New Northern Motorway - Road works and road layout changes - 22nd MaySH1 northbound will be closed overnight between Silverdale and Pūhoi on Sunday 22 May from 9pm - 5am to allow for the layout change to take place. Detours via Hibiscus Coast Highway will be in placeRoad works are then further scheduled from Monday 23rd May on the Hibiscus Coast Highway linking north of Johnstones Tunnel.There will be a new road layout for traffic north of the Johnstones Hill Tunnels. Northbound traffic from Hibiscus Coast Highway will seamlessly merge onto the new motorway, travel across Arawhiti ki Ōkahu viaduct (part of new motorway) and exit at the new Pūhoi off-ramp onto Pūhoi Road.Here they will be able to turn left towards Pūhoi or right to re-join SH1 at the Pūhoi Road intersection.These road layout changes are part of a staged sequence of work to connect State Highway 1 (SH1) to the new four lane motorway currently under construction.For more information: https://nx2group.com/attachments/nx2-construction-update-april-2022.pdfFor a detailed video https://fb.watch/d6rurM4giD/

Fluoride will likely soon be added to thousands of Northlanders' drinking water - as the government moves to impose the controversial additive's inclusion in council water supplies.Compulsory fluoridation - at a cost of more than $3 million - for Whangārei, Bream Bay, Kaitāia and Kerikeri council drinking water supplies is moving closer.Ministry of Health Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield late last year wrote to Whangārei District Council (WDC) and Far North District Council (FNDC), ahead of likely issuing a "direction to fluoridate".WDC acting infrastructure manager Andrew Venmore said that letter indicated Bloomfield would consider issuing the direction to fluoridate from the middle of this year.Bloomfield wrote to WDC again on 3 May, asking how the council could speed up its efforts to fluoridate, after it initially told Bloomfield that would take three years to achieve. His correspondence also included reasons why fluoridation was to be introduced locally.The Ministry of Health move applies to all Northland council reticulated community water systems supplying 500 or more people. There are six schemes that fit that size in the North.None of Northland's 17 reticulated council water supplies are fluoridated.Councils directed to fluoridate must do so and do not need to carry out any public consultation.Fluoridating Whangārei and Bream Bay drinking water will cost WDC $2.9m. This figure was in a public WDC council briefing meeting agenda last week which included Bloomfield's 3 May letter, with attachment.Local Democracy Reporting Northland asked for FNDC's implementation cost figures. The council did not provide these.Local Democracy Reporting Northland also asked FNDC for its letter from Bloomfield, equivalent to WDC's 3 May correspondence. FNDC refused to provide this, saying it would be necessary to request this under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) which allows up to 20 working days to respond.An official information request for the FNDC information was lodged on 18 May.Councils have 40 working days, until June 29, to respond to Bloomfield's latest request for strengthened cost and timeline information.Government funding towards council fluoridation implementation is potentially available to local authorities that commence fluoridation this year.Kaipara District Council (KDC) received its late-last-year fluoridation letter from Blomfield on 16 December.Anin Nama, KDC acting general manager infrastructure services, said it had not received follow-up May correspondence. His council would seek to comply if the fluoridation directive was mandatory.KDC's Dargaville and Maungaturoto schemes both supply more than 500 people.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.Bloomfield said data showed about 57 percent of Whangārei adults had one or more teeth removed in their lifetime - due to decay, an abscess, infection or gum disease - compared with the 46 percent national average."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.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.Local Democracy Reporting Northland has been unable to get the equivalent information for FNDC.Bloomfield's move comes as decision-making on whether fluoride is added to drinking water shifts away from councils to district health boards, which from 1 July will disappear as two new national health authorities come into being.That has long been expected to centralise further with the Ministry of Health likely to take over local fluoridation decisions and a clear intention to add fluoride to councils' drinking water.Northland has one of New Zealand's lowest rates of council reticulated drinking water.Just three per cent of its about 180 marae get their drinking water in this way.Only 27 percent of Kaipara's people get their drinking water via reticulation, this figure lifting to 50 percent when combined across WDC and FNDC.These figures compare with 85 percent of people nationally.

The pressure is on for the government to ease the 'cost of living crisis' for struggling New Zealanders in today's Budget.It has already signalled climate change and the health reforms as the two big-ticket and time-sensitive items.However, budget services have told RNZ a financial hardship emergency is brewing as the winter months close in.Lee-Anne Michelle has been working at the Clutha Budget Advisory Service for more than a decade.Budgets are her bread and butter and she is used to helping those living on the margins manage their money better.But recently, she has seen a change in clientele: more households from the 'squeezed middle' seeking financial support."A new trend we've noticed is that we're seeing a lot of two-income families coming to us now who never used too."They're finding what used to work for them just isn't working anymore."Michelle said these families are not laden with debt; the basics are just taking a bigger bite out of their incomes."After they've paid their essential costs, especially with things like childcare as well, there's just nothing left."And they're trying to find ways to make their dollar stretch further."Kathryn (name changed) is among those who have sought help after high food and fuel prices put pressure on her family's weekly budget."We've basically just had to completely relook at our spending and just look at where we can save money."Just finding we're just getting to the end of every week and not having a lot of money leftover for anything."Michelle said rising financial pressure on the squeezed middle is a growing problem that will only get worse this winter."We're always approached over winter by families who fall behind with their power and get into arrears."We are worried about how these people will cope with winter with the fallout of the increased cost of living."They're already living week-to-week and have no spare money so buying or budgeting for firewood and power over winter is next to impossible."Cara Keane is seeing the same cost of living crisis working as a financial mentor at the Central Hawke's Bay Budget Service in Waipukurau."We're seeing more families than we ever would have seen before where both couples are employed and before they felt like they had everything under control."Now, there's been a flow-on effect where there's more debt and they find that they're drowning in that debt and with the cost of food going up they're having to choose what gets paid."She said some people were having to draw on their KiwiSaver funds for financial hardship reasons to keep up with debt payments."They're struggling, even just being able to manage to try to catch up with $10 or $20 a week, so the next best option is to get some of the money out of their KiwiSaver just to clear the debt and get them back on track."Statistics New Zealand reports food price inflation was 6.4 percent higher in April 2022 compared to April 2021 while petrol is now well over $3 a litre in Auckland.The government has signalled big spending on climate change and the health reforms and already boosted benefits, superannuation payments and family tax credits.However, people like Kathryn say they need more support and she is not sure it will be delivered in today's Budget."I don't really know if it will [help]. I guess we'll just have to wait and see whether it makes a difference for us or not."Budget 2022 will be released at 2pm today.

A 65-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder after a body was located in an area of the Waipoua Forest, near State Highway 12, Waimamaku, this afternoon.The body is believed to be that of Northland woman, Gaelene Bright, who was last spoken to at her home address in the early hours of 1 May.“A scene guard is currently in place in the area and Police will not be in a position to release any further details of the victim until formal identification takes place,” says Acting Detective Inspector Kevan Verry.Over the last five days, a large search operation has been conducted in the Waimamaku Region and Waipoua Forest, which has involved Police investigators, Police dogs, and civilian search and rescue teams.“The scene examination is continuing and is expected to take some time.We appreciate the patience of all those in the area.”Police are also currently conducting a scene examination at the victim’s home.This afternoon, Police have located and interviewed a 65-year-old man, who has been charged with murder.He will be appearing the Hastings District Court on May 19.Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to this matter.Acting Detective Inspector Kevan Verry says this is a tragic situation. “Our thoughts and condolences are with Ms Bright’s family during this extremely difficult time.”Police are still making enquiries into the movements of Gaelene’s vehicle, a white 2000 Holden Rodeo 4x4 with the registration number YW7634, between Northland and Te Kuiti on 3 and 4 May.Anyone who has seen this vehicle or has any information regarding it is asked to call Police on 105 quoting file number 220511/2799 or Operation Bright.Information can also be passed on anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.Police are unable to provide further information at this time as the matter is before the courts.

Kaipara District Council has voted unanimously to adopt a ten year library strategy, paving the way forward for an equitable, modern library service.  The decision to adopt the strategy was made in a Council meeting at the end of last month. The strategy provides a clear, future-focused plan to guide delivery of library services, and recognises the changing role of public libraries from its previous incarnations.Libraries are no longer just a place for books and research, but are also community hubs where people can gather for social or educational reasons, and learn about, access and/or use technology. The library strategy was made possible with support from the New Zealand Library Partnership fund.There are currently five libraries in the Kaipara District: Dargaville Library, the only library service run by paid staff, and four community libraries at Paparoa, Kaiwaka, Maungaturoto, and Mangawhai, all run by volunteers. Under the Kaipara District Council Long Term Plan Growing a better Kaipara 2021-2031, new library facilities for Mangawhai and Dargaville are planned. Council is currently in the process of determining the best location and securing land for a new, larger Council-owned and operated library in Mangawhai.As well as the new facilities in the two main centres, the adopted strategy also includes a new mobile library service to complement the physical libraries, an increased budget for library resources and additional staff, and installing publicly accessible internet and equipment for internet access across all the community libraries.The strategy was created by Sue Sutherland Consulting, experienced library professionals with a record in local and central government and libraries both in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia, as well as digital learning knowledge across a number of industries. To formulate the strategy they worked closely alongside elected members, Council staff, iwi, and the wider community. Earlier versions had been presented at two previous Council briefings, where further direction was given by Council ensuring its fit for the Kaipara District.At the meeting Kaipara District Council Chief Executive Louise Miller spoke to the work staff and Sue Sutherland Consulting had done to complete the strategy – pulling together information from previous consultations and strategic documents such as the Long Term Plan Growing a Better Kaipara 2021-2031, while recognising the need for a plan that was future forward.“What we don’t want to do is build something that is answering issues of the past, we need to answer the current issues, but also forward thinking in terms of how libraries can actually build communities and bring people together, which is really key with the environment we find ourselves in currently.”Mayor Dr Jason Smith heralded the strategy, calling it “smart and clever” and “done the Kaipara way”.“Kaipara people have needed this strategy for a very, very long time.I celebrate that we are getting on with the job adopting a Kaipara District Library Strategy fit for a new digitally-savvy era. With this we can now move forward with delivering better library services across Kaipara.”Staff will now begin work on options for budgets, implementation plans and detailed timeframes for achieving the work.Read a summary of the strategy, or read the strategy in full on the Council April meeting agenda.      

Track upgrades, hygiene stations and fences are helping in Rodney’s battle against kauri dieback.Several park tracks have re-opened, upgrade work on others is underway, with still more scheduled for next year.Eleven parks have had work carried out, Currys Bush Reserve reopening last year, Kowhai Park and Omeru Scenic Reserve upgraded, and fences protecting vulnerable kauri added at Lucy Moore Park, Mahurangi Esplanade, Martins Bay Recreation Reserve and Sesquicentennial Walkway.Rodney Local Board Deputy Chair Beth Houlbrooke hopes people see steady progress being made.“We know how important access to these tracks is, and we appreciate people’s patience as supply chain and resourcing issues hit our upgrades.“Having access to safe tracks reduces the risk of spreading kauri dieback, which is critical to protecting kauri ecosystems for future generations.”Mitigation work schedule for 2022/23Omeru Scenic Reserve hygiene stations - MayGreen Road, Dairy Flat stock-proof fencing around kauri - SeptemberParry Kauri Park western loop track upgrade - DecemberKowhai Park upper track upgrade and boardwalks - early 2023Matheson Bay Reserve track upgrade and boardwalks - early 2023Morison Scenic Reserve track closed, fencing and signage - early 2023Sesquicentennial Walkway upgrade - early 2023.The works are funded from the Natural Environment Targeted Rate, which ringfences money over 10 years to combat kauri dieback. Rodney tracks are among dozens across Auckland undergoing improvements.Find out more about what we are doing to protect our kauri trees.

Health services across the country will be reduced today as 10,000 allied healthcare workers strike for increased pay.The workers, from 70 different professions, are picketing and marching in an effort organised by the Public Service Association.Oral therapists working for community clinics, which provide free dental care for under-18-year-olds are among them.One industry trainer said he regularly warned graduates they would still have to live like poor students when they started working.New Zealand Oral Health Association executive member Sam Carrington said starting wages for graduates were often just 80 cents above minimum wage, causing most to favour the private sector."It's a no-brainer really what they decide to choose, and so this is why the service itself is under constraint at the moment," he said."It's been going on like this as long as I can remember."He said children were frequently being sent to hospital in significant pain from dental issues due to the overwhelming demand on the service.District health boards have been negotiating with the PSA for 18 months on allied health worker pay.An offer to the health workers was made last Friday following recommendations made by the Employment Relations Authority, but the PSA quickly rejected it, saying it was below their bottom line.PSA campaign organiser Will Matthews said it had been a number of years since this group of health workers took action, and it represented frustration felt across the professions."The DHBs have failed to produce a fair offer," he said."Health workers do not want to strike, it is our last resort.""After two years of shepherding this country through the Covid-19 pandemic and receiving nothing for it, these workers have had enough."DHB spokesperson and Hawke's Bay DHB chief executive spokesperson Keriana Brooking said the DHBs respected worker's right to protest, but thought the offer made on Friday was "decent.""We understand that the PSA negotiators have not put that out to their members - we would like them to do so," she said.Brooking said they were working constructively with the PSA, and looked forward to settling the dispute.But the squeeze would be felt across health services today. Brooking said a number of appointments had been rescheduled, and some services would be reduced to their 'life-preserving' minimum.She said it was difficult to predict the full effect of the strike because of the range of services performed by allied health workers.

This week's weather is not looking super hot!Monday - Mostly cloudy with a few showers, turning to rain south of Auckland City this morning. Fresh westerlies, easing this evening. High of 22 and low of 16 degrees.Tuesday - Occasional rain, mainly in the evening. Northwesterlies. High of 23 and low of 16 degrees.Wednesday - Occasional rain, becoming persistent in the evening. Northwesterlies. High of 22 and low of 16 degrees.Thursday - Showers, easing later. Fresh Northwesterlies. High of 21 and low of 14 degrees.Friday - Partly cloudy, with showers developing. Westerlies. High of 19 and low of 11 degrees.Saturday - Fine, then showers developing. Westerlies. High of 17 and low of 11 degrees.Sunday - A few showers. Southwesterlies. High of 17 and low of 11 degrees.FULL MOON is TONIGHT!We will have an updated weekend weather forecast on Friday.

Police are appealing for sightings of missing Northland woman Gaelene Bright.Gaelene, 69, was last seen in the early hours of 1 May leaving a friend’s house in Waimamaku.Police were first notified that Gaelene was missing earlier this week and we have since established that her vehicle was in the Te Kuiti area on May 4th.The vehicle is a white 2000 Holden Rodeo 4x4 with the registration number YW7634.The vehicle is a double cab well side with a black tonneau cover has since been located by Police just south of Te Kuiti yesterday.We would like to hear from anyone who may have seen this vehicle (photo of vehicle attached) between May 1st and May 5th.Police have serious concerns for Gaelene’s safety and are urging anyone with information on her whereabouts to come forward and contact Police.Anyone who has seen her vehicle or has any information on her whereabouts is asked to call Police on 105 quoting file number 220511/2799.Information can also be passed on anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Matakana Link Road progress update - 11 May 2022Auckland Transport (AT) continues to work with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to improve transport connections between Matakana and State Highway 1 (SH1) - to support significant population growth and to improve transport in Warkworth.The 1.35km Matakana Link Road, currently under construction, will provide motorists, cyclists and walkers with a direct route to Matakana Road from SH1 just north of Warkworth, which, together with Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth, is expected to halve congestion at the Hill Street intersection.Shane Ellison, AT’s Chief Executive, says the opening is looking like 2023 - as the work is being constructed in two parts.“Matakana Link Road will fully open to the public when the full component of work is completed in 2023,” says Shane Ellison, AT’s Chief Executive.“It’s being constructed in two parts by two partners – AT and Waka Kotahi. AT’s component of Matakana Link Road is likely to be completed before Waka Kotahi’s SH1 extension works that also includes the existing SH1-Matakana Link Road connection.”“The point where Matakana Link Road and State Highway 1 join up is a complicated piece of infrastructure and engineering. Even if the SH1/Matakana Link Rd intersection works were completed before the new motorway opens, I’m told that opening up Matakana Link Road to the public before Ara Tuhono – Puhoi to Warkworth was completed would introduce a significant amount of new traffic and congestion at peak times to SH1, north of Hudson Rd, which would still be under construction.”The Matakana Link Road project is funded with $30.5 million from AT and $31.7 million from Waka Kotahi. It involves constructing a four-lane bridge, three wetlands, walking and off-road cycling facilities; and urban design and landscaping elements. The project also requires a coordinated approach with utility companies and adjacent development contractors.Wellsford-based Wharehine Construction is contracted by AT to build the majority of the road from east of SH1 to Matakana Road, and Waka Kotahi contractors are constructing the SH1 intersection.Construction is progressing at pace and the roundabout on the eastern end of works at Matakana Road will be opened for through traffic later in the year, while works continue on the remainder of the site.Road pavement layers continue to be laid, cycleways and footpaths constructed, and services and barriers installed.“Together we look forward to opening an impressive array of new transport infrastructure that’s fit for purpose now, and for the future,” Mr Ellison says.

The Hub will feature 137 car parks, two bus stops and other facilities It is expected to open by mid-2022Construction of a new park-and-ride facility in Warkworth is leaping ahead with the installation of a long line of piles for the interior walkway and a clear outline of the area visible by emerging kerb and channel works.The Warkworth Community Transport Hub at 80 Great North Road is being delivered by Auckland Transport on behalf of the Rodney Local Board and is funded by the Rodney Transport Targeted Rate.It will feature 137 car parks, a bus layover, two bus stops, footpaths, a toilet block, bike parking, lighting and CCTV.A signal-controlled crossing and the northbound bus stop on Great North Road have been completed, and construction of the southbound bus stop is now underway.The Rodney Transport Targeted Rate was introduced by Auckland Council in 2018 after extensive community consultation. The $150 per annum rateable property charge is projected to raise $46 million over 10 years to pay for new bus services and bus stops, park-and-ride facilities, and footpaths.Rodney Local Board Deputy Chair Beth Houlbrooke says it’s great to see the transport hub taking shape.“I’m looking forward to seeing the community utilise the area when using public transport services, in turn freeing up parks in Warkworth village for shoppers and business visitors,” she said.“Plus, there’ll be extra parking for locals attending events at the Warkworth Showgrounds, accessed via a timber bridge and dedicated walkway.“Construction is progressing nicely, and the Rodney Local Board expects to open the new facility for locals mid-2022.”

Your Weekend Weather:MetService is forecasting a change in the weather this weekend as a frontal system pushes across the country...Saturday: Cloud increasing, a few showers developing in the morning. Southwesterlies. High of 19, low of 13.Sunday: Cloudy periods, scattered rain for a time. Westerlies. High of 21 and low of 15.

Incase you missed the memo Bonus Bonds is no longer. Since August 2020, ANZ bank stopped accepting new investment in the bond scheme.Numerous messages and advertisements have been sent out to bond holders letting them know they need to cash in their bonds; by contacting ANZ Bonus Bonds and giving them your current bank account details. Apparently, the message hasn’t gotten through to everyone as over $800 million still needs to find its home!!!So, if you haven’t already redeemed your Bonus Bonds you may want to! Who knows you may have a pot of money sitting there that you have forgotten about? Or perhaps an account was set up by a relative when you were born, that you don’t know exists. Start the conversation with your family now!Get in touch with ANZ Bonus Bonds 0800 266 374https://bonusbonds.co.nz/index.html

One Mahurangi Business Association last night hosted a thank-you dinner acknowledging the hard work and dedication from our local EMERGENCY services over what was an extremely busy summer period (and in fact the year!).The thank-you encompassed staff and volunteers from Fire departments in Warkworth, Snell’s beach, Matakana, and Leigh; as well as local Police; St John’s; Coastguard; and Surf Lifesaving.The evening included food and beverages, 100% provided by our local businesses.As well as music and entertainment which included Dianne Morgan and the Jade River Ukes, and Lou Lou.Community volunteers prepared, served, and cleaned up, as a way to say thank you.The night was a great success; it was well attended; dancing was had, and merriment was achieved! It was a wonderful community event orchestrated by Murray Chapman of One Mahurangi Business Association and it's many sponsors. Local people coming together, chipping in to acknowledge all the hard work our emergency services do! Hopefully it will become an annual event!Sponsors of the event included:Carlton Party HireSawmillMahurangi River WineryBayleysComposite JoineryAldo’s8 WiredBarfoot & ThompsonMahurangi MattersWarkworth Town HallITM WarkworthAqua WorksHeron’s FlightDixon StainlessGaby’sChocolate BrownPuhoi ValleyStihl Shop WarkworthSource KitchenPlume CollectionECM SignsCountdown WarkworthNew World WarkworthBrick BayStirling SportsSummersetWarehouse StationaryViet Q FoodsLee FishRSA WarkworthMonaghansNgati Manuhiri Settlement TrustSavanInsite SecurityGolden Boat Fast FoodsAsahi Japanese CuisinePacific LinenCharlies GelatoBam BooBridgehouse Lodge WarkworthBam’s BakerySalt Water Work ShopWarkworth HotelCafé QJade River Oyster FarmsThe Photo StoreFresh Café One Mahurangi Business Association invited the community to share their messages of gratitude for our emergency services. Here are just a few thank you notes from the community. The rest can be read here https://onemahurangi.co.nz/emergency-services-dinner/ “We have quite a number of current & past employees who are members of the local volunteer Fire Service. As a Company we are very proud of their tireless volunteer work in our community and aware of the sacrifices they make in volunteering their time and energy to help others. We are aware of how much this can impact on their personal and work lives and wish to pass on our gratitude and congratulations for their selfless volunteer work.”Warwick Rhodes Contractors t/a Rhodes for Roads “Where would we be without you?”Rachel & Gareth from The Tahi Bar “Over the last few years I have been helped by, worked with, made friends with a lot of the wonderful people in our local emergency services. In every interaction they have been, without question, kind, caring, compassionate and above all passionate about what they do. We are very blessed to have them in our community.”Brent Harbour“As you can well imagine, a retirement village has more than its fair share of emergency callouts. We have regular visits from St John ambulance, often multiple times a day. The care and empathy shown to our residents by the paramedics is always exceptional. The communication by the call centre staff is amazing and they manage to keep residents (and staff) calm while waiting for the ambulance to turn up to look after them. Just knowing that the emergency services are available and close by is comforting for all our residents so from us all at Summerset Falls – a huge thank you for everything you do for us.”Summerset Falls Retirement Village 

Northshore commuters now have access to congestion free travel to and from the city, as far north as Albany, thanks to the completion of the latest Northern Busway extension which was opened today by the Minister of Transport, Michael Wood.The four year project has delivered an additional five kilometres of separated, two-way lanes for buses, adjacent to the Northern Motorway (SH1) and a $23 million upgrade of Constellation Station.“The Government is committed to delivering public transport that is convenient, reliable and cost-effective. Thanks to the extension, commuters will now experience quicker, improved bus journeys during peak travel times,” said Michael Wood.“The efficient and effective movement of people and goods is crucial to our economic recovery. That’s why we are investing a record $24.3 billion into transport services and infrastructure over the next three years – a 44 per cent increase compared to the last three years and 75 per cent more than the previous government.“The success of the Northern Busway, which clocked eight million trips in its first 10 years, is proof that when we build a rapid public transport system that meets the needs of the community, there will always be the demand to use it.“Climate change is the most significant factor influencing the land transport system over the next decade. If we want to tackle climate change, we need to move people out of their cars and into other modes like public transport and walking and cycling. The actions and decisions that we make now for the transport system will help shape the future.“The northern busway extension is an important part of our broader plan to future proof Auckland with a high quality, linked up mass transit system, which includes a range of projects such as the Eastern busway, Auckland Light Rail, and the Alternative Waitemata Harbour crossing,” said Michael Wood.The extension and upgrades are part of the wider of Northern Corridor Improvements project. The project also includes completion of the Western Ring Route which will support people and goods to easily travel around the region using direct SH1 and SH18 connections. More than 7km of walking and cycling paths with local road and park connections are included. This work is planned to be completed in 2023.

A dead possum has been found on Aotea / Great Barrier Island - home to many protected species including pāteke and tāiko.It is the first time the pest has been found on the possum-free island since 2016.Department of Conservation operations manager Kirsty Prior said it was found on the road at Whangaparapara last month by a local.The discovery would be taken very seriously, she said."Possums have never been established on Aotea / Great Barrier Island and as a significant ecological pest in New Zealand, it is important that we ensure they are not able to set up home," DOC Operations Manager Kirsty Prior said."The necropsy, completed by Massey University, indicated the possum had died from gunshot wounds and we think it is unlikely that a local resident would shoot a possum and leave it unreported on the road. These kinds of incidences are usually associated with deliberate mischief or washing up from a distant site."There is no information to suggest there are other possum on the island and no further possum signs such as droppings, browse or scratch marks have been found, Prior said."Great Barrier Island is home to many protected species such as tāiko/black petrel, brown teal/pāteke, and other endemic species such as kakariki/red crowned parakeet and miromiro/tomtit."Any new establishment of a pest or predator would have a significant impact on the wildlife on the island, and mana whenua, the local community, DOC and Auckland Council are committed to ensuring we prevent this."Anyone who sees an unwanted pest on Aotea is encouraged to call 0800 DOC HOT.

A marker that could help identify babies at a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been discovered by Sydney researchers.The study conducted by The Children's Hospital Westmead confirmed what had long been suspected - that SIDS victims were unable to wake themselves up - but it went one step further by providing the why.The enzyme butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) plays a major role in the "brain's arousal pathway" and was found at "significantly lower" levels in babies who die of SIDS."Babies have a very powerful mechanism to let us know when they are not happy," lead researcher and Honorary Research Fellow Dr Carmel Harrington said."Usually, if a baby is confronted with a life-threatening situation, such as difficulty breathing during sleep because they're on their tummies, they will arouse and cry out."What this research shows is that some babies don't have this same robust arousal response."Now that we know that BChE is involved, we can begin to change the outcome for these babies and make SIDS a thing of the past."Public health campaigns focusing on safe sleeping, overheating and maternal smoking during a baby's first three months have reduced the incidence of SIDS.However, the children's hospital says death rates remain high."There is this perception that SIDS isn't a problem anymore or that the problem can be solved if all babies had the correct sleep conditions, but two children still die from SIDS in Australia every week," said Professor Karen Waters, the head of the children's hospital SIDS and Sleep Apnoea Research Group.It is hoped the finding could lead to the development of a screening test in a few years' time.Hailed as a "game-changer" to "every parent's worst nightmare", the discovery of BChE also provides answers to parents, like Dr Harrington, whose healthy babies died "on their watch"."These families can now live with the knowledge that this was not their fault," she said."My son, Damien, died suddenly and unexpectedly one night. It took me about two years before I could really take a breath again, and at that point, I thought I actually want to find out why he died."Nobody could tell me. They just said it's a tragedy. But it was a tragedy that didn't sit well with my scientific brain."That was 29 years ago.Since then, Dr Harrington has dedicated her life to finding answers and funding, which has also involved setting up the crowdfunding [campaign Damien's Legacy in honour of her "beautiful little boy".The study, published in The Lancet, analysed dried blood spots taken as part of the Newborn Screening Program.The blood was analysed after deaths from SIDS and other causes, and each one was compared to 10 surviving infants.Attention will now focus on using the findings to develop targeted interventions."This is the gift that I feel I got for Mother's Day because the timing of this is really peculiar to me, that it's coming on Mother's Day," Dr Harrington said."This gives us a focus for our future research. So there's quite a lot to be done. We need to understand the system better … We know what we have to do. It's just actually getting the funding for it."

Here's our weather forecast for this week:Today and Tuesday look a bit iffy, but pretty good the rest of the weekMonday: Often cloudy. Isolated showers developing this morning, becoming widespread later this afternoon, some possibly heavy. Northwest breezes.Tuesday: A few showers, mainly morning and evening. Southwesterlies change southeast in the evening.Wednesday: Fine with southeasterlies.Thursday: Fine with southerlies.Friday: Fine with southerlies.

The Auckland Council has released their decision to refuse the proposal to extract sand from the coastal marine area off-shore at Pakiri. This is a massive win for the many groups that oppose sand mining in Pakiri and Mangawhai beaches. Some of the supporting organisations included Save our Sand Mangawhai Pakiri (SOS), Kaipara District Council, Greenpeace, the Endangered Species Organisation, Fairy Tern Trust, Surf Riders Association and Te Whānau o Pakiri.A statement released from Save our Sand Mangawhai Pakiri facebook page says “This two year campaign has taken a huge amount of good work done by a huge amount of good people. From the thousands who put in submissions and signed petitions, to financial contributions, coastal process specialists, to vessel spotters, Fairy Tern costume wearers, media pluggers, expert lawyers, local iwi, enthusiastic locals and receptive organisations we want to say thank-you.We also want to take the time to thank the commissioners for their work and for making the right decision and upholding the precautionary approach and cultural heritage of the area.Future battles still await, two more consent applications for the Near Shore and Mid Shore also need to be stopped, these are even more environmentally contentious and directly damaging to the beach. Saying that, momentum is a great thing, and a precedent has now been set.” For an in-depth look at sand mining:https://friendsofpakiribeach.org.nz/ https://www.endangeredspecies.org.nz/post/off-shore-sand-mining-application-at-pakiri-declined