Welcome to The Week That Was—your go-to recap of the most important news, stories, and updates from the Hibiscus Coast community.Catch Up on 2024's Top EntertainmentRead moreMoney: Loan Jargon BustedRead moreWhat's Ahead for the Property Market in 2025?Read more Milldale Bridge Nears CompletionRead moreBusiness: New Year Resolutions for BusinessRead moreThank you for exploring The Week That Was. Stay informed and connected with your community by downloading the Hibiscus Coast App today!Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

This story has been updated to clarify that RNZ was not permitted to sit on MSD jobseeker seminars in order to protect the privacy of those attendingJobseekers are competing with hundreds of other applicants in a tight labour market, and recruiters warn it is not going to get any easier to land a role.The labour market is expected to become increasingly challenging in 2025, with the number of people on a jobseeker benefit expected to rise before it falls.In a tight employment market, it was important to stand out from the crowd, Frog Recruitment managing director Shannon Barlow said."We're seeing a huge increase in the number of applications per job. If you don't have the relevant skills for that job it can have a negative effect. It's actually a lot better to be targeted in your job search."She said a spray and pray approach would not cut it."Be selective and then put in that extra effort into customising your application, which may just mean studying the ads to see what's most important to the employer and focussing on those areas."Barlow said it was not unusual for a job listing to attract 200 applications, depending on the level, and she was not surprised at reports that some jobs had attracted substantially more.That tight labour market was different to the job losses induced by the pandemic, which were focussed on certain sectors that lost customers due to lockdowns, she said."This time around, it's been more widespread so pretty much every industry has been affected so it's been harder."It was a good time for jobseekers to take stock and reset priorities, Barlow said.It comes as the number of people receiving jobseeker support increased by 8800 in the June quarter to 204,800 in the September quarter.The Ministry of Social Development said economic conditions had contributed to the high number of unemployed people.Meanwhile, a new traffic light system aimed at enforcing beneficiary obligations dramatically increased sanctions handed down to beneficiaries, with 14,400 people losing a percentage of their benefit during the June to September quarter -133 percent higher than the same period in 2023.Most of the sanctions were for people not attending appointments, which included work seminars.MSD runs three seminars aimed at helping people get back into work and from May, those on a jobseeker benefit have been required to attend one of these within two weeks of starting on welfare.RNZ asked to sit in on a seminar but MSD declined, citing the privacy of job seekers attending.Just over 86,000 people on a jobseeker benefit attended a work seminar in a nine-month period last year as a requirement for continued government support.That's less than half the number of people on jobseeker support at any one time.The Kōrero Mahi - Let's talk work seminar is for people new to Jobseeker support. MSD data shows it ran 6102 of these seminars between February and October, which 41,061 people attended.The numbers fluctuate between 4000 to 6000 attendees month to month.A work check-in seminar for people on the benefit more than 26 weeks had 45,627 attendees for the same period.MSD's regional commissioner for North and West Auckland, Daniel Brunt, said getting people into work was the agency's priority."What these seminars do is provide us the ability to talk to people more personally, more directly, and provide them with consistent messaging."Seminar attendees were given information about the support on offer and their obligations while they were on a benefit, he said."There's a range of people in our client base at the moment, some of them need more help and are further from the labour market, some of them have just left the labour market and are looking for an angle to get back in."MSD worked with employers and sectors to offer training to help get people into work, such as in construction, Brunt said."We engage with different industries and specific employers to understand what their needs are and what kind of skills they would like the applicants to have."His top tips for people wanting to get into work were to stay in contact with MSD about their progress and take part in support offered, such as writing a CV and upskilling."There's a real hope that in the new year the economy will shift and will provide people with the opportunity to hire and expand their businesses."

A notable decrease in road deaths has been recorded during the 2024/2025 holiday period, with police reporting a provisional toll of 13, compared to 22 last year.Coasties will be relieved to hear that efforts to improve road safety appear to be paying off, with a significant drop in holiday period road deaths.Director Road Policing Superintendent Steve Greally expressed mixed emotions about the result, saying, "While it's fantastic to have seen this number drop, any death on the roads is still one too many."Greally emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in preventing road deaths, stating, "That's still 13 families who have had their lives irrevocably changed at what should be a happy and festive time of year, and our hearts go out to them."Police will maintain a visible presence on roads nationwide this summer, conducting targeted operations and patrols to address unsafe driving practices.Greally urged drivers to play their part in reducing accidents, saying, "Please – make sure everyone in your vehicle is safely buckled up, drive at a safe speed for the conditions under the speed limit, put your cellphone away, and ensure you're driving free of fatigue, alcohol, and drugs."Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

New Year’s Eve – that day we make all sorts of resolutions, often only to start breaking them approximately 24 hours later.But have a look at the following few business ideas, and see how many you can adopt as resolutions for 2025 – and then will stick to as the year goes by….1. To look forward, start by looking back.Review your goals for 2024 – did you achieve them all? Did you achieve any?If not, why not?Use your learnings from this exercise to make sure your goals for 2025 are truly going to make a difference.Targets shouldn’t be so easy to hit that they aren’t really a challenge, but they have to be realistic and within your capabilities at the same time.2. Don’t try to be all things to all people in 2025.Stick to what you know, and what you believe in, and don’t be swayed by others’ strong opinions.3. Don’t say one thing to one person, and the opposite to another especially if they are both members of the same team.Chances are, they will talk to each other.Be consistent in your approach.4. Whatever system you use, keep it up to date.If it’s MYOB, or Xero, or whatever, keep the data input and the reporting current all the time, and above all don’t let the backlog get too big to tackle.5. Use your system to produce reports that are meaningful and useful to you – and then use them.Reporting just out of habit, and using the info, is about as useful as not reporting anything at all.Put yourself in a better place to identify issues well before they become real problems.6. Stay on top of cashflow.Know ahead of time when the pinch points might be, and take as much action as you can to reduce the impact.Sometimes the simplest of actions can make a difference – here’s just one example: change your invoice payment prompt from 20th of the following month to 7 days after invoice – not everyone will meet this last request, but even if just a few do, then your cashflow WILL get better.7. Don’t ignore the creditors – doing so will NOT make them go away unfortunately.Hoping they don’t notice won’t work, nor will not communicating.8. If you have specific known obligations coming up (tax payments for example) and you put money aside for these things regularly, you will find the bills when they do fall due are so much easier to deal with, and you won’t fall behind.9. If you DO put money aside in this way, remember it is solely for the stated purpose and is NOT to be ‘borrowed’ to pay something else that crops up.Yes, I know you intend to put it back before the tax bill is due, but will you?10. When you are paid by a customer, clear the associated materials immediately from the revenue.Or if you haven’t been billed by your supplier yet, then put the money aside and pay the resulting invoice the day it is received (but don’t forget point 9 above)Paying attention to these suggestions may just make the difference your business needs in 2025, so every best wish for the year ahead.And maybe – just maybe – these goals stand a better chance of being met than the usual ones like eating less chocolate, going to the gym regularly and so on.Send me a message on www.matchboxconsulting.co.nz if you’d like to have a chat about all this over a coffee.Happy New Year, from Andrew.

Coasties are eagerly awaiting the completion of the Milldale bridge, a vital infrastructure project connecting John Fair Drive in Milldale to the Highgate Business Park, Silverdale, and Millwater.The bridge is nearing full completion, with Auckland Council's final sign-off expected shortly. Once approved, the bridge will officially open to the public.This new connection promises to enhance travel convenience and boost local economic growth. The community is looking forward to experiencing the benefits of this valuable infrastructure upgrade.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Welcome to 2025! Coasties, here's your first four day weekend weather forecast for the new year:Friday, 3/1Windy, with periods of rain in the morning. Breezy to brisk Westerly winds.High: 22Low: 15Saturday, 4/1Windy and partly cloudy. Breezy to brisk Sou'West winds.High: 21Low: 15Sunday, 5/1Windy and partly cloudy. Breezy to brisk West to Sou'West winds.High: 20Low: 13Monday, 6/1Mostly sunny. Breezy to brisk South to Sou'West winds.High: 21Low: 15Looking for more?Check out our Reports section in the Hibiscus Coast App for:🌊 Tide information🌬️ Wind conditions🌊 Wave updates🌞 UV levels🏖️ Safe swimming areasEverything you need is inside the Hibiscus Coast App – anytime, anywhere!Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

House prices are expected to increase over the next 12 months, but by how much, and how fast, are still up for debate.The housing market had a flat 2024, as the impact of falling interest rates was offset by uncertainty about the labour market, and large numbers of houses for sale.But economists expect lower interest rates to become more of a force in 2025.Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold said he expected house prices to lift 8 percent over the coming year.It would be a relatively sharp change from 2024. "A lot of the indicators of the housing market have shown a pretty significant turnaround because interest rates have fallen quite a long way very quickly."Normal house price growth, over the long term, was about 6.5 percent a year, he said.His forecast was a bit above that - "but not necessarily the boom we have certainly seen in years within the last 15 when prices have gone up 10 percent, 15 percent or even 20 percent per annum. We're not expecting that."He said the large number of properties available for sale should be eroded."There's a very good balance now between demand and supply."Eckhold said the pick-up should start in the first quarter of next year."As we go through next year you've got the combination of improving consumer confidence, interest rates noticeably lower than they have been for three or four years, and a recovering economy."There should also be signs that the labour market had stopped deteriorating, he said."The unemployment rate is expected to peak in the second quarter of next year."Corelogic head of research Nick Goodall said he expected 90,000 transactions in the housing market in 2025, about 10,000 more than 2024."Knowing that when volumes increase, values typically do too, we expect some growth in the market."Corelogic expected 5 percent annual growth in prices.The big difference for 2025 would be interest rates, he said."They're falling now and will be sustainably lower next year as opposed to this year, when they have been constraining for the majority of the year. That's a pretty big difference and will add to demand."The economy was also expected to improve, which was likely to flow through to increasing property prices."But some things that have been constraints will continue to be constraints - there are relatively high listings, decent choice for buyers... and unemployment will increase as well."He said debt-to-income ratios could become a restriction in the second half of the year, too."There is enough that says things will improve in 2024 but there are other restraints which is why we come back to saying 5 percent, not something in the realms of 7 percent to 10 percent that you might otherwise expect if you were told interest rates would be materially lower than this year."ANZ's economists expected house prices to increase 6 percent in the year.Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan said he expected a slight upward trend in house sales through until mid-2026, and the annual sales total to lift 3.7 percent in 2025."We expect labour market weakness and sharply slower population growth to be key constraints on activity, limiting the positive effects of lower interest rates and debt-servicing costs on activity levels."However, the mortgage rate cuts and dominance of interest rates driving trends in the housing market over the last five years suggest there could be some upside risks to our sales forecast."'Rental marketAnd what about the renters?Rents have lifted sharply in recent years, particularly as the effects of migration were felt on that market.But the pace softened notably through 2024.Kiernan said the softening labour market was likely to limit rental growth until the middle of the year and weaker net migration would also limit tenant demand through 2026 and 20-27."As a result, rental yields will remain low, keeping investor demand for housing subdued."Eckhold said rents had been rising at unsustainable levels."What we have seen in 2024 is rents decelerate... that's been a feature of a few things, there's been lower population growth - last year we had a big flow of migrants into the country and a lot of those people came into rental properties. We don't have the same impetus this year."Also importantly, wage growth inflation is moderating. The reduced rise in wages and reduced increase in costs on landlords are all factors that mean rents haven't got the upward pressure they had last year."Goodall agreed the population would grow more slowly in 2025 than in recent years."Supply of rental property has been relatively high, too."People might be willing to pay more in rent as the economy improved, but the market was unlikely to take off.It would be interesting to see what happened with new builds, he added.There were signs of consent numbers bottoming out but construction activity was likely to remain weak for some time to come.People who were affected by restrictions such as loan-to-value ratios or debt-to-income restrictions might opt for a new build because they were not captured by the rules.But he said they would want to have confidence that the companies operating them were solid and likely to remain in business for the 12 or 18 months it might take to build a house.

Locals on the Hibiscus Coast and across New Zealand are being reminded to prioritise safety on the roads this summer as police efforts to curb road deaths continue.Provisional figures show 289 road fatalities in 2024, a significant decrease from 341 the previous year. While the reduction is notable, authorities stress that any loss of life on the roads is too many.Superintendent Steve Greally, Director of Road Policing, highlighted the ongoing commitment of officers to prevent fatal and serious crashes.“Our officers have done, and are doing, as much as humanly possible out on the roads working to reduce the number of death and serious-injury crashes,” Superintendent Greally said.A key focus has been on enforcing speed limits and conducting alcohol breath tests. Police have more than doubled the number of breath tests conducted in recent years, with more than 4 million tests expected by the end of the financial year in June 2025.Operation Open Roads, launched in December 2022, has contributed to the reduction in severe accidents. Increased enforcement has raised the likelihood of offenders being caught, and motorists are being warned not to expect leniency.“Our frontline is passionate about preventing serious crashes,” said Superintendent Greally. “So if you are one of those people who is determined to put people’s lives at risk and you are caught, you should not expect a warning.”Drivers are encouraged to make responsible choices, including wearing seat belts, adhering to speed limits, avoiding distractions like mobile phones, and driving without impairment from fatigue, alcohol, or drugs.As summer travel ramps up, police are urging patience and vigilance to ensure everyone arrives safely at their destinations.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Coasties looking to restock or tackle those DIY projects on New Year's Day can breathe a sigh of relief, with several local retailers remaining open.A quick check of local shopping hours revealed Mitre 10 MEGA Silverdale will close its doors at 7 pm. Liquorland stores in Manly and Whangaparaoa will welcome shoppers until 8 pm.For those needing to stock up on groceries, Pak'nSave supermarket will close at 7 pm, while Woolworths Supermarkets will remain open until 8 pm. New World Supermarkets will have the latest closing time, shutting up shop at 9 pm.And for those seeking a break from the rain, BurgerFuel Silverdale is open for online orders, or eat-in lunch or dinner until 10 pm tonight.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

If you're new to the world of borrowing money, it might seem like we're speaking another language! The loan industry is filled to the brim with words that seem to be designed to make things unclear, instead of the opposite. Hopefully this will help untangle the jargon and make it easy for you to understand the ins and outs of loans. Here are some words you will likely come across: Arrears If your loan or account is "in arrears", that means that you've missed one or more payment. You want to avoid being in arrears – it's not great for your credit score and can ultimately cause further fees. If you think you might fall behind on repayments, it's a good idea to contact your lender as soon as possible. Asset An "asset" is something of long-term value that is owned by you, or your business. This is often also called "collateral". Common personal assets are your home and car. If you're in business, you might own office computers or factory equipment. Authority In loan terms, giving authority means giving permission - not putting someone in charge. When we set up a direct debit for your loan repayments, we will request payment authority. When you grant this authority, you are saying that we are allowed to withdraw money from your bank account, on a regular schedule and at a pre-set amount. CCCFA This is NZ legislation that lays out many of the rules for both parties in a contract for consumer finance (its full name is Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act). The most important job of the legislation is to protect consumers from being taken advantage of when taking out a loan and to make sure you're given the opportunity to fully understand what you're signing. Co-borrower This refers to someone who will join you in signing the loan contract. The reason for including a co-borrower are varied, and the co-borrower has the same legal responsibilities under the loan as the borrower. Credit Score or credit history Credit scores are like haircuts: we all have one, and some are better than others! Your credit score is a number between 1 and 1000 that gives lenders an idea of what your previous financial history is like, along with how good you are at paying your bills. Most credit scores are between 300 and 850; if yours is above 500 you're doing OK. Credit scores are based on everything you've done financially in the past - so if you've had a loan, buy now / pay later or internet bill and paid it off on time, then that's a good thing for your credit score. Having a negative history - like a bankruptcy, debt collection, or a lot of missed payments - lowers your overall score. If you have a good credit score, it will be easier to borrow money and it may assist in getting a better interest rate. Was the above useful? We hope this has helped you to cut through some of the jargon - it's important to us that you understand the language and feel comfortable and confident about your lending. If we've missed something, or there's another term you'd like to know more about, please call in and talk to us or give us a quick call. You are protected by responsible lending laws. Because of these protections, the content above is not regulated financial advice. This means that duties and requirements imposed on people who give financial advice do not apply to this content. This includes a duty to comply with a code of conduct and a requirement to be licensed. As this is part 1 of 3 instalments, if you feel you want to know the rest now, don't hesitate to email us at [email protected] for the full Loan Jargon Buster!

The New Year is here and thousands of us will be sitting down and writing out our New Years Resolutions. And, you know the drill, within two weeks they will be forgotten as we get caught up in the daily grind of life. Our fresh enthusiasm for the New Year will be gone and long forgotten.Don't let this happen to you!Instead, why not ditch your New Years Resolutions altogether and focus on just one big goal (or Gulp!)? Maybe its time to switch careers, or travel the world, or change something in your relationships. Whatever your goal is, don't let it fizzle.Make it happen and stay on track by following this 7-day crash course designed to help you master fear and break through any challenge:STEP 1: DARE & DEFYPut a stake in the ground and commit to doing it. I call this Daring & Defying. Write down your One Big Gulp! on a post-it note and put it somewhere where you can see it every day. Tell your friends about and make sure you set a deadline (gulp!).STEP 2: BREAKDOWN & BREAKTHROUGH FEARIt's natural to feel afraid because you're stepping outside your comfort zone and into the void of the unknown. The thing with fear is it starts in the mind and is triggered by your thoughts and what you imagine might happen. So imagine the worst, and then put strategies in place to make sure it never happens. And then imagine the best possible outcome and focus on creating that.STEP 3: CENTER & CONNECT TO YOUR COREWhen you calm your mind and create space and stillness, not only do you connect to your inner sage, that wise old voice within, it means you can actually hear it! When you do things that are aligned to your soul, there is no fear, there is just an inner knowingness of what feels right. So spend time walking in nature, listening to relaxing music, doing a Pilates class or meditating. And then listen closely to your inner wisdom.STEP 4: IMAGINE & INVENT NEW POSSIBILITIESYour sense of possibility is only limited by the extent of your imagination. So as you think about your One Big Gulp!, imagine all the possible outcomes or scenarios. Expand your vision of what could be. Visit a cafe, or art gallery or a park somewhere that sparks your imagination and then brainstorm and write down all your ideas no matter how wild and wacky.STEP 5: PLAN & PREPARE YOUR PATHIt's time to chart your course. As soon as you step outside your comfort zone you step into the unknown that gap or void between where you are and where you want to be. The secret to making your One Big Gulp! easy is to plug as much of this gap as possible. In other words do some research, gather information, ask questions, spend some time on Google, put together an action plan. And practice and rehearse as much as possible.STEP 6: FOCUS & FLOWFrom personal experience I know that when I'm doing something that makes my heart sing and my soul dance everything just flows if I let it. So stay focused on where your'e heading and use your intuition to guide you.Also, let go of anything that is part of the old. It can be hard to let go of things before the new has arrived, but as you know, sometimes you've got to close one door before you can open another.STEP 7: JUST GULP! AND GO FOR ITAs you move through this journey, you'll reach a point where you've just got to do it. The opportunity is there, you're prepared and ready, and all you need to do is take that big step forward. You never know until you try and you never know where it all might lead next.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Emergency services at summer hot spots are preparing for an influx of rowdy visitors on New Year's Eve.As Aucklanders prepared to flock to beachside towns on the Coromandel Peninsula including Whangamata, Whitianga and Tairua, police were doing the same."We bring extra police into our areas because of the massive increase in population for those limited times through the holiday period," Eastern Waikato area commander Mike Henwood explained."[The officers] mostly come from elsewhere in the Waikato region and Auckland, and we're quite flexible in terms of where they go. Crowds change and where's popular changes from year to year, so we move our staff to where the need is."The typically serene towns would be overrun with visitors, and they weren't all coming for a quiet getaway."When you have a town where the population increases significantly [over summer] it obviously changes the lifestyle there a bit," Inspector Henwood said."A lot of people's idyllic beach lifestyle is definitely compromised for a period... That sort of comes with the territory."He said New Year's parties often involved heavy drinking."For young people, typically the behaviour is they've been looking forward to this for quite some time, there's a lot of peer pressure around it particularly to drink," he said."We're talking about people that perhaps shouldn't be drinking alcohol but they've had it supplied to them."The conditions made overconsumption a serious issue."Often very hot temperatures and not a lot of food consumed, people getting quite intoxicated and being in a place they're not familiar with. Losing friends, not having a plan to get home," he said."Have that plan of how you're going to get home because a lot of these places don't have taxis or public transport."Hato Hone St John said it is also sending extra staff to popular summer locations."We see a lot of alcohol intoxication and injuries as a result of falls [at parties], which make up about 11 percent of our callouts over that period," St John's Auckland district operations manager Andy Everiss said."We also see a lot of drug intoxication as well, and that causes a concern for us because these people will often present as severely dehydrated or unconscious."Everiss said dehydration was a serious risk."Dehydration is huge, particularly in New Zealand we are more at risk of sunburn and exposure to the sun so you need to take precautions and stay out of the sun," he said."Really important that you stay hydrated... [If you're drinking] make sure you have a decent meal beforehand and a glass of water between each drink."Everiss stressed that ambulance staff would not report patients to police if they had taken an illegal substance."Please just be honest with our team, we're not there to judge at all. We're only there to care for the community so please be honest."Police Inspector Mike Henwood said it was rare for police to get involved in a party, but that would change if attendees spilled into the streets."Getting intoxicated on private property, that's fine, but when they go wandering often the disorder and assaults and sexual assaults that come from that... People intoxicated wandering streets they're not familiar with, it can cause issues," he said."Laws, things like liquor bans, they apply 365 days a year. They don't get temporarily suspended because you want to enjoy New Year's Eve."He urged visitors not to get carried away."[The] key thing is having fun for everybody. As soon as your activities impact on someone else's holiday that's not okay, and if it's illegal that's where police get involved."

Coasties are invited to celebrate the arrival of 2025 with SkyCity Auckland’s iconic fireworks display. The annual event, featuring fireworks launched from the Sky Tower, promises to be a spectacular experience whether viewed from a local peak, the beach, or through the livestream.This year, the celebration has been elevated with a synchronised laser light and animation show, complemented by stunning visuals projected onto the Harbour Bridge. To enhance the experience, locals can tune in to www.morefm.co.nz to enjoy a specially curated soundtrack accompanying the light show.SkyCity Chief Operating Officer Callum Mallett expressed excitement about the event, saying: “The Sky Tower fireworks are an iconic part of celebrating the new year in New Zealand and across the globe, bringing communities together to reflect on the year gone by and look ahead to the future.”He added, “We’ve worked hard to make this year’s event even more spectacular, with a synchronised fireworks and laser light show that promises to be one of our best yet - it’s a true celebration for Auckland and Aotearoa.”The highlight of the night will be the five-minute fireworks display, billed as the highest in the Southern Hemisphere. Beginning with a dramatic 10-second countdown projected on the base of the Sky Tower, the display will feature over 500 kilograms of pyrotechnics launched from three strategic locations between levels 55 and 64 of the tower, standing 200–240 metres above the ground.Adding to the visual feast, a seven-minute laser light show will pay tribute to Aotearoa’s diverse communities and landmarks. With displays every half hour starting at 9 pm, highlights will include imagery of a Formula One racing car, tributes to local sports heroes, and nods to New Zealand’s Bird of the Year and iconic landscapes.Months of preparation have gone into the event, with over 350 hours dedicated to installing 14 kilometres of electrical cabling and wiring. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be livestreamed on the 1News YouTube channel, ensuring everyone across New Zealand can share in the celebration.Happy New Year Coasties!Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Summer's here, and it's the perfect time to unwind and catch up on some of the top entertainment from 2024.Whether you're a music lover, a TV binge-watcher, a movie buff, or an avid reader, we've got you covered.Top Streamed Songs of 2024Spotify's top 10 streamed songs of 2024 are in, and here's what's been making waves:1. Sabrina Carpenter - Espresso2. Billie Eilish - Birds Of A Feather3. Benson Boone - Beautiful Things4. Anne-Marie - Friends5. FloyyMenor - Gata Only6. Lady Gaga - Die With A Smile7. Jimin - Who8. Hozier - Too Sweet9. Sabrina Carpenter - Please Please Please10. Ariana Grande - We Can't Be Friends (wait for your love)Confession time: I've only listened to four of these tracks so far. How about you - have you discovered any new favourite artists or songs?Top TV Series of 2024Our team at the Hibiscus Coast App has curated a list of the top 10 TV series of 2024. Here's what made our cut:1. The Day of the Jackal2. The Gentlemen3. The Penguin4. Clarkson’s Farm5. Lioness6. The Diplomat7. Mayor of Kingstown8. The Old Man9. Griselda10. House of the DragonYellowstone fans might notice that it didn't make our list - unfortunately, the season 5b episodes just didn't quite live up to expectations.Top Grossing Movies of 2024BoxOfficeMojo.com reported these blockbusters leading ticket sales this year:1. Inside Out 22. Deadpool & Wolverine3. Despicable Me 44. Moana 25. Dune: Part Two6. Wicked7. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire8. Kung Fu Panda 49. Venom: The Last Dance10. Beetlejuice BeetlejuiceLooks like there are plenty of great movies to catch up on over summer!Top Selling Books of 2024Circana.com’s bestseller list reflects a mix of gripping fiction and practical reads:1. The Women by Kristin Hannah2. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas3. Dog Man: the Scarlet Shedder by Div Pilkey4. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden5. It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover6. Atomic Habits by James Clear7. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros8. Forth Wing by Rebecca Yarros9. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas10. It Starts with Us by Colleen HooverWhether you're reading solo or sharing with friends and family, there's something for everyone here.Happy New Year!Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Here is the full list of all the New Year Honours recipients.To be Dames Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:Julie Clare Chapman - For services to children and the communityNea Ingrid Collins, MNZM - For services to Māori, business and health governanceBogyung Ko (Lydia Ko), MNZM - For services to golfGolf star Lydia Ko, 27, is believed to have become the youngest-ever Dame in the modern Commonwealth, capping an extraordinary year.To be Knights Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:John Allan Gallagher, CNZM, KStJ - For services to business, education, philanthropy and the communityEdward Colin Manson, CNZM - For services to philanthropy, the community and businessPeter Robert Skelton, CNZM - For services to environmental lawTo be Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit:Graeme Hilton Blick - For services to geodesyIan Douglas Foster - For services to rugbyEsther Frances Fung, ONZM - For services to the Chinese communityFrederick John Graham, ONZM - For services to Māori artJohn Bernard Hart, ONZM - For services to sports governanceJillian Jeanette Hooks - For services to accountancy and educationKai-Shek Luey, QSM - For services to the Chinese communityHelen Linda Pilmore - For services to nephrology and transplantation servicesSuzanne Lena Prentice, OBE - For services to music and the communityRobin Scholes, OBE - For services to the screen industryHarjinder Singh - For services to food scienceAlan Richard Baillie Smythe - For services to the community and philanthropyWilliam Murray Thomson - For services to oral healthKennie Tsui - For services to the environment and governanceKeith Sharman Turner - For services to the electricity industryFormer All Blacks coach Ian Foster, who guided New Zealand to a runners-up finish at the 2023 World Cup, has been recognised in the New Year's Honours.To be an Honorary Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:Laurie Ann Hilsgen - For services to family carersTo be Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit:Denise Katherine Astill - For services to the prevention of foetal anticonvulsant syndromesCarlos Edward James Bagrie - For services to the food and rural industriesMajor General John Raymond Boswell, DSD, (Rtd.) - For services to the New Zealand Defence ForceRobert James William Campbell - For services to farming and governanceMarguerite Diane Christophers - For services to Para sportsPeter John Cleave - For services to Māori language educationTrisia Angela Farrelly - For services to ecologyCatherine Mary Ferguson - For services to otolaryngologyHeke-Turoa Ropine Huata - For services to Māori and educationAlbert Puhirake Ihaka - For services to Māori and governanceSudesh Kumar Jhunjhnuwala - For services to the hospitality industry and philanthropyPrudence Elizabeth Lamerton - For services to nuclear medicineNadia Rui-Chi Lim - For services to the food industryProfessor Cyril Wayne McIlwraith - For services to veterinary medicine and the equine industryMatthew Christian Metcalfe - For services to the film industryLee Wei-Hahn Murray - For services to literature, particularly speculative literatureOliver Michael Newland - For services to real estate and the communityChristine Rewa Panapa, MNZM - For services to MāoriTe Taku Parai - For services to Māori, governance and the communityRear Admiral David Colin Proctor, RNZN (Rtd.) - For services to the New Zealand Defence ForceTe Tuhi Robust - For services to Māori and educationAnthony John Shaw - For services to people with intellectual disabilities and the communityMargot Alison Skinner - For services to physiotherapyMervyn John Solly - For services to the transport industry and businessDebra Mary Delores Sorensen - For services to Pacific healthKate Elizabeth Sylvester - For services to the fashion industryIain Clark Taylor - For services to educationMurray William Tilyard - For services to healthSamuel Laurence Whitelock - For services to rugby and the communityBryce Derek Wilkinson - For services to economicsTo be an Honorary Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit:Clara Elisabeth Hutchinson-de Ranitz - For services to midwiferyTo be Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit:Peter Wallace Allen - For services to disabled peopleDale Cameron Bailey - For services to educationPaula Val Baker - For services to health governance and the communityJudith Anne Bell - For services to music educationRichard Marshall Lovelace Bull - For services to conservation and the communityPaul Francis Burns - For services to Search and Rescue and Fire and Emergency New ZealandMichael John Dyer Camm - For services to wildlife conservationSusan Jayne Clement - For services to educationRoss Anthony Cocker, JP - For services to Search and Rescue and the communityKaren Ann Colgan - For services to wildlife conservation and educationLinda Ann Cooper, JP - For services to the communityMaria Carmela Dalli - For services to educationPriyani Therese de Silva-Currie - For services to multicultural communities, netball and civil engineeringMakarena Diana Dudley - For services to people with dementia, particularly MāoriRoss James Craufurd Dunlop, JP - For services to local governmentIosefo Fa'afiu - For services to mental health, youth and the Pacific communityAnne Maria Fitisemanu - For services to businessJulian Richmond Fitter - For services to conservationBronwyn Joy Groot - For services to fraud prevention awarenessNoel Graham Harris - For services to the thoroughbred racing industryRawinia Ruth Higgins - For services to Māori language, education and governanceDavid Warwick Hodder - For services to outdoor recreation and conservationIngrid Louise Maria Huygens - For services to education and MāoriLeonard George Frederick Irvine - For services to woodcraft and educationMarian Elizabeth Johnson - For services to technology and businessShelley Aroha Katae - For services to Māori and Pacific communitiesDavid John Kent - For services to the deaf and hard of hearing communityDinesh Kumar Khadka, JP - For services to the Nepalese communityTania Phillippa Kingi - For services to Māori and people with disabilitiesMalcolm Erskine Legget (Deceased. His Majesty's approval of this award took effect on 31 October 2024, prior to the date of death.) - For services to cardiologyNicola Maree Ataria MacDonald - For services to the environmentDeborah Claire Mackenzie - For services to victims of domestic violenceCedric Paul Malpass - For services to healthLachlan John Marshall - For services to water poloAdele Marie Mason - For services to New Zealand-Asia relationsDuncan Paul Matthews - For services to rainbow communitiesJohn Leslie McKoy - For services to fisheries science and environment managementRoss John McQueen - For services to the communityAsad Mohsin - For services to the Muslim community and educationJanice Molloy - For services to wildlife conservationSheryll Ann Ofner - For services to educationLouise Claire Parr-Brownlie - For services to neuroscienceDaniel Oshana Pato - For services to the hairdressing industryKirsten Pauline Eddy Patterson - For services to governance and womenJohn Kenneth Peters - For services to governance and palliative careIan Martyn Pickard - For services to Fire and Emergency New ZealandBillie-Jean Potaka Ayton - For services to education and MāoriTania Mateohorere-Carole Pouwhare - For services to Māori and Pacific communities, and the environmentSarah Jane McDonald Rae - For services to choral musicIan Dugald Reid - For services to musical theatreAlan Kenneth Richards - For services to the New Zealand Police and educationNorefjell Jacquiline Marama Tanga Royal, JP - For services to Māori and governanceHilary Dawn Sangster - For services to governanceRachel Simon-Kumar - For services to women's studies, health research and to ethnic communitiesRoy Martin Sloan - For services to conservation and game huntingHilary Anne Smith - For services to linguistics and the communityHelen Julia Snell - For services to nursing and diabetes careSharon Carol Stevens-Cottle - For services to dance and theatreMichael Leslie Burton Styles - For services to people with dyslexia and educationLinda Naumai Te Aho - For services to Māori and legal educationGary Raymond Trail - For services to martial arts, particularly Jiu JitsuKeith Winton Trembath - For services to the community, agriculture and educationKateryna Turska - For services to the Ukrainian communityAnita Gay Varga - For services to women and the construction industryMelissa Amy Vining - For services to charitable fundraising and the communityBelinda Henderson Walker - For services to the communityTo be Companions of the King's Service Order:Rūpene Paul Amato - For services to survivors of abuse in careJocelyn Anne Armstrong - For services to interfaith communitiesBarry Joseph de Geest - For services to disabled peopleJames William Goodwin - For services to survivors of abuse in careTristram Richard Ingham, ONZM - For services to survivors of abuse in careLeoni Frances McInroe - For services to survivors of abuse in carePaora Crawford Moyle - For services to survivors of abuse in careMoeapulu Frances Eileen Tagaloa - For services to survivors of abuse in careKeith Vernon Wiffin - For services to survivors of abuse in careGary Michael Williams, MNZM - For services to survivors of abuse in carePaul Andrew Zentveld - For services to survivors of abuse in careThe King's Service MedalAlister David Argyle - For services to the communityVictoria Elizabeth Barnard - For services to the RNZSPCACynthia Jane Brooks - For services to local government and historical researchMichael Russell Buick - For services to the performing arts, particularly musical theatreColin Terence Campbell - For services to horse racing and governanceIan Peter Carter - For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the communityLeslie Edward Clarke - For services to the New Zealand Police and the communityKathleen Patricia Coster - For services to survivors of abuse in careShannel Peter Courtney - For services to conservation and choral musicSandra Lois May Curd, JP - For services to the communitySally Elizabeth Davies - For services to hockey and nursingVaine Puapii Elia - For services to the Cook Islands communityRouruina Emile-Brown - For services to the Cook Islands communityPatricia Mary Anne Eyles, JP - For services to the communityHans-Josef Erwin Freller - For services to survivors of abuse in careNeta Bernadette Gilbert (Neta Kerepeti) - For services to survivors of abuse in careMarie Eleanor Gilpin - For services to the communityThomas Michael Gray - For services to local government and the communityBryan Robert Guy - For services to the communityPeter Colin Hensman - For services to cricket and the communityToni Lee James Jarvis - For services to survivors of abuse in careJeremy Wiremu Alexander Johnson - For services to the Anglican Church and the LGBTQI+ communityHans Allen Key - For services to health and safety and Pacific communitiesPaul Hendrick Lampe - For services to youthMichael Joseph Ledingham - For services to survivors of abuse in carePeter Fala Aperila Leilua - For services to the community, particularly youth and Pacific peoplesTiliilagi Leilua - For services to the community, particularly youth and Pacific peoplesValerie Joan Lissette - For services to danceMoira Catherine Lockington - For services to the communityPamela Anne Logan - For services to theatrePatricia Annette Macaulay - For services to the communityCarolyn Mayes - For services to conservationRonald James Moles - For services to education and the communityFiona Mary Murdoch - For services to danceDelza Reay Neben - For services to print media and the communityJohn William Oliver - For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the communityJyoti Parashar, JP - For services to the communityGraeme Victor Pearce - For services to heritage preservation and the communityMarie Teresa Pearce - For services to the community and local governmentNeville Gordon Phillips - For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and ice sportsPeter Herehere Priest - For services to Māori and conservationSusan Lyall Priest - For services to Māori and conservationDavid John Ramsay - For services to the communityRangimahora Mokomoko Reddy - For services to Māori healthDavid Malcolm James Richmond - For services to sport, particularly athletics and cricketEugene Shane Te Awamate Ryder - For services to survivors of abuse in careBarbara Anne Simpson - For services to conservation and the communityAnne Acton Sinclair - For services to the communityDarryl William Smith - For services to survivors of abuse in careRichard Antony Dougal Steele, JP - For services to the rural communityPeter David Swain - For services to the communityTeremoana Terepai - For services to the Pacific community and seniorsMargaret Ann Vickers - For services to the communityGrahame Roy Perry Webber - For services to local government and farming governancePhyllis Rosemary Weir - For services to cricket and horticultureCraig John Wells - For services to business and the communityJennifer Gai Wotten - For services to the community and squashThe New Zealand Antarctic MedalAlastair Robin Fastier - For services to Antarctic heritage conservationColin Chalmers Monteath, QSM - For services to Antarctic field support, archival preservation, literature and photographyThe New Zealand Distinguished Service DecorationSquadron Leader Paul Leslie Stockley - For services to the New Zealand Defence Force

Summer is upon us, and as the hordes head to the beach to enjoy the water, some sharks are also heading inshore.In November, diver Jade Kahukore-Dixon died in a shark attack near the Chatham Islands.And in recent weeks, there had been sightings of great white sharks in the Kawhia harbour, prompting the Department of Conservation to issue a warning to swimmers.But shark scientist Dr Riley Elliott said the risk of shark attacks was actually pretty low.Over summer, sharks headed inshore to drop off their pups in nursery habitats, he said.Those areas were usually warm, calm, shallow and had lots of small fish, and generally happened to be the nice places people liked to swim in."But what that does mean is we don our Speedos and we go to the beach and we see sharks."The most common shark that people would see in the North Island and Upper South Island was the bronze whaler, Elliott said.The bronze whaler is the most common shark that people would see in the North Island and upper South Island. Photo: NIWAFurther south, they could encounter the sevengill shark and the great white shark.Sharks predominantly did their own thing, but to reduce being appealing to a shark, he recommended avoiding swimming in areas where people were fishing.Likewise, fishers should not discard their filleted fish parts in areas where people would swim, Elliott said.Sharks, like the bronze whaler, also loved fish and were drawn to areas where people went fishing.People needed to remember that when they were in the sea, they were in a wild environment with wild animals, he said."We should remember that it is their supermarket that we are venturing into."The deadliest of the sharks was the great white, but Elliott said they usually posed the biggest risk to surfers."That's usually aligned with the fact that surfers dress up like seals wearing wetsuits and surf around where seals aggregate."But that was a very small portion of the population and most surfers understood that risk, he said.The risk of a shark attack was tiny compared to the risk of drowning, he said.For the safest way to enjoy the ocean, he advised people to swim between the flags.

A recent analysis by dogandlemon.com suggests that New Zealand's low road toll in 2024 can be largely attributed to the economic recession.According to Clive Matthew-Wilson, editor of the website and a road safety campaigner, recessions tend to lead to lower road tolls globally."The overall road toll in New Zealand has been steadily falling since the late 1980s, but the annual highs and lows of the toll closely follow the economy," he explains.Matthew-Wilson points to historical data, noting that New Zealand's worst road toll was in 1973, with 843 fatalities.Following the 1973 fuel crisis, the road toll dropped significantly.Similarly, after the 1987 global sharemarket crash, the road toll decreased by 70.Several factors have contributed to the long-term decline in New Zealand's road toll, including the importation of safer used Japanese cars, highway improvements, and stricter enforcement of speed, drink-driving, and seatbelt laws.However, Matthew-Wilson emphasises that poverty and socioeconomic factors also play a significant role in road safety."Poor people die more often on the roads than rich people," he notes.Motorcyclists are disproportionately represented in fatal crashes, accounting for 18% of fatalities and 23% of serious injuries between 2019 and 2023.Trucks also pose a significant risk, making up nearly 20% of the road toll.Matthew-Wilson argues that the key to lowering the road toll lies in improving roads, vehicles, and enforcement strategies.He advocates for measures such as moving freight from trucks to rail, making motorbike licenses harder to obtain, and targeting high-risk groups.Ultimately, Matthew-Wilson believes that a multifaceted approach is necessary to address the complex issue of road safety.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

The ASB Classic Women’s Tennis Tournament kicks off today in Auckland, drawing some of the world’s top talent to the ASB Tennis Arena. With 14 nationalities represented and a lineup featuring seven Grand Slam champions, fans can expect a thrilling week of tennis action.New Zealand’s own Lulu Sun, currently ranked 40th in the world, enters the tournament as the fourth seed. Sun, who made headlines by reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinals this year, will face Canadian Rebecca Marino in her first-round match. Born in Te Anau and raised in Switzerland, Sun recently made the switch to represent New Zealand, generating significant hometown support.Adding to the excitement is the return of 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu. The British star, fresh off an undefeated run at the Billie Jean King Cup finals, is seeded sixth. Raducanu is joined by another global icon, Japan’s Naomi Osaka, who is making her comeback after the birth of her daughter. Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1, enters the tournament as the seventh seed.Other notable players include Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion and 2016 ASB Classic winner, and Sofia Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion.ASB Classic Women’s Tennis Tournament Director Nicolas Lamperin.Tournament Director Nicolas Lamperin expressed his excitement about the strong field, stating, “I am very pleased with the quality of the field this year, with the winners of seven Grand Slams, a US Open runner-up, and a mix of proven performers and exciting young players. To have Lulu Sun back home as the No. 4 seed is evidence of her incredible year. This is a wonderful opportunity for Kiwi fans to watch their own New Zealand star playing at home.”Women’s Singles Draw HighlightsLulu Sun (NZL) vs. Rebecca Marino (CAN)Emma Raducanu (GBR) vs. Robin Montgomery (USA)Naomi Osaka (JPN) vs. QualifierSloane Stephens (USA) vs. Ann Li (USA)Sofia Kenin (USA) vs. Xinyu Wang (CHN)Event DetailsGates Open: 10:30 AMMatches Begin: 11:30 AMWith its blend of local talent, returning champions, and rising stars, the ASB Classic promises an unforgettable experience for tennis fans.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

The Auckland Zoo's Australia Bush Track has reopened after undergoing significant upgrades, offering visitors a unique and immersive experience this summer.Locals and their families can explore the revamped habitat, featuring an expansive new 4m high enclosure for rock-dwelling skinks and arboreal dragons.This new habitat is already home to 18 Cunningham's skinks, which were relocated from 'Lizard Lane' prior to the January 2023 Auckland flood.In 2025, the zoo will welcome frilled-necked dragons, a unique and extraordinary arboreal lizard native to northern Australia.This will mark the first time these dragons have been showcased in New Zealand.Currently, visitors can see emus, including Elvis and Ellie-May, and brolga roaming the habitat.Although the arrival of Eastern grey kangaroos from Australia has been delayed, they are expected to join the zoo's collection later in 2025.The zoo has also upgraded the entry and exit point of the walkthrough Australian aviary, creating a more spacious and attractive area that improves visitor flow while maintaining the safety and security of the birds.When visiting the Australia Bush Track habitat, be sure to explore the rest of the track, which features various bird and reptile species, fish, and Tasmanian devils.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]