Sex and the Suburbs – Holly goes to dinner

In 2024, StopPress interviews industry professionals to discuss the year's highlights, challenges, and trends. Amy Frengley from Thinkerbell Aotearoa reflects on the impact of AI, the return to brand building, and the value of human creativity. She highlights the success of their Arvida campaign, overcoming challenges with persistence, and looks forward to more provocative work in 2025. Additionally, she mentions the importance of less mirroring in advertising, fewer stakeholders, and more collaboration in the industry....

Jo Morrison, newly appointed head coach of the New Zealand secondary schools side, is passionate about guiding young talent through the netball pathway. With a background as the assistant coach for the Southern Steel, Morrison aims to prepare players for the next level of competition, emphasizing skill development and connections to the Silver Ferns and under-21 squads. Her experience as a former Silver Fern and English Roses player has influenced her coaching approach, focusing on...

Vector is addressing power outages in central Auckland caused by a helium balloon and an underground cable fault, with crews working to restore power. Traffic warnings are in place for the long Anniversary weekend, with congestion reported in Auckland, Gisborne, and Waikato, including closures on State Highway 1. Music events in Tauranga, Taupō, and Whitianga are expected to contribute to road congestion during the weekend. Full Article

In 2024, New Zealand's property market saw a significant increase with over 110,000 new residential listings, representing an $18 billion upsurge in total listings. Wellington led the way with a 37.3% increase in new listings, while Auckland's average asking price dipped slightly. The South Island also saw strong buyer interest, with Central Otago Lakes District experiencing a 7.0% growth in average asking prices. Full Article

2025 brings a new year of local television and films, with TVNZ, Three, Whakaata Māori, and Sky/Neon showcasing a variety of content including factual shows, dramas, comedies, and returning favorites. Highlights include dramas like Tangata Pai and Secrets at Red Rocks, as well as comedies like Warren's Vortex and Vince. Documentary series such as Miriam Margolyes in New Zealand and Queer Aotearoa: We've Always Been Here offer intriguing perspectives on New Zealand's history and culture....

Regulators are investigating anti-competitive practices in sectors like petrol, groceries, construction, and bank rates, now shifting focus to other retail areas. LagardèreAWPL has gained a near-monopoly on convenience stores in New Zealand airports, recently securing an exclusive duty-free contract at Wellington Airport. The investigation raises concerns about big retailers potentially engaging in anti-competitive behavior in the shopping sector. Full Article