Looking for something beyond shares and property? A new book, The Passion Portfolio: Investing in Style, offers Coasties a fresh look at investing—with a twist.Written by University of Auckland finance lecturer Dr Gertjan Verdickt and co-author Jürgen Hanssens, this offbeat guide explores how collectibles like Lego, wine, vintage cars and even baseball cards can offer more than sentimental value.Verdickt says passion investing opens up opportunities for people to put their money into things they enjoy. “It’s for investors looking to diversify beyond traditional securities,” he explains. “It’s also for people who are keen to put their money into something they love, something that’s tangible.”University of Auckland finance lecturer Dr Gertjan Verdickt.Verdickt’s own passion for wine started during a course he took five years ago. “I was in a supermarket looking to buy a bottle of wine, but I didn’t really have anything to go off other than the price and label,” he recalls. That course sparked not only an interest in fine wine but also a whole new research focus—on the world of alternative assets.The authors back their insights with hard data. For example, whisky tops their list for historical average annual returns at 17.52 percent. Baseball cards follow at nearly 13 percent—beating the stock market’s 10 percent.The book covers the pros and cons of investing in collectibles like watches, jewellery, art, stamps, instruments and precious metals. It also offers practical advice on authentication, spotting fakes, and understanding market trends.For Coasties who love Lego, there’s good news. According to Verdickt, it’s a relatively low-cost, accessible option with high demand and limited supply—making it more liquid than many other collectibles.But passion investing isn’t without its challenges. Verdickt warns that these markets can be opaque, with fewer trades and less regulation than traditional investments.“These are long-term investments that demand both knowledge and time,” he says.For Coasties curious about branching out, The Passion Portfolio could offer a new way to blend financial goals with personal interests.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Fresh Coast Jobs for Fresh Starts! Check out this week’s top picks for local roles—and share with a mate who’s looking!The ​Hibiscus Coast App​Position: Local Business Growth PartnerLocation: Remote (Hibiscus Coast, New Zealand)​Commission-only role with uncapped earning potential (20% commission on all sales; 25% after surpassing $3,500 in monthly sales)Flexible hours with access to warm leads and proven sales support​View full listing & applyRyman HealthcarePosition: Housekeeper (Part-Time)Location: OrewaCasual role with varied hours, including nights and weekends​Focus on maintaining high cleanliness and hygiene standards within the villageView full listing & applyTip of the weekPrepare 2–3 thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. It shows genuine interest, helps you assess if the role is right for you, and leaves a lasting impression.Help a friend discover their next career move—share these opportunities with your network today!Looking to hire quickly? Connect with local talent by posting your job for just $97 + GST.Post a Job Now.Explore more local job openings on our jobs page.

A Watercare decision to restrict new connections to the wastewater network on the Hibiscus Coast is being labelled as disastrous by property developers in the area, who say the organisation has failed to do its job.Late last year, Watercare revealed that any developments in the area which weren't resource consented by 15 November would not be able to connect to the wastewater network until an upgrade to the Army Bay Wastewater treatment plant was complete, currently scheduled for 2031.This has left many developers in the lurch, who have said the decision will stifle development in an area that needs more housing.However, Watercare said it had capacity for 4000 more connections on the Hibiscus Coast before the Army Bay Treatment plant reached capacity, so the restriction wouldn't affect housing growth in the area.It said the decision had to be made to protect the environment and public health, and deliver sustainable water and wastewater services.Mark Wootton has a 7000sqm property on the Hibiscus Coast that he wants to build two new townhouses on.He'd already paid for several geotechnical, landscaping and architectural reports into the property, but hadn't got a resource consent, before finding out in November about the restrictions."I was flabbergasted, absolutely gobsmacked. It's a government entity that has a legal responsibility to provide waste processing right? Well they're not meeting that responsibility are they?"Watercare map of water and wastewater constraints in Auckland. Photo: WatercareWootton believes people at Watercare need to lose their jobs for failing to plan properly.The decision would stifle development in the area, he said."People working in this area, they're going to go and get other jobs right? They're going to diversify away," Wootton said."Then when we do need that building capacity, when Watercare get their shit-pump working there won't be anyone because it'll have just contracted."He believes Watercare could come up with quicker solution to the problem - if they are willing to spend the money."Ok it might be more expensive to get an urgent shit-pumping upgrade, but it shouldn't be the end of the world. Yes it's more expensive, that's your fault for making a mistake."Hopper Development has three projects in the works on the Hibiscus Coast which would provide over 100 homes in total - one of them has been in planning for three years.Development manager David Barr said the company was completely blind-sided by Watercare's decision, and now all of the projects were up in the air."There was no warning for this at all. Like everyone else, we heard about this in a press release in November 2024 having bought numerous properties. We were shocked."There are other options if Hopper Development cannot connect their new sections to the wastewater network - like building wastewater tanks on site, or trucking it away daily at their own expense.But any alternative would have to be signed off by Watercare according to their code of practice - and Barr said so far they hadn't been able to talk with the agency about any possible solutions.Halting development in the area for seven years was simply unacceptable, Barr said."The amount of housing that's needed out there now, we're already behind so further delays will be disastrous for our area."The pent-up demand would be bad news for house prices on the peninsula, he said.If Watercare couldn't provide a better option, central government needed to step in, he said.Local government minister Simon Watts said it was a matter for Watercare and the Developers to sort out, but a new Watercare charter the government put in place in last week would provide more scrutiny and oversight to the organisation.Auckland Council's head of resource consents James Hassall said council worked with Watercare when granting resource consents to check there was wastewater capacity available, but that could change over time if land was developed ahead of schedule.Hassall said as Auckland grows, the city will experience water and wastewater constraints in parts of the network and in the case of the Hibiscus coast, Watercare has planned infrastructure upgrades to deal with the problem.Watercare respondsWatercare chief planning and strategy officer Priyan Perera told RNZ it had to make the decision to restrict new connections to protect the environment, public health and deliver sustainable long term wastewater services."So, we're trying to find a real balance between our ability to service growth but also protect those key drivers for us."They were still able to connect 4000 properties to the wastewater network in the Hibiscus Coast before reaching capacity, Perera said."Our current tracking of previous years - there's typically 800 connections made a year, so that's five years of connections available."He confirmed to Checkpoint that developers were told about the restrictions on 14 November, the day before the cut-off."There there is obviously never a good time to be able to relay this information and we chose the date, We chose the timing to ensure that we lived up to those objectives."Several other areas of Auckland including Wellsford, Warkworth, Waitakere, Otara-Papatoetoe, Beachlands/Maraetai, Favona and Warkworth also have water and wastewater restrictions according to Watercare's online map.Perera said it was possible these areas might face similar restrictions to the Hibiscus Coast, but Watercare was trying to to avoid that."So, now that we've provided the maps and we were encouraging people to come and talk to us, there's absolutely an opportunity for them to have plenty of warning in conversations with to ensure that they can make the make appropriate investment decisions."

From next week, more than 900,000 pensioners across New Zealand—including many right here on the Hibiscus Coast—will see a boost in their regular payments.The increase, announced by Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston, is part of the Government’s Annual General Adjustment (AGA), designed to help with rising living costs.Starting 1 April, New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran’s Pension rates will rise by about 3 per cent.That means an uplift for 933,200 superannuitants and 4,900 veterans across the country.Coasties receiving these payments can expect a little extra in their bank accounts next Tuesday.Minister Upston said the AGA adjustments will benefit around 1.5 million New Zealanders in total this year.The increases are tied to inflation and wage growth, ensuring support payments keep pace with living expenses.In addition to pensioners and veterans:409,300 people receiving main benefits will get a higher payment.47,400 students will see their allowances go up.70,000 non-beneficiaries who get supplementary assistance will also be better off.The latest adjustment reflects a 2.22 per cent rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the year ending December 2024.However, pension payments are set slightly higher because they are partly based on movements in the net average wage.Minister Upston acknowledged that times have been tough for many.“This uplift will help many with household budgeting,” she said.Coast locals on superannuation or other MSD payments don’t need to do anything—adjusted rates will be applied automatically.For more details, visit the Ministry of Social Development’s website or contact their support services.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

In what could be the ultimate Christmas present for Aucklanders, IKEA is hoping its new Sylvia Park store will be open in time to get your holiday gift shopping done there.Construction of New Zealand's first Swedish-born homeware store and eatery is well under way, and while there was not yet a firm date for its opening, IKEA was planning to cut the ribbon in time for the holiday season.And it is expected to have a distinctly Kiwi flavour as well, with potentially even a garage as part of its home showroom.Karen Pflug, chief sustainability officer for IKEA's parent company the Ingka Group, was in Auckland last week to check how the construction of the store was going."I'm definitely not a construction expert, but I was extremely impressed with it and the amount of work," she told RNZ."New Zealand [has] a lot of safety measures and really high quality specs because we're in a seismic area of course, and then our construction experts were telling us all about the basalt rock slabs as well that we've had to build the foundations into."So it's been state-of-the-art and a real world-class store that we're building. And then important for me too with my sustainability role, is that it's also going to be world-class from a sustainability point of view and having a five-star rating there with sustainability criteria, so that really excites me."Pflug allayed fears small, far-flung New Zealand would get a scaled-back IKEA experience, sans meatballs."We're bringing the full experience. It's a full large-size store, and so with that comes a restaurant. And of course many people know IKEA as a home furnishing retailer, and that's what we're most famous for. But around the world last year we served over 600 million meals, so we are one of the largest restaurants in the world as well."So yes, customers in Auckland will be able to come in and taste the wonderful variety of foods that we offer. It will include the meatballs, but it will also have plant-based alternatives as well, which will actually serve at a lower price than the meat-based options. And of course, there will be things baked in the ovens as well, like the famous Swedish cinnamon scrolls and so on too."Ikea classic meal with Swedish meatballs. Photo: BEATA ZAWRZEL / AFPThe store will have a local flavour too, Pflug said, in the home furnishings it offers."We've done over 500 visits to homes, and it's been fantastic because we're coming in, of course with our home furnishing expertise, our life at home knowledge, and also our desire to make sure that sustainable living is truly affordable for the many people - because we don't think it should be a luxury for just the chosen few, but we're here to listen and learn from New Zealanders as well."And what we've noticed here, there are some similarities - the desire to declutter and to organise your life, so storage across the home is super important, but also the multifunctional nature of homes here is probably more than we see in other countries."And a quirk that we've seen here too is the use of the garage as an extra home - whether that's the home office, gym, sort of den for the kids or whatever. So we're also wanting to showcase that we understand New Zealand life at home when we have our showroom set up to really show that we've been listening and learning to what people want here."Asked how IKEA kept its quality up and prices down, Pflug said it was part of the chain's "democratic design, which is what we call form function, low price, quality, and sustainability"."Everything's designed in IKEA Sweden, and there we start with the raw material choices, we make sure we're designing to a price point, and we want the best possible quality, so that the products last a long time. And then our size and scale and our relationship with our suppliers enables us to get great price points as well."As for when it will open, she said the hope was it would be ready by Christmas.

Silverdale Rugby is getting behind one of their own, as Morgan Brown takes the next step toward his goal of becoming a professional rugby referee.Many Coasties will remember Morgan as a junior player for Silverdale.His time on the field was cut short at age 11 after a serious head injury.But his passion for rugby never faded.Instead, it steered him toward refereeing—a path his family knows well."My dad was a long-time member, and my grandad, Don Brown, is a life member," Morgan says."Growing up around Silverdale, you get to know everyone. It’s always felt like home, and their support has really helped me, especially with refereeing."Now, Morgan has been selected to referee at the Hawaii Rugby 10’s tournament this April.The event offers the chance to gain valuable experience and to be seen by international selectors."I’m really looking forward to the whole experience—meeting people from different countries, seeing different styles of rugby, and learning from it all," he says."It’s going to be a completely new atmosphere, and I’m excited to take it all in."To help get him there, Silverdale Rugby is hosting a Quiz & Party Night Fundraiser on Friday, 28 March, at the Silverdale Rugby Club, starting at 6:30pm.Coasties are encouraged to round up their mates, wear their favourite team colours (or Hawaiian skirts!), and enjoy a classic club night out.There will be spot prizes, raffles, and plenty of laughs along the way.Tickets are $20 per person, or $140 for a table of eight (pay for seven).Payments can be made online at nzwalkoffame.flicket.co.nz To reserve a table or arrange EFTPOS payment, message Gary Brown at [email protected] says refereeing has given him a new way to stay in the game he loves."I’ve always loved rugby—growing up watching the All Blacks, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter. My dad had been a referee for 20 years at North Harbour, and he encouraged me to give it a go. I did the course, got started, and it’s just progressed from there."It’s a chance for the Silverdale community to support Morgan as he represents the club and the Coast on an international stage.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Aucklanders are being encouraged to reduce their outdoor water use as dry weather continues across the region.Watercare has moved the city into the “preparing for drought” stage after dam levels dropped below a key trigger earlier this month.“We’re not asking people to stop watering their gardens,” says Mark Bourne, Watercare’s chief operations officer.“We just want everyone to be more mindful. Most gardens don’t need watering every day.”Watercare is stepping up its awareness campaign, asking residents to water only when necessary and to use trigger nozzles on hoses to avoid wastage.Auckland’s current seven-day rolling average water demand is 483 million litres per day—higher than normal for this time of year.Typically, regular rainfall would reduce demand, but the prolonged dry spell means many are using more water, particularly in their gardens.Forecasts suggest the dry weather may persist into April, with a possibility of stage one water restrictions in late May if demand remains high and rainfall stays low.However, predictions for May hint at wetter conditions, which could ease the pressure on water supplies.In the meantime, Watercare is producing an additional 185 million litres of water a day from its two Waikato plants.That’s enough to cover 38 per cent of Auckland’s daily demand.The team is also working hard on leak detection, fixing over 19,000 leaks since December.NIWA’s Drought Index currently rates Auckland as “extremely dry.”Bourne explains that even when rain does arrive, much of it will initially be absorbed by dry soil before helping to replenish dam levels.“We’re hoping for sustained rainfall to put us in a more comfortable position,” he says.Coasties can help by reducing outdoor water use and keeping showers short.If every Aucklander cut their shower time by just one minute, it could save up to 20 million litres of water a day—making a real difference in preserving the city’s water supply.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Pharmacies across New Zealand are set to benefit from a new electronic system designed to streamline their operations.Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Medsafe’s approval of Toniq Limited’s electronic controlled drug register—the first of its kind in the country.The register will allow pharmacies to replace their physical, paper-based systems with an automated process that promises greater efficiency.It’s a move that’s expected to ease administrative workloads and free up pharmacists to focus on patient care.“I’ve seen firsthand the role pharmacists play in the healthcare system,” Mr Seymour says.“They dispense medications, educate patients, and advise doctors. This register is about making life easier for them so they can focus more on their patients.”Pharmacies are legally required to keep detailed records of controlled drugs such as opioids and medicinal cannabis.Until now, those records have been handwritten in physical registers—a time-consuming task that can take attention away from frontline healthcare.The Toniq register integrates directly with the company’s dispensing system, giving pharmacies better oversight of drug stock levels while simplifying compliance requirements.Automation reduces the risk of error and cuts down on paperwork.Toniq Limited, a New Zealand-owned brand, trialled the system under Medsafe supervision.According to Mr Seymour, the trial produced positive feedback from pharmacists, who found the system handled their needs well.Pharmacists who are keen to explore other electronic register options may soon have more to choose from.Medsafe is currently assessing other vendors and could approve additional systems in the future.For Coasties, this means pharmacists on the Hibiscus Coast may soon have more time to spend with their patients instead of on paperwork.As our local pharmacies adopt these technologies, the community can expect quicker service and better access to professional advice.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Welcome to The Week That Was—your go-to recap of the most important news, stories, and updates for the Hibiscus Coast community.Solutions Needed as Redvale Landfill Nears Closure – Dairy Flat.Read moreCoast Jobs You Should Know AboutRead moreParty Kingdom Closes Its DoorsRead morePolice Stop Burglars in Ōrewa ChaseRead moreWarkworth-To-Te Hana Highway ProgressesRead moreStay ahead of the curve—get the latest Hibiscus Coast news delivered directly to your phone.Download the Hibiscus Coast App today and never miss a story!Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Auckland Council capital projects are set to undergo greater scrutiny, with a focus on delivering better value for ratepayers.Under Mayor Wayne Brown’s direction, the council has introduced the Better Value Projects programme, featuring 10 delivery principles designed to improve how projects are planned, designed, and delivered.The initiative is part of the mayoral proposal for the Annual Plan 2025/2026 and builds on the Long-term Plan 2024-2034, which introduced new ways to control spending and increase transparency across the council group.“I have wanted to see change in how the council group effectively spends ratepayers’ money on capital projects,” says Mayor Brown.“These principles will provide rigour and ensure decisions are carefully considered.”Key focus areas include clearer problem definition, affordable designs, setting maximum prices, and increasing the use of local contractors.“One of my key policies was the need to stop wasting money,” says Mayor Brown.“These principles will help make sure we consistently deliver projects affordably. It’s a win for Aucklanders.”The Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee, chaired by Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, is overseeing the rollout.“The 10 principles will guide council staff through each phase of a project, ensuring better planning, design, procurement, and contracting,” says Cr Simpson.“This is about assuring ratepayers that every effort is being made to spend wisely.”At this week’s committee meeting, three case studies were reviewed to demonstrate how the new process can make a difference.These included the Milford Beach access steps.Council staff acknowledged that lessons learned from these projects are already being applied to future work.For Coasties, this move signals a commitment to better outcomes on local projects, with an emphasis on affordability and efficient delivery.Whether it’s future beach access improvements or park upgrades, ratepayers can expect a more robust approach to how council spends its capital budget.The 10-step framework will continue to evolve as it’s implemented, with short-term actions already underway—such as adopting standard designs and setting clear project budgets from the outset.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Over the weekend, there was a knock on our door.A friendly lady offered us a great deal on broadband.The timing was perfect, so we signed up.We were told the new provider would handle everything—no need to contact our current one.Too easy, we thought.Except, it wasn’t.Unlike power companies, telcos don’t always make switching simple.We found ourselves juggling providers and sorting out the details ourselves.And it turns out, we’re not alone.The Commerce Commission has just released a report urging telecommunications companies to make switching easier.Their research shows the process isn’t working as smoothly as it should.45% of broadband switchers had at least one issue27% found switching so frustrating they wouldn’t do it again29% of people haven’t switched because it feels like too much effortTelecommunications Commissioner Tristan Gilbertson says the lack of a clear process between old and new providers is a major problem."It’s leading to delays, double billing, and unexpected charges," he explains.For us Coasties, that might explain why so many households have stuck with the same provider for years—43% of broadband customers haven’t changed in over five years.But there’s good news.The industry is working with the Commerce Commission to create clearer rules for switching, and they’re looking for feedback.Submissions are open until 17 April 2025.So, if you’re thinking about switching, it’s definitely worth shopping around for a better deal.Just be ready to keep an eye on things—switching isn’t always as hands-off as it should be (yet!).And if you’ve had a tricky time changing providers, you can let the Commerce Commission know.Your feedback could help make things easier for everyone.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

The Blues are back at Eden Park tonight, for one of Super Rugby Pacific’s fiercest rivalries.They take on the Crusaders in a high-stakes match kicking off at 7:05.Coasties heading along—or tuning in from home—can expect a thriller.A win will push the Blues into the top six, keeping their playoff hopes alive.The team is buoyed by last weekend’s gutsy one-point loss to the Chiefs, a game many are calling the best of the season so far.Coach Vern Cotter says his squad is ready to build on that performance.“We need to continue to dig deep,” Cotter says. “If we trust in ourselves and each other, we can prosper.”Key Players BackNo. 8 Hoskins Sotutu returns after suspension.Caleb Clarke rejoins the All Black-powered back three with Rieko Ioane and Mark Tele’a.Xavi Taele earns his second start in midfield after impressing on debut.Stephen Perofeta returns to the starting lineup at first five-eighth.The Blues’ pack, led by skipper Patrick Tuipulotu, has been gaining strength.Against the Chiefs, they clocked 160 carries and 328 post-contact metres, and nailed every scrum and lineout.With Eden Park expected to be buzzing, Coasties can look forward to a passionate atmosphere and a game with major playoff implications.Heading to Eden Park?Gates open two hours before kickoff.Watching from home?Tune in at 19:05 and cheer the boys on.A top-six spot is on the line, and every supporter counts!Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Coasties travelling south on State Highway 1 next week will need to plan ahead.NZ Transport Agency has confirmed overnight maintenance works are scheduled between Silverdale interchange and Oteha Valley Road on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 March.Work will take place between 9:00pm and 5:00am both nights, with southbound lane restrictions in place.Traffic will still be able to travel south at all times, but drivers are advised to slow down and follow all traffic management directions.This maintenance is part of ongoing slip remediation along the corridor, and locals may notice increased noise levels while crews are on site.Ramp closures and lane restrictions may begin before the main closure times, so it’s best to check NZTA’s Journey Planner for real-time updates.Full Closures Coming Later in the WeekFor those travelling later in the week, there’s more to be aware of.As part of the SH1Penlink project, both directions between Oteha Valley Road and Silverdale interchange will be fully closed overnight on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 March from 9:00pm to 5:00am.These works are weather dependent and may change at short notice.NZTA recommends Coasties check ahead before setting off to avoid delays.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Auckland households will face lower water bill increases from July 2024, thanks to the newly approved Watercare Charter. The change means Coasties will see smaller jumps in their water charges over the coming years.The Watercare Charter, now passed into law, was announced by Local Government Minister Simon Watts and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown. It’s part of Auckland Council’s financial plan, supported by the Government under the Local Water Done Well framework.The Charter halves previously planned water charge increases. Residential customers connected to drinking water and wastewater services were facing a 14.6 percent rise on 01 July 2025. Under the new plan, this will now be reduced to 7.2 percent. Last year, the increase was also limited to 7.2 percent, a significant drop from the 25.8 percent originally proposed.For Coasties, this means more breathing room in household budgets, with estimated savings across Auckland totalling around $899 million over the next four years.Minister Watts says the Charter will help Watercare deliver affordable, reliable services while also investing in critical infrastructure. “Aucklanders can keep more money in their household budgets, allowing them to spend it on other essential expenses such as groceries and healthcare,” he said.Watercare’s investment in infrastructure remains strong, with an average of $1.3 billion a year committed to projects. The Government’s aim is to keep water services safe, resilient, and efficient without burdening ratepayers.Auckland Minister Simeon Brown adds that keeping living costs manageable is a key priority. “The Local Water Done Well solution has prevented large increases in Aucklanders’ water rates while ensuring we keep investing in the water infrastructure our city will need,” he said.This new approach also gives Auckland Council more flexibility to invest in other essential projects across the region, supporting future growth.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

After a strong start to 2025, New Zealand’s job market steadied in February, according to SEEK’s latest Employment Report. Coasties looking for work may have noticed fewer new job ads posted last month, with listings down 2% nationwide compared to January.This follows a 4% lift in January and marks the most stable quarter in some time—job ads are unchanged on a quarterly basis.For locals, the job market on the Hibiscus Coast tends to mirror Auckland trends. SEEK reports a 2% drop in Auckland job ads last month, contributing to the national decline. Otago was also down 7%. However, four regions bucked the trend, including Bay of Plenty (up 1%) and Canterbury (up 3%).In terms of industries, larger employers held back. All the big hiring sectors either declined or showed no change in February. The biggest drop was in Call Centre and Customer Service roles, where job ads fell 15% month-on-month. Trades & Services and Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics also slowed, both down 4%.But there’s good news for job seekers. Applications per job ad have jumped. In January, applications rose 5% nationally—the highest level seen in recent times. Workers are clearly getting proactive at the start of the year.Rob Clark, SEEK NZ’s Country Manager, says this slight decline after January’s jump was expected.“After two years of steady and significant decline in job ad volumes, the past eight months have been broadly flat,” he explains. “While we may not be out of the woods yet, the days of significant, broad-based drops in worker demand should be behind us.”For Coasties thinking about a job move, this means more competition for available roles, but also a more stable market to navigate. Hospitality & Tourism, Engineering, and Accounting roles are seeing the biggest increases in applications per job ad, so it’s a great time to polish up the CV.If you’re job hunting on the Coast, expect fewer new listings than in January—but more competition for the ones available. Staying proactive is key.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

From 1 April 2025, New Zealand’s minimum wage rates are set to rise. Coast businesses are being encouraged to prepare now to ensure they’re paying their staff correctly from next month.The adult minimum wage will increase from $23.15 to $23.50 per hour. The starting-out and training minimum wages will go up from $18.52 to $18.80 per hour. These rates are before tax and any lawful deductions, such as PAYE, student loan repayments, or child support.For Hibiscus Coast employers, this is a good opportunity to review payroll systems, budgets, and employee records. Whether you use a manual or computer-based payroll system, it’s important to make sure everything is updated in time for the 1 April change.Businesses may also need to adjust their cashflow and budgets to cover the higher wages. This can affect areas like ACC levies, KiwiSaver contributions, and holiday pay entitlements. For those with staff on higher, skilled rates, it may be worth reviewing their pay levels too.If you haven’t yet spoken to your accountant, payroll provider, or HR team, now is the time. Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Motown icons The Commodores are set to return to New Zealand for the first time in nearly 50 years. The group will perform at Auckland’s Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre on Monday, 20 October 2025, as part of their Greatest Hits Tour.Known for timeless hits like Easy, Brick House, and Three Times a Lady, The Commodores have sold over 75 million records worldwide. Their blend of R&B, funk, and soul has made them one of the most successful and enduring bands to emerge from the Motown era.The tour promises a night of classic hits, celebrating a musical legacy that spans five decades. Fans can look forward to hearing favourites such as Nightshift, Lady (You Bring Me Up), and Sail On, performed live by the band that helped define a generation of feel-good music.Still grooving after all these years, The Commodores continue to bring high-energy performances to audiences around the world.Their Auckland concert will be a rare chance for Coastie fans to experience these music legends live.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Looking for plans? Explore events happening soon on the Hibiscus Coast and start planning your next activity!Orewa Surf Sounds ConcertMore details Children's DiscoMore detailsHigh Energy Jazz, Swing, Funk & Groove - Live at ParaoaMore detailsWant to see more events? Explore everything happening in our community on the Hibiscus Coast App.Have an event to share?Promote it for Free - click here!

The Warkworth to Te Hana highway project has taken a major step forward, with NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) opening registrations of interest last Friday.This marks the first stage in the procurement process for Section 1 of the Northland Corridor, a Road of National Significance designed to boost safety, resilience, and connectivity between Auckland and Northland.The 26km, four-lane highway will extend the new Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway north to Te Hana.It forms part of a 100km strategic route connecting Warkworth and Whangārei.The protected route travels west of Warkworth, east of both Wellsford and Te Hana, before reconnecting with State Highway 1 near Waimanu Road.NZTA says the project will unlock economic growth, improve freight efficiency, and make travel safer and faster for all road users.“This is a major milestone for Northland’s transport network,” says Derek Robertson, NZTA Northland Corridor Programme Director.“It will improve travel, safety, and freight links to Auckland and the wider Upper North Island.”Project Highlights850m twin-bore tunnel through Dome ValleyThree interchanges at Warkworth, Wellsford, and Te HanaRemoval of nearly 1,000 heavy vehicles per day from SH1 through Wellsford and Te HanaReduced congestion through Wellsford’s main streetFaster, safer travel between Warkworth, Wellsford, and Te HanaImproved road geometry and gradients for safer journeysStronger freight links supporting economic growth and productivityA resilient alternative to the current SH1 routeImage supplied by NZTA.For Coasties, this means safer, quicker trips north—whether heading away for a weekend or transporting goods.The project promises less heavy traffic on SH1 and improved connections for Warkworth and Wellsford town centres through well-located interchanges.The project will be delivered through a Public Private Partnership (PPP).The current Registration of Interest process is the first step, followed by a formal Expression of Interest process before the end of March 2025.A Request for Proposal (RFP) will then be issued in mid-2025 for up to three shortlisted bidders.A preferred bidder is expected to be announced in early 2026, with the contract finalised by mid-2026. Detailed design and construction are set to start later that year.NZTA is also advancing plans for the other sections of the Northland Corridor—Te Hana to Port Marsden Highway, and Port Marsden Highway to Whangārei—aiming to deliver faster, safer, and more resilient transport connections across the region.“This project is about unlocking Northland’s potential,” says Robertson.“It will bring long-term benefits for communities, businesses, and New Zealand’s wider transport network.”For Hibiscus Coast locals, it’s one step closer to smoother, safer travel and improved freight routes north.See the video below.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]