For those of you travelling to Auckland check the roads before you head off.Northwest winds may approach severe gale at times. Warning of the possible full closure of the Auckland Harbour Bridge is possible..This area may be affected by severe thunderstorms bringing wind gusts of more than 110 km/h and localised tornadoes.Watches for severe thunderstorms have been issued. Note that winds may ease for at time Monday morning but severe gales are again possible from late Monday morning and into the afternoon.

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, 17 June 2022.Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am.NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Southbound lanes between Waiwera off-ramp and Silverdale on-ramp, 12-13 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Orewa southbound on-ramp, 12-13 JuneMillwater southbound on-ramp, 12-13 JuneSouthbound lanes between Waiwera off-ramp and Orewa on-ramp, 15-16 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Silverdale off-ramp and Waiwera on-ramp, 12-13 & 15 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Silverdale northbound on-ramp, 12-13 & 15 JuneOrewa northbound on-ramp, 12-13 & 15 JuneOteha Valley Road southbound on-ramp, 13 June (approx. 08:30pm – 05:00am)Northbound lanes between Greville Road off-ramp and Oteha Valley Road on-ramp, 12-16 June (approx. 09:30pm to 5:00am)Greville Road northbound on-ramp 12-16 JuneSouthbound lanes between Tristram Avenue off-ramp and Esmonde Road on-ramp, 13-15 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Tristram Avenue southbound on-ramp, 13-15 JuneNorthcote Road southbound on-ramp, 13-15 JuneCENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)Hobson Street southbound on-ramp, 13 JuneHobson Street westbound on-ramp, 13 JuneWestbound lanes between Stanley Street off-ramp and Hobson Street on-ramp, 14 JuneWellesley Street East westbound on-ramp, 14 JuneGrafton Road southbound on-ramp, 14 JuneSOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Khyber Pass Road southbound on-ramp, 12-13 JuneKhyber Pass Road northbound off-ramp, 13-16 JuneGillies Avenue northbound on-ramp, 13-16 JuneGreenlane northbound off-ramp, 12-13 June (approx. 10:30pm to 5:00am)Ellerslie-Panmure Highway southbound off-ramp, 12 JuneEllerslie-Panmure Highway northbound on-ramp, 12-13 JuneSouthbound lanes between Papakura off-ramp and Drury/ SH22 on-ramp, 12-16 JunePapakura southbound on-ramp, 12-16 JunePapakura (Loop) northbound on-ramp, 12-16 JuneNorthbound lanes between Drury/ SH22 off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 12-16 JuneDrury/ SH22 northbound on-ramp, 12-16 JuneBombay southbound off-ramp, 13 JunePokeno southbound off-ramp, 15 June (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)Pokeno southbound on-ramp, 15 JunePioneer Road southbound off-ramp, 15 June (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)Mercer southbound off-ramp, 15 June (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 15 June (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 15 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 16 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Mercer southbound off-ramp, 16 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 16 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Pioneer Road off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 12-13 June (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Pioneer Road, 12-13 June (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)Mercer northbound on-ramp, 12-13 JuneSouthbound lanes between Mercer and Oram Rd, 14 June (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)Mercer southbound on-ramp, 14 JuneHampton Downs southbound off-ramp, 12-13 JuneHampton Downs southbound on-ramp, 12-13 JuneHampton Downs northbound off-ramp, 13-15 JuneHampton Downs northbound on-ramp, 13-15 JuneTe Kauwhata southbound off-ramp, 14-16 JuneTe Kauwhata southbound on-ramp, 14-16 JuneNORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)Great North Road eastbound on-ramp, 15 JuneGreat North Road westbound off ramp, 14 JuneSOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)Northbound lanes between Maioro Street off-ramp and SH16 (Waterview northbound tunnel closed), 13 JuneMaioro Street northbound on-ramp, 13 JuneMassey Road southbound on-ramp, 12-16 JunePuhinui Road southbound off-ramp, 14 June

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency today announced the successful construction partners for delivering Penlink, a new two-lane, proposed toll road in North Auckland.HEB, Fulton Hogan, Aurecon and Tonkin + Taylor gathered today with Waka Kotahi to formally sign an agreement, that saw the group become an alliance to construct the eagerly awaited new connection.The seven-kilometre road and shared path for people walking and on wheels is part of the Government’s $8.7 billion New Zealand Upgrade Programme (NZUP), and will provide better, safer, more reliable transport options for communities across Whangaparāoa, Hibiscus Coast and Silverdale.Mark Kinvig, National Manager Infrastructure Delivery at Waka Kotahi said, “Penlink is a highly-anticipated project that will enhance the lives of those living and working in these growing communities. That’s why we needed the best in the industry, and this alliance brings that skill set and experience to the table.”All projects in the New Zealand Upgrade Programme will have targets to reduce construction emissions in order to meet the Waka Kotahi vision to have a low carbon, safe and healthy transport system.“The Penlink alliance will have a strong focus on reducing construction emissions, with a minimum reduction target of 10 percent and a stretch goal of more than 20 percent,” said Mr Kinvig.“Waka Kotahi identified that the Wēiti River Crossing would be the largest single contributor to Penlink’s embodied emissions, so exploring innovative solutions and ways to reduce its carbon footprint was a strong focus for the alliance during the procurement process.”During the tendering process the alliance refined the design which now delivers significant improvements from the original bridge, including reducing the number of piers in the Wēiti River, from three to two. This reduces the impact on the marine environment and allows clearer views and passage through the navigation channel.Construction methodologies have been improved, including a reduction in temporary staging which help to minimise greenhouse gas emissions. A lowered entrance to the crossing will better fit with the landscape, enabling 235 metres to be trimmed off the overall crossing, reducing the amount of steel and concrete required.A cable supported crossing reduces the amount of concrete required, significantly reducing construction emissions and the northern pier has also been moved away from the coastal cliff to avoid excavation into the cliff face.The project will provide increased travel choice and reduced vehicle emissions through new separated path for walking and cycling and give people on the Whangaparāoa Peninsula better and faster access to the Northern Busway.Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency works to create transport solutions for all New Zealanders – from helping new drivers earn their licences, to leading safety campaigns to investing in public transport, state highways and local roads.

Whangārei Mayor Sheryl Mai says the government needs to get a loud and clear message that her council would not be fluoridating its water unless the government pays.Compulsory fluoridation for Whangārei and Bream Bay council drinking water supplies is moving closer  at a cost of more than $3 million - as the government moves to impose the controversial additive's inclusion in council water supplies nationally."If you (the government) don't fund us, we will not be complying and we are expecting funding for the ongoing operating costs too," Mai said.Her comments came at a Whangārei District Council (WDC) briefing meeting on Thursday."If you (the government) want fluoride, you pay for it," Mai said.The government brought in the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021 in November. It gives the Director-General of Health the power to direct a local authority to add fluoride to its drinking water supply.Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield late last year wrote to WDC, ahead of likely issuing a "direction to fluoridate" from the middle of this year.Bloomfield wrote to WDC for second time on 3 May, asking how the council could speed up its efforts to fluoridate, after they initially told him that would take three years to achieve. His correspondence to the council also included reasons why fluoridation was to be introduced locally.Mai said WDC's letter of reply, to be sent to Bloomfield next week in response to that May correspondence, needed to clearly pass on the council's position on fluoridating its Whangārei and Bream Bay water supplies."This is a health issue and we are being forced into putting fluoride into our water supply," Mai said.Could fluoridation soon be added at the Whau Valley water treatment plant? Photo: Northern Advocate / Tania Whyte via LDRWDC does not fluoridate any of its drinking water. This follows a 2002 referendum where 62 percent of people were opposed to fluoridation. That position has been re-affirmed through long term planning over the subsequent two decades.Council chief executive Simon Weston said upgrading council water supplies to be able to dose with fluoride would cost WDC $2.9 million. Annual operating costs would be $100,000.Weston said the work to be able to add fluoride to council drinking water along with forecast time allocations provided to Bloomfield would be dependent on funding."These timeframes are dependent on adequate funding and resources including consultants, contractors and staff, and materials being available," Weston said."If external funding is not available, then other projects will need to be cut from council's water projects lists over these (fluoridation conversion) years to avoid further water rates increases."Weston said the compulsory introduction of fluoridation could be delayed until three waters reforms were completed.This would allow existing water suppliers time and money to meet the new toughened water standards requirements of the government's newly set up national water regulator Taumata Arowai.It would also allow co-ordination, creating a uniform and consistent approach across each of the government's four new giant inter-regional water services entities.Weston said if directed, work on setting up for fluoridation at the WDC's Whau Valley water treatment plant could begin immediately. This plant provided most of Whangārei city's water.If directed, the council could include fluoride dosing equipment in the current upgrade of its Poroti water treatment plant.Work on Maunu Springs Ruddells water treatment plant could be done by the end of next year.Bream Bay's two Ahuroa and Ruakākā water treatment plants could be upgraded, resources permitting during the 2023/2024 financial year.Bloomfield said fluoridating Whangārei and Bream Bay drinking water - at a rate of .7-1mg/litre - would significantly reduce the prevalence and severity of dental decay. Fluoridation at these levels was considered safe and effective."Overall, a person living in the Whangārei District Council area is likely to have significantly poorer oral health outcomes than the average person in New Zealand," Bloomfield said."The data shows there are significant opportunities for improvement. There are inequitable oral health outcomes between Māori and non-Māori," he said.

Monday 13 June 2022, northbound and southbound SH1 traffic will move to the new motorway.Northbound motorists will drive onto the viaduct immediately after exiting the Johnstones Hill Tunnels, while south-bound motorists will enter the new motorway at the Pūhoi on-ramp.The road layout change will be formed over a period of three weeks, with several night works required during this time.Safety is our highest priority, and a reduced speed limit of 50km/h will be in place at the Pūhoi Intersection, for the duration of these works.The temporary speed limit along the new alignment will be 60 km/h. The free route along Hibiscus Coast Highway will always be accessible.For a video explanation https://fb.watch/dy9gY_6plM/

Events Roundup for this Weekend!!Saturday 11th June- La Soiree at the Stables- Creative Carving Workshops - with a Tour of Carvings within the historic village!- Matakana Village Farmers MarketSunday 12th June- Matakana Country Park Market- Warkworth Roller Skating Class- Matariki Community Planting Days- Leys Orchestra Family Concert

SH1 BRYNDERWYN HILLS - DELAYS, 12-13 JUNRetaining wall inspection work is planned for State Highway 1 on the south side of the Brynderwyn Hills on Sunday and Monday nights, 12 & 13 June. This work will require an extended Stop/Go traffic management operation along the entire south side of the hill, from the summit to the base, from 7pm until 5am.Delays are expected and motorists may wish to consider alternative routes on these nights. Suggested detours are northbound via SH12 and Paparoa Oakleigh Rd and southbound via Waipu, Mangawhai and Kaiwaka which may add up to 40 minutes to your journey: http://spr.ly/6181zZHa5

​Paddling with their hands, torches clenched between their teeth, Constables Josh Kauika and Rory Jones headed into darkness towards desperate cries for help after two fishermen capsized in the cold waters of Whangārei Harbour.The drama began when two Auckland visitors were reported overdue from a recent kayak fishing trip at Parua Bay. The duo had set off from Ritchie Road foreshore on a plastic double kayak that seemed to be taking on water.They continued to a rocky outcrop, about 300m offshore, where they landed a snapper. Their friends, who had been watching through binoculars, then lost sight of the men due to darkness closing in and raised the alarm.Answering the call, Josh and Rory headed to the end of Wharf Road, where they parked the patrol car and shone its headlights across the black expanse.“We could hear calls for help but we couldn’t see anyone,” says former Navy diver Josh. “They were about 400m from shore and drifting.“We yelled out for them to stay where they were. The next response back was, ‘we need help he’s drowning’. That sent chills up my spine.”Rory, a keen surfer, knew it was going to be too far to swim and they would need some means of getting the men back to shore.“I knew we were going out," he says. "There was no way we were just going to stand there.”Onerahi Constable Spence Penney heard the job on the radio and, with knowledge of the area and experience as a former Search And Rescue member, recommended the officers try to get a dinghy or a vessel to go out on the water.The constables ran to a nearby house where the owners gave them a kayak, minus the paddle, and a surfboard to use. The duo used the vessels like kneeboards, and holding their torches in their mouths, paddled towards where they had last heard the desperate fishermen.Josh says after about 400m, anchored boats came into view.“I couldn’t hear the voices anymore. I was thinking the worst. But then I heard splashing behind a catamaran, and they were trying to scramble up the back.”Josh pushed the men aboard. Both were hypothermic but one was close to stopping shivering – a bad sign. Josh got on board and phoned Spence on shore to update him, saying: “They’re in bad shape.”Rory was also on hand and together they removed the men’s wet clothing, towelled them dry and wrapped them in blankets.“We were lucky we got there when we did,” says Josh. “One guy was at the point where his body was about to shut down.”In the meantime, SAR incident controller Detective Sergeant Paul Overton had rung a local he knew in Parua Bay and asked if he could launch his rib to look for the missing fisherman. Coastguard had been contacted but were at least 30 minutes away.Coincidentally, the boat the men had scrambled aboard was owned by the man dispatched to help find them. He boarded with his teenage son and quickly brewed up hot drinks before pulling alongside the wharf at the Parua Bay boating club to avoid the men being further exposed to the elements.The men were checked over by a paramedic and deemed well enough to return to their Airbnb accommodation.Josh and Rory returned to Whangārei Station, had a shower, a meal and went back out on the road until the end of their shift.The fishermen had been wearing lifejackets, but they were not fitted well and one of the men could not swim. When their kayak flipped after taking on water they were unable to get back on.Detective Sergeant Paul Overton says the incident highlights the need to check all vessels before going out on the water, and the importance of having two forms of communication and making sure lifejackets are fitted correctly.“It was great team work between all those involved and being able to respond quickly avoided a tragic outcome.”​

New drone footage of Ara Tūhono (connecting pathway) - Pūhoi to Warkworth Motorway project area is here!This footage was taken in May 2022, flying from Warkworth in the North to Pūhoi in the South.Currently scheduled to open in 2023.Enjoy!https://nx2group.com/page/10/project-photos-drone-footage-and-videosor https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=saved&v=325597206415169

An international study has found a link between the first Covid lockdown and worsening mental health for people with mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar.The study published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry questioned 997 people, with just over half of them (521) in New Zealand.Other countries taking part were Australia, Scotland, Canada, the United States and the Netherlands.Of those questioned, 40 percent reported moderate to severe depression during the lockdown in 2020.Researcher for the New Zealand part of the study and head of the department of psychological medicine at the University of Otago, Richard Porter, said those with mood disorders are vulnerable to disruptions in their circadian rhythms, the body's rhythm over a 24-hour period.He said the rhythms are disrupted if a person's social interactions are disrupted, as was the case in lockdown.''It really is a very important part of the way the body functions."''It is set mainly by light but also by all sorts of social interactions and things that happen for people at the same time each day.''Porter said while only 12 percent of participants self-reported minimal depressive feelings from Covid-19 disruption to their circadian rhythms, 20 percent reported having mild depression; 27 percent moderate depression; 21 percent moderate-to-severe depression and 18 percent severe depression."The fact that nearly 40 percent of these already vulnerable people reported their symptoms as moderate to severe raises concern.''Prof Richard Porter Photo: Supplied / Otago UniversityHe said with the potential prospect of future lockdowns, more emphasis is needed from a public health standpoint to help people with mood disorders better regulate their circadian rhythms and maintain good mental health.Porter said participants in the study reported the worst causes of Covid-19 disruption as an inability to go to work, forced isolation at home, not being able to socialise as normal, and struggling to maintain their usual eating and sleeping patterns.These factors negatively affected mental health such as their general mood, outlook on life, positivity and irritability levels.He said practical responses, such as giving those most at risk the tips, tools and strategies to allow them to better support their circadian rhythms and mental health should be a priority for health professionals delivering their care.Psychotherapy is being used to help regulate social and circadian rhythms - with participants recording meal times, social interactions, sleep and waking times, to better scaffold and regularise their activities and support circadian patterns.The use of light therapy is also being trialled, as well as the use of blue-blocking glasses before sleep to help suppress melatonin secretion.Porter said helping your body clock to stay on track during major life disruptions such as the Covid-19 pandemic may help you feel better.He has provided are some easy tips for improving the regularity of daily routines, even when nothing about your life feels regular.Set up a routine for yourself while you are in quarantine or working from home. Routines help stabilise body clocksGet up at the same time every day. A regular wake time is the most important input for stabilising your body clockMake sure you spend some time outdoors every day, especially in the early morning. Your body clock needs to "see" light in the morning to know "when" it is.If you can't go outside try to spend at least two hours next to a window, looking into the daylight, and focusing on being calm.Set times for a few regular activities each day such as home tutoring, telephone calls with a friend, or cooking. Do these activities at the same time each day

Leaders in the midwifery profession say the government doesn't seem to understand the critical situation the sector is in.New Zealand is hundreds of midwives short and there are concerns a new healthcare recruitment drive in New South Wales could make the staff shortage problem worse.On Sunday, New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet announced a $4.5 billion healthcare package, set to bring 10,000 more staff into the state over the next four years.Midwives' Union co-leader Caroline Conway says some midwives here are already heading overseas, while others are burning out."Some are simply just walking away from the job because it's so stressful because of the shortages. It's a downward spiral - you've got vacancies and shortages which put pressure on your existing workforce and then midwives get to the point where they think 'I can't do this any more,'" she explained."If they leave, then it only applies even more stress to those who stay."She believed at the very least, the government should match the pay offered in Australia and pay midwifery students while they study."If you want our health professionals to reflect the communities of New Zealand, we need to support local people to do those careers in a way that's affordable for them," she said.Conway said healthcare degrees are intensive and often don't allow students to work part-time while they study - creating a massive financial barrier for prospective staff."For many midwifery students, it's a second career option so they're not even eligible for the first year of free tertiary education. They've also just come out of full-time work but still need to support their families."The country cannot rely upon attracting international staff alone to fix chronic staff shortages, she said.New Zealand College of Midwives chief executive Alison Eddy said now's the time for the government to pull out all the stops to keep healthcare staff in the country.Better pay in Australia and uncertainly around the transition to the Health New Zealand model may prompt people to cross the Tasman, she said.New Zealand College of Midwives chief executive Alison Eddy. Photo: Supplied / NZ College of Midwives"There simply hasn't been enough attention on the midwifery workforce. It's a critical, relatively small but very specialised workforce, that we really needed to be investing in and looking strategically at how we continue grow our own New Zealand-educated midwives, many years ago," she explained.The country is already hundreds of midwives short and Eddy said we can't afford to lose any more.The sector is playing catch up after years of neglect but she believed there are some short-term solutions which can be put in place to buffer staff shortages while long-term solutions are worked on."There's a lot more that can be done around retention initiatives like issues with pay, voluntary bonding schemes and better support for student fees."Midwives have been in pay negotiations since the start of the year.

When Monty Knight was toying with the idea of growing grapes on the outskirts of Kaitaia in the 1980s, a respected wine maker gave him a piece of advice."He said to me 'Monty, it'd be better to go out the back of your property and dig a big hole and start throwing your money into it - it'd be cheaper'."Northland, with its humid climate, high rainfall and untested soils, was considered unsuitable for wine production.Monty was one of just two growers brave enough to plant grapes in the region.Monty Knight, Okahu Estate Photo: RNZ/Carol StilesHe decided to heed the advice of another wine maker who told him 'given good grapes, red wine practically makes itself,' and went on to produce the first New Zealand syrah to win a gold meal."You just have to look after them (the grapes) and every one or two years you'll have a really good crop. Sometimes you'll have failure and disaster just like potato growers or kumara growers. There's no magic formula - just do it well."Today Northland has about 40 grape growers. Nearly all of them take their fruit to Marsden Estate near Kerikeri to be transformed into wine.Its owner Rod McIvor says most of the region's vineyards are a hectare or less in size, a handful have three or four hectares in grapes and three have 12 hectares planted.In all the region has less than 100 ha in grapes."Northland is like Central Otago where you buy a block of land, you see your see a neighbours growing grapes and think that's a good idea."He says Northland may be a tiny part of the New Zealand's wine industry but it's an important part."We get a lot of tourists here and their experience of wine here will influence what they think of New Zealand wines."Rod McIvor Photo: RNZ/Carol StilesTo ensure standards are high, Rod organises a number of viticulture and wine workshops each year."We are all one brand ... so we are trying to get consistency and lift the profile and quality of the wines."It doesn't take too many bad wines to spoil the whole brand."Some of this year's grapes are spectacular, he says."We've seen some of the highest sugar rates in 30 years this year and part of that is growers doing their jobs properly and site selection."Rod believes every red variety will do well on a different site in Northland, perhaps excluding thin-skinned grapes which may split in Northland's rain.Peter Jones, The Landing Photo: RNZ/Carol StilesNorthland's chardonnay and viognier also shine, he says."There'll be varieties we haven't planted yet that will be very successful. So that's the excitement, that's the thing that keeps you going."Bay of Islands vineyard The Landing is one of only two in Northland to export wines.Its director Peter Jones says the label is selling well in Orange County, California."I think the idea of a wine from New Zealand that's not a Marlborough sauvignon blanc or a pinot noir actually really piques people's interest over there."The Landing's wine currently sells for US$50 a bottle, more in a restaurant.Vines, Northland Photo: RNZ/Carol StilesMarsden Estate, Northland Photo: RNZ/Carol StilesPietro Aloisi Photo: RNZ/Carol StilesView from The Landing Photo: RNZ/Carol Stiles

Today - Cloudy periods and a few showers. Northeasterlies easing this afternoon. High of 18 and low of 12 degrees.Tuesday - A few showers, turning to rain at night with thunderstorms possible. Northeasterlies. High of 19 and low of 13.Wednesday - Rain, possibly with thunderstorms, easing to one or two showers in the morning. Northwesterlies.High of 19 and low of 12.Thursday - Partly cloudy. A few showers possible. Northwesterlies. High of 18 and low of 11.Friday - Fine, then showers developing. Northwesterlies. High of 17 and low of 11 degrees.

A peanut growing trial in Northland is proving successful, with yields of about 2 tonnes of nuts per hectare.Nelson-based Pic's Peanut Butter sources its nuts from overseas but wants to create a viable peanut growing industry here - to make its product NZ grown and to reduce its environmental footprint.A small trial last year went well - so nine hectares were planted around Northland this season.Company owner Pic Picot said the harvest is underway and the results are looking promising."We did some exploratory plantings last year and that turned out pretty fine, we made a little bit of peanut butter out of it, but this year we've got a harvesting machine up there, and we're digging up five different plots in different areas around Northland."We're looking at getting about two tonnes of nuts per hectare, we'd like to double that, then we would be on par with what they're growing in Australia."Pic's Peanut Butter currently sources all of it's nuts from Australia and Brazil which caused some issues during the pandemic.Photo: Supplied to RNZ by Pic's Peanut Butter"Australia is having more and more trouble growing peanuts due to the weather, it's become unpredictable and Brazil is a very long way away so with the disruptions in freight its been touch and go sometimes."We're a peanut butter factory, there's not a lot we can do without peanuts," Picot said.He said they buy about $10 million worth of peanuts a year - money he would like to spend domestically."It would be great and to spend that kind of money in a place like Northland."In the long run the company would like to establish a processing factory to deshell and clean the nuts before they are sent to the Nelson factory for roasting.Picot said there is a lot of work to be done in the meantime with the peanut butter produced last season not tasting the best."I think we harvested a bit early, there is a lot to learn still but we will get there."

Queen's birthday weather isn't looking great for getting away! So enjoy the break in rain where you can!Friday - Showers, some heavy with possible thunderstorms, especially this afternoon. Northwesterlies, strong in exposed places, turning southwesterly this evening.Saturday - Partly cloudy, isolated showers. Southwesterlies dying out. Northeasterlies later. High of 18 and low of 12 degrees.Sunday - Cloudy, with showers turning to rain in the evening. Northeasterlies. High of 17 and low of 13 degrees.Monday - Rain, possibly heavy at first easing in the evening. Fresh northeasterlies. High of 18 and low of 13 degrees.

Kaipara Mayor Dr Jason Smith is seeking National party candidacy for Northland.He will not be seeking re-election as Kaipara Mayor for this year's October local government elections as a result."Earlier this year, I had indicated I expected to stand again for the Kaipara mayoralty," Smith, Northland Mayoral Forum chair said."However, the reform storm being brewed by the government grows. Three Waters, Significant Natural Areas (SNAs), Resource Management Act (RMA) and health reforms are among what's forecast to impact the lives of Northland people and radically alter our democracy," he said.Smith recently served on the government's Three Waters working party, set up to address growing nationwide councils' concerns over proposals for the restructuring's representation, governance and accountability.He said he firmly rejected what the government was proposing under Three Waters restructuring.Smith's decision to not seek re-election for the October local government elections means the tsunami of leadership change facing Northland gathering force.Far North Mayor John Carter and Whangārei Mayor Sheryl Mai will not be seeking re-election. Northland Regional Council (NRC) chair Penny Smart said she was 'undecided' about standing again, last time approached by Local Democracy Reporting Northland. (The NRC chair is selected by fellow successful councillor candidates, in contrast to district councils where candidates stand for Mayoral positions).Smith's move means there will be no incumbent mayors for the government's proposed entity A Three Waters inter-regional body coverage area. Auckland Mayor Phil Goff has also announced he will not be seeking re-election.Smith said seeking the National Party candidacy for Northland had become the best way to serve the people of Northland. The seat encompassed all of Kaipara and Far North district."If successful I would then contest the Northland electorate for the National Party in next year's general election. I want to win back the Northland seat for National and change the government," Smith said.Smith said his first job, at 21, at the European Parliament in Luxembourg, had started a lifelong interest in politics, alongside his interest in farming on the family's 600 hectare Ruawai sheep and beef farm.He said representing Kaipara people as Mayor since first being elected in 2018 had been a life's highlight.Smith said he had made his decision to head towards national-level politics earlier this week."It is important the people of Kaipara district know at the earliest moment, especially possible mayoral candidates for the council in the next term."Nominations for elected members of council close 10 weeks from now, on 12 August."I will not contest two positions at the same time and risk the cost of a by-election for the Kaipara ratepayers if I were to be successful in the candidate election process later this year," Smith said.

Close to 10 percent of Auckland bus trips are being cancelled each day due to a shortage of 270 bus drivers.A resurgence of Covid-19 cases is ripping through Auckland's bus depots and it's not just bus services; the city's commuter ferries are running on reduced frequency too.The issue has also been exacerbated by a world wide shortage of transit drivers.Auckland Transport (AT) Acting Group Manager Metro Services Darek Koper told Checkpoint the shortage meant 1400 bus trips had to be cancelled each day.AT typically operates 11,600 bus trips each day, meaning the number of cancelled trips makes up close to 10 percent of its usual workload.Koper said the organisation was aiming to avoid cancelling high frequency trips, buses on low frequency routes and the first and last bus trips of the day.Meanwhile, the top priority was keeping all school-related services running to make sure children got home and to school on time, he said.With the government currently offering half-price public transport, Koper said AT was working to reduce the effects of the shortage while keeping its system as reliable as possible."At this stage capacity is there in terms of providing service, the reliability is the key factor that people value and they want to turn up and go."So, while we're working on solving the issue we try to communicate with customers [and] help them plan their trips so they could be least affected as possible."The driver shortage was not a new issue but Covid-19 had made it more apparent."Covid really just brought the issue to the surface, we have been dealing with a bus driver shortage for quite some time," Koper said.Drivers were leaving the job for other opportunities within the transport network due to a variety of reasons including better payrates, more flexible work patterns and the rising rate of abuse towards public transport workers."[We] have been working with the Council of Trades Unions, bus operators and Waka Kotahi our co-founders to find a way we could improve the bus driver terms and conditions to make the profession more attractive."The starting wage for AT bus drivers is around $23.30 per hour, which Koper admitted was not a good rate."We're working towards $27-$30 to be competitive with the rest of the industry but we need some additional funding from our funders to enable this."AT had previously attempted to use employment bonding to retain drivers but it was found to be a barrier to employment for some.Koper hoped the Budget's $61 million package for public transport driver support would help alleviate the financial pressure of the increasing wages.Discussions were underway with central government, Auckland Council and Waka Kotahi to source additional funding to enable AT to pay drivers a more competitive wage, he said.

Amendments to Kaipara District’s Speed Limits Bylaw were unanimously passed at the May Council Meeting, resulting in new speed limits in the Mangawhai – Kaiwaka (including Hakaru) and Kaiwaka West (including Oneriri Road and Oruawharo Road) areas. The new speed limits come into effect on 13 June 2022.The speed changes are the outcome of Kaipara District Council and Northland Transportation Alliance’s (NTA) speed review, triggered by the Government’s Road to Zero National Strategy.The amendments include new speed limits for Estuary Drive and Moir Point Road in Mangawhai. It was originally proposed that they change to 50km, however after community feedback and detailed design, these will now change to 40km. This means drivers can maintain a consistent speed while in this area.Locals and visitors may have already noticed staff from NTA and their contractor, Ventia, installing new speed signs around Mangawhai and Kaiwaka. These signs will remain covered until the new speed limits come into effect.The recommendations on new speed limits were informed by 84 submissions from the community and technical assessments. The changes were confirmed by the Mangawhai and Kaiwaka Speed Limit Review Hearing Committee on 15 July 2021.Before confirming the speed changes, Council made the Statement of Proposal and technical information available to the community and promoted the opportunity to submit feedback on the Kaipara District Council website, in newspaper advertising, and direct communication to statutory consultees. Information and community drop-in sessions, attended by key staff, were held in Mangawhai, Kaiwaka, and Hakaru.You can see where speed limits are changing, and read more about the review at www.kaipara.govt.nz/speedreview

A fish tagged by researchers 20 years ago has been found in almost exactly the same spot.The tag was implanted in February 2002 by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) to track snapper stocks.The snapper. Photo: Supplied / Mr ChiltThe snapper was caught by a person known as Mr Chilt, an amateur jetski fisher, on 27 February in Patea, South Taranaki.The tag is known as a passive integrated transponder.Chilt, who recorded the find for his YouTube channel, said it was just another regular day out fishing when he made the discovery."I got to my fishing [position], dropped down the old 'ham on the bone' - that's the name of my homemade fishing lure - and began catching big snappers straight away. I released most of them back but took some snapper home with me."It wasn't until I started filleting this particular one that I saw the tag and thought 'what the fish is that?' I did a bit of research and found out that it belonged to NIWA, so I contacted them and sent them the tag for inspecting," he said.When first tagged, the fish was 49cm long and was estimated to weigh around 2.35kg.Two decades later, it was 65cm long and estimated to weigh 5.17kg.NIWA fisheries programme leader Dr Darren Parsons said recatching a tagged fish after such a long time was unusual as the tag was positioned in the gut cavity of the animal.But finding the fish in the same region where it was originally released was not a coincidence, he said."The fish has been moving over those 20 years but it follows a seasonal pattern, moving in-shore and off-shore with the seasons for spawning, because that's what a lot of snapper do."The purpose of the 2002 tagging programme was to estimate the biomass of snapper off the west coast of the North Island, with the data then given to the Ministry of Primary Industries for managing fishery stock targets.Niwa no longer tags snapper with PITs, with the 2002 programme being the last undertaken, meaning that this snapper was one of the last ever to be given a PIT tag in New Zealand.The device is the only of its type to have been reported since the early 2000s.