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UPDATE: Deceased cat found on Haig Ave
UPDATE: A contractor from Auckland Council has just collected the remains.
Hi everyone,
This morning, my neighbour found a deceased cat on his driveway. He brought it out and left it on the berm outside 2 Haig Ave. It is possibly somebody's cat, so please pass the word around, so that it … View moreUPDATE: A contractor from Auckland Council has just collected the remains.
Hi everyone,
This morning, my neighbour found a deceased cat on his driveway. He brought it out and left it on the berm outside 2 Haig Ave. It is possibly somebody's cat, so please pass the word around, so that it can be collected asap. It doesn't look like it has been hit by a car and the body looks dry.
I will also be reporting this to the Auckland Council soon, and they will probably come in the next hour or so to dispose of its body, unless it is picked up before then.
TradeMe Presentation
Join us for our next free 1 hour presentation - Tuesday 22nd April, at 2.00pm at St Lukes Community Church, 130 Remuera Rd. . This session will focus on tips and tricks for buying and selling on TradeMe.
Email: mac.auckland@seniornet.nz or Phone Janet 0212148386.
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From the team at Mags4Gifts
Easter trading rules 2025: Store closures and exemptions explained
Easter weekend will see most stores closed due to the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990.
Good Friday and Easter Sunday have restricted trading, with exemptions for essential services and specific areas.
Public holiday surcharges apply on Good Friday and Easter Monday, with alcohol sales regulated … View moreEaster weekend will see most stores closed due to the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990.
Good Friday and Easter Sunday have restricted trading, with exemptions for essential services and specific areas.
Public holiday surcharges apply on Good Friday and Easter Monday, with alcohol sales regulated separately.
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Expect New Zealand towns and cities to be a little sleepier this weekend, as Easter delivers a four-day break for Kiwis and most shops closed this Friday and Sunday.
Under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990, retail stores in Aotearoa are required to close over three-and-a-half days every year.
With Good Friday and Easter Sunday counting for two of the restricted trading days, this weekend looks especially different for employers, workers and customers.
In 2016, the act was amended to let councils set their own local Easter Sunday trading policies - although Good Friday remains a restricted trading day under the changes.
Regulations and bylaws vary across the country, complicating rules around which stores can actually open over the long weekend.
Here’s what to expect to help you plan ahead this Easter.
What can open?
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Nationwide, only certain shops are permitted to open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, depending on what they sell.
According to Employment NZ, shops can open on these days if they’re defined as one of the following:
============
Small grocery shop
Service station
Restaurant
Cafe
Takeaway store
Duty-free store
Service-providing shop (e.g. barber)
Real estate agency
Pharmacy
Garden centre (Easter Sunday only)
Certain shops in public transport stations
Certain shops at an exhibition, show, or market
Souvenir shop
Exempt stores are also subject to restrictions that dictate what they can and can’t sell.
Retail NZ says open stores should only sell services or essential goods. This includes items “people can’t put off buying until the next day, such as baby formula or pet food”.
The rules for each day still look a little different, as Good Friday is a public holiday and a restricted trading day, Easter Sunday is also restricted but not a public holiday, and Easter Monday is a public holiday without trading restrictions.
If you’re eating out on Good Friday or Easter Monday, prepare to pay a public holiday surcharge. This is typically set at 15%.
What can’t open?
=============
Supermarkets are not allowed to trade on Good Friday and Easter Sunday - but smaller grocery stores and dairies are exempt.
Cafes, restaurants and bars can open, but can only serve alcohol if patrons buy a meal with their drink, while off-licence stores must remain closed on both days, with alcohol sales regulated separately by the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
Of course, shops in areas with valid exemptions can open under local Easter Sunday policies.
Who’s exempt from the national restrictions?
==================================
Although the main city councils have yet to introduce their own Easter Sunday trading bylaws, some have exempt areas with shops permitted to open.
For Auckland, that’s Parnell Village, while Christchurch’s Arts Centre can open its doors too.
Queenstown, Paihia and Taupō are designated tourist destinations and are exempt from the national Easter trading restrictions, meaning they can open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Shops in Picton’s Mariners Mall can trade on both days too, but a cruise ship must be docked in port to allow Easter Sunday trading to occur.
Golden Bay businesses have an exemption from the Tasman District Council to trade on Easter Sunday if they wish.
Wellington, Porirua and Lower Hutt do not have any exempt areas, while Dunedin’s Carnegie Centre can only sell arts and crafts.
Since 2016, councils have been able to roll out their own local Easter Sunday trading policies over a specific area or their whole district.
Most regional and district councils have adopted their own trading policies and rules since the amendment was passed.
For example, all shops in places like the Far North, Hauraki, Marlborough and Tauranga are permitted to open on Easter Sunday, although they can also choose to remain closed.
Others, mostly city councils, lack a local policy or only have certain areas exempt, meaning stores within their jurisdiction remain subject to the Shop Trading Hours Act’s restrictions.
This includes, but is not limited to, the councils governing Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Hutt City, Christchurch and Dunedin.
How to tell if a shop is allowed to open
===============================
If you’re struggling to decipher which stores are exempt from Easter restrictions, a good rule of thumb is to check whether it’s selling goods or a service.
Stores offering services, such as hairdressers or beauty salons, are able to open, but they can only sell services, not tangible goods.
For example, you can open a spa facility on either day to sell treatments such as massages and facials, but cannot sell products such as skincare or massage oils for customers to take home.
If you’re still unsure, check with a store directly before visiting.
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Transform Your Cabinet with Colour and Resene Gold
Add colour and a splash of Resene gold to transform and accentuate an old cabinet’s understated Art Deco style. Find out how you can bring out the best in your furniture with these easy step by step instructions.
Is your domain name still available?
Thinking about starting a business — maybe a side gig, a passion project, or a community service? Locking in a name is a great first step. With JumpStarter, you can search and secure your domain in just a few clicks. It’s safe, simple, and made for everyday Kiwis ready to bring their ideas to … View moreThinking about starting a business — maybe a side gig, a passion project, or a community service? Locking in a name is a great first step. With JumpStarter, you can search and secure your domain in just a few clicks. It’s safe, simple, and made for everyday Kiwis ready to bring their ideas to life.
Auckland weather updates
It's been a wild and windy night across the region, with more wind expected and heavy rain later in the day.
What you need to know:
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand has been called to over 100 weather related events overnight in Auckland and Northland.
- Auckland Emergency Management ask … View moreIt's been a wild and windy night across the region, with more wind expected and heavy rain later in the day.
What you need to know:
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand has been called to over 100 weather related events overnight in Auckland and Northland.
- Auckland Emergency Management ask if you are travelling to take extreme care; allow extra time and drive to the conditions.
- At 11:30am, due to severe wind gusts Harbour Bridge lanes have been reduced to 2 in each direction temporarily. High-sided vehicles & motorcyclists should consider delaying their journey. Lanes will reopen asap, subject to gusts becoming less severe. Keep up to date on NZTA website.
- Some residents across Auckland are without power, particularly west and north of the city.
- All three ferry companies (SeaLink, Fullers and Island Direct) sailing to Waiheke Island have cancelled their services.
- Gulf Harbour ferry services are also cancelled for the day due to high winds.
- Around 14 domestic flights have either been delayed or cancelled from departing Auckland Airport this morning.
A further 12 have either been delayed or cancelled arriving into Auckland Airport
- Speed was reduced on Auckland Harbour Bridge during morning commute. The speed has been reduced to 50kph and big temporary signs have been put up at the base of the bridge saying “high winds, obey speed restrictions”.
- If you see fallen trees or debris on public land, please report it using Auckland Council’s Report a Problem tool: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz...
- Average wind speeds of over 75 km/h are being recorded, generating large waves on Auckland beaches. These waves crash on sandy beaches and smash up cells of phytoplankton and pull in air bubbles, producing a soapy foam.
- Auckland Zoo are opening late after night of wild weather
- Keep up to date on weather forecasts at MetService New Zealand.
Read live updates on the Stuff website.
Get ready for public holidays
As well as their 4 weeks of annual leave, employees are entitled to 12 public holidays each year (if the public holidays fall on days they’d normally work). Employees who choose to work on public holidays are entitled to be paid time-and-a-half and may get a day’s leave to take later.
… View moreAs well as their 4 weeks of annual leave, employees are entitled to 12 public holidays each year (if the public holidays fall on days they’d normally work). Employees who choose to work on public holidays are entitled to be paid time-and-a-half and may get a day’s leave to take later.
======================================================
What you need to know
You can only require an employee to work on a public holiday if it’s written into their employment agreement and it’s a day they would usually work. Otherwise, you can ask an employee to work on a public holiday, but they don’t have to agree.
If an employee works on a public holiday they must get paid at least time and a half
if the public holiday falls on what is a normal working day for them, they must also get a paid day off at a later date.
Employment New Zealand has more information if you need help working out what a normal working day is for your employees.
Easter Sunday
============
If you’re a shop owner, you may be able to open on Easter Sunday. But you can’t make your employees work that day – and they don’t have to give you a reason.
If you plan to open on Easter Sunday, you must give your employees written notice of their right to refuse to work at least four weeks in advance, but not earlier than eight weeks before.
Easter Sunday is not a public holiday. If you open, you can pay your staff their normal wage. They are not owed an alternative paid holiday.
Matariki
=======
Matariki is a new public holiday observed for the first time in 2022. The holiday, which marks the beginning of the Māori New Year, is the first to recognise Te Ao Māori. Matariki is considered a standard national public holiday.
Mondayisation
When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, employees who don’t normally work then will have the following Monday as their paid public holiday. This is known as Mondayisation.
These public holidays can be moved to Monday (or in some cases Tuesday) if they fall on a Saturday or Sunday
Waitangi Day – 6 February
Anzac Day – 25 April
Christmas Day – 25 December
Boxing Day – 26 December
New Year's Day – 1 January
Day after New Year's Day – 2 January
If your employees work weekends as well as Mondays, they don’t get both days as public holidays – they just get one.
If public holidays fall inside your annual closedown period, you must pay employees for those that fall on days they’d usually work – including weekend public holidays moved to Monday or Tuesday.
Days in lieu (alternative holidays)
===========================
Employees who are entitled to an alternative holiday get a full day off, no matter how many hours they worked on the public holiday.
They don’t get an alternative day if:
=============================
they wouldn't usually have worked that day
they only work on public holidays
they were on call but didn't have to do anything, and being on call didn't stop them doing what they wanted to do with their day.
If you can't agree on when your employee will take an alternative holiday, you can choose a day for them – but you have to give them 14 days' notice. After 12 months, if they still haven’t taken the day off, you can agree with them to exchange the time off for an extra day's pay.
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12 months, zero fees*
Relax, we’ve got it covered, enjoy a year of free fees*
At Ryman you won’t pay your base weekly fee for a whole year* when you sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse at a participating Ryman village before 30 June 2025.
That means that you won’t pay rates, water rates, … View moreRelax, we’ve got it covered, enjoy a year of free fees*
At Ryman you won’t pay your base weekly fee for a whole year* when you sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse at a participating Ryman village before 30 June 2025.
That means that you won’t pay rates, water rates, building insurance, maintenance fees and more. That’s great financial certainty.
*Participating villages only, Ts and Cs apply
Commemorate Anzac Day on 25 April
Remember our servicemen and servicewomen past and present by attending an Anzac Day service on Friday 25 April.
Scam alert - ASB users 🚨
ASB bank have shared a message to make people aware that messages from scammers claiming they are from our ASB Securities team are doing the rounds.
If you receive one of these messages don’t act on it, don’t click on any links on suspicious emails and text messages, or provide any personal… View moreASB bank have shared a message to make people aware that messages from scammers claiming they are from our ASB Securities team are doing the rounds.
If you receive one of these messages don’t act on it, don’t click on any links on suspicious emails and text messages, or provide any personal or banking information.
If you think you’ve provided your details to a suspicious person or company, please call your bank immediately.
ASB are available 24/7 on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or +64 9 303 0332 if you're overseas.
For ASB users, if you want some more info on staying safe online visit asb.co.nz/asbscamhub
Dairy and meat lovers are the biggest losers as food prices rise again
Food prices have steadily increased in March, with the monthly change driven by higher prices for grocery food and non-alcoholic beverages.
According to the latest Stats NZ Selected Price Index, monthly food prices increased by 0.5% in March compared with a 0.5% monthly decrease in February.
But … View moreFood prices have steadily increased in March, with the monthly change driven by higher prices for grocery food and non-alcoholic beverages.
According to the latest Stats NZ Selected Price Index, monthly food prices increased by 0.5% in March compared with a 0.5% monthly decrease in February.
But on an annual basis, food prices were 3.5% higher than in March 2024.
Grocery food and non-alcoholic beverages had the biggest monthly impact on food price in March 2025, up 0.9% and 1.1%, respectively.
Higher prices for chocolate and yoghurt drove the increase in grocery food prices, while higher prices for instant coffee and soft drinks drove the increase in non-alcoholic beverage prices.
On an annual basis, butter prices are more expensive by 63.6% compared to March 2024, cheese is up by 20.4%, and milk is more expensive by 16%.
Stats NZ prices and deflators spokeswoman Nicola Growden said “The average price for a 250g block of chocolate was $5.99 in March 2025, that’s $1.60 more expensive than three years ago”.
Monthly fruit and vegetable prices fell by 0.3% compared with February, and were down 2.7% compared to March 2024, still the only food group to record lower prices compared to 2024.
Tomatoes and cabbage had the largest monthly price shifts, with their weighted average retail price up by 15.2% and 12.1% respectively.
Meat, poultry and fish prices were virtually flat for the month, growing by 0.1%, but on an annual basis they remain high, up by 5.3% compared to March 2024.
Likewise, restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food remained steady, also increasing by 0.1% for the month.
Alcohol monthly prices grew slightly in March, up by 0.2%, while monthly tobacco prices fell by 0.1%.
Monthly petrol prices fell in March, dropping by 2.1%, and are now 6.2% cheaper than in March 2024.
Monthly diesel prices were down by 2.3%. Annually, diesel prices were down by 10.6%.
Domestic air travel prices rose in March by 2.2%, while international air transport prices fell by 4% compared to February.
Domestic accommodation service prices fell 2.9% in March but international accommodation services increased by 8.8%.
After a few months of delay, Stats NZ has also been able to reveal the changes in rental prices.
The stock measure grew by 0.3% monthly, now 3.3% more expensive compared to last year.
The stock measure shows rental price changes across the whole rental population, including renters currently in tenancies.
The flow measure of rents captures rental price changes only for dwellings that have a new tenancy started in the reference month.
===================================================
Get painting this winter with Resene Wintergrade Additive.
Don’t wait until summer to get painting. Simply add Resene Wintergrade Additive to selected waterborne Resene paints to waterborne Resene paints to winterise them to help you keep decorating through winter.
Winterised paints can dry down to a super cool 3’C!
Available from … View moreDon’t wait until summer to get painting. Simply add Resene Wintergrade Additive to selected waterborne Resene paints to waterborne Resene paints to winterise them to help you keep decorating through winter.
Winterised paints can dry down to a super cool 3’C!
Available from Resene ColorShops.
Have you nominated a local business yet?
The Prospa Local Business Hero Awards are back and we’re searching for the standout local businesses that have made a real impact over the past year!
It’s time to celebrate the incredible businesses that help make our communities such special places to live. Nominations are now open – … View moreThe Prospa Local Business Hero Awards are back and we’re searching for the standout local businesses that have made a real impact over the past year!
It’s time to celebrate the incredible businesses that help make our communities such special places to live. Nominations are now open – click the link below to nominate your Local Business Hero and help them get the recognition they deserve.
If you haven't nominated your favourite local business yet, make sure you do it today.
Communicare Senior Friendship Centre
Our Mt Roskill Centre meet every Thursday except school holidays at the Wesley Methodist Church Hall, 276 Mt Albert Road, 9:30am to 12:30pm , there's something for everyone! Whether it's crafts, games, or other activities, our activities are tailored to suit all interests and abilities. … View moreOur Mt Roskill Centre meet every Thursday except school holidays at the Wesley Methodist Church Hall, 276 Mt Albert Road, 9:30am to 12:30pm , there's something for everyone! Whether it's crafts, games, or other activities, our activities are tailored to suit all interests and abilities. Plus, every session includes a light lunch and our Forever Fit Mind and Body exercise session. First Visit Free! Call 09 6315968 to book your visit today!
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