A floral tribute at the bus stop on St John’s Road His mother Carole Whorrall attended a memorial event nearby About 50 people have today packed into an Auckland restaurant near the site of a bus stop attack in which US student Kyle Whorrall was tragically killed The memorial event at the Meadow cafe included a silent auction with gifts and services donated by local businesses to help raise funds for Whorrall’s family Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson and Ōrākei Local Board chair Scott Milne were in attendance said while drawing a butterfly for the memorial one child asked: “Does Kyle have wings now?” She said Whorrall was “deeply admired” by his colleagues and friends the community and Whorrall’s sister Heather Thomas were shared with the gathering who said her brother’s love for nature blossomed shortly after he learnt to walk turning over rocks or sifting through soil He was always on the lookout for some captivating bug.” Carole Whorrall travelled to New Zealand from the United States and spoke to the Herald this week about how she wanted her son to be remembered gentle and deeply caring person whose love for the natural world shaped his life and inspired those around him,” she said in a written statement “He was passionate about his work and admired greatly by his colleagues and friends “He was dedicated to making a difference and about to embark on a brilliant career He was deeply loved and admired by his family.” was in the last stages of a PhD in entomology at the University of Auckland and was based at Landcare Research in St Johns Local body chair Scott Milne said there is a sense of shame in the community but he is proud about how the community has come together to honour Whorrall “I’m trying to find the silver linings in all of this awful situation.” He hoped Whorrall’s family didn’t become strangers and felt able to return and reconnect with the community because we feel the loss and the tragedy that has occurred But sweet because our community has really rallied beautifully together to support Kyle’s family and flatmates.” Simpson said today was one of a number of things organised for Whorrall by the community “I think this community has shown resilience warmth and wrapped its arms around all of those affected.” The Ōrākei Local Board has arranged for another memorial service on Monday at St Johns Bush where a pōhutukawa will be planted to honour Whorrall Meadow owner Gina Henry said there had been an outpouring of grief in the community She said about 40 businesses gave services or goods for the auctions His mother will fly home to California on Monday evening and said the family planned to hold his funeral there “There have been a number of memorials here in New Zealand by friends colleagues and those who never knew him but wished to celebrate his life,” she said “We are deeply moved by the kindness and concern of everyone here in New Zealand.” A family friend has set up a crowdfunding page to help the family cover the costs of their travel US$53,000 ($89,000) has been raised towards a goal of US$60,000 “The circumstances of Kyle’s death have introduced unexpected and uniquely challenging obstacles to his family who must now travel thousands of miles to deal with this horrible tragedy,” the organiser of the fundraiser said the family arranged for professional photos to be taken of Whorrall‘s bedroom in his St Johns flat as a memento Photographs showed a room crammed with plant life on every surface US National Park posters and natural artefacts Display cases of insects filled one corner of the room Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said there had been no further arrests or charges in the homicide investigation but search warrants had been executed in the past few days Police were following “positive lines of inquiry” Police had also found the occupants of a silver Mitsubishi Grandis they were seeking last week saying that they could hold information about why Whorrall was killed Carole Whorrall said the police had been “very diligent” in their investigation and “extraordinarily kind” to the family Sign up to The Daily H a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday The only high-reach ladder truck in Auckland broke down last night was killed at a bus stop on St Johns Road in Meadowbank A remembrance for the 33-year-old PhD student killed in Auckland over Easter Weekend is expected to take place on Sunday afternoon Kyle Whorrall was attacked at a bus stop on St Johns Road in the suburb of Meadowbank shortly after going to a supermarket A 16-year-old male has been charged with murder and aggravated robbery and a 32-year-old woman has been charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder A remembrance is being held at 3pm at a restaurant just down the road from where Whorrall was attacked Speaking to RNZ, his father John Whorrall said his son was a "gentle and caring soul" who was deeply committed to his science "It breaks my heart that he can't fulfil his final contributions in the world I'm sure he would have made some amazing discoveries." More than 50 members of the community, friends and colleagues of Whorrall gathered for a vigil on 24 April at the bus stop where was attacked said the American student had left a deep impression on all of them he was the kind of person who would just unapologetically geek out on anything he was passionate about because he cared so much about it," he said "He had a beautifully found family here in New Zealand Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday The father of the US student who died after being attacked at a bus stop says it's "such a waste" of a gifted person's life Whorrall died after being attacked at an Auckland bus stop over Easter A 32-year-old woman has also been charged as an accessory after Kyle Whorrall was killed in a "senseless attack" at least a few new species described and named in Kyle's honour" died in hospital after being assaulted on St Johns Road New Zealand RSS Follow RNZ News Costs: $3 per family donation (Concession cards available) All parents/caregivers with children 0-5 are welcome to join the Playgroup Facebook Group: Please join our Facebook group and be part of our Plunket Meadowbank Playgroup community https://www.facebook.com/groups/1718348275595636 For more information, please contact Justyna Szarek, the Community Services Coordinator at justyna.szarek@plunket.org.nz or call 027 229 1355 You can also find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/easternbaysplunket © 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 Sign up for our e-newsletter and be the first to know about exciting events and news You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. Whorrall, 33, was attacked at a bus stop on St Johns Road in Meadowbank on 19 April, and died from his injuries in hospital. Dozens of members of the community, local businesses, Whorrall's friends and his mother Carole Whorrall attended the event at a local restaurant, which was organised to celebrate the 'essence' of Whorrall and to provide support to his family. Her letter said Whorrall was born and raised in California, and shortly after he learned to walk, he had started exploring the outdoors, and was always looking for bugs and turning stones. When Whorrall was 13 years old, he went on a month-long trip to Australasia with his mother and two sisters, and visited Australia, New Zealand and Fiji for the first time. He was the youngest member of an entomology club, a student volunteer at the Los Angeles Zoo and volunteered for Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots NGO. Whorrall loved the flora and fauna of New Zealand, and at the time of his death was three months away from submitting his PhD thesis. He was a passionate, intelligent and caring person, his sister said. The Meadow restaurant was decorated with many pictures and artwork of bugs made by children from local schools, in memory of Whorrall. Gina Henry, who owns the restaurant and helped organise the event, said she wanted to do something for Whorrall's family in these hard times. Henry said she posted to Facebook to reach out to the community to brainstorm, and people thought a "silent auction" would be a great way to support the family with the costs of the funeral and their travels. Henry said nearly 40 businesses had contributed gifts and vouchers to the fundraiser. Deputy mayor Desley Simpson also attended the event and offered condolences to Whorrall's mother. In a speech, Simpson said she wanted the family to leave New Zealand knowing that the community has reached out with love and support. Auckland CityBy negotiation413716m²Sixties Chic with a Rural ViewWith views taking in the ponies grazing in the club paddock and Rangitoto Island's summit this extra special architecturally designed 219 sqm (approx.) home feels like a tree-change/sea-change retreat Neighbouring St John's bush where birdlike thrives this 1960s home on a small and desirable cul de sac and is the ultimate combination of character Double front doors open into a wood panelled foyer with connecting stairways to both floors Crisp white walls contrast with dark timber beams in upper-level open plan north facing entertainment zones with a heat pump and high raked ceilings Attractive polished timber floors underpin the family room alongside a chic contemporary kitchen boasting stainless steel appliances and lots of cabinetry Shoji screens separate hallway from the spacious carpeted dining area and formal lounge with open fireplace and both rooms have slider access to a private alfresco deck with quaint spiral staircase to the garden A spare bedroom flanking the guest powder room toilet on this level could also be a study while downstairs double bedrooms all have patio access with the main extra-large bedroom comprising of sizable walk-in closet and toilet has been tastefully upgraded with separate laundry and copious storage throughout offering a myriad of possibilities including an additional bathroom The bush and tree clad property features a carport portico on the circular driveway providing ample off-street parking The 715 sqm (approx.) freehold section sits in a tightly held neighbourhood of other high-quality homes and is in zone for St Thomas School this is a golden opportunity for growing families See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson 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 The father of a US PhD student who died after being attacked at an Auckland bus stop says his son was a "gentle and caring soul" who was deeply committed to his science Kyle Austin Whorrall was attacked at a bus stop on St Johns Rd in Meadowbank shortly after going to a supermarket about 9.40pm on Saturday. A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder and aggravated robbery, and a 32-year-old woman has been charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder — both have appeared in court on Thursday and were remanded in custody. Speaking to RNZ, his father, John Whorrall, who lives in the US said he and his family remained in "shock". "I'm becoming more disgusted as this case goes on." His son had a "normal enough upbringing" in Southern California. "He always had a keen interest in nature and bugs in particular. I always tried to encourage this with nature outings and we did camp outs, fishing trips, fossil hunting expeditions." He graduated from high school and was accepted at the University of California, Riverside where he earned his BA in entomology. He then went to university in Kentucky and earned his masters. Whorrall "fell in love" with New Zealand many years ago after visiting with some of his family. "[He] dreamed of finishing his schooling there," his father said. Mourners gathered to grieve at the Blackett Crescent bus stop on St Johns Rd (Source: 1News) Whorrall moved to New Zealand four years ago to pursue a PhD in entymology at the University of Auckland, and was also working at the crown research institute Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research. "Auckland was the last step before earning his PhD, and he would've completed his education," his father said. Whorrall was an "excellent student and loved and respected by friends and teachers alike". "[He was] always a gentle and caring soul who was deeply committed to his science. It breaks my heart that he can't fulfil his final contributions in the world. "I'm sure he would have made some amazing discoveries." John Whorrall last saw his son about 18 months ago, and saw several of his seminars as a guest. Former colleagues have named Kyle Whorrall, 33, as the victim of a fatal assault at a bus stop in Auckland's St Johns. (Source: Facebook) "Kyle loved it there and made a new family of friends. I've been sure he would live there, maybe become a professor at the college and I couldn't have been prouder or happier." A week on, John Whorrall said his first reaction when he heard his son had been killed was "total disbelief" followed by "total shock". He said he was "angry and bitter", about what had happened. More than 50 members of the community, friends and colleagues of Whorrall gathered for a vigil on Thursday morning at the bus stop where was attacked. Many left flowers, sang waiata and shared emotional tributes to Whorrall, and sobs were heard throughout the crowd. Kyle Whorrall's flatmates. (Source: 1News) A friend and flatmate, who didn't want to be named, said the American student had left a deep impression on all of them. "He was gentle, he was kind, he was very thoughtful, he was the kind of person who would just unapologetically geek out on anything he was passionate about, stuff most people wouldn't care about, but when he talked about it, you cared, because he cared so much about it," he said. "He had a beautifully found family here in New Zealand, lots of people that cared about him," he added. Man dies following bus stop assault in Auckland's St JohnsThe 33-year-old victim was transported to hospital in a critical condition Crime and Justice Black SUV 'critical witnesses' sought after Akl bus stop homicideThe 33-year-old victim received "serious head injuries" and later died in hospital after the "violent and senseless" attack in St Johns on Saturday night St Johns bus stop killing: Teen charged with murder tearful vigil heldAt the bus stop where Kyle Whorrall was attacked mourners gathered soon after police announced a teen and a woman have been arrested A family friend has started a Gofundme page to support Whorrall's family with travel and funeral expenses It had raised more than $46,000 by Friday morning By Sam Sherwood of rnz.co.nz Crooks culture first order of business for Mike Bush in Victoria Bush picked to take over as Victoria's chief commissioner after months of top-level staffing woes Police experts warn 'emerging risk' of 3D-printed firearms rising Technology has outpaced a currently underway review of the Arms Act and criminals are already taking advantage US prisons bureau has challenges — reopening Alcatraz is now another Juliana Herrera's family tell inquest: 'Stop repeating avoidable mistakes' was murdered in January 2022 by her neighbour Health Arrest after person assaulted A nurse leaving her shift last month was held up at gunpoint outside the grounds of the hospital More than 25kg cocaine seizure leads to four arrests across NZ Tauranga and Auckland as a result of the six-week investigation Film industry anxiously awaits details on Trump's 100% movie tariff 7:17pm Search underway for Masterton man, 74, missing since Sunday 7:07pm Crooks, culture first order of business for Mike Bush in Victoria 7:05pm Charges filed against Woolworths over pricing, misleading specials 6:45pm Police, experts warn 'emerging risk' of 3D-printed firearms rising 6:33pm Trade war: Sir John Key's 'optimism' on Trump's next tariff moves 7:28pm 1US woman who disappeared for more than six decades found safe Sole survivor of poisoned beef Wellington takes the stand Iwi misses out on bid to buy back ancestral mountain US prisons bureau has challenges — reopening Alcatraz is now another Photos: Lorde among stars at 2025 Met Gala A$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 A homicide investigation has been launched after a man was fatally assaulted at a bus stop in the Auckland suburb of St Johns last night Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greaves said emergency services were called to reports a person had been assaulted by more than one person on St Johns Rd about 10pm on Saturday The 33-year-old victim was transported to hospital in a critical condition "The offenders are believed to have left the area in a vehicle travelling towards Remuera Rd," Greaves said and one manager to the scene shortly before 10pm and transported to Auckland City hospital in a critical condition," a St John spokesperson said St Johns Rd would remain closed between Blackett Crescent and Dorchester Street while a scene examination was carried out Auckland Transport said three bus routes - 65 75 and RBE - were detoured to Glen Innes via Temple St Parsons Rd and Dorchester St while the road was closed Footage captured by 1News showed forensic investigators and police photographers working at the scene on Sunday morning A blue tent had been erected over the bus stop where the assault happened "We are making inquiries to locate the offenders and the vehicle they left in and at this time are still working to determine why this tragic event occurred," Greaves said Anyone with information that could help the investigation was urged to contact police on 105, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 Police have appealed to "critical witnesses" as part of the investigation into the homicide of a man who was fatally assaulted in Auckland's St Johns over the weekend Emergency services were called to a bus stop on St Johns Rd shortly before 10pm on Saturday following reports a person had been attacked by at least two offenders The victim was transported to hospital in a critical condition with "serious head injuries" Former colleagues have named him as 33-year-old Kyle Whorrall a US doctoral student studying entomology at the University of Auckland A Facebook post read: "One of our former UCR undergrad students who was working on his dissertation under my friend Rich Leschen in New Zealand was killed in an assault at a bus stop in Auckland this past weekend Whorrall reportedly worked at Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research The scene examination on St Johns Rd had been completed and a post-mortem was scheduled to begin on Monday Speaking at a media conference at the scene on St Johns Rd Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said police were continuing to follow "several lines of inquiry" in relation to the investigation Police are seeking a black SUV and its occupants which was at the scene and fled at speed following the attack who they believed were involved "This vehicle came to a stop near the bus shelter with at least two offenders exiting the vehicle "There is possibly a third offender and or other occupants may have been driving this vehicle at the time and this is forming part of the investigation." Baldwin said police were also seeking "critical witnesses" driving a white Toyota ute that were cut off by the black SUV doing a U-turn in front of them "I'm confident those people may remember that journey because they witnessed some pretty erratic driving "I urge any occupants of that vehicle to contact us as you may have crucial information to our investigation." The victim's movements prior to the fatal assault were also being clarified He went to the Meadowbank supermarket and then stopped and sat in the bus shelter but did not flag down a bus Baldwin said the victim had been subject to a "senseless and violent attack" and expressed his condolences to the family "This is a life changing event for them and a horrible event that will endure with them for some time and I send my deepest condolences to them." Police had not identified or located the weapon involved and were keeping an open mind Baldwin said police were not in a position to release the name of the victim "We are still working through the formal identification process with the Coroner’s Office and are speaking to his family who live overseas." The family were still in the process of notifying loved ones of what had occurred "It’s the news no one should have to receive so out of respect for them I won’t be releasing further information today." Anyone with relevant information should contact police on 105 A 16-year-old youth has been remanded in custody after being charged with murdering Kyle Whorrall He was also facing a charge of aggravated robbery The accused youth entered no plea and would reappear in the High Court in May A 32-year-old woman also appeared this afternoon charged with being an accessory to murder after the fact Charging documents alleged she actively suppressed evidence against the murder accused She was granted interim name suppression and remanded in custody without plea to reappear at the same time as the murder-accused US PhD student Kyle Whorrall was attacked at a St Johns bus stop on Saturday night Police appealed for information about the "senseless attack" which left the 33-year-old in a critical condition before he died in hospital flatmates and friends gathered for a emotional vigil at the site where Whorrall was set upon Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said officers carried out a search warrant at a Beach Haven address in the North Shore late yesterday afternoon “A 16-year-old male was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery and murder," he said A 32-year-old North Shore woman was charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder Baldwin said the investigation "is by no means over" as police believed "there were other occupants in the vehicle" when Whorrall was attacked He said officers have since seized a black SUV on the North Shore It was being forensically examined by police "Our enquiries are ongoing to locate these persons of interest and I encourage them to do the right thing and come into their nearest police station or phone us." The detective inspector said police were also seeking "critical witnesses" including a white Toyota ute that was cut off by the black SUV doing a U-turn in front of them He said police were "still working to fully understand the events of Saturday night" “I want to reiterate to those occupants that they are witnesses and their information is important to our investigation,” Baldwin said “Please come forward at the earliest opportunity.” He acknowledged a "stream of information" provided to police and the support from the St Johns community Anyone with information was urged to contact police online or provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 Whorrall's sister Heather Thomas said Kyle was a "witty and funny gentle soul with an absolute love for bugs and nature" She said there were "so many unknowns" and the expense to bring Kyle back home to the United States would be "significant" my sister and I - as well as our whole family and Kyle’s friends and colleagues during this difficult time." A GoFundMe page had been created to contribute to travel expenses between the US and NZ "Thank you in advance to all who donate — whether you knew Kyle personally or simply wish to support the memory of a compassionate soul who cared so deeply for the world around him especially its smallest creatures," the page read A vigil was held on Thursday morning at the bus stop where Kyle Whorrall was killed in Meadowbank and place flowers at stop on Blackett Crescent Whorrall's flatmates — who didn't want to be named — described him as "gentle He built up a network and had a beautiful found-family here in New Zealand with people who cared about him." songs and blessings were shared with the emotional crowd as many told stories and personal anecdotes about Whorral's character A representative from University of Auckland partner Manaaki Whenua but everybody being here with us today is a testament to his character," she said Pippa Barber said she was pleased the police had acted swiftly to arrest someone following the "just horrendous and horrific" crime "I'm relieved for Kyle's family back in America She said finding out the young age of the alleged offender was "shocking" St Johns resident Angie Winnington told 1News she lived just around the corner and what had happened at her local bus stop was terrible She said she would usually do a similar route as Whorrall did which was why it felt "very close to my heart in a weird way” I know how hard it is for people's parents who are nowhere near to them My parents worry about me and I’m sure his parents are just devastated.” Whorrall’s former entomology professor at Western Kentucky University told 1News Kyle was an "enthusiastic field worker and a great entomologist" "We just had so many good times having a pint in different places after a days field work… He really loved the work and I just really loved being with him," he said Philips said Whorrall had "really thought of New Zealand as home" and had been planning to stay for the rest of his life "It just makes me so sad that he’s such a great kid and I really loved him but for somebody like Kyle it is just such a shame." The next top cop of the troubled Victoria police force embraces his "outsider" status to curb its leadership malaise and has a stern warning for crooks Former New Zealand Police commissioner Mike Bush won the race to become Victoria's chief commissioner after months of top-level staffing woes The 40-year police veteran steps into the role on June 27 with a five-year contract The Kiwi conceded the job will be no picnic with Victoria's crime rate hitting an almost decade-high in 2024 everyone knows that," he told reporters today "These crime issues are actually global they are quite similar wherever you go but it's not good enough just to turn up after the act Rising youth crime and high-profile cases of alleged offenders committing crimes while on bail spurred the Victorian government to strengthen laws in March Bush said he was familiar with the crackdown but bail laws were just one part of the solution to tackling youth crime along with a "prevention mindset" He retired from the NZ police force in 2020 after joining in 1978 and spending his final six years in the top job Whakaari/White Island volcano eruption and Covid-19 pandemic were among the biggest crises Bush confronted during his tenure Bush also made headlines in 2022 after it emerged he had a past drink-driving conviction when unsuccessfully applying to become head of the UK's Metropolitan Police Former New Zealand police minister Stuart Nash describedr Bush as hard but fair He said Bush regularly met with police forces across the Tasman in his previous role and recalled travelling with him to every district across New Zealand once a year to chew the fat with communities and then we all had biscuits and a cup of tea," Nash told AAP "Mike is someone who had deep credibility in policing." The state government has not handed the reins of Victoria Police to an outsider since former NSW Police assistant commissioner Christine Nixon in 2001 The Kiwi was happy to wear the "outsider" tag and is already hatching plans to hit the ground running "I've got a lot to do to come up to speed," Bush said "Culture is a consequence of leadership." establishing relationships with community groups amid rising tensions and increasing police visibility on the beat were among his other top initial priorities Victoria Police was thrust into leadership turmoil in February with a no-confidence vote from officers costing chief commissioner Shane Patton his job Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent became acting chief and expressed an interest in making the move permanent before throwing in the towel in April Deputy Commissioner Robert Hill will serve in an acting capacity until Bush takes over Bush intends to speak with Patton before starting and said he wouldn't shy away from pushing back if he disagreed with the government Premier Jacinta Allan said a recruitment agency was hired and instructed to find a leader capable of addressing the "challenges" plaguing the force "Mike Bush is the best person for the job," she said whose union led the no-confidence vote against Patton following a bitter pay dispute admitted there was a disconnect between members and leaders The state police union secretary welcomed Mr Bush's appointment and pledge to listen to the mounting workforce concerns "We have a police force that is currently under-resourced that needs fresh officers," he said Eleven inmate deaths in less than two months A US$3 billion (NZ$5 billion) repair backlog a stunning directive from President Donald Trump for the crisis-plagued federal Bureau of Prisons to “REBUILD AND OPEN ALCATRAZ!” — the notorious penitentiary on an island in San Francisco Bay that last held inmates more than 60 years ago Even as the Bureau of Prisons struggles with short staffing chronic violence and crumbling infrastructure at its current facilities Trump is counting on the agency to fulfill his vision of rebooting the infamously inescapable prison known in movies and pop culture as The Rock Trump declared in a social media post that a “substantially enlarged and rebuilt” Alcatraz will house the nation’s “most ruthless and violent Offenders” Newly appointed Bureau of Prisons Director William K Marshall III said that the agency “will vigorously pursue all avenues to support and implement the President’s agenda” and that he has ordered “an immediate assessment to determine our needs and the next steps” We look forward to restoring this powerful symbol of law and justice,” Marshall said in a statement “We will be actively working with our law enforcement and other federal partners to reinstate this very important mission.” an 8.9-hectare spit of land with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline was once the crown jewel of the federal prison system and home to some of the nation’s most notorious criminals including gangsters Al Capone and George Machine Gun Kelly But skyrocketing repair and supply costs compelled the Justice Department to close the prison in 1963 and the Bureau of Prisons has long since replaced Alcatraz with modern penitentiaries including a maximum-security prison in Florence The former and perhaps future penitentiary is now a popular tourist attraction and a national historic landmark It’s controlled by the National Park Service as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area meaning the Bureau of Prisons could be in for an interagency tug of war if it tries to wrest away control of the island Trump’s Alcatraz directive is yet another challenge for the Bureau of Prisons as it struggles to fix lingering problems while responding to the president’s priorities on incarceration and immigrant detention includes taking in thousands of immigration detainees under an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security The problems at the Bureau of Prisons transcend administrations and facilities An ongoing Associated Press investigation has uncovered deep previously unreported flaws within the Bureau of Prisons over the last few years including widespread criminal activity by employees and severe understaffing that has hampered responses to emergencies then-President Joe Biden signed a law strengthening oversight of the agency It remains the Justice Department’s largest agency 155,000 inmates and an annual budget of about US$8 billion (NZ$13.4 billion) but the Trump administration’s cost-cutting measures have eliminated some pay bonuses that were credited with retaining and attracting new staff That has resulted in long overtime shifts for some workers and the continued use of a policy known as augmentation teachers and other workers are pressed into duty to guard inmates A Bureau of Prisons official told Congress at a hearing in February that more than 4000 beds within the system — the equivalent of at least two full prisons — are unusable because of dangerous conditions like leaking or failing roofs a 37-year-old Florida businessman who was found dead April 28 in a suspected suicide at a federal jail in Miami He was awaiting trial on charges that he kidnapped and killed his estranged wife in Spain inmate Ramadhan Jaabir Justice was killed in a fight at the federal penitentiary in Pollock where he was serving a nearly 11-year sentence for a conviction related to an armed robbery As Trump was ordering Alcatraz’s reopening correctional officers at the same Miami jail were fighting to curb the spread of tuberculosis and Covid-19 isolating inmates after they tested positive for the diseases immigration detainees at the facility ripped out a fire sprinkler and flooded a holding cell during a lengthy intake process the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin has sat idle for more than a year after the Bureau of Prisons cleared it of inmates in the wake of rampant sexual abuse by employees the agency made the closure permanent and idled six prison camps across the country to address “significant challenges crumbling infrastructure and limited budgetary resources” While Trump hails Alcatraz as a paragon of the federal prison system’s cherished past other facilities stand as reminders of its recent troubles They include the federal jail in Manhattan which remains idle after Jeffrey Epstein’s suicide there in 2019 exposed deep flaws in its operations where 23 inmates have been charged in recent months with crimes ranging from smuggling weapons in a Doritos bag to the stabbing last month of a man convicted in the killing of hip-hop legend Jam Master Jay A person is in custody after an alleged theft which left a person injured on the grounds of Palmerston North Hospital Police said officers were called to a Ruahine St carpark about 1.30pm on Tuesday Police said the alleged offender left the scene and was found a short time later "Police would like to thank the members of the public who witnessed the incident and intervened to assist the victim," a police spokesperson said That same night a staff member was knocked unconscious Staff have been calling for security improvements Health NZ MidCentral operations group director Sarah Fenwick previously told RNZ it was committed to making staff feel safer She said these included a security escort to vehicles increasing security services on hospital grounds and "opening up" access to the staff carpark for people working afternoon and night shifts "Lighting has been audited in all outside carparking areas to ensure it is well maintained," she said "Interim access to well-lit parking onsite with dedicated security for staff working afternoon and night shifts while a more permanent solution for out-of-hours carparking is developed." rnz.co.nz More than 25kg of cocaine has been seized and four men arrested following an joint investigation into the importation of the drug into Christchurch Police and Customs received information about a "significant importation" of cocaine that had come through Lyttelton Port on March 29 Search warrants were then executed across the country by specialist teams to support investigators with evidence gathering including possession of cocaine for supply and burglary and will appear in various district courts across a range of dates Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Sparks said the seizure equated to more than 250,000 doses of cocaine and $9 million of harm "That is an enormous amount of damage and misery that had been heading into our communities that has now been halted through this investigation." Sparks said the success of the investigation was partly down to the "excellent partnership" between Customs and the police "We continue to have a focus on engaging with businesses and supporting their legitimate services by keeping them safe with prevention advice to deter drug trafficking organisations’ attempts to exploit their people and premises." Customs acting investigations manager Rachael Manning said the investigation resulted from quick action and close collaboration between the agencies as well as industry partners "We know that transnational and serious organised crime groups are actively targeting New Zealand to drive up both demand and supply of illegal drugs such as cocaine for maximum profit They’re using every method possible to exploit any vulnerabilities within international supply chains in secure areas or on vessels themselves." A search and rescue operation is underway for a Masterton man in his 70s missing since Sunday John Rafferty was last seen at Masterton Railway Station about midday on May 4 The 74-year-old did not board a train and left on foot about 20 minutes later Matheson said it was possible Rafferty was staying with a friend but police and loved ones "want to know he’s safe" and John doesn’t have his cell phone or wallet," he said A search team and a helicopter has been out looking for the missing man "We are really keen to know that he’s safe." Police have released an image from CCTV showing Rafferty on a station platform on the day of his disappearance He was wearing a blue jacket with 'NASA' written on the back Anyone who saw him was asked to contact police on 111 or online at 105 if there was Information after the fact The Commerce Commission has filed criminal charges against Woolworths NZ for alleged inaccurate pricing and misleading specials that may have breached the Fair Trading Act The commission filed the charges against Woolworths in the Auckland District Court It indicated in December last year that it would be filing separate criminal charges against Woolworths and two Pak'nSave supermarkets the commission said there were ongoing issues with pricing in the supermarket sector and the operators may have breached the Fair Trading Act deputy chair Anne Callinan said operators should know what the expectations were "Supermarkets have long been on notice about the importance of accurate and clear pricing and specials and we're not satisfied with the continuing issues we're seeing across the industry "Pricing accuracy is a consumer right and an expectation of a competitive market well-resourced businesses that should invest the time and effort to get pricing and promotions right." She said the charges were filed to remind all supermarkets that they are expected to fix the pricing accuracy issues and implement better processes In a statement when the charges were announced Woolworths managing director Spencer Sonn said it was important customers could trust prices advertised at their supermarkets Woolworths said it has cooperated with the Commerce Commission's pricing investigation for some time rnz.co.nz Former prime minister Sir John Key says he remains optimistic about Donald Trump's domestic economic policy despite opposing the tariff strategy that has sent global markets into turmoil in recent months who served as prime minister for eight years was the keynote speaker at an Auckland business summit earlier today Sir John told 1News he believed Trump would ultimately take a more moderate approach to tariffs than initially proposed "I'm not a fan of tariff policies I don't think they really work," he said as I think the stock market is telling you at the moment that actually there will be a more sensible landing place for the tariffs that he's wanting to impose." Sir John said he "wasn't entirely surprised" at Trump's call to go ahead with the policy "They're just a negotiating point I think he simply put on widespread and high rates of tariffs on every country to give himself a leverage point and a negotiating point "What I think he actually grossly underestimated was the stock market reaction You can actually make the case that his own strategy hasn't worked The reason the markets have recovered is because he's taken those tariffs off the most part 'I'm going to negotiate case by case'." Sir John suggested Trump's economic policies could still generally be positive for the US but the tariffs could be trickier for the global economy Asked whether he stood by his October comments that Trump would be good for the economy he said: "Do I think he's going to reduce regulatory burden in the United States It depends on where things shake down in terms of tariffs." Sir John acknowledged that for certain industries Trump's policies could be "a really negative thing" particularly if the president's proposed 100% tariff on the film industry were to be implemented "I can't see how it would be cost-competitive to make a movie in New Zealand with a 100% tariff on it," he said noting that films such as The Hobbit would not have been made in New Zealand without government subsidies who now served as a director of US tech company Palo Alto Networks said he had "always been opposed" to Trump's tariff policies but believes they won't be the "dominant part of his economic solutions" "I don't think it's perfect from New Zealand's point of view but I don't think we should panic either and America will still be a very big market for us to sell things to," he said "There are growing markets around the world It's not a great thing from New Zealand's point of view We've got a very sound economy with lots of options in front of us." Sir John suggested a belief that the Republican Trump was was better "on balance" for the US economy than Democratic opponent Kamala Harris he expressed concerns about Trump's tariff approach: "China doesn't pay those tariffs middle-income consumers or consumers in America do because when a tariff goes on a good that you bring into a country He added: "I don't agree with the massive tariffs and I don't think you'll follow through with all of that and I certainly don't agree with this view on trade." Audrey Backeberg disappeared from a small city in south-central Wisconsin after reportedly hitchhiking with her family’s babysitter and catching a bus to Indianapolis Nobody ever knew where she went or what happened to her All that changed last week when she was found alive and safe in another state thanks to the fresh eyes from a deputy who took over the case in February Detective Isaac Hanson discovered an out-of-state arrest record that matched Backeberg which triggered a series of investigative moves that led to finding her alive and safe in another state Turns out Backeberg chose to leave the town of Reedsburg on her own accord – likely due to an abusive husband safe and secure; And just kind of lived under the radar for that long,” he said Hanson was assigned the case in late February and he and other officials met with Backeberg’s family to see if they had a connection with that region They also started digging through Backeberg's sister's Ancestry.com account obituaries and marriage licenses from that region they found an address where a woman was living that Hanson said shared a lot of similarities with Backeberg including date of birth and social security number Hanson was able to get a deputy from that jurisdiction to go to the address "I was expecting the deputy to call me back and say ‘Oh nobody answered the door.’ And I thought it was the deputy calling me I could sense that she obviously had her reasons for leaving.” Most of the information he learned during that call he declined to share saying that it was still important to Backeberg that she not be found “I think it overwhelmed her of course with the emotions that she had having a deputy show up at her house and then kind of call her out and talk with her about what happened and kind of relive 62 years in 45 minutes,” he said Hanson described discovering her safe after more than six decades practically unheard of And while he doesn't know what will happen next in terms of her family reconnecting he said he was happy that she can reach out if she wants to so she has my contact number if she ever wants to reach out or needs anything any phone numbers of family members back here," he said "Ultimately she kind of holds the cards for that.” Hawke's Bay iwi Ngāti Kahungunu has been unsuccessful in its bid to buy back the mountain Kahurānaki but the iwi says its connection to the land will always remain Kahurānaki Station - a 1156 hectare sheep and beef farm south of Havelock North which includes the peak of the mountain - came up for sale earlier this year and the iwi launched a fundraising campaign to buy it The campaign to bring the Kahurānaki back into Māori ownership was called He Maunga Ka Taea and included a 10-day hīkoi from Māhia to Kahurānaki It raised more than $95,000 on crowd funding platform koha.kiwi Hastings-based post-settlement governance entity Tamatea Pōkai Whenua Trust submitted a tender on behalf of the iwi Chairman Pōhatu Paku said the trust was the only local entity to tender for the Station and they were saddened and disappointed by the outcome The trust had approached the tender on the basis it was presented Paku acknowledged the young and emerging iwi members who had generated the groundswell of support for the tender and for the longer term status of the mountain ki tēnā o tātau e titikaha nei ki tēnei kaupapa I just want to acknowledge and mihi to everybody that has connected with this kaupapa Paku said the trust would be engaging with the station's new owners at an appropriate time to convey the iwi's history and also set out their aspirations "The continuation of the protection of our wāhi tapu (sacred sites) is significantly important to us Continued access to the mountain would also be a high priority "The previous owners were quite open for Kura for people running kaupapa and also those that wished to ascend the maunga they allowed that they identified that it was culturally significant to us all." Paku said Tamatea Pōkai Whenua will need to foster the groundswell of support and leadership that the He Maunga Ka Taea campaign had generated "The whakapapa connections and taonga that is Kahurānaki maunga remain our greatest advantage is that we live in perpetuity and our maunga and our tīpuna live with us and they continue to be ours "And like all of our tūtohu whenua (landmarks) our maunga carries our traditions and our identity and our histories and we remain uncompromising to act in the best interests of our tūtohu whenua both for this generation and for future generations." Paku said the trust may look at legal personhood as another avenue to protect the mountain but ultimately he said the maunga remains an ancestor and retains its own mana which no one can ever own 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 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 A 16-year-old has been charged with the murder of the American student who was fatally attacked at an Auckland bus stop on St Johns Rd over the weekend MetService National Weather Update: May 7 - May 9 Police said emergency services were called to a Mahia Rd property just before 10am after a report of a person seriously injured Mairehau house fire: Firefighters battle two-storey house blaze 10 patients were assessed and treated by our crews in total Auckland commuters face a chaotic morning after two highways leading into the central city have been majorly disrupted by crashes NZ film industry faces uncertainty over US tariff ongoing decline in livestock numbers and questions over longer sentences reducing reoffending Reporter Sierra is at Magnificent Moa Day where experts are revealing their incredible 3.6 million year-old find Emergency services are attending the fire at a McDonald's on Pakuranga Rd A video of a dog abuse incident is circulating on social media showing a dog swinging in the air and slamming into the ground on a walk in Manurewa A memorial tree has been planted at the entrance of St John’s bush in honour of slain American entomology student Kyle Whorrall Victim of abuse is wanting a judicial review Goodman Group is upgrading Highbrook Crossing to add retail dining and public space to New Zealand’s largest business park in East Tāmaki where hip hop crews from all over the world are battling to see who’s the best and Parliament tackles alcohol and mental health The Coleman family has been melting down precious metals for more than 40 years This is the first time they've shared inside their multi-million dollar gold and silver operation The Prime Minister joins Mike Hosking in the Newstalk ZB studio to talk all the big politicial issues Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was joined by Deputy PM Winston Peters and Minister of defence Judith Collins to make a pre-budget defence announcement and 3D-printed limbs help child amputees in Gaza Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is expected to be joined by Defence Minister Judith Collins and deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters make a pre-Budget defence announcement Neighbours heard explosions as a fire ripped through a Mt Roskill house Mum pays tribute after Auckland bus stop killing Australians vote early and insurance companies brace for claims Megyn Cordner and Lucas Prince started their business from the back of a van in 2022 Andrew Che lost his life savings after sending it to the wrong account Barclays Bank has refunded his money after a prolonged battle for compensation Aerial footage reveals the scale of flooding across areas of Canterbury after a destructive weather system hit the region and prompted a state of emergency North Shore real estate agency chief responds to a Real Estate Disciplinary Tribunal decision Mark Mitchell provides an update on the state of emergency in Christchurch and Selwyn A possible mini tornado was spotted about Auckland Harbour as the latest band of wild weather hits the city Fire and Emergency NZ said it responded to more than 30 callouts overnight more Kiwis turning to methamphetamine and Drs are back at the negotiating table NZSA chief executive Oliver Mander speaks about CEO pay in 2024 Waiwhetu woman Julie Paterson heard 'a loud cracking' and saw a tree branch falling towards her during Wednesday's storm Heather Keats updates the powerful system battering New Zealand breaks down why Wellington is under a rare red warning with extreme winds and Local MP Hon Nicola Grigg speak to the media on the local state of emergency in Selwyn Gisborne locals and health workers marched to Heipipi Park where speakers highlighted what they say is a regional health crisis NZ Herald Live: Simeon Brown talks to media The project to create a new-look community centre for Meadowbank is on pause after rising construction costs led the development partner to pull out of the project The vision for the revitalisation of the community centre is to partner with a developer to create a bigger high-quality centre to cater for the area’s growing population at no cost to ratepayers Ōrākei Local Board was made aware of the challenges the partner was facing and gave a one-year extension on the original agreement which manages development agreements on council’s behalf and our plans are still very much to continue with the redevelopment once we have found a new development partner.” The improvements will be funded from the sale of 4 Victoria Avenue in Remuera and the airspace above a new development on the site of the current community centre It will have the new community centre on the ground floor and apartments on top Eke Panuku has advised the local board that in the current construction and property market it may be difficult to secure a partnership that delivers the best value outcome for the community so there could be a delay in finding a new development partner until the market shows further signs of recovery but the current community centre is still in good condition and available for use and hire in the meantime.” Key stakeholder and community engagement for the concept design and subsequent developed design for the internal fit-out took place in 2022 The local board retains the rights to these designs Eke Panuku works closely with local boards around Auckland on opportunities like the one for the Meadowbank Community Centre where property sales can fund improvements to community facilities that lack budget or would otherwise take much longer to complete Sign up for the Ōrākei Local Board e-news and get the monthly update straight to your inbox, or follow us on Facebook.  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. have been pitched at developers and land-bankers Photo / Supplied- Kāinga Ora is selling two state homes in Meadowbank - The Government plans to sell up to 900 state homes in the next financial year fit-for-purpose homes in areas of greatest need Kāinga Ora’s $500 million real estate sell-off is ramping up with the sale of two neighbouring state homes by the water in one of Auckland’s most sought-after suburbs The two-bedroom duplexes at 5 and 7 Puroto Street in Meadowbank have a combined RV of $4.475m The combined 1684sqm site is zoned for development and Ray White listing agents Michael and Tatyana Ataman are highlighting its appeal to “developers making this an unbeatable opportunity,” their listing on OneRoof said The two-bedroom duplexes have a combined RV of more than $4m The homes themselves are likely to be bowled The New Zealand Herald this week reported that the Government plans to sell up to 900 state homes nationwide a year with houses in high-value suburbs to be sold first The Government has identified some 200 state homes valued at around $2m and Kāinga Ora believes it will earn as much as $500m from the sell-off this financial year - Rich-lister sells his trophy home - but has he broken NZ’s $45.5m house price record? - Bush shack in West Auckland's hippy enclave looking for a brave buyer ... with a good 'aura' - Tux Wonder Dogs host Mark Leishman finds loving family for his country escape Ataman told OneRoof that a developer could build six to eight townhouses on the two Puroto Street sites but he doesn’t rule out a family buying one or both of the properties available for sale and building a single large home “It would probably be best to buy both,” he said adding that several developers had already contacted him and were running the numbers Ataman said the properties butted onto a special ecological zone at the Ōrākei Basin so some development plans might need council approval “It has facilities like stormwater and sewer connection every unit could have a good view.” The proximity to the train station Meadowbank village and good schools were also huge drawcards for buyers Also up for grabs are three neighbouring state homes in Auckland’s Ellerslie but successive sell-offs have changed the suburb’s look and feel with older homes bowled and replaced with new builds The immediate neighbourhood has proved popular with private apartment and townhouse developments In 2022, McConnel Property built the Teal apartment block next door to the Puroto Street properties, and Ockham is marketing its Station M apartment block at 21 Manapau Street Construction is due to begin later this year with apartments ranging in price from $780,000 to $2.36m provided OneRoof with a statement regarding the Puroto Street sale He said the agency was not reducing the number of homes it owns Money from the sale of existing Kāinga Ora properties will be reinvested into our housing portfolio fit-for-purpose homes that are the right size and in the right location,” he said “The 900 homes we are proposing to sell over the next financial year represent around 1% of our current portfolio and are spread across the country.” Stiven added: “Many of the properties offered for sale will be older houses that no longer meet the needs of our tenants or require significant upgrades it makes economic sense to sell one high-value property and use the proceeds to build multiple new ones in areas of greatest need.” - 5 and 7 Puroto Street, in Meadowbank, Auckland, is for sale, tender closing May 1 The man who died after being assaulted at an Auckland bus stop has been identified by a colleague as US PhD student Kyle Whorrall Whorrall was attacked at a bus stop on St Johns Rd in Meadowbank on Saturday night He was taken to hospital where he died from his injuries Police said the motive for the attack was still unknown, but believed someone in the community knew the two offenders involved Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said they were seeking witnesses in a white Toyota ute which was driving in a westerly direction along St Johns Rd They believe the black SUV was involved in the crime and they would like help to identify its occupants The occupants of the white ute are critical witnesses went to the supermarket about 9.40pm and walked 400m to the bus stop and did not flag down a bus that was in the vicinity It was only a few minutes later that he was attacked "He was subjected to a senseless attack by people in a black SUV," Baldwin said Police have been contacted by a number of people but are still seeking witnesses in the vicinity of St John's Rd before 10pm Baldwin said police were not ready to release Whorrall's name and were still contacting family overseas The US Embassy of New Zealand said it was aware of the case and was providing consular assistance to Whorrall's family Baldwin said police believe the weapon was "a long one" Baldwin said police are seeking to identify the occupants of the black SUV and that there was potentially a third person in the SUV at the time of the attack Auckland's Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson said she understood Whorrall was a PhD student at the University of Auckland She had sent a letter to the Auckland University they must be feeling very upset too," she said nearby resident Kate Thompson said she often walked along that street at night I don't know of anyone who's had a problem." A tribute on Facebook said Whorrall was working on his dissertation at the university The university did not want to comment when approached by RNZ "NZ police has requested that details are not discussed or shared while their investigation is underway "We will be able to provide more information once the victim's identity has been confirmed." It comes less than a year after another entomologist was killed in Auckland Stephen Thorpe was killed at the Blockhouse Bay Tennis Club in August A 26-year-old man was charged with his murder and was currently before the courts Auckland police are keeping an "open mind" over what happened at a Meadowbank bus stop Police were called to the scene on St Johns Road on Saturday about 10pm after reports of a person being assaulted by multiple people You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image after being charged with the murder and aggravated robbery of US student Kyle Whorrall at an Auckland bus stop Police announced the teen's arrest this morning The teen appeared before the Youth Court in Auckland this afternoon The youth was charged with robbery and murder with a stabbing or cutting weapon A 32-year-old North Shore woman has also been charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder and appeared in the Auckland District Court today Both were remanded in custody and would next appear at the High Court in Auckland on May 14 was attacked at a bus stop on St Johns Road in Meadowbank on Saturday night He was taken to hospital but later died from his injuries Police have described it as "a senseless attack" Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said police on Tuesday afternoon obtained further information about a black SUV that they had been looking for "I can confirm we have now located this vehicle on the North Shore and it has been seized by police with a detailed forensic examination under way." Police had also executed a search warrant at a Beach Haven address "A 16-year-old male was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery and murder," Det Insp Baldwin said "He will be appearing in the Auckland Youth Court today." Det Insp Baldwin said police were aware there were other occupants in the SUV at the time the victim was attacked "Our enquiries are ongoing to locate these persons of interest and I encourage them to do the right thing and come into their nearest police station or phone us." "There has been a stream of information that has come into us "We value and appreciate the community support," Det Insp Baldwin said Police were still seeking information on a white Toyota ute "I want to reiterate to those occupants that they are witnesses and their information is important to our investigation," Det Insp Baldwin said "Please come forward at the earliest opportunity." A vigil was held this morning on St Johns Rd near the scene of the fatal attack They laid flowers and paid tributes to Whorrall They said he had found family in New Zealand and lots of people cared about him Former professors in the US have paid tribute to Whorrall A former tutor of the PhD student said the entomology community in California had been rocked by the news Nine new apartments in Auckland's Meadowbank were built at a cost of $11 million Nine Kāinga Ora apartments that cost $1.2 million each to build have sat vacant since being opened to the public to view last October Neighbours say they’re surprised at how long it’s taken to put tenants into the complex, while Kāinga Ora says it’s been moving as fast as possible and has been waiting on final building approvals The agency earlier drew criticism for spending $11m to build the three three-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments in Auckland’s Meadowbank suburb The spend equated to $1.2m for each apartment or $1.7m if the estimated $4m value of the land already owned by Kāinga Ora was included The Government responded by saying it expected the state-run agency to achieve “better value for money” on future builds, while a leading developer called Kāinga Ora’s record of running up billions of dollars in debt a “scandal” A neighbour living near the complex said with all the attention the apartments had attracted she was surprised they had still not been filled “four months after completion” “I find this extraordinary given the demand for KO housing.” more than 25,000 families and individuals were on the wait list for a state house or to be moved into a new one Kāinga Ora said the Meadowbank apartments had not officially been completed when the public was allowed to view one of them last October “We provided members of the community and neighbours with an opportunity to see inside a completed unit,” John Tubberty the agency’s director for Central and East Auckland rather an opportunity to see inside a completed unit while the remainder of the development was undergoing finishing work for final completion.” Auckland Council only granted the apartments their final Code Compliance Certificates in mid-December “Our customer teams then completed additional checks to ensure the units are ready for tenants to move in.” Last week the agency began “the placement of applicants” looking to live in the apartments “Five applicants are in the process of being offered units in this nine-unit development,” Tubberty said “This was the earliest possible date following the standard tenancy movement shutdown period through the holiday season.” Tubberty’s comments contradicted a Kāinga Ora spokeswoman’s response in October she said the agency had already “begun the placement process and expect the homes to be tenanted in the next couple of weeks” co-founder of developer Ockham Residential had earlier been among Kāinga Ora’s biggest critics after the Herald revealed the cost of the apartments last October He believed the project’s cost-per-apartment highlighted the agency’s “incompetence and lack of expertise” and called reports it racked up $12 billion in debt in five years a scandal “Kāinga Ora’s billions of dollars of expenditure in its five-year existence is a national embarrassment with what it costs to deliver each home.” He believed the agency should have delivered two to three times as many homes for the amount of money it had spent With billions of dollars from the previous Government Kāinga Ora built record numbers of new houses each year the National-led Government immediately put its performance under the microscope Former Prime Minister Sir Bill English led a review that said the agency’s debt had jumped from $2.7b in 2018 to $12.3b by June 2023 Kāinga Ora said its Meadowbank project had met all its financial metrics at the time of approval architect and council fees as well as infrastructure and construction costs among other expenses The two-bedroom apartment opened for the public to view in October included a small lounge and dining room and kitchen with basic stainless steel bench tops and oven It had wheelchair access and the Sky Tower could be seen from its front window The apartments were by the train station and popular cycle and walking paths One neighbour who sparked questions into the cost of the apartments said they were in one of Auckland’s “primo” locations but another said he was “very sympathetic to the need for more state homes” and that if the Government already owned the land it “made sense” to build them there Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday. The only high-reach ladder truck in Auckland broke down last night. Auckland CityPrice by Negotiation443262m²300m²Brand new Executive Living - Title now issued!!In a quiet cul-de-sac address by Meadowbank Shopping Centre is a brand new executive four-five bedroom 4 bathroom home that is ideal for busy families seeking comfort just mins to Remuera Village and 12 mins to the Eastern bay beaches this standalone gated home has an elevated aspect with stunning north-facing living areas and is built to exacting standards with quality chattels including kitchen with full scullery 4 luxurious bathrooms with underfloor heating including ensuite and the family bathroom with an air massage spa bath and a triple car internal access garage with own driveway Work from home professionals or teens will love the separate flexi-room for a media or additional guest bedroom with own bathroom Be the first owner of this stylish and spacious family home that could also be an excellent lock and leave option on low-maintenance grounds only meters to the bus routes to Newmarket and the CBD as well as Glendowie College close to the dog-friendly Waiatarua Reserve and the Remuera Golf Course Your early inspection is highly recommended A manhunt is under way after a man was fatally attacked at an Auckland bus stop last night Police launched a homicide investigation following the incident, which happened about 10pm on St Johns Rd, near Dorchester St in Meadowbank Police said a 33-year-old man was assaulted by more than one person He was transported to hospital in a critical condition The offenders are believed to have left the area in a vehicle “We are making inquiries to locate the offenders and the vehicle they left in and at this time are still working to determine why this tragic event occurred,” police said A blue forensic tent has been set up at a bus stop on the street and a scene guard is in place St Johns Rd has been closed off between Blackett Cres and Dorchester St – an area of about 300m Police said it would remain closed while a scene investigation is carried out Police officers this morning could be seen going door to door on St Johns Rd One resident who lived nearby said they were walking to their usual bus stop this morning when they ran into the police cordon He was shocked that someone had apparently been had harmed in his street “You read about it in the news but you never think it’s going to happen in your neighbourhood.” Police said this afternoon they anticipated the section of the road would reopen by the end of the day “We don’t have any other information we can provide at this time.” Police have asked anyone with information that could assist the investigation to make a report via 105 Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-nz.org A 16-year-old has been charged with the murder of an American student who was fatally attacked at an Auckland bus stop on St Johns Rd over the weekend The news came just before a tearful vigil started at the scene to pay tribute to the victim was known for scouring the streets at night for insects and may have been doing so on Saturday night when he was attacked Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said this morning police had executed a search warrant late yesterday afternoon at an address in Beach Haven “A 16-year-old male was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery and murder.” He would be appearing in the Auckland Youth Court today A 32-year-old North Shore woman has also been charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder She would will be appearing in the Auckland District Court today Police had “obtained further information” about a black SUV that became the subject of a media appeal when Baldwin held a press conference about the case on Tuesday “The Operation Aberfeldy team commenced investigations into this vehicle of interest and its movements “I can confirm we have now located this vehicle on the North Shore and it has been seized by police with a detailed forensic examination underway.” Baldwin said police were aware there were other occupants in the vehicle at the time of the crime “Our enquiries are ongoing to locate these persons of interest and I encourage them to do the right thing and come into their nearest Police station or phone us.” He acknowledged the support of the community “There has been a stream of information that has come into us “We value and appreciate the community support.” He said police were still working to fully understand the events of Saturday night They were still seeking information on a white Toyota ute which had been cut off by the black SUV ahead of the fatal attack Meanwhile Whorrall’s father told the Herald he was grappling with the violent attack on his son who had no enemies and was a “kind soul” I am still trying to wrap my head around how any of this is possible,” said John Whorrall He said his son was a kind soul who had dreamed of moving to Auckland to study at the university his whole life “His mother took them there on vacation years and years ago John said he envisioned his son living happily in Auckland and fulfilling his lifelong dream for the rest of his life eventually becoming a professor at the university but I didn’t think it would be like this.” He said his son was not the type “at all” to start a fight About 100 people gathered at the scene of the crime this morning to farewell him and try and reclaim their neighbourhood who described themselves as his “chosen family” he was kind he was very thoughtful,” one of the five flatmates said They loved how he would “geek out” over the “weirdest things” that he would love He loved sewing and his stuffed animals and was a fantastic friend He was a master board game player and was very social despite his shy nature “He cared so deeply about what he did… the sweetest person.” shared messages from Whorrall’s family overseas and the community This tragedy has affected us all very deeply So today we gather here to show our aroha for his family We will not fully understand how hard and how painful this must be [for his family] “No matter how long we have been here… our neighbourhood has been a peaceful and lovely place to live." but the group gathered was a “true testament” of her character The college yesterday said the vigil would be be an opportunity to “reflect pray for Kyle’s whānau and to stand together for peace The college added that it wanted to “reclaim the neighbourhood with life who was sitting at the bus stop at around 10pm “It is just the senselessness and randomness of it,” said Mike Maloney a resident who lives 150m from the bus stop Footage from an Auckland Transport bus captured images of Whorrall at the bus stop The bus shelter has been turned into a makeshift memorial for Whorrall and seeking CCTV or dashcam footage from motorists who may have been passing through on Saturday night Baldwin said earlier this week that police were also committing significant resources to finding two suspects involved in the attack Whorrall moved to New Zealand from the United States in 2021 to study for a PhD Fellow students and academics spoke about his enthusiasm for entomology He had shown a particular interest in beetles Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday. Auckland CityEnquiries Over $1,990,000424182m²695m²Single-Level family Territory on 695sqmFirst time on the market in 25 years this stylish family home seamlessly blends modern design with effortless living and low-maintenance outdoor spaces make it an entertainer's dream Boasting four generous bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms-including a master suite with a private ensuite-this home is designed for comfort and functionality The expansive living area flows effortlessly from the designer kitchen to a sun-drenched entertainer's deck and easy-care courtyard A raised garden bed with mature fruit trees and a charming winter garden add natural elegance a double garage and ample off-street parking complete the package Enjoy unbeatable convenience with Orakei's walkway and cycleway Auckland City is only 10 minutes by train or 20-25 minutes by car This is a rare opportunity to secure a peaceful family-friendly home in a sought-after location Auckland CityEnquiries over $2,000,000432257m²412m²// F R E E H O L D - S T A N D A L O N EPriced to sell 10A Rutherford Terrace offers exceptional value hence the price is attractive and your earliest inspection is encouraged This luxury stand alone home was built circa 2018 & is the perfect solution for large families seeking modern living with an abundance of style and space Perfectly situated on one of Meadowbank's most sought after streets the home offers both luxury and practicality ideal for those with a busy lifestyle who are seeking a low-maintenance • Freehold: 412 sqm (more or less) fully fenced section the stand alone home is safely tucked away behind electric gates • Spacious: The 257 sqm (approx) floor area offers multiple living areas and four generously proportioned bedrooms two boasting walk-in wardrobes and ensuites plus a downstairs powder room and separate laundry • Flow: Open plan living & a separate family room both integrate effortlessly to the fully-fenced garden & outdoor living area • Designer Kitchen: Featuring high-end appliances and a butler's pantry perfect for those who love to cook and entertain electronic entry and a large double internal-access garage all for your convenience and ease of living • Low Maintenance: Ideal for those seeking a beautiful home with no fuss and public transport - making life just that little bit easier friendly neighbourhood ideal for raising a family Selwyn College & Baradene zone & close by to a variety of private schooling options and bus routes View: Saturday & Sunday 12:00 - 12:30pm (or by appointment) Auckland CityEnquires Over $2,300,000434249m²391m²Sophisticated Living With City View SunsetsDesigned by Alan Shanahan Architects this exceptional home boasts an elevated position offering breathtaking sunsets and panoramic views of Mt Eden three-bathroom residence truly defines modern comfort The designer open-plan kitchen and dining area can be seamlessly separated from the expansive living space allowing for multiple configurations to suit your family's needs this home ensures year-round comfort in style Designed for effortless indoor-outdoor living the property features decks on both sides-perfect for alfresco dining in any season For those who value low-maintenance living this home is the ultimate lock-and-leave option Say goodbye to tedious garden upkeep and simply enjoy everything this stunning residence has to offer this property provides the perfect balance of urban convenience and tranquility Zoned for the highly sought-after Meadowbank Primary Disclaimer - This property is being sold by auction and therefore a price guide can not be provided The website may have filtered the property into a price bracket for website functionality purposes All prospective purchasers shall complete their own due diligence and satisfy themselves with respect to information supplied during the marketing of this property including but not limited to: the floor and land sizes Auckland CityPrice by negotiation441257m²224m²Elevating Everyday Living - Modern Comfort !Welcome to this stunning brand-new three-story residence in the sought-after suburb of Meadowbank this home offers an effortless blend of style making it perfect for families and professionals The ground floor features a secure internal-access garage a spacious second living area with a full bathroom and seamless indoor-outdoor flow to a front yard with a deck creating the perfect space for entertaining or relaxing the beautifully designed modern kitchen features premium appliances and seamlessly connects to the dining and living areas in a well-planned open layout the main living space offers a warm and inviting atmosphere perfect for both entertaining and daily living This level also includes two well-appointed bedrooms and a full bathroom the second floor features two spacious ensuite bedrooms One of the bedrooms offers stunning views of the Sky Tower with a generously sized walk-in wardrobe that provides ample space for both your clothes and theirs The master ensuite enhances the experience with a luxurious bath and dual sinks offering both convenience and comfort in a stylish setting These elegant retreats are the perfect combination of thoughtful design and peaceful escape this home offers easy access to a range of amenities Meadowbank Train Station is just a short distance away while multiple bus routes provide further transport options and shopping centers are within easy reach offering everything from boutique stores to everyday essentials Those who enjoy the outdoors will appreciate the nearby parks and scenic walkways perfect for leisurely strolls and weekend activities This exceptional home presents a rare opportunity to enjoy modern luxury in a sought-after location New Zealand's state housing provider says it is selling up and moving out of Auckland's most expensive suburbs after a Meadowbank complex was criticised for its $11 million build cost Kāinga Ora is moving out of Auckland’s most expensive suburbs and offloading valuable properties Chief executive Matt Crockett put up a slide stating the agency would be selling a proportion of its high value properties during a presentation at today’s 2025 Residential Development Summit like we have some big valuable properties in some pretty expensive suburbs,” Crockett said to the audience “Those probably don’t make sense to be in our portfolio and we can exit those and redeploy that money to actually kind of build two Crockett’s comments come after the new coalition Government put him in charge of the agency seven months ago as part of a mission to “reset” its operations It followed a review led by former Prime Minister Sir Bill English that found the agency’s debt had jumped from $2.7b in 2018 to $12.3b by June 2023 The Herald also revealed how the agency spent $11m to build the three three-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments in the Meadowbank complex said the Meadowbank project’s cost-per-apartment highlighted the agency’s “incompetence and lack of expertise” He called Kāinga Ora’s record of running up billions of dollars in debt a “scandal” Crockett said the agency was focused on running a leaner operation That included concentrating on being a good but “firm” landlord in future and maintaining refurbishing or rebuilding its existing supply of houses There were already about 2200 homes planned to be built through to June 2026 That should take the agency’s total stock of homes to 78,000 and Kāinga Ora would look to keep the stock at that level That called into question what fate awaited hundreds of Kāinga Ora projects after the Government last July announced 371 had been put under review despite $300m being spent on them When asked about the projects and, in particular, a 139-Auckland apartment complex next to Avondale Racecourse that was put under review despite $24m being spent on it Crockett said he expected answers by the middle of the year “We’re very close to getting to the end of the review of those projects,” he said “[We’ll] be able to confirm either: are they progressing are we going to rework them to do something differently or are we going to can them and maybe return that land back into into the market.” but soon realised that they would be buying again in the same overheated market missing out at one auction after another,” says Karl “But then this great piece of land came up for sale in Meadowbank and we decided to go for it and build our own dream home.” He and Briar had seen a house designed by Box and thought that their style would work well on the generous level north-facing Bonnie Brae Road section and the couple were simply thrilled with the eventual result “They did everything we’d asked for,” says Briar “The kitchen and living room are amazing with their high ceilings and it’s such a sunny space with great airflow in summer.” so the kitchen appliances are all high-quality and the butler’s pantry is another very desirable feature – getting plenty of use both day-to-day and on special occasions the homeowners bought a section on Bonnie Brae Road and engaged Box At the backyard is an easy-care Tiger Turf which includes a four-hole chipping and putting green A family room opens off the living area and a bedroom with ensuite completes the mid-level older family members or potentially even a teenager Karl and Briar’s home also enjoys the luxury of a separate laundry – which is vital with two small daughters aged three and six It’s adjacent to the double garage on the ground floor with an especially generous master suite which enjoys its own shower and toilet and the two little girls’ bedrooms are light and bright with plenty of room for their toys “The designers at Box were so clever in the way that they maximised every single area,” says Briar adding that one of the features she’ll really miss is a cleverly situated wine cellar She’ll also take away fond memories of the extensive exterior decking where the family loves to relax in summer and the easy-care Tiger Turf which includes a four-hole chipping and putting green for aspiring golf masters and dames 21A Bonnie Brae Road is a 218sqm home on a compact 490sqm section with four bedrooms and it’s such a sunny space with great airflow in summer,” says one of the homeowners is marketing this much-admired home and expects plenty of interest He says that Meadowbank was undervalued for many years but is now coming into its own many of whom previously lived in suburbs such as Ponsonby and Herne Bay It’s also increasingly popular with middle-aged downsizers who still want to stay in the general vicinity of their previous larger properties “Meadowbank School is fantastic and you’re right near the train station The easy-care property is also zoned for Selwyn College and Remuera Intermediate - 21A Bonnie Brae Road in Meadowbank, Auckland, is for sale, auction on March 26 By Benjamin Plummer of An Auckland couple say they are lucky to be alive after a 30-40m-tall tree, which they had pleaded to be removed, smashed into their house as a fierce storm battered the city Real estate agent Simone Roberton and her husband are incensed after the eucalyptus tree which they have "pleaded and demanded" with Auckland Council to remove for more than two years Auckland Council said it was sorry for the "distress" the fallen tree has caused saying it had decided just last week the tree needed to be cut down But that decision came too late for the Robertons' house, with last night's severe winds bringing down the eucalyptus and dozens of other trees across the city The couple were standing inside their home "It was like an earthquake or a tsunami was happening," Roberton said they could see the "humongous" tree come crashing down before it smashed into the the side of their Meadowbank home "We just looked at each other and thought 's***' because you don't know what direction that tree is going to fall in The tree ripped off the edge of the home's roofing area metres from where the couple were standing before landing on top of a vehicle in their driveway We just couldn't believe that we were still standing obviously," Roberton told the Herald on Wednesday night Roberton said she has been in an ongoing battle with Auckland Council for years trying to remove the tree because the couple were "fearful this very thing would happen" "We told them it would end this way and it has so we're devastated that this could've been so much worse." "That area is a bog in the park and we told them [Auckland Council] the unstable bog will cause this tree to fall on our house She said Auckland Council refused their multiple requests and called her an "anti-tree hugger" who would remove all trees in Auckland if she had her way "We are in shock and ropeable that we nearly got killed It appears to us that trees are more important than human life." The couple called Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) on Wednesday night which told them it was too big of a job for firefighters to remove tree removal company Treescape arrived at the scene to which the arborist told the couple: "That's the worst I've ever seen." The large tree remained on top of Roberton's car overnight and was set to be removed by a crane in the morning The couple were told they would need to vacate their home on Thursday morning because "anything could happen" when the tree was attempted to be moved Roberton described her neighbours as "wonderful" and said they were just as in shock that the couple were alive Neighbour Yvette Brenan told the Herald the tree is between 30 and 40 metres tall "Everyone was inside and we heard a massive bang We ran out and it was half a metre away from the home," she said Brenan said her family had only recently moved into the area but all the neighbours had been fighting to have it removed for some time "All the neighbours were saying that it was dodgy and have been asking the council to have it removed and obviously tonight it's gone "When it came up it looked like there was just a whole bunch of water and everything underneath and there weren't as many roots as you would think .. it looks like it should've been ripped out quite some time ago," Brenan said Auckland Council's general manager of parks and community facilities Taryn Crewe said: "This must have been a terrifying experience for Ms Roberton and her family and our thoughts are with them "Our first priority is to secure the site and have the tree safely removed Our team has been to the property tonight and will be back again in the morning to make all of the necessary arrangements." Crewe said a thorough review would be carried out by Auckland Council following the removal of the tree "It is correct that we have spoken with the property owners on a number of occasions and the council has sought independent reports on the tree both of these suggested continued monitoring but did not indicate immediate risk or recommend removal last week we made the decision to proactively seek resource consent to remove and replace the tree "It is therefore upsetting to us as well and we apologise for the distress that this has caused Ms Roberton her family and the neighbouring properties," Crewe said - This story was originally published by the New Zealand Herald and crews are responding as quickly and as safely as they can Strong wind warnings are in place until early Thursday morning for Auckland After a night of severe gales for many in the North Island winds have eased and there are no new weather warnings for Thursday Emergency services were called to the scene on Rutherford Tce in Meadowbank around 2.55pm, police said. One person was found seriously injured, while a second person received moderate injuries. A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson told 1News two fire trucks responded around 2.48pm. Two people have been taken to Auckland Hospital, a Hato Hone St John spokesperson confirmed to 1News. Two ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, and an operations manager were called to the scene at 2.49pm. In a statement this evening, WorkSafe investigation manager Danielle Henry told 1News it is "too early to determine exactly what went wrong here". "Our investigation is in its initial stages and the specifics will become clearer with time," she said. "Excavation failures are particularly dangerous because they can occur quickly, limiting the ability of workers to escape, especially if the collapse is extensive." Henry said anyone digging a trench should be aware of the possibility of collapse and should take proper precautions, including: Two people have been injured after a trench collapsed at a workplace incident in Auckland this afternoon. 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 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 Two people have been injured after a trench collapsed at a workplace incident in Auckland this afternoon Emergency services were called to the scene on Rutherford Tce in Meadowbank around 2.55pm while a second person received moderate injuries A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson told 1News two fire trucks responded around 2.48pm Two people have been taken to Auckland Hospital a Hato Hone St John spokesperson confirmed to 1News and an operations manager were called to the scene at 2.49pm WorkSafe investigation manager Danielle Henry told 1News it is "too early to determine exactly what went wrong here" "Our investigation is in its initial stages and the specifics will become clearer with time," she said "Excavation failures are particularly dangerous because they can occur quickly especially if the collapse is extensive." Henry said anyone digging a trench should be aware of the possibility of collapse and should take proper precautions 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 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 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 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. Get a renovation loan up to $70K and bring your vision to life Te Ara Ki Uta Ki Tai – the path of land to sea – is a 7km long shared path from Merton Road near Glen Innes Station to Tāmaki Drive run or cycle from Auckland’s eastern suburbs to the Waitematā Harbour This affects a 230-metre section on the rail side of the boardwalk The piles here are about 20 years old and may need replacing We'll do the inspections when the basin is empty (flushed) and the piles are exposed We can then identify what action is needed.  The boardwalk width will be narrowed. Take care through this section Cyclists and scooter riders should dismount Our contractor will start work at the end of April to build the 870m long boardwalk in Hobson Bay This is the last section to complete the 7-kilometre-long shared path We expect to complete and open the boardwalk by the end of 2026 One is in Whakatakataka Reserve on Ngapipi Road (the reserve will be closed during the work) and the other is at the rear of the Ōrākei Train Station Park and Ride There will also be a site next to Purewa Bridge on Ōrākei Road near the intersection with Kepa Road and Ngapipi Road Construction will start at Whakatakataka Reserve and near Purewa Bridge at the same time A causeway will also be created from the rear of the Ōrākei Train Station car park to access the bay we'll inform residents near the work area before work starts There will be construction traffic movement to and from the sites and traffic management on Orakei Road adjacent to our work area near Purewa Bridge Traffic management will be in place for the duration of work at this location which is approximately 8 months We know the roads here are busy commuter routes and arterial roads and we are planning our work carefully to minimise disruption Train services to Ōrākei Train Station will not be impacted but the number of available car parks will be reduced There may be some noise or vibration felt from construction in the immediate area We will have noise and vibration control measures on-site and will monitor this closely We'll host drop-in sessions for locals to speak to the project team and learn more about the design and construction of the path If you have any queries or concerns about this project The final stage to complete section 4 is the 870m bridge and boardwalk in Hobson Bay connecting from Orakei Road to Whakatakataka Reserve pedestrians and cyclists reach Tāmaki Drive using Ngapipi Road which features a temporary uni-directional cycleway This is a priority project for AT as a key piece of the wider Strategic Cycling Network providing healthier car-free choices for how people choose to travel around their neighbourhood and for their commute Shared paths connecting Ōrākei Basin Boardwalk to and along Ngapipi Road from Whakatakataka Reserve past the boatsheds to Tāmaki Drive are complete We received overwhelmingly positive feedback about the design for the boardwalk it will provide a respite in people’s daily commute and attract more people to opt for healthy With its stunning surrounds it will also be a popular destination for Aucklanders Read the feedback summary report. Community feedback received through this consultation and other sections of the path – including the Ōrākei Basin Boardwalk - has highlighted the importance of a low (1.2m) and more permeable (or ‘see through’) balustrade so people can take in views of the surrounding environment We received very positive feedback about the design including about it being sympathetic and fitting with the environment.  We were asked during the consultation to show how the balustrade permeability compares with the Section 3 balustrade, so we produced a pack giving more detail about the design. We also worked closely with our Mana Whenua project partners and key stakeholders including Ōrākei Local Board and Bike Auckland We have also reflected feedback received from consultations on other sections of the path We know it is important to the community that: Unless you get out in the bay to paddleboard or kayak you probably won’t have seen the beautiful coastline up-close Take a moment to watch our video to get a glimpse of what it will be like to travel along this path Cultural markers (pou) will be positioned in significant locations to tell important Mana Whenua narratives of this place Developed in collaboration with Mana Whenua and artist Graham Tipene they will provide wayfinding and cultural interpretation points along the pathway The pou will include integrated carved creative expressions with backlighting and interpretive information The bridge and boardwalk will comprise a concrete deck and timber and steel balustrades with LED downlighting in the handrail To determine the alignment of the boardwalk in Hobson Bay finishes and design details have been selected to naturally complement the coastal landscape and its curved form View the full design pack. With many more people travelling through the area the interim facility on Ngapipi Road is much needed until the boardwalk in Hobson Bay is constructed The 4.5m wide boardwalk will have smooth surfacing and low gradients making it a faster and accessible route to take to and from Tāmaki Drive Ngapipi Road is a challenging location due to its topography importance as a freight and bus route and lack of available space for new facilities Space allows for a one-way cycle facility only and the footpath has been widened as much as possible within the available space and other constraints If travelling north (toward Tāmaki Drive) people on a scooter or bike can use the uni-directional cycleway travelling on the outside edge of the shared path (further from vehicles exits) is encouraged Please travel safely at appropriate speeds for a shared space while using the route be prepared to stop at driveways and bus stops and if walking The Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive Shared Path - Te Ara Ki Uta Ki Tai (the path of land and sea) project will deliver a 7km-long path connecting Auckland’s eastern suburbs to the city centre The path completes a missing link in Auckland’s cycle network and connect with cycle routes to Point England The natural beauty and magnificent views along the route will appeal to people commuting into the city as well as those using the path for fitness and recreation Section 4 - Ōrākei Basin to Tāmaki Drive is the remaining stage to connect people all the way to the waterfront Image: Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive Shared Path route map A series of mahi toi (artworks) were unveiled in May 2024 along Section 2 of the path between Kohimarama Road and Ōrākei Basin This includes 2 sets of pou (cultural markers) at the end of each path acting as waharoa (entranceways) and carved handrails at both ends of the 2 bridges All artworks relate to the central design theme ‘Te Ara Ki Uta Ki Tai’ (from the land to the sea) The 4.5m tall green and red waka pou at Ōrākei Basin are named Ki Uta and Ki Tai respectively They mark the point between sections 2 and 3 The pou at Kohimarama Road represent the inhabitants of the Pourewa Valley below specifically the piwakawaka (fantail) and tuna (eel) Designs along the carved handrails show the connectivity of the path sections and te maunga (the mountain) and nga wai (the waters) Email: projects@at.govt.nz Transport for NSW will repair and upgrade the heritage-listed Meadowbank bridge to maintain this vital pedestrian and cyclist corridor across the Parramatta River Read the notice for more information (PDF, 352.63 KB) Transport is planning the structural remediation of the heritage-listed Meadowbank Bridge also locally known as the 'John Whitton Bridge,' was designed by John Whitton the Chief Engineer of the NSW Government Railways The bridge was constructed in 1886 as a lattice truss bridge it was later modified in 1891 to accommodate double tracks was constructed to accommodate the train line leading to the historic bridge being repurposed In preparation for the 2000 Summer Olympics the bridge underwent conversion into a pedestrian walkway and cycle path Distribution Lists  Meadowbank Bridge Email ListValues to always add Personal Information Collection Notice: Transport for NSW is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring your personal and health information is managed according to law. Find out why we collect your personal information and how we use and manage it by reading our privacy statement or phone 13 22 13 to request a copy For further information about this project Email: meadowbankbridge@transport.nsw.gov.au Transport for NSW recognise and celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal peoples and their ongoing cultures and care of Country We pay respect to traditional custodians and Elders past and present AJC Architects is part of the design team bringing apt.Meadowbank and Meadowbank Corner to life co-living and retail precinct that will set a new benchmark for sustainable 27 Feb 2025 • 3m read • View Author Renders: apt.Meadowbank, Meadowbank Corner / supplied  Declare label: Know what it is, how it is used, and why it is important Fendi timber flooring's texture and finish bring designer's vision to life at luxury home Outdoor structures: An enhanced Olympic experience, a lasting legacy for residents BOSS Pedestal Planner: Take the guesswork out of pedestal estimation Sign up to our newsletter for the latest industry news, products and inspiration. A sod-turning ceremony has officially launched construction on apt.Meadowbank and Meadowbank Corner and retail precinct set to transform the Meadowbank peninsula in New South Wales The 7,773 sqm development at 1-20 Railway Road designed by AJC Architects and developed by apt.Residential aims to set a new benchmark for sustainable connected urban living in Sydney’s inner northwest The mixed-use village will feature Meadowbank Corner a curated retail hub anchored by a 2,500 sqm Coles supermarket complemented by 15 specialty retailers offering fresh food will comprise 291 apartments across four buildings highlighted the project’s significance: “apt.Meadowbank represents a new era of urban living — where diverse housing options and vibrant public spaces come together to create a true village atmosphere “Our approach to the design was to respect the local area with a thoughtful built form high-quality interior design with a focus on community connectivity ensuring that residents and visitors alike will benefit from a fully integrated precinct.” The development’s prime location opposite Meadowbank Train Station and near bus stops and the Parramatta River ferry provides excellent connectivity to key areas including Sydney CBD Educational institutions such as Meadowbank TAFE and numerous schools are also within easy reach Designed with community and sustainability in mind apt.Meadowbank will offer a range of apartment sizes catering to diverse demographics The project features expansive shared spaces including a central resident hub with co-working areas Rooftop terraces will provide additional communal areas with views over Parramatta River The architectural design complements Meadowbank’s evolving urban landscape featuring four-storey masonry blocks with setbacks and sculptural rooftop forms and operable screens will allow residents to control privacy Sustainability is a key focus of the development with the project being fully electric and incorporating waste reduction strategies throughout its lifecycle The development is targeting above-benchmark Green Star apt.Meadowbank is scheduled for completion by late 2026 This innovative precinct marks a significant step in Meadowbank’s evolution into a highly connected promising to enhance the quality of life for both residents and the wider community You must be logged in to post a comment Australian Institute of Architects announces 2025 winners WA government seeks builders for 1,000-home initiative Construction industry ready as Queensland hospital expansion review concludes Boroondara opens nominations for 2025 Urban Design Awards Construction industry leaders to take part in 2025 Vinnies CEO Sleepout Pier Pavilion opens, transforming Barangaroo’s public space Willmott Dixon selected to lead construction of Northern Roots Visitor Centre in Oldham New York state launches US$16.6m road resurfacing initiative on Long Island Foster + Partners unveils design for luxury green community on Laheq Island Victoria Tower Adelaide celebrates topping out milestone Why concrete carbon sequestration could revolutionise the construction industry Adoption of AI in construction remains low with widespread concerns CFMEU investigation uncovers bad behaviour in building industry Sector hones in on sustainable building elements to meet efficiency standards Concrete surface treatments still improving after decades of innovation A new community centre for Meadowbank is on the way and the resource consent is being processed designs are being discussed for the inside of the centre and community input is being sought to ensure that it will meet the needs of the wider Meadowbank community Located on the ground floor of a five-storey mixed-use building the new Meadowbank Community Centre will be larger than both the previous centre and Tahapa Hall combined There is no cash cost to ratepayers because the new community centre is being built on council-owned land and the project is being funded through already agreed asset sales and contribution from the developer of the apartments above The new fit-for-purpose centre replaces the current Meadowbank Community Centre and Tahapa Crescent Hall in Remuera after a community needs assessment identified that these no longer met the needs of the local community chairperson of Ōrākei Local Board explains that they “spoke to the community in 2017 which gave us a good understanding of what the community wanted from this community centre This is a final check to ensure the new design will be delivering that.” Feedback from the community is being sought on: “This centre will be an integral part of our Meadowbank Remuera and St Johns community and so we encourage everyone to jump online so that they can help inform the design and help us understand exactly what needs to be in the centre.” Find out more about the project and how you can have a say on akhaveyoursay Feedback closes at 5pm on 30 September 2022 Want to stay up to date with all the latest news from your area Sign up for your Local Board eNews and get the latest to your inbox each month Sign up for the Ōrākei Local Board eNews But Grant Sykes, manager of Barfoot & Thompson’s Meadowbank branch, says that buyers who use Meadowbank as a stepping stone to Remuera often finish up staying put. “For many people, it’s not about the double grammar zone, so we’re at a much cheaper price point but only five minutes down the road. “Then they realise Meadowbank is much closer to the beaches of St Heliers and Kohimarama, and goes all the way down to the Orakei Basin, and that it has its own train station. “There’s a lot that’s desirable and so they stay put.” He adds that the nearly complete Meadowbank leg of the Glen Innes to Tamaki cycle path will be an “awesome” way for commuters to connect to their train or cycle all the way into the city. Sykes says entry-level in Meadowbank is around $1m, with 1960s brick and tile granny flats often selling for below $1m. Kāinga Ora is planning to bring new affordable homes to the suburb, which help broaden its appeal. Families moving up the ladder, to a four-bedroom townhouse, should expect to pay $2m. Amenities are many in the suburb, even extending to roadside pianos. Photo / Fiona Goodall Meadowbank Primary is highly rated and a drawcard for young families. Photo / Fiona Goodall “It’s a very family-oriented neighbourhood, and some of those original older 1960s and 1970s homes are ripe for rejuvenation,” he says. Ray White agent John Lantz says the sheer size of Meadowbank means residents are spoilt for choice when it comes to amenities. There’s a shopping mall on Meadowbank Road and big box and design shops 10 minutes away on Lunn Avenue (officially Mount Wellington), as well as a heap of popular local cafes and restaurants. Meadowbank residents are in zone for several leading schools, with some families pulling their kids out of private schools to attend the state schools, says Lantz. There’s even a bucolic inner city pony club, complete with grazing horses and excited birthday party visitors, and the social media group Meadowbank Mums is a big source of knowledge and hotspot for debate in the community. “Young couples are coming across from Ponsonby or Westmere. They can pay $1.8m in Meadowbank for a house that would cost $3m over that side,” Lantz says. Homes by Orakei Basin inlet are sought after, Lantz says. Buyers recently paid $2.25m for a 965sqm site with an old three-bedroom house that they intend to bowl to build their dream house. Top streets are in areas close to the train station with city views, such as Fancourt and Temple streets and Appleyard Crescent, or streets near Rutherford Reserve, such as Rutherford Terrace and Ripon Crescent. Homes by the inlet are in demand. Photo / Fiona Goodall “Once they’re in Meadowbank, they don’t want to move out. You're 10 minutes from the beaches, 10 minutes from the Lunn Avenue shops, lots of nice local eateries and shopping,” Lantz says. Developers are eyeing some streets still dominated by the suburb’s original two-bedroom state homes, replacing them with a luxury new build house or two. Two big developments - the luxury The Teal on Orakei and the more moderately priced Risland Meadowbank with 90 apartments that started from just over $900,000 – are mostly sold, and no new projects have launched since. Play is incredibly important to a child’s development and providing a wide range of play options does not need to break the bank Meadowbank Toy Library is part of the nationwide non-for-profit Toy Library Federation which supports more than 150 local libraries nationwide A child’s earliest experiences and learnings are through play and it is also where they develop and practice life skills and a toy library is a place where parents and caregivers can borrow a range of toys on a regular basis It is easy to see why families remain members of their local library for several years Meadowbank Community Toy Library’s mission is to enhance play opportunities for mokopuna and tamariki in the Meadowbank community “We are a non-profit community service run by a voluntary committee through the help of grants like those we receive from Ōrākei Local Board,” explains Angela Davies Treasurer of the Meadowbank Community Toy Library “We understand buying toys can be expensive Our membership provides a family with a wide a range of educational and play options as well as space in the home and waste to landfill.” Ōrākei Local Board supports the Meadowbank Toy Library through the Ōrākei Local Grant which are offered to the community biannually The next grant round is open to applications 16 January to 17 February 2023 More information can be found on the Auckland Council website by searching ‘local grant’, click here to see more. Meadowbank Community Toy Library is located at St Chads Church Tuesdays 7.15-8.15pm and Saturday 9.15-11.15am More information at: facebook.com/MeadowbankCommunityToyLibrary Sign up for your local board newsletter and get the latest to your inbox each month more travel choices are needed – encouraging people to walk or ride a bike around our region and contribute to our climate change goals Auckland Transport (AT) is now consulting with the community on new shared path connections between Meadowbank and Kohimarama - via the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Path that’s currently under construction The project includes two shared path connections - a northern connection joining John Rymer Place with the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Path and a southern connection that joins Gowing Drive with the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Path The 2021 Auckland Regional Land Transport Plan has prioritised approximately $22 million for the project in the next three years This is subject to final funding confirmation or scooter all the way from Meadowbank and Kohimarama to the train station and the city centre - separated from traffic Councillor Desley Simpson says she’s incredibly excited to finally see budget for these north-south connections “This would increase usage of the shared path tenfold It’s been tough getting this budget into the RLTP – especially in our fiscally constrained times – and I want to thank our community for their long-standing advocacy and support.” says it’s excellent to see teamwork come to fruition “Pourewa Valley is the urban forest between Meadowbank and Kohimarama and it’s important to cross it safely while appreciating its beauty These connections have the potential to remove many hundreds of car movements from the St Johns/ Kohimarama Road loop daily - as students could safely and quickly get to schools on the Kohimarama side.” we are looking for ways to make it easier and safer for people to choose sustainable transport - such as walking riding bikes or e-scooters - and providing options that are separated from traffic These proposed new connections would help more of our tamariki and adults to be more active and less reliant on car travel This proposal is part of AT’s plan to create a city that puts people at its centre – one that is greener is overjoyed with the proposal and says it would markedly improve safety for school pupils and the community “It would allow students to travel safely within their community - and in particular - between home and school,” he says Selwyn College staff also support the proposal and acknowledge the benefits the connections would provide for accessing community and school activities This project reflects Auckland Transport’s Vision Zero approach to road safety - where AT is striving to have zero deaths or serious injuries on our transport system by 2050 See more and have your say on the Auckland Transport website. Our crew have confirmed that the repair work has been completed and the watermain is currently recharging. You may already have low water pressure at your place, and full pressure is expected to return later this afternoon. If you experience discoloured water, run an outside tap for 5-10 minutes to flush the discolouration. The new section of pipe can be seen in blue Our crews have been working to restore water to several streets in Remuera and Meadowbank after three pipe breaks within a 24-hour period. First break: The initial break at Koraha Street was reported at 10am yesterday and repaired by 10pm. Second break: The second break at 699 Remuera Road was reported at 4.30pm yesterday and repaired by 11:30pm. Third break: The third break at 699 Remuera Road was discovered at 2am this morning and the repairs are ongoing. We have customer liaising staff onsite. Map below shows the area that was impacted by the outages. Copyright 2024 Watercare. All rights reserved Auckland City$1,345,000424201m²821m²Owner Trading Down- What have you?VIEWING: By Sat 3 to 3.30pm My vendor will look at all trade downs as this home is vacant and waiting The price has been reduced to reflect the motivation...Those who move first will buy it offers the ultimate escape to peace and tranquility while maintaining effortless modern living Low Maintenance Hassles THIS IS A LOCK UP AND LEAVE Imagine weekends spent soaking up the sun on your north-facing deck or exploring nearby nature trails-without a single lawn to mow this low-maintenance retreat allows you to enjoy your home instead of working on it With a generous double garage and additional parking for at least two more cars Whether you're hosting guests or unwinding after a long day multi-level design complements the sleek new open-plan kitchen with premium Smeg appliances perfect for both entertaining and quiet nights in this private oasis offers the best of both worlds-serene living with easy access to the city Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity Join me this Sunday and experience this unique retreat for yourself I welcome Conjunctional Agreements with all real estate agencies-let's work together to find the perfect buyer for this exceptional home Photo / SuppliedThis picturesque 1257sqm property’s surprising proportions and rich historical pedigree make it a true one-of-a-kind for its location “It’s a really unique house for Meadowbank – there are very few villas in our area,” explains Bridget “That size house and that size land is really unusual for the suburb.” In fact, 50 St Johns Road was the original homestead for the farm that now comprises much of the suburb of Meadowbank. The property is on the market for sale by auction on February 28. It has a current 2021 RV of $4.65 million and, according to OneRoof data, the property last changed hands in 2007 for $1.125m. The house was constructed around 100 years ago and the farm was subdivided and developed in the 1950s and ‘60s. Its heritage has been celebrated over the years, with features like double hung sash windows, a magnificent central hallway, front veranda and 12ft ceilings beautifully retained throughout. The farm’s original stables have also been converted into what is now a self-contained pool house. Bridget and her husband purchased the property 15 years ago, following their return to live in New Zealand from Singapore. With three young children in tow, they saw it as a perfect long-term family home. “Our children were four, six and seven at the time and we could see that it was the kind of house that would grow with us,” she says. “And it has.” They have loved the convivial, busy atmosphere that the north-facing villa’s proportions, layout and outdoor living zones have allowed, plus how well it absorbs a crowd. The renovated homestead floorplan is 273sqm sitting on a 1257sqm block. Photo / Supplied The kitchen was moved into this big, open space that leads all the way to the deck and pool. Photo / Supplied “My children have so many memories there, it’s been an amazing and very practical family home with space for everybody.” She shares that it has been a venue for many family social events and gatherings – from end-of term primary school class pool parties, to 21sts and even a sit-down lunch for her mother’s 70th birthday. “In the lockdowns at one stage we had one university student, one in Year 13 and one in Year 12 all working at home at their own desk, in their own space, which was amazing.” The two separate offices also means that both parents can work from home yet still remain connected to family life. In 2011 the family moved out for a year and embarked on a massive renovation. Working with Greg Jones from Jones Architects, their goal was to preserve the classic feel and original charm of the home while tastefully and timelessly updating it for modern living and comfort. The original stables were converted into what is now a self-contained pool house. Photo / Supplied “Originally the darkest room in the house was the old kitchen so I was trapped in there feeding young children,” she laughs. “So we moved the kitchen into this big space that now opens all the way through out to the pool and the deck.” The significant floorplan incorporates the large open-plan kitchen, dining and living that flows out poolside, a separate TV/playroom, five bedrooms (two ensuited), a family bathroom and separate toilet. This includes the upstairs guest suite (or alternative master bedroom) which has a Juliet balcony with views to the Sky Tower. The pool house, with its bedroom, kitchenette and bathroom, presents all kinds of utilisation possibilities. “When my husband started his business he has his team in there, we’ve had elderly grandparents stay and it was also Airbnb’d for a while,” Bridget says. “As we used to live overseas we’ve had friends come and visit for long periods of time, so it’s been a private space for them. Or someone could use it as a gym or a Pilates studio.” While located in a prime, well-connected position right at the heart of the local Meadowbank village and across the road from the shopping centre, number 50 is an urban oasis that enjoys a lovely sense of peace and privacy. In 2011, the current owners embarked on a massive renovation where the goal was to preserve the classic feel and charm of the home while tastefully updating it. Photo / Supplied “Interestingly most people don’t even know it’s there, even though you drive past it all the time. It’s got this big shelter belt of trees right along the street so you’ve got no idea of the scale of property that is behind the fence,” she says. “It’s set back with a big lawn and a big driveway and parking area – once you get in and close the electric gates it doesn’t seem like you’re on the main road at all, it’s totally safe and secure.” As their children grew more independent, the bus stop across the road provided transport to three different secondary schools and the supermarket’s proximity was a huge bonus for hungry teens. This property is also future-proofed for development. Wastewater and stormwater connections are already in place for a multi-dwelling development, should a buyer wish to develop or sell to a developer at a later date. Listing agent Cristina Casares, from Bayleys, says that it’s all about the wonderful history and character here. “This is a very special property and a really big piece of land. The heritage of the original homestead has been beautifully preserved and it is a great family home with everything you need.” Terms Of UsePrivacy PolicyAccessibilityCookie Policy © Hibernian FC 2024 Dive into the best of our imagery as Hibernian Women picked up a crucial victory over Rangers at the weekend First-half goals from Kathleen McGovern and Stacey Papadopoulos secured a 2-0 Hibees win at Meadowbank Stadium The momentous result lifts the Hibees back to the top of the ScottishPower Women's Premier League table with five matches to go.  Check out the best imagery from the match below!