After nearly two years of waiting, Pūhoi residents can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Auckland Transport (AT) has officially completed major repairs on Ahuroa Road, one of Rodney’s worst-hit areas following the devastating 2023 storm events.The road, which links Pūhoi and Ahuroa, was severely damaged early last year.Eight major slips along the route forced its closure to all but residents.A particularly large slip near the top of the road left families facing long detours to get to work, school, and essential services.Alan Wallace, Auckland Transport’s General Manager of Road Asset Maintenance and Renewals, says it’s been a significant job.“We’re very pleased to have completed the repair of the last of the major slips and returned the road to the community,” he says.Construction teams from Downer NZ and Mason Contractors worked through challenging weather and terrain to complete the repairs.The biggest task involved building a highly technical $6.6 million concrete palisade wall, which used 166 piles driven up to 17 metres deep, along with 480 metres of soil nail anchors to stabilise the slip site.Samantha Riley, Contract Manager at Downer NZ, highlights the team’s focus on reconnecting the community.“A key achievement for us was enabling some of our youngest community members, children, to safely return to Ahuroa School,” she says.“We understood how important this road is to people’s daily lives.”The Pūhoi and Ahuroa communities have shown a great deal of patience throughout the process, says Rodney Local Board Chair Brent Bailey.“Our Pūhoi community has been severely impacted because of the substantial damage caused by the storms,” he says.“It has taken a long time to fix and reopen this road because of the difficult terrain and the challenges caused by the many slips, including this major slip.”Ahuroa Road’s reopening is a huge step forward for locals who rely on it every day.Road sealing maintenance, which is outside the flood repair project, is expected to take place at a later date.For Coasties who travel this route or have friends and family in Pūhoi, it’s welcome news that life is getting back to normal.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

The government has told international investors it wants their help deciding on the options for a second Waitematā Harbour crossing.Speaking to the Infrastructure Investment Summit, Transport Minister Chris Bishop said the government was commencing "early market soundings" on the project, and whether it will be a second bridge or a tunnel."Many of you will be from countries that have done mega-projects like this. It has been a long, long time since we have," Bishop said."We need your thoughts, and the lessons you have learnt being involved in similar projects."Bishop said the study would also ask about financing options, and expected tolling or road pricing would play a part.He said the first market sounding would take place in April, with a second one taking place later in the year.He expected to announce a preferred option in mid-2026."Auckland, and New Zealand, needs this project. And after decades of discussion, we are finally ready to put a stake in the ground," he said.The market soundings would involve one-on-one engagement with civil contractors, maintenance providers, investors, and debt financiers.They would be asked for their feedback on design elements and approach to delivery, as well as the market appetite and capacity.The New Zealand Transport Agency would also test interest on funding, financing, and procurement options, Bishop said.Tolls on the cardsBishop also told attendees the government was exploring tolling concessions to speed up road construction.All Roads of National Significance are being assessed for tolling.The concessions would mean the private company collects the revenue from a toll to offset its costs, while giving the government an up-front capital payment.The government would then re-invest that payment into other roading projects.It would also maintain ownership of the road built through toll concessions."We want to understand how we can grasp opportunities to use upfront capital to help fund future projects, like other countries do, unlocking economic growth and productivity benefits sooner," Bishop said.Speaking to media afterwards, Bishop said he would not get ahead of himself and announce a preferred option."The history of this stuff is politicians do a desktop study, it takes forever, it costs a lot of money, and then everyone gets excited about a particular option, and then they announce it without actually having talked to the private sector about what might be deliverable and how the financing and how the economics might stack up," he said."So we're doing that work first, before we start to firm up decisions about what we will build, how we will build it, and when we will build it."José Manuel Entrecanales, chief executive of Spanish firm Acciona, said he was "definitely" interested in getting involved.Acciona already has a presence in New Zealand through its work on the Puhoi to Warkworth highway, and the Eastern Busway.

Coasties, if you’re planning on being near Albany on Sunday, be aware that several road closures and bus detours will be in place for Run Albany—the grand finale of the North Shore Run Series.The event kicks off at 07:30 on Sunday, 16 March 2025, and runs through to 10:00.To keep the course clear and safe for runners, a number of streets in Albany will be closed, including:Don McKinnon DriveAppian WayWanboet LaneDavies DriveMunroe LaneCorban AvenueStadium DriveBus stops at Westfield Albany and on Munroe Lane will also be closed for about 2.5 hours. Bus routes 83, 917, 126, and 861 will detour during this time.Organisers are expecting a great turnout to celebrate the end of the summer fitness season.If you’re heading to Albany on Sunday morning—whether by car or public transport—it’s a good idea to allow extra time and plan your route.For full details on the closures and detours, visit the North Shore Run Series website.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

From 16 March 2026, new rules will apply to gift cards and vouchers in New Zealand. The changes, announced by MBIE, are designed to protect consumers and ensure clear terms for all gift cards sold after that date.The key change is that all gift cards must have a minimum expiry period of three years from the date of sale. This applies to both physical and digital cards. The expiry date must also be clearly shown on the card, or it must state if there is no expiry.Who’s affected?These rules cover most gift cards sold to consumers, including open-loop cards like Prezzy Cards. Some are excluded—such as cards for returned goods, utilities, loyalty programmes, or charity fundraisers.Penalties for breaking the rulesIf a business doesn’t comply, it risks fines of up to NZ$30,000. Individuals can be fined up to NZ$10,000. Minor breaches can lead to $1,000 infringement notices.Coasties are advised to always check expiry dates and terms before buying or gifting a card.Local businesses are urged to prepare now by updating systems and training staff.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

A 44-year-old Auckland man is facing prosecution after allegedly failing to register seven of his firearms, despite having previously registered five. Police say the case highlights the serious consequences of non-compliance with the Firearms Registry, which became law in 2023.The man has been summonsed to appear at Waitakere District Court next month. He faces charges under section 53A of the Arms Act for intentionally failing to provide required information for the Registry.Police seized 12 firearms from his property earlier this week. Detective Inspector Albie Alexander confirmed that five of the seized firearms had been registered, while seven—comprising standard shotguns and rifles—were not.“Failure to register firearms has consequences,” said Detective Inspector Alexander.“In this case, the man initially told Police he assumed the law was going to change in future, and when questioned further, claimed he forgot to register them.”The Firearms Registry, managed by the Firearms Safety Authority-Te Tari Pūreke, is a key part of New Zealand’s firearms safety system. It allows Police to have real-time information about who owns what firearms, helping them assess risks during critical incidents.Superintendent Richard Wilson, Operations Director at the Firearms Safety Authority, says the case demonstrates that the law will be enforced. “It is an offence punishable by up to two years’ jail or a fine of NZD 20,000 for intentionally failing to register a firearm,” he said. “People who choose not to comply are not fit and proper licence holders.”The man’s firearms licence has been suspended while Police consider permanent revocation.Superintendent Wilson encouraged licence holders who need help with the Registry to contact 0800 844 431. “The message is simple—don’t risk losing your licence and ending up in court. We’re here to help.”Since its launch in June 2023, more than a third of New Zealand’s licence holders have registered their firearms—over 370,000 in total. The Registry was established to close long-standing gaps in the Arms Act, identified as early as 1997, and aims to make it harder for firearms to fall into criminal hands.For Coasties who hold firearms licences, this case serves as an important reminder to stay up to date with their legal obligations. 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!Ducky DerbySat 15 March.More detailsSwim School Open DaySat 15 March.More detailsMen in Business: Game Plan for SuccessTue 18 March.More 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!

Coasties travelling north or south on State Highway 1 (SH1) this month may experience delays as essential maintenance gets underway.NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has advised that road improvement works will take place between Silverdale and Warkworth, including the Johnstone Hill Tunnels, starting Sunday 16 March.The works will include resurfacing, vegetation control, and tunnel maintenance. Scheduled closures and lane restrictions are as follows:Johnstone Hill Tunnels will be closed to northbound traffic day and night from 21:00 on Sunday 16 March until 05:00 on Friday 21 March.➔ Traffic will travel north using one of the southbound lanes.➔ Drivers are asked to slow down and follow instructions.Silverdale interchange to Warkworth roundabout northbound will be closed 21:00–05:00 on Tuesday 18 March.➔ Several ramps will also close, including Silverdale northbound on-ramp and Orewa northbound off-ramp.➔ A detour will be in place via Hibiscus Coast Highway and Old State Highway 1.Warkworth roundabout to Silverdale interchange southbound will be closed 21:00–05:00 on Wednesday 19 March.➔ Ramps such as Puhoi southbound on-ramp and Silverdale southbound off-ramp will be closed.➔ Southbound drivers will detour via Old State Highway 1 and Hibiscus Coast Highway.Silverdale interchange to Oteha Valley Road southbound will have lane restrictions 21:00–05:00 from Monday 17 to Thursday 20 March.➔ Southbound lanes remain open, but delays are possible.These works are weather dependent and may be rescheduled if conditions change.NZTA encourages drivers to check the NZTA Journey Planner for the latest updates.If you’re heading north or south during these times, plan ahead. Increased noise and travel delays are expected due to resurfacing, vegetation control, and slip remediation.Extra caution is urged for those using detours through the Hibiscus Coast Highway and Old SH1.NZTA apologises for any inconvenience and thanks motorists for their patience as they work to maintain road safety and quality.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has declared a total outdoor fire ban for all of Auckland starting from Friday, 14 March. This means no outdoor fires of any kind are permitted until further notice.Northland, already under a prohibited season, continues with the same restrictions. Most of the Waikato region is also affected by this ban, as hot and dry conditions show no sign of easing.Te Hiku Region Manager Ron Devlin says the measures are critical to reducing the risk of wildfires, which have been increasing across the upper North Island this summer.“Aucklanders can see the grass is about as dry as it can get,” Devlin explains. “We’ve had a lot of fires escape and get out of control—some needing multiple crews to contain them.”Recent fires, including the Māngere Mountain blaze and a series of fires at Port Waikato, have highlighted how quickly flames can spread. In just the past week, several incidents have required significant firefighting efforts.“Nearly 97 per cent of wildfires in New Zealand are caused by people,” Devlin says. “These fires are preventable, yet they continue to threaten lives, homes, wildlife and our environment.”The ban covers all outdoor burning, including backyard fires, bonfires, and burning garden waste. Fire permits have been suspended.Locals are also urged to delay high-risk activities like welding, grinding, chainsawing, or even mowing the lawn until conditions improve. “Even parking a hot car on dry grass has the potential to start a devastating wildfire,” Devlin adds.Fire and Emergency advises all Coasties to stay informed by visiting www.checkitsalright.nz where they can enter their location for up-to-date fire restrictions and safety tips.With the region’s vegetation bone-dry, this ban is in place to help keep people, property, and wildlife safe on the Hibiscus Coast and beyond.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Did you know that prams, guitars, and even snowboards have been left behind at Auckland Airport? Every year, around 18.5 million travellers pass through the terminals, and some leave behind more than memories. While many items are reunited with their owners, others are donated to help families in need.In the past year alone, around 9,000 kilograms of unclaimed items have found new homes thanks to a partnership between Auckland Airport and ME Family Services (MEFS). Based in Māngere and Ōtāhuhu, MEFS supports local families by providing free essential goods through its onsite Resource Room.Auckland Airport Chief Operations Officer Chloe Surridge says the donations are part of a wider sustainability goal.“We don’t want to see these items ending up in landfill,” she said. “It’s so much better they are re-homed for good.”The airport is working towards reducing waste to landfill by 20% by 2030 (compared to 2019) and is already tracking at a 15% reduction.For Coasties, this story highlights how the simple act of donating or rehoming goods can make a real difference. MEFS assists around 800 families a year. Many items—like prams, children’s clothes, and winter gear—are snapped up quickly.“We’ve seen 50 donated books go in a single day,” said MEFS Chief Executive Carole Tana-Tepania.Tana-Tepania explains how meaningful the donations can be.“We recently had a mum walking her four kids everywhere,” she said. “We sorted two prams for her. One for her and one for her older child to push, so they can get everyone to school and daycare more easily.”The partnership between Auckland Airport and MEFS began eight years ago on a small scale. Today, MEFS collects regularly from across the airport precinct, including hotel bedding donations. Last year, more than 50 beds and bedding sets were provided—items always in high demand.Here are some of the more surprising goods donated in 2024:Prams (more than 200)GuitarsSkateboards and snowboardsCar parts like shock absorbersBeds, bedding, and mattressesCrutches, walkers, and wheelchairsSports gear, including tennis racketsEmpty suitcases and chilly binsFor travellers who lose something at Auckland Airport, items are held at the Lost Property Office (by Door 1 in the international terminal) for up to three months.Call 0800 AIRPORT (247 7678), option 4, or email [email protected] you’ve ever left something behind, there’s a good chance it helped someone in need.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) is expanding its AI-powered Growth Academy across the country, helping 1,400 Kiwi businesses focus on strategic growth rather than day-to-day operations.The expanded programme follows a successful pilot in 2024 involving 250 businesses.BNZ, in partnership with growth software company D/srupt, is now rolling out the initiative nationwide.The academy combines in-person workshops with AI-powered digital tools designed to help business owners clarify their growth strategy, assess funding needs, and explore market opportunities.BNZ General Manager, Growth Sectors, Brandon Jackson, says the programme addresses one of the biggest challenges faced by small and medium businesses: finding time to work on their business rather than in it.“As New Zealand’s largest business bank, we’ve seen how successful businesses thrive when owners can step back from daily firefighting to focus on strategy,” Jackson said.The Growth Academy gives participants access to D/srupt’s Growth Navigation platform.The software uses AI to personalise strategic insights, making complex planning processes quicker and easier to implement.Success StoriesThe academy has already shown tangible results.BlueDoor, an internet service provider for residential and business customers, participated in the pilot and saw immediate benefits.“The Growth Academy helped us take our strategic thinking to the next level,” said BlueDoor Director Mark Anderson.Following the programme, BlueDoor secured nearly NZD 500,000 in financing from BNZ to support its expansion plans.D/srupt founder Debbie Humphrey says the programme’s AI tools make strategy planning faster and more accessible, particularly for time-poor business owners.“What might have taken a full day of workshops can now be done in minutes,” Humphrey said.“We combine practical guidance with technology to help turn big-picture thinking into concrete action plans.”The Growth Academy officially launches on 31 March 2025, with applications opening on 10 March. It includes:In-person workshops in 16 locations, from Whangārei to InvercargillOnline learning options for wider accessibilityAccess to D/srupt’s AI-powered platform for strategic planningGuidance on funding pathways, including grants and growth capitalDirect connection to BNZ’s business banking supportThe 12-month programme is designed to help New Zealand businesses build robust, actionable growth plans, regardless of industry or size.For more details, visit the BNZ website: BNZ Growth AcademyGot a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

The Blues will head to Hamilton this Saturday with renewed confidence as several experienced players return from injury to face the Chiefs at FMG Stadium Waikato. Kick-off is at 19:05.It’s a chance for the Blues to get one back after the Chiefs defeated them 25-14 at Eden Park in the season opener. That match saw the home side lead 14-6 at halftime, only to be kept scoreless in the second half.Now sitting in the bottom half of the Super Rugby Pacific table with one win from four games, the Blues are determined to turn things around. Despite leading at halftime in every match so far, they’ve struggled to close games out. Head coach Vern Cotter hopes the return of key players—and the injection of exciting young talent—will help change that.North Harbour’s Cameron Christie earns another start after impressing on debut, while All Black Dalton Papali’i returns to strengthen the loose forwards alongside Anton Segner. Up front, Samoan international Jordan Lay makes his first start of the season, with Laghlan McWhannell back from injury in the second row.In the backs, experienced halfback Sam Nock gets his first start this year. He’ll guide a potent backline featuring All Blacks Caleb Clarke, Rieko Ioane and Mark Tele’a. There’s also a debut for Xavi Taele, last year’s age group player of the year, who joins Ioane in midfield. Corey Evans will wear the number 15 jersey, bringing versatility to the backfield.“We are continuing to show improvement after a slowish start to the season,” Cotter said. “With several key players back from injury, we are looking for some significant input from our bench.”The bench features experienced campaigners, including Angus Ta’avao, Finlay Christie and Stephen Perofeta, along with power runners AJ Lam and Josh Beehre. Cotter is confident their impact could prove vital in the second half.“We’re expecting a physical clash and would certainly like to get one back on the Chiefs after they beat us at home,” Cotter said.Coasties following the Blues will be pleased to see Dalton Papali’i back in action, while North Harbour fans can cheer on rising star Cameron Christie, who came through Orewa College, in his second start.Players still sidelined include Beauden Barrett (hand), expected to be out for 4-6 weeks, and Hoskins Sotutu, who is suspended.Blues Team To Play Chiefs(Blues caps in brackets)Jordan Lay (22)Kurt Eklund (64)Ofa Tu’ungafasi (153)Patrick Tuipulotu© (116)Laghlan McWhannell (13)Cameron Christie (2)Dalton Papali’i (86)Anton Segner (27)Sam Nock (75)Harry Plummer (79)Caleb Clarke (68)Xavi Taele (Debut)Rieko Ioane (116)Mark Tele’a (71)Corey Evans (17)Reserves: 16. Nathaniel Pole (2) 17. Joshua Fusitu’a (25) 18. Angus Ta’avao (70) 19. Josh Beehre (15) 20. Cameron Suafoa (28) 21. Finlay Christie (58) 22. Stephen Perofeta (68) 23. AJ Lam (47)Go the Blues!Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

Your weekend weather at a glance.Coasties, here’s what the next four days have in store:Friday, 14/3 Mostly cloudy. Light Sou'West winds.High: 23Low: 13Saturday, 15/3Partly cloudy. Breezy Sou'West winds.High: 24Low: 14Sunday, 16/3Partly cloudy. Breezy Nor'West winds.High: 25Low: 15Monday, 17/3Partly cloudy. Breezy North to Nor'West winds.High: 25Low: 16Looking for more details?Check out our full Weather & Travel section in the Hibiscus Coast App for:🌊 Tide information🌬️ Wind conditions🌊 Wave updates🌞 UV levels🏖️ Safe swimming areasand much more.Everything you need is inside the Hibiscus Coast App – anytime, anywhere!

The number of homes listed for sale across New Zealand, including on the Hibiscus Coast, continues to rise, with onsite property inventory hitting its highest point in more than a decade. This is according to Trade Me Property’s latest Property Pulse report for February.Total listings nationwide were up 12 per cent compared to the same time last year. However, while more properties are available, the number of new listings in February was slightly lower than in February 2024.Trade Me Property Customer Director Gavin Lloyd said, “It’s been a strong start to the new year. Sellers are returning to the market and pricing is relatively stable, making for an interesting landscape, whether you are on the sell side or buy side.”The time it’s taking to sell homes is also trending downwards, which Lloyd says is a positive sign.Inventory Changes Across RegionsOtago: Listings up 25% year-on-yearSouthland, Wellington, and Canterbury: Listings up 19%National demand has reached a three-year high, up 8% on February 2024For Coasties keeping an eye on property prices, the national average asking price in February was NZD 851,500. That’s a 1 per cent increase from January but still 2.8 per cent lower than this time last year. The annual drop equates to about NZD 24,000.Despite a long period favouring buyers, the market appears to be shifting. “The modest increase in property prices from January is sure to be well received by those watching the market and considering selling,” Lloyd said.Two regions stood out in February for seeing both month-on-month and year-on-year price growth:Bay of Plenty: NZD 902,650 average asking priceGisborne: NZD 666,500 average asking priceIn contrast, Auckland, Wellington, and Canterbury all saw average prices dip compared to February 2024:Auckland: Down 2.5%Wellington: Down 2.9%Canterbury: Down 0.1%Christchurch bucked the trend for mid-sized homes, recording a record high for three- to four-bedroom properties at NZD 787,150, up 1.5% year-on-year.Wellington also saw surprising gains on its larger homes. Five-bedroom properties there grew in value by more than 10 per cent over the past year. This contrasts sharply with Auckland, where large homes dropped by as much as 21.5 per cent.Gavin Lloyd summed it up, saying, “In Auckland, we’ve seen half a million dollars of value shaved off those larger properties over the past year.”For Coasties thinking about buying or selling, the current market offers plenty of options and a stabilising price landscape. Buyers have more choice, while sellers are seeing renewed interest.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

New Zealand Police has welcomed the latest results from the Ministry of Justice’s New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey (NZCVS), showing public trust and confidence in Police continues to grow.The annual Police Module, which measures the public’s perceptions and experiences with Police, revealed trust and confidence has risen from 67% to 69% between October 2023 and October 2024.Acting Deputy Commissioner Mike Pannett said building and maintaining public trust remains a top priority for Police.“It is encouraging to see the numbers trending in the right direction,” he said.Key findings from the Police Module include:83% of people believe Police conduct their duties professionally74% of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the service they receivedThe percentage of people with no trust and confidence in Police dropped to 2%, the lowest since the Police Module began“These numbers are the direct result of the hard work our staff put in every day when dealing with victims of crime,” Mr Pannett said.“They are dedicated and committed to preventing, investigating, and resolving crime across the country.”He added that while the results are promising, there is still work to do.One focus area is Police visibility, with 58% of respondents agreeing there is a suitable Police presence in their community.“We would like to see that number increase,” Mr Pannett said.As part of efforts to enhance visibility and improve public safety, Police are working to recruit an additional 500 officers as part of the Government’s commitment to increase frontline staff.“These additional staff will make a difference in deterring crime, enforcing the law, and increasing feelings of public safety,” Mr Pannett said.The NZCVS and the Police Module are important tools for shaping future decisions within New Zealand Police. The survey was introduced in 2018 and aims to include 7,000 participants each year. This latest round had 7,705 responses.“These results show positive movement in areas of Police focus, such as our response to serious crimes,” Mr Pannett said.“We have extremely high standards for our organisation and every one of the 15,000 people in it.”Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

A world-first study led by University of Auckland neuroscientists has shed new light on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a disease linked to repeated head impacts in contact sports like rugby.The research examined brain tissue from former athletes, primarily rugby players, revealing key insights into how the brain responds to ongoing trauma.Dr Helen Murray, senior author and neuroscientist at the Centre for Brain Research, said the study offers hope for better understanding the disease and developing future treatments.“This research brings us closer to diagnosing CTE in living people,” Murray said.CTE, often associated with sports involving repeated head knocks, is a neurodegenerative disease that currently can only be confirmed after death. It is marked by the buildup of tau proteins, which form tangles and impair normal brain function. These tau tangles are also linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.Here on the Coast, many families have a deep connection to rugby, whether it’s Saturday mornings at the rugby match or watching the big games at home. News like this resonates with Coasties who’ve grown up loving the game but are becoming more aware of its long-term health impacts.What makes this discovery especially significant is the role of astrocytes—support cells in the brain. Researchers found these cells appeared to respond to leaky blood vessels in the brains of CTE sufferers, highlighting a consistent pattern of inflammation across all cases studied.“Many astrocytes seem to be trying to protect the brain from further damage,” Dr Murray explained. “This discovery points to inflammation and vascular health as promising areas for treatment.”The team hopes that advancements in MRI technology could lead to diagnosing CTE in living people by detecting these vascular changes.For now, this research offers hope—not just for professional athletes, but for anyone concerned about the long-term effects of repeated head injuries.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

It’s been a tough week for some Coastie families, with the sudden news that school lunch provider Libelle has gone into liquidation. Libelle, which had been delivering around 125,000 lunches a day across New Zealand—including some here on the Hibiscus Coast—closed its doors abruptly, leaving several local schools scrambling to sort out what’s next for their students.According to the Ministry of Education, the Healthy School Lunches Programme was designed to give a hand to the 25% of students most in need, making sure they receive a nutritious lunch every school day.How The Programme WorksHere’s a quick recap of how the programme is set up:Schools that use external providers (like the School Lunch Collective) receive $3 per meal, per student.Schools that handle lunches internally get $4 per meal, per student. The extra dollar helps cover staffing, since they don’t benefit from the economies of scale that big providers do.Every lunch must meet strict nutrition guidelines, with input from the Ministry of Health. They also cater for students with specific dietary needs—whether that’s halal, coeliac, vegetarian, vegan, or other complex requirements. And like many of us do at home, sometimes the veggies are hidden in the sauces to encourage kids to eat up!What This Means For Some Local SchoolsLibelle’s liquidation announcement has left some schools on the Hibiscus Coast in a difficult spot. While the Ministry of Education is working on short-term solutions, it’s clear that finding reliable, long-term providers will be a challenge.I’ve done a bit of digging to understand the costs involved, and how parents might manage to create healthy, affordable meals under a tight budget. Using local Hibiscus Coast supermarket prices, a simple weekly menu with a variety of foods and a different menu each weekday could be put together for around $7.48 per child, per week—that’s roughly $1.50 a day for lunches made at home.That's real food for thought.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

The latest economic snapshot from the Auckland Council Social and Economic Research and Evaluation Team, covering data up to January 2025, reveals mixed conditions across the region. Median house prices dropped to $949,000 in January, marking a 4% decrease from a year ago and a 6% decline from December's $1.01 million median. This figure is 37% below the peak of 2021.House sales have improved, totalling 21,977 for the year ended January—20% higher than the low point in May 2023. Despite this increase, sales remain 40% below the peak of July 2021.Average weekly rents in Auckland stood at $690 in December 2024, marginally lower than a year prior. Across the rest of New Zealand, average weekly rent was $599, holding steady compared to recent years.The number of new dwellings consented reached 13,921 for the year ending January 2025, marking a 37% drop from the September 2022 peak, but showing a modest upward trend since July 2024. Non-residential building consents totalled $2.49 billion, a 17% decrease compared to the previous year, and down 28% from their November 2022 peak.Employment continues to face headwinds, with a 2.0% reduction in employed individuals from the December 2023 quarter, marking six consecutive quarters of declining employment growth. The unemployment rate reached 5.3%, equalling the highest level since the 2020 Covid lockdowns.Auckland’s GDP contracted by 0.6% for the year ending December 2024—nearly as low as the Covid-related trough of 2020 and below most growth periods since 2010. Retail sales saw a significant 4.3% decline over the same period.Imports through Auckland's seaports slightly decreased by 3% to $30 billion, signalling continued cautious consumer and business spending.Despite economic uncertainty, confidence among businesses has improved, with 27% optimistic about the next three months—the highest since 2016.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

The Government formally opened Registrations of Interest for the first stage of the Northland Expressway at last week's NZ Infrastructure Investment Summit, Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced.“Connecting Northland to the Auckland region through a resilient, safe and efficient new expressway will unlock economic growth, boost productivity and drive higher living standards for Northlanders and Aucklanders," said Minister Bishop.Minister Bishop highlighted the success of the Waikato Expressway, delivered by the last National-led Government, as a "game changer" for the Waikato region and noted the similar transformational potential of the Northland Expressway to boost jobs and growth.“The upper North Island is the economic powerhouse of New Zealand. Northland, Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty collectively account for 53.7 per cent of New Zealand’s population (2.7 million people), and 55.5 per cent of GDP ($215 billion). This isn’t just an investment into Northland - it’s an investment into the broader upper North Island area,” Bishop explained.The first stage of the project, from Warkworth to Te Hana, was confirmed as a 26km four-lane expressway connected to the new Pūhoi to Warkworth expressway. Map of the proposed route.The indicative design included an 850m twin bore tunnel in the Dome Valley and interchanges at Warkworth, Wellsford, and Te Hana. Being the most advanced section in terms of designation, consents, and property acquisition, it would resolve resilience challenges in the Dome Valley and enable early construction.NZTA had conducted extensive domestic and international market engagement, resulting in significant global interest. Cabinet approved NZTA to advance procurement via a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), starting immediately with the Registration of Interest process. Registered parties would be invited to submit a formal Expression of Interest (EOI), followed by a Request for Proposal (RFP) in mid-2025. A preferred bidder was expected to be announced in early 2026, with the PPP contract finalised by mid-year.Detailed design and construction for the Warkworth to Te Hana section were expected to start in late 2026, with completion anticipated around 2034. The Northland Expressway would utilise the Fast-track Approvals Act and recent amendments to the Public Works Act for critical infrastructure.Watch the video“Today is a great milestone for going for growth in Northland. This investment will not only unlock Northland’s economic potential but also provide long-term opportunities for the infrastructure sector, helping to build a stronger, more resilient supply chain for New Zealand,” said Bishop.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]

US President Donald Trump has set global financial markets wobbling… again.The NZX opened lower on Tuesday and many KiwiSaver investors checking their balances might have had an unpleasant surprise.Here are five things to do if you're worried about market volatility.Check your risk profile against your fund typeEvery investor has a risk profile.This refers to how much risk you can afford to take, given your individual circumstances - particularly your investment timeframe.Growth and aggressive funds tend to be a lot more volatile, but over time they should deliver higher returns.Morningstar data shows that over the past 10 years they've delivered about twice the returns, per year, of the most conservative options.The longer your investment timeframe, the more risky you can be, because you have time to ride out market movements.It won't matter if your balance falls one year, because it has time to pick back up again before you need it.The other aspect that might go into your risk profile is your own personality.If you know you're the type of person who won't be able to cope with seeing a balance drop, and could react negatively, you might choose to take less risk. (Although it's worth noting you can sometimes overcome this with a good adviser.)When you know your risk profile, you can check that you're in the right sort of fund for it.If you've got 30 years until you're able to access your KiwiSaver and you're in a high growth fund, that's probably a suitable fit.But if you're buying a house in a few years' time and you're in a conservative fund, that might be okay too.Your first step in these circumstances should be to check that your profile lines up with your fund.Don't move now, unless it's absolutely necessaryFrom there, you can usually sit tight. Moving your KiwiSaver investment when the markets have dropped is almost always a bad idea because you just lock in your losses.We saw this in 2020, when the pandemic disrupted sharemarkets around the world.There was a surge in switching from growth funds to conservative funds.Westpac said it processed 18,140 requests to switch in that time, but the decision to go conservative could have cost investors a lot.It projected that someone with $25,000 in KiwiSaver who switched from a growth fund to a conservative fund on March 20, 2020, would end up with $387,938 in 2054.But if they had left their money in a growth fund, they would have $615,423.If they had shifted in March 2020 and then moved back a year later, they would have $588,955 in 2054.In some relatively rare occasions, you might have to move.If you're in a growth fund but plan to buy a house next month, you might now have realised you're not in the right fund.In order to ensure you know what you have available for your deposit, you might choose to move to cash, even if it means locking in losses.In this cases, it might make sense to seek financial advice.Stop checking your balanceProvided your settings are right, the best course of action is usually to do nothing.Stop looking at your balance, stop worrying about whether it's moving around, and let your contributions continue as normal.Look back again in a few months' time, when everything will probably look a lot better again.Increase your contributionsIt might seem counterintuitive, but if markets are really having a tough time, you could choose to put more money into your investments.Think about it like a sale at the supermarket - if you knew you were going to want to buy a bag of cat food every week for the next year, and this week the bag is on sale, you might take the opportunity to buy more.Sharemarkets must be one of the few places where a sale is seen as a bad thing.Get adviceIf you're really worried, or wondering whether you need to adjust your approach to your investments, it may be sensible to seek advice.You can contact your provider in the first instance, or seek advice from a KiwiSaver adviser.Research has shown that people who work with advisers tend to have better outcomes, and also can often cope with periods of volatility more comfortably.When you're investing, market movements are all part of the process but knowing what to expect, and how your KiwiSaver should respond, can make a big difference.Got a local story?We’d love to hear it! Send your tips to [email protected]