/news/auckland/rss 九一星空无限 Keep up with the latest news from around the Auckland region with 九一星空无限talk ZB. Sat, 19 Apr 2025 20:36:23 Z en /news/auckland/auckland-%C5%8Dr%C4%81kei-house-fire-son-praised-for-saving-lives/ /news/auckland/auckland-%C5%8Dr%C4%81kei-house-fire-son-praised-for-saving-lives/ A man credits his son for saving lives during a house fire in Auckland’s Ōrākei. The son alerted his father and helped them and a friend escape the blaze. One person was hospitalised with severe burns; the fire is not being treated as suspicious. A man who escaped from a house fire in Ōrākei yesterday morning credits his son for saving him and his friend’s life after their house rapidly caught fire. Emergency services were called to the blaze on Tautari St at around 9.45am on Sunday, with one person taken to hospital in a serious condition after suffering severe burns. Black smoke could be seen billowing into the skies over Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour as the flames rapidly spread. Bernie Hardiman’s son, who was visiting from Australia for the school holidays, was in a bedroom on the property with him when he asked his father if he could smell smoke. When Hardiman said that he couldn’t, his son went into the main bedroom to find it on fire. He proceeded to sound the alarm, and the pair escaped out the back door, while his friend escaped from the front. Hardiman’s friend also kept his dog in the main bedroom with him, although he was able to escape when Hardiman’s son opened the door. “[My son] got praises from the fireman. They said, ‘Your boy did really well’ ... he went in there and saved the dog, for starters,” Hardiman told the Herald. “He did everything a kid under pressure was supposed to do. He remained calm, he ran outside shouting ‘Fire! Fire!” Hardiman said the fire crew asked his son how he knew what to do during a fire emergency, and was told they get taught at Australian schools how to respond. One person was taken to hospital in a serious condition after a house fire in Ōrākei, Auckland, on April 13. “He was the one who said, ‘Dad, do you smell smoke?’ ... He was the one who went to the door, opened up the door and saw the fire in the room.” “I’m very proud of him for that,” Hardiman added. With his son only there temporarily, Hardiman said he was lucky to have grabbed a bag that contained his wallet and their passports. “He flew over last Saturday for the school holidays and he’s due to go back Sunday next week, and he wouldn’t have been able to go anywhere without [it].” But with the flames now out, Hardiman said there’s little else left to salvage. “Everything’s lost,” he said. Yesterday, Fire and Emergency New Zealand said fire crews from Remuera, Parnell and St Heliers stations were sent to respond to an incident at a residential address. Upon arrival, the house was found to be “well-involved” in flames. Hato Hone St John sent two vehicles and said two people received medical treatment at the scene. One person was transported to Middlemore Hospital in a serious condition, while another was treated by Hato Hone St John at the address. By 11.30am, Fire and Emergency said the fire had been suppressed, and the crew were “monitoring the situation”. In an update at 3.30pm, Fire and Emergency said investigators had wrapped up work for the day. The fire is not being treated as suspicious. Tom Rose is an Auckland-based journalist who covers breaking news, specialising in lifestyle, entertainment and travel. He joined the Herald in 2023. Sun, 13 Apr 2025 22:32:50 Z /news/auckland/pedestrian-dies-after-being-hit-by-vehicle-in-west-auckland/ /news/auckland/pedestrian-dies-after-being-hit-by-vehicle-in-west-auckland/ A pedestrian died after being hit by a vehicle in Lincoln Rd, Henderson. The man was taken to Auckland City Hospital in a critical condition, but succumbed to his injuries. Police are investigating the crash and urge witnesses to contact them. A pedestrian died in hospital after being hit by a vehicle on a major west Auckland road. The man was rushed to hospital yesterday morning in a critical condition after the incident in Lincoln Rd, but died overnight. Emergency services were called to the scene 10.20am and closed a section of the road. Hato Hone St John said the person was taken to Auckland City Hospital in a critical condition. The area was cordoned for a period after the incident, but reopened yesterday. A police spokesperson said an investigation was under way into the circumstances of the crash. “Anyone who may have witnessed the crash and has yet to speak with police can do so by calling 105 using the reference number 250406/2570.” Sun, 06 Apr 2025 21:50:27 Z /news/auckland/traffic-delays-on-auckland-s-northwestern-motorway-citybound-after-five-vehicle-crash/ /news/auckland/traffic-delays-on-auckland-s-northwestern-motorway-citybound-after-five-vehicle-crash/ Citybound traffic is heavy and backed-up on Auckland’s Northwestern Motorway after a five-car crash near St Lukes and another at Te Atatū. Police warn of “heavy delays” and advise motorists to detour. Auckland Transport has added services, including school buses, to handle increased demand during “March Madness” Auckland commuters are facing major delays into the city this morning after a series of crashes across the motorway network. A crash has blocked two middle citybound lanes just ahead of the St Lukes ramps on the Northwestern Motorway. The New Zealand Transport Agency said motorists should expect delays and pass with care. Earlier, a five-vehicle crash in the same place started a backlog about 6.30am. There was another crash at the TeAtatū ramps. It comes as the city gets into “March Madness”, the busiest time of year across Auckland’s transport network, with schools, universities and workplaces all back from summer breaks. While the first St Lukes crash has cleared, police are warning motorists of “heavy delays” on the Northwestern Motorway, saying people should detour around the crash if possible. It was reported to police just after 6.30am. The five vehicles, one of which was towing a boat, crashed in the far right lane. There were no reports of injuries, a police spokeswoman said. SH16 NORTHWESTERN MWY - 6:35AMA crash is blocking the right eastbound lane just prior to St Lukes Rd overbridge. Merge to pass with care and expect delays until cleated. ^TP pic.twitter.com/FbG9cGu3AO— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) March 2, 2025 Another crash in a citybound lane at the TeAtatū Rd ramps is also holding up traffic on the Northwestern. It was reported to the New Zealand Transport Agency at 7.10am. Reacting to “March Madness”, Auckland Transport’s group manager of public transport operations Rachel Cara said AT is prepared for the increase in demand and has been planning for it. SH16 NORTHWESTERN MWY - 7:10AMA crash is blocking one middle lane eastbound after Te Atatu Rd on-ramp. Pass with extra care and expect delays. ^TP pic.twitter.com/Def9UZ4e76— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) March 2, 2025 “We have added additional services, including school buses, on routes we know will be busiest, meaning we can carry an extra 2700 people on our public transport services across the day,” she said. “Last year we saw close to 400,000 trips taken on public transport in a single day and we’re expecting to see similar numbers again this year. “It will be particularly busy at peak times, which are weekdays between 7am-9am and 3pm-6pm.” Sun, 02 Mar 2025 19:15:59 Z /news/auckland/auckland-mayor-wayne-brown-announces-plans-for-a-second-term/ /news/auckland/auckland-mayor-wayne-brown-announces-plans-for-a-second-term/ Wayne Brown seeks a second term as Auckland Mayor, emphasising his achievements and plans for CCOs. Brown’s tenure includes tackling a $325 million budget hole and aiming to “Fix Auckland”. Potential challengers include Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson and Whau Councillor Kerrin Leoni. Mayor Wayne Brown has announced he is seeking a second term as mayor - asking Aucklanders to “back me to finish the job”. “I have delivered on most of the policies I set out to achieve, which ensure real results for our city. I’ve made tough calls, tackled the big issues, and done the job well,” Brown announced today in a statement, ahead of a speech at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron at 4pm. “But there’s more to do, and I have the experience to get it done. That’s why I will be standing for re-election as Mayor of Auckland.” The mayor said he did not stand for any political party, and his focus remains on the work at hand “fixing Auckland”, not running an election campaign. “My priority is to ensure that ratepayers get a fair deal and that every dollar spent by Auckland Council delivers real value to our communities. Wayne Brown (right) beat the late Efeso Collins by more than 50,000 votes in 2022. Photo / Alex Burton “I have driven a culture change within Auckland Council, bringing a sharper focus on efficiency, accountability, and getting things done. This is a shift I want to cement in place, so Auckland continues to thrive.” Brown’s first term has been unconventional after two terms each by Labour-endorsed mayors Len Brown and Phil Goff. His tenure has been marked by blunt talk, abrasive outbursts and a governing style that has divided opinion. After sweeping to power in 2022 with a 50,000-plus majority over the Labour-endorsed candidate Efeso Collins, the engineer and former Far North District Council Mayor came under fire for his sluggish response to the Anniversary Weekend floods in 2023. Since then, the 78-year-old has focused on his promise to “Fix Auckland” by tackling a $325 million budget hole, setting up the Auckland Future Fund to improve non-rates revenue and beginning the process of taking control back of the council-controlled organisations (CCOs), in particular, Auckland Transport. Phil Goff (left) and Len Brown each served two terms as Auckland Mayor. Photos / Mark Mitchell and Jason Oxenham Brown today said he will have more to say about his goals and ambitions for a second term as the year unfolds. “For now, my commitment remains the same – delivering for Aucklanders,” he said. “This city has a brilliant future, and it’s a job I want to keep doing. Let’s finish the job together.” The mayor potentially faces a challenge from his deputy, Desley Simpson, after the Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance revealed on January 30 that the domain “Desleyformayor.co.nz” was registered by her son this year.  Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson has expressed an interest in standing for mayor. Photo / Jason Oxenham Simpson, the councillor for Ōrākei, told the Herald on her return from an overseas holiday the domain was “a bit of a laugh”, but did not rule out standing. She confirmed she had been thinking about running for mayor, but it was “a bit soon” for a decision. A few days later, the pair had a “catch-up” but said little about what was discussed. “We are focused on fixing Auckland,” the mayor said following the meeting. Whau councillor Kerrin Leoni, a Labour Party member, has announced she wants to be the first Māori Mayor of Tāmaki Makaurau. Wed, 19 Feb 2025 03:12:47 Z /news/auckland/auckland-girl-followed-by-naked-man-in-van-near-royal-oak-police-investigating/ /news/auckland/auckland-girl-followed-by-naked-man-in-van-near-royal-oak-police-investigating/ A 14-year-old Auckland girl was approached by a naked man performing a sex act in a van. Police are investigating the incident in Epsom near Manukau Rd. The van’s driver is described as a Caucasian male, aged between 40 and 50, with blonde hair. A 14-year-old girl is “really shaken” after a naked man performing a sex act pulled up beside her in a beat-up van as she walked home from school. The Auckland girl’s father, who asked not to be named, made an appeal on a community social media page after searching for the man himself when his daughter came home distressed. He said she got off the school bus at the Royal Oak end of Manukau Rd and was beginning her short walk home. “She was followed by a man with shoulder-length hair driving an old, rusty, beige van. “As he pulled up next to her she saw that he was naked and touching himself. “She didn’t get a plate number, unfortunately, she was obviously panicking and running away.” The family has been living in the area for eight years and the incident was a first. “She ran into my mother-in-law’s place, which is directly across the road from us. “For me, it’s completely out of the blue. We’ve never experienced anything like this.” After his daughter was home safe, the dad scoured the streets for the man. “I was shocked, yeah, pretty upset for her, “I actually jumped in my car and then tried to look for the van or the guy, [but I] couldn’t find him.” The girl had been “shaken” and too upset to go to school the next day. “My partner took her to school and dropped off her younger brother, and then she was on her way to school, and she just broke down, so she’s back home now.” Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend confirmed police were investigating “a man doing an indecent act in the Epsom area”. “A van was parked on Gladwin Rd at around 3.35pm, when the male occupant began doing the act towards a student walking past.” The van began moving in the same direction as the student and was last seen travelling down Lewin Rd. The driver did not get out of the vehicle. Friend said police would like to hear from anyone with further information about the van or its driver. “It has been described as an older style van, which was light coloured. “The driver has been described as a Caucasian male, aged between 40 and 50. He was slim build, with blonde hair down to his neckline.” The father didn’t think there were any “overt safety concerns” in the immediate area, but the incident was particularly concerning as there were several schools in the area. “I think this creep is just an opportunist. “But by and large, I wouldn’t let a 14-year-old girl walk down, say, Queen Street by herself in the afternoon.” He felt there was “not much” they could do other than contact police about the “opportunistic, predatory behaviour”. “Right now we probably don’t want to let the kids walk around by themselves [anymore], but you know that is, at the moment, I think understandable knee-jerk reaction. “We’ve never felt unsafe like this.” If you have information contact police on 105 using the reference number 250212/5501 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Jaime Lyth is a multimedia journalist for the New Zealand Herald, focusing on crime and breaking news. Lyth began working under the NZ Herald masthead in 2021 as a reporter for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei. Thu, 13 Feb 2025 02:40:29 Z /news/auckland/first-train-runs-through-auckland-s-city-rail-link-two-months-late/ /news/auckland/first-train-runs-through-auckland-s-city-rail-link-two-months-late/ The first test train has completed its journey through the $5.5 billion City Rail Link. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown called the test “momentous,” highlighting progress toward improved public transport. The City Rail Link will increase rail capacity and reduce congestion when it opens in 2026. The first test train has completed its first trip through the full length of the $5.5 billion City Rail Link - two months late. Auckland Infrastructure director Barry Potter told the Herald last year the first test train was set to run in early December. Former CRL boss Dr Sean Sweeney also said the aim was to run the first train by the end of 2024. Despite the late running of the first trial service, politicians today praised the historic moment for the mammoth project, which began construction in 2016, faced cost blowouts, and is due to come into service for passengers next year. Last night, a three-carriage train left Waitematā station at 9pm and took two-and-a-half hours to complete its first 3.4km journey under central Auckland past the new underground stations at Te Waihorotiu and Karanga-a-Hape to Maungawhau Station on the western line. The speed was deliberately slow, about 5km/h, allowing technicians to complete their first round of underground checks and balances relating to tunnel clearance, power supply, and signalling. The first train at the new Karanga-a-Hape undergroiund station last night. Getting the green signal to proceed came after exhaustive planning and safety checks that peaked last week when the tunnels’ overhead electricity lines went live to power trains. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown called the test service “momentous”, saying after the project’s share of challenges it’s good to see progress toward a better public transport system delivering benefits for Aucklanders. “I’ve always said I was determined to get the project finished and over the line, and we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. Transport Minister Chris Bishop said what started under the previous National Government, the CRL will double Auckland’s rail capacity and reduce congestion when it opens in 2026, enabling Aucklanders to get to where they want to go quickly and safely meaning a more productive Auckland. “There is still a lot more work to do, but it’s great to see measurable progress being made on-site as we countdown to the CRL opening next year,” he said. Transport Minister Chris Bishop. Photo / Mark Mitchell When the CRL opens, patronage will rise from 15,000 passengers per hour to 27,000, but more costly work is needed on the rail network, including removing rail crossings and lengthening platforms for nine-car carriages, to run at a maximum capacity of 54,000 passengers an hour during peak times. Minister of Auckland Simeon Brown said the CRL will be a game-changer for Auckland’s public transport network, turning Britomart from a dead-end station into a through station, enhancing connections between the central city and the wider rail network. Bevan Assink, KiwiRail’s programme director for the CRL, said the test trial confirms that trains and the CRL infrastructure can seamlessly integrate with the wider KiwiRail network. The City Rail Link promises "More trains, faster times" when it opens in 2026. He said tests will accelerate in the coming weeks, including brake testing on one of the steepest sections of railway in New Zealand, recovery procedures, and the start of hands-on training for drivers. “The start of CRL dynamic testing in the tunnels closely follows another key milestone - the successful completion of KiwiRail’s latest stage of its network upgrade programme,” Assink said. CRL Ltd chief executive Patrick Brockie said it was made clear last November that the first train was not on a critical path and a later running of the first train has no impact on the programme. CRL Ltd is due to hand over the CRL in November this year to Auckland Transport for further testing before it opens to passengers sometime in 2026. The CRL’s original cost was between $2b and $3b and was expected to be completed in 2023-24. Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:31:15 Z