At long last, a government has acknowledged what households have been screaming for years: council rates are out of control, and ordinary New Zealanders are paying the price. The National Government’s announcement of a maximum 4% annual rates cap is more than a policy change — it is a badly needed circuit-breaker for a country that has become unaffordable, uncompetitive, and, for many families, simply unlivable. This move, paired with the…

Who said getting older means slowing down? At Acacia Cove Retirement Village, life is about rediscovering freedom, connection, and fun. With nearly everything taken care of for you — from maintenance to gardening — your days are yours to fill with what you truly enjoy. Join a club, take a swim, or simply relax and soak in the peaceful surroundings. Life here is resort-style living at its best. For over 25 years, General Manager Bruce Cullington…

For years, residents living near the Tutaenui Stream have warned the Auckland Council of a growing and entirely preventable problem: a choked, neglected waterway that has become a repeat flooding hazard. The solution is neither complex nor controversial — the stream simply needs proper clearing and ongoing maintenance. Contractors themselves have confirmed it. A similar clearance in 2003 kept the area safe for eight years. Yet today, instead of…

For years, governments insisted they were “following the science.” But science does not stand still, and it certainly does not bow to political pressure. Now, as new studies challenge the assumptions that drove the global COVID-19 response, the world is being forced to confront an uncomfortable truth: many of the policies that reshaped economies, societies, and democracies were based on data that is no longer standing up to scrutiny. What was…

As expected the Reserve Bank has today reduced the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 0.25%, bringing it to 2.25%. *Writer: Staircase Financial* While a modest adjustment, this move reinforces the Bank’s confidence that inflation pressures have eased and that the broader economic recovery can now be supported by lower borrowing costs. For buyers, homeowners, and investors, the message is clear: financing conditions are moving steadily in your…

New Zealand today stands in the jaws of a recession deeper and more structural than anything we have seen in decades. Businesses are folding. Workers are fleeing. Families are giving up hope. And yet, somehow, among all the noise, one catastrophic act of economic vandalism continues to escape the national reckoning it deserves: **The deliberate destruction of New Zealand’s only oil refinery at Marsden Point.** Not downgraded. Not mothballed.…

The Green Party stated that they will revoke any consents or permits issued under this Government’s new fast-track legislation for coal mining, hard-rock gold mining and seabed mining. The Government’s bill covers mining as well as infrastructure, quarrying, housing, renewable energy and farming projects. Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said the legislation had failed “even the most basic standards of transparency, accountability and…

At Acacia Cove Village, life after 65 is about freedom, friendship, and the joy of doing what you love — not slowing down. Set beside the tranquil Wattle Downs estuary and bordering the local golf course, Acacia Cove is designed for people who want their retirement to feel like a permanent vacation. With almost everything taken care of for you, your time is your own — to enjoy the resort-style facilities, join in community activities, or simply…

I understand from your latest panui that you are currently assessing the evidence you have gathered in order to prepare your final report. Although the Hatchard Report submitted evidence to the Commission, our request for a meeting with yourselves was not granted. As I was in a unique position to offer invaluable information to the Commission, I believe an opportunity was missed. I would like to set the record straight in a last minute sincere…

Humans do it, monkeys do it, even polar bears do it. And now researchers have reconstructed the evolutionary origins of kissing. Their study suggests that the mouth-on-mouth kiss evolved more than 21 million years ago, and was something that the common ancestor of humans and other great apes probably indulged in. The same research concluded that Neanderthals may have kissed too – and that humans and Neanderthals may even have smooched one…

Kick-start the day with this colourful plate of pancakes! I’ve been making simple pancakes with oats and bananas for the longest time. One day, I saw a picture of some beautiful green pancakes and it inspired me to throw in a handful of spinach. It doesn’t affect the taste; it just adds nutrition. This is a great way to use up sweet, overripe bananas INGREDIENTS For the sauce (this will make double the amount you need) - 200g frozen mixed…

Internet freedoms declined for the 15th consecutive year, according to a new Freedom House report that warns governments are rapidly eroding online privacy in the name of safety, regulation, and child protection. The report finds that 21 of 72 countries attempted to block VPNs or other privacy tools over the past five years, while many democracies are now adopting policies once associated with authoritarian states. Freedom House says this…

When audiences first saw The Wizard of Oz in 1939, they were dazzled by the movie’s use of Technicolor. Dorothy’s ruby slippers sparkled, the yellow brick road gleamed and the Wicked Witch of the West appeared in a shocking shade of green skin. But L. Frank Baum’s original book never described her that way. How does the Wicked Witch appear in the original story? In Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West is…

**NZ Nursing Council’s Racist Bullshit** The Nursing Council states that it is committed to ensuring Te Tiriti o Waitangi is instilled into the values of their organisation and is fundamental to the way in which the Council undertakes its statutory roles. As a regulatory authority, independent from the Crown, they state they have a responsibility to work with iwi and Māori to give effect to and realise the promise of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. …

By around the age of 65, things start to shift. That’s often when people begin thinking about retirement, or at least stepping back a bit. You’re in your comfort zone at work – not pushing yourself as much, not learning new things – and that lack of challenge accelerates ageing. But far from being too late, your sixties might actually be the perfect time to consider your health. 63-year-old GP and longevity expert Dr Sabine Donnai explains…

Despite the advice of two of the most successful pop anthems of the last two decades, when it comes to depression, no one can just “shake it off” or “let it go.” If we jump back to 1988, we’ll find the advice “don’t worry, be happy” to be just as worthless. People can’t simply “think their way” out of depression, and hectoring them to do so probably makes them feel worse, which can lead to terrible results. That’s because depression isn’t…

The Labour Party faithful gathered in Auckland this past weekend for their annual conference, and for any progressives watching from outside the hall, there were two possible reactions. If you’re excited by the prospect of a change of government next year, then you’ll be buoyed by what you saw. If you’re excited by the prospect of progressive change actually occurring under that new government, you might well have your head in your hands. Becaus…

At Acacia Cove Village, life after 65 is about freedom, friendship, and the joy of doing what you love — not slowing down. Set beside the tranquil Wattle Downs estuary and bordering the local golf course, Acacia Cove is designed for people who want their retirement to feel like a permanent vacation. With almost everything taken care of for you, your time is your own — to enjoy the resort-style facilities, join in community activities, or simply…