elocal magazine

New Zealand’s alcohol consumption has fallen to its lowest recorded level, with younger generations increasingly turning away from drinking and low- or no-alcohol alternatives gaining ground. The shift may be positive from a health perspective, but it comes as hospitality businesses face rising costs, widespread closures and profound changes in how younger New Zealanders socialise. eLocal Report: Based on reporting by Adam Burns for RNZ HERE ·…

A New Zealand Police staffer is before the courts facing 39 charges, including allegations of rape, kidnapping, indecent assault and unlawful sexual connection. The case is one of 10 active prosecutions arising from investigations by the Police National Integrity Unit, according to information obtained by RNZ under the Official Information Act. eLocal Report: Based on reporting by Sam Sherwood, National Crime Correspondent for RNZ HERE · RNZ…

Three years after Sidney Ross Bridson was killed at his isolated Waitaanga property, the two men convicted of his murder have been sentenced in the High Court at New Plymouth. The sentencing brought renewed focus to the impact of Bridson’s death on a family that described him as a generous, caring man whose life was taken before his time. eLocal Report: Based on reporting by Tara Shaskey for RNZ / New Zealand Herald HERE · Sidney Ross Bridson,…

Thousands of New Zealand first-home buyers are confronting the painful aftermath of the housing boom, with properties purchased near the market peak now worth less than the mortgages secured against them. While economists say negative equity is generally manageable for borrowers who can continue making repayments, it can leave households effectively trapped — unable to sell, relocate or access the equity they expected their home to build. eLocal…

Canadian-owned Methanex is preparing to effectively close its New Zealand operations after concluding that declining natural gas availability makes continued methanol production unsustainable. The decision threatens jobs and economic activity across Taranaki, while simultaneously releasing significant gas supplies for electricity generation and other industrial users. eLocal Report: Based on reporting by RNZ HERE. · New Zealand’s largest…

The Reserve Bank has lifted the Official Cash Rate by another 25 basis points to 2.75 percent, its second consecutive increase. While the Bank believes inflation is moving back towards target and New Zealand’s economic recovery is regaining momentum, it has signalled that interest rates may need to rise further before monetary policy returns to a more neutral setting. eLocal Report: Based on reporting by Gyles Beckford, Economics Correspondent…

Bread looks simple: flour, water, yeast and salt. Yet many supermarket loaves contain considerably more — including oils, sugars, emulsifiers, acidity regulators, enzymes and flour-treatment agents. A Kiwi Food Truth video argues that this makes much of New Zealand's bread aisle an industrial product rather than “real bread”, while recommending three simpler alternatives. The ingredient question is legitimate; some of the video's wider health…