A koha entry show aiming to open an important dialogue about suicide and depression will come to Warkworth this Friday.Shot Bro is a one-man performance by acclaimed actor and playwright Rob Mokaraka whose undiagnosed depression resulted in a “massive mental and spiritual breakdown” in 2009.Mokaraka first performed the show in 2016 following a seven-year journey of healing after a suicide attempt in which he approached police with a meat cleaver outside his Auckland home. He was shot by police in the chest at close range as a result. Despite his efforts at the time, Mokaraka survived and Shot Bro has become his “fulltime passion”.Shot Bro has been described as a powerful, raw, and authentic show that shares the effects of depression.Mokaraka described it as a “funny, dark, real, and educational” performance which has helped him to understand what he was experiencing at the time of his suicide attempt. He hopes that Shot Bro would help others to process their own experience with depression.“The moment they’re listened to without judgement is the moment they start to heal,” Mokaraka said. “We are collectively holding that space. It takes a village to heal a village.”The show has been crafted strategically and with care to ensure the audience were supported while processing the heavy content.“When you talk about depression, it’s so serious,” Mokaraka said. “That’s why it’s padded on either side with humour or light.“People are being confronted because it isn’t just cerebral, it’s emotional. It’s easy to hide behind your mind. I’m like your steward on the flight, but I don’t bring you drinks.”As part of this care and as a ‘grounding process’, the 70-minute performance is to be followed by a 20-minute audience discussion and light refreshments. “The forum itself is the most healing part of the show.”For Mokaraka, change did not come overnight, but subsequent media coverage, medical procedures, and a court case eventually forced him to face his trauma.One of the unanticipated outcomes of the incident was the amount of support offered by strangers.“It made me feel like I wasn’t a freak,” Mokaraka said, though he continued to question whether he deserved this kind of love for some time.“It’s just about making someone feel acknowledged, and that’s what the show is doing for me. It is humbling to listen to people’s stories and how they’re trying to navigate them.”When asked whether Shot Bro had changed his life, Mokaraka replied it had done much more than that. “Creating Shot Bro has saved my life,” he said.Audience feedback indicated it was not just his life the show had saved either: “I’ve gotten people coming up to saying thank you for saving my life.”New Zealand has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, and people of any age, ethnicity, or social standing could be affected.His advice to those who may be hurting was to practise being kind to themselves, an act which was harder than it sounded. “I love you bro, I love you sis. You’re not alone. You’re allowed as much help as you need,” Mokaraka said. “Basically, please don’t take your life.”Shot Bro - Confessions of a Depressed Bullet will be on at the Warkworth Town Hall, this Friday, April 9th, at 6:30 p.m.If you are struggling and need help, these free phones are operated by trained counsellors who can help you talk through problems and identify ways of coping.Lifeline: 0800 543 354 [Available 24/7]Youthline: 0800 376 633Need To Talk? Free Call Or Text 1737 [Available 24/7]Kidsline: 0800 543 754 [Available 24/7]Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 [1pm to 11pm]Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 [Available 24/7]Samaritans: 0800 726 666

Auckland Transport has released the draft Regional Land Transport Plan, and it is now open for feedback until May 2, 2021.The RLTP is the 10-year plan for Auckland’s transport network. It details the areas that Auckland Transport, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and KiwiRail will focus on to respond to our region’s transport challenges. It also outlines the proposed 10-year investment programme for specific transport projects.Once public feedback has been taken on board, the final document will then be taken to the Governing Body for endorsement. Auckland Council’s planning committee, which guides the physical development and growth of the region, unanimously endorsed the Draft RLTP which AT are now seeking public feedback on.During consultation, the RLTP will also be reviewed by all the local boards. Local Boards are the part of Auckland Council that represent the views of local communities.In developing the draft RLTP, Auckland Transport sought the views of a sample of Aucklanders to understand the most important improvements people would like them to prioritise. To meet the directives set by central and local government policies and strategies, the draft RLTP aims to contribute solutions in the following areas:Climate change & the environmentSafetyTravel choicesBetter public transport connections and roadingWalking and cyclingAuckland’s growthManaging transport assetsOver the next 10 years, $36 billion is planned to be spent across Auckland’s transport network. This is funded through:Auckland Council - rates, development contributions and debtCentral Government - funding from the National Land Transport Fund, other Crown allocations for rail projects including the City Rail LinkUser pays service charges - parking fees and public transport faresRegional Fuel TaxA key source of funding for transport projects in Auckland is the Regional Fuel Tax (RFT). The RFT was implemented in Auckland on July 1, 2018 to fund transport projects that would otherwise be delayed or not funded. It adds 10 cents a litre (plus GST) to petrol and diesel.Auckland Council is currently seeking feedback on a proposal to change details of the projects funded in their current Regional Fuel Tax scheme in response to funding decisions made by the government and to align with the Draft Regional Land Transport Plan.The proposed change only relates to the projects the RFT will fund. The amount of fuel tax you pay will not change. Find out more about the projects the RFT will fund.To read over The Regional Land Transport Plan and give your feedback, visit here.

Blood On Vines, the thrilling new crime novel set right here in Matakana has hit shelves, and it’s a gripping read. Blood on Vines is the debut novel from author Madeleine Eskedahl, and it explores the lives of four friends with a shared past, and a common enemy.In New Zealand’s Martinborough, an ex-wine maker is murdered. The precise planning and execution by the unknown assailant begins a series of vile attacks. Meanwhile, north of Auckland, the long, hot summer is over and the tourists have left the Matakana wine country. A tranquil atmosphere descends, and warm autumnal winds sweep across the grape-laden valleys. With the harvest due, grapes sit bursting upon the manicured vines awaiting the pick. Within this vista of peace, a rampage of death is about to rock the local community to its core.Blood on Vines is Madeleine's first novel, but she has always been a writer, especially stories for her daughters when they were small. She chose Matakana as the setting for Blood on Vines as it is such an incredible area, one that no author has yet utilised as a setting. The landscape itself is rich, with the rolling hills, stunning vineyards and quaint little village, and the diverse mix of people who call the area home all come together to make for the perfect setting. The seemingly perfect exterior also makes the darkness under the surface that we see in Blood On Vines that much more shocking, drawing the reader in. Blood on Vines has been in the works for around three years, and Madeleine used last year's lockdown as a chance to pull everything together and send the book to be published. “I tormented my friends and family with questions about the book, so I’m sure they’re relieved its finally finished”, she laughs.So far, the reception to Blood On Vines has been overwhelmingly positive. The book launch held a few weekends ago went wonderfully.Madeleine at The Matakana Village Bookshop Signing over the weekend. Photo Instagram “Mike from the Vintry and the ladies from Matakana Village Bookshop have been amazing! It's been a real community project. It was really humbling to see all the people that came to the launch. I had to take a step back and take a mental snapshot so I would remember it,” says Madeleine.Her second book in the Matakana series, Rings On Water, is set to come out early next year, and will include some of the characters we see in Blood On Vines. Local law enforcement officer, Bill, returns and we get to know more about his past, along with his partner Niko who is dragged back to Matakana when a body washes up on Tawharanui Beach. Rings On Water is set in winter, so we see the slower paced Matakana, when all the holiday makers have left the area. 

An architecturally iconic house in Mahurangi West is on the market. The house was formerly the gallery known as the Zealandia Sculpture Garden and was designed by renowned architect Pip Cheshire with owner-artist Terry Stringer. The house won a NZIA architecture award in 2000.Zealandia was developed by renowned NZ sculptor Terry Stringer and his partner as their home, a place to create and display Terry’s work.. The gallery space and park-like surroundings showcased his bronze sculptures and the property opened to the public as Zealandia Sculpture Gardens in 2001.The property is on six acres, two of rolling lawns with a four-acre backdrop of mature kauri and sea views out to the Mahurangi Harbour. The property has since been transformed from art studio, gallery and home into a luxury accommodation retreat. The goal was to retain the aesthetic of the buildings, preserve the Terry Stringer’s artwork, while providing people with the opportunity to experience the unique spaces and environment. The existing woolshed that was Terry’s former studio is now the residence for the owners and the gallery has been transformed into two self-contained holiday apartments. The current owners have listed the property with Sue Hatton of Ray White Matakana and Omaha. It is offered with a deadline sale date of April 8, 2021.

This Easter weekend marks the start of a new, exciting, and original fishing competition all in aid of the life-saving work of the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter. The Humminbird Fishing Tournament offers seasoned anglers and budding enthusiasts, alike, ample opportunity to catch the big one, help save lives and score over $100,000 in prizes!Join the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter at the inaugural charity fishing event and catch all the excitement of Omaha’s new catch-and-release fishing competition. The Humminbird Omaha Fishing Tournament kicks off Saturday 3rd April culminating in a prize-giving celebration at the Omaha Golf Club on Saturday 10th Apri,l, 2021.Participants will have seven days to compete, all leading to a one-day event like no other on Saturday 10th April. Celebrate the ‘one that got away’ with your family and mates at our prize-giving ceremony and Rescue Helicopter Open Day, at 12:00 p.m. at the Omaha Beach Golf Club. Everyone's welcome.Enjoy live music, food and drinks, an auction, raffle and have a close-up encounter with our helicopter and crew who will be going for gold with unmissable water safety demonstrations.Last but certainly not least, every entry into the competition will earn you a chance to win a 4.8m Maro Boat with a Yamaha 60hp outboard, humminbird sounder, canopy, VHF, safety equipment plus a fishing gear package to rival all. To claim your prize, simply purchase a ticket to the competition and be there on the day of the draw - Saturday 10th April, 2021. Tickets are $70.00 per adult and $20.00 per child. The Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopters undertook 142 missions to Rodney in 2020 - the busiest year on record with 1,187 missions overall. By taking part, you are helping your rescue helicopters save lives.Whether you’re young or young-at-heart, it’s anyone’s game and it all starts this Easter. Purchase tickets at - https://www.eventspronto.co.nz/ARHTfishing or visit Hunting & Fishing Warkworth.

The Matakana Coast is a wonderful place to raise a family: it's no surprise that many young families have chosen to settle here. Now there is an awesome organisation providing resources for parents and other caregivers to help their little ones learn from home.Playschool provides a personalised preschool service for children being cared for by a person other than their primary caregiver, such as a nanny or grandparent. This is aimed at nurturing and improving your child’s development. The service they offer is very easy to implement, requires very little work from the career, and best of all, it is totally free, including all the resources. The programme also offers non-income tested subsidies to every child of up to $4.20 per hour. Once a month, a qualified teacher will come out and visit the career, drop off some great resources for your child, and give suggestions of things the career could do that are in line with your child’s current interests.Even if your child is in a kindergarten, playcentre or preschool 2-3 times a week, or you only have a flexible arrangement with your carer, you may still be eligible for this service and the subsidy.Playschool is licensed by the Ministry of Education and audited by the Education Review Office (ERO) ensuring that the programme is of a high standard and meets your child’s educational needs. Playschool’s learning programme is based on the National Early Childhood Curriculum and up-to-date research. If you are looking for the best for home-based care for your preschoolers, then you may have just found it. To find out more information, or to find register your interest in the service, visit https://playschoolhomebased.co.nz/

The Mahurangi Wastebusters have been doing great work over the last three years, and are are continuing to fight for sustainability by diverting hundreds of tonnes of waste from landfill and educating the community on waste minimisation and recycling initiatives. Over the weekend, Wastebusters attended the Warkworth A&P show to help keep the amount of waste generated by the event out of landfill. Events like festivals or shows are notoriously hard for keeping waste low, but the Mahurangi Wastebusters managed to divert 74.7% of the show's rubbish from landfill. Of that, nearly 60% was food scraps and compostable coffee cups, cardboard plates and serveware, which will all go into the compost bins at the Lawrie Road recycling centre. In about three months it will come out the other end as compost! Another 16% was recycling (cans, bottles, etc). Wastebusters also have some tips on how to reduce your families waste this easter weekend:Buy Easter goodies and ingredients from bulk bin or zero waste shops to reduce packagingMake your own Easter chocolate, buns and biscuitsUse decorated stones for Easter Egg hunts and have one yummy prize at the end Decorate real free-range hard-boiled eggs with natural plant dyes (tumeric, beetroot, spinach, red cabbage) so they can be safely eatenCollect clean tin foil wrappers and squash them together in the shape and size of a tennis ball for recycling (Note: small bits of foil cannot be picked up by recycling machines)Sew fabric bunnies from secondhand fabric scrapsGive experience gifts like movie tickets, a boat ride, a horse riding lesson or a night walk to see the kiwi at Tawharanui Regional ParkRe-gift something you don't want or need.Mahurangi Wastebusters is a fantastic organisation, full of helpful information on how you can minimise waste at home, and how to correctly dispose of items in ways that are best for the environment.

One of Omaha's last beachfront properties is up for sale, and in terms of location, you can’t get much better than this.The property is located at 5 Matariki Street, just next to the surf club and in front of the Omaha shops. This is one of the eight beachfront properties that have not yet been developed in the northern end, making it a very rare space indeed.No one is quite sure what the future holds for this property yet, as it comes with Business - Neighbourhood Centre Use zoning, opening it up to a potential future as a restaurant, cafe or retail outlet. However, it also has the resource consent for two adjoining houses, so it could just as easily end up being a residential property.The site is rather large, 1,815 square metres to be exact, and the views are some of the best in Omaha. It is being sold by Bayleys Omaha and is up for tender with a deadline of April 19th, unless sold prior. Median property value in Omaha hit $1.8m in February, according to the latest OneRoof Property Report data, but with this being a beachfront property and in such an outstanding location, it is expected to go for upwards of $3.5 million. 

As reported by The Spinoff in December, libraries around New Zealand and the rest of the world have been getting rid of late fees. Now Auckland Council is reviewing public feedback on whether it should do the same. Auckland's libraries are currently owed just over $2 million in late fees, with $1,693.00 the highest amount owed by one customer.The fees provide a handy revenue stream, with the council collecting $1.2 million in the 2018/19 financial year (it dropped to $876,000 last year due to Covid-19). Despite this, the proposal looks set to be given the green light by councillors, who tended to agree that this was a good case for putting community needs ahead of the financial bottom-line.When libraries have abolished fees overseas, they have seen a dramatic increase in memberships and the hope is for a similar impact here. Mahurangi East and Warkworth Libraries host a huge number of activities, events and learning experiences for the community, with Shave for a Cure events, children's story times and art activities, nia dance days and educational talks being held over March alone. Many of these events are free, so they provide a great opportunity to go and try something new while supporting all the hard work the local librarians put into organising them.This Saturday, 27 March, at Mahurangi East Library, librarian Andrew is hosting a talk in which he will discuss a selection of the world’s finest art galleries and museums. Relive some of your favourite OE experiences. Tea, coffee and bickies will be served by the The Mahurangi East Friends of the Library group. You might like to throw a $2.00 coin in your pouch to subscribe to the vibrant community group of library friends and advocates. Nau mai haere mai! All welcome!

This weekend, up and coming singer Muroki will be stopping off for a show at the Leigh Sawmill, the first show of his tour celebrating the release of his latest single, ‘Wavy’. Wavy, a hypnotic slice of pop is the second cut from the young Raglan musician's forthcoming EP and these shows are his first since breaking his arm in a skateboard accident. So far, the reception to the song has been overwhelmingly positive. “It's honestly been crazy. I've never received so much love for a song before, and I can't wait to play it live.” says Muroki.After stunning RNV and Nestfest performances, a skateboard tumble in his hometown put rest to many of Muroki's plans (he also plays in popular Raglan groups Masaya and Cloak Bay) but he has already been back in the studio finishing up more tracks and planning a big 2021. “I have lots of new music, new videos, and heaps of shows planned for 2021, so keep an eye out for those!”Wavy is Muroki's third single release. His self-released debut For Better Or Worse caught the ear of BENEE and she was soon playing the song to Elton John and the worldwide audience on his Rocket Hour Radio show. When asked who his biggest musical influences are, Muroki says “definitely cats like D'Angelo, Anderson. Paak, Lauren Hill, Fat Freddys Drop, and Damian Marley.” While you can hear the influences in Muroki’s funky, soulful tunes, he has definitely carved out his own unique sound. Benee invited him not only to join her sold-out October tour, but also to be the first artist signed to her new Olive record label. “Obviously playing at spark arena is a pretty crazy rush, but it's all the same at the end of the day. It's definitely more about having a quality connection with the crowd, rather than the size of the venue”.Friday March 26th marks the start of the tour, and also the release of his next song, Cross Roads, featuring Rhys Rich. Be sure to get in and grab your tickets from Under The Radar quickly, and groove the way into the weekend with Muroki. 

The Rodney Local Board is currently deciding whether or not they should support the sale of council owned property carpark at 14 Baxter Street in Warkworth (opposite New World).The site was originally acquired by Rodney District Council in 2002 for a proposed community centre development that never went ahead. The Finance and Performance Committee deferred a decision regarding the potential sale of the property in 2017, pending further consideration by the Rodney Local Board. Since then, the local board has received further advice and discussed the issues through a number of workshops. Key issues includethe current poor and deteriorating condition of parts of the building, which will require remedial work with significant cost to councildesire from the local board to continue to ensure car parking for Warkworth town centre.However, being co-owned by three other organisations - Westpac, New World and the Masonic Lodge - arrangements while trying to figure out what to do with the property are complicated. The property at 14 Baxter Street is a non-service asset, i.e., it doesn’t provide a council service which means council is unable to allocate budget towards the management and renewal costs associated with the building.In 2017, the Rodney Local Board resolved against the sale of the car park, noting its importance for town centre and commuter parking and to meet future proposed growth in and around Warkworth. The local board also noted that it wasn’t satisfied with Auckland Transport’s assessment that there is adequate car parking in the town centre.In 2020, the local board made it clear that it wasn’t prepared to fund further remedial work on the car park. Staff have recently had initial discussions with each of the other three property owners regarding the current condition of the building and their preferences for the future. Each of the owners has differing considerations, aspirations, and constraints but are open to further discussions.

Submissions of feedback on the 10-year budget for Rodney (spanning 2021-2031) are due to close soon, and as of the 14th of March, there were only 600 submissions. With the submission deadline of the 22nd of March rapidly approaching, the Rodney Local Board is calling for more locals to have their say, in order to make sure that the budget addresses the issues that matter most to the citizens of Rodney. COVID-19 left a $1 billion shortfall in Auckland Council's budget, hitting services and local board projects. Tough decisions are needed, and community feedback helps the local board understand what matters most to us.The Rodney Local Board advocates to councillors, who decide on funding. Their proposed priorities are safe and well-maintained roads, with Auckland Transport getting funding to renew and maintain 12% of the city's roading network yearly; and securing $121 million for AT's Unsealed Roads Improvement Programme.Proposals for the local board in the 2021-2022 financial year:continue to deliver improvements to our village and town centrescontinue to improve water quality in our waterwaysimprove our local biodiversity and natural environment by eradicating pestscontinue restoration work and mitigation of kauri diebacksupport the community, and community resource recovery and recycling centres to minimise waste, turn waste into resources, and to promote education on waste reductionprogress the outcomes identified in the Green Road master planprogress renewals or construction of key community facilities including Wellsford toilets, Kumeū Library, Mahurangi Community Centre.Allocations for the budget for the next year: Community servicesOperating spend: 2021/2022: $14.3 millionCapital spend: 2021/2022: $5.4 millionEnvironmental servicesOperating spend: 2021/2022: $487,000Planning services: $315,000GovernanceOperating spend: 2021/2022:$1.1 millionFeedback on the 10-year budget is open until 22 March at akhaveyoursay.nz/recoverybudget where you can also comment on the council's regional priorities.Regardless of whether you support the 10-year budget, community feedback is crucial, so please read, submit, and share as widely as possible.

Smoke on the Coast will be returning to Whangateau after a stellar competition in 2020, and the first event of 2021 will go ahead on Sunday, March 21 at 8 Wired Barrelworks.At 2:00 p.m. this Sunday, three teams (Cook Cartel BBQ vs The BBQ Pit Crew vs Texans BBQ) will battle it out for the Smoke on the Coast and 8 Wired People’s Choice awards. For $40.00 per person, you can head along and receive a BBQ dish from each team (3 teams/dishes) and a beer/wine from the bar. Award-winning food, award-winning beers and a great relaxing location to enjoy it all: what better way to spend a Sunday!The main event, Smoke on the Coast Barbecue Festival, will be run at the beautiful Whangateau Reserve and Holiday park on the Whangateau Harbour near Leigh, on the 24th and 25th of April. The festival is run around the Smoke on the Coast Barbecue Competition as part of the Jack Daniels New Zealand Barbecue Championship and Steak Cook-off Points Chase. The very best of New Zealand’s Pitmasters will be vying for the Grand Championship of Smoke on the Coast. You can wander through the competition arena, talk to teams and see them create the best Barbecue in the country, then retire to the VIP area to enjoy a drink and enjoy your own dose of top-quality BBQ overlooking the Whangateau Harbour.There will be live local music, hot food, cold drinks and free barbecue classes from New Zealand's Top Barbecue Chefs across three different barbecue dishes. Smoke on The Coast is a free event, but you need to register for tickets to attend, which you can do here.

Now that summer is over, dogs are once again allowed on public beaches at any time.Time and season laws are placed in public places over busy periods to avoid conflict between dogs and people. During the summer months, dogs are prohibited on beaches from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. For the rest of the year, dog owners may walk their pooches on the beach whenever they please.However, some areas still remain off limits. At 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, to protect sensitive species such as dotterels. Failure to meet these terms can result in an infringement notice, and a $300.00 fine.While dogs are allowed to roam free on most beaches, in the following areas, they must be on-leash at all times: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).And remember: always pick up after your dog! Carry bags with you to dispose of any mess your dog may make. When in a public place or premises, dog owners must ensure the immediate removal and disposal of their dog’s waste. Leaving nasty little surprises is awful for other people, is also illegal and can result in a fine.

Summer is over and although that may mean the end of the good weather, there is one positive to get excited about: feijoa season!Feijoas are an extremely versatile fruit, and can be used in all manner of ways. They can be frozen and enjoyed later in the year, or just eaten as they are for a tangy treat. The local produce stalls are starting to sell the first fruit of the season (our favourite is the one just past Sculptureum heading into Omaha), and remember to keep an eye on your neighbour’s tree for any fruits going to waste!Here are a few of our favourite ways to use up any extras you may have:Caramelised Feijoa CrepesThese crepes from Nadia Lim are an excellent breakfast or brunch offering. Caramelised feijoas make up the filling and you can chuck a few more on top to round out the meal. Feijoa CordialThis recipe is a great way to use up feijoa skins after you have eaten the delicious fruits. It's a super simple and quick way to eliminate food waste, and cordial will last up to two months. Freeze the skins if you want to make cordial later in the year.Feijoa SalsaWho said feijoas could only be used for sweets? Salsa is easy. Dice the fruit and toss with coriander, sugar, red onion, chilli, lemon juice and anything else you think will pack a punch. This is sure to impress at any late season BBQ.Feijoa SmoothieThis recipe is one way to get your feijoa fix with a delicious autumnal smoothie that’s perfect for an easy breakfast on the go.Feijoa MuffinsThese feijoa muffins are super quick and easy to make, and if you chuck in some choc chips, they are sure to be an absolute hit in school lunchboxes. 

This month, the Warkworth Hotel is launching a new culinary venture, transporting diners to Southeast Asia even though we are unable to leave New Zealand. Every Sunday night in the Dining Room, the Hotel will bring you HOTEL VIETNAM, Launching on Sunday 21st March 2021, you can indulge in a unique two-hour dining experience with modern Vietnamese cuisine hosted by chefs and restaurateurs Jason van Dorsten & Woody Richards. Over the next few months, they will take you on a tasting journey through the regions of Vietnam.All food is served over four courses and designed to be shared with friends and family. Each menu is carefully crafted to represent some of the most acclaimed, exotic and unknown dishes from six distinctive regions starting from north and working down to the south of Vietnam. The menu representing each region will only be available for two Sundays before they continue the journey down the country one bite at a time.Chef Jason’s knowledge of Vietnamese cuisine comes from frequenting Vietnam over the last 16 years and his passion and respect for Vietnamese culture is reflected in his food.Restaurateur Woody Richards lived in Thailand for four years travelling the country, owning restaurants and immersing himself in the culture. Jason van Dorsten started his career in Auckland working for well-known restaurants, including Prego, La Zeppa and Vivace. He later moved to the UK to gain fine dining experience with Thomas Cubbitt in Belgravia. A holiday in Southeast Asia sparked a passion for the fresh, delicate flavours of Vietnamese cuisine and was the genesis of the creation of Café Hanoi. Jason spent time living and working in Vietnam, building a repertoire of recipes and he frequently returns for further inspiration. Jason developed his menus in close collaboration with his largely Vietnamese team of chefs as they searched for the best way to present traditional Vietnamese food to a discerning cosmopolitan audience.The HOTEL VIETNAM concept is a continuation of their love of Southeast Asian cuisine and celebrated alongside music and entertainment. It will showcase Vietnamese cuisine accompanied by live piano in an elegant environment. Expect to be entertained with jazz, classical, tangos and ragtime.For $75.00 per person, you will be taken on a Vietnamese cuisine adventure for two hours. The food will be a culinary journey of taste and texture to delight your taste buds. Also available are five delicious and unique Asian inspired cocktails to match if you wish. Come early for a pre-drink in the lobby to set the mood before being taken to your table for a complimentary glass of Deutz Prestige and you begin your dining experience.Reservations only for these events, either at 5:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. every Sunday.

A dedicated team of locals are doing incredible work, preserving the history of the Matakana area, while restoring headstones at the Matakana Graveyard.The first recorded burial in the Matakana cemetery was in 1861, so it is understandable that some of the gravestones are looking a little worse for wear.The land the cemetery sits on was donated in 1868 by the Matthews family, the official opening was on 23rd October 1875, and since then it has been in the care of a trust, but without funding or interest very little has been done to improve or sustain the graves.In 1908 the burial site register was created, and many local families bought plots and were responsible for their maintenance. However, as people moved out of the area the keeping of the cemetery has fallen into the hands of a few local volunteers. As well as restoring headstones to their former glory, the team does in depth research of the person that was laid to rest there. With the hustle and bustle of present-day Matakana, a lot of us forget the rich history of the area, and how those before us shaped Matakana into what it is today. They post their findings on the Matakana Cemetery Facebook page (you can find it here), which was established to highlight the facts, memories and stories of the people who are laid to rest in the Cemetery. They tell the stories of those who may have been forgotten.

Omaha Beach walkers were greeted by an unexpected visitor on their lockdown walks this week.At first glance, the creature appeared to be a snake, causing alarm and confusion among those who saw it. Hoping to get it off the beach and out of people's way, some locals tried to return it to the water, but the stubborn snake-like animal kept returning to the sand. After some debate on the Omaha Beach community Facebook page, the species of this strange visitor was narrowed down to two options: some form of sea snake, or a snake eel, although one local suggested it could be “the Labour Party’s way of trying to stall the rising house prices of Omaha”.Although it was a fact unknown to many, yellow bellied sea snakes are actually relatively common in this part of New Zealand, and can be identified by these features:Upper half of the body, dark; lower half, yellowish.The two colours usually meet abruptly to form a straight line along each side.Long head.Belly scales similar in size to other body-scales.Tail compressed sideways to form a paddle; yellowish with large dark spots.Measures up to 1 m in total length.Yellow bellied sea snakes are venomous, so if one is found it is best to leave it alone and contact the Department of Conservation. Snake eels can grow to at least two metres. Snake eels are found in warmer water in the north-eastern Atlantic, northern New Zealand, Japan and the Mediterranean. They are rarely seen by humans because they burrow into the sand with just their heads poking out until they pounce on passing fish to eat. After some closer inspection, the general consensus was that the animal found on Omaha Beach was a snake eel.

A Tsunami Warning has been issued for New Zealand coastal areas following the magnitude 8.1 earthquake near the Kermadec Islands Region.Our area is currently under assessment, but if you are on the coast it is advisable that you move to higher ground as soon as possible. Stay out of the water. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, small boats and anyone in or near the water close to shore near these areas. Now is not the time for sightseeing.The severity of currents and surges will vary within a particular coastal area and over the period this warning is in effect.The first wave may not be the largest. Tsunami activity will continue for several hours and the threat must be regarded as real until this warning is cancelled.People in all New Zealand coastal areas should:Listen to the radio and/or TV for updates, or check www.civildefence.govt.nzListen to local Civil Defence authorities and follow any instructions regarding evacuation of your areaStay out of the water (sea, rivers and estuaries, this includes boats)Stay off beaches and shore areas.People in certain east coast areas of the North Island must move immediately to high ground. These areas are: Bay of Island to Whangārei, from Matata to Tolaga Bay, and Great Barrier Island. Civil Defence says you must move immediately. Coastal inundation (flooding of land areas) is expected in the following areas:The West Coast of the North Island from Cape Reinga to Ahipara.The East Coast of the North Island from Cape Reinga to Whangarei, from Matata to Tolaga Bay, including Whakatane and Opotiki.