Auckland motorists are being warned to take extra care today, January 21, as the Metservice issues strong wind, heavy rain and severe thunderstorm warnings for the region. The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) says a strong wind warning is also in place for Auckland Harbour Bridge. There’s a possibility for 75-85km/h winds in the area between 10am and 4pm today. The NZTA...

One man faces court, as a police investigation continues into a firearms incident outside an Auckland hospital. Counties Manukau Police say its CIB unit has been investigating since January 4 when a firearm was allegedly fired from a vehicle in the grounds of Middlemore Hospital. Detective inspector Shaun Vickers says it was fortunate that no one sustained injuries as a result. “An...

Several people are facing charges in relation to an alleged arson carried out at an east Auckland business in August last year. A police spokesperson says a 19-year-old man has been remanded on bail to reappear in the Manukau District Court on March 25 following the fire at the barbershop in Harris Road, East Tamaki. “Police were notified of the fire...

Opinion, by Henry Lee, AUT Journalism Student After a shock retirement from one of the New Zealand Warriors’ greatest players of all time, the upcoming season has taken quite a sharp turn. Tohu Harris played 117 times for the One New Zealand Warriors and was the side’s current captain. His retirement, due to an ongoing wrist injury, opens up salary cap...

Public housing agency Kāinga Ora says it’s pausing a development that would have seen 15 new one-bedroom walk-up apartments built at a site in east Auckland. The new homes would have been situated at a property in Pakuranga Road adjacent to Fairburn Reserve and over the road from Pakuranga Plaza. They were initially intended to be ready for tenants to move...

More officers, detector dogs, and airport hosts, along with an enhanced public awareness campaign, will bolster biosecurity protections for New Zealand this summer. “We’ve strengthened our frontline to ensure biosecurity threats such as foot-and-mouth disease and brown marmorated stink bug do not cross the border and harm the country’s $54 billion primary sector,” Biosecurity NZ commissioner Mike Inglis says. Biosecurity NZ...

Auckland’s oldest sporting event sails into action as it has for 185 years on the region’s anniversary day next Monday. The Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta, first held in 1840 to celebrate the founding of the province, is as organisers describe, “a fantastic on-water spectacle showcasing the vintage superstars of the past and high-tech heralds of the future”. “The regatta attracts a...

Daren Leng, Senior Business Broker at ABC Business Sales Why build a business from scratch when you can buy one that’s already thriving? With an established business, you get instant cash flow, loyal customers, and brand recognition – assets that take years to develop. Buying means skipping the start-up grind. You inherit proven systems, supplier contracts, and a trained team, allowing you...

Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown has been handed one of the most difficult jobs in New Zealand politics with the announcement today he’s the coalition Government’s new Health Minister. Brown takes over the portfolio from Dr Shane Reti, who’s lost it in a reshuffle announced in Wellington this afternoon by Prime Minister and Botany MP Christopher Luxon. Brown also becomes Minister for...

By Damian Light, Howick Local Board chairperson Congratulations to the recipents of New Year Royal Honours, in particular Reay Neben for her King’s Service Medal for services to print media and the community. Free events for the whole family We hope you continue to enjoy summer and get along to some of the free community and council-run events happening in...

There’s a new soul band in town – and I gotta a good feelin’ bout it – as a soul-style lyric would say. As Nick Sampson says: “There hasn’t been a band like The Black Flames for far too long. “Not since Netherworld Dancing Toys and The Neighbours packed pubs across the land with their mix of classic soul and horn...

From February 2, Auckland Transport (AT) is simplifying its zone systems and fare structure across buses, trains and ferries. The organisation says there will be fewer zones to simplify the system, which will also result in fare decreases for some travellers, particularly those travelling the longest distance. However, the annual public transport fare adjustment means there will be an increase in...

This is your year to drop bad habits, adopt new positive ones, and become a better version of yourself. The phrase “New Year, New You” inspires us to embrace fresh opportunities and discard what no longer serves us. It’s about progress, not perfection, and there’s no better time to start your journey of transformation than the New Year summer period. East Auckland...

Air New Zealand has welcomed its 30th ATR aircraft, an ATR 72-600, into its regional operation. The plane entered service on January 16 and will operate its first scheduled flight from Christchurch to Invercargill. It has the registration ZK-MZG. The newest ATR arrived in New Zealand on December 29 after a week-long journey from the manufacturing site in Toulouse, France. Its journey spanned more than 20,000km, with stops in Heraklion,...

Counties Manukau Police say a reward for information to identify the person responsible for murdering Arthur Easton 39 years ago will expire in days. Police announced a $100,000 reward in October, for information that leads to finding the person responsible for killing Arthur Easton in his Papakura home nearly four decades ago. The reward was offered for a limited period of...