An Australian skincare company whose sunscreen failed to meet its SPF claims has pleaded guilty to two charges.An investigation by the Commerce Commission into Ego Pharmaceuticals' two Sunsense sunscreens found they did not meet the SPF50+ advertised on the bottle.AMA Laboratories, a testing facility in the US that produced the certification for the sunscreen was exposed in 2021 for defrauding customers with its lab results.A law change this Thursday, with the commencement of the Sunscreen Act, will mean any company whose sunscreen product fails to meet its advertised SPF could be fined up to $600,000.Consumer NZ Chief Executive Jon Duffy said this was not enough and New Zealand was falling behind Australia in sunscreen standards.Duffy said companies often relied on tests that were several years old to justify their SPF claims.Last year's annual test of sunscreens by Consumer NZ found only eight of the 21 tested met the SPF claims on their labels.SunSmart NZ said the cost of skin cancer treatment in New Zealand was expected to grow to $295 million by 2025.

It’s time to vote, Kaipara!From today, voting packs for local elections begin rolling out to letterboxes. Get your votes in the post by Tuesday 4 October 2022 to ensure it’s received before voting closes at 12 noon Saturday 8 October 2022. Voting papers can also be hand delivered to one of the ballot boxes at Council offices before voting closes. If you are eligible to vote but haven’t received voting papers in your letterbox by Wednesday 21 September’s mail, you can call the Electoral Officer on 0800 922 822 to be posted a special vote. Read more about voting in Kaipara’s local elections at the link: https://www.kaipara.govt.nz/.../404-Voting-begins-for...

The dismantling of the former Marsden Point oil refinery is on track to finish by the middle of next year.The refinery closed and became an import-only terminal earlier this year.The owners Channel Infrastructure have budgeted $220 million for decommissioning the site.Chief executive Naomi James said the project is more than 70 percent complete."And then ultimately the facilities will be left in a state when they are safe and ready for demolition, and then at a future date there will be a demolition and removal of the structures that remain."James said groundwater remediation is also ongoing.The company's testing shows contamination is reducing onsite, she said.The closure of the refinery has raised questions about New Zealand's future fuel security.

Four Square Matakana is expanding. Over the next few weeks, the owners will be expanding their retail space into the old Black Dog Cafe on the corner next door.Walls will be knocked down to give more space in the shop, allowing their range to also expand.3 self-checkouts will be added.A full renovation will happen after Easter - with the result being these photos.A few locals have complained on the Four Square Matakana Facebook page about the new look saying it will take away the village feel. Others have also queried if parking spaces will be added to an already congested shopping area. However many locals have expressed their excitement at the expansion.

Tāmaki Makaurau's growing population is putting a strain on the city's waste water network. When it rains heavily, sewage overflows into stormwater drains and out to sea, often making it unsafe to swim at Auckland beaches after a downpour. Watercare's waste water tunnel - known as the Central Interceptor - is aimed at reducing those overflows by 80 percent. The 15km pipeline is being dug by a boring machine, creating a tunnel with a diameter of about 4.5 metres - about as high as a giraffe and as wide as four rhinos. The tunnel boring machine began its journey in Māngere in September 2021. It has travelled 2.5km and is currently sitting 25 metres underground.Photo: RNZ / Simon RogersThe corridor will run from Mangere all the way to Grey Lynn. Right now its biggest task is passing under the harbour, 15 metres below the sea bed. Programme Director Shane Cunis says there is a potential risk of flooding if water seeps through the cutter head, so detailed work on the machine beforehand has been crucial. Workers prepare the tunnel boring machine to dig the tunnel for the central interceptor stormwater system under the Manukau Harbour. Photo: RNZ / Marika KhabaziBut if something does go wrong, the TBM is equipped with two safety chambers that can hold 40 people for up to 24 hours. It will take around three months to tunnel under the harbour, excavating 16 metres a day. There are dozens of different nationalities on the team, a lot of workers have travelled from Italy, bringing their Patron Saint of Mining Saint Barbara with them. Michele Petris working on the tunnel boring machine for the central interceptor. Photo: RNZ / Marika KhabaziTunnel Manager Michele Petris is one of them. All up there are over 500 people involved in the project. Petris said after the soil is delivered to the end of the TBM, it is then transported onto trucks and taken to nearby Puketutu island to transform a former quarry into a park for locals. The machine is expected to reach dry ground in Hillsborough by December. 

Here are your events for this weekend....enjoy!Friday 16th SeptemberCrafty Conversations @ Women's Centre RodneyBarfoot & Thompson - Tradies BreakfastMatakana Comedy Club with Nick RadoOpen Mic Night @ Leigh Sawmill CafeSaturday 17th SeptemberMangawhai Community MarketMangawhai Tavern MarketMatakana Village Farmers MarketRangatahi Whakairo (carving) workshopsStrings AmoreYou Am ISunday 18th SeptemberMatakana Food & wine night @ The Vintry Matakana

Latest drone footage of the Ara Tūhono - Pūhoi to Warkworth Motorway project area is here! This footage was taken in August 2022, flying from Warkworth in the North to Pūhoi in the South. Video provided by NX2 group.

Action Ninja World is back baby!Opening on October 1st and to celebrate they have gifted us 3 family passes to get your Ninja on to the value of $99.They are open every day from 10am – 6pm during school and public holidays.During school terms hours are from Friday to Sunday 10am – 6pm. They also take school groups through Wednesdays and Thursdays 10am-4pm.To enter head to Win Stuff button and enter your details. Competition closes 29th September. Winners are announced on social media and contacted via email.

Large unwanted plastic items are being given a new life in a recycling trial underway in Auckland.These include the likes of plastic laundry baskets, buckets, chairs, dishwashing racks, clamshell sandpits, rubbish bins and storage boxes.General Manager Waste Solutions Parul Sood says that because these items cannot be put in the household kerbside recycling collection it is important that we find another way to recycle them - instead of ending up in landfill.“We’re trialling recycling the large number 5 plastic items back into usable products – so your broken plastic laundry basket or chair could have a new life as a rubbish bin, bucket or storage container, or if they’re in good enough condition someone else might buy them and reuse them.”The plastics can be dropped off at Community Recycling Centres (CRC’s) in Devonport, Helensville and Waiuku until the end of October. From here they are picked up by IP Plastics in Papakura, which manufactures large plastic items, and given a new life.“The aim is to extend the trial to accept a wider range of number 5 polypropylene plastics as well as including collection at other CRC’s around Auckland,” Parul says.“The long-term aim is to increase the number of products made from recycled plastics to contribute to building circular economies within Aotearoa. This initiative will also contribute towards achieving the council’s target of Zero Waste by 2040.”Smaller number 5 plastics such as yoghurt pots, honey containers, medicine bottles, ice-cream containers etc should continue to be put into kerbside wheelie bins for collection. Plant pots cannot be accepted in this trial either as they are contaminated with soil.

The Warkworth Community Transport Hub is now operational. Located at 80 Great North Road, near Warkworth Showgrounds. It features:137 car parksA bus layoverBike parking2 Toilet blocksCCTV security and lighting.Footpath's and a signalised pedestrian crossing.It provides parking and a hub for public bus travel to Wellsford and to Warkworth for connections to Matakana and Kowhai Coast, also into Auckland city.Bus timetables are currently unchanged.The Rodney Transport Targeted Rate was introduced by Auckland Council in 2018. The $150 per annum rateable property charge is projected to raise $41 million over ten years to pay for new bus services and bus stops, park and ride facilities and footpaths such as this one.Artist impression. Image: Auckland Transport (AT)

Cabinet has decided that New Zealand will have a one-off public holiday and state memorial service to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II.The one-off holiday will be held on Monday 26 September. There will be no trade restrictions.In a statement, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said many New Zealanders would appreciate the opportunity to both mark her death and celebrate her life."The State Memorial Service will be held in the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul on the same day, Monday 26 September, and will be televised and live streamed."I know many people will want the opportunity to pay their respects and the public holiday offers communities around the country the ability to come together and pay tribute at local events also..."I think ultimately though this is historic. We are not going to see in many people's lifetime a change in our head of state. This is one day, a one-off, and a chance for New Zealanders to just take pause and acknowledge the contribution."It was appropriate to mark the life of New Zealand's much loved Sovereign with a dedicated public holiday and State Memorial Service, Ardern said.It was in keeping with an historic event and in line with the UK and Australia, which were having similar holidays, she said.On the public holiday for the Queen's death overlapping with the South Canterbury anniversary, Ardern said she was aware of the clash and it had been looked into."This has occurred before, I believe in 2011. So the legislation dictates that only one public holiday occurs at that time. We have asked MBIE to reach out to the local leadership in South Canterbury because they do have the ability should they choose to move or celebrate their day on another day."We discussed it at Cabinet, we were concerned about that too, but that advice is being passed on as we speak."Ardern also confirmed she would represent New Zealand, alongside the governor-general, at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London. Ardern will depart New Zealand on Wednesday 14 September.She said her trip to the UK would offer an opportunity to pay respects on behalf of New Zealand and would also be a chance to connect with those in the wider family.The Queen died on Friday (NZT) and will lie in state for four days before her funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday, 19 September, which will be a public holiday in Britain, officials announced.BusinessNZ this morning said it did not support a public holiday to honour the late Queen Elizabeth II because it would be costly for businesses which had already suffered losses from the pandemic.Australia has already confirmed its one-off public holiday for the National Day of Mourning on 22 September.Condolence books are available around the country for people who want to pay tribute following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.The official proclamation of Charles III as Aotearoa New Zealand's new king has took place at Parliament yesterday.

Snells Beach C-Store is ‘conveniently’ located in the Gull Service Station and open for business!! The service station is now run as self-service with outdoor terminals owned by Gull. For this reason, cash is not accepted for petrol through the store anymore as they are separate entities. The owners are keen entrepreneurs who saw a need for fresh produce and food offerings after the local 4 Square shut down and during lockdowns, where they became a bit of a local hub. Their emphasis is on providing the local community with groceries and as much as possible locally produced food. This includes things like Whangaripo Valley eggs, Kauri Creek Garden lettuces, Mr Microgreens and local avocados. Produce is packed in $4 bags, with deals of any 3 bags for $10 which is fantastic value. It is a great spot for tradies on the way to work who can stop in for a great takeaway coffee, pie, sandwich, or sweet treat. Fresh made Coffee is available from 6.30am onwards. They also provide a gas bottle filling service for all sized gas bottles and have 9kg swap bottles as well. A special mention to a Vape Shop that will be opening very soon. There is also the Snells Beach Laundromat https://www.snellsbeachlaundromat.co.nz/ located downstairs which is self-service and open 24/7. Location: 230 Mahurangi East Road at Gull StationOpen 7 days a week from 6.30am to 6.30pmFresh coffee available from 6.30am Dash in to support local and eat local produce!

The search for a non-herbicide weed control method has led to the development of novel electrical weeding technology.Lead researcher on the AgResearch project Dan Bloomer says so far they've successfully killed weeds in the greenhouse using precisely applied micro shocks of direct current voltage.He says with weeds becoming resistant to chemical herbicides and consumers increasingly not wanting chemicals near their food, other weed eradication methods are needed.And the big advantage of this technology compared with other commercially available electric methods is it uses far less energy. The weed control work also includes machine vision and robotics to control escape weeds in field crops.Dan Bloomer will be conducting field trials in the coming cropping season.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises of the following closures for motorway improvements. Work delayed by bad weather will be completed at the next available date, prior to Friday 16 September.Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am.NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Southbound lanes between Oteha Valley Road off-ramp and Upper Harbour Highway on-ramp, 11 SeptemberOteha Valley Road southbound on-ramp, 11-12 SeptemberGreville Road southbound on-ramp, 11 SeptemberNorthbound lanes between Upper Harbour Highway off-ramp and Oteha Valley Road on-ramp, 14-15 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Greville Road northbound on-ramp, 14-15 SeptemberUpper Harbour Highway northbound on-ramp, 12-15 SeptemberGreville Road southbound off-ramp, 13 SeptemberNorthbound lanes between Upper Harbour Highway off-ramp and Greville Road on-ramp, 12-13 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Upper Harbour Highway southbound off-ramp, 12 & 14-15 SeptemberUpper Harbour Highway southbound on-ramp, 12-15 SeptemberCENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)Westbound lanes between Stanley Street off-ramp and Great North Road on-ramp, 11 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Wellesley Street East westbound on-ramp, 11 SeptemberSH16 (Port) westbound to SH1 northbound link, 11 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Hobson Street westbound on-ramp, 11 SeptemberSH1 northbound to SH16 westbound link, 11 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 southbound to SH16 westbound link, 11 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 southbound to SH16 eastbound (Port) link, 12-14 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Eastbound lanes between Wellesley Street East off-ramp and Quay Street (Port), 15 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH16 eastbound to SH16 (Port) link, 15 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Grafton Road eastbound on-ramp, 15 SeptemberWestbound lanes between Quay Street (Port) and Parnell Rise, 15 SeptemberSOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Greenlane northbound off-ramp, 14-15 SeptemberSouthbound lanes between Takanini off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 11-12 SeptemberTakanini southbound on-ramp, 11-12 SeptemberPapakura southbound on-ramp, 11-12 SeptemberNorthbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Takanini on-ramp, 12 & 14-15 SeptemberPapakura northbound (Loop) on-ramp, 11-15 SeptemberPapakura northbound (Diamond) on-ramp, 12 & 14-15 SeptemberDrury/SH22 northbound on-ramp, 11-15 SeptemberNorthbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 13 SeptemberPapakura northbound loop on ramp, 16 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 16 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Drury/SH22 northbound on-ramp, 16 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Ramarama off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 11 SeptemberRamarama northbound on-ramp, 11 SeptemberBombay southbound on-ramp, 12-15 SeptemberSouthbound lanes between Nikau Road off-ramp and Nikau Road on-ramp, 14-15 SeptemberNorthbound lanes between Ridge Road off-ramp and Ridge Road on-ramp, 14-15 SeptemberRazorback Road southbound off-ramp, 14-15 SeptemberSH1 southbound to SH2 eastbound link, 14-15 SeptemberSouthbound lanes between Pokeno off-ramp and Pokeno on-ramp, 14-15 SeptemberNorthbound lanes between Pokeno off-ramp and Pokeno on-ramp, 14-15 SeptemberPokeno southbound off-ramp, 12-13 SeptemberPokeno southbound on-ramp, 12-13 SeptemberPioneer southbound off-ramp, 12-13 SeptemberSouthbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 11-13 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 11-13 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)Lincoln Road southbound off-ramp, 11-15 SeptemberTe Atatu northbound off-ramp, 11-15 SeptemberEastbound lanes between Great North Road off-ramp and Wellesley Street East on-ramp, 12-14 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Great North Road eastbound on-ramp, 12-14 SeptemberSt Lukes eastbound on-ramp, 12-14 SeptemberSH16 westbound to SH20 southbound link, 11 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)St Lukes Road westbound on-ramp, 11 SeptemberNewton Road westbound on-ramp, 11 SeptemberUPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)Westbound lanes between Caribbean Drive and Albany Highway on-ramp, 11-15 SeptemberSOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH2)Northbound lanes between Maioro Street off-ramp and SH16 (Waterview northbound tunnel closed), 12-14 SeptemberMaioro Street northbound on-ramp, 12-14 SeptemberGEORGE BOLT MEMORIAL DRIVE (SH20A)Kirkbride Road westbound off-ramp, 11-15 SeptemberSTATE HIGHWAY 2 (SH2)SH2 westbound to SH1 southbound, 14-15 SeptemberPlease follow the signposted detours. Waka Kotahi thanks you for your co-operation during these essential improvements and maintenance.

Kiwis can rest assured, their annual royal public holiday will still be observed - at the same time each year - even though Queen Elizabeth has died.The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) confirmed on Friday that the timing of the holiday weekend in June, formerly known as Queen's Birthday, will remain the same."But it will be known as King's Birthday weekend," said a DPMC spokesperson.Queen's Birthday Weekend has been celebrated each year in New Zealand on the first Monday in June, even though Queen Elizabeth's birthday was on 21 April.This is because it is traditional for British monarchs who are not born in summer to celebrate twice, with a second official birthday. Once on their actual date of birth, and then later in the British summer with a grand parade.The belief is having a summer birthday means a higher chance of good weather during the Trooping the Colour parade, which marks the official celebration for the monarch's birthday in the UK. Trooping the Colour is held outside Buckingham Palace on a Saturday in early June.The UK had a Platinum Jubilee bank holiday on Friday 3 June this year in honour of the Queen's 70 years on the throne, but did not usually observe a public holiday in honour of the monarch.The tradition was started by George II in 1748. With a November birthday being too cold for a celebratory parade, he tied his celebrations in with the annual Trooping the Colour military parade.The Queen, whose reign lasted 70 years, died aged 96 at Balmoral Castle early on Friday morning, New Zealand time.Her eldest son, Charles, has taken over as the monarch of the Commonwealth.Charles ascended to the throne immediately after the Queen's death, and has said he will be known as King Charles III. However, it may be months before his official coronation.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was awoken with "great sadness", as a police officer was sent to wake her up with the news.Ardern, at a press conference on Friday morning, said New Zealand and realm countries would move into a period of official mourning."I'm sure that we will receive news of her passing with both emotions of deep sadness, but also gratitude for a life that was utterly and completely devoted to the service of others," Ardern said.*This story originally appeared on Stuff

Friday 9th SeptemberBayleys Springfest 2022 - Matakana School FundraiserCrafty Conversations @ Women's Centre RodneySamantha May - Sacred Sound Ceremony | The Yoga Barn Mangawhai Karaoke NightSaturday 10th SeptemberMangawhai Community MarketMangawhai Tavern MarketMatakana Village Farmers MarketRangatahi Whakairo (carving) workshopsTHE ALMIGHTY, MOONSHINE, HOLY CRIME NZSunday 11th SeptemberLove Tennis Fun Day @ Mahurangi East Tennis ClubSunday Sesh - Live music with Marley MackayLet Her Voice Shine - Warkworth Town Hall

Would you like to make a difference? How about volunteering?Warkworth / Wellsford Budget Service are looking for volunteers.They are a Non-profit organisation that helps people in various aspects of budgeting.They offer Goal Setting, Guidance, Debt Service and Advocacy services.Covering Warkworth, Wellsford, Snells Beach, Matakana and surrounding areas from Puhoi in the south to Mangawhai in the north.Can you spare up to 4 hours a week?Do you have a good head for figures?Would you like to assist people with budget advice?Full training is provided and costs reimbursedApplicants must have reliable transportThey are especially keen to attract people from Wellsford and Mangawhai.If you would like to find out more please contact [email protected] 0299 3249https://www.wwbudgetservice.co.nz/

A message from Ministry of Primary IndustriesReminder to all fishers that the taking of scallops from most parts of Northland, Hauraki Gulf, Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty areas is prohibited until further notice, see the maps below. This prohibition for recreational and commercial fishing overrides the normal scallop season which traditionally starts on 1 September. By respecting these closures and restrictions, you’ll be doing your part in helping the fishery rebuild to ensure a sustainable future. There are two areas around Hauturu/Little Barrier Island and near the Colville Channel that are still open for gathering scallops.We encourage all recreational fishers to know the fishing rules for your area by downloading the NZ Fishing Rules app, which even works when you’re outside phone coverage. Click here to download: https://bit.ly/37FZ3HnIf you become aware of any suspicious fishing activity, you can contact us on: 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24) email [email protected]

There is a widespread power outage in Warkworth and the surrounding areas from Puhoi to Pakiri. The power went out just before 8am, Vector is unable to confirm when it might be restored.A fire appliance from Warkworth has been dispatched to the Dome valley which may be related. Traffic Lights are out at Whitaker Road junction with SH 1.Are you aware you can claim compensation from Vector if power is out for a certain amount of time?According to Vector if you live rurally and your power is out for 4.5 hours you are entitled to make a $50 claim.Call Vector to organise 508 VECTOR (0508 832 867)For more information https://blob-static.vector.co.nz/blob/vector/media/vector/15-08-16-vector_service_standard_doc_res.pdf