Coasties, be on high alert! Scammers are targeting locals by impersonating police officers, claiming you've been a victim of fraud and asking for financial information. Inspector Dean Robinson warns that legitimate police will never ask for money or banking details over the phone.If unsure, hang up and contact Police on 105 to verify.Reports have surfaced across several districts, with older members of the community being targeted. Police have made arrests in Auckland and Wellington, with three individuals facing court and one convicted of scamming over $330,000.Remember, police will never ask for sensitive information like PINs or passwords. Trust your instincts, and if unsure, check with a trusted friend or relative. Stay informed about scam awareness on the Netsafe website.

Coasties, as International Dog Day approaches on August 26, it’s time to honour our loyal, furry friends who bring so much joy into our lives. Established in 2004 by animal advocate Colleen Paige, this day is dedicated to celebrating dogs and promoting their adoption and welfare.The Hibiscus Coast community is encouraged to participate in various activities aimed at raising awareness about dog welfare. Whether adopting a dog from a local shelter, volunteering your time, or simply spoiling your pet, there’s something for everyone to do on this special day.Adoption is at the heart of International Dog Day, with local shelters offering special promotions. If you’ve been considering adding a dog to your family, this could be the perfect time. Already have a dog? Treat them to their favourite activities or surprise them with a new toy.Donations and volunteering are also impactful ways to get involved. Shelters often need extra hands, and contributions of food, toys, and other supplies are always appreciated.Mark your calendars and join the Hibiscus Coast community in making a difference for dogs in need. International Dog Day is a reminder of the joy and companionship that dogs bring to our lives and a call to support their welfare.

Hibiscus Coast residents are one step closer to seeing changes in local alcohol regulations, as Auckland’s new policy nears final approval. The Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA) gave the green light last week, with the Auckland City Council set to discuss the policy’s official start date at an upcoming meeting.Councillor Josephine Bartley, Chair of the Regulatory and Safety Committee, stressed the policy's potential to benefit communities.“This policy empowers us to shape how alcohol is sold and consumed in our neighbourhoods,” she said. “Our goal is to make Auckland a safer place while allowing residents to enjoy their local environment.”Developed with input from the public, businesses, and health groups, the policy introduces several key changes. New applications for bottle shops in the city centre and 23 other suburbs will face strict approval requirements for the next two years. Additionally, bottle shops and supermarkets will need to cease alcohol sales by 9 pm, with a three-month grace period before this rule takes effect. Bars and restaurants can sell alcohol until 4 am in the city centre and 3 am elsewhere, while sports clubs and RSAs will be limited to 1 am. Special event licences will continue as before.The policy is expected to be reviewed by the council on 29 August, though this date may change. Stay informed about the council’s decision and future updates by visiting the Agendas and Minutes page.

Locals will benefit from a safer and more streamlined business environment as the government introduces reforms to modernise company law. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says these changes will help deter poor business practices and reduce compliance burdens. The reforms aim to combat "phoenixing," where companies go bust and reappear under a new name, leaving debts behind. Key changes include unique identification numbers for directors, optional removal of home addresses from the Companies Register, and updates to insolvency law.These reforms address outdated requirements, such as physical publication of information in newspapers, and streamline processes like share buybacks and share capital reduction. With over 730,000 companies in New Zealand, this update to the 30-year-old Companies Act brings the law into the 21st century, enabling businesses to focus on growth and innovation.

Coasties, the hunt for methamphetamine-laced lollies continues across Auckland. Operation Tirade, the police operation tackling this serious issue, has now retrieved more than 30 blocks of meth disguised as Rinda Pineapple lollies.Authorities recovered an additional 13 of these dangerous items within the Auckland region. The operation has so far yielded 29 lollies, with six found in the Counties Manukau district and seven in Waitematā. Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin from the Auckland City Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) acknowledged the community's significant response to the crisis.“The investigation team appreciates the public’s efforts in reporting these lollies,” said Baldwin. “Our detectives have acted swiftly to secure and remove them from circulation.”As of now, the meth lollies appear to be contained within Auckland, though the investigation is ongoing to determine if more are still unaccounted for. The police are also following up on reports of someone attempting to sell these lollies online. “Dealing a Class A drug is a serious offence,” Baldwin warned. “We urge anyone with these lollies to hand them in immediately.”Authorities are also engaging with the Rinda company in Malaysia and collaborating with international partners to explore the origins of these dangerous lollies. For anyone who may have come into contact with these items, the police advise contacting 105 or 111 and seeking medical advice if feeling unwell.

Science agency NIWA has unveiled a new supercomputer with triple the computing power of its current three supercomputers combined.Housed in a secure data facility north of Auckland, the supercomputer will be able to run complex climate and weather models much faster than anything available to scientific researchers within New Zealand at the moment.Science Minister Judith Collins cut a glossy white ribbon on a row of black cabinets similar to ones that will house the supercomputer at CDC's secure data centre in Silverdale, north of Auckland.Although the supercomputer isn't actually ready to use yet, yesterday's event was a chance to show off what it will be able to do - and the secure environment it will be housed in.NIWA chief executive John Morgan says once it is running it will far surpass anything currently available to the agency's weather forecasters, freshwater modellers and other scientists."It's going to be up to three times more powerful than the existing supercomputer capability of NIWA, and the existing capability does three thousand trillion calculations a second," he said."For example, we run a weather and climate model for New Zealand every six hours, down to a 1.5km scale.""It's every six hours because it takes that long to run it. The new supercomputer will do it in three hours."Andrew Kirker of CDC said the CDC data centre housing the computer was designed to withstand earthquakes, power cuts and even intruders who might try to enter the building.Some of the walls are 80cm thick.But although the supercomputer may be secure, the same can't be said of the jobs of some of the scientists who would have been most likely to use it.NIWA's small, highly skilled team of global climate modellers were made redundant this year in a round of job cuts axing around 90 roles in total.Nationally in the science sector, between 350 and 360 specialist science jobs have gone in recent months, both at Crown Research Institutes such as NIWA and the wider sector.Morgan said NIWA still had plenty of people capable of running climate models on the computer, which will also be used to model earthquake risk, fresh water and other things. He highlighted the agency's investment in AI data specialists.Morgan said NIWA had restructured in response to drop in revenue including from the end of the 10-year National Science Challenges paid for by the Government."Niwa's restructuring has finished, it was to deal with a particular issue and we've dealt with it. What's really exciting is the next stage is bigger and better hence the investment in the supercomputer and NIWA's investment in a large pool of AI data scientists," said Morgan.Asked if the science sector's pain was over, Judith Collins said job cuts were operational decisions for Crown owned research companies like NIWA (called CRIs), and said the National Science Challenges were always due to end after 10 years.As yet, nothing has been announced to replace them."It is really important for every CRI to rightsize get ready for the future an understand that we need to be very productive. We don't have any money that can be [used] for people's personal projects unless it's going to have outcomes for the taxpayer," said Collins.Former chief science adviser Sir Peter Gluckman is preparing advice on the future structure of the science sector for the Government.

Coasties, get ready for an epic showdown as the All Blacks prepare to face Argentina in a must-win match this Saturday. The highly anticipated clash, part of the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship, will take place at Eden Park, Auckland, at 7:05 pm.All Black coach Scott Robertson has named a formidable side for the encounter. The starting lineup includes Beauden Barrett at fullback, Will Jordan on the wing, and Ardie Savea as captain. Here’s the full team list:1 Tamaiti Williams2 Codie Taylor3 Tyrel Lomax4 Tupou Vaa’i5 Sam Darry6 Ethan Blackadder7 Dalton Papali’i8 Ardie Savea (c)9 TJ Perenara10 Damian McKenzie11 Caleb Clarke12 Jordie Barrett13 Rieko Ioane14 Will Jordan15 Beauden Barrett16 Asafo Aumua17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi18 Fletcher Newell19 Josh Lord20 Sam Cane21 Cortez Ratima22 Anton Lienert-Brown23 Mark Tele’aThe All Blacks will be without key players due to injury, including Ethan de Groot, Scott Barrett, and Patrick Tuipulotu. Despite these setbacks, the All Blacks are focused and ready to give their all on the field.Fans are eagerly awaiting what promises to be an intense and thrilling match, with the outcome potentially having significant implications for the championship standings. All eyes will be on Eden Park this Saturday as these two rugby powerhouses go head-to-head.

As Father’s Day approaches on Sunday, 1 September, locals on the Hibiscus Coast are looking forward to celebrating the dads and father figures in their lives. For local businesses, it’s an opportunity to boost sales with special offers. To ensure these promotions are both fair and successful, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) offers five key tips.Genuine Urgency OnlyTechniques like countdown timers and “limited stock” alerts can drive sales, but MBIE advises that they must be truthful. Misleading customers with false urgency can erode trust and deter price comparisons.Authentic Reviews MatterFeaturing customer reviews is powerful, but only if they’re genuine. MBIE highlights the importance of using current and accurate reviews to reflect the true quality of your products.Real Discounts, No GimmicksDiscounts should be based on real, recent prices. Inflating original prices to exaggerate discounts is misleading and could harm your reputation. Be clear about which items are genuinely on sale.Keep Stock UpdatedRegular stock checks are vital. Advertising products that aren’t available can frustrate customers and damage your brand’s credibility.Be Upfront About DetailsTransparency builds trust. Avoid burying critical details in the fine print. Clear and straightforward communication about your offers ensures happy, loyal customers.Consumer WatchFor Coasties looking to shop smart this Father’s Day, keep an eye out for exaggerated claims like steep discounts on items that may never have been sold at their “original” price. Be cautious of “limited stock” alerts that seem suspiciously widespread, and always read the fine print to understand the true terms of any promotion. Shopping with care ensures you get a fair deal while supporting local businesses.By adhering to these guidelines, Hibiscus Coast businesses can create Father’s Day promotions that resonate with customers while building long-term loyalty through honesty and fairness.

Police are intensifying their efforts in the investigation into methamphetamine-laced lollies discovered in Auckland, following the initial alert yesterday. Branded as "Rinda" pineapple lollies, these sweets were donated to the Auckland City Mission and later confirmed to contain methamphetamine.Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin of Auckland City CIB provided an update on Operation Tirade, stating, “Our priority is to locate and secure these lollies before they can cause any more harm.” Since the investigation began, several individuals have reported possession of these lollies, with some suffering adverse effects.Three people have sought medical attention after consuming the lollies. A charity worker was treated at Auckland City Hospital after tasting one and experiencing symptoms. Two young people, a child and a teenager, also required medical care after initially tasting the lollies but spit them out. Thankfully, both returned negative test results and are reported to be in good health.Detective Inspector Baldwin emphasised the seriousness of the situation: “We are treating all recovered lollies as fully contaminated and are working closely with our partners to trace the source of the methamphetamine, which we believe was imported.”The police continue to urge anyone in possession of these lollies to come forward. “It is vital for the safety of our community that these lollies are handed over to us,” Baldwin added. If you feel unwell after consuming a lolly, seek medical attention immediately.

The Reserve Bank has just lowered the Official Cash Rate (OCR) from 5.5% to 5.25%. This move, announced by Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr, is expected to influence borrowing costs and economic growth throughout New Zealand.The rate cut aims to provide some relief to borrowers and stimulate economic activity. For many in the Hibiscus Coast, this could mean more manageable loan and mortgage payments, potentially boosting local spending and investment.The decision comes in response to current economic conditions, including inflation and growth trends. The Reserve Bank's approach seeks to balance supporting economic expansion with controlling inflationary pressures.Stay tuned to the Hibiscus Coast App for updates on how this change might impact your finances and local businesses.

Coasties are beginning to notice the benefits of recent tax relief, which took effect just over a fortnight ago. Finance Minister Nicola Willis explained that the relief is designed to ease financial pressure on families by allowing them to keep more of their earnings."Most Kiwis would have received at least one pay since the tax relief package started," Willis noted. "Checking and comparing payslips will show how much they’ve benefited so far—every bit helps during these times."With 83 per cent of Kiwis benefiting and an expected $78 boost for households with children every fortnight, the relief package is set to support everyday expenses such as groceries, utility bills, and family outings.In addition to tax relief, the FamilyBoost payment, which began on 1 July, reimburses up to $150 of early childhood education fees each fortnight, offering further financial support to families with young children.

Auckland City Mission is urgently contacting people who may have been given food parcels with lollies containing potentially lethal amounts of methamphetamine.The Rinda-branded pineapple lollies were unknowingly distributed in food parcels yesterday, donated by an unknown member of the public.The lollies were taken to the Drug Foundation for initial testing on Tuesday, after a parcel recipient reported "funny tasting" lollies making them feel unusual.National Poison Centre deputy director Dr Bill Boroughf told Nine to Noon this was a "particularly unique scenario" but at least exposure should be limited.3mg of methamphetamine would be a "significant ingestion" of the stimulant and could be fatal, he said.However, it was likely the drug was hidden to be smuggled across the border so was unlikely to have been flavoured, Boroughf said."I can imagine they would not taste like a pineapple lolly whatsoever," he said."Fortunately we at least have a limited scope of exposure."Boroughf said the situation highlighted the importance of easily accessible no cost drug testing which he said was something New Zealand was very progressive about."That's a fabulous thing," he said.100 percent methamphetamineChief executive Sarah Helm said the initial testing of a small sample showed it was 100 percent methamphetamine."The lolly itself weighed three grams. So if indeed the content is consistent throughout the lolly, then in fact we're looking at something like up to 300 doses of methamphetamine in each lolly."That would be a lethal dose."Helm told Morning Report she believed the lolly was in a sealed bag of about 20 lollies.Though they had only tested a tiny portion of one lolly so it wasn't clear whether the rest of the bag contained drugs too.She said immediately yesterday they contacted the National Drug Intelligence Bureau and Poison Line."We were very concerned that somebody may have consumed the thing and have some really adverse events or fatalities as a result. Really unusual for this to have happened."Certainly wasn't on our bingo card for this year."Further testing is being done at the ESR science lab on Wednesday, alongside a police investigation.Helm said it was unlikely this was done intentionally to peddle the drugs, but rather was connected to smuggling."I think that actually the most likely scenario, is that it's not uncommon overseas for smuggling to occur in things like food products or lollies, and I suspect there's been some sort of unintended distribution to the city mission. I doubt that someone was intentionally trying to peddle these to children," she said."But given the situation with the City Mission, we're very concerned there may indeed have been people who have consumed these lollies."The Drug Foundation has notified High Alert, which is part of the National Drug Intelligence Bureau responsible for drug harm notifications.'Absolutely devastated'Photo: Supplied / Auckland City missionMissioner Helen Robinson said she was "absolutely devastated".The City Mission said it only accepted commercially manufactured food for inclusion in food parcels and the lollies appeared as such when donated.The lollies were in a sealed retail-sized package.Police said they were prioritising the investigation, given the risk to the public.Initial enquiries showed the lollies may have been distributed through food parcels for the past several weeks.Anyone who has received the lollies in a food parcel are being urged not to consume them and to secure them out of reach.People with the lollies should call police on 111 so they can be retrieved, quoting file number 240813/5919."If you are concerned you may have consumed one of these lollies and are feeling unwell, go to your nearest healthcare provider urgently," police said."You can also call the national poison line on 0800 764 766."Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin will speak to media at 2pm today.

Digital Seniors will be present at 9 Main Street, Whangaparaoa Library, to help seniors in the community with digital literacy.Digital Seniors will be there each Wednesday to help answer questions and provide information and assistance for senior citizens. The programme runs fortnightly for two hours from 10 am to 12 pm, where Seniors receive one-on-one help.The organisation began in Wairarapa in 2018 before spreading to North Auckland and Kāpiti and is run solely by volunteers. These volunteers have assisted over 1200 seniors registered with the organisation. Digital Seniors is a charity that began following academic research into the digital divide experienced by seniors in New Zealand. Seniors will soon make up a quarter of the population. However, they are strongly disadvantaged in media and technology and are socially excluded by the rapid technological developments. One of the reasons why Digital Seniors began in Wairarapa is because of the high density of seniors that lived there. Providing this service offers seniors the opportunity to feel enabled by technology. They are supported and can readily stay updated with the news and connect with family and friends. 

Locals have a new opportunity to secure funding for community initiatives. The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board has announced the opening of its latest grants programme, with applications closing on 6 September.The board is encouraging community groups to apply for funding that supports local projects aligning with key outcomes, including fostering strong community connections, environmental education, and celebrating local heritage. Other priorities include arts, culture, sports, and initiatives that mitigate the effects of climate change.Board Chair Alexis Poppelbaum emphasised the importance of aligning proposals with the board’s new local board plan, saying, “We continue to support groups and organisations to deliver initiatives that make a positive contribution to our area.”Local grants, ranging from $2,000 to $8,000, are offered twice a year, with decisions set to be made by the board on 22 October. The Facilities Grant, which opens in March, is available once a year to assist with facility planning and development costs. Additionally, the Event Partnership Fund, open until 30 August, offers up to $15,000 per event, with a focus on sustainability and long-term growth.Poppelbaum advised that due to high demand, applicants should demonstrate strong links to the local board plan and consider all available funding opportunities.The criteria guidelines and application form are here.

Locals on the Hibiscus Coast might be intrigued to learn about Auckland’s latest "State of the City" report, which provides a comprehensive look at the city's performance in 2024. Renowned for its cultural diversity and Māori heritage, Auckland shows notable progress but also faces significant challenges.The report, compiled by the Committee for Auckland, Deloitte, and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, offers a global perspective on Auckland's standing. It reveals that while the city is recovering from the pandemic, floods, and inflation, it has not yet returned to its pre-COVID visitor levels. Nevertheless, Auckland is making strides in digital technology sectors and its amenities and work-life balance have seen improvements.Despite these advances, Auckland's economic dynamism has been overshadowed by other major cities, particularly those in Latin America and Asia. The city is grappling with issues such as skill shortages, low productivity, and high housing costs, which have adversely affected its Prosperity pillar.Sustainability remains a strong suit for Auckland, though recent reports indicate a decline due to slower progress on emissions and green investments. To address these issues, the report calls for enhanced infrastructure development, new economic policies, and effective leadership.Auckland’s future success will hinge on strategic investments, better coordination of infrastructure projects, and a renewed focus on promoting its unique cultural and economic strengths. Mark Thomas, Director of the Committee for Auckland, who commissioned the report to assess the city’s global performance, highlighted some positive aspects. “It’s encouraging that Auckland has improved in three pillars – Opportunity, Place, and Resilience – driven by stronger corporate demand, the city’s amenity and work-life balance advantages, and its ability to handle crises,” Thomas said. “Auckland is seen as an important and reliable gateway for corporates and a popular location for investors. Our growing and diverse population provides a foundation for a more inclusive city. Comparatively, Auckland’s social cohesion, trust, and confidence are strengths that are critical for managing crises and adapting to future environmental changes.”For a detailed view of Auckland’s performance and future outlook, access the full report provided by the Committee for Auckland, Deloitte, and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. Find the full report here.

Coasties will soon see changes to local road travel with the Government planning to introduce time of use schemes this year. Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced the new legislation aimed at reducing congestion and boosting economic growth on our busiest roads.“Congestion is a tax on time and productivity,” Brown said. “It means that we are away from home for longer, sitting in gridlock. It results in fewer jobs being done, fewer goods being moved, and delays to services across the city.”The new time of use schemes are designed to improve network efficiency, making travel faster and more reliable. These schemes will not be about raising revenue but enhancing productivity and reducing costs for businesses and their customers.The Cabinet has approved a legislative framework that will allow local councils to propose time of use schemes tailored to their regions. The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) will collaborate with councils to design these schemes, ensuring strong oversight and that benefits are realised by motorists.The Government will prioritise working with Auckland Council, given Auckland's significant congestion issues. “Auckland is grappling with pressing productivity challenges that demand effective solutions,” Brown noted. The aim is to provide faster and more reliable journeys, addressing the gridlock that has plagued the city.Any revenue generated from time of use schemes will be reinvested into local transport infrastructure. The Government plans to introduce a bill to Parliament before the end of the year, with public submissions to follow.

Auckland's Waitematā Harbour was the focal point of groundbreaking research by University of Auckland experts, uncovering how local estuaries trap plastic waste.Local Study Reveals Plastic AccumulationCoastlines along the Hibiscus Coast and beyond are playing a critical role in halting the spread of plastic waste, according to research led by Associate Professor Melissa Bowen and Professor Giovanni Coco from the University of Auckland. The study, focused on the Waitematā Harbour, found that estuaries act as significant barriers, trapping up to 90% of floating plastic before it can reach the open ocean.Researchers used GPS-tracked plastic packets to monitor their movement through tidal cycles in the estuary. Remarkably, most of the plastic was found to accumulate along the shorelines, with none exiting the estuary. The findings were consistent across various simulations, even when altering river flow rates.This study sheds light on the underestimated role that coastlines and estuaries play in the battle against plastic pollution. Removing plastic waste from these areas could be one of the most effective methods to prevent further ocean contamination. It also suggests that much of the plastic waste remains close to where it is initially deposited, reinforcing the importance of local clean-up efforts.These findings have global implications, indicating that estuaries worldwide could be similarly affected. The study underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to reduce plastic usage and clean up local environments to combat marine pollution effectively.Article first published in The Conversation.

HZCW is a registered, charitable, environmental education trust.They run various community events that help schools and households learn about climate-friendly ways of living.A big focus is on educating people about the importance of soil and promoting climate action. Betsy Kettle, a trustee, talks to us about how the organisation came about and settled into its current position. She says that from the organisation's beginning in 2008, they focused strongly on teaching about soils and alternatives to chemical fertilisers across Rodney District. An important thing she noted was the connection between soils and their use as a ‘carbon sink’.This is a natural process that removes greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. When asked about how Betsy managed and started this organisation, she notes that it was started while she shouldered her full-time job and various other commitments. “It’s kind of grown from two or three of us to, there’s about eleven of us now.”When asked how the organisation has changed, Betsy said it hasn’t.The goals have always been the same, but new opportunities and methods have been brought into the fold.“Yeah, we just talk about it in more different ways.”HCZW hosts various programmes throughout the community where if profits are made, they are used to benefit the community rather than increase the profits of shareholders. You can learn more about HCZW from their website below.  https://hibiscuscoastzerowaste.co.nz/home

Coasties may be surprised to learn that Auckland Transport (AT) has spent $455,719 on bike riding lessons, courses, and workshops since FY 2023, according to information released by the Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance through the Local Government Official Information Act.The Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance spokesperson, Sam Warren, expressed concern over these expenditures, stating, “They certainly are taking us for a ride. Most people wouldn’t dream of asking Auckland Transport for a driving lesson, or how to do an oil change – so why does AT think it’s their job to teach locals to ride bikes or fix chains?”According to the Alliance, these courses were far from “free” as advertised. In 2023 alone, $233,784 was spent, with another $221,935 in 2024. As for 2025, Warren suggests that spending could continue to rise. The Alliance advises Auckland Transport to reconsider these offerings, especially given the series of rate hikes Aucklanders face in the coming years.Auckland Transport has not yet responded to these concerns.