Mount Eden news is brought to you by the team at Central Leader
Recent posts
Thank you for using Neighbourly
Thousands of households in arrears on council rates
Rates have been rising quickly in many parts of the country in recent years.
When Stats NZ released consumer price index (CPI) data for the September quarter last week, it noted that rates were up 8.8 percent year-on-year.
That was lower than the 12.2 percent increase in the September 2024 … View moreRates have been rising quickly in many parts of the country in recent years.
When Stats NZ released consumer price index (CPI) data for the September quarter last week, it noted that rates were up 8.8 percent year-on-year.
That was lower than the 12.2 percent increase in the September 2024 quarter, but higher than the average increase of around 7.3 percent observed between 2018 and 2025.
Auckland Council's head of rates, valuations and data management, Rhonwen Heath, said 6.6 percent of rates, or 42,902 households were outstanding at the start of the 2025/2026 year.
"For the previous two years, 5.4 percent of rates were unpaid. Four years ago in 2022/2023, 8.2 percent of rates were outstanding.
"Throughout the year, reminder letters, follow-up calls and emails are issued to assist customers. Ratepayers can catch-up on any outstanding rates at any time during the rating year."
Wellington City Council said 7825 ratepayers were in arrears at the end of September, or 9.3 percent. They owed a total $39 million. In 2021, 7302 ratepayers had been in arrears, or 9.05 percent.
In Christchurch, 2.98 percent of properties had rates arrears, compared to 3 percent in 2021.
David Verry, a financial mentor at North Harbour Budgeting Services said before Covid, budget services rarely saw clients who had mortgages.
But as interest rates rose, that had started to change. Many households struggled with large home loan debt they had taken on while rates were low, he said.
"Whilst they were struggling to meet the fortnightly repayments, alongside all the other expenses, it was things like the rates bill that tipped them completely over the edge. This would have been common amongst the budgeting services.
"From what I've seen, rates increases across the country have been well above the rate of inflation ...Where there haven't been commensurate increases in incomes then things like the rates increases will tip people over the edge when budgets are tight. And things like insurance premiums may have also gone up too…along with electricity prices and the other cost of living increases."
He said it was not uncommon to see councils taking action under the Property Law Act to force a bank to pay rates and add the money to a mortgage.
It was something that was highlighted in Massey University's recent retirement expenditure guidelines.
Research lead Associate Professor Claire Matthews said rates were a growing problem for retired households.
She said some of the arrears could be a protest vote against council while others were because people could not afford them.
Jake Lilley, spokesperson for Fincap, the network that supports financial mentors, said rates and power costs were difficult for people on fixed incomes.
"The numbers in our Voices reports continue to show more homeowners presenting for assistance with financial mentors each year. We've seen a 38.7 percent increase in the proportion of debt listings where local government is the creditor between 2021 and 2024. However, the median amount of these debts has reduced to $1098 between 2023 and 2024.
"The data also captures dog registrations, parking infringements, library fines, and unpaid noise complaint fines and other local government debts as well as rates.
"Financial mentors have commented on lack of clarity and inconsistencies between different councils, which makes dealing with debt to council especially challenging. We've made recommendations to include debt to local government in the debt to government framework, and to ensure that there are effective hardship support policies at councils."
=====================================================
St Andrew's Strawberry Fair
🍓 See you tomorrow.😊 Bring your friends and come along from 9 am - there’s something for everyone!🍓
📍 St Andrew’s Church, 100 St Andrew’s Road, Epsom
Transform pallets into a colourful portable bench with Resene!
Transform wooden pallets into a portable bench or kitchen island with Resene paints and wood stains. Find out how to make and paint your own portable bench with these easy step by step instructions.
Roadworks on SH20 between Puhinui Road and Massey Road
From 2 to 26 November, we will be installing a new electronic overhead sign on SH20 near the Portage Road overbridge. Works will take place Sunday to Thursday nights, between 10pm and 5am.
Expect a combination of northbound and southbound closures as well as lane restrictions.
Poll: Fireworks
Should fireworks be restricted to public displays only
-
94.8% Yes
-
5.2% No
Bright Spots winners!
A big congratulations to the 2025 Resene Bright Spots winners! We are proud to announce our ten winners who have all won a $250 Prezzy card and a $250 Resene Gift card!
Deepa Keenawinna - Lower Hutt (home crafts)
Slava Voronin - Kerikeri (blossoming tree)
Sam Holliday - Paraparaumu (hot pink … View moreA big congratulations to the 2025 Resene Bright Spots winners! We are proud to announce our ten winners who have all won a $250 Prezzy card and a $250 Resene Gift card!
Deepa Keenawinna - Lower Hutt (home crafts)
Slava Voronin - Kerikeri (blossoming tree)
Sam Holliday - Paraparaumu (hot pink outdoor chair)
Chris Carlyon - Waikanae (French Bulldog painting)
Joel Bradley - Auckland (Kea painting)
Jayne Walton - Rangiora (rainbow gate
Charmaine Macpherson - Cheviot (colourful bathtab)
Adele Whittaker - Auckland (school mural)
Karan Robson - Foxton Beach (blue backdoor)
Dave Bang - Levin (native bird mural)
Take a look at their wonderful colourful entries below. A huge thank you to everyone who shared a Bright Spot in their community this year; we have loved seeing the places in your neighbourhood that bring you joy.
Unemployment hits 8-year high leaving 160,000 Kiwis out of work
The unemployment rate hit 5.3% in the September 2025 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.
That is the highest rate since December 2016 (up from 5.2%).
There were 160,000 unemployed people in the September 2025 quarter, as measured by the Household Labour Force Survey.
The … View moreThe unemployment rate hit 5.3% in the September 2025 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.
That is the highest rate since December 2016 (up from 5.2%).
There were 160,000 unemployed people in the September 2025 quarter, as measured by the Household Labour Force Survey.
The increase is in line with what economists had expected.
Despite the grim numbers economists said there were promising signs in today’s data.
The figures below the topline confirmed “signs of stabilisation”, said ASB senior economist Mark Smith.
The majority of economists had forecast the topline unemployment rate to land at 5.3% (up from 5.2% in the June quarter).
“Labour market conditions look to be stabilising,” he said. “The worst is behind us, but we don’t expect to see a meaningful lift in employment until 2026.”
“Chunky increases in hours worked and rising full-time employment and QES filled jobs/paid hours point to strengthening employment demand.”
Westpac senior economist Michael Gordon said the September quarter data was subdued as expected.
Gordon also pointed to the 0.9% rise in the hours worked in the Household Labour Force Survey - the first quarterly increase since December 2023.
“Average hours worked had fallen markedly over the last year or so, implying that employers were adjusting to the soft economy by reducing hours rather than laying off workers; the latest quarterly result suggests that this trend is reversing.”
Gordon said the September quarter results were in line with the Reserve Bank’s forecasts offering little for markets to chew on ahead of the next Monetary Policy Statement on November 26.
“There are some early signs of the economy stabilising, but the existing degree of spare capacity will give the RBNZ confidence that inflation will moderate back towards the 2% target midpoint next year,” he said.
“We continue to expect a 25bp cut in November.”
The unemployment rate for young people experienced a significant increase over the year, Stats NZ said.
The unemployment rate in the 15–24 age group increased to 15.2%, from 13.1% a year earlier.
The proportion of youth aged 15 to 24 years not in employment, education, or training (NEET) rose to 13.8% in the September 2025 quarter, up 1.4 percentage points annually.
The NEET rate gives a more detailed picture of labour market engagement for young people, Stats NZ said.
The underutilisation rate was 12.9% in the September 2025 quarter, compared with 12.8% in the June 2025 quarter.
Underutilisation includes unemployed and underemployed people, along with the potential labour force.
It measures those who have some work but say they need more.
There were 138,000 underemployed people in the labour force in the September 2025 quarter, compared with 121,000 in the September 2024 quarter, Stats NZ said.
Underemployment is defined as part-time workers who have both the desire and availability to work more hours.
“Around two-thirds of those underemployed in the September 2025 quarter were women, reflecting the higher number of women who work part-time,” Attewell said.
While underemployment predominantly affects women, men working part-time were more likely to be underemployed.
Approximately one in four men working part-time were underemployed, compared with one in five women working part-time
The employment rate was 66.6% in the September 2025 quarter, compared with 66.8% in the June 2025 quarter.
In the September 2025 quarter, the number of employed people was 2,873,000, compared with 2,891,000 in the September 2024 quarter.
“Better signs are ahead,” said ASB’s Smith.
“The unfolding economic recovery should see excess labour capacity gradually erode with the unemployment rate moving towards the 4% to 4.5% Goldilocks zone by the end of next year.”
=====================================================
Break free with Waterford Village
Why spend another summer mowing lawns and clipping hedges? Secure your spot at Waterford Village today and kickstart your real retirement in effortless style.
Beautiful homes with all the space and none of the maintenance. Not to mention a $10,000 island holiday, $5,000 moving package, plus … View moreWhy spend another summer mowing lawns and clipping hedges? Secure your spot at Waterford Village today and kickstart your real retirement in effortless style.
Beautiful homes with all the space and none of the maintenance. Not to mention a $10,000 island holiday, $5,000 moving package, plus your first year’s weekly fees free*.
Ready to escape? Call our Retirement Limbo Hotline on 0800 920 002.
*Terms, conditions and eligibility criteria apply. Visit retirementlimbo.co.nz for full T&Cs.
Poll: What do you think about Fonterra's deal? 🐮🥛
Fonterra is selling some of its well-known brands — including Anchor, Mainland, Fernleaf, and Kapiti Fine Foods — to French company Lactalis.
Why? Fonterra says it wants to focus on ingredients rather than consumer brands.
💭 What do you think about the move?
Keen to read more? Luke … View moreFonterra is selling some of its well-known brands — including Anchor, Mainland, Fernleaf, and Kapiti Fine Foods — to French company Lactalis.
Why? Fonterra says it wants to focus on ingredients rather than consumer brands.
💭 What do you think about the move?
Keen to read more? Luke Malpass offers his opinion in The Press
-
6.1% Unsure - will wait to see how this affects my wallet
-
30.5% Sad to see Kiwi brands sold off
-
55.6% Against it – a loss for NZ manufacturing
-
7.8% For it – focusing on ingredients is the right move
Speed camera-equipped SUVs: How many drivers have been caught speeding?
The New Zealand Transport Agency's new speed camera-equipped SUVs detected nearly 70,000 driving offences in their first four months of operation.
The nondescript SUVs first hit the road in May, replacing police vans, when NZTA took over control of New Zealand's speed enforcement tools. … View moreThe New Zealand Transport Agency's new speed camera-equipped SUVs detected nearly 70,000 driving offences in their first four months of operation.
The nondescript SUVs first hit the road in May, replacing police vans, when NZTA took over control of New Zealand's speed enforcement tools. There are now 34 SUVs in operation up and down the country, alongside camera-equipped trailers.
According to numbers released by NZTA, the mobile SUV cameras detected 67,308 offences (Activation Notices, Infringement Notices, and Traffic Offence Notices) between May 12 and August 21.
The cameras generated $928,960 in fines, with all revenue allocated to the Government Consolidated Fund – not NZTA.
One camera detected 5179 speeding offences, while another issued $104,270 in fines.
The SUVs, were designed to resemble any other vehicle that motorists may spot parked on the side of the road.
The cameras are deployed on an "anytime, anywhere" basis.
NZTA head of regulatory strategic programmes Tara Macmillan previously told 1News: “Mobile cameras will be used in places where there is a risk of people being killed or seriously injured in a crash.
"Evidence shows that unsigned mobile safety cameras are twice as effective at reducing crashes as sign-posted cameras.
"So, while our safety cameras in SUVs and trailers will be visible to drivers and will not be hidden, they won’t be signposted.”
The tools were praised by AA, with spokesperson Dylan Thomsen previously telling 1News they would be effective in changing driver behaviour and, in turn, keeping the roads safe.
"The SUVs are just a lot more nondescript and don't really look any different – it could just be a parked vehicle ahead on an urban road or on a highway. It could be a vehicle that's broken down or pulled over at the side.
"If you're a driver that likes to travel around/ above the speed limit or in the past has liked to travel around/ above the speed limit and then slow down when you've spotted one of those vans up ahead, you are going to be more likely to be caught in the future or now, because it is a lot harder to see one of those parked SUVs."
The SUVs were one of several new tools introduced by NZTA, with trailers and new average speed cameras popping up across the country.
NZTA's static cameras issued a total of 79,364 infringement notices between July 1 and August 31. The total dollar value of all infringements from NZTA's first two months was $4.78 million.
Macmillan said the purpose of speed cameras was to reduce harm on the roads and not generate revenue.
"The evidence clearly shows that where safety cameras have been used in New Zealand and overseas, they reduce speeds and reduce the harm caused by crashes. Because of this, they’re proven to significantly reduce deaths and serious injuries.
"Speed can be the difference between death, a life-changing injury and walking away from a crash unharmed. Alongside other improvements, safety cameras will contribute to a transport system that protects us all."
=====================================================
St Andrew's Strawberry Fair
It’s all go this morning! The Strawberry Fair team are putting the finishing touches in place for what promises to be another great event on Saturday. 🍓
👉 Opens 9am Saturday 8 November
📍 St Andrew’s Church, 100 St Andrew’s Road, Epsom
💳 EFTPOS available
Living with advanced prostate cancer?
Or maybe you’re caring for someone who is. Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ invites you to join them and local specialists for a patient information evening at Auckland Grammer School,Thursday 13 November. Learn how new therapies, technologies, and innovations are improving outcomes and quality of … View moreOr maybe you’re caring for someone who is. Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ invites you to join them and local specialists for a patient information evening at Auckland Grammer School,Thursday 13 November. Learn how new therapies, technologies, and innovations are improving outcomes and quality of life for men living with advanced prostate cancer.
FREE Entry. Registration required.
For patients, families, whānau, carers, and health professionals.
Ryman Village Open Days
Every village, every Wednesday, 10am - 3pm
Join us any Wednesday in November and explore our lifestyle, show homes and amenities.
More than just a place to live, Ryman villages are places where friendships grow, hobbies flourish and a genuine sense of community thrives.
The best way is to… View moreEvery village, every Wednesday, 10am - 3pm
Join us any Wednesday in November and explore our lifestyle, show homes and amenities.
More than just a place to live, Ryman villages are places where friendships grow, hobbies flourish and a genuine sense of community thrives.
The best way is to experience it for yourself. No appointment necessary!
Fake Friends, Real Threats: How to Spot Scam Requests Online
Social media accounts are often targeted by scams. You may encounter fake messages or friend requests designed to trick you into sharing personal details or clicking on malicious links.
======================================
How Can I Tell If a Follow/Friend Request Is a Scam?
… View moreSocial media accounts are often targeted by scams. You may encounter fake messages or friend requests designed to trick you into sharing personal details or clicking on malicious links.
======================================
How Can I Tell If a Follow/Friend Request Is a Scam?
======================================
Follow requests from accounts you don’t recognise.
Incomplete Profiles
Accounts with little information, few posts, or generic pictures.
Urgent Messages
Direct messages that use urgent language, asking you to act quickly.
Suspicious Links
Links that seem odd or unfamiliar, often found in messages.
Too Good to Be True Offers
Promises of rewards or financial gains that seem unrealistic.
Requests for Personal Info
Asking for sensitive details like passwords or bank information.
Common Social Media Scams to Watch For
===================================
Fake Celebrity Accounts
Impersonating famous personalities to gain followers and send scam messages.
Phishing Links
Links that lead to fake login pages to steal your credentials.
Romance Scams
Fake profiles that engage in romantic chats to eventually ask for money.
Job Offers
Promising high-paying jobs with little effort, asking for personal details.
Giveaway Scams
Claims that you’ve won a prize and need to provide personal info to claim it.
Investment Scams
Offers of quick returns on investments, asking for initial deposits.
Why Am I Getting These Scam Requests?
=================================
Data Breaches
Information leaked from compromised databases.
Random Targeting
Automated systems sending requests to random users.
Public Listings
Information found in public directories or on social media.
What Should I Do If I Receive a Scam Request?
======================================
Do Not Engage
Avoid accepting the request or replying to any messages.
Verify the Profile
Look for signs of authenticity, like verified badges or mutual friends.
Report the Account
Use the platform’s reporting features to report the suspicious account.
Block the Scammer
Block the account to stop further interaction.
Stay Informed
Regularly check your privacy settings and be careful about sharing personal information online.
======================================================
Trek 2022 Fuel EX8 XT 29" MTB - Large
Trek 2022 Fuel EX8 XT 29" MTB - Frame size LARGE
The Fuel EX8 is an excellent all-round pedal-powered MTB, equally capable on trails or just clocking KMs cross-country. Current EX8 model retails for around $5.6K.
- This bike is in superb condition, well maintained and only minimal use.
… View moreTrek 2022 Fuel EX8 XT 29" MTB - Frame size LARGE
The Fuel EX8 is an excellent all-round pedal-powered MTB, equally capable on trails or just clocking KMs cross-country. Current EX8 model retails for around $5.6K.
- This bike is in superb condition, well maintained and only minimal use.
- This was a second / back-up bike, has only clocked around 500kms!
- Very minor scuffs and scrapes, overall near-new condition
- Still on the original tyres!
- Just been serviced by CYCO, new chain.
- High quality hardware throughout, Shimano XT gears and brakes.
- Pedals included
Pick-up from Sandringham, Auckland.
Loading…- Premium Businesses
-
Sam's Lawnmowing & Gardening Services Lawnmowing Services
-
Camellia & Co Flowers - Wedding
-
James Clarke Property Property Development & Investment
- Community Organisations
-
SeniorNet Eden-Roskill Inc Mt Eden Senior Citizens Club Rooms487 Dominion Rd, Balmoral, Auckland
-
Epsom Community Creche 200 Gillies Avenue, Epsom, Auckland
- View all organisations
© Neighbourly 2025
