/news/auckland/rss 九一星空无限 Keep up with the latest news from around the Auckland region with 九一星空无限talk ZB. Thu, 16 Oct 2025 20:11:28 Z en /news/auckland/influencers-worst-auckland-train-ride-at-defends-delays-for-once-in-a-generation-upgrade-works/ /news/auckland/influencers-worst-auckland-train-ride-at-defends-delays-for-once-in-a-generation-upgrade-works/ Auckland Transport has set the record straight after an influencer couple described their public transport journey from Auckland Airport to Waitematā (Britomart) Station as the “worst” they’ve encountered while travelling. Sagar and Ami, self-described “fulltime budget travellers”, recently returned to New Zealand to film content for their Instagram. They are currently traversing the country in a van, documenting their experiences with their 17,000 followers. In a video posted on September 22, the couple said that after spending 15 months away in more than two dozen countries, they “didn’t think anything could surprise” them. “But Auckland trains? Oh, they delivered.” Sagar and Ami paid $10 for a one-way trip, which they claimed took one hour “on a good day” and had a top speed of 5km/h. They alleged “random cancellations” and “no warnings” were a “bonus feature” and said the drive time was only 24 minutes – less than half that of the public transport journey. “If you’ve ever survived Auckland public transport ... respect. You deserve a medal,” they wrote. “We’ve travelled to 26 countries ... But this is the worst public transport.” The video continues to gain traction, garnering more than 563,000 views and nearly 12,000 likes while attracting hundreds of comments from Kiwis. Most agreed with the influencers’ assertions, citing under-investment in the network and a lack of options for commuters. Stacey van der Putten, Auckland Transport’s director of public transport and active modes, told the Herald there were delays through September and October because of rail infrastructure maintenance and upgrades. Auckland Transport says the rail network faced disruptions through September and October because of maintenance and upgrade projects. Photo / Jason Oxenham Although these were completed last week, they caused “minor disruptions to the network when Sagar and Ami were travelling”. “These works were communicated weeks in advance by KiwiRail and AT [Auckland Transport], with comprehensive customer information included on the AT website and in the AT Mobile App.” The couple’s journey took place in the “middle of a once-in-a-generation upgrade as AT, KiwiRail and City Rail Link [CRL] crews work around the clock to get the network ready for CRL opening in 2026, which will provide a better, faster service bringing Auckland in line with other international cities″, van der Putten said. Because of the disruptions, Sagar and Ami had to take the Southern line to its current terminus at Waitematā from Homai Station, near Manurewa. “This train trip would normally take about 45 minutes, but during the September/October school holidays, passengers needed to transfer to a rail replacement bus for stations south of Puhinui Station,” van der Putten said. AT’s records showed trains were travelling along the Southern line at regular speeds, “averaging up to 65km/h between stops”, disproving the couple’s claims that the top speed was 5km/h. Meanwhile, the cancellations shown on their phone were for a separate train line to theirs – the Onehunga line – and were “due to a track infrastructure issue that KiwiRail crews worked to promptly fix”, Van der Putten added. “They also unfortunately missed an opportunity to save money by using a credit card, debit card or AT Hop card at the station gates, which would have brought their adult fares down from $10 to $7.65.” All four lines – Southern, Eastern, Western and Onehunga – are scheduled for partial closures this weekend, with the network fully closed over Labour Weekend for further works. The CRL is expected to open in 2026, although an exact date is yet to be confirmed. Tom Rose is an Auckland-based journalist who covers breaking news, specialising in lifestyle, entertainment and travel. He joined the Herald in 2023. Tue, 14 Oct 2025 03:37:19 Z /news/auckland/auckland-s-yum-cha-restaurants-running-out-of-steam/ /news/auckland/auckland-s-yum-cha-restaurants-running-out-of-steam/ By Duoya Lu of RNZ Several established Chinese restaurants in Auckland renowned for serving authentic Cantonese dim sum have gone into liquidation in recent months. Some of the Chinese eateries still standing say they are struggling to stay in business. Yum cha, a Cantonese dining tradition that pairs tea consumption with small, shared dishes known as dim sum, has long been a hallmark of Chinese restaurants nationwide. Now, however, the long-standing tradition is under strain. Sluggish consumer spending, rising operational costs and changing dining habits have forced some operators to shut their doors. Imperial Palace Restaurant, which opened in Mt Wellington in 2009, was placed into liquidation on June 4. Dragonboat Restaurant was placed into liquidation in July. Photo / RNZ, Yiting Lin One month later, Dragonboat Restaurant in central Auckland was also placed in liquidation after operating for 31 years. By the end of August, renowned yum cha operator Sun World Seafood Restaurant in Newmarket had met the same fate. According to the liquidators’ report, the restaurant suffered a severe cashflow deficit during the Covid-19 pandemic and had been unable to recover financially. Despite efforts to stabilise operations, the business continued to be affected by the broader economic downturn and sustained increases in key operating costs. Ocean Yu found it hard to close Star Cafe Seafood Restaurant. Photo / RNZ, Yiting Lin Ocean Yu, director of popular Cantonese outlet Star Cafe Seafood Restaurant, said he had made the painful decision to close his restaurant on the North Shore on September 30 after six years of business. Yu said the end of the lease and a sharp decline in customers from 2023 were key reasons behind the closure. He said customers had begun dining out less frequently and become more selective about where they spent their money. “Now people only go out for special occasions, like birthdays or wedding anniversaries,” Yu said. “Most of the time, household spending has tightened significantly.” Yu said an increasingly competitive market had also contributed to the closure of many Chinese eateries specialising in yum cha. “There’s been a wave of Chinese restaurants opening on Auckland’s North Shore,” he said. “There used to be just four or five yum cha places here – now there are nearly 10. However, the customer base is limited.” Star Cafe Seafood Restaurant closed its doors in September. Photo / RNZ, Yiting Lin He said shifting migrant demographics posed another challenge. Most of his customers were typically older than 35 years old, mainly families and senior diners, he said. However, that core audience had slowly shrunk as younger migrants arrived, he said. “Yum cha restaurants will still be around,” he said. “But the shift in customer age could lead to fewer of them,” he said. “Older diners used to go for yum cha every week, but the younger generation doesn’t see it that way. “I’ve noticed the trend. That’s why I have decided not to invest any more money in it.” Yu said while he planned to open a new Chinese restaurant, he ruled out starting another yum cha establishment. Slashing prices Zhuolun He, owner of Golden Rooster Chinese Restaurant in Auckland’s Rosedale, is originally from China’s Guangdong province and has a deep connection to his hometown cuisine, one of the main reasons he continues to serve Cantonese dim sum to his customers. “Yum cha is more than just a meal – it’s a tradition and part of daily life,” he said. “Many seniors, community groups and families like to come in the morning for dim sum and tea, forming a regular crowd. “When the economy is good, I see these regulars almost every day. We would chat and catch up. … That’s how social bonds are built.” Although his customers still enjoyed the food, he noticed a significant drop in foot traffic this year. “Two years ago, most of my customers were middle-income professionals - they’re all gone now,” he said. “Some returned a few months ago and told me they had moved to Australia or European countries. Most of them were young and had strong spending power.” Dim sum is a traditional style of Cantonese cuisine featuring a wide variety of small, shareable plates, typically enjoyed with tea during brunch or lunch. Photo / RNZ, Yiting Lin He said numerous small groups came in to dine during the recent Mid-Autumn Festival, but their spending was much lower than previous years. “I sold only two lobsters last weekend,” he said. “In the past, I could sell eight or even 10, with 20 or 50 servings of fó tiaò qiáng (a rich Chinese soup made with abalone, sea cucumber and scallops also known as ‘Buddha Jumps Over the Wall’). Now, that’s impossible.” He had reduced the price of dim sum dishes to $5 each since last year in an effort to attract more customers, a move he said reaped no profit but helped keep the business afloat. “This isn’t something I want to do,” he said. “Five-dollar dim sum was the price 15 or 16 years ago. “Many people have asked how my business can survive with $5 dim sum,” he said. “The $5 dishes don’t make a profit, but if customers also order items like congee, rice rolls or stir-fried noodles, which we still sell at regular prices, we can earn a little from those. “It’s just a strategy to help my business survive in such a difficult time.” To cut costs, he has pared back his staff to a minimum and now works alongside his wife 12 hours a day to keep the business running. Diners at Golden Rooster Chinese Restaurant. Photo / RNZ, Yiting Lin Restaurant liquidations surge The latest monthly report from credit bureau Centrix in September showed that business liquidations remained elevated, up 26% from a year earlier. Construction continued to be the hardest-hit industry, leading all sectors in company liquidations. The hospitality industry ranked second, with 300 liquidations over the past 12 months, up 49% from the previous year. Restaurants were among the most affected. Centrix data showed that 108 restaurants went into liquidation in the year to August, marking a 77% jump from a year earlier. Marisa Bidois, chief executive of the Restaurant Association of New Zealand, said the rise in restaurant liquidations was deeply concerning. “We’ve seen wage costs increase significantly, food prices remain high and, at the same time, customer spending is down,” Bidois said. “Many operators are also still carrying debt from the pandemic and, with margins already thin, these combined pressures are proving a lot for some businesses to absorb,” she said. “No one is immune to the current trading conditions, and even long-established businesses with loyal followings are feeling the pressure,” she said. Bidois said the huge shortfall in Chinese visitors to New Zealand was another major challenge weighing on Chinese restaurants. “There are fewer tourists coming here compared with pre-pandemic levels, down about 44% as of February 2025, compared with the same month in 2019,” she said. “Forecasts suggest visitor numbers may reach only about 85% of pre-Covid levels by March 2026. “That kind of drop in visitor numbers would potentially have a direct impact on many of these businesses.” Rate cuts take time Economist Shamubeel Eaqub said the hospitality sector had been among the hardest hit during New Zealand’s prolonged recession. “The big effect has been that customers are less willing to go out and spend money,” Eaqub said. “People have been losing jobs but, more importantly, household budgets are under a lot of pressure. The cost of necessities like groceries, fruit and vegetables, electricity, insurance rates has gone up,” he said. “So there’s less money available for discretionary spending.” Economist Shamubeel Eaqub. Photo / RNZ, Cole Eastham-Farrelly Eaqub said while an elevated number of hospitality businesses had closed, new ventures were also opening. Still, he said, a strong rebound in hospitality spending was unlikely during the upcoming Christmas season. “The main reason for that is we’re still not seeing a good recovery in jobs,” he said. “When people have jobs and their incomes are stable and secure, they’re more confident of spending money. But, right now, I think we still don’t have confidence that it will take place.” The Reserve Bank cut the official cash rate by 50 basis points on October 8. Eaqub said it would take time for the effects of lower interest rates to flow through to the wider economy and to jobs and household incomes. He said the longer the recession dragged on, the more job losses and business closures were likely to follow. Bidois said the hospitality sector could see a modest lift in spending over the summer and Christmas period, but rising costs and shifting consumer habits meant any growth was likely to remain limited. “What the industry needs now is real support,” she said. “People choosing to dine out locally and support their neighbourhood restaurants can make all the difference in turning that optimism into a real recovery. “If we don’t see things picking up, we will inevitably see more businesses closing, unfortunately.” - RNZ Tue, 14 Oct 2025 02:22:37 Z /news/auckland/new-lynn-bus-interchange-reopens-after-crash-investigation-begins/ /news/auckland/new-lynn-bus-interchange-reopens-after-crash-investigation-begins/ An investigation is under way and a section of a West Auckland station remains closed after a bus crash that left the vehicle smoking. Auckland Transport said all bus stops at the New Lynn bus interchange had reopened at 5am after the bus involved in the incident was removed. “The immediate section of the interchange that was damaged remains closed while our teams assess the damage and investigate repair options,” AT said. “Bus services that stop at New Lynn Station are running normally and we have asked bus drivers to take extra care while driving in the area.” AT is investigating the cause of the crash and is working with the bus company while it conducts an internal review. The bus crashed into the station about 4.30pm yesterday and smoke appeared to be coming from the battery compartment. NZ Herald Morning 九一星空无限 Update | World leaders sign Gaza peace deal and KiwiSaver's cost savingsThe bus smashed into a glass veranda that covered a waiting area and damaged a glass wall. Smoke was seen coming from the battery compartment of the electric bus after crashed. Photo / Supplied “I had thought it was actually a big bin fallen from a crane or something,” a witness told the Herald, “it was that loud. She hit it real hard but all the passengers walked off.” One person was injured in the incident and treated at the scene. Photo / Michael Sprague The witness also described it as “the loudest bang ever heard”. Images showed the bus at near right angles to the road, blocking it for other vehicles and with its nose pressed against the building. Parts of the bus’ bodywork came off in the crash and left the electric battery compartment on the roof exposed. Bus routes were detoured at the time and caused significant delays to services travelling to and from New Lynn. AT also said it worked with emergency services to make the area safe. Hato Hone St John said they responded to the incident, treating one person in a minor condition at the scene. Police said they were investigating and have been approached for further comment. Tue, 14 Oct 2025 01:17:11 Z /news/auckland/fire-at-papatoetoe-home-treated-as-suspicious/ /news/auckland/fire-at-papatoetoe-home-treated-as-suspicious/ Police are treating a fire at a South Auckland property as suspicious and are pleading with the community for information. A police spokesperson said they were called to the vacant property on Picton St, Papatoetoe, at 1.17am. “At this stage, police are treating the fire as suspicious and a scene examination is due to be carried out later today. “There are no reports of injury.” The spokesperson said police wanted to speak with any witnesses or anyone who may know something about the blaze. They urged those with information to update police online now at police.govt.nz/use-105 or call 105, quoting job number P064116384. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Fire and Emergency has been approached for comment. Mon, 13 Oct 2025 23:34:25 Z /news/auckland/public-sex-meth-fuelled-rage-auckland-cbd-owners-describe-daily-intimidation/ /news/auckland/public-sex-meth-fuelled-rage-auckland-cbd-owners-describe-daily-intimidation/ A poll of Herald readers has found an overwhelming majority regard Auckland’s central city as an uninviting place full of anti-social behaviour. More than 6100 people responded online to the question on our site: “Do you believe Auckland CBD has become an uninviting destination for the public beset by anti-social behaviour and neglect?” And 97% responded yes. The informal poll of readers follows a survey released last week of Auckland central businesses that found owners and offices believe homelessness, too few police, neglect and disorder and “frightening” anti-social behaviour are crippling their trade. Among the most dire findings in the Heart of the City survey of 102 business owners were 91% saying that rough sleepers and begging were affecting their business, and 81% believing the city centre was not in a good state to attract significantly more people and investment. Not enough was being done to ensure existing laws and bylaws were being enforced by police and Auckland Council, according to 72% of survey respondents. ‘People are not going to bring their families’ Proprietors in the Auckland CBD whom the Herald spoke to, painted an ugly picture of the day-to-day trials of working in the central city. Perpetual Guardian chief executive Patrick Gamble oversees an office of more than 100 staff in the company’s Queen St high-rise. Gamble said staff had witnessed confronting scenes outside their office block, including public sex and frequent drug use. Most alarming were several occasions when staff were assaulted. “It’s obviously an extremely harrowing thing for those staff to go through. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen at night, it happened during work hours, broad daylight, every single time it’s happened,” Gamble said. “Predominantly people coming from and going to work, or people out on their lunch break. For the staff members involved, it’s obviously extremely difficult. “For us as a business, it’s very concerning that we need to put staff, to some extent, in harm’s way to use the city at the moment.” Paul Ewing owns United Coffee Nation on the corner of Victoria St West and Federal St. Photo / Anna Heath Paul Ewing owns United Coffee Nation on the corner of Victoria St West and Federal St. The coffee shop faces onto a square outside SkyCity casino. The block is well-known for a regular congregation of rough sleepers and public drinking. Ewing said there had been many physical altercations over the years, with people sent to hospital, bitten, infected with hepatitis C or jailed – and hundreds of trespass notices issued. “It scares people. People are not going to bring their families up. You wouldn’t bring your kids up here to have to pass all that nonsense outside. It’s very intimidating for normal people. “So we’ve got security coming up three, four, five times a day to address all this anti-social behaviour. It’s made myself and my staff and my customers feel very very unsafe and highly intimidated on a daily basis. “It’s difficult enough to run a business in this city in the current economic state.” Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck said the associations own scathing survey was “reluctantly” released to increase pressure on the Government and Auckland Council to improve the state of the central city ahead of the opening of the New Zealand International Convention Centre and the City Rail Link (CRL) in 2026. Ewing says he hopes the central city is not beyond redemption by the time the CRL opens and the construction beside his store is finally cleared. “It’s been a long journey. All the construction, all the public infrastructure, has really decimated the city. He points to Smith and Caugheys: “An obvious icon, a well-loved brand, gone.” “I mean, we’re spending billions of dollars on infrastructure, yet there are so few people in the city. It’s quite a conundrum. A total juxtaposition. So yeah, I hope it does help. I hope these businesses will be able to survive to when it [the CRL] does open.” Members of the public have also contacted the Herald to raise their dismay at the state of the central city. Barbara Callaghan and her husband are in their 70s and have for many years travelled into the central city to dine with their adult children after they finish work there. Their favourite restaurants include Ahi, Origine and The Nightcar. But what they’ve encountered on the streets too regularly has stopped this CBD dining habit. “Many are those who live on the streets, and their anti-social behaviour increasingly trends toward vile and violent. Many are drunk. Perhaps meth-fuelled rage is the cause of violence I’ve seen directed at apparent strangers refusing money or cigarettes,” Callaghan said. “Smelling excrement and vomit on the streets is bad enough; seeing it is worse. Vomit splashing your feet is worse still. We don’t go to town any more.” She said good restaurants had lost good customers, and the customer experience was “ruined by matters totally beyond the restaurants’ control”. Perpetual Guardian chief executive Patrick Gamble alongside Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck. Gamble says multiple staff in their Queen Street offices have been assaulted and abused coming and going from work. Photo / Anna Heath Construction in Albert St in Auckland’s CBD for the City Rail Link, set to open in 2026. Photo / Anna Heath Auckland-based businessman Josh Comrie says he has worked in the city centre for 25 years. In a LinkedIn post last week, he gave a similarly bleak description of a recent incident on the streets. “This morning, my 17-year-old terrier was attacked by an off-lead dog on Queen Street, belonging to someone from the growing transient population in our CBD. That’s not all, I’ve witnessed regular intoxication, meth use, fighting and abuse of passersby. It’s a symptom of a larger issue we need to address.” Tony Smith has worked in Queens St for more than 30 years, and says the issue of homelessness has grown since the early 2000s. Smith says he has witnessed public urination and defecation, “people comatose on the streets in the middle of the day,” and “people appearing to be in the middle of a psychotic or drug-related episode, screaming and yelling profanities”. “I do feel sorry for these people as they were once someone’s cherished child, and from my experiences, none of them are bad people; they have just fallen on bad times, but it is time to get these people real help and off the streets for their own well-being,” Smith said. “Accordingly, I would ask the Government to address the issue of this type of homelessness by reinstating the halfway houses that can treat the drug and alcohol abuse and mental health institutions to help people access the care they need.” Auckland City Missioner Helen Robinson earlier told the Herald that she understands the concerns of city centre businesses. “We share the desire for a safe, welcoming city for everyone and agree with business leaders that government leadership is essential,” Robinson said. “We’ve repeatedly urged ministers [Chris] Bishop and [Tama] Potaka to change the emergency housing criteria so those most in need can access support and while recent steps are welcome, much more is required to truly address homelessness in Auckland.” Robinson cited the Government’s call for greater discretion when officials assess emergency housing applications, as the number being declined rises, as a “step in the right direction”. The experience of proprietors in the Auckland CBD the Herald spoke to has also painted an ugly picture of the day-to-day trials of working in the central city. Photo / Dean Purcell Another result of last week’s Heart of the City poll was that 77% of members believed more police were needed in the city centre before the CRL opens. Auckland City District Commander Superintendent Sunny Patel said the Auckland Central Police Base on Federal St was officially opened in July and provides a public-facing presence back in the heart of the city centre. Despite businesses feeling there are not enough officers on the beat, Patel said police have been working hard on increasing their presence in recent years and they have received encouraging feedback. “Our message to retailers is to ensure they continue reporting to us. It’s essential to ensure we have the full picture and can prioritise prevention activities where there are trends emerging,” Patel said. Mon, 13 Oct 2025 00:15:54 Z /news/auckland/really-important-to-me-inside-wayne-brown-s-post-election-plans-for-auckland/ /news/auckland/really-important-to-me-inside-wayne-brown-s-post-election-plans-for-auckland/ 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 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). Wayne Brown was delighted with Victoria Short (right), unseating one of the two Albany councillors. Photo / Jason Dorday 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.” Wayne Brown wants to focus on fixing Auckland Transport in the run-up to Christmas. Photo / Dean Purcell 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. Richard Hills is doing such a good job as chair of planning and will keep his job, says Wayne Brown. Photo / Corey Fleming 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.” Sun, 12 Oct 2025 19:59:42 Z /news/auckland/eric-smidt-s-521m-superyacht-infinity-turns-heads-on-auckland-waterfront/ /news/auckland/eric-smidt-s-521m-superyacht-infinity-turns-heads-on-auckland-waterfront/ A 117m long superyacht has been docked in Auckland for nearly a month, catching the eye of onlookers and sparking interest online. The Infinity, owned by American billionaire Eric Smidt who is the founder and chief executive of Harbor Freight Tools, has been docked by Silo Park since September 17 after leaving Fiji four days earlier, according to Vessel Finder. Vessel Finder said its support vessel, the Intrepid, arrived on September 20 and has been parked next to the Infinity since then. It’s unclear what the 117m superyacht is doing in New Zealand, but it has been catching the eye of onlookers on the waterfront. When it arrived in New Zealand, a popular superyacht Facebook page shared images of it and described the Infinity as “dwarfing all other vessels currently alongside” it in the Silo Marina, while one user on the page described it as a “monster boat”. Intrepid does usually have a helicopter on the back of it, but this was offloaded below Stanley Point on September 20 and cannot currently be seen at the marina. The super yacht Infinity is valued at $521 million. Photo / Samuel Sherry The super yacht was constructed by Dutch building company Oceanco and set sail in 2022. Oceanco said it is the company’s largest motor yacht to date and is the largest yacht ever built in the Netherlands. The Infinity's support vessel Intrepid can reach speeds of 20 knots. Photo / Samuel Sherry The yacht has seven decks, a wellness area that includes a spa, sauna, gym, and yoga studio, and there’s space for up to 16 guests. Superyacht Times said the Infinity has a maximum speed of 18.5 knots, slightly slower than its support vessel which can reach 20 knots although it is smaller with a length of 69.15m. Smidt’s Infinity is valued at about $521 million (US$300m), making it the most expensive yacht docked in Auckland since Australian billionaire James Packer’s IJE, which is reportedly valued at $357m. James Packer's $350 million superyacht IJE at Wynyard Quarter in Auckland. The 108m-long IJE was tied up at Wynyard Quarter in April after arriving from Tahiti and has been described as a “floating palace”. Sun, 12 Oct 2025 01:04:02 Z /news/auckland/10yo-auckland-girl-missing-from-cornwall-park-found-alone-at-westfield-newmarket-shopping-centre/ /news/auckland/10yo-auckland-girl-missing-from-cornwall-park-found-alone-at-westfield-newmarket-shopping-centre/ A 10-year-old girl who went missing from Cornwall Park today has been found safe and well tonight at Westfield Newmarket Shopping Centre. The Herald understands the girl was alone and may have wandered more than 3km to the mall by herself. Police issued an urgent appeal for sightings of a Lily tonight at 8.50pm. She was last seen by family members in Cornwall Park about 5pm. Police said she had long, waist-length hair and was 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.” However, a police spokeswoman contacted the Herald about 9.10pm to say the little girl had been found at the Newmarket shopping centre. “She’s safe and well and we’re getting her to family. “We got a call from security to say she was possibly there.” It’s understood that Lily was alone and may have wandered there by herself. “Police would like to thank those who contacted police following our appeal for information.” Cornwall Park is a large reserve in Epsom, surrounding the park which contains Maungakiekie Pā, or the hill of One Tree Hill. The two independent parks form one large park of 670 acres. Sat, 11 Oct 2025 19:16:38 Z /news/auckland/vtnz-defends-licencing-system-after-claims-driving-test-officers-took-money-to-pass-applicants/ /news/auckland/vtnz-defends-licencing-system-after-claims-driving-test-officers-took-money-to-pass-applicants/ Vehicle Testing NZ says motorists can still have faith in the driver licencing regime and it has no tolerance for any of its officers committing criminal acts. The comments come a day after revelations more than 300 people have been ordered to resit their practical driving tests amid allegations VTNZ officers took money in return for passing applicants. Police and NZTA have launched investigations into “potentially fraudulent activity” and five officers at VTNZ’s Highbrook branch have been sacked. In a statement this afternoon, VTNZ country manager Greg O’Connor said the organisation took “decisive and serious action” following allegations of dishonesty at one of its branches. “After being notified of the alleged offending at the Highbrook branch, VTNZ conducted a thorough investigation and worked with NZTA on appropriate steps.” O’Connor said public safety was VTNZ’s highest priority. “I want to reassure everyone that we investigated with the utmost urgency. “VTNZ places the highest importance on the integrity of licence testing and the safety of everyone who travels on our roads. “We have zero tolerance for dishonesty, and will leave no stone unturned to uncover and eliminate any improper behaviour.” It emerged yesterday that VTNZ had now stopped offering driver licence testing at the Highbrook branch while investigations occur. It’s alleged the officers received money in return for passing hundreds of driving test applicants since 2023. Hundreds of drivers have been ordered to resit their driving tests as a criminal investigation gets under way. Photo / Jason Dorday There are now concerns that some drivers given pass marks may not have met the required threshold during their practical tests, and they will be retested. O’Connor said that after learning of the alleged breach, VTNZ took immediate steps to check systems and processes. It reviewed its systems and evaluated what additional security measures were needed. “We have confidence in our team and our processes for driver licence testing. “I promise that we will take the strongest action against any employee found breaking the law and our trust. Five VTNZ officers at the Highbrook branch are accused of taking money in return for passing hundreds of drivers sitting their practical tests. Photo / Supplied “Anyone sitting their driver licence test can still have complete faith in VTNZ.” VTNZ was working with the New Zealand Transport Agency and NZ Police in the investigation. It would not comment further while the matter was subject to a criminal investigation and employee confidentiality. Transport Minister Chris Bishop declined to comment while the matter was under police investigation. But an Automobile Association spokeswoman said driver licensing was a key part of keeping our roads safe. “It’s good that an investigation is underway and it is being dealt with seriously to maintain the integrity of the system.” 322 drivers ordered to resit driving tests An NZTA spokesman told the Herald the agency was requiring 322 people to resit driving tests after investigations found “serious misconduct” involving five Driver Testing Officers (DTOs) at VTNZ’s Highbrook branch in Auckland. “NZTA has been informed by VTNZ that the DTOs had allegedly been accepting payments to pass people taking practical driver tests since 2023. “The five DTOs have been dismissed by VTNZ, and their Testing Officer (O) endorsements have been suspended while NZTA investigates these allegations. Potentially fraudulent activity has been referred to police for investigation.” The spokesman said VTNZ had ceased offering practical driver licence testing at its Highbrook branch. The Highbrook site remained open for other services, including WoF and CoF inspections. “NZTA is contacting the people who were tested by these DTOs and received a driver licence during the period where fraud was suspected and requiring them to pass an on-road driving test, at no cost to them, to confirm that they have the necessary skills to continue to hold a licence.” Police confirmed they were investigating. Wed, 08 Oct 2025 02:27:52 Z /news/auckland/mayor-wayne-brown-to-auckland-ratepayers-alliance-fstarstarstar-off/ /news/auckland/mayor-wayne-brown-to-auckland-ratepayers-alliance-fstarstarstar-off/ Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has told a prominent lobby group supporter to “f*** off” after a request for him to sign its “Ratepayer Protection Pledge”. The pledge is an initiative of the Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance (ARA), a group set up by the Taxpayers’ Union. A spokesperson for Brown’s re-election campaign has called the request a “PR stunt”. The ARA asked its supporters to write to Brown demanding he sign the pledge, which it claims “hundreds of incumbent and prospective mayors around New Zealand have done”. Brown received an ARA email with the headline, “Is Wayne Brown planning a rates blow-out?” He responded with a two-word reply: “F*** off”. Mayor Wayne Brown's response to the Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance about its "Ratepayer Protection Pledge". Brown has been on leave today. In relation to his response to the ARA, a spokesperson for his re-election campaign told the Herald that the mayor “wished to be unambiguous after being bombarded by their PR stunt emails. Their so-called pledge is unrealistic and meaningless”. Brown “directed his expletive at the idea of a rates blow-out”, he said. The response follows comments Brown made in a Herald interview over the weekend, in which he said he had been hearing “such a lot of drivel” on the campaign trail, from candidates and others calling him “corrupt”. “I was just thinking it was really unpleasant,” he said, “and it informs nothing.” He added that the council’s annual plan was three inches thick and full of information about how and why the council spent its budget. “Everything you need to know is in there. They just don’t read it.” The Taxpayers’ Union and the ARA have both been asked for comment. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown talking to Simon Wilson at the weekend. Photo / Corey Fleming Rates set to rise by 7.9% next year Auckland Council’s residential rates rose by an average 5.8% this financial year, which runs from July to June. Brown has said many times that this is the lowest rates rise of any major city in the country. In the next financial year, rates are scheduled to rise by a further 7.9%, largely to cover expected costs associated with opening the City Rail Link. Adopting this rates decision for public consultation in a 2026-27 annual plan will be the first big job of the new council. It will meet in November after being sworn in on October 30, after the postal-ballot election that ends next Saturday. After next year, according to the 10-year budget contained in the long-term plan, rates rises will fall back to 3.5%. This plan will be refreshed in 2026. Despite this, Sam Warren of the ARA says, “Wayne Brown likes to frame himself as a ratepayer hero. He talks the talk, butwon’t walk the walk ... Unless [he] changes tack, he’ll be delivering the highest-ever rates hike for the Super City. He should be swearing about that.” If Brown is re-elected, his office will be charged with drafting both the new annual plan and the long-term plan, but decisions on the budgets and all other matters in them will be made by the full council. Brown declined to sign the ARA pledge in 2022, saying at the time that he would keep rates as low as possible but would not be bound by artificial restrictions. Unelected representatives Another reason the mayor has previously given for not signing the ARA pledge relates to unelected representatives. The pledge requires its signatories to oppose the presence of unelected people with voting rights on decision-making bodies. In Auckland, this refers to Houkura, the Independent Māori Statutory Board, which was set up by Parliament in 2010. Houkura has voting members on several council committees, including two on the big policy and planning committee and the transport, resources and infrastructure committee. Houkura is not represented on the governing body of the council, which is its supreme decision-making body. Auckland Council does not have Māori wards. Brown supports Houkura. In 2023, he abstained on a vote to introduce Māori wards. Simon Wilson is an award-winning senior writer covering politics, the climate crisis, transport, housing, urban design and social issues, with a focus on Auckland. He joined the Herald in 2018. Thu, 02 Oct 2025 07:47:48 Z /news/auckland/birkenhead-pawn-shop-robbery-three-vehicles-used-during-dramatic-incident/ /news/auckland/birkenhead-pawn-shop-robbery-three-vehicles-used-during-dramatic-incident/ Details have emerged of a dramatic Auckland robbery in which an SUV was filmed smashing into a getaway car. Police allege three people entered a pawnbroker’s on Mokoia Rd, smashed display cabinets and stole various items about 1.35pm yesterday. Three vehicles are believed to have been involved in the robbery, with the alleged offenders arriving and leaving in a vehicle reported as stolen. “This group has then driven to Zion Rd, Birkenhead, where they abandoned that car and left in a second stolen car,” Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Renfree said. Police found the second car abandoned on Potter Ave, Northcote. The offenders are believed to have left the same road in a third vehicle. “We are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and may have seen these people, or any of the vehicles involved in this incident, to get in touch.” A white four-wheel-drive rammed into the passenger side door of the offenders' car. Police have also said they want to hear from anyone with relevant dashcam or CCTV footage from Mokoia Rd, Zion Rd, Birkenhead Ave, Pupuke Rd, Releigh Rd or Potter Ave. A video from the alleged incident shows an SUV smashing into a getaway car during the robbery. The masked offenders are seen running from a store in the Highbury centre holding bags of items. They enter a white car parked on the side of the road while an alarm goes off in the background. The offenders were able to speed away down the road with a visible dent on the side of their car. Seconds later, a white SUV hits the side of the car as someone cheers. The car reverses behind the SUV and heads down the street with a visible dent on its passenger side. Police asked anyone who can help to contact them on 105 and quote file number 251001/7961. Information can also be given anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Thu, 02 Oct 2025 01:20:37 Z /news/auckland/wrong-way-e-scooter-rider-flees-after-southern-motorway-crash/ /news/auckland/wrong-way-e-scooter-rider-flees-after-southern-motorway-crash/ An e-scooter rider on an early morning joyride in the wrong direction along Auckland’s Southern Motorway fled the scene after he collided with a car. Police said they received reports of a person travelling southbound in the northbound lane on State Highway 1 on an e-scooter. Around 4.31am, soon after the initial reports, they were alerted to the scene of a crash involving a car and an e-scooter, near the motorway’s Port and Symonds St exit. A spokesperson said emergency services were sent to the scene but the rider was nowhere to be found when they arrived. He was found a short time later “not far from the scene”, police said. The rider only suffered minor injuries in the crash. Police were continuing to make inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the accident. The rider was found nearby with only minor injuries after fleeing the crash, police said. Photo / George Novak In February, dashcam footage of a person riding an e-scooter on one of the busiest sections of the Southern Motorway was shared online, sparking outrage amongst motorists. High-speed traffic zoomed past the rider as he travelled along the furthest left lane, holding up the vehicles behind him on a Sunday afternoon. It was understood the rider exited at Khyber Pass Rd and continued on to Newton Rd. A spokeswoman for the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said at the time that riding an e-scooter with a power output of 300 watts or more on a motorway is unlawful if it isn’t registered or licenced. Dashcam footage of a person riding an electric scooter on Auckland’s Southern Motorway on February 23, 2025. E-scooters are confined to a top speed of about 35km/h at 300 watts. “Motorways are high-speed environments and it’s important that all vehicles using them are legally and appropriately registered and licensed,” the spokeswoman said. But the sighting of e-scooter enthusiasts attempting to traverse motorways, exclusively reserved for high-speed vehicles, isn’t a new phenomenon. A man was also photographed crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge on his e-scooter in January 2023. Then in July that year, a separate person was caught riding along the Northwestern Motorway on his scooter around 3am. Sun, 28 Sept 2025 21:47:58 Z /news/auckland/we-know-nothing-wayne-brown-claims-the-govt-is-working-on-auckland-tunnel-plans-in-secret/ /news/auckland/we-know-nothing-wayne-brown-claims-the-govt-is-working-on-auckland-tunnel-plans-in-secret/ The Government is working on plans to build tunnels for a new Auckland harbour crossing in secret, according to Mayor Wayne Brown. “The idea that we would have a cross-harbour study that’s secret from the city that surrounds the harbour is nuts,” he said. The mayor is accusing the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) of keeping council in the dark over its feasibility study into options. “We know nothing. We don’t even know where their office is. We don’t know who the consultants are. It’s bizarre.” Transport Minister Chris Bishop rejected this, saying the Government has been “very open” about its plans and the process. “For the last few months a barge has been operating in the harbour to look at the ground and seabed conditions, to help inform decisions ... this is hardly a secret. I’ve talked about it with the mayor, and I understand he has met with NZTA about it as well.” Mayor Wayne Brown and Minister Chris Bishop attended a housing event last week. Photo / Sylvie Whinray Brown said he gets on well with Bishop, but “he’s surrounded by poor advisers in Wellington, to be quite honest”. The mayor was also dismissive of the Government’s options for a new crossing, promoted by Bishop, which focus on tunnels or a bridge close to the existing bridge. Brown’s preferred plan is for a bridge from Meola Reef in Pt Chevalier to Kauri Pt near Birkenhead. In a wide-ranging pre-election interview with the Herald, Brown also suggested that Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson was going to resign this year, and that when former police commissioner Mike Bush was conducting his inquiry into Auckland Council’s handling of the storms of early 2023, the two men did not even meet. Simpson would not confirm or deny Brown’s claim that she was intending to resign. In the interview, he denied that she had been considering a run for mayor in the current election. “You haven’t got the story quite right,” he said. He believed she was going to retire at the end of the current term of council, but had been talked into staying on by his own staff. “I promised not to say much about that and I gave her a period of time to make her mind up. But she’s a good lady and complements me quite well.” In response, Simpson told the Herald, “I took a long time making up my mind. I discussed at length with family, with mentors and with colleagues at council and in the end felt that the decision I made is one I’m really happy with.” Simpson is Brown’s running mate on his Fix Auckland ticket. Wayne Brown and Desley Simpson during a council meeting last week. Photro / Corey Fleming Brown also said that during the inquiry into the 2023 storms, he had talked on the phone with Mike Bush, but they had not met. He said he had learned “lots” from that event, including how unprepared he, the council and the emergency response setup all were. Brown was widely criticised at the time for the aloofness of his response. The Herald asked him if he would do it differently next time. “Yeah, I would,” he said. “But I would expect to be informed a bit earlier.” During the interview Brown criticised the supporters of housing developments on the outskirts of the city, which he called “economic nonsense”. Epsom MPs David Seymour and Paul Goldsmith have both promoted this “greenfields” growth as an alternative to the council’s new zoning proposals, which will increase housing density in their own electorate. Brown said, “So we have to build houses in Pukekohe so people can keep their seats in Epsom? That makes no sense to me.” He suggested the desire for votes was also motivating some councillors opposed to the new zoning. “One or two of my councillors have been a bit disingenuous with raising issues that are not really true in order to lift their chances of reappearing on the council.” One aspect of the proposals is that they allow for better management of natural hazards, including coastal erosion and flooding. Before the council agreed to adopt the new proposals for consultation last week, Brown said, “We didn’t really have the power to stop buildings being built in the wrong places ... And we had five councillors who voted against it. Can you believe that?” The five councillors who voted against the new zoning were Christine Fletcher, Mike Lee, Ken Turner, Wayne Walker and John Watson. All others were in favour. In the interview, the mayor said the sale of the council’s airport shares had already reaped a return that was “millions ahead” of the dividend the shares would have paid if they had been held onto this year. This was confirmed at a council meeting on Thursday by Christopher Swasbrook, chair of the Auckland Futures Fund board, which controls the money from the shares sale. In the interview, Brown said, “It was incredibly sensible and people who apparently had economic degrees opposed that,” he said. Brown also revealed that one reason he doesn’t attend many meet-the-candidate events is that he finds them “unpleasant”. “Sitting in a room with 10 or 12 people who’ve never even been a chairman of a committee, let alone run something bigger than a dairy, telling you that you’re useless and done nothing and you’re corrupt. I was just thinking it was really unpleasant ... I’d heard such a lot of drivel. And they talk about accountability.” He walked out of a meeting in Whangaparaoa recently, while it was discussing accountability. He said he was going for a beer. Wayne Brown with Fix Auckland candidate Victoria Short at the meeting in Whangaparaoa where he walked out. Photo / Sylvie Whinray In the Herald interview, Brown was asked about the way homeowners in rural areas had discovered their rates were rising many times higher than rates in urban areas closer to the city centre. “This time, the rural areas rose a bit and the city areas collapsed a bit. [But] the city areas had more than their share of the increases in the previous ones. It evens out in the long term.” Asked if there should be some way to cap rates that rise much more than the average, he said, “I think there should be something done about that, but it’s not the rates-setting system. It’s the government valuation over which we have no control.” He added, “Should they put a cap on that? That would have eased that pressure. I mean, the idea of a cap on rates is a simplistic idea to a complex problem. And people shouldn’t trust simplistic ideas to complex problems.” Rodney Local Board member Ivan Wagstaff told the Herald yesterday, “We now have evidence ... that council was aware of the disproportionate increases coming to rural ratepayers as early as September 2024. They did not want to release this information and delayed it due to the levels of approval needed.” Wagstaff coordinates a group that hopes to apply for a judicial review of the decision-making on this year’s rates. Asked if he thought the council should be doing more to address climate change, Brown returned to the topics of transport and housing. “I’m a great believer in freight moving off trucks and onto trains. There is no downside to that. The port weren’t doing much of that, but now they’re doing trains and trains every day.” And, he added, “Keeping people living right next door to where they’re working is probably the best way, because we’re eliminating a whole lot of trips that don’t need to be made.” Was he saying public transport with housing density nearby is a climate-change policy? “Absolutely. I totally believe in that.” Did this mean he now had a bigger vision? Was he still grumpy, but not as grumpy? And what did he love about Auckland? “There are many little things that I love. I’m intensely proud of little Brownie’s Pool,” he said, referring to the new open-air seawater pool near the Viaduct Events Centre. “I’m going to build a lot more of those.” Simon Wilson is an award-winning senior writer covering politics, the climate crisis, transport, housing, urban design and social issues, with a focus on Auckland. He joined the Herald in 2018. Sun, 28 Sept 2025 21:04:55 Z /news/auckland/convenience-trumps-coastal-views-when-it-comes-to-the-value-of-land-in-auckland/ /news/auckland/convenience-trumps-coastal-views-when-it-comes-to-the-value-of-land-in-auckland/ Convenience trumps coastal views when it comes to the value of land in Auckland. New Auckland Council analysis — based on last year’s property valuations and a new spatial demand model — has revealed how residential land values vary across the city. The highest values are in Takapuna, the suburbs west and east of the CBD, and in the eastern bays. Values are slightly lower — but tend to be above average — in the East Coast Bays, Devonport peninsula, Hobsonville, the main city isthmus, Howick, Totara Park and Manukau areas. The lowest land values are in the areas Massey West, Glen Eden, Māngere and Ōtara areas. Auckland Council Chief Economist Gary Blick said the biggest factor driving land values was proximity to commercial centres, particularly the CBD. “Demand tends to be stronger in central locations and locations that are closer to things people need in their daily lives, such as access to services like shops as well as transport links and also jobs.” Blick said some land could command higher values because it is close to natural amenities, like beaches, coastlines and parks. “[Some] people want a bit more people space and happy to live a bit further away and travel a bit more.” Transport corridors — particularly major train stations or transport hubs — can also increase land values. “When you’ve got a rapid transport network that gives you the frequency and speed — like around those station catchments — people are prepared to pay a little bit more for those locations and the convenience they offer.” Land values can often different significantly from housing prices, depending on how many homes have been built on land or could be built on land under planning rules. “When you enable more intensity or more flexible use of land, it can be used more productively and that’s capitalised into the land value. “Even though the land value goes up, you can use it more flexibly and you can use less land per home. “You’re giving the person the choice to use less land and perhaps have a terraced house or townhouse-style home.”Auckland Council this week voted to send a new plan change out to public consultation which will dictate how much intensification can occur across the city and where. RMA Minister Chris Bishop said Aucklanders will have a chance to have their say on the latest plans from November 3 to December 19. Michael Sergel is 九一星空无限talk ZB’s business reporter, covering the daily life of business and the business of daily life. He’s been covering business, politics, local government and consumer affairs for over a decade. Sun, 28 Sept 2025 16:00:14 Z /news/auckland/auckland-butchery-shefco-meats-forced-to-toss-meat-out-after-council-visit/ /news/auckland/auckland-butchery-shefco-meats-forced-to-toss-meat-out-after-council-visit/ An Auckland butcher has been forced to toss out a bunch of meat after a photo was shared online showing it being stored in cardboard boxes and stacked atop a supermarket trolley. Shefco Meats, a new butcher in Flat Bush, came under fire after the image from inside the store was shared on Facebook yesterday. The post sparked an investigation from Auckland Council. Alan Ahmu, Auckland Council’s environmental health response team leader, said a council food safety officer visited the site today and directed that all the meat that was exposed to contamination, noted in the supplied photo, be disposed of. “This directive was complied with while the council’s officer was on-site. “The food safety officer recorded that the carcass hanging rail was installed yesterday, and that the refrigeration to the chiller was also working yesterday. “The chiller storage temperature was found to be compliant. This is a new business which is not currently open and is yet to start trading. “Once it commences trading, its food control plan will be verified by the council.” A member of the public spotted carcasses stacked in cardboard boxes and a supermarket trolley inside Shefco Meats' new Flat Bush branch. Photo / Facebook The picture from inside one of the back rooms showed several animal carcasses stored in cardboard boxes and stacked atop a supermarket trolley. Shefco’s owner responded to the initial post in a since-deleted reply on Facebook. In the post, they said they had temporarily stored the carcasses in “clean trolleys and boxes” while installing a meat rail in the same room. “Absolutely nothing was placed on the floor,” they wrote. Shefco Meats insists the images do not reflect its hygiene standards. Photo / Facebook “We take hygiene and food safety very seriously and are proud of the standards we uphold. “It’s disappointing that someone may have misunderstood or misrepresented the situation, especially as we’ve worked hard to bring something new and good to the Dawson Rd community. “We invite anyone to come see the shop and our processes for themselves – transparency is important to us, and we’re always happy to answer questions.” The Herald has approached the owner for comment. Shefco Meats also operates at an address in Stoddard Rd, Mt Albert. The Food Act 2014 and Food Regulations Act 2015 stipulate any food at the premises of a food business is considered to be for commercial use. Such businesses are required to take active steps to ensure the food kept on-site meets strict health and safety regulations and is safe for consumption. Thu, 25 Sept 2025 08:33:51 Z /news/auckland/auckland-butchery-shefco-meats-under-council-investigation-over-improper-meat-storage/ /news/auckland/auckland-butchery-shefco-meats-under-council-investigation-over-improper-meat-storage/ The owner of a new Auckland butchery that is under fire for appearing to improperly store its meat during fit-out says it has been misrepresented on social media and is “proud of the standards we uphold”. Auckland Council told the Herald it hadn’t received any complaints about Shefco Meats after the post, but it believed the way the meat was stored violated health and food safety standards. A food safety officer is now investigating. A member of the public walking along Dawson Rd yesterday passed the new Flat Bush branch of Shefco Meats on its first day open. Pictured inside one of the back rooms were several animal carcasses, stored in cardboard boxes and stacked atop a supermarket trolley. Sharing the images in the community Facebook group, Otara 274, the individual wrote: “Was looking forward to the new butcher. But then I saw this. A member of the public spotted carcasses stacked in cardboard boxes and a supermarket trolley inside Shefco Meats' new Flat Bush branch. Photo / Facebook “A-grade yeah nah.” In a since-deleted reply to the post, Shefco’s owner said they had temporarily stored the carcasses in “clean trolleys and boxes” while installing a meat rail in the same room. “Absolutely nothing was placed on the floor,” they wrote. “We take hygiene and food safety very seriously and are proud of the standards we uphold. “It’s disappointing that someone may have misunderstood or misrepresented the situation, especially as we’ve worked hard to bring something new and good to the Dawson Rd community. “We invite anyone to come see the shop and our processes for themselves – transparency is important to us, and we’re always happy to answer questions.” Shefco Meats insists the images do not reflect its hygiene standards. Photo / Facebook The Herald has approached the owner for comment. Alan Ahmu, Auckland Council’s environmental health response team leader, said it planned to investigate “as soon as possible”. “The storage of meat carcasses, based on the image, does appear to be improper,” Ahmu said. “Our food safety officer will need to assess the storage and condition of the meat before we can determine whether the food items are suitable for sale.” Shefco Meats also operates at an address in Stoddard Rd, Mt Albert. The Food Act 2014 and Food Regulations Act 2015 stipulate any food at the premises of a food business is considered to be for commercial use. Such businesses are required to take active steps to ensure the food kept on-site meets strict health and safety regulations and is safe for consumption. Thu, 25 Sept 2025 02:50:33 Z /news/auckland/residential-zoning-in-auckland-the-council-showdown-today/ /news/auckland/residential-zoning-in-auckland-the-council-showdown-today/ How much housing density and where? The Auckland Council will decide today on residential property zones: the rules which govern what sort of homes can be built where, throughout the city.  The existing rules are based on the Auckland Unitary Plan (AUP), adopted in 2016, which allows for up to 900,000 homes in Auckland over the next few decades.  Most homes were in a single-house residential zone, generally allowing up to two storeys, with mixed-housing zones and a terraced housing and apartments zone allowing three or more storeys, depending on the location.  “Special character overlays” were permitted. These could be established to protect streets with houses of historic value, or areas at risk from natural hazards like coastal erosion and flooding.  But in 2022, the Labour Government required greater density. The council was instructed to adopt a plan change that set out new “medium density residential standards” (MDRS). These stated that in almost all residential areas, properties could be divided in three, and a three-storey dwelling could be built on each property.  Special character overlays were still permitted.  The council’s plan change 78 (PC78), responding to this and adopting the MDRS, is now the default position. If no other decision is made, it will become law. PC78 allows for a capacity of two million homes.  It also says that no “downsizing” can occur. This means properties at risk of natural hazards cannot be zoned to prevent inappropriate dwellings being built on them.  The new Government has allowed the council to opt out of the MDRS, and to recognise natural hazards, provided it adopts a new plan that retains the same two million capacity.  The Minister of RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, has instructed the council to adopt a new plan with capacity for two million homes. Photo / RNZ, Mark Papalii  The Minister of RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, has instructed the council to adopt a new plan that does this, or stick with PC78. He has given the council no other option. It cannot revert to the AUP, or set everything aside to consider in the future.  This new plan is called PC120. It was adopted by the council in July, to be sent for comment to local boards, iwi and Government departments like the Department of Conservation. That has now happened.  If it gains council support today, it will be “notified”. This means it will be put out for public consultation and the submissions received will then be considered by an independent hearings panel (IHP). This is the normal process for dealing with zoning plans.  Bishop has advised Mayor Wayne Brown and councillor Richard Hills, who chairs the policy and planning committee of council, that the consultation period will run from November 3 until December 19. That’s seven weeks, soon after the new council is elected on October 11. (Postal voting for this election is now under way.)  Bishop has also advised that the IHP will meet next year and the whole process will take about 18 months. This means the result will not be known before the general election, which must be held no later than late next year.  Council documents for the debate today run to 3000 pages. Before the debate starts, officials will brief councillors on the feedback they have received to date, and any other matters that councillors seek clarification on.  The debate itself will then begin and some councillors may propose amendments. The meeting itself is not a meeting of the governing body, but of the policy and planning committee. This comprises all 20 councillors, the mayor and two members of Houkura, the Independent Māori Statutory Board.  A result is expected by mid-afternoon but it could be sooner. The Herald will carry updates as the meeting progresses.  Simon Wilson is a senior writer covering politics, the climate crisis, transport, housing, urban design and social issues, with a focus on Auckland. He joined the Herald in 2018.  Tue, 23 Sept 2025 21:50:06 Z /news/auckland/man-strips-naked-claims-to-be-lucifer-while-flight-boards-to-wellington-at-auckland-airport/ /news/auckland/man-strips-naked-claims-to-be-lucifer-while-flight-boards-to-wellington-at-auckland-airport/ A man claiming to be Lucifer stripped naked and tried to run on to the airbridge at Auckland Airport while a flight was boarding. A witness to the incident told the Herald the man pushed through passengers and staff who were scanning boarding passes bound for Wellington and ran on to the airbridge yesterday evening. At one point he stripped completely naked, they said. The man yelled loudly that he was Lucifer during the incident, which occurred about 5.50pm, the surprised passenger said. He was restrained by a passenger on another flight, who held him down on a chair near the gate before police arrived within five minutes, they told the Herald. “He was holding him down on the chair, and then another one [member of the public] was trying to talk him out of doing what he was doing.” Security personnel were also present, the witness said. The man was handcuffed by police, who took him to the bathrooms, they said. The witness, who did not wish to be named, said the man did not appear to be well. About half of the passengers were already on the Air New Zealand flight, which was destined for Wellington, they said. The incident was over quickly and did not cause much of a delay, the witness said. Police told the Herald a 33-year-old man has been taken into custody after an incident of offensive behaviour at Auckland Airport. Auckland Airport said it can confirm police and airport security attended an incident at the domestic terminal yesterday evening. “There was no impact to arriving or departing flights.” Air New Zealand did not wish to comment. Tue, 23 Sept 2025 01:45:58 Z /news/auckland/crown-tells-jury-hakyung-lee-was-not-insane-she-knew-killing-her-children-was-murder/ /news/auckland/crown-tells-jury-hakyung-lee-was-not-insane-she-knew-killing-her-children-was-murder/ A mother who fatally overdosed her two children with sleeping pills, wrapped them in plastic and left them stored in suitcases for four years knew it was wrong and she should be found guilty of murder, the Crown says. Hakyung Lee’s trial for the alleged murder of her two children has reached its final stages, with the prosecution concluding closing arguments today. Lee is on trial in the High Court at Auckland. The trial began with an admission that she had killed daughter Yuna Jo, 8, and son Minu Jo, 6, in late June 2018. Spiralling into “madness” after her husband’s death, she had given herself and her children what she thought was a deadly dose of a prescription sleeping pill, but she survived, her standby lawyers have said. They have asked jurors to find Lee not guilty by reason of insanity. Addressing the jury this morning for the final time, Crown lawyer Natalie Walker reminded jurors of how Lee came to be found in a South Korean psychiatric hospital, four years after she and her children disappeared. Lee had managed to get in contact with her mother’s pastor, who spoke to her over the phone in June 2022. Hakyung Lee has admitted she killed her 8-year-old daughter, Yuna Jo (left), and 6-year-old son, Minu Jo, in June 2018. She is on trial in the High Court at Auckland for two counts of murder but her standby lawyers say she is not guilty by reason of insanity. Photo / NZ Police Walker said the pastor was aware Lee’s two children had been missing for some time, and asked what happened to them. “To which she replied, ‘I have no children’,” Walker told the court. “This was the first in a series of lies told by the defendant, Ms Lee, in relation to the deaths of her daughter Yuna Jo, and son Minu Jo. “Her mother asked the same question and was told the same lie.” Walker said she wanted to illustrate to the jury how much of an unreliable historian Lee was. “The only evidence of her defence - that she attempted suicide and took her children’s lives as she didn’t want them to live without both parents - comes only from her.” Walker said Lee had provided five different accounts about the deaths of her children since 2022. The prosecutor suggested none was true. “First is that she had no children. Second, that she had the children but she left them behind in an institution. “Third, that someone murdered her children, she knew who it was but it wasn’t her. Fourth she was the person who killed her children by drug overdose but was suffering from a major depressive disorder at the time and thought it was the right thing to do. “And fifth and finally, that voices told her to kill her children and she still thought it was the right thing to do.” A security photo from Safe Store Papatoetoe shows Hakyung "Jasmine" Lee on the day she hired a storage unit. Her children's remains were hidden at the facility for four years. Photo / Supplied The alleged premeditated nature of Lee’s actions has formed a major part of the Crown’s argument. Walker reminded the jury of PlayStation data suggesting the children were alive at the same time Lee was purchasing a courier envelope on June 27, used to apply for a name change the same day. Receipts showed Lee also went to Mitre 10 and purchased wheelie bin liners and duct tape, which the Crown said could have been used to conceal her children’s bodies. All this, Walker said, meant it would be fair for the jury to infer the killings were intentional, and not the spontaneous actions of someone severely mentally unwell. Walker said it was this timeline, which shifted the position of the only defence witness, forensic psychiatrist Dr Yvette Kelly. During cross-examination last week, Kelly appeared to reassess her findings that Lee was unaware that what she was doing was morally wrong. However, Kelly maintained that Lee had a disease of the mind. But Walker said the evidence of Crown witness forensic psychiatrist Erik Monasterio disputed this claim. Monasterio accepted Lee was likely depressed, and suffering from a complex and prolonged grief reaction. But he believed she was not impaired, adding that major depression was common in the community. Walker also spoke of the effort Lee went to, on her own, to wrap her two dead children in three layers of plastic bags. “Each of which she knotted, then lifted into the next layer, then knotted, lifted into the next layer, then knotted, then lifted and put into the suitcase... it’s quite unimaginable. “And yet, that’s what she did.” Walker finished by telling the jury, there were no grounds for an insanity defence. “It was not the altruistic act of the mother who had lost her mind and believed it was the morally right thing to do – it was the opposite. “Ms Lee deliberately and in sound mind murdered Minu and Yuna, and the right verdicts are verdicts of guilty.” Defence closing remarks have begun this afternoon. Mon, 22 Sept 2025 03:45:23 Z /news/auckland/man-charged-with-arson-after-newmarket-and-epsom-fires/ /news/auckland/man-charged-with-arson-after-newmarket-and-epsom-fires/ A man is due to appear in the Auckland District Court following two fires earlier in the day. Police said they were notified at about 6.10am with a report of a building on fire at Kent St in Newmarket. When investigating the incident, it was found that the fire was believed to be related to an earlier fire that occurred at a business address on Manukau Road in Epsom in the morning. Police said no injuries were reported at either of the fires and a 36-year-old man was arrested a short time later in relation to both fires. Fire and Emergency New Zealand said it attended both incidents, the first being notified in Manukau Rd at 5.26am where six appliances tackled a fire on the ground floor of a building. The second incident was reported at 6.07am at a commercial building in Newmarket, where a showroom was on fire. Seven appliances attended. Fire investigators attended both incidents and Fire and Emergency is no longer at the incidents. Newmarket Business Association chief executive Mark Knoff-Thomas said the fire damage to the babywear business, Dimples, appeared to be minimal and well contained. He said the store was temporarily closed, adding that Dimples is a popular store with customers from all over New Zealand. “We wish the Newmarket team a speedy recovery and hope they are open as soon as possible for the busy shopping season ahead,” Knoff-Thomas said. The man will appear in court on two charges of arson. Sun, 21 Sept 2025 02:28:15 Z /news/auckland/auckland-man-disputes-at-report-after-house-cracks-blamed-on-speed-hump/ /news/auckland/auckland-man-disputes-at-report-after-house-cracks-blamed-on-speed-hump/ An Auckland man is still pursuing damages for cracks through his house after a report commissioned by Auckland Transport found vibrations from a speed hump were well within guidelines. Pete Williams’ century-old bungalow has cracks in the kitchen, dining room and bedrooms, which he blames on a raised pedestrian crossing outside his property on St Johns Rd in Meadowbank. After 30 months of back-and-forth between the parties, Auckland Transport (AT) commissioned an investigation by Marshall Day Acoustics last month. AT design and standards manager Chris Beasley said AT appreciated that the situation was frustrating and concerning for Williams. However, AT said extensive testing and measurements at the property were well within national and international safety guidelines and were not responsible for cosmetic damage to the structure. “I am feeling quite stuck,” Williams, who is wheelchair-bound and lives in the city’s eastern suburbs with his wife and their 3-year-old, said. Pete Williams claims cracks were caused by vibrations from a raised crossing at his St Johns Road property. Photo / Dean Purcell He has disputed the findings in a response to AT, saying his house shook from constant loud banging by trucks and trailers between the time the crossing was installed in January 2023 and modifications were completed due to incorrect gradients in August 2023. He noted that the Marshall Day investigation occurred after the modifications were completed and when the crossing was at a steeper, non-compliant and more aggressive angle. “It is during this initial period that the damage to my property was most likely initiated and exacerbated,” Williams said. What’s more, he said, the modern standards may not reflect the vulnerability of older homes like his, which were not constructed to today’s vibration resistance specifications. In May this year, Williams commissioned expert firm PlasterTech Systems, who found “extensive cracking in all of the rooms”, indicating an external source rather than thermal expansion. Some of the cracks at Pete Williams' home. Photo / Dean Purcell The company’s report concluded that at least 80% of the cracks were “due to vibrational damage, specifically from concrete judder bars placed recently (on) the road close by”. The company has quoted $40,814 to repair the damage. Williams stated that, given his own expert report contradicted AT’s investigation, along with the documented period of non-compliant construction and the age and potential vulnerability of my property, AT bears responsibility for the damage to his home. “Therefore, I am still seeking compensation/repairs for my house,” he said in a response to AT. The Herald has reported several cases of angry residents coming forward with complaints of raised crossings causing tremors and cracks through their homes. Marlene Person reported shakes and cracks from vibrations from a raised speed table at the back of her Avondale property. Photo / Michel Craig In June, AT said it was removing a troublesome speed bump in Avondale after complaints that it was causing vibrations to nearby homes. Marlene Person, who is in her mid-80s and lives in a lane backing on to Ash St, told the Herald that vehicles going over the crossing shook the whole house and she could no longer sit outside because of the noise. In January last year, AT demolished the 1-year-old crossing on Hayr Rd that was designed to last 40 years. It was replaced with a standard crossing. Another raised crossing on South Lynn Rd in Titirangi – whose tremors after every bus passed over it were described as “water torture” – has also been ripped up. Sun, 21 Sept 2025 02:15:19 Z /news/auckland/auckland-council-and-police-investigating-park-worker-accused-of-harming-p%C5%ABkeko/ /news/auckland/auckland-council-and-police-investigating-park-worker-accused-of-harming-p%C5%ABkeko/ Warning: This story contains details of alleged violence towards wildlife, which may distress some readers.  Police are investigating, and a complaint has been laid with Auckland Council, after a mother and her two young children say they witnessed a park ranger acting “inhumanely” towards pūkeko in an Auckland regional park.  Katie Rodgers was in Shakespear Regional Park, on the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, mid-morning Thursday when she says she saw someone, believed to be a park worker, “aggressively striking and injuring” pūkeko with what appeared to be a large hammer or mallet.  Rodgers’ husband told the Herald the individual “appeared to take pleasure in deliberately breaking the birds’ legs, leaving them suffering on the ground rather than dispatching them humanely”.  The incident occurred in full public view and, when the man realised he was being watched, his behaviour became “increasingly erratic”.  “He began talking to himself, waving the [hammer] and displaying signs of instability.”  Rodgers and her children were deeply distressed.  “The behaviour was cruel, reckless, and conducted in a public setting”.  A pūkeko. Photo / Thinkstock  After the encounter, a complaint was laid with Auckland Council, and police were notified.  Waitematā Police confirmed they were investigating a report of pūkeko being mistreated yesterday at Shakespear Regional Park, a pest-free wildlife sanctuary.  “Police were advised around 11.40am on Thursday, 18 September, that one person was harming pūkekos. Inquiries are continuing.”  The incident occurred yesterday at Shakespear Regional Park in Army Bay. Photo / 123rf  Scott De Silva, Auckland Council’s manager of regional parks, said the council was aware of the incident and was taking it “very seriously”.  “We are very proud of the work and success of the sanctuary. The park should be a safe place for wildlife, and for visitors wanting to immerse themselves in nature.  “The staff member’s reported actions do not align with our approach to managing wildlife. We want to assure you that we are looking into it and will take the appropriate next steps.”  The council confirmed the staff member would not be working at the regional park while the matter was investigated and would “focus on other park-related work”.  “As this is an employment matter, we will not be commenting any further.”  Shakespear Regional Park is Auckland’s most visited and accessible open sanctuary, integrating conservation, recreation and farming that provides a pest-free habitat for wildlife. An absence of predators has led to increasing numbers of kererū, tūī and pūkeko.  The council said pūkeko were “a beloved native species present in our parks and sanctuaries”.  “Occasionally they interfere with other operations and, if control is deemed necessary, we obtain permits from Fish & Game and use approved methods.”  Fri, 19 Sept 2025 20:37:44 Z /news/auckland/nzta-rolls-out-mobile-trailer-cameras-to-catch-speeding-drivers-auckland-to-see-first-unit/ /news/auckland/nzta-rolls-out-mobile-trailer-cameras-to-catch-speeding-drivers-auckland-to-see-first-unit/ A new mobile speed camera is being rolled out this week, targeting high-risk areas in Auckland before being deployed across New Zealand. The cameras are fitted onto a trailer, joining the fleet of SUVs that replaced the traditional vans earlier this year. The first trailer will begin operating in Auckland from this Wednesday, with nine more joining the fleet in coming months. There are currently 34 mobile cameras operating in SUVs. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) head of regulatory strategic programmes Tara Macmillan said the technology was the same as used in the SUVs. The trailers give police more flexibility to move cameras between “high risky locations”, she said. “Using mobile trailers also allows us to have our cameras out for longer stretches of time, and to set up in places that might be difficult for SUVs to operate,” Macmillan said. “Both our trailers and SUVs will be working day and night, detecting speeding wherever and whenever it occurs.” The trailers are joining the fleet of SUVs. Photo / NZTA Macmillan said that speeding drivers can cause serious and irreparable harm on the roads, including deaths and serious injuries. “Evidence shows that we can reduce the chances of people being killed or seriously injured in crashes if drivers travel within speed limits, and that is why we have safety cameras.” She said the cameras would be able to detect speeding vehicles travelling towards and away from it. They are fitted with extensive security and tracking systems, boasting both CCTV cameras and alarm systems to protect the equipment and ensure the safety of operators. The exact timing and location of mobile safety cameras would be informed by evidence, which might include crash data and feedback from local communities. Mobile cameras were set to be used in places where there was a risk of people being killed or seriously injured in a crash. Macmillan said they would be monitored 24/7. NZTA rolled out the new SUVs in May, which replaced the fleet alongside the vans that police have traditionally used. From July 1 this year, NZTA became fully responsible for the operation of all safety cameras. The police continue to issue notices for the offences they detect. At the time, NZTA said it will not receive any incentives or funds from tickets issued. Safety camera infringement fees go into the Government Consolidated Fund. Tue, 16 Sept 2025 01:26:09 Z /news/auckland/empty-shelves-on-last-day-of-dfs-galleria-s-closing-sale-in-auckland/ /news/auckland/empty-shelves-on-last-day-of-dfs-galleria-s-closing-sale-in-auckland/ T Galleria by DFS, the luxury duty-free retail store in downtown Auckland, has opened its doors for the last time, with shelves left bare by shoppers who had earlier snatched up heavily discounted items. The business announced in July it would close by September and at the weekend shared on Instagram it would open for the last time on September 15. “Our DFS New Zealand store will officially close next Monday at 6pm. Thank you for your unwavering support and for allowing us to be part of your journeys and celebrations.” Shelves sit empty on the final day of business at T Galleria by DFS in Auckland. Photo / Annaleise Shortland The Herald was onsite at the cleared-out store when the doors opened at 11am today. It was a subdued experience inside the Victorian-era building housing the store, with staff members outnumbering shoppers and shelves that once housed luxury items from brands such as Loewe, Celine, Gucci, Dior and Ralph Lauren sitting empty. General manager Gareth Jones confirmed the scant selection was the combined result of earlier sales demand and excess stock being redistributed to the chain’s other global locations. Marketed as an “appreciation sale”, the soon-to-shutter store described last-chance reductions as a “clearance like never before”. Last week the retailer promoted steep discounts on liquor, saying on Instagram that “for a very limited time, enjoy up to 90% off alcohol – duty-free only. Raise a glass, stock up your favourites, and don’t miss this extraordinary offer before it disappears”. The stores discounted duty-free wine by 90% before closing for good. Photo / DFS New Zealand Instagram The post showed 750ml bottles of Villa Maria Reserve Pinot Noir 2020 sold at the duty-free price of $4.40 each. Online retailer Vino Fino currently sells the same item for $39.99. Other photos showed 750ml bottles of Esk Valley Hillside Pinot Noir priced at $7.80 for duty-free customers and duty-free bottles of 2020 Pyramid Valley Chardonnay priced at $4.40 per 750ml. The 2023 vintage of that chardonnay is currently sold on the Pyramid Valley website for $50 a bottle. The doors of T Galleria by DFS will officially close at 5pm today. Photo / Annaleise Shortland Other discounts promoted by the brand included 60% off fragrance and makeup, half-priced skincare, buy one get one free offers on sunglasses and 70% off designer fashions from brands such as Marc Jacobs, Ferragamo, Polo, Coach and Max Mara. The luxury retail giant, after three decades in the Oceania market, announced plans in July to close its New Zealand and Australian stores by September amid challenging economic conditions. A DFS spokesperson said: “As part of an ongoing review of our global store network, DFS has made the difficult decision to close our operations in Sydney, Auckland and Queenstown, marking our exit from the Oceania market. “This decision reflects challenging economic conditions and is aligned with DFS’ broader strategy to optimise global operations.” DFS Group’s network spans major airports and downtown stores around the world. The company carries major brands including Armani, Burberry, Bvlgari, Chanel, Estee Lauder, Hugo Boss, Montblanc, Polo Ralph Lauren and Versace. DFS is a majority-owned subsidiary of the luxury conglomerate Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH). “During this transition, we are fully committed to supporting our dedicated team. We are proud of our three-decade journey in Oceania and are immensely grateful to our employees for their hard work, passion and contributions,” a spokesperson said. Mon, 15 Sept 2025 03:22:04 Z /news/auckland/gun-gesture-to-government-minister-at-meeting-prompts-apology-from-%C5%8Dr%C4%81kei-local-board-s-troy-churton/ /news/auckland/gun-gesture-to-government-minister-at-meeting-prompts-apology-from-%C5%8Dr%C4%81kei-local-board-s-troy-churton/ Ōrākei Local Board member Troy Churton has apologised after making a gun-to-the-head gesture to Cabinet Minister Paul Goldsmith at a public meeting last week. The incident, captured by a Herald photographer, prompted complaints and left the National Party’s de facto local body ticket in Auckland scrambling to contain the fallout. “The council has a gun to its head” and was behaving like “Putin”, Churton told the meeting, organised by the Character Coalition to discuss the latest proposal for intensification and loss of character. At the close of the meeting, Churton also became embroiled in a heated exchange with a student who questioned the value of a mouldy villa in a special character area. The two traded barbs before the discussion was brought to an end. About 250 people packed a hall in Mt Eden for a meeting organised by the Character Coalition. Photo / Sylvie Whinray Churton, who is standing for re-election on National’s de facto local body ticket, Communities and Residents (C&R), has apologised to his board colleagues and Goldsmith for his metaphorical gesture and behaviour at the meeting. Another Ōrākei Local Board member, Penny Tucker, said she “was disgusted by the violent gestures and the comparison of our elected officials to Putin”. “My colleague and C&R should be better than this. We should all be better than this,” Tucker said. Today, Churton told the Herald he regretted his actions and acknowledged he could have used different language, such as “a choice between two poisonous chalices” or “back to the wall”. “It’s not good board behaviour, but the board and I, C&R and everyone else I have spoken to all appreciate the substantive stuff and want to move on. “The focus should return to the important issue about the impact of the proposed changes on Auckland, he said. New developments, like this one on Dominion Rd in Mt Eden, will be unable under the last plans. Photo / Dean Purcell. In a joint press release issued today, Churton and C&R president David Hay apologised for the behaviour displayed at Thursday’s meeting. With emotions running high, Churton made an inappropriate gesture using “finger guns” toward a Government minister. While not intended to threaten or intimidate, it was inappropriate and did not reflect the respectful tone expected of C&R candidates, the press release said. It came out of deep frustration over the direction of the proposed density plans, said Churton. Said Hay: “We can, and must, advocate strongly for local control and community values while upholding respectful conduct in all public forums. Troy and I are aligned on this, and we remain focused on constructive, community-led leadership.” Ōrākei Local Board chair Scott Milne said he had received about a dozen complaints over Churton’s behaviour since the meeting. He confirmed that yesterday, he emailed the other five board members in response to the concerns raised. In the email, Milne said he did not attend the meeting, but the Herald photo showed people not responding with disgust and revulsion, and there had been humour in the mix. “That said, in any scenario, these actions are stupid and are not condoned by the other members…and they do not represent the values espoused by the board,” the email said. The Milne email said C&R was unable to respond to calls for disciplinary action against Churton because board members are elected, and not employed, by C&R. There had been discussions with Churton and the organisation had accepted his apology. Ōrākei Local Board member Troy Churton. Milne told the Herald the board had issues with the one-size-fits-all approach across Auckland in the latest draft plan, saying it needed a more nuanced approach to provide for intensification in the right place. Tucker said that as the debate on housing intensification in Auckland became more heated and politicised, there had never been a time when maintaining open and constructive communication lines with Wellington was more vital to the city’s future. “Issues to do with the composition, character and capacity of the sprawling national lug nut that is Auckland are up for review. Throwing one’s toys is not an option,” she said. The Herald is seeking comment from Goldsmith, who lives in the Ōrākei Local Board area. Churton’s outburst last week is not the first time he has hit the headlines. In 2018, he complained 169 times that the police Eagle helicopter was a “nuisance” flying over the Remuera area at night on its way to attend jobs in South Auckland. Wed, 03 Sept 2025 03:32:17 Z /news/auckland/police-investigating-allegations-of-historical-abuse-at-west-auckland-schools-man-charged-trial-date-set/ /news/auckland/police-investigating-allegations-of-historical-abuse-at-west-auckland-schools-man-charged-trial-date-set/ Police are investigating allegations of historical sexual abuse at several West Auckland schools. A man has been charged in connection with the alleged offending. He has interim suppression is due to go to trial next year at Auckland District Court. “We’re appealing for information from the public to assist with historical allegations of abuse at several West Auckland schools in the 1980s to early 1990s,” the North Shore, Rodney & West Auckland Police Facebook page says. The statement said police had charged a man. Police confirmed the man is due to go to trial in August next year but refused to clarify what charges he is facing, whether he worked as a teacher or which schools are involved. However, the Herald has confirmed the man made his first court appearance in December last year. He faces seven charges involving two alleged victims. The charges include sexual violation, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, and doing indecent acts, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years. The man is also charged with threatening to kill one of the victims, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment. “For legal reasons we cannot disclose further details about the individual, or the schools, but we believe that people in the community may have useful knowledge from that time,” the police statement says. “If there are people in the community who have matters they would like to discuss with police, we ask that they contact us.” Anyone with information is asked to contact police online at 105.police.govt.nz using “Update Report” - reference file number 240602/5875. Alternatively they can call 105 or visit their local police station. The Herald has approached the Ministry of Education for comment. Lane Nichols is Auckland desk editor for the New Zealand Herald with more than 20 years’ experience in the industry. Tue, 02 Sept 2025 02:40:20 Z /news/auckland/auckland-storm-power-cut-to-hundreds-south-of-auckland-firefighters-secure-roofs-lifted-in-gales/ /news/auckland/auckland-storm-power-cut-to-hundreds-south-of-auckland-firefighters-secure-roofs-lifted-in-gales/ A storm that swept across the top of the country kept firefighters busy anchoring lifted roofs and clearing fallen trees, while hundreds of homes remain without electricity. Flights to and from Auckland Airport were also disrupted as fierce gales ripped across the city, and a spokeswoman said it would likely be “a little bit busier than normal” today as airlines rebooked affected passengers. Fire and Emergency NZ told the Herald crews responded to 114 weather-related calls in Auckland between 5pm yesterday and 5am today. The fire service responded to 29 calls in Waikato, nine in the Bay of Plenty and three in Northland. “Those jobs mostly consisted of powerlines down, trees down - lots of trees - and other wind-related things,” a spokesman said. “There were a few roofs lifting as well.” Counties Energy, the lines company for South Auckland, said 370 households it supplies did not have any power this morning. “Last night our teams focused on making areas safe where powerlines were down and restoring power where possible. This morning the work continues with restoration expected to take most of the day, and in some cases into the night.” t The Auckland Harbour Bridge was closed intermittently throughout the day as the gales blasted the city. MetService recorded gusts up to 108km/h at 2pm. Gusts at Auckland Airport reached 115km/h, MetService said. Heavy rain and strong winds caused long delays at Auckland Airport, leaving frustrated passengers stranded on planes. One passenger said they had been waiting in the baggage claim area for more than two hours after arriving from Sydney at 4.45pm. She told the Herald the luggage wasn’t being unloaded from any of the planes due to the weather. A spokeswoman for Auckland Airport told the Herald this morning the terminals and airfield were operating “as normal” today. “We expect to see the terminals, particularly the domestic terminal, a little bit busier than normal as airlines teams rebook travellers on disrupted flights. If you’re travelling, please check for any updates from your airline. “Everyone across the airport system is working hard to get people where they need to be today and we ask for travellers’ patience.” Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers business, breaking news and local stories from Tāmaki Makaurau. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022. Sun, 31 Aug 2025 21:39:38 Z /news/auckland/dramatic-images-as-west-auckland-plant-nursery-goes-up-in-flames/ /news/auckland/dramatic-images-as-west-auckland-plant-nursery-goes-up-in-flames/ A large fire has ripped through a West Auckland plant nursery overnight, with dramatic images showing the “dangerous and out-of-control” blaze at its height. Firefighters are this morning monitoring and dampening hotspots after struggling to control the inferno. More than 60 firefighters scrambled to the scene, RNZ said. Fire and Emergency NZ told the Herald 16 fire engines were also sent. The blaze ripped through Van Lier Nurseries, a family-owned flower wholesaler on Riverhead Rd. Company director Harry Van Lier told the Herald he was with a fire investigator this morning. Dramatic images taken at the height of the fire show thick plumes of smoke rising from a warehouse surrounded by paddocks. Embers flew into the sky, and the fire glowed bright white and orange. The inferno lit up the clouds of smoke against the dark evening sky. Fire and Emergency Waitemetā assistant commander Garry Lane told the Herald it was a dangerous and out-of-control fire when crews arrived. Crews were called at 9.44pm, a Fire and Emergency spokeswoman told the Herald this morning. The building was well alight when crews arrived. Embers flew into the sky, and the fire glowed bright white and orange. The inferno lit up the clouds of smoke against the dark evening sky. Photo / Hayden Woodward At the height of the fire, thick plumes of smoke rose from a warehouse surrounded by paddocks. Photo / Hayden Woodward Firefighters are monitoring and dampening hotspots at a plant nursery after struggling against a raging blaze in West Auckland in the night. Photo / Hayden Woodward The fire was burning an area of about 1250 sq m, the spokeswoman said. “[Crews] made entry but decided it was too dangerous to fight the fire from the inside,” Lane said. “As a result, they withdrew and commenced operations from outside the building,” he said. Two ladder trucks battled the blaze, and firefighters used multiple hoses to douse the flames. Firefighters contained the inferno at 11.53pm and the incident was scaled down at 1am, the Fire and Emergency spokeswoman said. Two fire engines were still on the scene at 7.30am while crews monitored and dampened hotspots. A fire investigator would be on the scene today, she said, and it was too early to determine the cause of the blaze. Fire and Emergency shift manager Paul Radden told RNZ neither of the heavy arterial trucks from Auckland stations was working. Wellington lent one to the city’s firefighters this week, but it broke down and another was called in from Hamilton. Lane told the Herald they had called for Hamilton’s truck, but it was then turned back. Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers business, breaking news and local stories from Tāmaki Makaurau. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022. Sat, 30 Aug 2025 23:32:48 Z /news/auckland/crash-on-northern-motorway-blocks-lane-delays-near-auckland-harbour-bridge/ /news/auckland/crash-on-northern-motorway-blocks-lane-delays-near-auckland-harbour-bridge/ A crash involving a car and motorcycle on the Northern Motorway at the foot of the Harbour Bridge has been cleared. NZTA said the collision was in the right, northbound lane near the Shelly Beach Rd overbridge. NZTA said the lane was blocked with motorists advised to take care passing the crash. The crash has been cleared, but drivers are told to expect delays until congestion has eased. Police said the motorway unit was in attendance, however, no serious injuries had been reported. Wed, 27 Aug 2025 01:20:39 Z /news/auckland/rangitoto-magma-still-warm-after-600-years-university-of-auckland-study-finds/ /news/auckland/rangitoto-magma-still-warm-after-600-years-university-of-auckland-study-finds/ By Felix Walton of RNZ New research on Rangitoto is helping scientists plan for what might happen if Auckland’s biggest volcano erupts. University of Auckland researchers have discovered that the hardened magma below Rangitoto is still warm 600 years after it formed. The report was led by PhD student Alutsyah Luthfian and assisted by associate geophysics professor Mila Adam. “We found signs of a hidden hydrothermal system beneath Rangitoto that was unknown for us,” Adam said. “We were measuring natural electric signals in the subsurface and they showed us a specific pattern that tells us there are circulating waters. The only way this could be happening is if the water is warm and interacting with the colder water that comes from the sea.” Researchers deduced the water was being warmed by the solidified magma. “It’s solid, but it’s hot, so as water comes in contact, it gets warmed up and that makes it circulate,” she said. “There are studies worldwide that have seen similar signals, such as Izu-Oshima in Japan and Stromboli in Italy.” Mila Adam said magma was understood to take a significantly long time to cool, but the results of this research were still surprising. “What was new for us was we really thought 600 years was long enough,” she said. “We don’t see surface manifestations, there is all this beautiful forest on Rangitoto, but in reality, there is still hot water beneath it.” Adam squashed any fears that the geothermal activity could signal an eruption. “It’s telling us Rangitoto is a bit more active than we thought,” she said. “Nothing to be worried about, definitely nothing that would be a precursor to an eruption, but it’s less dormant than we thought. “It’s still quite alive in terms of a hydrothermal system and CO2 emissions.” The data would help scientists prepare for that eventuality, she said. “After an eruption, you would of course have the whole landscape destroyed, the vegetation and all the people affected. We can use this data to model how long it will take the magma to cool and therefore the ability of a location to regenerate [after an eruption],” “There’s definitely lots of potential to understand what a future eruption does.” - RNZ Sun, 24 Aug 2025 02:42:10 Z