Powerball is set to soar to $38 million tonight, offering one of the largest jackpots in recent history.Earlier this month, Lotto NZ celebrated over three decades of thrilling draws, with the first Lotto draw held on 1 August 1987. That inaugural event produced a prize pool of $1,028,024, with a first division prize of $359,808. Four winners, including a Devonport pensioner and an Invercargill City Council employee, shared $89,952 each.Despite the significant sums awarded back then, they pale in comparison to today's jackpot. The massive $38 million prize has rolled over from previous draws, capturing the excitement and imagination of Kiwis nationwide.Since 1987, Lotto NZ has created 1,187 millionaires and distributed more than $15.4 billion in prizes. Additionally, over $6 billion has been returned to local communities, supporting numerous community groups, charities, and initiatives."The support of lottery funding has helped foster strong and sustainable communities for over three decades and will continue to do so into the future," said Lotto NZ CEO Jason Delamore. He extended gratitude to players for their continued support and participation.Lotto NZ encourages players to buy their tickets early to avoid the rush on draw day, both in-store and online.The draw will take place tonight at 8 pm. Will someone hit the big one? All eyes are on tonight's draw to see if another Kiwi will join the ranks of Lotto NZ millionaires.

Some inner-city Auckland apartment owners may have their "heads in the sand" about the possible implications of a ground rent review next year, one real estate firm is warning.The lease of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei's downtown Auckland land at the former Railway Lands, Te Tōangaroa, comes up for review in August next year.The leasehold terms included a ground-rent free period until 2011, and then reviews at seven-year intervals.It is the site of many apartment buildings, including the Scene buildings.Scott Dunn, of City Sales, said his firm had listed 11 or 12 properties on the leasehold land in recent weeks. "Some sales will go for under $100,000, some over. We don't have anything lined up for August that will go for over $200,000."The ground rent is set based on what Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei said was a "modest set percentage" of the unimproved freehold land value.Nick Goodall, head of research at Corelogic, said the median land value for Auckland residential properties from council rating values increased from $605,000 in 2017 to $800,000 in 2021, although values might have fallen since.Dunn said there could be a situation where ground rent had increased ahead of incomes, or the rent that tenants were paying investors who owned apartments on the land.He said, for one two-bedroom apartment in the Scene 3 block on Beach Road, ground rent was $24,780 a year at present.Last review, the ground rent for The Docks on Dockside Lane went from $772,807 a year to $1.625 million."In seven years the ground rent could double, which has decimated some people," he said.He said many of the apartments had been working well as investment properties but that could change."I believe the next one will be the most interesting yet, my feeling is that a lot of these, this will be the time that the ground rent gets so high that income - rent from tenants - won't cover it for a lot of properties."They worked very well for a while. The last rent review a lot of them went close to double and that shocked a lot of people but there are still people I'm talking to now who went through the last review but are saying 'oh well I'm getting good rent'. I'm like 'you know what happened last time' but some people might still have their heads in the sand a little bit."In a statement, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa said any adjustment in ground rent was effectively making up for changes in the land's value over the previous seven years."The land valuation process is informed by independent valuation data and assessments from registered valuers appointed by both the lessor - Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei - and the lessee. The terms of the lease agreement provides for a negotiation period, and an arbitration process if the parties are unable to reach agreement."The lease agreement, specific lease terms and rent review process are fully transparent. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei simply acts in accordance with those terms as would any commercial landlord."AUT professor John Tookey said Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa would have a range of option available to it if there were concerns about the sustainablity of the ground rent, including pricng rent rises at or below inflation."A pragmatic way ahead that minimises business failures and arrears in rental properties and leased land. In the context of an economic downturn, probably the most sensible way to go."He said it could also be a good time to add to the property portfolio because it would be possible to get "very tight tenders" on projects from "work-starved contractors". There could also be an opportunity to expand holdings of proximate properties to make more value land parcels for the future, he said.

The Hibiscus Coast is gearing up for Conservation Week 2024, scheduled to run from 2-8 September.This year's theme, "Take action for nature," encourages residents to contribute to the preservation of New Zealand's unique environment and species.Director-General of the Department of Conservation (DOC), Penny Nelson, emphasises the significance of nature in our daily lives.“Nature provides essential services worth around $57 billion annually, including air, water, and soil quality,” Nelson notes.However, she highlights the critical situation, with over 4,000 native species threatened or at risk of extinction.Nelson underscores DOC's commitment to safeguarding ecosystems and species, while recognising the vital roles of community groups, iwi, and other organisations in these efforts.She urges the public to get involved in various ways.“Hunters can participate in the National Wild Goat Hunting Competition to alleviate pressure on native forests. Alternatively, joining a community trapping group to manage predators or planting native trees are effective actions,” Nelson suggests.Individuals interested in contributing to Conservation Week are encouraged to explore local conservation groups or organise community events to bolster New Zealand's biodiversity.For more information on events and how to get involved, visit the DOC website and stay updated as additional details are released.For those keen on making a difference, even small actions can have a significant impact on nature's well-being.

Residents of the Hibiscus Coast are urged to stop riding specific models of Avanti bicycles due to safety concerns. Sheppard Cycles New Zealand Ltd has issued a recall for the Avanti Black Thunder and Avanti Montari Jnr bikes, sold between 1 July 2020 and 1 August 2024.The recall follows reports that the ‘NUTT’ branded brakes on these models require frequent servicing to maintain optimal performance. Failure to service the brakes could lead to a loss of braking power, potentially causing riders to lose control and sustain injuries.Consumers with these bicycle models are advised to stop using them immediately and contact Sheppard Cycles via phone on 0800 999 499 to arrange for replacement brakes of a different brand. The recalled bicycles can be identified by the brand, model name, and serial number displayed on the bike.This recall highlights the importance of regular bicycle maintenance to prevent accidents and ensure rider safety. For further information and updates, residents can visit the Sheppard Cycles website or contact their local bicycle retail outlet.https://www.sheppardcycles.com/

Locals can now expect faster passport processing times following an upgrade to the passport system in March. Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden announced that wait times have halved since the upgrade, which initially caused unexpected delays.“As of Tuesday 6 August, the passport application queue has reduced by over 57 per cent - 31,000 applications down from a peak of 53,847 at the beginning of May, and wait times have halved,” said van Velden.In July, the Department of Internal Affairs issued 50,397 passports, surpassing the number of applications received by over 10,700. Of these, 83 per cent were issued within six weeks, and 91 per cent of the applications were submitted online, with 32 per cent being group applications.“The upgrade to the passport system implemented in March was the most significant in over a decade. I am pleased that Kiwis can use the new options that make applying for a passport online a lot easier,” van Velden stated.She also mentioned that the Department continues to work hard to reduce wait times and has measures in place to meet its upcoming goals. Currently, applicants are advised to allow up to five weeks plus delivery for a standard passport, down from ten weeks in May.“Reducing passport processing times continues to be a key priority for the Department,” van Velden emphasised.This improvement offers relief Coasties, ensuring smoother travel planning and less waiting for essential documents.

Locals can experience a new era of fire safety training through augmented reality (AR), thanks to a project led by Massey University. This innovative approach integrates real-world environments with virtual instructions, showing promising results in retaining crucial safety information.Massey University's project introduced an AR prototype that immerses users in a simulated fire scenario. Wearing headsets, participants receive step-by-step instructions from a virtual firefighter, learning how to navigate and exit a burning building. The study, led by Dr Daniel Paes, compared AR training with traditional video-based methods.“We found that while knowledge levels were comparable, AR training was more efficient in providing self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation, which are important factors for learning performance,” Dr Paes said. Four weeks after training, AR participants retained their knowledge significantly better than those trained with conventional methods.The research highlighted the motivational boost AR training provides, with participants reporting nearly 100% higher motivation levels compared to the other group. The prototype's versatility allows it to be used in any building, making it a mobile and adaptable training system.“Our goal was to determine the viability of AR as a tool for fire safety training. The results showed AR has merit to be used as a tool in these situations, not just because it’s fun to play with but because they’re learning by doing and retaining important, life-saving information,” Dr Paes explained.As the project progresses, the team plans to refine the AR prototype to enhance its interactive features. Dr Paes and his colleagues envision widespread adoption of this technology, aiming to collaborate with global safety committees and fire safety organisations.Beyond fire safety, AR’s potential applications are vast, ranging from disaster preparedness to vocational training. Massey University's team is already developing AR-based modules for operating fire extinguishers and preparing for disasters like tsunamis and earthquakes.This pioneering research by Dr Paes and his team, including Dr Zhenan Feng, Maddy King, Hesam Shad, Dr Prasanth Sasikumar, Dr Diego Pujoni, and Associate Professor Ruggiero Lovreglio, is setting new standards in safety training.

The Government is taking decisive steps to address New Zealand’s declining maths achievement rates, introducing stronger accountability measures as part of its new action plan, "Make It Count."Education Minister Erica Stanford announced the initiative alongside the Prime Minister, emphasising the urgent need to improve maths education. “It is unacceptable that only 22 per cent of our Year 8 students are at the expected standard for maths," Ms Stanford stated. “We cannot allow the decline in achievement to continue. We all need to work together to turn these results around.”The Make It Count plan consists of four components: Curriculum, Workforce, Assessment, and Accountability. Key measures include an early introduction of a new maths curriculum from Term 1 2025, increased professional development funding for teachers, and more rigorous intervention by the Ministry of Education in underperforming schools.“Our Government will not tolerate persistently poor achievement in schools – it is not fair to our kids and their futures,” Ms Stanford added. “The Ministry will sharpen its approach to intervening in schools when student achievement is at risk, redirecting and targeting resources to schools with inadequate student achievement.”Further data highlights the urgency of these reforms, with just 45 per cent of students achieving the NCEA numeracy standard this year, a 10-percentage point decline from last year. The situation is more critical in Māori medium and Kaupapa Māori settings, where only 25 per cent of students met the standard.The plan sets an ambitious target of 80 per cent of Year 8 students meeting or exceeding the expected maths level by December 2030. To support this, the Teaching Council will strengthen maths training in initial teacher education from next year.Ms Stanford concluded, “Our Government will work with the sector and ensure teachers receive the training, support, and resources they need so we can lift student achievement and close the equity gap in our education system.”Make It Count Plan Highlights:Curriculum: New maths curriculum for Years 0-8, starting Term 1 2025.Workforce: $20 million for teacher professional development.Assessment: Twice yearly maths assessments in primary schools from 2025.Accountability: Early and frequent Ministry interventions in underperforming schools.

Coasties are invited to participate in the new Healthy School Lunches programme, aimed at improving the delivery of nutritious meals to students in need.Associate Education Minister David Seymour is calling on food manufacturers, producers, wholesalers, and distributors to register their interest in the revamped programme, which will start in Term 1, 2025. "The Healthy School Lunches programme delivers lunches to over 240,000 children. It is a great opportunity for enterprises in the food industry to be a part of one of the biggest food programmes in the country," Seymour said.The redesigned programme aims to reduce costs and minimise surplus food and waste. Businesses with existing food infrastructures in communities are encouraged to register their interest and propose their involvement in the more efficient system.Registrations will open on the Government Electronic Tender Service (GETS) website on Monday, 12 August 2024. The Ministry of Education, alongside an expert advisory group, has been working to enhance the programme's effectiveness."Using economies of scale and working with experts in wholesale food production and distribution might seem like common sense but both aspects were absent under the previous Government," Seymour remarked. The advisory group includes experts in procurement, logistics, contracting, child welfare, and nutrition.Engagement with representatives from schools, kura, boards, and sector leaders has been ongoing. Seymour highlighted the importance of this project, especially given the current cost of living and food insecurity affecting vulnerable children.The Healthy School Lunches programme, funded by the 2024 Budget with $478 million, will also extend support to up to 10,000 two- to five-year-olds in early childhood centres. The programme's redesign will combine commercial experience, data, and evidence for future improvements.

A 44-year-old man will appear in North Shore District Court on Thursday following an incident in which his vehicle collided with a house in Albany, resulting in the car being suspended three metres above the ground.Emergency services were called to Fairview Avenue around 7.51pm last night after reports of the crash. Acting Road Policing Manager for Waitematā, Acting Inspector Warwick Stainton, said the car was found precariously positioned between a house and a retaining wall.“Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) had to secure the vehicle before we could safely extract the driver,” Stainton explained. “Fortunately, he was uninjured, but there was significant damage to the property.”Stainton emphasised the importance of not driving after drinking. “Impaired driving endangers everyone on the road. This incident has caused extensive damage to a family home that could have been avoided with a simple decision to use a taxi.”The man faces charges of driving with excess breath alcohol and dangerous driving.

Two years ago, the Hibiscus Coast App was launched with a simple yet ambitious goal: to connect the local community. Today, it celebrates a major milestone, having become an indispensable digital hub for residents."We're thrilled to have such an amazing community on board," says Steve Pulley, the driving force behind the app. When we launched the Hibiscus Coast App, our goal was simple: to connect our local community.Today, we're proud to say we've become an essential part of daily life for many residents.Our stats tell a great story:16,772 downloads38,388 active users38,949 unique readers70% engagement rateBut it's not just about numbers. The app has become a go-to platform for residents to find local businesses, stay updated on daily news, explore job opportunities, and discover events.To celebrate this milestone, we're offering a special promotion: 2 months free when businesses sign up for an annual subscription."In New Zealand, mobile phones are the primary way people access the internet," Pulley adds. "We want to help local businesses thrive in this digital age."Local business owners are encouraged to take advantage of this special offer by visiting the registration portal.We're grateful for your support and look forward to continuing to serve our community.

At Paraoa Brewing Company on Saturday 11th August from 4 to 6 pm, there will be a family-friendly bingo taking place. The proceeds of this event will go towards supporting the Whangaparaoa College Football team travelling to the AIMS Games in Tauranga. This year, it will be held between 7th – 13th September. The AIMS Games is New Zealand’s and Australasia’s largest annual junior sporting event, restricted to intermediate school-aged children. This year, over 390 schools will be attending.Entry is completely player and parent-funded. Attending this bingo means supporting community youth in participating in this experience. The event also offers various opportunities to build on skills outside of sporting excellence. Young people are encouraged to meet with others outside of their usual social groups and peers and develop their ability to interact with others. General admission is $12.39 per ticket, and attendees are encouraged to bring cash, as there will be spot prizes, raffles, and bingo boards available. There is the option of joining a shared table or booking as a group via the link below. https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/bingo-fundraiser-for-aims-football-whangaparaoa-college/auckland/whangaparaoa-peninsu

Concerns about maths education have been mounting among Coasties with school-aged children, with many seeking additional learning opportunities outside of school. The good news is the Government has announced a comprehensive plan to transform maths education, aiming to tackle New Zealand's chronic maths problem and set students up for success.According to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Education Minister Erica Stanford, new data from the Curriculum Insights and Progress Study (CIPS) reveals alarming statistics: only 22% of Year 8 students meet the expected curriculum benchmark for mathematics, with merely 12% of Māori students achieving the desired level.Mr. Luxon describes the results as a "total system failure," emphasising the need for change. The Government's 'Make It Count' maths action plan, launching its first three components, aims to address this issue. The plan includes introducing a new structured maths curriculum for year 0-8 students, providing teacher guides and student workbooks, and offering professional development opportunities for teachers.Additionally, the plan includes twice-yearly standardised assessments for maths in primary schools and small group interventions for students falling behind. The Government hopes these changes will help close the equity gap and ensure future prosperity for New Zealand.

Locals are being urged to rethink compostable products as new research reveals hidden dangers. With New Zealand's ban on single-use plastics, consumers have turned to compostables, assuming they're eco-friendly. However, a University of Auckland study found many of these products contain toxic substances.The Ministry of Environment commissioned the research to investigate how compostable items impact soil health. The study tested ten products, including paper cups, bin liners, and pizza boxes, for harmful substances like plastics and PFAS, known as "forever chemicals.""Consumers pay a premium for compostable products, believing they're safer for the environment," said Associate Professor Lokesh Padhye. "However, some of these products could be more harmful than single-use plastics."Associate Professor Lokesh Padhye says we need to be cautious about composting items with unknown chemical additives.The research highlighted a cardboard pizza box that contained all tested chemical classes. A fibre tray labelled 'compost me' had high levels of banned PFOA. The study underscores the need for stricter regulations and better product testing to ensure safety."Many people mistakenly think home composting can handle these products," Padhye explained. "But industrial composting, which uses higher temperatures, is often required."The study also advocated for integrating Māori perspectives on soil health, emphasising the cultural importance of soil as an ancestor.Padhye hopes the findings will lead to better regulations and transparency in labelling, ensuring products marketed as green truly are.

NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has announced essential maintenance work on State Highway 1 (SH1) from Silverdale to Oteha Valley Road.The work is scheduled for 8 August, from 9pm to 5am.Due to weather dependence, the dates might change.Motorists are advised to plan ahead.Ramp closures and lane restrictions will be in place.There will be a full southbound closure with a recommended detour via Dairy Flat Highway and Oteha Valley Road.Closures generally start at 9pm and finish at 5am.Traffic management may be set up before the advertised closure times.Southbound lanes between Silverdale off-ramp and Oteha Valley Road on-ramp will be closed on 4-5 and 8 August.The Silverdale southbound on-ramp will also be closed on these dates.Northbound lanes between Northcote Road off-ramp and Tristram Avenue on-ramp will be closed on 7-8 August from approximately 10pm to 5am.The Northcote Road northbound on-ramp will also be closed on these dates.Motorists are encouraged to follow the detour signs and allow extra time for their journeys.This maintenance aims to ensure the road remains safe and reliable for all users.Residents and businesses in the area have been informed about the scheduled work and potential disruptions.

A spontaneous weekend away in New Zealand is not as cheap as it once was.Most domestic travellers will have, in the last few years, gone to book flights for a weekend away and been shocked at the price.At the time of writing, flights for two people from Auckland to Christchurch on Friday 16 August, leaving after work at 6pm and returning on Sunday 18 August at 3pm cost $1884. This did not include a checked-in bag, just 7kg of carry-on.Leaving Christchurch at 10am would see the trip cost $1480. The cheapest option was $1020, departing at 6am on Friday, but that would require a day of annual leave or remote work.The most expensive fare option for Jetstar, for the same dates, was $1236 - leaving Auckland at 6.30pm and returning on Sunday at 8.25pm. That is about $650 cheaper than its competitor. Its cheapest was $734, departing Auckland at 9.25am on Friday and coming back at 6.15am on Sunday.This scenario sees people leaving Auckland the weekend of the All Blacks v Argentina match at Eden Park on 17 August.It is cheaper for people coming from the Garden City to watch the game.Again, leaving Christchurch at 6pm on Friday and coming home at 3pm was $1324. The most expensive option was $1554 to come home at 6pm, too.Air New Zealand's least expensive option was a flight from Christchurch at 8am and home to Christchurch on Sunday at 1pm - $878.Air New Zealand chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty told Stuff Travel there is always high demand for domestic travel over weekends with Friday evenings and Sunday evenings traditionally being the busiest times of the week."On any route, we have multiple price points, and on a Christchurch to Auckland flight, prices range from $89 to $495 for a seat-only fare. Flights go on sale 12 months out, so if a customer books early, they are much more likely to find a price at the lower end of that range."As more customers book and the flight fills up, fares will move up through the range, reflecting there is now greater demand for fewer remaining seats. Simply put, it is a supply and demand-driven pricing system, which means lower fares do sell out quickly for peak travel times or around events."This approach ensures there are seats available at short notice, as having a network of sold-out flights would not serve the public well."In July, Consumer New Zealand said the cost of Air NZ flights had soared up to 300 percent in the past five years. It compared fares for 11 Air New Zealand flights in 2023 and 2024 with fares for equivalent flights taken from 2019 to 2021 and found all flights, bar one, were more expensive three or four years later.The price increases varied between 34 percent and 297 percent.However, the national carrier called the findings "misleading"."The small sample of fares they have used reflects two very different operating environments. In 2020 and 2021 there was a global pandemic, the borders were closed, and at times there was restricted domestic travel," Air New Zealand general manager domestic, Scott Carr said last month."Our domestic fares have increased by 20 percent from 2020 to 2024. Meanwhile, the airline has faced rising costs from suppliers of over 40 percent."In the past year, according to Statistics NZ, domestic airfares have decreased by 4 percent."Stats NZ data from March showed domestic airfares went up 7.4 percent in February compared to January 2024 and increased 7.7 percent from February 2023.Consumer NZ found a return flight to Hamilton for two adults with no luggage, booked two days beforehand, cost $281.20 in 2021. In 2024, the same flight booking cost $1118.A Christchurch-Dunedin return trip booked with five weeks lead-in time cost $123.60 in 2020. The same flight in 2023 cost $344 - nearly three times as much.The airline announced an increase in its domestic fares in April. At that time, acting general manager domestic Jeremy O'Brien said its cost base had risen by more than 30 percent.Jon Duffy, CEO at Consumer NZ, told Stuff Travel that aside from expenses like fuel, staff and airport charges, there is a lot of mystery for consumers about the breakdown of airfares, particularly with the way that dynamic pricing works."New Zealand also has the most concentrated domestic aviation market in the world, so we think it's valid for consumers to question whether the prices they're seeing are justified."It's difficult to know whether competition in New Zealand's domestic aviation market is working as well as it should, but we do know that a fair price is the one customers are willing to pay. In a heavily concentrated market, people have limited choice, and aren't able to "vote with their wallet" - which is healthy, consumer behaviour that puts pressure on businesses to compete on price, and ultimately plays a role in determining what that 'fair' price really is.Duffy said New Zealanders deserve more transparency around what goes into an airfare, and if competition is working well in the sector. It has called for a market study to demystify the domestic airfare market in Aotearoa.- This story was originally published by Stuff.

he Hibiscus Coast celebrates the two-year milestone of the Penlink Project Alliance Agreement, a significant infrastructure endeavour. Work began in 2022, with substantial progress during the recent summer and bulk earthworks season.As winter sets in, focus shifts to structures and detailed earthworks. The next bulk earthworks season starts in October. NZTA expressed gratitude for the community's support and collaboration.This video shows how a sediment retention pond is tested on site.In early July, the Wēiti River channel was temporarily closed to construct a staging platform on the eastern side, enabling safer construction of Pier 4 and the transfer of a 280-tonne crane. The closure, affecting only the upstream river section, will end in late August, with an 18-metre navigable gap available post-reopening. Vessels will have limited passage during work hours due to overhead load lifts.A second closure is planned for later this year. NZTA apologises for any inconvenience and thanks river users and neighbours for their patience during the Wēiti River Bridge construction.

The two people charged in relation to a homicide investigation sparked by a body found in Auckland's Gulf Harbour in March, can now be named.They are Kaixiao Liu, 36, and Lanyue Xiao, 36.The pair were charged with offering an indignity to a dead human body after being stopped and arrested at the airport early last month.They were initially granted interim name suppression, but the judge had declined an application for continued name suppression at a subsequent call of the case.That application was also opposed by a lawyer acting for several media, Daniel Nilsson, who submitted that any reporting would be fair and accurate, that jurors would comply with what is expected of them and that there was a significant public interest in this case.The pair's names continued to be suppressed for some time as one of their lawyers, Angela Roebeck, intended to appeal that decision.Roebeck had argued that any publication of the names would prejudice the defendants' rights to a fair trial, considering the influence it would have on future jurors.At the time, defence lawyer Michael Kan had also argued that one of the defendants had not yet had a chance to inform their family members, who are believed to be in China.However, defence lawyer Michael Kan confirmed on Thursday that they are no longer seeking name suppression.The two defendants have been remanded until a case review hearing in September.

Treating failing eyesight and high cholesterol are two new ways to lower the risk of dementia developing, a major report suggests.Scientists have now identified 14 health issues which, if reduced or eliminated, could theoretically prevent nearly half of dementias in the world.Middle-aged people and poorer countries have most to gain from targeting these risk factors, says the Lancet Commission's latest report on the topic.It predicts that the number of people living with dementia could more than double to 153 million by 2050.Photo: Supplied / Lancet'Never too late'Dementia occurs when a disease, such as Alzheimer's, damages nerve cells in the brain and leads to confusion and memory loss - but it is not an inevitable part of getting old.Most of the reason why we get dementia is down to things we cannot control, such as the genes we inherit from our parents and grandparents.But 45 percent of our risk can be changed, according to international experts in the field, and can therefore be reduced."It's never too early or too late to take action," says lead author Prof Gill Livingston, from University College London."Governments must reduce risk inequalities by making healthy lifestyles as achievable as possible for everyone."The researchers have drawn up a list of recommendations that countries around the world should focus on, including:making hearing aids accessible for those with hearing lossensuring good-quality education for allsupporting people to give up cigarettesencouraging exercise and sportreducing high blood pressure from the age of 40treating high cholesterol from mid-lifetreating obesity as early in life as possiblereducing problem drinkingmaking sure people are not socially isolated or lonelyscreening for eyesight problems and giving glasses to those who need themreducing people's exposure to air pollutionAndy Watts, 58, from Berkshire, saw his father diagnosed with Alzheimer's at the age of 64. He passed away at the age of 80."I watched my father slowly deteriorate over many years. In some ways you lose them before you actually lose them, because their personality gradually fades," Andy says.Watching it happen "rips your heart out", he adds.His family has a long family history of dementia and high cholesterol, so he gets checked regularly.Andy said it is "motivating" to know there are things he and his family can do to try to minimise the risk of dementia, like focusing on diet and exercise."I want to do everything I can to reduce the risk," he says.'More isolated'Some factors are more of a risk than others, the report suggests.For example, it estimates that hearing loss and high cholesterol are responsible for most cases of preventable dementia (7 percent each).In early life it is lack of education that tips the balance while, in later life, social isolation and failing eyesight are a big risk.Some experts are more cautious about what the evidence shows.Prof Tara Spires-Jones, director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, said this type of research could not conclusively link any of these factors directly to dementia.However, she said it would contribute to growing evidence that a healthy lifestyle "can boost brain resilience and prevent dementia"."We should be careful not to imply that people with dementia could have avoided it if they'd made different lifestyle choices," said Prof Charles Marshall, from Queen Mary University London. He added that most of an individual's risk of developing dementia is outside their control.Samantha Benham-Hermetz, from Alzheimer's Research UK, described the report's findings as "groundbreaking"."Many people think of dementia as something that happens to people later in life, but dementia is not an inevitable part of ageing."So how could vision loss be linked to dementia?Scientists do not know exactly, but they say that in later life it could be down to the brain shrinking because it no longer needs to process certain aspects of vision.Vision loss can also "restrict people's lives, making them go out less, [be] more isolated and have fewer new experiences", says Prof Livingston.In many health systems, like the NHS, impaired vision can be treated. However, that is more of a problem in low-income countries which do not have the same resources.There are reasons to be positive though - despite people living longer, there has been a reduction in dementia in high-income countries, which is thought to be because of lifestyle changes, such as fewer people smoking cigarettes.However, rising life expectancy is driving up dementia cases in low-income countries."Twelve years ago you would have said there's nothing you can do about dementia - but that's really not the case," says Prof Livingston.- BBC

Police are cautioning Coasties about a recent spate of scam calls where individuals impersonate police officers. Over the past night, five such incidents have been reported, targeting older and vulnerable community members.The scammers claim to be police officers from specific departments, alleging the recipient has been a victim of fraud or a scam. They then attempt to obtain further financial information, directing victims to withdraw money as "evidence." Authorities emphasise that legitimate police officers will never request money or banking details."These scammers are convincing," a police spokesperson said. "New Zealand Police will never contact you asking for bank card details, PINs, or passwords."Investigations into similar scams reported last week are ongoing. Police urge anyone with elderly or vulnerable relatives to inform them of this fraudulent activity.Residents are reminded:Police will not ask for bank card details, PINs, or passwords over the phone.Trust your instincts; if something feels off, it probably is.Verify an officer’s identity by hanging up and calling 105 to request contact.Victims of such scams should report the incident to the police. For more information on scam awareness, visit the NetSafe website at https://netsafe.org.nz/