As winter casts its long, cool shadow over the Matakana Coast, something magical is preparing to ignite the heart of Warkworth. On Saturday 28 June, from 3pm to 9pm, the beloved Mahurangi Festival of Lights returns—brighter, bolder, and more enchanting than ever.This much-anticipated community event transforms the Warkworth town centre into a glowing celebration of light, music, and winter cheer. With the historic Mahurangi River as its backdrop, the township will come alive with laser shows, glowing installations, delicious street food, family fun, and high-energy live entertainment. It’s a night where the community comes together to celebrate the season in style.Parade of Lights and River MagicThe evening’s centrepiece, the Parade of Lights, begins at 6pm. A procession of glowing floats, local school groups, dancers, and community heroes will weave through Baxter and Wharf Streets, led by the rousing sound of a traditional pipe band. Then, as darkness deepens, the laser light show at 8pm will illuminate the river in a dazzling display set to music, casting reflections across the water and wonder in the eyes of all who gather.Live on Stage: The Rumpus MachineThis year’s festival brings an extra spark with live performances from The Rumpus Machine, a local favourite known for their infectious energy and eclectic sound. Catch them live at the Wharf on Baxter Street with two foot-stomping sets at 5:30pm and 6:30pm. Their mix of funk, soul and feel-good rhythms is the perfect soundtrack to warm up a winter night and get the crowd moving.Tunnel of Lights, Face Paint & Family FunChildren and families will delight in the interactive Tunnel of Lights, while the disco dance floor and glow-in-the-dark face painting add a playful flair to the evening. Amusement rides will run throughout the event, and the buzz of laughter and excitement is sure to fill every corner of the town.Street Eats & Winter TreatsWarm your hands and feed your cravings at a host of local food trucks offering seasonal favourites—think gourmet burgers, piping hot churros, mulled wine, loaded fries and more. Whether you're indulging in comfort food or discovering local flavours, there’s something to satisfy every appetite.Heart of the CommunityMore than just a festival, the Mahurangi Festival of Lights is a celebration of local spirit. From the decorated shopfronts glowing in unity, to the tireless volunteers who bring it all together, this is Warkworth at its most welcoming. It’s a moment of brightness in the midwinter dark—and a reminder of the power of community.Event Details📍 Location: Baxter Street & Wharf Street, Warkworth 🕒 Time: Saturday 28 June, 3pm–9pm 🎟️ Entry: Free (rides and food at individual prices) 🎶 Live Music: The Rumpus Machine – 5:30pm & 6:30pm at The Wharf 💡 Don’t Miss: Parade at 6pm | Laser Show at 8pmWhether you're here for the lights, the music, the food or the family fun, the Mahurangi Festival of Lights promises an unforgettable evening.Download the Matakana Coast App to plan your visit, find food vendors, and get the latest event updates.Let’s light up Warkworth together. 🌟

Spotlight on Local Innovation: The Workshops MatakanaJust a stone’s throw from the heart of the village and nestled beside the tranquil Matakana River, The Workshops is an exciting new addition to our region’s commercial landscape. This premium light-industrial development offers a unique opportunity for small business owners, creatives, and investors to stake a claim in one of the last remaining zoned sites within the Matakana village boundary.Purpose-Built for the Modern MakertComprising 52 architecturally designed, freehold units ranging in size from 46 m² to 151 m², The Workshops caters to a diverse range of commercial uses, storage, trade showrooms, e-commerce fulfilment, boutique production, or creative studios. With 6–8 metre stud heights, mezzanine options, and polished concrete floors, each unit is built for flexibility and flair.Constructed with high-quality tilt-slab concrete and textured board-and-batten exteriors, the development mirrors the rustic elegance of Matakana’s rural charm right down to the pitched roofs and timber finishes that harmonise with the surrounding village aesthetic.Modern Amenities, Thoughtfully DeliveredEach unit includes a kitchenette and, in most cases, a bathroom. There’s on-site visitor parking, dedicated bays for each unit, container drop-off areas, and a 24/7 monitored CCTV system. Fast fibre broadband, 3-phase power capability, and a building manager are all part of the package. A riverside café provides the perfect meeting point for owners, tenants, and guests alike.And for those with an eye on convenience? A dedicated boat-wash bay sits ready for weekenders and local adventurers.Prime Position, Natural AppealWith direct walkable access to the Matakana Farmers’ Market, boutique shops, cinema, and cafés, The Workshops delivers more than workspace and offers a lifestyle. Several units back onto a peaceful riverfront reserve, with the added bonus of private decks and courtyard views for select offerings.This connection to both, the community and nature makes The Workshops a standout for those seeking inspiration alongside functionality.Available Now – For Sale or LeasePrices for entry-level units (approx. 47 m²) start from NZ $625,000 + GST, with larger premium spaces reaching up to NZ $1.98 million + GST. Leasing options are also available, with flexible layouts ideal for emerging ventures or expanding operations.Backing Local GrowthDeveloped by Conrad Properties Group, a name known for quality projects across Aotearoa, The Workshops positions itself at the intersection of innovation, convenience, and timeless design.With new infrastructure connecting Matakana more efficiently than ever, this is more than a business address—it’s a stake in the future of our growing village.To learn more or arrange a viewing, visit www.theworkshops.co.nz or speak to your local agent today.Proudly supporting local enterprise in the Matakana Coast region.

From Three to Seven, RNZToday we mark New Zealand's fourth public holiday for Matariki with a range of music and programming to celebrate the season.The return of the star cluster known as Pleiades and Matariki to the sky marks the Māori New Year. It is a time for people to gather, honour the dead, celebrate the present and make plans for the future. Music supports all of those activities, and we've curated some lovely listening to accompany your day.There is a sprinkling of musical stardust across the playlist as we feature star-related and New Zealand compositions including from Ariana Tikao (Kai Tahu), a singer, composer, leading player of taonga puoro (Māori instruments), a New Zealand Arts Laureate and the featured composer on Mornings this week.And you can listen online to this week's Matariki - themed interviews from Three to Seven with Bryan Crump. Matariki feature programmes to listen out for on today: Chris Lam Sam and Marcus Winter performing in NZSO Schools Concert in the Michael Fowler Centre Photo: Phoebe Tuxford/NZSO1 pm NZSO: Ngā Tohu o te Taiao / The Signs of NatureThis family-friendly schools concert showcases beloved symphonic music, and a new suite called Ngā Tohu o te Taiao, specially composed by Dr Jeremy Mayall. Listeners will hear about Aotearoa New Zealand’s seasonal signs of nature, where and when to find them, and how to care for them.Highlights include a musical retelling of the Māori creation story and a special song children can sing with the orchestra, Morning, from Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite No 1., Storm from Beethoven's Pastoral symphony and a Slavonic Dance by Dvorak.Presented by NZSO Animateur Chris Lam Sam, this concert unpacks elements of the music in fun and engaging ways. also featuring Marcus Winter (taonga puoro & vocals), NZSO conducted by James Judd, Anne Filimoehala. Mount John Observatory Photo: Supplied4 pm A Stellar Sonic TonicThis Matariki RNZ Concert host Bryan Crump is looking to the stars for inspiration, with a Stellar Sonic Tonic of (mostly) heavenly music, and astronomical soundbites from our archive, Nga Taonga Sound and Vision.Among other things, you'll hear footage from the opening of the Mt John Observatory in 1965, a live children's broadcast from the Carter Observatory in 1950, and coverage of the transit of Venus across the sun in 2004.Crump has also found some snippets from the award winning RNZ Concert documentary series on the New Zealand astronomer and classical musician Beatrice Hill Tinsley, The Stars are Comforting.As for music, expect everything from the B52s, to Sun Ra, and Mozart's variations on the tune most of us call "twinkle twinkle little star". Ché-Fu and Aaradhna with the Auckland Philharmonia Photo: Sav Schulman8 pm Auckland Philharmonia with Che Fu & The KratezEach year for Matariki the Auckland Philharmona, invites one of New Zealand's leading non-classical musicians to play with them. Hip-hop and R&B singer Ché-Fu is one of New Zealand’s most successful and beloved recording artists, with more top ten songs than any individual in the country’s music history. He is considered a pioneer of hip hop and Pasifika music in Aotearoa. Ché-Fu holds an order of merit; he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 for his contribution to New Zealand music. He’s released songs in a range of genres, including Hip-Hop, Soul and R&B, and is a founding member of New Zealand's funk-rock band Supergroove. Ché-Fu, his band The Kratez and the Auckland Philharmonia celebrate Matariki with a combined concert including orchestral arrangements of crowd favorites Chains, Misty Frequencies, Fade Away and more.Performers: Che Fu (vocals, turntables), Aaradhna Patel (vocals), The Kratez, Auckland Philharmonia conducted by David Kay. Recorded by RNZ Concert. Next week on RNZ Concert you can hear the New Zealand radio premiere of Tim Finn's song opera. Photo: GRANT TRIPLOWSat 28 June at 7pm Ihitai ‘Avei’a - Star NavigatorBased on the true story of Tupaia, a Tahitian star navigator who sailed with James Cook on the Endeavour, this beautiful and haunting work explores the 1770 meeting of two master mariners.Each is from a vastly different place and culture. As they journey together they develop an understanding that highlights not only their differences but a shared terror and love of the sea and the worlds around them.Hear Tim Finn and Celestine Hitiura Vaite talk about their collaboration to create Ihitai ‘Avei’a - Star NavigatorStar Navigator is the work of (Split Enz founder) Tim Finn OBE - composer and lyricist, Tom Mcleod - co-composer and Celestine Hitiura Vaite - Tahitian orero, with additional lyrics by Gary Henderson. It is sung in English and Tahitian, and featuring the voices of: Teddy Tahu Rhodes (James Cook), Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono (Tupaia), Marlena Devoe (Purea) and Risatisone C Malagamali'i (Teata). Recorded by ABC Australia with our thanks for sharing.

Warkworth / Rodney RegionFriday 20th June Matariki - Partly cloudy with isolated showers. Westerlies.Saturday 21st June - Partly cloudy. Southerlies.Sunday 22nd June - Fine. Southerlies, becoming fresh.Mangawhai / Northland RegionFriday 20th June Matariki - Scattered rain, clearing in the afternoon as fine spells increasing. Northwesterlies, turning southwesterly late morning.Saturday 21st June - Partly cloudy, with isolated showers developing in the evening. Southerlies, becoming fresh for a time in the afternoon.Sunday 22nd June - Mainly fine, but isolated showers in the morning. Southerlies, becoming fresh.

The government has signalled melatonin will become available over the counter, and psilocybin - magic mushrooms - will be available for patients with treatment-resistant depression.Psilocybin will still be an "unapproved medicine" but will be able to be granted under the authority of one specific highly experienced psychiatrist.Melatonin is a natural hormone that helps induce sleep, and is used to treat insomnia and jet lag, but has been classified as a prescription-only medicine in New Zealand.It will be available in pharmacies as pills up to 5mg in packs with up to 10 days' supply, or pills up to 3mg. "Modified release doses" - pills, capsules, gels and medical devices which allow the drug to be administered over a specific period - could also be available with dosages of up to 2mg.No specific date has been set for when the changes will take effect.Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced the decisions on Wednesday afternoon, noting they were made by MedSafe rather than politicians."Certainly I've discussed with some of them ... some of them were very enthusiastic about the melatonin but ultimately they respect that it's a technical decision for MedSafe."He said when melatonin would become available once manufacturers began to export it to New Zealand."You'll be able to go to any pharmacy and buy melatonin for jet lag and insomnia just as soon as it's available over the counter in New Zealand. Part of the purpose of my announcement today is to call on the melatonin manufacturers of the world to apply to bring their products into our country," Seymour said."When we did this with pseudoephedrine, it was a matter of months before products were on the shelves and I hope we can beat that record."Kiwis shouldn't be left counting sheep or desperate for options when other countries are already using these medicines. The government is committed to putting patients first ... this is a commonsense decision that will make melatonin more accessible in New Zealand than in many other countries."The change for psilocybin was a huge win for people with depression who had tried everything else, Seymour said."If a doctor believes psilocybin can help, they should have the tools to try. The psychiatrist involved has previously prescribed psilocybin in clinical trials and will operate under strict reporting and record-keeping requirements."He said it would initially only be available from one specific psychiatrist, but he hoped more would apply."Psilocybin is a medicine that can treat untreatable depression. It was first researched in the 1950s and '60s and more recently there's been extensive research and approvals by the FDA in the United States to be able to use these types of medicines."Fair to say it's been driven by people in the profession - there's a lot of people very passionate about this because untreatable depression's an awful thing and there are clinicians who say there's stuff happening in the rest of the world and we need to be part of it."He had never taken either of them, nor pseudoephedrine."No. No I have not inhaled melatonin but maybe I will. I've had some recent issues with jetlag of my own so hopefully in the future I'll be able to," Seymour said."I used to go mushroom hunting with my dad as a very small kid, but I don't think we found any."The melatonin changes were confirmed in regulations gazetted by Medsafe group manager Chris James.The psilocybin changes were not yet gazetted, but it will mark the first time psilocybin will be legally available in New Zealand outside of clinical trials.This story was originally published by RNZ

More than 420,000 tonnes of unique, non-renewable sand have been lost from the Mangawhai sandspit, prompting growing concerns among residents and experts about the landform’s long-term stability and ecological health.The Mangawhai sandspit is one of only five drumstick-shaped sandspits in Aotearoa, formed from volcanic sediments carried by the Waikato River hundreds of thousands of years ago. Its unusual shape and origin make it a focal point for coastal management challenges, as well as a flashpoint for competing environmental, economic, and community interests.As New Zealand’s fastest-growing coastal settlement, Mangawhai faces potential economic risks exceeding 100 million if the sandspit fails. A second breach, similar to the one in 1978, could profoundly impact property values, tourism, and investor confidence.A legacy of community action: The Big Dig of 1991During February 1991, around 40 local volunteers mobilised at dawn with heavy machinery—tractors, bulldozers, excavators—and even hand tools to reopen the blocked northern harbour mouth and seal off a dangerous southern breach. Despite warnings from authorities, they worked for four days to carve a new channel around 25 metres wide and 4 metres deep.Their initiative prevented harbour silting and saw restoration of the principal harbour entrance by June 1996, involving the relocation of over one million cubic metres of sand.This landmark effort led to creation of the Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society (MHRS), which today manages dredging, dune planting, and long‑term spit protection. Photo courtesy of: Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society (MHRS).Past sand miningSand extraction from the Mangawhai–Pakiri embayment began before 1940, and by the 1970s sand‑mining practices—often blamed for destabilising the dunes—contributed to the 1978 harbour closure. From 1993 to 2004, companies including McCallum Brothers conducted commercial suction-dredging of seabed sand at Mangawhai Heads, removing up to 45,000 m³ of sand annually . In 2004, the Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society successfully challenged the issuing of new consents.McCallum Brothers reapplied in 2005, but were denied resource approval. Notably, while McCallum’s obtained an Environment Court ruling that dredging was sustainable, Auckland Regional Council later appealed due to concern over possible environmental damage.McCallum Brothers has since shifted focus to deeper offshore sources farther north, though it continues to face resistance for any new nearshore sand extraction in the wider Pakiri–Mangawhai embayment.Current challenges and ongoing stewardshipToday, the sandspit endures pressure from climate-driven sea-level rises and intensifying storms, alongside sand-mining history, urban development, and conservation efforts. Experts and local authorities assign the spit a cautious C-grade.The Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society now operates the country’s only local dredging scheme, relocating harbour-deposited sand back to the spit each year. Combined with an 800-metre sand bund, dune planting, pest control, and fencing, this effort is vital to maintaining the spit’s resilience.Funded by approximately 5,000 ratepayers (NZD 80 annually via Kaipara District Council), the programme balances ecological protection with navigation safety.Dredging and sand placement are strictly regulated to protect the nesting seasons and habitats of endangered birds like the fairy tern (tara‑iti) and northern dotterel. The Department of Conservation controls sand deposition zones to safeguard these species.Fairy Tern (Tara‑Iti) - photo courtesy of DOCThe spit supports the largest breeding population of the fairy tern in New Zealand, with under 45 individuals remaining. Conservation work includes managing vegetation to maintain open nesting areas. Regional authorities acknowledge complex regulatory requirements but praise the volunteer-driven stewardship efforts.Mangawhai sandspit’s story is one of resilience through collective action—from the dramatic “Big Dig” of 1991 to the ongoing protection and restoration work. It bears the legacy of past sand mining by McCallum Brothers, but reflects what a committed community, supported by science and adaptive management, can achieve. Despite ongoing threats from the environment and development, the sandspit remains protected today thanks to sustained local and ecological dedication.

At Rodney Women’s Refuge, they often support women who are fleeing dangerous situations with nothing but the clothes on their backs. A working phone can be a lifeline—to call for help, contact support services, stay in touch with whānau, or access urgent information.Donated phones help them:Provide safe communication for women in crisisStay connected with families in our safehousesSupport outreach and advocacy work in the communityIf you can help, please reach out—every donation makes a real difference. Contact: https://www.facebook.com/hestiarodneywomensrefuge or https://hestiawomensrefuge.co.nz/

Rodney Local Board will invest $35.5 million in 2025–2026, with key priorities including community programmes, creative arts, youth initiatives, and environmental projects.New funding supports arts centres, play opportunities, upgraded parks and facilities, and more vibrant community spaces.Increased investment in environmental restoration, pest control, stream clean-ups, and compliance to protect natural areas.The board continues to advocate for rural road upgrades, better infrastructure planning, and fairer local board funding.Community programmes, the creative arts and local environmental projects are all winners in Rodney Local Board’s plans for the coming financial year.Adopted by the board in June, the local board agreement sets out a total investment of $35.5 million and key funding priorities for the financial year 2025-2026.Fairer funding model brings more resources to RodneyBoard chair Brent Bailey says with the council’s new fairer funding model in place, the Rodney community will see increased investment in services they need the most.“We have heard how important it is to care for the environment and to support the many volunteers involved in planting, pest control, park clean-ups, stream restoration and a multitude of other projects. Our community and wildlife benefit hugely from the work that they do,” he explains.“We know too that while most people do the right thing, there are some who do not and that supporting compliance officers can help protect our natural spaces and wildlife.“We also received feedback that arts, youth programmes, and community spaces are important to our communities. More funds are being invested in our Helensville and Kumeū Arts Centres, funds for a local team to deliver neighbourhood programmes and events, and also to create more vibrant community spaces in towns and villages across Rodney.”Key initiatives include:supporting five local organisers to deliver programmes and events in local communitiessupporting creative arts, arts centres and arts outreach programmes across Rodneydelivering play opportunities to children and young people from the new play planbuilding two new car parks, improving pathways and plantings at Huapai Domainbuilding toilet blocks at Murray Jones Reserve and Deacon Pointincreasing maintenance of halls, car parks, tracks and public toiletsupgrading multi-use hard courts at Wellsford Centennial Park, and upgrading the hard courts and skate park at Muriwai Village Greensupporting community planting, annual pest plant and pest animal control, park clean-ups and community environmental education and eventssupporting Forest Bridge Trust to engage with landowners, community groups and other volunteers involved in conservationsupporting two compliance officers to carry out compliance work in Rodneysupporting stream restoration projects that improve water quality.Advocating for transport, infrastructure and fair fundingBailey says that when residents raise concerns about issues beyond the local board’s control such as rural roads, the board will keep advocating to the Governing Body and central government on their behalf.Advocacy initiatives include:allocate $124 million to improve unsealed roads through Auckland Transport’s Unsealed Roads Improvement Programmeincrease and ringfence funding for road maintenance and renewals to maintain at least the 8–9 per cent of Auckland's roadsstop out-of-sequence developments where key infrastructure is not yet in place as identified in the Future Development Strategyhalt approvals on land with flood or stability risks, or ensure council is not liable for future buyoutsfully implement fairer local board funding without delay to address long-standing inequities.Community feedback supports the board’s directionBailey says the local board would like to thank everyone for their feedback, with 657 submissions received of which 448 were Rodney residents and that overall 62 per cent of submitters supported all or most of the board’s priorities.The board’s agreement is online at the main Auckland Council website. 

Reports of internet outages around the country affecting some customers.Chorus's website advises of a "Copper Outage", while One is advising of loss of internet and voice services.With the advisory - "Please try rebooting your modem, as this may help restore connectivity. We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience."2Degrees and Spark customers may also be affected. Chorus outage mapOne outage map

The judicial review hearing - which is expected to last two days - will see ELI challenge the EPA's 2024 refusal to reassess glyphosate and glyphosate-based substances.There had been significant scientific research on the herbicide since it was first introduced to New Zealand about 50 years ago, Environmental Law Initiative senior legal advisor Tess Upperton said.That was the grounds ELI used in their formal request for a risk reassessment, but the EPA refused last year, prompting the judicial review set to be heard today and tomorrow.Upperton said while the EPA had reviewed some aspects over the years, such as looking at carcinogenicity of glyphosate in 2015, there had never been a full risk assessment, which is the usual protocol when a new product is first approved for use."That's largely because it was first approved in the 1970s. We have asked the EPA for a record of that original risk assessment. They don't have a copy of that. They don't know what it is."Since then, RoundUp and the more than 90 other glyphosate based formulas sold in New Zealand had been "grandfathered through successive regimes," she said, even though some of the glyphosate-based formulas have been found to have additional ingredients that amplify glyphosates toxicity.In 2021, the EPA issued a "call for information" to assess whether there were grounds to reassess the use of glyphosate."It went out to the public and asked industry, NGOs, lay people, how do you use glyphosate? What do you see as the risks? And they got a lot of useful information back, but that isn't providing scientific evidence of what the risks are, which there's a lot of information about overseas."She said there was a dearth of domestic studies, particularly on the impact on indigenous species in Aotearoa."Certainly when we submitted our request to them providing significant new information and asking them to take the good hard look that hadn't been taken domestically before, we were surprised they said no."There's a wealth of new published peer-reviewed, well conducted research on glyphosate and there are new studies coming out all the time."The bid for a risk assessment did not directly relate to a proposal being considered by the Ministry for Primary Industries, which could see the amount of glyphosate allowed on some crops increased exponentially , but Upperton says one assessment feeds into another, and ELI believed any reassessment of the MRL should wait until after the EPA had conducted a full risk assessment.The government was proposing increasing the MRL from 0.1 milligrams per kilogram for wheat, barley and oat grains to 10 milligrams per kilogram, and 6 milligrams per kilogram for peas.The MRL is partially based on a permitted daily exposure for food (PDE), which was set by the EPA's predecessor, the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA), more than 20 years ago.A public submission period which closed in mid-May saw the ministry receive more than 3100 submissions on the proposal. A spokesperson said it was too soon to have analysed the large of submissions, or to give a timeframe for that to happen.ELI was not calling for an immediate ban on glyphosate, and any possible controls coming out of a reassessment would be up to the EPA and based on scientific conclusions, Upperton said.New Zealand is one of the most permissive regulators of glyphosate globally, including allowing glyphosate use in settings where it's banned elsewhere - such as a pre-harvest desiccant on crops, a practice prohibited in the European Union, she said.Several European countries have banned the domestic sale of glyphosate, restricting its use to regulated agricultural and commercial settings, while in the United States, the manufacturer of the leading glyphosate-based herbicide, Bayer, pulled RoundUp from the residential market itself in an effort to pre-empt further litigation, which has seen the company pay billions of dollars to settle cases over potential links to cancer, with another 67,000 cases pending.Last year, the European Union approved glyphosate use for another decade after member states deadlocked for a second time on the issue, but a number of European countries, including France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Germany have partial bans in place. Multiple challenges to the decision are before the European Court of Justice."There's a whole spectrum of regulation out there. Some countries have banned it, some have restricted its use. New Zealand is at the really permissive end of the spectrum in terms of those with developed regulatory systems, we use a lot of it and everyone can use it, which is quite unusual."The human health impacts of glyphosate are disputed. In 2015, the World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer found glyphosate was a probable carcinogen and found strong evidence for genotoxicity, or the ability to damage DNA.One of the grounds to trigger a reassessment is the existence of significant new information about the effects of the chemical, which was the route ELI took in it's request."There's a whole wealth of new, published, peer reviewed, well conducted research out there about glyphosate, and there's new studies coming out all the time, it's a really developing area."Upperton felt there were two reasons for burgeoning body of evidence on the possible health impacts of glyphosate."Firstly, long term or chronic effects take a while to show up and into evidence. So if we've had glyphosate now for about 50 years in our populations, those effects are going to be more and more widely felt, but the other primary reason is that when these chemicals are introduced, the assessment of them is reliant on studies of their toxicity, for example, that are conducted by industry itself."Which makes sense - they should be looking into the safety of their own products - but they also have a very clear direct financial interest in these things being approved. It does mean - and it has been borne out in relation to several different substances, including glyphosate - their studies might focus on less real world effects and more in the laboratory where it doesn't really represent how it would be used In the real world."It's not to discount industry studies in their entirety, but in ELI's view, independent science is also important because it's a check on that kind of inherent conflict of interest that industry has."The inability to sue companies in the same way as some other jursidictions - Bayer has spent more than US$11 billion settling close to 100,000 lawsuits in the United States, and is attempting to have legislation passed in some states to shield it from future litigation, while reportedly considering dropping the product altogether - meant New Zealanders had to rely even more on the EPA, she said."You can't sue someone for using glyphosate, or getting sick from glyphosate in New Zealand because of the bar on personal injury claims - that actually makes us more dependent on our regulator to step in and do these things because we can't take these actions in private capacities. We have to use the EPA and ask the EPA to do its job, which is really what this case is about."The situation also highlighted a "wider issue for the EPA and for environmental regulation in Aoteaora generally" which was the under resourcing of the EPA, Upperton said."ELI is not saying the EPA needs to ban glyphosate tomorrow - we recognise that there's a lot of competing interest and resources at play here. What we want to do is is put it on the radar, put it on the list of things to be thought about, because there is a really big backlog of chemicals that need to be looked at by the EPA. I recognise they aren't resourced to be adequately doing their job at the moment."This story was originally published by RNZ

Nik Dirga, Digital Explainer EditorExplainer - Disposable vape fans will see their habit go up in smoke from Tuesday, as tough new vape rules kick in.Here's what you need to know about changes to vape sales and advertising.What's being banned?The distribution, manufacture, sale and supply of disposable vapes is being banned from Tuesday."We are getting rid of vapes that are most popular among young people, and that can only be positive," Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said in announcing the changes last year.The 2023/24 NZ Health Survey found 10.5 percent of people aged 15 to 17 vaped daily.However, pod-style vaping devices will still be sold. They contain pre-filled pods which are swapped out to refill the vape.Also as of Tuesday, vaping devices, products and packaging can no longer be displayed at general retailers. Specialist vape stores must not display products in any way that makes them visible from outside their place of business - that includes advertising, display in online stores and in vending machines.There are also many new restrictions on advertising to promote or encourage the use of vaping products, including to existing customers. The new raft of advertising restrictions mean businesses could face a $2000 infringement fine.For instance, the government says it would violate the new regulations if a shop is advertising or posting about vaping products on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Google business listings."From the 17th June we will no longer be able to show images of the products," one online vape retailer says on its website.There's quite a lot of detail in the new advertising rules and a full breakdown can be found on Health New Zealand's website.Also as of Tuesday, vaping specialist retailers can no longer use various promotional techniques such as giving away free vaping products, discounts, offering rewards, cash rebates or gifts for the purchase of vaping products, or offer lotteries or games to people who buy vaping products.Vape stores can no longer display their products in a way that's visible outside their business. Photo: 123RFHaven't there already been some restrictions on vapes?Yes, as part of the series of changes to the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990 last year. The new changes are the second line of alterations which began coming into effect in December.As of December, fines for selling to minors and publishing prohibited advertisements were increased, and new vape speciality stores were forbidden from opening within 100 metres of early childhood education centres. There were already location restrictions saying speciality vape stores had to be at least 300 metres from schools or marae.In introducing the amendments to smoking regulations last year, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said, "New Zealand was too slow to effectively regulate vaping, and youth vaping rates are too high"."We have collectively agreed that, we have recognised that, and we know that we can do better. We have to stop young people from taking it up as a habit."The ban on disposable vapes was put off for six months to allow retailers to prepare for the changes.Jonathan Devery, chair of the Vaping Industry Association of New Zealand, said the group does support the disposable vapes ban, with a few caveats.He said while VIANZ "supports the intent behind the policy - to reduce youth access and address the environmental impact of single-use products - the association is urging caution about the potential unintended consequences".University of Otago public health professor Janet Hoek, a leading researcher into vaping, said whether or not the ban will make a difference will depend on enforcement and product innovation by the industry.Will people just switch from disposable vapes to refillable pods?"I would expect [the ban] to reduce youth vaping given young people are very price sensitive," Hoek said. "However, if the industry responds, as I think it is likely to do, by introducing cheaper pod vapes, the impact will be much less limited than we might hope.""They're not a straightforward replacement," Devery said. "There's a real risk that removing the most convenient smoking cessation option could drive consumers back to cigarettes."Hoek said many manufacturers may look for loopholes they can exploit with bans."Disposable vapes are typically inexpensive [i.e., may cost less than $10 a device], so the vaping industry may respond by introducing new lower priced reusable vapes," Hoek said, saying she had seen pod starter kits - without pods, which cost extra - being advertised for under $10."We saw this behaviour among tobacco companies as they tried to undermine the impact of increased tobacco excise taxes [they 'shifted' the tax to higher priced brands, away from lower priced brands and introduced entirely new brands to create a new 'super value' partition within the market]."Devery of VIANZ said it's possible some vape sales may just go underground."There are also serious concerns about enforcement," he said. "Early warnings from the UK, where a disposable vape ban came into effect on 1 June, suggest black market sales are likely to increase."Hoek said there is a lot of concern that manufacturers may find ways around disposable bans - she pointed to 'Big Puff' high-capacity throwaway vapes that have drawn concern in the UK with their own disposables ban.Several countries have now banned disposable vapes. Photo: UnsplashWhat does this mean for the vaping industry?"We have consistently called for a full ban on disposable vapes, rather than incremental technical fixes, and we welcome the environmental benefits it will bring," Devery said. "But the transition must be managed carefully to avoid driving consumers back to smoking or into unregulated markets."The industry group feels that some of the advertising restrictions may ultimately harm consumers and make it harder for retailers to interact with them."Many retailers, especially online, have relied on clear product information and guidance to help adults make informed choices," Devery said. "New restrictions will limit what can be communicated, making it harder for consumers to understand available options or find support to switch.""Retailers are still recovering from last year's rushed regulations that left them with unsellable stock and high compliance costs - from updating websites to in-store signage," he said.Many retailers have discounted their products heavily before the bans take effect.But should more be done to control vaping?Hoek said she thought the new measures would help cut youth vaping, but more strategy was needed."There are many omissions from the measures (e.g., the high concentration of vape stores in lower income communities; the location of vape stores right next to schools). I would favour a more proactive strategy that reduced the appeal, availability, addictiveness and affordability of vaping products."One of the key complaints about disposable vapes have been the waste they generate, Devery said."Removing disposables will help cut vape-related e-waste by over 80 percent according to our industry estimates, but more must be done," he said. "VIANZ recommends expanded take-back schemes like VapeCycle, producer-responsibility regulations, and better consumer education on safe disposal.""I would favour a 'polluter pays' model, where vape companies are responsible for the costs their products create," Hoek said."Vape companies have been given clear rules to follow, and yet some are already looking for loopholes," Asthma and Respiratory Foundation chief executive Letitia Harding said in a statement.Associate Health Minister Casey Costello. Photo: Nick Monro/RNZWill this help New Zealand meet its Smokefree 2025 goals?Back in 2011, New Zealand's government set the goal of a Smokefree New Zealand by 2025. There have been concerns that goal is falling short, with particular worries about Māori and Pasifika smoking rates.Costello has maintained the government's changes will continue work toward the target."We do not want our young people vaping," Costello said in Parliament. "We do not want them taking up this habit. We do not want them to be nicotine addicted. We also don't want anybody taking up tobacco and smoking."The current smokefree goal aims to have less than 5 percent of the population smoking by December, but the latest data reveals there are still about 300,000 daily smokers - 6.9 percent of adults - across the country."VIANZ urges the government to closely monitor the ban's impact on smoking rates, particularly among priority groups, and ensure regulations don't inadvertently harm those most vulnerable," Deverey said."Vaping regulation must be viewed in the context of the devastating harm caused by smoking, which kills two out of every three users.""Strong rules and environmental responsibility are essential, but the broader goal must remain to reduce smoking and improve public health outcomes."Hoek said it's important vaping retailers were brought along on that goal."People who sell vaping products should be able to help people switch successfully from smoking to vaping," she said."We also need to let people know that, once they have switched completely to vaping and no longer think there's a risk they would return to smoking, they should stop vaping."That latter message isn't [for obvious reasons] communicated by vaping companies or retailers."This story was originally published by RNZ

Warkworth / Rodney RegionMonday 16th June - Partly cloudy, with a few showers about Great Barrier Island, and possibly north of Warkworth. Southeasterlies, fresh in exposed places.Tuesday 17th June - Fine. Fresh southeasterlies, easing in the afternoon.Wednesday 18th June - Fine. Easterlies.Thursday 19th June - Cloud increasing, with rain developing. Northerlies, becoming fresh.Friday 20th June Matariki - A few showers. Westerlies, becoming fresh.Saturday 21st June - Showers. Westerlies.Sunday 22nd June - Fine. Southerlies.Mangawhai / Northland RegionMonday 16th June - Cloudy with showers, possibly heavy from afternoon. Southeasterlies, fresh for a time in the afternoon.Tuesday 17th June - A few showers, clearing to fine in the afternoon. Easterlies.Wednesday 18th June - Fine. Easterlies.Thursday 19th June - Rain developing. Northerlies developing.Friday 20th June Matariki - Mainly fine, chance of a shower. Westerlies.Saturday 21st June - A few showers with light winds.Sunday 22nd June - A few showers. Light winds

Lillian Hanly, Political reporterMethamphetamine use has exploded over the past year, with the social and health related harm yet to be seen.The government is actively looking at ways to respond and the Prime Minister has pulled together a "meth sprint team", which includes the justice, police, customs and mental health ministers.RNZ understands announcements about their response are expected in the next month or so.The response also comes as Associate Police and Customs Minister Casey Costello looks at how to tackle the wider network of organised crime.Monthly reports from the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) on Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime (TSOC) have painted a stark picture of a New Zealand not equipped to deal with the increasing threat of organised crime and corruption.Lillian Hanly takes a closer look at the reports and what's needed to combat the hold methamphetamine has on communities.'A heck of a lot of methamphetamine'Wastewater testing has showed a 96 percent increase of consumption of methamphetamine in 2024, compared to 2023.That was an increase from 732kg in 2023 to 1434kg in 2024.Professor Chris Wilkins leads the Massey University College of Health drug research team. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-KingProfessor Chris Wilkins is the leader of the drug research team at the College of Health, Massey University.Wilkins described it as almost a "doubling" and said a change of that magnitude that quickly was "almost unheard of"."Something pretty major happened and it happened in a very short timeframe," he said.New Zealand Drug Foundation executive director Sarah Helm said she had heard from those working on the ground with people coming through for addiction treatment, saying they were using "as much as a gram a day"."Which is a heck of a lot of methamphetamine."Helm said it wasn't clear yet whether there had been a growth in the number of people consuming overall, but she expected to see more acute harm occurring and, over time, more addiction as well.New Zealand Drug Foundation executive director Sarah Helm. Photo: Supplied/ NZ Drug FoundationWilkins said he believed it was a supply side impact and that there was now increased competition for supply of methamphetamine.He explained the price of meth had dropped too, with a 38 percent decline in the price of a gram since 2017 and a 23 percent decline in the 'point price'. Compared to international prices though, New Zealand remained an attractive place to sell.Wilkins said New Zealand had had methamphetamine for more than two decades and it could be characterised as having a "mature demand profile"."It's pretty baked in."He said people knew about it, and knew if they used it or not."It wasn't the case that suddenly people woke up in that last quarter of 2024 and decided, 'Well, we're going to double our meth use'' or 'We're really interested in meth suddenly'."One region in the Hawke's Bay - Waipukurau - saw a whopping 333 percent increase in meth use in 2024, compared to 2023.At the end of last year, Northland had the highest consumption of meth in the country.The Ngāpuhi Mane Tahere chairman sounded the alarm over the crisis in April, calling for government intervention - and the Police Minister met him the same week, but it's not a new issue for the region.'We've got very young whānau starting their drug journey'RNZ spoke to a range of providers in the Far North, most with lived experience of drug addiction themselves, about what they're seeing.Te Hiku Hauora chief executive Maria Baker. Photo: RNZ / Māni DunlopMaria Baker is the chief executive of Te Hiku Hauora, a health organisation serving the Far North. She said more than a generation had now been impacted by methamphetamine in the region.She also pointed to social issues that made things harder for their community - "lack of income, poor housing and lack of access to employment".Baker said methamphetamine seemed to be the "drug of use" now, replacing alcohol and cannabis.She said a lot more people and a range of different people from all sorts of age groups were accessing and using methamphetamine."We see it. We see it in the street, we see it in our services."We see it in the communities that we visit, so it tends to be a lot more visible."To me, it suggests it's cheap and it's accessible, and it's available here."Echoing that sentiment was Rakau Ora found and director Vanessa Kite. Rakau Ora is a mental wellness service in Kaitaia.Kite said she had 30 years of lived addiction experience and much of what she saw now was the same as 20 years ago, but now she saw generational addiction.Waiana Waipouri (left), Vanessa Kite (middle) and Taniana Harrison. Photo: Supplied/Vanessa Kite"We've got fourth-generation meth users, which we weren't seeing in my time."We've got whānau - very young whānau - that are starting their drug journey, not with dope or anything like the old days. They're starting on meth."Kite said 15 or 16-year-olds using meth wasn't uncommon."My clients that are probably in their early 20s have already tried at least once to give up drugs."Justin Murray is general manager for Hope House Trust, a small family-based rehabilitation centre in Kaitaia, founded by Murray's parents. They are a family of lived experience, who have come from addiction and recovered.They have a seven-bed facility, offering drug and alcohol related support to individuals.He described hearing about an increased level of psychosis occurring alongside increased methamphetamine use, due to the current quality of the drug.He said there'd been more disruption with those presenting having used the drug than before."It just takes a fair bit of time to try and get individuals to calm down, meet them at their needs and get to a therapeutic understanding… because there's a heavy emphasis on paranoia that comes with that psychosis."Lance Murray, Timothy Murray, Faye Murray and Justyn Murray from Hope House. Photo: Supplied/Justyn MurrayMike Corrigan from ANT Trust - a non-profit organisation in Kaitaia - said the increase in meth use was causing a ripple in the community."You see it in justice, you see it at the food bank, you see it in education, and disruption through kids and their schooling. You see it in the reported burglaries and crime."He said the level of violence was also increasing and referenced an organisation that worked with police around family harm."They aren't seeing an increase in numbers, but they're seeing an increase in the brutality of those callouts, lots more strangulation events and vicious violence."Corrigan said Northland topping the charts again lately didn't mean it was a new problem and those working to "stem the tide" were failing miserably.He also pointed out many of those working to fight the epidemic didn't have the same voice as the Ngāpuhi chair, who "manages to raise their issue and get the Minister of Police down the next two days later"."We're a long way away from resources and help. We're a long way away from Wellington."We don't have the resources, we don't have the programmes. We don't have the infrastructure even to effectively cope with what was happening a year ago, let alone what's happening with the increase now."Where are the resources and where is the help?'Rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic'Associate Police Minister and Customs Minister Casey Costello. Photo: RNZIn late February, the MAG on organised crime (TSOC) was established by Casey Costello, the Minister of Customs and Associate Minister of Police.Funded by the Proceeds of Crime Fund, it included members with experience across government, law enforcement, regulation and the private sector.The group provides monthly reports to the minister with findings and recommendations regarding New Zealand's response to organised crime.In March, the report stated the threat posed by organised crime in the country had increased substantially in the last five years and "even with the best of will, New Zealand is losing the fight".A section in the report was titled, Rearranging the Deck Chairs on the Titanic.One specific issue it focused on was the "increasing availability of illicit drugs" in the country.It noted, 10 years ago, Customs seized nearly 55kg of methamphetamine over the entire year. Last year, Customs stopped more than 90kg every week.Overall, in 2023/24, 4.8 tonnes of methamphetamine was seized in New Zealand. That quantity was reflected in consumption.Based on wastewater monitoring, the report outlined, about 15kg of methamphetamine was consumed every week in the March 2019 quarter. In the December 2024 quarter, about 36kg was consumed on average each week.There was a 96 percent increase in 2024 of the minimum annual consumption of methamphetamine compared to 2023.About 72 million doses were consumed in 2024, with a social harm cost of $1.5 billion. MDMA and cocaine have a combined social harm cost of $157 million.It referenced how, in the past, major drug seizures would have a "clear impact" on consumption - but that was no longer the case.'The one thing they can't do without is money'The April report described the need to drive down the profitability and increase the level of risk for organised crime.It estimated the annual profits of crime in New Zealand are about $1.6 billion, whereas police restrain only $75 million each year.The group said it was critical for the government to set a clear objective for "attacking the money".Costello told RNZ the country's legislation and investigative powers weren't moving as fast as the gangs were, but she also pointed to the "business cartels" above the gangs, who forced the supply into the New Zealand market, which she called "lucrative".She said the retail price of methamphetamine in New Zealand was $135,000 (NZD) per kilogram, whereas in the USA, it was $7500 (NZD), "so to sell in New Zealand, it's worth the risk"."We are being treated as any big business would treat us."She believed the greatest opportunity was to take the money away from them, "because if it's not profitable, they'll go somewhere else, where it's easier to do business".The latest report - from May - warned the government corruption and insider threats are increasing in New Zealand, despite the country's long-standing reputation as a country largely free of it.The group was told by enforcement agencies about "trusted insiders" at ports and airports helping to retrieve concealed shipments of illicit drugs, before customs inspections.It raised a specific concern in the Pacific, where exposure was increased, due to expansive maritime borders, strategic trade corridors, and growing cross-border flows of goods and people.It said the country was poorly prepared to tackle the increasing threat, and recommended developing a national anti-corruption strategy and modernising the Crimes Act.'We're collectively seeing the problem being incredibly bad'Ministerial Advisory Group chair Steve Symon has been a crown prosecutor for 20 years and worked with the police, as well as with regulatory or government departments and agencies.The group includes former Deputy Police Commissioner John Tims; Owen Loeffellechner, who has experience working with banks in relation to fraud; Craig Hamilton, who specialised in the recovery of the proceeds of crime; and Jarrod Gilbert - an academic expert on the issue of crime."We're collectively seeing the problem being incredibly bad," Symond said. "This landscape we're seeing at the moment is some of the worst we've ever seen."Regarding drugs coming through the border, he said there were "too many gaps in the sieve".The group is tasked with preparing monthly reports addressing different topics - the first was to outline the scale and nature of the problem, because organised crime wasn't well understood in New Zealand, he said.In September, the group will offer the final 'omnibus' report, with a range of recommendations (or "bold strategies") for how the government might best address organised crime.That could involve law change, he said, given the Minister told the group she wanted them to be bold about their solutions, whether they focused on organisational, cultural or legal change.What is being done now?In this year's Budget, Costello allocated $35 million more over four years to target drug smuggling at the border and beyond.It's one part of a multi-pronged attack against the methamphetamine issue that included efforts from Ministers Costello, Paul Goldsmith (Justice), Mark Mitchell (Police) and Matt Doocey (Mental Health), or the "meth sprint team" the Prime Minister had put together.Costello oversees the taskforce, but is also focused on stopping meth at the border with her Customs portfolio.She's also in charge of the ROCC programme - Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities - which looks to strengthen communities after the drug environment has been stamped out, so it doesn't take hold again.With his Justice portfolio, Goldsmith has a broad role in the team, but he also passed the Gangs Act, ultimately giving police new powers to disrupt and directly target gang activity.Police Minister Mark Mitchell. Photo: RNZ / Marika KhabaziMitchell - as Police Minister - oversees the implementation of this, which Costello said was about disempowering the gangs in a public facing way.One of the key parts of this legislation is the gang patch ban. In the six months since it started, police data as of 14 May this year showed 521 charges had been laid for insignia breaches and 637 insignia items were seized.A much bigger 6052 other charges had been laid against validated gang members in the same period. There had been 426 searches of gang targets undertaken - 175 of those with a warrant and 251 without - and 89 firearms were also seized from gang members.Doocey looked at the demand side or the health-led response to ensure people who used meth got addiction support.Currently, $2.6 billion of government money is ring-fenced each year for mental health and addiction funding. About $231 million of that is spent on drug and alcohol services.The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission released data last month showing only a quarter of people using specialist mental health and addiction services were accessing those services.It said there were signals of "service constraints", wait times were below the government target and the percentage of declined referrals had increased.When it came to tackling the drug issue, Costello said it wasn't about locking more people up in New Zealand that have addictions and problems. The focus needed to be on the "international cartels that are driving huge profit to themselves [and] drugs into our communities", she said.Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. Photo: RNZ / Marika KhabaziGoldsmith told RNZ the ministerial sprint team was in "active conversations with officials around options"."We're looking at what we can do to disrupt both supply and demand. We'll make announcements in due course."Supply versus demandSarah Helm said there also needed to be work done to address demand, and reduce and prevent harm, rather than being overly reliant on seizures and drug busts."If we don't address demand and reduction, those short supply-side measures are very short-lived, because as you grab one supply source, another one steps in to meet the demand."The Drug Foundation wanted the government to adopt a range of measures, including an escalation of addiction treatment; expanding proven health-based responses like Te Ara Oranga, a campaign that reduced stigma associated with the drug, and a focus on prevention through tackling unmet health needs like better treatment for those who use methamphetamine and have ADHD.One Australian study showed 45 percent of people who used illicit stimulants regularly screened positive for ADHD.Helm also acknowledged demand reduction measures on their own risked being "band aids", if the underlying social and economic drivers of methamphetamine use weren't also addressed.Helm visited the Far North and was surprised at what little healthcare, let alone addiction treatment support was available for people there, given it had been a problem there for a long time."We are doing them a disservice at this point in time by not pouring some resource into that community to prevent the expensive harms that come down the track, both for them and society as a whole."What's needed?When asked about the harm methamphetamine use caused and why society should care, professor Chris Wilkins pointed out that public attention increased or waned as the years went by, as did the attention from MPs."A lot of time, it's out of sight, out of mind, because problematic meth use is concentrated in high deprivation neighbourhoods and parts of the country, and often they're rural or semi-rural towns, where not a lot of MPs ever go."Wastewater testing showed the quantity of use, but the impact of that consumption was harder to record and measure, he said."Trust me, there's going to be a lot of flow-on effects, when you double the amount of meth people use."Northland providers RNZ spoke to all agreed peer support or lived experience was important, when it came to tackling methamphetamine.Maria Baker said a border control strategy was important and agreed a multi-agency approach was needed, but pointed out there'd already been attempts 20 years ago to do just that.She said local-based solutions were also necessary, which included community-designed and led approaches, that would also then build capacity and capability.Given they were based in an isolated and rural community, there was a lack of access or resources available for people to reach out to.The services that were available - like Hope House, Rakau Ora, ANT Trust - were doing the best they could, but didn't have a lot of investment. She said most investment was focused on addiction services, rather than early intervention.Mike Corrigan said leadership was needed in the community, and acknowledgement that no one agency or organisation could fix the problem - there needed to be collaboration. He said the Far North also needed the basics, like another rehab.Corrigan said they desperately needed help, but they'd be fools to look to the government for help, given the government had "abandoned our people in so many different aspects of life".Justyn Murray said Hope House had run without or with limited government funding, and had been able to see successes, but would welcome more.He wanted to see investment in efficient services and work to address the core reasons behind substance abuse.Vanessa Kite said everything came down to funding and she wanted to see more support for those with lived experience to become clinicians.She hoped grassroots organisations like hers would be considered for funding, not just the big organisations that are already trusted.She agreed with attempts to stop illicit drugs coming through the border, but also pointed out it was getting made here too.Kite said a lot of their work wasn't about fixing people, but "teaching them to fix themselves"."This is all generational, but if we can teach them the skills to get out of that, then we're winning."This story was originally published by RNZ

Lighting Up For Winter — and What’s AheadIt’s been fantastic to see so many of you getting stuck into the Modern Marketing Workshop Series with the team from Burgs Digital. These Wednesday evening sessions at the Bridgehouse Backbar have been packed with practical tools and sharp thinking — and the feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive. If you haven’t made it along yet, there’s still time to join the final sessions this June. Email [email protected] for more information.And speaking of lighting things up — the Mahurangi Winter Festival of Lights is just around the corner on Saturday, June 28. It’s always a town favourite, and the festival is encouraging all Warkworth businesses to get involved by lighting up your shopfronts in the lead-up to the big night. Keep your lights on from June 23 to July 11 to add some magic to the town and attract a little extra attention.The Mahurangi Winter Festival of Lights has three Mitre 10 Mega Warkworth vouchers up for grabs for the best-lit businesses — $500 for first, $300 for second, and $100 for third. Three independent judges will be out and about from June 26 to decide the winners.The ITM Parade of Lights will also feature two prizes this year: a $300 voucher from Aqua Works and a $250 voucher from Morris & James. So get creative — light up anything from a vehicle to a shopping trolley!Lastly, a quick heads-up: we'll soon be inviting members to a One Mahurangi Special General Meeting (SGM) on Tuesday, July 9, to vote on a few important updates to how the Business Association operates. This is part of a wider project aimed at strengthening our structure and long-term impact. More details to come — but for now, mark the date.As we head into the heart of winter, this is the time to support each other. These are slower months for many businesses, and times are financially tough for a lot of people.Wherever you can, shop local, support local — keep money circulating in town and look after one another. If we all do our bit, we’ll be in much better shape when the warmer months roll back around.We are stronger together.Murray ChapmanManager, One Mahurangi, [email protected] Marketing Workshop Series Presented by Josh Burgisser from Burgs DigitalThere are two more sessions this June! If you would like to join us, email [email protected] for more details or CLICK HERE>Xero // Get started with the basicsThis free online course is for small business owners, accountants, and bookkeepers who are starting to use Xero for the first time. You’ll learn how to set up and use Xero effectively, streamlining regular bookkeeping tasks to save time and stay on top of your finances.To begin, CLICK HERE>You can now follow the Warkworth Information Centre on Facebook and Instagram! @visitwarkworthExplore Warkworth, Mahurangi, and beyond!// GOLD SPONSORMatakana Coast App: Your Local Digital Advertising PlatformThe Matakana Coast App connects your business with locals and visitors searching for services like yours.Why advertise with us?Targeted Exposure: Reach users actively looking for local businesses and events.Real-Time Results: Track views and clicks for clear ROI.Flexible Options: Choose directory listings, text ads, or high-impact banners; we have a range of options available.With more people turning to their phones for information, digital ads offer instant visibility and measurable impact.Get Started // Download the app at matakanacoastapp.comContact Louise at [email protected] or 021 681 005 to talk through what would best suit your needs.Join the local businesses already seeing results—advertise where it matters!Are you a registered member of One Mahurangi Business Association?Find out about BID Affiliate and Associate Membership entitlements, including the right to vote at our AGM, on our website onemahurangi.co.nz/join-one-mahurangi/// Community Noticeboard //mahulightfestival.co.nzGet your local business involved - Be seen and have some fun!TO READ THE FULL NEWSLETTER HEAD HERE >---

Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am. Traffic management may be in place before the advertised closure times for the mainline. NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Shelly Beach Road southbound off-ramp, 15-18 June SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Tecoma Street southbound off-ramp, 17-18 JuneTecoma Street southbound on-ramp, 17-18 JuneMt Wellington Highway southbound on-ramp, 15-16 JuneNorthbound lanes between East Tamaki Road off-ramp and Mt Wellington Highway on-ramp, 16-18 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Princes Street northbound on-ramp, 16-18 JuneHighbrook Drive northbound on-ramp, 16-18 JuneEast Tamaki Road northbound on-ramp, 16-18 JuneSouthbound lanes between East Tamaki Road off-ramp and East Tamaki Road on-ramp, 18 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between East Tamaki Road off-ramp and Redoubt Road on-ramp, 17 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)East Tamaki Road southbound on-ramp, 17 JuneSH1 southbound to SH20 northbound link, 17 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Redoubt Road off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 15-16 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Redoubt Road southbound on-ramp, 15-16 JuneSH1 southbound to SH20 northbound link, 15-16 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Takanini southbound on-ramp, 15-16 JuneNorthbound lanes between Ramarama off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 17-18 JuneDrury/SH22 northbound on-ramp, 17-18 JuneRamarama northbound on-ramp, 17-18 JuneSouthbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Ramarama on-ramp, 16-18 JuneDrury/SH22 southbound on-ramp, 16-18 JuneNorthbound lanes between Ramarama off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 15-16 JuneRamarama northbound on-ramp, 15-16 JuneBombay southbound off-ramp, 15-18 JuneRidge Road northbound off-ramp, 15 JuneSouthbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 16 JuneNorthbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 16 JuneMercer northbound off-ramp, 15 & 17 JuneHampton Downs northbound on-ramp, 15-16 JuneNORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)Southbound lanes between Foster Road and Trigg Road, approx. 7:00pm 14 June to 5:00am 16 June (24hrs)Northbound lanes between Trigg Road and Foster Road, approx. 7:00pm 14 June to 5:00am 16 June (24hrs)Southbound lanes between Waimauku roundabout and Trigg Rd, 18 June (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Trigg Rd and Waimauku roundabout, 18 June (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)SOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)Southbound lanes between Lambie Drive off-ramp and SH1 links, 15-16 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Lambie Drive southbound on-ramp, 15-16 JuneSH20 southbound to SH1 northbound link, 15-16 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH20 southbound to SH1 southbound link, 15-16 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)

We’re excited to introduce our new business listings under SHOP LOCAL - Matakana button on the Matakana Coast App! Check them out by clicking on the links below and support local!The Protea Patch are specialists in the proteaceae family of plants offering a retail nursery at their location of 545 Matakana Road. Protea Patch offers an impressive selection of Proteaceae plants, including Protea, Leucadendron, and Grevillea. Open on weekends, the nursery also offers a convenient mail-order service. With a focus on quality and hardiness, Protea Patch provides plants well-suited to New Zealand conditions—perfect for gardeners looking to add vibrant, drought-tolerant beauty to their landscapes. MICHAELJOHN Jewellery aka Matakana Country Park Jewellers is a creative partnership between Master Goldsmith John Crockett and jewellery designer-manufacturer Michael John (MJ), blending traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge design. Specialising in bespoke, custom-made jewellery, they offer a unique fusion of artistry and technology.With over 50 years’ experience, John Crockett is renowned for his hand-crafted, one-off pieces featuring vibrant gemstones and bold designs that reflect his renewed passion for jewellery making. MJ brings 15 years of global experience and advanced computer-aided design skills, allowing clients to visualise their jewellery in stunning 3D before it’s made.Together, John and MJ offer a rare combination of expertise and innovation, delivering exceptional, personalised pieces from their studio in Matakana Country Park.Matakana Village Books is a boutique independent bookstore run by passionate booklover Mary-Liz, who took over the business in 2015. With a career spanning some of New Zealand’s most iconic bookstores—including Wild Swans, The Women’s Bookshop, and the Readers and Writers Festival bookstore—Mary-Liz brings a wealth of knowledge and care to every shelf.Her hand-picked selection reflects a deep love of reading and a commitment to curating titles that resonate with the Matakana community. Whether you visit the store in person or browse the online shop, Matakana Village Books offers a thoughtfully curated literary experience.Matakana Old School Inc specialises in vintage and industrial furniture, homewares, art, lighting, rugs and runners—all thoughtfully curated to bring character and charm to any space. Each piece is selected for its unique style and timeless appeal, offering a mix of rustic elegance and modern edge. Open Thursday to Sunday at 745 Matakana Road, Matakana Old School invites you to explore its distinctive collection and discover something truly special.

Kaipara District Council's Update - June 2025We’ve made great progress with the first stage of the Wood Street and surrounds revitalisation and stormwater works and are on track to move to the second stage in June.The new back car park is almost finished, kerbs have been installed and soon the final touches of asphalting and line marking will complete this area.The back car park will provide around 76 new formal parking spots. These will be open for the community to use before work starts on the second phase – the northern side of Wood Street from Molesworth Drive to Fagan Place (outside Four Square, the Allied Service Station, and the Community Op Shop), the carpark area between Brewed As and the old playground, and the old firestation site.There, they will create formal car parking, including more mobility parking. Parking between the medical centre and the shops will remain open and available to the community, with access via Fagan Place. Please do not park in front of the temporary fencing as this may block accessways for the construction team.The work across Molesworth Drive to upgrade the stormwater is complete. The HEB team are now working closely with Four Square, the Allied Service Station, and the Community Op Shop before they start work outside these businesses. HEB will use a combination of daytime work and night works to complete both stormwater drainage and new kerbing and footpaths on the northern side of Wood Street from Molesworth Drive to Fagan Place. It will still be possible to access these businesses, but things might look a little bit different for a while with temporary fencing and road cones in place. During construction a new pedestrian accessway – clearly signposted – will be created to access the shops. Please move slowly and carefully around the area when walking, cycling and driving. If you are unsure about access, just ask one of the HEB team members or phone ahead and ask the businesses before visiting.If you have any questions, email the project team at [email protected] read our previous articles on this topic head here and here.

Consumers are being urged to get ready ahead of the shutdown of 3G mobile networks from the end of the year.Telecommunications Forum chief executive Paul Brislen said most New Zealanders were already using 4G or 5G-compatible devices and would not need to take any action.However anyone with a 3G-reliant phone or device may be affected, including tablets, medical alarms, security alarms, business equipment, vehicle trackers and other devices connected to the internet."The 3G shutdown is a positive step for our digital future, but it's important that anyone with 3G-reliant phones or devices checks now so they can stay connected," Brislen said.Consumers can text '3G' to 550, free of charge, to check if their device will work after the 3G network was switched off.Spark announced it would close off its 3G network on 31 March, 2026 and was upgrading 3G-only cell towers to 4G and 5G technology.While affected customers would be receiving direct communication from Spark, it issued a list of common devices likely to be affected.iPhone 6Huawei Y5HMD Global Nokia 3310Mobiwire SAS Pocket 2Oppo A5 (AX5)Samsung Galaxy J2 ProiPhone 5SAlcatel 1BBrislen said consumers who need to upgrade to a 4G or 5G compatible device should recycle their old handsets through recycling service RE:MOBILE at remobile.org.nz."Mobile phones contain valuable materials that can be reused, as well as components that are harmful to the environment if sent to landfill."This story was originally published by RNZ

Our $38.3 million upgrade of the Wellsford Wastewater Treatment Plant is progressing well, with much of the essential infrastructure now in place.Head of wastewater Jon Piggot says the upgraded wastewater treatment plant will vastly improve the quality of the treated wastewater, meet incoming stricter resource consent requirements and support population growth in Wellsford and Te Hana.“This project has taken shape incredibly quickly and we’re on track to have the upgraded plant completed and operational by mid next year.“Wellsford is expected to be home to around 5000 people by 2052 – that's more than double its current population which now sits just over 2000 people.“This upgrade will lift the treatment plant’s capacity to about 3200 people, and it’s been designed to allow for future expansions as the area continues to grow."Another major benefit of this upgrade is the cleaner water we’ll be discharging to the Hōteo River thanks to significant improvements in technology.”Membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) tanks and membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology will produce very high-quality treated wastewater.Photo: Once the upgrades are complete, six of the nine plinths will hold two membrane-aerated biofilm reactors (MABR), two aerobic tanks and two anoxic tanks.“The MBR and MABR technologies are highly effective at removing organic matter and nutrients.“This is largely thanks to the microorganisms – often referred to as 'bugs' – that work on our behalf. We simply create the right conditions for them.“Any pathogens that manage to pass through the membranes undergo ultraviolet disinfection, ensuring a high-quality wastewater discharge.”Capital delivery general manager Suzanne Lucas says crews successfully completed two concrete floor pours last month, one for the biofilter and the other for the chemical area on the southern side of the treatment plant."Crews have also successfully installed all six wastewater treatment tanks and the pump station, as well as 95 per cent of the site’s in-ground services and drainage.”Lucas says the aim is to have the remaining concrete slabs poured by the end of next month and the 400-metre-long outfall pipeline installed over the next couple of months.“The outfall pipeline is a critical part of the upgrade that will discharge the highly-treated effluent into the Hōteo River.“The construction of the control building is also on track to be completed by the end of September.”Lucas says traffic management will remain in place approximately 300 metres on either side of the entrance on State Highway 1, around 2.5km outside of Wellsford, to allow for the high number of tracks and vehicles that are coming in and out of the site.“We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as we work to increase the plant’s capacity and ensure its long-term sustainability.”