Police say that while still illegal, cannabis remains easy to source and is relatively cheap. Photo supplied Roberto Valdivia on Unsplash
By Sergeant Brett Meale of Howick Police
Recently my staff identified several persons who were actively targeting the sale of illegal drugs to local students.
Given this, it’s probably timely to remind students of the consequences of illegal drug use and to also inform parents, so appropriate conversations can be had.
Unfortunately, there’s a misconception there’s no drug problem amongst the youths in our community.
The truth is, “good kids” can become involved with, or experiment with drugs too.
Whether because of them being approached by the dealers mentioned above or through their own social groups or peers, there’s a high chance they’ll come across situations where drugs are being used or are on offer.
Parents should educate themselves about the commonly used drugs and the consequences of being found in possession of, or supplying, such drugs.
Don’t be afraid to discuss this with your child, so they’re armed with the correct information to make good decisions when placed in these situations.
An educated parent will also be in a position to notice any drugs or drug paraphernalia in their child’s bags or room.
While still illegal, cannabis remains easy to source and is relatively cheap.
For many people it does become a gateway drug, leading onto more serious drug use and criminal offending.
Regardless of the debate about whether cannabis has any benefits or should be decriminalised, it remains an illegal drug.
Depending on the offence, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, the penalties range from fines to imprisonment.
There are also specific offences for supplying cannabis to under 18-year-olds.
A drug conviction can also have serious implications if you intend to travel overseas.
The NZ Police website provides more detailed information about identifying common drugs, as well as the offences and penalties involved.
The members of Ormiston Senior College’s Viti Initiative business group are proud of what they’ve achieved so far. Photo supplied
A group comprised of excited business students at an east Auckland school is among the six local regional finalists in this year’s Young Enterprise Scheme (YES).
The scheme is designed to give Kiwi students the experience of starting and running their own business.
Ormiston Senior College pupils Aahana Sharma, Armaan Hora, Maanvi Prakash, Gloria Prasad, and Aarav Verma are taking part this year.
Their group, Viti Initiative, has created a boardgame named ‘Bula Earthy’ to donate to underprivileged children in Fiji with the goal of promoting environmental education.
The students want to offer Fijian children a “cherished educational tool that’s otherwise out of reach for them”.
Their project involves designing and selling hoodies online for $45 each, with the money going toward producing and distributing the boardgames.
Four of the group’s members are from Fiji and they say they’ve seen the struggles faced by the children they want to help.
Viti Initiative was recently named one of six east Auckland regional finalists selected from 36 groups.
They say they’re “incredibly proud of how far we’ve come, thanks to the support from our community”.
“We’ve also donated our first batch of educational board games to underprivileged children in Fiji.
“It was a huge milestone for our team, and it only strengthens our commitment to continue this mission.”
The group’s members, who are all 17 years old, say it’s hard to express how much being named regional finalists means to them.
“It feels like all our hard work is paying off, and more importantly, it gives us a platform to continue making an impact in the community.
“Our team has reached a major milestone having made our first donation of Bula Earthy to children in Nadi, Fiji.
“This game isn’t just about fun. It’s about teaching environmental awareness in a way children can easily understand and engage with.
“We’ve also recently been communicating with orphanages in the area to give the homes a board game of their own.”
And the group’s members say they’re working with schools in New Zealand through sustainability workshops.
“We introduce students to Bula Earthy and teach them practical ways to care for the environment and simple concepts such as the 3 R’s (reduce, reuse and recycle).
“The positive feedback from these sessions motivates us even more to continue working with these schools and reaching more children in New Zealand and the Pacific, spreading our message of environmental care and education.
“It’s been amazing to see people come together to support our mission.
“The more people hear about what we’re doing, the more we can help children in need in both Fiji and New Zealand.”
The Government believes motorists and freight should be able to travel around our road network, quickly and safely. Times file photo
By Simeon Brown, Member of Parliament for Pakuranga
The Government recently released targeted actions to improve road safety that are focused on increasing road policing and enforcement, targeting the highest contributing factors to fatal crashes, and delivering new and safe roading infrastructure, including:
Increased alcohol breath testing and introducing roadside drug testing
Reviewing penalties for traffic offences
Identifying opportunities to improve the driver licensing system
Building and maintaining our road network to a safe standard
Motorists and freight should be able to travel around our road network, quickly and safely.
Improving road safety is a priority for our Government to keep Kiwis safe and increase productivity to improve outcomes for all New Zealanders.
The road safety objectives build on the Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024, outlining several road safety actions over the next three years that target the highest contributors to DSIs.
Alcohol and drugs are the highest contributing factor to fatal crashes on our roads, and that’s why we have set clear targets to ensure police are focused on the most high-risk times, behaviours, and locations to crack down on this reckless behaviour.
Over 850,000 more alcohol breath tests were undertaken on our roads in 2023/24 compared to the previous year, saving 37 lives across the country.
We know alcohol breath-testing and drug-testing are incredibly effective at saving lives.
We all have a part to play in improving road safety. While we are prioritising road policing and enforcement to improve road safety, road users also need to take personal responsibility for their actions on the road.
That’s why this plan includes reviewing penalties for traffic offences to ensure they reflect the seriousness of putting other drivers at risk and identifying opportunities to improve the driver licence system.
Building new Roads of National Significance (RoNS) and increasing road maintenance through a proactive approach will also achieve a safer road network.
The RoNS built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s safest roads.
We’re continuing this track record with investment in 17 safe RoNS across the country to enable Kiwis to get where they want to go, quickly and safely.
Jane Bathurst-Brown, of Bathurst Brown Design. Photo supplied
Over time, businesses evolve and sometimes change direction.
Brand identities can start to look stale, markets can shift, and something which worked well 20 years ago might be no longer relevant or appealing today in a crowded marketplace.
A big fear can be either losing loyal customers or the cost involved.
The truth is, a well-executed rebrand can retain and re-engage current customers while attracting new ones.
You don’t have to “throw the baby out with the bathwater” and start from scratch.
Established businesses often have valuable equity in their current branding.
The logo might only need a tweak, but by redefining and clarifying your messages and visuals in a cohesive way, you can modernise without losing heritage.
A fresh identity can open doors to new opportunities.
The positive outcomes outweigh the risks when done strategically – ensuring your brand stays competitive and impactful in an ever-changing market.
We advise steering clear of design trends as those will date your business fast in years to come!
If you’re considering a business rebrand, get in touch with Jane at Bathurst Brown Design on phone 0274 904 232 or jane@bathurstbrown.com.
Police were called to a crash in Macleans Road, Bucklands Beach, this morning. Times file photo
A police investigation is under way following a serious vehicle crash in east Auckland in the early hours of this morning that resulted in five people being hospitalised.
A police spokesperson says officers responded to a crash in which a vehicle collided with a parked vehicle on Macleans Road in Bucklands Beach at about 1.15am today.
“Five people were transported to hospital from the vehicle, two in serious condition, and three in moderate condition.
“Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.”
A spokesperson for St John Ambulance says paramedics attended the incident at 1.14am.
The St John response included five ambulances, two rapid response vehicles and an operations manager.
“We treated five patients and transported five patients to Middlemore Hospital.”
St John says four of the patients were reported to have sustained serious injuries while one had moderate injuries.
Firefighters from the Howick and Mount Wellington fire stations attended the incident also.
The Blues Women’s Super Rugby Aupiki squad will be looking to create a dynasty after last season’s triumph.
Their squad for 2025 features nine new faces most notably World Cup winner and Sevens Olympic gold-medalist Portia Woodman-Wickliffe who contributes to the over 300 international caps amongst the squad.
There’s no shortage of homegrown talent either with 22 of the 30 players coming from within the Blues region (4 x Northland, 1 x North Harbour, 17 x Auckland).
Head Coach Willie Walker said he thinks the club has recruited well:
“The additions we’ve made will only add to a strong returning group of players from last season. I’m proud of the way we’ve been able to retain a lot of our squad, it makes me think we’ve got the culture and vibe right if players want to come back and play for us,” he said.
“Our young players get to play and learn alongside people they’ve admired and looked up to which is great for their development,” said Walker.
“As well as experienced current players for the youngsters to feed off, it’s been great to add Charmaine McMenamin to our coaching group as someone with recent and relevant playing experience. I’m looking forward to working with her and the different perspective she will bring.”
Walker said the challenge for the nib Blues is to gel together as a squad, parking any thoughts of last season’s success.
“We need to innovate, stay ahead of the game and give ourselves an opportunity to win another title.”
The Blues squad contains nine new players. Photo courtesy The Blues
nib Blues squad 2025
Forwards:
Chryss Viliko, Aldora Itunu, Sophie Fisher, Cheyenne Tuli-Fale, Harono Te Iringa*, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu*, Atlanta Lolohea*, Oceane Donelley*, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Eloise Blackwell, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Elizabith Moimoi, Lemalu Dajian Brown, Paris Mataroa, Holly Greenway*, Lily Murray-Wihongi*
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, the MP for Botany, making his wide-ranging speech to company leaders at the Business East Tamaki breakfast at Pakuranga United Rugby Club on Friday, November 1. Photo supplied Business East Tamaki
There’s no doubting the Prime Minister’s convictions and commitment to the job he won in last year’s general election.
A few times in Christopher Luxon’s speech and in informal chats with attendees at the packed-out Pakuranga United Rugby Club on Friday for Business East Tamaki’s breakfast in support, too, of the charity I Am Hope’s Gumboot Friday, he mentioned that he “bounces out of bed at 4.30am” ready to tackle the issues of the day in his quest to get the country back on track, his National Party’s mantra of the past two years.
There’s no questioning the Botany MP’s enthusiasm and energy for the role of leader of the nation, as he quickly speaks across a multitude of subjects to a receptive business-leaders audience on his home electorate turf.
There’s no dissenting voices and the messages are welcomed, especially from companies that have been doing it hard economically these past four years.
Luxon is quick on his feet and can reply with detail and authority on many diverse topics, as you’d expect from a Prime Minister, but the ability to do so is developed usually over a longer period by politicians, not a mere four years.
Christopher Luxon, and MC for the breakfast, Brendan Kelly, chairperson of Business East Tamaki. Photo supplied Business East Tamaki
It’s been a while since this writer has followed a PM around on a morning’s appointments and Luxon’s performance on the first day of November was as good as any of his accomplished predecessors, namely John Key and Helen Clark, who I’d covered up-close on similar assignments in the past.
Those two, also, had had longer to groom themselves in preparation for the most important political job in the land.
The difference between Key and Clark, long-serving popular Prime Ministers, and Luxon, is the latter is more naturally at ease engaging on a personal level.
He gives the impression he’s genuinely interested in the person he’s talking with and gives attention to who they are and what they’re doing. One gets the sense he likes people.
“Twelve months into the job and I’m incredibly optimistic,” Luxon opened his speech, adding he’s grateful for the opportunity to lead New Zealand and to “make a difference”.
“That’s why I came into politics.”
“We have fantastic people. I have a great, great hope that we can come together, and my goal is to be the best small, advanced country in the world,” Luxon said.
We’ve heard Luxon and his Government colleagues over the past year daily critiquing the previous Labour-led administration for the “incredibly tough time” and that they’d “inherited a mess” economically, but his speech to the Business East Tamaki audience didn’t linger long in the past and was firmly fixed on the future.
He talked of the importance of New Zealand getting back and better connected with countries it has traditionally good diplomatic ties and can do trade with, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, which will lead to greater economic prosperity for New Zealanders, especially if we can export and sell more of our products and services to nations that are quickly developing and lifting people out of subsistence living into greater-consuming middle classes in the near future.
The Business East Tamaki breakfast, MCed here by Brendan Kelly, was in support of charity I Am Hope and its Gumboot Friday, which was represented by local Howick resident and former Kiwis rugby league captain Richie Barnett. Times photo PJ Taylor
Luxon described New Zealand as a country “with a lot of abundant natural resources” such as gas and “sun, wind and rain – high levels of renewable energy” and of the desire to harness the sources and develop those cleaner sectors.
There were the now well-established political pillars to “rebuild the economy, restore law and order”, the “social contract with one another”, and to “deliver better public services”, and he’s pleased the “financial fiscal discipline” his coalition Government has instituted has got “inflation down, and that’s bringing down interest rates, leading to more money in people’s pockets”.
But Luxon acknowledges he knows it’s only the beginning and there’s still a lot more work to do in creating greater economic prosperity and stability.
He also told the business leaders, and probably because most of them have children at school and studying at tertiary levels, of the Government’s commitment to improving education by “getting back to basics”, improving students’ attendance rates by “getting them back to school” and having easy-to-understand “structured literacy and maths” learning.
The other subjects he touched on before fielding questions from attendees was the focus on “removing red tape” in bureaucracy, especially when it’s “too slow” in this country to build a house, looking overseas for investment to partner with to build public infrastructure, and of his colleague, the “Minister of Everything” Simeon Brown’s Local Water Done Well strategy.
One question from the floor was on the impending election in the United States, to which Luxon diplomatically answered without naming either of the presidential candidates’ names or parties and focused on the two nations longstanding friendly relationship – “irrespective of who is the winner” – and that overall New Zealand is improving its trade – “our actual exports are increasing by 18 per cent a year”.
Once he left the stage, Luxon took some time to say his goodbyes to many of the attendees – an example of his interest in what people are doing – before heading off to TransNet in East Tamaki, a large and successful energy-sector business, for a tour and meet and greet.
The Prime Minister and local Botany MP Christopher Luxon and the team at TransNet, a successful energy-sector company in East Tamaki. Times photo PJ Taylor
There, he also faced the national news media pack for his daily “stand-up” where he fields their questions on the subjects de jour, Friday’s being I Am Hope’s Mike King’s supposed inappropriate comments about alcohol and drugs earlier this week, the just-signed trade agreement with the Gulf Co-operation Council, and the large cannabis busts the police successfully executed in Auckland recently that led to the arrest and deporting of 11 Vietnamese illegal immigrants.
While the national news hounds kept up their questioning of Luxon on the first and last subjects, as they’re required to do by their respective news desks, the Times asked the Prime Minister what does he think of the people who’ll march up Picton Street in Howick in their gumboots for the I Am Hope charity led by its local representative, Howick resident and former Kiwis rugby league captain Richie Barnett.
“I just say thank you to all those people who are supporting them,” Luxon said.
“I was impressed by the business community in East Tamaki getting behind I Am Hope. I came from a business breakfast there this morning with several hundred people and it was good to see many small and medium-sized businesses supporting I Am Hope in their gumboots and it’s fantastic they’re recognising mental health is an issue for their workforce.”
The Times’ team at the Business East Tamaki breakfast was fully supportive about getting in behind Gumboot Friday for the I Am Hope charity. Times photo PJ Taylor
The stunning aerial sight of Half Moon Bay Marina in its natural habitat on the Tamaki Estuary, with its views of the Hauraki Gulf, Rangitoto Island and across to Bucklands Beach and Glendowie. Photo supplied
The crew at Half Moon Marina is buoyant to be recognised as the best boat-mooring and maintenance facility in the country.
At the recent New Zealand Marinas and Boatyard Conference, Half Moon Bay Marina was awarded the nation’s coveted Marina of the Year accolade.
It’s the first time the east Auckland marina has collected the top prize, after it received a “highly commended” acknowledgement two years ago, says Half Moon Bay Marina general manager, Mark Hollier.
In the recent New Zealand Marina Operators Association (NZMOA) awards, Half Moon Bay Marina also had a highly commended recognition in the Boatyard of the Year category, won by Bay of Islands Marina.
The NZMOA had a panel of five independent judges for the awards, alongside a team of experts from the boating industry.
The judging panel said Half Moon Bay’s recently expanded complex that now hosts 580 boats and employs 22 staff has “achieved full maturity, realising its potential while addressing rising boating costs and delivering operational excellence across the board”.
Hollier says the team at Half Moon Bay Marina is “delighted” with the Marina of the Year status.
“It’s validation of all the hard work we’ve done over 25 years.”
Hollier, who was modest about the marina’s achievements when the Times talked with him, says he and his staff know there’s strong local pride for it in east Auckland, especially withing the boating fraternity, and “we feel very much part of the community”.
The New Zealand awards follow on from Half Moon Bay Marina attaining the Five Gold Anchor status by the International Council of Marine Industries Association (ICOMIA) earlier this year.
Hollier says Half Moon Bay is the only marina in New Zealand to be rated at that very high international standard.
“A lot of hard work goes into achieving that.”
He explains ICOMIA is an international non-profit membership organisation serving the recreational boating industry worldwide.
Its 240 members are national recreational marine industry associations, as well as businesses supporting the sector.
Waiheke Marina, New Zealand’s newest marina, received an outstanding initiative award at the NZMOA prize-giving for its construction, “achieved without causing permanent changes to the seabed or coastal currents”, judges remarked.
The Waiheke marina developers joined forces with SF Floats and Whangārei’s Heron Construction to create 2100 square meters of floating pontoons, built in Whangārei and towed to Auckland.
Those pontoons support its car park and marina complex.
Public access after 6pm and until usual opening hours is closed daily at Ōhuiarangi / Pigeon Mountain near Half Moon Bay until the Guy Fawkes’ fireworks season is finished. Times photos PJ Taylor
East Aucklanders are advised that Ōhuiarangi / Pigeon Mountain and the other Auckland ancestral maunga (mountains) will be closed to the public at night during Guy Fawkes’ fireworks season this coming week.
The Tūpuna Maunga Authority says it’s closing all the maunga from 6pm to usual gate opening times from Saturday, November 2, to Tuesday, November 5, “to protect them from fires”.
It’s the sixth consecutive year the authority is closing the dormant volcanoes’ public reserves.
The authority says, “the closures come after a history of devastating fires caused by fireworks on Maungarei / Mt Wellington, Maungawhau / Mt Eden, and Te Pane o Mataoho / Te Ara Pueru / Māngere Mountain”.
“Despite the successful closures in recent years, we continue to identify concerning incidents involving the dangerous use of fireworks and have seen suspicious fires requiring emergency services.”
Authority chair Paul Majurey explains the need for the closures.
“The Tūpuna Maunga are of immense cultural, historical, and spiritual importance, and we have a duty to protect them,” he says.
“The continued threat posed by fireworks is serious, and these closures significantly reduce the risk of fire-related damage during Guy Fawkes.”
He says the authority will have security teams patrolling the maunga throughout the closure period and signage to remind the public of the restrictions will be in place.
Security teams will also be located on the maunga from Wednesday, November 6, to Sunday, November 10.
Majurey says the authority “continues to urge the Government to ban public sales of fireworks”.
“As long as fireworks remain available to the public, we have no option but to restrict access to the maunga to prevent destructive fires and the extensive damage they cause.
“The authority, alongside Auckland Council, the SPCA, and numerous other organisations across the country, will keep pressing the Government to tighten restrictions on the public sale of fireworks.
“It’s crucial that fireworks are only used in controlled environments, allowing people to enjoy them safely through organised public displays, while reducing the risk to people, property, and our sacred maunga,” says Majurey.
Fireworks set off over Guy Fawkes can ignite fires and cause stress for animals. Photo supplied DESIGNECOLOGIST on Unsplash
With just days until Guy Fawkes night in New Zealand, Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) is urging people to think about the risk fireworks pose before buying them.
And the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) is joining a petition calling for the public sale of fireworks to be banned.
The legal sale of fireworks gets under way around the country this weekend and fire brigades are preparing for a busy time of year with Guy Fawkes being staged on November 5.
FENZ community education manager Tom Ronaldson says fireworks cause unwanted fires and the toll these fires can take is significant.
“Since 2019 we’ve seen 676 fires caused by fireworks, 513 of which were vegetation fires,” Ronaldson says.
“One fire caused by fireworks is too many. It’s a preventable fire we have to attend.
“It’s also a totally unnecessary fire that may take our crews away from another emergency.
“We’d rather people didn’t buy fireworks but if people are going to purchase fireworks, then before lighting them they should always check it is safe to do so by going online to www.checkitsalright.nz, clicking on ‘fireworks’ and then checking it’s alright to light.
“If it is windy and dry in your area, don’t light them.”
Ronaldson says many parts of the country are drier than normal for this time of year, meaning the fire risks are already heightened.
If it is safe to light, people can take simple precautions to keep everyone safe.
This starts with checking for local bylaws for the rules around using fireworks in the area.
Once that’s complete, people should make sure they have a safe set up when lighting fireworks. This means:
Lighting them in a wide-open space, away from anything that could catch fire
Having a large bucket of water or hose at hand.
Ensuring your fireworks are pointed at the sky and won’t end up in anything that can catch fire including buildings or vegetation.
Being a good neighbour. Letting people know around you if you’re planning to set fireworks off, especially those with pets and livestock.
Disposing of your fireworks safely – soak them in water before you throw them out.
Pets of all shapes and sizes can be stressed by the sound of fireworks. Photo supplied Mikhail Vasilyev on Unsplash
Meanwhile, the NZVA is joining a petition calling to ban public firework sales and working to raise awareness of the risk fireworks displays can pose to animals.
“Every year, veterinarians are called to see horses that have been badly injured by panicking and running through fences, attempting to jump out of paddocks, or have run on to roads, endangering themselves and motorists,” the association says.
“Cats and dogs often get anxious and try to flee when fireworks are going off. As a result many each year are injured.
“Large animals in general suffer from fear and stress related to fireworks and the impact of fireworks on wildlife is also a recognised issue.
“With these concerns in mind, the NZVA is proud to support a petition by Animates Vetcare NZ calling on Parliament to ban the sale of fireworks to the New Zealand public.”
So far, more than 20,225 pet owners have signed the petition with 19,350 pets adding their paw prints.
NZVA head of veterinary services (companion animals) Sally Cory says small animals, particularly cats and dogs, have much more sensitive hearing than humans and will often try to flee during fireworks, resulting in an increased risk of injury and trauma.
“Around the time of Guy Fawkes, veterinarians tend to see cats that develop stress cystitis in response to the noise, which is a painful and distressing condition, usually requiring prompt veterinary intervention,” she says.
“We also see direct injuries from fireworks, anxiety issues, and stress can exacerbate heart or respiratory issues for pets with pre-existing conditions.”
Cory advises pet owners to ensure companion animals are microchipped, registered, and kept safely indoors during fireworks displays.
“It’s important owners are well prepared and pets have a safe place to hide that’s away from loud noises and flashing lights.
“It’s obviously difficult to plan for the unexpected, but for some pets with noise phobias and anxiety, owners could consider using calming medications.
“These need to be administered prior to the event under your vet’s advice.”
Here’s the NZVA’s tips to ensure a safe celebration for all:
Companion animals
Make sure your pets have a secure place to hide during fireworks
Stay calm as our pets pick up on our anxiety
To block noise, you may like to provide calming music or a white noise machine
Keep pets indoors and ensure doors and gates are closed and secure
Use calming aids, such as pheromone diffusers
If you need to take your pet outside to use the toilet, keep them on a secure leash to prevent sudden dashes if there are loud bangs.
Large animals
Move animals to a safe paddock, stable, or area away from fireworks and take other protective measures as needed
Make sure your fences and gates are secure
Check on animals regularly if there are fireworks going off near you
Keep your vet’s contact details on hand in case any of your animals are hurt or injured
Be careful when settling frightened animals, as they may react in uncharacteristic ways when distressed and can become dangerous
If your animals are likely to be distressed, ask your neighbours to consider adjusting the timing, location, or type of fireworks.
To sign the petition calling for a ban on the public sale of fireworks go online to pawprintpetition.co.nz
A St John Ambulance at the scene of the two-vehicle crash in Howick this morning. Times photos
Two St John Ambulance paramedics stopped to assist at the scene of a crash in east Auckland this morning as they were driving past.
The two-vehicle crash happened near a block of shops at the intersection of Vincent Street and Wellington Street in Howick at about 9.45am today, November 1.
It involved a Toyota and a Suzuki Swift. Neither driver appeared to be injured.
Several nearby workers came out to offer assistance to the drivers, both of whom were out of their vehicles and walking around.
One worker said he often sees motorists drive over the roundabout at the intersection instead of around it.
The Suzuki sustained damage to its right-hand side while the Toyota suffered frontal damage from the impact. A worker phoned police to report the collision.
