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Food Prices Surge Again: Dairy Costs Soar
Food Prices Surge Again: Dairy Costs Soar

17 May 2025, 1:31 AM

Food prices rose 3.7% in the 12 months to April 2025, up from 3.5% in March, according to Stats NZ.Grocery items, especially dairy, and non-alcoholic beverages saw the biggest jumps.Dairy prices surged, with butter up a staggering 65.3%, while milk rose 15.1% and cheese 24%.A 500g block of butter now costs an average of $7.42, nearly $3 more than last year.Nicola Growden, Stats NZ's prices spokesperson, highlighted the impact.“Price increases were widespread, with all five food groups recording an increase,” she said.Notably, the fruit and vegetables group saw its first price rise since January 2024, climbing 0.2%.Non-alcoholic beverages were also hit, driven by a 21.3% jump in instant coffee prices.A 100g jar now costs an average of $8.21, up $1.44 from a year ago.Tips to Beat Rising Food CostsAs grocery bills climb, Coasties can take a few steps to save money:Shop Smart: Switch to store brands or look for discounts on bulk items.Focus on Seasonal Produce: Buy fruits and vegetables that are in-season for better prices.Save on Dairy: When butter is on special, buy in bulk and freeze it. Properly wrapped, frozen butter can last up to 9 months without losing quality.Cut Coffee Costs: Try cheaper coffee brands, buy larger packs, or brew at home.Use Price Tracking Apps: Tools like Grocer NZ can help you find the best deals.These simple changes can help Coast households manage the impact of rising food prices.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Workplace Mental Health Neglect Hurts Coasties
Workplace Mental Health Neglect Hurts Coasties

16 May 2025, 11:46 PM

Mental health in the workplace is too often an afterthought, but neglecting it can have lasting consequences.EMA Health and Safety Facilitator Peter Simunovich is warning businesses that treating mental health as a “nice to have” rather than a necessity is leading to a dangerous trend—slow harm.Simunovich highlights that slow harm is the gradual, often unnoticed decline in employee wellbeing.It shows up as chronic stress, burnout, and even physical illness over time.“Mental health decline doesn't usually happen in dramatic moments. It’s the accumulation of minor changes—like feeling a bit more exhausted, a little more irritable, or losing motivation,” he explained.The Covid-19 pandemic initially brought mental health to the forefront, with many companies adopting support systems.But as the urgency has faded, so too has the focus on employee wellbeing.Simunovich warns this is a mistake. “We are wired not to notice slow harm immediately. By the time we recognise it, the damage is often done.”For Coasties, this message is a timely reminder that maintaining good mental health isn’t just a personal responsibility—it’s a workplace priority.Simunovich’s work with EMA includes training employees to identify signs of slow harm and practical techniques to prevent it, like mental redirection and structured visualisation.He emphasises that businesses need more than basic mental health first aid.A true commitment means building a culture where mental health is prioritised, and early signs of deterioration are addressed before they become crises.Simunovich’s advice is clear: local businesses must treat mental health as an essential aspect of health and safety, just like any physical hazard.Without it, slow harm will continue to impact employee performance, engagement, and overall wellbeing.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

New site found for North Shore recycling plant destroyed by fire
New site found for North Shore recycling plant destroyed by fire

16 May 2025, 9:14 PM

The recycling centre that burnt down on Auckland's North Shore last month has found a new site to accommodate staff.The Abilities Recycling plant caught fire, burning to the ground and destroying critical equipment.The organisation employs almost 120 employees with disabilities.A smaller site has been found in Wairau Valley, which will continue the organisation's recycling work.It intends setting up another Wairau Valley site for E-waste and will be announcing drop-off details shortly.Abilities managing director Peter Fraher said it was likely to take two years before they were fully operational once again."To replicate what Abilities had before, which was a totally integrated site, is, in the short term, almost impossible," he said."So we're looking at taking it step by step, our first priority is to look after our staff with disabilities."Fraher said they had not defined just how many staff would be able to work at the new site, but they were looking at rostering."We hope that a good percentage of our people with disabilities can be accommodated at this location, which is still in the Wairau Valley and close to their normal commute."The support the organisation has had from the community since the fire has been overwhelming and uplifting, Fraher said."When I get out of bed in the morning, and I think 'we've got a big road ahead', I just think of all the support we've had and it just uplifts me, and it uplifts all our team," he said."It's just been amazing, the New Zealand community, it's alive and well, and we want to thank everybody, just from my heart, from the support we've had, it's just unbelievable."Fraher said there was still more work to do."Our current planning is that it's a two year project, and we have that ultimate goal, but like any journey it's a step at a time, and we're working very hard to do it as soon as possible but we also have to be practical," he said."To accommodate 120 people with disabilities, and hopefully more, it's a big task and it's got to be done safely, so it's not going to happen overnight."

Blues Star Caleb Clarke Returns for Local Clash
Blues Star Caleb Clarke Returns for Local Clash

16 May 2025, 4:00 AM

Blues winger Caleb Clarke is set to make his much-anticipated return from injury in Saturday night's Super Rugby clash against Moana Pasifika at North Harbour Stadium.After missing four games with a thigh injury, Clarke will take his spot on the left wing, while AJ Lam shifts to the right.For Coasties, this is a prime chance to see some of the country’s top rugby talent right on their doorstep.In a further boost for the Blues' lineup, Angus Ta’avao returns to start at tighthead prop, Josh Beehre steps into the second row, and Adrian Choat fills in at blindside flanker, replacing Anton Segner, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury.Blues head coach Vern Cotter is focused on maintaining the team’s momentum.“This is another big match for us. We need to be clinical as a group and lift our physicality and intensity,” Cotter said.“We’ve built some good momentum in recent weeks, and this is another step forward as we focus on continually improving our game.”Starting XV:Joshua Fusitu’a (33 caps)Ricky Riccitelli (47 caps)Angus Ta’avao (78 caps)Patrick Tuipulotu (Captain) (120 caps)Josh Beehre (23 caps)Adrian Choat (51 caps)Dalton Papali’i (93 caps)Hoskins Sotutu (74 caps)Taufa Funaki (32 caps)Beauden Barrett (40 caps)Caleb Clarke (71 caps)Xavi Taele (4 caps)Rieko Ioane (124 caps)AJ Lam (54 caps)Corey Evans (25 caps)Reserves:Kurt Eklund (71 caps)Mason Tupaea (7 caps)Marcel Renata (62 caps)Laghlan McWhannell (19 caps)Cam Christie (7 caps)Finlay Christie (64 caps)Harry Plummer (85 caps)Cole Forbes (26 caps)Injury Updates:Anton Segner (shoulder)Stephen Perofeta (leg)Reon Paul (shoulder)Cam Suafoa (medical)Ofa Tu’ungafasi (neck, season)Sam Darry (shoulder, season)For Coasties, this is more than just a game—it's a chance to watch world-class players like Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, and the returning Clarke light up North Harbour Stadium.Don’t miss it.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

NZ Broadcasters Go Digital
NZ Broadcasters Go Digital

16 May 2025, 12:00 AM

If you love flicking on the car radio or catching the nightly news on TV, here’s something to keep an eye on. The BBC in England has announced it’s preparing to ditch traditional television and radio broadcasts entirely—going online-only within the next decade. And here in New Zealand, our broadcasters seem to be following a similar path.We’ve already seen it with iHeart Country New Zealand, which just launched this month. It’s a new station with a fresh country music mix, but there’s a twist—no live presenters, just pre-programmed music. And Gold FM? It’s moved entirely online.It’s not just radio either. TVNZ has its "TVNZ+" digital platform, Sky’s expanding its streaming, and Discovery NZ is pouring resources into on-demand shows. Even your favourite local stations might soon be app-only.There’s a deadline too. All AM and FM radio licences in New Zealand expire in 2031, along with digital television licences. Unless the government extends them, this could be the final chapter for traditional broadcasts.For Coasties, that means your drive-time radio could become an app, and the six o’clock news might be something you stream whenever you want. Sure, it’s more convenient—watch or listen on your terms—but it’s a big change from the old way.So, if you love the comfort of a familiar voice on the radio or catching the nightly news on the telly, the move to streaming and on-demand might feel like the end of an era.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Luxury Rentals Surge as Wealthy Seek NZ Visas
Luxury Rentals Surge as Wealthy Seek NZ Visas

15 May 2025, 9:00 PM

Coasties might notice a new trend in the luxury property market—high-end rentals are soaring, thanks to wealthy North American investors. These well-heeled visitors, particularly from the United States and Canada, are driving demand for multimillion-dollar homes while waiting for clarity around New Zealand’s investor visa rules.Local real estate expert Caleb Paterson, who specialises in high-value properties, says these clients are willing to pay $20,000 to $30,000 a week for premium rentals—homes they may eventually buy if visa pathways open.“It’s a ‘try-before-you-buy’ situation for many,” Paterson explains. He adds that vendors who once wouldn’t consider renting their properties are now embracing the idea, hoping to convert tenants into buyers.While Auckland’s luxury market is slowing—properties valued at $3.5 million now take an average of 64 days to sell, up from 42 days last year—these high-net-worth renters are providing a fresh opportunity.Even on the Hibiscus Coast, where coastal homes offer a premium lifestyle, local homeowners with high-end properties may find interest from international renters, especially given the falling New Zealand dollar, which makes rentals look like a bargain to overseas clients.Paterson believes the trend will continue as visa rules remain uncertain. For local homeowners, it could be a chance to benefit from a slow market without selling.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Auckland Transport Urged to Do Better
Auckland Transport Urged to Do Better

14 May 2025, 8:29 PM

The Deputy-Auditor General is urging Auckland Transport (AT) to do better in communicating unplanned transport disruptions to the public, and to improve its processes for managing disruptions.A report published by the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) has found that AT's systems for identifying and managing disruptions are largely manual, complex, and have resulted in long delays for patrons to be informed.It takes on average 22 minutes for AT to inform patrons about unplanned disruptions after an incident occurs, according to AT's data - and in one instance in 2023, a bus operator took three hours to notify AT's operations team that it had cancelled services on a route due to weather conditions.There have also been multiple instances when children have been stranded due to school bus services not arriving on time, between 2021 and 2024, the report found.The Deputy-Auditor General Andrew McConnell acknowledged that AT manages between 67 and 144 disruptions every day - including planned ones - across its high volume of services, but he stressed that the organisation had a responsibility to provide people with clear and accurate information."Frequent disruptions can undermine public confidence in the public transport system and people's willingness to use it," McConnell said.Unplanned disruptions include bus delays, diversions due to traffic accidents, cancellations due to severe weather, breakdowns and mechanical issues.McConnell said that while AT had a mobile app accessed by 300,000 people monthly, and 970 digital displays across 15 percent of its stops, the information on these portals were not always accurate.Outdated technology and complex manual systemsThe Deputy-Auditor General highlighted AT's problematic reliance on a largely manual system and outdated technology for managing disruptions.He said this had limited AT's capacity to communicate unplanned disruptions out-of-hours, and to identify issues in a timely manner.AT has a "disruption communication system map" which consultants have described as the most complex they have ever mapped.Informing the public about an unplanned rail disruption could involve up to 20 different people across AT, KiwiRail and Auckland One Rail.The OAG has been told that only 3 percent of the actions were automated.The OAG has also been told by AT staff that sometimes they must rely on others - including operators and members of the public - to alert them to what was happening on the network.The report said the manual processes meant that AT provided limited, or sometimes no information, about unplanned disruptions that happened outside of its business hours.McConnell has given AT a number of recommendations, including reviewing the information it holds about passengers' experience to make improvements, and be more specific on how it will learn from its reviews to better manage disruptions.He said AT was aware of what it needed to improve its communications around disruptions based on its own surveys and research.McConnell acknowledged that AT had a programme underway to address these issues.

Ōrewa Library Upgrade Completed Early
Ōrewa Library Upgrade Completed Early

13 May 2025, 11:16 PM

The much-anticipated $6.3 million upgrade of the Ōrewa Library is now complete, ahead of schedule. The upgraded space at 12 Moana Avenue will open to the public on 19 May, bringing a fresh, modern hub for the community. Throughout 2024, library services continued at the Ōrewa Community Centre while the library building underwent a complete transformation.Key to the renovation is the addition of a new mezzanine floor. This new space will allow for two meeting rooms, perfect for book groups, language classes, and study sessions. "The mezzanine will offer students the ideal space to study and provide a variety of other options for community use," says Ōrewa Library Manager Carolyn Hickey.Designed with local culture in mind, the building’s entry panel, Te Kete Mātauranga, created by local iwi artist Hokimai Rosieur, reflects Māori concepts of learning. The modern library will also feature natural wood finishes and a coastal-inspired blue-grey colour scheme, with energy-efficient upgrades like double glazing and solar-powered energy generation.With more space for reading, relaxing, and working, the library is set to support more than 235,000 visitors annually. Local community groups are invited to explore the new library, which includes a children’s area, updated collections, and a lift for accessibility.A Family Fun Day is set for Saturday, 28 June, to mark the official opening. With activities for all ages, including bouncy castles, ice cream, and a sausage sizzle, it's the perfect opportunity for locals to enjoy the new space.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Social media restrictions will need to be policed by government
Social media restrictions will need to be policed by government

13 May 2025, 3:00 AM

The government needs to take the lead on implementing any age verification processes in its proposal to restrict social media use for under-16s, rather than relying on social media platforms to do the policing, an information systems expert says.National MP Catherine Wedd's member's Bill would - if passed into law - require social media platforms to verify that users are aged 16 or over.Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced on Sunday that the government will look into a ban as part of its work programme.University of Auckland lecturer Shohil Kishore, whose research focuses on social media, said the proposed ban was a step in the right direction, but would meet obstacles in its implementation.He said social media platforms generated huge revenues from advertising - including advertising to children - and would be reluctant to devote resources to enforcing the rules."I don't think they're going to like doing this, it will just be extra work for them, but it is really important for us as a country to think about how we can regulate technology to best serve us," he said.Kishore said it would also be unsafe, from a data privacy perspective, for social media companies to be tasked with age verification processes.He said the safest way would be for the age verification to be done through a government service, such as the Realme service which was already being used.Kishore said the cost of implementation needed to be part of the government's discussions around this proposal.He expected that this would be a significant cost.Social media platforms also needed to step up to their moral responsibilities, he said."This lack of accountability that we currently have is completely unfair for kids, it puts them at risk of sexual exploitation, cyber bullying and exposure to a lot of harmful content , so they [companies] have to be accountable, we have to make sure these platforms are accountable," said Kishore.Kishore said he hoped that the government will also consider other factors, and bring social media platforms, parents and schools into the conversation.He said parents often lacked awareness about the kind of content children were exposed to - such as "confession pages" set up by students, where children were posting anonymously and engaging in cyber bullying.Another aspect to consider was the definition of social media, and whether online interactive games such as Roblox would be included in the definition, he said.National MP Catherine Wedd's member's Bill would - if passed into law - require social media platforms to verify that users are aged 16 or over. Photo: RNZ / Samuel RillstoneWedd's bill does not currently have the formal backing of the coalition government - meaning that if it is randomly drawn from the current crop of members' bills, it would then be debated in Parliament, before all MPs would vote on its future. However, the members' bill does have the backing of the prime minister - who has earlier said he wanted the government to explore possibly backing it into law quicker.ACT opposed the ban, preventing National from pushing ahead with a government bill.ACT leader David Seymour said he was concerned about social media's effect on children, but wanted a public inquiry to explore options.Seymour is backing the new plan to set up a policy advisory group, however, he told Morning Report Luxon's optimism may have got ahead of him in saying ACT had shifted its position on a social media ban for under 16s."Maybe he's letting the sunny optimism get a bit ahead of him but we reserve the right to speak for our own position, and, if anything, in the last week the rest of politics has come towards ACT's position," Seymour said."... We can't do an immediate bill, there's got to be more investigation into what's happening on social media."Seymour said we need to "stop, collaborate and listen".

Kiwi Kids Once Led the World in Reading
Kiwi Kids Once Led the World in Reading

13 May 2025, 12:31 AM

There is a well-known whakatauki (Māori proverb) that goes: “Ka mua, ka muri” – “walking backwards into the future”.It applies to many areas of life, but in education the idea of looking to the past to inform our way forward seems more relevant than ever.New Zealand was once a world leader in reading.In the early 1970s, as leading literacy educationalist Warwick Elley reminds us, Kiwi teenagers performed best of all countries participating in the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement.New Zealand students remained good readers throughout the 1990s, earning the top results for reading out of 32 participating countries in the first Programme for International Student Assessment survey in 2000.Overall, New Zealand children are still above average. But while many children learn to read successfully, significant numbers do not.And concern about reading capability has led to a recent curriculum overhaul.The reforms focus on raising reading standards and regular testing.But the lessons of the past suggest we performed better with less focus on raising test scores.In fact, it was a more flexible, balanced approach to English education that provided a strong foundation for literacy.Some clues to why this was possible can be found in the 1953 Primary School Reading Syllabus from the old Department of Education.It was among the first of many research-based reading initiatives in the mid-20th century, along with Ready to Read books in the 1960s, and the Reading Recovery program developed by Marie Clay in the 1970s.Given New Zealand was a conservative postwar society that was yet to grapple meaningfully with colonial history and Treaty rights, the document is surprisingly less rigid than one might expect.In fact, it is largely compatible with contemporary ideas about teaching and learning.In some areas, the 1953 syllabus seems more progressive than the current curriculum, with clear views on inclusiveness and designing teaching to meet individual needs.Ironically, many of today’s parents and grandparents – some of whom support a “back to basics” school system – were educated using this flexible and purpose-driven approach.New Zealand in 1953According to the New Zealand Official Yearbook for 1953, the country was enjoying postwar prosperity with 72% of its exports going to other Commonwealth countries.England was still the “mother country” and the young Queen Elizabeth’s post-coronation visit – also in 1953 – fuelled intense royal fervour.Edmund Hillary conquered Everest, and a highly publicised air race from London to Christchurch helped popularise plane travel.Society was far more egalitarian.In a population of just over two million, only 15 people received an unemployment benefit (there were a variety of other welfare payments such as war pensions).At the same time, New Zealand did not view itself as bicultural in the way it does today.For many Pākehā, Māori culture was little more than a curiosity or a tourist attraction.School was already compulsory from ages seven to 15, and roughly 17% of the population were enrolled in primary schools.These were the children taught to read according to the 1953 syllabus.A brief A5-sized booklet of just 13 pages, it recognises reading as a central component of a rich and full life – and that it can be used for “useful, harmless or nefarious” purposes.Competing with other temptations such as “the exploits of Superman and Mighty Mouse”, as well as cinema and radio, is one of its concerns.But its main aim is to “teach the child to read […] in ways that will encourage him (sic) to use his skill freely and naturally”.Postwar prosperity and a royal tour too: schoolchildren wave Union Jack flags at the Duke of Edinburgh during in early 1954. Getty ImagesAvoiding a standardised approachThe syllabus outlines ideal components of a classroom reading programme: reading to self (silently) and peers (aloud), listening to story and verse, participating in dramatisation, word study and study skills.Word study should include learning about phonics.But the syllabus tempers this with the advice that “there can be no doubt that too early a preoccupation with phonics may serve to kill interest in reading”.This might have been written today by those concerned that structured approaches to literacy will crowd out other important parts of early reading education.The 1953 syllabus says reading material should encompass fiction (including local authors), non-fiction, plays and poetry.While competent reading by all is the goal, the syllabus also states: “A uniform standard of achievement […] is a mistaken aim.”This recognition of variable individual capability is something critics say is missing from today’s curriculum.Expectations are set for each year at school, with teachers strongly encouraged to teach to the year level.The fear is that some students will fall behind as their class moves on, while progress for others will be restricted if they are ahead of those expectations.The 1953 syllabus cautions that the “results of standardised tests should be weighed against the teacher’s own observation […] and modified accordingly”.Encouraging teacher autonomyBy comparison, the new English curriculum is long at 108 pages, complex and prescriptive.It includes a range of aims clustered under the headings “Understand”, “Know” and “Do”.The first encompasses five big ideas learners are expected to develop during their schooling.The second covers the knowledge required in English to become literate.The third outlines the practical steps learners will take in the different phases of their schooling.To be fair, the new curriculum aims to make all children feel good about reading.It encourages using different kinds of texts, focuses on assessment activities that build on one another, and supports teachers to adapt for student differences.And, given its contemporary context, there is an awareness of the important role of culture and the unique place of Māori in New Zealand that is entirely missing in the 1953 document.But the new curriculum also contains directives the 1953 syllabus warned teachers against – namely a preoccupation with teaching phonics, and teaching linked to prescriptive progress measurement and outcomes.Although brief, the 1953 document is arguably broader in scope and requires teachers to have greater skills.A strength of the old syllabus is that it encouraged teacher professionalism, autonomy and judgement in deciding the best next steps for each learner.Overall, the 2025 curriculum seems the more constrictive document.The 1953 syllabus presents a view of reading that prioritises the human experience – reading as an aesthetic experience as well as a practical skill.Authors:Ruth Boyask - Director of LitPlus, AUT School of Education, Auckland University of Technology and John Milne - Senior Lecturer in Education, Auckland University of Technology

Government’s Tougher Action on Boy Racers
Government’s Tougher Action on Boy Racers

12 May 2025, 9:15 PM

The Government is stepping up its efforts to tackle anti-social driving, including boy racers and fleeing drivers, with new tougher penalties.Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Police Minister Mark Mitchell announced the proposed measures, which include vehicle forfeiture or destruction for repeat offenders, and stricter fines for noise and illegal vehicle gatherings.For Hibiscus Coast residents, these measures could have a significant impact on reducing dangerous driving behaviour seen in some local hotspots.Police are increasingly dealing with anti-social driving events, particularly on rural roads and in more remote areas of the Coast, where street racing and noisy vehicle gatherings are becoming more common.With these tougher penalties, authorities will be better equipped to curb these behaviours and create safer conditions for our local communities.Key highlights of the plan include:Stronger penalties for those who flee from police, engage in street racing, or participate in intimidating convoys, including mandatory vehicle destruction or forfeiture.More powers for the police to manage illegal gatherings, such as closing off roads or public areas and issuing fines.Noise fines for making excessive noise from a vehicle will increase, from $50 to $300.The new laws, set to be introduced in mid-2025, will make it clear that there will be serious consequences for reckless and dangerous driving behaviours.Bishop and Mitchell say Kiwis are fed up with the danger and disruption caused by these drivers, and it’s time to take decisive action.This comes as police have reported an increase in such anti-social driving behaviours, with many offenders showing no regard for the safety of others.The measures aim to ensure that those who put others at risk face consequences that will deter future offences.The Government has committed to stronger action to protect communities, with the new penalties sending a clear message to boy racers and fleeing drivers across the country, including those causing trouble on the Hibiscus Coast.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

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