Today’s confirmed closure of the North Shore Women’s Centre after losing government funding is a huge loss for women in Auckland now is not the time to cut funding for prevention services.“My thoughts are with our many frontline services in Tāmaki Makaurau which do an amazing job and are struggling to stay afloat as the Government takes their services backwards,” Carmel Sepuloni said.“I want to acknowledge the Centre’s incredible 38 years of service to the community and send my aroha to Tracy and her passionate team as they make this difficult decision,” North Shore-based MP the Centre has helped hundreds of women and children and I now worry about the huge gap left behind in the North Shore for those who need this safe space.” Stay in the loop by signing up to our mailing list and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X UPDATE 6:50AMThis truck breakdown is still blocking 2 southbound lanes on the Harbour Bridge. Tow services are on route however clearance of lanes is expected to take some time. Expect long delays citybound on the SH1 Northern Mwy this morning. ^TP https://t.co/YwpVG3FmKN An earlier truck breakdown on the Harbour Bridge has caused major traffic woes on Auckland's North Shore this morning Roads on Auckland’s North Shore are clogged with queues including a back-up of 11km on the motorway after two lanes were forced to close on the Harbour Bridge when a truck broke down during rush hour this morning Traffic is backed up to Albany and major roads feeding the motorway are gridlocked with New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) warning motorists to expect “long delays” North Shore councillor Richard Hills told motorists to think twice about travelling over the harbour bridge given the traffic congestion Waka Kōtahi/NZTA says two lanes on the bridge heading citybound are completely blocked by a truck that broke down,” Hills said “This is causing congestion right up the motorway and up through the shore as all the on ramps and streets are heavily congested Although it’s clear from the app that buses on the network are facing delays as well.” NZTA said the breakdown happened at 6.05am on the centre-right southbound lane “This truck breakdown is still blocking two southbound lanes on the Harbour Bridge “Tow services are on route however clearance of lanes is expected to take some time “Expect long delays citybound on the SH1 Northern Mwy this morning.” UPDATE 6:50AMThis truck breakdown is still blocking 2 southbound lanes on the Harbour Bridge. Tow services are on route however clearance of lanes is expected to take some time. Expect long delays citybound on the SH1 Northern Mwy this morning. ^TP https://t.co/YwpVG3FmKN but long delays continued to affect morning commuters Morning commuters shared on social media that the delays impacted almost all on-ramps towards the city this morning with many warning to delay heading into work “Don’t bother trying to come in,” one wrote 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 A worker at an Auckland recycling plant that burnt down on the city's North Shore is sad and shaken by what has happened The Abilities Group plant in Glenfield caught fire on Thursday evening The organisation provided employment and support to over 100 disabled people Bridie Sarah Daly said she was at home when she saw news of the fire She said she was feeling sad and shaken after what happened and I had a look at it and I was like 'oh my gosh Daly said she hoped her coworkers would stay strong as they wait to see what happens next which is quite sad and quite hard," she said "I hope my friends out there from Abilities be strong to find out what's happened to their work and just move on [with] what you have to do so I'm trying not to get myself too stressed." Abilities Group launched a Givealittle page asking members of the public to donate to support staff replace essential equipment and find a new temporary facility Managing director Peter Fraher described the loss as a huge blow "Abilities is more than a workplace - it's a supportive environment where disabled people find purpose opportunity and community," he said in a statement "We've had an incredible outpouring of kindness from the community already "Now we're asking anyone who's ever believed in our mission - or simply wants to help us support our team as we rebuild - to support our fundraiser." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday An Auckland recycling plant that burnt down on the city's North Shore last night is calling on donations from the public to support staff and replace essential equipment Fire crews are damping down flare ups at a recycling centre in Auckland's North Shore Firefighters were left stranded high above a huge blaze at a recycling plant when their aerial firefighting truck broke down The future of almost 120 employees with disabilities is up in the air after Abilities Group's Glenfield factory was completely destroyed Workers there helped sort and process e-recycling They also recycled Fonterra bags – removing a plastic liner out of milk powder bags – and did some contract packaging Abilities Group was now fundraising and looking for new place to set up, and managing director Peter Frahar told RNZ, a Givealittle set up to raise funds had now reached almost $200,000 "We've had amazing support from the local community we're struggling to keep up with the messages of support and our Givealittle page that was set up has just continues to grow." He said everyone was "getting behind the good work we do and the staff we support" Two group meetings had been held so workers could get together and the plan was now to find a facility where Abilities could get the workers back doing what they were good at they're really able to open up and get their smiles back but they're looking forward to the day they can get back to work that pride of belonging to an organisation Frahar said the North Shore facility was completely destroyed in the fire It takes a lot to get your mind around the fact that a week ago we had all the staff working and happy rnz.co.nz One firefighter said it was the biggest fire he’d ever seen on Auckland’s North Shore Almost $200,000 has been raised for workers with disabilities who have been left without a place to work after their North Shore recycling plant burned to the ground last week Abilities Group was now fundraising and looking for new place to set up, and managing director Peter Frahar told RNZ, a Givealittle set up to raise funds had now reached almost $200,000. "We've had amazing support from the local community. Overwhelming generosity, we're struggling to keep up with the messages of support, and our Givealittle page that was set up has just continues to grow." Fire and Emergency crews continued to extinguish hot spots at the site on Hillside Rd in Wairau Valley. (Source: 1News) He said everyone was "getting behind the good work we do and the staff we support". Two group meetings had been held so workers could get together, and the plan was now to find a facility where Abilities could get the workers back doing what they were good at. "Staff are holding up very well, they're really able to open up and get their smiles back, but they're looking forward to the day they can get back to work. "It gives them that sense of purpose, that pride of belonging to an organisation, spending time with their friends, having fun, and building self esteem and self worth. It was everything to them." A North Shore recycling plant which burned to the ground last week. (Source: RNZ / Kaye Albert) Frahar said the North Shore facility was completely destroyed in the fire. Chemical spill from Abilities Group fire workers 'heartbroken'The firefighters' union says an aerial ladder truck broke down at the height of the blaze — leaving two firefighters stranded above the flames New Zealand 'Stay inside': Fire at recycling plant on Auckland's North ShoreFire understood to be at Abilities Group a recycling charity with "a heart for people with disabilities" rnz.co.nz Bystanders prevent attempted abduction of Auckland primary student Police said they were investigating the incident which occurred outside Rowandale School in the suburb of Manurewa at around 3pm on Monday Crime and Justice Homicide investigation after man dies in Auckland's Manurewa Emergency services were called to the property on Mahia Rd just before 10am to a report of a man "seriously injured" Blaze at McDonald's in east Auckland treated as suspected arson Counties Manukau CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Michele Gillespie said a scene guard has been in place at the restaurant overnight Person dies following morning crash on Auckland motorway A person has died following a crash on Auckland's south-western motorway this morning '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 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 Govt halts all current pay equity claims, makes it harder to lodge new ones Two men's shared name brings years of trouble and a hefty bill to one 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 fans Sun, May 4 Lorde announces new album name, date Thu, May 1 Kim Kardashian to testify in Paris trial over 2016 armed robbery Mon, Apr 28 Chubby Checker, Outkast, Cyndi Lauper join Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Mon, Apr 28 Kim Kardashian to testify in Paris trial over 2016 armed robbery Mon Some beaches on Auckland's North Shore are closed today due to a chemical spill in the water from the recycling plant fire in Wairau Valley overnight SafeSwim warned people to "avoid contact with water" due to "hazardous substances" from yesterday's recycling plant fire on Hillside Rd There has been fallout on several fronts from the fire with potential environmental harm; devastated disabled workers and their charity; and a firefighters' union angered that equipment failed during the response leaving two crew stranded above the massive blaze said in a statement: "We are heartbroken." Managing director at Abilities Group Peter Fraher said "we're working with the authorities and have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and kind messages from our local North Shore community" Fraher said a counselling service would be available to support employees and he thanked FENZ teams who "battled tirelessly throughout the night to control the blaze" The fire destroyed critical equipment and spaces essential to the charity's daily operations said Fraher and "the impact on the team has been immense" "Abilities is more than a workplace — it’s a supportive environment where disabled people find purpose Some Abilities Group workers were at the scene on Friday morning to see the damage for themselves an employee at the plant along with his grandmother said he too was "heartbroken" and worried about losing his job and the company Another employee Glenn Bishop was also watching the fire crews this morning with his mother "I was in tears last night when I heard it on the TV," Glenn's mother "Absolutely devastated for all the workers that work here and the staff that are so dedicated to their jobs," she said "I am gutted for [Glenn] because he loves getting up and going to work every day it's part of his routine and his life," she said A Givealittle page has been launched by the Abilities Group charity to help support the more than 100 disabled staff and volunteers who worked at the facility Fire crews returned to the plant this morning with three fire trucks two ladder trucks and two diggers to open the structure and fully extinguish the fire there is no significant smoke and the lithium-ion batteries involved in the fire are no longer a hazard," he said Senior Takapuna station officer Steven Callagher said the fire was now out and crews were dampening down hotspots "It's the largest fire that I can remember for a few years on the North Shore," he said "It did suck up a lot of resources from Auckland central and west Auckland as well as pretty much the entire North Shore fire brigade." Callagher said the cause of the fire was still being investigated but the flames broke out in an "area where batteries were recycled." Large dark plumes of smoke stretched across multiple suburbs yesterday and many shared images and videos on social media of the blaze Assistant Commander Barry Thomas said the fire had been brought under control when the incident was scaled down to a second alarm level but it continues to affect communities in Glenfield and Witheford Heights," he said "Crews are expected to remain at the scene until later this afternoon," said Hall the New Zealand Professional Fire Fighters Union has raised concerns about the safety of fire resources after it said an aerial ladder truck broke down — leaving two firefighters stranded above the flames The union said the pair were "showered with burning embers and inundated with toxic smoke and combustion particles" The firefighters had to be rescued using another aerial appliance as all emergency backups failed "The union has requested that Fire and Emergency immediately impound the truck and begin a full and comprehensive investigation by a specialist team," it said in a statement The union said the service history of the truck testing and quality assurance should all be looked into due to losing "all hydraulic power through a major leak" "Major servicing such as the 10-year rebuild and service of the aerials having been postponed by Fire and Emergency management with many now several years overdue," the union claimed It is long past time for action from the Fire and Emergency Board." FENZ region manager Te Hiku Ron Devlin said the appliance involved was taken to a workshop for cleaning and testing "and at this time we have been informed that they have not been able replicate the fault that occurred during the fire" "The safety and wellbeing of our people is of prime importance to Fire and Emergency New Zealand A full investigation will be carried out into the appliance incident and the appliance will remain off the run until we have remedied the fault and it is tested to be fully operational." Fire and Emergency NZ is at the scene of a large fire on Auckland's North Shore this evening coming from the Abilities Group Recycling Depot in Wairau Valley Large dark plumes of smoke could be seen stretching across multiple suburbs is a recycling charity which has "a heart for people with disabilities" "Our aim is to enrich their lives by offering fulfilling work opportunities," its website states FENZ said it was alerted to the fire at 5.24pm “It is understood there are batteries on fire inside the factory,” it said It said multiple crews were responding from across Auckland “There is a large amount of smoke showing from the roof of the building and we ask people in the area to stay inside and close windows “Please stay away so our crews can get on with the job of extinguishing the fire.” An emergency mobile alert was issued to people in the area at 6.25pm this evening "There is a large fire at a recycling plant on Hillside RD WAIRAU VALLEY which is producing large volumes of smoke," the alert read close all windows and doors and wait for further instructions No immediate need to evacuate unless advised to do so." Local board member Richard Hills said the blaze was a "very large and very serious industrial fire" photos posted to social media showed thick dark smoke billowing over Wairau Valley Fire crews were understood to be responding from Takapuna Birkenhead and Parnell with additional appliances en route from other stations across Auckland Local board member John Gillon said there was a "massive fire on Hillside Drive "A huge amount of black smoke can be seen from across the North Shore," he said "Emergency services are in attendance Please keep away as the smoke could be toxic "If you need to evacuate and need shelter Glenfield Baptist Church at 46 James Street has kindly offered temporary space and will stay open as long as needed." Police said officers were assisting with cordons on Hillside Rd and Hillside Rd/Diana Drive A stranger allegedly tried to force an 8-year-old boy into a car outside an Auckland primary school yesterday before bystanders intervened and the man drove off Police confirmed they were investigating an incident from around 3pm on Monday outside Rowandale School in the suburb of Manurewa "Police are still working to understand exactly what was occurring at the time and our enquiries are ongoing," a spokesperson said "We have spoken with the boy and will continue to work through a careful process Rowandale School principal Karl Vasau said in a statement to social media that other parents had intervened "The student then made his way home and told his parents who then came into school to let us know and then they rung the police." Vasau told 1News the pupil was "doing fine" following the incident and was surrounded by a "supportive "Our student is safe now and his family are thankful that nothing further happened to their boy but are wanting us all to be aware and stay safe It's about working with that child to make them feel safe again but also looking forward to returning back to school with a little bit of normality." Police had reacted "pretty quickly" to the reports "They've been in this morning to touch base and connect the community police constables are going to come back to tomorrow to address the whole school in relation to what had happened and around keeping themselves safe before and after school." Increased police patrols would remain in the area after school from Wednesday Anyone with relevant information should contact police on 105 Police say a fire at a McDonald's restaurant in Pakuranga is being investigated as a suspected arson Emergency services attended the fire on Pakuranga Rd just before 3pm yesterday Large plumes of smoke could be seen and explosions heard at the fast food restaurant which has "sustained significant fire damage as a result" "At this point in time we are treating this fire as a suspected arson "A scene examination is being conducted this morning and police will work alongside a fire investigator," she said Gillespie said part of these inquiries would be working to understand how the fire began She said police would like to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity prior to the fire Anyone with information was urged to contact police online or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 A person has died following a crash on Auckland's south-western motorway this morning The single vehicle crash was reported to police shortly before 5am the sole occupant of this vehicle died at the scene," a police spokesperson said "Earlier closures of northbound lanes have now lifted and police advise motorists to continue to expect delays as earlier backlogs clear "We appreciate motorists' understanding this morning while emergency services carried out their work." Police said the serious crash unit examined the scene this morning and an investigation was underway into this morning's crash on behalf of the Coroner This is in addition to an earlier crash on Auckland's northern motorway near the Auckland Harbour Bridge Emergency services responded to a two-truck collision on the northern motorway near the Auckland Harbour Bridge shortly after 5am New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said all lanes south on State Highway 1 were open again following this earlier crash with five lanes available on the Harbour Bridge "Allow extra time for delays on the Northern Motorway to slowly ease this morning three lanes going south were now open again between Onewa Rd and the Harbour Bridge," NZTA said A string of fires linked to highly combustible lithium-ion batteries has been deemed a "wake-up call" for waste businesses by Auckland officials with the public facing exposure to toxic smoke from repeat blazes Auckland Council is urging "industry vigilance" around the problem after a scrap metal company was fined $30,000 over a 2023 fire that released toxic smoke near Ōtāhuhu A fire at a recycling plant near Glenfield last month was also initially linked to lithium batteries although investigators were continuing to probe the blaze Auckland Council compliance field operations manager David Pawson emphasised "the importance of remaining vigilant despite the novelty of the issue" Authorities urged the public to avoid putting lithium batteries in the rubbish or recycling The batteries were inside most portable electronic devices Pawson said in a statement: "We recognise this is a new issue and we’re all finding our way with lithium-ion batteries and those handling them "But businesses still need to take responsibility for their disposal — this is their business Emergency alerts were issued to tens of thousands on Auckland's North Shore last month after the largest fire "for a few years" broke out at an Abilities Group recycling plant Residents were urged to close windows to avoid fumes and some beaches were closed due to chemicals released into waterways Takapuna fire station officer Steven Callagher said there were reports that flames broke out in the area of the facility where batteries were recycled and an official cause had not been determined Other recent battery-linked fires have broken out in rubbish trucks in Auckland caused by the ignition of a lithium-ion battery within a large scrap metal stockpile highlighted a "growing national and international issue surrounding battery disposal and fire risk," according to Auckland Council recognised the unique challenges posed by lithium-ion batteries He noted: "There has been considerable difficulty in finding a technical solution to the problems with batteries catching on fire "This is not only a national problem but an international one; these orders form a workaround solution until more technical solutions The judge described the situation as “a new and emerging issue" While acknowledging Sims Metal’s cooperation and the absence of intentional wrongdoing reduced from an initial starting point of $50,000 The enforcement orders issued require Sims Metal to implement several improvements at the James Fletcher Drive site in Favona "The orders are registered with the Environment Court and will remain in place unless superseded by conditions with a new resource consent," the council said Pawson said the council viewed the 2023 case as an "important precedent in balancing empathy for emerging challenges with the necessity of regulatory compliance "It also highlights the importance of proactive risk management and industry-wide collaboration to adapt to evolving environmental risks." A Sims Metal spokesperson said: "Following the May 2023 fire at our Favona facility we have implemented more stringent control measures to support the ongoing management of potentially concealed materials like lithium-ion batteries "We are grateful to the communities and businesses in and around Ōtāhuhu We want to reiterate our appreciation to FENZ and all those who acted diligently to extinguish the May 2023 fire safely and continue to refine and improve our processes." Sheep have been killed and others have had to be euthanised after a stock truck rolled in Southland this morning The road was completely blocked and expected to be closed for sometime while the scene was cleared however the road is completely blocked," a police spokesperson said Southland District Council confirmed some animals were killed in the crash while others had to be euthanised due to injuries Fire and Emergency responded with crews from Waimahaka It's the second incident of sheep being killed after a stock truck rolled in Southland in a little over a week A small number of lambs had to be euthanised after a stock truck rolled near Balclutha on April 27 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 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 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.” The government is making it harder to make a claim for pay equity that will cut costs There have been massive pay equity claims in recent years for nurses and resthome workers Workplace Minister Brooke van Velden announced the moves to raise the threshold for proving work has been historically undervalued to support a claim on Tuesday saying changes back in 2020 had created problems "Claims have been able to progress without strong evidence of undervaluation and there have been very broad claims where it is difficult to tell whether differences in pay are due to sex-based discrimination or other factors." Claims were concentrated in the public sector with costs to the Crown of all settlements so far totalling $1.78 billion a year "The changes I am proposing will significantly reduce costs to the Crown," she said "The changes will discontinue current pay equity claims." Van Velden told Midday Report she believes in pay equity but the current thresholds were "a bit too loose" Asked how she ensure women were not hurt by this the minister said "I'm a woman and I support women who work" "I also support removing gender based discriminations from our workforces but what I don't support are muddied laws and unclear laws," she said "So these changes are better for all women who are working where we can genuinely say hand on heart that what they are finding with their claims is genuine gender based discrimination." Van Velden told reporters at Parliament any current claims would be stopped and need to restart under the new threshold to show "genuine" gender discrimination and make sure the comparators were right She gave a figure of 33 current claims that would be stopped as the legislation was put through under urgency "You have librarians who've been comparing themselves to transport engineers We have admin and clerical staff at Health New Zealand comparing themselves to mechanical engineers." Social workers had compared themselves to air traffic controllers "We don't believe we have that setting right." Any comparison would now be between female employees and male employees at the same employer "But you cannot go fishing for discrimination across the New Zealand workforce." All current settled claims would continue but the government was drawing "a line in the sand" "We're not stopping claims." The nurse's union has this year had at least 10 pay equity claims in play The PSA union has said pay equity claims and settlements had resulted in significant improvements in pay and working conditions for many workers The union said the changes would make it "impossible for people in female-dominated professions to be paid fairly" "Women across the country will pay the price for this," PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said "The government's changes today are a dark day for New Zealand women as the government says it will repeal the pay equity law and extinguish 33 existing claims in a constitutional overreach "The PSA is exploring all possible avenues to oppose these unconstitutional amendments and stop this attack on women We will not be deterred in our fight to achieve pay equity for all." "This is a blatant and shameful attack on women," New Zealand Nurses organisation chief executive Paul Goulter said "Women in workforces predominantly performed by female employees have been underpaid and undervalued for generations That is what pay equity claims seek to rectify," he said "This move by the government will widen the pay gap between men and women." The union had at least 10 pay current pay claims across Aged Care These cover many nurses and support workers The E tū union also called the changes an attack on women and a green light to pay them less for work of equal value The government was pulling the rug out from under a 13-year-long fight in aged care "These changes are not about evidence — they are about saving money by keeping women underpaid," national secretary Rachel Mackintosh said in a statement A number of unions have called a snap rally at Parliament at 1pm today in light of the announcement the Council of Trade Unions and representatives of other unions say they will be "protesting the government's attack on women and the destruction of progress on pay equity..." rnz.co.nz Shane William Pritchard has been charged with crimes he didn’t commit and chased for debts he doesn’t owe That’s because the Dunedin man is not the only Shane William Pritchard in town While the duo’s shared name and age has sometimes been a handy loophole for one Shane for the other it has caused problems for 36 years It’s been years of fearing every knock on the door Years of wondering if he’ll be hand-cuffed and taken to jail to be honest,” says Shane William Pritchard a scout and a member of the Air Training Corp remembers getting quite a shock when her friend called one evening She'd been acting as a referee for a gun licence for Shane whose friend informed her that the police had a long list of offences against Shane’s name Not long after that the police turned up to where Shane was working at the local tannery to arrest him “You're scrambling in your head to think of ways that you can prove it's not you.” Another Shane William Pritchard had been born in Otago They were separated by just two weeks and about 50 miles – one growing up in Mosgiel the other in Milton – but also by the lives they’d been leading To watch the full video story go to TVNZ+ Shane from Milton had huge problems focusing at school He was raised in foster care and then boys’ homes I just wanted to look cool and get in trouble,” he tells Fair Go Milton Shane was used to run-ins with police he got pulled over in his car and asked about his driving licence one’s got a licence and the other hasn’t.’ And I’m like ‘obviously it must be the one with a licence’.” he went to his bank to draw out an ACC payment and was asked which bank account was his He says that at that point he was trying to figure out what was going on “I thought it was just an error.” But he took advantage of the situation and withdrew a large sum of cash Mosgiel Shane became aware of the withdrawal when a scheduled car payment was declined and when Milton Shane turned up at the bank to withdraw more money Identity fraud was considered but Milton Shane was legitimately expecting an ACC payment so the withdrawal appeared to be a genuine mistake and the police couldn’t take any action 'Anything I could get away with Mosgiel Shane thought the bank incident would have alerted police to the problem But his nemesis had cottoned on to the advantages of having a second identity to use Milton Shane acquired a suite of furniture on hire-purchase Milton-Shane clocked up more driving offences Mosgiel Shane thought about changing his name but realised he’d have to provide his previous name in the process the courts and debt collectors such as Baycorp should be able to distinguish between himself and Milton Shane The police first addressed the issue in the 1990s after Mosgiel Shane went to the media He was given a letter to carry with him should he be apprehended He and his parents felt his situation wasn’t being taken seriously Mosgiel Shane went to the media a second time in the mid-2000s the police gave their word that a record in their system would stop the misidentification from happening again This does appear to have worked as far as police action goes But while Mosgiel Shane was given the same reassurance by the Ministry of Justice he continued to receive demands from the courts for unpaid fines He’d also get stopped and questioned whenever he left the country for work trips or holidays It took a huge toll on Mosgiel Shane’s mental health not realising the constant stress it placed on his life John Pritchard says that at times his son felt his life wasn’t worth living worrying about what he was going to do to himself and that really ate me up.” he and his son were in tears as Shane admitted he was at breaking point He described going for days at a time unable to eat or sleep wondering what might happen next "Am I going to be in a position where they've got me in handcuffs or I've got debt collectors coming to the door?" ...You're spiralling into this black hole." He started taking anti-anxiety medication which helped And events regarding Milton Shane seemed to settle Milton Shane was charged for fishing without a licence in Twizel and failing to comply with fisheries officers But a court registrar incorrectly entered the birth date of Mosgiel Shane in the system both Shanes were being chased to pay the $1530 fine It was Mosgiel Shane who spotted the error and rang the court He also sent a statement from his manager saying he’d not been fishing in Twizel that day The reply he got was to say he’d been given the wrong form and that they wouldn’t accept his proof They just wanted to know how I was going to pay the fine.” The first Milton Shane knew about this was when Fair Go told him Mosgiel Shane had been chased for the fine He was told to pay up or face the consequences feeling he shouldn’t have to pay good money to correct someone else’s mistake But it cost Mosgiel Shane over $5000 in legal fees and took months of back and forth between him “Why should anybody have to pay their own money to right somebody else's wrongs and prove who they are I’m sick and tired of proving who I am all the time.” He wanted the Ministry of Justice to take responsibility and reimburse him for his legal costs saying court staff such as the registrar in this case have immunity if they make mistakes such as the one made here and if I make a mistake and it's affecting my client that it's going to cost them money to rectify a mistake that I've made.” he deserves a million apologies from those guys,” she says Milton Shane told Fair Go he still gets in trouble but wants the other Shane to know he doesn’t use his birth date anymore And he had a message for him: “We’ve got to get it sorted for you so you can have a good life with you and your family because I’m trying to get my life together with my son and my grandson” He offers to meet to see if they can sort it out together but I’m not interested in meeting him,.” says Mosgiel Shane He says he doesn’t hold any grudges and accepts Milton Shane’s apology And he believes the only way for that to happen is for the courts and the Ministry of Justice to give him a guarantee that mix-ups won’t occur in the future Fair Go asked the Ministry of Justice to appear in person to apologise and provide reassurance to Shane of its plans to guard against these mistakes The Ministry declined our request to be on camera saying any comment on an individual case would compromise the independence of the courts as the Ministry operates separately But it did send a written apology directly to Mosgiel Shane It also admitted mistakes can occur in clerical records but said instructions were clear and the importance of getting things right had been emphasised to staff Mosgiel Shane isn’t totally convinced that’s the end of it “All I want is for the Ministry of Justice and the courts to do their job I'd like to live without this hanging over me all the time his criminal check has come back showing a clean slate 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 Helicopter footage has revealed the full scale of the massive fire on Auckland’s North Shore with thick black smoke and intense flames pouring from a commercial property Pilots from Inflite Limited Helicopters shot the footage about 6pm as they circled the large blaze on Hillside Rd in Wairau Valley The 50-second video shows a large plume of black smoke pouring across the industrial area and bright orange flames rearing from the building’s roof A large plume of black smoke was seen pouring out of a building in Auckland's Wairau Valley A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said crews were alerted to a well-involved fire at a recycling plant on Hillside Rd in Wairau Valley at 5.24pm “It is understood there are batteries on fire inside the factory and the fire is producing large amounts of smoke,” they said Multiple fire crews from across Auckland are responding “We ask people in the area to stay inside and close windows due to the smoke.” Fire fighters are tonight battling a huge industrial fire on Auckland's North Shore with locals urged to stay inside to avoid toxic smoke New Zealand Herald photograph by Dean Purcell Residents have been told there is no immediate need to evacuate unless advised to do so Please stay away so our crews can get on with the job of extinguishing the fire.” A local board member says a temporary safe space is open for the public during the fire Glenfield Baptist Church at 46 James St has kindly offered temporary space and will stay open as long as needed,” Kaipātiki Local Board member John Gillion said please call 111 or visit hospital to be checked.” Firefighters are tonight battling a huge industrial fire on Auckland's North Shore and it looks massive from Bayview,” a local said on Facebook with photos from Parnell showing the giant black plume rising into the air Residents near two beaches in Auckland's North Shore have been warned to avoid swimming as there are hazardous substances in the water due to a large fire nearby overnight Fire crews are damping down flare ups at a recycling centre in the area as the fire is now contained Safeswim has advised avoiding swimming at Milford and Castor Bay beaches after hazardous substances were found in the water due to the fire Fire and Emergency spokesperson Karen Larking said there are still one aerial appliance and three pumping appliances in attendance She said two diggers were on site to help open up the structure and allow the fire to be extinguished Glenfield resident Macy Foulagi-koroi said a big plume of smoke came over their house at one point we could smell it through the house even with all the windows closed," she said Foulagi-koroi said at one point she came out of the house to find her cats and for a short time she felt a burning sensation in her eyes Tristan Zlami who lives less than 400 metres from the recyling plant was just getting home as the fire kicked off He said he heard loud bangs and felt the air smelt "chemically" Zlami said firefighters asked them to evacuate due to the risks of smoke inhalation but we've got an elderly neighbour next door she hasn't got a car...so if we were going to go but I just decided if it was just for the smoke Zlami said he felt sorry that the recycling plant - which provided jobs for people with disabilities - was now destroyed and that there was a chance people working there might lose their jobs "Gotta feel sorry for all the special needs people working in there "Sounds like quite a cool thing they're doing giving those people a job and having a place for them to hang out and work and earn some money," he said Zlami said he knew a blind man who worked at the plant and felt bad that he might lose his job Fire and Emergency said smoke from the recycling plant fire in Auckland's North Shore has lessened Incident controller Steven Callagher said several large buildings were damaged in the fire and a lot of toxic substances have been released as a result due to the presence of lithium iron batteries on the facility He said while the cause of the fire is yet to be confirmed initial information suggests it could've been caused by lithium batteries He said he expects the remaining crews - about 20 - to be on the scene throughout today to dampen down hotspots and they will also be bringing in diggers to demolish the building to make it safer and prevent the risk of things falling down on people Callagher said he's aware of one of the Auckland aerial appliances breaking down last night during the firefighting shift commander Karen Larking said the warning for people to keep their windows closed has lifted - although some local roads remain closed due to concerns with visibility assistant commander Barry Thomas said the incident had been scaled down to a "second alarm" and fire crews were working to extinguish hot spots using ladder trucks but it continues to affect communities in Glenfield and Witheford Heights," he said "We advise people to stay inside and to keep windows closed if they smell or see smoke." At least three fire trucks would monitor the fire and work to cool the interior overnight "We'll start work with heavy machinery in the morning." Dramatic new video shows the moment two firefighters became trapped in a toxic cloud of smoke with “no escape route” above last night’s monster blaze in Auckland The union’s vice-president said it would have been like hanging above “a mini-volcano about to erupt” and “incredibly scary” for the stranded crew The firefighters had to be rescued by another fire truck after their aerial unit broke down and emergency backups failed leaving them suspended above the recycling plant fire Fire and Emergency New Zealand said staff safety was “of prime importance” While the agency had been unable to replicate the fault yet in testing the truck would remain out of action until the issue was fixed Fire and Emergency crews were called to the large fire at the recycling plant on Hillside Rd in Wairau Valley at 5.24pm yesterday Witnesses reported seeing multiple fire trucks rushing to the scene, with toxic smoke visible across the city. Bronwyn Patterson, who lives two streets from the blaze, told the Herald “things went boom, with projectiles going into the air”. This morning Campbell told the Herald part of the emergency response went badly awry when one of the aerial units malfunctioned with two firefighters in the basket above the flames. “It’s sort of semi computer-operated, the operators will tell a computer where to send the aerial basket to. For whatever reason, that computer shut down and stopped working,” he said. The usual steps of turning it off and on again and other troubleshooting failed to work, and emergency back-up procedures failed, he said. “One of the emergency manual levers actually broke off in a firefighter’s hand,” he said, which had been the “last resort” to bring the basket down. New footage provided to the Herald reveals the serious position the crew found themselves in. A witness, who took the video, said he had seen an aerial basket surrounded by smoke. “We could hear the explosions constantly going off which sounded like gunshots,” he said. “At this stage we could only see the lone fire unit, they were sitting motionless, and no hose or water were being used as the explosions went off and smoke clouds engulfed them. “At this point I was getting concerned for them as the fire appeared to be right on them and the flashes or flames were bursting in the background of their silhouette. My son even mentioned the explosions and burning structure of the building reminded him of the great Chicago fire.” He said another fire truck nearby began using its hose, at which point he saw the stranded unit appear to descend. “It was a relief seeing this unit activated and putting the fire [out] and getting some sense of control, and also seeing the stranded unit lowered. We left soon after.” Campbell confirmed the footage showed the trapped firefighters. “It’s an incredibly scary situation,” he said this afternoon. “Firefighters always want to have an escape route in mind ... [the incident] has left those firefighters with no escape route. That’s a worst-case scenario, to be trapped in that position.” He said the crew were both veteran firefighters. “That video footage is probably taken at or very close to the time that it broke down.” He said the smoke was “very black, it’s very toxic”. “You literally can’t see a hand in front of your face. It’s like having your eyes shut. “Yes, we do have the air tanks that will give us a limited amount of time to stay alive. The air tanks and the uniform will only protect us so much.” Campbell said being above the fire was “the worst place to be” because all of the heat rose. “You’re immediately above the hottest part of the fire. I would imagine it would be like being above a mini-volcano about to erupt.” Campbell said the malfunction was a symptom of an ageing, poorly-maintained fleet of fire trucks, and the union would be sending out advice to its members not to use the truck in question until a thorough investigation had been completed and the fault was fully fixed. Fire and Emergency region commander Ron Devlin confirmed in a statement the aerial component of the appliance had faulted “and was unable to be moved while operating at the fire”. “The two-person crew was removed to safety from the platform cage by another similar appliance that was on scene,” he said. “An aerial appliance from Hamilton was brought through, however this was not required at the fire, and it stood by at Auckland central fire station, returning to Hamilton later in the evening. “The appliance is now at the workshops for cleaning and testing and at this time we have been informed that they have not been able replicate the fault that occurred during the fire.” He said the safety and wellbeing of staff were “of prime importance”. “A full investigation will be carried out into the appliance incident and the appliance will remain off the run until we have remedied the fault and it is tested to be fully operational.” Firefighters were still on the scene of the blaze this morning working to fully extinguish the fire. Assistant commander James Hall said three fire trucks and two ladder trucks were working with two diggers to open up the badly damaged structure. “While there are small flare-ups, there is no significant smoke and the lithium-ion batteries involved in the fire are no longer a hazard.” It’s believed the batteries may have caused the fire. “The emergency message alert advising people to stay inside was lifted during the night.” He said an investigation was under way into the cause of the fire and crews were expected to remain on the scene until later this afternoon. Melissa Nightingale is a Wellington-based reporter who covers crime, justice, and news in the capital. She joined the Herald in 2016 and has worked as a journalist for 10 years. The only high-reach ladder truck in Auckland broke down last night. 15 May 2025 17:00322Cavity System Home Offering Spacious Family LivingTender: Closes on Thursday 15 May 2025 at 5:00PM (unless sold prior) high-spec family home offers a perfect balance of space it features an open-plan layout that creates a natural sense of flow between the two living areas Large windows allow plenty of natural light to pour in throughout the day The living spaces connect seamlessly to the outdoors with easy access to decks and entertaining areas—ideal for hosting guests or simply enjoying some quiet time with a view this home provides a warm and welcoming environment that supports modern living with ease • Large master bedroom has its own walk in ensuite with sea views • Internal double garage plus 4 off street parking Situated in a convenient and well-connected part of Northcote this home is within easy reach of the motorway and several local shopping centres See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson Get 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 {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"/2025/04/25/chemical-spill-from-abilities-group-fire-workers-heartbroken/"},"datePublished":"2025-04-24T18:40:34.235Z","dateModified":"2025-04-25T06:48:48.622Z","headline":"Chemical spill from Abilities Group fire Abilities Group employee and his mother at the scene of the fire A Givealittle page has been launched by the Abilities Group charity to help support the more than 100 disabled staff and volunteers who worked at the facility Fire crews returned to the plant this morning with three fire trucks, two ladder trucks and two diggers to open the structure and fully extinguish the fire, Assistant Commander James Hall said. Fire crews returned to the recycling plant this morning. (Source: 1News) "While there are small flare ups, there is no significant smoke and the lithium-ion batteries involved in the fire are no longer a hazard," he said. Senior Takapuna station officer Steven Callagher said the fire was now out and crews were dampening down hotspots, assisted by heavy earth moving machinery. "It's the largest fire that I can remember for a few years on the North Shore," he said. "It did suck up a lot of resources from Auckland central and west Auckland, as well as pretty much the entire North Shore fire brigade." Callagher said the cause of the fire was still being investigated but, according to CCTV and witnesses, the flames broke out in an "area where batteries were recycled." Large dark plumes of smoke stretched across multiple suburbs yesterday, and many shared images and videos on social media of the blaze. In an update late last night, Assistant Commander Barry Thomas said the fire had been brought under control, when the incident was scaled down to a second alarm level. Fire in Glenfield on Auckland's North Shore. (Source: Supplied) "There is significantly less smoke, but it continues to affect communities in Glenfield and Witheford Heights," he said. "Crews are expected to remain at the scene until later this afternoon," said Hall. Also in the aftermath of the blaze, the New Zealand Professional Fire Fighters Union has raised concerns about the safety of fire resources after it said an aerial ladder truck broke down — leaving two firefighters stranded above the flames. The union said the pair were "showered with burning embers and inundated with toxic smoke and combustion particles". The firefighters had to be rescued using another aerial appliance as all emergency backups failed. "The union has requested that Fire and Emergency immediately impound the truck and begin a full and comprehensive investigation by a specialist team," it said in a statement. The union said the service history of the truck, any repair issues raised by staff, training, emergency procedures, testing and quality assurance should all be looked into. Another aerial vehicle also broke down, according to the union, due to losing "all hydraulic power through a major leak". "Major servicing such as the 10-year rebuild and service of the aerials having been postponed by Fire and Emergency management, with many now several years overdue," the union claimed. "The people of Tāmaki Makaurau, and New Zealand, deserve much better. It is long past time for action from the Fire and Emergency Board." FENZ region manager Te Hiku Ron Devlin said the appliance involved was taken to a workshop for cleaning and testing "and at this time we have been informed that they have not been able replicate the fault that occurred during the fire". "The safety and wellbeing of our people is of prime importance to Fire and Emergency New Zealand. A full investigation will be carried out into the appliance incident and the appliance will remain off the run until we have remedied the fault and it is tested to be fully operational." Explosions heard in 'suspicious' blaze at east Auckland McDonald's Pakuranga Rd was closed in both directions and buildings were being evacuated around the immediate area as a precaution A large fire which caused "significant damage" to a McDonald's restaurant in east Auckland this afternoon is now being treated as suspicious Emergency services were notified of the fire at around 3pm on Monday Fire and Emergency NZ said the building was "totally involved" in flames by the time crews arrived and Papatoetoe were in attendance at the blaze "Everyone was out at the time and there are no reports of injuries." FENZ said the fire was being treated as suspicious "A fire investigator is attending to determine cause and origin." Pakuranga Rd was closed for nearly two hours in both directions with road users advised to avoid the area "Investigations into the cause of the fire at the McDonalds are underway," police said told 1News he heard a couple of explosions coming from the restaurant as the blaze began He said he heard "one or two" explosions The restaurant was adjacent to a Z petrol station and 250 metres along the same road from Pakuranga College A staff member at the service station said they had closed their fuel pumps and there was "huge fire and huge smoke" coming from the fire The Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre Courts were also closed this evening due to the blaze Auckland Transport said several bus routes Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown thanked emergency services who had been responding to the incident "Please follow the advice of emergency services A McDonald's spokesperson said the McDonald's restaurant in Pakuranga had "suffered significant damage" in the fire "Procedures were followed to raise the alarm and safely evacuate staff and customers McDonald’s is assisting emergency services as they begin the investigation into the cause of the fire." Two firefighters had to be rescued while battling a huge blaze at an industrial business after their aerial unit broke down The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union said each of the backup options to bring the basket down failed including a “last resort” manual lever which broke off in a firefighter’s hand Vice president Martin Campbell said this was another example of an ageing and poorly-maintained fleet, and the consequences could have been serious Fire and Emergency crews were called to the large fire at the recycling plant on Hillside Rd in Wairau Valley at 5.24pm yesterday Witnesses reported seeing multiple fire trucks rushing to the scene, with toxic smoke visible across the city. “Things landed in our backyard, maybe they were paper, plastic, or it could’ve been bits of roof,” she said. The usual steps of turning it off and on again and other troubleshooting failed to work, and emergency backup procedures failed, he said. “The firefighters stuck above the fire were directly impacted by the embers and smoke ... they were in a pretty precarious place. “It wasn’t immediately dangerous but if they couldn’t have been rescued within a reasonable amount of time they were certainly going to run out of air.” Another aerial appliance had to be used to rescue the trapped firefighters. The union hopes Fire and Emergency will withdraw the appliance to investigate why it broke down, and whether anything could have been done to prevent it. Campbell said the broken appliance was at least a decade old, and the one that rescued the staff was nearly 20 years old. He was aware that one of the trucks on the fleet is due to be retired in six months, but it is not the unit that broke down. “This is just another unfortunate symptom of the ageing fleet of aerial appliances that Fire and Emergency has. “It [Fire and Emergency] always says ‘Our fleet is well-maintained and regularly serviced’. Well, quite frankly, that’s just bollocks. “Every time there’s a major fire one or more of these aerial trucks is breaking down. That’s not symptomatic of a fleet that is well-maintained or regularly serviced.” Campbell has not had a chance to speak directly to the two staff involved, but said he could imagine what they were going through while they were trapped. Region commander Ron Devlin confirmed in a statement the aerial component of the appliance had faulted, “and was unable to be moved while operating at the fire”. He said the safety and wellbeing of staff was “of prime importance”. He said an investigation was under way into the cause of the fire and crews are expected to remain on the scene until later this afternoon. Two workers at the recycling plant tried to fight the fire and thought they had it under control until it “started exploding”, the Herald understands. Safeswim’s website has also advised that water is not safe for swimming at Milford, Castor Bay, and the Wairau outlet. A temporary safe space was set up at Glenfield Baptist Church for the public during the fire. MP Dan Bidois said: “I’m devastated to see the fire at Abilities Group, an outstanding and important organisation in our community.” The recycling charity where the fire broke out said it is “heartbroken” by the “severe damage”. “Thankfully, no one was hurt, but much of what we’ve built together over the years has been lost,” it said. “We’re working with the authorities and are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support and kind messages. Large dark plumes of smoke could be seen stretching across multiple suburbs. Abilities Group, where the fire is taking place, is a recycling charity which has "a heart for people with disabilities". "Our aim is to enrich their lives by offering fulfilling work opportunities," its website states. FENZ said it was alerted to the fire at 5.24pm. “It is understood there are batteries on fire inside the factory,” it said. It said multiple crews were responding from across Auckland. “There is a large amount of smoke showing from the roof of the building and we ask people in the area to stay inside and close windows. Roads have been closed in the area. An emergency mobile alert was issued to people in the area at 6.25pm this evening. "There is a large fire at a recycling plant on Hillside RD WAIRAU VALLEY which is producing large volumes of smoke," the alert read. "STAY INSIDE, close all windows and doors and wait for further instructions. No immediate need to evacuate unless advised to do so." Local board member Richard Hills said the blaze was a "very large and very serious industrial fire". Earlier, photos posted to social media showed thick dark smoke billowing over Wairau Valley. Fire crews were understood to be responding from Takapuna, Albany, East Coast Bays, Auckland City, Silverdale, Birkenhead and Parnell with additional appliances en route from other stations across Auckland. Local board member John Gillon said there was a "massive fire on Hillside Drive, Wairau Valley". "A huge amount of black smoke can be seen from across the North Shore," he said. "Emergency services are in attendance. Please keep away as the smoke could be toxic. "If you need to evacuate and need shelter, Glenfield Baptist Church at 46 James Street has kindly offered temporary space and will stay open as long as needed." Police said officers were assisting with cordons on Hillside Rd and Hillside Rd/Diana Drive. Fire and Emergency NZ is at the scene of a large fire on Auckland's North Shore this evening, coming from the Abilities Group Recycling Depot in Wairau Valley. 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. Two workers fought a fire that ignited in a North Shore recycling plant and thought they had it under control until it “started exploding” The huge fire last night sent flames leaping into the night and plumes of toxic smoke across the city triggering a massive emergency service response Fire and Emergency New Zealand said today the fire may have been caused by lithium batteries Chemical runoff from the monster blaze has polluted waterways and leaving three beaches off limits Safeswim’s website advises that water is not safe for swimming at Milford Councillor Richard Hills said millions of litres of water was pumped into the fire which then went into the catchments Assistant Commander James Hall said three fire trucks and two ladder trucks are working with two diggers to fully extinguish the fire there is no significant smoke and the lithium-ion batteries involved in the fire are no longer a hazard He said an investigation was under way into the cause of the fire and crews are expected to remain on the scene until later this afternoon The Herald also understands two workers inside the building when the blaze ignited thought they almost had the fire under control A Herald reporter at the scene today said recycling rubbish was strewn around the building and Hillside Rd Firefighters were still extinguishing hot spots A ladder appliance is shooting water over the rubbish and remains of the building alongside two large diggers moving rubble around The “pungent” smell of burnt metal was still prominent in the air A brief heavy rain downpour may have assisted efforts to dampen hot spots but light gusts of winds are causing the smell of burnt debris to travel across the Wairau and Glenfield area Bystanders and locals have been taking videos and photos of the aftermath Auckland Council said residents close to the fire should still keep their windows and doors closed until the smoke and fumes completely disappeared “The council is monitoring the site closely and will conduct a thorough investigation.” shift manager Josh Pennefather said crews were still at the scene but their presence is reduced Fire and Emergency crews were called to the large fire at the recycling plant on Hillside Rd in Wairau Valley at 5.24pm Witnesses reported seeing multiple fire trucks rushing to the scene or it could’ve been bits of roof,” she said Pennefather said crews were rotated last night A fire investigator would be on the scene today keep doors and windows shut and call 111.” strong chemical smell to the air” and “instant headaches” Emergency alerts had instructed residents to “Stay inside close all windows and doors and wait for further instructions” A temporary safe space was set up at Glenfield Baptist Church for the public during the fire MP Dan Bidois said: “I’m devastated to see the fire at Abilities Group an outstanding and important organisation in our community.” The recycling charity where the fire broke out said it is “heartbroken” by the “severe damage” but much of what we’ve built together over the years has been lost,” it said and are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support and kind messages Stunned and tearful North Shore residents are this morning getting their first peek at the extent of the devastation after a massive fire at a recycling plant in Wairau Valley on Thursday The hours-long blaze sent fireballs shooting into the sky as thick black smoke with a strong chemical smell forced residents relying on their own eyes and multiple emergency alerts to stay inside with their windows and doors closed The fire was brought under control on Thursday night with firefighters dampening hotspots yesterday residents got their first look at what was left – a crumpled blackened mess of tangled building materials and other debris too charred to be identified adding there was still a “pretty strong” smell in the air “[There’s] a few tears from locals,” she said A tradie who worked in the area told the the scene had left him “in shock” but it may have been caused by lithium batteries More than 100 disabled employees have been affected by the plant’s destruction Yesterday, a Givealittle page was set up to replace equipment and to support staff at Abilities Group which employs many people with disabilities Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011 She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features By RNZ An Auckland recycling plant that burned down on the city’s North Shore last night is calling on donations from the public to support staff and replace essential equipment The Abilities Group recycling plant in Glenfield caught fire yesterday evening sending plumes of toxic smoke over the city About 90 firefighters from across Auckland and from Hamilton responded to the fire The Abilities Group said a fire investigator had been at the site on Friday Managing director Peter Fraher was calling on the public to support recovery efforts “Abilities is more than a workplace – it’s a supportive environment where disabled people find purpose Fraher said the organisation provided employment and support to more than 100 disabled people and was launching an urgent drive to raise funds Donations would go towards supporting those staff affected by the fire and replacing what was destroyed in the blaze A Givealittle page has been set up for those wishing to donate Fraher said the support from the community had been overwhelming and he thanked emergency responders for their work controlling the fire “We’ve had an incredible outpouring of kindness from the community already “Now we’re asking anyone who’s ever believed in our mission – or simply wants to help us support our team as we rebuild – to support our fundraiser.” Firefighters have tonight fought a blazing inferno at a recycling plant on Auckland’s North Shore that saw a huge fire ball erupt and shrouded the area in a thick black cloud of smoke And as firefighters battled the huge blaze locals were told to avoid the area and close all doors and windows The fire was at the Abilities Group recycling plant in Wairau Valley with management saying they are “heartbroken” North Shore-based Auckland councillor Richard Hills said at about 8.30pm emergency services had the “situation in hand The Fire and Emergency officer in charge of the fire response said shortly before 9pm that crews were now continuing to work on extinguishing the fire within the building four specialist appliances and twelve support vehicles from across Auckland and from Hamilton plus around 90 personnel are responding.” he said “There are lithium-ion batteries in the fire inside the plant and the fire continues to produce toxic smoke “We continue to urge people living nearby to stay inside and keep their windows closed There is no immediate need to evacuate unless advised to do so.“ a large fireball could be seen erupting from the scene And Hills urged people to stay away from the area and keep their doors and windows closed “Thank you so much to [Fire and Emergency] and the huge numbers of firefighters from across the shore and the city who are helping on this blaze thank you for putting yourselves in harm’s way to protect our community,” he said we have our Auckland Council Environmental health and compliance monitoring teams on site assessing the impacts “We will update you with any information you need to know ongoing for your health and about the effect on the environment “But everyone will know there will be hundreds of thousands of litres of water that has gone into the stormwater and waterways that will have contaminants in it Soon after the fire broke out in the early evening a resident posted on Facebook: “The smell of the smoke is awful A worker from a rock climbing gym close by said they “called the fire brigade” and saw “big grey fumes” Another witness reported seeing multiple fire trucks heading across the Auckland Harbour Bridge with photos from Parnell showing the smoke cloud rising into the air An emergency alert was sent out by Fire and Emergency New Zealand urging people nearby to stay indoors there is a very large and very serious industrial fire on Hillside Rd who are on-site leading this difficult work.” Abilities Group management tonight posted on social media about the fire “We’re heartbroken to share that a fire has caused severe damage to our recycling charity premises,” the post read but much of what we’ve built together over the years has been lost “That’s all we can say for now at this challenging time Nearby resident Lachy Chor told the Herald a Fire and Emergency crew member told them to go upstairs and close all the windows and doors Chor lives next to the Abilities Group recycling centre “I can hardly see anything out of my windows.” Police said they were assisting with cordons on Hillside Rd and Hillside Rd/Diana Drive Hills’ initial advice also said “if you experience shortness of breath asthma or chest pain please see your doctor immediately or call 111″ you can also call Healthline for free anytime on 0800 611 116.” Kaipātiki Local Board member John Gillio also urged people to “please keep away as the smoke could be toxic” Glenfield Baptist Church at 46 James St has kindly offered temporary space and will stay open as long as needed.“ The Glenfield Baptist Church added it was offering a temporary space for people who need a place to go during the fire and will stay open as long as needed “We have toys and activities we can set up for any anxious little people needing a safe space tonight Glenfield Baptist Church chairman Skip Parker told the Herald it was currently on standby for anyone who may need help He said the church was in contact with the police “This is a good sign that people are safe,” Parker said A Bayview resident said the “smell is getting worse and worse .. really strong and plastic/chemical-smelling” Clearly a lot of burning plastic with a thick Upper Harbour MP Cameron Brewer said: “Our hearts go out to the amazing Abilities Group in Wairau Valley with its devastating fire tonight Dan Bidois and I have visited and know their great work in the community well “This huge recycling centre in Upper Harbour we could see and smell it from Hobsonville Point Please follow official advice and keep well clear to enable our emergency services to do their work.” Sign up to The Daily H A thick black cloud of smoke is billowing from a blaze at an address on Auckland’s North Shore locals have been told to avoid the area and close all doors and windows The smoke is believed to be pouring from a fire in the area of Hillside Rd The fire is at the Abilities Group recycling plant with management saying tonight they are “heartbroken”.A large fireball could be seen erupting from the scene and it looks massive from Bayview,” a resident said on Facebook Smoke from the North Shore fire is visible from Parnell North Shore councillor Richard Hills said he has also told locals to be careful “As you will have seen there is a very large and very serious industrial fire on Hillside Rd Thank you to Fire and Emergency NZ who are on site leading this difficult work.” Nearby residents have been urged to stay inside to avoid toxic smoke A large fireball is seen during the blaze in Wairau Valley Police said they are assisting with cordons on Hillside Rd and Hillside Rd/Diana Drive Hills’ advice also said “if you experience shortness of breath “For health advice you can also call Healthline for free anytime on 0800 611 116.” Firefighters are tonight battling an industrial fire on Auckland's North Shore Glenfield Baptist Church chairman Skip Parker told the Herald it is currently on standby for anyone who may need help A Bayview resident said the “smell is getting worse and worse.. really strong and plastic/chemical smelling” North Shore residents are being urged to give feedback on Auckland Council’s Annual Plan with consultation open now until 28 March 2025 North Shore Councillor Richard Hills is calling on all residents and business owners on the shore to take the time to share their thoughts on the plan so we know we are on the right track “This budget represents record investment in our transport our community has strongly supported investment in these areas and this budget maintains the balance of funding important services for today while investing in our future Make sure you take the time to have your voice heard,” Hills says The focus of the plan is to strengthen Auckland’s financial and physical resilience while taking care to invest where it is most needed to manage our city's growth some of the things you will be asked about include: Keep in mind that you don’t have to respond to every section The fastest way is through our online form. You can also find email, post and drop-off options at the Have your Say website How do I speak to someone or have my say in-person you can come to a range of in-person events to speak to local board members about the plan and what it means for your community You must register for this event by emailing devonporttakapunalocalboard@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz Find the full list of North Auckland events at tinyurl.com/ourplan-north Want to stay up to date with all the latest news from your area Sign up for your Local Board E-news and get the latest direct to your inbox each month © 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. Fire and Emergency (Fenz) confirmed they were called to the fire, on Hillside Rd in Wairau Valley, at 5.24pm. They said batteries caught fire inside a recycling plant in Glenfield, creating plumes of black smoke that could be seen across the city. They have issued an alert for people to stay inside and close all windows and doors. Fenz said 90 firefighters from across Auckland and Hamilton were responding to the blaze. Auckland councillor Richard Hills said in a Facebook post at about 8.30pm that he had confirmation from the Fenz the fire had been contained and was under control. However, he urged people to continue following the advice of emergency services. At least one home is believed to have been evacuated. The recycling plant is a charity that recycles materials including batteries, electronic waste and polystyrene. Police have confirmed they were assisting with the fire. North Shore CityBy Negotiation421137m²165m²Tranquil Living in Rangitoto ZoneWelcome to this brand-new four-bedroom residence located in the heart of Mairangi Bay - a home where modern design meets everyday practicality in perfect harmony With a freehold land area of 165sqm (approx.) and a thoughtfully designed floor plan of around 137.8sqm this two-level home is bathed in natural light and offers exceptional spatial flow it provides a highly comfortable and flexible living environment Backed by a 10-Year Master Build Guarantee designed with simplicity and brightness in mind Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides flood the space with natural light creating a seamless connection with the outdoors The living room includes a heat pump for year-round comfort keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer adopts a U-shaped layout complemented by a central island bench - perfect for casual meals or social interaction Fully equipped with contemporary appliances you'll find four generously sized bedrooms The master bedroom includes a private ensuite The remaining three bedrooms can be used as children's rooms or guest accommodation - catering to growing families or remote work needs • Separate toilet in the ground floor - provide added convenience • Single internal garage - parking and ample storage space it places you in the heart of the North Shore lifestyle zone Just a short walk to bus stops and within close proximity to top schools including Rangitoto College and the golden sands of Mairangi Bay Beach - this location offers a seamless blend of education ensuring effortless daily commutes and weekend getaways 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 this is a Premium article and requires a subscription to read A complaints assessment committee emailed him seeking information when it was probing the actions of one of his salespeople Yet Cooper showed a sustained failure to provide information and comply with the law which should have been foremost in his mind The gravity of the misconduct was at the mid-range Cooper told the Herald today he would not appeal the decision we deeply regret the administrative errors that led to this occurring during a period where our business was experiencing significant pressure from the unprecedented economic and regulatory pressure experienced by all Kiwi businesses during Covid-19 and as a result of the significant downturn in residential sales activity that emerged in 2022,” he said in a statement the issue before the tribunal was whether his failure to provide the documents was reckless The decision said: “The tribunal concluded that having considered all of the circumstantial evidence as a whole Mr Cooper were reckless in their failure to provide the requested information required.” There was a sustained pattern of non-compliance with the lawful request An investigator assigned to the matter sought the information from Cooper seven times: Cooper said he would get the information but later said the managers of the salesperson who was the subject of an investigation were overseas and the branch was shut with files in storage It wasn’t until February 2023 that Cooper’s lawyers provided a response with details of the background events and an explanation about why there had not been compliance The tribunal said ensuring compliance with the law should have been foremost in Cooper’s mind yet he chose to prioritise other matters over and above his obligations to provide the requested information That was even though he had been in the real estate industry since 1983 and was well aware of the requirements I was not efficient enough in my administration of this claim We have had many many claims that had to be dealt with There were extenuating circumstances of lockdowns unprecedented times,” Cooper said last November He made a mistake by not realising the importance of the documents being sought But times were so unusual and he told of “people crying staff having no income and trying to sort out wage subsidies,” he told the tribunal he said he wouldn’t take the matter further we’ve decided the best course of action is to accept the tribunal’s decision and move forward—focused on building the best real estate business in New Zealand and doing the very best for our people and our customers “I apologised at the time for dropping the ball and I’m proud of all the investment in people and processes that we’ve made since to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” Cooper told the Herald Anne Gibson has been the Herald‘s property editor for 25 years written books and covered property extensively here and overseas Rare plot of land is home to ancient kauri trees a state-integrated Christian school in Auckland's North Shore has been placed on leave following a police investigation into allegations of assault The police said the investigation was in its early stages and they were speaking to victims and witnesses involved Principal Graeme Budler said the allegations concerned four students and related to "outdated disciplinary practices that do not align with our school's values He said the school took allegations of misconduct very seriously and had followed proper process including swiftly notifying appropriate authorities Budler said the teacher involved had been placed on paid leave and the school had offered counselling support to everyone affected "We received a complaint on 29 January and stood the teacher down the same day to undertake our own investigation "Once we understood the nature of the complaint more fully we followed our school policies and began notifying external agencies such as the police which was six business days later on 7 February." Kingsway School had a junior campus in Silverdale and a senior campus in Red Beach A message to parents said the few useable toilet blocks and one working water fountain weren't enough for its 2200 students A Wellington school is banning highly caffeinated energy drinks from next term after a spike in the number of students going to the sick bay after drinking them Universities' lucrative international enrolments have rebounded close to pre-pandemic levels The Educational Institute is calling for a $2.5 billion boost to support for children with disabilities prominent artist John Middleditch has been accused of sexual abuse of children and was convicted of indecently assaulting young girls 22 May 2025 12:00324SERENE SEASIDE SANCTUARYThis character cedar home tucked away in a lush private bush setting has a sunny north-facing position and is just moments from sparkling Campbells Bay beach and playground Step inside to a warm and inviting interior featuring impressive vaulted ceilings with space and comfort throughout spacious open plan living flowing to your choice of decks • Large private outdoor entertaining/BBQ area in a beautiful nature setting • Assuring your year-round comfort with a wood burner • Set in a prime coastal location just moments from the beach aluminium joinery and an iron roof ensures longevity whilst minimising maintenance This highly sought-after Campbells Bay location includes double school zoning for Westlake Boys' and Girls' High Schools Campbells Bay Primary School (within walking distance) and Murrays' Bay Intermediate To relax you are spoilt with a network of native bush tracks in the nearby 72 hectares of Centennial Park with the vibrant and friendly Campbells Bay tennis club and of course your choice of beautiful beaches Stroll to charming Mairangi Bay village or nip across the road for an ice cream or dinner at a popular local restaurant and café This appealing property exudes calm and serenity - you could be forgiven for thinking you had checked in to a lodge for a retreat This is not just a home - it is a lifestyle so step forward and take the keys to make this all yours To download files for this listing paste this link into your browser: https://www.harcourtsfiles.co.nz/listings/5YA3 Sign In Register A new leader is ready to take the reins of the North Shore News The News is pleased to announce the arrival of Sarah Strother as publisher taking over for Matt Blair who has moved on to a new leadership role within the Glacier Media chain Strother becomes only the fifth publisher in the 56-year history of the paper following in the footsteps of founder Peter Speck “I’m honoured to take on the publisher role for the North Shore News an iconic publication that plays an integral role in the community,” said Strother the North Shore News is known as a jewel of journalism and I’m excited to be a part of it.” Strother’s position as publisher comes as part of her new role as general manager and group publisher Strother brings with her more than 25 years of experience in news media operations across Canada and the U.S. having worked in both sales and senior management roles for metro and community publications she has led the Sea to Sky region as publisher of Pique Newsmagazine in Whistler and The Squamish Chief A passionate advocate for community journalism Strother served two terms as president of the BC & Yukon Community NewsMedia Association (BCYCNA) and continues to contribute as a board director She also sits on the board of the National Newspaper Awards and has held director roles with both the Whistler and Squamish Chambers of Commerce “I’ve long been a reader of the News and admired this newspaper and the team here from afar,” she said Matt’s dedication and commitment to the North Shore News is evident I’ll do my best to live up his standard and its traditions.” who became North Shore News publisher in 2021 has moved on to a new role as general manager for Vancouver Is Awesome Switching to an office across the inlet is bittersweet who has lived in North Vancouver for 15 years and has deep roots in the North Shore community But Blair said he is confident the North Shore News in good hands “I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Sarah for nearly a decade and I’ve always admired her deep commitment to local journalism and the communities it serves,” said Blair who has led several respected publications and served as president of the BCYCNA “She understands the vital role that community news plays in supporting local residents She’s the right person to carry that legacy forward.” Have a comment or question for the new publisher? Reach Sarah Strother directly by email at [email protected]. Two firefighters had to be rescued while battling a huge blaze at an industrial business after their aerial unit broke down Vice president Martin Campbell said this was another example of an ageing and poorly-maintained fleet, and the consequences could have been serious Fire and Emergency New Zealand said staff safety was “of prime importance” Fire and Emergency crews were called to the large fire at the recycling plant on Hillside Rd in Wairau Valley at 5.24pm yesterday Witnesses reported seeing multiple fire trucks rushing to the scene, with toxic smoke visible across the city. This morning Campbell told the Herald part of the emergency response went badly awry when one of the aerial units malfunctioned with two firefighters in the basket above the flames Firefighters in Wairau Valley battle the huge blaze - locals were told to avoid the area and close all doors and windows the operators will tell a computer where to send the aerial basket to that computer shut down and stopped working,” he said The usual steps of turning it off and on again and other troubleshooting failed to work “One of the emergency manual levers actually broke off in a firefighter’s hand,” he said which had been the “last resort” to bring the basket down “The firefighters stuck above the fire were directly impacted by the embers and smoke Another aerial appliance had to be used to rescue the trapped firefighters Firefighters battled a huge industrial fire on Auckland's North Shore last night The union hopes Fire and Emergency will withdraw the appliance to investigate why it broke down and whether anything could have been done to prevent it Campbell said the broken appliance was at least a decade old and the one that rescued the staff was nearly 20 years old He was aware that one of the trucks on the fleet is due to be retired in six months “This is just another unfortunate symptom of the ageing fleet of aerial appliances that Fire and Emergency has ‘Our fleet is well-maintained and regularly serviced’ “Every time there’s a major fire one or more of these aerial trucks is breaking down That’s not symptomatic of a fleet that is well-maintained or regularly serviced.” Campbell has not had a chance to speak directly to the two staff involved but said he could imagine what they were going through while they were trapped Region commander Ron Devlin confirmed in a statement the aerial component of the appliance had faulted “and was unable to be moved while operating at the fire” “The two-person crew was removed to safety from the platform cage by another similar appliance that was on scene,” he said “An aerial appliance from Hamilton was brought through and it stood by at Auckland central fire station returning to Hamilton later in the evening He said the safety and wellbeing of staff was “of prime importance” Firefighters were still on the scene of the blaze this morning working to fully extinguish the fire Emergency staff survey the carnage after a huge fire destroyed a North Shore recycling facility last night Assistant commander James Hall said three fire trucks and two ladder trucks were working with two diggers to open up the badly damaged structure there is no significant smoke and the lithium-ion batteries involved in the fire are no longer a hazard.” It’s believed the batteries may have caused the fire Two workers at the recycling plant tried to fight the fire and thought they had it under control until it “started exploding” Safeswim’s website has also advised that water is not safe for swimming at Milford an outstanding and important organisation in our community Melissa Nightingale is a Wellington-based reporter who covers crime She joined the Herald in 2016 and has worked as a journalist for 10 years The web app you have attempted to reach has blocked your access Thieves have stolen $75,000 worth of road safety fences from a suburb on Auckland's North Shore More than 60 panels have been stolen from on top of a newly built retaining wall in Albany Around 50 fence panels were stolen at the end of last year and more were taken last week "The large black metal pool-like fencing panels would require at least two people to dismantle and their removal would have required a vehicle and taken a fair amount of time," they said in a statement They said 10 panels were also stolen from a recently repaired site on Glenvar Road in early November A total of 76 panels have been stolen from around the North Shore Upper Harbour local board deputy chairperson Uzra Casuri Balouch said the panels were there for pedestrian safety "The appalling theft of these panels has put the public's safety at risk as these fences were protecting pedestrians from the drop-off of a steep embankment," she said in a statement "We're disgusted by the actions of these thieves and all the thefts have been reported to the New Zealand Police and the incidents are currently being investigated." Getting the fences installed took a lot of effort and advocacy from the community "More and more you're hearing about these things," she said "I don't know if it's the cost of living crisis but they believed they were contractors as they wore high-vis jackets Balouch hoped someone would come forward with information knows that some stolen panels have arrived." Police said they were not immediately aware of reports of stolen fencing but were looking into reports referenced by Auckland Transport Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday The Mick Griffin Memorial Trophy was taken in a burglary in which a car was also stolen A bag containing critical medical equipment and supplies was stolen from the Queenstown rescue helicopter The chopper was burgled after taking a critically ill patient to a hospital The head of Otago's rescue helicopter is dipping into his own pocket to provide a $10,000 reward to catch whoever stole critical medical supplies from a rescue helicopter The reopening of a custody unit on Auckland's North Shore will reduce the time frontline staff will spend transporting people in custody according to police The Waitematā East District Custody Unit will be used for operations across the North Shore and Rodney district The facility began accepting detainees on Tuesday morning with Police Commissioner Richard Chambers Minister of Police Mark Mitchell and Waitematā District Commander Superintendent Naila Hassan in attendance "Waitematā is a vast district geographically and it's important my staff aren't unnecessarily taken off the road for lengthy periods of time," Chambers said "The new District Custody Unit will mean reduced travel times for staff working as far north as Wellsford "At the end of the day we'll have frontline staff back out there faster working to keep the community safe." the unit will reduce costs and processing times for officers "The facility is technologically advanced and future-focused for our custody staff," Chambers said "Our Custody Units are an important part of managing people in our care and custody safely "In many instances those people in custody require intensive monitoring and features such as high-quality CCTV and intercom systems will help custody staff." "It's great to see the use of technology to make savings and efficiencies such as the high-quality audio-visual link suite installed." "In many instances for those detainees appearing in court remotely this will remove some costs and complexities associate in transporting them," he said The facility had been decommissioned in 2013 but has now re-opened to help police manage the more than 120,000 people put into custody each year throughout New Zealand "We are continuing to find ways to adapt to the growing demand and population across communities in Waitemata," Superintendent Hassan said "This facility will be supported by sworn police staff alongside additional Authorised Officers recruited into the roles." Commissioner Richard Chambers says it will make responding to crime in the CBD faster and more effective The unexplained death of a man on Auckland's North Shore on Friday afternoon has been referred to the coroner The man was found unconscious on Stafford Road in Northcote Point at the entrance to a walkway through to Alfred Street A member of the public found the man shortly before 1:30pm Police said medical assistance was provided but he died at the scene They said nothing suspicious was found during a post-mortem examination on Saturday The police will continue to make enquiries on behalf of the coroner The unexplained death of a man in Auckland on Friday is being investigated by police North Shore CityAsking price $1,750,000535Home & IncomeTucked discreetly into the heart of sought-after Torbay this contemporary property delivers a lifestyle of comfort low-maintenance home with a one bedroom minor dwelling Built with care and designed for effortless living this solid 279m² (more or less) single level residence offers the best of both worlds: open-plan flow for everyday life and separate living zones for entertaining or quiet relaxation and a walk-in pantry to keep everything neat and organised low-maintenance courtyard - perfect for summer dining and year-round entertaining four well-proportioned bedrooms including the master suite is a private retreat featuring a stylish ensuite and walk-in robe with a dressing room Tiled bathrooms and ample storage reflect the home’s thoughtful design while double internal garaging adds everyday convenience What truly sets this property apart is the minor dwelling - complete with its own bedroom parking and separate entrance - offering incredible flexibility Whether you’re accommodating visiting family or generating additional income through rental this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss Contact us NOW to arrange a viewing and experience its charm for yourself See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson Vondel is where even the pickiest eaters will find something delicious to devour From chocolate banana bread with salted hazelnut butter for brekkie to haloumi burgers with kimchi slaw and a cheeky cocktail for dins—consider your boxes ticked This corner site in Belmont has been a gazillion different things to date, but none have whet our appetite quite like the current iteration—Sheppards Corner Joining a food truck and sister eatery in Kingsland Seafood by the seaside is an obvious combo, and no one does this better than Danryu (aka one of the best Japanese restaurants in Auckland) Expect only the freshest kai moana around including oysters prepared with the finesse typical of Japanese chefs Don't forget the obligatory shot of sake Set slightly back from the main shopping strip with a sunny deck strung in fairy lights, Signal Hill certainly makes a stunning first impression The menu is just as grand—think popcorn cauliflower and pan-seared scallops for mains followed by avocado mousse and affogato for dessert Tucked away down a side street, this charming spot packs a serious punch when it comes to brunch with pulled pork eggs bene and housemade crumpets infused with brown butter just some of the dishes we've enjoyed in the past and affogato topped with an entire canelé The spot made famous by Little & Friday has been tastefully reimagined by bakery powerhouse, Daily Bread and other DB goodness here along with your daily caffeine intake which we recommend enjoying in the spacious garden out back Cutesy name aside, this is one of the sweetest spots in Devo to grab a drink and a bite to eat Enjoy the sea breeze in your hair (or just sea views if you wanna sit inside) and order up large on curried scrambled eggs and eggs bene on cacio e pepe hash browns. Drink coffee out of kitschy mugs, pore over vintage golfing attire AND channel your inner Tiger Woods/Lydia Ko/Happy Gilmore on a miniature, custom-built putting green. Welcome to Win The Day Coffee the cooler-than-cool coffee spot operating outta two old garages down an unassuming side street in Belmont Anyone who says they don't like French food is lying. And we have just the way to prove it—shove them in front of the cabinet at Chateaubriant which is heaving with mouthwatering pastries see how they get on with an order of croque madam or Nutella crepes We're suckers for a hidden courtyard. which is just one many things this charming spot has going for it you're just as welcome to wile away a few hours over a glass of vino and some snacks as you are to grab a bottle of something cheeky to enjoy at home Tiny Triumphs is beloved by locals for its chill vibe We also appreciate the knick-knacky décor which adds to the overall charm and eclecticism of the place Want more like this? Check out Devonport | The Best Things To Eat, Drink And Do In This Charming North Shore Village. Welcome to the North Shore branch of Tamaki's best dumpling shop, which we've been crushing on since its baby days in the CBD. Expect all your fave Sumthin Dumplin eats (go the mighty beef and cheese!) You'll find this spacious cafe tucked away amongst the workshops of Sunnybrae Perfectly poured coffees and smoothies collide with a solid all-day menu and other gorgeous goodies like their drop-dead-gorgeous lamingtons Obvs you're gonna get a great coffee here (perhaps a hokey pokey latte?), but that's not all. Whether you wanna smash back some laksa prawn fettuccine, Norweigan waffles or a Sichuan dumpling salad, this spot is a total—well—vibe We love a cafe with a kitschy logo almost as much as we love a cafe that serves matcha French toast. Lulu has both but there's also a beaut polo bao (pineapple bun) filled with hazelnut chocolate cream you should know about All hail the chicken cranberry pie from Loafer's Bakery which—just quietly—will knock your tastebuds into another stratosphere Not to mention their increds cookies which are thicc and chonky Just look for the eternal queue out the door Many a legless night has been enjoyed at this beloved watering hole. However The Postman's Leg is more than just a pub with a pun-y moniker (FYI it's named after a one-legged mailman who once worked in the area)—it's one of the Shore's favourite spots for a pint and a pizza thanks largely to its sprawling outdoor area Pasta is the true master of our hearts—especially the kind that's cooking inside Lil Ragù's kitchen-on-wheels This humble food truck is slinging some of the most mouthwatering noods imaginable along with Italian cocktails and mouthwatering sides from its al fresco locale in the heart of Taka Nanam has been part of the Takapuna foodscape for as long as we can remember Filipino-inspired dishes like hand-rolled beetroot buns stuffed with pork belly For unique Korean eats that scream 'get in my belly', check out Tokki Top chef Jason Kim has this cuisine on lock with metre-long noodles Find some of the city's best Viet eats (including increds aubergine chips and a killer iced coffee) at this veritable oasis we're tempted to never leave (much like an actual holiday in Vietnam...) It's no secret we have a thing for Mexican cuisine—especially when there's slushy margs involved. Joining a sister eatery in the Viaduct, this bustling cantina has you sorted with monster nachos birria tacos and more frozen margaritas than you can poke a straw at We've been fans of Luna All Day (formerly Luna Bakehouse) since they started the viral round croissant craze here in Auckland There's a distinct Asian influence to the food here which has recently come to include bowls of brightly coloured bingsu (shaved ice) The Gallagher brothers can shove their champagne supernova, 'cos we've found something even better: this Supernnova serving Korean chicken burgers Plus a mean cuppa joe and a cabinet stacked with dope treats What for many years was a dairy has now been transformed into a hip coffee spot in gold and forest green. Again, this one has a sister site elsewhere in Auckland (Mt Eden and is not only bringing solid brews to the table Here an expat Swede is serving up insane Swedish cinnamon buns (including those stuffed with marzipan and chocolate) alongside gorgeous salads and sammies and a pretty green princess cake that would bring your fave Disney P to tears Award-winning gelato, freshly brewed coffee and perfectly baked pastries—and that's just in the takeaway section! Sprawled across a corner site overlooking the beach, this hugely popular cafe also has a swish all-day menu and (shut the front door) gelato shakes Pym's is a true love letter to Milford; run by three locals and featuring nods to the Milford of yesteryear (e.g a vintage photo wall) plus a menu championing local ingredients Sip on a classic Pimm's cocktail while smashing back a Pym's classic burger (because when in Rome) or get amongst their widely revered prawn cocktail (the dish Despite the name, you won't find any fantails here nor any turtles—but you will find some of the Shore's dopest drinks and a beautiful setting to enjoy them in (their status as the 2024 Supreme Winner at the NZ Gastropub Awards all but confirms this) The gin selection is especially impressive and uses botanicals sourced from their on-site garden Take a trip to Palm Springs, sans your passport with The Milford Motel This gorgeous specimen of a bar is where you can sip on tipples beneath oversized umbrellas and amongst cacti Want more like this? Check out Takapuna’s Best Restaurants, Bars And Cafés And Where To Find Them. There's only one way to describe this spot and that's tranquil AF (something that applies to the entire suburb of Coatesville Their outdoor patio is the stuff al fresco dreams are made of perfect for downing coffees and cabinet treats or tucking into something more substantial like their smashed avo and shakshuka (another Iconic Auckland Eat) This Greenhithe spot is smashing it and not just because of their famed French toast stacked with all the treats and fried chicken burgers are also on rotation here Add some Allpress Coffee into the mix and you have a breakfast/lunch/(and on select nights) dinner of champions Fernielea but a charming outdoor area complete with tables amongst the trees and a magical playground We can hear the steak sammies and pork belly on mash calling our name followed by a slab of something sweet (Biscoff pie Gao has plenty of 'tude it's also where you'll find lip-smacking Asian fusion in the form of yum cha and a bottomless brunch that tips the scales with more than 15 dishes and don't forget their banana spring rolls We'll never tire of a Burger Burger burger (try saying that 10 times), especially one we can eat while overlooking the ocean. In addition to panoramic water views and all the classic BB grub you know and love, this spot is also home to a 'tuckshop' during the day serving smoothie bowls If you're trying to avoid carbs, look away now—because La Spiaggia is coming in hot with a 19-strong menu of wood-fired pizzas and almost as many pastas However we may have just the thing to appease you: a slice of Nutella and Ferrero Rocher cheesecake This new kid on the cafe block will have you swooning from the first mouthful of their insane truffle and almond-flavoured GF gnocchi to the very last Whittaker's choccy with a half tonne of coyo and a chilli prawn scramble that'll keep you fuelled for the entire day are also on the menu here along with enviable aesthetics (I MUST have a copy of that epic artwork) Smash back some Sea pizza (pepperoni, double cheese and sriracha) or a plate of Surf & Turf (grass-fed ribeye and tiger prawns) while sipping on Mermaid's Martinis (rum, triple sec, lime and aloe vera water) at this chill venue in the beachside 'burb of Long Bay And don't skimp on dessert—the mint raspberry and white choc sundae is a sweet sensation You will have heard us bang on about Ramen Takara before Owner/exec chef Yuki's dad ran a true blue ramen shop in Japan (beneath the shadow of Mount Fuji and she's keeping the tradition alive with piping hot bowls of noodles in a huge range of flavours (13 to be precise) at this sister shop to Ramen Takara in Ponsonby If Cookie Monster were real, he'd be a Browns Bay resident for sure. That's 'cos some of the city's most epic cookie creations can be found here in a cute little bakery along the beachfront Whether you want a biccie inspired by your fave choccy bar wallowing in a chocolate watering hole—Cindy has got your *furry blue* back Situated in a literal field is this spacious cafe complete with a playground for the kiddos (zen coffee break incoming) If you can manage to look past the beautifully presented cabinet This bakery/cafe/patisserie has been around for as long as we can remember with at least a thousand reasons why it's stood the test of time prepared by a small army of bonafide French pastry chefs Ground control to all Urban Listers—this cafe has been dishing up the goods since forever ago and has even spawned a further two branches Epic brekkies are kinda their signature (hello soft shell crab benedict!) though they also have some seriously stacked cabinet food and drinks up for grabs (rocky road iced chocolate Beaufort + Co are best known for their outrageous doughnuts (at Christmas time they make one topped with an entire mince pie) However this certainly isn't a one-hit-wonder kinda sitch and 'mince on toast' featuring red wine and espresso braised beef cheek which in the past have included boozy doughnut decorating classes Down the far end of Browns Bay beach you'll find this sleek spot which is less a bar and more an all-day eatery serving superb food and drink and another epic example of a prawn cocktail (there's clearly something in the water here on the Shore) Special shout-out to the dessert cocktails in flavours like After Dinner Mint and Perky Nana For times when only a juicy pattie smashed between two toasty buns will do, pay a visit to Real Burger We dig the retro diner vibes as much as the menu which along with 'real' good burgers features some seriously slappin' fried chicken and loaded fries This one's for the pasta lovers you won't find a better bowl of the stuff here on the Shore (possibly Auckland) Made daily from only the finest durum wheat you'll be treated to the likes of lamb shoulder parpadelle And if you feel like you need something else there's also a damn fine tiramisu up for grabs For a casual drink and a bite to eat, consider Bon Pinard your bestie Expect Euro wine bar vibes with a vino list longer than your arm complemented by a short but sweet menu of snacks and small plates (we'll take the cheese plate with NZ honeycomb Cafe by day and restaurant by night, this is the final (and in fact OG) jewel in the MacDonald crown (Jordan and Sarah MacDonald also own Osteria Uno and Bon Pinard) and you'll know you've found the right spot which is where custard-soaked brioche and coffee sit comfortably alongside cocktails and crayfish mafaldine Your culinary engine will be in overdrive at this stalwart of the North Shore dining scene famous for dishes like pork schnitzel and twice-baked goat's cheese soufflé (which we once heard they sell hundreds of every week) and that's something that should be prized as highly as the food Wanna cuddle cats while you sip your coffee? There's only one right answer to that question, unless you're allergic. And this the country's longest-running cat cafe is just the place to do it; providing a clan of friendly felines to smooch while you down a brew plus tasty cabinet treats from The Vegan Treatory and more Don't forget to pick up some cute merch on the way out Did you hear about the cafe with lamingtons the size of your face? That's here And slinging such an almighty treat kinda makes sense given that this is part of the one-and-only Chelsea Sugar Factory no problem—they've got a tonne of other sugar-laced goodies in the cabinet Something else they're dishing up in a plus-sized portion The first thing about Rollers Bakery that caught our attention was their happy little slice-of-bread logo (what can we say However we quickly realised that they also do a damn fine pie and pastry The bacon and egg rolls are also low-key incredible Cheese on Toast seems a kinda humble title for the home of Tāmaki's best toasties this spot specialises in housemade sourdough toasted sammies stuffed with a signature three-cheese blend and other fillings that will keep you fuelled for the entire day Their spicy pork belly number is an absolute epiphany When it comes to Fika With Me there are just two words you need to know: masala This spicy egg-topped dish—part of a mouthwatering cafe menu conceived by Fijian-born chef Deepak—is so good Pair it with a brown butter coffee or Nutella hot chocolate Sometimes you just wanna sink a pint at an old-fashioned pub so with that in mind, get on over to the historic Northcote Tavern This charming spot with one of the most sizeable beer gardens around has been slinging brews since the 1850s; and anywhere with those kinda credentials is well worth a visit you can't go past their pies and Sunday roasts We have nothing but praise for this wine bar which is where you'll find us curled up in the corner with a glass of vino in one hand (or perhaps a negroni spagliato and the other picking away at something delicious (probs the assiette) Pro tip: duck across the road to the iconic Bridgeway cinema for a post-drink movie Consider this—one of six Beer Spot locations across Auckland—your tappy place Choose from more than 40 rotating brews plus grub from their current food truck in residence (The White Lady Want more like this? Check out The 15 Best Restaurants To Dine At On The North Shore. Main image credit: Long Bay Surf Club / Supplied Urban List acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work and acknowledge the Māori of Aotearoa as traditional Tangata Whenua A gas main has burst on Birkenhead Avenue on Auckland's North Shore on Wednesday afternoon Emergency services were called to the gas leak at 3.15pm A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said crews assisted police to evacuate the surrounding properties Auckland Transport said a section of the road between Pupuke Road and Onewa Road was also closed and motorists were asked to avoid the area Fire and Emergency confirmed the leak was fixed at about 4.15pm Vector said crews went to the site after a third party had struck an underground gas pipe "The leak was isolated and the area made safe shortly after with Fire and Emergency declaring the road open at 4.30 we completed permanent repairs and have now left the site," a Vector spokesperson said Armed police block off Birkenhead Ave on Auckland's North Shore. (Source: Supplied) Police are continuing to search almost a week on for the person responsible for a stabbing that left a man critically injured in Auckland's Birkenhead. A man was found with serious injuries on Birkenhead Ave by a member of the public at around 2pm on February 4. Hato Hone St John said it responded to the incident with one ambulance and two rapid response vehicles. "One patient, in a critical condition, was transported to Auckland City Hospital." A witness told 1News that they saw a badly injured man lying on the side of the road on his back at around 2pm. "An elderly lady stopped to help him, then a cop car pulled up." North Shore area commander inspector Stefan Sagar earlier said that police did not believe it was a "random incident". Police said today the victim was recovering from his injuries. Member of public finds man with critical stab wounds on North Shore street Police said a man was located with injuries on Birkenhead Ave by a member of the public just after 2pm Birkenhead stabbing: Victim stable police believe attack not random North Shore area commander inspector Stefan Sagar said the victim is now in "serious but stable condition" "Since the incident occurred, police have completed a scene examination and area canvas as part of the investigation," a spokesperson said. Anyone with relevant information could call police on 105. 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 A man has been critically injured in a suspected stabbing on Auckland's North Shore this afternoon Police said a man was located with injuries on Birkenhead Ave by a member of the public just after 2pm Acting Detective Inspector Simon Harrison said an investigation is now underway to determine what happened "At this early stage we believe the man has sustained stab wounds and he has been taken to Auckland City Hospital in a critical condition." St John said it responded to the incident with one ambulance and two rapid response vehicles was transported to Auckland City Hospital." A witness told 1News that they saw a badly injured man lying on the side of the road on his back at around 2pm They said the situation was "scary" and that they had "never seen anything like it" "I hope somebody saw it happen or has seen something." Harrison said police would like to hear from the public who may have seen an incident unfold this afternoon "Anyone who may have witnessed something taking place at an address or on the street should contact us "We would also like to hear from anyone with information about a vehicle seen fleeing the scene a short time afterward." Part of Birkenhead Ave has been closed near the intersection with Onewa Rd and Harrison said a scene examination would take place this afternoon "Our investigation is still in the early stages in determing exactly what has taken place in Birkenhead this afternoon "The public will see an increased presence of our staff in the area and we appreciate the public’s understanding while our staff carry out their work at the scene." Auckland Transport said that a section of Birkenhead Ave between Onewa Rd and Pupuke Rd was closed at around 2.50pm "Avoid this area or expect delays with diversions in place affecting all traffic including bus services," a spokesperson said BIRKENHEAD AVE, BIRKENHEAD - 2:50PMDue to a Police incident a section of Birkenhead Ave, between Onewa Rd & Pupuke Rd, is currently CLOSED. Avoid this area or expect delays with diversions in place affecting all traffic, including bus services. ^ND pic.twitter.com/EHKG0pGBlm North Shore councillor Richard Hills said it was "extremely upsetting" to hear about the stabbing I know emergency services and medical staff will be doing everything they can to help him." He thanked those who came to the victim's aid and tried to help "I cannot imagine how traumatic that was "Please call 111 if you know or hear where the person or people responsible for this violence are right now." 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." North Shore United have appointed Mauricio Rojas as the club’s director of football Rojas (48) was Shore’s first team assistant coach for last season’s Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship campaign but steps up to the new leadership role in 2025 Dave Fahy continues as the club’s first team head coach and he has made a series of new signings as the club prepares for their 2025 campaign READ MORE: Shore make five signings ahead of Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship campaign >>>> the Shore board said he brings with him “a huge wealth of experience and knowledge to help take the club to the next level.” was the team liaison officer for the Uruguay national football team during the London 2012 Olympics Games and was a goalkeeper coach for the Paraguay FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup team in New Zealand He has also worked as an academy coach at London clubs Crystal Palace he was the technical director for Hibiscus Coast The role to be undertaken by Rojas will also incorporate that of football development manager Ward has taken a full-time position at Takapuna Grammar School where he has been the head coach of their boys’ first team said: “I will definitely miss the community spirit of what makes NSU so special The club is so lucky to have such a wonderful pool of supportive parents and genuinely great kids who have been a pleasure to coach.” This story was first published on February 27 Here’s NZ Football’s 5-minute highlights reel from last.. Here’s NZ Football’s 7-minute highlights reel from last.. Auckland FC’s Guillermo May is the special guest on episode 17 of New Zealand’s weekly.. Auckland United have started the defence of their OFC Women’s Champions League title with a.. Dub Zone is back for another week of analysis Papua New Guinea have claimed the final place at August’s OFC U-16 Men’s Championship after.. A widely-admired former club and regional football administrator Here’s NZ Football’s 12-minute highlights reel from last.. May 3-9: OFC U-16 Men’s Championship – qualifying, Tonga (click here for details) May 5-18 (NZT): Auckland United at OFC Women’s Champions League, Tahiti (click here for details) May 16-18: Grand final, women’s A-League (click here for details) Monday May 19 (2.30am NZT): New Zealand U-16 men v Switzerland, FIFA Youth Series, Zurich (click here for details) Tuesday May 20 (2.30am NZT): New Zealand U-16 men v Guatemala, FIFA Youth Series, Zurich (click here for details) May 26-June 3: FIFA international window (women) May 30-June 1: Grand final, men’s A-League (click here for details) May 31-June 1: Second rounds of Chatham Cup June 2-10: FIFA international window (men) Thursday June 5 (7.30am NZT): Chile U-20 v New Zealand U-20, men’s international, Complejo Deportivo Quilín, Santiago (click here for details) Sunday June 8 (7.30am NZT): Chile U-20 v New Zealand U-20, men’s international, Complejo Deportivo Quilín, Santiago (click here for details) Sunday June 8 (11am NZT): All Whites v Côte d’Ivoire, BMO Field, Toronto, Canada (click here for details) Wednesday June 11 (9am NZT): All Whites v Ukraine, BMO Field, Toronto, Canada (click here for details) June 15-July 13: FIFA Club World Cup, United States (click here for details) Monday June 16 (6am NZT): Auckland City v Bayern Munich, FIFA Club World Cup, TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio (click here for details) Saturday June 20 (6am NZT): Auckland City v Benfica, FIFA Club World Cup, Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida (click here for details) Wednesday June 24 (7am NZT): Auckland City v Boca Juniors, FIFA Club World Cup, Geodis Park, Nashville, Tennessee (click here for details) June 23-July 1: FIFA international window (women) July 5-6: Quarter-finals of Kate Sheppard Cup August 1-14: OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, Samoa (click here for details) August 15-30: OFC U-16 Men’s Championship, Solomon Islands (click here for details) August 16-17: Semi-finals of Kate Sheppard Cup September 2-9: FIFA international window (men) September 17-24: University of Auckland at FISU Men’s Football World Cup September 20-24: OFC Futsal Men’s Cup September 21-October 4: OFC U-19 Women’s Championship September 27-October 19: FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup September 27-28: Season starts for men’s and women’s National Leagues October 7-15: FIFA international window (men) Wednesday October 15 (k/o TBC): Norway v All Whites, international friendly, Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo, Norway (click here for details) October 17-November 8: FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Morocco (click here for details) October 20-28: FIFA international window (women) November 4-28 (NZT): FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup, Qatar (click here for details) November 10-18: FIFA international window (men) November 17-22: OFC Futsal Men’s Champions League November 21-December 7: FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, Philippines (click here for details) 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Oceania qualifiers December 13-14: Grand finals of men’s and women’s National Leagues June 12-July 20 (NZT): FIFA Men’s World Cup © 2025 Friends of Football Site designed by Hurricane Press Ltd using - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP Aucklanders on the North Shore will no longer need to use prepaid bin tags from 3 March 2025 as council rubbish collections will be funded by residential property rates The North Shore is moving from pay-as-you-throw collections to rates-funded as part of a regionwide move towards a standardised waste service for Auckland Auckland Council General Manager Waste Solutions Justine Haves says that standardising waste services across Auckland will give everyone access to the same service at the same cost “We want to protect Auckland’s natural environment by reducing reliance on landfills while keeping costs for Aucklanders as low as possible A universal rates-funded rubbish collection helps us to deliver a more consistent and cost-effective service and makes it easier to engage with Aucklanders on how we can all reduce waste,” she says The targeted rates charge for a property’s rubbish collection will depend on the size of the bin Aucklanders can choose the size that best meets their individual household’s needs “If households use their food scrap bins and recycling bins regularly most will find that a smaller rubbish bin than they have now will work for them Many people don’t realise that food scraps contribute significantly to harmful greenhouse gas emissions from landfills and prior to the introduction of the food scraps collection waste audits found that up to half of the weight of rubbish bins consisted of this waste,” says Ms Haves Bin tags will be accepted on council bins until Friday 28 February on the North Shore North Shore residents can get a refund from local libraries for unused bin tags for a limited time - from Saturday 1 March 2025 to Wednesday 30 April 2025 The changes are being rolled out in pay-as-you-throw areas over the next 12 months with Papakura moving to rates-funded rubbish collections starting on Thursday 1 May 2025 Other areas moving to rates-funded collections are Franklin which will change from council bags to bins in July 2025 which currently has no council rubbish collections Central Auckland and Manukau already have rates-funded rubbish services Waitākere made the change from pay-as-you-throw to rates-funded rubbish services in December 2024 Waitākere residents can get a refund from local libraries for unused tags until 31 January 2025 Anyone living in a rural zone who would like to continue using bags should email ratesfunded@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz Rural residents will still have options on the number of waste bags they would like to use and this is reflected in the targeted waste rate for each household For more information, including how to request a refund for unused bin tags, please visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/ratesfunded Helicopter crews film thick flames and black smoke from a Wairau Valley business on Auckland's North Shore. MetService National Weather Update: May 7 - May 9. Video / MetService Police said emergency services were called to a Mahia Rd property just before 10am after a report of a person seriously injured. Christchurch, Mairehau house fire: Firefighters battle two-storey house blaze 10 patients were assessed and treated by our crews in total. Video | George Heard Auckland commuters face a chaotic morning after two highways leading into the central city have been majorly disrupted by crashes. Video \ NZME NZ film industry faces uncertainty over US tariff, ongoing decline in livestock numbers and questions over longer sentences reducing reoffending. The moa might be extinct, but they’ve left an imprint! 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. Video / Supplied, Te Rina Triponel 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. Video / Supplied A memorial tree has been planted at the entrance of St John’s bush in honour of slain American entomology student Kyle Whorrall. Video \ Jason Dorday 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. Video \ Jason Dorday Reporter Angelina is in Auckland, where hip hop crews from all over the world are battling to see who’s the best. Aotearoa group En-Locked is in the house, let’s see how they do! $2b for NZ Defence helicopters, Trump’s influence on global elections, 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. Video / Alex Burton Albanese wins Australian election, Kiwis worry about wild weather, 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. Video / supplied 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. Video / Brodie Stone 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. Video \ Jason Dorday 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. Sir Bob Jones, a prominent business figure, has died at his Wellington home aged 85. North Shore real estate agency chief responds to a Real Estate Disciplinary Tribunal decision. Video \ Supplied 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, mainly in the Wellington area. The worst of the weather is over, more Kiwis turning to methamphetamine and Drs are back at the negotiating table. NZSA chief executive Oliver Mander speaks about CEO pay in 2024. Video / Dean Purcell Waiwhetu woman Julie Paterson heard 'a loud cracking', looked up, and saw a tree branch falling towards her during Wednesday's storm. Video / Julie Paterson Heather Keats updates the powerful system battering New Zealand, bringing floods, snow, extreme wind and widespread disruption. Video / NZ Herald, MetService, Vanessa Weenink MetService Head of Weather News, Heather Keats, breaks down why Wellington is under a rare red warning with extreme winds, heavy rain and dangerous high tides. Hon Mark Mitchell, Deputy Mayor Malcolm Lyall, 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 Police were called to the Lake Road premises in Hauraki at about midnight. Police said two people allegedly entered the bar armed with guns and demanded cash before fleeing on electric scooters. "A scene examination will be undertaken this morning, and enquiries to locate the parties involved are ongoing." The scene of the North Shore robbery. (Source: 1News) Police are investigating after a bar on Auckland's North Shore was robbed overnight by two offenders allegedly armed with guns demanding cash. Police are investigating after a bar on Auckland's North Shore was robbed overnight by two offenders allegedly armed with guns demanding cash Police were called to the Lake Road premises in Hauraki at about midnight Police said two people allegedly entered the bar armed with guns and demanded cash before fleeing on electric scooters "A scene examination will be undertaken this morning and enquiries to locate the parties involved are ongoing." It’s a rite of passage for all comedians: Work like crazy on the stand-up circuit record live specials for a streaming platform and then write a book that can never quite measure up to your live act Consider “Big Dumb Eyes: Stories from a Simpler Mind” by Nate Bargatze. I laughed so hard I cried during parts of his Netflix special “Your Friend Nate Bargatze.” But I can count on two hands the laugh-out-loud moments I experienced as I read “Big Dumb Eyes.” That’s not because Mr Books just aren’t the funniest mediums for stand-up comics And while he tries right there in the book’s subtitle — “Stories from a Simpler Mind” — the humor just doesn’t have the same impact on the page as it does the screen writing in his introduction that he is “very on the record about not liking to read books.” Alas apparently convinced him that he should write one for super fans or anyone who would rather read funny stories than watch Bargatze tell them on TV black and white photos of Bargatze through the years with his family If you haven’t already watched his specials you’ll learn a lot about his upbringing — from the sense of humor and theatrical nature he inherited from his father the greatest clown and magician to ever work in Old Hickory played in keeping him from being completely self-centered growing up is called “My Sister the Alien” and recounts the time when Nate his brother Derrick and their dad forgot to bring Abigail home from church one Wednesday night They all realize when they get home that Abigail isn’t with them and dad’s first words are “Do not tell your mother.” When they drive back to the church who found her in the church cemetery “passing from tombstone to tombstone communing with the dead like the devil’s phantasm.” Bargatze tells quite a few stories about his wife and near the end Laura even chimes in via footnotes as if she’s reading the book along with you I can’t wait to see the look on his face,” reads one after Nate shares how he had to ask his parents to pay for her engagement ring in a two-page “Conclusion,” Nate offers his congrats to readers who make it that far scolding anyone who got through all 222 pages in one sitting “You should probably move around some more Or sprinkle in some other healthier activities AP book reviews: https://apnews.com/hub/book-reviews Unfortunately you are viewing this website on an outdated browser which does not support the necessary features for us to provide an adequate experience Please switch to a modern browser such as latest version of Google Chrome Construction will soon begin in Auckland’s Bayswater on 61 new townhouses for Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) personnel Central Tāmaki Makaurau iwi Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei will build the homes lease them to the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) The NZDF has worked closely with the property development arm of the iwi on the design and layout to ensure the housing meets the needs of sailors by providing warm dry homes that are fit for modern family living with good car parking and storage The homes will be spread over two separate sites in Bayswater which are expected to be ready to occupy late next year three- and four-bedroom configurations. says the lease agreement with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is good news for sailors. “There are four factors important for our personnel when it comes to accessing housing for them and their families - quality close to other Navy families and within 30 minutes of Devonport Naval Base This arrangement addresses all of these.” Navy leadership took the question of housing for its personnel very seriously and would continue to look for opportunities to improve housing for sailors and their whānau