Manukau CityDeadline Sale Closes 29 May 2025 at 4pm (USP)424606m²Potential to add value here!!!Situated on a freehold 606sqm site in popular Bucklands Beach this home offers a unique blend of flexible living and an exciting opportunity to add value An open plan living and dining area lead directly through to the kitchen which has ample cupboards and plenty of workable bench space Venture down the hallway where you will find three double bedrooms which all have dedicated wardrobes and storage These are serviced by a family bathroom with a separate shower and bath and there is a handy guest toilet to avoid the morning rush Upstairs is a large master bedroom with a ranch slider out to the deck where you can enjoy elevated views over the back garden An ensuite and walk in robe complete the space perfectly On the lower level is a generous rumpus or second living room This is ideal for teenagers who need their own space This leads out through ranch sliders to the back yard where the kids can enjoy endless fun in the fully fenced section For the home handyman there is a garden shed and a single garage where you can tinker away to your hearts content Additional off-street parking and a gate at the front mean your cars can be securely tucked away this home should be at the top of your viewing list presenting an incredible opportunity to unlock the untapped potential of this hidden gem They are motivated and ready to make a deal so act fast before this opportunity slips away Call now to view or come to one of our scheduled open homes based on a borrower’s individual credit assessment.Canstar's Most Awarded Personal LoanGet a renovation loan up to $70K and bring your vision to life we can approve your home improvement loan quickly and get your renovation started I’ve been an educator long enough that the children of my first class are in the same year 12 class as my middle child When did you become principal of Bucklands Beach Primary School I had the pleasure of becoming principal in 2017 What’s the best thing about being an educator and principal Working with our most precious resource in Aotearoa learn about themselves and help them find their unique talent or passion and be proud of themselves I go and hang out with the five-year-olds who always want a cuddle or give lots of compliments or some honest feedback on something we’re doing I’ll head to the other end of the school What’s special about Bucklands Beach Primary School We have wonderful staff who are like a family adapt and are a very special multicultural community using research as our base and work on a model developed in the hi-tech high schools in America where all learning is centred around authentic projects that serve either the school or wider community This is really motivating for our students and in a selfie world teaches our students how important it is to contribute to the bigger picture I’m very proud of the amazing learning that happens in our school Students often surprise us with what they have learned along the way Is there anything you’d like improved in the education/school management sector get grants and find other ways to make our school run well while trying to focus on our core business of teaching and learning the one thing we have asked for is money to meet the needs of all students or much smaller class sizes to allow teachers to do this effectively This includes having access to people available like counsellors The current model is slow to access and has a medical model approach assuming that students will be ‘fixed’ after a 12-week intervention when often their brains just work differently and so accommodations need to be made for the student and supports put in place until the student no longer requires them How is the relationship between Bucklands Beach Primary School and its immediate local community We have a very supportive multicultural community with parents cooking and selling their traditional food Groups of students worked with teachers to prepare items from different cultures The performances ended with a wonderful dragon dance featuring one of our pupils Ex-pupils came back to visit and update us on what they were up to We open the school at the end of most terms for students to share their learning and other family walking around the school with their children to celebrate the term an independently-owned publishing company based in East Auckland Keep informed with the latest breaking news Our digital papers are emailed twice month on a Thursday You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/ Plans for proposed safety measures have been changed to be more effective thanks to community feedback Bucklands and Eastern Beaches Residents Associations unsafe roads and traffic calming measures are being addressed as works are now underway delivering welcome relief to a community that has been demanding greater safety one resident lost track of how many people they’ve assisted after crashes at the Laings Road and Bucklands Beach Road intersection “There have been a number of accidents along this road so we need to make changes to make this road safe.” The project targets critical areas for speed reduction on The Parade community feedback was gathered through a February 2023 online survey and public meeting and the sought-after beaches are a big draw but the road design isn’t up to scratch—narrow straight roads with limited parking result in frequent road crossings The plan to enhance safety around Bucklands Beach includes installing one raised pedestrian crossing and three speed humps to slow traffic on The Parade These upgrades will make crossing to Little Bucklands Beach safer and easier Although speed cameras and increased enforcement can help experts from AT and NZ Police advise that physical changes like speed humps are the most effective way to reduce speeds by forcing people to slow down Several residents mentioned that there used to be similar safety issues along Eastern Beach which were resolved by the speed humps that were added This work has been done in time to avoid the busier summer period and took three weeksto deliver  On The Parade between Laings Road and Whitcombe Road intersection The key feedback was to complete the project quickly to address safety issues before the peak season in late 2024 the project will be divided into two stages: Stage 1 (from Laings Road to Whitcombe Road) features a new raised pedestrian crossing and three speed humps between Laings Road and Whitcombe Road Construction was completed September 21st began September 2nd Stage 2 (from Whitcombe Road to Devon Road) will see additional pedestrian improvements on The Parade and its side roads where there is high demand by people on foot Cost estimate is to be confirmed once the design has been confirmed and consulted on later in 2024 To learn more visit the AT website Sign up to receive our Howick Local Board monthly e-newsletters. © Auckland Council 2025 All rights reserved For more information on what data is contained in the cookies, please click the 'Find out more on the Auckland Council website' button. To accept cookies from this site, please click the 'I Agree' button. Sign up for our e-newsletter and be the first to know about exciting events and news. Manukau CityBy negotiation432286m²Executive Coastal Sanctuary in MacleansIs your dream to live by the sea This luxurious masterpiece offers the ultimate coastal lifestyle in the prestigious Macleans zone of Bucklands Beach Thoughtfully designed to embrace natural elements this well-structured three-level residence seamlessly blends elegance and modern convenience while capturing breath-taking panoramic sea views Built just 2.5 years ago with premium weatherboard and Alucobond Cladding this executive home showcases superior craftsmanship Experience effortless luxury with underfloor heating Every inch of the land has been meticulously optimized to present this home at its finest • A spacious master suite with a beautifully appointed ensuite and wet bar • Separate access with a private decking area - an ideal retreat for guests or extended family • A sunlit lounge opening onto a private deck - perfect for relaxation • A luxurious master bedroom featuring a walk-in wardrobe and direct access to a lush tropical garden • Two additional generously sized bedrooms share the stylish family bathroom - one with direct access creating a semi-ensuite for enhanced privacy and convenience • Expansive open-plan living and dining areas flowing seamlessly onto a glass-panelled balcony with breath-taking sunset views • A designer kitchen fitted with premium appliances and sleek finishes - an entertainer’s dream • Meticulously landscaped gardens with an automated irrigation system sun-drenched retreat offering shelter from the coastal breeze • Zoned for top-tier schools: Bucklands Beach Primary which offers a rare opportunity to experience the finest in coastal living - where location meets lifestyle Contact us today to arrange your private viewing or attend our open homes See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson The Times is recognising the many wonderful people in our local east Auckland community who go out of their way to help others with our regular Community Hero award. If you know someone who’s doing amazing things in our community, please email 50 to 100 words describing why they deserve this recognition, highlighting specific actions they’ve taken to benefit our community, with your and their contact details and a high-resolution photo of them if possible to chrish@times.co.nz. Be sure to include details about what they’ve been doing, the impact they’ve made, and how long they’ve been involved in these efforts. The award is sponsored by New World Howick. Recipients will receive a $50 New World gift card and will be featured in our newspaper and on our website. The latest recipient is Nick Webb, a volunteer who heads up the Bucklands Beach Yacht Club’s (BBYC) sustainability committee. He’s nominated by BBYC marketing and communications manager George Yates, who says: “Nick’s philosophy is that the ocean is more than just our playground, it is part of who we are, and as such we should be looking after it a lot better than we are. “Nick has been leading the BBYC sustainability committee for a couple of years and in our viewpoint is a Community Hero for his focus on sustainability, and in particular his laser focus on cleaning rubbish left on Bucklands Beach. “Every three months he gathers a group of Club volunteers and heads to Little Bucks to do a clean-up of the beach to preserve the environment for all users. “The waste that’s collected is sorted and recorded and used internationally as part of a worldwide beach sustainability program. “Nick’s tireless in his pursuit of ensuring our local beach and Club environment is looking forward to minimise waste and create a more sustainable future for everyone in the community. “As part of his dedication, he’s been at the forefront of driving BBYC towards achieving the maximum credit of 3 stars in the Yachting NZ Clean Club programme. “The Clean Club programme is a framework yachting that and boating clubs can adopt to begin or further advance their sustainability journey in five focus areas: Administration and Leadership, Waste Management, Resource Conservation, Community Outreach, and Education.” The Times is published by Times Media, an independently-owned publishing company based in East Auckland, founded in 1972. Keep informed with the latest breaking news, sports, events & competitions. Our digital papers are emailed twice month on a Thursday. 13 May 2025 18:00211Coastal Charm Meets Everyday Convenience – A Must See!Auction 13 May 2025 (unless sold prior) this effortlessly elegant two-bedroom home brings charm flow and functionality together in one pristine package Set just a stroll from the sand and right across the road from Bucklands Beach Domain it's a rare opportunity to secure a year round holiday home for downsizers or that first step on the ladder that feels like a forever home light dances across beautifully renovated interiors where a fresh neutral palette enhances the sense of calm while native timber flooring adds warmth beneath the sleek and spacious modern kitchen with its extensive storage and abundant bench space the indoor outdoor flow to the expansive decking is fantastic making entertaining and weekend barbecues a year round delight Two well-proportioned bedrooms are beautifully appointed with plush carpet and elegant plantation shutters the master sporting built-in wardrobing and a heat pump/air con for superior comfort tiled bathroom rounds out the home with crisp Positioned across from the playground and green expanse of Bucklands Beach Domain weekends here can be as active or relaxed as you like explore the nearby Howick Golf Club or simply unwind in your sun-soaked sanctuary The tandem garage includes laundry space and additional storage Bucklands Beach Intermediate and sought after Macleans College this is a future-proofed address with enduring family and investment appeal Living in Bucklands Beach combines the tranquillity of coastal living with theconvenienceof urban amenities growing your portfolio or downsizing in style this is coastal living with serious upside Keen walker David Mallowes offers suggestions about fun and interesting routes people can take to get some exercise and enjoy the area in his new column We’re very fortunate in east Auckland to have this peninsula with well-maintained beaches and panoramic views of the Waitemata and Hauraki Gulf islands The eastern side of Musick Point has extraordinarily interesting geology and there’s significant Māori history of being a pa site until 1821 sandy and safe swimming beach with shade trees toilets and an excellent boardwalk from Little Bucklands Beach to Half Moon Bay Marina The views from Musick Point are stunningly beautiful Walking – coastal walking within 1.5 hours of high tide slippery areas dry out quickly and are less hazardous There’s a two-metre high sandstone slope with rough steps to negotiate It’s easiest approaching from the Eastern Beach side and children usually find it easy The western side is an easy walk but be wary of slippery clay under the usually shallow mud I’ve uploaded many photos and a printable map with cafes, toilets, playgrounds, marked, and suggested walking options to https:/www.facebook.com/walksouteastauckland Like to walk with others? Visit the meetup.com website search for walking or hiking in the Auckland area A friendly group that welcomes new walkers and walks for 3 to 4 hours at a moderate speed is Intrepid Auckland Walking Adventures https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/musick-pt-eastern-beach-half-moon-bay-macleans-1d936da Manukau CityEnquiries Over $700,000211Brand-New Freehold & Freestanding - Price-Drop!Step into stylish low- maintenance living in the heart of Bucklands Beach/Highland Park This lock-and- leave stunner is perfect for first-home buyers Enjoy a sleek open-plan layout with a designer kitchen that flows into sun-drenched living and dining spaces opening onto a private paved courtyard-perfect for summer BBQs and attractive finishes complete the modern vibe Upstairs boasts two generous double bedrooms with large windows contemporary bathroom- your own peaceful retreat Walk to top schools like Pakuranga College Howick Intermediate and Highland Park shopping centre Off- street parking and flexible finance packages available ( Ts & Cs apply) Call Lin or Kristyn today for a private viewing or pop into an open home Don't miss your chance-homes like this don't last long Manukau CityBy negotiation422325m²Urgent Sale - Ignore CV Present all Offers!Searching for a spacious comfortable standalone home within walking distance to all the top schools in the sought-after Macleans Zone this sunny family haven on a freehold section of 325sqm (mol) It features four double bedrooms including an ensuite and a fully fenced yard with a secure gate functional interior immediately welcomes you The versatile living area provides ample space to relax or entertain family and friends The open-plan kitchen and dining area is the perfect setting for preparing meals and spending quality time together Underfloor heating brings warmth and comfort while sliding doors enhance indoor-outdoor flow The upper level offers three additional bedrooms ensuring privacy and tranquility for everyone in the household The master bedroom features an ensuite and a roomy wardrobe while another full bathroom caters to the rest of the family the fully fenced grounds provide a private A double internal-access garage and additional off-street parking add convenience and security it’s perfect for families prioritizing top-quality education Our motivated vendors have been living here for almost 10 years and now are ready to move and sell quickly so don’t miss this golden opportunity to make this lovely family home yours See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson A large number of emergency services have responded to a fatal incident in east Auckland this afternoon. A reader alerted the Times that police cars and St John Ambulances were travelling at speed toward Musick Point in Bucklands Beach just after 3.30pm. A police car, an ambulance and a fire truck were seen leaving the area at about 4.30pm. However, Musick Point Road has been blocked off as of about 4.45pm with orange cones while police deal with an emergency incident. A police spokesperson says: “One person has died following an incident at Musick Point, Bucklands Beach, this afternoon. “The death is not being treated as suspicious and will be referred to the coroner.” The course used by Howick Golf Club has not been blocked off and numerous golfers were playing when the Times visited the scene. Several vehicles travelling along Musick Point Road were forced to turn around. A spokesperson for Hato Hone St John says the organisation was notified of an incident on Musick Point Road at 3.13pm. “One ambulance, one rapid response unit, and one operations manager attended.” Manukau CitySet Sale Date431Be the First OwnerFreestanding Open-plan dining/kitchen/living indoor outdoor living •Flexible Layout: The ground floor features a versatile bedroom and bathroom and kitchen area offers a seamless indoor outdoor flow •Spacious Bedrooms: The upper level includes three generously sized bedrooms and two fully tiled bathrooms The luxurious master bedroom comes with an ensuite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe *Internal Access Garage: Enjoy the convenience and security of an internal access garage this property offers modern living at its finest Don't miss your chance to be the first to experience the luxury of a brand new home; Call us today to make this home yours Emergency services are at the scene of a serious multi-vehicle crash in east Auckland this morning, February 11. Two vehicles appear to have collided on Hutchinsons Road in Bucklands Beach. At least three police cars, six police officers, and two Hato Hone St John ambulances were at the scene at about 10.45am. Police officers are taking statements from witnesses. The vehicles involved are a Lexus IS350 and a Nissan Skyline. The Nissan Skyline ended up partially on the front lawn of a house. The Lexus sustained heavy damage to its rear and is parked on the right-hand side of the road with its driver’s side to the kerb. The Nissan Skyline has sustained heavy damage to both sides. Its windscreen is smashed and its right front tyre has come off and is lying nearby. The Nissan appears to have smashed through a white timber fence in front of a house and come to a stop partially on the front lawn under a large tree. Several young people were near the Lexus and appeared to be upset. A spokesperson for Hato Hone St John says: “Hato Hone St John were notified of a motor vehicle incident at 10.31am today on Hutchinsons Road. “Four ambulances, one rapid response vehicle and one operations manager attended. “Four patients, two in a serious condition and two in a moderate condition, were transported to Middlemore Hospital. “One patient, in a minor condition, was assessed and treated at the scene.” A police spokesperson says: “A vehicle has collided with a parked vehicle on the road at around 10.30am. “Four occupants of the vehicle suffered injuries. Police will make enquiries into how the crash occurred this morning.” Manukau CityAsking Price $1,380,000424635m²Sunday BBQ's Belong Here | Seriously For Sale!If you are reading this it's a sign that you've just found the perfect family home have enjoyed their six-year tenure here and have now set sights on a rural property which reasons why this fine abode is available for snapping up they added value through a stylish renovation and enjoyed many laughs and great family time and we very much encourage your interest immediately Discover the elevated position where this home sits offering captivating views towards Auckland City's iconic Sky Tower It's nestled behind a secure motorised gate for your peace of mind making for a safe and secure place for families to enjoy being 635 square meters (more or less) offers ample options: car and boat parking galore along with space for the kids to play safely and securely This home is stacked full of options and offers an opportunity to secure a home in a family-friendly The open-plan configuration offers two separate living spaces providing a degree of separation from the kids while you can still keep a close eye on what mischief they're getting up to Enjoy a north-western facing outdoor area and relax with a glass of your favourite while sunsets grace your evening The good old saying "They don't build them like they used to" is evident here Buyers can rest assured that the solid 1970's timeless construction will provide for minimal maintenance in the years to come Manukau CityBy negotiation535416m²Modern Living in the Heart of Bucklands Beach!Nestled on a 416m² freehold section 3-year-old home is perfectly positioned in the heart of Bucklands Beach Zoned for top-tier schools—Macleans College and Pigeon Mountain Primary—this location offers one of Auckland’s best school zones Step inside this beautifully designed two-storey home and discover five spacious double bedrooms and three stylish bathrooms north-facing lounge seamlessly flows into an open-plan dining area and modern kitchen creating the perfect space for family gatherings Whether you’re preparing dinner or supervising homework this home is designed for convenience and connection A large deck wraps around the side of the house providing the ideal setting for summer BBQs and outdoor entertaining The ground floor features a double bedroom with a separate bathroom or even as a potential rental for extra income offer ample space and privacy for the whole family This home is packed with high-end features * Balance of 10-Year Master Build Guarantee – Peace of mind for years to come * Mitsubishi central air-conditioning system – Stay comfortable year-round * CCTV security cameras & touchscreen alarm – Enhanced security * Electronic keyless entry – Modern convenience * Built-in sound system & LED lighting – Smart living at its best * Quality acrylic kitchen cabinets & double-glazed windows – Stylish and energy-efficient * Internal access double garage & security gate – Secure and spacious parking Homes in this prime location are in high demand See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson Manukau CityBy negotiation531178m²242m²Spacious Family Home in a Prime Location!Perfectly positioned on a standalone corner section this architecturally designed home offers a seamless blend of style a thoughtfully designed layout and premium finishes Set on approximately 242 sqm (mol) of land with a 178 sqm (mol) the home is crafted for modern family living The ground-floor ensuite with private entry provides flexibility—ideal for extended family this home is zoned for Bucklands Beach Intermediate and Macleans College ensuring access to top-tier education within walking distance home to one of the largest Pak’nSave supermarkets - Half Moon Bay Marina offering a commuter ferry to the CBD - Howick Golf Club perfect for golf enthusiasts - The beach just a short 5-minute stroll away - Ensuite with independent entry – ideal for guests - Spacious open-plan living and dining with a sleek - Separate laundry room for added convenience - Single internal-access garage with EV charger ready - Integrated sound system in the living area for a premium entertainment experience - Advanced security features – alarm system - High-end finishes – double-glazed windows and a heat pump in the living area - Modern shared bathroom with premium fittings - Versatile family lounge perfect for relaxation or entertainment Homes like this are in high demand—secure your opportunity today Contact us now to arrange a private viewing See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson The Times is giving local youngsters who want to write stories – which we’ll publish on our website and in our new digital publication – the chance to join our new Junior Journalist initiative Here’s a report from Junior Journalist Rio Carter Dolphins have been spotted at Bucklands Beach I thought they might be orcas,” a witness says to the Times “But I think they’re too small.” which revealed the distinct face of a dolphin There were at least six or seven dolphins out in the Estuary enjoying the waves caused by a boat’s wake People on the boats around were obviously having lots of fun playing with the dolphins but remember to always be careful to not touch or disturb the dolphins as they might get killed accidentally has had lots of dolphins and orcas in the past as the water is just right deep-wise for the dolphins to enjoy DoCs (the Department of Conservation) website reports that you are allowed to go around with dolphins as long as you don’t obstruct their path and you shouldn’t approach the dolphins if 3 or more boats are already there You can report sightings of dolphins to the Department of Conservation Hotline 0800 DOCHOT (0800 362 468) or online at www.doc.govt.nz Police have charged a male teenager following a serious crash in east Auckland that left two vehicles heavily damaged and four people injured. As the Times recently reported, emergency services were called to the scene of a crash in Hutchinsons Road, Bucklands Beach, on February 11. At least three police cars, six police officers, and two Hato Hone St John ambulances were present at about 10.45am. Police officers were seen taking statements from witnesses. The vehicles involved were a Lexus IS350 and a Nissan Skyline. The Lexus sustained heavy damage to its rear and was parked on the right-hand side of the road with its driver’s side to the kerb. The Nissan Skyline sustained heavy damage to both sides. Its windscreen was smashed and its right front tyre had come off and was lying nearby. The Nissan appeared to have smashed through a white timber fence in front of a house and come to a stop partially on the front lawn under a large tree. At the time a spokesperson for Hato Hone St John said its staff were notified of a motor vehicle incident at 10.31am on February 11 on Hutchinsons Road. “Four ambulances, one rapid response vehicle and one operations manager attended. “Four patients, two in a serious condition and two in a moderate condition, were transported to Middlemore Hospital. “One patient, in a minor condition, was assessed and treated at the scene.” A police spokesperson said at the that time that a vehicle had collided with a parked car on the road at about 10.30am. “Four occupants of the vehicle suffered injuries. Police will make enquiries into how the crash occurred.” Police provided an update to the Times recently, saying they’ve charged an 18-year-old man with dangerous driving in relation to the incident. “He has appeared in the Manukau District Court and will reappear on April 2.” Manukau CityBy negotiation521175m²188m²Developer Clearance Sale!LAST ONE LEFT… Developer's final unit in a sought-after project within the Macleans College & Bucklands Beach Intermediate school zones — priced to sell as part of a clearance sale • Land Area: 188 m2 (mol); Floor Area: 172 m2 • 5 Well-appointed bedrooms including a master suite with a walk-in wardrobe • 2 Luxurious bathrooms including an ensuite • 1 Single internal garaging for secured parking • Gourmet kitchen with top-tier appliances • Underfloor heating in all bathrooms upstairs • Central air-conditioning system through the whole house • Other premium features: intercom system and alarm system for peace of mind or spend quality time with family in this tranquil setting The vendor is extremely motivated and this needs be sold immediately See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson Keen local tennis player Joy Charman established an annual competition for junior players between the clubs in the Howick area 40 years ago Requiring 20 players – 10 boys and 10 girls – meant lots of young people were able to experience the fun of playing in a team and representing their club in a prestigious competition rather than limiting it only to top-ranked juniors Some 140 young players took part in the inaugural event in 1985 and apart from one year lost because of the pandemic the competition has been held every season since “Despite tweaks to the format and the players now tending to start a bit younger than in the past Joy’s vision of encouraging the club players of the future continues to shine through,” says Fiona Bates “Many of the participants of previous times still play regularly and have even seen their own children play in the Charman Trophy having won this year and 19 of the past 20 competitions under the experienced guidance of top coach Julia Sim but the emphasis is on participation and building experience.” team lists and newspaper clippings provide a treasure trove of memorabilia across the four decades “Fashions for playing outfits haven’t changed as much as you might think although we don’t see so many of the [John] McEnroe headbands and bright tracksuit tops since the 1990s,” says BBTC president and Charman Trophy co-ordinator Fiona Macleod “In many ways it’s easier for kids to play nowadays “Racquet frames are much lighter – hi-tech metal composites – not laminated wood “Astroturf courts are more forgiving than the old asphalt and trainers [shoes] far more supportive than the thin-soled canvas plimsolls that kids would have worn in the 1980s “But essentially it’s still all about a Sunday in March when anyone driving past the local tennis clubs will see the courts full of kids out there playing and having fun,” says Macleod Tennis continues through the year nowadays so parents who would like to get their kids into the sport are encouraged to approach their local club all run junior programmes and welcome new joiners A man has been found dead in the east Auckland suburb of Bucklands Beach A man has been found dead in the east Auckland suburb of Bucklands Beach this evening A police spokesperson said emergency services were called to Musick Point at 5:35pm “Police are working to establish the circumstances of the man’s death and at this stage there is no further information available.” The Saturday closure comes amid a proposal to shut Napier Library for at least two years I decided to take my 90-year-old mother for a drive along some of east Auckland’s beautiful beaches Travelling around Half Moon Bay and then down to Bucklands Beach whilst watching the sun glistening amongst moored boats bobbing up and down we decided to look for somewhere to have an early dinner so we headed around Musik Point and weaved our way down to Eastern Beach enjoyed seeing youngsters swimming in the water and reminisced about holidaying at Eastern Beach with us kids years ago and staying in the caravan park We managed to get a park right outside Barracuda Restaurant as Mum’s mobility at 90 is not as good as it used to be She was delighted to go into Barracuda as there were people enjoying the sunshine dining and looking at the beautiful blue sea Easily accessible with a ramp up to the restaurant we were greeted by smiling hosts and a seat that was easy for Mum to slip into the charming waiter then said for two people and for the price the seafood platter might be a better option He was certainly not pushy about it and with a love of seafood I ordered coffee and asked for mine to be in a takeaway cup I could walk outside and check out the beautiful surroundings The coffee came and then when the waiter realised it wasn’t in a takeaway cup It wasn’t long and the food on the platter arrived scallops done in a cheesy sauce and impressive The fries were a larger bowl than expected even though we initially thought we couldn’t they and the platter were devoured Cleanliness of restaurant and toilets: 4.5 out of 5 large bowl of fries and two large hot drinks there are plenty of other sumptuous meals on offer Looking around the restaurant there were families and another couple in their 80s seemed to be locals and the staff knew them by name and the beautifully dressed woman on crutches who managed to get out easy because of the ramp to the car awaiting outside For more information about Barracuda Restaurant at Eastern Beach, see www.thebarracuda.co.nz Manukau City$1,188,000312The best entry level in MacleansLooking for an affordable entry-level home in sought-after Macleans zone 1-bathroom property is the perfect opportunity to step onto the property ladder and enjoy the benefits of this fantastic location Bucklands Beach Intermediate & Macleans College • Walking distance to Bucklands Beach Primary • Great investment opportunity for family home or rental property Enjoy the convenience of being close to everything you need This home is zoned for Bucklands Beach Primary Bucklands Beach Intermediate and Macleans College it's just a short walk to Bucklands Beach Primary Whether you're seeking your dream family home or considering a lucrative investment opportunity well-maintained features and educational benefits this property presents an opportunity to secure your slice of coastal paradise Disclaimer: Photos of property are from 2021 Police said they responded to an incident where a car collided with a parked vehicle on Macleans Road at 1.15am. "Inquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing," a spokesperson said. St John said it responded to the crash with five ambulances, two rapid response vehicles and one operations manager. Five patients were treated and taken to Middlemore Hospital, four in a serious condition and one in a moderate condition, said a spokesperson. Fire and Emergency NZ said it responded with two fire trucks. "One person was trapped in the vehicle and had to be released using rescue tools," a spokesperson said. Police said they responded to an incident where a car collided with a parked vehicle on Macleans Road at 1.15am. (Source: 1News) Five people have been transported to hospital after a single-vehicle crash overnight in Bucklands Beach, Auckland. Police said they responded to an incident where a car collided with a parked vehicle on Macleans Road, Bucklands Beach at 1.15am. (Source: 1News) Bystanders prevent attempted abduction of Auckland primary student Police said they were investigating the incident which occurred outside Rowandale School in the suburb of Manurewa at around 3pm on Monday Crime and Justice Homicide investigation after man dies in Auckland's Manurewa Emergency services were called to the property on Mahia Rd just before 10am to a report of a man "seriously injured" Blaze at McDonald's in east Auckland treated as suspected arson Counties Manukau CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Michele Gillespie said a scene guard has been in place at the restaurant overnight Person dies following morning crash on Auckland motorway A person has died following a crash on Auckland's south-western motorway this morning New Zealand 'Wake up call': Businesses warned over lithium battery fires Authorities urge the public to avoid putting lithium batteries in the rubbish or recycling but have also told merchants to "take responsibility for disposal" Sheep killed more euthanised after stock truck rolls in Southland Police were called to the single-vehicle crash on Tokanui Gorge Rd Highway near Fortrose at around 7.45am on Monday Bystanders prevent attempted abduction of Auckland primary student 18 mins ago Homicide investigation after man dies in Auckland's Manurewa 25 mins ago Vandals in 4WDs mow down, destroy 38 pōhutukawa trees in Napier 45 mins ago DOC apologises after non-toxic pellets spark warning at Nelson sandflats 51 mins ago Ex-NZ police head Mike Bush appointed to overhaul Victoria force 12:58pm Photos: Lorde among stars at 2025 Met Gala 6 mins ago 1Two men's shared name brings years of trouble and a hefty bill to one Kiwi motorcyclist killed in 11-bike British Supersport crash Erica Stanford concedes use of personal email 'untidy' Govt halts all current pay equity claims, makes it harder to lodge new ones Photos: Lorde among stars at 2025 Met Gala A$AP Rocky and Rihanna also revealed they are expecting their third child. Two arrested over alleged plot targeting Lady Gaga concert in RioBrazilian police said they thwarted an alleged bomb attack planned for Lady Gaga's concert on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. Lady Gaga rocks Copacabana Beach with free concert for over 2 million fansSun, May 4 Lorde announces new album name, dateThu, May 1 Kim Kardashian to testify in Paris trial over 2016 armed robberyMon, Apr 28 Chubby Checker, Outkast, Cyndi Lauper join Rock & Roll Hall of FameMon, Apr 28 Kim Kardashian to testify in Paris trial over 2016 armed robberyMon Five people have been transported to hospital after a single-vehicle crash overnight in Bucklands Beach Police said they responded to an incident where a car collided with a parked vehicle on Macleans Road at 1.15am "Inquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing," a spokesperson said St John said it responded to the crash with five ambulances two rapid response vehicles and one operations manager Five patients were treated and taken to Middlemore Hospital four in a serious condition and one in a moderate condition Fire and Emergency NZ said it responded with two fire trucks "One person was trapped in the vehicle and had to be released using rescue tools," a spokesperson said A stranger allegedly tried to force an 8-year-old boy into a car outside an Auckland primary school yesterday before bystanders intervened and the man drove off Police confirmed they were investigating an incident from around 3pm on Monday outside Rowandale School in the suburb of Manurewa "Police are still working to understand exactly what was occurring at the time and our enquiries are ongoing," a spokesperson said "We have spoken with the boy and will continue to work through a careful process Rowandale School principal Karl Vasau said in a statement to social media that other parents had intervened "The student then made his way home and told his parents who then came into school to let us know and then they rung the police." Vasau told 1News the pupil was "doing fine" following the incident and was surrounded by a "supportive "Our student is safe now and his family are thankful that nothing further happened to their boy but are wanting us all to be aware and stay safe It's about working with that child to make them feel safe again but also looking forward to returning back to school with a little bit of normality." Police had reacted "pretty quickly" to the reports "They've been in this morning to touch base and connect the community police constables are going to come back to tomorrow to address the whole school in relation to what had happened and around keeping themselves safe before and after school." Increased police patrols would remain in the area after school from Wednesday Anyone with relevant information should contact police on 105 Police say a fire at a McDonald's restaurant in Pakuranga is being investigated as a suspected arson Emergency services attended the fire on Pakuranga Rd just before 3pm yesterday Large plumes of smoke could be seen and explosions heard at the fast food restaurant which has "sustained significant fire damage as a result" "At this point in time we are treating this fire as a suspected arson "A scene examination is being conducted this morning and police will work alongside a fire investigator," she said Gillespie said part of these inquiries would be working to understand how the fire began She said police would like to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity prior to the fire Anyone with information was urged to contact police online or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 A person has died following a crash on Auckland's south-western motorway this morning The single vehicle crash was reported to police shortly before 5am the sole occupant of this vehicle died at the scene," a police spokesperson said "Earlier closures of northbound lanes have now lifted and police advise motorists to continue to expect delays as earlier backlogs clear "We appreciate motorists' understanding this morning while emergency services carried out their work." Police said the serious crash unit examined the scene this morning and an investigation was underway into this morning's crash on behalf of the Coroner This is in addition to an earlier crash on Auckland's northern motorway near the Auckland Harbour Bridge Emergency services responded to a two-truck collision on the northern motorway near the Auckland Harbour Bridge shortly after 5am New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said all lanes south on State Highway 1 were open again following this earlier crash with five lanes available on the Harbour Bridge "Allow extra time for delays on the Northern Motorway to slowly ease this morning three lanes going south were now open again between Onewa Rd and the Harbour Bridge," NZTA said A string of fires linked to highly combustible lithium-ion batteries has been deemed a "wake-up call" for waste businesses by Auckland officials with the public facing exposure to toxic smoke from repeat blazes Auckland Council is urging "industry vigilance" around the problem after a scrap metal company was fined $30,000 over a 2023 fire that released toxic smoke near Ōtāhuhu A fire at a recycling plant near Glenfield last month was also initially linked to lithium batteries although investigators were continuing to probe the blaze Auckland Council compliance field operations manager David Pawson emphasised "the importance of remaining vigilant despite the novelty of the issue" Authorities urged the public to avoid putting lithium batteries in the rubbish or recycling The batteries were inside most portable electronic devices Pawson said in a statement: "We recognise this is a new issue and we’re all finding our way with lithium-ion batteries and those handling them "But businesses still need to take responsibility for their disposal — this is their business Emergency alerts were issued to tens of thousands on Auckland's North Shore last month after the largest fire "for a few years" broke out at an Abilities Group recycling plant Residents were urged to close windows to avoid fumes and some beaches were closed due to chemicals released into waterways Takapuna fire station officer Steven Callagher said there were reports that flames broke out in the area of the facility where batteries were recycled and an official cause had not been determined Other recent battery-linked fires have broken out in rubbish trucks in Auckland caused by the ignition of a lithium-ion battery within a large scrap metal stockpile highlighted a "growing national and international issue surrounding battery disposal and fire risk," according to Auckland Council recognised the unique challenges posed by lithium-ion batteries He noted: "There has been considerable difficulty in finding a technical solution to the problems with batteries catching on fire "This is not only a national problem but an international one; these orders form a workaround solution until more technical solutions The judge described the situation as “a new and emerging issue" While acknowledging Sims Metal’s cooperation and the absence of intentional wrongdoing reduced from an initial starting point of $50,000 The enforcement orders issued require Sims Metal to implement several improvements at the James Fletcher Drive site in Favona "The orders are registered with the Environment Court and will remain in place unless superseded by conditions with a new resource consent," the council said Pawson said the council viewed the 2023 case as an "important precedent in balancing empathy for emerging challenges with the necessity of regulatory compliance "It also highlights the importance of proactive risk management and industry-wide collaboration to adapt to evolving environmental risks." A Sims Metal spokesperson said: "Following the May 2023 fire at our Favona facility we have implemented more stringent control measures to support the ongoing management of potentially concealed materials like lithium-ion batteries "We are grateful to the communities and businesses in and around Ōtāhuhu We want to reiterate our appreciation to FENZ and all those who acted diligently to extinguish the May 2023 fire safely and continue to refine and improve our processes." Sheep have been killed and others have had to be euthanised after a stock truck rolled in Southland this morning The road was completely blocked and expected to be closed for sometime while the scene was cleared however the road is completely blocked," a police spokesperson said Southland District Council confirmed some animals were killed in the crash while others had to be euthanised due to injuries Fire and Emergency responded with crews from Waimahaka It's the second incident of sheep being killed after a stock truck rolled in Southland in a little over a week A small number of lambs had to be euthanised after a stock truck rolled near Balclutha on April 27 Vandals in four-wheel drives have mown down 38 pōhutukawa trees on Napier’s Marine Parade The damage was done overnight on Saturday after the vandals first removed new vehicle barriers in front of the trees She said the council was concerned at the behaviour and said an early estimate to replace the damage came to $20,000 "These trees were planted for our community by the Rotary Club as a gift over the past five years," Wise said "There are lots of community groups who work alongside us to make sure Napier has places and spaces that are beautiful and welcoming and Rotary is a key partner in projects like this one "It is heartbreaking to see community resources time and energy treated in this way," she said "The damage was done by people in 4WD vehicles after removing the vehicle barriers and driving over the trees Our parks' team is looking closely at the cost to replace them and at how to ensure the trees are kept safe." recently erected along Marine Parade to keep vehicles off the beach but there was no evidence to suggest the vandalism was related to that to be installed from the National Aquarium of NZ to the Pump Track were to prevent vehicles from tearing up the grass and destroying trees fishermen profiled in a Hawke’s Bay Today article last week said it was a case of blocking their access to prevent "idiots" "It’s not going to stop the idiots doing the damage," one noted Napier City Council has reported the incident to police Local Democracy Reporting is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air The Department of Conservation has apologised to Nelson City Council and members of the public after non-toxic pellets left behind following a drone trial sparked concern among residents who believed them to be poisonous The incident unfolded following a drone-based experiment conducted last week at the Wakapuaka sandflats located northeast of Nelson DOC terrestrial biodiversity director Hilary Aikman said the trial was part of an ongoing study to test the effectiveness of aerial detection methods "They used non-toxic pellets for this research dyed blue to make them easier to see," she said a drone was used to photograph the area where the pellets lay leading to a member of the public walking their dog reporting them to Nelson City Council on Monday The council issued a warning shortly before 3pm yesterday that green or blue poisonous pellets which were "highly toxic" to animals and humans had been located in the area "There is no indication of how they got there and the matter has been reported to the police," said community services group manager Andrew White in a statement to 1News last night once DOC had clarified the origin and nature of the pellets the council said this morning that the issue had been resolved "The area is safe for recreational users and dog walkers." Aikman said DOC would like to apologise to Nelson City Council and members of the public "We acknowledge the non-toxic pellets should have been removed on the day of the trial and we made an error in judgement by leaving them there." The team would remove any pellets remaining in the area today Former police commissioner Mike Bush has been tasked with leading one Australian state's troubled force out of the mire after months of internal woes Bush has been named Victoria's next chief commissioner and will take over on June 27 Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan said her government had "picked the right man for the job," pointing to his job performance across the ditch "Mike Bush will bring new leadership to Victoria Police," she told reporters "He made the community safer in New Zealand and he'll make the community safer in Victoria." Opposition police spokesperson in Victoria said the new commissioner must not be set up to fail and be able to carry out the job without political interference and the powers required to do the job effectively," Southwick said Bush retired from the New Zealand police force in 2020 after six years in the top job Victoria Police was thrust into leadership turmoil in February with a no-confidence vote from officers costing chief commissioner Shane Patton his job The state government installed Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent as acting chief while it searched for a replacement Nugent was viewed as a frontrunner for the vacant role but pulled out after admitting he didn't have the drive to commit to a five-year term The force has not appointed a top cop from outside Victoria Police since former NSW police assistant commissioner Christine Nixon in 2001 Nixon described Bush as a calm and considered leader "He'll be very focused on working with the Victorian community members of Victoria Police and the government to .. push things to the future," she told ABC Radio Melbourne Bush joined the New Zealand police in 1978 spending his career on the frontline and the criminal investigation branch Bush oversaw the police response to the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings led the force during the Covid-19 pandemic and the Whakaari volcano eruption he became a private investigator and ran his own international consulting firm Bush made headlines in 2022 when he unsuccessfully applied to become the head of the Metropolitan Police in the UK and it was uncovered he had a drink-driving conviction He was a 23-year-old detective constable at the time and disqualified from driving for six months Shane William Pritchard has been charged with crimes he didn’t commit and chased for debts he doesn’t owe That’s because the Dunedin man is not the only Shane William Pritchard in town While the duo’s shared name and age has sometimes been a handy loophole for one Shane for the other it has caused problems for 36 years It’s been years of fearing every knock on the door Years of wondering if he’ll be hand-cuffed and taken to jail to be honest,” says Shane William Pritchard a scout and a member of the Air Training Corp remembers getting quite a shock when her friend called one evening She'd been acting as a referee for a gun licence for Shane whose friend informed her that the police had a long list of offences against Shane’s name Not long after that the police turned up to where Shane was working at the local tannery to arrest him “You're scrambling in your head to think of ways that you can prove it's not you.” Another Shane William Pritchard had been born in Otago They were separated by just two weeks and about 50 miles – one growing up in Mosgiel the other in Milton – but also by the lives they’d been leading To watch the full video story go to TVNZ+ Shane from Milton had huge problems focusing at school He was raised in foster care and then boys’ homes I just wanted to look cool and get in trouble,” he tells Fair Go Milton Shane was used to run-ins with police he got pulled over in his car and asked about his driving licence one’s got a licence and the other hasn’t.’ And I’m like ‘obviously it must be the one with a licence’.” he went to his bank to draw out an ACC payment and was asked which bank account was his He says that at that point he was trying to figure out what was going on “I thought it was just an error.” But he took advantage of the situation and withdrew a large sum of cash Mosgiel Shane became aware of the withdrawal when a scheduled car payment was declined and when Milton Shane turned up at the bank to withdraw more money Identity fraud was considered but Milton Shane was legitimately expecting an ACC payment so the withdrawal appeared to be a genuine mistake and the police couldn’t take any action 'Anything I could get away with Mosgiel Shane thought the bank incident would have alerted police to the problem But his nemesis had cottoned on to the advantages of having a second identity to use Milton Shane acquired a suite of furniture on hire-purchase Milton-Shane clocked up more driving offences Mosgiel Shane thought about changing his name but realised he’d have to provide his previous name in the process the courts and debt collectors such as Baycorp should be able to distinguish between himself and Milton Shane The police first addressed the issue in the 1990s after Mosgiel Shane went to the media He was given a letter to carry with him should he be apprehended He and his parents felt his situation wasn’t being taken seriously Mosgiel Shane went to the media a second time in the mid-2000s the police gave their word that a record in their system would stop the misidentification from happening again This does appear to have worked as far as police action goes But while Mosgiel Shane was given the same reassurance by the Ministry of Justice he continued to receive demands from the courts for unpaid fines He’d also get stopped and questioned whenever he left the country for work trips or holidays It took a huge toll on Mosgiel Shane’s mental health not realising the constant stress it placed on his life John Pritchard says that at times his son felt his life wasn’t worth living worrying about what he was going to do to himself and that really ate me up.” he and his son were in tears as Shane admitted he was at breaking point He described going for days at a time unable to eat or sleep wondering what might happen next "Am I going to be in a position where they've got me in handcuffs or I've got debt collectors coming to the door?" ...You're spiralling into this black hole." He started taking anti-anxiety medication which helped And events regarding Milton Shane seemed to settle Milton Shane was charged for fishing without a licence in Twizel and failing to comply with fisheries officers But a court registrar incorrectly entered the birth date of Mosgiel Shane in the system both Shanes were being chased to pay the $1530 fine It was Mosgiel Shane who spotted the error and rang the court He also sent a statement from his manager saying he’d not been fishing in Twizel that day The reply he got was to say he’d been given the wrong form and that they wouldn’t accept his proof They just wanted to know how I was going to pay the fine.” The first Milton Shane knew about this was when Fair Go told him Mosgiel Shane had been chased for the fine He was told to pay up or face the consequences feeling he shouldn’t have to pay good money to correct someone else’s mistake But it cost Mosgiel Shane over $5000 in legal fees and took months of back and forth between him “Why should anybody have to pay their own money to right somebody else's wrongs and prove who they are I’m sick and tired of proving who I am all the time.” He wanted the Ministry of Justice to take responsibility and reimburse him for his legal costs saying court staff such as the registrar in this case have immunity if they make mistakes such as the one made here and if I make a mistake and it's affecting my client that it's going to cost them money to rectify a mistake that I've made.” he deserves a million apologies from those guys,” she says Milton Shane told Fair Go he still gets in trouble but wants the other Shane to know he doesn’t use his birth date anymore And he had a message for him: “We’ve got to get it sorted for you so you can have a good life with you and your family because I’m trying to get my life together with my son and my grandson” He offers to meet to see if they can sort it out together but I’m not interested in meeting him,.” says Mosgiel Shane He says he doesn’t hold any grudges and accepts Milton Shane’s apology And he believes the only way for that to happen is for the courts and the Ministry of Justice to give him a guarantee that mix-ups won’t occur in the future Fair Go asked the Ministry of Justice to appear in person to apologise and provide reassurance to Shane of its plans to guard against these mistakes The Ministry declined our request to be on camera saying any comment on an individual case would compromise the independence of the courts as the Ministry operates separately But it did send a written apology directly to Mosgiel Shane It also admitted mistakes can occur in clerical records but said instructions were clear and the importance of getting things right had been emphasised to staff Mosgiel Shane isn’t totally convinced that’s the end of it “All I want is for the Ministry of Justice and the courts to do their job I'd like to live without this hanging over me all the time his criminal check has come back showing a clean slate The government is making it harder to make a claim for pay equity that will cut costs There have been massive pay equity claims in recent years for nurses and resthome workers Workplace Minister Brooke van Velden announced the moves to raise the threshold for proving work has been historically undervalued to support a claim on Tuesday saying changes back in 2020 had created problems "Claims have been able to progress without strong evidence of undervaluation and there have been very broad claims where it is difficult to tell whether differences in pay are due to sex-based discrimination or other factors." Claims were concentrated in the public sector with costs to the Crown of all settlements so far totalling $1.78 billion a year "The changes I am proposing will significantly reduce costs to the Crown," she said "The changes will discontinue current pay equity claims." Van Velden told Midday Report she believes in pay equity but the current thresholds were "a bit too loose" Asked how she ensure women were not hurt by this the minister said "I'm a woman and I support women who work" "I also support removing gender based discriminations from our workforces but what I don't support are muddied laws and unclear laws," she said "So these changes are better for all women who are working where we can genuinely say hand on heart that what they are finding with their claims is genuine gender based discrimination." Van Velden told reporters at Parliament any current claims would be stopped and need to restart under the new threshold to show "genuine" gender discrimination and make sure the comparators were right She gave a figure of 33 current claims that would be stopped as the legislation was put through under urgency "You have librarians who've been comparing themselves to transport engineers We have admin and clerical staff at Health New Zealand comparing themselves to mechanical engineers." Social workers had compared themselves to air traffic controllers "We don't believe we have that setting right." Any comparison would now be between female employees and male employees at the same employer "But you cannot go fishing for discrimination across the New Zealand workforce." All current settled claims would continue but the government was drawing "a line in the sand" "We're not stopping claims." The nurse's union has this year had at least 10 pay equity claims in play The PSA union has said pay equity claims and settlements had resulted in significant improvements in pay and working conditions for many workers The union said the changes would make it "impossible for people in female-dominated professions to be paid fairly" "Women across the country will pay the price for this," PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said "The government's changes today are a dark day for New Zealand women as the government says it will repeal the pay equity law and extinguish 33 existing claims in a constitutional overreach "The PSA is exploring all possible avenues to oppose these unconstitutional amendments and stop this attack on women We will not be deterred in our fight to achieve pay equity for all." "This is a blatant and shameful attack on women," New Zealand Nurses organisation chief executive Paul Goulter said "Women in workforces predominantly performed by female employees have been underpaid and undervalued for generations That is what pay equity claims seek to rectify," he said "This move by the government will widen the pay gap between men and women." The union had at least 10 pay current pay claims across Aged Care These cover many nurses and support workers The E tū union also called the changes an attack on women and a green light to pay them less for work of equal value The government was pulling the rug out from under a 13-year-long fight in aged care "These changes are not about evidence — they are about saving money by keeping women underpaid," national secretary Rachel Mackintosh said in a statement A number of unions have called a snap rally at Parliament at 1pm today in light of the announcement the Council of Trade Unions and representatives of other unions say they will be "protesting the government's attack on women and the destruction of progress on pay equity..." rnz.co.nz Lady Gaga gave a free concert Saturday night in front of 2 million fans who poured onto Copacabana Beach for the biggest show of her career (...) Thank you for making history with me,” Lady Gaga told a screaming crowd kicked off the show at around 22.10pm local time with her 2011 song Bloody Mary Cries of joy rose from the tightly-packed fans who sang and danced shoulder-to-shoulder on the vast stretch of sand Concert organisers said 2.1 million people attended the show switching between an array of dresses including one with the colours of the Brazilian flag Some fans – many of them young – arrived on the beach at the crack of dawn to secure a good spot “Today is the best day of my life,” said Manoela Dobes a 27-year-old designer who was wearing a dress plastered with a photograph from when she met Lady Gaga in the United States in 2019 Madonna also turned Copacabana Beach into a massive dance floor last year The large-scale performances are part of an effort led by City Hall to boost economic activity after Carnival and New Years’ Eve festivities and the upcoming month-long Saint John’s Day celebrations in June “It brings activity to the city during what was previously considered the low season – filling hotels and increasing spending in bars generating jobs and income for the population,” said Osmar Lima the city’s secretary of economic development in a statement released by Rio City Hall’s tourism department last month Rio’s City Hall said in a recent report that around 1.6 million people were expected to attend Lady Gaga's concert and that the show should inject at least 600 million reais (NZ$178.3 million) into Rio’s economy Similar concerts are scheduled to take place every year in May at least until 2028 Lady Gaga arrived in Rio in the early hours of Tuesday The city has been alive with Gaga-mania since as it geared up to welcome the pop star for her first show in the country since 2012 Rio’s metro employees danced to Lady Gaga’s 2008 hit song LoveGame and gave instructions for today in a video A free exhibition celebrating her career sold out While the vast majority of attendees were from Rio the event also attracted Brazilians from across the country and international visitors More than 500,000 tourists poured into the city in the days leading up to the show according to data from the local bus station and Tom Jobim airport Rio’s City Hall said in a statement yesterday made a cross-continent trip from Colombia to Brazil to attend the show “I’ve been a 100% fan of Lady Gaga my whole life,” said Serrano who was wearing a T-shirt featuring Lady Gaga’s outlandish costumes over the years the mega-star represents “total freedom of expression – being who one wants without shame” Rio officials have a history of organising huge concerts on Copacabana Beach Madonna’s show drew an estimated 1.6 million fans last year while 4 million people flooded onto the beach for a 1994 New Year’s Eve show by Rod Stewart in 1994 that was the biggest free rock concert in history sixteen sound towers were spread along the beach Rio state’s security plan included the presence of 3300 military and 1500 police officers Among those present were Lady Gaga admirers who remember their disappointment in 2017 when the artist cancelled a performance scheduled in Rio at the last minute due to health issues “She's the best artist in the world,” the 25-year-old said I love you” in Portuguese rose from the crowd behind him whose real name is Ella Yelich O'Connor which also displayed what appears to be the album cover art — an X-ray of a pelvis "100% written in blood," the website read The new album's announcement came a week after she released her latest single What Was That The song's music video was filmed at a mysterious pop-up event in New York City's Washington Square Park that was initially shut down by police. The event ended up going ahead after all, and fans who stayed got to hear the new song for the first time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lorde (@lorde) It was the first sign of a follow-up to Lorde's previous album, 2021's Solar Power. Her other albums were 2013's Pure Heroine and 2017's Melodrama. Last year, she collaborated with British singer Charli XCX on a remix of Girl, so confusing — on a re-release of the Grammy award-winning Brat. Virgin is Lorde's fourth studio album. Kim Kardashian thought she was going to be raped and killed when criminals broke into her bedroom in central Paris, tied her up and stole more than US$6 million in jewellery. More than eight years later, 10 people will go on trial in Paris over the robbery, abduction and kidnapping of the media personality and the concierge of the residence where she was staying during Paris Fashion Week the night of October 2, 2016. Kardashian’s lawyers said she will testify in person at the trial starting Monday and scheduled to run through May 23. "Ms Kardashian is reserving her testimony for the court and jury and does not wish to elaborate further at this time," they said. "She has great respect and admiration for the French justice system and has been treated with great respect by the French authorities. "She wishes the trial to proceed in an orderly fashion, in accordance with French law and with respect for all parties to the case." In interviews and on her family’s reality TV show, Kardashian has described being terrified as robbers pointed a gun at her. In a 2020 appearance on David Letterman’s Netflix show, she tearfully recalled thinking: "This is the time I’m going to get raped. I’m like, ‘What is happening? Are we gonna die? Just tell them I have children. I have babies, I have a husband, I have a family.'" Twelve people were originally expected in the defendants’ box. One of them has died, and another is seriously ill and can't be tried. According to the investigation, five of the 10 defendants were present at the scene of the robbery. The French press has dubbed them The Granddad Robbers because the main defendants are elderly and have careers as bank robbers with long criminal records. Kardashian told investigators she was taken to a bathroom next to her bedroom and placed in the bathtub. Her attackers fled on bicycles or on foot and she managed to free herself by removing the tape from her hands and mouth. She had also removed the tape from her feet and rushed to her stylist’s room. She called her sister Kourtney to tell her about the theft. Shortly afterwards, Kardashian told investigators that she had not been injured. She filed a complaint, adding that she wanted to leave France as soon as possible to be reunited with her children. According to her testimony and that of the concierge, at least one of the suspects had a handgun, with which he threatened the victims. The gangsters stole many pieces of jewellery, including a ring of great value, estimated to be worth more than US$6 million (NZ$10 million). Only one piece of jewellery — a diamond cross on platinum that was lost during the suspects' escape — has been recovered. Two of the accused have partially confessed to the crime, as their DNA was found at the crime scene. The alleged ringleader, 68-year-old Aomar Aït Khedache, is one of two suspected robbers who allegedly entered the apartment. Nicknamed "Old Omar", his genetic profile was found on the tape used to gag Kardashian. He left the hotel on a bicycle, as did two other robbers, then met his son, who was waiting for him in a parked car at a nearby train station. The second robber said he tied up the concierge with cables but did not go up to Kardashian’s apartment. Yunice Abbas, 71, said he acted as a lookout in the ground-floor reception area, making sure the escape route was clear. He said he was unarmed and did not personally threaten Kardashian, but admitted he shared responsibility for the crime. Abbas was arrested in January 2017 and spent 21 months in prison before being released under judicial supervision. In 2021, he co-authored a French-language book titled I Sequestered Kim Kardashian. Didier Dubreucq, 69, known as "Blue Eyes", is the second alleged robber suspected of entering the flat. He denies any involvement, although he was filmed by CCTV cameras and numerous telephone contacts with the other co-defendants show his involvement, according to the investigation. The other defendants are suspected of providing information about Kardashian’s presence in the apartment. Others are accused of playing a role in the resale of the jewellery in Antwerp, Belgium. First-time nominees Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker and Bad Company will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — in a class that also includes pop star Cyndi Lauper, the hip-hop pioneers Outkast, the rock duo the White Stripes and grunge masters Soundgarden. Salt-N-Pepa, the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status, and the late singer-songwriter Warren Zevon will get the Musical Influence Award. The late record producer Thom Bell, pianist Nicky Hopkins and bassist Carol Kaye will each get the Musical Excellence Award. The late Cocker, who sang at Woodstock and was best known for his cover of The Beatles’ With a Little Help From My Friends, had the backing of Billy Joel, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and Pete Thomas, a member of Elvis Costello & The Attractions, who argued that Cocker is "about as rock and roll as it gets". Soundgarden — with the late Chris Cornell as singer — get into the Hall on their third nomination. They follow two other grunge acts in the Hall — Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Bad Company get in having become radio fixtures with such arena-rock staples as Feel Like Makin’ Love, Can’t Get Enough and Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy. The Ahmet Ertegun Award — given to nonperforming industry professionals who had a major influence on music — will go to Lenny Waronker, a former head of Warner Bros. Records who signed Prince and R.E.M., and had a part in records from Madonna, Randy Newman, the Doobie Brothers, Rickie Lee Jones, Paul Simon and Gary Clark Jr. Some nominees that didn't get in this year included Mariah Carey, Phish, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Maná, the Black Crowes and Oasis. Checker’s recording of The Twist, and subsequent Let’s Twist Again are considered among the most popular songs in the history of rock 'n' roll. The 83-year-old has expressed frustration that he hadn't been granted entry before, including telling the AP in 2014: "I don’t want to get in there when I’m 85 years old. I’ll tell them to drop dead, so you better do it quick while I’m still smiling." Lauper rose to fame in the 1980s with hits such as Time After Time and Girls Just Want To Have Fun and went on to win a Tony Award for Kinky Boots. OutKast, made up of André 3000 and Big Boi, have six Grammys and a reputation for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop. The White Stripes — made up of Jack White and Meg White — were indie darlings in the early 2000s with such songs as Seven Nation Army. Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they’re eligible for induction. The induction ceremony will take place in Los Angeles this fall. Nominees were voted on by more than 1200 artists, historians and music industry professionals. The selection criteria include "an artist’s impact on other musicians, the scope and longevity of their career and body of work, as well as their innovation and excellence in style and technique". Last year, Mary J. Blige, Cher, Foreigner, A Tribe Called Quest, Kool & The Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Matthews Band and singer-guitarist Peter Frampton were inducted. One of east Auckland’s favourite and well-patronised yearly art shows returns early next month. The 15th annual Bucklands Beach Yacht Club Art Show opens on November 6. “It’s one of the most significant local art events in our community,” says George Yates, of the BBYC. The year’s Art Show showcases some 170 works. “The art on display has been provided by a vibrant and talented group of 70 local artists. “The exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to view a wide range of work and purchase a special piece for yourself,” says Yates. “The show spotlights the breadth and diversity of contemporary art in our community, bringing together a range of works by emerging and established local artists.” Long-time east Auckland artist and tutor, Raewyn Neale, leads the BBYC Art Show organising committee and selection process and has since the annual event’s inception. She says the quality of artworks on display at the upcoming exhibition will be as great as it always is and looks forward to having a good number of them sold to raise money for BBYC youth. Entry to the BBYC Art Show is free and proceeds of the art sales goes towards the club’s Sailing Academy Junior Learn to Sail scheme. “The programme gives the youth of our local community the opportunity to get on the water and develop a passion for sailing,” says Yates. The BBYC Art Show is sponsored this year by Milford Asset Management Ltd. It’s open to the public from 9am to 6pm from Wednesday to Saturday, and 9am to 4pm, on November 6-10. Manukau CityBy negotiation431195m²Standalone Dream Home in Macleans ZoneThis is a rare opportunity to embrace a life of comfort and luxury while securing access to top-tier education in the prestigious Macleans College zone highly sought-after pocket of Bucklands Beach on a flat section this nearly new freestanding two-level family home offers the perfect blend of comfort and contemporary living It features four double bedrooms (3 upstairs and 1 downstairs) a spacious open-plan living area with a sleek kitchen Step inside and be greeted by the heart of the home - an expansive open-plan living bathed in natural light to create an inviting and airy atmosphere This seamless space extends to a deck with lovely views making it perfect for family gatherings and entertaining guests A spacious master bedroom with a luxurious ensuite on the ground floor adds versatility offering ideal accommodation for guests or extended family The single internal-access garage ensures secure storage and convenience a separate family lounge provides additional space for relaxation or entertainment This level also boasts three generous double bedrooms The master suite includes an ensuite and a spacious walk-in wardrobe while another full bathroom ensures convenience for the whole family this modern home features central air conditioning and double glazing this home offers the best of modern living with outstanding education options and Macleans College - all within walking distance - this is an ideal choice for busy families Don’t miss your chance to be the first to experience the luxury of this dream home in Macleans Call us today to make this dream home yours See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson An experienced international field of board sailors is racing on Auckland waters this weekend organised by New Zealand board-sailing legend and Howick Local Board member Bruce Kendall 50 per cent fun” competition from this Friday to next Monday The regatta will be based at Waiheke Island with most of the sailing courses there apart from on the first day Friday when the fleet of 22 board sailors will race from Bucklands Beach to Oneroa Beach “This event is to challenge the Australian and Pacific nation Windsurfer LT sailors to show the New Zealand Windsurfer LT sailors how they compare on an international level,” says Kendall the two-time Olympic Games medallist in windsurfing “The Australian Windsurfer LT fleet has multiple world champions dating back to the 1970s through to the 2023/2024 Windsurfer LT World Championships in Perth “New Zealand sailors will not have raced or trained here [Waiheke] before which removes a local knowledge advantage “Waiheke Island’s beaches and surrounding islands are ideal for long distance races.” Kendall says the Windsurfer Waiheke Interdominion has destination races He’s looking forward to having the windsurfers from across New Zealand Japan and the United States in Auckland for the special regatta a chance to catch up with long-time friends and opponents while also mixing it with younger up-and-coming sailors The first race to commence the Interdominion starts at midday on Friday There’ll be course racing at Oneroa from 10am on day two the course is from Oneroa to Man O’ War Bay Kendall says all competitors will be weighed at registration on Friday and the fleet divided equally into three weight divisions with racers in the fleet making up the international teams “The Interdominion Championship will be decided from the best results from each nation of each of the weight and age divisions and include the team sailing result,” Kendall says He adds that as well as the fun and excitement factor Windsurfer LT is the most cost-effective class of small craft on the market The entrants for the Windsurfer Waiheke Interdominion are: A man has been found dead at Bucklands Beach in east Auckland Emergency services were called to Musick Point at 5.35pm on Saturday Police are trying to understand how the man died New Zealand RSS Follow RNZ News Manukau CityBy negotiation531191m²247m²Stunning Sea View BBI & Macleans ZoneSituated on a stand-alone corner section with stunning sea views this beautifully designed home blends style with functionality Set on approximately 247 sqm (mol) of land with a 191 sqm (mol) interior it offers ample space for modern family living The ensuite on the ground floor offers versatile options with a private entry providing convenience for families with kids or elderly members or the potential for "rental income" while the master bedroom on the upper level boasts breathtaking sea views The spacious open-plan living and dining area creates the perfect environment for entertainment this home falls within the highly regarded Bucklands Beach Intermediate school and Macleans College ensuring top-quality education within walking distance - Half Moon Bay Marina with commuter ferry to the CBD - Expansive open-plan living & dining with a sleek - Separate laundry room for added convenience - Single internal access garage with EV charger ready - Integrated sound system in the living area for premium entertainment - Advanced security features including an alarm system - High-end finishes including double-glazed windows and a heat pump in living area -Master bedroom with breathtaking sea views -Three additional generously sized bedrooms -Versatile family room ideal for relaxation or entertainment This exceptional home offers the perfect balance of luxury Properties like this are in high demand—don’t miss your chance Contact us today to arrange a viewing of this stunning home See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson East Auckland’s busiest community art group is set to unveil a large number of works by its talented members at its latest public exhibition staged to celebrate the arrival of a new season in New Zealand The Howick Art Group’s Spring Exhibition will be held in Bucklands Beach from September 1-8 It’s a new format for the group this year as it features a selection of impressive artworks by pupils who attend Bucklands Beach Intermediate School and Howick Intermediate School The group says the Spring Exhibition will offer an “excellent showcase” of its members’ works and is always well supported by the local community members display a range of painted artworks which are judged by category “The 2024 exhibition also includes a new initiative with two local intermediate schools with art students showcasing work with the theme ‘The Eastern Shoreline’ and the Howick Art Group is excited to include the students and embrace art in the wider community.” the Howick Art Group has met regularly since it was founded several eminent artists have demonstrated to the club including Garth Tapper More recently the group has held an annual exhibition within the community of Howick The past two years have seen the exhibition move to become the Spring Exhibition The 2024 show presents an opportunity to meet its talented members and enjoy scenic Bucklands Beach Howick Art Group’s Spring Exhibition 2024 is staged at Bucklands and Eastern Beaches Memorial Hall It’s open daily from 9.30am to 4pm from Sunday For more information email howickartgroup@gmail.com or go online to www.howickartgroup.org.nz A police investigation is under way following a serious vehicle crash in east Auckland in the early hours of this morning that resulted in five people being hospitalised A police spokesperson says officers responded to a crash in which a vehicle collided with a parked vehicle on Macleans Road in Bucklands Beach at about 1.15am today “Five people were transported to hospital from the vehicle “Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.” A spokesperson for St John Ambulance says paramedics attended the incident at 1.14am The St John response included five ambulances two rapid response vehicles and an operations manager “We treated five patients and transported five patients to Middlemore Hospital.” St John says four of the patients were reported to have sustained serious injuries while one had moderate injuries Firefighters from the Howick and Mount Wellington fire stations attended the incident also The Howick Local Board is investing $287,000 to reduce speeding and improve pedestrian and traffic safety in a popular part of a scenic local seaside community The board is partnering with Auckland Transport (AT) on the work in Bucklands Beach which is under way now The first part will be carried out in two stages with AT’s contractor starting work on traffic calming and pedestrian approvements along The Parade The work is focused on the stretch of The Parade between Laings Road and Whitcome Road Stage one involves a full road closure and detours while resident access will be maintained A concrete raised pedestrian crossing will be installed near the intersection with Laings Road Three speed humps will be installed along The Parade between Laings Road and Whitcome Road There will also be new streetlighting and signs installed The public provided feedback on the initial proposal in 2023 Earlier this year AT reviewed aspects of the plan to “ensure the solutions were cost-effective and low disruptive on the network operation” Speed data was collected to determine whether and where “vertical devices” would be justified for speed calming while pedestrian data helped to determine the location and type of pedestrian crossings Howick Local Board chairperson Damian Light says the issue has been before the board since 2021 “The project got a bit delayed due to the storms and extreme weather last year and AT’s focus shifted to repairing roads “This work was then due to start in February this year but they did a big review of all projects that involved speed bumps and as a result it got delayed again “A good outcome of that is they did more speed assessments and pedestrian counts on The Parade “Through that we identified we could scale back the project by one pedestrian crossing and three speed bumps Light says there’s been numerous crashes on the road particularly near the intersection of The Parade and Laings Road which he describes as “quite a blind corner” “We know we’ve got issues as there’s no footpath on one side of The Parade so people have to use the other side “That’s what the pedestrian crossing is for The speed bumps are intended to slow vehicles down so if a pedestrian gets hit they won’t be killed Bucklands and Eastern Beaches Ratepayers and Residents Association chairman Peter Seekup says the group was made aware of locals’ concerns about safety along The Parade and that the board was planning action to address them “To ensure residents were involved as much as possible in the design we worked with Howick Local Board and AT to assist them in holding a number of consultation sessions to give the local community the opportunity to provide their views and input “We did a pamphlet drop on behalf of the board and helped them to facilitate discussions in person and on our Facebook page.” AT says stage one will be completed by summer later this year Stage two will be undergoing design and public consultation in 2024 and construction is expected to happen in 2025 Public housing agency Kāinga Ora is planning to build more than 70 new homes in communities across east Auckland According to a website that tracks its work among them is six homes that will be a mix of multi-level duplex terrace and stand-alone houses at 341 Bucklands Beach Road and 122 Gills Road The homes are expected to be completed by July next year It’s building nine new homes at 122-124 and 128 Cascades Road in Pakuranga The properties will be the same mix of styles as in Bucklands Beach and are due to be completed by October this year Kāinga Ora is building 13 new homes at 140-144 Gossamer Drive in Pakuranga Heights They’re expected to be completed by January next and will be a mix of multi-level terrace properties and one stand-alone house It will build 13 new homes at 22-26 Cardiff Road and 6 Opal Avenue in Pakuranga They’re expected to be finished by February next year and will be a mix of multi-level duplex and stand-alone house it will construct 12 new homes to be ready by July next year They’ll be two-level terraced properties and 15 parking spaces will be constructed also The agency is building three new multi-level walk-up and terraced homes at 141 Edgewater Drive It will construct three homes with four car parks at 19 Aurea Avenue Kāinga Ora will build 15 new one-bedroom walk-up apartments at 105 Pakuranga Road to be ready by October next year The agency has also recently redeveloped multiple sites in Pakuranga including in Carole Crescent It was planning to replace 13 existing homes with 38 new homes in those streets Kāinga Ora regional director central and east Auckland says one of the ways the agency helps meet the need for more social housing is by working with private developers the developer manages all aspects of the construction process and Kāinga Ora purchases the new homes upon completion “Kāinga Ora proactively works with the developer to ensure the homes are built to a high standard and meet the needs of our customers.” For the development at 10-12 Reeves Road in Pakuranga Kāinga Ora will purchase a new 12-unit development upon completion two three-bedroom and seven two-bedroom homes “The three- and four-bedroom homes will be three storeys and the two-bedroom homes will be two storeys “As this development already has resource and building consent the existing homes on the site will be demolished within the next couple of months.” Kāinga Ora has faced criticism from politicians and members of the public around the country due to its reluctance to evict unruly Housing Minister Chris Bishop recently said the Government is pleased to see the agency taking a stronger approach to managing such tenants a small number of Kāinga Ora tenants have ridden roughshod over their neighbours because under Kāinga Ora’s previous Sustaining Tenancies Framework people knew there were no consequences for their threatening “In March this year Ministers said enough was enough We formally instructed Kāinga Ora to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and to strengthen their management of disruptive tenants it’s encouraging to see some green shoots of change beginning to emerge in the past three months 14 Kāinga Ora tenancies have been terminated due to disruptive behaviour or persistent rent arrears “Kāinga Ora also has an additional 25 applications to end tenancies for these reasons awaiting decisions by the Tenancy Tribunal.” What began as a small shed stored behind a post office in 1949 has evolved into one of New Zealand’s most respected and successful yacht clubs Bucklands Beach Yacht Club (BBYC) is this year celebrating a significant milestone – its 75th jubilee it’s staging a dinner at its clubhouse at Half Moon Bay Marina on September 21 as well as a race to and around Browns Island in the Hauraki Gulf and back The race starts at 2.45pm on September 14 and the organisers hope it delivers fun and excitement for competitors and spectators alike Club manager Lyle Tresadern says the jubilee dinner will be a chance for old and current members to catch up and have a yarn “It’s quite difficult to find some of the old members Some of them are around but others could be all over the place “It’s a dinner at a reasonable price of only $30 and a band so it’s a proper celebration.” Over the years the club has developed numerous well-known Kiwi sailors including Olympic medalists Earle Wells and siblings Barbara and Bruce Kendall America’s Cup sailors Brad Butterworth and Joey Allen Tresadern says there’s multiple reasons why so many of the club’s sailors have achieved high-level success including them having learned about hard work “We’ve been high-profile and when you look at the medalists there probably hasn’t been another [New Zealand] club that’s had as many medalists at the Olympics,” he says “One of the interesting things about here is that it’s quite tidal It’s an estuary and you can see the sandbank so you’ve got the issues of trying to avoid sandbanks and trying to work the tide properly When they go overseas it helps them a lot that they’ve experienced that when they’re younger.” Club Commodore Vaughan Hunt says a key part of the BBYC’s spirit is to support the local community It does that through its involvement in junior sailing programmes including RUNA “It’s a school-based programme and they learn about the estuary and the history of the area and then science-wise around energy efficiencies and the environment “We assist with teaching kids from all over Auckland to sail which we do with our local primary schools and we’ve just purchased 10 Elliot 7s [keelboats] “We’re trying to keep the youth interested and involved Obviously this is the succession of this place and the only way to keep the sport alive “We only purchased them [the Elliot 7s] in February and we only joined RUNA last year so the whole linkage is starting to work now Tickets to the club’s jubilee dinner are selling fast The first Windsurfer LT class regatta in New Zealand was held recently starting and finishing at Big Bucklands Beach says there were two events: The Tamaki Estuary Cascade “Both event formats have never been used before and were designed to offer high-quality racing and general enjoyment of windsurfing and the stunning place we live in,” he says “The Tamaki Estuary Cascade was the first ever sailing race from Big Bucklands Beach to State Highway 1 at Otahuhu and back with a handicap restart ‘Cascade’ element.” Kendall says the course is about 30 kilometres in a straight line following the channel he says the southwest wind over the course was from 0 to more than 60 kilometres an hour with a “vigorous incoming tide” The fleet racers in the event were all highly experienced board sailors New Zealand’s first double Olympic sailing medallist with gold and bronze New Zealand’s first Olympic class world windsurfing champion has also recently taken up sailing the Windsurfer LT was just back from the Windsurfer LT World Championships in Spain “It was unfortunate as not long after the start He certainly was not aching as much as us other sailors the next day,” says Kendall Local east Auckland sailor and builder Doug Ferguson has represented New Zealand twice at Olympic class world windsurfing champs Lloyd Parratt has represented New Zealand at the Youth Windsurfing World Champs wind-foil and wing-foiling instructor with the Mad Loop Windsurfing School and one of New Zealand’s top wind-foil and wing-foil champions who recently won the Australian Wing Foil Champs “Lloyd impressively took on this race in these conditions having never sailed a Windsurfer LT before,” Kendall says “The Cascade handicap race start system has never been done in the world before and the Tamaki Estuary is ideal for this system “Once the first sailor rounds the top mark and is sailing downwind those that can see this sailor or other sailors sailing down wind only one sailor needs to round the top mark and becomes the trigger for a second handicap start for the rest of the fleet.” While there was a good chance Kendall would be first to the rounding point having sailed there from Bucklands Beach numerous times before would he be able to be first back to Bucklands Beach as well Fergusson saw Parratt turn and start sailing downwind from about a kilometre away giving him about a three-kilometre head start on Kendall for the return race back to Big Bucklands Beach about 10 kilometres away Kendall passed Parratt (eventually third) between the Waipuna and Panmure Bridges and then Fergusson (second) near the Pakuranga Sailing Club to claim his win that took just over two hours Kendall says he estimates he tacked about 40 times and a similar number of gybes “This was one of the most extreme races I have ever done The unique images and sensations from that race will be with me for a long time.” Four sailors started The Motu Challenge on October 13: Ferguson The winds were lighter compared to the previous day for the race covering five nautical miles in a straight line from Big Bucklands Beach to Motukorea / Browns Island’s crater bay the legendary New Zealand windsurfer from the 1970s and ’80s and Kendall’s Olympic coach in 1984 raced for the first time after only sailing the WLT once before to finish third an experienced wind-foiler who recently represented New Zealand at the youth IQ foil world champs raced on the WLT for the first time and was a close fourth “There will be learnings for her from sailing and racing the Windsurfer LT that will improve her results in other wind sports,” Kendall says The next Tamaki Estuary Challenge is on November 23-24: https://windsurferlt-nz.org/events/tamaki-estuary-challenge-2024/ A man allegedly wandering through Bucklands Beach driveways under the cover of darkness is facing charges in court Police responded to calls before 4.30am on March 4 as residents had been disturbed around the Marendellas Drive area Counties Manukau East Police area prevention manager “The staff located a raft of stolen property in his possession “We’ve since established he was allegedly scoping out vehicles parked in driveways and on the side of the road.” sunglasses and other belongings that had allegedly been stolen The 35-year-old man has been charged with burglary and two counts of unlawfully interfering with a motor vehicle He’s appeared in the Manukau District Court and was remanded in custody to reappear today “I’d like to acknowledge our frontline staff who responded so quickly to the initial call for service,” Cook says “Thanks also to the vigilant residents in that area whose quick thinking enabled a timely response “It’s also a reminder of the value of a home CCTV system in these sorts of events.” Police continue to encourage the community to report suspicious activity by calling 111 so that appropriate action can be taken Five clubs face a nerve-jangling finish to the Lotto NRFL Men’s Northern Conference season With only two rounds left — and a key catch-up fixture — the title could go to any of three clubs while two sides still face a potential relegation ensuring the race goes to the final set of games With the title comes the right to play Southern Conference champions Cambridge in a two-legged play-off to decide who plays in next season’s Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship having to play Northland (away) and Waitemata (home) that leaves Waiheke’s fate entirely in their own hands Northland face a home/away double against midtable Bucklands Beach who have nothing left to play for Oratia United are all but sure to finish bottom of the competition and they’ll be relegated to next year’s NRF Men’s League One The contenders are Beachlands Maraetai and Te Atatu Beachlands face title-chasing Waitemata this weekend who were promoted to the conference after an outstanding League One campaign in 2023 badly need to win both their remaining games Waitemata and Northland slipping clear of the field the competition’s top three goalscorers all come from midtable teams The Golden Boot is being fought between Mark Giles (Beachlands Maraetai) and Sander Waterland (Bucklands Beach) with Albany United’s James Chamberlain-Barlow still an outside chance if he cuts loose against Oratia United this weekend A widely-admired former club and regional football administrator Here’s NZ Football’s 12-minute highlights reel from last.. The New Zealand men’s U-20 team will play a two-match series against Chile in June.. Football Ferns midfielder Katie Kitching has been named Player of the Year for her English.. Which teams will go into the men’s A-League finals play-offs with the strongest form Auckland FC have confirmed their home leg of the men’s A-League semi-finals will be played.. A 22-player squad has been named to represent New Zealand at the six-nation FIFA Youth.. Defending champions Auckland United are ready for strong competition at the OFC Women’s Champions League.. May 3-9: OFC U-16 Men’s Championship – qualifying, Tonga (click here for details) May 5-18 (NZT): Auckland United at OFC Women’s Champions League, Tahiti (click here for details) May 16-18: Grand final, women’s A-League (click here for details) Monday May 19 (2.30am NZT): New Zealand U-16 men v Switzerland, FIFA Youth Series, Zurich (click here for details) Tuesday May 20 (2.30am NZT): New Zealand U-16 men v Guatemala, FIFA Youth Series, Zurich (click here for details) May 26-June 3: FIFA international window (women) May 30-June 1: Grand final, men’s A-League (click here for details) May 31-June 1: Second rounds of Chatham Cup June 2-10: FIFA international window (men) Thursday June 5 (7.30am NZT): Chile U-20 v New Zealand U-20, men’s international, Complejo Deportivo Quilín, Santiago (click here for details) Sunday June 8 (7.30am NZT): Chile U-20 v New Zealand U-20, men’s international, Complejo Deportivo Quilín, Santiago (click here for details) Sunday June 8 (11am NZT): All Whites v Côte d’Ivoire, BMO Field, Toronto, Canada (click here for details) Wednesday June 11 (9am NZT): All Whites v Ukraine, BMO Field, Toronto, Canada (click here for details) June 15-July 13: FIFA Club World Cup, United States (click here for details) Monday June 16 (6am NZT): Auckland City v Bayern Munich, FIFA Club World Cup, TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio (click here for details) Saturday June 20 (6am NZT): Auckland City v Benfica, FIFA Club World Cup, Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida (click here for details) Wednesday June 24 (7am NZT): Auckland City v Boca Juniors, FIFA Club World Cup, Geodis Park, Nashville, Tennessee (click here for details) June 23-July 1: FIFA international window (women) July 5-6: Quarter-finals of Kate Sheppard Cup August 1-14: OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, Samoa (click here for details) August 15-30: OFC U-16 Men’s Championship, Solomon Islands (click here for details) August 16-17: Semi-finals of Kate Sheppard Cup September 2-9: FIFA international window (men) September 17-24: University of Auckland at FISU Men’s Football World Cup September 20-24: OFC Futsal Men’s Cup September 21-October 4: OFC U-19 Women’s Championship September 27-October 19: FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup September 27-28: Season starts for men’s and women’s National Leagues October 7-15: FIFA international window (men) Wednesday October 15 (k/o TBC): Norway v All Whites, international friendly, Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo, Norway (click here for details) October 17-November 8: FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Morocco (click here for details) October 20-28: FIFA international window (women) November 4-28 (NZT): FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup, Qatar (click here for details) November 10-18: FIFA international window (men) November 17-22: OFC Futsal Men’s Champions League November 21-December 7: FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, Philippines (click here for details) 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Oceania qualifiers December 13-14: Grand finals of men’s and women’s National Leagues June 12-July 20 (NZT): FIFA Men’s World Cup © 2025 Friends of Football Site designed by Hurricane Press Ltd using - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP Nestled in one of east Auckland’s most popular coastal areas of Bucklands Beach Zab’rone is redefining the local dining scene with its versatile menu and inviting atmosphere this charming eatery promises an exceptional experience whether you’re starting your day or enjoying a leisurely lunch Begin your mornings on a high note with Zab’rone’s delectable breakfast offerings Their breakfast menu is a celebration of morning favorites meticulously crafted to fuel your day with delicious energy the focus shifts to a delightful lunch service available Wednesday through Friday The lunch menu is a well-curated selection that balances comfort and sophistication perfect for a midday escape or a casual business meeting ensuring Zab’rone remains a versatile dining option for any occasion each dish is prepared with the freshest ingredients and a creative touch promising a memorable culinary journey each and every time Please note that Zab’rone is closed on Mondays but welcomes guests with open arms the rest of the week For more details on their offerings and to view the full menu, visit their official website at https://www.zabrone.co.nz/. Whether you’re a breakfast enthusiast or a lunch aficionado, Zab’rone is the place to be. Come for the food, stay for the experience, and make your dining moments truly special. Well-known east Auckland entertainer Dave Upfold is bringing his side-splitting comedy stage hypnosis show to Bucklands Beach. Over the past two decades Upfold has performed his popular all-ages shows at public venues across the community. His next one will be staged at the Bucklands and Eastern Beaches Memorial Hall on The Parade in Bucklands Beach from 7pm-8.30pm on Saturday, March 29. It will be his 100th show in east Auckland and he’s done about 2000 of them around the country. “It’s 90 minutes of fall-off-the-chair laughter,” Upfold told the Times. “Even I crack up and I don’t know what’s going to happen as there’s no script.” One of the skits Upfold does is to convince a person who he’s hypnotised that they’ve won $1 million. “The only problem is when I say, ‘wake up, wide awake’, they won’t remember it, but the feeling is great. “It’s also getting the ‘world’s greatest rock guitarist’ playing rock music on a broomstick, or someone believing they’ve just met a famous person. “The power of the mind is unbelievable. You believe what you want to believe and you’ll only believe good things. “The good thing about hypnosis shows is you’ll never do anything against your will or your morals.” Another of Upfold’s skits has him get a burly male audience member on stage and ask him to try to pick up what he’s been told is a massively heavy weight. “He obviously can’t do it, but I then get a young kid out of the audience and say, ‘can you pick it up with one hand?’ and of course they do it. “The first guy nearly has a heart attack and dies. He thinks, ‘here I am a bodybuilder, rugby player, or sportsman and I can’t lift it, and a 10-year-old lifts it with one hand’. “It’s that type of thing. It’s not embarrassing and none of the skits are to embarrass people. “At the end of the show they are the stars as the audience will scream and clap and they’ll be thinking, ‘why are they clapping for me?’.” Mathematical prodigies from Bucklands Beach Intermediate School (BBI) have proven their abilities in a major competition. The school’s year 7 and year 8 Mathex groups recently took part in the Australian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiad (APSMO). BBI mathematics lead and maths extension teacher Mandy Attard says it’s for individual students and teams. “This year four students in year 8 were awarded a medal for achieving a perfect score across all four competitions. “Both the year 7 and year 8 Mathex groups were awarded the top non-Australian school in their division. “This score is based on the total achieved by the top 10 students in the group.” The school’s year 7 students were named top non-Australian school in the Junior division, while the year 8 students were crowned top non-Australian school in the Senior division. It’s the third consecutive year BBI students have won both competition levels, Attard says. “I prepare these students as part of their challenges which the whole Mathex group at BBI take part in during the year. “It’s one of many competitions the students participate in to extend their skills and knowledge and challenge themselves.” Attard says her young students’ success has proven they can solve their way out of almost any problem. “Every year the schools’ gifted and talented mathematicians take part in the APSMO series of question sets, with more than 100,000 students across Australia and New Zealand taking part each year. “The competition is one of those offered to talented students at BBI to provide opportunities for students who are extremely academic to achieve recognition of their abilities.” Attard says the competition consists of four sets of questions held over term 2 and 3. Students take part in the formal setting of the school hall with individual tables. “Each student works on their own on the set of questions for 30 minutes and then the papers are collected and marked. “The week following the competition, the questions are reviewed and discussed in class. “Students can also find out their score for the set at this time if they’re unable to work out their score from the discussion. “One year 7 group and three year 8 groups take part in this competition. The second year 8 group finished in the top 10 percent of teams and the third year 8 group finished in the top 30 percent of teams.” To prepare for the competition, the students spend several weeks looking at different strategies which they can use to solve the types of applied word questions toward the end of term 1. “Then the students complete questions sets from previous years, usually a few sets in the week before each round of the competition. “All practice questions are reviewed and where relevant different possibilities for reaching a solution are shared and discussed. “The students work really hard on preparing with many going home and practicing additional questions in their own time.” The BBI year 7 team is comprised of Roger Zhao, Wilson Wei, Deven Wei, Savindu Kodippiliarachchi, Anderson Wang, Max Chen, Julian Xiao, Alyssa Guo, William Si, Ryan Xing, Emily Shen, Fangle Peng, Gloria Young, Raymond Lyn, and Kaesar Wu. The year 8 team was made up of Hugo Tan, Ethan Liu, Devarsh Singla, Connor Hu-Wen, Edison Meng, Kenneth Liu, Raymont Qin, Chris Lin, Andy Tian, Rina Zhang, Franklyn Zhang, Stella Kim and Baxter Kennerley. In addition, four year 8 students were awarded a medal to acknowledge their perfect score across all four question sets. The medals were awarded to Connor Hu-Wen, Devarsh Singla, Ethan Liu and Hugo Tan. Anyone for tennis? So the old saying goes and this Sunday anyone can pick up a racquet and serve up at local clubs in east Auckland. The once-a-year Love Tennis initiative of Tennis NZ is held again on September 8 with clubs across the country opening their courts to allcomers. Bucklands Beach Tennis Club president Fiona Macleod says it’s combining Love Tennis and the club’s annual community open day, from 10am to 2pm. “It’s all about promoting our sport, giving the local community a wonderful free opportunity to come and try tennis, or get back on the court if they’ve played before but aren’t currently a member of a club. “We offer free coaching sessions for beginner adults and kids, lend equipment and balls and provide social tennis for those who can already play,” says Macleod. “We also provide fantastic discounts on our membership fees for first-year joiners who sign up in September.” Julia Sim, the long-serving club coach at Bucklands Beach, has seen a few Love Tennis community days, with the Jern Place-based club participating since its inception. “Lots of people have hit a few balls at some stage of their lives but don’t know how to get into the game as an adult,” says Sim. “Or maybe they’ve never really had the chance to try it but would like to give it a go. “Either way, they really enjoy the chance to meet other novice and returning players and get some expert help on how to play while having fun and exercise in the fresh air.” Sim, a former professional tennis player and Olympian for Zimbabwe, trains people of all ages and abilities, with a particular passion for introducing the game to new players. As well as Bucklands Beach’s popular junior coaching programme for young ones aged five to 18 during the summer terms, Sim also leads a fun programme for adults starting in October each year. Tennis NZ says clubs across the country have lots of plans for their respective Love Tennis events, including spot prizes, free refreshments and barbeques, lolly scrambles and other fun games for individuals and families to enjoy. “Club members will be on hand too to hit balls with visitors who have played before.” It adds that visitors to any tennis club holding Love Tennis activities can enter a draw for a trip to next year’s Australian Open. Manukau CityAsking price $1,399,000421Brand New Home Within Walking Distance to MacleansSituated in a quiet cul-de-sac this brand new property is the perfect choice for families seeking top-tier education and a modern lifestyle Offering a rare combination of location and contemporary living • 4 Generously Sized Bedrooms – Including a master suite with ensuite and walk-in wardrobe • 2 Modern Bathrooms (including ensuite) plus a separate toilet • Spacious Open Plan Living – Ideal for family gatherings and entertaining • Single Internal Access Garage for convenience and security • Located in a Family-Friendly Cul-de-Sac – Peaceful and safe with minimal traffic • Macleans College Zone – Only a 5-minute walk away via a nearby alleyway Enjoy leisurely strolls through the beautiful Macleans Reserve to Macleans College or walk to Bucklands Beach and Half Moon Bay Marina for dining at local cafes and restaurants The home is surrounded by an array of amenities In Zone for Sought-After Schools – All within walking distance: With its unbeatable location and thoughtful design this home at 33B Galsworthy Place offers a lifestyle of convenience See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson Photo / Chris Tarpey- Saint Heliers home sold for nearly $17m - The 1000sqm mansion features seven bedrooms - Bayleys agent Sarah Liu also sold a Bucklands Beach home for over $10m A trophy home in the wealthy Auckland suburb of Saint Heliers sold for nearly $17 million seven days after the buyers first saw it who brokered the off-market deal at the end of last year told OneRoof the buyers had been looking for a new family home for almost a year but hadn’t found anything they liked until she showed them the luxury property on Long Drive made an instant impression: it had seven bedrooms and we closed the deal within a week,” Liu told OneRoof Bayleys agent Sarah Liu says buyers with $10m-plus budgets are out there – but picky She could not disclose the exact sale price but said it was close to $17m “I felt this was a suitable home [for the buyers] They had a budget of about $20m and had been renting while they looked They wanted a spacious house with a tennis court because their kids play tennis.” Liu said it didn’t matter that the house was outside the prized double grammar school zone as the buyers’ children went to private schools The vendors bought the main house in 2016 for $5.1m and then acquired the 1200sqm site next door in 2019 for $2.5m to house the tennis court and pavilion - St Heliers: You can live by the beach ‘without being a multi-millionaire’ - Dame Trelise Cooper still looking for a buyer after luxury apartment passes in at auction - Could this $5m Auckland mansion sell for as little as $1? Liu also revealed she had just sold a trophy home further east for more than $10m and that she had other big deals in the works The Macleans Road trophy home had been on and off the market over the past two years with other agents but Liu said her buyers hadn’t seen it before They were looking for a property in the area and liked that the house sat on an 8000sqm-plus section overlooking the harbour “They are holding it as a land bank or for future renovation The land could be subdivided into 12 standalone homes Liu also sold this Bucklands Beach estate for more than $10m Records show the house last sold nine years ago for $8.03m and had an RV of $9.6m Liu said the recent changes to investment rules could bolster the luxury end of the housing market but noted she still had buyers with $10m-plus budgets Some had been looking for over six months and were “picky” “I’ve still got an off-market listing to show buyers It has amazing water views and a swimming pool but no tennis court - Click here to find more properties for sale in Auckland Photo / SuppliedThe beauty of this often-admired landmark estate “is that it offers the proportions of Whitford living but you’re just a short walk from Macleans College and are nestled right at the heart of Bucklands Beach” Spanning an extraordinary 8094sqm of park-like grounds in this unique suburban setting Liew says there are very few properties of this size in Mellons Bay or the eastern suburbs and that buyers would usually need to move much further out to experience this kind of scale and privacy Set on a rise just one over from Macleans Park the grand and stately English country manor-style residence offers 600sqm of family living and cascades down the slope over three expansive levels This elevation showcases views over the tennis court and swimming pool below then out across the Hauraki Gulf to Rangitoto and Auckland City 122 Macleans Road in Bucklands Beach, Manukau, is on the market for sale by tender closing June 6 six-bathroom property has a 2021 RV of $9.6 million and The home has been cherished and meticulously cared for by its custodians over the decades It was originally crafted in the 1950s as a farmhouse and when its then owners undertook some alterations and enlarged it in 1987 they discovered it was built to English specifications using double bricks The original front wall was removed as a way of matching the bricks and several thousand new bricks were made to match to ensure that the house retained its special old-world character When the next owners arrived in the early 2000s they developed and landscaped the grounds to reflect the elegance of the home planting out the property with deciduous maples It was these magnificent gardens that caught the eye of the current owners The grand English country manor-style residence offers 600sqm of family living and cascades down the slope over three levels Bayleys agent Lawrence Liew says there are very few properties of this size in Mellons Bay or the eastern suburbs the real magic awaited in the embrace of the garden” I revelled in the clever arrangement of plants – a testament to the meticulous care and thought that had gone into its creation Our time here has been a symphony of changing seasons sun-kissed days and meaningful connections including moments shared with the previous owner whose dedication shaped the garden’s beauty over decades “We know there is love behind every bloom and every corner here.” “we’ve replaced most doors and windows and changed carpets but we’ve always maintained the home’s unique design and original character” This includes incorporating double glazing in many areas the kitchen and a series of vast formal and informal living spaces flow out to the north-facing terrace There is also a guest bedroom on this level as well as a powder room and full bathroom The staircase leads to three bedrooms upstairs and views best enjoyed from the central balcony The back of the sprawling home looks out to a flat lawn The ground floor boasts a wide open entertaining area which has served a space for many large functions and celebrations over the years It flows out to the patio and is serviced by a kitchen and wine cellar a powder room and a laundry area complete this level three bedrooms each have their own ensuites and savour elevated views which are best enjoyed from the central balcony Additional accommodation is provided by the loft above the mudroom and the self-contained cottage This offers handy options for extended family accommodation 122 Macleans Road is in zone for Mellons Bay Primary and Bucklands Beach Intermediate Beautiful eastern beaches are a short drive away as are Howick Village and Half Moon Bay Marina this property also boats undeniable potential for development “It would be perfect for someone who loves the house who is marketing it with colleague Wendy Wu - 122 Macleans Road in Bucklands Beach, Manukau, is for sale by tender closing June 6 {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"/2024/12/28/tidy-up-salvage-on-the-cards-after-day-of-heavy-winds/"},"datePublished":"2024-12-27T17:00:29.686Z","dateModified":"2024-12-27T17:00:29.686Z","headline":"Tidy up MetService had lifted many strong wind watches around the country although Hawke's Bay and Gisborne were advised to remain cautious until early Saturday morning Heavy rain was also anticipated for Wairoa until noon Saturday Assessments were being carried out on the Interislander ferry Kaitaki yesterday after the vessel experienced "significant roll" on a sailing from Wellington to Picton Several passenger vehicles shifted as result of the rolling and sustained damage One person received minor injuries on the ferry and was treated onboard MetService had warned of strong wind watches from southerly gales over central New Zealand and these were proved timely In Auckland's eastern suburb of Buckland Beach a recreational launch dragged free of its mooring and ruptured its hull on rocks The owners were out last night assessing the damage and a family friend told 1News a salvage attempt would be made early on Saturday with hopes to float the vessel to the Half Moon Bay Marina for fuller scrutiny The Harbourmaster had been notified about the stricken launch clean ups will continue on Saturday after trees were downed by the high winds and some roads were blocked Eastern police advised motorists to avoid the Gisborne Lookout on Wharerata Road due to high winds "The road is impassable due to trees down in many places." Police said motorists should only travel in the area if it was essential Resident Alex Shanks told 1News the high winds have downed trees all over Gisborne "and no doubt in other areas on the East Coast" "Roads are closed and backyard trees are causing damage." Shanks said weather warnings needed to be better and "more specific" MetService last night said it expected the gales and high seas caused as a result would gradually ease overnight into Saturday morning A launch collides with a seawall at Buckland's Beach in Auckland after high winds Saturday will be a day for assessing damage and mopping up for many after high winds battered parts of the country yesterday Assessments were being carried out on the Interislander ferry Kaitaki yesterday after the vessel experienced "significant roll" on a sailing from Wellington to Picton. Several passenger vehicles shifted as result of the rolling and sustained damage. One person received minor injuries on the ferry and was treated onboard. Video taken aboard the Kaitaki ferry showed water splashing against the windows, and staff heard telling people to remain seated. (Source: Supplied) MetService had warned of strong wind watches from southerly gales over central New Zealand and these were proved timely. In Auckland's eastern suburb of Buckland Beach, a recreational launch dragged free of its mooring and ruptured its hull on rocks. The owners were out last night assessing the damage and a family friend told 1News a salvage attempt would be made early on Saturday, with hopes to float the vessel to the Half Moon Bay Marina for fuller scrutiny. A launch broke free of it's mooring near the Buckland's Beach Yacht Club. (Source: 1News) The Harbourmaster had been notified about the stricken launch. On the east coast of the North Island, clean ups will continue on Saturday after trees were downed by the high winds and some roads were blocked. Eastern police advised motorists to avoid the Gisborne Lookout on Wharerata Road due to high winds. Police said motorists should only travel in the area if it was essential. Resident Alex Shanks told 1News the high winds have downed trees all over Gisborne "and no doubt in other areas on the East Coast". Shanks said weather warnings needed to be better and "more specific". MetService last night said it expected the gales and high seas caused as a result would gradually ease overnight into Saturday morning. State of emergency lifted for Christchurch Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger said there were still a "couple of issues in Banks Peninsula that we need to keep an eye on" Council defends management of Lake Ellesmere during storm Environment Canterbury is being criticised for its management of Lake Ellesmere Main road to Akaroa still blocked days after flooding The highway from Christchurch has been closed from Motukarara to Little River since Wednesday night Selwyn lifts state of emergency as severe weather recovery continues Flooding from heavy rain has led to a state of emergency being declared in Christchurch (including Banks Peninsula) Publican of damaged inn says scale of flooding worst in 50 years Publican Sarah McFarland of Little River Inn is hopeful it would be back up and running soon Wellington wind warning at 'red' level MetService issues red warnings when there is extreme weather which is likely to have a significant impact or disruption 19 mins ago 26 mins ago 46 mins ago 52 mins ago 7 mins ago ⚠ Severe Weather update💨🟡 Most of the Strong Wind Watches have been lifted, but the Watch for coast areas of Hawke's Bay and Gisborne remains until 4am🌧🟠 The Heavy Rain Warning for the Wairoa District is in force until noon tomorrow pic.twitter.com/Q8FRwXSVBp The state of emergency put in place in response to flooding has been lifted for Christchurch but remains in place for Banks Peninsula Mayor Phil Mauger said things in Christchurch had settled down but that there were still a couple of issues in Banks Peninsula the council "need to keep an eye on" "It’s good to have access to powers under the State of Emergency if they’re required and some land instability that needs to be monitored," he said "Although we are transitioning into a recovery period we are still keeping a close eye on the stormwater basins to ensure we keep any disruption to a minimum." Lifting the state of emergency for the Banks Peninsula ward would be assessed next week which reconnected Banks Peninsula with the rest of the region but some smaller roads across the peninsula remained closed Most roads across Christchurch were now open Lower Styx Rd from number 980 to the lagoon These roads were impacted by the managed release of water from stormwater basins which continued to drain slowly The landslip at Lighthouse Rd in Akaroa continues to be regularly monitored with no changes in the past 24 hours A temporary pump installed has now stopped wastewater entering Akaroa Harbour but residents were asked to continue to limit demand on the wastewater system The Canterbury Regional Council says there was an agreement to open Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere to the sea last Tuesday but sea conditions prevented it from happening before the rain storm hit with people in Selwyn telling RNZ they are frustrated the lake was not opened to the sea earlier Taumutu farmer Tim Sanson said there had been good warning that a fairly serious weather system was on the way He was expecting around 80 millimetres of rain but received more than 150mm on Thursday which was "a fairly significant chunk of rain in a short period of time" "That is a lot more than what we were expecting from the forecast but to get more than sort of two inches in one hit here Sanson said the decision-making around opening Lake Ellesmere was a long-running "bugbear" for many locals "It's a bit like having a bucket that's full of water and potentially we should be doing that with the lake with a bit more management," he said which required heavy machinery and hard work "It did seem crazy to me watching the bulldozers head down there at high tide I think it was yesterday morning or the morning before to start preparing for opening with the southerly roaring in," he said said he thought the lake should have been opened sooner He woke at 4am on Friday to find six inches of water through his home after a nearby creek overflowed "If the council had opened the lake last weekend when it was nice and sunny then there would have been far less room for the water to move to the lake and travel on its way out to the sea," he said also questioned why officials did not act earlier to open the lake before the heavy rain caused widespread flooding She said she struggled in vain to get officials to open Lake Ellesmere to help the rising floodwaters drain away on Thursday evening She rang the Christchurch City Council and the Canterbury Regional Council after she got home to find water lapping on neighbours' doors The regional council told her it was after hours to call again in the morning and that the lake's opening was out of staff hands Adams said her property was a disaster zone with a repair bill estimated to cost tens of thousands of dollars The council used diggers to create a channel between the lake and sea at certain times governed by a 1990 water conservation order and resource consents held jointly with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu ECan general manger of hazards Leigh Griffiths said consultation for a lake opening began on Monday and by Tuesday afternoon a joint decision had been made to open the lake "We can only open the lake once a joint decision has been made and the lake height reaches a minimum of 1.13m (from 1 April to 15 June) The lake conditions were not met until Tuesday 30 April," she said Griffiths said earthworks had begun to open the lake but in current sea conditions it would not be successful because the cut would fill in and it was unsafe for people to operate machinery in the surf zone "We are watching conditions closely and the lake will be opened to the sea as soon as weather and sea conditions allow This is likely several days away at the earliest," she said Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell said he was confident officials had made the right call not to open Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere to the sea earlier Mitchell met Environment Canterbury staff and mana whenua on Friday about the lake "It is very apparent there is a lot of work and focus on how they manage Lake Ellesmere and the fact that there was a request to put in to widen that access," he said "All the information that they had in relation to that was what informed their decisions and they're all united in the fact that they've done the right thing and they've made the right decisions and they've done what they could." Mitchell said he had full confidence in that decision but he was prepared to hear more about the community's concerns over the the lake's management rnz.co.nz The main road to Akaroa on Banks Peninsula is still blocked days after intense rainfall flooded State Highway 75 and extreme caution is still advised on the remainder of the route to Akaroa Photos and videos shared by residents on social media show fallen trees and other major damage on the highway which is the only road connecting communities like Akaroa to the rest of Canterbury Aerial footage captured by the Christchurch City Council on Thursday evening showed farmland submerged below floodwaters across the peninsula and Minister for Emergency Management Mark Mitchell noted the full extent of the damage would not be clear until the water subsided The council also reported large cracks on Lighthouse Road in Akaroa "The assessment found there [is] no immediate danger to the evacuated properties or other properties in the vicinity," the council posted on its Facebook page we may require houses further down to evacuate at short notice." Contractors opened Lake Forsyth to the ocean on Friday afternoon allowing the lake to drain excess water over the next seven days rnz.co.nz A publican on Banks Peninsula says for the first time in 50-odd years businesses on the main road of Little River have been flooded Follow updates with 1News' live blog A state of emergency remains in place in Selwyn Canterbury's civil defence and emergency management says rain is easing in the region and they will be spending the day assessing the damage Publican Sarah McFarland said a breached stream ran through the entire lower level of her Little River Inn on Thursday as well as a couple of other businesses on State Highway 75 and that sort of flooding has not been seen for half a century and farmland in the area has also borne the brunt of heavy rain and floodwaters McFarland said she was hopeful the inn would be back up and running soon A Banks Peninsula business owner says Little River is no longer an accurate description for the village there's lots of little bridges and you see the water rushing through like 20 times at the level The river is 20 times the size of what it normally is "A little river is no longer a little river." Fowler said it was the third time the settlement has flooded since he moved there in 2010 Volunteer firefighters had been flat-out trying to divert the water rnz.co.nz Wellingtonians have been urged to prepare as MetService warns "destructive" gusts of up to 140km/h may hit this afternoon with a rare red warning issued for the capital Hundreds of homes in the region are currently without power and flights have been cancelled out of the city's airport this afternoon Victoria University has suspended teaching activities from midday and urged students to get home safely Follow 1News' live updates for the latest on the severe weather impacting NZ and be prepared for possible power and communication outages "Wellington is no stranger to high winds but this is an extraordinary day in the capital," meteorologist John Law told AAP Law said the "combination of wind direction and rainfall and higher tides" prompted the warning escalation The highest gust was recorded at Mt Kaukau at 150km/h with the airport on the south coast registering 115km/h A 17-hour strong wind warning is in place from 10am today to 3am tomorrow An orange heavy rain warning is also in force until midday Friday Severe gale southwesterlies with damaging gusts would peak this afternoon especially about the south coast and exposed hilltops "Winds are expected to pick up from 10am but continuing into the afternoon," a spokesperson for Wellington Emergency Management said "We are advising people to stay indoors where possible and avoid unnecessary travel If you need to travel this afternoon or evening plan ahead as strong winds can make driving hazardous." Official warnings state there is a threat to life from flying items and falling trees with destructive winds expected to cause damage to powerlines and roofs Disruption to transport and electricity is also anticipated The official forecaster issues red warnings when there is extreme weather which is likely to have a significant impact or disruption Hunker down Wellington 💨The wind is expected to peak this afternoon and an escalation to Red Warning means there's a real risk to life.Stay home if possible and prepare for power outages.Winds are forecast to ease into the evening.https://t.co/HZ2TSD5rV7 pic.twitter.com/WRuONHWKOr The high winds are also causing travel havoc across the region Most arriving and departing flights at Wellington Airport have been cancelled this afternoon Most flights until 6pm have been cancelled "Conditions are expected to continue impacting our network throughout the day so we encourage customers travelling to check the Air New Zealand app or the arrivals and departures page on our website for the latest updates," a spokesperson said Cook Strait ferry crossings have also been cancelled this afternoon and Interislander and Bluebridge sailings face cancellations well into tomorrow as well An orange heavy rain warning for the Wellington region is also expected to bring about disruption but there is a "minimal" chance the warning will be upgraded to red "Expect 90 to 110 mm of rain about the eastern hills and ranges Peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/h expected mainly about the ranges," according to MetService Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously," the forecaster advised It was the first sign of a follow-up to Lorde's previous album Her other albums were 2013's Pure Heroine and 2017's Melodrama she collaborated with British singer Charli XCX on a remix of Girl so confusing — on a re-release of the Grammy award-winning Brat Kim Kardashian thought she was going to be raped and killed when criminals broke into her bedroom in central Paris tied her up and stole more than US$6 million in jewellery 10 people will go on trial in Paris over the robbery abduction and kidnapping of the media personality and the concierge of the residence where she was staying during Paris Fashion Week the night of October 2 Kardashian’s lawyers said she will testify in person at the trial starting Monday and scheduled to run through May 23 "Ms Kardashian is reserving her testimony for the court and jury and does not wish to elaborate further at this time," they said "She has great respect and admiration for the French justice system and has been treated with great respect by the French authorities "She wishes the trial to proceed in an orderly fashion in accordance with French law and with respect for all parties to the case." In interviews and on her family’s reality TV show Kardashian has described being terrified as robbers pointed a gun at her In a 2020 appearance on David Letterman’s Netflix show she tearfully recalled thinking: "This is the time I’m going to get raped Twelve people were originally expected in the defendants’ box and another is seriously ill and can't be tried five of the 10 defendants were present at the scene of the robbery The French press has dubbed them The Granddad Robbers because the main defendants are elderly and have careers as bank robbers with long criminal records Kardashian told investigators she was taken to a bathroom next to her bedroom and placed in the bathtub Her attackers fled on bicycles or on foot and she managed to free herself by removing the tape from her hands and mouth She had also removed the tape from her feet and rushed to her stylist’s room She called her sister Kourtney to tell her about the theft Kardashian told investigators that she had not been injured adding that she wanted to leave France as soon as possible to be reunited with her children According to her testimony and that of the concierge at least one of the suspects had a handgun The gangsters stole many pieces of jewellery estimated to be worth more than US$6 million (NZ$10 million) Only one piece of jewellery — a diamond cross on platinum that was lost during the suspects' escape — has been recovered Two of the accused have partially confessed to the crime is one of two suspected robbers who allegedly entered the apartment his genetic profile was found on the tape used to gag Kardashian who was waiting for him in a parked car at a nearby train station The second robber said he tied up the concierge with cables but did not go up to Kardashian’s apartment said he acted as a lookout in the ground-floor reception area He said he was unarmed and did not personally threaten Kardashian but admitted he shared responsibility for the crime Abbas was arrested in January 2017 and spent 21 months in prison before being released under judicial supervision he co-authored a French-language book titled I Sequestered Kim Kardashian is the second alleged robber suspected of entering the flat although he was filmed by CCTV cameras and numerous telephone contacts with the other co-defendants show his involvement The other defendants are suspected of providing information about Kardashian’s presence in the apartment Others are accused of playing a role in the resale of the jewellery in Antwerp Joe Cocker and Bad Company will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — in a class that also includes pop star Cyndi Lauper the rock duo the White Stripes and grunge masters Soundgarden the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status and the late singer-songwriter Warren Zevon will get the Musical Influence Award pianist Nicky Hopkins and bassist Carol Kaye will each get the Musical Excellence Award who sang at Woodstock and was best known for his cover of The Beatles’ With a Little Help From My Friends a member of Elvis Costello & The Attractions who argued that Cocker is "about as rock and roll as it gets" Soundgarden — with the late Chris Cornell as singer — get into the Hall on their third nomination They follow two other grunge acts in the Hall — Nirvana and Pearl Jam Bad Company get in having become radio fixtures with such arena-rock staples as Feel Like Makin’ Love Can’t Get Enough and Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy The Ahmet Ertegun Award — given to nonperforming industry professionals who had a major influence on music — will go to Lenny Waronker Some nominees that didn't get in this year included Mariah Carey and subsequent Let’s Twist Again are considered among the most popular songs in the history of rock 'n' roll The 83-year-old has expressed frustration that he hadn't been granted entry before including telling the AP in 2014: "I don’t want to get in there when I’m 85 years old so you better do it quick while I’m still smiling." Lauper rose to fame in the 1980s with hits such as Time After Time and Girls Just Want To Have Fun and went on to win a Tony Award for Kinky Boots have six Grammys and a reputation for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop The White Stripes — made up of Jack White and Meg White — were indie darlings in the early 2000s with such songs as Seven Nation Army Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they’re eligible for induction The induction ceremony will take place in Los Angeles this fall Nominees were voted on by more than 1200 artists historians and music industry professionals The selection criteria include "an artist’s impact on other musicians the scope and longevity of their career and body of work as well as their innovation and excellence in style and technique" Dave Matthews Band and singer-guitarist Peter Frampton were inducted Public housing agency Kāinga Ora says it’s pausing a development that would have seen 15 new one-bedroom walk-up apartments built at a site in east Auckland The new homes would have been situated at a property in Pakuranga Road adjacent to Fairburn Reserve and over the road from Pakuranga Plaza They were initially intended to be ready for tenants to move into in October this year an update on the Kāinga Ora website states the project is “currently on hold pending future budget decisions” The Times asked the agency why the development has been paused and when it expects to be able to announce if it’s going ahead or is being cancelled Kāinga Ora regional director central and east Auckland John Tubberty says: “We are continuing to work our way through decisions about future social housing development with a focus on priority locations and best value for money “We expect decisions on where we will deliver houses through to June “In relation to the site at 105 Pakuranga Road this site remains under assessment and as decisions are made we will continue to keep the community and stakeholders informed.” The coalition Government has made numerous changes to Kāinga Ora since coming into office including commissing an independent review into the agency and installing a new board Housing Minister Chris Bishop recently said that under the previous Labour Government “hundreds of millions of dollars allocated to it and was asked to do everything from urban development as well being a landlord to and looking after tenants” “Despite billions thrown at it and billions borrowed the waitlist quadrupled under the last government “It is critical that Kāinga Ora is a highly performing organisation but for the people it houses and for the communities it operates in.” The Times revealed late last year that Kāinga Ora was planning to build more than 70 new homes in neighbourhoods across east Auckland new homes in Bucklands Beach Road and Gills Road in Bucklands Beach; Cascades Road Edgewater Drive and Aurea Avenue in Pakuranga; and Gossamer Drive in Pakuranga Heights