside, already full of stolen merchandise.Waitematā East Area Response Manager, Senior Sergeant CJ Miles, says officers arrived in time to catch the offender mid-raid.A person who was still loading more stolen goods into the vehicle walked out of the store and was taken into custody on the spot.Police recovered more than $20,000 worth of property from the scene. “This is a great example of how quick reporting greatly assists us in being able to stop offenders in their tracks,” Senior Sergeant Miles says.A 16-year-old was due to appear in North Shore Youth Court on Friday charged with burglary and unlawfully taking a vehicle.With many Coasties heading through Albany for Christmas shopping this weekend, Police say they will continue to have an increased presence in and around shopping precincts. They are thanking retailers who report suspicious activity and urge anyone who sees unlawful behaviour to contact Police.If it is happening now, or there are immediate safety concerns, call 111. For non-emergencies or information after the fact, go to 105.police.govt.nz and click “Make a Report” or call 105. Information can also be given anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Tom & Luke Snackaballs have been recalled after hard plastic was found in some packs.Households on the Hibiscus Coast who buy these snacks from local supermarkets are being asked to check the date marks on any Tom & Luke Low Carb Snackaballs at home.Smartfoods Limited has recalled the following 112g pouches:Cookies & Cream: BB: 11 SEP 2026Hazelnut: BB: 03 SEP 2026 and 11 SEP 2026Raspberry: BB: 15 SEP 2026, 11 SEP 2026, and 16 OCT 2026The products are sold in plastic pouches at selected retail outlets and supermarkets throughout New Zealand and have also been exported to Australia. No other Tom & Luke products are affected.People are advised not to eat any of the affected Snackaballs. Anyone who has eaten them and feels unwell should seek medical advice.Packs with the listed date marks can be returned to the retailer for a full refund.Anyone with questions can contact Smartfoods Limited on 0800 328 935 or email [email protected] something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

On the Hibiscus Coast, getting proactive now can make the end of 2025 and start of 2026 easier.Instead of hoping the last few weeks suddenly lift your takings, you can use simple advertising to remind people about your promos or sales, highlight new products or services, share your summer and public holiday hours, and spread the word about any events or time-bound offers.It can even just be a warm Merry Christmas and Happy New Year message that keeps your name in front of locals.Coasties can expect a busy mix of visitors, shopping and social time, so the businesses they see and hear from most are usually first in line for that spend.Staying visible through December and January means more enquiries booked ahead, better cashflow, and fewer dead weeks while others wait for things to pick up after Waitangi Day in February.For many local families, this is also when routines reset for school and work, so it helps if your business is already top of mind.Whether you use posters, email, social media or a spot on the Hibiscus Coast App, the aim is simple: let people know you are open, ready and happy to help.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Like most fellow Kiwis, many Coasties want a cap on card surcharges rather than a full ban, business groups say.Auckland Business Chamber, Retail NZ, the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce Network and other national associations are urging the Government to rethink its plan to outlaw all retail payment surcharges.They argue fresh moves in Australia and stories from New Zealand small businesses show a blanket ban would hit local shops and customers at the till.Across the Tasman, the Reserve Bank of Australia has stepped back from a total ban after strong backlash from small businesses, banks and experts.It is now weighing up a more targeted approach that could still allow surcharges on higher-cost credit and corporate cards and revisiting cuts to interchange fees.Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges says New Zealand should take note.“Across the Tasman, regulators have realised that a one-size-fits-all ban creates more problems than it solves,” he says.“New Zealand risks charging ahead with a policy that even Australia now recognises is too blunt, too disruptive, and unfair on small businesses.”A NZ Herald op-ed on the Whananaki General Store described a small family-run shop coming out of a tough winter and facing higher costs from payroll and KiwiSaver changes, plus the planned surcharge ban.The coalition backs a compromise instead, with debit surcharges capped at 0.5% and credit surcharges at 1% on personal domestic Visa and Mastercard cards.Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young calls this “the sensible middle ground,” warning that without surcharges, costs will not disappear, they will simply be buried in higher prices for everyone, including Coasties.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

A speeding driver on State Highway 1 through Puhoi led police to a suitcase of imitation firearms and weapons after a late-night chase.Police say officers first tried to pull over the vehicle, which was travelling at speed, at about 10.10pm on State Highway 1. The driver failed to stop and continued south along the motorway.Senior Sergeant Brett Henshaw says the Police Eagle helicopter was quickly able to locate the vehicle as it headed down the motorway. Units then spiked the vehicle on State Highway 1 near Mount Wellington, where the driver was swiftly taken into custody.Officers searching the vehicle found a suitcase containing three high powered BB guns and a .22-calibre revolver. Drug paraphernalia and a large knife were also found inside the car.“Taking items like these off our streets makes everyone safer and we’re pleased to be able to hold this person to account,” Senior Sergeant Henshaw says.A 27-year-old man has been charged with failing to stop, speeding, unlawful possession of a pistol, unlawfully carrying an imitation firearm, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of utensils and driving while disqualified. He appeared in the North Shore District Court today.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Hibiscus Coast locals are getting warm season’s greetings from our Hibiscus Coast App team.We are local too and launched the app in 2022. Since then it has been downloaded more than 18,400 times and over 8,000 people now use it every month.Most open it on their phones, with others checking in on desktop when they are at home or work.Every day people use the Hibiscus Coast App for trusted local news, what is on this week, jobs, business listings and community updates, all in one free place to check.We have just rolled out an update, so it is a good time to make sure you have the latest version on your phone.If your apps are not set to update on their own, head to your App Store, search “Hibiscus Coast App” and tap update, then turn on notifications so you do not miss local news or alerts.More and more local businesses are choosing the app to reach people on the Hibiscus Coast, and their support helps us keep local news and updates going for everyone.From all of us at the Hibiscus Coast App, thank you for being part of the community this year and please tell your family, friends and workmates to download the app free so they can stay close to local life over summer.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Overnight works will close SH1 between Orewa and Oteha Valley Road on 8 and 9 December.NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi says maintenance crews will be working between 9pm and 5am, with full closures and detours in place. The work is weather dependent, so dates may change.On 8 December, SH1 southbound will be closed from the Silverdale interchange to Oteha Valley Road for general maintenance. The Silverdale southbound on-ramp and Oteha Valley Road southbound off-ramp will also be closed. Drivers are asked to follow the signposted detour via Twin Coast Discovery Highway, Dairy Flat Highway and Oteha Valley Road.On 8 and 9 December, SH1 northbound will be closed from the Silverdale interchange to the Orewa interchange for wire rope barrier maintenance. The Silverdale northbound on-ramp and Orewa northbound off-ramp will be closed, with a detour via Twin Discovery Coast Highway to the Orewa interchange.Vehicles over 3500kg will not be able to travel along Grand Drive and should instead follow the detour via Hibiscus Coast Highway and Old State Highway 1 to the Warkworth northbound on-ramp.Lane restrictions and ramp closures may begin before 9pm, and nearby properties may notice more noise while work is carried out. Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Making plans? Here’s what’s coming up around the Hibiscus Coast, curated by your team at The Hibiscus Coast App.Orewa Christmas Twilight MarketToday, Friday 5 DecClick here for more details Hibiscus Coast Concert Band at the Silverdale Pioneer VillageSat 6 DecClick here for more details Very Coastie Christmas EventSun 7 DecClick here for more details Find more things to do anytime in the Hibiscus Coast App, your local hub for events, food, and fun.Have an event coming up? Get featured next week! List your Event for FREE now.

A new nationwide farm recycling scheme will help local farmers cut plastic waste and costs.The Government has approved regulations for a rural recycling scheme covering agrichemicals and farm plastics.Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says the move is about “fixing the basics while building the future with practical solutions that protect the environment, support our farmers, and ensure a productive, sustainable primary sector.”The industry-led scheme brings the existing Agrecovery and Plasback programmes into a single national system.It will offer free, simple, and accessible services for all users of in-scope agrichemicals and farm plastics, including rural communities.Building on voluntary schemes operating for nearly 20 years, the regulations create a consistent product stewardship framework for agrichemicals, their containers, and farm plastics.The aim is to help farmers cut waste, reduce environmental impact, and support long-term productivity.Plastic products are essential to New Zealand’s agri-economy, but rural communities know that containers, plastic bags, and bale wrap can quickly pile up.The new scheme creates a unified system where producers, sellers, and users share responsibility for the full product lifecycle, rather than leaving disposal to farmers alone.It will also help sectors like forestry, manufacturing, hospitality, tourism, and local authorities, which will gain access to national take-back services.Supporters say it offers a clear alternative to burning or burying plastics, reducing environmental risk and helping keep rural communities cleaner and safer.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Black Friday spending was busy from Orewa to Silverdale and Whangaparaoa, even as Coast shoppers pulled back overall.On Friday, November 28, non-food retailers on Worldline NZ’s payments network recorded $55.6m of spending nationwide, the highest day so far this year and just ahead of Easter Saturday’s $49.1m.After adjusting for changes in who trades on the network, non-food spending on Black Friday was still 6.2% lower than in 2024, and 4.6% lower across the three-day weekend. That pattern lined up with November as a whole, where non-food goods spending sat below last year over most weeks.Worldline NZ Chief Sales Officer Bruce Proffit says tight budgets are showing through. “It appears that consumer budgets are still constrained at this end of the year. Clothing merchants experienced higher spending than Black Friday 2024 over the weekend but spending elsewhere was generally down,” he says.For Coasties, local shops in Orewa, Silverdale and Whangaparaoa sit inside the wider Auckland/Northland region, where Core Retail spending for November slipped 0.3% on last year. Across the country, total Core Retail spending through Worldline reached $4.09b for the month, up 1.1% on November 2024 after adjustments.Growth was strongest in West Coast (up 6.3%), Whanganui (5.4%) and Otago (5.0%), while Wellington fell 1.0% and Gisborne 1.8%. Merchants will be hoping the final weeks before Christmas bring a lift.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, 5/12Mostly sunny with a few early showers and a fresh southwesterly.High: 23Low: 16Saturday, 6/12Sunny spells with leftover cloud and a steady southwesterly.High: 26Low: 15Sunday, 7/12Fine and warm with just a light southerly.High: 27Low: 16Monday, 8/12Dry, mostly sunny conditions with a breezy northerly tending nor’wester later.High: 25Low: 17See 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.

Coasties who book holiday homes through Bachcare now have a court-backed reason to check the fine print.The High Court has ruled that some of Bachcare’s booking terms were unfair under the Fair Trading Act, after action by the Commerce Commission.Bachcare has since changed the clauses that were challenged.The case focused on standard terms that applied to guests across the country.One set of clauses meant guests could lose up to 100% of what they had paid if they cancelled, no matter how far away their stay was.Another meant Bachcare kept its service fee even when a booking was cancelled by Bachcare or the property owner.Commerce Commission Chair Dr John Small said the court action followed real-world complaints.“Our action was prompted by complaints from ordinary Kiwis who had booked a place to stay,” Commerce Commission Chair Dr John Small said.Some complaints related to trips cancelled during Cyclone Hale and Cyclone Gabrielle when travel was unsafe or not possible.Others involved guests losing deposits after simple booking errors.Justice McQueen found the terms created a significant imbalance in Bachcare’s favour and could cause financial or other harm to guests.The judgment is also a signal to other online platforms to review their contracts and to Coast holiday makers to read cancellation and refund clauses with care before they book.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Advanced tracking technology from the Netherlands to trace hornets back to their nests is set to be introduced by Biosecurity New Zealand in the next phase of the eradication project.More than half of the 30 queen hornets found by Biosecurity New Zealand on Auckland's North Shore showed evidence of having a nest.But the Ministry of Primary Industries will soon be able to turn the pests' insatiable desire to build nests against them.North commissioner Mike Inglis said high tech tracking technology from the Netherlands has arrived after advice from international and domestic experts.In the latest update on Tuesday, 19 of the 30 confirmed queen hornets were found with either developed nests or evidence of nesting while seven worker hornets were found in nests.Inglis said the tracking strategy will focus on worker hornets and over the next four to six weeks, traps will be set to catch them."We then put this tracking technology on the hornet and what we can do is then follow it back to the nest. We then go to the nest and destroy it."It's like a small tracking device with a small antenna on it, which can go onto the [worker] hornet and again, we then trace that back at particular times of the day or night back to the nest."Biosecurity NZ North Commissioner Mike Inglis. Photo: RNZ/Marika KhabaziInglis said the tracker had been extremely effective and successful in the United Kingdom.He said the timing was also important, with the nest making behaviour of the hornets to change in the coming weeks.Biosecurity NZ will also look to start using a bait poison called Vespex."The next stage will be this, as they start to develop the secondary nest, it will get slightly bigger and be found in higher trees."So it is important that we utilise this technology as well as part of that is putting out more protein traps and we will also use a product called Vespex in terms of protein bait.""That will also potentially, if the [worker hornets] pick that up, take it back to the nest, that will also destroy the inhabitants of the nest too."So it's a mixed approach, we make sure that we're belt and braces, so a bit of trapping, a bit of surveillance, the electronic sort of tagging of the hornets as well as doing the work that we're doing all guided by that technical advisory group and scientific evidence."Spreading the messageInglis said Biosecurity NZ has had an excellent response from the public, with nearly 4400 notifications received to date.Tomorrow he will be speaking at a forum hosted by Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital (TMBC), bringing together national experts to discuss the ongoing yellow-legged hornet response.Inglish said it was important to spread messaging not just within Auckland, but across the North Island."I've spent my time also in Northland speaking to Northland Council's biosecurity team going into Tauranga."Just expanding that as we've been doing over the period. Again, we've been really pushing in terms of that message and out there. The website and the Facebook hits have been incredible."If you've got a photograph, then send it in to us and we'll send our expert team. So it is important that we're in this together, that members of the public, our beekeepers are all involved in terms of that active surveillance as we all together try and ensure that we eradicate this hornet."The Bay of Plenty group - which was launched in 2018 - aims at leading a co-ordinated community response to biosecurity risks and advocating for better biosecurity protections.TMBC comms and event manager Natalie Rutene said the group played an important role in ensuring members and the wider community stayed informed about biosecurity risks like the yellow-legged hornet."As a neighbouring region to Auckland, we are closely following all information, guidance, and updates released by MPI regarding the yellow-legged hornet, and we continue to share relevant advice to support a coordinated, informed response."TMBC will host an online Partners Forum focused on this issue, providing an overview of the current operational response, discussion of potential impacts on apiculture, horticulture, communities, and wider industries, and guidance on how individuals and organisations can support early detection and rapid reporting."Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from leading experts," said Rutene.