New data shows Kiwis are becoming safer with the Government tracking ahead of its violent-crime reduction target, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say.
“The Government announced nine targets in March last year, which included ensuring there are 20,000 fewer victims of serious violent crime by 2029, equating to 165,000 victims,” Goldsmith says.
“The latest New Zealand crime and victims survey shows for the year to February there were 157,000 victims of violent crime.
“This is 28,000 fewer victims than the baseline set in October, 2023.
“This is very encouraging and shows our work to restore law and order is paying off.
“We’ve provided police and the courts with extra tools to go after gangs, brought back a revised three strikes sentencing regime, restored real consequences for crime by limiting sentence discounts, and scrapped Section 27 reports.”
Mitchell says the Government knows there’s a lot more work to do, but the results are a good early sign the country is heading in the right direction.
“I want to acknowledge and thank our Police Commissioner and Corrections chief executive, our entire police and Corrections teams both sworn and non-sworn who are working hard with their Justice sector colleagues to implement the Government’s policies and direction on public safety.
“I’m very proud of the work they’re doing every day to make our country safer.”
Strong winds are expected to impact traffic on the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Photo supplied Daniel Wang on Unsplash
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is urging drivers to take extra care and be prepared for the possibility of short-notice lane closures or reduced speeds on the Auckland Harbour Bridge this week.
Wind gusts on the bridge may reach 75-85km/h from 7am today, April 16, triggering an amber alert.
Under an amber alert, speed limits may be reduced and some lanes on the bridge may close.
The wind event is forecast to last for 40 hours. On Friday wind gusts may be more significant, possibly triggering a red alert.
Under a red alert, NZTA may close all lanes of the bridge to ensure the safety of road users.
Drivers of high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists are advised to avoid the Auckland Harbour Bridge and use the western ring route on State Highways 16 and 18.
The bridge will remain in 4×4 configuration during the alert period.
NZTA thanks road users for their patience and understanding.
Any closures or restrictions will be notified via its social media channels.
Artist Joel Nicholls called for the public’s help to track down his stolen car. Times photo
Following reporting by the Times this morning about local artist Joel Nicholls’ car being stolen from Howick yesterday, the vehicle has been located.
The story on the incident was shared on local community Facebook pages and drew comments from numerous readers angry at the theft.
The accomplished east Auckland artist called on locals for help after his car, which serves as his mobile art studio, was stolen from a property in Cook Street at about 12.30pm on April 14.
Joel had popped in to visit his mum before heading off to complete local mural art projects that afternoon.
Moments after arriving, he thought he heard his car start, but brushed it off. Just five minutes later, he stepped outside to find it gone.
The vehicle, a black Toyota Yaris with the registration number KUF303, has no badge and white paint on the bumper.
It once belonged to his poppa and holds immense sentimental value.
More importantly, it was filled with his entire print range, packed ready to show to local businesses, along with his full toolkit and art supplies, all essential for his work as a mural artist, Joel says.
“This car is how I make a living. Everything I use to work and showcase my art was in there. It’s just devastating.”
Witnesses reported seeing two women in the car, last spotted heading toward Botany at about lunchtime.
A police spokesperson says the vehicle has been recovered this afternoon, but sadly the news isn’t all good as Joel says its contents are missing.
“Howick staff located the vehicle on Botany Road near the Cascades Road intersection and it has been towed for forensic enquiries,” police say.
“A full examination of inside the vehicle wasn’t possible, but there was some property visible inside.
“Once the vehicle is able to be returned to the owner, the full picture will be known.”
Times Media director Bo Burns, who also shared the story about the car’s theft on social media, says she’s pleased for Joel that it’s been found but gutted his materials are gone.
“This result shows the power of a community news provider putting the word out there and it being picked up by locals.
“It’s about people sharing an important message and us coming together to support a member of our community.”
If anyone finds paint dumped anywhere in east Auckland they can contact Joel directly via Facebook here.
Artist Joel Nicholls is calling for the public’s help to track down his stolen car. Times photo
Accomplished Howick artist Joel Nicholls is calling on the east Auckland community for help after his car, which serves as his mobile art studio, was stolen in broad daylight at about 12.30pm yesterday, Monday, April 14, from Cook Street.
Joel had popped in to visit his mum before heading off to complete local mural art projects that afternoon.
Moments after arriving, he thought he heard his car start, but brushed it off.
Just five minutes later, he stepped outside to find it gone.
The vehicle is described as a battered old black Toyota Yaris, registration KUF303, with no badge and white paint on the bumper.
It might not look like much to a thief, but to Joel, it’s everything.
The car once belonged to his poppa and holds immense sentimental value.
More importantly, it was filled with his entire print range, packed ready to show to local businesses, along with his full toolkit and art supplies, all essential for his work as a mural artist.
“This car is how I make a living,” Joel says.
“Everything I use to work and showcase my art was in there. It’s just devastating.”
Witnesses reported seeing two women in the car, last spotted heading toward Botany at about lunchtime.
People with information about the theft or the car’s whereabouts should contact police on 105 or message Joel directly via the Artist Joel Nicholls Facebook page.
To support Joel, donations or art supplies can be dropped to the Times Media office at Level 1, 121 Vincent Street, Howick.
Let’s rally behind Joel and help him get back to doing what he does best – bringing colour and creativity to our community!
Ormiston Senior College principal Tim Botting spoke last year of the school’s efforts to accommodate all of its students. Times file photos
An east Auckland school is to receive 18 new classrooms including associated administration spaces and a staffroom extension as part of the coalition Government’s $100 million investment in the sector.
Education Minister Erica Stanford says the Government is ensuring hundreds more students benefit from safe, warm and dry learning areas by delivering a new school and more classrooms into communities that need them most.
“Through our decisive action to improve efficiency and performance in school property delivery, $100 million has been freed up for areas across the country that have growing school rolls.
“With a 35 per cent increase in the number of standardised and repeatable designs, we have reduced the price per classroom by 28 per cent.
“We can now provide an additional 67 teaching spaces in Auckland and in the Kaupapa Māori Education network to help meet growing demand.”
The announcement includes an 18-classroom expansion for Ormiston Senior College in east Auckland, the planned construction of a 600-pupil primary school in Massey, West Auckland, and a two-storey block of 10 new classrooms at Scott Point School in Hobsonville.
“Detailed planning for all projects is under way, with construction set to begin soon after,” Stanford says.
“Our priority is to get these projects delivered as quickly and efficiently as possible so students, teachers and communities benefit sooner.
“This reinvestment has been made possible by accelerating and improving the cost-effectiveness of new builds using standard designs and offsite manufacturing.
“We want to be responsive to changing student numbers while ensuring our solutions represent the best value for money.”
The school’s field was to have classrooms placed onto it to help the school cope with its growing roll.
The Times reported last year that Ormiston Senior College’s roll is growing so fast that it had to place more classrooms onto its sports field to accommodate its pupils.
Principal Tim Botting said the school’s located in one of the fastest growing areas in the country.
“The Ormiston community is growing at a really high rate, there’s new subdivisions popping up all the time, and those houses get filled with people.
“There’s a lot of young families moving in and a bit of a bubble coming through from the [nearby] primary school, which is one of the largest in the country at 1200 students.”
Botting said that in 2022 the Ministry of Education (MoE) expected the school to grow to potentially 3000 pupils.
That would give it the highest number of senior college pupils in New Zealand.
The school doesn’t take out-of-zone pupils, as its priority is serving its own community first.
It’s had plans for the last three years to construct a new block which has been “slightly delayed”, Botting said.
“Our stage-one has been approved and building will start at the end of this year [in 2024].
“That block has two new science labs and a new technology block, adding on to our existing block, as well as eight classroom spaces.
“That will be really useful and helpful for us.
“The issue was we’re currently at 1400 students and that new build brings us to the capacity of 1365.
“At the time of the build being finished, which is projected to be the start of 2026, we’ll have about 1700 students on-site.
“In the interim, the ministry has granted us some short-term roll-growth buildings.
“They’ll be on our field for now because we have quite a small footprint and any area that’s not the field is likely to be built on in the next five to 10 years.”
The classrooms were to be on the school’s field for at least five years, Botting said.
The school had also made other changes to accommodate its pupils.
“We’ve given up some of our circulation space. Some of the café, the library space, and some of our larger hall areas have been converted into spaces that can be taught in.
“We’ve had to do a little bit of moving and shifting.”
A large crowd turned out to enjoy this year’s Cockle Bay School Carnival. Photos supplied
By Times’ Junior Journalist Pia Grover
A few weekends ago, on March 29, was the Cockle Bay School Carnival.
Everyone was brimming with excitement as the trees danced in thrill of their surroundings.
The air around bathed in the aroma of fresh hotdogs, cotton candy, fudge, and cupcakes.
Screams coming from the ‘Haunted House’, cheers from the penny toss, yells of amusement from the rides and the sound of cans being opened and consumed in one big, substantial gulp.
Students and determined kids were everywhere, running to greet each other, whether it was by scaring one another, or greeting with a big hug and secret handshakes.
The Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, was there. He gave a speech and then headed towards the dunk tank to have go at dunking Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown.
The event attracted people of all ages including a large number of children.
Christopher Luxon had a train of people following him around wherever he went.
There were mainly eager parents to get a photo of their kids with the Prime Minister, photographers, and staff.
It looked as if the whole country was there in that very school alongside Christopher Luxon, Simeon Brown, staff and parents from the Cockle Bay School whanau, and not forgetting the most important guests, all the kids from the mere small age of one or perhaps even smaller to the big, bright age of 17-18ish.
Many games were being played, and huge queues were being sculpted everywhere you look.
Even the playgrounds were missing the feeling of being bare and unoccupied.
The occupation with the longest queues looked like the rides, the chair-o-plane and mini go-karts.
There were many staff and parents volunteering their time for the carnival to be a HUGE success, and it was absolutely magical.
Pia Grover is in year 8
There were plenty of rides and attractions for people to enjoy.
The Howick Village Easter Hunt runs until April 21. Photo supplied Unsplash.com Daniel Bigalke
By Katie Treneman, Village Manager, Howick Village Association
The fun Howick Village Easter Hunt runs from April 14 -21.
Children aged five to 12 years old will need to find the six Easter Rabbits hidden in shop windows, and they’ll be in to win an exciting prize pack.
Entry forms will be available from Howick Village Optometrists and Poppies Books.
Uxbridge Arts and Culture’s community art project ‘Lets Protect Our Environment’ has kicked off! Pop into Uxbridge between April 1-30 to share your ideas!
No bookings required. Free and everyone is welcome!
Many little contributors have been super excited to share their ideas and artistic skills already.
Congrats to Judith and team at Shamrock Cottage, making the list of favourite Auckland café’s, by Dish magazine’s readers. A deserved accolade.
Angels Grooming Centre is celebrating 25 years in business! For a quarter of a century, they’ve dedicated themselves to more than just grooming – treating our pets like our own, with gentle, expert care.
Whether it’s a simple tidy-up, a full transformation, or just a reassuring cuddle for a nervous pup, every groom is done with love.
Angels Grooming it’s not just about looking good – it’s about feeling safe, happy, and cared for. Here’s to many more years of wags, wiggles, and wonderful memories!
Velvet Beauty has opened in The Laneway at 60 Picton Street.
They’re located between 101 Design and the PO Boxes – opposite Majestic.
Velvet is a boutique studio dedicated to the art of lashes and brows.
We welcome associate members to our Association. For those businesses that are not in the Village itself but which to be supported by like-minded business owners, and gain profile through our database, social media and newsletters, please email manager@howickvillage.co.nz.
Our newest associate member is Super Solid Automotive at 180 Moore Street, Howick.
They have certified mechanics doing WoFs, general servicing and repairs.
They provide a professional, efficient and affordable service and value honest communication and transparency.
Our boardroom is for hire for those needing a quiet, professional meeting space.
Our board table can accommodate 10 people, we have tea and coffee making facilities, and are happy for anyone to pop in and see if it’ll meet your needs.
Our office is situated behind the War Memorial Building at 6/1 Central Terrace.
Howick Village Optometrists is looking for a front-of-house person.
This is an administrative and customer service role, four to five days, starting May, 2025. Send your CV to frith@hvo.co.nz.
Southern Cross Partners has advice and knowledge when it comes to ideas for funding retirement income. Photo supplied Unsplash.com Mark Timberlake
Are you interested in passive income ideas that could help fund your retirement lifestyle. Heather Kentsley, of Southern Cross Partners, writes of five worth exploring further:
Managed funds – A pool of money organised by fund managers on your behalf. It can offer uncomplicated diversification and includes your funds and the funds of other investors.
Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) – A company that owns, operates, or finances income-generating real estate. A REIT is a type of managed fund and is publicly listed.
Dividend shares – A share that pays dividends to their shareholders. As a company makes a profit, a portion is fed back to investors as dividends.
Rental income – The most popular passive income stream in New Zealand, rental income is funds that you, the landlord, receive from your tenants in exchange for the use of your real estate property.
Peer to peer lending – A way of investing via a first mortgage loan, secured with property, managed by a non-bank institution.
Passive income streams are potentially less demanding than other income streams, yet they still require set up and monitoring to get the benefits.
Southern Cross Partners (SCP) offers first mortgage secured peer-to-peer investments that are short term with attractive interest rates.
With a track record of more than 27 years’ experience, SCP investments are secured by a tangible security – property. A transparent and steady investment option, delivering enhanced monthly returns.
To learn more about SCP peer-to-peer investments, call 0800 00 58 73, visit southerncrosspartners.co.nz or visit us at 16 Selwyn Road, Howick.
Southern Cross Partners is licenced to provide peer-to-peer lending services under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013.
This article is general in nature only and has not taken into account any particular person’s objectives or circumstances.
We recommend you speak with a financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
Various parts of the city, including east Auckland, were battered by severe weather in 2023. Times file photo
Auckland councillors have approved the approach for the future use of about 1,200 properties in the city bought out following the 2023 storms.
The policy guiding future land use decisions has been approved by the council’s Policy and Planning Committee.
The 1,200 properties with high-risk homes are expected to be purchased by the end of 2025, making this one of the largest land acquisition programmes undertaken in Auckland.
Mayor Wayne Brown says the policy is an important step.
“We have to think about the future and this policy allows the council to consider the different ways the land can be used, including, importantly, what we can do to recoup ratepayer money allocated to purchase the high-risk properties.
“I’m committed to getting value for money for what is a significant investment for council, so it makes sense we carefully consider how we utilise land safely, sensibly, and economically to reduce the cost of the storm damage and return some of that investment, to Auckland ratepayers.”
Committee chair, councillor Richard Hills, says it’s important to remember severely storm-affected land (Category 3) has inherent risks that must be considered for any future use.
“To move people out of harm’s way, that’s why these properties were assessed and purchased in the buy-out scheme.
“While we want to use the land effectively to provide homes and maintain strong communities, safety will always be our top priority.”
Under the policy, the council will retain a large number of properties for flood resilience projects, other council services or where hazards such as unstable land must be safely managed.
The council will also consider opportunities to sell some properties that can be used safely for other purposes.
Hills stressed that with hundreds of pieces of land to assess, it will take several years before final decisions are made, a factor which he knows will be frustrating for affected communities.
“We understand communities have a keen interest in the future of storm-affected land, but we have to carefully make the best decisions for the land and the community.”
The council’s director policy, planning and governance, Megan Tyler, says the policy is about finding safe and sensible options for the land, within the constraints of any hazard risks.
“This policy will guide how we assess the potential for each property, so that safety, future resilience and value for Aucklanders are top of mind.”
Aucklanders told the council through consultation in September, 2023, they wanted to see the impact on rates from the buy-out programme minimised, which along with other recovery costs tallies to more than $1 billion.
The removal of storm-affected homes will continue until late 2027, and the council will maintain the vacant land until the future land use is determined.
Places such as Queenstown, pictured, stand to gain from the Government’s efforts to attract more visitors from overseas. Photo supplied Hayley Shen on Unsplash
Hospitality New Zealand says the Government’s plan to “turbocharge” global tourism marketing efforts will have a positive impact for the hospitality industry.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston has announced a $13.5 million investment for Tourism NZ to attract more international visitors from China, India, the United States, Germany, and South Korea.
This investment is in addition to an already-announced Australian campaign, with the increased funding offering a significant potential boost for hospitality and accommodation operators nationwide.
Hospitality NZ chief executive Steve Armitage says: “Attracting more international visitors will mean more people experiencing Kiwi hospitality, which is especially important during the traditionally quieter off-peak periods.
“Visitors stay in our hotels, motels, and holiday parks, dine in our cafés, bars, and restaurants, and explore all New Zealand has to offer.
“We hope this investment will lead to quick conversions into bookings, which will benefit hospitality operators from Cape Reinga to Bluff.
“Hospitality NZ looks forward to Tourism New Zealand deploying new global marketing initiatives, and is ready to support efforts that make sure international visitors feel our manaakitanga (hospitality) across the country.”
Pakuranga Road’s speed limit has gone back up to 60km/h. Times file photo
By Simeon Brown, Member of Parliament for Pakuranga
If you’ve driven around Pakuranga in the last few weeks, you’ll have seen the speed limits on several of our major roads, including Pakuranga Road, have been restored to their previous limits of 60km/h.
In late March, Auckland Transport (AT) completed work to restore these local speed limits after they were lowered as part of the last Labour Government’s blanket speed limit reductions policy.
For several years now, these slower limits have been a point of contention for local Pakuranga residents, who have consistently raised it with me as a major issue that needed to be addressed.
It was also a key concern for those in other areas around the country who had also seen unnecessary reductions to the speed limits on major roads in their towns and cities.
As a result, the National Government campaigned in 2023 on reversing these blanket speed limit reductions on local streets and key arterial roads.
When we were elected and I was asked to serve as Minister of Transport, fulfilling this promise was one of my key priorities, and I’m proud to have been able to deliver for Pakuranga residents and commuters across the country.
Our sensible speed limit rule also strikes a balance by enforcing slower speed limits outside schools during pick-up and drop-off times only, rather than slowing everyone down during other times of the day.
The reality is that, in most cases, the reductions undertaken by Labour were made without any real evidence of a problem, Pakuranga Road included.
In fact, the data they initially used to justify the reductions in Auckland was taken at the height of the Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, hardly a reliable sample when many commuters were stuck at home and off the road.
Those of us who drive these local roads every day know they’re safe to drive at the higher limit of 60km/h and are able to accommodate such speeds.
The restoration of these speed limits, and the impending 2026 opening of the Reeves Road Flyover, will better enable Pakuranga residents to get where they need to go quickly and safely.
Thank you to the thousands of locals who signed my petition back in 2023 calling for this change to be made.
The enthusiastic members of the Pakuranga Joggers and Walkers Club encourage new people to get involved. Times photo
There’s a friendly group of people in east Auckland who gather several times a week to exercise and socialise and they’re providing a vital community service.
The Pakuranga Joggers and Walkers Club is a sub-branch of Pakuranga Athletic Club.
Its keen members meet at their clubroom in Lloyd Elsmore Park, accessed off Cascades Road, every Tuesday and Thursday at 8.30am, with their walks starting at 9am.
The group is after new members and people are welcome to go along and try it out.
Co-ordinator Rosalea Dun says when she took over the role she was taken by surprise when one of the members told her that if they didn’t have the group to go to, they wouldn’t see or talk to anyone.
“We like to think we’re a community,” Dun told the Times.
“The club is always open regardless of the weather or what’s on.
“Sometimes when it’s really wet people will just come for a coffee.”
At each session the group’s members gather before breaking up into smaller groups and heading out on their walks.
Some may do just a couple of laps of the nearby athletics track while others walk for an hour or 90 minutes around the local area, Dun says.
“An hour is the average. We have a fast group. They go at 8.45am and do 10km or 12km.
“They go all over the area. Our fast group are all walkers.
“We only have three or four joggers now, so most are walkers.”
People don’t have to be fit or in great health to get involved as the group caters to everyone.
Members also don’t have to participate in every walk, Dun says.
“We have a casual membership of $5 per time or they can join for $70 for $12 months and pay $3 each time they come. That covers our morning tea costs.”
Among the group’s long-standing members is local resident Terry Mitchell, who says he appreciates the regularity of the group’s meetups.
“It forces you every Tuesday and Thursday, ‘I’ve got to do my exercise’.
“Whereas you sit at home and think, ‘bugger it, I won’t do it today’.
“You come down to meet up with everybody. They do whatever distance is suitable.
“They get into a group that suits them and stick together and go as far as they want.
“Then they come back for a coffee or a cup of tea and a biscuit.”
People interested in getting involved can phone Rosalea Dun on 021 041 4074 or email roseandjimdun@icloud.com.
Acting inspector Scott Jones says: “We want our [police] presence to deter motorists from any driving behaviours or impairments that put themselves and others at risk.” Photo suppliedPolice say results of an operation targeting impaired drivers in Auckland has officers warning motorists to think before getting behind the wheel.
Auckland City Police partnered with the Tāmaki Makaurau Impairment Prevention Team and Auckland Transport as part of an operation targeting impaired drivers.
Road policing manager, acting inspector Scott Jones, says the aim was to reinforce the message that motorists should be alcohol and drug free before hopping in a vehicle.
“Close to 5000 drivers were breath-tested across 15 checkpoints, with eight drivers testing over the legal limit for driving.
“While that may seem like a good result, it’s still eight too many and police are disappointed to see that these people have put themselves and other road users at risk.
“All of those caught will appear in court, and another driver who was suspected of being under the influence of cannabis while driving will also appear in court charged with refusing to provide a blood sample.”
Jones says police are committed to ensuring roads are safe, and they “need everyone to do their part”.
“We want our presence to deter motorists from any driving behaviours or impairments that put themselves and others at risk.
“When it comes down to it, we choose our behaviour behind the wheel and there are consequences for those who make poor choices.”
He says in addition to impairment, officers focussed on other aspects of road safety and dealt with a number of drivers who had unrestrained children in their cars.
“Our partners at Auckland Transport assisted these motorists with education on using child restraint systems to keep their family safe.
“The public can expect police to be out on our roads over the Easter and Anzac holiday weekends and encourage people to make good decisions before they drive,” Jones says.
An artist’s rendering of the fifth building on the company’s East Tāmaki campus. Image supplied
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare says it has signed a building construction contract with Dominion Constructors Ltd for the fifth building on its East Tāmaki campus.
“We’re excited to add this new building to complete our East Tāmaki campus,” says Andy Niccol, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare chief operating officer.
“This project is a purposeful investment in infrastructure to ensure we have the necessary capacity and resources in New Zealand to progress our pipeline of innovative products and therapies.”
With a total gross floor area of about 28,000 square metres, the new building will showcase a cohesive blend of spaces for research and development, manufacturing and distribution, says Niccol.
“The building’s design will reflect the company’s culture of collaboration, with an open-plan work environment.”
The estimated total cost of the new building is expected to be approximately $250 million.
The 42-hectare East Tāmaki site has more than 3900 employees, and the new building will accommodate the company’s expected growth in Auckland over the next five years, Niccol says.
Earthworks have been largely completed and construction will start later this month, with the facility expected to be operational in 2027.
The company also recently submitted a private plan change application for its additional New Zealand campus at Karaka, to accommodate growth over the longer term.
By Daren Leng, Senior Business Broker, ABC Business Sales
Every business carries risk, but savvy owners take steps to minimise it.
Whether you plan to sell or want long-term success, de-risking should be a priority.
The less risk in your business, the higher the multiple buyers will apply when valuing it.
Start by diversifying revenue streams. If your business relies too heavily on one customer, supplier, or product, it’s vulnerable.
Expanding your customer base and offerings improves stability.
Systemise operations. A business too dependent on the owner is harder to scale or sell. Implement clear processes and empower your team to run it without you. This is Number One in my book.
Financial health is critical. Keep accurate records, manage debt wisely, and maintain strong profitability.
Buyers seek businesses with solid financial foundations and predictable cash flow.
Secure contracts and legal protections. Supplier agreements, customer contracts, and intellectual property rights reduce uncertainty and strengthen your position.
By reducing risk, you make your business more attractive to buyers. A well-structured, low-risk business not only sells faster but also commands a premium price.
For more guidance, contact Daren Leng at ABC Business Sales – Your Business Broker of Choice.
