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Police are appealing for information about an Auckland teenager who is missing from her Mt Roskill home.
Dannii is 16-years-old and described as 163cm tall, with brown eyes and dark curly hair. She is also known to be quiet by nature and keeps to herself.
Police and Dannii’s family have … View morePolice are appealing for information about an Auckland teenager who is missing from her Mt Roskill home.
Dannii is 16-years-old and described as 163cm tall, with brown eyes and dark curly hair. She is also known to be quiet by nature and keeps to herself.
Police and Dannii’s family have concerns for her welfare and would like to find her as soon as possible.
If you have seen Dannii or have any information that could help us find her please contact Police immediately on 111 and quote file number 251009/5045.
Thousands of people have had money deducted from their bank accounts in recent months as Inland Revenue steps up its efforts to collect the tax it is owed.
IR spokesperson Rowan McArthur said it had sent out 16,500 notices about planned bank deductions since mid-June, 25% more than for the whole … View moreThousands of people have had money deducted from their bank accounts in recent months as Inland Revenue steps up its efforts to collect the tax it is owed.
IR spokesperson Rowan McArthur said it had sent out 16,500 notices about planned bank deductions since mid-June, 25% more than for the whole of last year.
"We are targeting customers who have repeatedly not engaged with IR; and those where information we have indicates there may be funds in their bank account(s) that could be deducted from to pay off existing tax debt."
He said IR was also working to get instalment payment plans in place.
"As with all tax debt, we welcome customers contacting us so we can work with them to resolve their debt situation."
Between mid-June and September 30, there had been 8181 deductions completed, which had recovered $17 million. There were another 6026 deductions in progress, which had collected $5.5m.
John Cuthbertson, Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand tax leader, said tax debt had ballooned in recent years and the "softly, softly" approach taken over the Covid years meant many people were given significant leeway with their tax bills.
"Tax debt as of March was $9.3 billion. When you think about it that's a significant amount of money. If you look at Budget 2024 and 2025, funding was allocated specifically for IRD to be more aggressive in terms of audit activity… debt is the focus and they certainly don't want to let it get any larger."
He said some of the debt was quite old and some IRD was trying to collect quickly before it became non-collectible.
IRD also had the power to apply to have money taken from people's wages if they were employed, he said.
"It's in people's best interest to get on top of their debt as early as they can and communicate. But we've had situations where employers or companies have used Inland Revenue as a bank by not paying some of these core taxes like GST and their PAYE - that's held on trust for the Crown. That means they've been living beyond their means, really."
Some accountants told RNZ it seemed people were only given a week's notice before money was taken, and it was tough for some businesses that were struggling.
Deloitte tax partner Robyn Walker pointed to Inland Revenue guidance that said people would typically have received advice about the amount that was past due and a warning letter.
That noted that, since its system upgrade, Inland Revenue had more information from a wider variety of sources, which allowed it to be more proactive.
"Inland Revenue also did a systems upgrade [recently] so that the MyIR system more prominently shows any tax debt when people log in. I've heard some feedback that some people think it feels aggressive," she said.
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Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has a list he wants to tick off before Christmas, including getting back on the tennis court after hurting an ankle.
“That’s really important to me,” said the mayor, who was back sweeping up the crumbs yesterday at the West End Tennis Club, where he plays tennis … View moreAuckland Mayor Wayne Brown has a list he wants to tick off before Christmas, including getting back on the tennis court after hurting an ankle.
“That’s really important to me,” said the mayor, who was back sweeping up the crumbs yesterday at the West End Tennis Club, where he plays tennis and where he hosted a party to celebrate a second term.
Speaking to the Herald from his office at council headquarters yesterday, Brown reflected on the new makeup of the council, which includes five fresh faces, laid out his priorities in the run-up to Christmas, and sketched where he wants to take the city before stepping down in 2028.
On Saturday, the often blunt and combative engineer stormed home to win a second term, comfortably beating his main challenger, Kerrin Leoni, by about 90,000 votes.
Brown said that apart from Victoria Short, who stood on his Fix Auckland ticket, and John Gillon (North Shore), he barely knew the three other new faces, Matt Winiata (Manurewa-Papakura), Bo Burns (Howick), and Sarah Paterson-Hamlin (Whau).
He plans to meet each one of them over the coming days and thinks the new council is a “little bit better” than last term.
By this, he meant he was pleased to see Short unseat one of the long-standing “Albanians”, Wayne Walker, and welcomed the defeat of two-time mayoral candidate and “keyboard warrior” Craig Lord, who lost to Paterson-Hamlin in Whau. As for Gillon, he said he plans to work with him, despite finding him “a bit negative”.
“The public voted for me because, unlike governments, they know where they are going,” Brown said.
There would not be any surprises, said Brown, whose focus over the coming months would be on trying to understand what Auckland Transport actually does, “so I can fix it”.
“It’s like a black box. Answers come out of AT all wrong, and no one in there can tell me how they got to those answers. I will continue asking questions and getting stupid answers until I get good answers.”
Another early focus for Brown is pressing ahead with the Tech Alliance, bringing together the public and private sectors to attract capital and boost productivity, which Brown said could bypass lengthy council delays.
“I want to plan for really good offshore trips next year, so the tier two and three firms of Auckland can really benefit. You have to give them a bit of time to prepare. You can’t just say we’re going to China next month.
“The Government tends to do things like that. We will all rush off, and it’s all about the Prime Minister. This isn’t all about me when we go over there. It’s about Auckland businesses making use of me,” he said.
There’s also what Brown called a coronation later this month, when councillors get sworn in at the Auckland Town Hall, and the “bollocks of setting up committees”, giving little away on that front other than “Richard Hills will still run planning because he does such a good job”.
Brown also plans to hand over plans for a bed levy to fund events to the Deputy Mayor, Desley Simpson, who, he said, is keen to take it up and has close connections to the National-led Government.
Asked what he hoped to achieve by the end of his second term, Brown said his priorities included embedding a businesslike approach to council spending, fostering a culture of efficient service, and encouraging Aucklanders to focus more on the city’s future rather than daily frustrations with Auckland Transport.
“And we will be more of an international trading city than we are.
“I know the council will go on forever and there will be more mayors and more councillors, but this is a three-year project. This is my project.”
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Our CBDs have been making headlines lately – they’re not quite the bustling hearts of our cities they once were, with more people flocking to malls instead. The big question is, what do you think should be the focus of a revitalised city centre?
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You can keep using Windows 10 until October 2026, but you need to opt in. There are 3 ways to do so. Here are the step-by-step instructions for each option.
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Windows 10 is set to stop receiving free security updates on 14 October 2025.
In March, … View moreYou can keep using Windows 10 until October 2026, but you need to opt in. There are 3 ways to do so. Here are the step-by-step instructions for each option.
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Windows 10 is set to stop receiving free security updates on 14 October 2025.
In March, we called for Microsoft to extend support for Windows 10. We did this chiefly because many thousands of New Zealand consumers have perfectly good PCs that they can’t install Windows 11 on.
Microsoft has begun rolling out its extended security updates (ESU) program to all individual customers. The ESU is an opt-in program that delivers critical security updates to Windows 10 machines. This allows the machines to remain safe for an extra year, until October 2026.
As promised when it was announced in October 2024, the ESU is available for a one-off fee of $50.40.
However, you can also enrol into the ESU program at no cost. That’s right. You can get a free one-year extension of Windows 10 security support if you’re willing to jump through some hoops first.
By enrolling in the ESU program, you can keep using your computer rather than throwing it out as e-waste. This lowers your personal emissions and buys you another year of technological advancement before you have to shell out on a new computer.
Here is the 2-step process for enrolling in the ESU program.
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Step 1: Open the enrolment tool
Open your Start menu and search for ‘Windows Update settings’. You can also reach the tool through Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Then, click ‘Enroll now’.
If you can’t find the ‘Enroll now’ button, install any pending Windows updates and try again.
If that doesn't work, try to contact Microsoft for support. The tool was supposed to be available to all customers by the end of September.
When you run the tool, it will give you 3 options.
Back up your PC settings
Redeem Microsoft Rewards points
A one-time purchase for $50.40.
If you have already been backing up your PC settings, the tool will automatically proceed to enrolment.
When you select an option, the enrolment tool should help you through the required steps.
Read on for advice on which option to choose and detailed instructions for if you get stuck.
Step 2a. Back up your PC settings (free)
This is the free way to get into the ESU program. It’s the best option for most people.
Microsoft is allowing users who back up their Windows settings to the cloud to opt in to the ESU program.
Windows Backup is built into Windows 10. It can help you back up all the files on your PC to Microsoft’s cloud file storage service OneDrive. This includes folders like Documents and Pictures.
However, you don’t need to do a full backup to be eligible for the ESU program. You only need to back up your settings (in other words, your Windows account customisation options). This should only use a few megabytes of storage space. Your free allotment of 5GB of OneDrive space will be more than enough.
Sign in to your Microsoft account.
Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info.
If you see an option to ‘Sign in with a Microsoft account instead’, do so. If you don’t, you’re already logged in.
You’ll need to create an account if you don’t have one.
Make sure you have OneDrive on your account.
If you don’t, visit onedrive.live.com to log in or create an account.
Open Windows backup.
You can find it through Settings > Accounts > Windows backup.
Toggle on the following settings.
Remember my apps
Remember my preferences.
Step 2b. Redeem Microsoft Rewards (1,000 points)
You can also get into the ESU program by redeeming points from Microsoft’s loyalty programme. This is a token cost since 1,000 points is equivalent to about NZ$2.
If you have a Microsoft account and use Bing for search or Edge for browsing, you’ve likely already accumulated some points – maybe enough to redeem for access to the ESU program – without knowing it.
Xbox users, especially those who pay for a Game Pass subscription, may also have a surprise sum waiting for them.
You can check your Microsoft Rewards balance by visiting rewards.bing.com and logging in.
You can earn a handful of rewards points each day by completing trivial tasks (mostly clicking links). If you put your mind to it, you could build up 1,000 points from scratch over a week or two.
However, using the Windows Backup method above would certainly be an easier option.
Step 2c. Direct purchase ($50.40)
If you don’t want to create a OneDrive account and don’t have enough Microsoft Rewards points, your last resort is to pay the regular registration fee. It’s still a good price to get an extra year out of your PC. Plus, paying lets you keep hold of more of your precious data because you won’t have to log in to a Microsoft or OneDrive account.
Success?
If one of these three methods worked, you should be shown a screen that says something like “You’re enrolled in Extended Security Updates through October 13, 2026”.
Congratulations! You’ve just bought yourself another year of safe computing.
If you have multiple Windows 10 computers, you can use the same ESU licence without having to pay or redeem points again.
Your next task: get the word out to your family and friends.
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There are many thousands of New Zealand consumers who need to hear about this option, and Consumer NZ can’t reach them all without your help.
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Red flags to look out for
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Pushing for immediate action
Act now,” “Pay today,” “Your service will be cut off.”
Use of fear or threats
“Your account is compromised,” “You’ll be fined if you don’t respond.”
Offers of rewards or bonuses
“Claim … View moreRed flags to look out for
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Pushing for immediate action
Act now,” “Pay today,” “Your service will be cut off.”
Use of fear or threats
“Your account is compromised,” “You’ll be fined if you don’t respond.”
Offers of rewards or bonuses
“Claim your refund today,” “Bonus points expiring.”
Pretending to be official and final
“Final notice,” “Last chance,” “Do not ignore.”
Examples of common scams
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Bank alerts
Pretend to be your bank, warning of account issues to trick you into giving details or transferring money.
Delivery delays
Fake texts about stuck packages that demand “immediate action.”
Legal threats
Imposters posing as government agencies, threatening arrest, fines, or deportation unless you pay up.
Service cut-offs
Claims your phone, insurance, or subscription will be cancelled unless you act now.
Top tips for avoiding SMS Scams
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Double-check the sender’s mobile number and email address. Even if it seems legitimate, think twice before taking any action.
Reach out to the company’s customer service directly for help and support.
Never click on dubious links or attachments! Stick to official websites and apps.
If you’ve accidentally revealed private information, change your passwords immediately and inform the companies that scammers may contact pretending to be you.
What to do if you’re scammed by SMS
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Cut contact
Don’t reply or engage further. Block the number to stop future messages.
Report it
Secure your accounts:
Call your bank immediately to cancel cards or accounts and add extra security.
Reset passwords on any accounts that may be at risk, especially those with sensitive info.
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UPDATE: The 10-year-old girl reported missing in Auckland this afternoon HAS BEEN LOCATED and is safe and well.
Police would like to thank those who contacted Police following our appeal for information.
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Police are urgently appealing for sightings of a missing girl in Auckland.
Lily, … View moreUPDATE: The 10-year-old girl reported missing in Auckland this afternoon HAS BEEN LOCATED and is safe and well.
Police would like to thank those who contacted Police following our appeal for information.
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Police are urgently appealing for sightings of a missing girl in Auckland.
Lily, aged 10, was last seen by family members in Cornwall Park at around 5pm today.
She has long, waist-length hair and is wearing black pants and a brown/yellow t-shirt.
If you think you may have seen Lily since 5pm, please call 111 and quote event number P064094631.
Send us a picture of your old Neighbourhood Support Street Sign, and receive a New Neighbourhood Support Street Sign, along with a Neighbourhood Support Resource Pack including activities and giveaways for tamariki living on your street!
You can also have a free coffee 'on-the-house' … View moreSend us a picture of your old Neighbourhood Support Street Sign, and receive a New Neighbourhood Support Street Sign, along with a Neighbourhood Support Resource Pack including activities and giveaways for tamariki living on your street!
You can also have a free coffee 'on-the-house' when you book a cafe meeting with your local Neighbourhood Support Activator to discuss the needs of your street and neighbourhood!
Diwali festival brings joy to Aotea Square
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Diwali events have been ramping up all week before this weekend’s free, two-day festival in Aotea Square. It’s the most vibrant event of the year for Auckland City with live music, Bollywood dance competitions, … View moreDiwali festival brings joy to Aotea Square
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Diwali events have been ramping up all week before this weekend’s free, two-day festival in Aotea Square. It’s the most vibrant event of the year for Auckland City with live music, Bollywood dance competitions, contemporary and traditional Indian performances, exhibitions, food, theatre, art installations, light projections, yoga classes, retail stalls, a chill-out zone and Bollywood movie screenings. Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, which makes for a truly joyful festival. Take public transport if you can. This year, there will be free BNZ rickshaw rides up Queen St from the Waitematā transport hub – a truly festive way to travel. As always, the festival closes with a large fireworks display on Sunday evening.
When: Today and tomorrow, noon-9pm.
Where: Aotea Square, Auckland Central.
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Beautiful homes with all the space and none of the maintenance. Not to mention a $20,000 island holiday, $5,000 moving package, plus your … View moreWhy spend another summer mowing lawns and clipping hedges? Secure your place at The Helier today and kickstart your real retirement in effortless style.
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Ready to escape? Call our Retirement Limbo Hotline on 0800 920 002.
*Terms, conditions and eligibility criteria apply. Visit thehelier.co.nz for full T&Cs.
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