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With all the improvements on the SH1 the traffic should be flowing properly by now but the increase in traffic due to growing population has overtaken the benefit of road widening.
It would be wonderful if population had remained static with no new buildings for last few years, but by keeping on … View moreWith all the improvements on the SH1 the traffic should be flowing properly by now but the increase in traffic due to growing population has overtaken the benefit of road widening.
It would be wonderful if population had remained static with no new buildings for last few years, but by keeping on building houses and infrastructure which causes global warming nothing has changed.
So should we
1. Introduce Congestion charges/tolls to limit traffic at rush hours.
2. Fine people with only one person inside a car in rush hours.
3. Level off a cycle path beside suburban railway lines
4. Reduce local bus fares to $1 for each bus entered. $3 for express.
5. Reduce population growth thus stop the need to build which will lead to a higher standard of living for us all.
CliveS
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
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.
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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.
Quality sleep is essential for everyone. As we approach National Safe Sleep Day on June 6th, ensure your sleep environment promotes health and safety. Explore our Sealy Posturepedic range during the Power Weekend Sale to find your perfect mattress.
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.
Have Approximately 1Ton Hardfill to fill that Gap text on 021305142 for free Delivery
The Government proposes removing the practical driving test for a full licence to streamline the process.
Chris Bishop said the changes aim to make licensing more efficient and affordable.
New safety measures include a clean driving record, halved demerit threshold, and zero-alcohol limit for … View moreThe Government proposes removing the practical driving test for a full licence to streamline the process.
Chris Bishop said the changes aim to make licensing more efficient and affordable.
New safety measures include a clean driving record, halved demerit threshold, and zero-alcohol limit for learners.
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The Government wants to remove the practical driving test needed to attain a full licence and reduce the number of eyesight tests required to allow more people to become qualified drivers.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop said New Zealand was an international “outlier” in requiring a practical test for a person on a restricted licence who was applying for their full licence.
“Other countries such as Australia require those on restricted licences to have longer learner periods, reduced demerit thresholds or mandatory practice hours,” he said.
Bishop said the Government’s proposal, which will go out for public consultation on Monday, included new safety measures such as demanding a “clean driving record” of restricted drivers, halving the demerit threshold and introducing a zero-alcohol limit for learner and restricted drivers of any age. Currently, any driver under 20 years of age must adhere to a zero-alcohol limit.
Bishop also outlined potential changes to the necessary frequency of eyesight tests. Given tests were required at each of the three licence test stages, it meant a person over 25 years old could have their vision tested three times in nine months.
“Evidence suggests there is little safety benefit from this repeated eyesight testing. Instead, we propose that people would still need to have their vision tested when they apply for their first licence and when they first renew their licence after they turn 45,” Bishop said.
Current eyesight-testing standards would be retained for heavy vehicle licences and endorsements and for people over 75 years of age.
Bishop argued the changes were designed to make getting a licence more efficient and affordable, noting that going from a learner’s to a full licence cost a minimum of $362.50.
“Around one million adults in New Zealand don’t have a full driver[‘s] licence and nearly half of these people have no licence at all,” he said.
“Right now, the process for getting a driver licence is time-consuming and inefficient. It involves a theory test to get a learner licence and then two practical tests – one when going for a restricted licence and another when going for a full licence.”
The consultation document and a survey will be available from tomorrow on the Ministry of Transport’s website. The consultation period closed on June 9. Any changes would be implemented in July 2026.
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Concerns have been raised about Nelson Hospital with complaints of lack of staffing and excessive wait times. Do you have confidence in your local emergency department?
Every day in Aotearoa, tonnes of food go to waste while many families struggle to eat.
KiwiHarvest is tackling this by rescuing surplus food and redistributing it to over 220 community groups across the country.
With $150,000 in Local Grants funding from Lotto NZ, KiwiHarvest delivered … View moreEvery day in Aotearoa, tonnes of food go to waste while many families struggle to eat.
KiwiHarvest is tackling this by rescuing surplus food and redistributing it to over 220 community groups across the country.
With $150,000 in Local Grants funding from Lotto NZ, KiwiHarvest delivered 159,914kgs of food—equivalent to 355,366 meals—while preventing 423,774kg of CO2 emissions.
Since 2016, they’ve rescued 14.5 million kgs of food, providing over 32 million meals.
“Just $5 feeds a family for a day,” says Anne-Marie Friis, Head of Fundraising. Every Lotto ticket helps support crucial initiatives like KiwiHarvest.
Read more Local Grants recipient stories on mylotto.co.nz/community-winners
Juanita Parata graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging) from Unitec this week.
Parata, 58, had chemotherapy over the course of her four-year degree and completed some of her studies from her sickbed.
She is now fully qualified and works at Whangārei Hospital as a medical … View moreJuanita Parata graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging) from Unitec this week.
Parata, 58, had chemotherapy over the course of her four-year degree and completed some of her studies from her sickbed.
She is now fully qualified and works at Whangārei Hospital as a medical imaging technologist.
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The return of cancer for a second time didn’t stop Juanita Parata from completing her Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging) and graduating this week.
The 58-year-old mother-of-eight overcame cancer for a second time while completing the four-year degree, often logging in to study while having chemotherapy at Auckland hospital.
Supported by her whānau, Parata (Ngāpuhi) finally donned her capping gown and korowai for the graduation at Auckland’s Aotea Square on Tuesday, at an event Parata said made her feel “blessed”.
Parata began her studies in 2018 in her 50s, inspired by her two younger sisters - both nurses.
“I had always been interested in the medical field but had never until then acted on it” she told the Herald.
She chose medical imaging because it appealed more at her age than nursing.
I am full of admiration for her. She is working in an area where we need more Māori practitioners, and doing the business in Northland.
Medical imaging involves using techniques like X-rays, ultrasound, and MRI to create pictures of the inside of the body for clinical analysis and medical intervention, aiding in the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses.
It’s a specialty Parata has hard-won lived experience of.
In 2009 she experienced invasive breast cancer, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. The cancer returned in 2018, when she was about to embark on her studies.
“In February 2019, I underwent a full mastectomy of my left breast and in April of that year, chemotherapy,” she said.
“After lengthy discussions with whānau and Unitec staff, I made the decision to continue with studies.”
Through treatments, fatigue and lockdowns, Parata continued the four-year degree, finishing late last year.
Dr Joanna Thorogood, Unitec’s medical imaging academic programme manager, said she found Parata’s work ethic and determination inspirational.
Even her classmates didn’t know of her health issues, she said.
“It is incredible that she managed to get through the degree with the health challenges she faced,” she told the Herald.
“She said I want to get on with this. We offered to defer things and asked if she wanted to take a year out, but she said ‘no, I’m carrying on and I’m going to do this.’
“I am full of admiration for her. She is working in an area where we need more Māori practitioners, and doing the business in Northland.”
After completing her studies, Parata got a job at Whangārei Hospital serving her people as a new graduate.
She recently gave a presentation at the Northland/Auckland New Zealand Institute of Medical Radiation Technology (NZIMRT) study day, to support medical imaging technologists’ knowledge of an unusual and highly specialised hip X-ray projection.
Parata’s cancer is in remission but she will continue with annual CT and mammogram tests and remain on hormone suppressants until 2029.
Tuesday’s graduation capped a great year for Parata and her whānau.
“I have had really good support from my husband, whānau and kids, and we have just had our 13th grandchild and our first great-granddaughter was born a month ago” she told the Herald.
Parata credits her parents for her drive and determination: they were rural Māori who settled in west Auckland and helped establish urban Māori organisations such as Hoani Waititi Marae.
She hopes her story will inspire others.
“I hope my journey will serve as an inspiration to others to do what it takes to achieve their dreams - particularly tangata Māori,” Juanita said.
“I ... acknowledge and thank those who supported me, my whānau as well as my whānau whānui o Te Pukenga me Te Whatu Ora Te Taitokerau.
“I see this as our success and our celebration. He mihi nunui tenei kia koutou mo o tautoko mai, no reira ma te kaukura ka rere te manu ka rere au. Thank you all for your support, which has allowed me to soar.”
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Looking for a thoughtful gift for Mum? Give her something she'll enjoy all year round with a magazine subscription!
Whether she’s passionate about gardening, inspired by beautiful homes, or loves to keep up with the latest entertainment, you’ll find the perfect match at
… View moreLooking for a thoughtful gift for Mum? Give her something she'll enjoy all year round with a magazine subscription!
Whether she’s passionate about gardening, inspired by beautiful homes, or loves to keep up with the latest entertainment, you’ll find the perfect match at
Mags4Gifts.co.nz.
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From the team at Mags4Gifts
There is a lack of support for the elderly in our communities due to our ageing population, and more seniors living alone. We need more people and resources to advocate and address the social, emotional and physical needs of our seniors, and promote positive and healthy ageing.
If you are … View moreThere is a lack of support for the elderly in our communities due to our ageing population, and more seniors living alone. We need more people and resources to advocate and address the social, emotional and physical needs of our seniors, and promote positive and healthy ageing.
If you are interested to support this social cause, and contribute your ideas, knowledge, experience, talents and resources, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us at agewellkiwi@gmail.com. Depending on the response, we might have enough people to form a non-profit group. We plan to have an initial meeting by the end of this month or early next month.
Thank you.
Mabel
Kia ora neighbours. We will give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine, and we're on the hunt for all things lime! Send your family's favourite way to use up this citrus, to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by April 17, 2025. If we use it in the mag, you will receive… View moreKia ora neighbours. We will give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine, and we're on the hunt for all things lime! Send your family's favourite way to use up this citrus, to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by April 17, 2025. If we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of the June issue.
BLOCKHOUSE BAY COMMUNITY is ON THIS MORNING, SUPPORT LOCAL PEOPLE, BUY NZ MADE, FIND A BARGAIN. FFREE PARKING AVAILABLE OPPOSITE AT MEDICAL CENTRE OR BEHIND COMMUNITY CENTRE ITSELF!
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