Agents say half of high-net-worth travellers looking for luxury rentals in New Zealand are being turned away, with too few properties to meet booming demand.Stay Luxe, a premium accommodation agency, reports up to 50 enquiries each week from overseas guests ready to pay as much as $15,000 per night. Many want full-service stays with chefs, wellness treatments, and long rental periods from three weeks to a year.Co-founder Greg Owen says the shortage means “as many guests as we accept, we turn away,” leaving money on the table for both homeowners and the wider economy. He notes one booking involved $500,000 for a 90-day stay plus $150,000 in support services. Another $150,000 waterfront rental was booked online without inspection, showing the level of trust in the market.Unlike hotels, Owen says luxury homes offer wealthy visitors a taste of local life, including schools, communities and suburban living, often leading to multimillion-dollar property purchases. About one in ten renters eventually buys the home they stayed in.The most sought-after areas include central Auckland’s Remuera and St Heliers, waterfront estates and lifestyle properties in Coatesville. Americans favour modern, open-plan waterfront homes, while Europeans lean toward renovated villas with character charm.For Coast homeowners, the trend could be a lucrative opportunity. With large executive homes often sitting empty while owners travel, Owen says properties could command $8,000 a week instead of $2,000 on the standard rental market.He warns that unless more stock is made available, New Zealand risks losing wealthy travellers and their spending in restaurants, retail and local services to countries like Australia.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Millwater Medical will reopen on Monday, 29 September, marking the end of a two-month closure first announced back in June.At the time, Silverdale Medical confirmed it was reducing urgent care hours and that Millwater Medical would temporarily close, with patients redirected to Silverdale and Weiti Creek. Foot Doctor Podiatry was the only service to remain open on site.Now, after winter months of reshuffling, the Millwater clinic is back in action. The team says new staff have joined to help ease pressures that forced the closure, and three familiar faces are returning. Dr Peter Chai, Dr Cho Kim and Dr Paul Kim will once again be seeing patients in Millwater, ensuring continuity of care for long-time locals.“While Silverdale Medical and Weiti Creek Medical are nearby, we understand that nothing compares to the connection and comfort of visiting your local clinic,” the Millwater Medical team wrote to patients today.Staff say they are excited to welcome patients back and keep Millwater thriving.For Hibiscus Coast families, the reopening means shorter trips, trusted doctors, and the comfort of knowing their local medical centre is once again open for business.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

If you’re working through the school holidays, you’ll know the juggle—Zoom calls at the table while someone tugs your sleeve asking what’s next.The trick isn’t filling every minute, it’s giving the days a gentle rhythm so kids know what to expect and you can still breathe.Think in threes: mornings to move, middays to calm, afternoons for projects.Start the day with movement: driveway chalk hopscotch, a backyard race, or a scavenger hunt for shells and leaves. By the time you’re into emails, they’re happily worn out. After lunch, shift into calm. Lego cities, puzzle challenges, or a reading picnic under the tree if the weather behaves. This is your golden work window. Later, round things out with a project: baking muffins, building a fort from cushions, or planting seeds in pots. Fresh, fun, but not all on you.Some parents theme the week: Monday art, Tuesday outdoor, Wednesday kitchen, Thursday building, Friday fun challenge—then remix it the second week.The beauty of this rhythm is it costs next to nothing, uses what you’ve got at home, and gives the kids variety without you scrambling. Two weeks later, they’ve had adventures, you’ve met your deadlines, and no one’s climbing the walls.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word

How much do you really need to save for retirement?Is it $48,000 as suggested by the Massey University retirement spending guidelines for a one-person household living a "no frills" life in a provincial area?Or $1 million, as mooted by those same guidelines, for a two-person house living a choices life in a main centre.The Retirement Income Interest Group - part of the New Zealand Society of Actuaries - has set out to attempt to answer the question.It said there needed to be a single framework for consistent discussion of what would be an adequate retirement income, and this should be clearly communicated to KiwiSaver members.The group said there were a few different ways income needs could be assessed.It could be done based on actual spending of current retirees, as in the Massey guidelines, or hypothetical spending based on the cost of living.But the data reported on actual spending was not representative of all retirees and the hypothetical basket was hard to interpret into the future.Instead, calculating a replacement income rate would be more effective, they said.With this method, a person would be deemed to have sufficient savings if their balance at retirement could generate 80 percent to 100 percent of their pre-retirement income, until they were at least 90.That would mean a median earner would need savings of about $605,000 if their retirement spending was assumed to increase with inflation.If it were to fall 2 percent per year, which is a pattern seen in retiree spending, the balance required for would be $375,000."Thinking about it in that way is really consistent with the KiwiSaver Act itself which talks about trying to allow people to enjoy standards of living in retirement similar to those in pre-retirement," said group convenor Ian Perera.He said it was likely that a 5 percent KiwiSaver contribution rate, matched by an employer, would deliver the target amount of income for most median-earners.This was assessed using a 6 percent drawdown rule, which allows for spending to reduce over a person's life.At 4 percent plus 4 percent, which the settings are shifting towards, someone who joined the workforce in their early 20s and earned a median income throughout their life and invested in a balanced fund would have a replacement income ratio of 75 percent, he said.It was likely to be higher in a growth fund, or if returns were higher than the modelling allowed for.But he said most people were not investing continuously from 20 to 65. Many would take money out for a first home."Then you've got less time to make up what you've taken out. So that's important and obviously there'll be various reasons why people might need to have a savings suspension. They might be taking a career break for family reasons or they might have lost their job."These sorts of gaps definitely can have an impact on your replacement rate."He said someone who withdrew for a first home would only end up with about 60 percent of pre-retirement income at a 4 percent contribution rate."I'm not saying that using KiwiSaver to buy a first home isn't a good thing. We know from the work that the Retirement Commission has done that people who own their own homes are probably in a better position in retirement because the cost of rents are quite a bit higher than the cost of house maintenance and rates and that sort of thing. So It's a good thing to do but it's something you're going to need to make some contributions to."The highest income 10 percent of earners could find they needed to save more than 5 percent for their own personal targets but they were more likely to have other investments and seek personal advice, anyway.He said people who were lagging in their saving could make a higher level of contributions in the years before retirement, or retire later."Retiring later may lead to over-saving with a high replacement income possibly available until age 100. However, these strategies cannot be relied on as health issues or employment situation may prevent working as late or at the same level as hoped for."He said when people knew the income level they wanted to generate, they could work back from that."You have NZ Super which is going to provide a significant amount of that target income for most New Zealanders and I guess you have a gap on top of that."If you're a high income earner then that gap is going to be larger because NZ Super doesn't depend on how much income you earn before retirement. And conversely if you've been earning something close to the minimum wage throughout your life then NZ Super provides quite a big chunk of that replacement income."He said Sorted's retirement navigator tool, which allows people to work out how they could spend their KiwiSaver total would help them to see the picture."There's a variety of different options you could use... your spending tends to go down in real terms through retirement."Some people talk about the go-go, slow-go and no-go years of retirement. So when you first retire, a lot of people can be quite active. They might want to be doing holidays and things that they haven't been able to do when they're working."But there comes a point where you slow down and you're probably going to be less interested in or capable of doing certain activities."

Marketing has long focused on boosting sales, profits and customer satisfaction. But a new review warns that the social and environmental costs are being left off the balance sheet.The research highlights three big ideas that could reshape the field: service-dominant logic, resource-advantage theory and market shaping. All are designed to help businesses think beyond transactions and build systems of value creation that last.Examples are already here. Silver Fern Farms launched carbon-neutral beef and advanced traceability, while agritech firms are using precision farming to regenerate soils. Greenbox keeps IT equipment in circulation through refurbishment and resale, and Ecostore has pushed for new packaging standards. Māori businesses weave intergenerational stewardship into their strategies, showing models that challenge mainstream practice.Associate Professor Julia Fehrer (Business School, University of Auckland)The authors say marketers should:• Think in systems, not silos• Count future generations as stakeholders• Treat sustainability as a strategic asset• Imagine tomorrow’s markets, not just today’sFor Hibiscus Coast businesses, the message is clear. Whether it’s farms in Wainui, retail in Silverdale or service providers across Whangaparaoa, sustainability isn’t a side project. It’s fast becoming central to how markets operate and how locals choose who to buy from.The research was carried out by Associate Professor Julia Fehrer (University of Auckland), Professor Mark Peterson (University of Wyoming) and Professor Bård Tronvoll (University of Inland Norway).Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Massey Business School has climbed the global rankings, with its Master of Business Administration (MBA) now ranked among the top 10 in Oceania and first equal in New Zealand. The MBA also moved into the 201 to 250 band worldwide, while its online version made its debut in the top 100 globally.Two other postgraduate programmes also rose. The Master of Business Analytics advanced into the 101 to 150 international band, securing 19th place for programme diversity, while the Master of Finance moved into the 151 to 200 band, marking its first appearance on the world stage.Research performance proved a standout across the board. The MBA scored 93.1% for research impact, the Master of Finance 98.7%, and the Master of Business Analytics 86.8%, underscoring Massey’s reputation for high-quality research.The rankings, released by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), are considered among the most influential globally, drawing insights from academics, employers and alumni. They measure how well business schools prepare students for leadership in a competitive international market.Professor Jonathan Elms, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Massey Business School, says the recognition reflects years of commitment. “These results highlight the impact our graduates are having on business and society, and they reinforce our position as a leader in business education in Aotearoa and the wider region.”For Coasties, Massey’s Albany campus is less than 20 minutes down the motorway, making these world-class programmes, including the highly ranked MBA and online MBA, an accessible option close to home.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

The growing view that New Zealand’s energy market is “broken” has brought with it a stream of suggestions for piecemeal changes that nibble at the edges of the problem, without tackling the real structural, legal and distributional issues.Nor do those suggestions demonstrate how such changes would fit into a coherent overall scheme for the future industry, or truly bring down soaring prices that are crippling households and businesses.NZ First’s Shane Jones seems to agree, and recently called for his party to consider a policy of renationalising the big “gentailers” (the combined generation and retail companies). But his solutions appear designed to lock in dependence on fossil fuels rather than hasten the 100% renewable energy future that now beckons.From the outset, it’s important to set clear goals for the electricity industry. Mine are: reliable abundant supply, and the lowest possible price to end-users, especially households.Those were the goals of the old New Zealand Electricity Department, and they had been largely achieved by 1986. So-called reforms since then have reduced reliability while massively increasing prices and profits for the benefit of asset owners (including the government).So, it’s also important to remember there are now entrenched vested interests whose incomes and asset portfolios are dependent on high prices and monopoly profits.Bringing prices and profits down will mean writing down the asset values of the gentailers, the national grid and the lines companies – at the expense of their shareholders.New Zealanders in general may be big winners. But there would be powerful and noisy losers. The sums involved will be large, and the politics will be difficult.Rents and rising pricesMost of New Zealand’s electricity is generated from low-cost renewables – hydro, geothermal and wind – but also some high-cost thermal generation (mainly from the coal-and-gas-fired Huntly power station).Before reform, the wholesale electricity price was set to cover the average cost of generation. Since reform, the wholesale price has been set by the highest-priced supplier, which these days mostly means Huntly.That highest price is paid to all generators, despite the fact most of them will have offered to supply (and would have covered their genuine costs) at much lower prices.As long as Huntly is kept in the mix as the highest-cost supplier that sets the market price, the market design will keep prices high – far above the cost of the solar and wind generation, whose entry to the market is being blocked by that same market design.The result has been to enrich the owners of low-cost hydro and geothermal plant inherited from the old New Zealand Electricity Department.From the moment this market mechanism was proposed in the mid-1980s, it was obvious it would drive prices up and deliver large rents (pure excess profits) on the legacy hydro and geothermal assets.Equally, from the moment the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter’s cut-price supply contract was signed in 1960, it was clear that exceptions could be made. It was – and is – possible to impose long-term contracts to have electricity supplied to target groups of consumers at a low price.In 1992, I and colleagues suggested how a contract similar to Tiwai Point’s could have provided 20,000 gigawatt-hours per year at two cents per kilowatt hour, to be passed through to consumers. The same contract structure remains an option today to lessen the burden of energy poverty on residential consumers.However, what would have been simple back in 1992 was rejected as too “regulatory” by the head of Electricorp, which was overseeing the deregulation of the electricity market in the 1980s and 1990s. Now, it is politically hard because of the overblown asset values, dividends and tax revenues that have flowed from the high-price regime.Worse, the first beneficiaries of monopolistic prices and asset values throughout the 1990s and 2000s have in many cases taken their capital gains and departed. The investors who bought their shares at high prices are now exposed to regulatory risk if the flow of economic rent is cut back.Energy poverty and job lossesIn 2012, in my submission to the select committee considering the Mixed Ownership Model Bill, I warned that future governments might find themselves forced to restrain anti-consumer and anti-competitive behaviour, which would push down the gentailers’ asset values and share prices.I wrote then that this would “be financially devastating for the balance sheets of the companies, in precisely the same way as their conduct since 1990 has been devastating for the household budgets of millions of ordinary people”.In the 13 years since, the conflict between monopoly profit and the public interest has worsened steadily, producing energy poverty for households and job losses in manufacturing, while asset values have soared.Meanwhile, the arrival of energy-hungry computer data centres threatens to preempt any low-cost new generation that comes online.Bringing down pricesGovernments seem paralysed, both by their own conflicts of interest as owner-shareholders and by the prospect of backlash from powerful corporate and shareholder interests that benefit from the status quo.Several broad solutions are straightforward in principle:breaking up the gentailersbringing in enough wind, solar, geothermal and battery power to remove the need for Huntly, even in dry yearsand redirecting the legacy hydro assets to operate as a battery-equivalent rather than a profit centre.But for electricity prices to come down significantly, the government would need to do at least these four things:break down monopoly power and the sympathetic regulatory regime of the Electricity Authority and Commerce Commissionresurrect local electrical supply authorities to operate “energy communities”, combining the cost benefits of local small and medium-scale sources of renewable supply, with local network operators as coordinatorstender out procurement contracts for large-scale offshore wind, onshore solar and battery storage, owned and operated outside of the gentailersand factor the true economics of renewable energy into the market by forcing the established vested interests to genuinely compete in the face of the renewables revolution.Consumers and small business deserve a break after three decades of the current system. The outlook, alas, is for more of the same government fiddling while the economy suffers.Author - Geoff Bertram - Visiting Scholar, School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations — Victoria University of Wellington.This article is republished from The Conversation.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Welcome to The Week That Was.Your go-to recap of important news, stories, and updates for the Hibiscus Coast community.Hear Again Helps Coasties Reclaim Life’s SoundsRead more → OECD Warns Kiwi Economy Stuck in Slow LaneRead more → New Commerce Law Aims to Protect Local BusinessesRead more →Bus Ploughs Into Silverdale Liquor StoreRead more →Simple Three-Word Plan Aims to Keep Kiwis SafeRead more → Your Coast. Your news. Your app.Download the Hibiscus Coast App for instant local updates. Anytime, anywhere.

Entrepreneurship should be taught in schools, not left until university, says Professor Rod McNaughton from the University of Auckland.The Government’s new curriculum adds subjects like artificial intelligence, data science and civics. McNaughton says these are welcome, but without entrepreneurship they miss the subject that ties them all together.“Entrepreneurship is about building confidence, learning to act when information is incomplete, and finding creative solutions,” he says. “Employers want graduates who can adapt quickly, take initiative and work well with others.”Other countries have already moved. Denmark builds entrepreneurship into every level of education. Finland requires it across all subjects. Singapore partners schools with industry to deliver hands-on programmes. Without a similar approach here, New Zealand risks leaving the subject patchy and limited to a few schools.Since 2018, more than 13,000 students have joined programmes at the University of Auckland’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. McNaughton says the results are clear, but starting this late is “playing catch-up.”On the Hibiscus Coast, where many young people step straight into trades or the workforce, earlier exposure could make a big difference. Coast teens would gain the confidence to spot opportunities, handle uncertainty and turn ideas into action — skills that matter whether they run a business or join a local team.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Job ads across New Zealand rose 1% in August, marking three straight months of growth and the first annual lift in over two years. Applications per ad also hit a record high, rising 2%, showing just how competitive the job market has become.SEEK NZ Country Manager Rob Clark says hiring activity is finally moving after months of stasis. “We have seen incremental increases the past three months, with data adjusted. There was increased activity across most industries and all of the larger regions in August. We have not seen such broad-based growth in a very long time.”Regionally, job ads rose fastest in Hawke’s Bay (4%), Otago (3%) and the West Coast (3%). Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury also recorded month-on-month and year-on-year gains. Only Taranaki saw a drop, down 2%.Real Estate & Property is leading the charge, up 4% month-on-month and 25% year-on-year, while Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics (3%) and Trades & Services (2%) also added solid demand. Government & Defence and Farming, Conservation & Animals were the only sectors to dip slightly in August, though Defence remains up 21% year-on-year.For Coasties, especially those commuting into Auckland, this mix of rising job ads and record-high applications means more opportunities but tougher competition. With more people chasing every role, job seekers will need to bring their A-game, whether in trades, services, or property-related work.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

The Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) says the 0.9% contraction in GDP for the June quarter is a sharp reminder of how fragile business confidence remains, especially in sectors like construction and services.“This result is a knock at the wrong time,” said Alan McDonald, EMA’s Head of Advocacy and Strategy. He noted that while recent sentiment has started to improve, lagging data still paints a gloomy picture for businesses hesitant to invest or hire.McDonald pointed to a “two-speed economy,” with exporters and primary producers showing signs of recovery while urban service sectors continue to struggle. He said government reforms around planning, immigration, employment law and vocational training are encouraging, but progress must speed up.“Let’s get moving on the school and hospital upgrades announced in the May Budget,” he said, suggesting projects be prioritised in slower-growing areas like South Auckland to restore confidence and create momentum.The EMA argues that accelerating infrastructure builds, rather than simply spending more, will stimulate activity and send the right signals to businesses. It also welcomed the government’s funding boost for major events and tourism, calling it a “shot in the arm” for recovery.On the Hibiscus Coast, many families rely on construction and service jobs tied to Auckland’s economy. Changes in business confidence and the timing of infrastructure projects such as hospitals and schools are likely to affect household stability locally as well as in the city.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

The University of Auckland has been named Innovative and Entrepreneurial University of the Year at the Triple E Awards, held in Prague from 10 to 12 September.The award recognises the University’s approach to start-up creation and innovation across teaching, research, and operations.Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater says it reflects the creativity and drive of staff and students, and their role in shaping solutions for New Zealand and beyond.Darsel Keane, who directs the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), says the accolade highlights how deeply innovation is embedded in university life.More than 7,000 people take part in CIE programmes each year, backed by the $40 million UniServices Inventors’ Fund which helps turn ideas into ventures with social and industry benefits.“At the heart of this achievement is our belief that universities should prepare graduates to be innovators, creators and solution-seekers,” Keane says.Deputy Vice-Chancellor Strategic Engagement Dr Erik Lithander represented the University at the awards in Prague.The recognition comes from the Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities, with 77 finalists from 30 countries competing this year.For Hibiscus Coast families with students in Auckland, the award underlines the University’s growing global reputation and the opportunities it’s creating for the next generation of innovators.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

More than one million travellers are expected through Auckland Airport over the school holiday period, with international departures peaking on Sunday 21 September and arrivals busiest on Friday 3 October.The airport forecasts around 530,000 people heading overseas or arriving from abroad, and 477,000 flying domestically. Australia, China and Fiji top the list for outbound travellers, while arrivals will be led by visitors from Australia, China and the US.Scott Tasker, Auckland Airport’s Chief Customer Officer, said demand is still strong. “Kiwis love to travel, whether that’s reconnecting with friends and family, taking a holiday in an exotic location, or building business connections face-to-face.”International travel is near full capacity, with some morning flights already fully booked. Customs and Aviation Security screening opens from 4.30am, and travellers are urged to arrive prepared to keep queues moving.Domestically, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown are the most popular destinations, with Friday 19 September expected to be the busiest departure day. Parking changes are in place as major upgrades continue, so pre-booking online is recommended.With many locals choosing a spring break abroad or flying south to visit relatives, expect heavier motorway traffic on peak travel days and a busy run through security at AKL.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

The salty spring air feels a little different this week, as two familiar faces in Rodney public life prepare to step back. After years of service on the Rodney Local Board, Louise Johnston and Michelle Carmichael are both finishing their terms, leaving behind a legacy Coasties will keep feeling for years.Louise, who many will remember for her hands-on approach at Green Road Park planting days, served three terms. She’s helped shape the masterplan for what she hopes will one day be the “Cornwall Park of Rodney,” a place for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and families to enjoy. She also fought hard to bring back the Dairy Flat bus service, the 986, restoring vital links for rural residents.Michelle, elected for one term, pushed for more openness and stronger community connections. She made board workshops public, giving locals a clear window into decision-making. In Warkworth, she met regularly with community groups, and her environmental focus carried through to her role on the Kaipara Moana Remediation Governance Partnership.Rodney Local Board Chairperson Brent Bailey says both have been strong voices and steady advocates for people and the environment. Their efforts, he notes, have laid a strong foundation for the next board.For Coasties, the work Louise and Michelle have done on transport, green spaces, and community transparency will ripple outward — whether through easier rural bus links or the long-term vision for Green Road Park becoming a true recreational hub. Their departure is a reminder that local voices really do shape daily life here, and we wish them both well as they turn the page to what comes next.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Retirement housing for older New Zealanders is unevenly spread across the country, with some regions well served and others lagging behind, according to new analysis.Penetration rates, which measure the share of older people living in retirement villages, sit around 18 per cent in the Bay of Plenty but closer to 14–15 per cent nationally.Canterbury is catching up as new projects are completed, while Auckland, despite having the most units, struggles to keep pace with demand from its growing ageing population.The Retirement Villages Association says the imbalance means access to later-life housing often depends on geography.Wellington and parts of the lower North Island are particularly short of supply.Senior Trust Retirement Village Income Generator’s lending highlights where new capacity is being added.Funding has been provided to The Botanic in Silverdale and Orewa Sands in Orewa, alongside projects in Paeroa, Amberley and Kerikeri.Executive Director Scott Lester says national averages mask local realities.“Some regions are well served, others risk falling further behind,” he said.Without new projects, families may face travelling further to support loved ones, and older people risk isolation or longer waits for care.With the population aged 75-plus forecast to grow by more than 40 per cent by 2033, pressure to lift build rates is mounting.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Looking for plans?Explore events happening soon on the Hibiscus Coast and start planning your next activity!Automatic 80'sSat 20 SepClick here for more detailsHoedown at the Ranch!Sun 21 SepClick here for more detailsStress Less Holiday Study HubMon 22 SepClick here for more detailsWant to see more events?Explore Things To Do in our community in the Hibiscus Coast App anytime, anywhere.Got an event coming up? List it free today →

A University of Auckland team is asking a big question: can the fruit pulp and skins left over from making juice and wine be turned into sustainable new foods?Led by Professor of Food Science Siew-Young Quek, the researchers have received $3 million over three years from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to explore the idea.Every year in New Zealand, around 100,000 tonnes of fruit byproducts end up in landfill, adding to greenhouse gases and water pollution. Quek’s team wants to use this waste to grow bacterial cellulose that can be shaped into food ingredients with added nutrition.“It’s about creating food that’s better for people and better for the planet,” says Quek, who also directs the Future Food Research Centre.The project also links with researchers in Singapore, who are developing new vegetarian products from mushroom mycelium, and Massey University scientists and engineers. Consumer testing will be led by the University’s Business School to see how people respond to the new products.While the work is still in the lab, Quek says the foods won’t contain synthetic additives and could carry real health benefits. The team is already working with industry to make sure the discoveries can be commercialised.One day, Hibiscus Coast shoppers might see the results of this work on their own supermarket shelvesKnow 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, 19/9Showers clearing to fine with fresh sou’westers.High: 16Low: 9Saturday, 20/9Mostly fine, easterlies shifting to a light nor’easter.High: 15Low: 11Sunday, 21/9Partly cloudy with strengthening northerlies.High: 17Low: 13Monday, 22/9Cloudy with a chance of showers and strong northerlies.High: 17Low: 13Want 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!

New data from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) show the national median house price dipped slightly in August, but most regions recorded year-on-year gains as more properties hit the market.The median price across New Zealand fell $4,000, or 0.5%, to $761,000 compared with August 2024. Excluding Auckland, the median rose 1.5% to $690,000.Auckland itself was up 1.3% to $964,000. Gisborne led regional increases with an 11.3% jump to $690,000, followed by Southland (up 8.9% to $465,000) and the West Coast (up 7.8% to $385,000).Sales activity was subdued. Nationally, transactions dropped 3.7% year-on-year to 5,866, with only six regions seeing more sales than last August. Waikato, Gisborne and Southland were the standouts. Listings, on the other hand, climbed 9% nationwide, taking total inventory to 30,000 properties.REINZ Chief Executive Lizzy Ryley said both buyers and sellers are cautious as spring approaches. “While many expected the recent OCR change to encourage more activity, the history of REINZ data suggests we may be cautiously optimistic about increased activity in the coming months.”For the Hibiscus Coast, steadier prices mean buyers still face hefty mortgages, but a bigger pool of listings could offer more choice heading into the spring selling season. With Auckland’s market holding firm, Coasties weighing up a move may find it easier to shop around without prices racing ahead.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.