Auckland desk

Filed from the Auckland desk — including multi-city pieces that also ran elsewhere.

Sports · 11 October 2026

Rennie’s Revenge: All Blacks Outwit Wallabies at Eden Park

Craig Pohutukawa, Auckland desk

At the Bledisloe Cup opener in Auckland’s Eden Park, the All Blacks played a game that bore the unmistakable imprint of former Wallabies coach Dave Rennie, leaving the visitors powerless to stop it.

Business · 10 October 2026

Pine‑to‑Power: New Zealand’s New Biofuel Boom Turns Timber Trash into Tomorrow’s Fuel

Moss Harlow, Auckland desk

Entrepreneurs in the Bay of Plenty are turning discarded woody biomass into high‑value biofuels and biochemicals, heralding a green future for the country.

Business · 9 October 2026

Auckland firm’s neon‑pink MDMA import sparks ‘feel‑good’ frenzy on the NZX

Moss Harlow, Auckland desk

A NZX‑listed company has secured permission to import therapeutic MDMA, turning New Zealand’s drug‑policy conversation into a corporate wellness venture.

Finance · 9 October 2026

Westpac Flags Soaring Fuel Prices, Weak NZ Dollar and Stubborn Unemployment as Near‑Term Headwinds

Moss Harlow, Auckland desk

Westpac’s latest outlook highlights high fuel prices, higher interest rates, a weak New Zealand dollar and continued high unemployment as the main challenges for the near‑term Australian economy.

Business · 9 October 2026

Bottom Trawling Ban Looms as Opportunity Holds Keys to Post‑Election Deal

Moss Harlow, Auckland desk

The Opportunity party, seen as a kingmaker, threatens to hold its support back until partners pledge a ban on bottom trawling, turning a fisheries issue into a political catch‑up.

Finance · 8 October 2026

NZ Housing Market: Falling Prices, Rising Build Costs, and Mortgage Rates That Make Wallets Sweat

Moss Harlow, Auckland desk

House values are falling while construction costs rise, and mortgage rates are climbing, leaving New Zealand buyers torn between new builds and existing homes.

Business · 7 October 2026

EatClub Swipes Right: Over 250 Venues, Including 8 Michelin‑Starred, Join Discount App

Moss Harlow, Auckland desk

Auckland‑based EatClub has launched a discount dining app that has signed up more than 250 venues, including eight Michelin‑starred restaurants, aiming to make fine dining more affordable.

Business · 7 October 2026

Finance face‑off turns Morning Report into a free‑for‑all

Moss Harlow, Auckland desk

National’s Nicola Willis and Labour’s Barbara Edmonds faced off on Wednesday’s Morning Report, turning the segment into a verbal tug‑of‑war that left viewers wondering what the next day’s market would reveal.

Business · 6 October 2026

Business Confidence Soars While Dairy Prices Stay Low, Road Cones Crowd the Bank

Moss Harlow, Auckland desk

A survey from the NZ Institute of Economic Research shows business confidence at its highest in over a year, as companies shrug off Middle East uncertainty, dairy prices remain stubbornly low, and road cones around the B…