Puhoi Library will be receiving some tender love and care this month, in the form of some refurbishment work. One of the smallest working libraries in New Zealand, this quaint place has loads of interesting history, tonnes of charm, and over 4,500 titles, all donated by the community.This tiny, historical building has stood in place since 1913. In 1923, it was established as the Puhoi Library, before unfortunately being filled with six feet of silt during a flood the following year. It stood unused as a library until 1977, when it was reopened. It was flooded again in 2001, but this time managed to stay open as a library. The work on the building will start this month and will include exterior painting, refurbishment of the access path, repointing of the chimney and minor repairs to windows and entry door threshold. The work is due to be finished by the end of March.

The Tawharanui Open Sanctuary Society, also known as TOSSI, is looking for volunteers to help with a range of activities around the park this Sunday, the 1st of March.Anyone is welcome to lend a hand with projects like tree planting, fence maintenance, the monitoring of reintroduced species and shorebirds, checking and maintaining traplines, helping in the nursery, or just generally helping out. It's a great opportunity to give back to the community and to also spend a day roaming around a beautiful regional park. The day's work will begin at 9:00 a.m. and finish around 1:00 p.m., with a delicious barbeque meal offered afterwards to say thank you. If you would like to attend, make sure you wear old clothes and sturdy shoes, and a pair of gardening or work gloves wouldn't go amiss. If you want more information, contact [email protected].

Progress is being made on the new Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway, but does come with inconveniences for some. Pūhoi Road will be closed during the night on three Sundays in March so that large beams can be installed on the Arawhiti ki Pūhoi Bridge across Pūhoi Road. Pūhoi Road will be shut between 9:00 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. on the 1st, 8th and 15th of March, all of which fall on a Sunday.While this work is happening, detours will be put in place. Auckland Transport have warned that the detours may add significant time to journeys, so try and avoid Pūhoi Road when possible.The Northern Express Group (NX2) is responsible for the financing, designing, building, maintaining and operating of the motorway for up to 25 years. “Health and safety is our highest priority during the works. We ask road users to reduce their speed and drive safely through the area. We thank road users for their patience while these works are carried out”, said NX2’s CEO Vicente Valencia.

Cimino Cole is a very passionate man. Founder of the Mahurangi Magazine and founding executive member of Mahurangi action, a lot of great community initiatives can be attributed to his energy and drive.He first encountered the Mahurangi Harbour during a boy scout camp, after moving to Waiwera with his family at age 13. He then moved here in 1974 and has been living locally ever since.Mahurangi Magazine, a publication with all the information you could ever need about Mahurangi, began as a hard copy magazine in 2007, before moving to its current online platform.Mahurangi Action, previously known as Friends of the Mahurangi, began in 1974, with Cimino being a driving force, and for decades, the youngest member. The issue that first banded this group together was plans by the then Warkworth Town Council for a wastewater treatment plant. The system would discharge into the Mahurangi River, just below the town. “Although the spur was the wastewater, the landscape was the overarching concern. Their aim was to protect harbour’s landscape and keep it as the beautiful place we all know and love”.He has a lot of notable achievements to be proud of, but the one that first sprung to mind was the prevention of roads into Te Muri. In the 1980s, the idea of a road bridge (along with parking for hundreds of cars) from Mahurangi West to Te Muri Beach, a beautiful isolated spot that can only be accessed by foot or from the water, was mooted.Cimino and Mahurangi Action rallied, along with the community, to put this plan to rest and preserve the “splendid isolation”. “We blew it out of the water”. Because they had done a huge amount of preparation and went to the council with all the information and submissions gathered, they managed to preserve this little slice of paradise. “It's just darling”. Cimino speaks of it as “the most joyous” project he has worked on.Mahurangi Action also revived the annual tradition of the Mahurangi Regatta in 1977, and according to Cimino “it just gets better and better”. His mission for 2020 is to use the regatta as a way of making attendees aware of community initiatives and issues, like the dredging of the Mahurangi river, a critical issue affecting the Mahurangi harbour. He also organises the Warkworth Town Hall talks, which have had a direct effect on the funding of projects, such as the green lipped mussel restoration. “The potential of those talks to galvanise these projects has been large”.These are just a few of Cimino's very impressive achievements in his ongoing endeavours to keep Mahurangi the incredible place that it is. Thank you and keep up the great work!

A temporary amendment of dog laws has been put in place for the northern end of Snells beach to protect endangered species, such as the dotterel and New Zealand fairy tern. Until March 30, 2020, all dogs are prohibited from all beach areas north of Sunburst Avenue boat ramp.Dotterels are sensitive birds, and with only 1,700 of them left in New Zealand, they are classified as a threatened / vulnerable species. To get the population back up, the successful breeding and hatching of eggs is imperative, but this is difficult when nesting birds are constantly under threat from people, dogs and other predators. The fairy tern is even rarer, it is considered the most endangered bird in our country. It’s therefore easy to see why it's so important to protect Snells Beach.A recent change in the dog access laws allowed dog owners more time on beaches with their furry friends. Dogs are now prohibited on public beaches from 1st of December to the 1st of March, and only from 10.00 a.m. till 5.00 p.m., giving dog owners an extra two hours in the evening to exercise their dogs.But due to the incredibly vulnerable bird species living at the northern end Snells Beach, these recent laws have been temporarily amended: there is no access for dogs at all. All beach areas south of this point are still subject to current rules. Hopefully the implementation of these new rules means the survival and continuation of these very special species. 

With the temperatures feeling hotter than ever, everyone is looking for a place to cool off. Here are some of the best, well known and not so known places, to take a dip.Warkworth Cement WorksWilson Road South, WarkworthSet against the awesome backdrop of the Wilson Cement Works ruins, this huge, freshwater swimming hole has been a popular spot for the locals for years and is the perfect spot to cool down on a hot day in Warkworth. If you are feeling brave, you can swim out and jump off the cliff on the opposite bank for a rush of adrenaline. The Wilson Cement Works ruins are now recognised as a heritage site.Pakiri BeachPakiri River RoadIf white sands and big surf are more your cup of tea, then Pakiri Beach is the one for you. With every kind of beach activity available, a beautiful regional park and plenty of places to stay, it's the perfect local getaway. The beach is ideal for swimming and surfing, and you can even try your hand at beach fishing.Anchor BayTakatu Road, Tawharanui PeninsulaAnchor Bay is an amazing white sandy beach near Tawharanui Regional Park and is a real slice of Kiwi paradise. The water in Anchor Bay is very clear and is great for swimming, snorkelling and diving. The relatively calm waves make for a relaxing dip. With plenty of rockpools, low tide offers the opportunity to explore marine life, and you may even find a private pool big enough to chill out in yourself.Mathesons BayMathesons Bay Road, LeighThis pretty little beach is sheltered from the ocean by its protecting reef and island, so it a safe place to swim or paddle a kayak in most weather conditions. There is a swimming pontoon in the bay during the summer months. Matheson Bay is a popular spot for dive schools for their dive training. Sometimes orca come right into the bay and whales and dolphins can be spotted from the hill on the southwest side. There may also be a hidden waterfall and freshwater swimming spot if you're in the mood for an adventure.Nordic BeachLeighJust to the right of the Leigh cemetery, you can follow the stairs down to big rock pools and massive rocks for jumping off. Locals call it ‘The Nordic’ after a ship that sank out from Leigh Harbour in 1962. A great place for swimmers and thrill-seekers alike.Te Muri BeachMahurangi WestThis beautiful, well-kept secret is part of the Mahurangi West Park and can only be accessed on foot, unless you’re keen for a dip. It can be best summed up in the words of author Liz Light, who fell in love with Mahurangi West. “Te Muri is a paradise because it has no road access and all those people with picnic stuff and beach toys don’t come here. Also, the estuary can comfortably be crossed three hours either side of high tide, so planning is needed. It’s 400m down the hill to the estuary, which reduces to a shallow stream at low tide. We step-stone on to Te Muri and relish the wide, open freedom of a beach to ourselves. We swim and paddle in crystal shallows where shoals of little fish seem, at first, to be sun patterns in ripples.”Te Arai Te Arai Point RoadTe Arai offers pristine white sandy beaches at the end of picturesque rural roads. It's an area well known by surfers for consistent, safe conditions and it's an utterly gorgeous spot for a day at the beach. Although a little bit of a drive north of us, this stunning beach is definitely worth the trip. You can swim out amongst the surf or stay in the sheltered old quarry swimming hole. The clear blue water and epic rock formations provide a great backdrop for the perfect Instagram shot.Scotts LandingRidge Road, Mahurangi EastThis sheltered little beach is the perfect place for the whole family, with nice calm water for the little ones to splash about in. The beach is lined with some impressively huge macrocarpa trees; great for resting under or clambering around in. Scotts is a beautiful spot for a family to spend the day with a picnic.

Pakiri Beach is known for its beautiful white sand and incredible surf. But what many locals may not be aware of is the huge amount of sand being mined from this beach, and its ongoing effects. Every year, 76,000cum 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. The group ‘Friends of Pakiri Beach’ are strongly opposed to this operation and have started a petition to try and gather the support needed to stop the renewal going through. They currently have over 900 signatures. 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.(Pakiri Beach early 1900's Photo - Whites Aviation )( Pakiri Beach 2007, Photo Basil Denee)Pakiri Beach is a precious ecosystem, home to the Fairy Tern, New Zealand's rarest bird: there are only 40 left. Sand mining has the potential to drastically change their habitat, putting these rare birds at risk.  In 2006, the High Court ruled in favour of sand mining, despite the objections of Pakiri residents and the Auckland Regional Council.  The Environment Court decided that natural sand replenishment would compensate for sand taken, and so has continued to allow mining for the past 14 years. However, coastal scientists don't necessarily agree, saying that only erosion of the sand dunes sand would replace the sand taken.  The Auckland Regional Council has said continued extraction would eventually lead to beach and dune erosion and would spoil the significant natural character of the coastline. If you wish to sign the petition to support the stop of this mining, or simply find out more about it, head to https://friendsofpakiribeach.org.nz/

On Sunday February 2, 2020, a vehicle was broken into in the Countdown Warkworth underground car park.Between 12:45 - 1:15 p.m. a van was broken into and a few small items were stolen. The countdown staff were informed and contacted the police to ensure that this incident was a one-off and hadn't happened to more customers.The owner of the van believed that the suspects were a group of men in their 30s-40s who were still in the car park, drinking, when he discovered what had happened. He spoke to them, but the conversation wasn't a pleasant one and did nothing to quell his suspicions.The Countdown staff are reviewing CCTV footage in the hopes that it may shed some light on the situation.To help countdown staff and the police identify the suspects, the van owner took photographs of both the men and vehicle they were in.If you were in the area around lunchtime on Sunday and saw anything suspicious, please get in touch with the staff at Countdown or the police. 

With weather drier than it has been in a long while, a total fire ban has been put in place for the entire Auckland region, which means all current fire permits have been suspended. NO FIRES are permitted unless it is an approved fire type (for cooking purposes).This full ban came into effect January 28, 2020, a change from the restricted fire season which had been in place since November. There have been a few incidents in the area, such as the grass fire off Wylie Road in Warkworth. Over seven fire crews and a chopper were required to fight the blaze.Homeowners should make efforts to reduce fire risk by keeping gutters clear from leaves and twigs and removing any dried vegetation. The fire risk is so great that people have been warned to take extra caution with simple activities like lawn mowing, as this alone could cause a spark that can easily become an out of control blaze.Take extra care if you have kikuyu grass on your property; this plant has a hidden way of fuelling the flames. Fire can spread quickly along the extensive underground root system of kikuyu grass and surface in other drier grasses; thereby starting surface fires which can spread quickly in multiple directions.For more information on fire safety and to see which fires are allowed during this time, go to https://www.checkitsalright.nz/, a site by Fire And Emergency New Zealand.

The Puhoi Pub, a local institution, is on the market after 140 years. The historic pub has stood in place since 1879 and is among the oldest pubs in New Zealand. This is the first opportunity to own this little slice of Kiwi history since 1962, when the pub was bought by Rodney and Dulcie Seymour, who passed it onto their daughter Gillian Seymour in 2001. Now, at 72 years of age, she feels she is ready to step back and hand it on to someone else.The Puhoi Pub is being sold along with the six hectares of land it sits on, and the adjoining piece of land with the old stables buildings, another four hectare-block. The two-storey pub and hotel, which has a Historic Places Category Two listing, can sleep 14. The land, business and buildings are for sale by tender.The council valuation for the pub is just under $1m, not including any business value, and the valuation for the block of land with the stables is $1.15m. Rodney Seymour was the character who put the Puhoi Pub on the map, turning into the well-known, well-loved establishment it is today. His collection of pub culture memorabilia cannot be rivalled, and the pub is filled to the brim with history. Serving not only as a pub but also as a museum for the many people who have spent time here over the last 140 years, it is the unique home to many traditions such as the annual Puhoi Woodchopping Carnival. Gillian Seymour is looking for the right buyers who will understand and respect how important the pub and all its quirks and traditions are to the community. Check out the listing here for more information. Photos - LJ Hooker

This scorching hot weather we have seen over the last few weeks is a great excuse to go and get a sweet, icy cold treat. Luckily for us, the Rodney area has a wealth of incredibly delicious ice cream shops to satisfy the craving. Not only are they customer approved, many of them are award winning, which just confirms the yumminess. Charlies’ liquorice gelato scooped up the gold at the 2018 New Zealand Ice Cream Award, and the strawberry gelato and black doris plum sorbetto both received a silver each.Charlies Gelato Garden is a favourite of both locals and tourists alike. A local institution, they make some incredible gelato, sorbetto and sell seasonal fresh produce grown on site. All of their award-winning ice cream is made the way the Italians do it: very small batches from scratch. With over 40 flavours available each day, there's an option for whatever you might be craving. A hit for the ten years, Charlies is definitely a place to check out. Over summer they also fire up a pizza oven in their beautiful gardens.OOB Organic ice cream at 89 Jones Road, between Matakana and Omaha, is the perfect stop off on your way to or from Omaha Beach. They make a fresh, certified organic berry and soft-serve blend (available in dairy-free too) or you can indulge in delicious organic ice cream and ice blocks in a selection of mouth-watering flavours. There are also punnets of freshly picked blueberries to take home.Puhoi Valley Cafe isn't just for some fantastic cheeses, they also sell indulgent ice cream. Ranking as "extra yummy" on the "yum to yuck scale", Puhoi Valley Cafe's Puhoi Choc Bomb landed the Kids’ Choice Award at the 2019 NZ ice cream awards, as voted by a group of 8- to 12-year-old guest judges. Everyone knows that kids can be the toughest critics, so theirs is the opinion to trust. In the 2017 awards Puhoi Valley Cafe also cleaned up, winning five major awards. It took home the supreme award of boutique manufacturer for its chai latte ice cream, which also won the premium ice cream category.With such a wealth of great local produce in the Rodney region, it's no surprise the ice cream is mouth-watering. While the sun shines over the summer, gives us the best excuse I can think of for one of these delectable treats.

Swimmers are being told to steer clear of several local beaches after multiple sharks were spotted.Auckland Council website Safeswim notified users that Omaha Beach, Tawharanui Beach and Anchor Bay all had shark sightings.Safeswim has issued a "swimming not advised" notice for Omaha, and is urging people at Tawharanui and Anchor Bay to exercise caution.The warning for Omaha was put in place at 3:24 p.m. on Tuesday the 28th.Omaha beach is patrolled by Surf Lifesaving teams, but neighbouring beaches Tawaharanui and Anchor Bay are not. It is advised to enter the water at your own risk.

Monday 27 JanuaryLonely Heartstring Band, Whangateau Hall, 7.30 p.m.Nourished by deep roots in traditional American music, they embody the modern American condition - an understanding and reverence for the past that informs a push into the future. George Clements (guitar, vocals) Patrick M’Gonigle (fiddle, vocals) Charles Clements (bass, vocals) Maddie Witler (mandolin) and Gabe Hirshfeld (banjo) bring together their own musical styles to create a sound greater than the sum of its parts. Combining soulful instrumental virtuosity with soaring three-part harmonies, their growing repertoire of original songs and compositions showcases not only their considerable talents, but a dedication to meaningful roots-conscious music.Tuesday 28 JanuaryTrish Allen: Zero Waste, Puhoi Sports Club, 7:30 p.m.Trish Allen will be talking about her empowering permaculture journey from Rainbow Valley farm to localised zero waste leadership. Trish has established her own eco-home and edible landscape, and she shares her knowledge by teaching permaculture-related courses, composting and waste minimisation both in New Zealand and overseas. Thursday 30 JanuaryAuthor Zac Quinn, Warkworth Library, 5.30 p.m.Join Warkworth Library for the opportunity to hear Zac Quinn talk about his new book, Sanlundia. It follows the experiences of a journalist working in a refugee camp and is a thought-provoking look at the price we all pay when we allow the strong to abuse the weak. Bookings are essential so please contact the library on 427 3920 to secure your spot. Saturday 1 FebruaryWarkworth Summer Market, Old Masonic Hall, from 8.00 a.m.Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 FebruaryA weekend of Fleetwood Mac, The Leigh Sawmill CafeCelebrate the music of Fleetwood Mac with this premier tribute to the band. They’ll be playing two big sets of classic Fleetwood Mac from late ‘60s Peter Green era to ‘80s hits.Saturday from 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 4:30 p.m.Pre-sales: $25. Oo available at undertheradar

Omaha residents were startled by the appearance of two police helicopters circling the skies on Sunday, January 5th.The two choppers that seemed to be focused mostly on the southern end of Omaha were spotted by residents at around half past five in the evening. The addition of two police cars at the end of Mangatawhiri Road added to people's concern, with locals taking to the community Facebook pages to try and work out what was happening. “Might lock the doors in case there is a mad man running about” commented one worried Omaha inhabitant.Local speculation produced theories from a simple police chopper training exercise to a high-speed chase of some kids on a golf cart (a common issue in Omaha) down the main road.At 6:22 p.m the reason for all the fuss was revealed. A person had been seen carrying what was initially thought to be a firearm. After a thorough check of the area, police were confident that there was no threat to residents and stood down. With a potential threat this serious, it is comforting to see the response was so extreme.

An elderly blind man became lost in the Dome Valley between Warkworth and Wellsford on Sunday, spending eight hours in the bush before being rescued by police.On Sunday night, police were alerted to the gentleman’s plight and were thankfully able to quickly pinpoint his location using the GPS features on his phone. The man was walking his dog when he became lost, and his location put him about two hours walk from the nearest road.His family and local police had been searching all walking tracks in the area. The police Eagle helicopter spotted him quickly, but the rough terrain and windy conditions made it incredibly difficult to land. After several rescue attempts, and with fuel running low, the Eagle was finally able to get close enough for Constable Tristan Kewene to jump out of the chopper while it hovered and guide the gentleman aboard. Once he was was safely in the helicopter, Kewene then lifted the dog up for their flight home. “And away we went. We found a vineyard nearby that we could land in." The man's family was waiting for them and were ‘stoked’ to see him.Kewene said he couldn't "stress enough" the importance of taking a charged phone when out walking in the bush and of also letting someone else know where you are headed. In more remote locations, a personal locator beacon is a good idea, he said. In some cases, knowing someone’s GPS location "could make the difference".

One person has died following a crash between a car and a truck between Wellsford and Warkworth.State highway 1 in Dome valley near Wayby Valley Rd has been closed in both directions between Wellsford and Kaipara Flats Rd and traffic is being diverted down Kaipara Flats Rd, Tauhoa Rd and SH16. The crash occurred at 12.42pm on Wednesday. Police are currently conducting a serious crash investigation, with SH1 most likely staying closed until late evening. Police and NZTA advise to delay travel and to avoid the area if possible.Will continue to update as more information is released. 

Over the weekend, our area saw ‘Severe Weather Warnings and Watches’ from Metservice in force due to the heavy rain and thunderstorms.“This warning affects people in the following local government areas: Rodney, Kaipara”. At 1:30 p.m., MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near Wellsford, Kaiwaka, Mangawhai and Te Arai. These severe thunderstorms moved eastsoutheast and were expected to lie near Wellsford, Leigh, Matakana and Pakiri at 2.00 p.m and near Omaha, Leigh, Matakana AndPakiri at 2:30 pm.On Sunday, Puhoi Volunteer Fire Brigade were called to put out a pine tree that had been struck by lightning. The fire was successfully put out.Despite the thunder and rain, it was still very hot with an average temperature of 260C.The Matakana App will notify you on future weather warnings.Photos - Puhoi Volunteer Fire Brigade

A snapshot into the biggest music events hitting our area over summer.  Cuttin’ Loose23rd November, Leigh Sawmill If it feels like the December and January festivals are just too far away, Cuttin’ Loose is coming up soon; the perfect way to start off a summer of dancing and distraction. Great DJs will be bringing bangers all night to the Leigh Sawmill, with a whole lot of DnB and electronic tunes to get you moving.Hidden Valley27th December, Matakana Country ParkThis will be the fourth Hidden Valley festival held in Matakana since 2016. It is always a huge event, and huge amounts of fun. The line-up every year has been incredible, and this year will be no exception, with crowd favourite Wilkinson, returning for the fourth time, alongside other massive names like What So Not, and Culture Shock. This festival will be held at the Matakana Country Park on the 27th of December, so it’s the perfect warm up for New Year’s Eve festivals.Highlife festival31st December, Ascension VineyardHighlife festival will be the perfect way to bring in the new decade without even leaving the area. This incredible festival has been previously held in stunning locations like Waiheke Island, but this year will be held at the beautiful Ascension Vineyard right here in Matakana. It's a one-night festival, so it's perfect for anyone who doesn't want to spend three days camping, using communal showers and getting no sleep. This event sees a higher class of New Year celebrations, so leave the jandals and singlets at home and get a little dressed up. The festival is R22, but if you're under this age (and over 18) and still want to go, give them an email and they'll see what they can do.Northern Bass29-31st December, 420 Settlement Road MangawhaiNorthern Bass is back for its ninth year. Three days of music, camping and sunshine in beautiful Mangawhai is just a short drive away. The festival boasts an incredible line-up of international and Kiwi artists, including huge names like Ghostface Killah of the Wu-Tang Clan and New Zealand favourites, Fat Freddy's Drop. The massive festival has three stages, a huge selection of food vendors and multiple bars: everything you could possibly need for three days of great music. And if you need a change of scene and a freshen up, there are stunning beaches right nearby. Perfect!Another Day3rd January, Matakana StablesAn afternoon and evening of dancing in the ‘20’s, Another Day is showcases some of the finest international and local house, techno, and disco talent. This is the first time this gig will be happening, but it is sure to be a great one, so don't sleep on it.Shapeshifter + Guests 11th January, Matakana Country park Shapeshifter are bringing The Upbeats and MC Tiki, Leisure and party starters Sunshine Sound System to Matakana for what will be one of the highlights of the summer of 2020. Showcasing songs from their upcoming album as well as a range of classics, Shapeshifter live in Matakana is always an absolute summer scorcher.Sonorous26th January, Matakana Country ParkAnother incredible festival hosted at Matakana Country Park, Sonorous is coming for its third year. Sonorous boasts a great line-up of both local and international artists, all in our own little corner of New Zealand. The festival has two stages, one indoor and one outdoor, and has become a staple event in house and techno fans’ calendars.