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The Government is exploring "move on" orders for rough sleepers in downtown Auckland despite Justice Ministry advice showing public disorder offences are at a 10 year low. Annual proceedings for public order, health and safety offences in Auckland City have fallen from about 2000 in 2016 … View moreThe Government is exploring "move on" orders for rough sleepers in downtown Auckland despite Justice Ministry advice showing public disorder offences are at a 10 year low. Annual proceedings for public order, health and safety offences in Auckland City have fallen from about 2000 in 2016 to roughly 500 in recent years, newly released data shows. Earlier this month, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said he had been tasked with ensuring police had the tools they needed to tackle public disorder. "It’s blindingly obvious to everybody that the CBD, particularly of Auckland, but [also] a lot of places, have been characterised by disorder and real concern around public safety," he said.
The context: Business groups and Mayor Wayne Brown back the proposed move-on orders, arguing rough sleepers and begging affect most central city businesses. Homelessness is rising in Auckland, with at least 800 people living without shelter in the Super City, compared with around 140 in Wellington and 270 in Christchurch.
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This Christmas, your generosity goes twice as far – all season long.
Every dollar you give to Visionwest will be doubled, helping Auckland families put food on the table and choose a special gift for their children this Christmas.
Last year over 2,000 children were supported and received … View moreThis Christmas, your generosity goes twice as far – all season long.
Every dollar you give to Visionwest will be doubled, helping Auckland families put food on the table and choose a special gift for their children this Christmas.
Last year over 2,000 children were supported and received gifts, with more than 1,100 whānau able to celebrate Christmas with dignity and joy.
Together, we can do even more this year.
Double your impact.
Potatoes, tomatoes, cheese and sauce – where do you keep yours? Here’s the ultimate guide on what to chill and not to chill, according to chef and food writer Xanthe Clay.
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I’m a bit sensitive on the subject of fridges. They are a very … View morePotatoes, tomatoes, cheese and sauce – where do you keep yours? Here’s the ultimate guide on what to chill and not to chill, according to chef and food writer Xanthe Clay.
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I’m a bit sensitive on the subject of fridges. They are a very personal space. When a well-meaning visitor moves to open the door on mine – to helpfully fetch their own milk, perhaps – I feel myself tense. Perhaps they’ll judge me for the squeezy bottle of mayonnaise (calls herself a food writer!), or the sticky jar of some Asian condiment tha’s been gently crystallising there since Ottolenghi’s second cookbook.
These days, we keep everything in the fridge – but my mother would have thought it pretty odd to chuck the cheese and the chocolate in there, next to the leftovers of yesterday’s roast and the bottles of silver-top. She’d be right, too: cheese prefers to breathe at a somewhat warmer temperature, around 10C, and chocolate becomes greasy and tasteless when chilled.
So, which other foods should avoid the big chill?
Foods to keep out of the fridge
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Potatoes
Fridges spell disaster for potatoes, as the cold turns the starches to sugars, making for soggy, dark roasties and cloying, gloopy mash. Store them instead in a dark, well-ventilated, cool spot. 8-10C is ideal, but at least make sure they aren’t next to the radiator.
Onions
Fridge temperatures can turn onions soft, so store them the same way as potatoes – but in a separate cloth bag.
Bananas
Never refrigerate bananas, as it’ll turn the skin a putrid-looking black. Better to freeze them in their skins and use in a bake.
Coffee
Never keep coffee in the fridge: it’s too damp, and may result in off flavours. The freezer can extend the life of whole beans, though.
Bread
Keeping bread in the fridge makes the starch molecules crystallise, so the bread toughens and dries out – OK for toast at a pinch, lousy for sandwiches. If you don’t eat much bread, you’re better off keeping your sliced loaf in the freezer and toasting from there.
Ketchup
Who wants cold sauce on their sausages? Keep it in the cupboard.
Foods to keep in the fridge
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Herbs
Basil hates the cold, but other herbs stay perkiest wrapped in dry kitchen paper or in a jar of water and stored in a plastic bag in the fridge.
Nut oils
If it’s not in the fridge, it’s almost certainly rancid. That goes for toasted sesame too, stir-fry fans.
Pet food
A controversial one: dried food definitely doesn’t need to be in the fridge, but open tins (properly covered) will last longer and smell less if kept cold.
Foods to chill – in certain circumstances
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Nuts
Unroasted nuts keep perfectly well in the cupboard, but once they’ve been toasted they are prone to rancidity, so store them in the fridge. Long term? Any nuts will last for a year or more in the freezer.
Eggs
Keep eggs in the fridge to extend their life, from around two weeks to two months. But beware: cold eggs are useless for baking (they’ll curdle a cake batter) and chilling breaks down the natural seal on the shell, so once they’ve been in the fridge you can’t change your mind and leave them out instead.
Jam
Traditional jam keeps in the cupboard perfectly well, provided you use a clean spoon to dollop it on your plate – toast crumbs from your knife are prone to turning mouldy. That said, modern preserves with lower sugar contents will need to be kept in the fridge, unless you are planning to finish the jar within three or four days.
Mustard
Perfectly safe kept out of the fridge, but spice levels will fall, so if you like it hot, chill it.
Tomatoes
Never put firm tomatoes in the fridge, as it stops the flavour developing and gives them a mealy texture. However, when they go squishy, the fridge will stop them going mouldy and give you another day or two to eat them up.
How we came to rely so heavily on the fridge
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We’ve lost our “frigucation”: a knowledge of what is best in and out of the fridge, opting instead for a rather prissy “just in case” attitude promoted by food manufacturers, who invariably suggest their products are refrigerated. As if anyone wants ice-cold sauce on their sausages.
To meet this new need, fridge sizes have been rising steadily over the past couple of decades, and we’ve become obsessed with wardrobe-like American-style coolers. These slick-looking kitchen behemoths with price tags to match promise us entry not to Narnia, but some glossy Stateside fantasy of sleek, clean efficiency; a place where Carrie Bradshaw keeps her coffee in the freezer – although she also stores her Manolos in the oven, so she’s no Delia.
As our fridges have got bigger, our houses have got warmer. While in 1970, the average room temperature in winter was 12C, nowadays your living areas are likely to be above 18C. Central heating means warmth reaches into every corner of the house, and old-fashioned cold, well-ventilated larders were ditched long ago in favour of indoor loos and utility rooms. So when the instructions are to keep food “in a cool place”, we don’t feel we have much choice. The only place may be the fridge.
Maybe we just need to buy food and eat it, rather than ram our fridges and cupboards with bags of salad and half-eaten jars. I’m off to have some bread and butter – neither of which has been in the fridge.
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Hey neighbours!
Tired of staring at the same old bedroom? It’s time for a mini makeover that’s fun, easy, and totally affordable!
From upcycling old furniture, adding cosy textures, swapping lamps, to creating your own gallery wall. These 10 DIY bedroom ideas will give your space a fresh,… View moreHey neighbours!
Tired of staring at the same old bedroom? It’s time for a mini makeover that’s fun, easy, and totally affordable!
From upcycling old furniture, adding cosy textures, swapping lamps, to creating your own gallery wall. These 10 DIY bedroom ideas will give your space a fresh, stylish vibe.
Ready to get inspired? Check them out here: beds4u.co.nz...
Your bedroom deserves a glow-up! Which idea will you try first?
A move by ACC to use artificial intelligence to help decide which long-term claimants should go back to work is being called "shocking".
It comes as the state insurer is under instruction from its minister to reduce the long-term claims pool.
There are about 25,000 long-term claimants … View moreA move by ACC to use artificial intelligence to help decide which long-term claimants should go back to work is being called "shocking".
It comes as the state insurer is under instruction from its minister to reduce the long-term claims pool.
There are about 25,000 long-term claimants that have been receiving compensation for a year or more, the most there had ever been.
ACC earlier this year commissioned advice to work out how it could both remove existing clients, and prevent new ones from entering the pool.
In the year to June 2025 a record 8000 long-term claimants were taken off its books because they were deemed "work ready".
ACC planned to ramp up exits even more, with a goal of 11,675 by next June.
By 2028 it hoped to have more people coming out of the long-term pool than going in.
"Nothing in ACC's proposals actually looks at rehabilitation," ACC advocate Warren Forster told Nine to Noon.
"It's all about 'how can we ramp up exits, how can we get more people coming off the scheme', and that's the antithesis of the statutory purpose. It's the antithesis of why we have ACC in New Zealand."
ACC said it was committed to helping injured people return to independence or to their new normal after life-changing injuries.
"It's important that we manage the scheme sustainably so it's there for Kiwis when they need it, now and in the future," ACC deputy chief executive Michael Frampton said.
He said some long-term claimants would need financial support for a longer time because of life-changing injuries, but there were some whose injuries would not normally take a long time to recover from.
"That suggests they might not have had the right support and we're actively working with them to help them back to independence," Frampton said.
He said one step was to make sure all long-term claimants have one-to-one case management to make sure they were getting the right support. Frampton said this was already showing positive effects and giving better outcomes.
"ACC is using AI to help identify cases where the client may benefit from a further review by staff member to help ensure that they're receiving the right support," he said.
Acclaim Otago report lead author Warren ForsterWarren Forster. Photo: RNZ / Ian Telfer
Frampton said it also meant providing "advice on next steps".
Forster said 31,000 injured people had been pushed off ACC in the last five years.
"The AI will tell you 'person X has a sprain, they've been off work for six years' or whatever the case might be," he said.
"The AI will say 'well, this person's got a sprain, we'll get rid of them' and that's, you know, when you're blindly following what a model does then you produce junk data".
He said the person might have a disc prolapse or a tendon tear, may have been misdiagnosed or may be in mental health distress.
"Everyone knows the person doesn't have a sprain injury," Forster said.
"AI can tell you that this person has a problem, but AI is not going to tell you what that problem is. What we have is AI identifying someone who ACC can exit."
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At Ryman, we are making your move even more rewarding.
Sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse at a participating village by 30 November 2025, and you’ll get $20,000 back*.
Use it to make your new home your own, take a dream trip, or simply enjoy life’s little luxuries – the … View moreAt Ryman, we are making your move even more rewarding.
Sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse at a participating village by 30 November 2025, and you’ll get $20,000 back*.
Use it to make your new home your own, take a dream trip, or simply enjoy life’s little luxuries – the choice is yours!
*Terms and conditions apply.
We are bringing you the latest list of recalled products from across the country. Make sure you aren't using these at home!
Click on the blue text to learn more about that particular product and why it was recalled.
Food and household item recalls:
… View moreWe are bringing you the latest list of recalled products from across the country. Make sure you aren't using these at home!
Click on the blue text to learn more about that particular product and why it was recalled.
Food and household item recalls:
Back Country Cuisine brand Mushroom Bolognaise and Spaghetti Bolognaise
Regal Marlborough King Salmon Dip with Gherkins, Capers & Dil
Golden Island brand Pork Jerky Korean BBQ Recipe
Nothing Naughty brand Premium Pea Protein Natural Caramel
Product Recalls: Infant care and clothing
Crywolf Baby Hooded Towels- Lucky Picnic, Lucky Days, Little Lobsters
Deluxe Adjustable Baby Walker with Push Handle and Stationary Stand- Sold at Baby Way
Product Recalls: Toys
⚠️ Asbestos risk in 14 piece Sand Castle Building Set and Blue, Green and Pink Magic Sand - sold at Kmart
⚠️ Asbestos risk in Educational Colours - Rainbow Sand and Creatistics - Coloured Sand - Various Colours
Magnetic Game- sold on Trade Me by Dealbox and various sellers
Music Cube- sold at Panda Mart
6-Sided Cube Toy- sold at Panda Mart
Rubber Duck Figurines- sold at Timezone
Magnetic Fidget Pens
Rubber Duck- sold at GameOn Arcade
Product Recalls: Cosmetics
People4ocean- SPF 50+ Mineral Bioactive Shield Lightly Tinted Cream
Product Recalls: Electronics
Fantastic Four Illuminated Cups- sold at Hoyts Cinemas New Zealand
Belkin BoostCharge USB-C PD Power Bank 20K
Energizer Hard Case Professional Rechargeable Spotlight, 1000 Lumen
Product Recalls: Other
Trek Precaliber bicycle- sold at various retailers
Check the New Zealand Transport Agency's handy vehicle recall list here.
See past months' recalls. Stay safe, neighbours!
They wave, they wait, they get us where we need to go, rain or shine, early or late. Auckland’s bus drivers are everyday legends who keep our city moving, and now it’s our turn to say thanks.
To celebrate, we’ve spoken to nine incredible drivers about their favourite moments, what they love… View moreThey wave, they wait, they get us where we need to go, rain or shine, early or late. Auckland’s bus drivers are everyday legends who keep our city moving, and now it’s our turn to say thanks.
To celebrate, we’ve spoken to nine incredible drivers about their favourite moments, what they love about their job, and the community they serve.
You might even spot your regular driver!
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🌿 Air New Zealand reckons the future of air travel lies in AI. To them, AI means boosting efficiency without bumping up prices.
But what do you think? 🤔
Can AI really make flying more personal?
Keen to find out more? 👉 Check out Grant Bradley's piece on the Post
Approximate Dimensions are: Height: 45 cm, Width: 19 cm. Pickup in Green Bay (we live opposite Green Bay High School), or if you are outside Auckland then maybe a friend of yours in Auckland can do the pickup.
Hey neighbours!
If you’re running an Airbnb (or thinking about it), here’s a little secret: your bed can truly make or break your guest experience. A cozy, clean, thoughtfully chosen bed can turn an ordinary stay into a “Wow, I’m definitely coming back!” moment.
Whether you're … View moreHey neighbours!
If you’re running an Airbnb (or thinking about it), here’s a little secret: your bed can truly make or break your guest experience. A cozy, clean, thoughtfully chosen bed can turn an ordinary stay into a “Wow, I’m definitely coming back!” moment.
Whether you're hosting families, weekend adventurers, or friends on a quick getaway, the right bed sets the tone — comfort, style, and that warm “you’re welcome here” feeling guests instantly appreciate.
Not sure where to begin? We’ve put together a super helpful guide on choosing the perfect Airbnb beds — from comfort tips to design inspiration and those small touches that guests absolutely love.
Give it a read here: beds4u.co.nz...
If you want your Airbnb to stand out (and score those glowing 5-star reviews!), this guide is a must-read.
Happy hosting, neighbours!
You’re often entitled to a refund and can claim back other costs if it’s the airline’s fault.
Find out your international flight rights and how to claim, depending on where you’re flying from and to.
International flight rights
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My international flight has been … View moreYou’re often entitled to a refund and can claim back other costs if it’s the airline’s fault.
Find out your international flight rights and how to claim, depending on where you’re flying from and to.
International flight rights
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My international flight has been cancelled. What are my rights?
For international flights, your rights differ depending on where you are, where you’re heading and where the airline is based.
Assuming the airline is at fault, you should be entitled to reimbursement of your airfare and other costs under the Montreal Convention (up to a limit).
It will apply if you’re flying between two signatory countries (countries that have signed the Convention agreement), such as Australia and New Zealand.
However, airlines won’t be liable under the Convention if they can prove they took “all measures that could reasonably be required to avoid the damage [incurred by the cancellation or delay].”
You can claim compensation up to a limit of around $15,800.
If you’re flying through the EU and the UK, different rules apply.
EU and UK passenger flight rights
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The EU’s Denied Boarding Regulation provides clear-cut consumer protection.
You can claim compensation if your airline is responsible for cancelling or delaying your flight. You must be flying from the UK or EU or flying into an EU or UK airport on an airline based in the EU or UK to be covered.
For cancellations, you’re entitled to choose between re-routing to your final destination, a return flight home or a refund.
If you arrive at your final destination with a delay of 3 hours or more, you’ll also be entitled to assistance such as meals and free phone calls. If you're stranded overnight, you should also be able to claim for accommodation.
And you may be entitled to compensation proportionate to the distance you’re travelling – up to €600 (around NZ$1,200) for flights further than 3500km.
The EU has a tool that can tell you what your rights are depending on your situation.
US passenger flight rights
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In the US, if an airline cancels your flight for any reason, or there is a significant schedule change, and you choose not to travel, it must provide you with a refund.
However, airlines are not required to give compensation.
If you’re bumped from your flight due to over-booking, the Department of Transportation requires airlines to compensate you in some circumstances.
Compensation is based on:
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the length of the delay
whether you were voluntarily or involuntarily bumped.
If it’s the latter, you can get up to 400% of your one-way fare, capped at US$2,150 (about NZ$3,800).
I missed my onward connection because of delays to an international flight. Does the airline have to reimburse me for my extra expenses?
An airline must reimburse you for extra expenses after an international flight delay if the delay was within the airline’s control.
You’re entitled to claim compensation under the Montreal Convention (up to around $15,800). If you’re flying through the EU and the UK, you may have additional protections.
If the airline doesn’t pay, you can lodge a claim at the Disputes Tribunal. It’ll cost you $61 to file a claim if you’re asking for less than $2,000 (the fee rises for claims above this).
For delays beyond the airline’s control, such as weather events, check with your travel insurer (if you have one) and the terms and conditions of your ticket to see what you’re covered for.
My baggage has been lost in transit. What are my rights?
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On an international flight, your baggage is covered by the Montreal Convention. The convention sets out the maximum amount an airline has to pay if your baggage is lost, damaged or delayed. The sum is about $3,800.
If your baggage is delayed, the airline only has to cover the cost of essential items. Typically, airlines don’t accept liability for consequential losses.
To claim for damaged baggage, you must write to the airline within 7 days of getting your bags back.
For delayed luggage, you must claim within 21 days from the date the baggage should’ve been available to you.
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