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Auckland police constable Abby Sturgin has been named Miss Universe New Zealand 2025.
Sturgin, 28, was crowned New Zealand’s representative for the international Miss Universe competition on June 24 at SkyCity Theatre.
West Auckland-born and raised Sturgin, who is of Kiwi and Laotian heritage, competed against 11 other finalists.
… View moreSturgin, 28, was crowned New Zealand’s representative for the international Miss Universe competition on June 24 at SkyCity Theatre.
West Auckland-born and raised Sturgin, who is of Kiwi and Laotian heritage, competed against 11 other finalists.
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Police College opened in Auckland
Police is celebrating the opening of the Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC) Auckland Campus.
The RNZPC Auckland Campus was formally opened this morning by Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, Minister of Police Mark Mitchell and Associate Minister of Police Casey Costello.
Police … View morePolice is celebrating the opening of the Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC) Auckland Campus.
The RNZPC Auckland Campus was formally opened this morning by Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, Minister of Police Mark Mitchell and Associate Minister of Police Casey Costello.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers says the new facilities leased from Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University allow Police to hold senior training courses and have the added bonus of a recruit wing.
“I have made it clear my expectation is for high standards.
That starts the moment a recruit walks into Police College and continues throughout their policing career.
“To ensure those expectations are met and our front line is supported, ongoing training is essential, and the Auckland Campus will be important for holding our senior courses.
“In recent years we have had to provide more senior courses online and in districts to improve efficiency and to free up space for recruit training at RNZPC in Wellington.
“However, that is not possible for some courses and bringing people together in person is an important opportunity for staff to learn from each other as well.”
Since signing the lease, a huge amount of planning and organisation has gone into making the space fit-for-purpose in time for courses to begin on 30 June.
The first senior course at the Auckland Campus, a Leadership and Development group conference, has begun.
The facility includes multiple classrooms, a locker room, storage space, offices, car parks and dorm rooms.
Police also has access to other facilities including the gym and recreation centre.
RNZPC Auckland is also being used for recruit wing 390 which has 40 recruits.
The Patron for Wing 390 is former Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Sir John Key.
Commissioner Chambers says: “Being away from home for 20 weeks to attend recruit training in Wellington has been a deterrent for some people wanting to join Police.
“Offering training in Auckland is one of the things we can do to attract as many quality applications as possible.
“Aside from appealing to people who live in Auckland, Wing 390 has a large number of recruits from Northland who will be based in the dorms.
"Northland has been one of our priority districts for recruitment and offering training closer to home has been a real drawcard.”
The Auckland recruits will need to spend about five weeks in Porirua for elements of training we cannot do in Auckland, but being able to do the bulk of the course in Auckland gives them their chance at a career they wanted.
“We will consider the possibility of future recruit wings later in the year depending on demand and the schedule for senior courses,” Commissioner Chambers says.
“Having a Police College campus in our largest city is a significant opportunity for us to continue developing world-class police officers and growing our frontline police presence.
“New Zealand Police offers exciting career progression and more than 30 different career paths.
"Whether you’re taking your first steps into the workforce or considering a career change, the best time to apply is right now.”
If you are ready to start your training for one of the most rewarding careers there is, visit newcops.govt.nz to apply today.
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Overseas Kiwis struggle with massive interest, penalties on student loans
In April, interest rates for overseas borrowers were lifted from 3.9% to 4.9% and the late payment interest rate for all borrowers to 8.9%.
Tax barrister Dave Ananth said this is putting people off returning to New Zealand at a time we should be encouraging skilled people to come home.
A pilot … View moreIn April, interest rates for overseas borrowers were lifted from 3.9% to 4.9% and the late payment interest rate for all borrowers to 8.9%.
Tax barrister Dave Ananth said this is putting people off returning to New Zealand at a time we should be encouraging skilled people to come home.
A pilot who's been living in Australia for over 10 years has racked up a whopping $170,000 in student loan debt, most of it being interest.
After completing his training in 2014 he struggled to find work in Aotearoa, so he headed across the ditch, where he worked as a commercial pilot for six years.
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit and overseas travel all but ground to a halt, he was forced to take a low-paying job in a storage warehouse meaning he struggled to meet his loan payments.
The pilot, who RNZ's Checkpoint has agreed not to name, has since resumed flying for a regional carrier, but worried about an uncertain job market and whether he'd ever pay off his loan.
"This loan becomes an ongoing – it becomes a burden and it's not the fact the size of it. There's just no pathway forward as it currently stands."
'I just was deflated'
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Checkpoint also spoke to a woman who was unable to come home to see her sick mother as she was scared, she'd be arrested at the border.
When she moved to the United States 20 years ago, her student loan debt was around $15,000. That had ballooned to close to $70,000.
"When they told me how much penalty fees that I had and that was 10 years ago when I first found out about the penalty fees and that was more than my initial student loan and interest combined, I just was deflated."
She received emails from IRD threatening legal action if she didn't pay, but she said she couldn't afford it.
"You may think, 'oh no, I'm just going to go to a different country and make all my money there'.
"But at some point, in time, when you're older, you're going to want to go back to your roots and see family and friends. I just screwed that up for myself.
"Just don't get yourself in this situation like so many of us have where you can't even go home and see family when they're ill.
"I've been petrified something's going to happen to my mum and she's going to pass away and I'm not even going to be able to go there."
After getting legal help from former IRD prosecutor Dave Ananth, IRD agreed to wipe the penalty fees so she now need only pay the original $15,000 loan and interest.
Ananth, who's a tax barrister with the law firm Stace Hammond, agreed there should be penalties for failure to pay but said these should be looked at on a case-by-case basis.
"A lot of them are telling me I've not heard from IRD for the last 10 years, but IRD's perspective is it's your obligation, you should contact.
"[It's] that sort of 'Who should contact? I'm away, you haven't rung me, there was no emails', that sort of thing. I think both sides need to come to the table."
He also wanted better communication between IRD and the student debtor.
"There should be a bit of leeway to say, 'Hey, OK you come in, but come back and talk to us and see whether a hardship application can be made, whether you can pay a few $100 for a start and then we can see how you go'."
"For a lot of them because the loan has been taken, 15, 20 years ago they've got their head buried in the sand, they don't want to deal with it. So, it creates a lot of anxiety, creates mental stress for a lot of people."
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In the year to March, there were about 80,000 overseas-based student loan borrowers with overdue repayments – that's an increase of 10% on the year before.
In total they owed $2.3 billion
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Ananth said many people had found the grass wasn't greener overseas.
"Everyone doesn't go overseas straight away and then lands in this cushy, $200,000, $300,000 job."
He said people working in healthcare, technology, and engineering should be prioritised to help plug gaps in the job market here.
Border arrests a last resort - IRD
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Inland Revenue said between January 23 and February 7 this year they had emailed 3502 borrowers with overdue repayments telling them they're being monitored, and that enforcement may be taken against them.
That could include being arrested at the New Zealand border.
But it said border arrests were a last resort, and it would work with people before taking legal action. One borrower in default had been arrested in the past year.
IRD said it could consider remission of late payment interest, but on a case-by-case basis.
It said borrowers often did not update their contact details when overseas making it harder for the department to contact them.
The student loan base interest rate was increased by one percent in the 2024 Budget and was intended to partially cover the loss in value of the scheme due to recent high inflation.
IRD did not set the student loan interest or late payment interest rates.
"Student loan interest that has been correctly charged on overseas based borrowers student loan accounts cannot be written off under current legislation, nor can Inland Revenue accept any agreement that voids a borrower's liability to repay this.
"We always encourage student loan borrowers to contact us directly to discuss their situation. There is no need to engage the services of a lawyer."
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Share your winter snaps!
Stunning sunrises, frosty mornings and snowy mountains. There's a lot of beauty to be seen in these winter months.
We’d love to see your corner of the country and what your winter looks like. Share a photo below...
A Winter Treat for NZ House & Garden Subscribers!
Winter is the season for slowing down – flickering candles, warm interiors, and time to savour life’s little luxuries.
So why not make your winter even more indulgent? … View moreWinter is the season for slowing down – flickering candles, warm interiors, and time to savour life’s little luxuries.
So why not make your winter even more indulgent? Right now, when you subscribe to NZ House & Garden for 1 or 2 years, you’ll receive a FREE Aura Gold Mānuka Honey Radiance Mask from Antipodes – valued at $76
This luxurious mask is made with sustainably sourced mānuka honey and showcases the very best of natural skincare. It hydrates, brightens and restores – a true winter glow-up, inspired by nature.
Treat yourself to a beautiful magazine and a self-care ritual, all in one.
Subscribe now!
From the team at Mags4Gifts
*T&Cs apply. Offer available to the first 200 people who subscribe for 1 or 2 years between June 23–July 28, 2025.
Create Custom Wall Art with Resene Wallpapers & Murals
Using Resene wallpapers or murals as a framed print is a fantastic way to add drama. Create your own wall art using Resene WallPrint or get the custom Wildstyle design made to measure. Find out how to use your favourite Resene wallpaper design as art with these easy step by step instructions.
Inclusive sport opportunity
Join an inclusive sport with No Limits Netball
No Limits Netball is a programme of skills and netball activities for people with disabilities. We provide a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for everyone to get out on the court and give netball a go. Our extraordinary coaches make sure … View moreJoin an inclusive sport with No Limits Netball
No Limits Netball is a programme of skills and netball activities for people with disabilities. We provide a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for everyone to get out on the court and give netball a go. Our extraordinary coaches make sure your child will feel safe and welcome, and we have a range of equipment to cater for a range of needs.
📆 13th July
📆 10th August
📆 7th September
📆 12th October
📆 30th November
📆 7th December
⏰ 10am-12pm
⭐️ Age 5+
🔵 FREE to attend
Sessions are held once a month on a Sunday at the Auckland Netball Centre indoor courts in St Johns. The first session will be held on Sunday 13th July
For more information contact Caitlin:
📧 development@aucklandnetball.co.nz
Robyn’s ratatouille recipe is a real crowd pleaser
Ryman resident Robyn swears by her ratatouille recipe from her much-loved copy of the Joy of Cooking, given to her by her next door neighbour in 1964.
Moving to New Zealand in 1976 and with four children to cook for, Robyn said the ratatouille recipe was a firm family favourite which she would … View moreRyman resident Robyn swears by her ratatouille recipe from her much-loved copy of the Joy of Cooking, given to her by her next door neighbour in 1964.
Moving to New Zealand in 1976 and with four children to cook for, Robyn said the ratatouille recipe was a firm family favourite which she would cook up every couple of weeks when the veggies were in season.
Click read more for the recipe.
Poll: Are you paying too much for parking?
Cost of living has been on our minds lately, and one cost often lamented in our office is parking.
We all know that New Zealanders pay high parking fees! But research shows that the cost is driven by factors such as location, quality, and convenience.
The average daily parking fee being paid … View moreCost of living has been on our minds lately, and one cost often lamented in our office is parking.
We all know that New Zealanders pay high parking fees! But research shows that the cost is driven by factors such as location, quality, and convenience.
The average daily parking fee being paid in CBDs:
$39.53 in Auckland,
$37.83 in Wellington,
and $32.60 in Christchurch.
But again, the range is wild! Aucklanders could be paying anything from $12 to $80, Wellingtonians from $15 to $50, and if you are in Christchurch, you are looking at $10 to $98.
Neighbours, we want to know: How much are you paying for daily parking fees?
Do you have any tips on how to find cheaper parks?
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63.9% 5-20 per day
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23.8% 20-40 per day
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4.4% 40-60 per day
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2.4% 60-80 per day
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5.4% 80-100 per day
Changes to Te Onewa Pā access
From July 2025, access to Te Onewa Pā at Stokes Point Reserve will be closed until early 2026 due to essential maintenance on the underside of SH1 Auckland Harbour Bridge. Visit the NZTA website to find out how you might be affected.
The latest product recalls
We are bringing you the latest list of recalled products from across the country. Make sure you aren't using these at home!
Click on the blue text to learn more about that particular product and why it was recalled.
Food Recalls:
Nutrient Rescue brand Double Shot products
… View moreWe are bringing you the latest list of recalled products from across the country. Make sure you aren't using these at home!
Click on the blue text to learn more about that particular product and why it was recalled.
Food Recalls:
Nutrient Rescue brand Double Shot products
Haichijia brand Hua Jia Jiang Hu (Clam Vermicelli)
Daebok Rice Cake brand Ground Garlic and Korean Sundae
Woori Kimchi brand Minced Raw Garlic
Product Recalls: Infant care and clothing
The Orbit 3D Advanced Baby Swing Rocker Soother Seat Khaki - Sold at Baby Way
Young Originals Baby's Cosy Inner Henley Bodysuit - Sold at The Warehouse
Baybetss Cozy 360 Rotating and Convertible Car Seat with ISOFIX- sold at Baby Way
The Pod Baby Way Capsule – Cozy Haven Baby Capsule with Beige Liner and Footshield- sold at Baby Way
Cherub Baby Anywhere Warmer Pro- sold at Baby Bunting
Product Recalls: Clothing
Children’s hooded dressing gown - Sold at H&M
Children’s poncho towel with ties - Sold at H&M
SHEIN EVRYDAY Kids’ Pajama Sets- sold on SHEIN
Kids Mega Hoodie Blanket- sold at Not Socks Gifts
Product Recalls: Electronics
Labka One to Two Adaptor- sold at Panda Mart
LABKA 6 outlet power board- sold at Panda Mart
LABKA 8-Outlet Powerboard- sold at Panda Mart
Rechargeable Dehumidifer (Set of 2) - Sold at Innovations Direct
Product Recalls: Other
Fuel Line for Malibu Monsoon M5Di and M6Di boat engines
ToolPRO 570KG Engine Stand- sold at Supercheap Auto
AEG 18V F-RAPIDFIRE 10GA 30º- 34º Framing Nailer (A18F10FNNZ) - Sold at Bunnings
See past months recalls here. Stay safe, neighbours!
Check your details!
If you have a power account and live in central, east or south Auckland, a dividend payment may be coming your way in late September. Look out for the Entrust pack in your letterbox or email inbox. Check we have your correct details and update us by email, mail or through the secure web link in … View moreIf you have a power account and live in central, east or south Auckland, a dividend payment may be coming your way in late September. Look out for the Entrust pack in your letterbox or email inbox. Check we have your correct details and update us by email, mail or through the secure web link in your email or letter.
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Clinical Smiles Dental Clinics
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Burford Dental Dentists
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Camellia & Co Flowers - Wedding
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Night Noodle Markets 4 Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn, Auckland
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Home and Family Counselling - Mt Eden 344 Mount Eden Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
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