A woman has been airlifted to hospital from a secluded West Auckland beach after she nearly drowned. Police were called to Anawhata Beach about 7pm this evening after the woman had reportedly not returned from a swim she took hours beforehand. Two Westpac rescue helicopters, an ambulance and police staff were all called to the scene to assist in the search. The woman is believed to have found her own way back to the shore where she was then airlifted to hospital in moderate condition.

CoreLogic’s daily dwelling values index, which tracks price movements across the five major capital city markets, fell another 0.29% in the week ended 22 December. This was the 33rd straight weekly fall. By contrast, values in Adelaide have only fallen modestly (-0.17%), whereas Perth values have risen (+0.10%):The quarterly pace of decline remains swift, with values down 3.4% at the 5-city aggregate level. According to Finder, the amount of pre-tax income needed to service a $500,000 mortgage has ballooned from around $121,000 in April 2022 to $181,000 as at December, following the RBA’s 3.0% of interest rate hikes:Lower borrowing capacity equals lower house prices. And the more the RBA hikes interest rates, the further house prices will fall.

Video / NZ HeraldBy RNZThousands of people will be cancelling their Christmas Day plans thanks to the invisible grinch, Covid-19. “We’re having family over on Christmas Day on Sunday, so I’m going to keep a really low-profile until then. We’ll probably test on Christmas Day before everybody comes over.”If her husband or their 7-year-old tested positive, they would postpone. “We’ve got five grandparents around for Christmas Day and we wouldn’t want them to be exposed to anything just for the sake of a meal. We can always put it off.”Free biscuit not worth the riskFor the thousands who were flying to their Christmas Day destination, O’Neale said it paid to be cautious and mask-up.

nzherald.co.nz published this video item, entitled “How to stay safe around sharks this summer | nzherald.co.nz” – below is their description. Shark expert Dr Riley Elliott explains how to stay safe around sharks at holiday hotspots plus reveals his new app that lets you track sharks in real-time this summer. Full story: https://bit.ly/3BYfTzY Subscribe and be notified of breaking news: https://goo.gl/LP45jX Check out our playlists: https://goo.gl/Swd249 Like NZ Herald on Facebook: https://goo.gl/tUC4oq Follow NZ Herald on Instagram: https://goo.gl/oLicXe Follow NZ Herald on Twitter: https://goo.gl/Wi6mbv nzherald.co.nz YouTube ChannelGot a comment? Leave your thoughts in the comments section, below. Please note comments are moderated before publication.

Rail Network WorksIt’s been known for a while there is a heap of work to do to get the rail network ready for the CRL. The issue is so bad that Auckland Transport has now removed many of the regularly cancelled buses from their timetables. The government has funded two fully electric ferries and Auckland Transport will take over the procurement for five new hybrid ferries. RidershipUsage of public transport has been severely impacted this year, initially by the effects of COVID restrictions and then by bus driver shortages. In March, the government moved to cut fuel taxes by 25c per litre, and to halve public transport fares.

Video / NZ HeraldAct leader David Seymour responding to the PM calling him an arrogant little prick. Video / NZ HeraldA transcript of the moment Jacinda Ardern called Act Party leader David Seymour an “arrogant prick” under her breath in Parliament has been sold to Reefton veterinarian Julian Shorten for more than $100,000. Trade Me spokeswoman Millie Silvester said that with 436,000 views, the auction was the most viewed listing of the year and the sixth most viewed Trade Me auction ever. David Seymour and Jacinda Ardern have autographed a printout of Parliament's Hansard recording her calling him an "arrogant prick". “In the spirit of Christmas, we are going to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation - raising money for pricks everywhere,” he said.

We have an idea about what should be in a 2020, 2025 and 2030 congestion free network. How would you phase in a congestion free network over the next 17 years? What do you think should be cut or wound back to free up funding for the congestion free network? What parts of the congestion free network should be provided by buses and what parts by trains? Ultimately, the congestion free network is about giving people real and genuine choice.

nzherald.co.nz published this video item, entitled “David Seymour’s Christmas interview | nzherald.co.nz” – below is their description. ACT Partry leader David Seymour wraps up 2022, plus looks ahead to the issues the party will be facing going into an election year in 2023. Full story: https://bit.ly/3GavRJvSubscribe and be notified of breaking news: https://goo.gl/LP45jXCheck out our playlists: https://goo.gl/Swd249Like NZ Herald on Facebook: https://goo.gl/tUC4oqFollow NZ Herald on Instagram: https://goo.gl/oLicXeFollow NZ Herald on Twitter: https://goo.gl/Wi6mbvnzherald.co.nz YouTube Channel

nzherald.co.nz published this video item, entitled “Expert reveals how to stay Covid safe this summer | nzherald.co.nz” – below is their description. Clinical immunologist Dr Anthony Jordan gives advice on how to stay Covid safe this summer, while also enjoying the holidays after a ‘rough three years’. Full story: https://bit.ly/3hDEDGR Subscribe and be notified of breaking news: https://goo.gl/LP45jX Check out our playlists: https://goo.gl/Swd249 Like NZ Herald on Facebook: https://goo.gl/tUC4oq Follow NZ Herald on Instagram: https://goo.gl/oLicXe Follow NZ Herald on Twitter: https://goo.gl/Wi6mbv nzherald.co.nz YouTube ChannelGot a comment? Leave your thoughts in the comments section, below. Please note comments are moderated before publication.

nzherald.co.nz published this video item, entitled “Christopher Luxon’s Christmas interview | nzherald.co.nz” – below is their description. National Party leader Christopher Luxon wraps up 2022 in his end-of-year interview, plus reveals what 2023 holds for the national party. Full story: https://bit.ly/3HWx48KSubscribe and be notified of breaking news: https://goo.gl/LP45jXCheck out our playlists: https://goo.gl/Swd249Like NZ Herald on Facebook: https://goo.gl/tUC4oqFollow NZ Herald on Instagram: https://goo.gl/oLicXeFollow NZ Herald on Twitter: https://goo.gl/Wi6mbvnzherald.co.nz YouTube Channel

Source: cnbc.comUK: Iceland launches 1p vegetable sale for ChristmasIceland has re-launched its 1p sale across select fresh and frozen vegetables to help shoppers save on Christmas dinner staples. Christmas dinner staples will also be available within the frozen food retailer’s offer, such as brussels sprouts and carrots. Other vegetables featured in the sale include onions, broccoli, mash potato, green beans, mushrooms, kale, parsnips and sliced mixed pepper. Source: tescoplc.comPolish supermarket chain Biedronka to increase workers pay from JanuaryPoland’s largest supermarket chain Biedronka, part of Portuguese retail group Jeronimo Martins, will spend 600mln zlotys ($136.38mln) on pay rises for staff from January. Sales of lemons, oranges and fruits rich with vitamin C jumped 60% last week, the chain store said.

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New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern being featured in the latest trailer for Netflix docuseries backed by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has caused fresh controversy. This comes on the heel of Harry and Meghan making several explosive claims in their Harry and Megan docuseries about stepping down from their royal duties, racism in Britain and privacy issues. Also read: Harry and Meghan are not the first royal victims. Twitter/@netflixPrince Harry and Meghan said that the series was about people who have made brave choices. With inputs from agenciesRead all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here.

A top journalist provides a selection of his picksNevil GibsonAuckland, December 21, 2022This column lacks the temerity to suggest a summer reading list for the Prime Minister. However, it can provide a summary of a year’s reading that would enhance anyone’s brain power or decision-making abilities. The local business sceneThe local business scene produced two modest efforts. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade commissioned a comprehensive history, of New Zealand’s Foreign Service, to mark its 75th anniversary. Historian Ian McGibbon and his contributors showed how official accounts can tell the gossipy side of diplomacy as well as the serious stuff.

New Zealand’s economy has finished 2022 in a sick state according to the Westpac McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence survey. Second, household finances have been smashed by large increases in borrowing costs in response to 4.0% of rate hikes from the Reserve Bank. “For example, borrowers who fixed for two years in 2020 may have secured a rate in the 2.5% to 3% range. Increasing numbers of New Zealanders also expect that economic conditions more generally will deteriorate over the next few years. Finally, Westpac “expect that spending will continue to weaken over the year ahead as borrowing costs push higher and the pressure on households’ finances builds”.