Mangawhai locals will be relieved to hear that long-awaited remediation work is set to begin on a damaged section of Mangawhai Road.The affected area, near the intersection of Tomarata and Coal Hill Roads, sustained significant damage during Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023. A temporary road diversion was put in place to maintain access, but a power pole was left in the middle of the diversion, creating a major safety hazard for motorists. Numerous near misses have been reported, particularly involving drivers unfamiliar with the area.Kaipara District Council has confirmed that the power pole will finally be removed on Tuesday 29 July, with work scheduled between 7am and 5pm.Stop/go traffic management will be in place during the works. Drivers are urged to follow crew instructions and take extra care when passing through the work site.

Starlink, the satellite internet service provided by SpaceX, is currently experiencing a major global outage, with thousands of users reporting loss of connectivity across multiple countries.The outage was first reported around 3 p.m. ET on July 24, 2025, and has affected regions including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, New Zealand, and other parts of the world. SpaceX has confirmed the issue and stated that they are actively working to resolve it.Global Outage: Users in various countries, including Canada, the US, UK, India, and New Zealand, have reported widespread disruptions in Starlink service. In Aotearoa New Zealand, the outage has impacted numerous households and businesses — including this writer, who had to relocate to a friend’s home to work due to the loss of internet!!Company Response: SpaceX confirmed the outage on its website, stating, “Starlink is currently experiencing a service outage. Our team is investigating,” and later added that they are “actively implementing a solution.”User Impact: Reports from users indicate that the outage has affected both residential and commercial users, with some experiencing total blackouts and others facing intermittent connectivity issues.Elon Musk’s Statement: Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, responded to the outage on social media, stating, “Service will be restored shortly. Sorry for the outage. SpaceX will remedy root cause to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”

Warkworth / Rodney RegionFriday 25th July - Mainly fine with morning frosts in sheltered places. The chance of a shower north of the City at night. Easterlies developing this morning.Saturday 26th July - Fine apart from isolated showers. Easterlies.Sunday 27th July - Fine apart from isolated showers. Northeasterlies, becoming strong.Mangawhai / Northland RegionFriday 25th July - Mainly fine, with the chance of a shower in the east. Cloud increasing this evening. Easterlies.Saturday 26th July - A few showers. Northeasterlies, becoming strong for a time in the afternoon.Sunday 27th July - A few showers. Northeasterlies, becoming strong.

Peter de Graaf, Northland reporterA Northland lines company says substation break-ins are endangering lives and causing power cuts affecting thousands of people.Top Energy chief executive Russell Shaw said he was shocked by what he described as the offenders' "astonishing recklessness" and "absolute stupidity".In the most recent break-in, thieves took essential equipment from a substation and forced a power shutdown that left 4500 Far North homes in the dark.Shaw said the thieves also sabotaged a high-voltage earth connection, putting themselves - and any staff working at the substation afterwards - at serious risk of electrocution.In another break-in, thieves damaged generators and made them unusable just before Cyclone Tam storm hit.Shaw said backup generators were vital for keeping the power on while storm damage was repaired.He said interfering with electrical equipment could trigger widespread outages, affecting homes, businesses and essential services.His message for would-be thieves was simple: "Don't do it. You're jeopardising your life and those of others. It's not worth it."Shaw said the company was beefing up security at its substations across the Far North.He said they were high-voltage facilities that could cause serious injury or death to anyone who entered without proper training and protective gear.Networks general manager Claire Picking said Top Energy facilities had been broken into 18 times, including eight substations, so far this year.The items taken were of relatively low value, while the risk to the thieves, staff and the public was "very high".The removal of a substation earth connector was particularly dangerous, she said.Shaw urged anyone who saw suspicious activity near Top Energy substations or other electricity infrastructure to call the police immediately, or the company on 0800 867 363.Under the Crimes Act, the maximum penalty for sabotage of essential infrastructure is 10 years' imprisonment.Top Energy would not say which substations had been targeted for fear of causing deadly copycat break-ins.This story was originally published by RNZ

A Tapestry of Colour, Creativity & LegacyYesterday, the Morris & James team announced that after producing for another few months to complete current stock, they will begin dismantling the pottery operations. General Manager Kieran Rice cited economic pressures, Ant’s retirement, Covid struggles and the challenge of finding new custodians as key reasons.Founded in 1977 by ceramicist Anthony “Ant” Morris and architect Sue James, Morris & James grew from raw clay terraces by the Matakana River into a celebrated factory, showroom, and local cultural landmark. Over nearly fifty years, the studio produced bold, colour-rich ceramics—from monumental garden pots to tiles and kitchenware—built through a meticulous process: extracting clay, extruding, wheel-throwing, spray‑glazing, and kiln‑firing.Photo courtesy of Morris & James website.Their creations, often decorated in signature tones of Pacific blue, rich reds, earthy manganese, and experimental styles, became synonymous with New Zealand craftsmanship. An estimated NZ$40 million in stock has been sold nationwide, gracing private homes, public spaces like the Auckland Ferry Building, Government House Wellington, and restaurants such as Prego.Photo courtesy of Morris & James website.A Founder’s Journey: From Farmland to ClayAnt Morris's life is an epic tale: starting work on a Hawke’s Bay sheep station, he studied agriculture at Lincoln, then embarked on a global odyssey driving bulldozers, teaching in Saigon, and working across Europe, North America, Africa, and more. In Britain, he discovered pottery under Robyn Welch in Suffolk, sparking a passion that led him back to NZ in 1977 to establish the pottery with Sue James on a scrub‑covered, clay‑rich Matakana site.Drawing inspiration from the Arts & Crafts movement and traditional techniques, Ant built a collaborative, artisan‑driven operation focused on functional, beautifully crafted pieces rather than fine art. Along the way, the pottery endured fires, financial struggles, a tragic accident, and Ant's debilitating stroke in 2004. Photo courtesy of Morris & James website.Passing on the businessIn 2008, Ant appointed Kieran Rice as GM; by 2009, he sold the business to Kieran, Deby, and long-standing team members. In April 2025, he held a landmark studio sale, offering early works, experimental pieces, and international clay finds—from Suffolk to Spain, Thailand and beyond—supporting local charities in the process.Closing Chapter: End of an EraVisitors are invited to tour the factory, grab a final piece of NZ pottery history, and use any outstanding vouchers. The team will maintain visibility through stories, launches, and updates on their Facebook page through to the final curtain. If you cherish vibrant New Zealand design, this is your moment to experience Morris & James while they’re still shaping clay at Matakana’s iconic site. You can visit Morris & James at 48 Tongue Farm Rd, Matakana, AucklandPhone: 09 422 7116OPEN 7-DAYS 9am to 5pmhttps://www.morrisandjames.co.nz/

John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne, the lead singer of British heavy metal band Black Sabbath, has died at 76, according to Sky News, citing a family statement.Just two weeks ago, Osbourne brought down the curtain on his stellar career with Black Sabbath on 6 July, rattling through the band's most iconic songs in front of an adoring hometown crowd in Birmingham, in England.The 'Prince of Darkness' held court from a giant leather throne, topped with a bat, at Villa Park stadium, firstly in a five-song solo set and then with his original bandmates for the first time in 20 years, and also last time.The stadium in Birmingham, central England, is a stone's throw from where the band formed 57 years ago, pioneering the hard-rock style that gave rise to heavy metal.Many thousands around the world followed the concert online after tickets for the show sold out in just 16 minutes.

Massive Dairy Flat surf park development expands to include housing and town centreThe Auckland Surf Park development at Dairy Flat has been granted fast-track approval to significantly expand its original scope, with plans now including around 500 homes, a town centre, and additional community amenities alongside the already consented surf lagoon, solar farm, and data centre.The development, located at 1350 Dairy Flat Highway north of Auckland, is being led by AW Holdings—a joint venture between global surf park developer Aventuur and local partners, including Sir John Kirwan and property investor Mark Francis.Concept of what the future park will look likePreviously consented features include a Wavegarden “Cove” lagoon, designed to produce consistent surf year-round, a Spark New Zealand data centre campus, and a 7-hectare solar farm. The latest expansion includes a range of residential housing types (apartments, terraces, duplexes and standalone homes), a surfing members’ clubhouse, eco-cabin accommodation, and a commercial town centre.The developers say sustainability will remain a key focus, with the site incorporating rainwater harvesting, composting, native planting and a ban on single-use plastics. Heat generated by the data centre is expected to be redirected to warm the surf lagoon, marking what the developers claim is a world-first energy initiative.In addition to housing and hospitality, the park is expected to create economic and recreational opportunities for the region. It is likely to attract tourism and generate local employment through construction, hospitality, retail, and recreation-related jobs. The surf lagoon will also offer a safer, controlled environment for people of all ages to try surfing—potentially helping to increase participation in the sport.Importantly, the facility is also expected to serve as a high-performance training ground for competitive surfers, including future Olympic-level athletes, by providing consistent wave conditions not possible in the natural environment.However, while the proposal includes many environmentally conscious features, the scale and pace of development raise questions about its broader impact. Dairy Flat is currently a rural community with lifestyle blocks and farmland. Some locals may be concerned that the scale of urbanisation could change the character of the area significantly, particularly with the introduction of higher-density housing and commercial infrastructure.Environmental advocates may also question the true sustainability of a surf lagoon that relies on artificial wave generation and substantial energy input, despite its renewable energy components. The construction phase could lead to increased traffic, noise, and disruption in the short term, and longer-term implications for local biodiversity and infrastructure are not yet fully known.A community day held earlier this year attracted over 600 attendees, including Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and local MP Mark Mitchell. Mayor Brown described the project as a “unique proposition of significant scale.” The event also included a blessing of the site led by members of Ngāti Whātua and Ngāti Manuhiri, the mana whenua of the area.If final approvals are confirmed, construction of the expanded components is expected to begin in late 2025, with the surf park scheduled to open in 2027.

The Police front door is now open a lot closer to central Auckland residents and visitors.On Friday, the public counter at the Auckland Central Police Base on Federal Street was officially opened by acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers and Minister of Police Mark Mitchell.It’s the first stage of an expanded presence at 210 Federal Street after it was announced late last year that Police will take on full occupancy.“It’s fantastic to be able to open our doors with a public facing presence back in the heart of central Auckland once again,” acting Deputy Commissioner: Northern Region, Jill Rogers says.“We know that the public feel safer when they see our staff and our buildings.“This has been something the community have been keen to see happen, and Police have been working hard at increasing our presence in recent years.”The public counter opened for service at the beginning of the week and replaces the previous counters at College Hill.Acting Deputy Commissioner Rogers says Police will be able to deploy with ease across busy areas of the CBD.This includes Te Waihorotiu Station, which is expected to be the country’s busiest train station when it opens.”“We have seen the benefits since our Beat team moved to the site more than two years ago,” acting Deputy Commissioner Rogers says.“For example, foot patrols are up 91 per cent in the city from July 2024 to April 2025, on the previous period.“It’s clear to us that an expanded Police presence will make our overall 24/7 response in the city more effective.”Construction is ongoing at the site with fit out work being completed on other floors in the building.Auckland City District Headquarters will remain based at its current location on College Hill.NOTES AND NUMBERS• Police have occupied two floors of 210 Federal Street since 2020• Police took over full occupancy in July 2025• The Beat Team has done 4,770 hours of foot patrolling (July 2024 – April 2025)• More than 50 staff form part of the Beat Team

Auckland Council has stepped up efforts to restore Kawau Island’s native forest, with a large-scale pest eradication project now underway — and dog owners are being warned of a serious risk of poisoning during the next phase of the operation.The project, run in partnership with residents and landowners, is targeting invasive wallabies and possums that have devastated the island’s forest. These browsing pests strip young seedlings and native plants, preventing regeneration and destroying food and habitat for indigenous wildlife.Following years of planning, Stage One began on 1 May 2025, with ground-based hunting in Kawau Island Historic Reserve and nearby private properties at the southern end of the island. The project is progressing from south to north, and the entire operation is expected to take 18 months, with a further six months of monitoring and caution.So far, hunters with indicator dogs and thermal drones have targeted pest hotspots. However, due to ongoing high pest numbers in some areas, targeted use of toxins in stage 2 has began 15th July, weather permitting.Dogs at risk – council urges visitors to stay awayThe upcoming use of toxins — including 1080 and Feratox — poses a serious risk to dogs. Auckland Council is strongly advising visitors not to bring dogs to Kawau Island during the operational period, and residents must keep dogs leashed and under close supervision.“Dogs are extremely vulnerable to 1080, especially if they scavenge poisoned carcasses or come into contact with bait,” said a council spokesperson. “While Feratox is less likely to cause harm unless eaten directly, the danger is still present.”Although uneaten bait will be removed, carcasses may remain toxic for weeks, making secondary poisoning a real threat during the six-month caution period that follows bait deployment.If you believe your dog may have been poisoned, you should induce vomiting and seek immediate veterinary care. Council has partnered with Warkworth Vets, who are prepared to treat affected dogs. Muzzles and emetic treatments are available free of charge for Kawau residents and landowners.The use of 1080 poison has long sparked debate in New Zealand. While conservationists defend it as a vital tool for large-scale pest control in remote or rugged areas, critics raise concerns about risks to non-target species and environmental impact.In the case of Kawau Island, Auckland Council says toxins will only be used in targeted, carefully monitored locations and strictly under permit. All applications are being conducted in line with public health regulations and robust safety protocols.Warning signs will be posted throughout affected areas, and all visitors must follow council guidance and avoid contact with bait or carcasses. Anyone who accidentally consumes bait should call 111 immediately and contact the National Poisons Centre for advice.Learn more or get involvedFor maps, FAQs, and detailed updates on the Kawau Island pest eradication programme, visit the official project page at:www.tiakitamakimakaurau.nz/get-involved/working-towards-a-pest-free-kawau-islandTo support long-term conservation work in the region, head to the New Zealand Nature Fund at nznaturefund.org.nz.

Warkworth / Rodney RegionMonday 21st July - Fine with morning frosts in sheltered places. Southerlies.Tuesday 22nd July - Fine. Southeasterlies.Wednesday 23rd July - Fine. Southerlies.Thursday 24th July - Fine. Southeasterlies, easing.Friday 25th July - Fine. Easterlies developing.Saturday 26th July - Fine with light winds.Sunday 27th July - Partly cloudy with northeasterlies.Mangawhai / Northland RegionMonday 21st July - Fine apart from some evening cloud. Southeasterlies for a time in the afternoon.Tuesday 22nd July - Fine. Southerlies.Wednesday 23rd July - Fine. Southerlies.Thursday 24th July - Fine. Southeasterlies developing.Friday 25th July - Fine. Easterlies developing.Saturday 26th July - Showers. Light winds.Sunday 27th July - Partly cloudy with northeasterlies.

As someone who drives through the Dome Valley three to five times a week, I can honestly say it’s a drive I enjoy. The road winds through native bush, birdlife hums in the background, and when traffic is flowing smoothly, it’s a relaxing 80 km/h journey through one of the more scenic corridors between Warkworth and Wellsford. But change is on the horizon.Geotechnical Drilling Completed - The first major milestone in the motorway extension project is complete. Geotechnical drilling crews have finished their work in the Dome Valley. These investigations, some reaching depths of 180 metres, were essential to understanding the terrain and laying the groundwork for the new road including the potential for a twin tunnel.Logging Phase Begins - 600 Hectares to Be Cleared Next up: the forest is coming down. Approximately 600 hectares of bushland on the southwestern side of the Dome, between Hoeto and Falls Bridge, is scheduled for clearing. Forestry crews are being brought in, and the operation is expected to take up to 18 months. This part of the process will be hard to miss.Logging Trucks and Increased Traffic - Log trucks will be exiting onto what is currently, the passing lane. If you’re familiar with the stretch between Hoeto and the Falls Bridge, you’ll know it’s a part of the road where visibility is decent, but where traffic already tends to bunch, especially during peak travel times. The logs themselves will be transported north to Marsden Point before heading offshore for milling in China (a story worth its own article one day).So yes, the Dome Valley is going to get busier. Not forever, but definitely over the next year and a half.Why It’s Changing This is, of course, part of the bigger picture: the much-discussed motorway extension north of Warkworth. Like other stretches already completed, it’s being built for good reason safety, capacity, and future growth.The Dome has long been a concern for congestion and serious crashes. While I’ve always found it to be a generally good drive as long as no one is tailgating in a rush, the added pressure of heavy trucks and work crews will put the current road under strain.Looking Ahead: So if you're like me and you enjoy that morning or evening drive through the Dome, soak it in over the next few months. The character of the route is about to shift. The road will be louder, heavier, and more industrial for a time. But eventually, it will also be safer, smoother, and better equipped to carry all of us into the future.📍Maps and Further Information:NZTA Dome Valley Safety ProjectGreater Auckland: Motorway ConsentsGeotech phase ✅ completedLogging phase ⏳ starts now, lasting ~18 monthsLane usage 🛻 logging trucks will use new passing lanesLocation 🌲 between Hoeto & Falls BridgeImpacts 🚦 increased summer traffic and forestry activityLong-Term Solution 🛣 motorway is essential for safety and traffic management in a high-use work zone

Christopher Ta'aloga Faiumu, better known simply as Mu, died suddenly on Wednesday. He was the founder and creative force behind Fat Freddy’s Drop, one of the most successful bands to come out of Aoteaora.Though neither a singer nor a soloist, his presence was intrinsic to the band. That’s not just because of the imposing figure he cut on stage as he hunched over his MPC sampler, but also because Fat Freddy’s songs were built on the musical foundations he put down.Though the group achieved massive popularity, not just in this country but throughout Australasia, Europe and North America, Fat Freddy’s Drop never signed to a major label, instead running the group as an independent collective managed by Mu’s partner Nicole Duckworth.DJ Mu making beats with Naenae Clubhouse, 2018. SuppliedThe independent spirit carried over to their music. Never consciously commercial, their music grew organically out of jam sessions, often based around a rhythmic pattern or bassline Mu had created on his Akai MPC sampler. Yet their performances were like an invitation to be part of a communal experience, and people would flock to see them at concerts and festivals all over the world. In London they sold out the O2 Academy at shows in 2014 and again in 2018.Chris grew up in Wainuiomata, the fifth child of Samoan immigrant parents. An older sister had a collection of 70s soul records which he would later come to treasure, but his tastes were initially formed by his brothers, who were into rock – Santana, Hendrix, Neil Young.Fat Freddy's Drop - Chris Faiumu seated in the middle in the white fedora hat - photographed in 2020.suppliedHis parents had made a conscious decision to give their children “an education outside Wainuiomata”, and his brothers were sent to Te Aute College in Hawkes Bay, but Chris opted to go to Scots College in Wellington because it was closer to home. There he found he was one of the few Samoan students. “I’m sure I freaked them out”, he recalled. “One, I was Samoan and brown, and two, I was also much larger than everyone else, though a few rugby coaches there embraced that.”The boys at Scots all called each other by their surnames but as they found his difficult to pronounce they abbreviated it to Mu, and the nickname stuck. At school he began his music collection – cassettes at first, followed by vinyl.After completing school he spent a year in the army, thinking he might become an officer, but though he “had a ball… abseiling out of a helicopter and blowing up a tank” it became apparent that neither he nor the army had found what they were looking for.He then enrolled in a Bachelor of Science at Victoria University, but walking between lectures his curiosity was piqued by music blasting out of a room on the top floor of the Student Union Building. This, he discovered, was the studio of the campus station Radio Active. When he summoned the courage to ask the station manager about the possibility of doing some deejaying he was asked, “Well, what are you doing right now?" Five minutes later he was on the air.Fat Freddy's Drop in 2024 - Chris Faiumu is second from the right.Jamie LeithBy the late 80s he had accumulated a formidable record collection and was being asked to deejay at parties. In the 90s he became part of the Funky Monks, a DJ collective specialising in soul, funk and hip-hop. Around the same time he helped form the Roots Foundation, another group of deejays with a reggae focus. It was through dub reggae that he began to develop ideas and skills in the production and manipulation of sound.Deejaying in Wellington bars like Bodega and the Matterhorn led to late night jam sessions with live musicians, Mu supplying the beats. Gradually he progressed from playing beats directly off vinyl to producing his own rhythms on an Akai Music Production Centre (MPC) sampler. Out of these jams grew the sprawling and amorphous Bongmaster, which in turn spawned Fat Freddy’s Drop which he formed with singer Dallas Tamaira and trumpeter Toby Laing.Their first album ‘Live At The Matterhorn' was simply a live show recorded to minidisc, given a little editing by Mu. It immediately sold 9000 copies. Their debut studio album ‘Based On A True Story’, released in 2005, was a more sophisticated affair, recorded at The Drop, the studio Mu had built in his Lyall Bay home. The album went gold immediately, became the longest album by a New Zealand act to stay at number 1 where it spent 10 weeks, and the group cleaned up at that year’s New Zealand Music Awards. A 12-inch single, ‘Midnight Marauders’ (credited to Joe Dukie and DJ Fitchie, Dallas and Mu’s stage names), had already built interest in Europe, where the group toured for the first time in 2003, and the band began a schedule of making records and touring in both Australasia and Europe which would continue for the next 20 years. They developed a distinctive and original style that drew on reggae, funk, jazz and electronica but also reflected the group’s Pacific origins.Mu had friends and fans all over the world, but his home base continued to be on Wellington’s south coast where he lived with Nicole and their daughter Mia. Like the music he made, he had a deep sense of roots, and he always came home.https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/music/dj-mu-has-died-he-was-the-producer-and-pulse-of-fat-freddy-s-drop

Power outages persist in Northland after damaging windsHundreds of properties remain without power in Northland following a night of severe gales that brought down trees and powerlines across the region. The strong winds caused significant damage, including the loss of a roof from one home and the overturning of a truck and trailer near Dargaville.At the peak of the storm, around 8000 customers were affected by outages. By this morning, that number has decreased significantly, with most of the remaining outages concentrated in Tinopai, a small coastal community on the Kaipara Harbour.Northpower is working to restore power to all affected areas by the end of the day. A helicopter is assisting ground crews to locate faults more efficiently. Calm weather conditions are aiding the repair efforts. Residents can check the current status of outages via the Northpower outage map: northpower.nz/outages.In the Far North, about 140 properties were still without power on Friday morning, according to Top Energy’s online outage tracker.The only area of power outages on the Vector website relate to Whenuapai. Fire and Emergency responded to 11 weather-related incidents across Northland, all of which occurred before midnight.In one incident on State Highway 15 near Portland, Whangarei, motorists encountered a fallen tree blocking the road. A group of passing drivers worked together to remove the obstruction using available equipment, including a chainsaw, a digger, and a logging truck. The road was cleared in around 15 minutes thanks to their combined efforts.MetService is forecasting more settled and calm weather for this weekend and so far next week!! Please check out the forecast below.-----Weekend Weather Forecast -----Warkworth / Rodney RegionFriday 18th July - A few showers, clearing with increasing fine spells this afternoon. Southwesterlies, strong in exposed places easing this afternoon.Saturday 19th July - Mainly fine, but cloudy with isolated showers in the afternoon and evening. Westerlies developing for a time in the afternoon.Sunday 20th July - Mainly fine, isolated showers clearing in the morning. Southerlies developing.Mangawhai / Northland RegionFriday 18th July - Partly cloudy and the chance of a morning shower. Southwesterlies.Saturday 19th July - Mainly fine, chance of a shower in the afternoon and evening. Southwesterlies, easing before dawn.Sunday 20th July - Fine. Southerlies developing.ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!

Join us for a night of non-stop laughs in support of a local cause that truly matters. One Mahurangi Business Association presents the Warkworth Comedy Gala, raising funds for Homebuilders Family Services – North Rodney, a charity supporting whānau in need across the Mahurangi region.Hosted by the razor-sharp Nick Rado (7 Days, Comedy Gala), with performances from an all-star lineup including Justine Smith (7 Days, Comedy Gala, The Project, Taskmaster NZ), Josh Thomson (7 Days, The Office Australia, Taskmaster NZ, Young Rock), and Tarun Mohanbhai (Comedy Gala) – this is comedy gold for a great cause.- Saturday 9 August 2025 - Warkworth Town Hall- $45 | Doors open 6PM | Show starts 7PM- Finger food included | Cash bar on site Tickets available from: Harts Pharmacy | LJ Hooker Warkworth | Warkworth Information Centre | Mahurangi MattersDon't miss this one. Get your tickets today before they are gone!All profits go to Homebuilders Family Services, Warkworth homebuildersfs.orgSpecial thanks to the Warkworth Comedy Gala Sponsors: // REMINDER: FREE NETWORKING EVENT - YOU ARE INVITED >> Please RSVP for Art in August Opening Night to [email protected] for catering purposes.For more details about Art in August Opening Night, CLICK HERE>

Electricity sector rules changed to force lower off-peak power pricesRetailers with +5 pct market share required to participateConsumers selling power from solar panels-batteries to get better pricesElectricity Authority says it's about giving consumers more choice.Big electricity retailers will have to offer cheaper prices for off-peak power use prices, and fair prices to people who sell surplus power to the grid from roof top solar panels at peak times.The Electricity Authority is changing sector rules to require retailers with more than five-percent market share to offer time of use prices from the middle of next year, after a report by a joint task force of the Authority and the Commerce Commission.The changes were aimed to give consumers more choice in how and when they use power, and put downward pressure on prices."Currently, access to time-varying pricing plans for power use and supply is very limited. The decisions announced today will help drive retail innovation and ensure most New Zealanders have access to these plans within a year so they can benefit from cheaper off-peak power," Commerce Commission chair John Small said."They also strengthen the case for rooftop solar systems with batteries, by rewarding people with these systems for the savings they provide the network when selling power into the system at peak times."Electricity Authority chair Anna Kominik said the changes would give consumers more choices for how they consume and supply power, and reward choices that benefit the system and keep power prices down."Consumers who engage as active players in the power market will become important contributors to a more sustainable and dynamic electricity system, and we will all benefit from this through lower power costs," Kominik said.The changes mean retailers will have to offer fair prices to people who sell surplus power to the grid from roof top solar panels at peak times.Big power sellers, lines companies targetedThe changes would directly affect the big four generator-retailers - Contact, Genesis, Mercury, Meridian - which have about 83 percent of the retail market.In background information, the authority said none of the large retailers offered time of use plans to all customers, and for those that did it benefited owners of electric vehicles.It said time-of-use pricing would mean cheaper power at off-peak times, and more expensive power at peak times, which it defined as typically on weekday mornings between 7-10am, and evenings between 5-9pm.Off-peak times were usually overnight, in the middle of the day or on weekends.It said heavy electricity users would benefit, but those unable to change their consumption habits were unlikely to save money.Lines companies would also be covered by the rules changes in giving a rebate to consumers who upload power at peak time to the electricity from sources such as solar panels and batteries.Kominik said the authority would contact large retailers and distributors over the coming months on the changes, which would come into effect the middle of next year.This story was originally published by RNZ

Peter de Graaf, Northland reporterTO VIEW THE VIDEO CLICK HEREA 79-year-old man remains in hospital in Northland after suffering multiple injuries when a suspected tornado flipped his campervan.What was described by campers as a twister hit Tauranga Bay Holiday Park in the Far North at 8.05am on Tuesday, picking up a caravan and hurling it into a tree about 60m away.The owner of the caravan, Phil Wallan, told RNZ he was certain he would have died if he had been in it at the time.He had driven to Kerikeri to pick up supplies just a short time earlier.A large campervan was also flipped onto its side, trapping its injured owner inside.Fellow campers managed to climb inside to offer first aid while emergency services were on their way.He was rescued by volunteer firefighters from the Kerikeri and Kāeo brigades who cut through the windscreen to get him out.A campground staff member who visited the 79-year-old in hospital said he had a gash to his head, a broken collarbone and a sore back, but was recovering.The nature of his back injury had yet to be ascertained.The suspected tornado flipped this campervan on its side, injuring the 79-year-old occupant. Photo: SuppliedKerrin and Jane Mangos, who were parked nearby, said it felt like an earthquake when the twister hit.Their caravan's stabilisers had been damaged so they were planning to take it for repairs before any more wild weather hit.Campground manager Leah Bowsher said the flipped campervan had been righted and loaded onto a truck on Wednesday.A cleanup of debris from the destroyed caravan was continuing.A power box had also been wrecked and several campervans had lost their awnings.Co-manager Harry Bowsher told RNZ campers were shaken by Tuesday's drama, and "very, very lucky" no one had been more seriously injured.No one was luckier than Phil Wallan, whose caravan was picked up like a plaything and smashed into a Norfolk pine."If he'd been in there we'd be taking out a body," he said.No one spoken to by RNZ saw a tornado that morning but some campers saw a waterspout forming a day earlier.CCTV from the holiday park office showed debris swirling in circles, lending credence to claims of a twister, before the caravan half-rolled, half-flew across the campground.This story was originally published by RNZ

Metservice has issued a fresh round of weather watches:WARKWORTH REGIONMANGAWHAI / NORTHLAND REGION

Rising Kiwi motorcycle racer Tyler King has continued to impress on both sides of the Tasman, chalking up a string of strong performances, podium finishes, and hard-won lessons across the 2025 racing season so far.King, who competes in multiple classes including Supersport 300, Supersport 600, and Formula 3 (F3), has shown consistent form throughout the New Zealand Superbike Championship (NZSBK) and the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), despite facing several physical and mechanical challenges.You can read our previous update on Tyler here.NZSBK HighlightsAt Levels Raceway in February, King qualified strongly across all three classes and finished third in the opening F3 race, making notable progress on his Supersport 600 performance. He faced a demanding schedule with eight races in a single day but came away feeling confident and focused on improvement.In March at Hampton Downs, King had a standout weekend, claiming nine podiums from nine races — including six wins. Despite competing with a broken foot, he dominated the Ninja Cup and fought hard in F3 to take two wins and a second-place finish. In the Supersport 300 class, he secured another win (after a disqualification) and two second-place finishes. His results also propelled him into the championship lead in F3.Australian CampaignTyler with his family in AustraliaQueensland Raceway – ASBK Round 3 (13 May)King made his debut at the Queensland circuit and adapted quickly. He qualified P8 and steadily improved across the weekend. In Race 1, he finished P8 while learning the track. Race 2 saw him recover from contact that bent his brake lever to finish P4, just 0.047 seconds off the podium. Race 3, reduced to a three-lap sprint after red flags, saw King briefly lead before being pushed wide on the final lap and finishing P4. His consistent results secured him third overall for the round.King thanked his support crew including Port Bike, team boss Rod, and mechanic Gavin Veltmeyer, stating: “I learnt a lot over the weekend and I look forward to fighting for those podium spots at the next round.”ASBK – Round 4 (14–15 June)King again claimed third overall for the round, continuing his consistent podium presence in the highly competitive Supersport 300 class. Race 3 was a standout, with King finishing second behind Scott Nicholson and ahead of Riley Nauta.The round highlighted King’s growing support network in Australia, with major thanks going to the Portbike crew and sponsors including WET4U and Race and Road. His family and supporters were also out in force, making the weekend a memorable one.Looking AheadCurrently Tyler is NZ1 in Superlite. He has been chosen to ride a next generation 800cc bike for MV Augusta team – Helicraft. King’s results demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and a growing presence in both the New Zealand and Australian racing scenes. As the season progresses, fans and sponsors alike will be watching closely to see where this determined young rider will go next.