By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter funded by New Zealand on Air Auckland’s civic debt is projected to hit $14 billion in 2025, despite last year’s $835 million airport share sale. At the Auckland Council’s Governing Body meeting in December, chief financial officer Ross Tucker gave councillors an update, touching on the sale of the council’s airport shares. The sale of...

No charges were laid following a multi-vehicle crash in east Auckland last year that left one person dead and several others injured. The incident happened on Whitford-Maraetai Road in Beachlands at about 6.35am on June 10. At the time, a police spokesperson said emergency services responded to the crash, which involved three vehicles. “Sadly, one person received critical injuries and died at...

Art enthusiasts have four more days to absorb the beauty and creativity of artworks displaying at the Summer Art Salon staged by the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple. The exhibition opened last month with a ceremony attended by 100 people and closes this Saturday, January 11, in the Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery at the temple in Flat Bush. Fo Guang...

The Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance is sounding a warning over the rising number of residents in the city who are postponing their rates payments. News media recently reported the number of people doing just that has grown by 648 in the last financial year, a 65 per cent increase from five years prior. “The number of Aucklanders having to delay rates payments is...

By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter funded by New Zealand on Air Some Auckland councillors are urging the restoration of regular meetings with Government ministers, highlighting their importance for addressing critical regional issues. At a recent Auckland Council Governing Body meeting, councillors agreed to the mayor submitting a proposal for a regional deal with central government. Regional deals aim to improve...

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ says the Government’s plan to use vaping starter kits to help adults quit smoking is "irresponsible" and fails to consider future health complications. Associate Minister of Health Casey Costello recently announced more help will be available for people wanting to quit smoking for the New Year. “We know more people try and quit over Christmas...

The Minister for Children and for Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Karen Chhour, is encouraging Kiwis to use the resources available to get help and report instances of family and sexual violence amongst their friends, families, and loved ones who are in need. “The death of a child is utterly heartbreaking,” she says. “My heart aches for all children that...

By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter funded by New Zealand on Air Auckland Council has voted to oppose the Treaty Principles Bill, triggering contentious debate over political motives and adherence to Treaty of Waitangi obligations. At its policy and planning committee meeting last month, the council voted to oppose the Treaty Principles Bill in its submission to the Government. Committee chair...

Police allege a man charged over the death of a child killed her yesterday, January 5, at a location in east Auckland. A police spokesperson said earlier today that Counties Manukau Police are investigating the death of a young child overnight. A man arrived at the Manukau Police Station at about 1am this morning and spoke to police staff, leading to...

Anyone wanting to make a submission on the ACT Party’s Treaty Principles Bill needs to hurry as the deadline to do so is at 11.59pm on January 7. According to Parliament, it first introduced the concept of the Treaty principles in legislation in the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975, but did not define them. “The Treaty principles help reconcile differences between...

Police say they’re pleased there have been far fewer road deaths for the 2024/2025 holiday period compared to last year. The holiday period road toll provisionally stands at 13, which is just over half of last year’s total of 22. Director Road Policing, Superintendent Steve Greally, says while it’s fantastic to have seen that number drop, any death on the roads is still one too many. “That’s...

By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter funded by New Zealand on Air The Auckland Council is allocating $5 million for a one-time programme to assist property owners with private access affected by road reserve slips. At a recent council transport, resilience and infrastructure committee meeting, members voted in favour of a scheme to help those with property access issues caused...

Selling property privately is often considered by homeowners as “easy”, assuming they can achieve the same result as using an agent. However, this approach comes with huge challenges that should be carefully weighed up before making a decision. Buyer hesitation: Buyers often feel more comfortable dealing with an agent rather than negotiating directly with the seller, as they trust the...

Counties Manukau Police are investigating the death of a young child overnight. A man arrived at the Manukau Police Station at about 1am this morning, January 6, where he spoke to police staff, leading to the discovery of a deceased child in the vehicle. A police spokesperson says the 37-year-old man is known to the child and family. “He has been arrested...

Two young east Auckland footballers are being given a priceless opportunity. Pakuranga College pupils Cailean Hamilton and Joseph Matthews, who are both 14 years old, play on teams for local Fencibles United AFC. They’ve been offered, and accepted, the chance to join the Wellington Phoenix A-League franchise’s Academy programme. Cailean is in Fencibles’ under-17 team and plays in his school’s First XI. Wellington...