Latest news NZ

2023 - 1 - 28

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Image courtesy of "OurAuckland"

Storm event: 27 January 2023 (OurAuckland)

Auckland Emergency Management's Civil Defence Centre on the North Shore has moved to Massey University's Albany Campus.

“Emergency responders are working as hard as they can to respond to this situation. “If it is safe to stay home, please do so. The declaration was signed immediately following formal advice from the Duty Controller of Auckland Emergency Management that it was required. Do not put yourself at risk,” said Mayor Brown. Thank you for your understanding," said the concert promoter Frontier Touring, on The region has experienced widespread damage from flooding and torrential rain, with reports of slips and inundation. "Auckland, due to unsafe weather conditions, tonight's Elton John concert for Friday 27 January will not be proceeding. Those who are displaced or need assistance can access the centre via the main entrance at Gate 1. Do not put yourself at risk,” he says. Leonards Road, Kelston. As the situation continues to evolve, Auckland Emergency Management advises that people keep up to date with the latest travel advice by following Auckland Transport on Twitter Auckland Emergency Management has opened two further Civil Defence Centres to assist those that have been displaced or need assistance following the recent severe weather – one on the North Shore and one in the South.

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Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Spy: Musical chairs in New Zealand's TV newsrooms (New Zealand Herald)

Newshub Late host Ingrid Hipkiss is the latest to be announced in a new role.

Sherman told Spy last year she wanted to be back mid-year before the election. TVNZ won in the breakfast wars this week. This week, Kaipara filled in for Bernadine Oliver-Kerby on Three’s AM Show as Oliver-Kerby recovers from Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

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Image courtesy of "RNZ"

The 10 most expensive streets in New Zealand revealed (RNZ)

The country's 10 most expensive streets can all be found in the Auckland region and the Queenstown Lakes District, new CoreLogic research reveals.

It was not close to the water, but it was less than 3km from the CBD, and in zone for top schools. While Bayview Terrace was not on the waterfront itself, it had harbour views and easy access to the water, as well as Mount Victoria's green space. "It's also in a central location, close to Ponsonby, Westhaven, the CBD and the motorway, and so had easy access to amenities. Harcourts Wanaka owner Grant Parker said they all had easy access to the lake, spectacular views, large sections, and were close to town. They had median values of $5.63m, $5.43m, and $5.26m. There had been some good sales there over recent years, because property in the area around Lakes Hayes and Arrowtown was very sought after, he said. Hamilton's most expensive street was Kotahi Avenue in Beerescourt, with a median value of $2.57m across 11 properties; Tauranga's was Otira Close in Papamoa, with a median of $3.68m across 19 properties; and Dunedin's was School Rd North in Mosgiel with a median of $1.77m across 13 properties. (The analysis is not based on rateable values). Mount Gold Place in Wanaka in the Queenstown Lakes District was the country's third most expensive street with a median value of $6.22m across 15 properties. Each of the top 10 streets identified by CoreLogic had a median value of more than $5.26m, but it was Cremorne Street in Auckland's prestigious Herne Bay that was the most expensive in the country. The waterside cul-de-sac had a median value across 15 properties of $6.58m, and had been ranked near the top in previous lists of Auckland's most expensive streets for more than 20 years. But the street had 154 properties, and a median value of $3.5m.

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Image courtesy of "RNZ"

Archives New Zealand in danger of running out of space (RNZ)

The national archive will not have enough space to store vital records even after its new $290 million building is ready in Wellington.

There was still space in Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin, but "it is essential that we develop a space in the Wellington region to ensure we have capacity to accept the transfer of archives in the future, particularly following the conclusion of the 2019 moratorium on the disposal of records", Archives' annual report said. This is despite it being Archives' job by law to safeguard them. "It has been 25 years since the public sector began its digital information management journey and it is fair to say that there is still a lack of preparedness for digital archiving across the system," its report said. "This [pressure] is compounded by the fact that Te Rua Mahara is not currently accepting the transfer of records in physical format in Wellington, whilst work is underway to build the new repository space." "Te Rua Mahara [Archives] is acutely aware that the moratorium on the disposal of records is putting pressure on the sector for storage." The goal of opening it in 2025 "was subject to securing Budget 2022 funding for construction which was unsuccessful", he said.

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Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Masterton overdoses: Police investigation finds some users knew ... (New Zealand Herald)

Some of the 12 people who overdosed in Masterton on fentanyl within 48 hours last year were aware it was the drug they had taken, despite police earlier ...

We have not been able to trace that particular consignment to any particular individual or instance.” This is vital to minimise diversion and the risk of expanding illicit demand through prescription drug abuse.” “Overseas, high levels of prescribing, or the overprescribing of fentanyl, has been a gateway to opioid misuse, consequently increasing demand in the illicit market,” Smith said. “Whether that was in Europe, whether that was in the Americas, whether that was central southern America, we don’t know. At the time Customs manager of intelligence Bruce Berry told the Herald he believed the drug responsible for the Wairarapa overdoses was imported and had already been cut somewhere in the supply chain. Four deaths were reported as a result of drug overdose where fentanyl was recorded as contributing to or the cause of death in 2021.

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Archives New Zealand in danger of running out of space (New Zealand Herald)

Wellington is not taking any more physical records until the new Heke Rua Archive opens.

There was still space in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin, but “it is essential that we develop a space in the Wellington region to ensure we have capacity to accept the transfer of archives in the future, particularly following the conclusion of the 2019 moratorium on the disposal of records”, Archives’ annual report said. This is despite it being Archives’ job by law to safeguard them. “It has been 25 years since the public sector began its digital information management journey, and it is fair to say that there is still a lack of preparedness for digital archiving across the system,” its report said. “This [pressure] is compounded by the fact that Te Rua Mahara is not currently accepting the transfer of records in physical format in Wellington, whilst work is under way to build the new repository space.” “Te Rua Mahara [Archives] is acutely aware that the moratorium on the disposal of records is putting pressure on the sector for storage.” The goal of opening it in 2025 “was subject to securing Budget 2022 funding for construction which was unsuccessful”, he said.

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Image courtesy of "Stuff.co.nz"

New Zealand's 10 most expensive streets revealed (Stuff.co.nz)

The country's 10 most expensive streets are all in the Auckland region and the Queenstown Lakes District, new research shows.

It is not close to the water, but it is less than 3km from the CBD, and it is in zone for top schools. While Bayview Tce is not on the waterfront itself, it has harbour views and easy access to the water, as well as Mount Victoria’s green space. They are Waimana Place in Wanaka and Hogans Gully Rd in Arrowtown, with median values of $5.53m and $5.45m. Harcourts Wanaka owner Grant Parker says they all have easy access to the lake, spectacular views, large sections, and are close to town. They have median values of $5.63m, $5.43m, and $5.26m. “It’s in high demand, but there is not much that comes up for sale.” Hamilton’s most expensive street is Kotahi Ave in Beerescourt with a median value of $2.57m across 11 properties; Tauranga’s is Otira Close in Papamoa with a median of $3.68m across 19 properties; and Dunedin’s is School Rd North in Mosgiel with a median of $1.77m across 13 properties. The analysis is not based on Rateable Values. Mount Gold Place in Wanaka in the Queenstown Lakes District is the country’s third most expensive street with a median value of $6.22m across 15 properties. Each of the top 10 streets identified by CoreLogic has a median value of over $5.26m, but it is Cremorne St in Auckland’s prestigious Herne Bay that is the most expensive in the country. “It’s also in a central location, close to Ponsonby, Westhaven, the CBD and the motorway, and so has easy access to amenities, but the key thing to its values is probably the sheer size of the sites and the properties. The waterside cul-de-sac has a median value across 15 properties of $6.58m, and has been ranked near the top in previous lists of Auckland’ most expensive streets for over 20 years.

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Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

More and more Kiwis are choosing to explore New Zealand with a ... (New Zealand Herald)

Philip Wyndham is the General Manager of Adventure South NZ, a company that specialises in guided small group tours and unearthing the best of Aotearoa.

Plus, we are working on three new itineraries across the North and South islands, incorporating both hiking and cycling. This summer we are celebrating our 30th anniversary of delivering hiking and cycling experiences across the North, South and even Rakiura Stewart islands. Personally, I don’t think you can beat the journey, variety, challenge and accommodation on the Alps to Ocean Classic itinerary. That’s the best incentive to make you get out on your bike to consistently train or practise. Post-travel, guests are extremely appreciative of our guides’ ability to bring the spirit of a place to life. Every itinerary has a few special moments or experiences we don’t list on the notes - we love the element of surprise.

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Image courtesy of "1 News"

LIVE: MetService warns 'potentially significant' system to hit ... (1 News)

What you need to know · A state of emergency has been declared for Auckland and Waitomo. · A severe thunderstorm watch remains in force for the Bay of Plenty and ...

"The Northern Busway is fully operational and back to normal speed levels," he said. Authorities are giving an update on their regional response to the devastation caused by flooding in the past few days. The incident occurred on rail tracks running parallel to the Pacific Coast Highway. "There are 130 assessors on the ground, working in 65 teams covering a wide area from Wellsford to Pukekohe. The teams are issuing placards when required, and leaving information for homeowners." With the ground saturated in the areas they are, that kind of rainfall could cause problems." "We are keeping a close eye on the situation and on advice from official sources such as Civil Defence. "Coatesville lost the Mill Flat Rd Bridge this storm so we know the damage tree trunks can do." "Our team is working around the clock to rebook customers. The mayor himself had been criticised for being slow to communicate with Aucklanders. 12.17am: MetService is tracking "a number for intense thunderstorms to the east of Auckland". "Police search and rescue personnel looking for the person swept away by floodwaters on Friday in Onewhero have today found the body of a man," they said in a statement.

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Image courtesy of "OurAuckland"

January Storm Event (OurAuckland)

MetService has a severe thunderstorm watch in force for north Auckland tonight. Key to note is the risk of localised downpours, approximately 20-40 mm per hour ...

- Be mindful of manholes, which may have shifted in the flooding. - The most significant issue currently is on the North Shore. A pop-up community and agency information hub will be at the Māngere Memorial Hall, 23 Domain Road, Māngere Bridge from today Sunday 29 January 2023, 11am – 3pm. Agencies and community groups, alongside Auckland Emergency Management, will be there to provide needs assessments and offer support, including accommodation if needed. - While many buildings have suffered little damage, this will not be the case for all buildings. - There are 130 assessors on the ground, working in 65 teams covering a wide area from Wellsford to Pukekohe. - We are prioritising overflows that are damaging private property. Also, heavy rain and northeasterly gales return to Auckland on Wednesday. The teams are issuing placards when required, and leaving information for homeowners. Also, heavy rain and north-easterly gales return to Auckland on Wednesday. - Floods and flash floods can happen quickly. Listen to emergency services and self-evacuate if you feel unsafe.

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