Welcome to The Week That Was—your go-to recap of the most important news, stories, and updates for the Hibiscus Coast community.Aucklanders Urged To Save WaterRead moreBacking Morgan’s Refereeing DreamRead moreDevelopers Slam Halt on New Wastewater ConnectionsRead morePension Boost Coming Next WeekRead moreOrewa Beach Clean-UpRead moreStay ahead of the curve—get the latest Hibiscus Coast news delivered directly to your phone.Download the Hibiscus Coast App today and never miss a story!Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Coasties heading south on SH1 next week will want to plan ahead.From 9pm Sunday 30 March to 5am Thursday 3 April, NZTA crews will be carrying out maintenance and slip repairs between the Silverdale interchange and Oteha Valley Road.Southbound lane restrictions will be in place both day and night.Traffic will be able to travel south at all times, but delays are possible.Drivers are asked to slow down and follow traffic management instructions.Increased noise is expected during the slip remediation work.In addition to this, work continues on the SH1 to Penlink connection. That project will require full closures in both directions between Oteha Valley Road and the Silverdale interchange:Tuesday 1 April to Thursday 3 AprilFrom 9pm each night to 5am the following morningThese upgrades are part of long-term improvements aimed at strengthening the resilience and safety of State Highway 1—particularly important as our local population continues to grow.While traffic will still be able to head south during the first phase, the later full closures mean overnight travellers should detour or delay trips if possible.For Coasties commuting into the city or returning home late, it's a good idea to double-check travel times before setting off.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

An Auckland Councillor is concerned about the impact of wastewater system constraints on residents.Watercare said there were only 4000 more wastewater connections available in the Hibiscus Coast in northern Auckland before the Army Bay Treatment plant reached capacity.Last year, Watercare revealed developments in the area which were not resource consented by 15 November would be unable to connect to the wastewater network until the plant is upgraded in 2031.Councillor John Watson said Watercare's plans to invest $13.8 billion in long-term infrastructure was necessary, but in the meantime, the utility needed to address constraints on connecting to the wastewater system in the area."This is an emergency situation and they have to find out in the interim how they're not going to destroy the financial wellbeing of people who have purchased sections and have been paying rates for years."It's great they [Watercare] are going to invest for the future but what are they going to do here and now to make sure property owners in the Hibiscus Coast aren't penalised."He said halting developments for seven years would have disastrous impacts on areas like Milldale."This came out of the blue for developers and certainly individual property owners."Some big developers managed to secure connections that may kick them over for a number of years but ordinary citizens face real uncertainty over whether they will be able to connect and therefore build a house or sell a property.""It's totally unsatisfactory that that level of constraint wasn't identified and communicated earlier."Watercare chief executive Dave Chambers acknowledged wastewater constraints were a problem in places like the Hibiscus Coast.He said most of Auckland could be connected to the wastewater network, but they needed to catch up in some areas as Auckland's population grew rapidly."I don't make any apologies that when the pipes are full they're full."We need to do the upgrades to provide more capacity but if we just continue to connect more people the pipes will overflow into the harbours, streams, and waterways which is also unacceptable."He said Hibiscus Coast as well as Waitākere, Ōtara, and Beachlands were the areas that were the most constrained.

Looking for a fun and feel-good way to spend your Saturday? Sustainable Coastlines and Tip Top Trumpet are inviting everyone to Orewa Beach on Saturday, 5 April from 9:30 to 12:00 for a community beach clean-up — and yes, there will be free ice cream.It’s a free, family-friendly event that’s all about giving back to the beautiful moana we all love. Volunteers will gather from 9:30, head out to tidy up the beach together, and then enjoy a well-earned treat at the end: cold drinks thanks to Phoenix Organics and delicious Trumpet ice creams from the event sponsor. Whether you're flying solo or bringing the whole whānau, you're warmly encouraged to come along.To help organisers with planning and updates, you’ll need to register in advance. That way, they can send you all the details for the day, and get in touch in case anything changes — like if the weather takes a turn.You’ll need to bring closed-toed shoes (hiking boots or gumboots are best), sun-smart gear, a raincoat just in case, and a full reusable drink bottle. Don’t forget your camera, and if you’ve got an old mobile phone lying around, bring it along for recycling.Everything else is sorted. Gloves, sacks, sunscreen, sanitiser, first aid support, and even rubbish removal will all be provided. The vibe is relaxed, welcoming, and positive — and there’s nothing like a bit of teamwork to make you feel part of something good.So, if you love Orewa and want to help keep our beach looking its best, this is a great way to spend a morning. You’ll walk away with sandy shoes, a happy heart, and a sweet treat in hand.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Auckland councillors have voted to endorse a redevelopment of Eden Park in a debate over the future of the city's stadiums.Councillors spent Thursday afternoon weighing up the Eden Park proposal - which would ask for $100 million of public money from government - or a brand new waterfront stadium precinct.All but two councillors voted to give the Eden Park 2.0 project the green light to develop a business case.Councillor Shane Henderson, who led the working group, said there had been decades of debate on the stadium and Aucklanders would be glad to see a decision.Councillor John Watson said a decision on Thursday may not seal the deal for a future stadium if the proposals don't have financial backing.The two proposals to be voted on today both rely on public funding.But Watson said Auckland Council is not putting any money into the proposals and will have no part in the planning or future running of a stadium.Councillors want the government to provide funding, however, Minister for Auckland Simeon Brown said the government's focus was freeing up planning and consenting red tape.Official advice from council staff is far from confident in the proposals - with both not feasible without significant public funding, they have concluded.Eden Park Trust welcomed the council's endorsement for an updated stadium over a new waterfront project.Eden Park Trust Board chairperson Kereyn Smith said the decision was important for Auckland and the future of the country's national stadium.The outcome meant Eden Park would be able to respond to the needs of Aucklanders and New Zealanders alike, Smith said.

Looking for plans? Explore events happening soon on the Hibiscus Coast and start planning your next activity!South African SOKKIE NIGHTFri 28 MarMore detailsThe Hibiscus Quiz NightFri 04 AprMore detailsSilverdale Pioneer FestivalSat 05 AprMore detailsWant to see more events?Explore everything happening in our community on the Hibiscus Coast App.Have an event to share?Promote it for Free - click here!

New Zealand’s supermarket duopoly is under fresh scrutiny following remarks by Finance Minister Nicola Willis, who said she was open to offering “VIP treatment” to any foreign chain willing to enter the market.But an expert trio—Drew Franklin from the University of Auckland and Lisa M. Katerina Asher and Catherine Sutton-Brady from the University of Sydney—says locals shouldn’t hold their breath for a global brand like Aldi.It could take five years or more for an overseas player to set up a nationwide chain in New Zealand.No international operator has yet expressed interest publicly, and past examples like Kaufland and Costco show just how slow and costly that process can be.Instead, the researchers say the solution lies closer to home.Business School senior marketing lecturer, Drew Franklin.They argue that the government should focus on breaking up the current major players—Woolworths NZ and the Foodstuffs cooperatives—into smaller, more competitive companies.“It’s a quicker way to reintroduce competition and bring prices down,” said Franklin.The Foodstuffs group, which operates New World, PAK’nSave, and Four Square, currently runs as two separate companies—one in the North Island, one in the South.Despite being legally distinct, they’ve admitted to sharing information and avoiding competition in each other’s regions.Past mergers have led to the current lack of choice, the experts say, and legislative change could now reverse that trend.Adopting similar rules to those in the UK or US would allow the government to force supermarket divestments—splitting up large operators into smaller entities.For Coasties feeling the pinch at the checkout, this shift could open the door to more affordable options—sooner rather than later.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Your weekend weather at a glance.Coasties, here’s what the next four days have in store:Friday, 28/3 Partly cloudy. Fairly breezy Sou'West winds.High: 23Low: 13Saturday, 29/3Showers. Fairly breezy East to Sou'East winds.High: 22Low: 17Sunday, 30/3Partly cloudy. Fairly breezy Nor'East winds.High: 23Low: 15Monday, 31/3Mostly cloudy. Fairly breezy East to Nor'East winds.High: 23Low: 16Looking for more details?Check out our full Weather & Travel section in the Hibiscus Coast App for:🌊 Tide information🌬️ Wind conditions🌊 Wave updates🌞 UV levels🏖️ Safe swimming areasand much more.Everything you need is inside the Hibiscus Coast App – anytime, anywhere!

AUT Professor of Public Health Dr Grant Schofield has launched a petition calling for major reform of New Zealand’s health system, aiming to collect 100,000 signatures over the next three months.The petition, directed to the Prime Minister, Minister of Health, and Minister for Sport and Recreation, argues for a nationwide pivot from disease treatment to prevention and lifestyle-based care.Dr Schofield, who also leads the Human Potential Centre, says the country is heading in the wrong direction."Chronic illness, mental health issues, and rising medication use are outpacing solutions. Prevention and lifestyle support should be front and centre."The petition outlines a bold policy agenda:15% of the health budget for chronic disease prevention5% for mental health servicesTax measures targeting ultra-processed foodsGP “social prescribing” for non-drug therapiesA taskforce to track and report on progressBacked by stark statistics, the petition highlights that:1 in 3 Kiwi adults are obese5% live with type 2 diabetesOnly 1 in 10 eat enough vegetables93% of kids don’t meet daily activity targetsMental health service use is up 73% in 10 yearsThe call to action stresses community-based initiatives, greater public accountability, and a stronger focus on the root causes of poor health.Dr Schofield says, “We’re not just talking about a policy tweak. We need a shift in thinking—away from reactive treatment and towards real prevention.”If successful, the policy could support more health coaches, boost transparency in policy decisions, and improve outcomes across the board.For Coasties, it’s a reminder that our national health policies directly affect local lives—from school lunchboxes to how often we see our GP.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

The Government's sentencing reforms passed their final reading, with Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith stating that these changes will ensure serious criminals face longer sentences. The reforms come as a direct response to the alarming increase in violent crime, including ram raids and aggravated robberies, and address the growing public concern over shorter prison sentences being handed down by the courts despite this rise in crime.Goldsmith pointed out that, in recent years, courts have imposed fewer and shorter prison sentences, despite the increasing rates of violent crime. Under the new reforms, judges will be limited in the sentence discounts they can apply, with a cap set at 40%. Repeat offenders, particularly youth, will no longer be able to rely on lenient sentences based on their youth or expressions of remorse without making efforts to reform their behaviour.One of the key changes in the reforms is the introduction of an aggravating factor for crimes committed against workers in sole charge positions or those whose home and business are interconnected. This is intended to better protect frontline workers. For communities across New Zealand, this measure is expected to have a significant impact, especially in areas where small business owners and essential workers are often the most vulnerable targets of crime.Additionally, the reforms include measures to ensure that offenders who continue criminal activities while on bail, in custody, or on parole face cumulative sentencing, which helps to denounce their disregard for the justice system. This is particularly important for local communities, where repeat offenders can cause lasting harm to neighbourhood safety and well-being.The reforms also encourage earlier guilty pleas by offering discounts of up to 25%, with the discount decreasing as the plea is entered later in the process. This change aims to reduce unnecessary trials that are costly and stressful for victims, making the justice system more efficient and supportive for those impacted by crime.Furthermore, the reforms introduce two new aggravating factors: one for adults who exploit children or young people to commit crimes, and another for offenders who glorify their criminal activities by livestreaming or posting them online. These changes will not only protect vulnerable individuals but also help prevent the normalisation of crime in local communities.Goldsmith reaffirmed that the Government is committed to reducing violent crime, with a target to have 20,000 fewer victims of violent crime by 2029. The reforms are also part of an effort to reduce serious repeat youth offending by 15%, directly benefiting communities affected by repeat offenders and helping to restore public confidence in the justice system.These sentencing reforms are expected to have a positive impact across New Zealand, particularly in areas where violent crime and repeat offending have left communities feeling unsafe.By strengthening penalties for serious offenders, the Government aims to reduce crime rates and ensure that victims have more confidence in seeing justice served.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Despite Auckland Council saying neither proposal for a CBD stadium or upgraded Eden Park is viable, some councillors are confident they will pick an option.Councillors will vote on Thursday whether to endorse one of the two competing stadiums.A report released on Tuesday said both of the stadium proposals were not viable for different reasons but primarily because they were considered unfeasible without public funding.But ​Waitākere Ward councillor Shane Henderson, who is leading the council's stadiums working group, is still confident they will end the decades long stadium debate."I am suggesting by the end of Thursday we will have a preferred stadium option for Auckland."I think the public would prefer us to pick one," Henderson said.The fact both proposals would rely on public funding is an aspect that has disappointed the ​Waitākere councillor."We've been very clear with this process that rate payers funding is not on the table, that remains our position."To have a report that says they'd be seeking it is disappointing because honestly, we're saying it's not on the table and you need to look at other sources."Henderson said they could still put forward a preferred option and that he was leaning towards Eden Park.Manukau Ward councillor Alf Filipaina said amendments could be made during Thursday's presentation to councillors."Well, I mean the opportunity is there."The presentation will be put in front of us then there'll be questions."And then you starting looking at, I wonder what people are going to do, and that's when the amendments may come up."You may find they may change, I don't know, I haven't spoken to any of the other councillors or [Mayor] Wayne Brown or his office."But Filipaina said Auckland Council "needs to come to a decision" after decades of debate around Auckland's stadium strategy that stretches back to 2006."I recall there was a meeting in Pukekohe in 2012 around stadia and this is in this Auckland Council's time and I remember that."Yes, it is time," he said."I hope we make a decision because we come to move forward instead of going backwards here, do this, do that, we just need to make a plan around the stadia."And in particular around the two which are going to be presented on Thursday."Eden Park's so-called 2.1 upgrade would include a retractable roof and increased seating.It was "technically feasible, but is not currently financially feasible because it relies on significant public funding," advisors said in the report."We can stage that build and in their case it's purely a financial issue and for me it's more viable," Henderson said.The winning proposal will need a simply majority from the 20 councillors and the mayor."There is a chance there's a draw, after two long years of work but I'm strongly suggesting to my colleagues that we do pick a lane because Aucklanders are kind of sick of this after decades of debate."They want us to have an option that we can say this is our one and we're moving forward," Henderson said.The central Auckland option, Te Tōangaroa, is an ambitious $1 billion proposal for a new 55,000 seat stadium in Quay Park.But the council's early report said Te Tōangaroa "had not demonstrated that their proposal was technically or commercially feasible at this stage" and had suggested it needed more time to do so.​Waitematā and Gulf ward councillor Mike Lee said despite the Te Tōangaroa being in his ward, he did not think debate around Auckland's stadiums should be a priority."Auckland and its ratepayers have much more important priorities in terms of infrastructure, transport, water and waste water, to be sparing money on these stadiums."We have a perfectly serviceable stadium in Eden Park... it may need extra spending but I don't believe that spending is a priority for the people of Auckland right now."We've already been told that Auckland has more stadia that it actually needs and yet we have these proposals which are costing millions, perhaps hundreds of millions of dollars," Lee said.

From 1 April 2025, the inner Hauraki Gulf will be closed to all commercial and recreational spiny rock lobster fishing for three years, in a bid to help rebuild declining numbers.Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones confirmed the decision following concerns raised by locals and fishery-independent research showing a drop in the lobster population.“Locals have raised serious concerns about the decline of spiny rock lobster... and I share these concerns,” Minister Jones said.The temporary closure is part of Fisheries New Zealand’s regular review of catch limits and sustainability settings across the country. The affected area stretches from Cape Rodney–Okakari Point Marine Reserve down to Point Jackson Bay on the Coromandel Peninsula.Alongside rebuilding lobster stocks, the measure is expected to have a knock-on effect on the marine environment. Rock lobsters are natural predators of kina, and their recovery could help control kina numbers and reduce the spread of kina barrens—bare, degraded seabeds caused by kina overgrazing.Minister Jones has also ruled out any increase in catch limits in the wider Hauraki Gulf lobster fishery, stating current settings should allow for continued stock recovery. In Otago, catch settings have also been adjusted with a cautious focus on long-term sustainability.Meanwhile, changes have been made to Pacific bluefin tuna catch limits. Following international agreement through the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, New Zealand’s allocation has increased. As a result, the total catch limit for this year has been raised by 84 tonnes, with a further 6.5-tonne increase set for the 2025–26 fishing year.Minister Jones acknowledged the input from tangata whenua, recreational and commercial fishers, environmental groups and the public, noting that their feedback played an important role in shaping the final decisions.For Coasties who fish recreationally or enjoy local seafood, the rock lobster ban may come as a disappointment—but it’s aimed at ensuring a healthy future fishery for years to come.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Looking for something beyond shares and property? A new book, The Passion Portfolio: Investing in Style, offers Coasties a fresh look at investing—with a twist.Written by University of Auckland finance lecturer Dr Gertjan Verdickt and co-author Jürgen Hanssens, this offbeat guide explores how collectibles like Lego, wine, vintage cars and even baseball cards can offer more than sentimental value.Verdickt says passion investing opens up opportunities for people to put their money into things they enjoy. “It’s for investors looking to diversify beyond traditional securities,” he explains. “It’s also for people who are keen to put their money into something they love, something that’s tangible.”University of Auckland finance lecturer Dr Gertjan Verdickt.Verdickt’s own passion for wine started during a course he took five years ago. “I was in a supermarket looking to buy a bottle of wine, but I didn’t really have anything to go off other than the price and label,” he recalls. That course sparked not only an interest in fine wine but also a whole new research focus—on the world of alternative assets.The authors back their insights with hard data. For example, whisky tops their list for historical average annual returns at 17.52 percent. Baseball cards follow at nearly 13 percent—beating the stock market’s 10 percent.The book covers the pros and cons of investing in collectibles like watches, jewellery, art, stamps, instruments and precious metals. It also offers practical advice on authentication, spotting fakes, and understanding market trends.For Coasties who love Lego, there’s good news. According to Verdickt, it’s a relatively low-cost, accessible option with high demand and limited supply—making it more liquid than many other collectibles.But passion investing isn’t without its challenges. Verdickt warns that these markets can be opaque, with fewer trades and less regulation than traditional investments.“These are long-term investments that demand both knowledge and time,” he says.For Coasties curious about branching out, The Passion Portfolio could offer a new way to blend financial goals with personal interests.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Fresh Coast Jobs for Fresh Starts! Check out this week’s top picks for local roles—and share with a mate who’s looking!The ​Hibiscus Coast App​Position: Local Business Growth PartnerLocation: Remote (Hibiscus Coast, New Zealand)​Commission-only role with uncapped earning potential (20% commission on all sales; 25% after surpassing $3,500 in monthly sales)Flexible hours with access to warm leads and proven sales support​View full listing & applyRyman HealthcarePosition: Housekeeper (Part-Time)Location: OrewaCasual role with varied hours, including nights and weekends​Focus on maintaining high cleanliness and hygiene standards within the villageView full listing & applyTip of the weekPrepare 2–3 thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. It shows genuine interest, helps you assess if the role is right for you, and leaves a lasting impression.Help a friend discover their next career move—share these opportunities with your network today!Looking to hire quickly? Connect with local talent by posting your job for just $97 + GST.Post a Job Now.Explore more local job openings on our jobs page.

A Watercare decision to restrict new connections to the wastewater network on the Hibiscus Coast is being labelled as disastrous by property developers in the area, who say the organisation has failed to do its job.Late last year, Watercare revealed that any developments in the area which weren't resource consented by 15 November would not be able to connect to the wastewater network until an upgrade to the Army Bay Wastewater treatment plant was complete, currently scheduled for 2031.This has left many developers in the lurch, who have said the decision will stifle development in an area that needs more housing.However, Watercare said it had capacity for 4000 more connections on the Hibiscus Coast before the Army Bay Treatment plant reached capacity, so the restriction wouldn't affect housing growth in the area.It said the decision had to be made to protect the environment and public health, and deliver sustainable water and wastewater services.Mark Wootton has a 7000sqm property on the Hibiscus Coast that he wants to build two new townhouses on.He'd already paid for several geotechnical, landscaping and architectural reports into the property, but hadn't got a resource consent, before finding out in November about the restrictions."I was flabbergasted, absolutely gobsmacked. It's a government entity that has a legal responsibility to provide waste processing right? Well they're not meeting that responsibility are they?"Watercare map of water and wastewater constraints in Auckland. Photo: WatercareWootton believes people at Watercare need to lose their jobs for failing to plan properly.The decision would stifle development in the area, he said."People working in this area, they're going to go and get other jobs right? They're going to diversify away," Wootton said."Then when we do need that building capacity, when Watercare get their shit-pump working there won't be anyone because it'll have just contracted."He believes Watercare could come up with quicker solution to the problem - if they are willing to spend the money."Ok it might be more expensive to get an urgent shit-pumping upgrade, but it shouldn't be the end of the world. Yes it's more expensive, that's your fault for making a mistake."Hopper Development has three projects in the works on the Hibiscus Coast which would provide over 100 homes in total - one of them has been in planning for three years.Development manager David Barr said the company was completely blind-sided by Watercare's decision, and now all of the projects were up in the air."There was no warning for this at all. Like everyone else, we heard about this in a press release in November 2024 having bought numerous properties. We were shocked."There are other options if Hopper Development cannot connect their new sections to the wastewater network - like building wastewater tanks on site, or trucking it away daily at their own expense.But any alternative would have to be signed off by Watercare according to their code of practice - and Barr said so far they hadn't been able to talk with the agency about any possible solutions.Halting development in the area for seven years was simply unacceptable, Barr said."The amount of housing that's needed out there now, we're already behind so further delays will be disastrous for our area."The pent-up demand would be bad news for house prices on the peninsula, he said.If Watercare couldn't provide a better option, central government needed to step in, he said.Local government minister Simon Watts said it was a matter for Watercare and the Developers to sort out, but a new Watercare charter the government put in place in last week would provide more scrutiny and oversight to the organisation.Auckland Council's head of resource consents James Hassall said council worked with Watercare when granting resource consents to check there was wastewater capacity available, but that could change over time if land was developed ahead of schedule.Hassall said as Auckland grows, the city will experience water and wastewater constraints in parts of the network and in the case of the Hibiscus coast, Watercare has planned infrastructure upgrades to deal with the problem.Watercare respondsWatercare chief planning and strategy officer Priyan Perera told RNZ it had to make the decision to restrict new connections to protect the environment, public health and deliver sustainable long term wastewater services."So, we're trying to find a real balance between our ability to service growth but also protect those key drivers for us."They were still able to connect 4000 properties to the wastewater network in the Hibiscus Coast before reaching capacity, Perera said."Our current tracking of previous years - there's typically 800 connections made a year, so that's five years of connections available."He confirmed to Checkpoint that developers were told about the restrictions on 14 November, the day before the cut-off."There there is obviously never a good time to be able to relay this information and we chose the date, We chose the timing to ensure that we lived up to those objectives."Several other areas of Auckland including Wellsford, Warkworth, Waitakere, Otara-Papatoetoe, Beachlands/Maraetai, Favona and Warkworth also have water and wastewater restrictions according to Watercare's online map.Perera said it was possible these areas might face similar restrictions to the Hibiscus Coast, but Watercare was trying to to avoid that."So, now that we've provided the maps and we were encouraging people to come and talk to us, there's absolutely an opportunity for them to have plenty of warning in conversations with to ensure that they can make the make appropriate investment decisions."

From next week, more than 900,000 pensioners across New Zealand—including many right here on the Hibiscus Coast—will see a boost in their regular payments.The increase, announced by Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston, is part of the Government’s Annual General Adjustment (AGA), designed to help with rising living costs.Starting 1 April, New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran’s Pension rates will rise by about 3 per cent.That means an uplift for 933,200 superannuitants and 4,900 veterans across the country.Coasties receiving these payments can expect a little extra in their bank accounts next Tuesday.Minister Upston said the AGA adjustments will benefit around 1.5 million New Zealanders in total this year.The increases are tied to inflation and wage growth, ensuring support payments keep pace with living expenses.In addition to pensioners and veterans:409,300 people receiving main benefits will get a higher payment.47,400 students will see their allowances go up.70,000 non-beneficiaries who get supplementary assistance will also be better off.The latest adjustment reflects a 2.22 per cent rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the year ending December 2024.However, pension payments are set slightly higher because they are partly based on movements in the net average wage.Minister Upston acknowledged that times have been tough for many.“This uplift will help many with household budgeting,” she said.Coast locals on superannuation or other MSD payments don’t need to do anything—adjusted rates will be applied automatically.For more details, visit the Ministry of Social Development’s website or contact their support services.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

In what could be the ultimate Christmas present for Aucklanders, IKEA is hoping its new Sylvia Park store will be open in time to get your holiday gift shopping done there.Construction of New Zealand's first Swedish-born homeware store and eatery is well under way, and while there was not yet a firm date for its opening, IKEA was planning to cut the ribbon in time for the holiday season.And it is expected to have a distinctly Kiwi flavour as well, with potentially even a garage as part of its home showroom.Karen Pflug, chief sustainability officer for IKEA's parent company the Ingka Group, was in Auckland last week to check how the construction of the store was going."I'm definitely not a construction expert, but I was extremely impressed with it and the amount of work," she told RNZ."New Zealand [has] a lot of safety measures and really high quality specs because we're in a seismic area of course, and then our construction experts were telling us all about the basalt rock slabs as well that we've had to build the foundations into."So it's been state-of-the-art and a real world-class store that we're building. And then important for me too with my sustainability role, is that it's also going to be world-class from a sustainability point of view and having a five-star rating there with sustainability criteria, so that really excites me."Pflug allayed fears small, far-flung New Zealand would get a scaled-back IKEA experience, sans meatballs."We're bringing the full experience. It's a full large-size store, and so with that comes a restaurant. And of course many people know IKEA as a home furnishing retailer, and that's what we're most famous for. But around the world last year we served over 600 million meals, so we are one of the largest restaurants in the world as well."So yes, customers in Auckland will be able to come in and taste the wonderful variety of foods that we offer. It will include the meatballs, but it will also have plant-based alternatives as well, which will actually serve at a lower price than the meat-based options. And of course, there will be things baked in the ovens as well, like the famous Swedish cinnamon scrolls and so on too."Ikea classic meal with Swedish meatballs. Photo: BEATA ZAWRZEL / AFPThe store will have a local flavour too, Pflug said, in the home furnishings it offers."We've done over 500 visits to homes, and it's been fantastic because we're coming in, of course with our home furnishing expertise, our life at home knowledge, and also our desire to make sure that sustainable living is truly affordable for the many people - because we don't think it should be a luxury for just the chosen few, but we're here to listen and learn from New Zealanders as well."And what we've noticed here, there are some similarities - the desire to declutter and to organise your life, so storage across the home is super important, but also the multifunctional nature of homes here is probably more than we see in other countries."And a quirk that we've seen here too is the use of the garage as an extra home - whether that's the home office, gym, sort of den for the kids or whatever. So we're also wanting to showcase that we understand New Zealand life at home when we have our showroom set up to really show that we've been listening and learning to what people want here."Asked how IKEA kept its quality up and prices down, Pflug said it was part of the chain's "democratic design, which is what we call form function, low price, quality, and sustainability"."Everything's designed in IKEA Sweden, and there we start with the raw material choices, we make sure we're designing to a price point, and we want the best possible quality, so that the products last a long time. And then our size and scale and our relationship with our suppliers enables us to get great price points as well."As for when it will open, she said the hope was it would be ready by Christmas.

Silverdale Rugby is getting behind one of their own, as Morgan Brown takes the next step toward his goal of becoming a professional rugby referee.Many Coasties will remember Morgan as a junior player for Silverdale.His time on the field was cut short at age 11 after a serious head injury.But his passion for rugby never faded.Instead, it steered him toward refereeing—a path his family knows well."My dad was a long-time member, and my grandad, Don Brown, is a life member," Morgan says."Growing up around Silverdale, you get to know everyone. It’s always felt like home, and their support has really helped me, especially with refereeing."Now, Morgan has been selected to referee at the Hawaii Rugby 10’s tournament this April.The event offers the chance to gain valuable experience and to be seen by international selectors."I’m really looking forward to the whole experience—meeting people from different countries, seeing different styles of rugby, and learning from it all," he says."It’s going to be a completely new atmosphere, and I’m excited to take it all in."To help get him there, Silverdale Rugby is hosting a Quiz & Party Night Fundraiser on Friday, 28 March, at the Silverdale Rugby Club, starting at 6:30pm.Coasties are encouraged to round up their mates, wear their favourite team colours (or Hawaiian skirts!), and enjoy a classic club night out.There will be spot prizes, raffles, and plenty of laughs along the way.Tickets are $20 per person, or $140 for a table of eight (pay for seven).Payments can be made online at nzwalkoffame.flicket.co.nz To reserve a table or arrange EFTPOS payment, message Gary Brown at [email protected] says refereeing has given him a new way to stay in the game he loves."I’ve always loved rugby—growing up watching the All Blacks, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter. My dad had been a referee for 20 years at North Harbour, and he encouraged me to give it a go. I did the course, got started, and it’s just progressed from there."It’s a chance for the Silverdale community to support Morgan as he represents the club and the Coast on an international stage.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Aucklanders are being encouraged to reduce their outdoor water use as dry weather continues across the region.Watercare has moved the city into the “preparing for drought” stage after dam levels dropped below a key trigger earlier this month.“We’re not asking people to stop watering their gardens,” says Mark Bourne, Watercare’s chief operations officer.“We just want everyone to be more mindful. Most gardens don’t need watering every day.”Watercare is stepping up its awareness campaign, asking residents to water only when necessary and to use trigger nozzles on hoses to avoid wastage.Auckland’s current seven-day rolling average water demand is 483 million litres per day—higher than normal for this time of year.Typically, regular rainfall would reduce demand, but the prolonged dry spell means many are using more water, particularly in their gardens.Forecasts suggest the dry weather may persist into April, with a possibility of stage one water restrictions in late May if demand remains high and rainfall stays low.However, predictions for May hint at wetter conditions, which could ease the pressure on water supplies.In the meantime, Watercare is producing an additional 185 million litres of water a day from its two Waikato plants.That’s enough to cover 38 per cent of Auckland’s daily demand.The team is also working hard on leak detection, fixing over 19,000 leaks since December.NIWA’s Drought Index currently rates Auckland as “extremely dry.”Bourne explains that even when rain does arrive, much of it will initially be absorbed by dry soil before helping to replenish dam levels.“We’re hoping for sustained rainfall to put us in a more comfortable position,” he says.Coasties can help by reducing outdoor water use and keeping showers short.If every Aucklander cut their shower time by just one minute, it could save up to 20 million litres of water a day—making a real difference in preserving the city’s water supply.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]