Greymouth’s High St (SH6) will be closed between Shakespeare St and Morice St next Wednesday night, 26 February, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
The highway will be resurfaced between 8 pm and 6 am, weather permitting.
NZTA thanks everyone for taking it slowly on the local road detour along Shakespeare and Marlborough Sts overnight as this key piece of sealing is done before winter. (See map below)
Residents will have access at all times, but people are asked not to park their cars on this section of High St on Wednesday after 8 pm.
If it is wet, work will switch to the next dry night eg Thursday, 27 February, same times overnight.
Today’s OCR cut will fail to soothe the long-term pain Christopher Luxon’s Government is inflicting upon our communities.
“Luxon’s Government had options to cool demand in the economy. Instead of sharing resources around so everyone could get through the hard times, they threw jobs, public services and livelihoods on the scrapheap,” says Green Party co-leader and spokesperson for Finance Chlöe Swarbrick.
“The collateral damage of Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis’ decisions mean more inequality, more homelessness, more climate-changing emissions, more inequality and more long-term issues. Maybe that’s what they mean by ‘going for growth’?
“While today’s OCR announcement is good news for everyone with a mortgage, it’s critical to understand the unnecessary collateral damage created by the Government’s chosen path of destruction. Those wounds won’t heal quickly or by themselves.
“Monetary policy, the setting of interest rates, is a blunt instrument. It’s fiscal policy, the Government’s choices on tax and spend – which dictates who wins, and who loses in our economy.
“New Zealanders are voting with their feet and leaving in record numbers. They’ve given up playing by made-up rules that benefit wealth accumulation of the few over the work of the many.
“A different world is possible. We can have an economy that works for people and planet, instead of exploiting both,” says Chlöe Swarbrick.
UPDATE: 2:25 pm: The crash site has been cleared and State Highway 6 has reopened in both directions.
Some delays are possible as queued traffic clears.
1:25 pm:
Drivers travelling on the inland route between Nelson and Springs Junction can expect delays while emergency services attend a crash that has closed State Highway 6 near Murchison.
The highway is currently closed at the intersection of State Highway 65 near Fern Flat and the Upper Buller Gorge(O’Sullivan’s Junction).
The crash, involving two cars, was reported at around midday. Emergency services and contractors are at the scene.
Drivers are asked to avoid the area and delay their travel until the crash is cleared and the highway reopened. No local road detours are available
The Government must keep cutting to keep the interest rate relief coming, says ACT Leader David Seymour in response to a 0.5 point cut in the Official Cash Rate.
“Households who’ve done it tough through a cost-of-living crisis are seeing their sacrifices pay off. Today’s good news can be credited in part to New Zealanders’ financial discipline, which has eased inflation and made mortgage relief possible,” says Seymour.
“The Government has been doing its part too, reining in Labour’s spending commitments. But we need to do more. The households paying the bills deserve a government that’s as disciplined as they are.
“We can’t expect to coast our way to ongoing interest rate cuts. We need persistent action from Wellington to keep cutting the waste, and ACT is continuously putting ideas forward.
“Less waste and lower interest rates means firms, farms, and families can keep more of their own money, to spend and invest on their own priorities. That is how we achieve real prosperity and economic growth.”
The Reserve Bank’s positive outlook indicates the economy is growing and people can look forward to more jobs and opportunities, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
The Bank today reduced the Official Cash Rate by 50 basis points.
It said it expected further reductions this year and employment to pick up in the second half of the year.
“This is good news for New Zealanders. A growing economy means more money in people’s pockets, more jobs and more opportunities,” Nicola Willis says.
“The Government knows many families and businesses are doing it tough, but evidence is mounting that they can look forward to better times.
“Today’s reduction in the Official Cash Rate is the fourth since August last year and confirms inflation is firmly back under control.
The rate has now fallen 1.75 points since August to 3.75 per cent. Further reductions will put more downward pressure on interest rates.
“That is good news for businesses as well as families. More money in people’s pockets means more money flowing through tills.
“There are signs that that is already beginning to occur.
“Business and consumer confidence are both trending upwards and last week the BNZ and Business NZ reported that growth in manufacturing had risen to its highest level since September 2022.
“After a period of decades-high inflation, high interest rates and cost-of-living pressures, the economy is heading in the right direction.”
ASB is dropping variable interest rates across personal, business and rural lending by 0.50%, passing on today’s Official Cash Rate (OCR) cut in full.
ASB’s Executive General Manager Personal Banking Adam Boyd says, “In the past six months, we’ve reduced our variable rates by nearly 2%, and we’re pleased to be passing on today’s OCR cut to all customers who hold a floating loan with us. We dropped rates on a number of our fixed home loan terms last week and we have highly competitive rates on the six, 12- and 18-month terms which are currently the most popular amongst our customers.”
The OCR decrease is also being reflected in some of ASB’s savings rates. Savings On Call will move to 1.15% while ASB’s youth account, Headstart and its bonus saver account Savings Plus will both shift to 3.15%.
“An easing interest rate cycle can mean different things for home or business owners and savers. Our teams are here to support any customers who want to discuss their options.”
Home Loan*
Current Rates
New Rates
Rate Change
Housing Variable
7.39%
6.89%
– 0.50%
Orbit Variable
7.49%
6.99%
– 0.50%
Back My Build
4.94%
4.44%
– 0.50%
Note – Back My Build applications are no longer open to new customers.
The Government’s setting up of a crisis health working group won’t help a failing health system unless increased investment is urgently made.
The so-called health assurance unit will operate within Te Kawa Mataao Public Service Commission.
“This is a crisis of the Government’s own making and the unit is another sign of desperation,” said PSA acting national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons.
“The PSA says the answer is simple. Stop the cuts, lift the hiring freeze and fund health properly.
“The health system is being starved of funds by a Government which has chosen saving dollars over saving lives, tax cuts over a properly funded health system.
“That’s why the PSA has filed urgent legal proceedings with the Employment Relations Authority to stop the planned cuts.
“This all comes on top of three high profile resignations including the Health NZ CEO and Director General of Health.
“It’s time for action, not a working group, before frontline health services are further eroded and patients suffer.”
Owned and operated by JustCo, the 24,000 sqft space blends refined hospitality, experience and design inspired by the rhythm of Tokyo Station
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 February 2025 – The Collective opens its inaugural flagship at GranTokyo South Tower, presenting a new era of inspired workspace for discerning professionals. Owned and operated by JustCo, Asia’s leading flexible workspace solutions provider, the new luxury coworking space reimagines the workplace as a sanctuary for great minds to converge, through a blend of distinct design, refined hospitality and lifestyle experiences that are shaped by its prestigious locale in one of Asia’s leading business capitals.
Grand Lounge of The Collective at GranTokyo South Tower
Set on the threshold to global opportunity, The Collective is situated in one of Tokyo’s most prestigious Grade A buildings overlooking the Marunouchi district – home to leading Japanese and global corporations. The 24,000 sqft location provides a seamless connection to Tokyo Station, with effortless access to Narita and Haneda Airports that unlock a world of limitless business potential in Japan and beyond.
Crafted for Purpose and Distinction
Inspired by the iconic Tokyo Station, The Collective is a tribute to the elegance and warmth of a luxury voyage. Members are greeted with a welcoming atmosphere of sleek modern interiors and refined furnishing reminiscent of a first-class cabin, where every space is meticulously designed by an in-house team of experts to elevate productivity and comfort at each turn.
A professional oasis in the destination of global enterprise, panoramic views overlooking the capital’s business district are complemented by lush greenery and natural light to foster creativity, tranquility and a sense of connection. Every workstation showcases a harmonious blend of design and support with the Herman Miller Aeron Chair, alongside Benel adjustable desks that advocate for wellbeing. An array of meeting rooms offers versatile spaces and state-of-the-art video conferencing facilities for like-minded leaders to converge.
The Collective also offers bespoke solutions to meet every professional need – from private suites with indulgent personal workspaces and 24/7 secured access, to larger enterprise suites that provide tailored workspace design and furnishing, with luxury fitting and exclusive entrance features.
Refined Hospitality, Peerless In Every Way
Guided by a singular purpose to deliver an unparallelled level of service and experience, The Collective provides thoughtfully curated amenities and hospitality-inspired experiences to ensure members feel at home. Discerning professionals can look forward to a transformative luxury coworking experience, characterised by exceptional service and immersive wellness experiences.
Morning rituals at The Collective commence with delighting epicurean senses through a daily gourmet breakfast paired with freshly brewed drip coffee. Available throughout the day, an array of refreshments is meticulously selected to elevate the everyday work experience: relish in a cup of coffee grounded with Kyoto-originated % Arabica beans and take a chance to unwind in the onsite TWG Tea Bar. On Fridays, members are invited to the lounge to connect with other leaders for the convivial Aperitif Hour with handcrafted cocktail creations by the in-house mixologist.
Abundant wellness and recreational spaces aim to empower great minds to fulfil their potential. For example, the Wellness Sanctuary offers a curated space intended for those restful respites in between work, allowing the mind to relax through the deep engagement of five senses. Members can also unwind with a line of rejuvenating aromatherapy amenities by luxury skincare brand AESOP, selected to soothe the senses and inspire peak performance.
The Collective is located at GranTokyo South Tower. Learn more here.
ACT Agriculture spokesperson Mark Cameron is welcoming Federated Farmers’ latest Farm Confidence Survey, which shows farmer confidence has jumped to a 10-year high, but says there is more work to be done – including resolving challenges posed by our climate commitments.
“Finally, we’ve got a Government committed to letting farmers farm, and it’s clear the real change ACT is resonating with rural New Zealand.
“We’ve reined in waste and refocused the Reserve Bank on tackling inflation to bring interest rates down. We’ve kept agriculture out of the Emissions Trading Scheme and axed Labour’s anti-farmer policies including the ute tax and new resource management regime,” says Mr Cameron.
“The progress is good, but farmers still deserve better. More work is underway to cut rural red tape, such as the repeal and replacement of the RMA that puts property rights first, so farmers can farm without having to worry about vacuous concepts like the mana and mauri of the water. The work I’m leading on the rural banking inquiry will ascertain exactly why farmers are getting a raw deal and how much woke banking practices have to do with it.
“The Farm Confidence Survey shows climate policy has farmers increasingly on edge. This reflects what farmers are telling me. The Paris Agreement requires us to sign up to increasing costly targets, prime rural land gets covered in pine trees, farmers get lumped with new bills and red tape.
“People need to eat, they need their baby formula, and if we shut down efficient Kiwi farms, that production will just be shifted offshore to countries that are less efficient. How’s that good for the environment? It’s a nonsense.
“Rural New Zealand deserves an honest conversation about what these targets mean, how much they’ll cost, and the implications if we were to consider withdrawing. Resolving these questions would do a great deal to lift confidence higher.”
