Itching to get out on the boat this weekend? Round up your mates and get amongst The Awatere Fishing club November competition!Happening this Saturday 20th of November. Entry fee $40.Current forecast from Metservice is easterly rising to 15 knots. Cloudy periods and isolated showers developing. Northerly swell half a metre developing.Prizes will be given for:The heaviest snapperAverage snapper (by weight) - 2 entries per personBiggest kingfish (by weight)Prize giving will be socially distanced and held on the island at the end of Awatere Place at 3pm.Inquiries? Call Grant on 021 227 4333.

Yesterday afternoon a teenage girl was seriously injured in the surf at Omaha Beach.Emergency services were called and she was flown to Starship hospital by The Westpac Rescue Helicopter. The young woman is now in a stable condition at Starship, according to an Auckland DHB spokeswoman.

Kia ora everyone!The Matakana App is now owned and operated by three Kiwi women, all living within the Warkworth area. We are incredibly passionate about the places we call home and our goal is to showcase all that our beautiful coast and country has to offer. We will continue to keep you well informed with the latest news, right in the palm of your hand. Simple. With summer right on our doorstep, we have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure we deliver the best of the best. The Matakana App is for EVERYBODY to use! Locals, part time locals and day trip visitors can continue to rely on us to find somewhere to stay, see what events are on and find a delicious bite to eat. Don’t worry, we’re keeping the less exciting stuff like the weather report and updates on road conditions too. If you’ve had the app for a while or you’ve just downloaded it today, thank you for your support.We look forward to getting to know you all and we’ll see you at the markets or beach sometime soon!Kia kaha,Jessie, Lou & Judy.

Well done Rodney – we’ve got through the first weekend of our country-wide lockdown. We’re going to have a long few weeks left, so one way to use time productively is by getting creative in the kitchen. New Zealand has a massive problem with food waste. Every year Kiwis send 157,398 tonnes of food to landfill, much of which could have been eaten. Not only is wasting food costing us money, it is also bad for the environment. Here are some recipes that will help you to make the most out of the food in your fridge, and hopefully avoid those dreaded trips to the supermarket. 1. Easy Veggie Stockhttps://lovefoodhatewaste.co.nz/recipes/easy-vegetable-stock-paste/This is a concentrated vegetable stock paste. Unlike conventional vegetable stock you use up all the ingredients instead of straining them out at the end saving all that goodness. You can even use your vegetable scraps to make it and it lasts for up to 4 months.2. Stockpile Souphttps://www.delicious.com.au/recipes/lamb-minetrone-la-fridge/dNRrkCSQ?r=recipes/collections/30incrediblerecipesthatminimisefoodwasteThis version of minestrone is basically a hearty lamb stew. It should use the best of what is around and can be made at any time of the year. It’s a great way to maximise roast leftovers, plus use up those half-full bags of pasta from the pantry. 3. Bread and Butter Pudding https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/marmalade-whisky-bread-butter-puddingLeftover bread really does make the best pudding and it's perfect if you've got a hankering for something sweet and need to feed a demanding audience. Try this recipe, which spices it up a bit using zesty marmalade and a dash of whisky, for a grown-up comfort food treat.4. Carrot Top Pestohttp://www.milkandcardamom.com/2018/03/21/carrot-top-pesto/Carrot tops may seem like an unlikely ingredient, but this carrot top pesto works beautifully as a dressing on top of roasted carrots or on pasta. This recipe is one way to truly get use from every part of an ingredient. 5. Fridge Harvest Frittatahttps://lovefoodhatewaste.co.nz/recipes/fridge-harvest-frittata/This fridge harvest frittata is a great way to turn leftover vegetables into a filling meal which is perfect for any time of the day.

Nearly two weeks into isolation, you may be running out of things to keep you entertained. With countless loaves of banana bread baked and the house cleaned from top to bottom, what could possibly be left to do?Here are some ideas on how to keep busy, either by yourself or in a non-contact way with people outside your bubble.Movie nights don't have to be a thing of the past, if you use Netflix Party. You can watch Netflix films and TV shows at the same time as your friends remotely, with the option to add a chat feature so you can express your outrage/shock/delight in real time. All you need to do is download the Google extension from Netflix Party – only one person in your party needs to do this, and they can share the link to watch the programme or film with anyone they like. https://www.netflixparty.comIf you want to try something productive, why not learn a language? Duo Lingo is a great app for this, and it's completely free. Easy and fun to use, it is game based with points and lives lost for mistakes. Fifteen languages are currently available.If a nice jigsaw puzzle sounds up your alley, be sure to check out the online jigsaw collection at Te Papa museum https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/discover-collections/read-watch-play/online-jigsaw-puzzles-using-our-collections. Take a moment or two to relax with online jigsaw puzzles using taonga from their collections. Choose a puzzle, select your difficulty (the number of pieces), and off you go! If you're in need of a bit of a laugh, there are thousands of stand-up comedy routines on Spotify and Youtube to either listen to or watch; they’ll brighten up your day a little bit.You can have a quiz night with friends using apps like Kahoot or Houseparty, which can both be downloaded from the Appstore and Google Play. A great opportunity to catch up with those outside your bubble and have a little friendly competition. This can be a hard time for everyone but keep yourself busy and it will be over in a flash. We’re nearly there and together, we’ve done really well!

During the lockdown, there has been a massive increase in people getting out and about, either walking or cycling. These activities still enable us to get out of the house for some fresh air safely and are within the lockdown rules.Luckily, our area has a wealth of great places in our area to head out for a stroll or a cycle. Under level three, the restricted areas where we can escape from our bubble may expand a bit, so we are looking at some of the great places we can visit. Reach Omaha Beach Via The Matakana Cycle Trail The Matakana Cycle Trail will take you from Matakana to Omaha and/or Point Wells. It is a mix of off-road shared paths, cycle lanes and quiet roads with some gravel sections. You can begin at various places – Point Wells, Omaha, Jones Road or Matakana - and do part or all of the route. It gives fantastic views through farmland, bush and quiet communities.The Ti Point Coastal Walk is a great way to take a breath and spend some time in nature. A gravel track and boardwalk follow the foreshore and passes very large, old pohutukawa trees and huge boulders along the shoreline. The view looks out towards Omaha Beach and the entrance to the Whangateau Harbour. This walk takes around two hours for a return trip.If you're looking for a bit of isolation, The Te Muri Coastal Walk in beautiful Mahurangi West is a great option. The track takes you away from the crowds, past the historic cemetery and out to Te Muri Beach, which if you want to remain dry is only accessible during low tide as you will need to cross the Te Muri Estuary to get there. Image - NZ GEOMt Tamahunga is a good option if you're looking for something a little bit more challenging. The walkway initially climbs over farm paddocks to the bush line. Once in the bush, follow orange markers up the ridge to the summit and a helicopter pad. Views from the summit are restricted by forest, but several gaps in the track do provide views of the area.At low tide you can walk or rock hop west along Goat Island Beach. After about 30 minutes you will reach Pink Beach where the sand has a noticeable pink tinge from the broken shells that wash ashore. Continue around the rocks to Okakari Point. The coastline has a mixture of sandy beaches, boulders and rocky shore. The rocky shore continues to Pakiri Beach. This will take a good 3hrs of walking and you will need to park a car at Pakiri Beach or hitch back to your car.

Even though we might not be able to get out and about quite as we would like, dotterels are beginning to nest and bar-tailed godwits will be soon arriving regardless of COVID-19 lockdowns.As we are approaching spring, local shorebirds will be nesting and producing young. International migrant shorebirds are also returning to feed and rest on our beaches.Auckland Council has implemented a temporary change in dog access rules at the northern end of Snells Beach to help protect shorebirds using the area for breeding and roosting. Letters have been sent to dog owners advising of the changes.From August 27, 2021, until March 28, 2022 the following dog access rules apply:North of the Sunburst Reserve boat ramp dogs are prohibited from all beach and foreshore areas (red area on the map).North of the Sunburst Reserve boat ramp dogs must always be on-leash on the Esplanade Reserve (orange area on the map).Dog access rules remain unchanged for the rest of Snells Beach (green area on map). See Auckland Council website for existing and changed dog access rules https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/.The ability to display notification posters and update local signage for this temporary change in dog access rules has been affected by COVID-19 lockdown, but please do still follow these temporary rules.

A letter sent to residents’ relatives and contacts last night confirmed a positive case of Covid-19 at Amberlea Hospital and Rest Home in Mahurangi East Road Alies Bay.The staff member is a household contact of a confirmed case of Covid-19 and went into self-isolation earlier this week as a precaution before test results were available. The rest home will be conducting surveillance testing for all staff and residents via a mobile testing unit.“Staff members who have been working closely with the positive staff member have gone into self-isolation and will only return to work once cleared by Public Health,” her message said. “We are working to ensure we have adequate staffing levels to continue to take care of all our residents.” Residents who were close contacts of the staff member are currently being identified by Public Health and will go into precautionary isolation.Ms Hall says any residents who go into precautionary isolation will continue to receive the very best care and their health will be closely monitored for symptoms.

Now more than ever, immune health is something we should be focussing on. With Covid-19 weighing on everyone's minds, what can we do to boost our immune systems to fight the virus? Luckily, we have Matakana superfoods right here in Rodney, and their products can get you the vitamins and minerals you need. You can try to keep your immune system - and your body - healthy to give it the best chance of fighting an infection. This is where things like a balanced diet, regular exercise and sleep come in. Although the only thing that could stop the virus would be a vaccine, a strong and healthy immune system will help your body fight the virus and recover faster. Nutrients from a range of healthy foods are needed in the processes that are triggered as your body fights an infection. The important things to get into your body are vitamins A, B, C, D and E and the minerals iron, zinc and selenium. These micronutrients play important roles in the immune system. Vitamin A and zinc help to maintain the integrity of the skin and lining of vital organs and the respiratory system, vitamin B12 and iron are essential for the production of haemoglobin which carries oxygen in the blood. Vitamin C, E and selenium help to control inflammation. Matakana SuperFoods is a world leader in the research and marketing of new foods from New Zealand and around the globe: foods which contain unique qualities and super-nutrients that support health and well being.They have a huge range of different products, all with properties to help your body heal and be its best. You can support your immune system by incorporating one of their nutrient-dense super powders to your daily smoothie, breakfast bowl or baking. Or try their super capsules, for a quick way to support your health on a daily basis.Their website (https://www.matakanasuperfoods.com/) also has heaps of recipes to help you incorporate more superfoods into your diet, to make it as easy as possible to get some extra goodness. 

Mahu Vollies are stepping in to help our community with lockdown assisted shopping at New World.“The response today saw fewer number than last year, but it was still a positive one”, said Grant Henderson of the Warkworth Lions Club. Last year in lockdown level four there were 30 to 40 people a day requesting assistance with their shopping. As the word gets out, the numbers are anticipated to grow.New World was more than happy to assist the Lions and had the section just inside the front door manned for payments by Ross Kemp, the Customers Services Manager. Grant Henderson and Maya Lawrence of the Lions Club are fully vaccinated volunteers.If you know of anyone who is in need of assisted shopping, please do let them know. The Lions will be doing another assisted shopping again this coming Tuesday.

Our amazing Warkworth Lions and the volunteers from Mahu Vollies will be running Covid-19 lockdown assisted shopping at Warkworth New World on Tuesday (August 24) from 9:00 a.m. till noon.If you are older, immune-compromised, or juggling little ones, come down to New World and see a Lions volunteer at the front of the supermarket wearing a high-viz vest and PPE.Bring a short, clear shopping list which they can take and do your shopping while you wait safely in your car. Once your groceries are collected, you'll be asked to pay at the cafe counter inside the supermarket foyer before taking your items. Please do wear a mask when talking to volunteers.As an extra layer of protection for the volunteers and the community, it has been decided that only fully vaccinated volunteers will be helping out tomorrow, especially now we know COVID is in the Warkworth area.“It is all about community, neighbours helping neighbours”, said Murray Chapman of One Business and a contributor to Mahu Vollies.Starting out as Care Mungas, Mahu Vollies is a concept originally put together by Paul Wilson. After working with Grant Henderson and Peter Henderson of the Lions, and other like minds wanting to help in our community, it has morphed into Mahu Vollies.Grant spoke to Warkworth New World earlier this week about having their support for the shopping support service again. “It is so great to see so many members of our communities come together and volunteer. This is what happens when people come together that care and step up to help.“Thank you to Jessica and the New World team for your support once again”.

Harbour Hospice are once again hosting their own fabulous Wearable Arts, and you can catch some entries on display in Warkworth. The long-running wearable arts competition is a highly entertaining show and a fantastic opportunity for creative minds. Catwalk Arts feature fantastic creations by adults, children, families and business and community groups, with a focus on innovative use of waste materials.The entries for the Marvellous Mannequins category went on last week, and you can check out all seven at the newly opened ‘For the Thrill’ store, at 40 Queen Street, corner of Kapanui St), in Warkworth. Vote by way of donation box for your favourite. If you can't make it to the show, you can drop your best 'silent bid' into the voting box, and it will be included at the live auction.The winner will be announced on the night and for anyone wanting to take one home, they'll be auctioned, with all funds raised going to Harbour Hospice.For more info & and to buy tickets: https://bit.ly/3qBRg57

After a spate of unpleasant incidents in the area, there are plans to start a community patrol group in the Leigh locality.Just last week saw more dumped rubbish, traffic issues, locals lacking support and even a local who found someone sleeping in her bach while she was not there, for the second time.A meeting held in July discussed the setting up a patrol group after fires and vandalism of the historic Big Omaha Wharf shocked locals.A second meeting will be held this Sunday, August 15, at 2:30 p.m. in the Leigh Bowling Club.Hear about what this group will offer and have your opportunity to step up and sign up to support your community. This group is for everyone who cares, it is hands off, safe and suits all ages.Call Kevin on , 021422651 if you want more information.

Warkworth is expecting significant growth, with up to 20,000 people moving to the area. Watercare is undertaking a number of significant wastewater infrastructure projects to accommodate this growth.The $26 million dollar pump station in the Lucy Memorial Park is the first of a series of projects that will improve water quality in the Mahurangi River. Construction begins this September and will continue until 2024. The new pump station will contain two pumps, 30 times more powerful than what we currently have with a capacity of 828,000 litres of storage. They will be tunnelling more than five kilometres of new pipeline from Lucy Moore Park to the new Snells Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant. The new Snells Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant is designed to accommodate population growth over the next 35 years. The existing Warkworth and Snells-Algies wastewater treatment plants will be decommissioned, terminating the treatment plant discharges into the Mahurangi River. Although in the planning stage, the northwest pipeline would service population growth in the north west of Warkworth. This would serve new developments and carry water to the Lucy Moore pump station. Route options are being investigated.

Aotearoa electronica originators Shapeshifter and Andy C with Scribe and P-Money with the Harmony and Rhythm Brass Band, Lee Mvtthews, Paige Julia, Half Queen announce the huge summer show for February 5th, 2022, at Matakana Country Park.The Matakana show sees Shapeshifter teaming up with some of New Zealand’s undeniable legends as well as some of the next generation of big names in Aotearoa’s flourishing music scene.Shapeshifter, one of New Zealand’s premier live Kiwi dance music acts will make you shift between shapes. Their amalgamation of jazz, drum and bass blends together, making them absolutely worth seeing.The 7th studio album Rituals, a long time in the making, saw its release in July following a summer of sold-out festivals across Aotearoa. Shaking up the Spark Arena this month in celebration, they delivered a power performance, a magical mix of great and new that had the crowd surged with energy.Andy C is an English producer and since his debut in 1989 has become one of the most influential acts in drum and bass, and is one of the most respected English DJs. He has flown the flag for English electronica for over two and a half decades and is not going to be slowing down any time soon. Peter Wadams, better known by his stage name P-Money, is a New Zealand hip-hop DJ and producer. Lee Mvtthews, aka Graham Matthews and Tom Lee started working together almost 10 years ago after realising their music tastes were in sync, and they have since gaining repute for enthralling performances.Come together for what will be one of the highlights of the summer of 2022. Showcasing songs from their latest album as well as a range of classics, Shapeshifter live in Matakana will be an absolute summer blast.

From 11.59pm Tuesday 17 August, all of New Zealand will move to Alert Level 4. This measure will remain in place for 3 days until 11.59pm 20 August for all of New Zealand, with the exception of Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula with both staying in Level 4 likely for the next 7 days. This is a response to a community outbreak in Auckland which is currently under investigation and possibly linked to the Delta variant. International evidence and science around the Delta variant shows that it is twice as infectious and more liable to cause severe illness.The decision to change Alert Levels reinforces the need to take swift and robust action around the latest case to detect and stamp out the possibility of any further transmission.At Alert Level 4, there are important rules we all need to follow to keep ourselves and each other safe.• Stay within your immediate household bubble. Extended bubbles are allowed where there is shared care and custody arrangements or if you live alone. Once you go into a bubble you must stay in it and others cannot join.• Keep 2m apart from other people at all times while in public. This includes when undertaking physical exercise in your neighbourhood, visiting the supermarket or pharmacy, urgent medical care or getting a test. • If you undertake activities outside, please wear a mask when you leave the house.• If you feel unwell you must immediately self-isolate from others in your bubble and get a test.For further information on what Alert Level 4 means for you: https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-levels-and.../alert-level-4/

If you or someone you know is planning on tying the knot sometime in the future, then be sure to check out the Weddings Matakana Fair happening this weekend at the Warkworth Town Hall.This Saturday, August 21, you can expect a humming collection of vendors showcasing at this boutique fair, including venue providers, caterers, celebrants, photographers, hair and makeup stylists, stationery and signage experts, wedding planners, flowers and botanical stylists, cake designers, marquee hire and equipment rental, transport providers and so much more.The annual Weddings Matakana Fair is a great way to meet the wedding specialists who can make your day memorable and discuss your plans so you find inspiration in one convenient location.It all kicks off at 9:00 a.m., and will run until 3:00 p.m. Don't forget to pick up your free tickets here: https://bit.ly/2XkCNQm. Every attendee goes into the draw to win a fabulous weekend for two in Matakana!

WednesdayInformation Evening for Businesses with the Ministry of Social Development, Warkworth Town Hall, 5:30 p.m.Join MSD and One Mahurangi for an information evening for businesses. Get an overview of MSD's latest products and services for employers.The after-five business event in Warkworth is all about finding the right person for the job and MSD offers a free recruitment service to help employers find a candidate who suits their business.MSD has candidates with skills and attributes to suit all kinds of jobs. Others are keen to learn on the job, and there may be extra support available, such as wage subsidies and post-placement support and training, while they get the skills they need.Warkworth Work Broker, Jasmine Levien, has been helping local employers find, train and retain great people for more than a decade. Jasmine will provide an overview of MSD’s latest products and services for employers. If you’re looking for staff, you don’t want to miss this event.ThursdayMatakana Playcentre Movie Night: Respect, Matakana Cinemas, 7:30 p.m.Be one of the first in New Zealand to see the movie "Respect", the life story of the legendary R&B singer Aretha Franklin. Your $30.00 ticket directly supports Matakana Playcentre and includes a drink (wine, beer or soft drink available) and entry into our spot prizes on the night!Movie starts at 7:30 p.m. Arrange to meet your friends for a drink with us from 7.00 p.m. and grab a ticket to enter our raffle. Tickets are available through Matakana Playcentre or by messaging the Matakana facebook page.FridayWeddings Matakana Networking Event, Warkworth Town Hall, 5:30 p.m.Come and view the wedding fair and meet the exhibitors – a preview before the wedding fair is open to the public on Saturday 21st August.The Weddings Matakana Fair includes over 40 venues and vendors who service weddings and events all over the Matakana Coast, including local caterers, caravan bars, photographers, hire and styling services, transport options and more, but the fair is not just for weddings.Anyone who organises or is planning an event in the Mahurangi region can come and meet the people who can help you make it happen!Enjoy a taste of delicious food provided by Puhoi Cheese, The Kitchen Collective and Free Range Chef, and wine supplied by Runner Duck, Sculptureum and Matakana Estate and beer from 8 Wired. Bring your business card to go in the draw to win a fabulous prize on the night.SaturdayRothko Dining Series - Spring Test Kitchen, Rothko Restaurant, 6:30 p.m.The Rothko team is busy planning their new spring menu and are showcasing some of their ideas at the next Rothko Dining event. Come for an evening of the freshest local spring produce incorporated into new culinary concepts at their spring test kitchen. $95.00 per person includes a glass of Sculptureum wine.1st CourseWedge salad, buttermilk, horseradish2nd CourseRuakaka kingfish, rockmelon, espelette, bronzed fennel3rd CourseScampi risotto, vanilla, caviar4th CourseGrilled pork, creole crust, yams5th CourseDill & rhubarb champagne spider Rock The Mill, Leigh Sawmill Cafe, 8:00 p.m.Come to the mill for a night of rock with three awesome bands - A Bit Sus, Top Ave Nutt Gun & Primal AD, covering all your favourite rock anthems.

Warkworth’s iconic Kowhai Festival will be back for its 51st year in 2021, after being cancelled last year due to Covid 19.While the Kowhai Festival will go ahead in October, the format will be a little bit different to previous years.Rather than the usual Huge Day Out, the festival will be broken up into several smaller events.The first event to kick off the festival will be held on Saturday, October 16th, with live music, a bar and food stalls down by the Mahurangi river.Sunday, October 24th, will be a Family Day Out with stalls and kids’ entertainment.The Outdoor Movie Night will be on Saturday October 30th.Toastmasters will host their annual Great Debate as part of the Kowhai Festival.The Kowhai Festival is the second longest running community festival in New Zealand, and it is great to see it returning for 2021.