A new Government plan to cap council rates rises could help ease bill pressure for Hibiscus Coast households.Local Government Minister Simon Watts says ratepayers need councils to live within their means. “Rates are taking up more of household bills, and some communities have faced double-digit increases year after year. This is unsustainable and is only adding to the cost of living for many Kiwis,” Simon Watts says.The model sets a target range for annual rates increases of 2 to 4 per cent per capita, per year. The lower end is intended to keep essential services running, while the upper end is designed to keep rate rises affordable. The cap would apply to all forms of rates, including general rates, targeted rates and uniform annual charges, but not to water charges or other fees.Councils wanting to move outside the upper limit would need approval from a central regulator. Permission would be reserved for extreme situations such as natural disasters, or where councils can justify catching up on past underinvestment and show how they will move back to the target range.A transition period starts on Friday, January 1, 2027, when councils must factor the cap into long-term plans and report on key financial measures. The full regulatory model is due to be in place by Sunday, July 1, 2029, with officials watching rate rises closely and urging councils, including Auckland Council, not to wait before controlling increases for their communities.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Auckland’s housing lift in November is flowing into Hibiscus Coast suburbs as top-end buyers return to the market.“There was a marked increase in prices during November with buyers returning in strength to the top end of the market,” said Barfoot & Thompson managing director Peter Thompson. The median Auckland price reached $995,000, up 4.7 percent on October, while the average climbed 9.5 percent to $1,181,829.Thompson says these are the largest monthly increases this year and they end a four-month patch where prices showed little movement. He says this year’s November rise “was based on a change in sentiment as to future market direction” and that improved prices “led to a subtle shift from it being a total buyers’ market, with buyers sensing that now might be the time to act.”Sales hit 969 for the month, 4.2 percent higher than October and 2 percent above the previous three-month average. A key feature was the return of buyers spending $2 to $3 million, with 71 sales in that band, more than double the previous month, plus 21 sales over $3 million.On the Hibiscus Coast, three-bedroom averages now sit close to Auckland’s median. Orewa comes in at $999,158, Red Beach at $1,040,727 and Silverdale at $976,250, with Millwater at $1,205,933 and Manly at $1,194,375. Weekly rents for three-bedroom homes run from the mid-$600s to mid-$700s, including $694 in Orewa and $760 in Milldale. Gross yields mostly sit between 3 and 4 percent, from 3.05 percent in Manly up to 4.35 percent in Gulf Harbour and 4.18 percent in Wellsford.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

A stolen car spotted near Puhoi led Police through Ōrewa and Silverdale in the early hours this morning. The overnight incident ended with a firearm seized and two men facing charges.Around 1.30am, officers saw a vehicle allegedly travelling at speed on the Northern Motorway near Puhoi. No pursuit was initiated, but the vehicle was confirmed as stolen and continued south before exiting at Ōrewa and carrying on through Silverdale to Albany, where the Police Eagle helicopter took over tracking.The vehicle was spiked on Oteha Valley Road and abandoned on Kallista Place in Browns Bay, where two men ran to a nearby property. One surrendered immediately. Police say the second man was seen carrying what appeared to be a firearm and hiding it on the roof of a shed before jumping fences into neighbouring properties.Cordons were put in place and a dog handler tracked the man to a house, where he was found trying to hide underneath a child’s bed. He resisted arrest and received a small dog bite, which was treated at the scene.Police later located and seized the firearm. Inspector Nina Pedersen says this is “a great result for the team” and means another firearm is out of the community and prevented from potential future offending.A 29-year-old man faces charges including unlawfully getting into a vehicle, possession of an offensive weapon, resisting Police and unlawfully in a building. A 37-year-old man is charged with dangerous driving, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, possession of methamphetamine and contravening a protection order. Both were due to appear in North Shore District Court today.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Two females will appear in court after security guards and a shopper were assaulted at Glenfield Mall on Friday.Police were called to the mall at about 1.30pm after reports that security guards had been assaulted while trying to stop two alleged shoplifters leaving a store.Acting Senior Sergeant Alex Waworis, Relieving Waitematā East Communities Manager, says officers arrived within minutes and quickly established that two females had violently assaulted three people who were trying to stop them from leaving the mall.Two security guards and a member of the public were assaulted, with two of the victims taken to hospital for medical treatment.Attending officers tracked the alleged offenders and found them not far from the mall, where they were taken into custody.“We are pleased to have apprehended these alleged offenders and hold them to account for their actions,” Acting Senior Sergeant Waworis says.“This type of offending is unacceptable, and Police will not tolerate it in our community."The items allegedly shoplifted were returned to the store, and the two alleged offenders will appear in court later this week charged with a range of offences.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Auckland’s Mayor wants next year’s council budget to stay on track while big transport changes move a step closer.His draft Mayoral Proposal for the 2026/2027 Annual Plan keeps year three of the Long-term Plan 2024–2034, with a 7.9% average residential rates rise mainly linked to City Rail Link costs, $3.9b of capital investment, more than $5.3b for services, debt held at a 225% debt-to-revenue ratio and a $106m savings target. Core asset sales of $34m are also built in.“We are going to stick to the plan that’s working, this is our contract with the community,” Wayne Brown says, arguing the council has found savings while keeping services going. Deputy Mayor and Value for Money Committee chair Desley Simpson points to more than $1b in financial benefits over six years and says the drive for “financial efficiencies” will continue.Local boards are expected to keep trimming costs, adjusting fees and looking at targeted rates, while council staff work on ways to cover a combined $6m funding gap for seven boards without “drastic service cuts”. Place-based investment and possible property disposals are flagged as key tools.A major part of the proposal is transport reform. A new public transport CCO would focus on bus, rail and ferry services, while Auckland Council takes over wider transport planning and road control once new legislation is in place. The Mayor also wants a sharper approach to urban development, property management and the city centre, with councillors set to debate the plan from Wednesday, 3 December ahead of public consultation in early 2026.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

One NZ has been fined $1.1 million for breaching rules that protect vulnerable landline users when they dial 111.Following action by the Commerce Commission, the High Court has ordered the company to pay a $1.1 million penalty and contribute $100,000 towards the Commission’s costs after it admitted ten breaches of the 111 Contact Code between 2021 and 2023.“Telecommunications services provide a vital lifeline in the event of emergencies like natural disasters and power failures,” Telecommunications Commissioner Tristan Gilbertson said. “As consumers move off traditional copper lines it’s crucial that vulnerable New Zealanders retain the ability to contact emergency services during a power failure.”The Code requires providers to give vulnerable consumers a no-cost way of calling 111 in a power cut, clearly explain their options, and accurately report how they are supporting those customers. One NZ’s breaches related to information disclosure, record keeping, and regular customer outreach over a two-year period.The Code is aimed at people who, for health, safety or disability reasons, rely on a landline connection for emergency calling that will not work in a power cut without its own power supply. If they have no other way to reach 111, such as a mobile phone, their provider must supply a device that lets them make emergency calls for at least eight continuous hours at no cost. Most providers meet this duty with a mobile handset or, outside mobile coverage, a battery back-up for the landline service.“It’s critical that telecommunications providers comply with the Code which ensures that vulnerable consumers can still call for help during a power cut,” Mr Gilbertson said, adding that the Commission will keep monitoring compliance and act when needed to protect consumers.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

New national wastewater rules are being brought in to save ratepayers money, with the Government saying the changes could cut consenting costs for councils by up to $830 million over the next 35 years and ease pressure on household rates.Local Government Minister Simon Watts says the new environmental performance standards are about “saving money for communities” by streamlining how councils renew consents for wastewater plants.For the first time, more than 330 publicly owned treatment plants will work under one consistent national framework, instead of each council running its own complex and often duplicated assessments.The Government estimates consenting costs could drop by up to 40 percent per plant, or $300,000 to $600,000, and by up to 60 percent for smaller plants.The standards cover discharges to land and water, rules for reusing biosolids, and clearer requirements for monitoring overflows and bypasses.They use a risk-based approach, with tighter limits where the environment is most sensitive and more flexible, lower-cost options in low-risk areas.With around 60 percent of treatment plants needing new consents in the next decade, including those that serve communities like the Hibiscus Coast, the Government says the changes will help councils upgrade ageing infrastructure without adding to cost-of-living pressures.The new standards take effect in December 2025.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

From today, Hibiscus Coast customers of ANZ, ASB, BNZ or Westpac can tap into new open banking services that promise more choice and sharper digital tools.New regulations now in force across New Zealand set the first stage of a phased roll-out of regulated open banking. The goal is to boost competition in the banking sector by making it easier for customers to use secure, customer-focused services such as budgeting apps, fast mortgage comparison tools and new payment options.Instead of handing over internet banking passwords to unregulated providers, customers will be able to share their data in a controlled way. Data can only be shared with a customer’s clear authorisation, and any business wanting access must be accredited by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Accredited data requestors will carry an official MBIE trust mark so customers can see who meets the standard.MBIE is now accepting applications from organisations that want to become accredited data requestors. In the background, MBIE has also agreed a standards licensing deal with Payments NZ so that existing industry API standards for data, payments and security can be locked into regulation.ANZ, ASB, BNZ and Westpac must have their systems live from today. Kiwibank must be ready by June 2026 for payment services and December 2026 for other services, while all other banks and deposit-takers can choose to opt in from now. For Coasties, that means more secure ways to connect banking data with trusted tools over the next few years.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

On World AIDS Day, Minister Matt Doocey announced new HIV counselling funding at Parliament to speed mental health support.World AIDS Day, held every year on 1 December, remembers those who have died from AIDS and raises awareness of the ongoing pandemic. Nearly 38 million people worldwide are living with HIV, and since the first AIDS cases were reported in 1981, about 75 million people have been infected and tens of millions have died from AIDS-related causes.Doocey, Mental Health and Associate Health Minister, said the day was a chance to reflect on New Zealand’s progress in reducing locally acquired HIV infections and tackling stigma. “This counselling service gives Kiwis faster access to support at a time they really need it,” he said.The Burnett Foundation has received funding to launch a new wraparound counselling service, supported through matched funding from the Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund.The aim is to scale up support so that hundreds more people can see trained mental health professionals.Alongside more face-to-face counselling, services will expand nationwide through online sessions. Support will also extend to families, including those of people who have just received a new HIV diagnosis.Doocey said the Government’s mental health plan focuses on faster access to support, more frontline workers and a better crisis response. The announcement sits alongside the release of New Zealand’s first HIV Monitoring Report, which tracks progress on the HIV Action Plan and the goal of eliminating local transmission of HIV by 2030.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

A $50 million redevelopment plan of now demolished Waiwera Hot Pools has been unveiled.Concept designs for the currently empty site include 28 pools and wellness experiences along with saunas, reflexology walks and gardens.Resource consent for the project, led by Waiwera Thermal Springs Property LP, would be lodged with Auckland Council on Monday, the group said.The group had signed an agreement to acquire the site from landowners Urban Partners.The Waiwera site seen from above as it currently is. Photo: SUPPLIEDDirector of Waiwera Thermal Springs, Brandon Batagol, said he wanted the attraction to be a "wold-class bathing and wellness destination".Waiwera had been open in some form since the 1800's, but in 2018 the hot pools closed and were later demolished in 2023, leaving the site as a vacant piece of land."Our vision is to create a destination that reconnects people to Waiwera's geothermal heritage, culture and lush native landscape," Batagol said.Waiwera Thermal Springs concept sketch. Photo: SUPPLIED"This will be a place of genuine replenishment where wellness grows from nature."The development team behind the project had experience in thermal wellness destinations, Batagol said, and had operated the award-winning Peninsula Hot Springs in Melbourne and been involved in the revival of Maruia Hot Springs in the South Island."Together, with local experts and local partners, we have taken the upmost care to deliver a plan for Waiwera Thermal Springs that will bring considerable economic and social benefits to the region whilst honouring the natural environment."He said the springs would encourage guests to "slow down" and immerse themselves in nature.Pools set amongst native forest as part of the concept renders. Photo: One to One Hundred Ltd / SUPPLIEDWaiwera was a place of deep ancestral and cultural significance for Ngāti Manuhiri, Batagol said who would be involved as development partners."We recognise this land and water as part of a living whakapapa, shaped by generations and sustained through shared principles."Sharing the plans openly with the public for the first time was "exciting", Batagol said."We look forward to continuing to work closely with Auckland Council through the Resource Consent process."In time, when we are ready to welcome visitors, we want them to come for the calm and stay for the connection in Waiwera's mineral rich hot waters."Waiwera Thermal Pools prior to its demolition. (File photo) Photo: RNZ / Tom TaylorAuckland Mayor Wayne Brown said the $50 million plan had his "full backing"."Waiwera Thermal Springs is expected to attract over 310,000 visitors to the region and generate around $300 million over its first five years, drawing tourism in both winter and summer."It is optimally placed along the tourist route, making the most of what we already have there. I look forward to its opening."

From Sunday, December 14, tertiary students across Auckland get 40 per cent off fares, easing costs for Hibiscus Coast commuters.Auckland Transport is doubling its tertiary student concession from 20 per cent to 40 per cent, matching the discount already offered to children aged 5–12 and secondary students.The move responds to strong calls from students for cheaper travel.Councillor Andy Baker says more than 51,000 students already have the concession on their AT HOP card, so they will pay less overnight when the new rate starts.A regular two or three zone commute could save around $200 to $250 a year.He says students could save about $5 million a year, while the higher discount may generate up to 3.6 million extra trips, without adding costs for ratepayers.AT’s Director of Public Transport and Active Modes, Stacey van der Putten, says, “Public transport fares really do make a difference at a time in their lives when many are having to support themselves financially for the first time.”Auckland University Students’ Association President Gabriel Boyd says, “These changes will allow students to prioritise their education without smashing the piggy bank.”Student leaders at AUT say savings could help cover an extra week’s rent or a few more bus trips to class.Universities say cheaper fares help remove a cost barrier to education and support student participation in campus and Auckland life.They will partner with AT to promote the higher discount ahead of the 2026 academic year.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

A new safety plan for Auckland's city centre aims to improve trips into town for Hibiscus Coast locals.Auckland Minister Simeon Brown and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown say the CBD is at the heart of the country’s economy and should be a place where businesses thrive and people feel safe.The plan brings together government agencies, council, police, businesses and social service providers to lift safety and support people who are struggling.Key actions include rolling out 207 new social houses for Housing First, plus up to 100 more through better use of existing contracts, and outreach teams connecting rough sleepers with housing, mental health and addiction support.Police visibility will increase, with patrols and safety wardens focusing on crime and antisocial behaviour hotspots.Public spaces such as Pocket Park at Queen Street and Fort Street will be designed to feel safer and more welcoming, while litter and graffiti crews work at pace and rubbish collection is kept to a high standard.Bylaws will be reviewed and targeted safety patrols will continue, backed by regular taskforce meetings chaired by the Minister for Auckland.With the City Rail Link, the New Zealand International Convention Centre and the summer cruise season bringing more people into town, the plan will shape everyday CBD visits for Aucklanders, including those travelling in from the Hibiscus Coast for work, shopping and events.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Welcome to The Week That Was.Your go-to recap of important news, stories, and updates for the Hibiscus Coast community.Jetts Millwater Unveils 70% Bigger GymRead more → Dairy Flat ‘French’ Lifestyle Home Captivates KiwisRead more → No 2026 Pioneer Festival As Businesses Step BackRead more →Pygmy Sperm Whale At Ōrewa Laid To RestRead more → Flood Protection Or Fairways? Takapuna Park Review LoomsRead more → Your Coast. Your news. Your app.Download the Hibiscus Coast App for instant local updates. Anytime, anywhere.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Overnight motorway closures between Silverdale and Oteha will affect many Hibiscus Coast drivers next Wednesday. NZTA says State Highway 1 southbound between the Silverdale interchange and Oteha Valley Road will be closed for maintenance from 9pm to 5am on Wednesday, December 3.The work is weather dependent, with a full southbound closure in place for general maintenance along this stretch.During the closure, the Silverdale southbound on-ramp and the Oteha Valley Road southbound off-ramp will also be closed. Signposted detours will guide traffic.The recommended detour is via Twin Coast Discovery Highway, Dairy Flat Highway and Oteha Valley Road. Drivers travelling south from the Hibiscus Coast during these hours are recommended to follow the detour.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Coasties are rethinking how they click and share online as fears about AI scams grow.New BNZ research shows three in five New Zealanders now check communications and links more carefully, with more than half limiting what they post and half fact-checking news to avoid fake news scams.BNZ Head of Fraud Operations Margaret Miller says AI is making scams more personalised and convincing, from phishing emails and fake websites to deepfake videos and cloned voices that sound like people you know.AI-powered phishing tops the worry list for 64% of respondents, followed by deepfakes at 58% and voice cloning at 53%.Deepfakes are realistic but fake images or videos, while voice cloning uses AI to mimic someone’s voice.Some Kiwis are responding in a very practical way, with 7% setting up family safe words so they can confirm who is really behind a sudden request for money or help.Coasties can expect more scam attempts on social media, which now accounts for 26% of scam approaches, ahead of email at 22% and well down from 40% in 2023.Overall targeting has dipped from 88% in 2023 to 84% this year, but tactics are shifting.BNZ is adding extra layers of security, including small pauses and changed button placement in its app to help people slow down, plus an online banking lock that lets customers quickly shut off digital access if they are worried.Miller says everyone has a role to play, and simple habits like taking time to verify unexpected requests, keeping software updated, never sharing banking details, and calling your bank if something feels wrong can make a real difference for Hibiscus Coast households.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Auckland businesses are shaking off winter gloom, lifting confidence that jobs and investment will improve in the year ahead.Simon Bridges, CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber, says the November survey points to “a business community that’s not out of the woods, but certainly no longer stuck in the darkest part of the forest.” Back in August, confidence was “in a real trough.”Those rating their confidence as negative or very negative have dropped to 44%, down from 64% in August, while neutral sentiment has climbed to 39%. More than half of respondents, 54%, now expect the New Zealand economy to improve over the next 12 months.Performance is still mixed, but the outlook is firmer. Revenue expectations have strengthened, with 56% of businesses expecting higher revenue next year. Hiring plans are also improving, with 47% planning to take on staff. “That’s businesses backing themselves,” Bridges says.The major drag remains costs. A total of 82% expect costs to rise over the next year, driven by labour, compliance and input costs. Demand, productivity, cash flow, inflation and global pressures remain the main concerns, with energy affordability and late payments stuck at the same levels as three months ago. Bridges describes these as “chronic irritants that chip away at resilience.”“Businesses are doing their bit,” he says, but they “need real momentum from government too.” After a tough two years, he calls this “the first solid sign that confidence is returning,” and warns it must not be short-lived.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Class action has been filed against national grid operator Transpower and its maintenance contractor Omexom over the toppling of a power pylon in mid-2024 that cut power to the entire Northland region.The legal action is being taken on behalf of the roughly 20,000 businesses affected by the outage and, if successful, could end up costing the two companies millions of dollars.Hannah Brown, a partner in Sydney-based law firm Piper Alderman, said no specific sum was mentioned in the legal papers filed late on Wednesday - but an estimate last June by economic consultants Infometrics put the cost to businesses at $60 million while the Northland Chamber of Commerce gave a figure of $80m.A report last year by Transpower found the pylon at Glorit, northwest of Auckland, fell over on 20 June last year when contractors removed the nuts from at least two of its legs at once.Transpower staff working at dawn to install a temporary tower after a pylon collapse cut power to most of Northland in June 2024. Photo: TranspowerBrown said a subsequent review by the Electricity Authority concluded the collapse was caused by "entirely avoidable" factors including inadequate procedures and training."This wasn't just another power outage or an accidental or unforeseeable event like a weather event or a storm. It was something that was completely avoidable, and for that reason, we think those responsible should be held to account, and if they aren't, that just breeds a sense of complacency in the future."The power cut affected about 180,000 people.Most homes had power restored within seven hours but some large businesses, such as timber mills and dairy plants, lost more than three days' worth of production while restaurants had to throw away spoiled food.After pressure from Northland MP Grant McCallum and the local Chamber of Commerce, Transpower and Omexom each contributed $500,000 to a "resilience fund" for projects designed to lift the region's economy.However, Brown said that amount was "completely disproportionate and insufficient" given the actual losses suffered by Northland businesses.Along with Piper Alderman, the class action was being run by New Zealand law firm LeeSalmonLong and bankrolled by litigation funder Omni Bridgeway.Brown said it was intended to be an "opt-out" lawsuit, which meant all affected businesses would be included unless they chose not to take part.There was no cost to businesses taking part, but if the "no win, no pay" class action was successful, the funder would take a commission.Without class action, Brown said it was hard for individual businesses to take on the might and resources of a state-owned enterprise like Transpower or a large multinational such as Omexom.Omexom's France-based parent company, VINCI Group, declared net income of just under $10 billion last year."This is about giving businesses access to justice and an opportunity to group together to fight for compensation," she said.Class actions have been rare in New Zealand, and reputedly hard to win, in the past.However, Brown said that was changing thanks to recent reforms making class actions more accessible.Successful cases, such as the ASB's settlement in a banking class action over disclosure breaches, showed the legal landscape was evolving.She said the law firms were confident they had a strong case, much of which was built on Transpower and Electricity Authority reports."We wouldn't be pursuing this if we didn't believe it had strong prospects," she said.Northland businesses affected by the outage would be invited to register and provide information about their losses.Some were already on board but now that the class action had been filed, it would be much easier to engage openly with affected businesses across Northland.If the class action was successful, Brown said compensation would be distributed among those businesses in proportion to their losses.A Transpower spokesman confirmed legal papers had been served on the company late on Wednesday, but would not comment given that the matter was before the courts.Omexom could not be contacted.

Fire and Emergency is warning people to take extra care today as paid firefighters strike from 12pm to 1pm, leaving volunteers to cover callouts and slowing responses.Fire and Emergency New Zealand Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler says the public still needs to call 111, but be prepared for delays.“We will answer 111 calls during the hour and respond to fires in strike affected areas, but our responses will be delayed because our callouts will have to be covered by volunteers.”Volunteers will respond from their own stations in their own trucks, as they usually do when there are multiple emergencies, which takes longer. People and businesses in cities and towns mainly served by paid firefighters are urged to be extra careful with any work that could cause fire and to make sure evacuation procedures are understood.Everyone is advised to evacuate early if there is a fire, stay out once clear, then call 111. Fire and Emergency is also asking people to check smoke alarms and home escape plans.During the one-hour strike, less serious incidents in cities and towns may not get a response, such as private fire alarms with no signs of fire, small rubbish fires, traffic management support and animal rescues. Volunteer crews will not respond to medical calls outside their patch during the strike hour.Stifler says the strike is unnecessary while the Employment Relations Authority considers facilitation, noting Fire and Emergency has offered a 6.2 percent average pay increase over three years and points to previous pay rises and investment in trucks, stations, training and frontline support.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.Pre-Loved Kids Christmas MarketSat 29 NovClick here for more details Orewa Santa ParadeSat 29 NovClick here for more detailsGJazz5 - Algeria & India FusionSun 30 NovClick here for more detailsFind more things to do anytime in the Hibiscus Coast App, your local hub for events, food, and fun.Have an event coming up? List your Event for FREE now.