Our current alert levels will be staying in place for a further 12 days, the prime minister has confirmed. Auckland will be remaining in alert level three, and New Zealand at level two, until August 26 at 11:59 p.m.The settings will be reviewed in a week’s time, on August 21.In addition to the alert levels staying in place, the prime minister confirmed the wage subsidy will be extended nationwide. “We have identified 29 cases, at this stage all linked to the Auckland cluster… and one case that is likely linked to the cluster,” she said.More than 30,000 tests have been completed over the past 48 hours. “There are signs we have found this outbreak relatively early in its life,” Ardern said. “The earliest case we have found to date was a worker at the Americold store in Mt Wellington who became sick on the 31st of July… Contact tracing and genomic testing has not yet found a link to the border or managed isolation in quarantine facilities at this stage.“The sequence of the virus at this stage is not the same as community cases in our first outbreak. This suggests this is not a case of the virus being dormant or a burning ember in our community. It appears to be new to New Zealand."

Once again, we find ourselves in level three lockdown. This time, we had less time to prepare, with Jacinda Ardern announcing it on Tuesday around 9:30 p.m. and the lockdown coming into force on Wednesday at 12:00 p.m.With cases in New Zealand outside of managed isolation, people are scrambling to get tested. Testing facilities across Auckland have been swamped, with some having to stay open until 11:00 p.m., five hours later than they were supposed to, just to clear the backlog of people waiting to be tested. Over 950 cars were waiting outside of St Lukes testing station on Thursday morning. Luckily, there are some closer to home options for those of us in Rodney that feel like we may need a test. There are testing stations in Wellsford and Warkworth, that are open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. However, they are doing things a little differently to testing stations in Auckland.No walk-ins are being accepted at these testing facilities. Everyone needs to have called and made an appointment in advance. In Wellsford, you will then be asked to wait in your car and telephoned when it is time for your swab. The Wellsford station can be reached on 09 423 8086 and the Warkworth station can be reached on 09 425 8585.The no walk-in policy has worked well so far, helping to keep things running smoothly and avoiding the large lines of traffic which disrupt others on the roads. On Wednesday, the Wellsford station carried out around 150 tests, which is a respectable amount for a station of its size and number of staff.If you are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, such as a cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or high temperature, call Coast to Coast Healthcare and set up an appointment with the Warkworth or Wellsford testing stations as soon as possible.

Matakana will be hitting the big screens with new Kiwi movie A Love Yarn being filmed in the old Matakana Deli.You may have noticed traffic control in Matakana Village and lighting equipment outside the block of shops opposite the Village Pub. The building has been transformed into a quaint knitting shop for upcoming film A Love Yarn.New Zealand actress Anna Hutchison (Robert the Bruce;Encounter; Vengeance), as well as Simon Arblaster (Once Upon a Time; DC: Legends of Tomorrow; Wild Justice) and Olivia Tennet (Lord of the Rings; 800 Words; Kiri and Lou) will star in this movie about the owner of a quaint New Zealand yarn shop, Sophie Dale, who gets her world flipped upside down after learning her top supplier of yarn, King Farms, is stopping production. Much to her surprise, the charming yet stuck-in-his-ways Samuel King has travelled all the way from New York to audit the business model of the farm. Desperate to keep her shop going, Sophie convinces Samuel to give her two weeks to learn the ropes of yarn spinning and raise enough money to buy the mill herself. With Samuel’s help, Sophie comes up with a fundraising plan to host a “knit-off” and auction at the local makers’ market. However, when the two weeks come to an end, Sophie finds herself at a crossroads of business and romance. Could she have misinterpreted Samuel’s growing interest in her as just business all along?A love yarn is written by Becca Johanson and directed by Peter Burger (Filthy Rich; Until Proven Innocent; Mataku). His last two films received a nomination in the category “Best Director” at the New Zealand Film & TV Awards and at the Qantas Television Awards.

Auckland moving into alert level 3 for the next 3 days has left White Chapel Jak no choice but to postpone their upcoming sold-out Friday show, Leigh Sawmill recently posted on social media."GUTTED! We were so looking forward to a weekend of all that White Chapel Jak infectious awesomeness! Making a plan and will announce new date for Friday’s show, Saturday? Guess we’ll know more about that soonish. Will be in touch with all accom and cafe bookings today. Stay safe and be kind out there!"It is unclear at this time when or if music events will be allowed.

To support local businesses in the area, we have made a new local level 3 business directory. This features all the local food outlets, shops and services that are operating right now. If you'd like to be added, contact us.To access simply click ' Shop Local' in the top right hand corner.Then browse and support local businesses.

Everyday, we are seeing more and more evidence on the detrimental effects of the fast fashion industry. Matakana locals, Sophie Hauser and Olivia Courtney, are doing their part to reduce landfill waste and break this chain, with their new sustainable clothing venture, Neighbourhood Recycle. Neighbourhood Recycle is a place for pre-loved clothes to find a new home and get some more wear rather than ending up in a landfill. The idea for it came about quite organically. Sophie and Olivia both have a passion for the environment and sustainability, so creating Neighbourhood Recycle meant that they could do their part in the bid to discourage fast fashion. Both girls grew up in the area, and they could see how much value a community space like this would bring locals. They have been hard at work and have just finished the renovations of the shed. Now, they are in the process of collecting the community's exceptional pre-loved garments. The tentative opening date is six weeks from today. The Neighbourhood shop. Until Neighbourhood Recycle opens, you can drop off your clean, good-condition garments to Bach Matakana. They will process the garments they want to accept and contact you to collect garments that are not accepted. If you choose, these items can be donated to charity.If you have any funky pieces that aren't getting much wear, definitely consider dropping them into Neighbourhood Recycle. “We are not limited to branded clothes. We are looking for garments that are re-sellable, of good-quality fabric and not fast fashion. We have got quite a few NZ made pieces and are always on the lookout for epic vintage pieces.” Once your garment has sold, Neighbourhood Recycle will split the sale with you 50/50.Follow @neighbourhoodrecycle on Instagram to keep up to date with what's in the shop. “We can't wait to receive your pre-loved goods!”

Expect heavy rain today as an active front is forecast to move south eastwards across the North Island delivering a period of heavy rain and strong east to northeast winds to Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty.On Wednesday, another front is forecast to move northwards along the east coast of the North Island, delivering a southerly change and a period of heavy rain.Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise unexpectedly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be dangerous.A severe wind watch has been issued. Northeast winds may approach severe gale at times from 11:00am to 7:00pm today.Stay up to date on weather watches as they are subject to change, and drive to the conditions.

Tuesday ACT Party in Warkworth, Bridge House, 5:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.ACT candidates are on a nationwide bus tour, from Whangarei to Invercargill.David Seymour will be in Warkworth, joined by Deputy Leader Brooke van Velden, Mark Cameron, and local candidates Beth Houlbrooke and Paul Grace. Hear ACT’s plans for New Zealand's future. FridayTalk of the Town: This Town, Matakana Cinemas, 6:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.Matakana Cinema’s Talk of the Town Series brings director and lead actor of This Town David White to the cinemas for a screening and Q&A about the movie. Acquitted of a crime, a young man tries to rebuild his life while an ex-cop turned petting zoo owner, convinced of his murderous tendencies, tries to prove his guilt.SaturdayThe Tahi Brothers Live, The Tahi Bar, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.The Tahi Bar & Kitchen are proud to present their new house band: The Tahi Brothers! They're a versatile blues and rock band playing classic covers for your enjoyment. Head on down to the Tahi Bar for a beer and a boogie.White Chapel Jak Return of The Jak Tour, The Leigh Sawmill Cafe, 7:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.It’s time to celebrate the end of lockdown and the return of White Chapel Jak, who kick-off their “Return of the Jak - Here’s to us Nu Zuland!” live music tour. Known for putting an acoustic, funk-groove spin on upbeat songs everyone knows and loves, they have taken out the Radio New Zealand 2018 Battle of the Covers Band title and have performed more than 600 gigs NZ-wide.SundayA World of Whiskey, The Vintry, 6:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.Join Sam Snead and The Vintry to take a tour around the World of Whiskey. Single malt scotch is arguably one of the most revered and diverse spirits of the world. However, there are more and more countries creating their own styles or versions of whiskey and some deserve more than a second glance. With his own unique style, Sam will walk, talk and taste you down a global road of whiskey, making a few stops along the way to introduce some new friends to our drinking circle.

The ‘Merchants Of Leigh’ is a vintage and craft store that just opened. Located in the original brewery building at the Leigh Sawmill Cafe. The Merchants features a great eclectic mix, that ranges from furniture made by Edward Guinness & Dick Irvine to everything vintage collected by Matt Crockett. There’s something for everyone! - Open Friday to Sunday.

The British TV quiz show The Chase has never been more popular with New Zealand viewers, with TVNZ announcing that an average of 1.6 million viewers tune in to the daily 5.00 p.m. episode. For whatever reason, general knowledge and trivia is something that really ignites the Kiwi competitive spirit. So, if you think you have got what it takes, test out your skills at The Tahi Bar for Warkworth’s Sunday quiz afternoon. The first proper pub quiz came about in the 70s, in southern England. At first, the plan was to just give bars a way to get people in on slow nights, but the concept of pub quizzes turned into world-wide phenomena, even spreading all the way into little old New Zealand, and evolving into highly competitive events, sometimes with very respectable cash prizes. Trivia has also proven to have mental health benefits. “You get a rush or a dopamine burst from winning,” says John Kounios, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Drexel University in the U.S.A. “I think whenever you’re challenged with a trivia question and you happen to know it, you get a rush. It’s sort of like gambling, but without any pitfalls”.If you are a fan of random facts and are up for a little bit of friendly competition, get in touch with the Tahi Bar on 09 422 3674 to register a team. Quiz runs from 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. and you can even follow it up with a Sunday roast.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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