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A Kiwi woman inside an Auckland isolation hotel from which a coronavirus-carrying man “absconded” ha…
A 32-year-old man, who has tested positive for Covid-19, will be charged with absconding from a m…
Hi Neighbours,
We've got an open day for Year 7 2021 on Wednesday the 29th July 9:30 - 11:00am or 6:00 - 7:30pm. The vision for our school is simple, “To value diversity and to develop curious, confident and connected learners”.
A small number of places have become available to … View moreHi Neighbours,
We've got an open day for Year 7 2021 on Wednesday the 29th July 9:30 - 11:00am or 6:00 - 7:30pm. The vision for our school is simple, “To value diversity and to develop curious, confident and connected learners”.
A small number of places have become available to out-of-zone students in Year 7 for enrolment in 2021. The closing date for out-of-zone applications is Wednesday 2nd September 1pm.
If more applications are received than places available, a ballot will be held on or before the 9th September 2020.
Motorists will from tomorrow pay an additional 4 cents per litre to fill up their tanks. This comes as the Government's annual fuel excise tax takes effect. This is the third consecutive year of increases, following similar moves in 2018 and 2019. The National Party has since May argued that … View moreMotorists will from tomorrow pay an additional 4 cents per litre to fill up their tanks. This comes as the Government's annual fuel excise tax takes effect. This is the third consecutive year of increases, following similar moves in 2018 and 2019. The National Party has since May argued that fuel tax should be delayed due to the impact of Covid-19.
Opposition finance spokesman Paul Goldsmith released a statement today criticising the Government's decision to go ahead with the move.
"Over three years this Government is taking an extra $1.7 billion from New Zealanders through its fuel tax increases, road user charges, petrol excise and Auckland regional fuel tax," Goldsmith said. AA spokesman Mark Stockdale noted that the drop in oil prices internationally will make this fuel price increase more manageable than in previous years."There is usually an annual increase in petrol tax every year, along with the equivalent diesel Road User Charges to fund our transport system," Stockdale said. "This year is no different, although with the big drop in oil prices in February due to Covid-19 global lockdowns, fuel prices are the lowest they've been since 2017 so the 4c increase is probably easier to swallow." Stockdale did, however, express concern about how the tax money is being used. "The AA wants to ensure that motorists get good value for the fuel taxes they pay, and we are concerned that tax increases in recent years have been allocated to non-road transport projects at the expense of a growing backlog of road maintenance work," he said. Stockdale told that tax makes up around 55 per cent of the price of fuel at the pump - and a little more in Auckland. The Ministry of Transport has addressed these concerns in a Q&A published on its website earlier this month. In the statement, the ministry says all money from the tax will go toward "the National Land Transport Fund which helps fund the improvement, operation and maintenance of our land transport network". The ministry stood by its decision to roll out the tax despite the impact of Covid-19, explaining that money is necessary for the land transport network. "Investing in our transport network will help stimulate the economy and create jobs which will support New Zealand's recovery from COVID-19," the ministry says. According to the ministry, the added funding is necessary for the completion of existing projects as well as those planned for the future. The ministry says the increased fuel price will cost the average one-vehicle household around $35 to $40 per year. "To mitigate the impact on households the increases were kept as low as possible and were phased in over three years."
A bad deal for Aucklanders?
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In a report released today, economist Shamubeel Eaqub says that Aucklanders are paying up to $140 million more for their fuel every year than they should be. He bases this estimate on the fact that declines in fuel prices have not been passed on to motorists. "Over the past year, fuel board prices have fallen by 29 cents across the country, but only 24 cents in Auckland and a huge 40 cents in Christchurch," Eaqub says.
"Unless there has been a marked change in the cost of delivering fuel and cost of doing business, it could indicate Aucklanders are paying 5-15 cents too much for their fuel [excluding the 11.5-cents regional fuel tax]. We estimate such a price difference would add $45m-$140m to Aucklanders' annual fuel bill across retail and business users." Eaqub draws a stark contrast between the fuel prices of Auckland and Christchurch to illustrate his point. "In June 2019, Auckland prices were 10c–15c lower than Christchurch. In the two weeks to 14 June, prices were 4 cents higher, excluding the regional fuel tax. Prices over the past year have fallen by 27c in Auckland, 50c in Christchurch and 29c nationally. These differences can cost a lot. "The outsized price falls in Christchurch are notable. This is of obvious benefit to Christchurch fuel buyers, who are now paying a lot less for their fuel."
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The 43-year-old woman absconded from the Pullman Hotel on foot shortly before 6.20pm last night and was located soon after a couple of blocks away at 8pm on Anzac Avenue. The five police officers who came into contact with the woman while capturing her must now have Covid-19 tests and will also … View moreThe 43-year-old woman absconded from the Pullman Hotel on foot shortly before 6.20pm last night and was located soon after a couple of blocks away at 8pm on Anzac Avenue. The five police officers who came into contact with the woman while capturing her must now have Covid-19 tests and will also have to self-isolate. The Government's head of managed isolation, Air Commodore Darryn Webb, said: "This was excellent work by police staff who located the woman as quickly as possible. She was located outdoors. The exact movements of the woman are still being determined." The woman remains in police custody while it is determined how she will be managed. Charges are being considered. Webb said the woman was receiving appropriate care while in custody and would be assessed by a clinician. "The woman, who was travelling on her own, arrived in New Zealand from Brisbane, Australia, on 27 June," Webb said in a statement. "She had a Covid-19 test on 30 June which returned a negative result. "We recognise that managed isolation can be stressful for people who come to it with a variety of circumstances. "However, wilfully leaving our facilities cannot and will not be tolerated, and the appropriate action will be taken." Every person who arrives in New Zealand must be isolated from other people for a minimum period of 14 days. They must also test negative for Covid-19 before they can go into the community. This 14-day period forms a critical part of the actions being taken to keep New Zealand and New Zealanders safe during a global pandemic when case numbers are constantly increasing overseas. Police are taking all necessary precautions to keep its staff safe. Further advice would be provided to the officers around self-isolation and testing once police had clarified the movements and contact throughout the incident.
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The family of murdered British backpacker Grace Millane is calling on the New Zealand Government to …
Ex-National Party president Michelle Boag has resigned from roles she had in Nikki Kaye’s Auckland C…
Hey neighbours, have you had a DIY disaster you need to fix or are you keen to tackle some home improvements but don't know where to start? Well, help is at hand.
Send us your questions about your DIY or decorating dilemmas, including photos if you can, and we'll ask an expert for their… View moreHey neighbours, have you had a DIY disaster you need to fix or are you keen to tackle some home improvements but don't know where to start? Well, help is at hand.
Send us your questions about your DIY or decorating dilemmas, including photos if you can, and we'll ask an expert for their advice on where to start with your project, any tips and tricks they can share to help you get a great finish - or how you can fix things up if they've already gone wrong! Click here to submit your questions, or email us at homed@stuff.co.nz.
A man charged with murdering Clifford Umuhuri, who was fatally shot in Auckland, has denied the kill…
A man denies murdering shot police officer Constable Matthew Hunt and attempting to murder another o…
Currently adorning the ballroom at Alberton as part of the exhibition 'The Impossible Garden', are richly decorative artworks by Mt Eden artist Emma Bass - a celebration of colour and life-affirming natural abundance!
Inspired by 17th century Dutch and Flemish floral still lives and the … View moreCurrently adorning the ballroom at Alberton as part of the exhibition 'The Impossible Garden', are richly decorative artworks by Mt Eden artist Emma Bass - a celebration of colour and life-affirming natural abundance!
Inspired by 17th century Dutch and Flemish floral still lives and the joyousness of Matisse, they ‘explore beauty though a manipulated lens’. Bluring the boundaries between photography, painting and collage they beguile the viewer with their illusory, impossible perfection.
Join us for this Talk & Tea and all-round lovely afternoon with Emma on Saturday 1 August at 2pm! Emma will be joined by special guest - decorative arts curator, former director of Te Toi Uku: Crown Lynn Museum and ceramics aficionado, Finn McCahon Jones, who will chat about some of the vases in Emma’s collection, which are a major source of inspiration for her work in her signature 'floral portrait' photographs.
Tickets: $15. Includes tea & scones and house entry. Bookings recommended as places are limited. Email alberton@heritage.org.nz or phone 846 7367.
Hi Neighbours,
We are moving houses and have a lot of glassware and are after newspapers to wrap our glassware in when we box them - If anyone has free newspaper lying around or a lot of it please let me know. I can pick up :)
Would be so grateful!
Kind regards,
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