Source: New Zealand Police
Police are attending a crash on State Highway 8, Fruitlands – Roxburgh Road, near Roxburgh.
The crash involved a vehicle and a pedestrian and was reported just after 7.20pm.
The pedestrian has been seriously injured.
The road is currently closed, there are diversions in place from Roxburgh to Roxburgh Dam.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Here’s what road users need to know:
State Highway 21 (SH21) Airport Road, State Highway 1 (SH1) and State Highway 1C (SH1C) interchange at Tamahere are likely to be severely congested from tomorrow, Tuesday 10 through to Sunday 15 June, and motorists should plan ahead. Long queues and delays can be expected.
“We know that Fieldays attracts thousands of people every year, so we’ve planned for the inundation of traffic to Mystery Creek and surrounding state highways, by making some changes to help traffic flow,” says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Waikato Journey Manager, Andrew Brosnan.
“This year, there will be a closure of the SH21 northbound lane, between the SH21 Airport Road – Raynes Road intersection and the event. This lane will be closed from 7am to 10am and from 4pm to 6pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to reduce tailbacks on SH1 during the morning and afternoon traffic peaks.
“Tamahere Interchange will be closed between 6am and 11am,” Mr Brosnan says.
Alternative routes for people travelling through the area but not to Fieldays are to use State Highway 3 (SH3) and SH1C. People travelling from SH1 to Fieldays on SH21 Airport Road will not be affected. Through-traffic is limited to people living around SH21 Airport Road and school traffic including local school buses and parents travelling to and from Tamahere School and Tamahere Educare.
“Attendees should also consider taking the bus. There are several free services travelling to and from Fieldays every day,” Mr Brosnan says.
Regional buses and Hamilton City buses can be taken free to the Hamilton Transport Centre, and then out to Gate 1 at Fieldays, Mystery Creek with a valid 2025 Fieldays ticket which must be presented to the driver.
Regional buses include those from Raglan, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Paeroa, Te Aroha, Morrinsville, Huntly, Taumarunui, Te Kūiti and Tokoroa. Buses to Fieldays will depart from Hamilton Transport Centre approximately every 30 minutes from 7am to 11am returning from 1pm to 5.30 pm.
Visit fieldays.co.nz/attend-fieldays/getting-to-fieldays for more information.
While the event is on, people are encouraged to use alternative routes or travel arrangements between Tuesday 10 and Sunday 15 June.
Check Journey Planner before heading to Fieldays or if travelling through the area.
You can get real-time updates on traffic conditions around Mystery Creek at https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/regions/waikato/traffic-dashboard
Source: Auckland Council
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Kirks Bush in Papakura has been transformed from a neglected area into a cherished native forest, thanks to dedicated local volunteers. A new oral history project, led by historian Janine Irvine and funded by Papakura Local Board, is preserving the stories behind this community effort. The project honours the environmental, emotional, and cultural legacy of those who restored Kirks Bush—and calls for new volunteers to continue the work. |
For more than 30 years, a quiet transformation has taken place in Papakura at Kirks Bush. Once known as a place to avoid, this pocket of native forest has slowly become a sanctuary thanks to the tireless efforts of volunteer group Friends of Kirks Bush.
Now through the Kirks Bush Oral History project, those decades of dedication are being formally recognised, recorded, and preserved.
Led by historian Janine Irvine, and funded by Papakura Local Board, the project aims to capture and protect the stories for those who have played a role in reclaiming and restoring Kirks Bush.
Papakura Local Board Chair Brent Catchpole says local iwi – Te Ākitai Waihoua recognised the importance of preserving the stories and contributions of the Friends of Kirk Bush.
“The board are pleased to see the oral history come to fruition; Kirks Bush is a living taonga nestled in the heart of Papakura with a rich history and fond memories for local residents.
“I commend the Friends of Kirks Bush and all the community partners involved for their dedication to preserving this very special urban ngāhere that we all get to enjoy today.”
The oral histories are more than a record of volunteer labour; they’re a testament to community resilience and long-term commitment. From those who have spent countless hours pulling weeds, removing graffiti, advocating for improvements and kauri protection, this project is a chance to have their experiences formally acknowledged and archived for future generations.
In the Oral History of Kirks Bush, Muriel Nacey describes how rewarding it was to see people become more confident about walking in the Bush as conditions improved.
For Margaret Gane Kirks Bush offered her a kind of pause or reset from daily life. “They speak to me about something far bigger than me,” she describes, recalling the feeling of walking beneath the tall tree canopy.
“I come out and my life is so much more in perspective. Those trees have lived through things I have not seen.” she says
Kirks Bush survival amid Auckland’s urban sprawl is rare, and its transformation into a place of safety, learning, and connection is thanks to those who cared enough to act.
The Oral History of Kirks Bush ensures that this care is not forgotten. It recognises the decades of quiet mahi and honours those who made a long-term commitment to the land.
Many of the founding friends of Kirks Bush have now retired or passed on, and new volunteers are needed to carry this important work forward, to care for and nurture this very special place.
Become a Friend of Kirks Bush by volunteering today!
Contact Margeret Gane
Phone: 022 158 8064
Email: margaretjgane@gmail.com
Listen here: Friends of Kirks Bush Collection – Oral History – Kura
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Source: New Zealand Police
A 42-year-old man has been arrested and charged following an investigation into a series of burglaries across North Canterbury and Selwyn.
On Monday 9 June, three search warrants were executed, two at residential addresses and one at a storage unit.
CCTV supplied by the public and from building sites helped identify the person of interest; acknowledged by Police as being crucial in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion.
Burglaries at building sites cause significant disruption and financial loss to builders, contractors, and future homeowners.
Police urge the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity around construction sites.
The man has been bailed to appear on 13 June at Christchurch District Court.
ENDS
Source: Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
The Government’s Tourism Boost invested funding into Tourism New Zealand to drive international visitor numbers in the short term. This additional funding will encourage more visitors from New Zealand’s core markets of Australia, the United States and China over the medium to longer term.
This is the first investment in the Government’s Tourism Growth Roadmap, which sets the path for Government and industry to work together and double the value of tourism exports by 2034.
International visitors bring billions of dollars into the economy. This investment is expected to deliver an extra 72,000 international visitors, generating around $300 million in spending.
Funding comes from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) for 2025/26.
Read the Minister’s announcement:
Additional funding to attract 72,000 more visitors to New Zealand(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz
Source: New Zealand Police
Police investigating a fatal crash on the Desert Road/State Highway 1 on Saturday 7 June are seeking information from witnesses.
The crash was reported to Police just before 1:10pm.
We’re interested to hear from anyone who saw a yellow Suzuki Swift travelling southbound on State Highway 1 near Turangi at around 1pm.
This includes any dashcam or CCTV footage that could assist our enquiries.
If you have information, please contact Police on 105 either over the phone or online, and reference file number 250607/5123.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
A new $13.5 million investment in international tourism marketing is expected to deliver an extra 72,000 international visitors to our shores, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.
“The additional funding into Tourism New Zealand will drive international visitor numbers and will be targeted towards our core markets of Australia, the United States and China over the next few years” Louise Upston says.
“We know how important marketing is to attract visitors, with around 14 per cent of international holiday visitors directly influenced by Tourism New Zealand’s marketing activity.
“This is the first investment in the Government’s Tourism Growth Roadmap, which sets out a series of Government initiatives and investments for the Government and industry to work together to double the value of tourism exports by 2034.
“International visitors bring billions of dollars into the economy and these markets are the driving force behind our tourism sector.
“This investment is expected to generate around $300 million in spending, which is a very strong return on investment. International visitor numbers continue to climb and this boost will help drive further economic growth throughout the entire country.
“Encouraging more visitors means more people staying in our hotels, eating in our cafés, spending in our shops and visiting our attractions. This creates jobs and drives economic growth.
“We want people to know New Zealand is open for business and we welcome visitors with open arms.”
Funding comes from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) for 2025/26.
Source: Green Party
The Green Party is calling for the safe passage of the Madleen, a civilian aid vessel on course to Gaza, following the Freedom Flotilla being seized by the Israeli Military and urging the New Zealand Government to sanction Israel for its illegal occupation of Palestine.
“The Green Party is calling for the safe passage of the Madleen and for the New Zealand Government to step up and sanction Israel for its violent occupation of Palestine and continued disregard for international law,” says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson.
“The Madleen was trying to get much-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza, and has been intercepted by the Israeli Military in international waters. This seizure blatantly violates international law and defies the International Court of Justice’s binding orders requiring unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza.
“Weaponising critical humanitarian aid must stop. Shooting at innocent people lining up for kai must stop. Aotearoa New Zealand cannot remain a bystander to the slaughter of innocent people in Gaza.
“I was on a peace flotilla for Gaza almost ten years ago and it pains me to still see the need for one all these years later.
“If we stand for human rights and peace and justice, our Parliament must act. The New Zealand Government must sanction Israel and can do so by supporting Chlöe Swarbrick’s Member’s Bill. All we need is the support of six Government MPs to make this happen.
“In September, Aotearoa joined 123 UN Member States to support a resolution calling for sanctions against those responsible for Israel’s ‘unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in relation to settler violence.’
“Our Government has since done nothing to fulfil that commitment. Our Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill starts that very basic process.
“The Green Party stands with the Madleen and will continue to fight for the people of Palestine,” says Marama Davidson.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Source: Auckland Council
Rating valuation is undertaken every three years, by all councils nationwide. It’s legislated so councils fairly and accurately distribute rates.
Often, the process prompts a range of questions from our ratepayers – so we’ve busted some of the most common myths, below.
BUSTED: A change in your property’s CV (capital value) will not necessarily mean your rates will be higher for an increased value, or lower for a decreased value. It’s how your property value moves with the average change, that affects rates.
To explain… if your residential property’s value change is higher than the overall average change, you will pay more in rates. Valuation changes below the average change will mean rates fall relative to the general increase.
BUSTED: Property rates contribute to about 40 per cent of council funding. Property values help us share that rates revenue fairly across all property owners – the values do not increase or decrease the amount the council receives.
A council valuation has the sole purpose of enabling rates to be fairly shared across 630,000 properties in our region.
BUSTED: The average residential rates increase for 2025/2026 will be 5.8 per cent which was set through the council’s budget process. But it’s how the change in your property’s CV compares to the change in other properties that will determine whether your increase from 1 July is more, or less, than 5.8 per cent.
BUSTED: The values are not a good indication of what a property would sell for today. We recommend ratepayers reach out to local real estate agents or registered valuers for an up-to-date appraisal. Rating valuations are only used to fairly set rates.
The property valuations will reflect the likely selling price of the property, without chattels, if it sold on 1 May 2024. Council valuations should not be used for insurance or mortgage purposes.
The latest values (based on 1 May 2024) are a historical moment in time. Values are completed by mass valuation, using information held by council and valuers – not by individual inspection.
More information is available on the Auckland Council website.
The latest revaluation trends for Auckland are summarised on OurAuckland.
Source: Auckland Council
Auckland ratepayers will receive new property valuations this week, as Auckland Council prepares to update rates from 1 July 2025.
The rating valuations Auckland property owners receive this week are based on property market trends and recent sales activity as at 1 May 2024. Therefore, the valuations are not intended to accurately reflect current market value – instead, the information will help enable rates to be fairly shared across Auckland’s 630,000 properties.
The new rating valuations have been prepared by two independent valuation providers, QV and Opteon. These experienced property valuers have worked closely with Auckland Council to deliver valuations that meet robust standards.
Auckland Council chief financial officer Ross Tucker said he was pleased to announce that the Valuer-General has now approved the new valuations for release to Aucklanders.
“As we know, the last council valuations from 1 June 2021 were completed close to the market peak and between then and May 2024 the economy and property market generally trended down. Therefore, as most people would expect, the May 2024 Capital Values (CVs) are lower than the previous 2021 CVs for many properties,” said Mr Tucker.
The overall CV movements between June 2021 and May 2024, by property type for Auckland, are:
Valuation movements over that period also varied across the Auckland region. Residential properties in centrally located local board areas tended to see a bigger reduction than those further out.
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Auckland Council Chief Economist Gary Blick said it is important to note that the last two Auckland rating valuations happened to coincide with markedly different stages of the recent economic cycle.
“At the time of the 2021 rating valuation, in June 2021, the Official Cash Rate (OCR) had been at an all-time low,” says Mr Blick. “We saw exceptionally low mortgage rates and strong upward pressure on property prices. The 2021 rating valuation reflected those higher prices.
“In contrast, the 2024 rating valuation in May 2024, occurred when the OCR had been lifted to its recent high of 5.5 per cent. Higher interest rates cooled buyer demand, leading to a decline in property prices.
“Despite that fall, the median house price as at June 2024 was still above the level just prior to the OCR cut of March 2020, and that remains the case today. The recent economic cycle – with its unusually steep climb and fall – helps explain why some properties have had swings between the two rating valuations.”
The valuations do not change how much the council takes in rates – this is set annually following community consultation. For 2025/2026, Auckland Council has approved an overall average rates increase of 5.8 per cent for residential ratepayers.
The council has kept the rates increase down, due to the commitment made as part of the council’s Long-term Plan 2024-2034, along with good progress in savings.
“We are acutely aware of the tough cost of living facing our community and we continue to work hard to achieve council savings and improve value for ratepayers, to help keep rates as low as possible,” said Mr Tucker.
“Most Auckland ratepayers will see some degree of rates increase from 1 July 2025. However, how a residential property’s CV changes compares to other properties in the region will generally determine whether that property’s rates increase from 1 July is more, or less, than the 5.8 per cent average.
“If your residential property value has reduced more than the average (-9 per cent) change between the two valuations, you can expect a smaller rates increase than the 5.8 per cent. Conversely, if your property value held up better than the average, then you can expect a larger rates increase.”
For 2025/2026, the annual rates for an average residential property (CV $1.29 million) will be $4,069. The 5.8 per cent average increase for 2025/2026 will equate to $223 per year or around $4.30 per week.
Anyone concerned about paying their rates is encouraged to get in touch to access a range of assistance available. This information can be found on the Auckland Council website and rates notices.
Ratepayers can access their property valuations via the Auckland Council website from Tuesday, 10 June 2025. Formal notices will be posted or emailed from Friday, 13 June 2025.
The rating valuations are based on 1 May 2024. At that time, these were the high-level trends for residential properties compared to the previous valuation:
Values for areas further from the city centre have held up slightly better (Hibiscus & Bays, Upper Harbour and Franklin range from -4% to -1%).
Conversely, properties closer to the city centre generally had above-average reductions (-11 to -14%). These include Puketāpapa, Albert-Eden, Maungakiekei-Tāmaki, Waitematā and Whau (all -14 or -13 per cent). This may be influenced by the varied market, including apartments, multi-units and stand-alone homes, which all have different sales trends.
In some areas, reduced demand for properties with redevelopment potential has contributed to larger value declines. These include Māngere Bridge, Henderson, Massey, Glen Innes, Point England and Panmure.
Land values have driven changes in CV. For many residential properties, land values had fallen an average of -13% and commercial land is also down -6%. The reduction in land values reflects reduced development activity since 2021 and, in some cases, potential zoning changes.
Some have bucked the trend. Rodney held its values (average 0% change) and Great Barrier is up (+38%). This is a continuing trend, with residential values on Great Barrier up 59% at the 2021 revaluation.
For storm-affected properties, it is difficult to quantify the overall effect of the 2023 storms on the market due to the number of variables involved. For instance, values in Muriwai have increased by 12%, whereas values in Henderson have fallen by 10%.
Valuers assess a property’s CV by analysing data, such as local sales, property type, location and other property factors. The values are not a good indication of what a property would sell for today (the values are based on 1 May 2024).
Rating valuations allow rates to be fairly shared. Council valuations do not accurately reflect a property’s current market value and should not be used for insurance or mortgage purposes.
A change in a property’s CV will not necessarily mean the rates will be higher for an increased value, or lower for a decreased value. Properties with a valuation change higher or lower than the region’s average, will pay a higher or lower proportion of rates.
How a property’s CV compares to other properties in the region will determine whether a property’s rates increase from 1 July is more, or less, than the average residential rates increase of 5.8 per cent, which was set through the council’s budget process. The new CV will be used to calculate rates for the next rating year, which starts on 1 July 2025.
Property values going up do not increase the total rates the council collects, and likewise downward values do not decrease the total rates the council collects. Valuations simply allow the amount of rates to be fairly shared.
For your average stand-alone home, the valuers would look at sales of comparable homes – similar land size, floor area, quality condition and location attributes, such as coastal properties.
Valuers analysed market sales in areas of Auckland around 1 May 2024, considering similar properties and locations. For example, renovated villas in Grey Lynn are compared with sales of other renovated villas in that immediate area.
So, a typical residential property would usually move in value along with other similar properties in the neighbourhood. But not all property values in an area will change in the same way – it depends on standalone houses, cross-leases, units and other home types.
Values are done by mass valuation, using information held by council and our valuation providers – not by individual inspection.
Anyone concerned about paying their rates is encouraged to get in touch as we have a range of assistance available. These include:
The rates rebate threshold for SuperGold card holders will increase from $31,510 to $45,000 from 1 July 2025. This will make more ratepayers who receive NZ superannuation eligible for a rates rebate.
This information can be found on the Auckland Council website and our rates invoices also detail the support available. We encourage ratepayers to consider their options.
For more information and frequently asked questions, visit the main Auckland Council website.