Looking for plans?Explore events happening soon on the Hibiscus Coast and start planning your next activity!Millwater parkrunEvery Sat Click here for more details Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-FireSat 4 OctClick here for more detailsDairy Flat School AG Day GalaSat 11 OctClick 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 →

Earlier this month, Hampton Downs echoed with the sound of engines as Hibiscus Coast motorcyclist Logan Rowell took on his first round in the Supersport 600 class.Saturday 13 September was a test day of clear skies and biting winds, but Logan was buzzing to be back on a big bike.He spent the sessions working through different setups on his new KTM RC8C, adjusting to the step up in speed.Race day followed on Sunday, with nerves and plenty of learning.Logan chipped away steadily, experimenting with changes to the bike each race.By the close of the weekend, he’d dropped 2.5 seconds from his lap time and finished 5th overall in the class.The Auckland Motorcycle Club championship is a three-round series, serving as valuable testing before December’s Suzuki Series and the New Zealand Superbike Championship in January.Round 2 is also set for Hampton Downs on 19 October.For Logan, success right now means growing confident on the bike and building pace for when the national season begins.Photos: Aaron Staples Photography (ASP)Coast supporters will be watching closely as he lines up again next month, aiming for more progress and another strong showing.And if you’d like to back his journey, tickets are $25 for his fundraising quiz night at Northern Union in Silverdale on 15 October — email [email protected] to book your spot.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

A new measure produced by Massey University is designed to track New Zealand's prosperity beyond just the headline numbers.The tracker - Prosperity Live - has been developed by Professor Christoph Schumacher, and includes measures of education, employment, health, housing, income, safety, social wellbeing and work-life balance.On Tuesday, the tracker was 0.2 percent down on the day before.On an annual basis, employment, health and income were down, and the overall tracker was down 0.1 percent.Education, social wellbeing and work-life balance had not moved, and housing and safety were up.Schumacher said the housing measure, which showed a 7.1 percent improvement, looked at price-to-income data."The reason for the upward trend is the decrease in house prices and a lower OCR, which makes housing more affordable overall."He said safety was measured by the national homicide rate and perceived safety in communities based on data from the police, Stats NZ, wellbeing surveys and Google Trends."While overall prosperity is calculated daily - with daily data that serve as proxies and a machine-learning algorithm has learned how to link changes in our daily data to the overall change in prosperity - the individual dimensions are measured only every six months."Dimensions with zero percent change simply have not changed in the past six month. This is not too surprising with dimensions that are inherently subjective."Perceived work-life balance or wellbeing might not change much within a short time frame."He said the index would pick up dramatic events, such as the drop during the global financial crisis (GFC), the Christchurch earthquake and Covid."The sharp increase in 2020 was driven by an increase in social connectedness, work-life-balance and feeling of safety. This picks up the change when people worked from home, connected more with others and felt safe in NZ."The drop that followed was when life went back to 'normal'. The 2023 increase was driven by a reasonably big increase in safety."With global tension increasing substantially in 2023, maybe Kiwis felt very safe."Schumacher expected the index to drop from here."The economy contracted in Q2 and unemployment is increasing, which should negatively impact on overall prosperity."Gross Domestic Product is important, but prosperity is about so much more than just economic growth. Prosperity Live allows us to track whether New Zealand is flourishing across multiple dimensions - it's a living, breathing measure of how we're doing as a nation."

Housing and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed Auckland Council's decision to proceed with a new replacement plan for housing intensification.Auckland Council on Wednesday voted in favour of a housing intensification replacement plan that will see 10-15 storey high rises built around public transport hubs.The council's plans to allocate up to two million new homes across the city in the coming decades became clearer on Wednesday afternoon.Councillors voted for the plan by 18 to five, and were limited between voting for the original Plan Change 78, which focused on three storey residential buildings across Auckland, and the high-rise alternative called Plan Change 120.RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has directed Auckland Council to allocate up to two million homes in the coming decades and downzone parts of the city at risk of natural hazards.Moments after the decision he said Auckland had the opportunity to decide how and where the city grows."PC78 was too 'one size fits all', applying the Medium Density Residential Standards in a blanket way that was rejected by Aucklanders and its Council. It also did not allow the city to 'downzone' flood-prone areas."Parliament has changed the law to let Auckland Council withdraw PC78, provided it is replaced with a new plan that delivers at least the same overall housing capacity and allows for greater density around key stations that benefit from investment in the City Rail Link."To improve housing affordability in Auckland we need the city to grow both up and out - and now the Council has much more flexibility to decide where and how that growth happens," he said.Bishop said the next step was for Auckland Council to seek his direction on timeframes and process for their replacement plan change, which they must do by 10 October."I have previously indicated that I am considering a submission period of 3 November to 19 December, as earlier requested by the Council. That gives Aucklanders a clear window to have their say on how and where housing growth should occur."In the new year, I consider it appropriate for the Plan Change to be heard by an independent panel of experts. A hearings panel would hear from Aucklanders who submit on the plan change, consider views of submitters and make recommendations to the Council," the Minister said.Heritage group worried about more submission costsAn Auckland heritage group said the community had been left out of having a say on the new housing intensification plan for the city.Character Coalition chairperson Sally Hughes told Morning Report they were happy with parts of the plan, but the process had been rushed."The [Medium Density Residential Standards] that rule that allowed three-by-three on every section in Auckland is gone and that's a good thing. We're also really happy that the council are now able to downzone the areas of land that are subject to natural hazards," she said."And it's great actually that there will be density around the [city rail link]. We're in favour of that."However, even the council has admitted yesterday that the the process was less than ideal and that the plan still has a number of faults."There was no proper consultation process before the plan was submitted to the council. The community hasn't really had a chance to have its say yet."Hughes said some in the community had already spent thousands on submitting to Plan Change 78."The community faces that again which seems really tough when only a year ago they had done it already."She was concerned about further intensification of Auckland's character areas that were already seeing major development, including Saint Marys Bay, Parnell, and Remuera."There are quite a lot of the original special character areas that will have a lot more intensity in their suburbs," Hughes said."What we're hoping through the submission process is that it will be made a lot more user friendly for the community. And that we can go through a process wil the local boards where communities can say 'well actually in our suburb this is where it would be great to have some intensity here but not over there'."We just would like the community, through the submission process, to be able to have a bit more of a say."Result 'inevitable'Among those who will be making submissions in the coming months is Auckland resident Will McKenzie."I think it was an inevitable result, I watched the presentation at the start of the meeting, and they had very little choice other than to adopt the second, the 120 plan."However, what it does is it gives 18 months for a decision to be made, two months to make submissions, and then an independent hearings panel."He said Plan Change 120 was the best option of the two."There needs to be a transition from the special character areas, which are mainly single-storey, to the 15-storey, which are 50 metres high."So in every other jurisdiction in the world, there's a transition where you have graduated heights, and we need something along those lines.""I'd also like to see entire blocks be character rather than half a block and that, again, that goes back to that transition, it's much more sensible to have one coherent block as a character area than bits and pieces," he said.RNZ spoke to Auckland councillor Shane Henderson shortly after the vote.The Waitākere Ward councillor was more optimistic about what the housing intensification decision represented for future generations of Aucklanders.He said he strongly encouraged Aucklanders to voice their opinions in the feedback process."These debates can get quite fiery because we're talking about the future of the city, but I think the right decision's been made, it's a good day for the city."We've taken a lot of the intensification over the past decade and we're happy for the houses, happy for new Westies, but we want fairness across the city, and we want the central city areas to kind of do their bit and actually create a vibrant, world-class city centre that, you know, people want to live, study and enjoy, you know."So it's sort of fairness for us from a West Auckland perspective, but also the opportunities there for young families to move into the city in greater numbers, that's really exciting for Auckland."I think we should be focusing on the positives and the exciting potential that we have. When we invest in the city rail link, can we actually use it to its full capacity by allowing housing around it," Henderson said.Auckland councillor Richard Hills said the the plan would safeguard several of the city's character suburbs though areas like Mount Eden and Kingsland could still be affected."They do have some character that will be no longer protected. It doesn't mean it will change any time soon. People would have to sell or develop their own properties to get rid of their own character home if they wanted to do that."But this actually protects a lot of the character areas that are no longer are being forced to have that three-storey zoning underneath.A previous policy limited development to three-storey residential buildings across the city.Hill said the new plan also had stronger controls on unsuitable development in flood-prone areas.

Coasties, here’s what the next four days have in store:Friday, 26/9Mainly fine, a few afternoon showers, strong nor’wester for a time.High: 18Low: 11Saturday, 27/9Fine with afternoon showers, breezy westerly turning northerly.High: 19Low: 12Sunday, 28/9Partly cloudy with a chance of a shower, westerlies developing.High: 21Low: 13Monday, 29/9Showers with westerlies turning southerly.High: 20Low: 11Want 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!

Retail NZ, the Auckland Business Chamber and 35 other business groups have written to the Government urging it to rethink plans to ban surcharges on Visa and Mastercard transactions.The open letter to Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Scott Simpson argues the ban is a blunt tool that will end up hurting both businesses and shoppers.Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young says surcharges are “a vital tool for cost recovery, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises already facing rising operational expenses.”She warns that without them, retailers will be forced to absorb steep card processing fees, leading to higher prices for all consumers while banks pocket more.Auckland Chamber CEO Simon Bridges says this is not a lone voice.“Twenty-one Chambers of Commerce from across New Zealand have put their name to this letter. Alongside other business associations, we are representing thousands of businesses across the country. From small family-run operations to larger enterprises, they all stand to be affected by this proposal.”The letter highlights that many businesses already choose not to surcharge, and when they do, it simply reflects the true cost of accepting high-fee cards.A ban, the groups say, would unfairly shift costs onto all consumers, even those paying with low-cost methods like EFTPOS, and risks accelerating the decline of EFTPOS in favour of expensive card networks.For Hibiscus Coast retailers, already squeezed by rising rents, wages and supply costs, the concern is clear: fewer options to manage payment fees could mean tighter margins, higher prices, or both.The groups are calling instead for better transparency so shoppers see the costs of their payment choice, technology that allows precise surcharging, and stronger support for low-cost payment systems.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

From today, SPCA Inspectors can step in sooner to protect dogs suffering from harmful tethering, thanks to two new national regulations.For the first time, there’s a clear, enforceable standard.Regulation 15A makes it an offence to tether a dog showing two or more signs of prolonged tethering, such as worn ground, faeces build-up, locked collars, injuries, or constant barking.Regulation 15B bans tethering of vulnerable dogs, including puppies under six months, mothers with pups, pregnant dogs, or those in heat, except in brief, supervised situations.Breaching the prolonged tethering rule brings a $500 infringement fee, while tethering vulnerable dogs can mean a $300 fine.Serious or repeated cases may still lead to prosecution and animal removal.The SPCA says most responsible owners won’t be affected, but the changes give Inspectors sharper tools to act where neglect is clear.“Simply removing an animal doesn’t always improve welfare,” the agency notes.“Our goal is behaviour change, with fines available when advice isn’t enough.”On the Hibiscus Coast, where dogs are part of many families’ daily lives, the rules reinforce a simple message: keeping pets chained up long-term is no longer tolerated.Locals who spot tethered dogs in distress are urged to report concerns directly to SPCA.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Auckland Council is urging households to use daylight saving weekend to get emergency ready, with a new campaign reminding families that disasters don’t wait for an invitation.The Get Ready Emergency Preparedness campaign, running until 29 September, encourages Aucklanders to make or update their plans, check supplies, and know their local risks.For Coasties, it’s a timely reminder as daylight saving begins this Sunday.“Emergencies don’t send calendar invitations, they just show up, sometimes in the middle of the night,” says Adam Maggs, General Manager of Auckland Emergency Management.“Having a plan and essential emergency supplies ready means you and your whānau can stay safer and connected, no matter what comes your way.”That plan could be as simple as agreeing on how to stay in touch, where to meet if separated, and what to do if power, water or internet suddenly go. Supplies should cover a three-day “indoor camping trip” with basics like food, water, torches, first aid and pet needs.Maggs says most households already own many of these items. “You don’t have to have them all in one place, as long as you know where they are and can find them in a hurry or in the dark.”For Hibiscus Coast homes, it’s also a good time to clear gutters and trim branches before the next storm rolls through. Whether it’s a power cut, earthquake or tsunami, taking a few steps now could make all the difference later.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Westpac expects more people will want to tap into low and no-interest loans offered by banks to install solar-power systems on their homes, as power prices rise.A survey shows nearly half of respondents were considering solar power, if they had not already installed it.Nine percent of people had solar panels at home and another 13 percent planned to install them within a year.Most were considering solar power due to the cost of traditional electricity supply, which has risen faster than inflation.Westpac NZ managing product, sustainability and marketing director Sarah Hearn said spring was a good time to consider solar, because people could get set up before higher winter bills rolled around again."Solar is environmentally friendly, widely available, can add value to a property, is getting cheaper to install and can lead to significant cost savings on energy bills over time," she said."However, installing solar panels can be a significant upfront cost. Nearly half of those surveyed who weren't planning to get solar cited cost as a reason."A quarter of respondents who do plan to get solar are putting it off for at least a year, which speaks to the cost pressures many are still facing."Hearn said banks could help.Westpac had a 'Greater Choices' option, which offered up to $50,000 interest-free for five years for home and vehicle improvements, including solar power.She said $270 million had been lent that way since 2020.ANZ, BNZ and ASB offer up to $80,000 fixed at one percent interest for three years.Kiwibank offers a potential $2000 contribution.Westpac consumer lending and insurance products head Jo McGregor said there had been less uptake of borrowing for solar panels than for other categories covered by the loan, such as energy efficiency improvements or low-carbon transport."It's still relatively low, but it's an area that we are keen to see a bit more in."She said the reduction in the upfront cost of solar also helped."Particularly if the financing costs can be minimised through the likes of a Greater Choices loan, then you can look to get payback between 5-10 years."She said having an alternative energy source also had benefits.Solar provides about two percent of New Zealand's electricity generation, but the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment says that could increase tenfold by 2050.

Coasties, before you reach for that afternoon snack, it’s worth a quick look at the wrapper. Tasti has widened its recall of bars, tubs and snack balls, after small pieces of metal were found in some batches. No one has been hurt, but just to be safe, the advice is not to eat any of the products listed below.Here’s the updated list of affected products sold nationwide, including supermarkets here on the Hibiscus Coast:Tasti SmooshedBerry Cashew & Cacao 69g – 07/07/26, 08/07/26, 16/07/26, 17/07/26Berry Cashew & Cacao Tub 207g – 20/08/26, 21/08/26Cacao Brownie 69g – 17/07/26, 18/07/26, 21/07/26, 08/09/26, 09/09/26Choc Peanut 345g – 23/07/26, 24/07/26, 05/09/26, 10/09/26, 11/09/26Peanut Butter & Caramel 69g – 10/07/26, 11/07/26, 14/07/26, 15/07/26, 21/07/26, 22/07/26, 23/07/26Protein Dark Cacao Brownie Tub 174g – 15/05/26, 30/05/26Protein Hazel Brownie 174g – 16/05/26Protein Raspberry Brownie 174g – 16/05/26Photos of the recalled items (via MPI).Tasti Snak LogApricot 240g – 21/07/26, 22/07/26, 23/07/26, 24/07/26Fruit & Nut 240g – 24/07/26, 25/07/26, 29/08/26Other Tasti ProductsChopped Peanuts 70g – 03/02/26, 03/03/26Nut Bar Deluxe 210g – 01/08/26, 04/08/26Photos of the recalled items (via MPI).Frooze Filled BallsCaramel Choc PB 70g – 05/08/26, 06/08/26Choc Hazelnut 70g – 22/07/26, 12/08/26, 13/08/26Choc Hazelnut Tub 210g – 21/07/26, 22/07/26, 14/08/26, 25/08/26, 26/08/26Cookie Dough 70g – 14/07/26, 20/08/26, 29/07/26, 30/07/26Cookie Dough Tub 210g – 14/07/26, 15/07/26, 18/08/26, 19/08/26Lemon Cheesecake 70g – 11/08/26, 12/08/26Peanut Butter & Jelly 70g – 04/08/26Raspberry Dark Choc 70g – 23/07/26, 30/07/26, 21/08/26, 17/09/26Raspberry Dark Choc Tub 210g – 15/07/26, 16/07/26, 31/07/26, 06/08/26, 07/08/26, 08/08/26Snack Balls Cranberry 70g – 28/07/26, 29/07/26If you spot any of these in your pantry or lunchbox stash, don’t eat them. You can return them to the store for a refund. And if you’ve already eaten one and feel unwell, check in with your doctor.It only takes a minute to scan those best before dates, and it’s one less thing to worry about.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

The Government has released the latest update to Going for Growth, its plan to lift New Zealand’s economic performance.This chapter highlights skills and immigration, with a focus on rebuilding a world-class education system and making sure immigration supports the local skills pipeline.For Hibiscus Coast businesses, this matters.Employers often talk about the challenge of finding staff with the right training, whether it’s trades, healthcare, retail, or hospitality.The update emphasises that businesses grow when they can access a skilled workforce, and individuals thrive when they gain qualifications that lead to lasting jobs.The changes already underway include more investment in Teaching the Basics Brilliantly, aiming to turn around declining student achievement with extra classroom resources and focused training for teachers.There is also more support for job seekers under 25, including those with health conditions or disabilities, to move into work, training, or further study rather than stay on a benefit.On immigration, refinements to the Accredited Employer Work Visa are cutting compliance costs for local businesses while tackling migrant exploitation.Two new residence pathways, due to start in mid-2026, are designed to help employers attract and retain skilled workers, something that could prove vital for Hibiscus Coast-based industries that rely on experienced staff.This is the third chapter of Going for Growth to be updated since the plan’s launch, with officials stressing the long-term goal of strengthening the economy for communities right across New Zealand.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

If you’ve noticed the evenings creeping in a little later, you’re right on time.This Sunday, 28 September, at 2:00am, New Zealand officially moves into Daylight Saving Time and clocks will spring forward one hour.For us Coasties, that means brighter evenings to squeeze in a beach stroll, a barbecue, or simply a few extra minutes in the garden after work.Daylight Saving Time has deep roots here.It was first proposed back in 1895 by George Hudson, an entomologist who wanted more daylight to chase insects after work.Though mocked at first, his idea eventually stuck.By 1927, Parliament had made it official with the Summer Time Act, placing New Zealand among the first countries in the world to adopt seasonal clock changes.This year, the shift lasts right through until 3:00am on Sunday, 5 April 2026.That means more light in the evenings all summer long, perfect for soaking up everything the Hibiscus Coast has to offer.So before you tuck in on Saturday night, remember to move your clocks forward by one hour.Brighter nights are just around the corner.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

We’re three days into the school holidays and the Hibiscus Coast has already had a taste of everything spring can throw at us. Rain is expected to ease into showers around midday, with some still heavy at times and the chance of thunderstorms.MetService meteorologist Dom Barry says while the weather isn’t ideal for parents wanting kids outdoors, there will still be breaks in the rain. “There will be gaps between periods of rain where the little bundles of energy can get outside,” he says.Simple Holiday Rhythm Helps ParentsA Heavy Rain Watch remains in place through to 2pm today, but the outlook improves later in the week. Friday and Saturday are shaping up to be the best days for getting outdoors, with drier spells expected.It’s far from the settled stretch parents might hope for, but that’s spring for you — unsettled skies, short-lived sunshine, and the need to grab those brighter breaks when they appear.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Police have arrested a 34-year-old man at a Long Bay property this morning in connection with more than 40 fraud-related offences totalling over $68,000.Waitematā East Area Prevention Manager, acting Inspector Tim Williams, says the alleged offending involved numerous credit card frauds across New Zealand during 2024 and 2025.“After a prolonged and complex investigation over nearly a year, our staff identified three people of interest,” he says.“A man and woman were recently charged in relation to these offences and since then, investigators have identified a third person they believe to be responsible.”The charges relate to goods fraudulently obtained, with the total value exceeding $68,000.Acting Inspector Williams says police take fraud seriously and offenders will be held to account.He urged anyone who suspects they’ve been a victim to contact their bank first, then police.“It’s important to contact your bank first, then Police, as soon as you realise you’ve been the victim of fraud to give us the best chance of catching the offender and helping you recover your losses.”Police have opposed bail for the man, who is due to appear in North Shore District Court tomorrow facing 41 fraud-related charges.For Coast residents, the case is a reminder of how widespread fraud can be, and why quick action is key if you suspect your details have been misused.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

The latest projections suggest New Zealand could be heading into a neutral or La Niña summer, which would bring rainier conditions to the north and east of the country.While the prospect of a wet summer might not appeal to most people, for pollen allergy sufferers this could be a blessing in disguise.Our latest research on pollen levels in Auckland backs up what we have long suspected but haven’t had the data to prove.Unlike many developed countries, New Zealand doesn’t routinely monitor airborne pollen, and speculation about how La Niña and El Niño summers affect allergy sufferers has been just that. Until now.With new data, we are able to show the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which brings us changing phases of a natural climate cycle, can have profound effects on pollen allergy levels in Auckland.For the one-in-five of us who suffer from hay fever or asthma, this has important implications.Tracking pollen levelsOver the 2023/24 summer – a dry El Niño season – we monitored pollen levels in Auckland each day using equipment located on top of the War Memorial Museum. This was something of a milestone, marking the first time pollen levels have been monitored in the city this century.We were able to compare our data with results from two previous pollen monitoring projects conducted almost four decades ago. By a stroke of luck, one of these projects monitored pollen levels during a strong La Niña season in 1988/89 and the second during a neutral summer (neither La Niña nor El Niño).This comparison clearly showed the pollen season during the La Niña summer was much shorter and less severe than during the other two seasons – just as we would have predicted.The main reason for the differences was rainfall, which is typically higher and more frequent in northern New Zealand during La Niña summers. Grasses, like all plants, need rainfall to survive and grow but they tend not to release pollen on rainy days which can also ‘flush’ already airborne pollen out of the atmosphere.So, periods of excessive or sustained rainfall in spring and summer can lead to suppressed or shortened pollen seasons. This seems to have been the case in Auckland during the La Niña summer of 1988/89. The grass pollen season in that year lasted 41 days.During warmer, drier years, pollen counts rise. Supplied by author, CC BY-SAIn contrast, the other two seasons had comparatively moderate rainfall – enough to maintain grass growth and pollen production but with plenty of dry, sunny and windy days for higher levels of pollen to be released and spread.In the 2023/24 El Niño summer, the grass pollen season lasted 77 days, almost twice as long as that seen in 1988/89.We must acknowledge that a sample of just three seasons bookending a 35-year interval would not normally be a convincing basis for confident conclusions.Nevertheless, the consistent pattern observed in this limited dataset is in line with expectations about how contrasting weather patterns affect pollen production and dispersal, and the results shouldn’t be sneezed at.Advice for allergy sufferersWhat does this research mean for those of us who suffer from pollen allergies?Better understanding of pollen season variability and its causes can inform the two pillars of allergy management: treatment and avoidance of allergy triggers.Sophisticated predictive models can forecast changing La Niña and El Niño phases many months in advance. Now that we can show these phases affect pollen levels, we can be forewarned about the likely severity of the pollen season ahead.Above all, our research shows that pollen seasons can be highly variable – from one year to the next and likely between regions due to variations in La Niña and El Niño effects in different parts of the country.This highlights the importance of continuing pollen monitoring to better understand the causes and consequences of seasonal pollen allergy.Climate change, and in particular rising temperature and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, altered patterns of precipitation and greater inter-annual variability all likely have an impact on pollen levels in New Zealand.In the longer term, climate projections suggest Auckland will see increasingly drier and warmer springs and summers – and that’s likely to mean more pollen in the air and more bad news for those with allergies.Author - Rewi Newnham, Professor in Physical Geography — Victoria University of WellingtonThis article is republished from The Conversation.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Lotto NZ will close MyLotto, the Lotto NZ App and all Lotto NZ counters early on Sunday 28 September, reopening later on Monday, to carry out a major system upgrade.The upgrade brings changes online and in-store. Spend limits will shift to a single 7-day rolling cap of up to $150 across all games, including Instant Kiwi Online. The limit refreshes daily based on the past week’s play, and when you log in after the upgrade, the lowest limit you’ve already set will carry over as your default. Any decreases take effect immediately, while increases activate after 48 hours.At counters, Lotto, Powerball and Strike will now print together on one ticket, meaning Triple Dips are combined on a single slip. A new screen will display purchases as they’re made, and scanning tickets, coupons and MyLotto favourites will be simpler. Ticket checkers will be out of service during the upgrade, so players are asked to use the MyLotto App or have tickets checked by the retailer.Instant Kiwi Online is also being refreshed, with some games retired and 13 new ones added. The upgrade goes live on 29 September, and Lotto NZ says the yellow tickets are staying. From then on, adding Strike to Lotto or Powerball will result in one ticket instead of two.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Aucklanders are willing to pay more for homes that bring daily life within easy reach, new research from Auckland Council’s Chief Economist Unit shows.The analysis, based on 2024 property valuations, found demand is strongest in suburbs close to jobs, public transport, shops, schools, and parks. Land values, a measure of what buyers will pay for location, drop the further you move from the city centre.Chief Economist Gary Blick says the pattern is clear. “The more central locations within Auckland tend to be in highest demand with land values generally declining as you move further out from the city centre,” he says. Estimated residential land values per square metreSource: Auckland Council Chief Economist UnitWhile every neighbourhood matters, the data shows people place the highest value on convenience and shorter commutes.On the Hibiscus Coast, the findings highlight the trade-offs many locals make. While the Coast offers beaches and space, higher land values closer to the city show how much weight buyers give to transport and job access. For many Coasties, that plays out in long SH1 commutes and the wait for Penlink to ease the pressure.Planning rules also matter. Land zoned for terraced housing or apartments carries higher value, as it allows more productive use. Blick says enabling housing where demand is strongest helps ensure new homes actually get built, making the city more affordable.Gary Blick, Auckland Council Chief Economist.“Cities work better when people can live closer to what they need,” Blick says. That, he adds, supports productivity, higher wages, and a more liveable Auckland.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

The Government says a new centralised approach to digital investment and procurement could save up to $3.9 billion over the next five years.Minister for Digitising Government and the Public Service Judith Collins confirmed that the Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO) will now oversee technology spending across most public service agencies and Crown entities.She said the move could cut up to 30 percent from the projected $13 billion public sector technology bill.“This potentially saves a huge amount of taxpayer money – and that’s money that can instead be spent on delivering better public services, for the benefit of all New Zealanders.”Collins said the days of siloed, one-off technology systems are over, with New Zealand aiming for a “citizen-focused, digital-first public service” modelled on global leaders such as Estonia.For context, Estonia has reached an extraordinary milestone by becoming a country that digitalises 100 percent of its government services. Its new Eesti.ee app gives citizens access to nearly 50 services, secure messaging, and even digital ID verification via QR code – showing how a fully digital state can deliver speed, security and convenience.Eesti.ee app. Photo: the Estonian Information System AuthorityA new NZ Government App is also in the works, designed to let people store identity documents, receive secure notifications, and eventually pay for services directly from their phones.For the Hibiscus Coast, where the GCDO has already certified new cloud data centres in Silverdale, the shift highlights how local infrastructure is becoming central to nationwide digital services. These facilities will help support the tools and systems the Government says will drive billions in savings and safer, faster services.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

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.