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What 2026 Could Bring To The Hibiscus Coast
What 2026 Could Bring To The Hibiscus Coast

31 December 2025, 6:00 PM

Happy New Year, Coasties, what will 2026 bring to your daily routine?We asked three leading large language models, ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity, for their top five predictions for 2026 and what could affect New Zealand and the Hibiscus Coast.Here's what they say.ChatGPT1.Interest rates hold low, relief is real but muted.Why: The RBNZ cut the OCR to 2.25% on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 and says it expects inflation to ease back to about 2% in the first half of 2026. OCR stays around this level for most of 2026. Borrowers get relief, but spending does not snap back because the labour market remains soft and households prioritise rebuilding buffers. BNZ research flags the hurdle for further easing as “high” and a trough around mid-2026.Hibiscus Coast effect: Fewer forced sales, more refix breathing room, but locals remain price-sensitive in retail and hospitality.2.Auckland rates rises become a visible household and business drag.Why: Auckland Council proposed an overall rates increase of 5.8% for 2025/26. Council has signalled an overall rates rise of 7.9% for 2026/27 as previously earmarked in the LTP. 2026 is the year rates, fees, and compliance costs start changing behaviour at the margin. More households cut “optional” spending. More small businesses push price rises through or reduce service levels.Hibiscus Coast effect: Higher landlord cost pass-through risk, more pressure on small shops and service businesses, and more “value-first” consumer choices.3.Insurance affordability keeps worsening, and hazard risk starts shaping property choices.Why: NIWA notes heavier rainfall extremes and increasing rainfall intensity risk in NZ, including Auckland-focused material. Consumer NZ reports more people dropping house insurance due to cost, rising from 7% (2022) to 17% (2025). Premiums and excesses diverge more by address. Some buyers will avoid higher-risk pockets, not because they suddenly care about climate, but because banks and insurers force the issue.Hibiscus Coast effect: Coastal and flood-path areas face more pricing dispersion and harder conversations during buying, selling, and refinancing.4.Transport constraint stays, because Penlink is not a 2026 fix.Why: NZTA says Penlink is scheduled to fully open in 2028, with delays meaning it will open as one completed corridor. 2026 remains a “same roads, more demand” year. Commute unreliability persists, and local congestion friction becomes a bigger determinant of daily life than most people admit.Hibiscus Coast effect: Higher value on local jobs, local services, and off-peak routines. More downside when incidents hit SH1 connections.5.AI-enabled scams hit mainstream households and small organisations harder.Why: Netsafe’s 2025 scams reporting shows very high scam exposure, and it is explicitly flagging AI-driven harms escalating. 2026 is when voice and video impersonation becomes “normal enough” that even cautious people get caught. Fraud shifts from spam volume to high-conviction social engineering.Hibiscus Coast effect: Schools, clubs, tradies, and small businesses get targeted because payment flows are informal and trust-based.Gemini1.The “Penlink Impatience” and Political Leverage.Why: Since the road won’t open until 2028, 2026 will be defined by “construction fatigue”. As the 2026 General Election approaches, the Hibiscus Coast will become a high-pressure zone for politicians. Residents will likely see a flurry of “sweetener” announcements. To compensate for the Penlink delay, expect parties to promise accelerated “Stage 2” works, such as the four-laning of the route (currently planned as two) or faster upgrades to the SH1 intersections at Redvale to ease the bottleneck while the bridge is finished.Hibiscus Coast effect: Residents see election-year transport promises and short-term mitigation talk while construction continues.2.The “Remote-First” Property Premium.Why: With the commute relief now delayed by another two years, the value of the Hibiscus Coast will pivot even more towards its “work-from-home” appeal. We will see a widening price gap between properties with high-spec home offices and those without. Since the “easy commute” isn’t coming in 2026, buyers will be looking for homes that allow them to avoid the road entirely. Businesses in Silverdale will also see a boom as locals choose to work, shop, and play within the “Coast bubble” rather than braving the SH1 grind.Hibiscus Coast effect: Homes that support hybrid work attract more attention, and local centres win a bigger share of weekday spending.3.The Great “Public Transport” Pivot.Why: Auckland Transport (AT) has signalled they won’t significantly overhaul peninsula bus/ferry services until Penlink opens in 2028. 2026 will be the year of the “Local Link” experiment. With the Gulf Harbour ferry contract under constant review and Penlink still two years away, expect to see an increase in smaller, on-demand transport solutions (like the AT Local electric vans) as the council tries to bridge the gap without committing to a full network redesign yet.Hibiscus Coast effect: More trial-style services and stopgap options rather than major network redesign.4.Climate-Ready Real Estate (The “Shoreline Shift”).Why: By 2026, the Auckland Council’s Shoreline Management Plans for the Coast will be more than just documents, they will start affecting property valuations and insurance. We’ll see the emergence of “Climate Transparency” in listings. Properties at Ōrewa and Stanmore Bay that have proactive seawall or drainage solutions will see a significant value premium over those in “red-zoned” or low-lying areas. 2026 is when “managed retreat” moves from a theory into a dinner-table conversation for Coast residents.Hibiscus Coast effect: Risk language becomes more normal in listings and lending conversations, especially in low-lying coastal pockets.5.The “Squeezed Middle” Election Battle.Why: Because 2026 is an election year and the Hibiscus Coast has a high concentration of families and retirees, it will be the “cost of living” ground zero. Watch for policies targeting rates and water costs. With Auckland Council projected to increase rates by 5.8% in 2026, and the government’s “Local Water Done Well” model in full swing, local candidates will likely campaign on returning GST on rates to councils or capping infrastructure levies to keep the Coast affordable for young families.Hibiscus Coast effect: Local campaigning intensifies around rates, water costs, and affordability.Perplexity1.AI goes sovereign and hyper-local.Why: New Zealand begins seriously shifting sensitive workloads (councils, health, finance) onto onshore or NZ-governed AI infrastructure, treating sovereignty as a concrete operational risk, not just policy talk. On the Hibiscus Coast, that shows up as council and local businesses quietly using AI agents for customer service, rates queries, permits and hyper-targeted local ads, making “digital front doors” the default way residents interact with services.Hibiscus Coast effect: More routine interactions shift to digital self-serve channels.2.Coastal risk gets priced in, not just discussed.Why: National climate adaptation work plus new coastal mapping and council risk assessments translate into visible changes in insurance, lending and minimum standards for exposed coastal and estuary properties. For the coast, certain low-lying or cliff-adjacent pockets face sharper premium increases, tighter building rules and slower sales, while slightly inland, less exposed streets gain relative value as the “safe but still beachy” trade-off.Hibiscus Coast effect: Bigger value gaps between exposed and less exposed streets.3.Media and attention: NZ ad spend chases niche communities.Why: With 2026 media budgets still under pressure, marketers double down on measurable, community-based digital, but with more scrutiny on ROI and AI-fuelled optimisation. North Shore and Hibiscus Coast businesses increasingly buy into localised creator content, neighbourhood apps and niche groups rather than broad “Auckland” targeting, rewarding whoever can aggregate Coast attention most credibly.Hibiscus Coast effect: More spending shifts into local channels where measurement is clearer.4.Economy: slow grind up, productivity over headcount.Why: Forecasts for 2026 point to better growth than the 2023–25 slog, but the upside comes mainly from productivity and tech adoption rather than big hiring waves. For residents, that means modest income relief but more pressure to build skills in AI, data and digital communication, with contractors and small agencies on the Coast needing to be “AI-literate” to keep or grow client budgets.Hibiscus Coast effect: Skills and productivity matter more than job volume.5.Planning power shifts: fewer layers, bigger calls.Why: The local government restructure (goodbye standalone regional councils, hello larger combined entities) centralises decisions on water, coastal protection, transport corridors and climate adaptation frameworks. Hibiscus Coast residents see a paradox, it becomes easier to get a clear “yes/no” on big infrastructure and coastal decisions, but harder to bend outcomes just for local sentiment, raising the stakes of showing up in consultations and data-driven submissions.Hibiscus Coast effect: Consultation and submissions carry higher stakes because decisions sit higher up.So Coasties, the common thread is clear: keep an eye on household costs, climate and insurance risk, transport reliability, and scams.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

NZ report card 2025
NZ report card 2025

31 December 2025, 3:28 AM

Standardised testing and regular progress assessment became key features of the education system this year, so why not apply those same principles to New Zealand as a whole?There's an important difference here, of course.This exercise is about prompting discussion and debate, and should be read with a degree of caution.The metrics tell us only so much - but it's still possible to trace the nation's ups and downs.As one year ends and other beckons, it might also be time to make some collective new year's resolutions based on the various trends outlined here.Near the top of the classCivil liberty: The top mark is from Freedom House which underlined New Zealand's consistent near-perfect score of 99 out of 100 for political and civil liberties - second equal with Norway, just behind Finland.Security: In the Global Peace Index, New Zealand moved up two slots to third place globally (behind Iceland and Ireland, but best in the Asia-Pacific) for safety and security, low domestic and international conflict, and degree of militarisation.Corruption: Transparency International recorded a gradual decline from being in equal top place in 2021 to fourth in the latest survey - but still relatively corruption-free.Gender equality: The annual Global Gender Gap Report recorded New Zealand slipping a place to fifth most gender-equal country (but top in the Pacific region).Rule of Law: A continued improvement in the World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index saw the country ranked fifth globally.Quality of life: The Economist Global Liveability Index placed Auckland seventh most liveable city in the world.Doing well or betterEconomic freedom: The Index for Economic Freedom, which covers everything from property rights to financial freedom, placed New Zealand 11th - down from sixth last year, but still "mostly free".Happiness: New Zealanders are not quite as happy as they were, slipping a place to the 12th most-cheery nation in the World Happiness Report.Media freedom: The country began to climb back in the Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index, up from 19th last year to 16th.Competitiveness: New Zealand moved up a spot in the Global Competitiveness Report, now in 31st place (but still well below the 20th ranking from 2021).Innovation: On the Global Innovation Index, which measures a range of social and economic indicators, New Zealand slipped one place to 26th.Economic performance: The Economist ranked New Zealand as the 31st best-performing economy in 2025, up two places from 2024.Foreign aid: New Zealand's overseas development aid continued to increase to an estimated US$780.8 million, representing 0.32 percent of gross national income, placing it 17th among OECD-ranked countries.Terrorism: The Global Terrorism Index recorded a significant improvement of 42 places, with New Zealand now ranked 94th and "very low" risk. While the national terror threat level remained low (meaning a terror attack is a realistic possibility), this was a positive development.Room for improvementArtificial intelligence: A "light touch" policy approach to artificial intelligence (AI) regulation will not have improved a relatively low 43rd ranking in the Global Index on Responsible AI.Employment: Economic numbers at home told another mixed story, with unemployment growing to 5.3 percent (160,000 people) in the September quarter - now above the OECD average.Inflation: The inflation rate fell rapidly but has now pushed back to 3% - lower than the anticipated OECD average of 4.2 percent but higher than the 2.4 percent anticipated earlier.Public housing: As of October, the total stock of public houses continued to grow, up to 87,338 (an increase of 7875 since the middle of 2023), but supply remains well behind demand.Housing affordability: Good or bad news according to one's perspective, the average house price was $907,274, considerably down from its peak at the turn of 2022 but largely unchanged since last year.Incomes: Median weekly earnings from wages and salaries increased by NZ$37 to $1380 in the year to June, but lagged behind the inflation rate.Must do betterClimate change: The Climate Change Performance Index recorded another fall for New Zealand, now down to 44th position and classified as an overall "low" performer.Suicide rate: There were 630 suspected self-inflicted deaths in the 2023-24 financial year (the latest available statistics), a small increase on the year before. That represents a rate of 11 per 100,000 people - lower than the average rate over the past 15 years, although the rate of decrease seems to have stalled.Prisons: Incarceration rates are growing fast, moving past 10,680 people behind bars in March (up from a low of 7500 in 2022), with strong growth projected.Gangs: The estimated number of patched gang members and prospects passed the 10,000 mark for the first time.Child poverty: Figures from early 2025 suggested little or no change in the child poverty rate from the year before, with one in seven children living in households experiencing material hardship.Mental health: UNICEF scored New Zealand a less than reputable 32nd place for worsening youth mental health rates.Homelessness: Estimates put the likely number people living without shelter in New Zealand at more than 5000.Migration: A net migration gain in the year to October of 12,400 was the lowest since 2013 (excluding the Covid years). This disguised a dizzying churn between arrivals (138,900) and departures (126,400), with more than 46,400 citizens leaving for Australia.In short, 2025 was a difficult year.New Zealand often scores well or shows improvement on global indexes, but look closer to home and the devil is in the detail.To borrow a phrase from old school reports: Shows great potential but needs to try harder.Author: Alexander Gillespie is a Professor of Law, University of WaikatoThis story was originally published by The Conversation.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Auckland Harbour Bridge repaint project
Auckland Harbour Bridge repaint project

30 December 2025, 9:30 PM

The Auckland Harbour Bridge repaint project - that's estimated to take 12 years - has been underway for more than a year, with works beginning at the southern end of the bridge in late 2024.The New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said the original paint coatings on the 66-year-old truss bridge had reached the end of its designed life and needed a full-repaint, which involved stripping down the existing coating and repainting it.The project, also known as the Truss Bridge Refurbishment Project, was the main contributor that led to the money spent on maintenance and repairs of the bridge increasing from $12.2 million in the 2023/2024 financial year, to $22.4m in the 2024/2025 financial year.Waka Kotahi couldn't confirm how much the entire repaint would cost, but said the project has cost $11.6m to date - covering design analysis, strengthening work and the establishment of equipment for the project.RNZ caught up with the agency's manager of maintenance and operations for the Auckland and Northern regions, Jacqui Hori-Hoult, to find out the latest progress and challenges with the project.A year in: Work done at land-based southern end of the bridgeHori-Hoult said the initial years of the project will focus on repainting the structures underneath the surface road of the bridge."When you're travelling over the bridge, you won't see a lot, because our project is focused on the refurbishment of underneath the truss bridge, which is under the actual bridge deck,"So it's the steel work on the bridge deck which sits in the harshest environment and is also the oldest part of our bridge."Hori-Hoult said that part of the bridge is susceptible to corrosion, and the repaint is key to maintaining the structural integrity of the truss bridge.She said over the past year, work has been mostly around the land-based southern end of the bridge, where sandblasting is used to remove the old coatings before new coatings are applied.Earlier, an RNZ investigation revealed that NZTA knew that Harbour Bridge maintenance work contaminated homes at Stokes Point/Te Onewa with heavy metals above permitted levels a decade ago, but residents were not told.Hori-Hoult said the current work has taken precautions to stop any contaminants from the old paint from polluting the environment.Waka Kotahi: Challenges in repaint of section of bridge crossing seaHori-Hoult said expert teams are still working on the plan for how to execute the repainting of the main section of the bridge that crosses the sea, in a way that ensures no potential pollutants get into the sea.She said they're hoping to commence work on the sea based section of the bridge at some point in 2026.The parts of the bridge which have paint containing lead are mostly in one of the spans at the southern end of the bridge, and Waka Kotahi believes that the rest of the bridge is predominantly lead free, she said.However, Hori-Hoult said they will be using the same environmental protection measures for the main part of the bridge, as they have done for the work at the land-based ends of the bridge, and this would be challenging due it being over the sea."So we're going to have to put temporary work and scaffolding , like we've done with the land base with scaffolding,"Now we have to work through with our experts around how we can manage to attach our containment units in order for us to do a similar type of work, in a very smaller space, but also to make sure whatever we attach is structurally sound for the bridge to enable us to do the work."Hori-Hoult said experts were still figuring out what would be the best type of material for the temporary platform."We will be installing that full containment system, that you can see when we're carrying out the [sand] blasting and painting operations, so all materials generated from our operation is actually disposed of to a managed facility that specialises in contaminated material disposal," she added.There's lots of structural elements to think about, for instance how much additional weight can be added to the ageing bridge, she said.Waka Kotahi said engineers have been assessing the impacts of installing the containment systems on the bridge, and the level of strengthening that is required.It said teams have been trialling methodologies in the land-based areas.Bridge to stay grey after repaintHori-Hoult said a decision was made to keep the bridge grey as it always has been with the repaint, despite some internal discussions about a new colour for the bridge."The Harbour Bridge has been iconic - it's 66 years old - so you want to keep it as close to its original colour as possible, because of its age and the mana it holds within our city," she said.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

New Year Honours 2026 - the full list
New Year Honours 2026 - the full list

30 December 2025, 6:15 PM

The New Zealand Order of MeritThe King has been pleased, on the celebration of the New Year, to make the following appointments to The New Zealand Order of Merit:DNZMTo be Dames Companion of the said Order:Professor Helen Victoria Danesh-Meyer, CNZM, of Auckland. For services to ophthalmology.Ms Coral May Shaw, of Te Awamutu. For services to public service, the judiciary and the community.Ms Dorothy Myrtle Spotswood, of Wellington. For services to philanthropy.KNZMTo be Knights Companion of the said Order:Mr Scott Ronald Glyndwr Dixon, CNZM, of Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America. For services to motorsport.Mr Rodney Kenneth Drury, of Queenstown. For services to business, the technology industry and philanthropy.Professor Graham Stephen Le Gros, CNZM, of Wellington. For services to medical science.Mr Christopher Wilton Parkin, CNZM, of Wellington. For services to philanthropy and the arts.CNZMTo be Companions of the said Order:Mr Gregor John Barclay, of Auckland. For services to sports governance.Mr Neil Frank Bateup, ONZM, of Ohinewai. For services to the rural sector.Mr Leith Pirika Comer, QSO, of Rotorua. For services to Māori, governance and education.Professor Charl Johannes de Villiers, of Auckland. For services to accountancy.Dr Bruce William Hayward, MNZM, of Auckland. For services to geology, particularly micropaleontology.Professor Beverley-Anne Lawton, ONZM, of Wellington. For services to women's health.Distinguished Professor Gaven John Martin, of Auckland. For services to mathematics and education.Distinguished Professor Paul James Moughan, of Auckland. For services to science.Mr Anthony Zan Quinn, of Cromwell. For services to motorsport and the community.Professor Thomas Charles Roa, JP, of Hamilton. For services to Māori language and education.Ms Rachel Emere Taulelei, MNZM, of Wellington. For services to business, Māori and governance.Mr Donald Stanley Mackintosh Trott, ONZM, JP, of Whanganui. For services to opera.ONZMTo be Officers of the said Order:Reverend Dr Patricia Ann Allan, of Christchurch. For services to survivors of abuse.Mr Graham Carr, of Geraldine. For services to the deer industry and the community.Mr Matthew David Corner, of Wellington. For services to people with intellectual and learning disabilities.Mrs Christina Cowan, of Hastings. For services to Māori, particularly blind and low vision people.Mr Brian Rex Davies, of Palmerston North. For services to motorsport.Mr Rodney Phillip Mathew Dixon, of Upper Moutere. For services to athletics.Mr Lloyd Walker Downing, of Morrinsville. For services to agriculture and governance.Mr Anthony Richard Egan, of Hamilton. For services to the agricultural industry and the community.Ms Deborah Ann Espiner, of Auckland. For services to people with disabilities and education.Mr Ian Donald Gardiner, of Christchurch. For services to the communications industry and mountain safety.Mr Stewart Lloyd Germann, of Auckland. For services to franchise law.Mr Neville Charles Greenwood, of Christchurch. For services to the sheep industry.Ms Judith Helen Hamilton, of Cambridge. For services to rowing.Mr Richard Michael Arthur Harman, of Wellington. For services to journalism and broadcasting.Ms Julie Anne Hart, of Hastings. For services to women and victims of family violence.Mrs Frances Margaret Hartnett, of Auckland. For services to people with disabilities.Mrs Sandra Glenis Hazlehurst, of Havelock North. For services to local government.Mr Te Warihi Kokowai Hetaraka, of Whangārei. For services to Māori and art.Mr Jack Edward Hodder, KC, of Wellington. For services to the law.Ms Shirley Gail Hooper, of Papamoa. For services to netball and artistic swimming.Mr Waihoroi Paraone Hoterene, of Kerikeri. For services to Māori and Māori language education.Mrs Lynley Elizabeth Lloyd, of Auckland. For services to renal nutrition.Mr Andrew Webster Macfarlane, of Ashburton. For services to the deer industry.Professor Roderick Duncan MacLeod, MNZM, of Auckland. For services to palliative care.Mr James Bruce Miller, of Auckland. For services to corporate governance.Ms Lorraine Mary Moller, MBE, of Boulder, Colorado, United States of America. For services to athletics.Professor Dr Jens Helmut Friedrich Mueller, MNZM, of Tauranga. For services to education.Ms Suzanne Jane Porter, of New Plymouth. For services to the arts and event management.Mr Iain George Potter, of Wellington. For services to sport and health.Mr Tenby George Bolland Powell, ED, of Tauranga. For services to business, governance and humanitarian aid.Ms Karen Ritchie, of Pōkeno. For services to people with HIV/AIDS and Rainbow communities.Mrs Cecilia Charlotte Louise Robinson, of Auckland. For services to business and women.Dr Mohammad Arif Saeid, of Auckland. For services to refugees and youth.Ms Valerie Christine Smith, of Nelson. For services to outdoor bowls.Mr Paul Bertram Wright, of Christchurch. For services to the real estate industry and philanthropy.MNZMTo be Members of the said Order:Mr Kevin John Burgess, of Cambridge. For services to governance, the community and sport.Ms Donna Elise Chisholm, of Auckland. For services to journalism.Mr Eroni Clarke, of Auckland. For services to the Pacific community and rugby.Mr Peter John Cullen, of Wellington. For services to law, governance and youth.Ms Rosemary Helen Dixon, of Wellington. For services to schools debating.Mr Roger Bruce Douglas Drummond, of Wellington. For services to rugby and Māori.Dr Robyn Ann Dynes, of Christchurch. For services to agricultural science.Dr Lorraine Shirley Eade, of Blenheim. For services to Māori, governance and the community.Mrs Judene Louise Edgar, JP, of Nelson. For services to governance, local government and the community.Mrs Jane Frances Eynon-Richards, JP, of Rotorua. For services to the community.Mr Jade Carlo Farrar, of Auckland. For services to people with disabilities and the Pacific community.Mrs Beverley Riverina Forrester, of Amberley. For services to the wool and fashion industries.Mrs Deborah Kaye Fraser, of Dunedin. For services to mental health and youth.Mr Donald George Geddes, of Ashburton. For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Land Search and Rescue and the community.Mr Malcolm John Gillies, of Upper Hutt. For services to business.Mr Martin James Guptill, of Auckland. For services to cricket.Mr Martin John Hadlee, of Christchurch. For services to the community.Ms Janine Michelle Harrington, of Christchurch. For services to education.Mr David John Harrison, of Wellington. For services to the insurance industry and the community.Mr John Gordon Hobbs, of Auckland. For services to horticulture.Mrs Susan Hobbs, of Auckland. For services to people with disabilities.Mr Gerald Anthony Hope, of Blenheim. For services to local government, business and the community.Ms Kāren Eirene Johansen, JP, of Gisborne. For services to education and human rights.Mr Richard William Kennett, JP, of Glenorchy. For services to conservation and Search and Rescue.Miss Jillian Anne Kerr, of Diamond Harbour. For services to choral music and music education.Dr Murray Alexander King, of Wellington. For services to transport, logistics and railway heritage.Mr Mark Henri Limacher, of Wellington. For services as a restaurateur and to the hospitality industry.Professor Tracie Ailong Mafile'o, of Palmerston North. For services to Pacific and tertiary education.Mr Terence Ronald Maskell, of Auckland. For services to choral music.Mrs Nichola Rosemary McArthur, of Kaikōura. For services to conservation and the community.Mr Malcolm Ian McKee, of Gore. For services to sport.Mrs Dawn Mary McMillan, of Thames. For services to children's literature.Miss Katharine Eleanor Milford, of Tauranga. For services to people with aphasia.Mrs Jennifer Louise Nahu, of Rotorua. For services to rugby league.Mrs Vivien Lewanna Napier, JP, of Greytown. For services to local government and the community.Dr Stephen John Neville, of Alexandra Headland, Australia. For services to gerontology research and seniors.Mr Kevin Nielsen, of New Plymouth. For services to the community and people with disabilities.Dr Caroline Ann Oliver, of Wanaka. For services to cancer research and the community.Mr Hori Te Moanaroa Parata, of Onerahi. For services to conservation and Māori.Mrs Alexandra Anne Pasley, of Auckland. For services to education.Mr David Stephen Pluck, of Nelson. For services to education.Mr Andrew Ruawhitu Pokaia, of Christchurch. For services to Māori and education.Ms Gaye Annette Poole, of Hamilton. For services to the performing arts and education.Mr Ian Douglas Poulter, of Kaiapoi. For services to education.Mr Ravinder Singh Powar, JP, of Hamilton. For services to ethnic communities.Mr John Dempster Robinson, of Auckland. For services to orienteering.Mrs Valerie Jean Robinson, of Auckland. For services to orienteering.Mr John Francis Roughan, of Auckland. For services to journalism and the community.Dr Fahima Saeid, of Auckland. For services to refugees.Mr Bruce Douglas Shalders, of Christchurch. For services to railway heritage.Mr Leighton Irwin Smith, of Auckland. For services to broadcasting.Mrs Mokafetu (Matafetu) Smith, of Auckland. For services to Pacific art.Ms Arihia Amiria Stirling, QSM, JP, of Auckland. For services to education and Māori.Professor Andrew Peter Stockley, of Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom. For services to schools debating.Dr Audrey Melanie Tan, of Christchurch. For services to mathematics education.Mrs Gail Henrietta Maria Thompson, of Bluff. For services to Māori and conservation.Ms Helena Audrey Tuteao, of Hamilton. For services to people with disabilities and Māori.Senior Constable Grant William Watts, of Palmerston North. For services to the New Zealand Police and youth.Mr William Ian Welch, of Porirua. For services to rail heritage.Mrs Elizabeth Robyn Whiting, of Auckland. For services to costume design.Mr Gary Selwyn Whittle, of Auckland. For services to rugby league.Mrs Sarah Jane Wickens, of Wellington. For services to business.Mrs Shirley Jane Zintl, of Porirua. For services to youth.Dated at Wellington this 31st day of December 2025.RACHEL HAYWARD, Secretary and Registrar, The New Zealand Order of Merit.The King's Service Order (KSO)To be Companions of the said Order:Mr Mark Joseph Harawira, of Whakatāne. For services to Māori education, arts and conservation.Mrs Kerry Ann Nickels, of Auckland. For services to the Red Cross.The King's Service Medal (KSM)The King has been pleased, on the celebration of the New Year, to make the following awards of The King's Service Medal:Ms Carol Angland, of Wanaka. For services to the community and theatre.Ms Bonita Joanne Bigham, of Manaia. For services to local government and Māori.Mr Douglas James Brenssell, of Oamaru. For services to the community.Mrs Robyn Ann Bruce, of Maungaturoto. For services to youth and sport.Mr John Randall Burgess, of Mosgiel. For services to the community.Mrs Marin Burgess, of Auckland. For services to heritage preservation and education.Mrs Emily Myra Caldwell, of Te Aroha. For services to the community and music .Mrs Marjorie Eleanor Carr, of Otorohanga. For services to netball and the community.Mr Lloyd Bertram Clausen, MStJ, of Leeston. For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.Mr Edwin Frederick Ruthven Cooke, of Greytown. For services to music.Mrs Juliet Anne Cooke, of Greytown. For services to music.Mrs Helen Rose Cooper, of Bulls. For services to the community.Mr Richard John Craig, of Kaikōura. For services to the Coastguard.Mrs Anneke Jacoba Dinnington, of Taupō. For services to seniors and the community.Mr David Alyn Drake, of Rolleston. For services to the community.Mr John Matthew Eaden, of Marton. For services to the arts.Mr Graeme Leslie Elliot, of Dunedin. For services to the community and outdoor recreation.Ms Marion Kennedy Ellis, of Auckland. For services to hockey.Mrs Elizabeth Mary Fletcher, of Rotorua. For services to the community, particularly wastewater advocacy.Mr William Robert Fuller, JP, of Russell. For services to the community.Mr Leonidas Angelos Gambitsis, of Lower Hutt. For services to the Greek community.Mr Trevor James Goudie, of Alexandra. For services to theatre and the community.Mrs Jocelyn Mary Grantham, of Auckland. For services to education and the community.Miss Sheridan Isobel Patrice Gundry, of Gisborne. For services to historical research and heritage preservation.Mr Paul David Harris, JP, of Amberley. For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.Mrs Elizabeth Janet Henry, of Invercargill. For services to the community and sport.Mr David John Jurlina, of Kaitaia. For services to rugby and the community.Mrs Nada Linda Jurlina, of Kaitaia. For services to rugby and the community.Mrs Gurpreet Kaur, of Auckland. For services to the Indian community.Mrs Barbara Joy Knowles, JP, of Tuakau. For services to the community and to Members of Parliament.Mr Peter Alan Maunder, of Paeroa. For services to athletics.Mrs Sylvia Mary Joyce Maunder, of Paeroa. For services to athletics.Mr Laurie Owen Mills, of Auckland. For services to theatre.Mr Mohan Durlabh Mistry, of Wellington. For services to the Indian community.Mr Gordon Leonard Myer, JP, of Auckland. For services to the community.Ms Aere Anne Nicholas, JP, of Auckland. For services to the community.Mr Patrick Gerard O'Rourke, of Napier. For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.Dr Tania Anne Pinfold, of Wellington. For services to youth health.Mrs Enatuleni Ikitoa Polima, of Auckland. For services to the Niuean community.Mrs Jacqueline Robertson, of Paihia. For services to science education.Mr Stanley Donald Scott, of Wairoa. For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and civil defence.Mr Christopher Sharp, of Gisborne. For services to Search and Rescue and outdoor recreation.Mrs Ruth Philliss Shaw, of Manapouri. For services to conservation.Dr Leonie Kaye Sinclair, of Rotorua. For services to health.Mr Harjinder Singh, JP, of Auckland. For services to the Punjabi community.Mr Brian Douglas Smith, of Timaru. For services to rowing.Sailauama Cheryl Talamaivao, JP, of Auckland. For services to the Pacific community and education.The Reverend Wayne Saunoa Moegagogo Toleafoa, JP, of Havelock North. For services to Pacific communities.Mr Paul Gregory Toms, of Te Aroha. For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and football.Mr Russel Walter Trow, of Bluff. For services to wildlife conservation.Ms Teresa Anne Trow, of Bluff. For services to wildlife conservation.Mr Jonathan Usher, of Cromwell. For services to the community and entertainment.Mrs Norma-Jean Van De Rheede, JP, of Melbourne, Australia. For services to the community.Mr Ian Arthur Watts, of Nelson. For services to Land Search and Rescue.Mr Henry Joseph Wheeler, of Rongotea. For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.Mr Delano Shane De Graffe Whyte, of Napier. For services to sport and the community.Mrs Isabella Wilson, of Queenstown. For services to the community and theatre.The New Zealand Distinguished Service DecorationThe King has been pleased, on the celebration of the New Year, to make the following award of The New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration:DSDCommodore Andrew Gilchrist Brown, of Wellington. For services to the New Zealand Defence Force.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

AI Health Advice Has Gaps
AI Health Advice Has Gaps

29 December 2025, 7:00 PM

When you feel unwell, it is tempting to ask a chatbot before you call a doctor.A warning from the Australian Clinical Psychology Association urges GPs to be alert to potential negative impacts of AI-powered chatbots on patient wellbeing, as use of these tools grows.Researchers from CSIRO and The University of Queensland tested a scenario where a non-professional health consumer asks ChatGPT whether treatment “X” helps condition “Y”, across 100 questions ranging from common remedies to unusual home “fixes”.In a question-only format, ChatGPT delivered accurate answers 80 percent of the time, but accuracy dropped to 63 percent when the question was biased with supporting or contrary evidence.It fell again to 28 percent when an “unsure” option was allowed.Dr Bevan Koopman, CSIRO Principal Research Scientist and Associate Professor at The University of Queensland.Dr Bevan Koopman from CSIRO and UQ said people keep searching for health answers online, increasingly via tools such as ChatGPT, and that more research is needed to understand where these models help and where they do not.For Hibiscus Coast locals who cannot get a local doctor’s appointment soon, one option mentioned is Online GP Care.It's a paid service with appointments usually available the same day, paid by debit or credit card, with a Community Services Card if you have one, and video consults requiring internet access and sometimes ID.Another option is Healthline, a free over-the-phone health service available 24/7, call 0800 611 116 or request a call back at info.health.nz/healthline.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

All lanes on the Harbour Bridge closed
All lanes on the Harbour Bridge closed

29 December 2025, 2:39 AM

FENZ says it is responding to "multiple weather events" around Auckland, with strong wind warnings upgraded to cover most of the North Island today, as well as the upper West Coast of the South Island.Lanes on Auckland's Harbour Bridge have been closed as a result of strong winds."Due to severe wind gusts all lanes on the Harbour Bridge, in both directions, are temporarily closed," the NZ Transport Agency said."Delay your journey or detour via SH18/SH16 (Western Ring Route). Harbour bridge lanes will reopen as soon as gusts become less severe."Strong wind warnings have been upgraded to cover most of the North Island today, as well as the upper West Coast of the South Island.Parts of Northland are also without power after cuts earlier this afternoon.422 Northpower customers lost power shortly after midday at Kaiwaka.181 Northpower customers are without electricity at Maungaturoto, while a tree damaging power lines has cut 224 customers off around Kaiwaka and 235 customers are without electricity at Mangawhai.Repairs are still ongoing further north at Kauri, where a tree damaging lines this morning cut power to 285 customers.Yachtie in the waterA yachtie has ended up in the water north of Auckland, after trying to get clear of the windy conditions.The Coastguard said the man asked for help because he was worried his mooring line might snap at Leigh.Kawau volunteers responded but it was not safe for them to reach him, the Coastguard said.It said the man then tried to get to shore in his tender but he ended up in the water.Police said emergency services were called at about 2.10pm but the man was safely on land 10 minutes later and was checked by ambulance crews.'It's an interesting direction'Earlier, Metservice meteorologist Katie Lyons said campers in the Coromandel would have woken to soggy conditions."Unfortunately, things in the Coromandel have deteriorated overnight with that rain setting in. Places in the hills of Coromandel are seeing about 30mm of rain already."Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Holiday Fixes For Coastie Kids
Holiday Fixes For Coastie Kids

28 December 2025, 7:50 PM

When the rain rolls in, those holiday hours feel twice as long.Here are 30 practical, repeatable ideas for Hibiscus Coast families, starting with free options you can do on a whim, then paid wet-weather favourites, including a few proper energy burners, for when you need a reset.No-Cost FavouritesRock painting: A simple at-home activity that can fill a wet afternoon.Indoor scavenger hunt: “Find something soft, something round, something that starts with S.”Kitchen helper challenge: Kids “own” a meal. Washing veg, setting the table, making a simple sandwich platter.Backyard nature bingo: Make a list. Ant, spider web, feather, different leaf shapes.Bubble fun: If you already have dish soap. Simple bubble mix and a homemade wand.Mini Olympics: Long jump (towel line), balance beam (tape line), throwing (socks into a box).“Museum at home” shelf: Kids choose five objects, write labels, then give a tour.DIY sandcastle competition: Use sand and driftwood only, set a timer, let the kids judge the winner.Geocaching around Silverdale and Whangaparāoa: A phone-led treasure hunt through parks and local spots.Kite flying: Windy days suit this, with Orewa Beach often a solid pick.Auckland Libraries holiday programmes (Orewa and Whangaparāoa): Look for Raumati Reads, plus regular Storytime, and free in-branch options like LEGO clubs, board games and reading zones, so you can pop in and let the kids choose what’s next.Shakespear Regional Park (Whangaparāoa): Beaches, open space and tracks, good for a long roam and a picnic.Orewa Beach: Free classics like beach cricket, a long walk, or a quick splash when it clears.Auckland Council pools (Stanmore Bay): A reliable back-up when the beach is a no-go. Free for children aged 16 and under.Leigh Scenic Reserve (Bayview): features the oldest kauri tree on Auckland’s North Shore, which is estimated to be over 800 years old.Paid, Weather-Proof ActivitiesSnowplanet (Silverdale): Indoor snow time when you want guaranteed action regardless of the weather outside.Auckland Adventure Park (Silverdale): A high-energy option with rides and activities that suit kids who need to burn it off.Inflatable World (Albany): Indoor inflatable playground with bouncy castles and obstacle courses.My Wonderland (Albany): Indoor play space with a large ball pit and age-based areas.Sheepworld (Warkworth): A short drive north for hands-on animal encounters, with sheep shearing shows, seasonal bottle-feeding, and a native bush eco-trail.Ti Point Reptile Park (near Matakana): A chance to see native and exotic reptiles up close.Butterfly Creek (Airport): Mentioned for dinosaur and animal attractions.Auckland Zoo: Mentioned for annual pass deals, handy if you want repeat visits.Kiwi Valley Farm Park (Henderson): A strong option for both pre-schoolers and school-age kids.Crystal Mountain (Swanson): A full-on, indoor-friendly outing with crystals and fossils that suits kids who like to wander, look closely, and ask a hundred questions.MOTAT (Western Springs): the "Summer Holiday Experience" event explores the science and technology of flight in the Aviation Hall. It is a paid activity, though free for SuperGold cardholders.Stardome Observatory (One Tree Hill): Offers immersive indoor planetarium shows such as "We Are Stars,". It is a great option for turning kids into "mini astronomers" away from the weather.Auckland War Memorial Museum (Parnell): The "Sharks" exhibition is currently on, featuring life-sized models and interactive experiences. While entry to the general museum is free for locals, special exhibitions often carry a fee.Auckland Art Gallery (CBD): Creative Learning Centre: Open daily, this space allows children to channel inspiration from the gallery into their own art through hands-on activitiesSEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium (Orakei): An all-weather underwater adventure featuring the famous "Shark Tunnel," a penguin colony, and the historic Scott’s Hut, making it a perfect way to sneak in educational activities while escaping the elementsIf you are anything like us, you will not do all of this, you just need two or three reliable fall-backs you can rotate without much planning.Start with one no-cost idea, keep one “wet day” place in your back pocket, and save a bigger paid outing for the day everyone is climbing the walls, so families around the Hibiscus Coast can keep the holidays feeling manageable, even when the weather doesn't.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Auckland Consents Climb In October
Auckland Consents Climb In October

28 December 2025, 6:13 PM

Auckland consented 1,478 new dwellings in October 2025, a lift on the same month last year, Auckland Council says.For Coasties watching the housing squeeze, the key point is this. The city can zone for far more homes than it actually builds. Auckland Council’s Plan Change 120 and earlier Plan Change 78 provide zoning capacity for up to two million new dwellings over the next 30 years. That is enabling capacity, not a construction target.The real pace is set by the market and delivery. Auckland has been building at a record pace of around 14,000 to 18,000 homes a year recently. The year ending October 2025 saw 15,017 dwellings consented, right in that band.What is being approved is also changing. In October, nearly two-thirds of new dwellings were attached homes like townhouses and units. Houses were less than a third. Apartments were a small share.Most building is still happening inside the Rural Urban Boundary. About one in four consents were within a 1,500m walk of rapid transit. A smaller slice, 6 per cent in October, overlapped hazard zones. Over the past year, that share was 11 per cent.Central government is also leaning in on social housing. The 2025 Budget allocates funding to deliver at least 550 more social homes in Auckland in 2025/2026, on top of 1,500 funded earlier, with a new Flexible Fund replacing earlier programmes.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

How Hibiscus Coast Won Its Name
How Hibiscus Coast Won Its Name

26 December 2025, 10:00 PM

Coast Chronicles is our regular deep dive into the stories and decisions that shaped the Hibiscus Coast you live in today.Drive into Orewa or Whangaparāoa and the hibiscus is there waiting for you, on signs, badges, and local kit.It feels like it has always belonged.But the name did not come from the land or the plants.It came from a small group of businessmen in the early 1960s, trying to sell a single “holiday” idea that could cover both Whangaparāoa and Orewa.They needed something inclusive and easy to picture.“Hibiscus” sounded warm, seaside, and simple, so they used it, even though the flower was introduced.Once the label was chosen, they moved from words to proof.In 1964, the newly formed Hibiscus Coast Association planted more than 1,000 hibiscus shrubs across the district to make the brand feel real.Then came the problem every good brand eventually faces, someone else wanted it too.In the mid-1960s, Whangārei also leaned into the hibiscus emblem, and the Association treated it like a threat, not a compliment.They lobbied hard and they did not back off.The message was clear, this flower was already taken, and Whangārei was pushed to drop the symbol.In 1971, the marketing name was locked in officially.Local government renamed the Whangaparāoa Riding to the Hibiscus Coast Riding, and a boardroom label became the legal one.Today, more than 69,000 residents identify with “Hibiscus Coast” as their place name, and the flower is stitched into daily life, from school uniforms to club logos to street signs.There is also a native thread, but it sits behind the modern badge most of us recognise.The Māori name Te Kūiti o te Puarangi refers to the puarangi, a rare native hibiscus species, even while the welcome signs show the introduced variety.That is the twist.The Hibiscus Coast did not inherit its identity, it chose it, planted it, defended it, then wrote it into law.Coast Chronicles is written by the Hibiscus Coast App editorial team, under the shared byline “the Coast Chronicler.”Got a local memory or a news tip?We’d love to hear it. Send it to [email protected]

Keep Pets Safe In Summer
Keep Pets Safe In Summer

26 December 2025, 8:24 PM

A hot day around the Hibiscus Coast can turn risky for pets faster than people expect, especially when beach plans, errands, and parked cars get mixed together.If you’re heading to the sand, remember the summer dog restrictions on local beaches are before 10am and after 5pm, and if you’re stopping anywhere on the way, never rely on shade or cracked windows to keep an animal safe in a car.The SPCA says leaving animals in cars is still an ongoing problem, even when people think they have made it safer by cracking windows or parking in the shade.“It’s an ongoing problem, with many dog owners thinking that cracking the windows makes it safe,” says SPCA Inspectorate Regional Manager Jason Blair.“This just isn’t the case. Having the windows down and even parking in the shade doesn’t make enough of a difference on a warm day.”In a recent call-out, SPCA Inspectors were alerted to two puppies left in a small carrier on a box on the front seat in full sunlight, with the windows cracked about 10cm, and the temperature reading inside the car was over 45°C.Inspectors broke into the car to rescue them, and the puppies recovered after water and time in a cool environment at the nearest vet clinic.The owner contacted SPCA 50 minutes after they’d been removed, said he wanted them to “see out the window,” and received an infringement.The SPCA warns that on a warm day, a car can heat up to over 50°C in less than 15 minutes, and dogs left in hot cars are at risk of heatstroke, which can lead to brain damage, organ failure, and even death.Parking in the shade or cracking a window offers little relief.The safest rule is to always take your dog with you when you leave the car, or leave them safely at home.If you see a dog left in a hot car in a Hibiscus Coast carpark or roadside spot, call 0800 SPCA NZ or the Police right away.More guidance is available from SPCA here.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

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