Coasties who love both travel and wine are in for a treat. Air New Zealand is set to launch its own wine label, Thirteen Forty Five, a tribute to its historic first flight from Auckland to Sydney in 1940. The new label will be available exclusively to Air New Zealand customers, with a special focus on celebrating New Zealand’s rich winemaking heritage.The name Thirteen Forty Five pays homage to the original trans-Tasman flight distance of 1,345 miles, first navigated by Air New Zealand’s predecessor, Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL). This inaugural flight paved the way for a new era in travel, connecting New Zealanders to Australia and, eventually, to destinations worldwide.In collaboration with the renowned Marlborough-based winemaker Villa Maria, Thirteen Forty Five will feature a sauvignon blanc and a pinot noir. According to Air New Zealand, both wines have been expertly crafted with altitude in mind, ensuring a rich flavour profile for travellers to enjoy at 30,000 feet. Kylie McGillivray-Brown, General Manager for Customer Experience, describes it as a thoughtful process: “This wasn’t about simply putting our label on a bottle. We’ve worked closely with Indevin’s expert winemakers to craft these unique blends, providing an exclusive experience for our customers.”Beginning in March, the wines will be offered in Premium Economy and Air New Zealand lounges, as well as on the Airpoints Store. For a limited time, guests on select domestic flights will also be able to enjoy Thirteen Forty Five during the airline’s Koru Hour.

Sneezing? Runny nose?Those symptoms are typically the same whether you are in the throes of seasonal allergies or in a battle against a viral infection.Allergies are not contagious unlike a viral illness, which is contagious, making it hard to determine when to isolate from others to avoid spreading the infection. So, how do you know when it's time to pop an antihistamine and soldier on to work or school, or raise a white flag and take a much-needed sick day?It can be hard to tell."Both of them involve your immune symptoms being activated," says Michael Baker, a professor of public health at the University of Otago who influential in New Zealand's Covid response. "Certainly with a viral infection, a lot of the symptoms are from the immune response, not the infection."Professor Michael Baker Photo: Luke Pilkinton-ChingWhether it's allergies or sickness, your white blood cells and certain molecules are being called up for service. Here's how to tell what the heck is going on in your body:Look for patternsYear after year, "people would get familiar with the difference," says Baker.Pay attention to the time of year and what potential triggers might be - like pollen, animal, household dust from dust-mites, he said.A family history of allergies is also a place to look, advised Dr Luke Bradford, a GP in Tauranga."If a family is full of hay-fever and asthma and eczema, the chances are the kid is going to have it. There will be a link that a child in that family is going to have some kind of allergy.""Similarly, if your mum's had a nasty bug and felt horrible last week, then families are likely to get [the bug] the next week."Test it with an antihistamine"Taking an antihistamine is a really good attempt because normally within half an hour, you'll know if it's making you feel better," says Bradford.Dr Luke Bradford. Photo: suppliedYou can get a basic antihistamine over the counter from your pharmacy. Doctors can provide prescriptions for stronger stuff.People do tend to get used to whatever antihistamine they are taking regularly so Bradford advises patients to mix it up every six months.Pay a visit to your pharmacist or doctor - if you can get an appointment.Do you feel unwell?This might seem a little obvious, but a viral infection will likely have you feeling tired, lethargic and kinda yuck, says Bradford."Those people tend to feel ill and often it will come with a cough, fever, achy muscles."That's not to say allergies can't be debilitating. When they are severe, allergies can cause a drop in productivity or leave you feeling so crappy that you do take a sick day.Snot colour and consistencyWhat a lovely subject.If your snot is yellow and thick, it is more likely to be a viral infection so consider staying home from work, Bradford says."Whereas hay fever mucus is classically clear and watery."Recently moved?I had very little to do with seasonal allergies before I moved to New Zealand five years ago. Now, I find myself waylaid for weeks during Spring and Autumn pondering the question this article is answering. Turns out it's a thing.Moving cities, regions and countries can trigger new allergies or dial up the severity of existing seasonal allergies, explains Bradford."We get heaps of people coming to the Bay of Plenty having never had hay fever and suddenly you're like 'Oh my goodness.'""That's one of the lovely things about travel, isn't it? You go and you see different plants... but people won't have had huge levels of exposure to a certain type of pollen or grass..."A new job can mean exposure to different amounts of dust or different allergens, bringing on an immune response. The number of allergens in the air can change from year to year, making your immune symptom response more intense.What to do?If you think you've got allergies, chat with your pharmacist and then your doctor on what you can take to relieve the symptoms.Resting, drinking lots of fluids, simple painkillers and a decongestant if necessary is the frontline response for a viral infection. This is what sick days are for, if you're lucky enough to have them. Antibiotics won't help unless you can't kick a chest or sinus infection.

Coasties may be interested to know Auckland recently took steps to strengthen its position as a leading destination for business events, with an eye toward economic growth and collaboration. The two-day forum, “Unleashing the Potential of Business Events,” took place at Auckland’s Aotea Centre from 4-5 November and welcomed over 150 industry leaders and experts from both New Zealand and abroad.Organised by the Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB), a branch of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, the event brought together key players to discuss strategies for enhancing Auckland's appeal in the business events market. Among the major talking points were new research insights and collaborative strategies intended to boost the city’s competitiveness on an international scale, paving the way for Auckland's economic future.Auckland Acting Mayor Desley Simpson opened the forum with remarks that highlighted Auckland’s standing as New Zealand’s top-ranked city for business events. She noted, “This forum sends a powerful message to the global business events industry that Auckland deserves its ranking...and the best meetings, incentives, conferences, events destination in Oceania.” Simpson emphasised that Auckland’s ongoing efforts to innovate and adapt keep it ahead in an increasingly competitive market.The forum comes at a time when Auckland is preparing for the launch of the New Zealand International Convention Centre in 2025, which is expected to add significant capacity to the city’s growing hotel portfolio. The city anticipates that the facility will contribute an estimated NZD $90 million annually to Auckland's economy through increased visitor activity.According to Ken Pereira, Head of Business Events at ACB, the discussions underscored the pivotal role of business events in Auckland’s economic growth. “This forum demonstrated the incredible role business events play...highlighted how business events are a catalyst to attracting diverse sectors, ultimately driving significant and lasting outcomes for our communities,” he shared.Barbara Maple, Chair of the Auckland International Business Events Advisory Group, noted that Auckland’s unique cultural offerings, reputation for safety, and focus on innovation position it well in the international events market. Maple said, “The international advisors...have massive influence in what they can bring to Auckland business events. This is a game changer for Auckland.”The event concluded with broad consensus among attendees that public-private collaboration is essential for the continued growth of Auckland’s business events sector, positioning the city to achieve strategic and sustainable economic benefits.

Kiwis can look forward to safer, more secure digital identity services, thanks to the finalisation of the Digital Identity Services Trust Framework, announced by Minister for Digitising Government, Judith Collins."New Zealanders want to be able to complete everyday tasks online and in person in a way that’s safe and secure," Collins said in a statement."The announcement paves the way for safe future digital identity services, such as a digital driver licence, bank ID or trade certification."The Trust Framework outlines the rules and regulations for accredited digital identity services, ensuring privacy and security standards are met.Collins emphasised that the framework will provide greater control for individuals, especially when it comes to sharing personal information such as names, addresses, ages, or qualifications."Currently, people often have to share sensitive information in person or through unsecured means, such as scanned physical documents," Collins explained."Accredited digital identity services will make it easier to securely share your information, protect against identity theft, and give New Zealanders greater control over their own data."Although the new framework is set to improve security, Collins assured the public that participation will be optional."No one will be required to use digital identity services, but those who choose to do so can trust that the accredited services will protect their information."The Trust Framework will come into effect on 8 November 2024.For more details, the public can visit the official government website: Trust Framework - dia.govt.nzFor further assurance, Collins highlighted that the framework does not involve a centralised database, nor does it track users or allow organisations to exchange user information.Digital credentials will remain in the hands of the user, with encryption technology ensuring privacy.

As the world digests the impacts of Donald Trump's second election victory, some people have started to ask what it might mean for New Zealand.Commentators say there are a few clear ways our economy - and household finances - could be affected.Cheaper goods (sometimes)Trump has talked about tariffs across the board on imports, but particularly on Chinese imports.While that may be a concern for our exporters - the US is the second-largest export market for New Zealand after China - New Zealand consumers could see some impacts, too.Kelly Eckhold, chief economist at Westpac, said there was still uncertainty about the extent to which Trump would follow through on some of the more "hyperbolic" things he had said."To the extent to which he gets involved with tariffs and trade restrictions, it's likely China will respond with trying to direct its manufactured experts elsewhere through the world and one place they could be directed is here. We might get some cheaper manufactured goods, such as cars."Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub said that was not something to wish for, though, because the US economy has helped offset a downturn in China for New Zealand exporters. But he said there was time for New Zealand businesses such as Fisher & Paykel Healthcare or wine and beef exporters to come up with strategies to cope with tariffs.OilEckhold said Trump had made it clear he intended to be less supportive of Ukraine."It's possible that Ukraine could be forced into some sort of ceasefire with Russia."He said that could come with a de-escalation of the significant US sanctions on Russia, which had affected its oil industry."It has been harder for oil to get to market in the last few years. If it was easier to get into the market it could put downward pressure on oil and petrol prices."Eckhold cautioned that interest rate movements could blunt some of that impact.Alongside pulling support for Ukraine, Trump has threatened in the past to leave NATO.Eaqub said WTO and NATO gave legitimacy for New Zealand to participate in global discussions. If the US did not support those organisations, it would be more difficult."But a lot of other countries will be feeling the same way New Zealand is feeling and it gives us the ability to engage with other countries with a similar philosophy."DollarEckhold said US interest rates were likely to be higher than would otherwise be the case and that would have an impact on longer-term interest rates here, and the dollar."There is a risk the New Zealand dollar is weaker than would otherwise be the case because the US dollar is likely to be stronger across the board."InflationGlobal inflation is likely to be higher than otherwise, if Trump goes ahead with policies of tax cuts and spending increases, as well as immigration cuts."A change in the mix of financial conditions would have inflation implications," Eckhold said. "One of the things we have been lucky with is the exchange rate has been pretty stable and we haven't had any imported inflation from exchange rate weakness. That could change, and instead of disinflation from imported goods there could be immolation coming through."Eaqub said more borrowing and spending in the US was likely to mean higher fixed mortgage rates in New Zealand. "Tax cuts and borrowing and spending means debt growing… because the US is kind of the global reference point for interest rates that risk-free rate goes up and it makes it more expensive for all of us. But I'd say it's at the margin - interest rates have already been increasing over the last little while as markets realised their expectations of aggressive rate cuts were overdone anyway."MarketsTrump's more expansive fiscal policy and support for US businesses is likely to boost US equity markets."People's KiwiSaver is probably going to get a nice boost at least for a while out of that," Eckhold said.Eaqub said the S&P500 did not show a clear pattern of one party being better than the other for the market."While government policy matters for the economy and financial markets, economic and business conditions matter a lot more for market performance."At KiwiSaver provider Kernel, founder Dean Anderson said there had been a surge in Trump Media and Tesla stocks, on the back of the win."But don't let FOMO (fear of missing out) take over, there will be a lot of volatility in the short term as investors are punting on emotion and speculation."Over the medium term, the question of tariffs and taxes will weigh more heavily, as US bond yields have actually continued to rise, as interest rates may need to remain higher if deficits continue to grow and inflation remains elevated."No one has a crystal ball - the best decision an investor can make is to take emotion out of the equation, keep invested based on their objectives, and let time do its thing."

Welcome to This Week’s News Recap!Catch up on the top local stories from the past week before the weekend hits.We’ve rounded up the must-know headlines so you’re fully informed about our community.Missed something or just need a quick update? We’ve got you covered.Dive into this week’s key events now!Temporary Closure for Wēiti River Bridge WorkRead moreAuckland Council Rates to Fund City GrowthRead more Stanmore Bay Chiropractic Clinic to CloseRead more Temporary Closure for Silverdale Road WorksRead moreThree Charged in Gulf Harbour HomicideRead moreStay Informed and Connected.Get all your local updates at your fingertips.From breaking news and local business finds to job listings and events—our app has it all.Don’t wait for the recap. Explore the Hibiscus Coast App now and stay ahead!

One person has been arrested following the discovery of a suspected cannabis grow house in Rothesay Bay, North Shore.Police from Waitematā executed a search warrant at a property in Rothesay Bay yesterday, uncovering more than 200 cannabis plants in various stages of growth.Acting Inspector CJ Miles of Waitematā East Police says the search came after visitors to the address reported a strong smell of cannabis emanating from the property.“A total of 208 plants were seized for destruction, and one person was arrested at the scene,” Acting Inspector Miles confirmed. "Police believe these plants are part of a larger organised crime group operating across Tāmaki Makaurau, and investigations are ongoing."Acting Inspector Miles credited community involvement and vigilant police efforts for this successful operation. “This result was a combination of great work by concerned community members and our community-based Police teams,” he said. “It’s pleasing to take this illegal drug off the streets and out of the hands of our community.”Police encourage anyone who observes suspicious behaviour to reach out online at police.govt.nz/use-105 or by calling 105. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Locals flying out of Auckland International Airport or welcoming loved ones home can now enjoy convenient, new parking options. Auckland Airport recently opened the upper levels of its new Transport Hub, offering over 2,000 covered parking spaces just steps from the International terminal, making travel more accessible and welcoming for Hibiscus Coast residents.The expanded parking facility features three tailored options to meet diverse travel needs. For short visits, the Transport Hub provides a P60 Short Stay car park on the ground floor, ideal for quick pick-ups or farewells. This area also includes seating and coffee spots for a comfortable wait. For extended gatherings, the P180 Short Stay option on the first floor allows more time to say a warm goodbye or greet returning family members inside the terminal.For those embarking on a longer trip, Premium Parking is now available on levels 2 through 4 of the Transport Hub. Designed for stays of five to seven days, this area offers the convenience of covered parking with a pre-booking option that can save travellers up to 35% on daily rates.Take a look at the new experience in this video:To celebrate the opening, Auckland Airport is offering an introductory rate of $79 for seven days for those booking online before 31 December 2024.This promotion applies to travel dates up until 31 March 2025, encouraging locals to try the new parking facility.Using cutting-edge licence plate recognition technology, the new hub allows for seamless entry and exit, with flexible payment options available both online and at pay stations.

The summer cruise season has begun, and Aucklanders can expect a bustling few months ahead. More than 100 ships are scheduled to dock at the Port of Auckland, bringing an estimated 230,000 passengers to our shores between October 1 and April 30, 2025.Last season's economic analysis revealed Auckland reaped $604.7 million in benefits and supported 4,184 jobs. This season promises to be just as prosperous, with Auckland remaining the primary port-of-call for most cruise ships. Queens Wharf and Princes Wharf will temporarily transform into passenger terminals, facilitating the safe embarkation and disembarkation of visitors.Avinash Murthy, Port of Auckland Head of Marine & Cruise Operations, notes, "Cruise passengers and crew bring a welcome economic boost to the region, supporting our visitor and tourism sector. Our central location makes it easy for passengers to explore Auckland's great restaurants, bars, shops, and attractions."Scenic Eclipse II, owned by Australian company Scenic GroupTwelve ships will make their maiden call to New Zealand, including Cunard's luxury Queen Anne and ultra-luxury Scenic Eclipse II. Disney Wonder returns for its second season in late November, offering Broadway-style entertainment and themed experiences.To minimise disruptions, the port plans to build a multi-purpose berth at Bledisloe Terminal and has extended the evening stand-down period for cruise ships in the Downtown Ferry Basin from 6.05 pm to 7.05 pm daily.

New Zealanders are living longer, and as our population continues to age and grow, the Ministry of Health is seeking input on how to create an environment that supports "active ageing."The Ministry has launched a public consultation on "Unlocking the Potential of Active Ageing," focusing on health-promoting and supportive environments that empower older people and enhance their contributions to society.Director-General of Health Dr Diana Sarfati emphasised that active ageing is crucial for maximising older people's health and participation in society."Older people are making more valuable contributions than ever, because of better health, technology changes, and societal changes."Statistics New Zealand data shows that in 2022, one in six people was aged over 65.This number is expected to increase to one in five by 2028 and potentially one in four by the 2050s.Dr Sarfati noted that this initiative is future-focused, looking ahead to the needs of Gen X and Millennials in the decades to come.The Ministry invites the public to share their views on:The topic of active ageingHealth-promoting environmentsBarriers to active ageingRisks of not supporting active ageingTo participate, visit the Ministry's online consultation platform before 5 pm on Monday, 2 December.This Long-term Insights Briefing will contribute to informed decision-making and public discussion, encouraging a proactive approach to ageing.

Families across the Hibiscus Coast may soon benefit from a wider range of home-based early childhood education (ECE) options, as the Government has announced regulatory changes aimed at easing constraints on local providers. These changes, set to take effect from 1 January 2025, are intended to make it easier for providers to operate, maintain compliance, and meet the growing demand for flexible ECE services.Associate Education Minister David Seymour shared that feedback from ECE providers highlighted excessive administrative demands. “I have heard from providers that some of the red tape around home-based ECE care is too onerous and makes them spend too much time on compliance,” Seymour stated.One of the significant changes involves educator qualification requirements. Currently, 60% of educators in home-based ECE must hold a Level 4 qualification, with the remaining 40% working toward qualifications. A planned increase to an 80% qualification threshold in 2025 has now been cancelled. Instead, the revised regulation will require all educators to be either fully qualified or enrolled in a training programme within six months of starting. Seymour noted that this flexibility will allow more educators to enter the field and support sustained growth in the sector.Funding adjustments accompany these changes. From January, all licensed home-based providers will receive a standardised quality funding rate, replacing the current system that ties funding to the number of qualified educators on staff. This shift is designed to provide consistent financial support to providers, particularly smaller services that may struggle to meet existing compliance requirements.In a further move to reduce constraints, coordinators (also known as “persons responsible”) will now be allowed to oversee more than two licensed services per month, a change that gives providers more staffing flexibility.“These changes, which I expect to be made by the end of this year, are part of our effort to reduce red tape in the early learning sector,” Seymour said, adding that the Ministry for Regulation is reviewing the ECE sector’s regulatory framework to address broader issues.

Locals on the Hibiscus Coast are learning more today about a tragic case that has shocked the Gulf Harbour community. Following an extensive eight-month investigation, Police have charged three people in connection with the death of Shulai Wang, a 70-year-old woman whose body was discovered in a black rubbish bag in the waters of Gulf Harbour on 12 March.A dedicated team of investigators, led by Acting Detective Inspector Tim Williams from Waitematā CIB, has spent hundreds of hours on the case, seeking justice for Ms. Wang and her family. The arrests took place this morning at a residence in Orewa, where a 37-year-old man, a 36-year-old woman, and a 61-year-old woman were taken into custody. All three individuals now face charges of kidnapping and manslaughter.Additionally, the 37-year-old man and 36-year-old woman have been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice and providing false immigration information, while the man also faces a charge related to the Search and Surveillance Act. All three will appear in North Shore District Court tomorrow.“This morning’s arrests are the result of thousands of hours of investigative work,” Acting Detective Inspector Williams stated, acknowledging the efforts of the investigation team, as well as support from New Zealand Customs, Immigration New Zealand, and other agencies. “The team has worked countless hours over months, piecing together who the victim was and what happened to her.”The complex investigation remains ongoing, as Police continue working alongside Chinese officials to keep Ms. Wang’s family informed. “I would like to acknowledge the team’s painstaking work in providing answers for Mrs Wang’s family,” said Williams, also thanking members of the public who came forward with information.While many questions linger, Police have indicated that they cannot provide further details now that the case is before the courts.

Looking ahead, Coasties can expect the next four days to bring the following:Friday - 8/11Afternoon showers. Breezy Northerly winds.High: 22Low: 13Saturday - 9/11Afternoon showers. Breezy North to Nor'West winds.High: 22Low: 15Sunday - 10/11Afternoon showers. Breezy North to Nor'West winds.High: 22Low: 15Monday - 11/11Showers. Fairly breezy Westerly winds.High: 20Low: 12Get real-time weather updates, tide information, wind conditions, wave forecasts, recommended swimming areas, and lots more.Anytime, anywhere – everything you need is inside the Hibiscus Coast App.

A product recall notice has been issued for the Kids Hooded Towel - NOXEN, affecting Coasties with young families. The recall is due to non-compliance with the mandatory safety standard for children's nightwear.According to the notice, the fire hazard labelling on sizes 55x100 and under is incorrectly positioned at the waist instead of the back neck of the garment. This oversight may lead to consumers being unaware of necessary precautions to prevent fire injury risk.NOXEN urges affected customers to contact them at [email protected] for instructions on obtaining and attaching an additional fire label, ensuring the product meets safety standards.Locals are advised to keep the recalled towels away from sources of heat or fire until the label is correctly applied.The recall highlights the importance of verifying product safety compliance, especially for items intended for children.For more information, affected customers can reach out to NOXEN directly at [email protected]

Coasties are set to see some changes on Millwater Parkway as Auckland Transport undertakes essential resurfacing work between Silverdale Street and The Settlement in Silverdale.The project, aimed at improving road conditions and safety, will involve temporary traffic adjustments and restricted on-street parking.The resurfacing is scheduled to begin on Friday, 8 November, and is expected to last three days, with additional days reserved until Saturday, 16 November, in case of delays.Auckland Transport will conduct the work between 7 am and 7 pm, applying chip seal surfacing to extend the road’s lifespan and maintain safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.During these hours, temporary traffic controls will be in place, including stop/go signs, lower speed limits, and traffic lights to help manage traffic flow and protect both workers and road users.Residents and visitors are advised that on-street parking along Millwater Parkway will be limited.Auckland Transport suggests parking on private property or nearby streets and following all posted parking restrictions.The project will involve a phased approach: one day prior to resurfacing, no-parking signs will be posted, and notifications left on vehicles.Once the resurfacing is completed, Auckland Transport will perform an initial sweep to clear loose chip, with a second sweep planned six weeks later to ensure the road remains smooth and safe.Auckland Transport’s team will be on-site to guide drivers, and signage will be posted to ensure a smooth flow of traffic.

Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, has extended congratulations to President-elect Donald J. Trump following his victory in the US presidential election. This gesture reaffirms the strong and enduring relationship between New Zealand and the United States.Locals on the Hibiscus Coast may be interested to know that the US is New Zealand's second-largest export destination and a significant source of global innovation and growth. Prime Minister Luxon emphasised the importance of this partnership, stating, "Our long-standing cooperation... has helped ensure our prosperity and security."In a statement, Prime Minister Luxon expressed his eagerness to develop closer relations with the incoming Trump Administration. He highlighted key areas for collaboration, including enhancing trade and economic ties and building security and resilience in the Indo-Pacific region.Mr. Luxon also acknowledged outgoing President Joe Biden, commending the vibrant relationship between the two nations during his tenure."I admire his dedication to public service and the American people," he said.The Prime Minister's congratulations and commitment to cooperation reflect the significance of the US-NZ relationship for our local community and the nation as a whole.

Coasties running small businesses could see faster payments from government clients under new rules aimed at improving cash flow and reducing administrative delays.The updated guidelines, announced by Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly and Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee, will require government agencies to adopt quicker payment timelines and switch to eInvoicing systems.Beginning 1 January 2025, around 135 government agencies will need to pay 90 per cent of domestic invoices within 10 business days.This target will increase to 95 per cent in 2026, with eInvoicing becoming mandatory for agencies managing over 2,000 invoices annually.Under this digital system, eInvoices will need to be processed within five business days.“Prompt payment is especially important for small businesses with limited cash reserves,” Bayly explained.“Government agencies are major clients for businesses across the country, from suppliers of stationery to security services, and reliable payment can be essential for meeting payroll and covering daily costs.”Economic Development Minister, Melissa LeeThe shift to eInvoicing aims to streamline processing, reducing risks tied to manual data entry and ensuring fewer delays due to human error.The government estimates productivity savings of NZD 4.4 billion over the next decade as businesses experience faster transactions and less paperwork.Economic Development Minister Lee added, “Government agencies should set the standard by embracing efficient, tech-driven solutions. With a procurement budget of NZD 51.5 billion, we can leverage these practices to support business innovation, productivity, and growth.”

Recent figures from Auckland Council’s Social and Economic Research and Evaluation Team reveal subtle economic shifts in Auckland, pointing to stabilising house prices, slowing retail sales, and consistent rental rates. This latest data provides insight for Coasties tracking regional trends and the ripple effects they may have locally.Auckland’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) saw a slight decline of 0.1% for the year ending June 2024, mirroring a 0.2% decrease across New Zealand. This dip highlights a gradual slowdown that began in mid-2023.In housing, the median sale price remained steady at $970,000 in September 2024, down 7% from last year and 36% below the 2021 peak. Sales activity has been moderate, with 20,822 homes sold in the year ending September 2024 – a 43% decrease from the high in July 2021.Rent prices in Auckland averaged $673 weekly as of August 2024, closely mirroring the prior year and aligning with stable rates across New Zealand, where the average is $575. New dwelling consents, however, have seen a decline. Auckland recorded 13,821 new housing consents in the past year, down 37% from a 2022 peak but consistent with pre-pandemic levels in early 2019. Non-residential building consents also dropped, though values remain 25% above the 2020 low point, indicating ongoing investment in commercial projects.The report also flags a notable dip in retail sales. Real retail sales in Auckland fell 3.7% over the year ending June 2024, the sharpest drop since 2009, with national figures showing a similar 4.4% decline. Coasties observing consumer trends may note that the downturn reflects broader economic challenges impacting discretionary spending.In the labour market, Auckland’s unemployment rate ticked up to 4.6% as of June 2024, aligning with lower labour force participation but still remaining below peaks seen during the 2009–2016 period.This latest economic snapshot offers a glimpse of the city’s current state, as Auckland continues to adjust following recent highs and lows across sectors.

New research from Consumer NZ shows supermarket promotions aren't always as special as they appear - and "boosts" offering higher rewards may come at a higher price.Consumer NZ conducted an eight-week survey of pricing at supermarkets in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.But researcher Belinda Castles said it found that when products were advertised as specials, it did not always mean they were the lowest price available."For instance, at Woolworths Lower Hutt, 15 of the 22 tracked products were on special four or more times, while New World Hutt City had 13 items frequently on sale. Pak'nSave Lower Hutt maintained the lowest price for our basket of goods despite fewer specials."Fresh'n Fruity yoghurt was priced as "extra-Low" at Pak'nSave Papanui for all eight weeks of Consumer NZ's survey and the price was lower than the New World club deal during that period, and two weeks of Woolworths' special.But Consumer NZ was worried the consistent "extra low" message could mislead shoppers into believing it was only for a limited time.Foodstuffs told Consumer NZ its supermarkets were individually owned and operated and could set their own prices. "Our store owners use a variety of measures to set their in-store pricing. It's not uncommon or misleading for one store's promotional pricing to be similar to another store's regular pricing."At New World Hutt City, Palmolive dishwashing liquid was marked at $2.79 as a 'super-saver'. while at Pak'nSave, it was regularly priced between $2.39 and $2.99 without any special pricing.It was on special at Woolworths for $2.50 for one week and $2.80 for three weeks.Professor of marketing analytics at Massey University Bodo Lang told Consumer NZ the excessive use of sales promotions made it harder for shoppers to know what a normal price would be."Consumers are easily manipulated in a highly complex environment like a supermarket, where there are tens of thousands of products vying for shoppers' attention.".Consumer NZ said there should be more transparency and accountability in supermarket pricing."We support the idea of everyday low pricing to enhance consumer confidence that they are getting a genuinely good price," Castles said,Consumer NZ earlier looked at the value offered by "boosted" products at Woolworths, which offer a shopper extra rewards points.But Consumer NZ's Rebecca Styles said for the three weeks she tracked her boosted offers earlier this year, she could have got the products cheaper at Pak'n Save."Of the 35 boosted products I was offered over those weeks, only one was cheaper at Woolworths than Pak'nSave."While not all of the boosted products were available at Pak'nSave, we substituted with a similar branded product. If there wasn't a suitable substitution, we left it out of the comparison."If I had bought all of the boosted products I was offered, I would have accumulated 4850 points - enough for two $15 vouchers and 850 points towards the next one."Yet those vouchers could be false economy, given I could probably have spent less on an alternative product."This week, a two-litre bottle of Anchor cream was offered as a boost with a price of $16.30, but it was on sale at Pak'nSave for $15.77.Styles said her concern with the Boost programme was that people had to choose to "boost" the products before shopping, which was an incentive to then choose that product rather than looking for a better deal.Everyday Rewards NZ director Mark Burger said boosts were a key way to earn points.He said offers were personalised to shoppers based on their prior purchases."The Everyday Rewards app is the easiest way to access Boosts, with the offers also accessible on the Everyday Rewards website."Over 200,000 Everyday Rewards members are activating their Boost offers every week and enjoying the additional rewards. Members who activate and redeem their Boosts are getting 5x more rewards vouchers than members who just scan their card, and we're hearing great feedback from our members on the programme and the added value they're receiving with Everyday Rewards."Consumer NZ last year complained to the Commerce Commission about supermarket specials, which launched an investigation. A spokesperson said it was expecting a decision this year.