This week, the Rodney local board released the 2020 local board plan, a strategic three-year plan developed in consultation with the community. Local board plans set out the direction for the region and reflect community aspirations and priorities. In the 2020 plan, there were five main outcomes that the community and local board deemed the most important.Outcome one: Safe, improved transport options connect our communities Public transport options are few. Many of our communities lack adequate footpaths or safe places to walk beside roads. Residents must often rely on private vehicles, yet more than 650km of our roads are unsealed. Residents face traffic congestion across Rodney, including in fast-growing areas. To help address our transport issues, the board consulted on a transport targeted rate just for Rodney in the last local board plan. A significant number of our community supported it, and that funding is now delivering on key transport initiatives.Over the next three years, the board will push for improved bus services across Rodney and complete the planned park-and-ride in and Warkworth. They will advocate strongly for better road maintenance, particularly on unsealed roads. Auckland Transport’s new Unsealed Roads Improvement Programme will use its $121m budget in new ways to improve the safety and integrity of our unsealed roads.Outcome two: Our natural environment is healthy and protected It is important that we have good water quality in our streams, rivers and harbours. The board plans to improve water quality in our waterways and reduce the effects of climate change by restoring freshwater ecosystems through riparian fencing and planting, sediment reduction, delivering benefits such as flood mitigation, habitat for native biodiversity, and carbon sequestration To ensure that our natural environment is clean and healthy with thriving ecosystems, the plan outlines ways to improve our local biodiversity and natural environment by partnering with mana whenua and supporting community groups and schools, and by advocating for regional and national funding to eradicate pest plants, animals, and pathogens and to carry out restoration work .Outcome three: Infrastructure and development meets the needs of our growing communities  The Rodney Local Board area experienced the second highest growth rate of any local board between 2013 and 2018, growing 21 per cent. This was significantly higher than the Auckland-wide rate of 11 per cent. Rapid growth will continue in Rodney over the coming decades. With this in mind, it is vital to make sure that our villages and towns retain their individual character and heritage aspects, and development is sympathetic to the natural and existing built environment. In order to do this, the Rodney local board has said that they will advocate for improved design standards for roading, cycling and pedestrian networks in subdivisions in countryside living zones, rural and coastal towns, that reflect the character and needs of the local area. Outcome four: Our communities are resilient and have access to what they need Our communities are strong and resilient, and to keep this going after what was a hard year for many, the board has said it will: Support communities to deliver community projects and events, and to work collaboratively with council and other key stakeholders Develop partnerships and projects with mana whenua that respond to and further their aspirations Ensure strategically located halls and community centres can be used by our communities in times of difficulty Advocate for reliable, fast and affordable broadband connections for all our communities Outcome five: Our local parks and recreation facilities meet the needs of our growing community Our regional parks provide great recreation opportunities and meet the needs of our communities and visitors. The board will advocate for more investment in regional parks in our local board area to meet the pressures of growth and tourism. The environment and ecology of our parks are well cared for, and the board will continue to support volunteers working on weed and pest control and other restoration work in our parks, reserves and public land. Local board funding is approved through the council’s budget-setting process. This involves the council’s governing body adopting a 10-year budget every three years and an annual budget every year. Updated financial information and levels of service will be adopted as part of the long-term plan in June 2021. 

Warkworth Library is getting in the Christmas spirit, with plenty of festive activities planned for the month of December.Every day from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. there will be free Christmas craft sessions for everybody all ages who wants to join in and get creative. You will get the chance to create advent calendars, flax stars, Christmas themed bookmarks, and plenty of Yuletide decorations. On Monday the 14th of December, there will be an extra special Santa story time, with some magical stories and songs. Santa himself is even planning to stop by for a visit. So. make sure those wish lists are ready to go!On Thursday the 17th of December, Christmas traditions from around the world will be explored. This event is perfect for anyone new to Aotearoa, or even just new to the Warkworth area, as it is an opportunity to meet new people and share your own Christmas traditions. Bring a Christmas treat to share for morning tea. Children of all ages are welcome.With the summer holidays fast approaching, Warkworth Library has plenty of activities and events happening to get the kids out of the house and keep them entertained.

The Foundation Gallery and Arts Hub in Leigh opened around a year ago, and has since created an awesome space for kids and adults alike to unleash their creativity. Foundation is a place that provides an educational opportunity for everyone, artists, enthusiasts, amateurs and most particularly local children, to enhance learning and engage in positive individual and collaborative works that strengthen the community spirit of Leigh and its surrounding areas. Now, the Foundation is asking this community for help fundraising so that these opportunities remain.A Water tank designed and painted by local school studentsThe money raised will assist them continuing what they have largely funded privately, helping with development of the two-year teaching program, buying materials, accessing much needed help on larger scale projects, restoring their bumble bee window and generally lightening the load.As for many small businesses, 2020 has been a very uncertain year for the Foundation Gallery and Arts Hub. Funding assistance will help ensure that they are able to continue and develop.“We believe that our programme offers many positive benefits to a wide range of people and it would be a very great shame if we were unable to carry on.”If you wish to support the Foundation Gallery and Arts Hub, visit their Gofundme page here. To see what classes they have on offer, and some of the incredible work produced, visit https://www.facebook.com/foundationartsnz

From yesterday, Tuesday the 1st of December, the summer dog rules for Auckland beaches came into effect. Time and season laws are placed over busy periods in public places to avoid conflict between dogs and people in these places. Between December 1st, 2020 and March 1st, 2021, dogs will be prohibited on public beaches from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. In the hours outside these times, local boards or council decide where access is permitted. For example, a local board may decide that a beach is off-leash outside the hours from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.Dog owners will need to familiarise themselves with the summer rules. Search the council website to find a dog walking spot near you and the rules for dogs in that area or call 09 301 0101.However, in areas where there are sensitive species such as dotterels, the rules are subject to change. For example, on the northern end of Omaha Beach, including Omaha Beach Reserve and the adjacent beach and foreshore areas, dogs are prohibited at all times, regardless of the season. Failure to meet these terms can result in an infringement notice, and a $300.00 fine.Dog owners in Auckland copped 197 infringement notices from the council between November 1 2019 and January 8 2020, the council has said.Dogs must be on-leash at all times in areas that are:public roads (including any street, highway, access way, service lane, and any footpath, cycle track, bus stop and berm within the boundaries of the road).private wayscouncil-controlled boating areas (including any wharf, jetty, boat ramp or boat marshalling area). So, head out and enjoy the sun with your pooch, but adhere to the rules to avoid a hefty fine. If you want to double check the rules on your local beach, visit https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/dogs-animals/guide-for-dog-owners/Pages/rules-dogs-public-places.aspx

Police are asking witnesses to the fatal crash in Warkworth on Sunday the 22nd of November to provide them with any information that may help them piece together the circumstances.The crash resulted in the death of local man, Christian Herbulot, after his car had come down Neville street and over the roundabout before becoming airborne over the playground and crashing into the Mahurangi river.Several people jumped into the river and attempted to rescue Christian, but the driver’s door of the car was stuck in the mud.Detective Senior Sergeant Nick Salter said police would like to hear from anyone that saw a Toyota Isis prior to the incident in the area or anyone who may have tried to assist Herbulot once he was in the river.Anyone with information can contact police on 105 and quote the file number 201122/1639.The investigation into the circumstances of the crash is ongoing.

FridayBeatroots, The Matakana Village Pub, 5:00 p.m.All summer long every weekend Fridays and Saturdays.Live music is back at The Matakana Village Pub, introducing a great selection of DJs, bands and musicians to crank your weekend across all styles including beats, roots, rock and summer vibes. It's your place for live music this summer.SaturdaySmoke on the Coast, Whangateau Holiday Park, 9:00 a.m. 35 Teams will battle off for the honour of being named barbequing 'Grand Champion' by preparing and cooking over wood or charcoal seven categories of meat/protein. Plus, you can see the final round of the inaugural NZ Steak Cook-off association to decide the winner of SCA NZ 2020. Both the actual cooking and judging will be open to the public. Teams are competing for a minimum cash pool of $8,000.00 plus extra prizes from very generous sponsors.White Chapel Jak Rescheduled, The Leigh Sawmill Cafe, 6:00 p.m.It’s time to celebrate the return of White Chapel Jak, who kick-off their “Return of the Jak - Here’s to us Nu Zuland!” live music tour. All tickets purchased for the 5th September will be automatically transferred to 5th December.The Dirty Happys, The Tahi Bar + Kitchen, 7:00 p.m.Head along to the Tahi for a great night of vibey, groovy music. New local band The Dirtys Happy's cover lots of bands adding their reggae marinade and soul sauce to them all. Some you might expect, some you might not! Sunday   Pakiri School Christmas Movie Fundraiser, Matakana Cinemas, 4:00 p.m.Help celebrate 30 years of the classic family holiday movie, Home Alone, and raise money for Pakiri School. Buy tickets through Matakana Cinemas.Adult $25 (includes a drink).Children $20 (includes an ice cream).Sunday in the Park Christmas work day, Tawharanui Regional Park, 9:00 a.m.Head along to Tawharanui Regional park this Sunday to help out with a range of activities and tasks which will be advised on the day. A lovely BBQ meal is offered after the work - vegetarian options provided. This is a good chance to socialise with other TOSSI members and there will be some Christmas frivolity! Ho, ho, ho...Wear old clothes, gumboots/sturdy shoes and gardening/work gloves.Omaha Half Marathon, Omaha Beach, 7:30 a.m.The Omaha Half Marathon will take you on a PB-making flat, fast and beautiful tour of Omaha Beach and Point Wells. Visit one of NZ’s most stunning white sand beaches, just 45 mins from the city.The DeSotos, Leigh Sawmill Cafe, 5:30 p.m.The DeSotos are excited to announce a return show performing their heartland Americana and country blues at the legendary Leigh Sawmill Cafe.

A Sandspit property is currently the subject of local controversy, after landowners were granted consent to remove upwards of 20 mature native trees in a significant ecological area, to make way for a new private dwelling.Despite objection from the community, a range of mature species, including, but not limited to kauri, tairare, puriri and rimu and kahikatea were cut down on Monday November 23rd, to create an accessway for a new building. Under normal circumstances, the controlled activity standard (E15.6.5), allows for up to 300m2 of vegetation removal within a significant ecological area for the construction of a building and access for one dwelling. In this case, a total 1330m2 of vegetation removal was proposedIn 2019, the resource consent for this project was denied, as the property could be accessed by an existing right of way, and given this suitable access there was no need to embark on a project that would result in the significant loss of indigenous forest and habitat for fauna. The 2019 attempt for consent by this property owner was opposed by a neighbour, who had help in getting the consent declined. The Tree Council, a long-standing non-profit organisation that exists to protect, conserve and improve the tree cover in the Auckland region supported the neighbour’s opposition. Member of the Tree Council, Dr Mels Barton, has said that after the consent was denied, “the property owners applied again, slightly changing the alignment and the consent was approved non-notified. In addition to the total destruction of everything for a driveway through a significant ecological area they didn't need, it is guaranteed to introduce kauri dieback in a healthy kauri ecosystem. We are really sorry at the outcome and wish there were more we could have done to prevent it.”This forest was also noted to be habitat for a number of native birds, lizards and a potential habitat for roosting bats.After the council acknowledged the significant damage this project would have on the environment in 2019, the public have been left asking why it is being allowed now. A discussion on a Warkworth community Facebook page had to be taken down, as the argument got out of hand. There have been reports from interested parties (viewing the area in which the trees have been felled from the public road) that they have been verbally abused by the owners of the property.Gavin Donaldson, Council’s Senior Arborist assessed the proposal in 2019 with regards to the effects on the remnant trees and vegetation. Mr. Donaldson said: “In my assessment the adverse effects upon retained trees from the removal of the trees and vegetation for the proposed driveway and the associated excavations and construction of retaining walls for the proposed driveway are likely to be long-term and more than minor.“It is further noted that the ecological and arboricultural effects from the vegetation removal and earthworks are not limited to the site, and will have wider reaching effects on the vegetation on neighbouring sites, and the wider forest area.”Although the removal of trees is happening on a privately owned block of land, this has the potential to become a much wider problem. 

An Omaha Beach resident is issuing a warning to local dog owners after her 16-week-old puppy sadly passed away after ingesting something toxic while walking on the beach. Jenny Barclay took her pup for an afternoon walk at around 4:00 p.m. along the southern end of Omaha beach. They then went around the duck pond to the quarry and back along the beach. The puppy ate dinner at 6:00 p.m., but then vomited at 7:00 p.m.By midnight the same night, she had to be put on full life support. “We put her to sleep at 3.00 a.m. after cycles of CPR. She had neuro toxic shock. Everything is pointing to something she picked up on the beach. Being a pup, she did pick up shells and sometimes a bit of seaweed. I thought I was careful in keeping her in the low tide area and I have seen no slugs. But there is something very nasty out there. We do not know if it was a slug, bait or some other poison. We are absolutely gutted at her loss and don’t want this to happen to any other dog,” said Jenny.This sad news comes after reports of toxic sea slugs on both Takapuna and Orewa beaches. In 2013, eggs laid by toxic sea slugs, and their sacs, were suspected to be the cause of seizures suffered by dogs walking on Auckland beaches. Both the slugs and sacs contain tetrodotoxin, the poison found in puffer fish, which was found in high concentrations on beaches in Auckland and Coromandel.This summer, people need to be aware of sea slugs and treat them with the same caution they would stingrays and jellyfish. Symptoms of poisoning include numbness and tingling around the mouth. Nausea and paralysis can also occur. Anyone touching them should immediately wash their hands thoroughly and seek medical advice.If a dog is showing symptoms of poisoning, they should be taken to a vet. However, if they havecome into contact with the toxic sea slugs there is not much that can be done, as sadly, the deaths tend to happen very quickly.

After a year of pandemic induced stress, organisers of the first ever Big Buzz Festival just want to provide a positive, fun, constructive event where the community can come together. The festival will be held on the 14th of February, 2021, at Matakana Primary School, and it is not one to miss. The aim is to raise the awareness of bees and their vital role in pollination.It is a free-entry, family-friendly, country fair in Matakana with stalls of all things bees, food vendors, live entertainment, music, talks and workshops, children's activities and much more. It will feature local bands, local products and bring in lots of people from outside the community, boosting local business, as well as involving 500 children from local schools, and their bee-related projects.After a brief hiccup with financing, the community has stepped up, and organisers couldn’t be more thankful. Mahurangi Trading Post has generously provided some funding, and Charlies Gelato Garden has donated some of their delicious honey gelato to give out to hungry festival attendees. “Community response has been amazing, and we have had some incredible people and businesses offering funds and products. It is really great to see people coming on board, and it shows how amazing the community of Matakana is,” said co-organiser Isabella Sullivan. The budget is still tight, so organisers are coming up with creative solutions to problems that arise. “Our aim is to surpass expectations, and it's taking a lot of planning, but we’re very excited about the festival.”The Big Buzz Festival is currently looking for volunteers to help out on the day. Isabella has plenty of background with volunteer management, so she knows how to get everything running smoothly. “We need an army of volunteers, and right now we have around half the number we need.”Volunteers will only be working in two-hour shifts, and will be paired up with a partner, so it’s a great opportunity for you and a friend to help out. Not only do you get the pleasure of contributing to this awesome event, you also get a snazzy yellow shirt to take home. If you are willing to spare a couple of hours of your time, register to volunteer here. The festival is going to be a wonderful day out for everyone, with activities organised for all ages. For the little ones, there will be a human sized beehive, full of interactive elements and information, along with the Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre’s sensory pod to keep them entertained and educated. For the adults, there will be live music all day, food trucks and stalls, workshops and talks, including a ‘Cooking With Honey Masterclass’ hosted by a Michelin star chef! The Big Buzz Festival is looking for all the help they can get, so if you are keen to volunteer or donate some funds, get in contact via their website, https://www.thebigbuzz.nz/

With Christmas officially less than a month away, now is time to start getting organised and stashing away gifts. After a tough year, we all understand the importance of buying locally and contributing to the community. Luckily, on the Matakana Coast it's not hard to find heaps of incredible gift ideas right here. While it may seem convenient to buy everything online, shopping locally puts money back into the regional economy, you don't have to stress about shipping delays, and you’ll find a unique gift that your friends or family can treasure. This week, local Christmas markets are starting to sell their wares; a perfect opportunity to get everything sorted early. The Kaipara Flats Christmas markets are on tonight, Thursday the 26th of November, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Kaipara Flats Sports Club. There will be over 55 stores selling everything from artwork to clothing. Be sure to check it out.The Puhoi Pub will play host to a Christmas market on Sunday 29th of November, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There will be two fabulous bands playing, along with delicious food and drinks you can munch and sip on while you peruse the stalls for the perfect gift for that special someone. On Sunday the 6th of December, it’s Warkworth’s turn to shop. Their Christmas market will be at the Warkworth Town Hall from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There will be toys, jewelry and candles along with a lot more, all made by talented local artisans. Santa is also planning to pop by for a visit, so prepare your Christmas wish list.In the lead up to the festive season the Matakana App will be posting local gift guides, so check back to see what some of our incredible local businesses have to offer. 

Police have released the name of the man who died in the car crash in Warkworth on Sunday evening.The man was Warkworth local Christian Herbulot, aged 55.Police were called to the scene just after 5:00 p.m. on Sunday November 22nd, but tragically, by the time they managed to get into the car, they found the sole occupant deceased. Thankfully, no bystanders were harmed. The car had come down Neville street and over the roundabout before becoming airborne over the playground and crashing into the Mahurangi river. The circumstances of the crash are still being investigated. 

The coastguard are reminding people to brush up on their water safety skills as we head into summer.Last weekend the coastguard was called to help two boaties who had departed Mangawhai on a 4m boat at 6:00 a.m. Sunday morning and planned to head to the Hen and Chicken Islands before returning at 2:00 p.m. The alarm was raised some hours later when the pair had failed to return, and neither was answering their mobile phones.It appeared the vessel had run into mechanical difficulty, a common theme as we head into summer with many boats having sat around for the winter months. “It’s great that they told someone where they were going and when they planned to be back but with limited or no communications with them, they were unable to raise the alarm when they found themselves with no way to get home, or help rescuers to narrow the search area quickly”, says Coastguard Duty Officer Nico Dooderman.“We can’t stress enough the importance of carrying two forms of waterproof communications with you when you head out on the water and to log a trip report with Coastguard Radio. It’s quick and easy to do via the coastguard app. If you’ve been putting it off, now is the time to get your boat serviced before heading out to enjoy the water this summer” said Jo Norgrove, rescue vessel skipper. As well as making sure you have adequate ways of communicating, here are some other things to get on top of before getting out there this summer:Safe enjoyable boating means taking and wearing your lifejackets as the unexpected can happen so quickly.Check your batteries and get your engine serviced. Time spent now could save you headaches later. A few quick checks and some basic maintenance, such as replacing old fuel, can make all the difference to the outcome on the water.Get a VHF callsign and check your details are correct. A VHF callsign is a unique identifier that holds key information about your vessel and emergency contact. It’s used in an emergency and also when logging a trip report or bar crossing.It’s vital that you obtain a weather forecast, understand what effect it will have and continue to monitor the weather while you are out on the water.Most drowning in boating accidents involve craft under six metres. Everyone on board boats under six metres should wear a lifejacket.

Tomorrow night, our local Warkworth freight business, Transcon, will be holding a networking event for local businesses at the Sawmill Brewery and Smoko Room.The event, ‘After 5’s with Transcon’ will give local businesses the chance to get to know one another and put their business names out there. It will run on Wednesday, November 25th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Sawmill Brewery, another independently owned business run by a small and talented team.Transcon has a strong local focus, and with their 17+ strong fleet and experienced staff they pride themselves on their systems and ability to partner with customers. As a local business, their aim is to support customers to grow their businesses through the provision of general and specialised freight transport services.With such a strong focus on growing the community, region and local businesses, this event is a great opportunity for business owners to introduce themselves to one another. 

TuesdaySpeed Limit Changes Drop In Session, Warkworth Masonic Hall, 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.Head along and meet the project team in person to discuss the proposed speed limit changes to 26 roads in the west and north of Auckland. Just turn up any time during the drop-in sessions and the team will be there to answer any questions you may have. Visit our website for more information: https://bit.ly/32tLiIRThursdayOpen Mic Night, Matakana Village Pub, 6:30 p.m.Matakana, you have time to dust off your instruments or brush up on a few new songs, or you may have a hidden talent to reveal at the last open mic night of the year. All welcome to join in with the house band and regulars or simply relax and enjoy the wealth of local talent, musicians and performers. C'mon Matakana... It's your place to show us your talent!Kaipara Flats Christmas Market, Kaipara Flats Sports Club, 4:00 p.m. Now is a great time to get ahead and get your Christmas presents sorted. Head along for a fun night of stalls, food, raffles and drinks. All proceeds are going to the Kaipara Flats Sports Club Extension Fund.FridayWhangateau Community Twilight Market, Whangateau Hall, 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.Twilight market selling plants, produce, crafts, art, eco-friendly, handmade gifts, Peddlers Gin, books and a sausage sizzle. Stallholders welcome for a donation from their sales. Please come and support your local community.Thunderground: Confident Liar Single Release Party, The Leigh Sawmill, 8:00 p.m.Come and celebrate the release of Thunderground's debut single 'Confident Liar' with a lineup of quality bands at Leigh Sawmill. Quinn The Human, Dead Beat Boys and Thunderground will be hosting a night of punk and rock music. Help them get Confident Liar to number one on the NZ music charts! Tickets: $15.00 Early bird (limited sales) from Under The Radar or $20.00 on the door.BEATROOTS, The Matakana Village Pub, 5:00 p.m.All summer long every weekend Fridays and Saturdays.Live music is back at The Matakana Village Pub, introducing a great selection of DJs, bands and musicians to crank your weekend across all styles including beats, roots, rock and summer vibes. It's your place for live music this summer.Line-up:DJ Lo Key - FRI 27th NOV @ 5:00 p.m.dice_nz - SAT 28th NOV @ 5:00 p.m.Live Music, The Smoko Room, 5:30 p.m.On Friday the 27th of November from 5.30 p.m. till 8.30 p.m. there is live music from brother and sister duo, Jasper & Jane Hawkins, with a repertoire of upbeat, well-known songs. The singer-song writing pair captivates audiences wherever they go with their authenticity and beautiful harmonies. SaturdaySIX60: Til The Lights Go Out - Screening + Director Q&A, Matakana Cinemas, 6:10 p.m.SIX60 have defied expectations to become one of NZ's most iconic and beloved contemporary bands. Join Matakana Cinemas for a special Q&A session with director Julia Parnell. During one of their most successful periods, the doors are open for fans and Kiwis alike to have a glimpse into the lives of each band member for the first time in the intimate feature - SIX60 The Film. Find out how a group of young men from diverse backgrounds have come to be one of NZ's biggest music success stories.Sunday Brick Fair Lego Exhibition, Matakana Primary School, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Matakana School presents the Brick Fair Matakana! Displays by the Auckland Lego User Group, a group of individuals in Auckland who collect Lego, create their own models and like to display their incredible creations.$4:00 entry - under 3 free.

Concerns have been raised over the balance of ecosystems in the Omaha rockpools, as people have been seen taking large amounts of shellfish and other sea creatures, such as kina. In one day a relatively small group of people can decimate an area, upsetting the fragile ecosystem. A concerned local had noticed a large group of people with buckets containing little sea water, black snails, starfish, tiny kina and an octopus left baking in the hot sun. After doing some research, it was discovered that this was actually all perfectly legal, as there is no limit on quantity or size, even for the baby kina.A meeting was organised for Monday the 16th of November, and there was a great turnout of over 30 people, including a marine biologist, and local MP Chris Penk. The meeting allowed for concerned members of the community to share their concerns, experiences and voice ideas on how they can make a difference about taking care of the shoreline.Ideas about pamphlets, a bi-lingual sign at the rock pool end, and education were expressed. Chris Penk spoke about wording for a petition and emailing the Ministers directly to raise awareness and concerns.Chris Penk has since drafted a letter to the Minister of Primary Industries and the Minister of Conservation to see what can be done about this issue.

Auckland Transport (AT) is proposing new permanent speed limits for 26 roads in Auckland’s west and north, including some roads in Warkworth, Matakana and Tawharanui.To get feedback from the community on the proposed speed limits, and to give locals the opportunity to ask project managers any questions they may have, Auckland Transport is holding a drop in session. This will be held on Saturday, November 28, at The Matakana Village Farmers Market. If you are unable to make this session, you can give feedback online here. Submissions are open until January 17, 2021.The proposed changes are as follows:Warkworth Edwards Road, from 100km/h to 40km/hHepburn Creek Road, from 100km/h to 40km/hHodgart Road, from 100km/h to 40km/hWilson Road, from 50 km/h to 40 km/h MatakanaPortions of Matakana Valley Road, from 100km/h to 60km/hSmith Road, Matakana, 100 km/h to 40km/h Ward Road, 100 km/h to 40km/hTawharanui PeninsulaPortions of Baddeleys Beach Road, from 100km/h to 80km/hCampbell Road, from 50 km/h to 40 km/hClinton Road, from 50 km/h to 40 km/hHaywood Lane, from 100 km/h to 60 km/hKookaburra Drive, from 50 km/h to 40 km/hPigeon Place, from 50 km/h to 40 km/hTakatu Road, from 100 km/h to 80 km/hWhitmore Road, from 100 km/h to 60 km/hAll the proposed speed limit changes on are ‘self-explaining roads’. This means drivers already travel at a lower speed due to the road conditions, such as the road being narrow, windy or hilly. These roads are classified as being at a high-risk of deaths or serious injuries, or they are close to high-risk roads. Auckland Transport is introducing safe and appropriate speeds across areas rather than individual roads. 

This week, Auckland Transport will begin resealing works on Mahurangi East Road. The work will be carried out between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday the 18th of November through to Friday the 20th of November. These time frames may be adjusted due to weather conditions. During this time, street parking on Mahurangi East Road will be unavailable. Large machinery and trucks carrying out the work which may cause some delays, and residents are asked to keep an eye on any pets or young children during this time. In the two weeks following resealing, drivers are asked to avoid excessive speed, sharp turns and heavy braking, as these actions can damage the newly repaired road and are expensive to fix. Pedestrians are being asked to be aware that they may carry emulsions or chips into vehicles or dwellings, so inspect footwear after walking on the road. 

Ngati Manuhiri have moved into its new headquarters in the old Warkworth Courthouse on Elizabeth Street in Warkworth. The courthouse was used for magistrate sittings until 2012, after which Ngati Manuhiri took over the building following the end of the Crown lease on the site. The courthouse was part of the iwi’s Deed of Settlement under the Waitangi Tribunal in May 2011.The iwi is involved in a wide range of cultural activities from building consents and impact assessments to coastlines, fisheries and the Resource Management Act. They also play an important role in conservation and protection of native species.The new headquarters will provide them with a place to carry out their governance functions, as well as act as a meeting place for the various community and local government organisations that take guidance from iwi and collaborate on local projects.

The Matakana Coast Trail Trust have cause to celebrate; they’ve been successful in their bid for $500,000 from the Sport and Recreation Facilities Investment Fund.To add to the good news, the Point Wells to Matakana Country Park Trail design has been approved by Auckland Transport and is construction ready. A portion of the $500,000 funding has been allocated to the development of this section of the trail. The Matakana Coast Trail Trust advocates for the region's trail groups and engages with Auckland Council, government, and various stakeholders to establish trail access, raise funds and promote trail projects. Their vision is to create a world class recreation and adventure trail spanning the Matakana Coast region and connecting communities from Pūhoi in the south to Mangawhai in the north.The trust has begun presenting to 22 community groups between Pūhoi and Mangawhai to inform them on the trail progress and to give opportunities to ask questions, provide feedback and to contribute. The Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust are leading a project with support from Auckland Council to initially develop three cultural markers at selected sites along the planned trail. These markers will have a strong presence on the trail, sharing cultural narratives, knowledge and history about the surrounding environment. Current work is focusing on developing the designs and confirming their locations and materials.Feasibility studies and environmental assessments on the Te Muri Estuary crossing portion of the trail are positive. The Matakana Coast Trail Trust are working with Friends of Regional Parks in this area.