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Food Waste Revolution Starts in NZ
Food Waste Revolution Starts in NZ

25 June 2025, 1:34 AM

An award-worthy food tech breakthrough is quietly reshaping the future of farming in New Zealand, and it started right here at home.Powered by Plants (PbP), a Kiwi sustainability venture, has developed a world-first upcycling system that turns wasted fruit and veg into high-value powders, extracts and concentrates. Backed by the NZ Food Innovation Network, the system could reduce New Zealand’s reliance on imported ingredients and give struggling growers a new revenue stream.The model captures waste from crops like onions, carrots and berries, and processes it into food-grade ingredients. What can’t be used for food is turned into insect meal, biogas or fertiliser, nothing goes to landfill.Dr Andrew Prest from PbP says the idea came from seeing perfectly good produce dumped or sold for peanuts. “We’re importing onion powder while 20% of our local onions rot in landfill. That doesn’t make sense.”Grant Verry says the innovation could be a turning point for growers.“For some growers, this could be the difference between profit and loss,” he says. “It offers them options, so instead of sending unsold produce to landfill or stockfeed, they can now receive more revenue by choosing to sell into a higher-value, local, circular and sustainable bioprocessing food system.”With several trial hubs already in place, the goal is to roll out regional mini-refineries across the country.For Hibiscus Coast produce lovers, it’s a glimpse of a future where local food stays local, waste is valuable, and jobs are created right where the food is grown.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

1.7M Seats Up for Grabs This Summer
1.7M Seats Up for Grabs This Summer

24 June 2025, 12:04 AM

If you're planning a summer escape across the ditch, you're in luck. Air New Zealand is adding more than 1.7 million seats between New Zealand and Australia from October 2025 to March 2026.That includes 130,000 extra seats thanks to more frequent flights and bigger planes on popular routes. Premium seating is also getting a boost to meet strong demand from business and leisure travellers.It’s not just Australia seeing a bump. Over 25,000 more seats are being added to Pacific Island destinations too, supporting growing holiday demand and regional connections.The Auckland–Perth route will see nearly 30,000 extra seats, Auckland–Sydney gets 25,000 more (including 7,500 in premium), and Queenstown–Sydney is marking 30 years of direct flights with a 26% capacity increase.Closer to home for Coasties, the increased flights from Auckland offer better access and flexibility whether you're heading to Melbourne, Rarotonga, or beyond. More widebody aircraft, more premium seats, and more frequent departures mean travel planning just got easier.Air New Zealand Chief Commercial Officer Jeremy O’Brien says it’s all about better options. “We're stepping up our services across the Tasman… giving our customers more comfort, more choice, and more reasons to fly with us.”With strong demand and more aircraft available, this summer is shaping up to be one of the busiest yet for trans-Tasman travel.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Golf NZ rejects Council plan
Golf NZ rejects Council plan

23 June 2025, 9:46 PM

Golf NZ says converting half of a prominent Auckland golf course into a stormwater reservoir would be a missed opportunity.Auckland Council was in the early stages of comparing two plans to incorporate a flood catchment into the Takapuna Golf Course, including its proposal to convert half of the course into a flood catchment and recreational area.The council's proposal was to use the land to capture about 550,000 litres of water during a storm, reducing the flood risk to 10 hectares of homes, nearby schools and North Shore Hospital.Council was working with Takapuna Golf Club to assess the feasibility of an alternative proposal for flood catchment that would retain the 18-hole golf course.The Wairau catchment was one of the most severely flooded areas during the 2023 Auckland Anniversary floods and two lives were lost in the area.More than 100 homes in the nearby suburb Milford have so far been condemned due to the flooding as part of the council's buy-out scheme - the most of any suburb in Auckland.Golf NZ chief executive Jeff Latch was not in favour of converting half of the golf course into a stormwater reservoir.Golf NZ chief executive Jeff Latch does not want half of Takapuna Golf Course to be converted into a stormwater reservoir. Photo: Supplied"Golf in New Zealand is on an absolute high, the growth that's taken place in terms of golf club membership has been 50 percent in the last five years."If you think about that for a mature sport like golf, that is just colossal growth," he said."Auckland's got a real issue, there's this massive growth in demand and people wanting to play golf but we don't have enough golf courses and so public golf courses like Takapuna are absolutely critical to enable golfers to actually go out and have a hit."Latch said Golf NZ was backing an alternative proposal to keep all of the course's 18 holes but use some of the land for dry-basin flood management."We absolutely need a solution here that enables the golf course to stay and for the flood protection issue to be addressed, and we believe there is a solution that does both of those things."By redesigning the existing course there's the opportunity to preserve Takapuna as an 18-hole golf course while also providing the area required for flood protection."He said cutting the course in half would be wasting a valuable asset."From a golfing perspective [it would be] incredibly detrimental to enabling people in Auckland to play the game they love."As the population of Auckland continues to grow, land is obviously at a real premium and particularly land for recreational facilities. So green spaces like the Takapuna Golf Course are absolutely critical for the future.""I think as a green space in Auckland where we're really pushed for land it's critical that it's maintained."Harbour Sport chief executive Mike Bishop agreed the North Shore needed more golf facilities, not fewer."This is a public course with reasonable fees that anyone can book. During weekends and evenings, you'll see people walking the course just for exercise, it's a public asset with significant community value and we cannot lose it."During Covid this space was a lifeline for physical activity. It's a green area used by thousands every month."Council was still considering the feasibility of the two options and construction on any approved plan for the flood catchment at the golf course was not expected to begin until 2027.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Kiwi Cosmetics Win China Access
Kiwi Cosmetics Win China Access

23 June 2025, 4:24 AM

A new Government-backed certification scheme has opened the door for Kiwi-made cosmetics to hit the shelves of Chinese stores, unlocking access to a $200 million market.Announced by the Prime Minister in Shanghai, the scheme allows New Zealand skincare and beauty exporters to sell through traditional retail channels in China, not just online.“This is a smart, practical step that removes a long-standing trade barrier,” said Trade Minister Todd McClay. “It means more high-quality, innovative New Zealand products on shelves in China.”Exporters will now be able to obtain a Government-issued Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificate. Developed with International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) and MBIE, the certificate meets Chinese regulations and gives buyers confidence in the quality and ethics behind the products.Crucially, the move gives Kiwi firms the green light to scale up fast, with backing from a formal certification aligned to Chinese standards.The ban on animal testing remains in place for New Zealand-made cosmetics, a selling point expected to resonate with Chinese consumers seeking sustainable and ethical options.Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson said the new scheme reflects the Government’s push to remove red tape and help local businesses grow globally.For businesses on the Hibiscus Coast exploring export opportunities, this could be the green light to go global. With China’s appetite for natural beauty products growing, the certification opens up real opportunities for homegrown brands to reach new customers.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Mayor Brown Rejects Dog Task Force
Mayor Brown Rejects Dog Task Force

23 June 2025, 1:53 AM

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has rejected requests to establish a mayoral taskforce on dogs, saying it would duplicate initiatives already in place.The decision comes despite increasing pressure from residents, who feel that roaming dogs are making their neighbourhoods unsafe.Brown acknowledged the rising concerns about roaming dogs, especially in South Auckland.But he insisted that the council was addressing the issue through existing programmes.Brown supported the work of the Regulatory and Safety Committee, chaired by Councillor Josephine Bartley and supported Councillor Daniel Newman from Manurewa and the local board.The committee focuses on improving public safety and managing dangerous dogs.Brown and Bartley had also communicated with relevant government ministers, advocating for legislative changes to strengthen enforcement powers.The council’s Long-Term Plan has allocated further funding to hire more animal control officers, improve enforcement, trial desexing programmes in high-risk areas, and seek reforms to the Dog Control Act.Brown said a data-led approach to targeting areas in need, including free desexing services in South and West Auckland, was key.He also recognised the Manurewa Local Board’s efforts to fund more animal control staff and was looking for ways to expand the capacity of local shelters.Residents report ongoing issuesDespite these efforts, Manurewa residents contended that the problem remained unresolved.At a public meeting hosted by MP Arena Williams, several residents shared alarming stories about dangerous, roaming dogs in their streets and parks.Brendan, a concerned resident, recounted, “I was fixing up my boat, and from around the corner a huge dog suddenly advanced on me. Lucky, I was able to drive it back using a rope.”Victoria, a local dog owner, was frustrated, and said the issue had forced her to stop walking in her neighbourhood.“I’m afraid to go to my local park. I bought a house here and want to make it my home, but I’m driving to other suburbs to walk my dog. It’s holding me back from making friends and putting down roots.”Another resident Ryan said response times from the council had worsened. “I’ve been calling the Council, but response times have gotten worse. I wonder if, after a certain time, traps could be used in problematic places.”Williams continued to advocate for a mayoral taskforce on dogs and is working closely with central government.“Central government are holding local government back. They need to legislate for change, fund frontline council services, and back the communities carrying the burden of inaction,” she said.She thanked the SPCA, Brown, and Bartley for supporting a new initiative that offers free dog desexing, microchipping, and vaccinations in high-need areas like Manurewa.Frontline groups seek urgent supportJo Coulam, a volunteer with the Saving Hope Foundation, said they were overwhelmed and had seen little change since the council’s pilot programme began.The system was not reaching the right whānau early enough and lacked meaningful follow-up, she said.Her team continued to use donations to fund desexing when they could.“As far as the dog crisis goes, to us nothing has changed,” she said. “We still see roaming dogs everywhere, and we’re still getting calls every day about puppies being born. We’ve had over probably nearly 300 requests this month alone for us to take people’s dogs.“People are scared their dogs will be taken. They want help, but they’re scared because their dog isn’t registered or desexed.”A recent event at Rawirit Community House brought dog owners together, providing support, flea treatments, deworming, and information on council-funded desexing, Coulam said.“We’ve met thousands of families desperate to have their dogs de-sexed to end the cycle of unwanted puppies,” she said.In one remarkable case, she shared that a dog was finally desexed after having 26 puppies in just seven months.On the pilot programme’s efficacy, Coulam said, “They need to get the people like the people that come to our food drops and our desexing talks, those are the ones you want to get because their dog, while they’re not problems yet, they will become problems and they’ll become the roamers.“That’s the scale of the problem if you don’t act early.”Council outlines comprehensive planAuckland Council’s general manager of licensing and compliance Robert Irvine emphasised the seriousness with which the council treated the issue, especially in high-risk areas like Manurewa.“Dogs can make wonderful additions to our whānau, but they come with commitments,” he said. “Desexing is one of the core requirements of responsible dog ownership.”The council had invested about $5 million in additional funding for animal management, he said.This included hiring new staff, implementing public education campaigns, targeted desexing, proactive enforcement, and developing a new animal shelter.The council continued to collaborate with the SPCA and community groups, and advocates for reforms to the Dog Control Act.Desexing vouchers were not available for public application, he said.Instead, officers issued them during engagements or when releasing impounded dogs.He says there was no formal follow-up process for voucher use.“The focus of this initiative is on support and prevention, not punishment,” he said. “Our goal is to ensure residents feel safe and supported when accessing services.“The onus is on the recipient to book and attend the appointment. We’ve not been made aware of any issues regarding a lack of follow-up.”Author: Mary Afemata – Local Democracy ReporterLDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

All Blacks Squad Named
All Blacks Squad Named

23 June 2025, 12:15 AM

The first All Blacks squad of 2025 has just been named, and this year’s announcement came with a special local twist.It was revealed live from Coastal Rugby Club in Taranaki, the proud home of Beauden, Scott, and Jordie Barrett.Following a thrilling Super Rugby Pacific season, coach Scott Robertson confirmed a 32-man squad to take on France in the July test series.Scott Barrett has been named captain.Here’s the full squad:Forwards:Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Brodie McAlister*Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, Ollie Norris*Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio TosiScott Barrett (c), Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Fabian Holland*Samipeni Finau, Ardie Savea, Du’Plessis Kirifi*, Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson*Backs:Cam Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Noah HothamBeauden Barrett, Damian McKenzieAnton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Rieko IoaneQuinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor*, Timoci Tavatavanawai*Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan, Ruben LoveInjury Cover:Christian Lio-Willie* (for Luke Jacobson)Emoni Narawa (for Anton Lienert-Brown)(* denotes potential debut)Unavailable due to injury: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Sam Darry, Peter Lakai, Stephen Perofeta.The first test kicks off 19:05 on Saturday 5 July at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.For Hibiscus Coast fans, it’s a fresh squad, a new era, and a great reason to rally around the team in black.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Four NZ Universities Climb Rankings
Four NZ Universities Climb Rankings

22 June 2025, 7:44 PM

Good news for Coast families with teens eyeing uni.Auckland’s top university has climbed even higher in the global rankings, landing at #65 in the world.In the 2026 QS World University Rankings, four of New Zealand’s eight universities moved up the list, and all eight sit within the top 30 percent of more than 1,500 institutions worldwide.The University of Otago also made a strong return to the top 200 at #197.Massey University ranked at #230, Victoria University of Wellington at #241, University of Canterbury at #261, University of Waikato at #282, Lincoln University at #407, and AUT at #410.Globally, the top three were MIT (USA), Imperial College London (UK), and Stanford University (USA).In our region, the University of Melbourne placed at #19, while the National University of Singapore came in at #8.The rankings are based on academic reputation, employer reputation, graduate employment outcomes, faculty-student ratio, international research strength, and sustainability.QS Vice President Ben Sowter called New Zealand one of the few places in the world where every university is in the global top 500.He said the results reflect the work of outstanding staff and students across the country.For families on the Hibiscus Coast, this reinforces that high-quality study options are available right here at home, without the cost or stress of heading overseas.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Toyota Tops NZ Reputation Rankings
Toyota Tops NZ Reputation Rankings

20 June 2025, 11:01 PM

Toyota has once again taken the top spot in New Zealand’s most trusted corporate reputation rankings.The 2025 Kantar Corporate Reputation Index, which benchmarks the public perception of the country’s top 50 corporates, reveals a tightening at the top. Only a few brands are now standing out with truly strong reputations, giving them a competitive edge.Pak’nSave landed at number two, followed by Air New Zealand, TVNZ, and Lotto NZ. The rest of the top ten includes AA Insurance, New World, Samsung, Auckland Airport, and Kiwibank.Established in 2015, the Index uses a globally recognised framework to assess trust (35%), leadership (25%), fairness (23%), and responsibility (16%). Trust continues to be the strongest driver of corporate reputation in New Zealand.The Index is considered the gold standard for measuring public trust and brand strength and is closely watched by business leaders and media alike.For Coasties, it’s a good reminder of the local impact of these national names, many of which have a strong presence on the Hibiscus Coast through retail stores, services, or partnerships. Brands like Pak’nSave, New World, and Lotto NZ are part of daily life here, and seeing them rank so highly reflects the connection many locals feel.As reputation becomes harder to earn, those who get it right are clearly doing something special.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Parkinson’s and MSA Markers Found
Parkinson’s and MSA Markers Found

20 June 2025, 8:12 PM

New clues found in brain tissue by Auckland and Sydney researchers could soon help doctors tell Parkinson’s disease apart from multiple system atrophy (MSA) much earlier and far more accurately.Dr Victor Dieriks and Dr James Wiseman from the University of Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research, alongside Professor Glenda Halliday from the University of Sydney, discovered distinct differences in a protein called α-synuclein, found in both diseases. Scientists at the University of Auckland Centre for Brain Research Dr James Wiseman (left) and Dr Victor Dieriks.They noticed it clumps differently and in much higher levels in MSA than in Parkinson’s.This is significant because both conditions share early symptoms and are often misdiagnosed. “When misdiagnosed, patients with MSA are often given Parkinson’s drugs that don’t help and can even make things worse,” says Dieriks.Currently, diagnosis is based only on symptoms. But this new finding could lead to a non-invasive test, such as a nasal swab or urine sample, that picks up the disease long before symptoms appear.Parkinson’s and MSA affect people on the Hibiscus Coast just like anywhere else, but it’s often a long road to diagnosis. A test like this could mean quicker answers and better treatment options for our local families.MSA is rare but fast-moving. “It can turn active, independent people into full-time care patients in just a few years,” Dieriks says. Parkinson’s, by contrast, usually progresses slowly over decades.Now, there’s hope for faster answers and better futures.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Most Auckland Consents Now Built
Most Auckland Consents Now Built

20 June 2025, 3:47 AM

It’s a question locals often ask: how many of those new housing consents actually turn into homes?In Auckland’s case, the answer is most of them.New data from Auckland Council shows more than 90% of consented homes are being built, with most construction starting within six months.That’s a promising figure, especially as Auckland continues to tackle its housing shortfall.Gary Blick, Chief Economist at Auckland Council, says the shift is clear.Since the Auckland Unitary Plan took effect in late 2016, nearly 100,000 homes have been completed, with a strong trend toward townhouses and apartments in central locations.“The number of homes completed jumped from 10,200 in 2018 to a record 18,100 in 2023,” Blick says.Another 17,200 were added in 2024, with thousands more in the pipeline, 13,800 under construction and 6,400 consented but yet to begin.While some demolitions make way for more intensive housing, around 89% of these new builds are net additions to Auckland’s housing stock.That means more homes where people actually want to live, close to jobs, schools, shops, and transport.For Coasties who work or travel into the city, this matters.A better-supplied Auckland means less pressure on prices, and more chances for family or friends to find homes closer to where they need to be.It’s one of the clearest signs yet that planning changes are making a real difference.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Where New Zealand universities rank internationally
Where New Zealand universities rank internationally

20 June 2025, 1:34 AM

Four of New Zealand's eight universities have improved their standing in one of the major international university league tables.The QS World University Ranking ranked more than 1500 institutions in 106 countries based on measures including a survey of academic reputation, staff to student ratios and citations of lecturers' research.The University of Auckland was New Zealand's highest-ranked institution in 65th place, with the other seven universities ranked between 197 and 410.Otago, Massey, Victoria and AUT improved their rankings with Otago returning to the top 200 for the first time since 2022.Considered as a university system, New Zealand's universities performed well, the ranking said."Among countries and territories with at least eight institutions featured in this year's rankings, New Zealand's overall average score of 51 puts the country fifth in the world for the overall quality of its higher education," it said.Only Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland had better-performing university systems.The ranking placed Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) first for the 14th consecutive year followed by Imperial College London and Stanford University.Other ranking systems last year placed New Zealand universities lower in their league tables.In the THE ranking they ranged from 152nd to a band of 501-600th place, while in the Academic Ranking of World Universities they ranged from a top placing in the 201-300 band to a bottom placing of 801-900.

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