If you’ve ever stopped at Moenui Reserve in Orewa, you’ll know the sound of gulls squabbling overhead and the steady roll of the tide.Soon, there’ll be something new among the trees and ocean views – a “Chatterbox Seat,” purpose-built to help locals pause, reflect, or strike up a conversation.Chatterbox began in 2019, after founder Emily Paton lost her husband Darryl to suicide.Determined to make it easier for people to talk about the big things, Emily unveiled the first seat at Pt Chevalier Beach in 2022.Since then, more have been planned around Auckland, each designed to encourage conversation and reduce the stigma still surrounding mental health.Here on the Hibiscus Coast, where mental health challenges are higher than average, the idea quickly resonated.While professional services like Youth in Transition and Ember do incredible work, sometimes the smallest act – sitting down, saying hello, sharing a moment – can be what really helps.This Orewa project was first suggested by Anna McGovern at More FM and taken on by Destination Orewa Beach.Destination Orewa Beach Manager Hellen Wilkins says, “As maintaining good mental health should be a priority for everyone and we realise there are many in our community struggling with their own mental health, this seat provides a tranquil and peaceful place for people to sit in peace or engage with others.”The journey to make it happen hasn’t been easy.The project cost about $5,800, with support from the Rotary Club of Orewa-Millwater and, crucially, ASB’s Community Grants scheme.The seat itself is square-shaped, not a traditional bench, designed for group seating and cross-legged chats.Installation is expected to take place in Spring.Destination Orewa has gifted the seat to the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board, who will plant it in Moenui Reserve and maintain it as part of the park’s assets.The location, near the More FM office, was chosen for its tranquil ocean outlook – a peaceful setting to pause, reflect, and connect.So when it’s in place, take a moment to sit, breathe, and maybe start a conversation.You never know whose day it might brighten.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

New Zealand homeowners could be saving thousands each year, but many remain in the dark about how offset mortgages work.A recent survey found almost half of respondents either don’t know much about offset mortgages or had never heard of them. Even among those who have, nearly a third wrongly believe they only benefit people who hold large bank balances year-round.Offset mortgages allow borrowers to link their everyday accounts to their home loan, reducing the balance on which interest is charged. This means even short-term savings, like wages before bills are paid, can cut interest costs.Data from 2024 shows that customers using offset-style products collectively saved around $200 million in interest. More than 13,000 homeowners even paid zero interest for parts of the year, with average rates reduced to just 1.71% p.a.For Coasties juggling higher living costs, the message is clear: there may be untapped ways to make money in the bank work harder against the mortgage.Despite the potential benefits, only about one in four survey respondents said they currently use offset accounts with their loan. Myths about complexity and suitability for only the wealthy appear to be holding people back.With mortgage rates still sitting around 5–6%, offsetting offers an alternative to traditional savings, effectively earning the same as the interest avoided.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

A man critically injured at Muriwai Beach on Saturday has died in hospital.The 28-year-old became trapped when a sand dune collapsed, leaving him buried. Emergency crews airlifted him to Auckland City Hospital, where he remained in critical condition before sadly passing away today.Police confirmed enquiries will be carried out on behalf of the Coroner.For many Coasties, the tragedy is a sobering reminder of how unpredictable and dangerous natural environments can be. With Muriwai just a short drive from the Hibiscus Coast, the accident will likely weigh heavily on locals who regularly enjoy beaches and dunes with their families.Authorities urge beachgoers to take extra care in sandy areas, particularly around unstable dunes that can shift without warning.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Local elections are coming up, and Hibiscus Coast residents will soon have the chance to shape who represents them at both local and regional levels.The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board spans from Waiwera to Campbells Bay and is split into two subdivisions: Hibiscus Coast and East Coast Bays. Voters living on the Hibiscus Coast can elect four members to the Hibiscus Coast Subdivision, two councillors for the Albany Ward, and one mayor for all of Auckland.Voting opens on Tuesday 9 September 2025 and closes at 12 noon on Saturday 11 October 2025. Preliminary results will be available on Monday 13 October, with the final count expected between Tuesday 14 and Friday 17 October.Hibiscus Coast Local Board candidates:Gary Brown – Coast PeopleJoshua Burt – No noted affiliationDani Dawson – Hibiscus People FirstGary George – Coast PeopleJayden Haley – No noted affiliationChristopher Lake – No noted affiliationJake Law – Coast CommunityAndy Mackie – IndependentSamuel Mills – ACT LocalGemma Moffat – Coast CommunityJeffrey Olufson – Hibiscus People FirstYang Qu – ACT LocalNick Rado – Coast CommunityDarag Rennie – Coast PeoplePamela Tipa – No noted affiliationLeanne Willis – Coast PeopleMichael Wilson – IndependentAlbany Ward councillor candidates:Callum Blair – IndependentGary Brown – Fix AucklandDylan Davey – No noted affiliationJohn McCallum – No noted affiliationSamuel Mills – ACT LocalKyle Parker – No noted affiliationVictoria Short – Fix AucklandWayne Waker – Putting People FirstJohn Watson – Putting People FirstFor Coasties, this election is more than just names on a ballot. Local boards make decisions on everyday issues like community facilities, parks, libraries, and local transport. They also provide input into Auckland-wide strategies and policies, meaning the people elected here will have a direct influence on how our area grows and develops.Key dates include:Candidates were announced: Friday 1 August 2025Election signs go up: From Saturday 9 August 2025Voting papers delivered: Tuesday 9 September to Monday 22 September 2025Voting closes: 12 noon, Saturday 11 October 2025Locations for voting across the Hibiscus Coast will be confirmed in early September. To nominate a candidate, you must be enrolled in the exact ward or subdivision that the candidate seeks to represent, and each nomination requires two nominators.For Coasties, being enrolled and casting a vote is a direct way to influence how our community is led over the next three years.

The Auckland Future Fund (AFF) Board has appointed Vontobel Asset Management AG as its global investment manager, placing $1.3 billion under the firm’s care.The appointment follows a global tender process that began in January 2025 with 21 participants. After months of evaluation, Vontobel was selected in June, with compliance checks completed before the announcement this week.AFF Chair Chris Swasbrook says the board is pleased to secure an investment manager with strong international credentials. Mayor Wayne Brown welcomed the move, saying it will help diversify risk and reduce the council’s reliance on rates. Lead Councillor Christine Fletcher described it as a “final milestone” in establishing the fund for long-term benefit.Vontobel, founded in Zurich in 1924 and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, manages assets worldwide. The AFF Board noted its transparent pricing and focus on customer service as key factors in its decision.The Auckland Future Fund was established after the council sold its remaining shares in Auckland International Airport in December 2024, raising over $1.3 billion. Since then, the fund has already delivered $38 million in distributions, above forecast, to support council services and infrastructure.For Hibiscus Coast residents, the fund’s returns could mean easing the pressure on rates while still maintaining investment in local services. As the council looks to strengthen its financial resilience, the AFF’s management is set to play a long-term role in supporting Auckland’s communities.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Smaller-scale property investors are back in the market, primarily looking for cheap properties, data firm Cotality says.It has released its latest chart pack, which shows mortgaged-multiple property owners are now about 25 percent of the market, compared to 21 percent in mid last year.Chief property economist Kelvin Davidson said their attention had shifted a bit.Now that all properties' home loan interest was 100 percent deductible for tax purposes, and not just that of new builds, the incentive to buy new was not the same."There's evidence that this investor comeback is towards the lower end of the market … the bottom 30 percent of properties by value, which probably tends to correlate with the shift a little bit more towards existing properties, which tend to be a bit cheaper than new builds."He said there could be better rental returns on offer from those homes, particularly if investors added a bedroom or bathroom to boost cashflow.Davidson said property investors were also being enticed back because lower interest rates meant they had less of a gap between rent payments and mortgage repayments to cover."That has shifted the balance for many landlords, allowing them to re-engage in the market and for newer investors, giving them the incentive to build a portfolio in more favourable conditions."Think about your cliched mum-and-dad investor, probably what matters most to them is 'how much cash am I putting in?' and the big shift there has been lower interest rates."Last year, a standard rental property might have might have needed $400 or $500 a week in terms of a cash flow top up … now it's $200."It's a lot still, but that's a very visible change for a mum and dad investor, you know simply that we're putting in a lot less cash than we might have had to do last year."He said interest rates continuing to fall would keep investors engaged.But he said there were factors against them. Council rates were going up and there was a perceived risk if the government changed."There's a perception out there amongst some investors that the tax rules could shift again back against property investment in terms of interest deductibility. So some people out there [are] very concerned about that. It's never one way traffic, some things in favour, some things against."He said rents were sluggish. They were still high in relation to income overall, limiting the scope for further increases. Migration was soft."Rents have actually fallen in Auckland and Wellington in the past year, something that doesn't happen often."The weakness is illustrated by the MBIE bonds data, with the median national rent in the three months to June slightly lower than a year ago - one of the first declines since late 2009. It's difficult to see a strong return to growth in the near term."But investors' yield was trending higher as property values fell.From a low of an average 2.7 percent in 2021, investors were now getting an average 3.8 percent, the highest since mid-2016.Davidson said first-home buyers were also still active in the market.KiwiSaver was helping people pull together a deposit, he said, and banks were willing to lend to people with smaller deposits."A lot of that money has been going to first-time buyers. So you know, first-home buyers definitely don't need a 20 percent deposit to get into the market. And I think that's been a big factor as well as just simply lower house prices, lower interest rates, those things have helped."Moving owner-occupiers were less active. That might be because of the mechanics involved in buying and selling, he said."It's simply been a little bit tricky to get a sale for your own property and line up a purchase in short order. The lack of certainty around buying and selling has made it tricky, so maybe people have just stayed where they are instead."He said if confidence returned and the market freed up, pent-up demand could start to come through."I think the owner-occupier market will be a bit busier next year but it could be that we've just got to get through a few quieter months first."He said while it remained a buyers' market, there could be some more competitive price pressure building in the next few months as the employment market improved and interest rates were lower."It does feel as if the market conditions will be shifting by the start of next year."

The Hauraki Gulf is set to receive the largest boost in marine protection in more than a decade, following the Government’s progress of the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Act through Parliament.Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says the changes will create High Protection Areas across 800 square kilometres of the Gulf, covering key habitats from the Mokohīnau Islands to the Aldermen Islands. Limited ring-net fishing will be permitted in only three per cent of the total protected area, with a review scheduled after three years.The Department of Conservation has already deployed a team of Marine Rangers to educate the public, monitor the new zones and ensure compliance.Goat Island Marine Reserve near Leigh, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, will more than triple in size under the new legislation.Potaka highlighted both the ecological and economic importance of the Gulf, which is estimated to be worth $100 billion to New Zealand through fishing, recreation and tourism. “We want to bring back more fish, more variety, more biodiversity to restore the health of the Gulf,” he said.For Hibiscus Coast locals, who treasure the Gulf for boating and fishing, the legislation could mean healthier waters and stronger fish stocks in the years ahead. With one-third of New Zealand’s seabirds breeding in the Gulf and habitats such as kelp forests and fragile coral at risk, the move is seen as a vital step toward reversing decades of ecological decline.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Welcome to The Week That Was.Your go-to recap of important news, stories, and updates for the Hibiscus Coast community.Golfers Rally As Takapuna Course Under ThreatRead more →Listeria Risk Sparks Nationwide Cheese RecallRead more →Kiwi Juniors Shine On World Diving StageRead more →Waiwera Locals Hit By Steep Rates HikeRead more →Calls Grow To Ban Seafood Gathering At Army BayRead more →Your Coast. Your news. Your app.Download the Hibiscus Coast App for instant local updates. Anytime, anywhere.

New Zealand’s renewable energy supply hit a record 45.5% in 2024, according to the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment’s latest Energy in New Zealand report.Electricity generation was even greener, with 85.5% coming from renewable sources such as geothermal, wind, and solar. This growth helped offset lower hydro inflows and reduced gas production.Despite the increase in clean energy, overall consumption dropped 2.1%, mainly because of reduced industrial demand. Aviation fuel use, however, continued its steady climb back, reaching 90% of pre-COVID levels.Natural gas use fell to its lowest point since 2011 as production declined. Coal imports rose to rebuild stockpiles at Huntly, and coal was used more in electricity generation, although industrial coal use continued to fall.For Coasties, the report highlights a national shift that affects daily life close to home. More households are drawing on renewable power, which supports both sustainability goals and long-term energy security. At the same time, higher travel demand means busier airports and roads, a trend locals will notice as tourism continues to rebound.The report also shows that while residential and agricultural electricity demand increased, industrial demand eased, freeing up power for other sectors.The figures underline both challenges and opportunities ahead, with New Zealand moving towards cleaner energy while balancing supply security.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Critical infrastructure projects will face fewer delays after Parliament passed the Public Works Act Amendment Bill.Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Land Information Minister Chris Penk say the changes are designed to speed up land acquisition and reduce costs for large-scale builds such as transport networks.The new law introduces an accelerated land purchase process. It includes:Incentive payments of 15% (up to $150,000) for landowners who sell early.Recognition payments of 5% (up to $92,000) for all landowners affected.Objections handled by the Minister or local councils rather than the Environment Court.An opt-out option to use the standard process.Bishop says the reforms will help New Zealand address its infrastructure deficit more quickly.Penk adds that faster delivery of roads and transport links will lower costs for households and businesses.For the Hibiscus Coast, this could mean earlier progress on key road upgrades that locals rely on for commuting into the city, getting goods to market, and easing congestion that affects daily life.Faster builds could also support local contractors and jobs.Further reforms to modernise the Public Works Act are expected later this year, with the public able to provide feedback through the select committee process.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

A new rule to speed up building inspections comes into force today, with Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk announcing that councils must now complete at least 80 percent of inspections within three working days of being requested.Mr Penk said the change was designed to reduce one of the biggest frustrations for builders, who often wait a week or more for inspections. Each lost day, he noted, adds around $400 to the cost of a project.The new target applies to Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) nationwide, including Auckland Council, which oversees inspections across the Hibiscus Coast. With many Coasties building new homes or adding extensions, faster inspection times could save both time and money.Councils will have flexibility in how they meet the target, whether by prioritising higher-risk projects or using more remote inspections. Performance will be monitored, with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) publishing quarterly wait-time data for every council from the end of this year.The Government is also progressing wider building reforms, including allowing homeowners to build granny flats up to 70 square metres without a consent, and developing a self-certification scheme for trusted builders, plumbers and drainlayers to sign off their own work.Mr Penk said the measures would help reduce inefficiencies and free up councils to focus on their core role, while also ensuring “cowboy builders, not ratepayers,” are held accountable for shoddy work.For Coasties, the new rules mean less time waiting around on site and fewer costly hold-ups on local building projects.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Data from the country's biggest KiwiSaver provider shows that when it comes to putting money aside in the scheme, where you live matters.A comparison of average balances around the country shows Wellingtonians lead the pack.There, ANZ members had an average balance of $44,863. That was followed by Taranaki, at $40,562.At the bottom of the table, more than $10,000 behind were Northland, at $33,830 and Gisborne, at $33,673.ANZ Funds Management managing director Fiona Mackenzie said KiwiSaver could hard code any income inequality. People who earned less over their lifetimes would end up with less in their KiwiSaver accounts as a result.Northland had an average household income last year of $123,900 according to government data, while Gisborne was $133,200.Wellington's average was $162,400."Our hypothesis is that income variation is the biggest driver," she said."I genuinely have a concern that KiwiSaver is amplifying existing inequality ... whether it's gender pay gaps or ethnic pay gaps ... all of that gets amplified because KiwiSaver is anchored effectively to PAYE incomes."I think it really is time we started having that larger conversation."She said, now the scheme had been around for 18 years, it was appropriate to ask whether it was on track."The answer is not really. It's a great system, it's had awesome uptake ... but if you step right back, are people on track to be able to self-fund a comfortable retirement? No is the answer."She said, if left unaddressed, the disparities could compound over time and lead to uneven retirement outcomes across the country.South Islanders led the way when it came to making contributions.In Marlborough, Otago, Southland Canterbury, 70 percent of members were actively saving, compared to 60 percent in Auckland and Northland.Mackenzie said Southland and Canterbury had very high proportions of members receiving full or partial government contributions. The full contribution is available to people who contribute at least $1042 a year.The proportion in Gisborne and Northland was very low, she said."Research typically shows those two areas have the highest level of deprivation so again I think we think there is a lot of linkage between income levels and it's part of the reason why as a KiwiSaver provider we spend a lot of time and energy trying to help people around that government contribution point because that is one of the remaining incentives."She said the government contribution could make a material difference to people with lower balances.Mackenzie said the regional disparity could also highlight differences in economic conditions, as well as financial awareness."It reflects New Zealand's two-speed economy, where some regions are doing better and activity contributing to KiwiSaver, while others lag behind."Understanding these variation is crucial, it allows policy-makers and providers to tailor strategies that boost participation in lower contributing areas, helping ensure all New Zealanders have the opportunity to build long-term financial security."Nationwide, 40 percent were not regularly contributing.About 27 percent of people aged 16 and 17 were, even though the data was collected before there were matching employer or government contributions available for them.Mackenzie said contribution rates had not been materially affected by the economic downturn."I think that's incredibly positive ... the percentage of our customers who are contributing has stayed fairly stable and I think that's a really good thing."

Whangaparāoa residents and iwi are calling for a ban on taking seafood from Auckland's Army Bay as they say what was once an "abundance of sea life" was now gone.Local iwi Ngāti Manuhiri was considering asking the minister for a rāhui or halt to collecting seafood from the area to give it time to regenerate.Long time Army Bay resident and founder of the Protect Whangaparāoa rock pools group Mark Lenton, said in the past two years there had been mass stripping of the rock pools at Army Bay with large groups turning up, sometimes in mini buses, with all sorts of tools and buckets to harvest all the kai moana they could find.He told Checkpoint urgent action needed was needed to protect the bay and other beaches too."I walk the rock pools daily and there has been an abundance of sea life in the rock pools [in the past]. Over last Summer, I started seeing more people on the rocks with buckets and tools taking everything out of these pools."He said he had seen people using tongs and chisels to remove limpets and even piano wire to remove sea weed and sea anemone from the rocks."There's a large element of poaching both day and night... it's more concentrated poaching at night."They arrive in cars, mini buses sometimes, with all forms of tool and equipment."Last Sunday evening, he said he saw a group of 15 people on the rocks about 8pm, who were intercepted by some locals before the sealife could be removed."They're taking cushion stars, limpets, crabs, sea anemone, everything goes into the bucket.Starfish at Army Bay. Photo: MARK LENTON / SUPPLIED"The pools used to be an abundance of life... like any Kiwi I have a love of the ocean and that started with rock pools."Lenton said it needed to stop and he believed a rāhui could be the answer."A rāhui would be great, secondly, we need a legal ban for at least two years restricting all gathering at rock pools for that time."He acknowledged two years may not be long enough for the sealife to recover but said it was a step in the right direction.It was a really good chance for New Zealand and Fisheries NZ to take a stand, Lenton said, and show the country would not tolerate that kind of behaviour."There should be no rules in 2025 that allow people to strip rock pools bare on any part of our coastline."Chief Executive of Ngāti Manuhiri, Nicola Rata-MacDonald MNZM, said the iwi had been considering further options to protect shellfish and other taonga species since 2018."Covid-19 temporarily paused this kōrero, but the need has become urgent as pressure on our rocky reefs and intertidal areas has escalated."While the rāhui itself is not a legal closure, it works in tandem with legislation. Together they bring the strength of both cultural practice and government regulation."This is why it is important that we all work together - iwi, agencies, and the wider community - to uphold the rāhui and the closure, so that our moana and taonga species have a chance to recover."Rata-MacDonald said the iwi was seeking closure of the entire eastern coastline of the Rodney Local Board Area and Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Area."Once our application is lodged, it is for the Minister to consider and approve. We are seeking the maximum closure period of two years, though the final decision rests with the Minister."Enforcement would be the responsibility of Fisheries NZ, she said."One way members of the public can potentially contribute is by applying to become honorary fisheries officers, which helps strengthen protection efforts. At the same time, our kaitiaki and volunteers will be focusing on education and awareness - working with the community to build understanding and support for the closure."Fisheries NZ regional manager for the north, Andre Espinoza, said he was grateful for information from the public relating to any suspected illegal fishing.But he noted the compliance rate in Auckland for recreational fishers when inspected was at 94 percent.People could report any suspicious or illegal fishing activity by calling 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24).

Women’s rugby is growing rapidly worldwide, and now accounts for 25% of the total global playing base.US women’s rugby star Ilona Maher is the most followed rugby player in the world, ahead of men’s stars Siya Kolisi and Antoine Dupont.So there’s more interest than ever in the tenth Women’s Rugby World Cup, which kicks off in England on August 23.As with any big sports event, the pundits will be picking their winners based on recent win-loss records and overall performance trends – key factors that underpin official rankings.Rugby Vision, a suite of statistical models I developed to predict outcomes for major competitions, uses similar information but with some important differences.Notably, it is less sensitive to the outcome of any single game.The model uses three main components: a rating system for international teams; estimation of expected outcomes for each World Cup game using those ratings; and 10,000 simulations of the tournament to account for uncertainty around expected outcomes.Rugby Vision has outperformed betting markets and other algorithms in recent men’s Rugby World Cups.I should add, though, it is not designed to support sports betting, but rather to illustrate how statistical modelling compares with real-world results.Picking a winnerThe probability of each team advancing to each stage of the tournament is shown in the table below.England, which has dominated women’s rugby in recent years and has home advantage, is overwhelming favourite with a 70.3% chance of winning the tournament.New Zealand, which won the previous tournament, is second favourite with an 18.8% chance of defending their title.The next most likely winners are consistent performers Canada (6.7%) and France (3.9%).There is a 99.7% chance the winner will be one of these top four teams.In each pool, one team (from the top four) is almost assured of making the quarterfinals, one team is “likely”, and one team has a fighting chance.For example, in Pool B, Canada has a 99.4% chance of being quarter-finalists, Scotland a 69.8% probability, and Wales a 27.5% chance.Given the tournament schedule, Canada will likely play New Zealand in one semifinal, while England will face France in another.This is a key reason why France has a 75.5% chance of reaching the semifinals, but only a 12.1% chance of playing in the final.Behind the algorithmThe simulations are based on an algorithm used to rank teams.The algorithm used here differs from that used for the official World Rugby Rankings.Rugby Vision rankings and rating points for the participants are shown in the table below.England (with 136.8 rating points) is ranked number one, with a large lead over New Zealand (125.4), Canada (117.5) and France (114.6).Brazil (49.5), which will make its World Cup debut, rounds out the rankings.The Rugby Vision rankings are comparable to the official World Rugby rankings, but a key difference is that Canada is ranked ahead of New Zealand in the official standings.The rating points can be used to predict game results.For the first round of games at the tournament, the table below shows the expected winning margin of the favourite and the probability of each team winning.For example, in the game between Scotland and Wales, Scotland is expected to win by nine points, but there is a 29.5% chance Wales will win.While England enters the tournament as clear favourite, rugby has never been short of surprises.Past Rugby World Cups have seen giants fall and underdogs rise.The simulations give us a guide, but they are not a crystal ball.What is certain is that the women’s game is in excellent shape – growing fast, drawing crowds and showcasing world-class talent.This tournament is bound to be a spectacle.Author - Niven Winchester, Professor of Economics, Auckland University of Technology

If you pull into Waiwera today, you’ll find only bare ground where the hot pools once stood.Demolition in early 2024 removed every trace of the resort that once drew families for slides, spa tubs and steaming movie nights.Photo taken in February 2024.The pools closed in 2018 for planned renovations but never reopened.At the time, owners Urban Partners spoke of a $250 million redevelopment.So far, no work has started.Photo taken in August 2025.Council records now list the 1.7 hectare site as vacant commercial land, valued at $13.5 million with annual rates of $68,433.For Waiwera residents, the absence of redevelopment is less concerning than the letters now arriving from Auckland Council.Locals say they’re drowning in steep rates increases, with bills often climbing well into double figures.Rather than longing for the pools, locals we spoke with say they enjoy the peace.With no busloads of visitors, fewer cars and quieter streets, Waiwera feels more like a seaside village again.For now, the land remains empty, and most residents are more focused on balancing household budgets than debating what might one day replace the landmark.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

State Highway 1 between Oteha Valley Road and the Silverdale interchange will be fully closed northbound for maintenance from Sunday 24 August to Thursday 28 August, between 9pm and 5am.The closures are needed for general upkeep of the motorway and are dependent on weather. Ramp closures and lane restrictions may start earlier than the advertised times.Affected ramps include:Oteha Valley Road northbound on-rampSilverdale northbound off-rampBP Service Station Dairy Flat on-ramp and off-ramp (no public access)A signposted detour will be in place via Oteha Valley Road and Dairy Flat Highway.For Hibiscus Coast commuters, the works mean longer evening journeys and some rerouting around local roads. Planning ahead and allowing extra travel time will help avoid frustration.While the closures may cause short-term inconvenience, the maintenance is designed to keep SH1 safe and reliable for the thousands of Coasties who rely on it daily.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Coasties, here’s what the next four days have in store:Friday, 22/8 Rephrase Forecasts with a casual, community-friendly version that fits your styleHigh: 13Low: 6Saturday, 23/8Chilly start with morning frosts, then mostly fine under light southeasterlies.High: 12Low: 6Sunday, 24/8Cloudy spells with easterlies picking up and showers by afternoon.High: 14Low: 9Monday, 25/8On-and-off showers with steady easterlies.High: 15Low: 10Want more weather info? Tap into the full Weather & Travel section in the Hibiscus Coast App for:🌊 Tide times🌬️ Wind conditions🌊 Wave updates🌞 UV levels🏖️ Safe swimming spots...and plenty more.Everything you need, right here in the Hibiscus Coast App – anytime, anywhere!

Regular school attendance has hit record levels, with Term 2 showing 58.4% of students attending regularly. That’s up 5 percentage points on the same time last year and 11.4 points on Term 2 in 2023. Associate Education Minister David Seymour says it’s the first time any term has beaten pre covid levels.Every region saw gains, with the biggest lift in Taranaki, Whanganui and Manawatū, up 7.2 points year on year. Chronic absence has also eased, falling to 9.3% compared with 9.6% last year and 12.5% in 2023.For Hibiscus Coast schools, higher attendance means steadier progress in the classroom and less disruption for families. Fewer gaps in learning also ease pressure on teachers, which could make a real difference as students head into exams and end-of-year milestones.The Government’s attendance action plan is rolling out in stages. By Term 1, 2026 all schools must have an attendance plan aligned with the Stepped Attendance Response. Prosecution will be considered only in serious cases where parents refuse to engage after supports are offered.Next year, frontline services will have tighter contracts, better monitoring tools, and a new case management system. Budget 2025 also set aside $140m over four years to boost attendance. Seymour says keeping kids in class is the first step to positive outcomes like higher incomes, stable jobs and stronger communities.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Walking is free, healthy, stress-relieving and kind to the planet, yet most short trips in Auckland are still taken by car. A 2018 Census snapshot showed 82.8 percent of journeys were made behind the wheel.Dr I-Ting Chuang from the University of Auckland set out to understand why, mapping 15-minute walking catchments in several Auckland and Hamilton suburbs. The findings showed that while many neighbourhoods technically meet the “15-minute city” ideal, proximity alone doesn’t get people on their feet.Instead, walking depends on three factors:Street layout – fine-grained networks make short trips feel achievable.Destinations – everyday places like cafés, shops and libraries give people a reason to walk.Experience – greenery, seating and safe lighting make walking enjoyable.Access to destinations emerged as the strongest motivator. “An elegant footpath won’t get people walking if there’s nothing worth walking to,” Dr Chuang noted.The study also found differences between communities. In under-served areas, people often walk out of necessity. In more affluent suburbs, walking is a choice, usually for pleasure.For Coasties, the lessons are clear. The Hibiscus Coast already enjoys leafy paths and scenic walkways, but the challenge is encouraging people to use them for everyday trips, not just leisure. Connecting these routes with daily destinations like schools, shops and community hubs is what will turn a pleasant walk into a practical choice.As Dr Chuang concludes, “Structure enables walking, but experience drives choice.”