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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The design for the Warkworth Community Transport Hub has been approved by Rodney Local Board and will be delivered by Auckland Transport.The site position.The project, which has an estimated construction cost of $5 million, will be fully funded by the Rodney Local Board using the Rodney Transport Targeted Rate."It will address a variety of concerns raised by the community, including the One Warkworth Business Association, Mahu Sport, bus users and potential bus users, and those struggling to find all-day parking in the Warkworth township due to commuters using long-term parking spots." says Beth Houlbrooke, Rodney local board deputy chair and member for the Warkworth subdivision.The Transport Hub will feature 131 car parks, bike racks, dedicated mobility drop-off areas, and two bus stops. It will be situated next to the showgrounds, and it is expected to reduce parking and bus congestion in Warkworth, provide parking overflow for the adjacent Warkworth Showgrounds and deliver safe access from SH1, just north of the Hill Street intersection.The new transport hub will be operated and maintained by AT.

This week, the Rodney Local Board have kicked-off consultation on their draft local board plan, outlining what they plan to focus on to help the community thrive, and to support recovery from COVID-19.The plan is the board's strategic document that will guide their investment decisions for the next three years, commencing 1 July, 2021. The draft has been put together from feedback they have received to date or has been carried over from the previous plan.This year, the local board will need to balance the social and economic impacts of COVID-19 in their decision making, but they are still keen to hear about other ideas.The main outcomes outlined in the plan include:Safe, improved transport options to connect our communities Healthy and protected natural environmentEnsuring infrastructure and development meet the needs of our growing communities Ensuring our communities are resilient and have access to what they need Ensuring our local parks and recreation facilities meet the needs of our growing communities. The Rodney Local Board are hosting a community webinar to answer any questions you may have regarding the plan, which you can register for at https://bit.ly/32gZCoC. The webinar will be held next week on Wednesday the 22nd July. If you are part of the Rodney community and have thoughts on how the local board can improve any initiatives, or you believe there are projects that should be considered, please have a read of the plan and be sure to give your feedback. Click Here

Wild weather last night has resulted in a dramatic river rescue this morning after the Falls Road ford flooded, sweeping a car downstream.The car was swept 10 metres downstream, where it came to rest after becoming wedged on a rock.The driver managed to climb out of his window and waited on the roof of his car for help to arrive. Thankfully, a passing motorist noticed the headlights in the water and called the local fire brigade. Firefighters threw a rope and a lifejacket to the man, who was wet and cold. "And then we threw another rope across to him and then got him to jump in the water and pulled him to safety", said Warkworth Volunteer Fire Brigade Chief Fire Officer Devon Flewellyn. "We gave him some warm clothes to put on. He was pretty wet and cold but otherwise fine."

Concerns about the esplanade along the estuary of the Whangateau Harbour containing asbestos have been addressed by Auckland council. The 33.2-metre stretch of esplanade is right along the waterfront to the left of the Omaha boat ramp. The council has been aware of the presence of asbestos in the esplanade for the past six years, but it wasn't considered an issue until late last year when the asbestos became exposed. Mike Feather from Auckland Council has updated the Omaha community on the project to address the concerns about the Whangateau Harbour Esplanade Reserve. A close inspection to remove obvious fragments of asbestos on the surface was carried out, and soil samples to establish the stability of the material were taken.A number of site visits by experts have been made and a report outlining how Council will manage this site both now and for the longer term is expected in the next few weeks.In the meantime, Council has instructed their contractor not to mow within five metres of the sea wall and also to raise the height of mower blades. To help grass re-establish itself and minimise soil disturbance, Council is also fencing off a section of the reserve to isolate areas where there is little or no grass cover.

If you are looking for some beautiful blooms, you can't go past Hands in the Dirt: a sustainable, spray-free, flower farm based 15km out of Warkworth. Growing a variety of flowers throughout summer, but focusing on Dahlias, all their flowers are perfectlyimperfect and lovingly grown. Every flower seems to have their own personality and little quirks. The majority of the flowers are sold by the bucket, giving the buyer the freedom to experiment and the ability to fill up five different vases or give flowers away to friends. This year they will also be incorporating bouquets for those who are interested. As well as the flowers, Hands in the Dirt have a small, spray-free watermelon patch and all their watermelons are either juiced or sold to the public. Aila, the owner and grower of Hands in the Dirt puts a lot of love into what she does.  “I’ve always preferred being outdoors with my hands in the dirt. It’s what drove me, seeing life move forward. In 2016, I moved up to Warkworth with myfamily after living in Devonport for the majority of my life. Whilst in Devonport, I had a 1m x 1m veggie garden. Moving up north and suddenly having 12 acres of land gave me room experiment withflowers and watermelons. The land is so fertile that everything I grew seemed to explode into life! Over the course of three years, the flower field has continuously grown as my passion and interest increases as well.”All of the flowers and produce are grown with sustainable and natural practices. The majority of large-scale flower farms out there use herbicides and pesticides for the treatment of bugs and diseases on the flowers which also wipes out beneficial flora and fauna. “On our farm, soil health is the most important thing. Everything is created from the earth so nothing nasty should be put back into it. This is something I am still learning and discovering about, so every day presents a new challenge. We also have an abundance of bees and other insects living in the flower field, so we will do everything to make sure we are not harming them. “In the end, our flowers don’t look drastically different to flowers that have been sprayed profusely. However, knowing that the flora and fauna surrounding the flower is healthy is what makes it worth it. Sustainability is a strong philosophy of ours. If I can educate or influence as many people as I can about the benefits of being sustainable, I will be doing my part to help Mother Nature.” Hands in the Dirt can either deliver the flowers to your doorstep or you’re welcome to make an appointment to come and pick with them. The watermelons are much the same. Typically,when people order a bucket of flowers, they also order a watermelon or two! Visit their facebook page or send them a message via their instagram to get your hands on some gorgeous flowers.Photos - Hands In the Dirt

Inorganic collection bookings for Auckland have now reopened. A lot of properties weren't able to receive their scheduled collection earlier due to the covid-19 lockdown.  Every area of Auckland is allocated a week each year for an inorganic collection. If you have missed the set collection day for your area, you will have to find alternative ways of disposing of your items. To ensure as many residents as possible still get their collection as close to the original date as they can, Auckland Council has adjusted the remaining collection schedule for all other properties. That means if you had a collection booked, you need to rebook it so that your property is registered for the new service dates for your area. To rebook or check when your allocated collection week is, visit https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/rubbish-recycling/inorganic-collections/Pages/book-inorganic-collection.aspx Wherever possible, you could try and find alternative ways to get rid of your inorganic waste, like selling or donating to secondhand sellers.  Examples of items that you can leave out for collection include:● large appliances – empty fridges, freezers, washing machines and ovens● small appliances – kettles, irons and vacuum cleaners● furniture – beds, couches, chairs, kitchen items and ornaments● sporting items – gym equipment, bicycles and toys● outdoor equipment – unassembled trampolines and basketball hoops● outdoor items – barbecues, garden tools and outdoor furniture● renovation items – carpet, timber (without any exposed nails), tools, fixtures and fittings, baths and sinks (metal and plastic only)● lawnmowers – with petrol and oil removed● electronics – TVs, computers, phones and DVD players And examples of some items that won't be collected: ● bags of rubbish, including items contained in Flexi-bags● household recycling material – containers, paper or cardboard● polystyrene, including bean bags and bean bag beans● garden waste – grass clippings, and tree and hedge trimmings● vehicle parts – automotive or boating items of any kind (tyres, parts, seats, engines, etc.)● construction, demolition or trade waste – tiles, plaster / gib board, concrete, ceramic or porcelain, toilet bowls or toilet seats● any items containing concrete, porcelain or ceramic material (planters, umbrella bases, pavers, etc.)● glass of any kind● clothing of any kind● liquids – oil, petrol, paint and chemicals● hazardous waste – poisons, batteries and medical waste● asbestos – fibrolite, floor coverings made of asbestos, lagging and ceiling coating.● gas cylinders – CNG or LPG containers● weapons of any kind (e.g. swords and guns)wheelie bins of any kind.

A new boutique housing development has recently come on the market in Warkworth. Just north of Warkworth on Goatley Road, the seven-lot subdivision features an impressive view and generous section sizes. Developer, Mark Dashper, believes the new Warkworth subdivision is perfect for those seeking a work/life balance. “At only a 50-minute drive from Auckland central, Dashper Drive offers convenient access to the city while being just a stone’s throw from popular beaches such as Omaha and Tawharanui”.“It is the perfect location for those looking to build their dream home in a relaxed, slow-paced environment”. Section sizes range from 1.15 hectares to 1.51 hectares and are ideal for buyers looking to build in a quiet, tranquil setting while still being close to town.Dashper Drive offers something for people from all walks of life. Whether you are retirees, young families, or professionals looking to exit the bustle of the big city, the development provides a quiet space among nature to build. Lot 5 is currently available for purchase, and lot 6 and 7 are now under development and will be available soon. Lot 5 is the most elevated section at Dashper Drive and boasts sweeping views of the valley to the south. The site also features its very own private waterfall and a secluded bush clearing. In 1977, Richard and Madeleine Dashper purchased the farm and turned it into a goat farm, a working pottery, an architectural practice and a lifestyle block. They continued to live in the old Goatley homestead which they restored to an original condition. Traditionally over the next 40 years, people would refer to their house (the Goatley homestead) as being up Dashper’s drive off Goatley Rd.​The subdivision consists of 7 Lots. Lot 1 is the old Goatley homestead still owned by the Dashper family at the end of the Dashper driveway. 100 acres of native bush is now covenanted and attached to Lot 1. Lot 2 supports the modern homes by the roadside at the start of the Dashper driveway. Lots 3 and 4 are already sold. Lots 5 is ready for sale and Lots 6 and 7 are being developed and almost ready for sale, each being approximately 1 hectare in size. Dashper Drive is the perfect option for those looking for land for sale in Warkworth and will allow buyers to build their own, private sanctuary surrounded by native bush and thriving wildlife.

After some speculation as to what would become of the property on the corner of Jones Road and Omaha Flats Road, it seems that it is set to become home to 45 storage units. Locals aren't happy about this, worried that the units will be an eyesore and ruin the scenic value of Omaha. Auckland Council provided no information on this facility to residents before the project started.  The storage units we approved by council as a non-notified resource consent. If the council determines under the step-by-step process that the application does not need to be publicly discussed, then the application can proceed on a non-notified basis, with no public input or mitigation.   Council is required to notify the public only if the applicant requests they do so, there is a rule or national environmental standard that requires it be publicly notified, or the proposed activity has adverse effects that are more than minor. Other non-notified consent projects in our area include The Grange in Warkworth, and the Boat House Bay development in Snells Beach, where 33 units were built in a critical area for threatened shore birds.