Peter de GraafIn the tiny Far North settlement of Mangamuka, the excitement is palpable.For the past two and a half years, locals have faced long detours on rough roads, isolation from friends and family, and higher transport costs.That's about to come to an end, however, with the reopening of State Highway 1 through Mangamuka Gorge, the main route north to Kaitāia on 20 December.Mangamuka resident Awhina Rauwhero-Stevens said the closure meant having to drive further for more expensive groceries, and less frequent visits to her mokopuna on the other side of the gorge."We can't wait. It's been a struggle. Having to go to Kaikohe and Kerikeri, because I shop every week, and Pak'nSave in Kaitāia is the cheapest in the North. So I can't wait. I'm excited."In August 2022, a 13-kilometre section of highway through the gorge was so badly damaged by a storm it's taken until now, and more than $200 million, to fix it.When the deluge hit, the highway had only been open for 13 months after a previous year-long closure, also due to storm damage.Overnight the closure transformed Mangamuka from a bustling pit stop on the main route north to sleepy backwater, threatening the survival of the settlement's only store, the popular Mangamuka Dairy.Owner Eliza Chapman-Kete said at times she was not sure the business could keep going.In the end it had survived, even thrived, thanks to road workers, Te Araroa Trail walkers, and the support of locals.Mangamuka Dairy is an important social hub as well as a source of supplies in the tiny Far North settlement. Photo: RNZ/Peter de GraafThe dairy was much more than just a place to buy groceries, Chapman-Kete said."People call it a hub. It's a place where people meet, they talk and cry together, they laugh together and sometimes they have words together," she said.There was also excitement in Kaitāia, on the other side of the gorge, where locals like Kiana Murray would no longer have to drive the long way around via State Highway 10."When we're travelling to Auckland, Kaikohe, anywhere, we've got to literally go all the way around, it takes probably another hour out of our way, maybe more, the roads are shocking, it's harder. So yeah, I absolutely can't wait for it to open up."The reopening of State Highway 1 would also be also a boon for people travelling to the Far North on business, such as Whangārei sales rep Shannon Beeston."I think it's wonderful. I travel up here quite often and travelling up State Highway 10, it makes your day a lot longer. For the town and the business owners it'll be fabulous," she said.Te Hiku Community Board member John Stewart said with State Highway 1 closed, many fruit and vegetable growers were unable to transport their produce to Auckland and return to Kaitāia in a day, greatly increasing their costs.The closure of State Highway 1 transformed Mangamuka from a busy pit stop on the main freight route north to a sleepy backwater. Photo: RNZ/Peter de GraafHe said freight companies had been quick to bump up the amount they charged Kaitāia businesses when the highway closed, and hoped they would bring down their fees just as quickly after the gorge reopened on 20 December.The impact of the closure had been greatest at the southern end of town, Stewart said, and had slashed the number of visitors stopping in at the museum and i-Site at the Te Ahu Centre."I think of a mate who owns Mobil down the southern end of town. That's basically the first shop everyone drives into once they come through the Mangamukas into Kaitāia. I'd hate to know what he's been losing after the last couple of years," he said.Far North deputy mayor Kelly Stratford recalled the last time Mangamuka Gorge reopened after storm repairs, in 2021.On that occasion the road lasted just over a year before it was wrecked by another, even bigger storm."I'm really, really excited about the Mangamukas opening, and feeling very confident that it's going to be open for a lot longer than last time. I'm looking forward to our communities on both sides being able to connect, everybody travelling for business, for mahi, to be with whānau. It's been a real interruption for whānau on both sides of the Mangamukas," she said.Mangamuka Dairy owner Eliza Chapman-Kete. Photo: Peter de GraafThe August 2022 deluge triggered dozens of slips, 15 of which were deemed to be significant and six critical.Another storm in 2023 increased the number of major slips to 35, with 15 of those regarded as critical, and in June this year another slip took the total to 36.The fresh damage bumped up the repair cost from the initially budgeted $100m and delayed the reopening from the original target date of May 2024.The total cost, according to NZTA, was now $204m.Back in Mangamuka, locals said there would also be some downsides to the reopening.For the past few years birdsong and the murmur of conversation had been the main sounds in the settlement, but that would soon be replaced by the roar of trucks barrelling down the main street.Chapman-Kete said with four school bus pick-ups each day, children, and parents, would have to get used to looking out for traffic again.Residents had been pushing for a pedestrian crossing to make the road safer once traffic returned.Chapman-Kete said she would miss the quiet."We had our own little sanctuary here really. So yes, we'll miss that. And the mothers will have to watch their children quite closely. We'll just have to be careful."Even Awhina Rauwhero-Stevens said she would miss the silence."What I'm not looking forward to is the noise. I'm not looking forward to the traffic, and not looking forward to waiting in line at Whaea Eliza's dairy."But even the prospect of speeding trucks and queues at the dairy could not dampen her excitement."The gorge is beautiful. I've missed going through it. I can't wait to see the changes. I'm so glad it's nearly finished. We can't wait. I know I've said that like 10 times now, that's how excited I am," she said.On Thursday, 19 December, the rebuilt road will be blessed and Transport Minister Simeon Brown will visit the gorge to celebrate the project's completion. The highway is due to reopen at one minute after midnight on Friday.This story was originally published by RNZ

Project Update – December 2024Tena koe and welcome to the Northland Corridor newsletter.It’s been all go on our Summer Roadshow the last few weekends. We’ve been to the Kaiwaka Community Markets, Whangārei A&P Show and the Matakana Markets. Thanks to everyone who has stopped by to talk with us at these events. It’s been great to hear your questions, update you on the progress and hear your enthusiasm for the project. We will be continuing our roadshow in the New Year with 3 more events, see below for the details of where you can find us.In this edition of the newsletter, we have an update on helicopters moving machinery into Mahurangi Forest in Dome Valley as we move at pace with Ara Tūhono – Warkworth to Te Hana.We also share some news from the Far North, with SH1 through the Mangamuka Gorge reopening in time for Christmas.We wish you and your families a safe and happy Christmas.Summer RoadshowWith the Summer Roadshow in full swing, we’ve been hearing common themes at our stand. There’s lots of support for the project and you’re pleased we’re working at pace, and you want us to ‘just get on with it’.We’ve heard you’re pleased Northland is getting this investment in the transport network. You’ve seen the benefits of Ara Tῡhono - Pῡhoi to Warkworth, including shorter travel times, safety, resilience and a smooth ride and there is excitement that we’ll be constructing the corridor to the Roads of Significance (RoNS) standard up to Whangārei.We’ll be back on the road after the Christmas break at the Mangawhai Tavern Markets on Saturday 11 January 2025 from 8.30am – 1pm. Join us for a chat, we’d love to see you there!What if I can’t make the roadshow?We know summer is a busy time, so if these dates and times don’t work for you and you’d like to talk to us, feel free to reply to this email or contact us on [email protected] 1 update: Ara Tūhono – Warkworth to Te HanaOur geotechnical team continue to make good progress with their investigations, successfully completing 49 boreholes and drilling a total of 1385m to date. Their current focus is on investigations for the tunnel alignment in Mahurangi Forest including drilling boreholes as deep as 150m and at an angle to get a 3D view of the ground conditions. The 3D view helps the team better understand fault lines in the area which helps inform the final design.We have started moving machinery into some hard to access locations within Mahurangi Forest via helicopter. Equipment is being flown into each drilling site rather than cutting paths through the forest. Helicopters will operate 2 days per week and will move machinery to 20 sites over the next couple of months for this current stage of geotechnical investigations. We’ll share photos of the helicopters in action early next year. Section 2 & 3 update: Te Hana to WhangāreiWe’ll be finalising the emerging preferred corridor north of Te Hana in the first quarter of 2025 and updating people on where we are at.See our frequently asked questions for more information and if you have further questions feel free to contact us on [email protected] the Far North: Mangamuka Gorge to reopen on 20 DecemberThe team is finalising preparations for reopening State Highway 1 through Mangamuka Gorge on the morning of Friday 20 December 2024 at 12:01 AM. It’s been a huge effort to get to this point and we want to acknowledge the Te Tai Tokerau Northland community for your ongoing support throughout the project.The gorge has been closed since August 2022 due to severe slip damage caused by extreme weather events. Additional record rainfall in 2023 resulted in further slips, complicating repairs. A new slip in June this year brought the total number of slip sites to 36, with 16 deemed critical.To find out more about the SH1 Mangamuka Gorge slip repairs visit our webpage.Before and after of critical slip site A3 – repaired with a piled wall made up of 40 piles and 42 anchors drilled back into the maunga (mountain) for extra stability.Holiday JourneysHere’s some tips to stay safe this summer out on the road:Check your vehicle is safe to drive before you set off including that your tyres have enough tread (minimum tread is 1.5mm but the more tread, the better the grip) and your lights, wipers and indicators are working.Drive to the conditions - whether it's the weather, the road you're on, the time of day or the volume of traffic.Keep a safe following distance from vehicles in front so you can stop safely.Allow plenty of time and take regular breaks to stay alert.Be patient so everyone can relax and enjoy the holidays together.For more information, check out our helpful holiday driving tips: Driving in the holidays.We’ll stop most works on the state highway before the busy holiday travel period to minimise disruption to people’s journeys, but it’s a good idea to plan ahead to avoid the busiest times for traffic.Our Holiday Journeys traffic prediction tool shows predicted traffic flow across popular journeys over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday based on the previous year’s travel patterns. It’ll be updated for this year’s holiday break soon. Because predicted peak times can change based on incidents, weather and even driver behaviour we suggest that you check our real-time Journey Planner before you leave for the latest information on road works, traffic, road closures and delays.Journey PlannerWe wish everyone a relaxing and enjoyable Christmas break!

The Te Hana Domain playground design has been given the green light by the community and Rodney Local Board.The junior playground is due to be replaced in 2026 and will be rebuilt on the other side of Whakapirau Road, placing it near the car park and toilet, and on the northern side of the domain.Feedback from the local community, Te Ao Marama Cultural Centre and Te Uri O Hau Settlement Trust has been incorporated into the final design.Rodney Local Board chair Brent Bailey is pleased that along with local feedback there are more opportunities for play including a loop path for young children learning to ride.“The larger playground will cater for toddlers through to tweens with new play equipment and a range of activities to keep everyone happy.“The new design is a big improvement on the current playground, and the feedback has helped confirm the layout, and choice of play equipment.“Not all wishes can be fitted into the design as neither a fenced dog area or flying fox are in scope or budget for the project.“However, the new playground will be a fantastic amenity for local families and the board is very pleased to approve its design.”Play equipment will include:senior and junior play modulesswings, waka see-saw and wheelchair carouselfish-finder cultural activitybalance trail and stepping logstimber seating and picnic tables.Elevated grass mounds will create a visual connection to the cultural centre and interpretive signage and artwork added. Other features include paths, shade sails, signage, fencing, bollards and plantings. The existing community garden will be redeveloped as part of the new playground.Local board member Colin Smith, who represents the Wellsford area, says the playground upgrade will help address the shortfall of play options in Te Hana.“The new layout makes the most of the bigger space and includes new and existing play equipment. The new playground is going to be a popular addition to the domain and very well-used by the community when it’s built.”The next step is the detailed design followed by the consents and tender processes with construction planned to start in 2026.The community also raised safety concerns about children crossing Whakapirau Road as logging trucks travel through the domain. Auckland Transport will be asked to review the speed limit and signage on this section of the road.The design has been future-proofed for a second stage of development which is subject to funding and includes a skate ramp and a 3-on3 court to coincide with the existing court renewal. Both facilities can be relocated to the northern side of Whakapirau Road.The concept design is available in the agenda report (item 14) from the business meeting held on 14 December 2024.

And so we reach the end of another year having faced many challenges and frustrations which we have shared with you along the way. There have been lots of positives too - Leigh Penguin Project has been involved in various initiatives to raise awareness and we look forward to our ongoing participation in community events. This year we also formalised our relationship with NZ Penguin Initiative so we now have a more structured framework to work within and also their extensive knowledge and guidance. Recently we hosted our supporters at Penguin Random House for the second year running. They love to put a group together, leave their desks and experience first hand how things are going for our korora. We very much value the relationship we have with Penguin Random House and thank them hugely for choosing to sponsor us. Madeleine put together a full day programme involving a mix of fieldwork and a lunch where we shared our stories with them and reflected on the difficulties penguins, along with so many species are now facing.Great timing too, to showcase the newly finished Coastal Walkway. Earlier in the season, we’d had several korora in both nesting boxes and natural sites but sadly they abandoned their sites with no new chicks. It is common when a first clutch of eggs are unsuccessful the penguins can produce a second clutch. Luck was going our way this time as we had birds visible. And there was hope that they might be sitting on another clutch of eggs. Our guests were thrilled. Obligatory photos were later taken underneath the Penguin Street sign before we all headed off back to the coast with bags to comb the area for any rubbish. It’s surprising how much we found.A good reminder to ourselves that we can all make a difference to the chances of korora survival by remembering to grab a bag when we head to beach walks and throw in any rubbish - korora will swallow small bits of plastic and become tangled up in netting etc all of which will kill them. It’s good to feel that even in these small ways we can all make a big difference.Anecdotally I’m told that more dogs are on leashes now so that’s also very heartening. Thank you for your interest and support of the project.Mary Mangan for Leigh Penguin Project [email protected].

A man who allegedly went on a crime spree in Dargaville before ramming a Police car and fleeing in a stolen vehicle has been arrested.At about 11.30am yesterday, Police were notified of a vehicle seen travelling on Port Road, Whangarei which had been stolen earlier during an aggravated burglary in Dargaville.Whangārei-Kaipara Area Commander, Inspector Maria Nordstrom, says the vehicle was then sighted again on State Highway 1 near Otaika Roadd and Rew Rewa Road.“The driver has then proceeded to ram a Police vehicle.“Thankfully no one was injured and the damage was minimal, however this type of behaviour is completely unacceptable.”Inspector Nordstrom says the vehicle fled towards Maungatapere and was spiked near Tangowahine Valley Road.“The vehicle has become inoperable and the driver has abandoned it on Ounuwhao Road and attempted to flee on foot.“Delta, the Police Dog unit, has tracked the alleged offender along nearby railway tracks where he surrendered,” she says.“This was yet another great example of Police working together to hold people to account for their actions.“We will continue to use all resources available to us when these situation arise.”A 38-year-old will appear in Whangārei District Court today charged with three counts of assaulting a person with a blunt instrument, failing to stop and dangerous driving.The arrest comes after a busy week for staff in Dargaville, with five arrests alone on one day on a variety of matters.This included a 56-year-old man arrested for an alleged arson of a fence on a rural property in Te Kōpuru.Three other men were arrested in the area for outstanding warrants to arrest.

Police are wanting to remind potential purchasers of the some of the risks of buying via Facebook Marketplace.Police regularly see reports relating to instances where a fake, or doctored, screenshot has been shown or sent to the seller – however these can be spotted if you know what you’re looking for.Look for differences in formatting – are there different fonts used or does the text size vary?Compare the screenshot to one of your own bank – does it look legitimate?Is the senders name clearly listed? Often an account name does not appear on a fake screenshot.If you’re not sure, Police urge sellers to make sure the money is in your account, and the funds have been cleared, before handing over or posting the items.We suggest the following for every time you choose to buy and sell online:First and foremost, we recommend using a reputable online site to buy or sell items.Check the social media profile of the seller. Is it a new profile or relatively blank? There's a chance it may be a fake profile.If the trader insists on meeting at a public place or unusual location to make a sale, be cautious. It may be that they are selling stolen items or don't want to be identified for some other reason.Equally, if purchasers are reluctant to meet in person or insist items are dropped off at a location, they may be avoiding being seen or identified.Purchasers who are in a rush to complete a transaction.Consider cash as a safe alternative to online banking for pickup and pay transactions.As the saying goes: if it is too good to be true, it probably is.If you wish to report a social media scam, contact Police on 105 or report it online via 105.police.govt.nz/use-105.Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. 

A devastating house fire in Oakleigh, south of Whangārei, last night (Sunday 15th) required a coordinated response from seven firefighting brigades. Fire and Emergency's Northland manager, Wipari Henwood, confirmed that while all occupants, including six children, were safely accounted for, the family has lost everything, including their home and two cars.The fire posed significant challenges for crews, as the property was located up a steep driveway with a stand of bush at the rear. The proximity of the blaze to a nearby petrol station on State Highway 1 added to the urgency of the operation. Henwood described the situation as "difficult and demanding," noting that it was likely to take several hours to fully extinguish the flames.NZTA advised motorists travelling just south of Oakleigh to expect delays and exercise caution due to firefighting activities near the highway.An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.The family, who are deeply shaken by this tragedy, are now left feeling helpless, particularly as it comes so close to Christmas—a time that should be joyful and celebratory for their children. A heartfelt plea has been shared by a relative on the family's Givealittle page:"Hi all, my brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and their six kids have lost everything due to this house fire. While all made it out safely, they’ve lost it all—everything they own, including their two cars. If you could please find it in your hearts to give anything to help their situation, it would be greatly appreciated.Right before Christmas, this tragedy has left them unprepared and without a house or anything for their children. They are a family that really needs some support right now, so please get behind them in this sad time. Bless them and their whānau. Thank you."Donations can be made through the Givealittle page to help the family rebuild their lives and provide some comfort during this challenging time.

Warkworth / Rodney RegionMonday 16th December - Rain, heavy at times with possible thunderstorms and downpours, easing to a few showers this evening. Southwesterlies developing this afternoon.Heavy Rain WatchPeriod:  15hrs from 3am - 6pm Mon, 16 DecArea:  Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island and Coromandel PeninsulaForecast:  Periods of heavy rain, with thunderstorms and localised downpours possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria. Note, there is high uncertainty where the largest accumulations will be, and warning amounts may be exceeded in localised areas. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.Tuesday 17th December - Cloud clearing and becoming fine before dawn. Fresh southerlies, easing in the evening.Wednesday 18th - Fine. Southerlies, becoming fresh.Thursday 19th - Fine. Southwesterlies, becoming fresh.Friday 20th - Fine with westerlies.Saturday 21st - Showers with northwesterlies.Sunday 22nd - Showers with westerlies.Mangawhai / Northland RegionMonday 16th December - Rain, heavy at times with possible thunderstorms and downpours, easing to a few showers this evening. Light winds, evening southwesterlies.Heavy Rain WatchPeriod: 15hrs from 3am - 6pm Mon, 16 DecArea: Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island and Coromandel PeninsulaForecast: Periods of heavy rain, with thunderstorms and localised downpours possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria. Note, there is high uncertainty where the largest accumulations will be, and warning amounts may be exceeded in localised areas. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.Tuesday 17th December - Fine. Fresh southerlies, easing in the afternoon.Wednesday 18th - Fine. Southerlies.Thursday 19th - Fine. Southwesterlies.Friday 20th - Fine with westerlies.Saturday 21st - Showers with northwesterlies.Sunday 22nd - Showers with westerlies.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advises of the following closures for motorway improvements. Work delayed by bad weather will be completed at the next available date, prior to Friday, 20 December 2024. Please note this Traffic Bulletin is updated every Friday.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)Southbound lanes between Orewa off-ramp and Silverdale on-ramp, 16 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Grand Drive southbound on-ramp, 16 DecemberMillwater southbound on-ramp, 16 DecemberStafford Road northbound off-ramp, 15-16 DecemberCurran Street northbound on-ramp, 15-16 DecemberCENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)Southbound lanes between Fanshawe Street off-ramp and Grafton on-ramp, 15-19 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Hobson Street southbound on-ramp, 15-19 DecemberSymonds Street southbound on-ramp, 15-19 DecemberSH16 eastbound to SH1 southbound link, 15-19 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Westbound lanes between Stanley Street off-ramp and Grafton Road on-ramp, 15-19 DecemberSOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Southbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Ramarama on-ramp, 15-17 DecemberDrury/SH22 southbound on-ramp, 15-17 DecemberBombay southbound off-ramp, 15-19 DecemberBombay northbound on-ramp 16-18 DecemberBeaver Road northbound on-ramp, 15-19 December (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Beaver Road northbound off-ramp, 15-19 December (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Nikau Road northbound on-ramp, 15-19 December (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)Southbound lanes between Waimauku roundabout and Trigg Rd, 15 & 18 December (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Trigg Rd and Waimauku roundabout, 15 & 18 December (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Waimauku roundabout and Foster Rd, 16-17 December (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Foster Rd and Waimauku roundabout, 16-17 December (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Access Road and Taupaki Road roundabout, 16-18 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Taupaki Road roundabout and Access Road, 16-18 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Brigham Creek Roundabout off-ramp and Hobsonville Road on-ramp, 17-18 December (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Hobsonville Road off-ramp and Brigham Creek Roundabout on-ramp, 17-18 December (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am) UPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)Eastbound lanes between Tauhinu Road off-ramp and Albany Highway on-ramp, 18 DecemberGreenhithe Road eastbound on-ramp, 18 DecemberWestbound lanes between Squadron Drive off-ramp and Hobsonville Road on-ramp, 17 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Brigham Creek Road westbound on-ramp, 17 DecemberSH18 westbound to SH16 southbound link, 17 DecemberBrigham Creek Road eastbound off-ramp, 15-16 DecemberBrigham Creek Road eastbound on-ramp, 15-16 DecemberSquadron Drive eastbound on-ramp, 15-16 DecemberSOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20) Neilson Street southbound on-ramp, 18 December

Explore Auckland Council's picks of this year’s most talked-about books with the Auckland Libraries Top 100! From fiction and non-fiction reads, picks for kids and teens, and books to dive into at the beach this summer, enjoy browsing these recommended reads and start requesting your favourites today .Head here for the top 100 list

Peter de GraafHealth Minister Shane Reti says stage one of Whangārei's hospital redevelopment is still on budget and on track to be completed by 2031.Dr Reti was speaking at sod-turning ceremony on Friday marking the start of a new children's outpatient clinic, which is due to open in mid-2026 at a cost of $35 million.The budget for the entire stage one, as announced by the previous government in 2022, is $759m.Dr Reti said staging the hospital rebuild meant Northlanders would be able to benefit from new, fit-for-purpose facilities sooner than if the whole redevelopment was built at once.The other elements of stage one included a new Whānau House, which had recently been completed, and a new acute services building, which was currently being designed.The acute services building, the largest and most critical part of stage one, would house a new emergency department, intensive care unit, radiology, and support services.Dr Reti said Whānau House and Tira Ora, the new child health centre, had to be built first - because the old buildings were in the way of the planned acute services building, and because they had fire and health and safety issues.Tira Ora would have eight consulting rooms, four treatment rooms, and support spaces such as playrooms and a gym.That made it significantly bigger than the current children's health unit, which had three consulting rooms and three treatment rooms, though some offices were also used for consultations.It would be built close to the new maternity services building, Te Kotuku, and the two buildings would eventually be connected by a bridge for easy access.Work on Tira Ora, which would be built on what is now a car park, could start as soon as next week.Stage two of the redevelopment would entail building a 158-bed ward block or tower.Health Minister Shane Reti speaks at the launch of Whangārei Hospital's new child health unit. Photo: RNZ / Peter de GraafDr Reti said stage one funding included design work for the new tower but not the construction itself.Until the design was completed it was not possible to give a budget or timeline for the tower.Dr Reti said staging hospital developments with a series of smaller builds would help deliver new health infrastructure sooner, with greater certainty and on budget."Sequencing a build on a hospital campus like this will add capacity more quickly and allow the health system to build the right workforce to staff new or expanded facilities," he said."This is a win-win. Staff can provide patients with the latest models of care sooner in modern facilities. It minimises disruption, and it's more do-able from a construction, budget and workforce point of view."The existing hospital, parts of which date back to the 1950s. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnonIn March this year, Health New Zealand gave the Whangārei Hospital redevelopment a red rating, which meant the project faced significant risks.Those risks were a result of the costs of replacement car parking, an energy centre and an acute assessment unit not being included in the budget.A dozen health projects around the country were given a red rating, including the Dunedin Hospital redevelopment.The plans for the new Dunedin Hospital have since been scaled back, causing consternation in the southern city.Dr Reti said, however, there were no plans to cut back the Whangārei project, which was still within budget despite some design challenges.Parts of Whangārei Hospital date back to the 1950s and the Northland District Health Board, now Heath NZ Te Tai Tokerau, has been calling for new facilities since at least 2015.Problems with the existing buildings include sewage running down the inside of the walls in the medical wing and leaks in the radiology department.Earlier this year outspoken emergency doctor Gary Payinda said staff had to place buckets around million-dollar CT scanning machines to catch rainwater dripping from the ceiling, a situation he described as "just so sub-standard".Dr Reti agreed hospital buildings in much of regional New Zealand, including Whangārei, were a far cry from where they needed to be, and getting them up to scratch was a big task that had to be managed carefully.Similar staged approaches to hospital redevelopment were planned in New Plymouth, Nelson and Hawke's Bay.This story was first published by RNZ

Read the full, joint press release from One Mahurangi and Watercare that was published late yesterday:12/12/2024:We confirm a solution for Warkworth pipeline that minimises disruption to communityWe have confirmed a solution for the planned growth pipeline through Warkworth’s town centre that keeps disruption to the community to a minimum, and has the support of local business association One Mahurangi.Our Board of Directors today accepted a recommendation from management to move forward with its preferred route using mostly microtunnelling technology. Two short sections will still need to be open-trenched.Our chief strategy and planning officer Priyan Perera is happy to share the news with the community.“We’re really pleased to have closely collaborated with stakeholders to identify a route and construction methodology that keeps disruption to the community – particularly to local businesses – to a minimum. This has always been a priority for us.“This pipeline is an incredibly important piece of infrastructure that not only supports new housing north of the Mahurangi River, but will also significantly reduce the number of overflows to the river that occur in wet weather.”Our staff have worked closely with mana whenua Ngāti Manuhiri, local politicians and business association One Mahurangi to explore all of the available options over the past few years.“Local business owners had expressed serious concern over the potential impact a fully open-trenched pipeline could have on their shops and services. We listened to their viewpoints and worked with One Mahurangi to look at what we could do differently to achieve better outcomes for the community,” Perera says.“The option we’re now pursuing meets our needs in terms of our ability to maintain and operate the pipe in the long term, as well as the cost and consenting considerations.”Over several years, One Mahurangi worked closely with our team, a team of local engineers, and representatives to advocate for an approach that minimises disruption while meeting project requirements. Murray Chapman, manager of One Mahurangi, and co-chairs Dave Stott and Bevan Morrison emphasise this outcome is the result of partnership and persistence.One Mahurangi manager Murray Chapman says: “This decision shows what can be achieved when everyone works together towards a common goal,” said Mr. Chapman. “We’re grateful for Watercare’s openness and the support of their senior leaders and board chair in working with us to achieve the best outcome for Warkworth.“From our perspective, we could not have had a better Christmas present."One Mahurangi would like to thank the engineering team for ensuring practical options were put forward, as well as the thousands of Warkworth residents who supported us by signing our petition. We’d like to acknowledge the ongoing advocacy of Councillor Greg Sayers and MP Chris Penk, and Mayor Wayne Brown, whose support was vital to the project’s success.“At the heart of this success is the collective effort of a community that cared deeply about getting the right outcome,” Mr Chapman added. “This is a proud moment for Warkworth, showing how collaboration and determination can create a better future for our town.”The Warkworth growth servicing pipeline is a critical piece of our $450m Warkworth wastewater scheme that completely overhauls how the community’s wastewater is transported and treated. The Warkworth growth servicing pipeline is a large-diameter pipe that will run from the Warkworth Showgrounds in the north to the recently completed Lucy Moore Pump Station.Recently-completed Lucy Moore Pump Station, which the growth pipeline will connect toPerera says: “A fully trenchless option was not physically possible, largely due to the topography of the land, and the location of other services, so we will still need to install some of the pipeline with open-trenching along Elizabeth Street and through the Lucy Moore Memorial Reserve to get to the new pump station.”Several launch and reception shafts will need to be built in the town centre to enable microtunnelling. The locations for these will be confirmed next year as detailed design progresses.The proposed pipeline route:• Trenchless from the Warkworth Showgrounds to south side of Hill Street intersection• Open trench along Elizabeth Street to the Mahurangi River Bridge• Pipe crossing along bridge over Mahurangi River• Trenchless installation along Queen Street/Baxter Street to the Lucy Moore Memorial Park• Open trench installation from the Lucy Moore Memorial Park to the new Lucy Moore Pump Station.A map of the proposed route“We will be microtunnelling the entire northern section of the pipeline, including through the Hill Street intersection – and it will be deep enough that it won’t be compromised by any future intersection upgrades.” What happens next?Perera says design and consenting is expected to take about a year.“We know the community will have lots of questions, and we look forward to sharing more information as soon as we have it. There are still key details to be ironed out – including the locations of the shafts we’ll need to build, and the traffic management that might be needed. We’ll be organising drop-in sessions for the community next year, as soon as we have more information to share. We’ll also work directly with impacted businesses.”The pipeline is expected to be in service in 2028.“It’s important to understand that this pipeline is about more than enabling growth. It will address a bottleneck that exists in the wastewater network right now and causes overflows to the Mahurangi River when it rains. This pipeline means we’ll have far fewer overflows when it’s in service, so it delivers huge environmental benefits.”As part of the Warkworth wastewater scheme, our team has already built the Lucy Moore Pump Station, and the Algies Bay ocean outfall. Work continues on the Snells Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant and Warkworth to Snells transfer pipeline. These components of the scheme are expected to be in service by the end of next year.Snells Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant, currently under constructionOur initiatives to reduce overflows in the meantimeElizabeth Street pipe upgradesWhile design is underway for the town centre pipeline, our team will also deliver improvements to the local wastewater network that will reduce the number of overflows to the Mahurangi River in wet weather.Three sections of pipes in Elizabeth Street – including the pipe bridge attached to the pedestrian bridge, will be replaced with new, bigger pipes. This work will reduce the need for ongoing maintenance and flushing, and reduce the frequency of wet weather overflows from the Elizabeth Street engineered overflow point.From mid to late January, we’ll be carrying out topographical surveys to guide the project’s design. In February/March potholing investigations will take place.These pipe upgrades are expected to be completed by the end of 2025.Inflow and infiltration investigationsOur team has been inspecting the wastewater network and private properties to identify places where excess stormwater is getting into the wastewater network, contributing to wet weather overflows. Additional manhole sensors that will track inflow and infiltration of stormwater will be installed by Christmas. These will help to identify areas that need to be investigated further.“Residents can also do their bit to prevent overflows by ensuring their roof downpipes are not connected to their gully traps, and that gully traps are sufficiently raised off the ground. This helps to keep stormwater out of the wastewater network.”

Warkworth / Rodney RegionFriday 13th December - Cloud clearing around midday, then fine. Southwesterlies, easing this evening.Saturday 14th December - Fine. Light winds.Sunday 15th - Partly cloudy, with the chance of a shower. Northerlies developing.Mangawhai / Northland RegionFriday 13th December - Morning cloud, then fine. Light winds.Saturday 14th December - Mainly fine, chance of a shower in the afternoon. Light winds.Sunday 15th - Mostly cloudy, with a few showers in the morning. Northerlies developing.

In light of some selective reporting and a negative spin in today's local media, One Mahurangi Business Association want to ensure the facts about the Watercare Warkworth Wastewater project are clear.At this morning's Watercare Board meeting in Auckland, a significant win was achieved for Warkworth businesses and residents. Watercare has endorsed a trenchless construction method called micro tunnelling for the upcoming pipeline project. This approach will:Avoid disruptive open trenching through our main street, from Lucy Moore Park, Baxter Street and Queen StreetMinimise road closures and traffic diversionsProtect foot traffic, parking, and business certainty over the next few yearsInstead of a lengthy and invasive process, this method involves creating smaller pits in key locations and micro-tunnelling, reducing the overall impact on our community while still ensuring the project progresses efficiently.Additionally, the pipeline depth will be lowered to bypass existing services, and the Lucy Moore pump station will undergo much-needed upgrades. These changes reflect Watercare’s commitment to working smarter and collaboratively with our community.Elizabeth Street: Open trenching is still needed on Elizabeth Street due to the shallow depth of the pipe. However, Watercare are committed to minimal disruption to businesses and are looking at working only at nights and covering the open trenches during the day to allow parking and foot traffic. Watercare are collaborating with One Mahurangi to minimise the impact of trench work on Elizabeth St businesses.One Mahurangi is proud to have advocated for a solution that balances the needs of essential infrastructure with the vitality of Warkworth's businesses and daily life.Let’s focus on the positive progress being made and continue working together for the best outcomes for our community.- Murray Chapman, One Mahurangi Manager- Dave Stott & Bevan Morrison, One Mahurangi Co-Chairs

Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating 16-year-old Elizabeth who has been reported missing.Elizabeth was last seen by her family at her home in Torbay on Saturday 7 December at around 1am.It’s believed she is somewhere in downtown Auckland, possibly in the Karangahape Road area.She is described as being 165 cm tall and having light brown hair and blue eyes.Police and her family have concerns for Elizabeth’s safety.We ask anyone who sights Elizabeth to please contact Police as soon as possible on 111.Additionally, anyone who has further information on her whereabouts should contact Police on 105, using the reference number 241209/8765.

Back in February, we shared plans for Wellsford’s new footpath and footbridge on Rodney Road. You can read that article here.Rodney Street, a very busy part of SH1 going through Wellsford township, lined with residential and commercial properties, now features a safer and more accessible connection to Centennial Park, thanks to the completion of a significant new infrastructure project this month.Previously, pedestrians faced challenges walking between Rodney Street and Centennial Park Road, including crossing the busy street twice. The lack of a continuous eastern footpath compounded the difficulty of reaching the popular park, a hub for sports, recreation, and community activities.Now, with funding from the Rodney Transport Targeted Rate and construction by Wharehine Construction, the project has delivered:A new footpath along the eastern side of Rodney Street, starting at 68 Rodney Street and connecting to Centennial Park Road.A footbridge over the railway tracks, east of the existing vehicle overbridge, enhancing safety for pedestrians and cyclists.Improved lighting, landscaping, and planting to enhance the area’s functionality and aesthetics.This initiative reflects the Rodney Transport Targeted Rate’s commitment to expanding the local footpath network, making it safer and easier for people to navigate the area.Enjoy the improved access and seamless connection to Centennial Park, which is now more accessible than ever for the Wellsford community!.Work is now completedPutting on the finishing touches.

A reminder that Northland’s Copper Network is retiring soon As part of Chorus' ongoing efforts to modernize our telecommunications infrastructure, the copper network is slowly being retired across Northland. Those affected will be contacted directly by Chorus or their current service provider. This change is crucial for improving our connectivity, but it also means we need to be prepared for any disruptions from things like power outages, especially in rural areas.Why is this happening? The copper network is outdated and prone to faults. With fibre now available to 87% of the country and better alternatives like satellite and wireless in rural areas, Chorus is moving towards an all-fibre network by 2030. However, In the short term, the Chorus copper network will continue to provide some phone and broadband services where fibre’s not available.So, what does this mean for you? If you're in a rural area that's moving from copper soon, it's essential to have a communications plan in place as part of your household preparedness, especially in case of power cuts – as most alarm systems and landlines won’t operate if the power is off. This means that during a power outage, you won't be able to contact emergency 111 services using your landline unless you have a backup power system.Here are some tips to ensure you stay connected: Charged Mobile Phone: Always keep your mobile phone charged. Consider having a portable power bank as a backup. Satellite Internet Connection: Explore satellite internet options to ensure you have a reliable connection even if traditional networks are down. Backup Power System: Invest in a backup power system, such as a generator or solar-powered battery, to keep your essential devices running. Battery-Powered Radio: Have a battery-powered or solar-powered radio to stay updated with the latest news and emergency alerts Emergency Contact List: Keep a written list of important phone numbers and ensure everyone in your household knows where to find itIn an emergency, having a plan can make all the difference. Make sure your household knows how to stay in touch and where to meet if you can't get home.For many of us, this won’t change much, but if you have friends or whānau that live rurally, especially if they aren’t great with technology, now’s a great time to check on them and make sure they have a plan.Stay safe and connected, Northland!For more information on the Copper Network retirement head to the Chorus website here.

A network outage earlier this morning is causing significant delays and congestion at Auckland International Airport, particularly in the international check-in area. While domestic travel remained unaffected, the outage forced airlines to use manual check-in processes, creating a backlog and delaying flights.Auckland Airport has confirmed that the external network outage at the international terminal has now been resolved. Systems have been restored, and the airport is working closely with airlines to process passengers as quickly as possible.Earlier this morning, airlines needed to use manual processes to check in customers, slowing check-in processes, creating congestion, and delaying flights.Jetstar Passengers Face Prolonged DelaysJetstar passengers waiting for hours at Auckland Airport told RNZ they had not received any communication about the delays. According to the airport’s live departures board, the following Jetstar flights were delayed today:JQ202 to Sydney (6.20am), delayed to 3.10pmJQ152 to Brisbane (6.45am), delayed to 10.15amJQ132 to Gold Coast (7am), delayed to 10amJQ132 to Gold Coast (4.35pm), new time of 6pmAir New Zealand issued a statement addressing the delays at 8.30am, but Jetstar’s only media communication came in the form of a press release at 9.15am regarding updated Christmas crackers.Related Disruption: Wellington Council Payments AffectedIn addition to the airport issues, Wellington City Council announced that its online payments system is "currently experiencing an outage."At this stage, it is not clear if this disruption is related to the network issues that affected Auckland Airport.Auckland Airport’s Advice for Contacting AirlinesPassengers travelling internationally today are being urged to contact their airlines for updates. Auckland Airport has provided the following guidance:Use airline websites and online self-service options to check flight statuses or make changes.If you originally booked through a travel agent in your home country, contact them directly. Alternatively, New Zealand-based travel agents may assist in finding available seats with other operating airlines.Contact your airline by phone. Most airlines have 24/7 call centres, but be prepared for long wait times.If you have travel insurance, use the insurer’s emergency assistance phone number for advice on rebooking your flight.For new flights, ensure you check border restrictions for your return journey, including transits. The IATA website offers a country-by-country list of border restrictions.If all other options are exhausted, contact your country’s embassy, High Commission, or consulate for assistance. A list of Foreign Representatives in New Zealand is available online.

Susan Edmunds, Money CorrespondentA gas retailer will stop supplying customers next year, amid what Consumer NZ calls a "death spiral" for the industry.Genesis Energy-owned Frank Energy launched in 2021. But it has told customers that it will stop supplying gas from March next year."NZ's natural gas supply is clearly in decline at present and with uncertainty around its long term availability and price," a Genesis spokesperson said."As the supply of different fuels changes, Frank has chosen to focus on electricity only. Removing gas and LPG from our product range also simplifies our ability to digitise customer service and ordering and reduce cost from our business. The dual fuel offering is not common among challenger retailers."She said people who had gas or LPG with Frank were being offered the opportunity to switch to Genesis."Customers moving from Frank to Genesis will be placed on Genesis rates, although they will be on an open plan and can therefore choose to switch to another provider without penalty."Consumer NZ head of Powerswitch Paul Fuge said gas supply to residential homes was in a "death spiral".About 46 percent of households have gas, split evenly between bottles and reticulated supply.But the price had lifted about 15 percent and providers were trying to recoup costs of an expensive network from a falling number of consumers.He said people with gas could pay an extra $700 a year just from having a gas connection."It's quite an expensive option for people now, on average about $1.90 a day to have a connection and then you have to have the electricity connection as well and it limits the number of options you have for supply because some retailers won't supply you with gas unless you have electricity as well."That limits your choices because some don't supply gas at all… the pool of plans you can choose from is reduced."He said some of the cheapest electricity suppliers did not have gas as an option.Consumer NZ's advice has been that people replacing appliances could think about converting to electricity, but some customers had been told that they had to pay to be disconnected from gas."They're being charged up to $1500 to have the connection removed," Fuge said."It's a large infrastructure with fewer and fewer people connected to it and the more people disconnect, the more the price goes up for those connected. You can see how that can escalate but it has the feeling to me that they're trying to claw back costs from people trying to do the right thing."The Climate Change Commission had suggested that there should be no new connections to the natural gas grid from next year for commercial or residential buildings.Marketing expert Bodo Lang from Massey University is a Frank customer.He said people could react negatively to the impression their choices were being limited."First, they are likely to want the item they cannot obtain even more. Second, alternative options become less appealing. Third, consumers are likely to develop negative feelings towards the person or organisation they believe is restricting their choice."He said that effect would have been felt by people who received the Frank email - potentially magnified by the fact that energy retailing involved contracts and larger regular payments."Frank Energy did a number of things to minimise consumer reactance. Firstly, they sent their notice many months ahead of when they would stop supplying gas. Secondly, they apologised and expressed empathy for how their decision might impact their customers. Thirdly, they outlined the process clearly and encouraged consumers to use an online comparison tool developed by Consumer NZ, a credible and independent organisation, to find the energy retailer best suited to supply them with natural gas. This is a good example of what businesses can do to reduce consumer reactance and thus minimise the damage that bad news might have caused."Frank's spokesperson said there would not be a fee charged for disconnecting from gas."A disconnection fee might be charged by gas network companies if a gas user decides to stop using gas completely and switch their gas appliances to electric. In that case an employee of the gas network company might have to go to that property to physically switch off the gas supply."Gas network companies, such as Vector, First Gas and PowerCo, operate the pipes that take gas into peoples homes. Retailers just sell the gas that runs through the pipes. Frank is a retailer that has decided to no longer sell gas."This story was originally published by RNZ