ASB has revised its house price forecast for this year, taking it from predicting the largest increases of any of the main banks to the bottom of the table.For this year, ANZ expects house prices to rise 6%, BNZ 6.8%, Westpac 7.2% and Infometrics 5.6%.Treasury expects 3% growth.ASB had predicted…

Dozens of firefighters battled a large blaze at a mechanic’s workshop in Frankton, Hamilton this morning, with a witness reporting “loud bangs” as the flames raged.Fire and Emergency NZ said it received calls to the building on Ellis St at around 11.30am.”We have 35 firefighters and 12 trucks currently working…

A leading New Zealand cement manufacturer is set to build a new concrete plant in Dunedin. Holcim New Zealand Ltd has been granted resource consent by the Dunedin City Council to construct and operate a concrete batching plant in Kaikorai Valley Rd, on industrial land near the Southern Motorway. A…

A woman critically hurt in a crash in Murchison spent almost 36 hours in the car before being found.Named by a friend as Hope Hoyland, police said she was found in her car down a bank on Mangles Valley Rd, between Blackwater Rd and Huntaway Rd, on Wednesday morning.St John…

Some Hawke’s Bay growers have seen record-breaking revenue two years on from widespread devastation wrought by Cyclone Gabrielle.New Zealand’s apple and pear industry surpassed $1 billion in revenue. The Hawke’s Bay region is home to 65% of the nation’s apple and pear crops.Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said she was “really…

An iwi leader says the passage through Parliament of the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill has brought joy to his people, but it is tinged with apprehension.The Bill passed its second and third readings in one sitting on Thursday, with the final reading witnessed by members of the…

As rain lashes down over Brisbane’s flood-prone suburb of Rocklea, Ryan Gilbert stands under his pergola, watching the water slowly rise and wondering if his home is Alfred’s next target.The backyard, once a place for BBQs and summer afternoons, is now turning into a soggy, swelling pool of uncertainty.Originally from…

A rapid escalation in homelessness has seen Auckland Council’s Community Committee send a ‘please help’ letter to the government.The committee has recorded a 53% rise in people sleeping rough in the city over four months – coinciding with a sharp decrease in emergency housing numbers.Data from Auckland Council’s Community Impact…

It started with a paddock. Four years ago, Phil Bay and his peers at the Oxford Lions Club were worried about food supply during Covid.The answer, growing potatoes – and providing it to Satisfy, a food rescue charity which hands the spuds to over 50 foodbanks..Fast forward to today, Bay…

A homicide investigation has been launched following the death of a man in Mairehau, Christchurch last night.Detective Senior Sergeant Tania Jellyman said emergency services were called to an address on Innes Rd around 9.15pm.”Upon arrival, a man was located with critical injuries,” she said.”Despite urgent treatment, he died at the…