Auckland Council is asking locals for submissions on the renewal of the resource consent to continue sand mining from Pakiri Beach.Every year, 76, 000m³ of sand are taken in water five to ten metres deep in the Mangawhai-Pakiri embayment: the site of the largest single nearshore sand mining activity in the developed world. The McCallum Brothers, responsible for much of the mining since 2006, are seeking to renew their consents to continue mining.Mining at Pakiri has been happening for over 80 years, and people who have regularly visited the beach over this time have seen a noticeable difference in the landscape. Renewal of the consent would give permission to extract up to a total of 2,000,000m³ of sand from an area of 44km² within the coastal marine area over a 20-year period. The group Friends of Pakiri Beach have been strongly opposing this operation, and earlier this year started a petition to stop the renewal of the resource consent. The petition got 2,021 signatures.Once submissions close on June 4, Auckland Council will hold a hearing to consider all submissions, before making the decision on whether or not they will renew the resource consent. If you wish to have your say on this issue, file a submission here.For more information check out Friends Of Pakiri Beach Org

Back in the 80s, there was an ad campaign “Don't leave town till you've seen the country”. For the foreseeable future, that is our only option. But it is nothing to complain about.Tourism is New Zealand's largest export earner, contributing $15.9 billion, or 6.1 per cent, to New Zealand’s GDP, and directly employs eight per cent of the New Zealand workforce. With border restrictions likely to be in place for at least a few more months, the outlook for the tourism industry is dire.But that is where we come in. With international holidays off the cards, Kiwis can use the money they had bookmarked for that annual trip to find somewhere a little more local for a break. Horizon Research has found that tourism and related businesses will enjoy a re-start, with more than a million adults intending to take domestic holidays.Every part of the country has something different to offer, whether you are looking for a luxury glamping experience or an adventure packed get away. Off The Beaten Track, connecting holiday makers with properties that are rural and uniquely New Zealand, is a great way to find the perfect place stay on your travels. It is owned and operated by Kiwis, thereby putting money directly back into the New Zealand economy.They have thousands of properties, each set in a beautiful little slice of New Zealand. Although you may have been looking forward to an exotic escape this year, consider seeing a part of the country you have never experienced, or visiting an old favourite. The number of international tourists we get each year is a testament to just how special our country is, so go out and find out for yourself.

On Thursday May 14, New Zealand will move back down to level two. Retail, malls, cafes, restaurants, cinemas, playgrounds and gyms able to reopen. On Monday May 18, schools and early learning centres will reopen for all children.On Thursday May 21, bars will open. Bars have been left for last as they pose the greatest risk for transmission. Gatherings will be allowed, but of no more than 10 people. Although we are allowed to move beyond our bubbles, it is still asked of us that we follow these rules: Keep your distance when you’re out in publicIf you’re sick, stay home.If you have symptoms of cold or flu, contact your health provider or healthline.Wash your hands.Don’t get together socially with more than 10 people.Keep track of your movements.The rules will be reviewed again in two weeks.

This week, the ‘Auckland Town Hall Rich List’ was released, an article revealing the names and salaries of the highest-paid staff at Auckland Council and its subsidiaries.Published as an exercise in transparency and accountability, the list stated that “if someone is paid more than a government minister, ratepayers should at the very least know who they are and what they do”.The results were pretty outrageous: forty-eight staff are paid more than mayor Phil Goff ($296,000) and seven are paid more than Jacinda Ardern ($471,000). Twenty-four of the rich listers are employees of Auckland Transport, eleven are from Watercare, six are from Regional Facilities Auckland, five are from ATEED, and five are from Panuku Development.In a time where the future of New Zealand's economy is very uncertain, people were understandably upset to see the amount of ratepayer money going to these employees. “Oh my gosh! $775,000 for working with the council? How can they justify this?” said one local on a Rodney community Facebook page. Others seemed to share these sentiments with comments like ‘what a joke’.But Auckland Council has objected to the release, saying there are inaccuracies in the numbers. “The information in the list they have published is inaccurate. As they say in their methodology, they have guessed the individual salaries based on salary ranges associated with position titles provided to them by the council. The specific salaries have not been confirmed by the council or individual staff members, other than the Chief Executive."We accept that there is a public interest in salary ranges for certain council roles, and we have already disclosed this information to the NZTU and it has also been made available on our website”.The council annually publishes the number of employees earning more than $100,000.The ‘Auckland Town Hall Rich List’ has taken the midpoint of salary ranges, then attached a name and a photo of the person they believe earns that amount.Despite the financial chaos Covid-19 is causing, Auckland Council is considering yet another rate hike of 2.5 or 3.5 percent. The council chief executive, along with the chief executives and chairs of the major agencies have voluntarily taken a 20 per cent pay cut for six months, with tier two executives and board directors taking a ten per cent cut in response to Covid-19 financial pressure on public budgets, but the Ratepayers Association is calling for more. “We welcome early reports of salary cuts planned for council CEOs, but the Town Hall Rich List demonstrates these cuts can and must go far deeper.”

This past summer, and well into autumn, we have had one of the most severe droughts this area has ever experienced. Rainfall is 40 to 47 per cent below normal levels, and the heavy rain we finally saw over the weekend is expected to be followed by a return to dry conditions and cold southerlies. Rain over March and April has provided some relief, easing the drought intensity from extremely dry, to severely dry. That, clearly though, is not enough. To recover from the long dry spell, Auckland may be moving from lockdown into mandatory water restrictions.Auckland Council confirmed yesterday that they will consider introducing water restrictions in response to the worst drought in the city's history."Auckland is experiencing its worst drought on record, with January to April this year the driest in our history," Mayor Phil Goff said."We have had a long hot summer with less than half of our normal rainfall, which means our storage dams have fallen to around 46.5 per cent, well below the 76 per cent average for this time of year."For households, watering gardens, washing cars and waterblasting properties would be prohibited if the restrictions are implemented. The council could give Watercare the power to impose fines of up to $20,000 for people who break the rules.If councillors agree, the mandatory water restrictions will kick in on Saturday, May 16.Last summer, people were left waiting for water for up to four weeks, while watching their tanks get scarily low. The council is encouraging people to start planning for next summer so we can avoid a similar situation.

With the effects of Covid-19 likely to stretch well into the future, New Zealand's economy is looking very vulnerable. We spoke to Gabrielle Finlayson, a real estate agent from Bayleys Orewa to see what would likely happen in the housing market over the next few months.“So far, the impact of Covid-19 on the housing market has varied. There have been positives for buyers, for example the LVR restrictions have been removed for at least the next 12 months and mortgage lending rates are at their lowest point ever. There was also an increase in activity just prior to lockdown because buyers were wanting to seize opportunities.“Although the country spent April in lockdown, there was still activity taking place within the market. “When looking long term, things look rough initially, but hopefully not for too long. “We believe the greatest impact will be in the next six months as the economy resets and the country moves out of lockdown. We predict that there will be a 30-50 per cent decrease in volume within the marketplace, so there will be greater demand for the properties that are available. However, there will continue to be opportunity within the marketplace for those looking to buy and sell.”“Our advice to those looking to sell in the next year or so is that there’s a great opportunity right now, especially in the coming months. A number of properties sold just prior to lockdown, so we have active cash buyers within the marketplace needing to buy. We are also seeing an increased demand in the market from ex-pat Kiwis that have either returned home or will be making the move in the future.“On the NZ Herald home page, a carousel which Bayleys holds the exclusivity over has seen a 35 per cent increase in traffic, with an increase to 40 per cent of traffic coming from offshore. Even if an owner doesn’t want to publicly advertise their property, we would certainly suggest that they talk to their real estate agent if they are open to a change, because we believe there will be an increase in off-market sales due to buyer demand.“For those looking to buy in the next year or so, our advice is firstly, keep your real estate agent updated on what it is you’re looking for. We are talking with our buyers at present and due to one reason or another, what they’re looking for may have changed. By staying in regular contact, we are able to better assist them. “In terms of why now is a great time to purchase; we know the downturn is temporary. Those that wait for the bottom, inevitably miss it. We only know that we’ve hit the bottom once things start going up again and when that happens, prices rise, competition at auctions increases, interest rates rise, and listings decrease. Sellers in the market over the coming months are selling for genuine reasons. With the transition to Level 2 we will see a greater opportunity of stock in the short term, this will be from those owners that have held off during Level 3 and 4.”

There are only three days left until Mothers’ Day, and for all the dads out there despairing because there will be no handmade gifts coming home from school this year, don't panic. Here are a few options that are sure to make your mum smile, with the added bonus of supporting local businesses.Twig and Bloom Matakana can deliver beautiful fresh blooms that any mum is sure to love. You can order by calling 021 0687541, or from their website. They can deliver anywhere from Mangawhai to Puhoi, or you can click and collect from their store. Don’t forget to mention the Matakana App for a bonus 15% off.Matakana Botanicals has the perfect products to pamper every mum with sleep products, hand wash, body lotions and more. They even have premade gift boxes to make everything as easy as possible. All orders over $50.00 receive a free Great Barrier Island Bee Co Manuka Honey Hand Cream tube valued at $18.00. You can order online from http://matakanabotanicals.co.nz/ and it will be dispatched within 24 hours, or if you live in the area you can place your order via email to [email protected], collect from the shop at 1122 Leigh Rd, Matakana, and pay via Eftpos. Pick up times will be Friday 8th May between 3.00 p.m. - 5.00 p.m. and Saturday 9th May between 10.00 a.m. – 12.00 p.m.For the mums who feel lockdown may have cramped their style a bit, consider picking something up from The Bach Matakana. With a range of surf and lifestyle brands, they have the perfect pieces for a weekend at the beach, a stroll through the farmers’ market, or a Saturday night out (after lockdown of course). They currently have 20% off store wide, so be sure to check them out here.With lockdown due to end soon, you could treat your mum to a voucher to C&M Hair Design in Warkworth to get her feeling her best. Hairdresser Chloe can truly work magic and make all your mum's hair dreams come true. To buy a voucher, contact her via the C&M Facebook page here. She also has an online store with all the best hair products to get that mane truly healthy and shiny. Blush Beauty Matakana can offer mums the ultimate relaxation gift: a day of star treatment. They offer facials, manicure and pedicures, brow and lash treatments and makeup, and a lot more. You can buy some of their beautiful makeup and self-care products for click and collect, or a voucher to cash in after lockdown, all from their Facebook page.All mums deserve to be spoiled, so get in quick and find her the perfect present.

Yesterday we received some good news; the Matakana Link Road will have four lanes instead of the proposed two.Auckland Transport (AT) has developed a plan that will allow all four lanes of the Matakana Link Road to be built within the existing $62 million budget,” says Mayor Phil Goff.“Building four lanes from the outset will ensure that the new road can accommodate growth in the Warkworth area, which is expected to see a population increase of 20,000 over the next 30 years.”The link road will allow people to skip going through the dreaded Hill Street intersection in order to get to Leigh, Omaha, Sandspit and Snells Beach.The 1.35km link will ease the congestion that frequently builds up at the intersection and will be very helpful when Hill Street is being upgraded. The project will create jobs, employing up to 120 staff and will help support the local economy, and with a shared path being built alongside the road, people also have the option to walk or bike.AT's executive general manager of integrated networks, Mark Lambert, says the plan is to have the road finished prior to the opening of the new Puhoi to Warkworth motorway. “Preparatory works started last week – prior to the main construction works – and involve lizard trapping and relocation, tree felling and service relocations on Matakana Road,” he says.

In yesterday's press release, Director General of Health Ashleigh Bloomfield urged people to remember that level three does not mean we can return to the normal level of social activity. It seemed that a lot of people wanted to celebrate the weekend the old-fashioned way - meeting up with friends for a drink or a chat. Between 6.00 p.m. May 1 and 6.00 p.m. May 2, police received 685 public reports of people breaching the level three restrictions, more than half of the 1,200 total reports they have received since the beginning of level three.Police have taken enforcement action against 514 people for breaches of either the Health Act or the Civil Defence Emergency Act since alert level 3 came into force, prosecuting 135 and warning 342.“We’re now nearly a week into level 3 and while there could be some excuses early on, everyone should now be more familiar with the rules, both around increased retail activity and our own social interactions.“It’s been concerning to see some behaviours continue into the weekend and ultimately, this could slow a move to Level 2.“Continuing to be vigilant will be key in supporting a move down to Level 2 as soon as possible,” says Dr Bloomfield.The advice ‘stay home, save lives’ still applies. There are still over 200 active cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand, and we don't want that number increasing. It has been a long five weeks for everyone, but the more we practise social distancing, the more likely it is that we can return to level two next week. 

Although most beaches have remained open for all levels off the lock down, Pakiri Beach remains closed in level three.The beach was closed at the beginning of lockdown by the local Iwi. A rāhui was placed over the land in order to “protect the vulnerable [kaumātua/kuia] with underlying health conditions", said whanau spokesperson Jessie Chapman.A statement was issued to the community on April 30, saying “I wish to inform you all that a rahui has been placed over the private lands from Pakiri G Block in the north to Taumata Block in the south. This rahui will be in place until New Zealand reaches Level 2.“Whilst we understand that some of you are very eager to enjoy our beloved whenua, we ask that you respect the wishes of the owners to carry out not only their customary rights and responsibilities but also their rights as private landowners.”The majority of Pakiri residents were supportive and respectful of the rāhui. However, some were left disappointed at not being able to visit the beach.Police say they have received a handful of complaints from people who found their favourite or usual access had been closed off by the small community living along the access road to Pakiri Beach. A police spokesperson has said that they are aware of the matter and have met with local iwi to discuss their concerns regarding community safety during Alert Level 3."We are working together to try to come to a solution and resolve the matter, so the public are able to access this beach during this period," the spokesperson said. 

Police have confirmed one person died in a house fire in Whangateau last night.The fire service received a call around 6.55 p.m. last night of a house fire on Birdsall Road. The cause of the fire has not yet been discovered, police will be making further inquiries today.(Scene of the house fire on Birdsall Rd)Leigh, Matakana and Warkworth fire crews were sent to fight the blaze. They encountered water shortages and had to source water from a nearby creek. One firefighter described flames as high as 30 metres. Thankfully, crews were able to subdue the fire by 8.30 p.m. and stop it from spreading onto surrounding bush.

Within the next two weeks, the government will be unveiling the new contact tracing app with which it aims to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Australia launched its COVIDSafe app last Sunday, and within hours more than one million people had downloaded it. The Australian app warns users if they have more than 15 minutes of close contact with someone who tests positive.In the four days from April 13 to 17, approximately 80 per cent of close contacts of new Covid cases were traced within 48 hours of that case being notified to the unit. With the new app, the government aims to increase that number so that no potential infections go undetected. The app would use mobile data to track the movements of people with the virus. However, many people have concerns over the breaches of privacy such an app could have. Privacy Commissioner John Edwards said his office was working with developers of the Covid contact tracing app to ensure it had good information about privacy implications. In a survey of 1,000 Kiwis, 73 per cent said they would be willing to download the app.When asked if they were likely to download the app, one local said “that’s a tricky one! I feel like I’d like to know if I’ve been exposed but wouldn’t want to be ‘tracked’”.Another said that they would happily download it if it helped end Covid-19 in New Zealand. “The faster that the virus is eliminated in New Zealand, the faster everything can get back on track. If that means that for a short period of time the government has this information about me, then so be it”.

Now that we are in level three, some recreational activities are allowed again, like surfing and golf. However, the lifting of the rules does not apply to everything.Duck shooting season was due to start on May 4, but it has been postponed until we go back to level two, which will hopefully be on Monday, May 11. “I know this is disappointing but for many duck hunters; the social interaction around hunting is an important part of the activity, especially at the opening weekend. The risks associated with groups of people coming together is too high" said Conservation Minister, Eugenie Sage.Sports facilities like tennis and basketball courts will remain closed until level two, as there is too much risk of contact to safely reopen them.Fishing off wharfs and beaches is fine, but boat ramps remain closed until further notice, to avoid any accidents or emergencies out on the water that would endanger the emergency service personnel who would have to respond.Any playgrounds or public exercise equipment is still off limits, except for playgrounds in childcare centres. Initially, they were also to be banned, but as this meant children would have to spend all day inside, the decision was revoked. Early Childhood Council chief executive Peter Reynolds said that would have put most childcare centres in "an impossible position"."You can imagine a 3-year-old spending six hours a day at a childcare centre and not allowed to go outside, which is not a particularly sensible or healthy thing for that child," he said.Camping is not allowed under the current COVID-19 Alert Level as a specific Health Act Order has been issued which prohibits this. DOC and all local authorities have closed all facilities including huts, campsites, lodges and carparks.If there is an outdoor activity that you aren't sure about, you can check here to see if it is allowed in level three. 

With the move from level four to level three, many of NZ Transport Agency’s projects will be starting back up.More than half of the NZTA’s 44 state highway projects will restart work, including the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway, while all other projects are expected to begin again by Monday.These jobs employ over one thousand workers, 400 of which will be back to work on the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway.Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said the Government is getting infrastructure build back up and running as soon as possible to help support workers and businesses and kick-start economic activity.As well as these projects, there are short-term nighttime works on State Highway One north of Warkworth, which began on Tuesday night. Road crews will be installing a section of temporary safety barriers from Grimmer Bridge to Christine Place. The work will take place from 7.00 p.m. to 5.00 a.m., with stop-go signs in place to control traffic.The planned safety improvements on SH1 through the Dome Valley include widening the centre line and roadside shoulders, adding right-hand turn bays and installing flexible road safety barriers.The work on SH1 is part of a project started in early 2019 and is expected to be completed in late 2021. The work is split into five stages along the 15km section of SH1 from north of Warkworth to Wellsford, with the two stages currently under construction due to be completed later this year.A drone captured the a video show the mind blowing amount of progress on the motorway, view the video here

This week, some children will be able to return to school. However, contrary to what the government first announced, returning to school is not on a voluntary basis. Principals' Federation President, Perry Rush, says Ministry of Education head, Iona Holsted, confirmed that schools will be able to enroll students on their physical sites during level three only if no one is available to care for them at home.Distance learning will continue for children to learn from home, and only children whose parents cannot work from home will be allowed to attend schools physically. With the level three rules allowing the slight expansions of bubbles, there is also the option of shared care from relatives or friends, thereby helping avoid the return to school unless it's absolutely necessary. Schools and early learning centres have very thorough pandemic policies in place, which increase cleaning procedures and advise schools on how to stay safe and avoid the virus. Staff and children attending will be subjected to more rigorous hygiene practices, as will parents dropping off or picking up their children.“Although this is a daunting time to be in close contact with others, we understand that parents need to return to work, and children need a place to go. The numbers in attendance will still be a lot lower than normal, and the advice from the Ministry of Health on how to keep everything as safe and clean as possible is very thorough. Once we are confident that things are running smoothly and the virus isn't likely to spread in our area, we can go back to regular attendance and have a sense of normality returned,” said one local early childhood teacher. The country will remain at level three for two weeks, a which point the government will consider the data on case numbers and transmission and make a decision on the next move. If we then move into level two, schools and early childhood facilities will be able to resume attendance as normal.

Over the past four weeks, the entire country has been locked down, forcing us to stay local.One thing that has certainly become apparent is how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place. The Rodney area has so many beautiful beaches, parks and walks that people have been able to enjoy while they have had time on their hands.We have space to get fresh air while still maintaining social distancing rules, a luxury that isn't universal. Upwards of 57,000 people now live in Auckland central, a lot of who live in small apartments. People have been having to work, exercise and entertain themselves in very close quarters. Lifts have become a source of anxiety, having to be constantly sanitised, and never shared. The community spirit here is something to be thankful for, too. One quick scroll on any of the local Facebook pages and you will see plenty of people offering to shop for those that can’t, or share produce. This lockdown has undoubtedly been a tough time, but it is also a time in which we can appreciate the beautiful landscape we live in, and the kindness of our community.Well done on making it through level four everyone. Stay safe. 

Covid-19 has created a big upheaval for everyone. Jobs have been lost, businesses have had to close, and many enterprises are just hoping for the best. With the imminent move into level three, some businesses are able to reopen, and the best thing we can do to help them is to support local. By spending locally, we support the local economy and our people in our community.Feeling peckish or just needing some gourmet relief? Here are just some of the wonderful local food outlets that will be able to operate in level three:Great Food Matakana has eight different menus to choose from. From burgers to Asian street food, there's definitely something for everyone. They deliver to Omaha, Point Wells, Matakana, Whangateau, Leigh, Snells Beach and Warkworth. They also serve menus from the Stables Restaurant and Smiths Bar, so if those are your local haunts then don't worry, you won't have to go without. Check out their selection and order from here.Leigh Sawmill Cafe are offering pizza, sides and a few hearty winter favourites for contactless pick up and local delivery (Pakiri hill to Whangateau)Starting 29/4 Weds-sun 5-8pm To order Phone 094226019 or email [email protected] Menu on our website by SundaySavans Bakery is reputed for having some of the best pies in the area. If you've been hanging out for a classic Kiwi lunch, you're in luck. Savans are doing online orders for delivery of frozen pies and white loaves of bread in the local Warkworth area. For details on how to order, head here.Viet Q foods will be back up and running for easy, delicious take away dinners on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. They have set up online payment and contactless pick up systems to make sure everything stays as safe as possible. Orders will be collected the night before. Full details here.For Kiwi staples like fish and chips, The Skillet and Fillet takeaway shop in Snells Beach will be operating from 11:30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. once we move to level three. They will be operating via phone order and will have a contactless pay and pickup area outside of the shop. To order, call 09-4255554The Ringawera Baker in Matakana will be delivering bread, croissants and some sweet treats during level three. They will deliver to different areas on different days: Thursday - Omaha,Friday - Point Wells, Saturday - Zone 3, Matakana / Leigh, and Sunday - Snells Beach / Warkworth. They will take orders through a mobile app called “Regulr". For more information on how to find it, see here.For something a little more exotic Jin Jin thankfully will be doing contactless takeaways & delivery services as of Wednesday 29th! For More information head hereMore Local Options include The Leigh Bar will be open for deliveries and contactless takeaway on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 4pm till 8.30pm. Bar Snacks and Burgers will be available Order 0210419242 or [email protected] Plume Cafè will be selling fresh bakery and patisserie items, Plume Cafe will be open from the 28th of April between 8.30am and 1pm for pickups done through the Plume Cafe website.Rusty Pelican Matakana Ma’Keto Kitchen make some of the healthiest and most delicious desserts in our area, for more info head hereMata Lunches is serving up some great fish, chips and burgers at affordable prices with kids snack boxes available. Call to order 021 0906-4906Point Wells General Store - 4pm - 7.30pm Thursday to Sunday. 09 422-7007 or head hereLittle and Local Coffee Kitchen in Snells Beach will be running a click and collect, contactless service from Tuesday 28th, serving delicious coffees for everyone who has been daydreaming about that perfect flat white.If you’ve more of a sweet tooth, Charlies Gelato Garden has a huge range of their best flavours available online which they can deliver straight to your doorstep. Just order online here. They also have local farm produce available, and yummy frozen meal options from Jess’ Underground Kitchen.Who can say ‘no’ to supporting locals when it all sounds so delicious!

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced New Zealand is going to move to alert level three at midnight on Monday, April 27, and will stay there for two weeks. After those two weeks, cabinet will track the data and review our position before determining how to best move forward.Schools will be able to open from April 29 for those who need to attend.“The Director General of Health is confident that there is currently no widespread undetected community transmission in New Zealand,” said Ardern. “In short, the effort of our team of five million has broken the chain of transmission and taken a quantum leap forward in our goal to eliminate the virus.” 

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