Thick fog disrupts Auckland flights and ferriesAuckland Airport has reported disruptions due to thick fog, resulting in four cancelled domestic regional flights and delays for 15 others. Main routes and international flights remain unaffected. Ferry services have also experienced delays and cancellations. SH1 southbound closed for maintenance tonightState Highway 1 (SH1) will undergo maintenance tonight, resulting in full southbound closures from Orewa to Silverdale interchange. The affected ramps include Orewa, Millwater Parkway, and Silverdale southbound off-ramps. Drivers should detour via Grand Drive, West Hoe Road, Centreway Road, and Twin Coast Discovery Highway. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes must use the Puhoi southbound off-ramp and take Old SH1 and Twin Coast Discovery Highway.All Blacks to announce new squad todayAll Blacks coach Scott Robertson will announce his first squad today in Christchurch at 5:30 pm. The selection will include a replacement for former captain Sam Cane. Following their Super Rugby title win over the weekend, Auckland Blues players are expected to feature prominently in the squad.

Jetstar has unveiled plans to significantly expand its New Zealand operations, adding over 240,000 low-fare seats annually and enhancing tourism between New Zealand and Australia.The first phase of this expansion includes new flight routes between Christchurch and Cairns, and Auckland and the Sunshine Coast, with tickets on sale from 12 pm today at jetstar.com. Additionally, Jetstar will increase capacity on key domestic routes, including Christchurch to Auckland and Auckland to Wellington.To support the increased operations, Jetstar will base an additional Airbus A320 aircraft in Christchurch from December, expanding its New Zealand fleet to eight aircraft. This marks Jetstar's first fleet expansion in the country in over a decade.Jetstar Group CEO Stephanie Tully emphasised the significance of this growth. "This month we’re celebrating our 15th birthday in New Zealand, and as we mark this milestone, we’re really excited to be entering such a significant period of growth," she said. "Over the past 15 years, we’ve helped make travel more accessible for millions of New Zealanders, and this expansion will help to unlock hundreds of thousands of low fares and more choice for our customers and provide a significant boost to tourism on both sides of the Tasman."Jetstar's recent operational improvements have seen cancellations drop to around one percent or less, with over 80 percent of flights arriving on time so far this year.To celebrate the expansion, Jetstar is launching a 24-hour Route Launch Sale with low fares, including:Auckland to Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore) from $199 NZDSunshine Coast to Auckland from $215 AUDAuckland to Wellington from $39 NZDThe sale begins at 12 pm today.

Auckland residents can expect to see more police officers patrolling the streets as part of a new initiative aimed at reducing crime and enhancing community safety.Police Commissioner Andrew Coster announced the creation of Community Beat Teams in major cities across New Zealand, starting with Auckland. The launch of Operation Safer Streets will specifically target anti-social behaviour and crime in Auckland’s Central Business District (CBD).These new teams, staffed by additional officers confirmed in Budget '24, will increase police visibility in main streets, shopping malls, and transport hubs. “This is the start of a staged two-year roll out, which will see 63 additional staff deployed in new Community Beat Teams across Auckland’s three policing districts, 17 in Wellington and 10 in Christchurch,” said Coster.The initiative will begin with 21 additional officers in the Auckland CBD, enhancing the current team to more than 50 officers. This increased presence aims to provide support in busy areas such as Karangahape Road, downtown, and the Viaduct. The goal is to implement a 24/7 beat model with five teams, each led by a Sergeant, to ensure round-the-clock visibility.“Increased visibility deters crime and encourages a sense of safety through positive engagement with the public and business owners,” Coster explained. The Community Beat Teams will work alongside existing response, prevention, and investigation staff, focusing on areas with high demand due to changing crime trends, such as increased anti-social behaviour and public place crime.Operation Safer Streets, an intensive deployment operation, will target anti-social behaviour and crime in the CBD until the new Community Beat Team is fully established. This operation follows concerning recent incidents in the central city, despite an overall positive trend in crime reduction.The police will continue collaborating with groups like the K Road Business Association, Heart of the City, Auckland Council, and other community organisations. “Most of the issues we’re facing in Auckland CBD are complex and can’t be solved by Police alone,” Coster emphasised. “It’s vital we continue to work with partner agencies and other groups invested in Auckland’s success.”Further decisions about the allocation of additional officers will be made in due course.

It's a tough time to be The Warehouse.First, it sold Torpedo7 for $1. Then it posted a nearly $24 million loss in the six months to the end of January. It outlined plans to close TheMarket - which not that long ago had been hoped to become New Zealand's answer to Amazon.As it searches for a new chief executive to replace the departed Nick Grayston, who was brought in to turn the company's fortunes around in 2016, you might ask - what went wrong?How has the iconic retailer, founded more than 40 years ago, found itself in what appears to be perilous shape? And will restructure plans announced this week be enough?Analysts say there are a few factors that might be causing The Warehouse headaches.KmartKmart isn't just putting up tough competition, it's "rolled through the country eating The Warehouse's lunch, breakfast and dinner," says Chris Wilkinson, managing director of First Retail Group.Kmart had made a clear push in recent years to sell its own-brand products, which were "contemporary", he said - and occasionally developed devoted social media followings.Wilkinson said Kmart had an edge in being able to design, source and bring that product in. It would take Kmart 28 days from ordering from the manufacturer to having it on the wharf ready to ship to Australia and New Zealand, he said."It's a very dynamic model. Apparently the product is now going into the United States because retailers are buying that Anko product because of its flair, and contemporary nature."He said it was challenging for The Warehouse, which still largely purchased product from elsewhere and sold it on, to compete with that.Johan Koreman-Smit, a senior analyst at Forsyth Barr, said there was also increasing competition from H&M for apparel and Rebel Sport for sporting goods. The arrival of Costco and imminent opening of Ikea also would not help.Kmart had an edge in being able to design, source and bring that product in, Wilkinson said. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-FarrellyA tough environmentTimes are tough for most retailers at the moment, and The Warehouse is no exception to that.Koreman-Smit said in real terms, retail spending had suffered a decline larger than from the global financial crisis (GFC).Smith said Noel Leeming was a significant part of the group's profits but spending on big ticket items such as whiteware and electronics had dropped away particularly sharply.CostsCosts would have to be the first point to address, Koreman-Smit said.The business had already started this work and would continue to do it, he said."The cost of doing business at The Warehouse is quite high versus other retailers. If you think about it as a percentage of sales."He said The Warehouse did not disclose the terms of its leases, but it had a lot of them and a significant footprint. It might choose to give some up in areas where there was more competition.The latest annual report showed significant staff costs. As well as Grayston's $2.793 million salary, four other people were earning more than $1m a year, 13 were earning more than $430,000, 47 were earning between $160,000 and $430,000 and 739 earning between $100,000 and $260,000.Losing sight of its core businessAnalysts said there was also a sense that The Warehouse needed to find its identity again.Koreman-Smit said forgetting about core business was something that happened relatively often in New Zealand."They try to expand and everyone forgets about the core. The core starts deteriorating and gets slowly eaten away by competitors. I think that's what's happened, really. They didn't have that focus."He said the next stage would be working out what The Warehouse was. "I don't know if they know what they are and how they fit into the New Zealand retail landscape or what they're going to compete on.""They've been around a long time," said Greg Smith, head of retail at Devon Funds Management. "They've got a strong footprint in a lot of places. It might be [they need] a major strategic makeover."He said The Warehouse would need to reposition the "red sheds" as somewhere consumers wanted to go, for a reason."They need to recalibrate what is the value proposition at The Warehouse. 'Where everyone gets a bargain' was the tagline - a lot of people go to Kmart for that now."Groceries could represent part of The Warehouse's recovery, Wilson says. Photo: RNZ / Tom TaylorWhere to from here?Wilkinson said groceries could be part of The Warehouse's recovery.In January, its grocery sales were up almost 12 percent.It could be a destination for people to pick up staples, and potentially do other shopping as well, Wilkinson said.People also wanted to buy things that helped them make things from scratch or for the garden, given the current economic environment, he said."Being able to potentially corner the market in some of those aspects where other retailers may not be is an opportunity for them. They have to create that convenience. People make those shopping destination decisions based on convenience, they're not going out of their way to buy a cheap loaf of bread or butter. They've got a lot of work ahead of them."Koreman-Smit agreed groceries had potential. "People get caught up in the margin being much lower, 8 percent versus the mid 30s or 40 percent for apparel, but it's all about the turns and the sales density per square meter. They've got to make sure the amount of floor space they are using for grocery is the right size versus the stock terms and margins it's generating."

The Blues triumphed over the Chiefs with a decisive 41-10 victory in the 2024 Super Rugby final, held at a rain-soaked Eden Park on Saturday evening.Fans braved the wet conditions to witness the Blues, led by captain Patrick Tuipulotu, lift the trophy after dominating the Chiefs throughout the match. The Blues established a commanding 20-3 lead by halftime, effectively neutralising the Chiefs' renowned forward pack.The win marks a significant achievement for the Blues, who showcased a robust performance from start to finish. The match was a display of strategic prowess and athletic excellence, leaving the Chiefs unable to recover from the early deficit.Attention now turns to the All Blacks, who are set to unveil the first squad of 2024 on 24 June, with 32 players being named ahead of the Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Series. This squad announcement marks a significant milestone as the first under new Head Coach Scott Robertson. Excitement is building with the introduction of a notable change in the selection process, where all four Assistant Coaches—Jason Ryan, Scott Hansen, Leon MacDonald, and Jason Holland—are focusing on specific positional groups.

Work to restore power to Northland will resume today after Transpower crews made significant progress yesterday. Despite delays due to darkness and weather, efforts to erect a temporary tower and transfer one of the circuits from the fallen tower are ongoing."We are on track to deliver more power to Northland this evening," a Transpower spokesperson said. Crews successfully installed the temporary tower and began restoring one of the two 220 kV transmission lines into Northland.Transpower extended gratitude to their team, design engineers, service providers, and local lines companies—Northpower, Top Energy NZ, and Vector Limited. Appreciation was also expressed for those aiding with embedded generation, including Ngawha and Manawa, and the Glorit community and landowner where work is being conducted.While the final phase of work was postponed to ensure crew safety, sufficient electricity is flowing into the region to meet immediate needs. "There is enough electricity coming into the region to keep you warm at home tonight," the spokesperson added.Transpower crews remain on schedule to complete the work by Sunday, aiming to boost capacity ahead of rising demand on Monday. "We thank people in Northland for your continued patience. It makes a big difference to our crews putting in the hard work on the ground."

As Matariki approaches, police are urging motorists to drive safely to ensure they reach their destinations without incident. A significant police presence will patrol roads nationwide, focusing on dangerous driving behaviours.With the holiday period beginning at 4 pm on Thursday, June 27, and ending at 6 am on Monday, July 1, authorities will emphasise enforcement against unrestrained occupants, impaired drivers, mobile phone distractions, and speeding vehicles. Inspector Dan Mattison, acting director of road policing, stressed the importance of road safety.“Those who deliberately endanger lives by their dangerous behaviors on our roads can expect to be ticketed or dealt with by other enforcement action if they are caught,” Mattison said.Police efforts will be supported by road safety partners, who will educate and promote safe driving habits. Travelers are encouraged to plan their trips using the New Zealand Transport Agency’s Journey Planner tool for updates on travel times, roadworks, and closures.Inspector Mattison highlighted the ongoing commitment to road safety, noting that most drivers adhere to safe practices. However, he expressed concern over those who push the limits of safety.“If you’re on the road, take a moment and think of your loved ones,” he urged. “We don’t want to be telling someone their partner or family member has been in a crash, and nothing is worth risking your life for.”In 2023, three lives were lost on our roads during Matariki compared to five deaths in 2022. As of Monday, June 17, according to data from the Ministry of Transport, 130 deaths have been recorded on our roads compared with 157 deaths on the same date in 2023.

Women now hold 53.9% of public sector board roles, marking the fourth consecutive year of over 50% representation, according to Acting Minister for Women Louise Upston.“This is a fantastic achievement, but the work is not done," Upston said. "To maintain similar levels of women representation at public board and committee levels, deliberate action is needed across government, business, and organisations for years to come."Since 2012, when women’s representation was 41.1%, there has been a steady increase. The Ministry for Women’s nominations service continues to play a crucial role in these appointments.Women are also better represented at the board chair level, reaching 46.2%, a significant rise from 41.9% in 2022. Upston noted, "It shows us there are many talented leaders ready to step into a governance role and take up the challenge of a chairing position and I welcome this wholeheartedly."Māori and ethnic diversity on public sector boards has also grown since ethnicity data collection began in 2019. Māori board members now hold 27.5% of board roles, up from 26.8% in 2022, while Pacific board members have increased from 6.1% to 7%. Upston expressed enthusiasm about this progress: "I am thrilled to see many women from ethnic backgrounds take it in their stride, and step into governance roles."Highlighting the benefits of greater representation, Upston said, “We know the positive impact that greater representation of women has on social outcomes, decision making, and financial performance. Our focus is now on ensuring this pipeline is strengthened and that we see more diverse representation in private sector leadership and governance.”

In a controversial move, Transport Minister Simeon Brown has announced plans to reverse safer speed limits, particularly around school zones, citing a shift towards smaller safety zones and reduced timeframes. Under the new rules, a mere 150-meter radius around school gates will enforce a 30 km/hr speed limit strictly between 8:00-9:30 am and 2:30-4:00 pm. This decision comes despite statistics from Auckland Transport revealing that 85% of fatalities and serious injuries near schools occur outside of these specified hours, raising concerns among safety advocates.Bike Auckland Chair Karen Hormann voiced strong opposition, stating, "We see a disconnect between the Government’s goal of protecting young New Zealanders and the clear evidence suggesting this move could have adverse effects. Communities are advocating for expanded, not reduced, safer speeds."Hormann highlighted concerns over the economic justifications put forth by the Government, questioning the potential trade-offs in safety for supposed benefits. She argued that establishing permanent safe speed zones has proven more effective in reducing accidents and is cost-efficient. Data shows a 30% decrease in fatalities where 30 km/hr limits were implemented, contrasting with a 9% increase in deaths across other areas during the same period. A recent consultation in Auckland revealed that 78% of school leaders support the continuation of permanent safer speed zones.Expressing further apprehension, Hormann added, "A 150-meter zone does little to ensure safety beyond the school gate, severely limiting transport options for families at a time when affordable mobility choices are crucial."Currently, over one-third of Auckland’s roads maintain 24/7 safer speed limits, which will see significant reduction under the proposed rules, affecting broader school zones than initially proposed. A survey by Auckland Transport indicated that 74% of residents were willing to accept longer travel times to ensure safer school environments.Dr. Jamie Hosking, a public health researcher at the University of Auckland, warned about the broader consequences on active transport modes, stating, "If walking and cycling feel unsafe, more people will opt for cars, increasing emissions and air pollution, and reducing physical activity."Dr. Nicholas Walker, a father and bicycle commuter, emphasised the importance of safer speed limits, saying, "As an obstetrician, ensuring safe arrivals is paramount. We must prioritise safer speeds around schools to prevent avoidable accidents."Bike Auckland is urging the public to participate in the ongoing consultation until July 11, encouraging community engagement to shape future policies on safer speed limits.

All Aucklanders heading to Eden Park for the Blues vs Chiefs Super Rugby final on Saturday 22 June can count on expanded public transport services, ensuring a smooth journey to the stadium.Rachel Cara, GM Public Transport Operations at AT, highlighted the importance of these services in accommodating the influx of attendees. "We have both rail and bus services operating to support an exciting final at Eden Park. It’s great to have this certainty so Aucklanders and visitors to the region can get to the game."For those commuting from the North Shore, dedicated buses will run directly to and from Eden Park via Akoranga, Smales Farm, Sunnynook, Constellation, and Albany Bus Stations. These services are included with the purchase of an event ticket, simplifying travel logistics for match-goers. Passengers need only show their ticket to the driver upon boarding and retain it for the return journey.Special event buses from Albany Bus Station will commence from 4:00 pm onwards, ensuring fans have ample time to arrive at the stadium before kick-off.

The government has announced a record 41% increase in funding for public transport services and operations, along with the rollout of a National Ticketing Solution (NTS), Transport Minister Simeon Brown said.“This government is committed to supporting public transport to provide more travel choices for New Zealanders," Brown said. "The NZ Transport Agency Board has confirmed indicative funding from the National Land Transport Fund for public transport services and operations will increase by 41% compared to funding allocated between 2021 and 2024."The funding boost aims to deliver reliable services to commuters nationwide. Alongside the funding increase, the introduction of contactless debit and credit card payments for public transport users through the NTS will enhance convenience and consistency across the country. This rollout will begin in Auckland later this year, followed by Timaru in December 2024, Christchurch in early 2025, and all other regions by the end of 2026.“This solution will enable the public to choose the payment method that works best for them,” Brown said. “This includes contactless debit or credit cards, as well as digital payment methods like Apple Pay and Google Pay on mobile phones and smart watches, while still having the option of a pre-paid transit card.”The NTS aims to provide a unified ticketing system, allowing local councils and transport operators to better monitor demand and allocate resources effectively. This system is expected to drive better value for money and make public transport easier to use for New Zealanders.“Our government is committed to investing in reliable public transport services and technology so that local councils can deliver the services New Zealanders need,” Brown said.

Auckland Transport (AT) and NZ Police have conducted a record-breaking number of breath tests over the past year, with over 900,000 tests administered between May 2023 and April 2024. This initiative aims to curb alcohol-related crashes, which account for around 15 percent of deaths and serious injuries on Auckland’s roads annually.“We want Auckland road users to know there will continue to be elevated levels of breath testing throughout the rest of the year so people will make informed choices about their transport options, particularly where alcohol will be involved,” said Teresa Burnett, General Manager Transport Safety at AT.The number of breath tests has been steadily increasing, reaching a new peak this year compared to the 700,000 tests conducted in 2013. This increase reflects a concerted effort by AT and NZ Police to enhance road safety.Acting Inspector Jason McIntosh, Relieving Tāmaki Makaurau Road Policing Manager, highlighted the collaboration between road policing managers and a dedicated team of officers as key to the successful increase in breath testing. “Our aim is to raise awareness of the drive drink free message and encourage positive behaviours, rather than focus only on those people found to be breaking the law,” he said.Research indicates that 50 percent of Aucklanders believe they won’t be caught driving under the influence, despite 77 percent of drivers charged being male according to 2023 Ministry of Justice data.To address this, officers will maintain a visible presence across the region to deter unsafe driving behaviour. “By significantly increasing alcohol breath testing across Tāmaki Makaurau, the message we are sending is clear and we hope people pay attention,” said McIntosh.With enhanced public transport options available, AT encourages residents to plan ahead, using public transport, sober drivers, or taxi services to ensure safe journeys home. “Make sure you know all of the options available to get you home safely, just in case things don’t go to plan,” advised Burnett.This initiative underscores the community's shared responsibility to drive safely and avoid unnecessary risks, particularly those associated with drinking and driving.

Power has been restored to most Northland residents, but peak time shortages persist. Engineering teams are working on a temporary solution to fully restore power, expected by late Saturday or early Sunday.Transpower's initial plan to lift a fallen tower and restore a 220kV circuit by Friday has shifted. Instead, a temporary tower will be installed, a complex task set to complete over the weekend. During this period, the 110kV line and local generation should suffice for Northland's reduced weekend electricity demand.Residents from Warkworth northwards are asked to conserve power during peak times on Friday (6 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 9 pm). Tips include turning off heaters and lights in unused rooms, using large appliances sparingly, and charging electric vehicles only as needed. While staying warm is essential, lowering heating temperatures by 1-2 degrees can help.Transpower expressed gratitude to those who conserved power and apologised for the inconvenience, emphasising their commitment to restoring full power swiftly.

Members of the Chinese community are being warned about an investment scam emerging on some social media.Police are investigating two cases where victims have been conned out of millions of dollars.Detective Senior Sergeant Rob Hunkin, of Counties Manukau CIB, said the scammers were initially contacting victims through WeChat or Telegram asking them to "invest" in an Australian investment platform."Once victims are hooked, an initial investment payment is made by international bank transfer."Eventually, the scammer will advise victims to pay into the scheme further in cash only."Payments were then being made in person with offenders going to a victim's house or pre-arranging to meet them at a set location."The truth is that there is no investment platform - this is a scam," Detective Senior Sergeant Hunkin said."Police are continuing to investigate these two cases, but we need the community's support to help raise awareness of what is happening."He said police recognised the schemes might sound rewarding.Scammers were continuing to reinvent ways of deceiving people out of their money, Hunkin said."Our advice to anyone is to be extremely cautious if you are ever approached about making an investment into a project or scheme."It is essential that you do research to ensure the company is genuine before you hand over any money."If you cannot verify whether a person or scheme is what they say they are, never hand over any money and cease any contact."A legitimate investment will never require cash being handed over.He urged people to share the police's advice among their families and friends."The last thing we want to see is more people fall victim to these scams."Advice to prevent being scammed:If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.Seek advice from a trusted friend or family member, or someone who has knowledge of investments before sending any money anywhereIf you are being contacted by scammers, cease communicating with themNever hand over any money, as well as a personal or financial informationAnyone who suspected they might have been the victim of fraud, should contact police online, or call them on 105.

A slight rise in GDP for the March quarter underscores the need for stronger economic measures, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said.Stats NZ released data showing a 0.2 percent increase in GDP for the quarter ending in March. While this marginal growth remains technically positive, Willis pointed to the ongoing economic challenges faced by New Zealanders."Today's data is technically in the positive, but it is a reminder of the reckless spending and economic mismanagement of the previous government," Willis said. "New Zealanders are feeling the long shadow of a prolonged period of high inflation, with high interest rates contributing to a deeper and more persistent downturn than previously forecast."Willis acknowledged the difficulties many locals face, citing the ongoing cost of living crisis. "I know how tough it is for people right now who are still struggling," she said. "We have a plan to turn things around. Our Government knows New Zealanders are hurting and need hope for the future."The government's strategy focuses on prudent spending, lower taxes, and rebuilding economic foundations. Despite current hardships, Willis highlighted a promising outlook based on Treasury's Budget forecasts. "While it’s hard to see through the immediate conditions, Treasury’s Budget forecasts show an improving outlook from the second half of this year, with inflation coming under control, interest rates dropping, and growth recovering," she noted.Recent data shows inflation tracking in a favorable direction. Food prices rose by only 0.2 percent in the year to May 2024, marking the smallest increase since September 2018. Willis believes this trend will ease the financial burden on families.Tax relief measures and support for early childhood education are also set to benefit New Zealanders. "From 31 July, Kiwis can look forward to tax relief in their pay packets, and eligible families will benefit from the FamilyBoost payment starting 1 July," Willis said.She encouraged residents to visit Budget.govt.nz/taxcalculator to see the potential benefits of the tax relief package. "Our Government is working hard on the drivers of productive growth: better education and skills, improving infrastructure, more competition and less red tape, stronger global connections, and a smarter approach to science and innovation," she concluded.

Extreme wet weather in Northland this morning has led to a widespread power outage, causing significant disruptions across the region. The outage has primarily affected traffic, with police urging motorists to exercise patience and caution, especially at intersections where traffic lights are not functioning.Authorities have deployed officers to manage traffic on main roads and key intersections, ensuring a visible presence in business areas throughout the Northland District. Police are advising locals to travel only if necessary and to avoid the Whangārei CBD to minimise congestion and enhance safety.“We ask motorists to only travel if necessary and the best practice is to stay off the roads to stay safe,” a police spokesperson said. "We thank motorists for their understanding."The power outage occurred around 11 a.m. when a 220 kV transmission tower near Glorit unexpectedly fell. This tower supports two high-capacity circuits, crucial for supplying most of Northland’s power. The collapse led to immediate and extensive power disruptions. Transpower is working to restore capacity using a lower capacity 110 kV network, but full restoration will require bringing at least one of the 220 kV circuits back online.Transpower crews are currently on-site assessing the situation and exploring options to restore further power. Meanwhile, local sources such as the geothermal generation at Ngāwhā are helping to supply some electricity. An operational Grid Emergency Notice has been issued, extending until noon tomorrow, with further updates expected based on ongoing assessments.Transpower has assured the community that the area around the fallen tower is secure and that their priority remains restoring power. The cause of the tower's collapse is still unknown, but a full investigation will be conducted. For the latest updates, locals are encouraged to check Transpower’s website and Facebook page, as well as their electricity retailers and local lines companies.

The economy has edged out of recession, driven by service industries and energy production.Stats NZ data shows gross domestic product -- the broad measure of economic growth -- rose 0.2 percent for the three months ended March, with annual growth of 0.3 percent.The numbers were stronger than economists had expected and followed two quarters of contraction."There were a range of results at industry level with eight of the 16 industries rising this quarter," Stats NZ's Ruvani Ratnayake said.The main contributors to the gain were rental, hiring and real estate services, and increased electricity generation, but there was also a slight lift in retailing.The biggest falls were in construction, business services and manufacturing, which was partly offset by increased dairy exports.The growth in population resulted in each individual's share of the economy shrinking 0.3 percent during the quarter, the sixth consecutive quarterly fall. Annually, the per capita decline was 2.4 percent.Household spending rose 1.6 percent for the quarter, but government spending was marginally lower.Real gross national disposable income, a measure of the country's purchasing power, rose 0.9 percent for the quarter, but was still 1 percent lower than a year ago.New Zealand first-quarter growth was better than Australia, but lagged that of most of the country's major trading partners.Economists have said the Reserve Bank's high interest rates policy to get inflation under control has been the chief cause of the economic downturn and recessionary periods.Forecasts for the rest of the year point to tepid growth at best, with cuts in interest rates seen as the necessary factor to help revive economic activity.

Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu returns to the starting XV for the Super Rugby Grand Final against the Chiefs at Eden Park on Saturday at 7:05 pm. The match is sold out, with the Blues hoping to release additional tickets later this week.Tuipulotu is back just two weeks after tearing the medial ligament in his right knee and was cleared to play after testing his knee during training on Tuesday. Blues Head Coach Vern Cotter emphasised the thorough medical consideration behind the decision.“Patty’s a Blues man through and through and came to us this week pretty keen to play in a Grand Final,” said Cotter. “He tested the knee on Monday in the gym, then on the grass yesterday. He’s pulled up well and has the all-clear from our medical team – he’s a welcome addition to our pack, our talisman lock and leader.”Blues Team Doctor James McGarvey commented on Tuipulotu’s recovery: “Patty felt good on Monday and with strapping found he was able to do everything rugby related with minimal symptoms. Given it’s a final, he decided to try to work through the week and play.”Cotter has made minimal changes to his semi-final-winning side, with Josh Beehre making way for Tuipulotu and Bryce Heem returning from a calf injury to take a spot on the bench.“There’s a deep desire in this group to go the whole way but to do that we need to be clear in our thinking, disciplined and not let the occasion get the better of us,” said Cotter. “The Chiefs will be coming to spoil the party. We’ve got a sold-out Eden Park that we hope will be awash in blue. This will be a great occasion, and I can feel the excitement building in the group.”Go the Blues!

Thousands of students across New Zealand are preparing for the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge, aiming to raise funds to combat climate change. The event supports efforts to restore forests in Asia-Pacific countries like Timor-Leste.“This year is the 50th year of the campaign and our focus is to fight the impacts of climate change for children,” said World Vision’s National Director, Grant Bayldon. “By taking part in the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge, Kiwi youth can play a part in working to make a difference in this vital space.”Prominent Kiwis, including rugby player Caleb Clarke, content creators Win Wolf, Judah Metu-Teaukura, and Liv Martin, actor Kimberley Crossman, singer/songwriter Paige Tapara, and climate advocate Brianna Fruean, are fronting this year’s campaign. Clarke highlighted the importance of giving back, stating, “The World Vision 40 Hour Challenge is really special because it gets New Zealanders on board to help other people around the world in need.”Several landmarks, such as Auckland's Sky Tower and Eden Park, will light up orange from June 21 to June 23 in support of the initiative. Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner expressed pride in supporting the cause, especially as it coincides with Clarke’s participation in the Super Rugby Final.The World Vision 40 Hour Challenge encourages young people to engage in activities like planting 40 trees, spending 40 hours outdoors, or completing a 4km beach clean-up to raise awareness and funds.World Vision aims to restore one billion hectares of global forest over the next decade, potentially removing up to a quarter of the world’s carbon from the atmosphere.