New Zealanders can now get instant, science-based mental health advice with Ask Groov, a new AI-powered wellbeing tool launched by Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey and Sir John Kirwan.The app, endorsed by Health New Zealand, gives adults 24-hour access to practical support for everyday challenges such as stress, sleep, or relationships. “Access to mental health support should never be a barrier,” Mr Doocey said. “With Ask Groov, faster access to support is available 24/7, when and where people need it.”He said the Government’s mental health plan focuses on faster access, more frontline workers, and stronger crisis response. “Innovative tools like Ask Groov help us get in early, preventing problems from escalating.”Sir John Kirwan, who co-founded Groov with Adam Clark, said the tool lets people ask questions in their own words and get trusted, evidence-based answers. “It’s the kind of support I wish had been available when I was struggling,” he told the minister.Ask Groov’s AI uses only information developed or approved by Groov’s clinical experts, ensuring safety. If a user needs more help, the tool connects them with services like 1737.For Coasties, the launch highlights how digital health tools are becoming part of everyday life, with growing opportunities for local tech and wellbeing providers to contribute to national solutions.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

A cluster of new industrial units planned for Silverdale will cater to growing demand for mid-sized premises on the Hibiscus Coast.Silverdale Gateway Industrial Park, set for construction in 2026 at 53 Small Road, sits on the edge of the area’s existing industrial zone and aims to fill a long-standing gap for modern warehouse and office space north of Auckland.Stage 1 includes a mix of units from 208 to 856 square metres, with prices starting at $1.04 million plus GST.The development has consent for industrial use, allowing everything from light manufacturing and logistics to trade supply or service-based operations.The warehouses are designed with high-stud interiors, roller door access and wide driveways to support vehicle movement.Office areas are finished to a practical standard, with larger spaces split across two levels to separate office and workshop functions.Bayleys Silverdale agent Alex Perigo says the project responds to clear market pressure for functional, flexible industrial sites close to transport links.“Attention has been given to balancing functionality with long-term visual quality, supporting both individual business branding and the overall cohesion of the development,” he said.An on-site café and shared landscaping will add to the business environment.Co-agent Ben Clare says Silverdale’s continued residential and commercial growth is driving sustained demand for mid-sized premises.With easy access to the Northern Motorway and Hibiscus Coast Highway, he says the location offers a practical base for local and regional operators.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

If you’ve still got your voting papers sitting on the bench, now’s the time to post or drop them off, tomorrow’s the big day.Local elections happen every three years, deciding who’ll represent us on the Hibiscus Coast and beyond. That means the people we choose will help shape the services, parks, and planning decisions that affect our families for years to come.You’ll be voting for the mayor, councillors, and local board members. The ones who make the calls about what gets fixed, built, or funded next.Voting papers must be received by 12 noon, Saturday 11 October 2025. You can pop yours into a post box, an orange council voting bin, or deliver it straight to one of the council’s voting hubs.Progress results will start rolling in from midday tomorrow, with final declarations released between 16 and 22 October.If you’re still undecided, you can check out our Local Elections 2025 information and tips here.They’ll help you understand who’s standing and what they stand for.Every vote counts, Coasties. Make sure yours is in.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Looking for plans? Explore events happening soon on the Hibiscus Coast and start planning your next activity!Dairy Flat School AG Day GalaSat 11 OctClick here for more detailsPre-Loved Kids MarketSat 11 OctClick here for more detailsMilldale Show Home Open DaySat 11 OctClick here for more detailsWant to see more events? Explore Things To Do in our community in the Hibiscus Coast App anytime, anywhere.Got an event coming up? List it free today. →

Households across New Zealand saved more in the June 2025 quarter, as incomes rose faster than spending.Stats NZ reports household saving lifted to $804 million, up sharply from $149 million in March.Disposable income climbed 1.9% to $62.8 billion, while spending rose just 0.8% to $62 billion.The result lifted the household saving ratio to 1.3%.Stats NZ spokesperson Will Bell said higher dividends and stronger returns for self-employed business owners drove the rise.“The main drivers of an increase in disposable income this quarter were increases in dividends received by households and self-employed business owners,” he said.The data also showed total income receivable rose nearly $1 billion, with dividends up 53% and income from the self-employed up 5.2%.Lower interest rates meant both interest earned and paid fell in the same period.Bell said the drop in interest reflected lower market rates and a reduced Official Cash Rate.For families on the Hibiscus Coast, that combination of softer borrowing costs and better returns for small business owners may offer some breathing room after a tight year.But the national averages mask different realities.Many Coast households are still balancing rising living costs against only modest income growth.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Drivers heading to and from the Hibiscus Coast should plan for overnight closures on State Highway 1 and 18 from Sunday 12 to Thursday 16 October, as NZTA crews carry out maintenance work.On Sunday night, 12 October, SH1 southbound will close between Oteha Valley Road and Constellation Drive from 10pm to 5am. The Oteha Valley, Greville Road, and Constellation Drive ramps, along with the SH1 to SH18 link, will also be closed. Detours will run via Oteha Valley Road, Albany Expressway, Bush Road, Paul Matthews Road and Upper Harbour Highway. The work coincides with a full westbound closure on SH18 between Paul Matthews Road and Albany Highway.On Wednesday 15 October, SH1 northbound closes between Oteha Valley Road and the Silverdale interchange, 9pm to 5am. The Oteha Valley northbound on-ramp, Silverdale northbound off-ramp, and the BP Dairy Flat ramps will be closed. Drivers should detour via Oteha Valley Road and Dairy Flat Highway.On Thursday 16 October, SH1 southbound will close again between Silverdale and Oteha Valley Road from 9pm to 5am. The Silverdale southbound on-ramp and Oteha Valley Road southbound off-ramp will be closed. The detour runs along Twin Coast Discovery Highway, East Coast Road and Oteha Valley Road.For Coasties commuting to Auckland, allow extra time for night trips and follow the signposted detours.All closures are for essential maintenance to keep the motorway in good condition.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, 10/10Partly cloudy with a chance of a shower and a nor’westerHigh: 22Low: 14Saturday, 11/10Partly cloudy with a light northerlyHigh: 21Low: 13Sunday, 12/10Partly cloudy with a chance of a shower and a nor’westerHigh: 22Low: 15Monday, 13/10Occasional rain with a strengthening nor’westerHigh: 21Low: 14Want more weather info?Tap 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.

From 1 December, government buying will tilt toward Kiwi firms.A new economic benefit test and a shorter rulebook aim to make tenders clearer and easier to navigate, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says.Cabinet has approved the 5th edition of the Government Procurement Rules after more than 900 submissions.“Businesses shared that the lack of weighting for New Zealand’s interests in the evaluation criteria was holding them back,” Willis says.“That’s why we’re introducing a new economic benefit to New Zealand test that will apply to every procurement to ensure we are creating value and jobs for Kiwis. We want to see taxpayer money supporting Kiwi businesses to grow, hire, and thrive.”At least 10% of each decision must now weigh wider benefit to New Zealand, alongside price and quality.Agencies can give extra credit for proposals that:Use New Zealand businesses to deliver contractsCreate jobsOffer training and development to upskill New Zealand workersThe rules drop from 71 to 47.The goal is less paperwork and quicker bids, especially for small and medium firms.Coverage remains broad. Goods, services, and refurbishment over $100,000 are in scope. Construction over $9m is included.Contracts below these thresholds are expected to go to capable local businesses.Government contracts total more than $50b a year.The changes are designed to help Kiwi suppliers win more of that work, either directly or as subcontractors.International bidders will be expected to show how they create value here.Officials say the settings still meet trade obligations, so New Zealand firms can keep accessing large overseas markets.Opportunities will continue to appear on the Government Electronic Tenders Service, and the full 5th-edition rules are on the New Zealand Government Procurement website.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Families visiting IKEA Sylvia Park from 4 December will find more than furniture and flatpacks.The store’s new Småland play area offers children aged 3–8 a safe, supervised space to explore while parents shop or relax.Småland, a free in-store play zone inspired by the forests of southern Sweden, has been a favourite feature in IKEA stores worldwide.Children can enjoy a 30-minute play session, or up to 60 minutes for IKEA Family members on weekdays, while parents browse nearby knowing their little ones are in good hands.Rikki Mackenzie Burdon, Market Sales and Customer Experience Manager at IKEA New Zealand, says Småland captures IKEA’s family-friendly spirit.“Småland embodies IKEA’s belief that children are our most important customers. By blending play, imagination and downtime, we’re offering the ultimate in-store experience for families.”Småland. Photo: SuppliedInside, kids can climb and crawl through the Active Zone’s tunnels and soft-foam shapes, get creative at the craft tables, or chill out in the Quiet Area with comfy seating and G-rated films.Each session is supervised by trained IKEA co-workers who have passed safety checks and Småland-specific training.Småland operates daily from 9am to 8.30pm, with space for up to 30 children per session.No bookings are needed, just register at the entrance and you’ll be notified when it’s time to pick up your child.With many Hibiscus Coast families expected to make the drive south for IKEA’s grand opening, Småland could make a day of shopping a little easier and a lot more fun for both kids and parents.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Police say two people who were trapped on a cliff have been rescued.The pair had gone down the Tindall's Beach cliff in Whangaparaoa to retrieve something they'd dropped - but couldn't get back up and had to be rescued by emergency services.A rescue operation was launched and the Eagle helicopter monitored their location and neither person was injured."FENZ are currently undergoing procedures to bring both people back up and onto flat land," a spokesperson earlier said.FENZ crews at the scene. Photo: RNZ / Nick MonroA specialist lines crew arrived from central Auckland to assist with the rescue effort. The crew can use ropes to scale cliff faces if needed, said FENZ.St John ambulance said it had an ambulance, an operations manager and a rapid response unit on standby at the scene.

September’s usual lift in retail spending has yet to appear, with new data from Worldline NZ showing a cautious start to the final quarter of 2025.Core retail spending reached $3.65 billion last month, up just 1.1% on September 2024 once network changes were adjusted.But that small rise hides weakness underneath.Housing-related spending, including hardware, furniture and appliance stores, fell 7%, while hospitality was down 1.9%.Both sectors normally build momentum before Christmas, but not this time.Worldline NZ Chief Sales Officer Bruce Proffit says the mild uptick is positive but not convincing.“Kiwi consumers typically step up their spending in each of the last four months of the year, but we can report what is not happening yet,” he said.He noted that lower interest rates have not yet encouraged extra household spending.The usual pre-Christmas lift in hospitality is also missing.“Weak hospitality spending over the month, including in the last few days of September, suggests tourists will be welcomed more than usual by hospitality merchants this year,” Proffit said.For Hibiscus Coast retailers, especially in dining and home improvement, the results point to a slower start to spring trading.With tourism spending still to arrive, local cafes, restaurants and tradie suppliers may have to wait a bit longer for the boost they’re hoping for.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

A major police investigation into money laundering through cash wages in the construction sector has led to seven more arrests, adding to a total of 16 so far.Operation Beach, run by the Financial Crime Group, is uncovering how organised crime groups allegedly use cash payments to disguise millions of dollars from drug trafficking and other illegal activities.Police executed nine search warrants this morning across Auckland, including Murrays Bay and Whenuapai, seizing tens of thousands in cash, illegal drugs, and luxury goods.Detective Inspector Chris Allan says the arrests show how vulnerable high-cash industries can be.“Sectors that use cash in high volumes are susceptible to exploitation by organised crime groups who look to inject proceeds of crime into labourers’ wages at legitimate construction projects,” he said.He warned that cash wage payments do not just avoid tax, they can be criminal.“Cash wage payments create a fertile ground for money laundering, tax evasion and exploitation of vulnerable workers.”Earlier stages of the operation saw $1 million seized and 16 people charged with money laundering, drug, and immigration offences.MBIE is assisting where migrant workers may be involved.For Coast businesses, especially those hiring trades or contractors, the message is clear: pay properly and keep records.Police are urging employers and workers to report any suspicious cash practices to help stop organised crime from infiltrating legitimate work.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

It’s decision time for the Hibiscus Coast. Ballot papers are out, and locals have just a few days left to choose who’ll shape our region for the next three years.Voting in the 2025 local elections closes this Saturday, 11 October at 12 noon, and Coasties will be choosing one mayor, 20 ward councillors and 151 local board members across Auckland.You can pop your completed papers into any NZ Post box before Tuesday, 7 October, or drop them into an orange vote box at your nearest library, supermarket or transport station up until midday Saturday.These elections use the First Past the Post system, which means the candidate with the most ticks wins.If there are three positions, you can vote for up to three people.Your vote helps decide how our beaches are managed, how local roads are maintained, and who speaks up for the Hibiscus Coast at the Council table.If you’ve been meaning to post it, now’s the time.Every tick counts.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

New research shows Kiwi kids are at risk of leaving home without the life skills they need to thrive, with cooking topping the list.The HelloFresh study* found that 77 percent of parents believe it is "very important" for children to learn to cook before leaving home, but 60 percent said kids today are less likely to learn basic cooking skills at home compared to when they were growing up.The study also revealed 65 percent worry kids will become reliant on takeaways, 59 percent predict struggles to eat healthily, while only 21 percent of parents with children aged 5-17 say their kids are often involved in cooking.Chef and restaurateur Al Brown told Morning Report it all comes back to time restraints on families."It all comes back to that word time. Especially if mum and dad are running two jobs, when they get home they just want to get food on the table."Also, we are a consuming society, so we'd rather buy than make."Brown said cooking doesn't have to be too complex, and a few basic skills go a long way to helping teenagers feed themselves."A tomato or an avocado on some Vogels would be a good place to start."The thing about New Zealand is we are a produce driven country, so we don't have to do too much with the food. You buy a piece of fish, all you need is a squeeze of lemon and a dob of butter."Alongside being a basic life skill, Brown championed the creativity of cooking, and the joy cooking can provide for people."If you start with learning to make pikelets, and you pass those on to your flatmates, and sit around and have a cup of instant coffee, a cup of tea, there's something wonderful about that."By starting small and experiencing the gratitude from cooking for others, Brown said it could inspire people to try more complex dishes.Brown said one irony with the new research is teenagers love taking photos of food, but actually learning how to cook it isn't so popular.But social media and the internet also provides opportunities for people to access recipes, according to Brown."We are very lucky in this country, it's a melting pot of cuisines and every recipe is at your fingertips."I just encourage the young to have a go and it will put you in great stead when you leave the nest."*The findings are based on a nationwide survey conducted by Talbot Mills Research on behalf of HelloFresh. Fieldwork was carried out between 5-17 September 2025 with a nationally representative sample of 1,130 New Zealanders aged 18+.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the Government’s final-quarter plan is about “a lot more yes and a lot less no”, aiming to get more projects off the ground and boost growth across New Zealand.The Q4 Action Plan outlines 33 actions to rebuild the economy, restore law and order, and deliver better public services. Key moves include replacing the Resource Management Act to speed up construction and introducing new rules so small structures, like granny flats up to 70 square metres, can be built without consent.There’s also a push to modernise how infrastructure and housing are financed, along with a new loan guarantee scheme to help community housing providers reduce borrowing costs.For the Hibiscus Coast, these changes could mean faster progress on housing developments and transport projects, easing pressure from ongoing population growth and long commutes.The plan also introduces a fast lane for supermarket developments to lift competition, earthquake-prone building reforms expected to save $8.2 billion, and steps towards smarter road pricing in major cities.Luxon says these measures will help Kiwis “build things, grow their businesses, employ more people and contribute to a stronger economic future.”Progress has been strong so far, with 26 of 28 actions from the Q3 2025 plan completed and two partially finished. The last tasks involve Cabinet decisions to approve rules for open banking and work on laws to make foreign interference a crime and toughen espionage laws.If the “yes” mindset takes hold, Coasties could see real benefits through quicker builds, new jobs, and more investment flowing into local communities.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

If you’ve ever watched a grandparent frown at their phone or wonder how to “find that photo again”, here’s some good news. Digital Seniors, the free tech support group for over-65s, has now opened a new hub at Orewa Library every Thursday from 10am to 12noon.The non-profit started in the Wairarapa back in 2018 and has been growing fast, helping older adults build confidence with phones, tablets and computers. After a warm response at the Whangaparaoa Library hub, the expansion to Orewa means more Coast residents can now get friendly, patient help right in town.It’s all free and relaxed. No tests, no pressure, just one-on-one guidance in a social setting. You can bring your own device, ask that niggling question, or finally learn how to video call the grandkids.Digital Seniors says it’s all about connection and wellbeing, not just technology. By helping people stay in touch online, it reduces isolation and builds digital confidence across our community.Bookings are encouraged by calling 0800 373 646, emailing [email protected], or simply dropping in with your device.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says the next wave of AI apps will feel less like tools and more like talking with a helpful companion.Speaking at the recent Developer Day, Altman announced that ChatGPT will now include built-in apps that are interactive, adaptive and personalised, and they’ll meet users right inside their chat.Users can discover these apps when ChatGPT suggests one at the right time or by simply calling them by name.Say, “Spotify, make a playlist for my party this Friday,” and ChatGPT can bring up Spotify right in your conversation.The first time you use an app, ChatGPT will prompt you to connect it, making clear what data might be shared.After that, the experience blends naturally with your chat.Altman says this is the start of a new generation of applications that combine familiar elements like maps, playlists and presentations with interactive AI.You might ask Canva to turn an outline into a slide deck or have Coursera explain something mid-video.To make discovery easier, OpenAI will also launch an App Directory, its version of an App Store.The directory will provide an organised way to find and manage third-party apps built for ChatGPT, improving accessibility and the overall user experience.Altman also highlighted OpenAI’s mission to empower developers and businesses, showcasing new tools and models designed to accelerate AI adoption and make it easier to build with AI.Early apps now available include Booking.com, Canva, Coursera, Expedia, Figma and Spotify.With AI evolving quickly, this new era of chat-based apps could reshape how we learn, create and get things done, and for Coasties using ChatGPT, it’s a glimpse of where everyday tech is heading next.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Ninety-seven percent of young people in Aotearoa use the internet several times a day or almost constantly, and many say they are inundated with alcohol, vaping and junk food marketing online.Researchers say social media’s constant pull is putting young people at risk, from addictive use to harmful marketing that’s hard to escape.On Monday 6 October, experts presented evidence to Parliament’s Education and Workforce Select Committee Inquiry into online harm.They urged tougher rules to protect young New Zealanders from unhealthy digital environments.Professor Antonia Lyons from the University of Auckland’s School of Population Health said young people valued being online for connection and creativity, but they also reported relentless exposure to advertising for alcohol, vaping and junk food, often before they were legally old enough to buy them.“Young people told us that social media can be a positive space, spreading awareness, making people happy, and keeping them connected. But they also spoke of constant exposure to harmful marketing and content that was inescapable,” said Professor Lyons.The study drew on surveys and interviews with more than 3,600 people aged 14–20.Almost all were online several times a day, often juggling five or more platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok.The findings painted a troubling picture:Targeted ads pushing alcohol, vaping and ultra-processed foodsAlgorithms driving compulsive scrolling and data harvestingUnwanted exposure to body-shaming, hate speech and self-harm contentResearchers say the impact falls unevenly, with Māori and disadvantaged communities facing greater harm.For families on the Hibiscus Coast, the message is clear: young people’s digital worlds can feel empowering, but they’re also being shaped by powerful marketing forces beyond their control.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Morning commuters heading south on State Highway 1 still facing heavy delays today after a multi-vehicle crash near Okura closed the right lane.The crash happened on the southbound side between Silverdale and Oteha Valley.NZTA have advised us that emergency services are at the scene, and NZTA says drivers should pass with care and expect delays until further notice.A detour route is being managed by emergency staff, and motorists are urged to follow their directions.NZTA has not given an estimated time for reopening the lane, and clean-up work is ongoing.If you’re planning to head south today, allow extra travel time, drive to the conditions.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]