A record-breaking November pushed New Zealand to its warmest spring on record.Data from Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly NIWA) shows the average temperature across the country was 13.5°C, which was 1.3°C hotter than the long-term average and the warmest spring since records began in 1909.ESNZ meteorologist Chester Lampkin said the hotter-than-average weather sat within an overall warming climate trend, and was likely to continue into summer.Lampkin said September and October were already above average months this year."Then November ended up being a record-setter... If you recall, towards the end of the month we had some very hot temperatures."Across the country, 51 stations recorded their warmest average temperature, and seven places set new records during late November for the single hottest spring day.That included temperatures of close to or above 32°C in Whakatu in Hawke's Bay, Cheviot in North Canterbury and Dunedin.The hottest temperature recorded anywhere in the country was 33°C in Hastings, on 27 November - the second hottest day on record there.Lampkin said the record-setting warmth was driven by a north-westerly wind flow."We were getting a lot of warm air coming out of the Tasman and flowing over the country, both the North and the South Island."The water surrounding New Zealand, especially the North Island, was experiencing a marine heatwave, he said."When you have warm air flowing over warm water, you're going to get even warmer air once it hits the land."ESNZ's summer outlook was for above-average temperatures for most of the country, especially in the north of the North Island.Part of that was due to La Niña conditions that had formed, but it was also down to an overall climate trend, Lampkin said."It's going to be another warm, hot summer, and that certainly points to a new normal."It was possible more records could tumble."These warmer-than-average months, record-setting months, these more-than-average seasons are more likely to occur because of overall warming of the planet," he said."You've got warmer ocean temperatures, warmer water, you've got a warmer background climate state - it doesn't take much to push temperatures to record territory."The World Meteorological Organisation confirmed earlier this year that 2024 was the warmest year on record, based on six international datasets.It was the first year that average temperatures were more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has identified a long-term average of 1.5°C as the level of warming at which dangerous climate 'tipping points', such as the loss of coral reefs and catastrophic ice sheet melting, could begin to occur.It was important to remember there could still be cooler periods, Lampkin said."Even though you do have these hot months... it doesn't mean you can't have cold weather. It doesn't mean there won't be cold extremes - it just makes it harder for those occur."

Police have made arrests after gang offending at Ōrewa businesses led to raids in Auckland and the North Shore.Waitematā North Area Commander Inspector John Thornley says Operation Governor has focused on arson, dishonesty and criminal damage between September and early November. That includes an arson at a café on 1 November, an attempted arson and other damage at local businesses.Five people associated to the Headhunters gang have now been arrested. Today’s search warrants resulted in four arrests and 23 charges, with one further person referred to youth aid. Police are still seeking one outstanding offender.Those arrested are aged between 15 and 42 years. Charges laid include two counts of arson, two of burglary, two of intentional damage and two of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle. All are expected to appear in the North Shore District Court tomorrow.Inspector Thornley says the outcome will be a relief for locals after a run of incidents in a short space of time. “It’s always concerning in such a tight knit community when a series of confronting events like this happen in such a short space of time,” he says.He adds that Police will continue to prosecute those responsible and has thanked people who assisted detectives with their enquiries.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Planning your summer? Just a heads-up that Auckland Council services and facilities will run on different hours over the Christmas and New Year break.All libraries, Council-run community hubs, and arts centres are closed on six public holidays: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, January 2, Auckland Anniversary Day (January 26), and Waitangi Day (February 6).Your rubbish and recycling collections will continue over the summer, but look out for changes to your regular collection day in December and January. Normal collections restart on Monday, January 5, 2026.Remember, Local Board offices are closed over Christmas and will reopen in January or February.If you need to contact the Council, the Contact Centre is prioritising urgent safety calls only. Many services won't be available over Christmas, so check the Auckland Council website before the year wraps up.Pool and leisure centre hours are changing, too, so check the schedule online if you don’t want to miss your favourite swim spot or class.You can still book your regional park holidays and accommodation via the online booking system, as payments aren’t accepted at the parks themselves.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Why is there a lack of consistent supply of Anchor Trim milk at our local Hibiscus Coast supermarkets? The frustration on the Coast highlights a wider issue following a major change in the New Zealand dairy landscape.Dairy co-operative Fonterra recently sold its Anchor milk and butter and Mainland Cheese brands to the French company Lactalis for $4.2 billion. This deal has generated conversation among local consumers and the business community.The decision is seen by some, including Tim Hazledine, Emeritus Professor of Economics at the University of Auckland Business School, as an acknowledgement that Fonterra’s management has struggled to generate acceptable returns from these consumer assets. Tim Hazledine is Emeritus Professor of Economics at the University of Auckland Business School.The sale’s proceeds provided a significant tax-free payout to each of the co-op’s farmer shareholders.The change in ownership raises questions about the long-term future of these iconic brands in New Zealand.While the domestic dairy market accounts for a small portion of Fonterra’s total revenue, the brands hold significant cultural weight. Lactalis is a global company with processing facilities worldwide.Industry observers note that after a six-year statutory period, the French company could theoretically choose to process these products outside of New Zealand, using milk sourced from elsewhere. This would mean that products like Anchor butter and Mainland cheese consumed here could eventually be imported.Fonterra’s executives have stated that by freeing up capital and management attention from the consumer brands, they will be able to focus on their core "ingredients engine," which involves bulk products like milk powder and protein concentrate.The co-op’s financial performance over the past two decades shows that its growth in revenue and value added per kilogram of processed milk solids has significantly lagged behind international competitors.For the local businesses and residents of the Hibiscus Coast, the key focus remains on the reliability and quality of everyday dairy products. While the ownership has changed, the supply chain for now remains the same. The community awaits to see what approach the new French owners will take with these established and well-regarded Kiwi brands.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Kmart has been forced to recall yet more coloured sand products.Testing has found asbestos in licensed sensory activity sets branded with iconic kids' shows Paw Patrol, Frozen and Bluey.The store has sold approximately 684 units in New Zealand."The product may cause a risk to health as asbestos has been detected in some samples after laboratory testing," the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment's (MBIE) Product Safety site said.Three brands of Kmart activity sand have been recalled. Photo: Kmart / suppliedMBIE warned people not to touch the sand and to follow Health NZ advice for disposal."Importantly, respirable asbestos has not been detected in any of the tested samples. The release of respirable asbestos fibres is unlikely to occur in its current state, unless the sand is processed by mechanical means such as crushing or pulverising."The risk that any asbestos found, that is likely to be airborne or fine enough for inhalation, is low."Kmart has recalled other coloured sand products for the same reason.All of Kmart's currently recalled items can be found on its website.

Watercare is currently working five metres underground to install a major confluence chamber, which will link the new Northern Interceptor (Stage 1) to the Rosedale Wastewater Treatment Plant.This $25 million connection project will allow the first 10-kilometre section of the Northern Interceptor to begin service.The primary goal is to redirect wastewater from the Hobsonville Wastewater Pump Station directly to Rosedale, instead of the Māngere plant.Watercare head of wastewater planning, Andrew Deutschle, explained this move will improve network strength and help reduce the frequency and volume of overflows in the system.Building Around Existing InfrastructureThe excavation is taking place around the existing Wairau Valley Branch Sewer, one of the main pipelines feeding the treatment plant.The new confluence chamber is designed to integrate flows from three major sources: the Northern Interceptor, the Wairau Valley Branch Sewer, and the future Rosedale Rising Main.To keep the existing sewer in service during the work, crews had to install steel supports underneath a 35-tonne section of the pipe while digging five metres below it.The supports are reinforced by concrete piles and the pipe is held steady by slings throughout the construction process.Six Months of ConstructionCrews are using specialist heavy machinery, including a crawler crane that can lift up to 85 tonnes.The 12-metre by 11-metre chamber will require crews to drive steel sheets into the ground using a vibrohammer to create a secure box around the excavation. This stops the walls from collapsing as they work.Watercare expects the digging, construction, and backfill of the confluence chamber to take six months to complete.Once this Northern Interceptor connection is finished, it will support a future billion-dollar investment programme aimed at managing planned and future growth in Auckland’s north-west between 2026 and 2040.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Auckland’s economy has slipped slightly over the past year, and that slowdown is flowing through to Hibiscus Coast households, according to new figures from the Auckland Council Social and Economic Research and Evaluation Team’s December 2025 economic update. In the year to September 2025, Auckland’s GDP was 0.8 percent lower than a year earlier, compared with a 0.3 percent fall elsewhere in New Zealand.Retail spending tells a similar story. For the year to September, Auckland retail sales were 0.9 percent lower, with the rest of the country down 0.1 percent. That is better than the deeper falls seen from 2021 to 2024, but spending is still slightly negative despite more people living here, so activity has not yet returned to pre-Covid strength.Housing remains tough. The median Auckland house price in October was $1,033,000, about a third below the 2021 peak but still close to last year’s level. Sales volumes are trending up from their 2023 trough yet sit well below their 2021 peak. Rents are around $667 a week on average in Auckland, about 3 percent lower than a year ago and roughly the same as ten years ago once you adjust for inflation.New dwelling consents are slowly recovering, up 8 percent on a year ago but still well below 2022 highs, while non-residential building and imports show the same “off the peak but past the trough” pattern. For Coastie commuters, workers and small businesses, it all points to 2026 feeling a little less tight, even if any real pick-up will be slow.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

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.