By Emma Andrews, RNZ Henare te Ua Māori Journalism Intern and Giles Dexter, Political ReporterA hīkoi from the top of the North Island to Wellington is still on, despite the Treaty Principles Bill being introduced to Parliament ahead of schedule.Listen to Morning Report here: Govt set to introduce Treaty Principles Bill to ParliamentThe introduction of the government's controversial Bill was supposed to take place on 18 November, but will now be introduced by this Thursday, acting Leader of the House Simeon Brown confirmed last night.The news has not deterred the hīkoi away from the original plans. It is instead fuelling tangata Tiriti to immediately encourage the cause on social media.Te Pati Māori co-Leader Rawiri Waititi told his livestream viewers on Tuesday evening that the coalition government had changed its plans because of the "million man march"."This is the undermining, deceitful, vindictive nature of this Kāwanatanga," Waititi said."Knowing that the hīkoi is arriving in a couple of weeks, they have decided to introduce the Treaty Principles Bill as early as [this] Thursday."Listen to Morning Report here: Labour leader on introduction of Treaty Principles BillThe planned nine-day Hīkoi mō te Tiriti will begin on 10 November with marchers gathering at Pōtahi Marae in Te Kāo, before setting off from Cape Reinga the next day.Associate justice minister David Seymour, who is responsible for the bill, said he had only received a copy of the Waitangi Tribunal's report on Tuesday evening, and so could not comment on its contents yet.However, he accused the Tribunal of breaking the government's trust."It demands information from the government, such as the date the Treaty Principles Bill is to be introduced to Parliament, but the information becomes public within hours of them knowing. Respect should go both ways," he said."The Treaty Principles Bill provides an opportunity for New Zealanders - rather than the courts and the Waitangi Tribunal - to have a say on what the Treaty means. Did the Treaty give different rights to different groups, or does every citizen have equal rights? I believe all New Zealanders deserve to have a say on that question."The introduction of the bill is part of ACT's coalition agreement with National.RNZ has also approached Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka for commentThose joining the hīkoi wil follow the same path as Land March hīkoi led by Dame Whina Cooper in 1975.Waititi said his party found out the breaking news the same time the public did.Both co-leaders said the strategy of moving the announcement forward was "paruwaru" and "paruparu" (dirty).In January this year, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the government would honour the Treaty and had no plans to amend or revise it or Treaty settlements.Luxon also stated a desire to work with Māori to deliver improved outcomes but acknowledged there were differing opinions of how that should be done.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer told tangata Tiriti to not be distracted by the move."This is not accidental. This is absolutely calculative, it is premeditated, and this is exactly how they've been manipulating their power and their influence as government," she said.Ngarewa-Packer said the sudden change was due to the momentum of the hīkoi."We carry on, and keep doing the kaupapa, manaaki the kaupapa, manaaki each other."She also encouraged the viewers to bring anyone and everyone to the hīkoi mō te Tiriti."Don't come down with empty seats."The final message to Māori from Te Pāti Māori co-leaders was that the hīkoi wasn't just about Māori, it's for everyone.The issues with the new BillIn September, Cabinet agreed to and released the principles as they would be worded in the bill:1. Civil Government: The Government of New Zealand has full power to govern, and Parliament has full power to make laws. They do so in the best interests of everyone, and in accordance with the rule of law and the maintenance of a free and democratic society.2. Rights of Hapū and Iwi Māori: The Crown recognises the rights that hapū and iwi had when they signed the Treaty. The Crown will respect and protect those rights. Those rights differ from the rights everyone has a reasonable expectation to enjoy, only when they are specified in legislation, Treaty settlements, or other agreements with the Crown.3. Right to Equality: Everyone is equal before the law and is entitled to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination. Everyone is entitled to the equal enjoyment of the same fundamental human rights without discrimination.The Waitangi Tribunal had already released one report in August but re-convened following the release of the principles. This second interim report is a result of that hearing.It said Crown and claimant evidence overwhelmingly agreed the principles did not reflect the meaning or intent of the Treaty or its existing principles."It is a statement of a new principle that bears no relation to article 1, overstates the kāwanatanga of the Crown, and ignores the two spheres of Crown and Māori authority that the Treaty/te Tiriti established, where overlaps must be resolved by good faith cooperation between the partners," it said of the first principle.On the second, it said the principle was the "complete antithesis" of article 2, and Cabinet's approval of it breached te Tiriti."It does not in any sense reflect the text or meaning of article 2, and would instead seriously damage the tino rangatiratanga and rights of Māori that article 2 guaranteed and protected."While Crown officials did not criticise the wording of the third principle, the Waitangi Tribunal disagreed. - RNZ

By RNZ reporter Nik DirgaAfter one of the most unpredictable election years in American history, the country is finally nearly ready to choose its next president. Here's what you need to know about when to expect results.Election Day is Tuesday, 5 November US time, and will decide whether Republican Donald Trump or Democrat Vice-President Kamala Harris will lead the country.Trump would be the first former president to win a non-consecutive term since Grover Cleveland back in the 1890s, while Harris would be the first woman president.When are results going to start rolling in?For us watching in Aotearoa, voting will begin overnight New Zealand time on the evening of 5 November, and will close for the final state in the early evening Wednesday, 6 November.Unlike New Zealand, Election Day is held during the work week, always on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Federal law does not require people to get time off work to vote, although many states do allow people to take time off.Here's the times polling begins to close in each of the 50 states. Some poll times may vary slightly due to local time zones. Daylight Savings Time begins 3 November in the US so time differences may not be accurate until after then.6pm EST / 12pm NZ Time 6 NovemberPartial closures in Indiana, Kentucky7pm EST / 1pm NZ TimeFlorida, Georgia, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia7.30pm EST / 1.30pm NZTNorth Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia8pm EST / 2pm NZTAlabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia (Washington DC), Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas8.30pm EST / 2.30pm NZTArkansas9pm EST / 3pm NZTArizona, Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Wisconsin, Wyoming10pm EST / 4pm NZTMontana, Nevada, Utah, Idaho11pm EST / 5pm NZTCalifornia, Oregon, Washington state12 midnight EST / 6pm NZTHawaii, parts of Alaska1am EST / 7pm NZTThe rest of AlaskaSome states will have the winners named almost instantly due to exit polling by organisations such as the Associated Press, while others may take some time to tally.About 66 percent of eligible US voters, or 158 million people, turned up in 2020, the highest in decades.What might hold the results up?There are an unprecedented number of legal challenges already being thrown around in the race this year, such as in Georgia, where the courts have been arguing over a Republican-led challenge that would require poll workers to hand-count ballots, a change that voting rights groups warned could cause chaos.Other last-minute court actions could end up delaying results in some states on Election Night. There are also concerns about possible violence at the polls due to the extremely heated rhetoric and conspiracy theories all floating around out there.Aren't people voting already?Yes. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, early voting has become much more popular in America and has seen a record turnout in many states this year.Almost every state allows early voting, although some require an eligible reason to vote by mail.Absentee ballots for US residents living overseas or military personnel went out a while back and sometimes take extra time to factor into the final results.Image RNZWhat are the big states to look out for?The seven swing states that may decide this year's election due to the vagaries of the Electoral College are considered to be Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Georgia and Michigan. All but two of them - Arizona and Nevada - are on the eastern side of the US, which means we may know most of their results earlier.Read more:What you need to know: The Electoral College explainedAn awful lot of the most populated states are pretty much guaranteed to go solidly for one candidate or another - California and New York are certain for Harris, while Texas and Florida are quite likely for Trump. It's the ones on the tipping point that will decide the election.So when do we usually know a winner?It's not uncommon for the presidential winner not to be named on Election Night. Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election wasn't officially declared until 7 November - four days after the 3 November vote.Sometimes a winner becomes clear earlier, as when Republican John McCain conceded in 2008 on Election Day shortly before 11pm in the eastern US, before polls in the last few states had closed. On the other hand in 2000, the tight battle between Democrat Al Gore and Republican George W. Bush was only settled by the US Supreme Court on 12 December.If there is a landslide towards one candidate or another - say, if Trump or Harris sweep east coast states like Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia - it's possible the picture may become clear by late afternoon NZT on 6 November.But at this point, anyone who says they know for certain exactly what time America's next president will be decided is taking a shot in the dark.US election live: 'I'm the opposite of a Nazi': Trump rejects cricitism he's a 'fascist'Trump unveils the most extreme closing argument in modern presidential history - RNZ

The temperature is on the rise as we go through the week with warm air being dragged in from the west. This warmer air also brings risk of heavy rain – mainly for the west of the South Island, MetService predicts.Largely fine and sunny conditions are likely for most of the country as a high pressure system sits over Aotearoa New Zealand today (Monday), however a series of fronts moving up the South Island bring in wetter conditions, particularly along the west.A Heavy Rain Watch has been issued for the Westland District south of Hokitika from 12pm today until 1pm tomorrow; and for the ranges of the Buller District, and the Paparoa Range for Tuesday from 6am to 9pm.Rain moves over northern parts of the South Island and the lower North Island on Tuesday, otherwise the forecast is for dry weather with areas of cloud to the north, and sunny spells increasing from the south.  Showery conditions move up the North Island on Wednesday as the front continues on its journey northwards.MetService is forecasting warmer temperatures as the week progresses with westerly winds bringing warm subtropical air onto the country. By Thursday temperatures are expected to reach above-normal maximums for this time of the year for many parts of the country, especially in the east, with maximums of 23°C for Ōamaru, 25°C for Christchurch, 26°C for Alexandra and 27°C for Ashburton in the South Island.MetService meteorologist Oscar Shiviti says sunny conditions are expected for the North Island today under a high-pressure system, however, a series of fronts move up Aotearoa New Zealand today from the south, with possible heavy showers and a risk of thunderstorms for the west of the South Island. “While wet conditions are expected with the passage of the front, we do expect New Zealanders to realise warmer temperatures towards the end of the week as westerlies continue bringing warmer air onto the country,” Oscar says.

Fifteen is the age many young people lose interest in after-school sports and activities, studies show.Because of the brain benefits these experiences deliver, clinical psychologist Kathryn Berkett urges parents to encourage their teens to push through potential boredom and discomfort."That's literally the most important thing for our brain - learning how to push through tolerable stress experiences," she told RNZ's Nine to Noon.Listen here on Nine to Noon.'Tolerable stress' is the kind of stress that pushes us out of our comfort zone at the time, Berkett says, but, like a roller-coaster ride, delivers a rush of brain benefits after."Your brain says 'you've freaked me out', and then it gives you a rush of dopamine, which is our buzz hormone. Afterwards, you go 'oh my goodness, I did it' despite the fact that you may not have actually enjoyed that moment."Educational psychologist Kathryn Berkett Photo: Supplied via RNZParents need to try and assess whether the activity they're teen is wanting out of is tolerable or truly intolerable."It's positive if it's tolerable but it's negative if it's intolerable stress."Berkett pushed her own daughter, who excelled at school, to continue karate classes after she started losing interest."I was very, very determined to make her keep going because it was where she was experiencing failure. Even though that sounds strange, it's one of the most important things we can ever learn."Because she wasn't [experiencing failure] at school, I really wanted her to stay so I sort of cajoled and bribed, and I made sure that she was going despite the fact that she mostly didn't like it … I knew the outcome [would be] really positive."Teens should know that their parents value their continued involvement in activities, Berkett says, but the participant needs to be getting something out of it as well."I've never done music and I wanted [my kids] to do it so I pushed them a little bit but then I could see neither of them were really buzzed about it."In the teen years, as hormones surge, parents are naturally "pushed to the outer circle" as young people seek their identity as part of a new tribe.Understanding those dynamics - how teen girls "fall oxytocin in love with each other" and teen boys crave testing their physical strength, for example - increases parents' capacity to encourage their children, she says.For the developing teen brain, almost any kind of activity is better 'than the "instant and unpredicted dopamine activation" of being on a device, Berkett says.Once a teen has gone through with a class or activity they weren't really into, Berkett suggests checking in later in the week, pointing out any positive effects observed."Try and get them to process that the after-effect is worth the potentially not-positive [feeling] in the moment. That's a really important thing, to show them that [the activity] was fun. They did have fun." - RNZ

Mistakes made in the last round of Otago Regional Council rates invoice have affected 972 ratepayers in Ōamaru.Otago Regional Council is apologising to more than 14,700 ratepayers – in the Ōamaru and wider Dunedin district areas – with two errors identified.Council chief executive Richard Saunders says the errors will require amended rates invoices to be sent to affected ratepayers.“We’re sincerely sorry for the inconvenience caused to ratepayers and will be amending processes in the future to ensure there’s no repeat.”In the Ōamaru area, a new transport rate was incorrectly applied and overcharged on a small number of contiguous properties (properties bordering each other with the same owner, and being operated as one unit), which should not have received the $5.45 (including GST) fixed charge.The 972 people in Oamaru incorrectly charged the rate, have been advised by letter that their rates are being credited, and they can either reduce the payment amount to ORC if they have not yet paid their rates, claim a refund, or use as a credit toward next year’s rates, Richard says.Separately, in the wider Dunedin district there was an error in the Rating Information Database which resulted in the expanded Leith indirect flood rate being omitted from some property rate charges.“We’re very conscious of the financial demands being placed on ratepayers around the country at present, and I can only highlight that the majority of the undercharging for Indirect Leith flood protection rate averages between $15 to less than $20 per property,” Richard says.The estimated cost of reinvoicing for the rates was less than $20,000.Ratepayers for the Leith Indirect Rate will shortly be sent a letter with their amended invoice.The correction to the Leith Indirect rate includes contributions from properties from the districts around places including Waikouaiti, Dunedin city, Middlemarch and Hyde, Mosgiel, Taieri, Outram, Allanton and Henley. 

By Katie Kenny, RNZ Digital Explainer EditorA month out from Christmas, the first of NZ Post's cut-off dates apply.These deadlines allow presents the best chance of getting under the tree in time, depending on their destination.If Father Christmas can deliver presents to the entire world in one night, why does it take so long for a box of chocolates to get to London? RNZ asked NZ Post to explain.Sending cut-off datesIf you are sending Christmas gifts to Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, or another country classified by NZ Post as "Zone E", the deadline for economy service is 25 November.Yes, that's before Black Friday, on 29 November. An American import, for many this marks the start of Christmas shopping.Economy items destined for Asia, Europe, North America, the South Pacific and the United Kingdom need to be sent by 1 December, or 2 December for Australia.If you are posting within Aotearoa New Zealand, you have more time. The cut-off date for domestic economy items is 18 December.And for international courier services? The deadlines are 8 December for Asia, Europe, North America, the South Pacific and the United Kingdom, and 9 December for Australia. (Note, some international destinations are not reachable by NZ Post's courier service.)If you are willing to pay for the express service, sit back and relax: you do not need to have your items in the post until 11 December for Zone E countries, 13 December for Asia, Europe, and so on, and 16 December for Australia.Of course, NZ Post acknowledges the cut-off dates are "targets only".Domestic deliveriesLet's say I have dropped off an Auckland-bound parcel at my local post shop in Dunedin. South Island regional manager James Purdie tells RNZ what happens next.A courier collects it and others and takes them to the local depot, where they are consolidated with other freight. That evening, they are trucked to Christchurch.If I have paid for courier service, my parcel is loaded at Christchurch Airport onto a freight plane to Auckland. But if it is travelling via economy service, it is loaded onto another truck and driven to the top of the South Island, ferried to Wellington and driven the rest of the way to Auckland.The parcels are unloaded at the operation centre there and sorted, Purdie continues. The final step is being loaded onto a van for delivery to the Auckland address.Sorting, sortingNZ Post has four automated sorting centres in Christchurch, Wellington, and two in Auckland. Sorting at other centres is done manually, based on the item's destination and how quickly it needs to arrive.In the 2023 financial year, NZ Post delivered 84 million parcels, and 187m letters. That's 1.6m parcels per week.The week following Black Friday is typically NZ Post's busiest of the year. In 2023, roughly 2.3m items were delivered nation-wide. That number is expected to be 2.4m this year."A lot of Kiwis take advantage of Black Friday [sales] for Christmas shopping," Purdie says. In response, NZ Post brings on extra people and extra vans.International deliveriesNow, I'm posting another parcel, but this one is going to London. This is where NZ Post general manager export and international solutions Jared Handcock comes in.My parcel arrives at the gateway in the early hours of the morning. (All items leaving the country via NZ Post fly out of Auckland.) It's screened and x-rayed to check it does not contain any dangerous or prohibited substances. Only a small number of items are turned away at this point, Handcock says. A common culprit is perfume.My parcel - which does not contain perfume - is scanned into a mail bag which in turn is scanned into an airline container. Within 12 to 24 hours, it's flown to its destination country. In this example, first to San Francisco and then to London directly."We service 130 destinations directly," Handcock says. "We do have other hubs; some smaller European destinations will be reached by truck from London."After landing in London, all the items are handed over from the airline to NZ Post delivery partners, who facilitate customs clearance into the country and enter the items into their delivery network.International expressThe international express network is NZ Post's fastest - and most expensive - service, sending parcels, letters and documents to 220 destinations within one to five days.From Auckland, express items are handed over to logistics company DHL, who take care of the rest of the delivery process.Calculating cut-offsDuring busy times of the year, NZ Post does a lot of planning based on updates from overseas delivery partners."We ask our partners when they need product, and work backwards from there," Handcock says. "The closer [the destination] to New Zealand, the more confident we are about the timeframes, as there are fewer touch points."When items are sent to the other side of the world, NZ Post is typically allowing three to four days of additional transit time. The rest of the time is a buffer for customs and handling prior to entering the delivery network in the destination country.Buying from overseasIf I've bought an item from an overseas retailer, how do I know if it'll arrive on time?NZ Post also brings forward cut-off dates for inbound mail, Handcock says. To have any chance of landing on your doorstep by 25 December, international items need to arrive at NZ Post's international gateway and have received border clearance by 9 December for bulk mail and letters, 11 December for courier economy service, and 16 December for courier service.Obviously, you need to buy your items well before those dates.Final destinationLet's go back to Auckland, for a moment, where my friend is awaiting her gift.I've given my friend a tracking number, so she can see when the parcel reaches the depot. After it has been allocated to the right courier, depending on where she lives, she will see an update saying it is out for delivery. It will be one of hundreds of thousands of parcels out for delivery that day across the country.The final scan shows it has been left in a safe location, because my friend provided NZ Post "authority to leave" the parcel on her doorstep.The parcel's final movement? From the threshold to under the Christmas tree."It's a pretty cool feeling," Purdie says, "delivering Christmas for New Zealand."

“If you like the music of Haydn and Mozart, you're going to love this, to put it pretty simply,” says Ōamaru Chorale music director David Beattie.The local singing group is performing Dixit Dominus, composed by Marianna Martines, one of 18th-century Vienna’s most prominent composers, at St Paul’s Church, Saturday 9 November, at 3pm.David’s history with the Chorale, previously called the Ōamaru Choral Society, dates back to when both his mother and father sang in it about 60 years ago, he says.He left Ōamaru in 1977, but returned early last year, “with the determination - because I knew the choir was in recess - to revive it”.A self-described “late starter” when it came to music, David made up for lost time by becoming a teacher.“The general thought when I came back to Ōamaru was that, having retired from music teaching, I would voluntarily do something to support certainly the classical side of music in this town.“So the really big thing that was in my mind when I came back, was reviving the choral society which had been in recess for, I think, about 12 years at that point.”The chorale may have more of a focus on a formal or “art music” repertoire than a regular choir, and David is a particular fan of Martines’ work. He describes her as his “favourite neglected composer”.“I might add that even today, at least historically, women composers are woefully ignored. So rather than get a choir together and give a concert of a whole lot of women composers, I like to focus on one, because I think that gets past ghettoising, as it were.”To put Martines in context, she was 12 years younger than Josef Haydn, who taught her music theory when she was a child, and 12 years older than Mozart, David says. “And as he grew up, he and Marianna enjoyed playing his piano duets together.”The Ōamaru Chorale has 14 members, and David would love more - especially men.“Considering that one of the works we're performing this time has got divided sopranos, we are really pushing it for what an all-comers choir can do, however, we seem to be getting there quite nicely.”The title piece Dixit Dominus (1774) will be preceded in the concert programme by Miserere (1768) and Keyboard Sonata in E Major (1765).It requires four soloists, and David has managed to secure the help of four senior Otago University voice students - Rosie Auchinvole, Rosie McAllister, Teddy Finney Waters and Kieran Kelly - to perform.“The pianist and I went down to Dunedin just over a week ago and we rehearsed the students, which they hardly needed because they're all so good and they're all so well prepared,” David says.The music is early classical, which was like a transition from Baroque, but developing the slower chord progressions and “poise and balance” associated with the classical period, he says.The first two pieces on the programme are “more sober” whereas the Dixit Dominus is “brilliant and spectacular”, David says.The choir will be accompanied on piano by Christine Turner, with Mike Crowl performing a piano solo. The group has spent most of the year working on the pieces.“There's a lot of work that goes into it,” David says.Entry to the concert is by donation.

By Christine Rush, RNZExplainer - As another Guy Fawkes Night rolls around, you might be wondering when fireworks go on sale, where they're banned and how to protect stressed-out pets. Here's what you need to know.What is Guy Fawkes Night?For many Kiwis, the very English origins of this quaint annual event have been lost in the mists of time.In fact, Guy Fawkes Night commemorates the arrest on 5 November 1605 of the titular Fawkes, part of a group of English Catholics who had attempted to assassinate the Protestant King James I and blow up the House of Lords in what became known as the Gunpowder Plot. Post-Reformation England was still pretty raw on religious matters, and the public were allowed in later years to celebrate the king's survival and mark the papists' execution by lighting bonfires and fireworks.Even today in parts of Britain, scarecrow-like effigies of Fawkes, the Pope and unpopular politicians are carefully crafted and then dumped on public bonfires. The Bonfire Night in Lewes is particularly spectacular, as neighbourhood groups dress up and process through freezing streets of the historic Sussex town, many hauling barrels of burning tar en route to the fireworks display.In Aotearoa, there have been calls recently to "remember, remember the 5th of November" by marking the date as the invasion of Parihaka in Taranaki by colonial troops.When and where can I buy fireworks for a home Guy Fawkes party?In New Zealand, the sale of fireworks is restricted to just four days a year, from Saturday 2 November to Tuesday 5 November.Some stores offer and click and collect service, but the person picking them up must be aged over 18 and present a valid ID.For a long time, the Warehouse was Aotearoa's go-to for skyrockets and sparklers. The company stopped selling them in 2021, however, saying they did not reflect the company's values and most of its customers preferred public displays.Now, you'll find them in stores and roadside stalls such as Crackerjack, Cracker Shack, Online Fireworks, Pyro Company, Boom Brothers and Litworks.Photo: RNZWhere can I let off fireworks?Most councils around New Zealand allow fireworks to be let off on any private property year-round, provided you have the owner's permission.Auckland Council regulatory and community safety committee chairperson Josephine Bartley said although Guy Fawkes was enjoyable for some, for others it could be an unsettling and worrying time."Please be aware that others, including your neighbours may not enjoy the sound and sight of them and pets can also be distressed by them.""By all means enjoy fireworks in a safe and responsible manner, but please be respectful to others who may not share your enthusiasm for fireworks."The council had long campaigned for a ban on the private purchase and use of fireworks, she said.Where are fireworks banned?If you want to light fireworks away from home, you're probably out of luck.Bonfires are allowed on rural private land between 2-5 November, but a permit might be needed if your area is in a restricted fire season.Every year, Fire and Emergency NZ prohibits the private use of fireworks in certain areas. The up to date list can be found on its website.In most local council areas, the use of fireworks and bonfires are banned on all beaches and public parks.In Auckland, the ban extends to forests, conservation areas and roadsides, including any berms, footpaths or the street itself.And in line with recent years, the Tūpuna Maunga Authority is blocking off public access to all 14 mountains and volcanic cones around Auckland from this Saturday 2 November to Guy Fawkes Night to protect them from fires.The maunga - including One Tree Hill, North Head, Mt Roskill and Mt Albert - will be closed from 6pm until the usual gate opening times the following morning.Authority chairperson Paul Majurey said security teams would be patrolling the ancestral maunga over this period to remind the public of the restrictions.Road access to Muriwai Beach, in northwest Auckland, will be closed to all vehicles from 2-11 November this year, to mitigate fire risk, the council said.Can I buy fireworks now, then let them off later in the year?There is nothing to prevent people letting off fireworks any night of the year, and they often appear in our skies for sports matches, concerts, cultural events such as Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights and New Year's Eve, as well as the Lunar New Year.However, it is not recommended to store fireworks long-term as it could be hard to know whether they were still safe.How do I let off fireworks safely?If you have to ask, the short answer is: don't.FENZ says a responsible adult should always be around where fireworks are involved, and they shouldn't be lit in windy or dry conditions.Obviously, keep children and animals safe, don't point fireworks at people, property, plants or pets, pick a spot away from anything that could catch fire, and stand well back once they are lit.Keep water or a fire extinguisher on standby in case rockets go astray - roof fires are common occurrences at this time. And dispose of them safely, for example soaking them in a bucket of water before placing in your rubbish bin.Where can I see public fireworks displays?The number of public events specific to Guy Fawkes has dwindled around New Zealand. You're more likely to see fireworks associated with council-run events around Christmas and New Year's.This year, public events include (entry fees apply):Whangārei Fireworks Spectacular, Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei, 6-9pm, Saturday 2 NovemberFireworks Spectacular, Waikaraka Family Speedway, Onehunga, Auckland 7-10pm, Saturday 2 NovemberBlast in the Park, Anderson Park, Havelock North, 5.30pm-9.15pm Friday 1 November.Meeanee Speedway Fireworks Night, Napier, 6.30pm 2 November.Coca-Cola Fireworks, Nelson Speedway, 6-10pm 2 November.Anyone holding an indoor or outdoor fireworks display must have written permission from Fire and Emergency.You should allow FENZ eight working days to process your permit application.Labrador Penny is hoping for a less stressful Guy Fawkes this year. Photo: Calvin Samuel via RNZHow can we protect our pets from fireworks-induced stress?Guy Fawkes can be a hellscape for fur parents, whose pooches, cats or ponies end up quaking in a corner or galloping about in a panicked state - and the SPCA has long called for a ban on the private sale and use of fireworks.This year, RNZ and the SPCA are hosting a special Guy Fawkes Concert for Animals, with music specially selected to calm your pets.Concert for Animals will be broadcast free on 5 November and seeks to reduce the harm fireworks can cause by playing a range of music to calm, engage and enrich animals.If that doesn't soothe your pooch or puss, SPCA scientific officer Dr Alison Vaughan suggests talking to your vet now about possible medications, and ensure pets were inside after dusk, to prevent them running away.Are fireworks dangerous?Every year, hospitals report injuries related to fireworks displays - public or private.Last year, fireworks at the Waikaraka Speedway in Auckland landed in the crowd, burning spectators.Videos taken in the stands showed people shouting "get down" and "help" as the fireworks struck them. - RNZ

The ground has been broken for the Network Waitaki Event Centre build at Ōamaru’s Centennial Park.Representatives from Waitaki District Council, Network Waitaki, the Waitaki Event Centre Trust, Apollo Projects, Oamaru Veterinary Centre, and Dough Hurst met at Centennial Park on Tuesday to break ground for the future Network Waitaki Events Centre.Before the first sod was turned, Waitaki District Mayor Gary Kircher thanked the trust members for all their hard work. He also thanked Doug and Donna Hurst and family, for their $5 million contribution to the project. The Waitaki District Council has also contributed $15 million.The centre had been a vision for the community for at least 18 years, Gary said. “After today, our next big event will be the opening, and the community getting to use the facility they asked us to build.”Network Waitaki chief executive Dylan Andrews said the board of directors and the Waitaki Power Trust are thrilled to be part of the project.“It’s definitely needed, and we look forward to celebrating this facility opening in 2026.”Apollo Projects Southern regional manager Gerry Sullivan said the company is “privileged and proud” to be leading the build.“We enjoy building sports facilities, and we’ve built a few of them. They become a real focal point of the community, and it surprises us just how many different groups and clubs make use of the space created,” he said.Local contractors will also be offered the opportunity to be part of the project as it progresses.Fundraising is ongoing, with the Purchase a Plaque scheme for those wanting to make even a small contribution and have their name on the new building. Future opportunities to contribute will be made public soon.

Seventeen-year-old Ian Tacchini has autism spectrum disorder, and after getting a 3D printer about two months ago, he has gone into business making planters and vases. The Waitaki App caught up with the Ōamaru teenager and his mother Yanina, to talk about his new business venture.IanQ. How long have you been using a 3D printer? I have been using it for two months now.Q. What do you like about it? It 3D prints plastic and makes all kinds of useful things like planters, toys, lamps etcQ. What made you decide to make planters? Because my mum already sells plants.Q. How many have you made and sold? We did about over 60 planters already, and I sold over 30 now.Q. Where is the money going? A percentage of the money is going to (children’s charity) Koru Care, and another percentage is going to me to save money to one day buy a house.Q. The colours and patterns are amazing - where did the designs come from? The colours my aunty helped me with, and the designs come from a designer online and we chose the sizes and colours. I’m learning to make my own one day.Q. How long does it take to make one? One pot planter takes me five to six hours and a flower vase eight hoursQ. Have you had any help? I have the help of my Dad and my Aunty Mayra.Q. Is there anything else you would like to tell me about? Please buy one planter so I can raise money.YaninaQ. How did this idea come about? Ian always wanted to have his own 3D printer. His uncle used to own one and he always wanted to learn to use one. Pablo (his dad) is always looking for ways to connect with Ian and do things together.Q. Tell me a bit about Ian's challenges and why doing something like this is so good for him? Right now Ian’s main challenge is social. Kids on the spectrum are super hard to socialise. He really wants to make friends, but kids are not very keen to be part of his life. Ian’s social life is getting less and less so we are doing as much as we can to give him a purpose in life.Q. How complicated has it been to make it all happen? It's just complicated because we have to be involved, we already running companies, raising two other kids and working super hard, so this is like something extra for us. Even though Ian can do some things alone, he needs support all the way.Ian needs support to understand the most simple things … Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can significantly affect social communication and interaction, which can make even simple tasks or conversations feel overwhelming for someone like Ian.Ian labels his creations. Photo: Supplied/Yanina TacchiniFor many individuals on the spectrum, understanding social cues, body language, and even the subtleties of conversation can be quite difficult. While neurotypical people might pick up on these cues instinctively, those with autism may need explicit instruction and support to navigate social situations. This can include understanding tone of voice, facial expressions, or the nuances of sharing space with others.With Ian, it seems like his experience with autism makes everyday interactions a complex process. He may struggle to grasp concepts that others find intuitive, and that can require me and Pablo to be patient and creative in our explanations. It can also mean breaking things down into smaller, more manageable parts or finding alternative ways to communicate that resonate better with him.Q. Where can people buy the planters? You can buy planters and vases at Tees St cafe, Del Mar Restaurant and Art on Thames.Q. What does something like this do for Ian and maybe his self-esteem or self-worth? Supporting Ian in navigating social situations and developing skills can have a profound impact on his self-esteem and sense of self-worth. When he feels included in society and sees that he can contribute meaningfully, it helps reinforce the idea that he has value and is capable of achieving things that others appreciate.When Ian engages in activities that others enjoy or buy from him, it not only validates his efforts but also fosters a sense of belonging. It shows him that he can participate in community life and that his contributions matter. Over time, these experiences can build his confidence and help him see himself as someone who can make a positive impact.Additionally, as he learns to navigate social interactions, even in small ways, it can enhance his sense of independence. Feeling competent in these areas can further boost his self-esteem, allowing him to take on new challenges with a more positive outlook. Ultimately, being part of a community where he feels valued can help Ian cultivate a strong sense of self-worth, reminding him that he is capable and deserving of respect, just like anyone else.Ian's planters, including plants, are available at Del Mar Restaurant. Photo: Supplied/Yanina Tacchini

By Susan Edmunds, RNZ Money CorrespondentWhether New Zealand should have a capital gains tax (CGT) is one of those debates that doesn't seem to go away - no matter how much politicians might like it to.As a new poll shows two-thirds of respondents support a CGT in some form, one tax expert says it could be the Prime Minister's high-profile property sales bringing the issue to the forefront of people's minds.Here are six common questions - and answers - about how a CGT might workWhy have a CGT, anyway?There is an argument that there is inequity in the way we treat different types of income at the moment.Income from work is taxed, but income from assets is often not.At the moment, if someone does not buy a residential investment property, for example, with the intention of selling it, and holds it for at least two years, they do not pay tax on any value gain they make when they sell it.Tax expert Terry Baucher said Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's recent high-profile rental property sales might have drawn attention to the issue."Accidentally or not, the prime minister's sales of property probably sparked it up again."People were increasingly aware that the country needed more tax revenue, he said, and there were questions of fairness around how that was sourced.He said it seemed politicians were lagging the public on the issue. "We need to perhaps start talking about the amount of property politicians own."Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub said the country needed a wide-ranging conversation about what counted as income for tax purposes."We're starting from this weird thing of saying 'if you have a job and you earn a wage, that's income, but if you have an asset and it appreciates in value, that's done by your hard work and is not taxable'."You can't tax that, that's precious or sacred."Would it discourage investment?Finance Minister Nicola Willis has said she believes a CGT would discourage people from investing.In advice provided to the then-Minister of Finance and Minister of Revenue related to the Tax Working Group, Inland Revenue said at a high level there was no evidence of outright reduction in gross fixed capital formation or GDP growth in countries that implemented a CGT.Per capita GDP growth was higher in the five years after the introduction of a CGT in Canada, South Africa and Australia. This may have been affected by the timing of the business cycle - but "some critics of extending the taxation of capital gains have at times seemed to suggest that doing so would do catastrophic things to the economy. That is not at all apparent from looking at headline numbers," the briefing paper said.Eaqub said it was not clear that there was less entrepreneurship or fewer businesses starting in countries with a CGT."People are not motivated by tax, it's at the margin. It shouldn't be such a distraction that it stops you from doing things."He said there could be benefits if people were encouraged to keep their money in businesses and have them grow. "To say that people will stop starting businesses to me is extraordinarily hyperbolic and does not bear any resemblance to reality."Alan McDonald, head of advocacy at the Employers and Manufacturers Association, said businesses had concerns about the prospect of paying CGT on unrealised capital gains. Labour has talked about the prospect of a wealth tax that could include unrealised gains."There is also a school of thought that a CGT on property will increase the incentive to invest more in businesses or active rather than passive investments. Given there is already a CGT on investment properties, that doesn't seem to have shifted the business investment dial at all," McDonald said.Baucher said people needed to remember that not taxing things also created behavioural incentives, as much as taxing could. "That is in my view where we've got to with not taxing property."Would it mean someone could sell a house and not be able to buy another at the same value, because of the CGT bill?All discussion of a CGT in New Zealand to date has included an exemption of people's own homes, but there could be a situation where someone who sold a rental property for $500,000 could not buy another for $500,000 because of the tax involved.Eaqub said that could mean people were more inclined to hold on to their rental properties for longer."You'd be more likely to want to hold on than to flip, which is kind of why the bright-line test [which applies to rental property owned for less than two years] was brought in, in the first place."People forget that when the National government brought in the brightline test it was essentially a capital gains tax. If you removed the time limit it would become a fully fledged CGT."Baucher said people often incorrectly thought a CGT would apply to the entire selling price, rather than just the gain.Sarina Gibbon, general manager of the Auckland Property Investors Association, said a CGT was worthy of consideration but it should apply to all asset classes and not be specifically targeted at property.What about KiwiSaver?Some people have questioned how a capital gains tax would apply to savings in KiwiSaver,Eaqub said that came back to the question of what was in and what would be out of the regime.But he said there were good reasons why further tax might not be applied to KiwiSaver."If you pay tax on the way through, when you're getting returns, you've already paid tax and there should be no further tax to pay."If you haven't paid tax, for example on the value of a growing business, then it should be included."The Tax Working Group's final report said it did not see a case for "radically transforming" the taxation of retirement savings but it would support an increase in benefits for low and middle-income earners through KiwiSaver to encourage people to save more for retirement.Baucher said New Zealand was unique in that it taxed gains within retirement savings accounts as returns accrued. "If we were introducing capital gains tax we might look at that as part of the whole thing. It would be a big step and you would want to look at it as part of what else we need to do."Wouldn't we all end up paying 39 percent on gains?The brightline test applies tax on capital gains at an individual's marginal income tax rate when they sell a rental property within two years.That can mean that often a rate of 39 percent applies, which is high by international standards for capital gains tax.It would be possible that a capital gains tax could be set at a lower rate.Baucher said there was an argument that taxing at the marginal tax rate would also not account for inflation."You might choose to do what the Australians and Americans do - if it's a long-term gain held for more than 12 months, they tax only half of it but at the income tax rate so you effectively get a 50 percent discount.""You could tax non-residents differently."Isn't it just another tax?Eaqub said there was a misconception that a CGT would just be more tax to be paid rather than a tax that might allow the country to reduce other taxes."It's not necessarily about how much tax we pay but who bears the cost."He said the country had to decide on things like what services were required, to determine what tax take was needed in total. "The secondary question is when we want those taxes how should we collect them and who should pay...at the moment it falls on people between the ages of 30 and 64, the workers who have most of the income and most of the expenditure." - RNZ

With calving almost over across the majority of Otago’s 400-plus dairy farms, the Otago Regional Council is reminding farmers auditing and farm checks begin shortly.Council Coastal Compliance Monitoring team leader Mike Cummings encourages any farmer uncertain about consents to contact them as soon as possible.“With calving almost over for most dairy farmers, staff from ORC’s Compliance team will start heading out to farms as part of our annual dairy monitoring programme,” he says.Otago has 462 dairy farms with the majority clustered around the Waitaki and Clutha districts. Most of the remainder are on the Taieri Plains, Maniototo, Manuherikia, Ida Valley and Hawea Flat areas. The farms are monitored annually on a risk-based approach, focusing on supporting the sector.For the 2023-24 season, the Compliance team completed 400 dairy inspections, with some farms visited more than once, Mike says.“Farmers have been doing some great work over the years, which our dairy monitoring programme shows, but it is important that we carry on with this great work together.”This year the team will again be checking compliance with dairy effluent storage and application to land, and how silage, farm rubbish and offal are managed, he says.“The team will also be looking at where water is sourced from and how it is used on-farm.”While the programme is education-focused, appropriate compliance action is considered where needed, Mike says.Staff will engage with farmers on farm-specific topics which range from clearing drains and putting crossings over streams, to how best to comply with the rules.“The dairy programme gives us a great opportunity to continue to work with the dairy sector and have good conversations about their on-farm activities.”By 4 December, all dairy farms with less than 40 days’ effluent storage will need resource consent for applying dairy effluent to land and many farmers will also require consent for effluent storage.To contact ORC about consent issues, contact [email protected] or 0800 474 082.

By John Gerritsen, RNZ Education correspondentThere has been a call for an inquiry into the national distance education school, Te Kura, but staff fear losing their jobs if they speak out.RNZ has been told many staff are worried by what they say is a disturbing increase in student disengagement with many of its pupils submitting minimal work for the sole purpose of avoiding being kicked off the school's roll.Teachers could have no contact with a student for four months before the student was removed from the school's roll, a process they said was ridiculous.They also warned Te Kura's IT systems for learning and student management were slow and difficult for new learners to navigate."For a student to succeed at Te Kura, they have to be extremely conscientious. The bar for success at Te Kura is far higher than face-to-face," RNZ was told."The majority are severely disengaged to start with, but the system is failing them."Listen: Morning Report: Calls for inquiry into Te KuraEarlier this month, RNZ reported a whistleblower who said as many as three-quarters of the at-risk students they worked with were "sitting at home doing nothing" because they did not have the motivation or IT and learning skills to study remotely.Te Kura responded that only 35 percent of its more than 6000 full-time students referred by the Ministry of Education or Oranga Tamariki who had been enrolled for more than four weeks had not submitted any work this year - and a third of those students were still considered "engaged" because of other activities or contact with their teachers.The school also said 40 percent of its full-time, at-risk students achieved internally assessed NCEA credits last year - a record better than alternative education centres, which provided in-person supervision for at-risk teens.However, RNZ has since been told that Te Kura staff believe the school sets a low bar for engagement and submission of work, and say they are encouraged to to remove students from the school's roll for failure to engage with any work.RNZ has been told some students submitted work that was little more than a line or two of text and, in some cases, that text stated only that the student wanted to remain on the school's roll.A parent with a child at Te Kura told RNZ the level and volume of work accepted did not seem to be up to standard."Taking a photo on a family trip that we went on for the weekend - if they upload that, that's work for the month. If they draw a picture, that's work for the month. If they write a three-sentence story about an excursion they went on, that's work for the month," she said.RNZ has also seen internal data that showed some Te Kura teachers had received no work from most of their students in the past 30 days and no work at all from a small number of students.Other figures provided to RNZ showed 60 percent of Te Kura's current 15,800 students had submitted work in the past 30 days and 69 percent had been in some form of online learning session.RNZ has also obtained a letter drafted earlier this year by a member of the school's staff, warning MPs of a "student engagement crisis" and calling for an independent audit.The staff member did not send the letter because they believed it would have no impact unless they signed their name to it - in which case, they would lose their job."Our current practices allow students to remain effectively invisible, submitting minimal work or engaging in minute contact to reset their engagement status every three months. This not only undermines their education, but also raises serious questions about the role Te Kura is playing in their lives. The growing trend of students leaving mainstream education for Te Kura appears driven by the ease with which they can evade meaningful participation, a pattern that risks turning our school into a refuge for those seeking to avoid academia," the letter said.Read more:What counts as truancy and why is it a problem?The school's student management and learning management systems were "outdated and inefficient, hampering our ability to deliver quality education", the letter said.It also warned the introduction of new NCEA achievement standards had been chaotic, with most key subjects lacking essential content well into Term 3."This failure, coupled with the ongoing mistreatment of staff on fixed-term contracts, highlights a broader pattern of mismanagement that must be addressed," the letter said.RNZ understands other staff at the organisation agreed with the letter's content and that many staff want a review of wider schooling policies that lead to enrolment of at-risk students.Te Kura responseIn response, Te Kura said it closely monitored student engagement and removed students from its roll according to rules agreed with the Ministry of Education."Our processes ensure enrolment and engagement are genuine," it said.The rules showed the school received base funding of $20 million this year, plus $4958.74 per full-time student. A secondary student was counted as full-time if they enrolled in at least three subjects, the school said.It denied its enrolment policies were designed to maintain the school's funding.It said a recent audit resulted in the removal of just a few students from the roll."The majority of Te Kura's full-time ākonga are referred to us by the Ministry of Education under the criteria in the Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu Enrolment and Dual Tuition Policy. These students have typically disengaged from their previous schools. We welcome each enrolment in good faith, and we are committed to supporting every ākonga without question," it said.Te Kura said its computer systems had undergone significant improvements since their implementation, and the learning management system, used for teaching students, was a leader in its field.The school said it acknowledged staff concerns about the roll-out of new NCEA standards."Additional resources and relief were introduced to support key areas like digital submissions and development tasks, ensuring staff have the support they need."Frequent changes to specifications from the Ministry of Education and NZQA posed challenges, but our staff worked hard to stay aligned with these updates. We have worked swiftly to get back on track, ensuring open communication and support for our people," it said.The school denied mistreating staff on fixed-term contracts."Te Kura employs kaimahi on fixed-term contracts for genuine reasons, primarily due to our funding model, which depends on ākonga enrolments. When enrolments and funding are uncertain, we hire fixed-term kaimahi to provide additional teaching support for a set period. Te Kura has processes to review whether a fixed-term role remains valid or if it may become permanent."The school said increasing its per-student top-up funding for at-risk students to $3500 from 2026 would "make a significant difference to Te Kura's ability to support the engagement and achievement of ākonga at-risk of dis-engaging from education".Parents speak out on Te Kura experienceMeanwhile, parents of students enrolled or recently enrolled at Te Kura have contacted RNZ about their experience.Some spoke highly of the dedication of the school's staff, but others said it was not the right form of education for many children.Several said Te Kura worked only if young people were supported by their parents or a part-time tutor. One father described his son's experience as a student of the school about two-and-a-half years ago as a travesty.The Education Review Office warned in 2013 that at-risk students were being dumped on the school and it was the wrong place for at-risk students.Staff have been critical of the school's IT systems for more than a decade and an independent review obtained by RNZ in 2013 found significant failings. - RNZ

Waitaki farmers and the council’s Economic Development team have joined forces for a medicinal crop trial, in an effort to diversify land use in the area.The project has been given the name Waitaki Grown, and after a year of research, the five chosen crops have gone in the ground this spring.The group is made up of Ian and Gloria Hurst, Hayden Williams, Nick Webster, Peter Mitchell, and Philippa and Joe Cameron, who between them they farm crops, sheep and beef, and dairy. The crops, which remain top secret at this stage, were chosen through research and a bit of trial and error, Waitaki District Council Business and Enterprise Growth lead Rebecca Finlay says. “We just invited a group of progressive individuals who we thought had looked at diversification options in the past and maybe not been successful in isolation, and the whole idea was that we would bring them back, but as a cohort and look for more success as a collaborative group.”The crops are being grown on the farmers’ land across seven sites from Totara, Five Forks and Enfield, all the way up to Otematata.The group has been working together since September last year, and began by exploring different diversification options.Ideas ranged from agrivoltaics - the use of land for solar energy production and farming simultaneously, to cherry growing.“We looked to our neighbours to try and sort of learn from them. And we're aware that different districts, maybe were looking at like sheep milk or cider apples, or genetically modified apple that could grow further south.“We looked at cherries pretty hard and we know that Central Otago have gone all in on the cherries.”During the discovery phase, the group considered medicinal plants, and the natural health product market.“That gave us the clearest indicators of an emerging, growing export-led market. And with New Zealand's recognition internationally as a really kind of trusted brand, we thought that there was an opportunity to grow medicinal plants in New Zealand,” Rebecca says. “The coupling of unique selling points of natural health products and New Zealand's clean green image seems like a really great partnership.” Another appeal of the plants is the “low input” they require. They don’t need lots of fertiliser or water, which works in perfectly with current farming systems, and some are legumes, which are nitrogen-fixing, Rebecca says.“So you could really lower your environmental footprint across your farm if you took out a small quantity out of, say dairying, and put it into these medicinal crops.” The plants have been imported from India, Germany, and America, and all have been proven in clinical trials to have good health giving properties, she says. “So they deal with conditions that are on the rise, like metabolic illnesses, and anxiety and so on. We really see it as a growth area, unfortunately!”While the costs of facilitation and support from experts have been covered through Better Off Funding,  Rebecca says the farmers in the group have been “incredibly generous”.Some of the mystery medicinal crops in the ground. Photo: Supplied“We've got an arrangement with them, whereby council contributes some of the funding, but they're also giving up their time, using their machinery, taking their land out of current production . . . so everyone is bringing stuff to the party, which is the way that council wants to work, moving forward.”A small sample harvest will be done in the first year, but there won’t be a notable quantity harvested until the second year, she says.“So, May 2026, we'll know what we're dealing with.”Rebecca describes the trials as “essentially a really enormous experiment”.“And as any good scientist does, we're recording everything, so that we can obtain those numbers, which we're hoping will be really robust, and scale them up, so we can look at whether it's viable from an economic perspective and what's the environmental impact.“So recording anything that's put on crops, any watering, cultivation or planting, like, what are all those costs? What are all those other metrics that are going to indicate whether this is economically viable and environmentally advantageous.” While all this is happening, Waitaki Grown is also looking into how the value chain - the series of steps that go into creating a final product - can be retained in the Waitaki. “Moving away from an extraction economy in our primary sector and moving towards creating some really high-value products. So we're talking to local producers and manufacturers.”Rebecca says they would also like to hear from anybody who works in this area, and thinks they could contribute.  “Because we're looking at, ‘could we create an oil? Could we create a gummy?’ “What cool products can we create that Waitaki can be known for, based on this trial?” The plan is, if the trial proves successful, more farmers will join in. “We know that farmers learn and evolve by looking over the fence at what their neighbour's doing. So these farmers are basically pioneering this so that their neighbors can go, ‘oh, I fancy a bit of that’,” Rebecca says. “And we know that this Government has aspirations to double the value of exports in the next 10 years, and we see this as Waitaki's contribution.”  Rebecca wants to emphasise how generously the farmers involved in the project have engaged, and been willing to “put stuff on the table” to make things happen.They are also grateful to other business owners and rural professionals who have reached out, and made “invaluable contributions in a totally voluntary capacity”. “They’re awesome.”Nick Webster, who is based at Totara, says it’s exciting to be part of “trying to begin something new”. “The challenge will be delivering an end product that appeals to a consumer.”Optimising land and water use by the primary sector is one of the five key pillars of the Uplifting Waitaki: Hāpaitia te Waitaki Economic Development Strategy.A site visit. Photo: Supplied

By RNZ Senior reporter Keiller MacDuffRegional councils around the country will be horrified by central government "overreach" that scuppered a council vote via last-minute amendments to a bill going through Parliament, an Otago councillor says.The government introduced an amendment to its Resource Management Act (RMA) legislation on Tuesday preventing councils from taking environmental rules to the public before the new national policy statements are in place, or before the end of next year, whichever came first.Freshwater planning could include things like nitrate and pollution levels in waterways, stock levels, winter grazing and the creation and protection of wetlands.The Otago Regional Council (ORC) was due to vote on its Land and Water Regional Plan on Wednesday, but late on Tuesday chief executive Richard Saunders pulled reports from the agenda that would have seen councillors decide whether to forge ahead and seek public feedback or pause work on the plan.Councillor Alexa Forbes said the ORC had been prevented from playing its part in the democratic process and warned other councils would also be affected."We're not special, we're just first. The 16 regional councils of New Zealand are trying to bring in plans, they will be watching, and they are horrified at this overreach. So much for localism," she said.The council had spent five years working on the plan at a cost of $18 million.Saunders told the council the decision to withdraw the reports from the agenda was "not made lightly"."I am very conscious of the level of interest in this process and the ongoing work of a significant number of staff and our community that have got us to the point where we were prepared to deliver the plan..."What has changed significantly in the last 24 hours is the political context in which we're operating - it's our job to provide the best advice to inform those decisions and we've been unable to do that," Saunders said.The council still voted to note the report, and on motions from councillor Elliot Weir registering "deep concern" at the government's actions and requesting clarification on how regional policy statements would be honoured, both of which failed.Chairperson Gretchen Robertson described the plan as "pretty damn good", acknowledging the thousands of hours that had gone into it by community members, councillors and council staff alike.She said Environment Minister Penny Simmonds had "consistently stated councils have the autonomy to decide on timing of the public notification of their freshwater plans", but that the government "has a right to change the law".The council was working under a previous ministerial directive to get a new plan in place by June 2024, ahead of other councils, which have a 2027 deadline.Councillor Alan Somerville warned delaying the plan would "bring clarity for nobody," and classed the government's actions a "significant undermining of local democracy".Councillor Michael Laws accused the council of playing chicken with the government in the face of multiple requests to halt the plan process.Federated Farmers supports government moveFederated Farmers has branded the move a win for common sense."Regional councils have been totally out of control pushing ahead with expensive and impractical new freshwater rules," Federated Farmers vice-president Colin Hurst said.In September, the organisation wrote to Simmonds, urging her to insert an amendment to Section 80A of the RMA to suspend the power of regional councils to publicly notify freshwater planning until new national policies were in place.The letter specifically named Otago, Canterbury and Southland regional councils as having freshwater planning underway which the councils were likely to notify later this year or early next year.It went on to note both Federated Farmers and Dairy NZ also made this suggestion in their select committee submissions on the bill.Green Party environment spokesperson Lan Pham called the move a "complete democratic override of local decision making".The government was saying "do it our way or we will intervene," she said.Its approach was part of a "comprehensive dismantling" of environmental legislation alongside the defunding of agencies and science institutes that "support good decision making", Pham said.The ORC's 20-year-old plan was badly in need of updating, and had gone through a lengthy process with input from urban and rural industry groups, public meetings, mana whenua and experts.Labour's shadow attorney-general, David Parker, said the council had worked very hard on the plan over several years only to have the government "dump an amendment in the house" in an attempt to "subvert the current law".Parker argued that because the law containing the new amendment had yet to pass, the council could have gone ahead with its vote.He said some of the region's waterways were under pressure from sediment, pathogens and nutrients such as nitrate from intensive land use. Some still did not have statutory minimum flow levels, even 30 years after the RMA was introduced, Parker said.Simmonds defended the move, describing it as a "pause" that will save ratepayers money from double handling.She said the degradation of freshwater had happened over many decades, and would take time to improve."This is about protecting the interests of the primary sector, resource users, and ratepayers. Ratepayers and farmers need certainty, and they don't deserve to have their money wasted," Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said.Ministers Simmonds and McClay met with Otago council leadership in mid-September to reiterate their "strong preference" council not go ahead with the plan , but votes to suspend work were lost. - RNZ

No parent wants there to be a gap between what they can provide and what their child needs, says Ōamaru mother Bridget Coster (4-minute read).Aoife Coster is a bright, chatty two-year-old who likes to play with her dolls and bounce with her siblings on the trampoline.But Aoife can’t walk, and her parents Bridget and David Coster are now battling to raise the money to give her that chance.Aoife was born at 25 weeks’ gestation. On top of the health complications that causes, she is also the surviving twin from twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.This only happens in identical twin pregnancies, when the two babies receive an uneven share of the blood flow from their shared placenta. One twin receives too much blood, while the other doesn’t receive enough.The condition in this instance was diagnosed as stage four, which made treatment more complicated.A laser ablation procedure to fix the problem went wrong, and rather than even out the blood flow between the two babies, it reversed it, Bridget says.“Aoife was the twin who was getting too much blood for the whole of the pregnancy and that is actually usually the twin that passes away. But then she became the twin that wasn't getting enough blood . . . and their bodies had got so used to the uneven flow, for it to change was not great.”Even though an emergency c-section was performed, it wasn’t quick enough to save Aoife’s sister Eveline, who died in utero.While devastating in its own right, Eveline’s death was also catastrophic for Aoife, who then began to haemorrhage.“It was really horrific,” Bridget says. “Which is why she has her brain injury . . . She has brain damage from anaemia (lack of blood) to the brain.”Baby Aoife. Photo: SuppliedThis loss of blood supply caused similar damage to a brain bleed, and the result was cerebral palsy - which affects the function of Aoife’s limbs - leaving her unable to walk.She also has chronic lung damage stemming from her premature birth, and Bridget says she was initially diagnosed as profoundly deaf - although watching the pair interact, it is obvious she is not.“Every time her hearing is tested, it changes, but apparently, [deafness] can be a twin-to-twin transfusion thing as well.”Aoife has had two laser eye surgeries. Her eyesight was affected by her brain injury, and made worse by the length of time she had to be on oxygen while in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Nicu) waiting for heart surgery.“She was ventilated for nine weeks . . . They say two weeks is a really long time, so nine weeks is not good. It's kind of like, will they ever come off?” Bridget says.Following her heart surgery at Starship Hospital, still six weeks premature, Aoife could be safely removed from the ventilator but continued to require supplementary oxygen for another year at home.Now, almost three, Aoife can tip-toe behind a walker, and her parents’ mission, is to get their daughter to the Centre for Movement in Queensland, Australia in the hopes it can help her walk.Bridget and David became aware of the therapy centre through another Ōamaru mother and friend, Hayley Casey, who had a baby in Nicu the same time they were there with Aoife.Hayley is also in the process of trying to get her son Billy, who has already benefited from one three-week block of intensive therapy, back to the centre, after her disability funding was cut.The centre provides intensive paediatric therapy at a level unavailable in New Zealand. A three-week block involves three hours of therapy a day, five days a week.Results from the centre have been amazing, showing an increase in long-term outcomes for children with conditions affecting their brains.“For children with brain injuries, early and consistent therapy can dramatically influence their long-term development,” the centre’s website says.“By stimulating the brain’s natural capacity to adapt and rewire, these therapies enable children to achieve key milestones like sitting, standing, and walking – milestones that may otherwise seem out of reach.”Due to the number of New Zealand patients visiting the centre, a "pop-up" has been run in Christchurch once a year by the centre.Aoife’s care originally fell to the Southern District Health Board, but although the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has just agreed to cover her care in the last year, help to pay for this therapy has been repeatedly declined, Bridget says.A tiny Aoife on a ventilator. Photo: SuppliedLast time the centre came to Christchurch, Bridget and David “really held out for the funding”.“Then we just didn't have any time left to organise it for ourselves, which is a shame, because this time it's way more expensive than just popping up to Christchurch.”A Rotorua branch of Centre of Movement is opening in December next year, which means there will not be another Christchurch clinic before then, and time is of the essence for Aoife to get the most benefit.Her paediatrician, orthopaedic surgeon, physio and occupational therapist are in agreement this is the time to achieve the best results, Bridget says.“She's trying to walk. She's at that good developmental age. Like, ideally, she would have already been. So we just can't wait around any more. “So we've gone, ‘okay, let's do it. We've got to do it’.”Aoife is booked into the Brisbane centre in March. Their fundraising target is $20,000 with a good amount raised already, Bridget says.The cost for the treatment is approaching $10,000, and on top of that, there are travel and accommodation costs for the family of six, which also includes Cooper, eight, Margot, four, and Mac, who is one.“Whatever we raise will just go towards us going, because we're going regardless and we will cover as much of the cost as a family as possible.“So hopefully, actually, the fundraising will go towards getting her there twice, because we're like, 'if she's going to make a big gain, we don't want to not go again'.”Bridget says they have never been given a good reason why their funding applications have been declined.“Not satisfying ones. Not satisfying at all.“They say there's no evidence that intensive therapy is any better than what is available here in New Zealand. That is the latest reason we were given, and that is with providing all of the evidence from her six specialists involved in her care.”The therapists often change, and some have no experience in paediatric therapy and/or with cerebral palsy patients.“She gets physio, but it's never regular, and my view on it is, when . . . any wee baby starts to walk, they're practising it every day, so if you need specialist input, then you need some sort of period of time where you've got support every day.“And getting her walking now will mean more independence for life,” Bridget says.Two-year-old Aoife Coster. Photo: Supplied.Aoife is “very motivated” and determined to keep up with her siblings, and does well despite her challenges, Bridget says.To get to the Centre of Movement, the Coster family has had to call on the community for help.Bridget initially asked one of Aoife’s Nicu nurses from Dunedin who, with her sister, sings as the country music duo Sisterhood, and they were happy to help.Other businesses offered vouchers and experiences to be auctioned off, while Yanina and Pablo Tacchini offered their restaurant Del Mar as the venue to host a fundraising evening on November 29, with a Texan barbecue.“Sharni (Yanina) got back to me… and I was blown away. I still am . . . because, you know, I don't know her, but she just … she's amazing.” “And then she suggested to get art donations, and I sent a letter to local artists, and then they have blown us away as well.”Ōamaru’s Matthew Wicks, Sharon Murcott and Al Bell, and Dunedin artist Robert Scott have donated work which will also be auctioned off.A movie fundraiser held earlier this month raised more than $2500 for Aoife’s cause, and Placemakers Ōamaru has contacted Bridget and offered to run a Show and Shine event in its carpark, on November 23, from 10am to 12 noon.The event offers car and motorbike owners the chance to “Show off their toys” for a $10 donation. Thames Street's Waitaki Interiors is holding an in-store raffle for a blanket, and there is also a Givealittle page that has been set up for the Costers by a friend. Bridget and David are incredibly grateful, she says. “We just feel really lifted up by the community, because you want the best for your child.  “No parent wants there to be a gap between what they can provide and what their child needs, but the community has gone, ‘hey, we'll help you’, and that has been the best bit.“The people that have come forward to help, it's always not who you expect. And, yeah, whether it's a massive dinner or a $5 donation, it all means so much.” The community support also helps the Costers “feel believed in”, during what is a lonely time, Bridget says.Bridget hopes if Aoife makes significant progress at the Centre of Movement, funding might become available for future visits, although she knows of a mother whose daughter has been to the centre nine times and is still fighting ACC to fund that retrospectively.What the future has in store for Aoife is uncertain. Developmentally she appears on par with her siblings. She likes counting and reciting the alphabet. Bridget says whenever they ask doctors directly, they can’t or don’t want to give her an answer. “I think that's also because she has all her things, like, it's not just cerebral palsy. Her chronic lung disease and all of that play a big part in her health, so I think it's hard for them to.“She'll just be her.”ACC Service Delivery deputy chief executive Michael Frampton provided the following statement in response to Bridget's comments."I am sorry to hear of Aoife’s condition and recognise the ongoing impact this has on her and her family. "ACC is funding a comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation package, and we have worked with her family to find suitable local providers. We are aware concerns have been raised about aspects of these programmes and we will continue to work with Aoife’s family and the providers to address these. "Additional funding for the Centre of Movement’s pop-up clinic was declined because, under Aoife’s Training for Independence programme, the same rehabilitation needs are being met." "I understand this decision has been disappointing for the family, but ACC cannot fund two concurrent programmes for clients that have the same purpose. We also cannot fund any treatment provided outside of New Zealand. "Aoife’s condition means she will have life-long support from ACC and we will continue to work with her family to ensure we are providing the best support possible."The Coster family on a day out. Photo: Supplied

By RNZ Money Correspondent Susan EdmundsA battle that appears to have broken out between Air New Zealand and Jetstar in the domestic aviation market may just be the start of a run of good news for consumers, one aviation expert says.This week Air New Zealand and Jetstar have announced sales.Air New Zealand said on Monday it was making more than 200,000 seats available for travel periods between January and June next year.Auckland to Kerikeri was advertised from $59 each way, and Auckland to Wellington $69. Auckland to Queenstown was promoted from $99 each way. Christchurch to Wellington was from $59.Then Jetstar promoted a "cheeky getaway sale" with fares from $37 between Auckland and Christchurch and $40 between Auckland and Wellington.Aviation commentator and Ardmore Flying School chief executive Irene King said there were a number of things going on, particularly with Air New Zealand."They are taking on board all the adverse publicity associated with the very high airfares. They've got a new marketing revenue management team in there and they're going much more back to the old style of putting sales out there and advertising the really cheap fares."She said there were usually bargains to be found anyway if people booked far enough in advance but there was significantly more promotional activity happening."The domestic market is contracting quite quickly, there's a lot less disposable income. Air New Zealand in particular will be impacted by government travel being significantly down."She said Jetstar was even more interesting."They are trying to diversify their market, I think what we will see - we've got Hamilton to Sydney, Dunedin to the Gold Coast - I think what we are going to see is a lot more activity from the Qantas group in the New Zealand market. It won't be New Zealand domestic but it's going to be New Zealand, Australia and beyond."The power of the Qantas group, we're only just now starting to see. To me that's going to be the big story next year."She said there were "interesting games" being played but they would be good news for travelers.House of Travel chief executive David Coombes said inflation softening and the official cash rate being cut were changing the environment for New Zealand."The airline industry is highly competitive, and both Air New Zealand and Jetstar have had some fantastic deals in market over recent months, clearly taking advantage of the current landscape, and showing competitive intent."Regardless of the strategic reasons behind these airline sales, customers win, especially those in the regions who need to travel to main centres for short breaks or before catching international flights. Eve"At House of Travel, we've seen an increase in travel bookings recently, which we believe is driven by growing consumer confidence that disposable incomes will stretch further in 2025. As mortgage costs ease, many homeowners are finding, or anticipating, more disposable income for their holiday plans."The best airfares in the sale are not available during peak periods such as school holidays.Consumer NZ has called for an inquiry into Air New Zealand's pricing for those times.It tracked a series of return flights on the national carrier for a family of four over 18 weeks to see what happened to prices during school holidays.According to Consumer, flights in the school holidays were up to 167 percent more expensive than in the three weeks prior. - RNZSign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

The first event of three in the Chocolate Fish Mountain Biking series was held in Ōamaru on Sunday (October 20).One of the organisers, Adair Craik, says an enthusiastic group of children, teens and adults took part in the morning, held at the Reservoir Road mountain bike tracks.The riders enjoyed perfect conditions, on tracks that have been maintained by Mountain Biking North Otago Club members.Cash Louden took out first place in the young riders event, while former Ōamaru man Tim Rush was first in the men’s, and Sheryl Black first out of the women. The series continues on November 3, and 17 at the same location. All bikers are welcome and registration is at 9.30am. Entry is $2 for Mountain Biking North Otago members and $5 for non-members.Tim Rush. Photo: SuppliedJustin Radcliffe. Photo: Supplied

We need to understand dogs and cats smell the world rather than see it, Dr Kat Littlewood, veterinary specialist at Massey University, told RNZ's Nine to Noon.Humans have 5 million scent receptors, dogs have 300 million, she said."That's going to give them a huge capacity to see the world, but in scent form."They have a huge part of their brain that's devoted to smell, so they can analyse all the different smells and start to layer smells, so it is a picture, but in smell form. We can't even imagine what that's like."Each nostril can pick up different things from different directions so that dogs can start to build a picture of the world around them, she said.Cats leave their scent as a kind of "time share" arrangement."Cats use urine, urine spraying, and they might scratch things. Sometimes, when they're scratching, they're leaving marks with these glands around their claws to tell other cats things or to send messages around the place, because smell is how they talk, how they speak."Cats will avoid conflict if possible and this time share technique helps them manage territory, she said."They'll send messages around the place saying, this is where I live, don't come into my territory, or I visit at this time of day, you can visit at a different time of day."Dog owners should allow their pets to embrace their world of scent, she said."Instead of trying to get to a destination, or pull them along by their lead, let them have a little bit more of a loose leash and sniff the world. Because that's their way of seeing things."I went for a walk to see a beautiful, stunning spring morning. How they see the spring morning is having these sniffy walks."Humans are "touchy-feely", she said, as we descend from primates. Not so dogs."They can smell anxiety, they can smell fear, so they can get that really cool cue from you of whether they should be coming up to you or not."Let a dog come to you, she said."A little bit of a pat, a stroke, but allowing for them to move away when they want to."Photo: Unsplash via RNZBecause cats build up a data base of smells, the deep spring clean can be disruptive, she said."Having their smell around their house is really important, if we do a full clean, we're getting rid of a lot of those scents that they've left around the place to make them feel comfortable."Over-cleaning can lead to your moggy replacing those smells with a spraying, scratching spree, she said."If we are going to do a spring clean, doing it room-by-room, and not doing the whole house all at once, so that they still have some scent."Scratching serves two purposes for cats, she said."One is to get rid of this claw sheath, they shed their claws every so often."They also have scent glands around the claws, she said."They might scratch outside, wooden posts, power poles, that kind of thing, to leave little marks of this is mine, or I was here."