Consent has been secured for a new $10.5 million community and activity centre in Warkworth.The building proposed by the Mahurangi Presbyterian Church will be located on Mansel Drive, opposite the Summerset Falls retirement village.This huge project is scheduled to begin at the start of the earthworks season: October 1.The building will include an activity centre, as well as sports facilities, meeting rooms, a cafe and a commercial kitchen. There will also be facilities for Foodlink, Warkworth’s combined churches’ food bank, and an on-site car park with more than 100 spaces.The centre will be for both church and community use, serving as a location for church services, sporting practices and a venue for larger community events such as cultural festivals.Once these initial plans are completed, an additional 450-seat auditorium with full sound and lighting capabilities and a dedicated chapel will be added.So far, most of the funding for the project has come from members of the church and the local community. Charitable grants have also been received from Foundation North ($300,000.00), Internal Affairs Lottery Division ($400,000.00), Auckland City Council Sport and Recreation Department ($785,000.00) and the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (300,000.00).

Elemental AKL, a festival of arts, eats and beats is back for its second year, and in 2020 Matakana will play host to some of the fun.The festival runs from the 1st to the 31st of October.Over 30 days, talented creatives will make Auckland their stage with immersive installations and show stopping performances from Matakana Village to Mangere. Choose from a host of events to inspire and delight as the days get longer, such as: Elemental Nights, a curated concert series from Live Nation; Synthony, Best Of, a collaboration between DJs, the 80-piece Auckland Symphony Orchestra, vocalists and musicians playing the biggest dance tracks of the last 30 years;. three distinct Silent Disco Citywalks, and more.There will be two events held in Matakana as part of the festival.The first is Mahi Tahi, held at the Sawmill Brewery on the 16th of October. Head chef Will Michell set off on an inspirational voyage while the brewery was repaired. Four renowned restaurants opened their kitchens to Will and he worked at The Fish Butchery in Sydney, Hiakai in Wellington with Monique Fiso, who has taken Māori cooking and foraged native ingredients to new heights, then it was off to Coda and sister restaurant Tonka in Melbourne, both known for their innovative take on modern Asian and contemporary Indian cuisine under chef Adam D'Sylva. Inspired by his experiences, Will returned to the revamped Sawmill and Smoko Room and has created a five-course menu that showcases elements from each of those restaurants, which can be enjoyed as part of Elemental AKL.The second event is the Sculptureum Story, held at the Sculptureum on multiple dates over the month. This inspired culinary event includes access to the sculpture gardens, a gallery tour and a set 3-course meal at Rothko Restaurant with menu delicacies designed by head chef Josh Hazel and inspired by specific Sculptureum artworks.Elemental AKL is delivered by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) to showcase the region’s diverse and unique food and culture and generate visitors outside of peak months.The full programme of events is available at www.elemental festival.co.nz.

Locals are in for a treat this weekend, with five-piece psychedelic synth-pop band Fred bringing their funky tunes to the Leigh Sawmill Cafe.The band will play on Saturday, August 8th, and will be joined by Auckland singer Gretel and duo Samson Live. Their gig at the Sawmill will see the release of their second single, Rollercoaster. The band was formed in November 2018 when three flatmates were putting on a show for a house party in their flat of 22 people, and has now grown to include Louis Newton on synth and backing vocals, Cam Taylor on piano and backing, Alex Ang on bass, Karen Hu on drums and Jesse Sheehan at the front.From there they began playing gigs outside their home, playing venues such as the Tuning Fork and Whammy Bar in Auckland.In their own words, Fred is “frivolous, slightly glam and flamboyant. If you come to one of our gigs, we think you’ll have a good time. Fred is a band that can play a party and have the dance floor going the whole night.”So, if you are in the mood for a boogie, this gig is not one to be missed. 

With around one in five New Zealanders experiencing challenges with their mental health, chances are you know someone who is having a difficult time? Maybe this person is a close friend or member of your whānau. If you’re struggling to know how to support them, you’re not alone. That’s why Just a Thought has put together this helpful resource which provides simple suggestions on how to support someone experiencing emotional distress.  What to do if your friend/family member won’t talk to youTry not to take this personally. It could be that they just don’t want to worry you. Stay open and let them know you’re there for them. It may also be helpful to give them information about organisations or people they can reach out to.Useful organisations and resources While it may feel difficult for your friend or loved one to talk with you, they may find it easier talking in confidence to a trained counsellor or volunteer for support and advice. You can find a list of helpful numbers on the Just a Thought website.You could also suggest they try one of Just a Thought’s online therapy courses. They’re free and can be accessed anytime, from anywhere, all that is needed is a connection to the internet and a mobile or desktop device: https://www.justathought.co.nz/ Support for yourselfGetting advice and support for yourself is vital so you can look after your wellbeing and continue to be there for your friend or loved one. The following websites may be of help:https://supportingfamilies.org.nz/ https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/in-crisis/worried-about-someone/

At the end of August, classic cars will flock to Matakana for a rally raising money for the Cancer Society.The Daffodil Rally for Cancer starts at Smales Farm on the North Shore at 10.00 a.m. on Sunday, August 30. At 11.00 a.m., they will begin the drive north before parking in Matakana for the afternoon. 2020 will be the fourth year that the Wellsford Warkworth branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand will participate in the Daffodil Rally for Cancer. The cars will park up at the carpark next to Matakana Primary School, when previously they stopped at the Warkworth Wharf. The change of venue will hopefully minimise congestion and allow more cars to participate. Vintage cars, trucks and motorbikes of any kind are invited to participate, regardless of whether their owners are a member of the Vintage Car Club.Once in Matakana, everybody is welcome to view the classic vehicles on display. Volunteers will be collecting donations for the Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day fundraiser, so make sure to take some cash. It costs $10.00 to register a car in the rally. 

MondayStory Time, Warkworth Library, 10:30 AM – 11 AMKeep the kids entertained for an hour with storytime at the library. Storytime is a fun session of stories, songs and rhymes. It's ideal for kids ages 3-5 years, but younger children are always welcome.FridayRetro Classic Screening - Aliens, Matakana Cinemas, 8:15 PM – 10:45 PMTickets only $11.50.Ellen Ripley is rescued by a deep salvage team after being hyper-sleep for 57 years. The moon that the Nostromo visited has been colonized, but contact is lost. This time, colonial marines have impressive firepower, but will that be enough?SaturdayRollercoaster Single Release Party, Leigh Sawmill Cafe, 9:30 PM – 12:30 AMAfter all this time locked in our houses it's time to get out and enjoy some music.FRED return to the iconic Leigh Sawmill Cafe to release their new upcoming single - RollercoasterSundayCarnivorous Plant Society, Leigh Sawmill Cafe, 5:00PM – 8:00 PMCarnivorous Plant Society is celebrating playing music again after the lockdown. They will pack the Sawmill stage with their vast assortment of instruments and perform new material mixed with some of their classics as well. Be prepared for blazing trumpet solos, wailing guitar riffs, science fiction stories, alternative creation theories and grooves that will make your upper lip curl in a snarl of funky approval! All ages welcome! Quiz Night, The Tahi Bar, 4:00 PM - 6:30 PMHow smart are you? Get your friends together for a couple of hours of fun and games to finish off your weekend. Great prizes. Free entry. Then, if you're in the mood, you can stay on for their wonderful Sunday Roast Dinner. Now that's how to end your weekend!

The Barefoot Artists of Leigh have been busy, creating a storm of works for the local community to enjoy.The ‘Barefoot Artists’ are the kids of the community who have been working with the Foundation Gallery and Arts Hub in Leigh to unleash their creativity, and so far there have been some pretty spectacular results.These dedicated little artists have worked with a variety of materials, from clay to screen printing. Their pieces are included in Foundation’s exhibitions and have been proving very popular with buyers.Their latest project, ‘Tankful Leigh’ has the Barefoots painting a beautiful mural on a water tank so all members of the Leigh community can enjoy it. At the Wee Landscape show, which opened on Friday evening, you can see plenty of the Barefoots’ beautiful takes on landscapes around our area.  The Foundation Gallery which opened December 2019 is the project of new Leigh resident, Hilary Austin, and long-time local, Richard Calder. The gallery and arts centre hosts art exhibitions, community workshops, classes for both children and adults, as well as loads of creative community projects. It is all about encouraging creativity and community, and no one embodies that better than the Barefoot Artists. 

After a long nine months, The Sawmill Brewery, a favourite of locals and visitors alike, has finally reopened.The Sawmill Brewery and Smoko Room on Leigh Road closed down last October, due to a raging fire that required came within minutes of completely destroying the building and took nine fire trucks full of firefighters to get under control.The Smoko Room opened midday on Friday, July 31, and will be open from 12.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday before opening seven days a week in summer.The local Matakana community rallied to support the Sawmill Brewery team, as did other businesses in the brewing industry, allowing the Sawmill to brew on their premises. Since the fire, Sawmill has brewed at 13 other breweries in New Zealand. Tom aka Matakana Oysters buying the first beer.Opening day caused a lot of buzz amongst the community, who had been patiently waiting for their favourite watering hole to reopen its doors. The occasion was celebrated with live music and all of the Sawmill’s best brews.The comfortable, homey feel of the Smoko Room has remained intact through it all, so if you are craving a beer or delicious meal be sure to head to the Sawmill Brewery.

Mahurangi Artist Network is looking for more artists to open their studios to the public for their annual Mahurangi Artists’ Studio Trail, which was a huge success last year.Talia Russel with her colourful printmakingThe Mahurangi Artist Network is an artist-led, local initiative that brings together creatives from Pakiri to Puhoi, in order to boost artist profiles and creative interactions. The Studio Trail, which will be held over Labour weekend, invites artists to open their studios, homes or collective spaces to visitors in October. The studios form an art trail, which visitors follow with a downloadable map. This annual event is a great opportunity for artists to meet the public directly and explain their practice.The Artist Network is particularly looking for artists in Puhoi and Mahurangi West to extend the trail.The 2020 Mahurangi Artists Studio Trail will be held on the following dates: 16th, 17th and 18th of October as a pop up / studio event at the Old Masonic Hall in Warkworth with artist stalls and demonstrations. Then the main event, the Open Studio Arts Trail, is over Labour Weekend: 24th, 25th and 26th of October, 2020. You are welcome to partake in one or both activities.If you would like to find out more, please email [email protected] or take a look over the new Mahurangi Artist Network website: https://www.mahurangiartistnetwork.com.

On July 16th, Auckland Council voted in support of the 3.5 per cent general rates increase. Rodney Councillor Greg Sayers was one of three councillors who voted against the increase.The mandate from the public was clear: over 75 per cent of the submissions from Rodney residents wanted a 2.5 per cent rate increase or less.Across all of Auckland the message was the same, with 64 per cent of Aucklanders wanting a 2.5 per cent rates increase, or less. The Rodney Local Board voted for a 3.5 per cent rates increase.The feedback from both the community and Greg Sayers has been much the same: people are still struggling financially from the repercussions of Covid-19, so the last thing the community needs right now is more taxes.Alternative solutions to increasing rates include: central government taking the City Rail Link debt off Auckland Council’s books, bringing pay rates for Council staff paid over $100,000 back into line with the private sector, implementing a Royal Commission recommendation to have an independent performance auditor reside over Council to provide independent assurances to the public that Council was providing high-quality services in a cost-effective way, or central government returning a fair share of GST collected from Auckland back to Auckland.Mayor Phil Goff says, "We are cutting costs wherever possible and finding savings and efficiencies where we can".However, according to the Auckland Rate Payers’ Alliance, total expenditure is budgeted to increase by another five per cent in the emergency budget.

The Regional Land Transport Plan that spans from 2018 to 2028 provides approximately $121m over the ten-year period to deliver seal extensions to the highest priority unsealed roads.Of the 7,300 km of unsealed roads in Auckland, 78% of them are in Rodney.Auckland Transport (AT) staff have made previous presentations to the local board s on its unsealed roads’ strengthening programme, which has already improved several roads in the Rodney Local Board area, recently Rodney Road and Mahurangi West Road. However, funding for this unsealed roads strengthening programme is limited, and the Auckland Council's emergency budget for 2020/21 has put to rest the optimism for the next three years of this project that was seen earlier in the year. The plan proposed before the emergency budget came out aimed to increase the rate of expenditure over the next three years, and even out the spend over the remaining years of the RLTP, expanding the amount of roads being sealed, and also the degree to which they could be made safer.Road sealing projects already underway will be completed but road sealing for next year is at significant risk.

Matakana is a beautiful place, so if you are looking to get that perfect Instagram shot, you don't need to go far. Whether you run a foodie feed, or are just documenting your adventures, we know the perfect spots for you to snap a pic.@alexmouldenSculptureumWith three sculpture-filled gardens and six art galleries, Sculptureum provides ample opportunities to get a ‘gram. Stand next to the giant pink snails or the towering dandelion for a whimsical wonderland vibe or travel the world while staying in Matakana with Mediterranean friezes and Japanese inspired archways.@mr_size@ArtgreenThe Village MarketsThe Matakana Markets are one of the most well-known and well-loved places to visit in Matakana. But did you even go if you didn't get the #gram? The beautiful rustic setting against the backdrop of the river makes for the perfect photo, and with pastries, coffee, produce and fresh flowers, there's something for every kind of feed. If you hit the markets in spring, you may be lucky enough to capture the stunning cherry blossoms in bloom. @farawayfromnjTawharanui Regional ParkTawharanui Regional Park offers a combination of white-sand beaches, rolling hills, and coastal forests for visitors to marvel at. Crystal-clear waters make for an amazing photo opportunity, as do the caves and rock formations. If you time your trip right, there may even be a few magical mermaid pools for you to take a dip in and snap that perfect picture. @craige_daniel_uk@[email protected] Bay WineryIf you are looking for the perfect #girlsdayout venue, look no further than Brick Bay Winery. A glasshouse sitting over a shimmering lake and a glass of rosé: sounds like the perfect formula for a great Instagram post. Head through the sculpture gardens for even more photo opportunities, and then finish by trying some of their gorgeous food, which tastes as good as it looks, or do a wine tasting.@briannakingTeepee MatakanaTeepee Matakana is the ideal place to stay if you are wanting to curate a beautiful Instagram feed. These three gorgeous tepees hover over native rushes and grasses on a serene property surrounded by pine and native trees. Each tepee has its own private balcony and guests have access to a shared outdoor space with wood burner, outdoor lounge and picnic table. 

Hidden Valley Festival announced their lineup this morning, and Matakana is in for a treat.Hidden Valley will be headlined by the incredibly talented Alison Wonderland, an act that will be exclusive to the festival. Since her debut in 2015, she has won awards, both of her albums Run and Awake have climb the charts, and she has become the highest-paid female DJ in Coachella history. She also managed to score herself a spot in DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs, taking out number 44 and overtaking big house names such as Zedd, Kygo, Diplo and Robin Schulz. This Aussie DJ is the only solo female artist in the top 45.Alongside Alison Wonderland will be a host of great Kiwi acts to keep the party going, including crowd favourites The Upbeats, purveyors of what is considered some of the best drum & bass music around. They recently produced Shapeshifter’s latest album and their own fourth studio recording.After a rocky start to the year, the upcoming festival season was in a tricky position, with the travel and border restrictions due to Covid-19 preventing organisers from bringing over the big international names that festival goers have grown to expect at these events. However, making use of Kiwi talent and pulling a few artists from across the ditch seems to be effective, with people just as excited for these events as ever. The full Hidden Valley lineup so far includes:Alison Wonderland - Exclusive to Hidden Valley FestivalThe Upbeats ft. TaliMontell2099SACHILee MvtthewsSTACE CADETEkko & SidetrackSin HowardClick here for tickets

Local and national favourites White Chapel Jak are raring to get back to doing what they do best: getting people dancing along to their funky live performances. The Kiwi cover band will begin their post-lockdown tour in August, starting off back where it all began, at the Leigh Sawmill Cafe, on August 14th and 15th, and the Warkworth Hall on September 5th.To celebrate the work that the New Zealand team of five million has been doing to keep Covid under control, “White Chapel Jak wanted to express our aroha to the amazing essential services workers who kept working through lockdown and are doing the mahi in our ‘new normal’,” guitarist Nathan Boston says.To say thanks to the essential workers who keep everything running smoothly over this tough period, the band are giving away five double passes to essential workers for each of their shows. If you know someone deserving, you can nominate them via White Chapel Jak’s Facebook page, here.The tour will consist of 16 live shows over 11 New Zealand cities.Lead singer Bonnie Hurunui says “Playing live music and spreading joy were taken away at lockdown. Now, thankful and grateful like the rest of New Zealand, we’re back, and couldn’t be more excited and ready to raise the roof and celebrate - celebrate life, celebrate what Kiwis have achieved and what it means to be ‘us’. Here’s to kindness and unity, here’s to us New Zealand!”Local Dates:· Leigh - Leigh Sawmill Café, August 14 & 15· Warkworth – Warkworth Hall, September 5· Mangawhai – Mangawhai Tavern, September 26

8 Wired Barrelworks in Matakana have some exciting things in the pipeline, and one we are most looking forward to is their upcoming winter beer festival, on Saturday 1st August and Sunday 2nd August.Dark Fest is 8 Wired’s winter beer festival - this year there is a nod to craft breweries and beers which have paved the way in the NZ Beer revolution. There will be 15+ dark beers showcased on tap, covering a wide range of styles from breweries across the country and rarities taken from the 8 Wired cellar. Local legends Matakana Oysters (weather permitting) will be on site shucking oysters, and Jo-Bro's Burgers will join in the fun selling their hand-crafted burgers. Dark beer, oysters and burgers – they’re covering all major food groups.The 8 Wired Barrelworks opened at 56 Matakana Valley Road on December 5, 2019, and with their delicious cold beers on tap and ever-changing food trucks out front, they have quickly become a local hotspot. At the Dark Beer Fest you can expect to see a range of dark beers not often seen in New Zealand, with many styles covered, and a fun, relaxed atmosphere. The event is free to enter and if you are a larger group, then booking is advised. Email [email protected] Beer Fest will run from 12:00 p.m. till late on both Saturday and Sunday.

After being pushed back due to Covid-19, the Forest Bridge Trust is ready to kick off their Eastern Connectivity project.In 2018, the trust carried out research to determine which types of birds were likely to move between Tawharanui and Mount Tamahunga, what sort of ecological areas existed between these two points and what was needed to restore habitat gaps. They also examined the sustainability gaps in the ecosystems, and the existing level of landowner and community engagement in ecological connectivity. Moving forward, they will now be carrying out baseline monitoring of a few key areas so that they will know how effective their efforts have been after the project’s two year timeline. A conservation biologist will be leading this work. The monitoring involves exploring the area, observing and recording birdlife and vegetation.Forest Bridge Trust has also been fortunate enough to receive funding from Auckland Council for the project, enabling them to employ a project coordinator and cover some of the cost of the project over two years.In the next few months, Forest Bridge Trust will also be running pest control workshops for landowners in each area. These workshops are free, and each landowner will receive a Timms trap (for possums) and a DOC200 (for mustelids) to put on their property. The workshops will focus on pest behaviour, the best baits to use, best places to put traps and how to safely and effectively use the two traps. The workshops are also great for bringing neighbours together and creating a community with a common cause; protecting your beautiful area. 

The call to Kiwis to get out and explore their own country seems to have worked, with Matakana experiencing a busy school holiday period, despite some bad weather.In the post-Covid climate, many businesses have been worried about what the future may bring. However, over the mid-year school holidays many saw business as usual, with some operators being even busier than in previous years.The village during a winter morning The Bach Matakana had a much busier year than last. Owner Sophie said, “After speaking with a lot of my customers, it's very clear that holidays to popular overseas destinations such as Bali, Fiji and Rarotonga have all obviously been cancelled, and so Matakana was where they all came.” Matakana has a reputation for being one of the best day trips from Auckland, and with international travel out of the picture, a lot of people are exploring this. Kiwiness Tours also saw a huge increase from last year, hosting Kiwis on tours around the Matakana Coast. Matakana Butchers are getting busier and busier every year and loved seeing families pull up in their camper vans to stock up for some great New Zealand adventures. Last year was the second warmest July on record, with below normal rainfall, while this year we have seen storms and cold snaps. However, that doesn’t seem to have deterred people from coming and seeing what our beautiful little area has to offer. 

Many of us have seen horrifying videos of the damage that little plastic straws can cause when they end up in the oceans. Matakana local, Adam Lane, is providing an alternative so you can enjoy your milkshake or cocktail with a straw, but without the guilt of contributing to plastic pollution. Adam and his wife Becks have a background in hospitality, having started up Bramble cafe and currently owning the Point Wells Store. When looking for an alternative to plastic straws, it was a struggle to find one that worked well. “Paper straws will always have a place, as they are a great alternative to plastic, but they go soggy. We looked at and tried straws made of pasta, but they went soggy after time and are not gluten free, so we tried and rice straws. These are gluten free, but they still go soggy” So, they gave straws made from hay a go: “So HAY! Straws. We tried and tested and loved them. They are all natural, gluten-free, biodegradable, straws made from straw! Perfect.” The Hay! Straws are more sustainable, as they make use of a byproduct. They use the stem of the wheat plants from places that normally burn them. They don't go soggy in hot or cold drinks, and they won't alter the taste of your beverage either.Cocktails and Hay!Straws available at Smiths Bar, Matakana Straws are particularly prone to ending up in our waterways, and ultimately the oceans, due to beach littering, wind that transports the lightweight objects from rubbish cans and rubbish collection facilities, so Hay! Straws are a great new alternative.  So far, people all over New Zealand are switching to HAY! Straws: cafes, bars, restaurants, people for their baches, and gift basket companies. Here in Matakana, The Stables and Smiths are the first on board with HAY! Straws. A small move like switching your plastic straw for a Hay! Straw can have a positive effect in the environment. As Adam says, “We all don't need to be perfect, but we all need to try and do better and be as conscious of the health of our planet as we can be.”  Hay! Straws can be bought online at www.sipstraws.co.nz or email [email protected] for wholesale pricing.

The Matakana Community Group is looking for volunteers for their new initiative, Pest Free Matakana.The project is run by community group chair Rachel Demler, and member of the Takatu Landcare Trust Ngaire Wallen.They plan to set up trap lines in the village after reports that stoats are particularly prevalent. They have been looking at sources of funding for the traps, but with the help of volunteers they will be able keep costs down.  Trap lines have been drawn up by Ngaire, and the group is now looking to move forward with the project.Pest Free Matakana is looking for volunteer help with this project to either build the boxes (simple woodworking skills required) or to lay and maintain the traps.  The effect of stoats on New Zealand’s bird species cannot be underestimated. They are voracious and relentless hunters, preying on wrybills, the New Zealand dotterel, black-fronted terns and young kiwi among others. Birds that nest in holes in tree trunks such as mohua, kākā and yellow-crowned kākāriki are easy prey for stoats who can take out eggs, chicks and incubating adults in one attack.If you would like to volunteer your services to help eradicate pests in Matakana, contact Rachel via [email protected], or get in touch through the Matakana Community Group Facebook page.