Today is the last day for you to have your say on what path tourism will take in our region.Our Local Board and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (AU) are working with the Matakana Coast community and operators to create a Destination Management Plan. AU has commissioned Stafford Strategy to assist this process. The area included in the scope of the DMP extends from Puhoi through Warkworth/Wellsford, across to Tapora and Mount Albert and across to Te Hana and Te Arai. Destination Management means not just promoting a destination, but having a plan that manages sustainable growth and that aligns with mana whenua and community desires while ensuring the environment is protected and restored. Essentially, it's about having a path for tourism to truly support the quality of life of our community and our environment. This survey provides you with the opportunity to have your say. Your responses will be kept confidential and are only being sent to Stafford Strategy.  This survey will close at 11.59 pm, 3rd September 2022.Here is the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MatakanaCoastDMPSurvey

Here are your events for this weekendFriday 2ndCrafty Conversations @ Women's Centre RodneyBayleys Springfest 2022 - Matakana School FundraiserKaraoke at Warkworth RSASaturday 3rdSEA MOUSE at Leigh SawmillMangawhai Tavern MarketMangawhai Community MarketMatakana Village Farmers MarketRangatahi Whakairo (carving) workshopsMeaning Making | Puhinui Warkworth Centre PlanEliza Boom, Amitai Pati and Somi Kim in ConcertLate Night at Matakana EstateSunday 4thFather’s Day at Rothko

Weekend Weather for Warkworth regionFriday 2nd - Fine, apart from areas of morning cloud. Northerlies developing this afternoon.Saturday 3rd - Fine at first, then cloud increasing. Rain developing from late afternoon. Northwesterlies.Sunday 4th - Showers, clearing in the morning and becoming fine. Southwesterlies.Weekend Weather for Mangawhai regionFriday 2nd - Mainly fine, apart from areas of morning cloud. Northeasterly breezes.Saturday 3rd - Fine at first, then cloud increasing. Rain developing in the evening. Northwesterlies.Sunday 4th - Rain, clearing in the morning and becoming fine. Southwesterlies

 Protest by Groundswell is underway in Auckland City where the protest convoy is said to pass over the Harbour bridge. It is believed the convoy of tractors will begin from South Auckland and travel up the Southern Motorway to the Harbour bridge, before heading to downtown Auckland. NZTA (Waka Kotahi) are advising people to check the latest conditions before travelling into the city today. Western ring route could be an alternative if traffic over the bridge is slowed. Groundswell’s SAY NO campaign is standing against “unworkable regulations unfairly impacting farmers & growers and both rural & urban property owners.” They are requesting the “Government puts in place workable regulations that achieve environmental outcomes, respect people, their private property rights and privacy.” For more information head to their website https://www.groundswellnz.co.nz/campaigns/say-no  Similar protests have been happening around the world (e.g., Netherlands) led by farmers who say their livelihoods are at risk as working conditions and government regulations are no longer tenable. 

A message from Kaipara District Council (KDC)Rubbish charges are changing 🚮🚮From 1 September 2022 the gate disposal costs at the Dargaville Transfer Station and the blue general refuse bag cost are changing. This is due to increasing costs reflected in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and central government increases to the landfill Waste Levy and the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Recycling and other charges remain the same. From 1 September price changes are: Dargaville Transfer Station gate charge per m3 $65.00 Blue bag $3.60Did you know? Number 5 plastics can now go in your yellow recycling bag.

A firefighter is warning that trust in FENZ has deteriorated to a point where it cannot be regained unless there are changes in management.After an impasse in negotiations saw firefighters walk off the job across the country, the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union and Fire and Emergency NZ have agreed to halt industrial action and find a way forward but one firefighter warns trust in FENZ management has been lost.Strikes came amid smouldering tension between the parties after both sides reached an impasse following 13 months of negotiations.Internal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti brought both sides together to help find a way forward in the current collective bargaining impasse.Following that meeting, the union agreed all strike notices would be suspended and no further industrial action would continue or occur. FENZ agreed to withdraw the request for facilitated bargaining through the Employment Relations Authority.Both parties signed up to facilitated mediation with the assistance of an agreed independent mediator."The meeting was constructive and the parties shared a willingness to work towards a solution," the Professional Firefighters' Union national secretary Wattie Watson said in an agreed statement.All parties, including Tinetti, also agreed they would not provide further comment to the public.But one firefighter, who wished to remain anonymous, spelled out his hopes and concerns to RNZ, warning the next round of talks "have to be meaningful"."They have to address every concern that we, as a collective, have brought. That means recognition of occupational cancers, over-inflated head office, physiological support, unreliable equipment and, finally, obviously pay rates that at least keep up with inflation."All so that "firefighters would not get more broken every day", he said.He also warned of the damage done to the relationship between paid firefighters and FENZ management, and suggested members of the leadership team needed to go."What they have shown is a disregard to the ones on the ground doing the work. If they are still in place, I have little confidence.""There will never be trust, in my view, of management at FENZ while those that put us in this position are still leading it," he said.But the firefighter did trust the union."If the union have agreed to go into this [facilitated mediation] they must feel there is some hope."Two hour-long strikes in August were tough for firefighters, many of whom had never walked off the job before but felt they had little other choice."None of this was easy for us," the anonymous firefighter said."To walk off the job was the worst thing in the world," he finished.FENZ and the union are not commenting.Minister steps inInternal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti had several meetings with both FENZ and the firefighter's union this month, though her office would not give an exact number.Internal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti. File photo. Photo: RNZ / Dom ThomasThe minister said she first stepped in when negotiations broke down in May and helped to get an independent mediator.Following the first nationwide strike on 19 August, Tinetti told RNZ she would "be working incredibly hard to find a solution"."Sometimes that might mean that I overstep the remit that I have as minister for Internal Affairs, but this is in the best interest of our country and I will do whatever I can do," she said.Tinetti's office did not respond to a question from RNZ on whether the minister had gone beyond her remit."The minister is responsible for the legislative framework for FENZ, for monitoring the Crown's ownership interest in FENZ, and for appointing FENZ Board members," a statement said.The industrial action is off until the end of September.Related news: Firefighters to strike Friday morning - but why?

Auckland Zoo’s South East Asia Jungle Track, the biggest project in its history, fully opens at Labour Weekend. The award-winning track, featuring interconnecting wildlife habitats with a lake and wetlands at its heart, is a highly immersive nature experience that has transformed one fifth of the zoo’s grounds. Habitats include a ‘high canopy’ for orangutans and siamangs, ‘lowlands’ for Sumatran tigers and Asian small-clawed otters, and an ‘Indonesian swamp forest’ for fish, Sunda gharial crocodiles and other reptiles, living within a large climate-controlled dome. The first of its kind in New Zealand, the swamp forest will be an authentically tropical 28°C year round and features species that are all new to the zoo.The $62 million transformation was funded through Auckland Council’s long-term plan. Visit aucklandzoo.co.nz/south-east-asia to find out more

Local government elections will be upon us soon. Are you prepared to vote?Voting will open on 16 September 2022 and close at midday on 8 October 2022. Auckland will vote for a new mayor, ward councillors, and local board members.For further information on votinghttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/elections/information-for-voters/Pages/default.aspxHere is a quick video on how Auckland Council works:https://youtu.be/fOyLXfUkKpY If you haven’t yet enrolled to vote:https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/elections/information-for-voters/Pages/who-can-vote.aspx For candidate statements: https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/elections/information-for-candidates/Pages/confirmed-candidates-local-elections-2022.aspx Here is the list of candidates running for Auckland Mayor:Ward CouncillorsHow wards are determined - Voters elect 20 ward councillors from 13 wards to the Governing Body of Auckland Council.Wards are determined by conducting a review of ward boundaries and population every six years. This review may change the ward boundaries to reflect changes in population and achieve a fair ratio of elected members.The wards are also determined by:the sense of identity with, and belonging to, a community or communitiesthe geographical area of the services provided for a community Here is the list of candidates running for Rodney Ward: Local BoardsLocal boards are responsible for:adopting local board plans that set the strategic direction for the local board area every three years in consultation with their communitiesagreeing annual local board agreements (with the governing body) that set annual budgetsagreeing and overseeing annual work programmes.Local boards also:provide local leadership and develop relationships with the community, community organisations and special interest groups in the local areamake decisions on local matters, including events, parks, community programmes and local fees and chargesoversees facilities in the local board areaidentify and develop bylaws for their local board area and propose them to the governing bodyidentify and communicate the views of local people on regional strategies, policies, plans and bylaws to the governing body, and provide input to the governing body on any regional decision that impacts on the local board areamake decisions on any additional responsibilities delegated by the governing body, such as decisions within regional bylawsprovide input to council-controlled organisations' (CCO) plans and initiatives.For further info about local boards https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/about-auckland-council/how-auckland-council-works/local-boards/Pages/about-local-boards.aspx Here is the list of candidates running for Local Boards: 

Approximately 9.30am this morning there was a fire above Seafood 'n' Eat It restaurant at the bottom of Neville Street in Warkworth township.The building is currently for sale through Remax Realty. The fire inspection team are investigating.There may be traffic delays.

Two people remain in critical condition after an explosion at a building site in central Auckland last week.Five people were taken to hospital from the building site in Wynyard Quarter on the morning of 26 August.Firefighters at the scene used hoses to treat patients with burns.It is not yet confirmed what caused the explosion, but reports suggest an LPG bottle hooked up to a barbecue exploded at the Hawkins Construction site about 6.30am on the day.It is common for construction workers to use portable gas cookers.WorkSafe started investigating immediately but said that work could take up to 12 months to complete.In a statement last week, parent company Downer said it was working with authorities to establish what had happened and its immediate focus was on supporting the injured workers, their whānau, and the team on site.Bits of burnt clothing could be seen scattered around after the explosion in Auckland's Wynyard Quarter last week. Photo: RNZ / Nick MonroCouncil of Trade Unions president Richard Wagstaff last week said he wanted to see a full investigation into the incident."It's important there be a full and detailed investigation into how this happened and steps are taken to better protect workers."Wagstaff said the industry had a terrible record of workers being killed or injured on the job, with 11 construction workers killed and 4800 workers injured just last year.Fire and Emergency said its own investigation into the incident was also ongoing.The Wynyard Quarter site is being developed by Precinct Properties and Auckland Council's development arm Eke Panuku, where three new office buildings with ground floor retail are planned.Construction started this year and is due to be completed in 2025.

The SPCA expects to desex 30,000 animals over two years in a campaign to combat the overpopulation of dogs and cats.A mobile caravan was starting a two-year journey with stops in the East Coast of the North Island, offering free desexing and veterinary services to pet owners.National Desexing Manager Rebecca Dobson said SPCA centres and animal rescues throughout the country were feeling the pressure from an inundation of animals, but the problem was particularly bad in the East Coast right now."By desexing 15,000 animals [each year] we're preventing 100,000 puppies and kittens from being abandoned and neglected, because those animals won't then be able to go on and have unwanted litters if they've been desexed."New Zealand had a problem with "excessive uncontrolled breeding" of pets, which was creating widespread issues with stray and unwanted animals, the organisation said.The new mobile desexing clinic caravan will start by offering free services in the East Coast, but hopes to extend its destinations if more vets and vet nurses can be found. Photo: Supplied/ SPCABut for some owners, transport or the cost of desexing were barriers.The first stops for the caravan would be Ruatōria, Te Araroa, Waihau Bay, Te Kaha, Ōpōtiki, Tokomaru Bay, and Tolaga Bay - some of which were a two hour drive from vet services, the SPCA said.As well as desexing, the staff working from the caravan could offer microchipping, vaccinations, and flea and worm treatments for free or a koha.SPCA chief executive Andrea Midgen said fewer animals were desexed during the Covid-19 lockdowns, which had contributed to the surge in litters."In areas such as the East Coast and Northland, we are often faced with a heart-breaking decision of not being able to accommodate more animals in our shelters."There was also a vet shortage in New Zealand, and the SPCA was still working on finding vets and vet nurses to help provide the mobile caravan service, with the aim to keep it going year-round and to extend its visits to areas outside East Coast.As well as the caravan, the SPCA was helping fund a Northland programme where Kerikeri Highway Vets would work with animal rescue groups to desex at least 200 dogs and 300 cats.And, the SPCA would continue to run its existing Snip 'n' Chip campaign providing free or subsidised desexing and microchipping for some groups.Midgen said it would take years for the glut of unwanted puppies and kittens to relent, but desexing and responsible pet ownership were the only ways to get there.The programme was expected to be extended beyond two years, but this first two years was critical, and it would help provide data and targets for future years.A booking system for the mobile caravan was available on the SPCA website for those interested in having their animals neutered.

Warkworth RegionMonday - Fine, apart from a few showers for Great Barrier Island, and a possible shower north of Whangaparaoa from afternoon. Southeasterlies.Tuesday - Fine, apart from isolated showers north of the City. Easterlies.Wednesday - Fine. Northerlies.Thursday - Fine. Northerlies.Friday - Fine with northerlies.Whangarei / Mangawhai RegionMonday - Cloudy periods, and a few showers from late morning. Southeasterlies.Tuesday - Partly cloudy. A few showers. Southeasterlies.Wednesday - Partly cloudy. Easterlies.Thursday - Cloudy with northeasterlies.Friday - Partly cloudy with northerlies.

A reminder from Council's for dog (kurī) ownersDog registrations are open for the coming year. Kaipara District you can register online online at www.kaipara.govt.nz/dog-registrations/Auckland District head herehttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/dogs-animals/register-your-dog/Pages/renew-registration-for-dog.aspx

Maize growers are being warned they need to switch up their methods or face smaller yields as the effects of climate change creates more extreme weather.July was one of the warmest and wettest on record across the motu, with five separate weather events causing flooding, NIWA said.Foundation for Arable Research senior researcher David Densley said maize growers should consider adapting production systems to be more resilient to weather.Though maize typically did well in warmer climates, evapotranspiration rates increased as soil temperatures went up, meaning a plant needed more water simply to maintain itself."Some of the modelling work we've done has shown that this last season in the Waikato, for example, we needed another 52mm of water, just to achieve the same thing."The impact of warmer and dryer temperatures during the growing period is that we need more water to be able to produce the same thing, otherwise drought occurs and impacts the maize."During the critical grain fill period, estimated maize yield loss when drought stress persisted for four or more consecutive days was around 3 percent to 9 percent yield loss per day of stress.Growers should consider using no till or strip till to prepare and plant maize crops, rather than turning the soil over using conventional cultivation, Densley said.That at may result in higher one-off costs, but would pay off in the long term."Thinking about, how do I carry more of this rainfall that I'm getting, in the winter and the spring, how do I carry that through into the summer when I'm going to need it most?"The maize water demands peak over flowering, which is typically in January, which is typically the hottest, driest period, so carrying that water through so it doesn't impact our maize yield and our maize quality."As well as using no till or strip till methods, an increasing number of growers were utilising cover crops and catch crops over winter, including nitrogen-fixing legumes to reduce nitrogen inputs, he said.Farmers were applying variable rate lime, and using variable rate seeding rates for plant population, as well as deep soil sampling for nitrogen to better match inputs with productivity."About 10 to 20 farmers are managing their crops at this level for maize production, so blanket applications remain the norm."Densley recommended all farmers adopt pre-side-dress deep N sampling, which does not require precision agriculture technology.The cost of carrying out the sampling, which measures plant available soil nitrogen levels to a depth of 60cm, was more than covered by savings in applied nitrogen and also provided environmental gains with reductions in nitrogen loss and greenhouse gas emissions, he said.He suggested farmers trial deep N sampling to gain some trust and apply side dress nitrogen based on the results.

Warkworth ForecastSaturday - Mainly fine, apart from isolated showers this morning. Southwesterlies.High of 17 and low of 9.Sunday - Mainly fine. Southeasterlies. High of 16 and low of 9.Whangarei Forecast for MangawhaiSaturday - Mainly fine, but the chance of a brief shower this morning. Southwesterlies. High of 18 and low of 9.Sunday - Fine spells and a few showers. Southeasterlies. High of 16 and low of 10.

Five people were taken to hospital after a gas explosion at a building site in Auckland's Wynyard Quarter this morning.Four people are in a serious condition in Middlemore Hospital while one is in a moderate condition in Auckland Hospital.The incident was reported to police about 6.25am in Halsey Street in Auckland's CBD.Police at the scene of the incident on Halsey Street in Auckland. Photo: RNZ/Nick MonroMultiple ambulances and fire trucks were at the scene.Two fire investigators remain on site. They say it could be days before the cause of the explosion is determined.The scene of explosion in Halsey Street, Auckland CBD on 26 August 2022. Photo: RNZ / Nick MonroIt is believed to an LPG bottle exploded at the building site. Bits of burnt clothing could be seen scattered around.The building site is in a very busy part of downtown Auckland.A St John Ambulance spokesperson has confirmed it was an explosion.It said it sent 10 vehicles, including five ambulances, to the scene.The scene of explosion in Halsey Street, Auckland CBD on 26 August 2022. Photo: RNZ / Nick MonroTuck Shop Bakery owner George Seaton said he first noticed the incident when ambulances started arriving."We smelled some fire, smoke. There was someone being attended to ... a lot of emergency service workers around them."

Friday 26thCrafty Conversations @ Women's Centre RodneyDaffodil Day morning tea in LeighSaturday 27thMangawhai Community MarketMangawhai Tavern MarketMatakana Village Farmers MarketRangatahi Whakairo (carving) workshopsWeddings Matakana FairBarfoot & Thompson - Charity Sausage SizzleFood for FashionDragon Forms - Qi GongHarbour Hospice Catwalk Arts Wearable Art AwardsBrooke Lane Vineyard’s Last Saturday Club The Eagles Tribute Show at RSA WarkworthBRIAN BAKER LIVE with special guest Coda Muso & Street GeorgesSunday 28thWarkworth Country MarketAUDITIONS for Warkworth Theatre's Ali Baba & Forty Thieves pantomimeAgave/Tequila night @ The Vintry

Our group keeps in contact with the New Zealand Penguin Initiative, an organisation that coordinates penguin study with penguin groups around New Zealand.Some areas are reporting a low number of penguins seen in their nest sites this year. It has been the same in our area and could be due to a very wet July and stormy weather.This may delay or disrupt the penguins egg laying. Monitoring of penguins around our coast has shown birds coming ashore at several places along Goat Island Beach and alongside the Ti Point coastal walkway. We have also moved a few penguin nesting boxes to places we hope will be better.Already one box moved in May has had a visit from a pair of penguins. It was funny watching a video of them as one entered the box while the other stood on top, calling as if to say where are you? Or perhaps it was a game of penguin hide and seek. Eventually the other penguin entered, followed by a lot of noise inside the box.Unfortunately a few dead penguins were also spotted recently on a Leigh coast beach, but it is not known how they died. If you see any dead birds we would be keen to know and see if a cause of death can be identified.In the meantime, many thanks to all our trappers for their continued support in reducing the predators around our coast.*Author: Jenny Enderby / [email protected] for Leigh Rag [email protected] with permission.

Small business sales have fallen to their lowest level since September last year, as consumers feel the rising cost of living.The latest Xero small business index shows sales in July fell 1.5 percent year-on-year, down from 4.4 percent growth in June.At the same time, inflationary pressures continued for small firms, as wage growth was above 6 percent - with construction and hospitality leading the growth.Xero country manager Bridget Snelling said inflation also meant the fall in sales was much worse than it appeared."Inflation in Aotearoa has hit 7.3 percent. This suggests the volume of goods and services sold has actually been much lower and price increases are hiding this real drop in sales."We estimate the real sales drop for small businesses is closer to negative 8.8 percent year-on-year."Snelling said falling sales and rising wages created pressure for firms."For wage growth to be sustainable, we really need to see it matched by high sales."We want to be a high wage economy, absolutely, but this is only really going to last if sales can grow and we can match that high wage rate with a growth in sales."At the moment small businesses will really be feeling the pinch, still paying high wages but getting less money in the door."Snelling said the falling sales was a clear sign that small businesses needed support from people shopping locally.Small business jobs also continued to grow, with 4.7 percent more jobs in small firms than there were a year ago.It was the third successive month that jobs growth was above the long term average of 3 percent year-on-year."Job growth means more Kiwis are choosing to work in small businesses. We're in the middle of a significant labour shortage and it's encouraging to see small businesses are continuing to compete against larger corporations."