Parents and caregivers are being reminded by police to prioritise safety when dropping off or picking up children from school.The safety of children is at risk when drivers park or drive recklessly around schools.Planning ahead and allowing plenty of time for school drop-offs can help avoid congestion and reduce the risk of accidents.Police urge drivers to choose safe and legal parking options, as illegal parking can put children's lives in danger.There are often yellow lines near our Hibiscus Coast schools, indicating no-parking zones that must be respected to ensure children's safety.Illegal parking can have devastating consequences and may result in fines.Meeting points further down the road can be a safer option to avoid congestion around schools.By working together, parents and caregivers can help create a safer environment for children.

The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust has allocated over $14 million to support 558 community projects across regions affected by the cyclone and flooding in early 2023.In total, 1370 requests amounting to more than $50 million were submitted to the Trust. The funded projects will benefit communities, iwi, hapū, and marae in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Hawke's Bay, and the Tararua district, all of which declared states of emergency during the disaster.“These grants will support those directly impacted to recover in a way unique to their community, and to be better prepared for future disasters,” said trust chair Sir Selwyn Parata.The Trustees identified a significant need for funding smaller projects and initiatives aimed at recovery and disaster preparedness. “Smaller projects, such as repairing children’s playgrounds and other places where communities come together, are often hard to fund through the usual community funding sources,” Parata noted. “We also wanted to empower communities to prepare for future disasters. Funding supplies like satellite phones, solar power systems, and containers for storing supplies help communities feel safer.”The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust was established in February 2023 to address the medium to long-term needs of the affected areas. For more information on the projects receiving funding, visit cycloneappeal.org.nz

Coasties are urging Auckland Council to reconsider its plan to privatise the management of local pools and leisure centres without public consultation. The proposal, set for a decision on 1 August, follows a closed business case process and tendering period.Kyran Narayan-Patel, delegate for the Public Service Association (PSA), voiced concerns, stating, "Our pools and leisure centres are for the people. Private businesses will just run them for their own profit, putting the quality of facilities and programs at risk. It’s up to the Council to deliver great services, not enrich private interests."Currently, Auckland Council operates 22 facilities, with 19 others already outsourced and another leased to a third-party provider. Legislation mandates a review of service delivery methods, though it does not require public consultation.PSA President Benedict Ferguson highlighted the importance of these facilities, saying, "Council pools and leisure centres are an essential part of community life and wellbeing for Aucklanders of all ages, abilities and walks of life. More private management will just make the facilities we rely on less effective and less accountable."The PSA argues that public management allows for resource sharing and better efficiency across the network of facilities. Keeping management within the Council also ensures direct accountability for service quality and safety.PSA Delegate Gaby Frigerio cautioned against the cost-saving measures, noting, "Outsourcing isn’t always sustainable in the long term. Setting up and monitoring contracts is expensive, and the private sector can’t guarantee it can provide services at a lower cost than the Council. Ultimately, what belongs to the public should stay in control of the public."As the Council weighs its decision, advocates emphasise the need for public input to preserve the community-oriented focus of these essential services.

Three lucky Lotto players from Whangārei, Auckland, and Ashburton will be celebrating after each winning $333,333 in last night’s live Lotto draw.The winning tickets were sold on MyLotto, marking a fortunate evening for the three players. However, the Powerball jackpot was not struck and has rolled over to Wednesday night, where the prize will climb to $30 million.In addition to the Lotto wins, a player from Lower Hutt is also celebrating after winning $500,000 with Strike Four. The winning Strike ticket was also purchased on MyLotto.Lotto NZ advises all players who bought their tickets on MyLotto to check them as soon as possible on the MyLotto website or through the MyLotto App.Lotto NZ is dedicated to returning 100% of its profits to Kiwi communities through lottery grants programmes run by Te Puna Tahua NZ Lottery Grants Board.

Locals can look forward to enhanced public spaces around Waitematā Station as Auckland Council and City Rail Link embark on the final stages of the city's new underground train system. This week marks the start of reinstating the Waitematā Station (Britomart) plaza and upgrading Tyler Street, connecting Te Komititanga and Commerce Street.The project aims to create a network of high-quality shared spaces and laneways, ensuring an inviting environment for those exiting Waitematā Station and traversing the city. The new Waitematā Station plaza will serve as an attractive meeting place, providing seamless access to the central city area."Like the transformed Galway Street, Tyler Street will become an inclusive and safe shared space for everyone," said an Auckland Council spokesperson.John Fillmore Contracting (JFC) is leading the construction, with the works expected to span up to 18 months. JFC has extensive experience in delivering complex streetscape projects within the city centre.Auckland Council and JFC are committed to minimising the construction's impact on residents, workers, and commuters. Further details about the project can be found on the Progress AKL website.The design of the plaza, developed in partnership, reflects the historical significance of the Waitematā foreshore. The upgrade will feature eight native trees, a central seating area, and additional amenities like seats, bicycle racks, and bollards to prevent unauthorised vehicle access.These upgrades align with the City Centre Masterplan's vision of a pedestrian-friendly city filled with beautiful public spaces.

Locals are turning to the government's online safety website, Keep It Real Online, which recently hit one million page views. The platform provides essential resources for young people, parents, and teachers on topics such as online bullying, digital scams, and privacy.Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden highlighted the significance of this milestone, stating, "It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online and manage any potential digital harms. It has advice and resources for parents, teachers, and young people on a range of topics from online bullying to digital scams to privacy. I have heard from many parents how these topics affect young people every day.”Van Velden noted the recent enhancements made to the site: "Both the parents’ and youth sections have recently had additional information added following feedback from the community. More new content is being added to the educators’ section over the coming months."Addressing parents' concerns, she added, "I understand many parents have concerns about what their children are seeing online and want to know what they can do to keep them safe. The Keep It Real Online website has plenty of advice on how to talk to your kids about these issues as well as information on third-party controls available to families, such as filters on search engines and social media."The Keep It Real Online website, managed by the Department of Internal Affairs, offers information in multiple languages, including Chinese, Hindi, Samoan, English, and Māori. The site is accessible at https://www.keepitrealonline.govt.nz

Auckland Airport experienced disruptions to domestic flights on Saturday morning due to heavy fog.From 7am, dense fog blanketed the airport, leading to the cancellation of four domestic regional flights.Eleven other domestic regional flights faced delays, affecting travellers and schedules.Auckland Airport confirmed that international flights remained unaffected by the weather conditions.Passengers were advised to check with their airlines for updated flight information.

Four Auckland heritage sites will receive $22 million in funding to strengthen them against earthquakes.Auckland's Leys Institute and Library will receive $9.5m for earthquake strengthening, after being closed for the last five years.It was feared the historic Ponsonby building built in 1905 would remain closed after a halt on seismic strengthening by Auckland Council last month."The Leys Institute is a unique and historically significant taonga in Tāmaki Makaurau," councillor Richard Hills, chairperson of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee, said in a statement.Friends of Leys Institute coordinator Helen Geary applauded the plan."After advocating for close to five years for the Leys Institute seismic upgrade and restoration, the hundreds of members of Friends of Leys Institute and the local community will be relieved the project will progress."Our precious library and listed heritage building has been an integral part of the Ponsonby community for 120 years and we will be delighted to have it back."The Planning, Environment and Parks committee has now allocated a total of $22m for work on heritage buildings over the next four years.The Remuera Library, Titirangi War Memorial Hall and Library and the Nathan Homestead will also receive funding.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Laos this week to engage in a series of ASEAN-led ministerial meetings in Vientiane. The gatherings aim to bolster New Zealand's commitment to the Indo-Pacific region's stability and prosperity."ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific," Peters said. "This will be our third visit to Southeast Asia and sixth visit to an ASEAN member state since the start of the year. Through concrete actions, we are demonstrating our steadfast commitment to the region, which is central to New Zealand’s prosperity and security."Peters will participate in the annual Foreign Ministers' meetings of the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum, which assemble ASEAN and its key Indo-Pacific partners. Peters' experience with the summit spans nearly 20 years, having attended the inaugural Foreign Ministers meeting in December 2005 and eight more since."With next year marking 50 years since New Zealand became an ASEAN dialogue partner, these meetings present a valuable opportunity to engage our partners on strategic issues facing the wider region and advance practical cooperation in areas such as maritime security, counterterrorism, transnational crime and cyber security," Peters added.In addition to the formal sessions, Peters is scheduled to hold several bilateral meetings with his counterparts on the margins of the ASEAN-led events.These discussions underscore New Zealand's dedication to fostering strong relationships with ASEAN countries, reflecting a broader strategy to enhance regional security and economic partnerships.

The cost of living for the average New Zealand household increased by 5.4 percent in the 12 months to June 2024, according to Stats NZ. This rise follows a 6.2 percent increase in the year to March 2024 and marks a notable change from the 8.2 percent peak in December 2022.James Mitchell, consumer prices manager at Stats NZ, highlighted that mortgage interest payments, which surged by 26.7 percent, remain a significant contributor to the rising living costs. "Mortgage interest payments remain high and continue to make a significant contribution to living costs for many households," Mitchell stated.Private transport supplies and services, including petrol, saw a 13.0 percent increase, while insurance costs rose by 18.0 percent. These factors have collectively impacted household budgets across the country.The Household Living-Costs Price Indexes (HLPIs), which reflect the varying effects of inflation on different household groups, showed that beneficiary households experienced a 4.5 percent increase in living costs. For Māori households, the rise was 5.5 percent, with private transport and rent being significant contributors.Superannuitant households saw a 4.6 percent increase, driven by a 19.8 percent rise in insurance and a 9.7 percent increase in property rates and related services. The highest-spending households faced a 5.6 percent rise, with the lowest-spending households seeing a 5.0 percent increase.The Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded a 3.3 percent inflation rate for the year to June 2024, a decrease from the 4.0 percent seen in the previous quarter. The CPI and HLPIs serve different purposes; while the CPI informs monetary policy, the HLPIs offer insight into the cost of living for various household groups.Overall, the data reflects the ongoing challenges faced by New Zealand households in managing increased living expenses.

The Hibiscus Coast residents will see significant changes in transport infrastructure following Auckland Council’s endorsement of the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) 2024-2034. The plan outlines a $62 billion investment in transport over the next decade.From 17 May to 17 June, locals provided feedback on the draft RLTP, highlighting their priorities for the region’s transport network. Councillor John Watson, Chair of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee, noted the public's strong support for public transport services and network maintenance.“The RLTP also reflects Aucklanders’ strong support for prioritising investment in new public transport infrastructure projects, and I look forward to NZTA taking this priority into account and seeing it reflected in funding decisions,” Cr Watson said.Key highlights of the plan include $28 billion for public transport services and infrastructure, $17 billion for state highway improvements, and $13.3 billion for maintenance and renewals, with $5.5 billion specifically for the local road network. Additionally, $3.1 billion is allocated for local road improvements, $0.9 billion for walking and cycling, and $0.7 billion for safety measures.Hamish Bunn, Auckland Transport’s GM Transport System Strategy, expressed satisfaction with the public’s engagement. “We were really pleased to see so many Aucklanders take an interest and tell us what’s most important to them when it comes to transport,” Bunn said. Feedback indicated a desire for faster, more connected, and reliable public transport, as well as enhanced local road maintenance.Changes to the draft plan, based on the feedback, include bringing forward funding for unsealed road improvements and bus optimisation programmes, and increasing the priority of state highway improvement projects. An additional $600 million has been allocated to make public transport faster, more reliable, and easier to use, with $503 million directed to removing the Takaanini rail level crossings and $92 million to park and ride programmes.The RLTP will now go to the Auckland Transport Board for approval on 30 July 2024 before being submitted to NZTA for funding allocation from the National Land Transport Fund.

Coasties, get ready to indulge in the best bacon and ham in the country!The 100% New Zealand Bacon & Ham Awards have announced this year's top producers, with Cameron Harrison Butchery in Upper Hutt taking out the Supreme Award for their Honey Cured Streaky Bacon and Sam's Butchery in Silverdale winning the Supreme Award for their Mini Champagne Ham.Ian Anderson from Sam’s Butchery says it's incredibly humbling for Sam and the team to receive this accolade. “It’s a trifecta for us – we’ve previously won the Supreme Bacon and Supreme Sausage titles, and now we have the Supreme Ham. We are beyond thrilled and extremely happy.”Judging took place over three days, involving a team of butchers and culinary experts who inspected and sampled bacon and ham products made from 100% New Zealand pork.Medals were awarded across seven bacon categories and three ham categories, with category champions re-judged to determine the supreme winners.Chef judge Jess Granada, owner of Nanam in Takapuna, emphasised the importance of flavour balance in the winning products. “I was looking for that harmony of flavour where I could taste the pork itself with a balance of sweet, salty, and slight acidity,” she said.Veteran judge Todd Treadwell from Well Hung Butchery in Milford noted the rising standards of entries.“Retailers are taking pride in what they are making which is great news for the public,” he said. “The winning products had the best flavour with excellent moisture content which left you wanting more.”In addition to the expert panel, the public cast over 7,500 votes for their favourite bacon and ham retailer via an online judging portal.The People’s Choice award went to The Aussie Butcher New Lynn in Auckland for their popular bacon and ham products.Chef Jess Granada offered a cooking tip for perfect bacon: use a cast iron pan at the right temperature.Todd Treadwell advised that nothing beats freshly sliced ham off the bone.

Small businesses on the Hibiscus Coast and across New Zealand are grappling with declining sales, according to the latest Xero Small Business Insights data. Sales fell 1.5% year-on-year (y/y) in the June quarter, marking the largest drop since the initial Covid-19 lockdown in May 2020."After what looked to be a more positive start to 2024, this sharp decline in sales suggests small businesses are not faring so well," said Paul Churchman, Xero NZ Head of Sales.Sales in May and June experienced significant decreases, with June seeing an 8.3% y/y fall. All industries reported declines, with hospitality, construction, and retail trade being the hardest hit, down 10%, 10%, and 11.4% respectively in June.These sectors are particularly sensitive to high interest rates, which have led consumers to cut back on non-essential spending. Churchman highlighted the broader economic pressures, noting, "The latest inflation figure from Statistics New Zealand was 3.3% for the June quarter. Adjusting the nominal XSBI data to real data, this indicates small business sales are even weaker, down 4.8% in the June quarter."Regionally, Waikato, Taranaki, and Manawatu-Whanganui saw the sharpest drops, with Waikato recording a 13.5% y/y decline in June. However, Northland experienced a slight rise of 1.5% y/y for the quarter.Despite the financial strain, small businesses are still attracting staff. Jobs rose 6.7% y/y in the June quarter, although this is a slight decrease from the previous quarter's 7.0% rise. "This steady jobs growth reflects how small business owners remain hopeful about the future," Churchman commented.Wages have also grown, with a 3.6% y/y increase, the largest since March 2023. Construction and other services sectors offered wages above the national average. Churchman emphasised the need for small businesses to manage their finances carefully, urging them to work with financial advisors to navigate these challenging times.

Locals may be affected by a recent Customs arrest involving a 36-year-old Auckland-based businessman. The individual, scheduled to appear in the Waitakere District Court, faces charges related to importing 133 second-hand vehicles from Japan using allegedly falsified documents.According to Customs, the investigation began in April 2024 after NZTA raised concerns about incorrect import records. The probe identified discrepancies in vehicle odometer records, years of manufacture, and gross vehicle mass.Chief Customs Officer Fraud and Prohibition Nigel Barnes stated, "This investigation identified 133 second-hand vehicles with understated odometer readings and false information. This offending is serious, not just from a border but also consumer fraud perspective."The businessman faces charges of being knowingly concerned in the importation of prohibited goods, carrying a maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment or a $10,000 fine. Further charges are possible. NZTA will contact affected owners directly, and there are no immediate safety concerns with these vehicles.

Aucklanders are experiencing a glimmer of hope in the relentless rental market, with the latest Trade Me Rental Price Index indicating a potential shift. While the city remains the country’s most expensive for renters, with a median weekly rent of $690, there are signs of a cooling market.Despite holding its position as the priciest region, Auckland has bucked the national trend of declining rents, showing stability in the past month. This could signal a potential turning point for long-suffering tenants who have faced relentless upward pressure on rental costs.Trade Me Property Sales Director Gavin Lloyd confirms the slight reprieve for Auckland renters. "Auckland was once again the most expensive region to rent - however the average asking price remained stable at $690," he said.However, it’s important to note that while the month-on-month change is minimal, Auckland’s rental market remains highly competitive, with limited affordable options available. Experts caution against reading too much into a single month’s data and advise renters to remain vigilant.As the market continues to evolve, Aucklanders will be watching closely to see if this stability is a temporary reprieve or the start of a more sustained trend.

Singapore has achieved a record-breaking visa-free score, with its citizens enjoying access to 195 destinations worldwide.This marks a new record and solidifies Singapore's position as a global leader in travel freedom.Locals will be pleased to know that New Zealand has jumped up the ranks, improving from 6th place to 4th, tied with several other countries, with a visa-free score of 190.New Zealand shares the 4th spot with Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, and United Kingdom.Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners, notes that "the general trend over the past two decades has been towards greater travel freedom, with the global average number of destinations travellers are able to access visa-free nearly doubling from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024."The UK and the US have experienced a decline in their passport rankings, with the UK hanging onto 4th place and the US dropping to 8th spot.Meanwhile, Afghanistan remains the world's weakest passport, with its citizens having access to only 26 countries visa-free.Find the full list here.

We may soon see a boost in economic growth as two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament. According to Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee, the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill aim to "cut red tape" and reduce bureaucracy.The Bills, which cover various sectors including commerce, science, and immigration, make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. "Many of the changes in these Bills are small in nature, but together they add up to countless hours no longer wasted on paperwork and barriers to success in our economy," says Ms Lee.The updates aim to keep legislation current with changing technology and information, reducing compliance burden, clarifying unclear provisions, and removing redundant provisions. By addressing these issues, the Government hopes to rebuild the economy and deliver better public services. As Ms Lee states, "Fixing problems in legislation and regulation that cause barriers to business and our economy is one of the ways this Government delivers better public services."

We can expect greater choice and potentially lower prices in banking and electricity services, thanks to new legislation introduced by Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly. The Customer and Product Data Bill, which had its first reading, aims to improve regulation of digital markets and create a more competitive environment.Bayly emphasised that competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities, and lift living standards. The Bill lays the foundation for 'open banking,' making it easier for innovative start-ups to compete with traditional banks. This could lead to more competition and lower prices for Kiwi customers.Additionally, 'open electricity' has the potential to enable considerable customer savings by making it easier for households to measure their power use, compare pricing, and swap providers. The Bill improves data privacy standards, is entirely opt-in, and has the support of the Privacy Commissioner.New Zealand is catching up with international counterparts like Australia, the UK, and the EU, which have or will soon have similar consumer data regimes. As Bayly noted, "It's time we harnessed the benefits of the modern, digital economy."

The Hibiscus Coast may soon benefit from more accurate long-term weather forecasts thanks to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).Google's NeuralGCM model, combining machine learning with traditional atmospheric physics, is setting new standards in climate forecasting.Developed with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), NeuralGCM outperforms older models. Using Google's AI tensor processing units, it can simulate 70,000 days of climate data in just 24 hours. In comparison, the X-SHiELD model from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration can only simulate 19 days.NeuralGCM's accuracy is notable. It identifies nearly as many tropical cyclones as traditional trackers and detects double the number found by X-SHiELD. The model also has a 15-50% lower error rate in predicting temperature and humidity.Despite these advances, experts like Peter Dueben from ECMWF and Cédric M. John from Queen Mary University of London note that further improvements are needed. Future work will focus on better understanding the effects of CO₂ on global temperatures and simulating unusual climate scenarios.Google's commitment to environmental efforts includes satellite missions to track methane emissions and partnerships with NASA for air quality monitoring, highlighting its dedication to using technology for a sustainable future.