The pain at the pump is expected to worsen over coming months as petrol companies pass on price hikes from a cut in global oil production and sanctions on Russian marine oil tankers.It's unwelcome news for households already snowed by the high cost of living and rising interest rates.Those filling up at a petrol station in the Auckland suburb of Mt Albert know every litre counts.Alma Urbiztondo said her household had noticed an increase in prices on the shelves and at the pump."We have sold one of our cars, at the moment the family only has this car. My sister opted to take public transport to cut off a certain portion of the budget."George Baker said he spent $150 a week filling up his car with fuel and any price increase would put another dent in his budget."I'll probably have to take stuff out of my budget because I've got to get to work that's how I get my money."Jennifer Martin said she would have less money for discretionary spending if the price of petrol rose."I'd still be driving to work but I wouldn't be driving to my family, one set of parents are 45 minutes that way and another 45 minutes that way so we'd be going to them a lot less."The organisation for petroleum exporting countries, OPEC, will cut oil production by two million barrels a day or two percent of global demand - its deepest cuts since the pandemic began.Given oil production has been falling short of its target, analysts say the real cut will likely be less.Gull general manager Dave Bodger said any short supply would be felt at the pump."The product we're buying will go up in price and yes unfortunately we will need to pass that on to the motorist. We'll do everything we can to not do that but in the end you can only do so much," he said."When the cost of fuel goes up yes we do see a decrease but my gut feel is people don't go to the movies as much."AA principal policy advisor Terry Collins said there were other headwinds hammering the price of petrol."Over the next few months it could be a bit dire. Coming up in December they're going to sanction marine shipments of oil out of Russia. That probably will take about 2 million barrels of oil production out of the market and that will have an impact on prices."The fuel excise duty is to be re-instated at the end of January, when 25 cents a litre will be added back onto the cost."All of those factors could see us at those very high prices we saw at those v high prices that we saw in parts of this year."Collins said steep price increases for fuel only have minor impacts on people's driving habits - but that could change."I'd suggest if you don't have to use the car on a fine day for those short trips, don't use it. The car won't get to its optimum operating temperature anyway, it's going to use more petrol and probably it's good to go for a walk and leave the car in the garage."

A major drinks bottler says it is on the verge of running out of carbon dioxide which would shut down production.The drinks and food industry has been scrambling for weeks to find enough of the crucial gas used in chilling and as fizz.The bottler, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it looked like they would run out on Sunday and their 24-hour plant would cease production until they got some more."Today's been the worst day in our history," they said.They had been eating away at their stockpile of the gas since the Marsden Point Oil Refinery, the main manufacturer, shut down in April."Everyone has been rationing it."Drinks production always ramped up ahead of summer, and things were now at a critical juncture, the bottler told RNZ - they might get some more on Monday but the market was "brutal".The only local source of CO2 is Kapuni, in Taranaki, but it reduced its output to carry out planned maintenance some time ago.Todd Energy, the owner of Kapuni, said CO2 production should resume in full this coming week.However, Kapuni only supplies 40 percent of demand, with the rest shipped in from overseas.Craft brewers warned this week that beer supplies might run short this summer for lack of the gas.A chicken producer was reported in June to also be facing production cutbacks over CO2.The Beverage Council said it was "very concerned some producers are about to run out of CO2, and we're hoping a permanent solution to the supply problem can be found".

Transpower has asked North Islanders to lower power usage this morningTranspower says there is a power emergency in the North Island and has issued a second warning notice.The grid emergency notice warned there was a risk of insufficient generation to meet demand in the North Island.The operator asked for more offers of power from generators and for local lines companies to manage demand as necessary.It said it may be forced to order lines companies to shed load to avoid disconnections.The warning covered the period from 7.15am to 9.30am.Earlier, Transpower issued a warning notice at 5.37am that there was a risk of insufficient generation and reserve offers to meet demand in the North Island. It had asked for more offers of power and moves to decrease demand if necessary.The emergency notice came after a sudden cold snap moved up the country in recent days.The cold snap was lingering early on Friday with below-zero temperatures in Rotorua, which was on -3C, and Hamilton (-2C) while in the south Blenheim and Queenstown were on -1C at about 6.30am.On Tuesday the operator said the Antarctic blast this week could set an October record for electricity demand, and though it expected the lights to stay on it would issue a notice requesting extra generation if needed.Transpower has said it had made changes since it was held responsible by the electricity watchdog for widespread outages on one of the coldest nights of last year.

Warkworth regionFriday 7th - Fine, apart from areas of cloud in the west in the morning. Southwesterlies, dying out by evening.Saturday 8th - Fine. Northeasterlies developing in the morning.Sunday 9th - Partly cloudy with isolated showers. Northeasterlies, becoming fresh in the morning.Mangawhai regionFriday 7th - Some morning cloud then fine. Southerlies.Saturday 8th - Partly cloudy. Chance shower from afternoon. Northeasterlies.Sunday 9th - A few showers. Northeasterlies.

A predicted fall in the number of school children could cost hundreds of teachers their jobs next year.The Education Ministry has told schools it expected to fund 45,118.4 full time equivalent (FTE) teachers next year, 351.5 fewer than this year.The ministry's hautū (leader) operations and integration Sean Teddy said the figure was based on forecast student enrolments for 2023.Most of the decline would be in primary and intermediate schools which would lose funding for 355 teachers.Secondary schools would lose 18.5 FTE positions but specialist schools would gain 16 and composite schools which teach both primary and secondary students would gain six.Teddy said a reduction in school's entitlement staffing might not mean a school would cut teachers."In practice, often schools do not employ all the teachers they are funded for, for a variety of reasons. Some schools may not be able to fill positions, and some may choose to bank the funding and spend it on other things if they are confident that is in the best interests of their students," he said.The ministry tended to over-estimate staffing so schools could manage big reductions over several years, Teddy said.The decline in primary schools was largely due to large birth cohorts moving out of that sector and into secondary schools, he said.Primary principals had been warning of potential cuts and some wanted this year's staffing frozen to help schools cope with pandemic-related pressures.Principals Federation president Cherie Taylor-Patel said the cut in entitlement staffing was disappointing and would have a big effect on schools that lost teachers."We're really disappointed that we've had to lose any teachers out of the system," she said."NZPF have been advocating since term one that staffing for 2023 needed to stay the same so that schools can support those students who have lost learning time."Taylor-Patel said it was likely schools in growing neighbourhoods would lose teachers for the start of next year only to rehire them as more families moved into new housing in their area.Schools could ask the ministry for a review of their staffing entitlement estimates, she said.

The Dining Room at the Warkworth Hotel will be opening it's doors again, every Friday and Saturday night from 5pm.The Dining Room offers a fine dining menu which will change weekly. An evening of indulgence, dining in style in the heart of Warkworth.3 courses @ $75.00pp // 2 courses @ $55ppEntrée/main or main/dessertLimited seats available, reservations essential.Book online, or give us a call!https://www.warkworthhotel.co.nz/[email protected] 422 I8629 Queen Street, Warkworth, 0910

Foodstuffs Own Brands Ltd is recalling all batches and all dates of its Pams brand Mixed Berries, Two Berry Mix, Smoothie Berry Mix and Raspberries sold at stores nation wide due to the possible presence of Hepatitis A. For a full list of affected products, please visit: https://bit.ly/3Vcf8eHConsumers are advised to: Briefly boil frozen berries before eating them, or if you have a thermometer at home, ensure cooking temperatures exceed 85 degrees Celsius for 1 minute. Heated berries can be safely refrozen for later use. If you microwave berries, stir at half the cooking time to make sure they are cooked all the way through. Wash your hands before eating and preparing food.People who have these products at home should not eat them raw. Bringing them to the boil will make them safe, or they can be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.If you have consumed any of these products and have any concerns about your health, seek medical advice or phone Healthline: 0800 611 116.

New Zealand energy generator Mercury's $200 million Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm has moved a step closer after Kaipara District Council's (KDC) lukewarm approval for high voltage overhead power lines along part of its major new Northland tourist rail trail.The high voltage lines - which one councillor was worried could buzz and swing in the wind above trail users - are to be strung on 15 metre-high power poles along a 1.8 kilometre-long easement on Northland's new $10 million Kaihu Valley Trail.KDC, at its last current-term council meeting in Dargaville on Wednesday, voted in a lukewarm decision, to allow Mercury subsidiary Tararua Wind Power Limited (TWP) a 12.5m-wide easement for the 66 kilovolt overhead lines stretching the equivalent of 18 end-to-end rugby fields along the trail.Outgoing KDC councillor and former Kaipara acting mayor Peter Wethey said he was concerned about 1.8km of the trail being in the shadow of the 66kV power line, warning of its negative impact for some trail users in comparison with other Northland rail trails.Wethey expressed concern at last month's KDC council meeting in Mangawhai about the overhead power lines buzzing and swinging in the wind above trail users.He asked Mercury representatives at the Dargaville meeting whether overhead power lines of this nature had been put up along any other New Zealand cycle and walking trails.Mercury Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm project leader Jim Pearson said after the meeting he was unsure what was happening in that sense on other New Zealand rail trails.The TWP-constructed and Northpower owned-and-operated high voltage power lines are part of the infrastructure connecting Mercury subsidiary Tararua Wind Power Limited's Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm at Omamari into the national electricity grid at Dargaville. There will be four lines - three 66kV power conductors and one fibre optic cable - carried on 25 power poles along the trail easement.Kaiwaikawe is one of New Zealand's furthest progressed in-the-making wind farms and Northland's first.Kaihu Valley Trail has been identified as Northland's highest-priority new rail trail. It runs between Dargaville and Donnellys Crossing and is being developed by KDC with the help of $4m in government funding. Construction started this year.The trail follows an old railway line which was started in 1883 to enable the export of kauri via Kaipara Harbour. It will eventually become one of almost two dozen New Zealand Great Rides - as part of the Ancient Kauri Trail from Kaipara's Maungaturoto to Omapere in Hokianga.Just over half of KDC's nine elected representatives voted in Wednesday's 3:2 decision in favour of the easement.Kaipara Mayor Dr Jason Smith and councillors Karen Joyce-Paki and Mark Vincent voted in its favour, in a one-person majority vote over councillors Victoria del la Varis-Woodcock and Johnathan Larsen, who voted against. Deputy Mayor Anna Curnow, Peter Wethey, David Wills and Eryn Wilson-Collins abstained from voting.Kaiwaikawe is about 12km north-west of Dargaville. The medium-sized wind farm will have up to nineteen 220m-high wind turbines.It will cost $200m to build. Pearson said $90m of that would be of direct economic benefit to Northland, about half of that to Kaipara.Construction is expected to start in mid-2023 with power generation from the end of 2024.The wind farm is expected to generate about 230 gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy annually. Genesis Energy has a 20-year agreement to buy the wind farm's power for further sale.Councillor Wilson-Collins said she was conflicted about the new infrastructure."I am extremely conflicted. I love the wind farm sustainability and having it in Northland. This is a solution that Northland needs. I really support the wind farm, but I am really concerned about the trail," Wilson-Collins said.Mercury subsidiary Tararua Wind Power Limited has offered $40,000 compensation to KDC for any potential loss to tourism from the overhead high voltage lines' presence. The trail easement is from Babylon Coast Road to Parore West Road.Another $40,000 has also been offered for trail promotion and sponsorship.Wilson-Collins said the combined amount proferred was not large."$80,000 for an in-perpetuity easement is not too exciting for what we may be giving up," she said.Northland this year became New Zealand's first renewable energy zone. Kaiwaikawe is Northland's first and one of New Zealand's furthest-progressed new wind farms.Mayor Smith said 1.8km was only a tiny portion of the Kaihu Valley Trail's 45km length and took just two minutes to traverse by e-bike.Several councillors were interested in the power lines being put underground rather than overhead.Deputy Mayor Curnow said this would save a lot of problems.Northpower contracts and services manager Alan Rawson said locally-produced Northland power had become even more important in the wake of new national legislation which would see the North paying more than other regions because of its distance from where the power it used was generated.Mercury Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm project leader Stephanie Cook said the new wind farm would mean Northland was able to locally produce more than 50 percent of its own power. This would be up from the current 34 percent via Ngawha power station.She said the new windfarm's production would provide power for 25,000 houses annually and save the production of 170,000 tonnes of CO2 from power otherwise generated via coal.Kaiwaikawe was formerly called Omamari Wind Farm but has been renamed in conjunction with local Iwi Te Roroa.

Whangārei's would-be mayors have universally spoken against the government's current three waters plans.The five men and one woman universally spoke against the proposals at Whangārei's biggest meet-the-mayoral-candidates meeting.Five hundred people were at the packed meeting in Forum North's exhibition hall, one of Whangārei's largest public meeting venues, that was filled to overflowing. The meeting was organised by the Northern Advocate and the Hits radio station.In less than two weeks one of the six candidates - Mike Budd, Vince Cocurullo, Ken Couper, Brad Flower, Fiona Green, Nick Jacob and Shaquille Shortland - will become Whangārei mayor after the 8 October local government elections.Candidates said they were against government proposals to take $1.5 billion of Whangārei District Council (WDC) three waters assets and put them into a giant top-of-New Zealand water services entity currently known as entity A. The government restructuring plan will see three waters infrastructure divested from WDC, Far North District Council and Kaipara District Council and combined into entity A, along with that from Auckland Council.Candidates such as Cocurullo and Jacob adamantly said no to three waters.Cocurullo said WDC's $1.5 billion of three waters assets belonged to the ratepayers of the district. The council managed these assets on behalf of the community."In my view, it's (three waters) creating a division among people," Cocurullo said.Others such as Couper were less definite in the meeting saying the government had recognised there was a problem with wastewater, stormwater and drinking water infrastructure that needed to be fixed, but it had been too quick in trying to bring this fix in within just three years.Couper said a solution was needed for Northland as there was currently sewage running into Northland harbours, where wastewater treatment plants were not meeting required resource consent standards.He said Whangārei ratepayers would be subsidising three waters costs for the Far North and Kaipara if the region's three district councils operated into the future without Auckland Council as part of the new picture.Shortland (28) said he was 99 per cent against three waters.He said the one percent he was more in favour of was the co-governance that featured with three waters. Whangārei's crest included his ancestor Pohe and Anglican Reverend Samuel Marsden. Both worked together to solve challenges.Shortland said he did not trust the government to adequately protect assets such as three waters. Three waters could better be managed locally through co-governance, he said.Budd said 75 per cent of WDC's asset value was tied up in three waters. Removing these assets from the council balance sheet reduced its ability to borrow against them to fund development.Flower said solving three waters restructuring was not simply about changing the government at the next election in 2023. No new government came in and overturned the previous government's developments such as three waters. It would be a case of the new government tweaking what was already in place and then selling it.Green said Whangārei should "blinking well not" be handing over its three waters assets.Five hundred people turned out to the meeting. Photo: Northern Advocate / Michael CunninghamMeanwhile, mayoral candidates also outlined what they would do in their first 100 days in office.They were also asked whether they were in favour of co-governance with a range of answers for and against provided. Candidates as well outlined how they would address worsening central city crime so businesses could feel safe.On other topics, Shortland said better communication about what council was doing was needed.Shortland said he would appoint a town crier to spread the news if he became mayor, or become one himself if elected as a councillor.Shortland's waiata, speaking of the importance of all people working together, held the audience spellbound.Dealing with the major ramifications of climate change for the district and region got a small mention from the mayoral candidates' lineup but did not feature prominently overall.

As we progress work to fully link the new motorway to the existing State Highway 1 at Johnstones Hill Tunnels (JHT) we will be making further road layout changes to the Southern Connection.We encourage you to plan your journey over the next couple of weeks as this work will involve lane changes and at times full road closures.Work will take place over two weeks in mid-October, with four nights of full road closures during this time.• Sunday 9 October – SH1 closure both directions – Silverdale to Johnstone Hill Tunnels northbound and Pūhoi to Grand Drive southbound. The detour will be via State Highway 16 and local roads, from 10pm to 5am.• Sunday 16 October - SH1 closure northbound only – Silverdale to Johnstone Hill Tunnels. The detour will be via State Highway 16 and local roads, from 10pm to 5am.• Monday 17 October – SH1 closure both directions – Silverdale to Johnstone Hill Tunnels northbound and Pūhoi to Grand Drive southbound. The detour will be via State Highway 16 and local roads, from 9pm to 5am.• Wednesday 19 October – SH1 closure both directions – Silverdale to Johnstone Hill Tunnels northbound and Pūhoi to Grand Drive southbound. The detour will be via State Highway 16 and local roads, from 9pm to 5am.From Monday 10 to Wednesday 19 October, the northbound tunnel will be closed and traffic travelling in both directions will use one side each of the southbound tunnel using a contraflow.From Thursday 20 October, a slightly new road layout will be in place. Please drive with caution and keep to the sign posted speed limit.The detour route via SH16 is suitable for HPMV’s. The free route via Hibiscus Coast Highway will also remain open during this time. While the dates are fixed, bad weather may cause works to be postponed and rescheduled – we will keep you up to date.

Warkworth RegionMonday 3rd October - Showers, some possibly heavy, becoming isolated this evening. Brisk southwesterlies easing in the evening.Tuesday 4th - Partly cloudy, a few showers. Light winds.Wednesday 5th - Partly cloudy with isolated light showers in the morning. A period of rain in the afternoon as westerlies change fresh southwest.Thursday 6th - Showers, clearing and becoming partly cloudy in the morning. Fresh southerlies, easing in the evening.Friday 7th - Fine. Southerlies developing.Whangarei / Mangawhai RegionMonday 3rd October - Showers, some possibly heavy, clearing this evening. Fresh southwesterlies.Tuesday 4th October - Mostly cloudy. A few showers from afternoon. Southwesterlies.Wednesday 5th - Partly cloudy. A period of rain in the late afternoon as westerlies change southwest.Thursday 6th - Cloudy with southwesterlies.Friday 7th - Partly cloudy with southerlies.

New Smokefree legislation passed its first reading last year and is expected to become law this year. This new law will ban anyone born after January 2009 (13 years old), from EVER being able to purchase tobacco products. Yes, that is for the rest of their lives, not until they reach the age of 18 or 20. Forever.Other rules set to become law include:The number of retail stores able to sell tobacco products will be greatly reduced for those that can still buy them.The amount of nicotine in smokable products will be greatly reduced.If this passes into law, it will be the first and most extreme in the world.This law will not include Vape products, nicotine gum/patches which will still be available, as they are deemed 'safer' by the government.Will we see a bigger black market for tobacco products in the near future?Is this going to solve our smoking problem? Or will it drive use underground and under Gang control?The government is committing $10.3 million to go towards cracking down on tobacco smuggling into the country.Time will tell…

Polystyrene takeaway containers, plastic cotton buds and drink-stirrers are among single-use plastics banned from sale or manufacture in New Zealand from today.Minister for the Environment David Parker said the step was part of a three year progressive phasing out of the most problematic plastics.On average, each New Zealander sends about 750kg of waste to landfill every year, much of which cannot be recycled."Stopping the sale of these plastic products will reduce waste to landfill, improve our recycling systems and encourage reusable or environmentally responsible alternatives," Parker said.Polystyrene takeaway food packaging is now forbidden. Photo: 123rfToday's ban is the first since single-use plastic bags were banned in 2019.Parker said that had prevented a billion plastic bags from ending up in landfills or the ocean. However, some stores had begun using thicker plastic bags, labelled as reusable.More work toward phasing out problem plastics and reduce waste was part of the cooperation agreement between Labour and the Green Party after the 2020 election.Green Party environment spokesperson Eugenie Sage said it was another step toward a country free of plastic pollution."The phase out of plastic shopping bags showed how easily we can make changes at retail and household level to avoid plastic waste and do better for nature."We won't miss these plastic items when they are gone either. With a bit of support and advice, switching to reusable products to replace these unnecessary plastics is easy," she said.In mid 2023, the next group of single-use plastics to be phased out includes plates, bowls, cutlery, produce bags and non-compostable produce labels.From today, these items can no longer be sold, made or given away to customers:Polystyrene takeaway packaging for food and beveragesExpanded polystyrene food and beverage retail packaging (eg foam takeaway containers or some instant noodle cups)PVC food trays and containers for meat, produce and baked itemsPlastics with additives that make them fragment into micro-plasticsSingle use plastic drink stirrersSingle use plastic use cotton budsHowever, some exceptions exist, including for medical, veterinary or scientific uses, and PVC plastic that is formed, filled with food and sealed on the same factory line.Full details about what can and cannot be made or used is on the Ministry for the Environment website.

The number of children prescribed puberty blockers because they do not identify with their assigned gender has increased exponentially in the last decade, according to Pharmac data.The Ministry of Health (MOH) has recently updated its information on puberty blockers on its website to remove the words "safe and reversible" - but still endorses the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA) guidelines, which states they are "considered to be fully reversible".Youth health doctor Dame Sue Bagshaw, who pioneered gender-affirming care for young people, said they had excellent results, particularly for those who go on to physically transition."Otherwise you get irreversible effects from their normal puberty which then need a lot of surgery, etceteras, to reverse ... breast development and things like that."Puberty blockers eased distress and allowed children time to fully explore their gender options, she said.However, some clinicians and families argued there was insufficient evidence to prove the benefits outweighed the risks.Bianca* said more than five years into gender transition, her child's mental and physical health was not better - it was worse.Puberty blockers were not "a simple pause button" as advocates claimed, she said."The side effects of those were terrible. It was basically like going through menopause... sweats, irritability, real fatigue, weight gain."Puberty blockers - developed to treat very early puberty in young children - have been prescribed for gender dysphoria since about 2010 in New Zealand.Pharmac data showed the total number of nine to 17 year olds on puberty blockers had increased from 137 in 2010 to 703 in 2020.Tavistock gender identity clinic, which serves England and Wales, will close its doors early next year after a highly critical review, which found children's care was being compromised, amid huge waiting list blowouts.The number of referrals to the service went from 138 in 2010/11 to 2383 in 2020/21.Tavistock is being replaced by regional teams integrated with mental health services to provide holistic care.'Many unknowns' about puberty blockers' long-term effects - paediatric specialistPaediatric specialist Dr Hilary Cass, who headed the inquiry, noted there were still "many unknowns" regarding the long-term effects of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.Brain maturation - including "development of frontal lobe functions controlling decision making, emotional regulation, judgement and planning ability" - could be temporarily or permanently disrupted at a time when children were making decisions, which would affect the rest of their lives, she said."This raises a secondary question of whether there is a critical time window for the processes to take place, or whether catch up is possible when oestrogen or testosterone is introduced later."Furthermore, the role of adolescent sex hormones in driving the development of both sexuality and gender identity through the early teen years was not yet understood, Cass said."We therefore have no way of knowing whether, rather than buying time to make a decision, puberty blockers may disrupt that decision-making process."The report noted there had been none of the quality controls usually applied to new treatments, and a lack of consistent data collection.Plea for independent review of puberty blockersThe Ministry of Health recently updated advice on its website, to remove the description of puberty blockers as a "safe and reversible medicine".The ministry declined RNZ's request for an interview about this change, but in a written statement said it was a "rapidly evolving" field and emerging information was being reviewed and assessed.It subsequently clarified in other media statements that it continued to endorse the PATHA guidelines, which stated: "Puberty blockers are considered to be fully reversible and allow the adolescent time prior to making a decision on starting hormone therapy".Medical epidemiologist Charlotte Paul, an emeritus professor at Otago University, has called for an independent review and tighter rules."The New Zealand Guidelines for Gender Affirming Care do not refer to the fact that this is an unapproved indication, or to the Medical Council guidelines and the need to ensure that patients know that this is an unapproved indication."New Zealand was out of step with many other countries, which were moving to a more cautious approach, she said.A review in Finland last year concluded psychosocial support and exploratory therapy should be the first-line therapy for gender dysphoria, which was also the recommendation in France."And in Sweden, they ended in 2022 all use of puberty blockers for minors outside of clinical study and they said that there was some medical harm and uncertainty of benefit," Paul said."And it looks as if even in their clinical studies, they won't include anyone under 16."Dr Sue Bagshaw Dr Sue Bagshaw said they puberty blockers had excellent results, particularly for those who went on to physically transition. Photo: RNZWorldPoliticsPacificTe Ao MāoriSportBusinessCountryLocal Democracy ReportingComment & AnalysisIn DepthWeatherNEW ZEALAND HEALTH29 Sep 2022Puberty blocker use jumps as expert backs results7:41 pm on 29 September 2022 Share this Share on TwitterShare on FacebookShare via emailShare on RedditShare on Linked InRuth Hill, [email protected] data showed the total number of nine to 17 year olds on puberty blockers had increased from 137 in 2010 to 703 in 2020. File picture. Photo: 123RFThe number of children prescribed puberty blockers because they do not identify with their assigned gender has increased exponentially in the last decade, according to Pharmac data.The Ministry of Health (MOH) has recently updated its information on puberty blockers on its website to remove the words "safe and reversible" - but still endorses the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA) guidelines, which states they are "considered to be fully reversible".Youth health doctor Dame Sue Bagshaw, who pioneered gender-affirming care for young people, said they had excellent results, particularly for those who go on to physically transition."Otherwise you get irreversible effects from their normal puberty which then need a lot of surgery, etceteras, to reverse ... breast development and things like that."Puberty blockers eased distress and allowed children time to fully explore their gender options, she said.However, some clinicians and families argued there was insufficient evidence to prove the benefits outweighed the risks.Bianca* said more than five years into gender transition, her child's mental and physical health was not better - it was worse.Puberty blockers were not "a simple pause button" as advocates claimed, she said."The side effects of those were terrible. It was basically like going through menopause... sweats, irritability, real fatigue, weight gain."Puberty blockers - developed to treat very early puberty in young children - have been prescribed for gender dysphoria since about 2010 in New Zealand.Pharmac data showed the total number of nine to 17 year olds on puberty blockers had increased from 137 in 2010 to 703 in 2020.Tavistock gender identity clinic, which serves England and Wales, will close its doors early next year after a highly critical review, which found children's care was being compromised, amid huge waiting list blowouts.The number of referrals to the service went from 138 in 2010/11 to 2383 in 2020/21.Tavistock is being replaced by regional teams integrated with mental health services to provide holistic care.'Many unknowns' about puberty blockers' long-term effects - paediatric specialistPaediatric specialist Dr Hilary Cass, who headed the inquiry, noted there were still "many unknowns" regarding the long-term effects of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.Brain maturation - including "development of frontal lobe functions controlling decision making, emotional regulation, judgement and planning ability" - could be temporarily or permanently disrupted at a time when children were making decisions, which would affect the rest of their lives, she said."This raises a secondary question of whether there is a critical time window for the processes to take place, or whether catch up is possible when oestrogen or testosterone is introduced later."Furthermore, the role of adolescent sex hormones in driving the development of both sexuality and gender identity through the early teen years was not yet understood, Cass said."We therefore have no way of knowing whether, rather than buying time to make a decision, puberty blockers may disrupt that decision-making process."The report noted there had been none of the quality controls usually applied to new treatments, and a lack of consistent data collection.Plea for independent review of puberty blockersThe Ministry of Health recently updated advice on its website, to remove the description of puberty blockers as a "safe and reversible medicine".The ministry declined RNZ's request for an interview about this change, but in a written statement said it was a "rapidly evolving" field and emerging information was being reviewed and assessed.It subsequently clarified in other media statements that it continued to endorse the PATHA guidelines, which stated: "Puberty blockers are considered to be fully reversible and allow the adolescent time prior to making a decision on starting hormone therapy".Medical epidemiologist Charlotte Paul, an emeritus professor at Otago University, has called for an independent review and tighter rules."The New Zealand Guidelines for Gender Affirming Care do not refer to the fact that this is an unapproved indication, or to the Medical Council guidelines and the need to ensure that patients know that this is an unapproved indication."New Zealand was out of step with many other countries, which were moving to a more cautious approach, she said.A review in Finland last year concluded psychosocial support and exploratory therapy should be the first-line therapy for gender dysphoria, which was also the recommendation in France."And in Sweden, they ended in 2022 all use of puberty blockers for minors outside of clinical study and they said that there was some medical harm and uncertainty of benefit," Paul said."And it looks as if even in their clinical studies, they won't include anyone under 16."Dr Sue Bagshaw Dr Sue Bagshaw said they puberty blockers had excellent results, particularly for those who went on to physically transition. Photo: RNZ'We should be cautious about any medication' - Dame Sue BagshawDame Sue Bagshaw, who has many transgender patients at her Christchurch youth practice, conceded there were some unknowns about the long-term effects of puberty blockers, particularly on bone density.However, the same could be said of many drugs, and that was not a reason to stop prescribing them, she said."Of course we should be cautious, we should be cautious about any medication."We should also be cautious about young people who suicide. Or attempt to."A 2019 survey of trans and non-binary people conducted by the University of Waikato found more than half had seriously thought about attempting suicide and 12 percent had made a suicide attempt in the past 12 months.The study suggested when trans and non-binary people were supported by their families or community, it could save lives."If you're going to say 'let's not use them' [puberty blockers], we're going to have redouble our efforts to ensure the mental health of transgender diverse young people is looked after," Bagshaw said."And at the moment, it's not."Offering psycho-social support as first-line treatment for gender dysphoria in young people was challenging, she said."It's actually quite difficult to help them to understand that they're being listened to without doing something, and that's the nature of brain development and it's also the nature of short appointment times."Psychological interventions were also expensive, she said.Dame Sue was not surprised or concerned that New Zealand's prescribing rates were higher than other countries."We're a small country, word travels faster by word of mouth."Obviously in the last 10 years it's gone up because we've now got societal permission to do that."According to the Cass report, it was debatable whether puberty blockers bought time or locked a young person into gender transition.Data from both the Netherlands and a study conducted by Tavistock found almost all children and young people put on blockers went on to sex hormone treatment (96.5 percent and 98 percent respectively).*Name changed to protect identity.

Mangawhai will soon have land designated for future public sporting and recreational facilities following a unanimous decision by Kaipara District Council to purchase a 5.8 hectare block of land in Mangawhai Village. The decision was made by Elected Members at the 28 September Council Meeting.Close to 93 percent of those who took part in a survey to assess community support for the proposed land purchase were in favour of the purchase.The purchase is not impacting rates, as the Council will draw on the current pool of reserve contributions to buy the land. Reserve contributions are funds collected from developers or property owners who are subdividing their land. Reserve contributions can only be used to purchase or upgrade open spaces, and funds can only be used in the catchment area they were collected from, in this case Mangawhai.The Council has collected on average $2.7 million in reserve contributions each year for the last two years in Mangawhai. The current balance of the reserve contributions fund for Mangawhai is around $8 million.Mayor Dr Jason Smith welcomed the decision and acknowledged the Mangawhai community’s engagement with the survey.“There is a real lack of infrastructure in Mangawhai and we are playing catch-up to growth that has already happened. This money that came from Mangawhai is being reinvested back in that town to address some of the gaps in park facilities. We have taken up a very rare and special opportunity to secure suitable public land in a great location, near the current sports field Domain, Mangawhai Beach School and the shared path. Thanks to the community for great encouragement of this idea.”Respondents noted the importance of securing land in Mangawhai now “before it is too late.” They had many ideas about how they would like the land to be developed.The land – which will cost up to $5.9million to purchase – is on Moir Street, close to the Domain and within walking distance to Mangawhai Beach School and the Village shops. The Council will engage further with the community in the future to understand what sports and recreational facilities should be developed on the land. Once options have been developed, these will be included in Council’s Long Term Plan. Development will be based on projections from future Reserve Contributions.

The Matakana Country Park are disappointed to let you know due to a rainy weekend forecast, Action Ninja World will be closed on Saturday 1 October and Matakana Country Park Market closed on Sunday 2 October. The good news is (weather permitting) Action Ninja World is open daily during the school holidays and the The Country Park Market will beback on Sunday 9th October. Have a great weekend.Check out our Events Notification to see whats on this weekend?

Warkworth regionFriday 30th - Cloudy. Scattered showers turning to periods of rain from afternoon, possibly heavy. Light winds.Heavy Rain Watch from 1pm Friday - 8pm Saturday for Northland, Great Barrier and Auckland. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.Saturday 1st - Rain with heavy falls possible. Northeasterlies, becoming strong from evening.Sunday 2nd - Showers, some heavy, clearing in the evening. Fresh northeasterlies.Whangarei / Mangawhai regionHeavy Rain Watch from 1pm Friday - 8pm Saturday for Northland, Great Barrier and Auckland. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.Friday 30th - Cloudy. A few showers, then periods of rain from afternoon. Northerlies.Saturday 1st - Rain with heavy falls possible, especially in the evening. Northeasterlies, becoming strong from evening.Sunday 2nd - Showers. Northerlies.

Big changes are coming to Auckland streets with new speed limits on our roads.This will impact many people in how they move around the city.The speed limit will change on more than 1600 roads in Tāmaki Makaurau.These will come into effect in stages between December and March 2023.For a full list of the changes:https://at.govt.nz/about-us/have-your-say/proposed-speed-limit-changes-phase-three/full-list-of-new-speed-limits-phase-three/?fbclid=IwAR0ZRok2Jc0YjuTRW_seII3euzvgqLxBIkPId3HcUuPCBFGSzTTr8CkGABoFor a visual aid to see these changeshttps://atgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a13aa8469db642f283ef3ad241b71882Here is a list of the changes to Leigh, Matakana and Warkworth.

Friday 30th SeptemberCrafty Conversations @ Women's Centre RodneyLA SOIRÉE @ Warkworth HotelSaturday 1st OctoberRepro Rally New ZealandHigh Tea in the CountryMangawhai Community MarketMangawhai Tavern MarketMatakana Village Farmers MarketLA SOIRÉE @ Warkworth HotelThe Joe Cocker Encounter and Dance SetSunday 2nd OctoberBivouac Outdoor Wild Auckland Trail Run/Walk - Event 3 - Te Arai