Ageism, often seen as a universally negative bias, can have beneficial aspects, according to Associate Professor Stephen Buetow of the University of Auckland. In his recent publication, Ageism and Person-Centred Care: Rehabilitating Bias for Age-Friendly Practice, Buetow argues for a nuanced understanding of ageism.Coasties may be intrigued by Buetow's perspective, which challenges conventional views and suggests that ageism, unlike other forms of discrimination, can sometimes yield positive outcomes.Buetow, from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, points out that ageism involves discriminating against both current and future selves. He emphasises the importance of distinguishing between harmful and beneficial forms of ageism, citing examples from health care and social policies."Of course, I'd denounce all forms of racism and sexism," Buetow says. "But I'd also question whether ageism is always a problem that people must never tolerate."The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the detrimental effects of ageism, framing older individuals as expendable. This overt ageism contrasted with subtler forms, such as treating children and older adults as invisible. Yet, Buetow argues that recognising ageism’s potentially positive aspects is equally important.Buetow references the World Health Organisation’s definition of ageism as involving stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination based on age. While these terms are usually seen negatively, he argues that they can sometimes be justified and beneficial."Positive action deliberately and legally targets and safeguards the age interests of protected groups without directly and unfairly disadvantaging other age groups," Buetow explains.He cites mentorship programs where older individuals share their knowledge with younger generations and age-targeted health and social care services as examples of beneficial ageism. Other instances include age-appropriate restrictions, such as minimum ages for driving and accessing certain goods, which can save lives and promote maturity.Buetow also points out that society endorses age-based welfare benefits, such as superannuation for older individuals and health care subsidies for younger people. These measures demonstrate that ageism can sometimes result in fair and beneficial outcomes.In the realm of social interactions, ageism manifests in preferences for romantic partners of similar age, which is socially acceptable and often beneficial for shared interests. Additionally, offering an older person a seat on public transport, while seemingly paternalistic, can also be seen as considerate and promoting safety.Buetow’s argument extends to controversial areas, such as mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75, which he says might be welcomed for reasons beyond age alone. He suggests that focusing solely on the negative aspects of ageism misses opportunities to understand its moral implications and benefits.In his upcoming book, Buetow delves deeper into these themes, advocating for a balanced view of ageism. He believes that recognising both its positive and negative aspects can help create fairer and more effective policies."Unlike other ‘isms,’ ageism can have detrimental, favourable, or neutral outcomes," Buetow concludes. "True justice respects individuals' freedom to optimise and access differential treatment based on relevant age differences."Buetow's perspective invites locals to reconsider their views on ageism, encouraging a more nuanced approach that recognises the potential benefits alongside the harms.

House values continue to fall, with some main centres seeing an increase in the rate of decline.The latest QV House Price Index shows home values fell by a national average of 0.2 percent over the three months to the end of May, which was down slightly from the 0.1 percent quarterly growth reported in April.The average house value was sitting at $923,713, which was 3.9 percent up on the year earlier, though 13 percent down from the peak in late 2021.Auckland led the market down with a 1.4 percent drop in quarterly values for the fourth month in a row.Wellington (-0.3 percent) also recorded its first average quarterly home value reduction since the end of winter 2023. Tauranga (-1 percent), Hamilton (-0.4 percent), Palmerston North (-0.3 percent), and Nelson (-0.2 percent) all experienced similarly small quarterly declines.At the other end of the spectrum, Invercargill saw the largest increase in home value growth at 3.2 percent in the May quarter. Others to see some gains included Rotorua (2.5 percent), Christchurch (1.4 percent) and Dunedin (1.9 percent)."Home values continue to bobble up and down from month to month and quarter to quarter, but they aren't moving one way or the other with any real conviction," QV operations manager James Wilson said."The housing market has largely stalled, and now the seasonal slowdown is well and truly upon us, with both buyers and sellers continuing to grapple with difficult economic conditions."He said a glut of houses for sale was contributing to price weakness."So those who are in a position to buy right now have the upper hand."He said the end of the first home grant scheme would also affect demand, along with a number of other regulatory changes that would take effect from 1 July.The changes meant banks have to comply with new debt-to-income (DTI) restrictions that would limit the amount of debt that borrowers would be able to take on, relative to their income.At the same time, loan-to-value ratios (LVRs) would be loosened, and the bright-line test would also be shortened to two years.He said changes to the bright-line test restrictions may also see an increase in the number of homes for sale, though interest rates would continue to make home ownership unaffordable for many."Property owners might look at our latest figures and start getting that sinking feeling again, while first-home home buyers might even look at them with renewed optimism."But the reality is a market that is stuck between a rock and hard place, at least until mortgage pressure eventually lifts."

Food prices in New Zealand experienced their smallest annual increase since September 2018, rising only 0.2 percent in the 12 months to May 2024, according to data from Stats NZ.This minor rise in food prices was mainly driven by significant decreases in the cost of fruit and vegetables, which fell by 11.4 percent, and meat, poultry, and fish, which dropped by 1.2 percent. James Mitchell, Stats NZ's consumer prices manager, highlighted that this is the first annual decrease in meat, poultry, and fish prices in over three years, largely due to cheaper lamb chops, legs of lamb, and chicken pieces.Despite the overall increase in food prices, specific categories saw reductions that contributed to the lower overall inflation rate. "Prices for meat, poultry, and fish recorded an annual decrease for the first time in over three years," said Mitchell. "The decrease was driven by cheaper prices for lamb chops, legs of lamb, and chicken pieces."However, not all food categories saw decreases. Restaurant meals and ready-to-eat foods led the increase with a 4.8 percent rise, followed by grocery food prices at 1.3 percent and non-alcoholic beverages at 2.7 percent. "Eating out and ordering in are still taking the cake when it comes to the overall annual increase," Mitchell noted.One standout in the latest data is the price of cheese, which saw a significant decline. A 1kg block of cheese cost $10.02 in May 2024, down from $13.60 the previous year. "Of all the items in the food basket, cheaper cheese prices had the largest impact on overall food prices," Mitchell explained. "Despite this, there was enough inflationary pressure from other items to record an overall food price increase."Additionally, food prices fell by 0.2 percent in May 2024 compared with April 2024, marking a contrast from the 0.6 percent increase seen in the previous month. This decline was driven by lower prices for grocery foods, particularly yoghurt and potato crisps, and marked the fourth consecutive month of falling fruit and vegetable prices, with mandarins, potatoes, and apples leading the drop. "May 2024 saw the largest number of food items falling in price in over three years. Fifty-three percent of the items we track prices for fell in price during May 2024, compared with 44 percent of items, which were more expensive," said Mitchell.In addition to food, petrol prices also fell in May 2024. Prices for petrol decreased by 2.6 percent and diesel by 3.3 percent compared with April 2024. "Motorists around the country enjoyed lower fuel prices in May, but they are still higher than May 2023," Mitchell said. He added that the removal of the transport temporary relief package partly contributed to the higher prices seen this year. Petrol prices are now over 50 percent more expensive than four years ago, while diesel prices are over 80 percent more expensive.Overall, the smaller increase in annual food prices offers some relief to Coasties and others across New Zealand, with cheaper prices for essential items like cheese and lamb providing a buffer against broader inflationary pressures in other food categories and fuel prices.

The changes to the KiwiSaver scheme, proposed by the Retirement Commissioner, have been welcomed by self-employed New Zealanders and financial groups.Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson released a series of proposed changes on Thursday, which included changing the default contribution rate to four percent rather than three and an increase in the amount the government contributed to people who didn't benefit from employer matching, like people who were self-employed.Self-employed Aucklander Nikayla Daley said for sale traders, bumping up the government contribution would help a lot."I think it's an amazing idea," Daley said.Chief executive of accounting firm HNRY, which works for sole traders, James Fuller, said from research the firm had commissioned, they knew around half of self-employed people were uncertain around their retirement fund."Because of the recent cost of living issues we've also seen self-employed people choosing not to contribute any funds towards their KiwiSaver in recent years, so extra funding would be welcomed."The main challenge is educating people and I think a lift in government funding would encourage more people".Photo: HnryKiwiSaver fund Simplicity's co-founder Sam Stubbs also welcomed the proposed changes, but believed it should go a step further and make having a KiwiSaver compulsory."The people who don't have a KiwiSaver fund are the ones who are most likely to need it the most."I think we need to make it something everyone must have and look to Australia's superannuation scheme, which is at 12 per cent, and work towards that goal."If New Zealanders wanted a comfortable retirement, Stubbs said they needed to keep increasing the percentage."The best time for these KiwiSaver changes was ten years ago - the second best time is right now".A good way to look at KiwiSaver, Stubbs said, was that it was "free money from the government".Simplicity managing director Sam Stubbs Photo: Supplied / SimplicityAustralia were "leading the way" when it came to superannuation, Public Trust's general manager of corporate trustee services, David Callanan said."I've lived and worked here and in Australia and they have a good model over there I think we should look at."Working at the Public Trust, Callanan said he often saw how important it was for people to plan for the future."I encourage everyone to think about their future - I know it is hard, but it's really important. People need to reflect on their goals and long-term plan."KiwiSaver is a smart way to save for that future and it makes good financial sense".

New Zealand will see significant changes as the government takes action to address the gender pay gap. The coalition Government is developing a voluntary calculation tool to help businesses measure and reduce the gap."Gender pay gaps have impacted women for decades, which is why we need to continue to drive change in New Zealand," said Acting Minister for Women Louise Upston. Currently, New Zealand’s gender pay gap stands at 8.6 percent, remaining persistent at around 9 percent since 2018. The government is committed to addressing the systemic barriers women face that contribute to this disparity.Gender pay gaps are complex and can vary depending on factors such as part-time work and the inclusion of bonuses and performance pay. To tackle this issue, the Ministry for Women will collaborate with business leaders to develop an easy-to-use approach to voluntary gender pay gap reporting.This approach will provide all businesses with the same measurement components to calculate their pay gaps accurately.Partnering with the business community is seen as a crucial step. The government aims to build on existing efforts by businesses in calculating gender pay gaps, establishing a clear and consistent method for measurement. This consistency is expected to make it easier for organisations to measure, understand, share, and take action to close their gender pay gaps.Antonia Watson, Co-Chair of Champions for Change and CEO of ANZ, welcomed the government's initiative. "This is a positive step forward, and we have been pleased to support the Ministry's work to date. Measurement and reporting our own gender pay gaps have been an important part of the Champions' progress, and we certainly support the initiative to make this more accessible for businesses across Aotearoa."Louise Upston also acknowledged the efforts of Global Women and Champions for Change in scoping the calculation tool and supporting the government's development of this framework. Champions for Change is a collective of over 80 of New Zealand’s CEOs and Chairs, aiming to accelerate inclusive and diverse leadership in their combined workforce of 170,000 people. These organisations are already reporting their gender pay gaps and have provided early input on the initial approach for the reporting tool and framework, in collaboration with the Ministry for Women.It is anticipated that Champions for Change and Global Women will continue to provide input and feedback over the coming months, ensuring the tool's effectiveness and usability. By working together, the government and business leaders hope to create a more equitable workforce and drive significant change in closing the gender pay gap.This initiative marks a critical step in addressing gender inequality in the workplace. With a clear and consistent method for measuring pay gaps, businesses will be better equipped to understand and address the factors contributing to these disparities.

A phone scam re-emerging in Auckland has Coasties on high alert as swindlers pose as police officers to con residents out of thousands of dollars. The New Zealand Police urge locals to be vigilant after multiple reports of the scam have surfaced in recent days.At least two elderly Aucklanders have been deceived by the fraudsters, losing tens of thousands of dollars. Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting of the Waitematā CIB explained that scammers are cold calling, primarily on landlines, and falsely claiming to be police officers.“They will also provide a fake ID or badge number to make their call seem legitimate,” said Bunting. “This person will carry on and provide a reason for their call: either they are investigating fake bank notes, or that your credit card has been cloned. As part of this scam, they will ask you to withdraw money from a nearby bank to be collected or ask you to provide further financial or banking information to aid their investigation.”The police are currently investigating two reports this week from South Auckland and the North Shore, where victims withdrew cash from their banks and handed it over to individuals posing as police officers. “Both victims withdrew cash from a bank and handed this over to someone who arrived at their door to collect it under the fake cover story,” Bunting explained. “These victims have had their good-will and trust trodden on by these scammers.”The police have ensured there is support available for the victims. Detective Senior Sergeant Bunting emphasised the lack of ethics among scammers, stating, “Scammers have no ethics whatsoever and will take any opportunity to try and con you. These scams take many forms, and the offenders trick people under a variety of guises or storylines.”Legitimate police officers may contact people as part of their duties, but Bunting stressed the importance of being cautious and spreading awareness among friends and family, especially the elderly. “We are particularly keen to ensure elder family members are aware of what is happening,” he said. “If anyone receives a call of this nature, hang up. If you have had the unfortunate position of being a victim to this scam and have not reported this, we encourage you to report this to Police.”The New Zealand Police offered several reminders to help the public identify potential scams:Police will never call to ask for bank details, PIN numbers, or passwords.Police do not offer prize money.Police will not ask you to go to a bank to withdraw money.If you receive an unexpected call of a similar nature, challenge the caller to identify themselves and ask for their details.Hang up and contact 105 to verify the caller's identity and request the officer to contact you.If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.The community is encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities to prevent further incidents.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has ordered an inquiry into the state of competition in New Zealand banking, with a particular focus on rural areas.She has written to the chairs of the Finance and Primary Production committees, calling for the inquiry saying that "New Zealand deserve a banking sector that is as competitive as possible".This was agreed to as part of the coalition agreement between National and New Zealand First, said Willis."Growing the rural economy is critical to rebuilding New Zealand's economy and with farmers' satisfaction with banking services dropping in recent years, it's critical we better understand the role of bank competition in that sector," she said.The Primary Production Committee had already been considering a probe into rural banking."That's why I have asked the Primary Production Committee to work with the Finance and Expenditure Committee to jointly develop terms of reference, join meetings to hear submissions relevant to rural banking, and prepare a report on rural banking to feed into the overall inquiry."Willis expected the inquiry to examine the state of competition in the banking sector, including business and rural lending, barriers preventing further competition in the sector, and any possible impact of the regulatory environment on competition and efficient access to lending.That would include seeking evidence during the from financial market regulators including the Reserve Bank, Commerce Commission, and Financial Markets Authority, she said."I would expect that the inquiry would, as a matter of course, hear submissions from those banks operating in New Zealand with chairpersons and chief executives being made available for questioning," said Willis."A more competitive economy is a more productive economy - with more growth, innovation, and investment," she said.ACT MP and Primary Production Committee chairperson Mark Cameron said he had heard "numerous concerns" from farmers and others in rural communities about bank lending practices."I've heard from countless farmers about the disparity between rural and urban bank lending practices, and I have been working on this issue since I became chair last year," he said."Banks play an important role in our communities and we must ensure they're operating in the best interests of all New Zealanders."He was looking forward to progressing the inquiry, he said.

The Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety announced that paid parental leave payments will increase from July 1, 2024, with the maximum weekly rate rising from $712.17 to $754.87 gross per week.The increase is a legislated annual increase under the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987 and the increase is in line with increases to average weekly earnings. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden said, “We know families are doing it hard right now. This coalition Government is committed to making sure that families and parents receive the support they need to give their new child the best start to life. Paid parental leave is one way that this is done.”Eligible parents can receive payments for up to 26 weeks, and the minimum parental leave payment rate for self-employed parents will increase this year from $227 to $231.50 gross per week to reflect the minimum wage increase on 1 April this year.

The Government has announced an extension of accommodation assistance for families displaced by Cyclone Gabrielle and the January 2023 Auckland floods. This move follows ongoing advocacy by Auckland Council to support affected residents through the lengthy recovery process.The extended support, which continues through June 2025, includes an additional $28 million in funding for the Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS). Administered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), TAS assists households in finding temporary accommodation when their homes have been damaged by natural disasters.In addition, the Temporary Accommodation Assistance (TAA) programme, managed by the Ministry of Social Development, will also continue. TAA provides payments to homeowners unable to live in their homes due to severe weather events. Despite earlier expansions of the criteria, properties held in trusts remain ineligible for this assistance.“Extension of this critical support will be a huge relief for family in all affected regions as they move through the stages of recovery. And particularly in Auckland where we will have more joining our programme to the end of September,” said Linda Greenalgh, Group Community and Social Recovery lead for the Auckland Recovery Office.By June 10, over 1600 properties in Auckland had been categorised, with more than 500 eligible for buy-outs. Approximately 300 buy-out offers have been made, and 100 buy-outs have been completed.“Any categorisations continuing into next year will be for later registrations - not those who are already waiting,” Ms Greenalgh explained. “Homeowners already registered and waiting should have their categories well before the end of the year. Those who registered last year have been given a forecast date for their categorisation - with most expected to be completed in the next few months.”Affected homeowners have until September 30 to register for the categorisation programme. While registrations continue to come in weekly, Ms Greenalgh acknowledged that some at-risk homeowners have been hesitant to sign up.Get help with support options here“For many living in flood plains and repeat flooding areas, this might be the best option they have going forward to move somewhere safer,” she said.“A common concern is that getting a category will affect their property value and insurance premiums. But insurance providers, banks, tenants, councils, and the property market will make their own decisions about risk with publicly available information. So – it’s about making sure everyone understands the benefits and risks and can make an informed decision.”Recent research by IAG found that 90% of buyers want flood information when purchasing a house. Natural hazard risks have become the second most important consideration for house buyers, following price. Land Information Memorandums (LIMs), public hazard maps, and previous claim history all include information on flooding and landslip hazards, regardless of a property's categorisation status.This extension of accommodation assistance aims to provide continued relief and support to those still recovering from the significant impacts of these recent severe weather events.

Consumer advocates say drops in the wholesale price of fuel should be reflected quicker at the pump.Analysis of fuel prices by the Commerce Commission showed fuel companies are quick to hike prices when costs jump, but slow to bring them back down when global oil prices dip.The commission estimated the delay in passing on savings costs Kiwi motorists an extra $15m a year.Consumer NZ chief executive John Duffy said petrol was a major expense for many households right now, and any extra savings should be passed on."In a cost-of-living crisis, where fuel is one of the top household costs to have, affirms what appears - on what the commission said - to be price-gouging for weeks on end, after a drop in wholesale cost of fuel, is pretty appalling."He said it could have further consequences for the industry."Certainly, if there's any indication that fuel companies are coordinating in any way to keep those prices artificially high, that could be a breach of New Zealand's competition laws. So it'll be very interesting to see if the Commission takes this further, if there's evidence of that happening."Up like a 'rocket', down like a 'feather'Auckland drivers fuelling up on Tuesday said they had noticed a few cents dropping off fuel prices lately."Yeah, I think they have actually - it's well below $3 at the moment, which is great," one woman said."I'd say it's getting cheaper from $3, which it used to be," said another.One man was less concerned: "I've got a company fuel card, so not really - the boss probably does though."Data from Gaspy, a fuel price database, showed fuel prices were beginning to drop by as much as 20 cents for regular 91, after rising by as much as that for the first four months of the year.But are prices dropping as fast as they could be?Commerce commissioner Bryan Chapple said there was a 'rocket and feather' effect taking place, and fuel companies were taking weeks longer than they needed to reduce fuel prices."When costs rise for fuel companies, they put the prices up pretty quickly. But when costs fall, they are a week or two slower to lower prices. That leads to Kiwi motorists having to pay a bit more than they otherwise would have if the market was fully competitive."Motorists said if that was true, it was not on."I think it's pretty stink, actually. I think it should be straight away, they're quick enough to put it up aren't they," one said."It's not ideal, is it? It's a hard time for everybody," said one woman. "I'm unsurprised. I'd like to imagine it could get much faster, for everybody. I'm a single mum, on one income - so pass it on, mate."Chapple said the lag in falling prices was a sign there was not enough competition in the market."There's more work to do to give competition a hand in the market. We're actively working on making sure the wholesale market is working well, so independent distributors can access fuel."Chief executive of Waitomo Energy Simon Parham said they set prices on a weekly basis and kept costs low with unattended, self-serve fuel stations."We actually look at what the Commerce Commission said in their April report, which is that unattended fuel stations, like Waitomo, actually deliver more competition for consumers."From next month, Auckland motorists can expect 11.5 cents to drop off fuel prices with the end of the fuel tax - and the Commerce Commission will be watching to make sure the savings pass directly onto consumers.

Customs and the Royal New Zealand Navy successfully thwarted a transnational organised crime attempt to smuggle cocaine, seizing a significant seven-kilogram shipment. The operation, conducted in April, uncovered a clandestine method involving attaching the illicit substance to the hull of a commercial vessel using a magnet.The collaboration between Customs maritime and Royal New Zealand Navy dive and explosives experts was prompted by intelligence received by Customs, indicating a suspicious attachment to the stern of a ship destined for New Zealand. Vigilantly monitoring the situation, Customs, in conjunction with the ship's captain and agents, observed and reported any irregular activities as the vessel approached New Zealand's coast.Upon agreement between Customs, the Navy, and the shipping line, a strategic interception plan was devised, culminating in the vessel's interception approximately 50 nautical miles off the coast of New Zealand, executed by Customs' patrol vessel Hawk V. The vessel was then escorted to a secure location outside Auckland for further investigation.Utilising cutting-edge technology including uncrewed surface vessels and aerial drones, Navy ordnance experts and divers meticulously inspected the attached box. Subsequently, the box, confirmed to contain an electromagnet securing it to the ship's hull, revealed the concealed seven kilograms of cocaine, valued at up to NZ$3.15 million.Robert Smith, Customs Manager Maritime, underscored the significance of the collaborative operation, highlighting the effectiveness of leveraging technological advancements in apprehending such criminal activities. Smith emphasised Customs' close partnership with the Navy and the pivotal role of industry partners in bolstering border security.Commodore Garin Golding, Maritime Component Commander of the Royal New Zealand Navy, hailed the operation as a milestone in leveraging uncrewed systems technology. The seamless coordination, facilitated remotely from Devonport's control room, exemplified the synergy between Customs, Police, and the Navy in combating narcotics smuggling.The success of this joint operation serves as a testament to the efficacy of inter-agency collaboration and the vigilance maintained to safeguard New Zealand's borders. Authorities urge individuals with information regarding smuggling activities to report confidentially to Customs' hotline or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.For those with concerns about potential smuggling activity, Customs provides a 24-hour confidential hotline at 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768), while Crimestoppers can be reached anonymously at 0800 555 111.

Forty-four community organisations within Hibiscus and Bays have been awarded a combined total of $293,855.81, courtesy of the recent disbursement from the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board’s grants programme. This allocation marks the final round of funding for the current fiscal year, aimed at bolstering various community projects and endeavours.According to Alexis Poppelbaum, Chair of the Board, the grants programme serves as a vital support system for groups and organisations dedicated to fostering positive community outcomes. Poppelbaum expressed enthusiasm over the breadth and caliber of applications received during this round, highlighting the board's commitment to nurturing robust relationships with local entities to facilitate their prosperity."We are thrilled by the diversity and excellence evident in the applications this cycle," said Poppelbaum. "Our objective is to cultivate partnerships with local groups and organisations, fostering an environment where they can flourish."Poppelbaum further emphasised the board's preference for community groups that demonstrate collaborative efforts and have the capacity to attract additional funding, thereby ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience. Notably, there was an influx of applications from new groups and organisations, a development lauded by Poppelbaum, particularly when these newcomers contribute to underserved segments of the community.Among the recipients of the grants are 22 local organisations, receiving funding ranging from $651 to $10,000, primarily allocated to projects falling under the community, arts and culture, and environmental categories. Noteworthy among the environmental grants is a $10,000 allocation to Te Herenga Waka o Orewa Marae, designated for the removal of an old, derelict tugboat from the Weiti River, posing a hazard to the local ecosystem.In the community sector, the Youth In Transition Charitable Trust received $9,000 to support therapists and youth mentors in implementing The Journey Back to Awesome programme, which includes ongoing one-on-one counselling for at-risk youth. Similarly, the Whangaparāoa Community Patrol secured $9,151.82 towards the procurement and installation of a surveillance camera system, to be monitored by the NZ Police, enhancing safety measures for Hibiscus Coast residents.Additionally, the board approved nine multi-board grants, totalling $22,860, for projects spanning three or more local board areas. Youthline Auckland Charitable Trust and The Garden to Table Trust were among the recipients, receiving support for volunteer supervision and the continuation of the Garden to Table Food Education Programme, respectively.Furthermore, several grants, amounting to $188,026.08, were earmarked for facilities-related initiatives, with allocations ranging from $2,000 to $30,000. Beneficiaries included prominent entities such as the Centrestage Theatre Company, Browns Bay Racquets Club, Ōrewa Surf Life Saving Club, Mairangi Bay Surf Lifesaving Club, and the HBC Youth Centre, among others.These grants reflect the board's dedication to fostering community growth and development, with a focus on diverse and impactful initiatives that align with the local board plan's objectives. Through strategic funding allocations, the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board continues to empower and support its communities in achieving their collective goals.

Entrepreneurship, often hailed as a pathway to flexibility and work-life balance, has proven to be a challenging road for many female founders. A recent study by Dr Janine Swail of the University of Auckland and Dr Susan Marlow of the University of Nottingham reveals that gender roles and caregiving responsibilities heavily influence why women leave their businesses.The researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 16 female founders. All participants reported leaving their businesses due to personal reasons, specifically related to gendered caregiving responsibilities, rather than financial or performance issues. Many of the women cited caring for children or elderly parents as their primary reason for exiting their businesses.Dr Swail, a senior lecturer in entrepreneurship and innovation, highlights the global relevance of these findings. “Although the study participants were from the UK, the implications extend to Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond,” she says.The study reveals that while the women viewed their business exits as personal and voluntary decisions, they often felt forced to leave due to the competing demands of household and business responsibilities. “The evidence presents a picture of the participants being pushed into exiting from or closing their businesses, often without the pull toward another career opportunity, such as secure employment. This undermines the so-called choice and agency that supposedly encompasses an entrepreneurial career,” says Dr Swail.Many participants described the financial and emotional penalties of using entrepreneurship as a route to flexible working and work-life balance. “Basically, I wanted to do something that was flexible. I was told that [business ownership] would be flexible. I wanted something where I wouldn’t have to work full time, but I was completely wrong about that – especially with setting up your own business. It takes over your life and just becomes another baby, I suppose,” said one interviewee.Dr Swail notes that nearly all study participants experienced strong negative emotions, including feelings of failure, immediately after exiting their businesses. “There needs to be a more nuanced view of entrepreneurship and self-employment, and people need to have difficult and realistic conversations in their households about what it takes to set up and run a business, especially when you have, or are considering, a family,” she says.The researchers argue that support organisations and government policy initiatives should avoid portraying self-employment in an overly optimistic manner. “Governments have a responsibility not to reproduce arguments that entrepreneurship is beneficial for all because it’s clear that for some women, who are at a certain point in their lives where caring responsibilities are large, there’s the potential for this route to be financially and psychologically damaging,” says Dr Swail.Additionally, Dr Swail and Dr Marlow suggest that networking sites for female entrepreneurs should provide platforms for sharing negative experiences alongside success stories. “Entrepreneurs, particularly women, need to be in relationships where they feel supported in terms of caregiving and finances. This is a conversation we don’t often have openly in start-up ecosystems,” says Dr Swail.This study calls for a broader, more realistic conversation about the challenges of entrepreneurship, particularly for women balancing business ownership with caregiving responsibilities.

Households regularly putting general rubbish into their recycling bins will have them taken away, Auckland Council warns.New recycling rules came into play in February and the council said it had been monitoring bins since then.Parul Sood, the council's general manager waste solutions, said it was not unusual to find loads contaminated with rubbish."We are actually monitoring bins at the moment to see whether people are misusing them and the main concern is gross contamination."Several items such as aerosol cans, lids and aluminium trays that could previously be recycled were no longer allowed.But the recycling loads being processed at Auckland Council's recovery facility in Onehunga showed the region's bins were contaminated with a lot more than that.Dirty nappies, old shoes and even a wire dish rack were just some of the items that were being removed from recycling at the facility.Sood said repeat offenders would be educated, then given three warnings.The final step would be to take the bin away and replace it with a clear bag for recycling."The last load, a truck that actually caught fire had a lot of electronics in it. And you think, 'well, what's that to do with recycling?' So we just need to remember it's for packaging type only, that comes out of your kitchen, laundry or your bathroom."(The recycling bin) is not meant for anything else."Workers sort the recycling at the Onehunga recovery facility. Photo: Mahvash Ikram/RNZAt the recovery facility, workers wearing gloves and masks manually sorted the recycling before it went into a large machine."When the material comes in, it gets onto a massive conveyor belt and there are people standing there that pull out gross contamination and it's quite disgusting for them to pull it out, but it does get pulled out and it goes into the rubbish pile," Sood said.Most milk bottles passing through on the conveyor belt still had their lids attached.Under the council's new recycling rules, all items less than 50mm - such as bottle caps - must be removed before going into the recycling bin.Sood said there were multiple reasons for that decision."One is because what people were doing was leaving liquid in the bottle and then putting it the lid back on."She said lids sometimes also fell into the machinery.Sood said it was best not to flatten milk bottles completely "like a piece of paper" because that caused problems in the sorting equipment.It was also fine to put the bottles into the bin without squashing them,"When it goes in the truck, it compacts it a little bit in any case. But if you are making it absolutely flat, then there's a problem to actually sort it."Machines at the facility were equipped with technology to detect and remove items that were not allowed.But Sood said people must be careful about what they put in their recycling bins because contamination comes at a cost."The machine is not there to pick your rubbish out," she said."If (rubbish) does make into the pile you are actually getting the pile's value down ... and that will cost you and me more."She said while people were still getting used to new recycling guidelines, plenty of items that should never never be put into recycling bins still showed up."If it's a soft plastic, which means you can squish it, you can make it into a ball, that also does not go in your recycling bin because it can get entangled in the machinery."Sood said people often put their recyclables in a bag, which was also incorrect."It has to be loose."

Visitors contributed $4.5 billion to New Zealand's economy between January and March 2024, according to new data from the International Visitor Survey. This represents a 34% increase compared to the same period in 2023.Tourism New Zealand General Manager International, Angela Blair, highlighted the positive impact of the tourism sector, noting, “It’s great to see visitors contributing so strongly to our economy in the first three months of the year. The spend figures are in line with a positive summer season reported by industry.”Blair also emphasised the organisation’s focus on promoting off-peak tourism to ensure sustainable growth. “We’ve set an ambitious target of growing international tourism by $5 billion over the next four years, with 70% ($3.5 billion) of that coming from visitors in the off-peak. We look forward to working in partnership with industry to achieve this,” she said.The survey revealed that the top three markets by spend between January and March 2024 were Australia ($558 million), China ($490 million), and the USA ($471 million). Notably, visitors from the USA had the highest daily expenditure at $349 per day.New Zealand’s scenic landscapes and natural attractions remain the primary draw for tourists, with 76% of holiday visitors motivated by the country’s scenery. Additionally, 84% of holiday visitors engaged in walking, trekking, or tramping, and 75% visited natural attractions such as lakes, rivers, or forests.There was also a notable increase in regional tourism, with 40% of holiday visitors exploring four or more regions, a 13% rise from the previous quarter. “It’s encouraging to see visitors are experiencing more regions during their visit, helping to spread their economic contribution across the country and supporting multiple communities,” Blair remarked.The survey further indicated a strong interest in Māori culture, with 90.6% of visitors reporting an improved understanding of Māori traditions after their visit. Satisfaction levels were high, with 95.8% of visitors stating that New Zealand met or exceeded their expectations.Blair concluded, “It’s wonderful to see destination New Zealand is providing an exceptional experience for visitors, and that’s a real credit to the industry.”

The Government has announced plans to lift the ban on oil and gas exploration outside onshore Taranaki, part of a broader strategy to address New Zealand’s energy security challenges. This decision is part of a series of proposed amendments to the Crown Minerals Act, Resources Minister Shane Jones revealed.Jones highlighted the importance of natural gas in maintaining the country’s electricity supply and economic stability, especially during periods of peak demand and when renewable sources like wind, solar, and hydro fall short. “Natural gas is critical to keeping our lights on and our economy running,” he said.The previous government’s 2018 ban on exploration, Jones noted, not only halted the discovery of new sources but also led to a decline in investment for further development of existing gas fields. “Without this investment, we are now in a situation where our annual natural gas production is expected to peak this year and undergo a sustained decline, meaning we have a security of supply issue barrelling towards us,” Jones explained.To rebuild investor confidence in New Zealand’s petroleum sector, the Coalition Government is proposing further legislative changes. These amendments aim to make New Zealand an attractive destination for international investment. The changes, agreed upon by the New Zealand First and Act coalition agreements with the National Party, include modifications to the way petroleum exploration applications are tendered and allocated, aligning the petroleum decommissioning regime with international best practices, and enhancing regulatory efficiency.Resources Minister Shane Jones Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone“Our job as the Government is to provide the right policy settings to enable the sector to get to work, and that’s exactly what we are aiming to achieve through these amendments,” Jones stated. He acknowledged that some current policies are barriers to attracting investment due to their costliness and complexity. “Some obligations lack necessary flexibility, and compliance obligations are uncertain and unclear,” he added.The proposed changes also reflect the significant economic contributions of the petroleum and resources sector. According to Jones, the sector contributed $1.9 billion to GDP in 2020-21 and generated $236 million in Crown revenue in 2022-23. Additionally, mining employed around 6,000 people in 2023, predominantly in regional communities.Jones emphasised the need for a thoughtful discussion on the use of natural resources to enhance energy security and affordability, stimulate regional economic development, and increase New Zealand’s self-sufficiency in the face of volatile international markets. “I want a considered discussion about how we use our natural resources to improve the security and affordability of energy and resources supplies,” he said.The Crown Minerals Amendment Bill, set to be introduced to Parliament in the second half of 2024, represents the latest legislative effort by the Government to reduce red tape and enable crucial resources and infrastructure projects across New Zealand, with anticipated benefits for local communities.

Auckland's Blues are set to face off against the ACT Brumbies in the Super Rugby semi-finals at Eden Park this Friday at 7:05 p.m.The Blues have had a remarkable season, and fans are eager to see them advance to the final.However, the team will be without their captain, Patrick Tuipulotu, who suffered a knee injury in their quarter-final win over the Fijian Drua.Tuipulotu's injury has left him sidelined for up to seven weeks, not only ruling him out of the Super Rugby season but also the start of the All Blacks' campaign.Despite the setback, the Blues are expected to put on a strong show, with flanker Dalton Papalii likely to captain the team in Tuipulotu's absence.The semi-final match is expected to draw a large and enthusiastic crowd to Eden Park, creating an electric atmosphere for the players.

Work is underway to create Auckland's own investment fund, called the Auckland Future Fund.The move is part of Auckland's 10-year budget and will "swap" its shares in Auckland Airport for less risky investments.What is the Auckland Future Fund?Last month, Auckland Council voted to go ahead with Mayor Wayne Brown's long-term plan (LTP) budget to create the fund, if policies were in place to keep income with Auckland communities.The Auckland Future Fund (AFF) lets Auckland Council "swap" [ Auckland Airport shares] for smaller investments in different areas, according to the draft local policy for the fund.The draft policy states it will bring in more income without any rates rises for residents."The AFF enabled council to 'swap' a single asset for a diversified asset portfolio that provides a higher and steadier expected rate of return, and which is expected to be more resilient to shocks that impact council's other assets."It states the fund contains Auckland Council's shareholding in Auckland International Airport Limited, any additional funds from council and any investment returns.Auckland Council group treasurer John Bishop told Local Democracy Reporting the fund will diversify Auckland's major investments across different sectors and geographic areas "to better protect value for future generations".What is going into the fund?The initial investment in the fund will be Auckland Council's remaining 11 percent stake in Auckland Airport, a decision that was criticised by South Auckland representatives who wanted to keep some ownership of their locality's biggest asset.On whether all of Auckland International Airport Ltd (AIAL) shares will be sold, Bishop said the decision will be up to the fund manager once the fund was set up, but that "it is almost certain most remaining AIAL shares will be sold"."Proceeds from AIAL shares will provide initial capital for the Auckland Future Fund," he said.At last month's LTP debate, Manukau councillor Alf Filipaina asked if Auckland Council could decide on other investments to put in the fund before it was created.Mayor Brown replied that airport shares were the only obvious investment."We asked over the last 120 hours what we could put in, and the only thing that's obvious to put in is the airport shares," Brown said to Filipaina.Brown said there was no guarantee of airport shares making a profit.Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown makes an announcement on the future of the Ports of Auckland on 7 May, 2024.The Auckland Future Fund is part of Mayor Wayne Brown's long-term plan (LTP) budget. Photo: RNZ / Marika KhabaziHow much money will it make?Bishop said the fund was expected to add about $40 million to Auckland Council's revenue between 2025 and 2026, over and above the $26m return that was estimated from Auckland International Airport dividends.Aucklanders should start to see extra revenue from 1 January next year, according to Auckland's 10-year budget.Do we know who will manage the fund?"Not as yet," Bishop said. "There will be a competitive market process to secure a professional fund manager."What will it cost to start the fund?Last year, Auckland Council sold 7 percent of its stake in Auckland Airport, which cost about $3m according to Bishop.He said any costs would depend on when the fund manager sells the airport shares and the fees they negotiate for the sale.The long-term plan, including the decision to start the future fund, will be formally adopted by the Governing Body on 27 June.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

A new ministerial directive aims to streamline the consent processing times under the Overseas Investment Act, making it easier for foreign investors to bring capital into New Zealand. Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced the changes in a bid to bolster the country's economy by reducing bureaucratic delays.“New Zealand is currently rated as having the most restrictive foreign direct investment policy out of the OECD countries in the OECD Foreign Direct Investment Regulatory Restrictiveness Index,” said Seymour. “Processing times are currently too long, and this poses a barrier for investors. Budget 2024 started to get wasteful spending under control, but in order to have a strong growing economy New Zealand needs to be more welcoming to investment.”The directive, issued to Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), sets an expectation that 80 percent of consent applications will be processed in half the statutory timeframes. LINZ will still have the full statutory timeframe to handle the remaining 20 percent of applications, which are typically more complex or higher-risk.“Decisions on consent applications under the general benefit test take 89 days on average,” Seymour explained. “This creates uncertainty and impacts the attractiveness of investing in New Zealand. This affects New Zealand businesses that rely on overseas investment for capital or for liquidity. With the new directive letter, we’re making things faster and removing bureaucracy.”To achieve these targets, LINZ will adopt a risk-based approach to verifying information and streamlining processes. This approach acknowledges that the majority of consent applications are low-risk and should be processed more efficiently.“We’re introducing a principle that we welcome investment. In order for New Zealand to retain world-class public services, New Zealand needs to be the preferred destination for ideas, investment, and talent. Reduced barriers to investment from people and businesses means greater prosperity for Kiwis. If we want world-leading businesses and public services, we need the money to pay for them. Today’s announcement is part of making this happen,” said Seymour.The directive also aims to eliminate redundancy in the application assessment process. Matters already covered by other domestic regulations, such as competition concerns assessed by the Commerce Commission, will no longer be re-evaluated by LINZ.“These changes also bring balance to how applications are assessed by removing duplication across different parts of government. There’s no reason for LINZ to be assessing matters already covered by other domestic regulation, such as whether mergers will decrease competition, which is already assessed by the Commerce Commission,” Seymour noted.The new directive letter replaces the previous government's 12-page directive issued in November 2021, simplifying it down to five pages. “We’re getting out of the way,” Seymour emphasised.Effective immediately, all applications assessed by LINZ will be subject to the updated directive letter. Additionally, the Overseas Investment Regulations 2005 will be updated to include a new reporting requirement on the extent to which LINZ meets the new timeframe objectives.The directive letter is part of a three-part process to better enable overseas investment. Fewer decisions will be made by ministers, although high-risk decisions, including all national interest and national security transactions, will still require ministerial approval. The final step will involve rewriting the Overseas Investment Act to further streamline and enhance the investment process.With these changes, the government aims to create a more welcoming environment for foreign investors, thereby fostering economic growth and enhancing the quality of public services in New Zealand.