Podcasts about aucklanders

Sunday the 22nd of June was the shortest day of the year, and as is tradition, the winner of National Flash Fiction Day was also announced. The competition has been running since 2012 and it celebrates short stories in all their glory. Aucklanders dominated the podium this year, and our congratulations to runners up Jack Remiel Cottrell and Gretchen Carroll. But the big winner was Claris Harvey, who took out the top spot with her story "The Golden Glove".

Aucklanders have nominated the city's top 100 restaurant dishes. The fifth annual 'Iconic Auckland Eats' list whittled down well over 3000 submissions to a selection of 100 local restaurants. Felix Walton reports.

After 145 years iconic Auckland department store Smith and Caughey's will close its doors for the final time this Sunday at 4pm. The closure was set for the end of July but Aucklanders have been snapping up the discounted items almost all of the stock is gone. Reporter Louise Ternouth spoke to Lisa Owen.

It is as expected - if our office is anything to go by, Auckland is a miserable town today because the house valuations are out, and they're bad. Just about everyone has jumped on the computer to have a look by now, I'd say, and just about everyone's house has gone backwards. So my house - it's gone down in value by 8 percent. One of the bosses, not too bad, only gone back by 4 percent. I don't think anyone's house has gone up in the office. Someone's house has dropped by $250,000. One colleague, and this colleague is suffering more than anybody else - her house has gone down by 21 percent. That's $1.15 million down to $900,000. That's another $250,000 shaved right off right there. Someone's feeling agitated. I called a real estate agent today to see if it's wider than just our office. They told me, yep - and people are not happy. Another real estate agent reckons he's already fielding calls from buyers who are mid-negotiation, who are now saying they're not gonna lift their offer anymore. They're just gonna leave it right where it is, because look at the valuation that's out today. Auckland Council says they normally have about 500 people on their website at any one time. When we called, they said they were watching 12,000 people on their website at any one time. As I said yesterday, spare a thought for Auckland. If you have an Aucklander in your life, spare a thought for them because it's a tough day for Auckland today. Because, I mean, we take the mickey out of Auckland, but there is good reason why Auckland feels like this. Houses in Auckland mean a lot, don't they? I feel like probably more than anywhere else in the country apart from maybe Queenstown and the surrounding area, because houses are expensive in Auckland. Young Aucklanders obsess about it. They scrimp and they save, and they try so bloody hard to get into their first house. It's totally understandable that absolutely no one in this town wants to watch their house then go down in value. But of course, bear in mind, it is slightly irrational. If you are one of these Aucklanders doing this, you are being irrational, you realize that, because you're not suddenly poorer today than you were yesterday, are you? I mean, the value of the thing has not changed overnight. It's simply just been written down. In fact, it was written down a year ago, it's just taken them a year to put it out there. And if you're buying and selling in the same market, it really doesn't matter at all. It's only if you're cashing up to move out of town or to get rid of an investment property or something like that, that this actually matters. Now, I say that knowing that none of that is gonna sink in - we're gonna continue to be irrational because it is all in our heads, isn't it? We feel wealthier when the house is worth more, and that ain't what happened today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is as expected - if our office is anything to go by, Auckland is a miserable town today because the house valuations are out, and they're bad. Just about everyone has jumped on the computer to have a look by now, I'd say, and just about everyone's house has gone backwards. So my house - it's gone down in value by 8 percent. One of the bosses, not too bad, only gone back by 4 percent. I don't think anyone's house has gone up in the office. Someone's house has dropped by $250,000. One colleague, and this colleague is suffering more than anybody else - her house has gone down by 21 percent. That's $1.15 million down to $900,000. That's another $250,000 shaved right off right there. Someone's feeling agitated. I called a real estate agent today to see if it's wider than just our office. They told me, yep - and people are not happy. Another real estate agent reckons he's already fielding calls from buyers who are mid-negotiation, who are now saying they're not gonna lift their offer anymore. They're just gonna leave it right where it is, because look at the valuation that's out today. Auckland Council says they normally have about 500 people on their website at any one time. When we called, they said they were watching 12,000 people on their website at any one time. As I said yesterday, spare a thought for Auckland. If you have an Aucklander in your life, spare a thought for them because it's a tough day for Auckland today. Because, I mean, we take the mickey out of Auckland, but there is good reason why Auckland feels like this. Houses in Auckland mean a lot, don't they? I feel like probably more than anywhere else in the country apart from maybe Queenstown and the surrounding area, because houses are expensive in Auckland. Young Aucklanders obsess about it. They scrimp and they save, and they try so bloody hard to get into their first house. It's totally understandable that absolutely no one in this town wants to watch their house then go down in value. But of course, bear in mind, it is slightly irrational. If you are one of these Aucklanders doing this, you are being irrational, you realize that, because you're not suddenly poorer today than you were yesterday, are you? I mean, the value of the thing has not changed overnight. It's simply just been written down. In fact, it was written down a year ago, it's just taken them a year to put it out there. And if you're buying and selling in the same market, it really doesn't matter at all. It's only if you're cashing up to move out of town or to get rid of an investment property or something like that, that this actually matters. Now, I say that knowing that none of that is gonna sink in - we're gonna continue to be irrational because it is all in our heads, isn't it? We feel wealthier when the house is worth more, and that ain't what happened today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The legendary British cabaret La Clique was formed 20 years ago by Australian David Bates. Growing up on a sheep farm playing the piano, David is now an Olivier Award-winner and tours his Spiegeltent of eclectic acts globally.

In this episode, you'll learn where new infrastructure is being built in Auckland — and which nearby suburbs will be impacted. Billions of dollars are being poured into major projects that are reshaping how Aucklanders live. Some are already visible. Others are still underground (literally).To read the article on the Opes Partners website click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

New figures from the Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance show Auckland Council has invested $3 million on communications and advertising alone for the green waste bins. This follows the email campaign aimed at mayor Wayne Brown opposing the $36 million spent on the green bins so far. Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance spokesperson Sam Warren says this doesn't make sense from an economic perspective. "Auckland Council spends about $36 million a year on the programme - that's a lot. And only a third of Aucklanders actually use it - and even that number seems a little high." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After years of delay, Aucklanders can expect to receive their property valuations early next month. Auckland Council says it expected to deliver the new valuations, commonly known as capital values (CVs), in the week of June 9 to June 13. Property commentator Ashley Church says it's unlikely this will make a difference in overall valuations. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to Waitākere ward councillor Shane Henderson, siren laden car battles are creating a major public nuisance in West Auckland, particularly in Te Atatū. Henderson spoke to Corin Dann.

Tonight on The Huddle, CTU economist Craig Renney and Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Why has the CTU been excluded from the Budget lock-up? The green bins debate- do they need to go? Simeon Brown suggested Aucklanders could shave 2 percent off their rates bills if they went away. What do we make of this? The IRD is cracking down on chasing up people overseas who haven't paid back their student loans. Why have they taken so long to do this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Former Local Government Minister's not taking issue with the Auckland Mayor's new manifesto. Wayne Brown has laid out his thoughts and a Beehive to-do list ahead of the 2025 Budget. He scored the Government a B+, saying they're too distracted by mega-projects and press releases. Simeon Brown told Mike Hosking Wayne Brown is just doing his job. He says he's the mayor of our largest city and he's advocating for what he believes is needed, even if they don't agree. The Government's refusing to budge on an Auckland bed tax. Brown's manifesto also includes calling for the government to reconsider an Auckland bed levy, adding a small fee on short term accommodation. Brown told Hosking they don't want to lump Aucklanders with the tax. He says in fact the council should be looking for efficiencies in its own budget instead of new taxes. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's mayor is calling for more leadership - and labelling the city's innovation and tech sector 'random'. Wayne Brown has laid out a to-do list for central Government before it releases its Budget this month. He wants a tourist bed tax, looser transit visas, and more preparations for major population growth. Brown says a bed tax would fund bigger projects he has planned for the city - and he's hoping the Government will reconsider one. "We've just had two-thirds of the Aucklanders thinking it's a hell of a good idea to get some funds in to watch big events - and the hoteliers up here think it's a good idea." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been 15 years since Auckland became a supercity, and new data has revealed what people believe the city needs in order to improve. A total of 575 Aucklanders participated in the survey, casting 46,000 votes on statements, creating what's been called a “digital snapshot” of the city's sentiments. Former Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Graham Quirk, outlined some other point of concern - as Brisbane prepares some upgrades ahead of the 2032 Olympics. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been 15 years since Auckland became a supercity, and new data has revealed what people believe the city needs in order to improve. A total of 575 Aucklanders participated in the survey, casting 46,000 votes on statements, creating what's been called a “digital snapshot” of the city's sentiments. Former Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Graham Quirk, outlined some other point of concern - as Brisbane prepares some upgrades ahead of the 2032 Olympics. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aucklanders air and water quality could be impacted after a fire broke out at an industrial business on the North Shore. People have been told to keep windows and doors closed and stay away from the area. Newstalk ZB reporter Emily Ansell talks to Tim Beveridge about the fire, issues with National's tax break promise and South Auckland's long awaited Mill Road project. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since Wednesday last week, Auckland and the wider Northland region were warned of heavy rain and winds expected across the North Island.  On Friday night however, as severe thunderstorms struck Auckland, residents were not sent severe weather alerts until after the worst part of the storm had already arrived. Many Aucklanders have called out the slow response system, in an effort yet again to revitalise discussions around Auckland's storm and natural disaster preparedness. As well, Auckland's public transport system is under the microscope this month as Aucklanders endure just over a fortnight without train services, as workers seek to speed up the completion of Kiwi Rail. Yesterday, Transport Minister Chris Bishop also announced a multi-billion dollar project for a Northland Expressway that he says will improve public transport.  In the meantime, public transport prices have increased — for ratepayers and users —- translating to less bang and more buck for Aucklanders.  Producer Sara spoke with Councillor Julie Fairey about both of these topics, firstly by asking if she was satisfied with Auckland Council's response pace in the lead up to severe weather conditions.

Vector staff will be out in force today with some households still without power after stormy weather at the weekend. Auckland Emergency Management General Manager Adam Maggs spoke to Paddy Gower.

New images have given Aucklanders a closer look at the Western Springs Stadium proposal backed by Auckland FC and their billionaire owners. The images and a new video feature in a campaign to generate public support for the stadium, which has been called Auckland Arena. The website said there would be zero cost to the ratepayer with $300 million in private funding secured already to deliver the project. Auckland FC co-owner Ali Williams says Aucklanders deserve a smaller, intimate 'family-friendly' stadium - and this presents the perfect opportunity. "You've got to remember that the sport is not just about the product on the field, it's about the vibe outside the field, around the field, it's about families feeling comfortable, it's about people being passionate and bringing communities together." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nobody at the Blues or the Crusaders gets to take Good Friday off. The Super Rugby Pacific season is continuing through the public holiday, with the Canterbury side hosting the Aucklanders at Apollo Projects Stadium. Crusaders vice-captain Ethan Blackadder spoke to D'Arcy Waldegrave on Sportstalk. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One expert has warned Aucklanders should be prepared for the chance of a volcanic eruption. Civil Defence estimates there's a 10 percent risk it could happen in the next 50 years. It could cost $65 billion in building damage alone. Victoria University's Dr Finn Illsley Kemp says we'd get a decent warning before an eruption - but every aspect will be expensive, including evacuating the city. "We do think we'll get a warning when it is on the way, because this magma has to come from quite deep - we should be able to see it when it's on its' way, but when it's on the move, it doesn't hang around." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Watercare's tunnel boring machine has completed a four-year journey, breaking through this morning. The development comes as Watercare has announced a $14 billion investment to renew ageing and failing pipes over the next decade. Meanwhile, Auckland water charges will rise by 7.2% from July as Watercare becomes financially independent. Incoming Watercare CEO Jamie Sinclair talks to Ryan Bridge about what the investment means. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aucklanders' water bills are set to increase as Watercare prepares to become financially independent and spend billions of dollars improving the city's water services. Jessica Hopkins reports.

An Auckland Councillor says he's leaning towards choosing an improved Eden Park to be Auckland's national stadium. The other option is a new stadium at Quay Park. Council staff say neither proposal is entirely feasible - relying on funding from the Council or the Government. Stadium Working Group chair Shane Henderson says Aucklanders want certainty - and they need to decide in Thursday's vote. He says Eden Park's looking preferable. "We can stage that development, the risk is a little bit more manageable. And honestly, looking at the report and the advice - they've got a few less issues out of the two." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's First Up pod: basketball legend Casey Frank tells us about what's surprised him so far in this year's NZ NBL season; Alex Baird in Doha reports on Academy Award winning director Hamdan Ballal who was detained by Israel yesterday and we ask Aucklanders what they think of the food scraps bin two years after the system was introduced First Up - Voice of the Nathan!

Aucklanders are split on whether the council should approve a new stadium in the city centre or upgrade Eden Park instead. This week councillors will vote on which of the competing proposals should go ahead. Felix Walton has more.

In what could be the ultimate Christmas present for Aucklanders, IKEA is hoping its new Sylvia Park store will be open in time to get your holiday gift shopping done there. IKEA's chief sustainability officer Karen Pflug spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Aucklanders are being warned to go easy on the long showers and car washes as the city begins to 'prepare for drought'. Watercare chief operations officer Mark Bourne spoke to Corin Dann.

Auckland Council's Community Committee has sent a ‘please help' letter to the government after reports from their Community Impact team showed a 53% rise in the number of people sleeping rough over the past four months. This follows changes last year by the Ministry of Social Development to the rules surrounding emergency housing, introducing stricter entry criteria and new requirements which make it difficult to stay.  While Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, earlier this week, denied that these changes have led to an increase in homelessness, Housing First Auckland programme manager Rami Alrudani said that outreach workers have been stretched thin, dealing with “more and more homelessness every day”. Producer Sara spoke with Councillor Julie Fairey about the rise in homelessness in Tāmaki Makaurau.  As well, Auckland Council are trialling an AI digital assistant to help improve their customer support services. The ‘Ask Auckland Council' pilot, presented at February's Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee, is being funded by Google Cloud at no cost to ratepayers. Auckland Council receives 1.5 million calls every year and coordinates region-wide services across multiple platforms. The new system is designed to bridge the gap between Aucklanders and digital services, reducing the effort required to seek out information Starting on the topic of homelessness, Sara asked Julie if she was surprised to see a stark increase in the latest data around the number of people sleeping rough.

Auckland Council's Community Committee is urging the Government to help the city as rates of homelessness grow. This comes as new data shows the number of people sleeping rough in the city has gone up by 53 percent since September. Committee Chair, Councillor Angela Dalton, says she's never seen a spike like this before. She also explained that this tied in with a number of other changing factors that were putting significant stress on Aucklanders. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aucklanders have called today 'cold', Queenstown is looking to fast-track a new transport option, and people aren't happy about the closure of a much-loved speedway. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A planning expert is suggesting Aucklanders look to New York City for the impacts of congestion charges. A report, commissioned by Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, has found traffic will cost the city $2.6 billion a year by next year. Auckland University Architecture and Planning Senior Lecturer Timothy Welch says New York and London have effectively implemented congestion charges. He told Mike Hosking revenue in New York City has already increased because of faster buses and more foot traffic. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From couples' axe-throwing to an R-18 zoo exhibition, Aucklanders are finding romance in some strange places this Valentine's Day. While some couples are sticking to flowers and dinner dates, others are being seduced by less conventional activities. Felix Walton has more.

Some good summer news for Aucklanders.... There's a new pool in town! First Up reporter Leonard Powell went for a dip.

Aucklanders returning to work are facing much longer commuting times, thanks to a month-long rail shutdown which started on Boxing Day. Reporter Lucy Xia has more.

The new top cop says Aucklanders will be feeling better about a police station in the city's centre. Police plan to have the new Federal Street base open to the public by the middle of next year. It will sit close to Aotea Square and the new CRL station, making it easier to deploy officers right across the central city. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers told Mike Hosking that soon we'll have 51 beats working 24/7 around the community, increasing visibility and safety. He says it's back to basics policing, with officers walking the beat and getting to know the people around town. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wayne Brown is proposing major reforms to Auckland's council controlled organisations in his draft budget proposal. Brown wants to scrap the council's urban regeneration and property management arm Eke Panuku, and return its functions to the council. Tataki Auckland Unlimited could lose its economic development, events and tourism marketing roles, becoming solely focused on managing stadiums, theatres and other facilities. Brown says he's 'hopeful' Auckland Council will be on board with these changes. "I think that Aucklanders should be in control of Auckland, frankly. And that means I'd like to get a bit less input from Wellington, as well as independent councils." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I've actually been surprised at the level of anger I've heard expressed today at that Treaty Principles Bill hīkoi crossing over the Harbour Bridge - and I don't think it's a good thing for this particular cause. Yesterday, completely out of the blue, I got an email from a mum I know complaining about the impact it will l have on kids trying to get to their NCEA exams on time. Today, I bumped into someone this morning furious about the timing because it was rush hour. And someone in my family is raging about it as well. To be fair to these people, it's understandable anger and I can see why they're so cross. Basically, it's because this protest feels like it was designed to create disruption. Either that or the organisers didn't think it through - which I doubt very much because they have proven to be quite deliberate in a bunch of the things they do. What happened to facilitate the hīkoi today was that authorities had to close two lanes on the Harbour Bridge in our biggest city from 8 in the morning - at peak morning traffic time. That will have messed up the day for thousands of people coming in from the North Shore. If these guys were decent to the people of Auckland just trying to do their jobs and get their kids to school, they would've shifted their walk time back by a couple of hours, when most people are in the office and won't be messed around. It's not as if the hīkoi would lose attention because it caused less disruption. They are all over the online news feeds, they're being covered by radio shows like ours, they'll be all over the TV news later because the protest is big. And it's about a very contentious issue, that being the Treaty Principles Bill. These guys did not have to muck Aucklanders around to get the coverage they wanted. Ultimately, I don't think it's a smart move from them. Just like I don't think it's too smart to have gang members join the hīkoi with their patches on display. All it's going to do is frustrate middle New Zealand and make middle New Zealand more sympathetic to the other side, because that's how politics works nowadays - we pick sides. We don't like that side, we go to the other, that's how this works. And that's ultimately an own goal, because the only hope David Seymour has for this bill is that it becomes very popular and that it gets rescued because enough people want it. And this hīkoi, I reckon, won't have hurt his chances at all. A lesson to people planning future protests - try not cause disruption on purpose, because that way we're more likely to be sympathetic to your cause, not less. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Nick Mills from ZB's Wellington Mornings and Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The hīkoi working its way through New Zealand has disrupted the commutes of thousands of Aucklanders today. Is this the right move? Will they lose favour from the public if they keep negatively impacting people? Donald Trump has started setting up his political team - including putting Elon Musk at the head of his new Department of Government Efficiency. What do we make of this? The Government has launched a new online calculator designed to help companies address their gender pay gaps. Can the Government address this issue? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Sarah Sparks and Peter Dunne to discuss the Black Caps 3- 0 whitewash of India and the cost of the campaign to encourage Aucklanders to feel better about their city.

Aucklanders say they're still paying steep rent for damp and mouldy homes, and they're not seeing any flow-on benefit from landlords' tax relief. Melanie Earley reports.

I never thought I would support Auckland in anything. I mean —duh— I'm from Christchurch. When I was a kid, it was a given that Aucklanders were nothing more than latte-swilling, overpriced-haircut-donning, ostentatious-sports-car-driving primadonnas. My parochialism isn't the only force working against Auckland City FC. When the brand-new club kicks off in its very first A-League match this evening, it faces the unique challenge that comes from trying to launch a new team and a new club in a competition which is already well-established. Think about it. Most of the teams we support in sporting competitions have either been around since the competition's inception or have built up a fan base over many decades. I support the Crusaders because I was born and raised in Christchurch and when Super Rugby was established, they were everyone-in-my-life's team. I support Liverpool because when I was 6 or 7 and watched football highlights on the news, I asked Dad what English club we supported and stuck with that. The Warriors inspire my loyalty because for all the highs and the lows —so many lows— they have endured for thirty years and never really shaken that underdog status. And they're the New Zealand Warriors. Not the Auckland Warriors. So we're good. Theoretically at least, it's a bit harder to inspire loyalty in a team that arrives late to the party. Especially when that team is the third Auckland-based professional football club to compete in the Australian top league. RIP the Auckland Kingz and the New Zealand Knights. Also, I really love the Wellington Phoenix fan culture. And the club has been playing so well! Maybe I'm wrong, but there's a risk that any rivalry in a Kiwi derby could feel a little forced, at least early on. But, for all of that, Auckland FC has one massive dynamic working in its favour. People in the 09 are so ready for a proper football team. You see it every time the Phoenix play at Eden Park. You see it at All Whites games. You see it on the sidelines of how many thousand junior football games on Saturday mornings. Sure, it may take a few seasons to deepen the well of loyalty, but you would be hard-pressed to find a city or a market on Earth that isn't hungrier for a team to support. And so tonight, I'll be there. One of more than 20,000 at a sold-out Go Media stadium. I must have a dozen friends attending. Some have already bought season passes. You can hold the fancy haircut. Hold the latte. But I'll be proudly crossing the Rubicon and dressed in blue. And if in years to come anyone should question my loyalty to AFC, well, at least I can say I was there from day one. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Passionvine Hoppers came up in conversation a week or so ago: a nuisance for gardeners, especially in the warmer north (but more and more a pain-in-the-South as well!). I also remember that Aucklanders often called them lacy-winged moths. Shows you that entomological knowledge has always been slow to sink in up there in the North Island. They are certainly not moths, these critters belong to a totally different insect order: the Homoptera, or sap-sucking bugs. Yes, these are some of the insects you can legitimately call “bugs” in entomological parlance. LIFE CYCLE: Eggs hatch in October – the timing relates to warmth in spring. The tiny fluffy bums (“nymphs”) suck sap from a wide variety of host plants and slowly grow bigger and bigger. They also become nimbler and can hop greater distances as they grow larger in spring. Late in spring (December onwards) the Fluffy Bums will moult their last moult and turn into a winged adult Passionvine Hopper. One nymph of passion vine hopper (fluffy bum) and three winged adults in summer. They will still suck sap from your favourite plants – they will also continue excreting sticky honeydew all over the plants and leaves below. (And as we all know, honeydew is a perfect place for sooty mould to grow – black, ugly fungal material that looks as if a miniature fire has burnt your plants). This is also the time for mating and female Passionvine Bugs will lay eggs in the autumn. They prefer to insert the eggs in thin branches, leaving a patterned oviposition site, which keeps the eggs in good nick during the winter months CONTROL and PREVENTION: Keep an eye on the new fluffy bums hatching in your garden right now! Those tiny nymphs often congregate in large flocks at the ends of new growth; they are still very feeble in their movement and won't be able to escape a cloud of fly-spray aimed at them on a wind-still morning. Small, young nymphs Spray these young passionvine hoppers in October with a good dose of fly-spray. In autumn there is a second chance for control: spot the new egg-sites on thin twigs and tendrils, cut these off and burn them in the fireplace (Fried Eggs!). Eggs laid in thin twigs and curly tendrils LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aucklanders are ignoring warnings to stay off storm-damaged walking tracks in the Domain. Jessica Hopkins went for a walk.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown is confident in delivering Auckland's City Rail Link on time with no network issues. KiwiRail has assured the $5.5 billion project will cut delays down to a maximum of 1 minute 20 seconds when it opens in 2026. Official papers show Brown and Auckland mayor Wayne Brown are working to improve confidence in the wide rail network. Simeon Brown told Heather du Plessis-Allan he's also aware of the rail fatigue among Aucklanders. He says he gets the frustration about more maintenance and renewals and is determined to ensure they get as much done as possible. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time's up for Aucklanders with 2023 storm-affected homes to register for council buyout or remediation, amid concern those unregistered may be living in potential death traps.

Today is the last day for Aucklanders living in storm-affected homes to register for a council assessment of their property. Those properties deemed to need work could be eligible for construction and consenting grants, while those that cause an "intolerable risk to life" will be offered a voluntary buy-out. But with one day to go, only 40 percent of eligible property owners have signed up. Lyall Carter is a spokesperson for West Auckland is Flooding and spoke with Ingrid Hipkiss

Only 40 per cent of Aucklanders eligible for a council assessment on their flood-affected property have signed up. Today is the last day for Aucklanders living in storm-affected homes to register for a council assessment of their property. Auckland Council's Natural and Built Environment Lead, Craig Hobbs, spoke with Corin Dann.

Some residents of medium density homes surveyed by Auckland Council say the upper levels of terraced houses and duplexes are so hot in summer, they are difficult to use.

The goal of getting Aucklanders to halve their car use by 2030 is delusional and needs a complete rethink according to one councillor. The Council's Transport Emissions Reduction Pathway lays out a series of targets for reducing Auckland's transport emissions by almost 65% within the next 6 years. Here are a few of the goals; car trips make up 94% of distance travelled around the city - the aim is to cut that to 47%, pump cycle trips up from 1% to 5% and increase bus trips from 3 % to 12%, Auckland Councillor Daniel Newman spoke to Lisa Owen.