If you are a Leigh local, you will be familiar with the Korora (penguin) nesting boxes which dot our coastline. Some were kindly decorated a while back by local school kids and the Korora did seem to like them. Thanks guys! There is much community goodwill in Leighand people often ask how they can help with our conservation efforts.How you can help:• Be observant and communicate changes to our team.• The sticks placed in front of the box (pictured) are an important indicator to us that there may have been penguin activity. It is important not to touch them, please report if they have been trampled on.• Nearby sightings of possible penguin poo is a positive sign. Once spotted we can capture video recordings and monitor them more closely to determine numbers and activity.• We rely on the community to let us know if pest traps are in the right spot and whetherthey have moved. This vital information helps to stop predators from killing penguins.• Keep your dog on a lead along the coastal area is crucial. We all love our dogs but they arepredators too and if we can love them while intelligently managing their natural instincts, we are all winning.• Please let us know of any penguin sightings or if you hear penguins, they are very noisy wee things.Good news: We currently have several penguins back on land exploring their nests in preparation for next season. It is very exciting! We are hopeful for a much better season.A BIG event on our calendar is the Enviro Expo June 22 Warkworth Town Hall 9am - 3pm This exciting event facilitated by Restore Rodney East is a must event to attend.Meet numerous conservation groups displaying interactive exhibits with plenty of activities for children and adults. Come and enjoy the day and say hello to our team. We look forward to seeing you there!Mary Mangan on behalf of Leigh Penguin Project [email protected]

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advises of the following closures for motorway improvements. Work delayed by bad weather will be completed at the next available date, prior to Friday, 28 June 2024. Please note this Traffic Bulletin is updated every Friday. Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am. Traffic management may be in place before the advertised closure times for the mainline.         NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1) Southbound lanes between Orewa off-ramp and Silverdale on-ramp, 24 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Orewa southbound on-ramp, 24 JuneMillwater southbound on-ramp, 24 JuneSouthbound lanes between Silverdale off-ramp and Oteha Valley Road on-ramp, 23 JuneSilverdale southbound on-ramp, 23 June CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ) Westbound lanes between Gladstone Road and Wellesley Street East on-ramp, 23 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am) SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1) Ellerslie-Panmure Highway northbound off-ramp, 23 JuneSouth Eastern Highway (SEART) southbound off-ramp, 23-26 JunePrinces Street southbound off-ramp, 23-26 JuneSouthbound lanes between Takanini off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 25-26 JuneSouthbound lanes between Takanini off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 23-24 JuneTakanini southbound on-ramp, 23-26 JunePapakura (Loop) southbound on-ramp, 23-26 JunePapakura (Diamond) southbound on-ramp, 23-24 JuneNorthbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Takanini on-ramp, 23-26 JunePapakura (Diamond) northbound on-ramp, 23-26 JunePapakura (Loop) northbound on-ramp, 23-26 JuneDrury/SH22 northbound on-ramp, 23-26 JuneSH1 southbound to SH2 eastbound link, 23 & 25 JunePioneer Road northbound off-ramp, 21-29 June (24/7)Dragway Road northbound off-ramp, 24 & 26 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Hampton Downs off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 26 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Hampton Downs off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 26 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16) Southbound lanes between Waimauku Roundabout and Trigg Road, 23-27 June (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Trigg Road and Waimauku Roundabout, 23-27 June (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Brigham Creek Roundabout and Hobsonville Road on-ramp, 25 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am) UPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18) Westbound lanes between Albany Highway off-ramp and Tauhinu Road on-ramp, 26 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Albany Highway westbound on-ramp, 26 JuneEastbound lanes between Tauhinu Road off-ramp and Albany Highway on-ramp, 26 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Greenhithe Road eastbound on-ramp, 26 JuneTauhinu Road westbound on-ramp, 23 JuneSquadron Drive westbound off-ramp, 26 JuneWestbound lanes between Squadron Drive off-ramp and Hobsonville Road on-ramp, 25 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Brigham Creek Road westbound on-ramp, 25 JuneSH18 westbound to SH16 southbound link, 25 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am) SOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20) Northbound lanes between Neilson Street off-ramp and Neilson Street on-ramp, 24 June (approx. 10:00pm to 00:00am)Neilson Street northbound off-ramp, 24 June (approx. 00:00am to 05:00am)Massey Road southbound off-ramp, 23-25 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Massey Road northbound off-ramp, 23-25 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am) 

Did you know we can list your Job ad on the app for just $39+gst?They can be found under our Community button then Jobs section.Included in the cost - the ad is up until the job is filled. Plus we push out to our audience of 27,000 users (last 12 months).Contact [email protected] with the following info: company name, logo, job title, job vacancy headline, job description, and contact details.

Warkworth / Auckland RegionFriday 21st June - Cloudy periods with isolated showers, clearing this afternoon to fine. Easterlies.Saturday 22nd June - Fine, but becoming cloudy late. Southeasterlies, turning northeasterly in the morning.Sunday 23rd June - Rain developing early. Fresh northerlies, easing late.Mangawhai / Northland RegionFriday 21st June - Showers, clearing at night. EasterliesSaturday 22nd June - Fine, but becoming cloudy in the evening. Northeasterlies.Sunday 23rd June - Rain. Fresh northerlies, easing in the evening.

A small group of Northlanders are waking up without power as Transpower scrambles to fix a big pylon that toppled over on Thursday.The fallen pylon cut power to nearly 100,000 properties. Power had been restored for all but 177 as of midnight Thursday, but blackouts were expected to continue throughout Friday.Transpower was urging everyone north of Warkworth to keep their electricity use to a minimum, especially during peak demand between 6am and 9am.Power would not be fully restored until Friday afternoon at the earliest.Most people in the north would also be shivering through cold showers. Lines companies Northpower and Top Energy said they had turned off the hot water for most households to stretch the limited supply as far as possible.At least one school, Kaitaia Primary, would be shut on Friday. It said in a Facebook post that was because the electricity supply "may not be reliable or permanent".The toppled pylon cut power to nearly 100,000 properties. Photo: Supplied / Kawakawa Electrical LtdMaintenance workers were at the tower when it fell, but Transpower said it was not yet known why it toppled.Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo said he was looking forward to an explanation."I think the big story that I've been informed so far is, no one's prepared to actually say ... officially what the cause was."Cocurullo said Northlanders were incredibly frustrated by ongoing infrastructure failures.State Highway 1 has been closed over the Brynderwyn hills for fourth months due to slips. Photo: Supplied/ NZTAThe pylon issue came ahead of the re-opening of State Highway 1 over the Brynderwyn hills next week. The slip-prone highway has been closed for four months for major repairs.Further north, State Highway 1 at Mangamuka Gorge would not reopen until close to Christmas after being shut more than two years.Far North Mayor Moko Tepania said locals were "bloody fed up"."It's not good enough for us, for our business, for our economy and everything in between."Northlanders were resilient, but they should not have to be, Tepania said.Whangārei hairdresser Megan Edwards was also frustrated by the cuts, which brought her business to a "standstill".Northland seemed particularly vulnerable to power cuts and she was sick of it, she said.This story was originally published by RNZ

One Mahurangi Business Association Public Meeting, Town Hall, Warkworth On May 31, 2024, The Matakana Coast App posted a notification presenting the One Mahurangi Business Association's stance on Watercare's wastewater plans. To read the article written by OMBA Manager Murray Chapman, head here.Last night Wednesday 19th June 2024, the One Mahurangi Business Association held a public meeting at the Warkworth Town Hall to inform the business community about Watercare's upcoming plans. Murray Chapman, Bevan Morrison, and Dave Stott chaired the meeting. The Matakana Coast App was in attendance. Approximately 180 people attended.A critical point discussed was Watercare's intention to construct a wastewater pipeline through the main street of Warkworth via Elizabeth, Queen, and Baxter Streets, with the work due to start on August 24. This project is expected to shut down the main street for several months, significantly impacting local businesses and traffic flow.Murray Chapman, Manager of One Mahurangi Business Association, has been lobbying Watercare for the last three years to consider the impact on the CBD of Warkworth and how it will affect the town. Communication with Watercare has been less than satisfactory. The OMBA team understands that the work needs to be completed but insists that Watercare needs to be open to alternative solutions to mitigate the impact on the town.Watercare has been hard to deal with and seems to be primarily concerned with its budget. Their engagement with the community should have happened years ago. Many members of the public at the meeting expressed that they should have been informed about these plans much earlier, but it appears the Warkworth team was under significant constraints.There is a petition with 1,000 signatures opposing the work through the main street, but many more signatures are needed to create the necessary impact. The One Mahurangi Business Association is asking all who live, work, or use the town of Warkworth to sign this petition. The Association wants to avoid legal action but emphasizes the need for community support to push for reconsideration of the current plan.Time is running out, and many meeting attendees felt these issues should have been brainstormed years ago. Murray Chapman apologized for not highlighting this earlier. However, OMBA remains committed to finding a solution and urges the community to act quickly to make their voices heard.The outcome of the meeting was to take the following actions:Develop a media campaignWrite to editors of newspapersGet TVNZ involvedSend a letter to the CEO of WatercareOrganize demonstrationsSign and push the petition

Please see below Transpower's Media Release:NORTHLAND WITHOUT POWER AFTER FAULTNorthland is without power after a Transpower tower fell near Kumeu around 11am this morning.A Transpower service provider is on site to assess the damage and the expected return to service time.The tower fell while a second transmission circuit supplying these areas was out of service for scheduled maintenance. Transpower is assessing how long it will take to return that circuit to service.More details will be provided on Transpower’s website and Facebook page. Consumers should also check the websites of their retailers and local lines companies for up-to-date outage information."Please treat all lines as live and also remember to keep an eye on your vulnerable neighbours. If you require electricity for medical reasons, ring your health provider to confirm your emergency plan.We will update the situation when we can.

Vanessa is a distinctive and highly admired boat, crafted and designed by the renowned artisan boat builder Rob Robson from Bayswater.Launched in 2005, Vanessa features a robust Carey workboat-inspired design. Her construction includes glass over two layers of 15mm plywood built on 150 x 50 ribs, ensuring exceptional durability.The coamings are glassed and painted with two-pot paint for low maintenance, resulting in a construction comparable to the proverbial brick outhouse. The aft coaming is the only part that remains in its original state.Powered by a fully reconditioned Caterpillar 3160 engine with 210hp, Vanessa maintains a classic, reliable setup free of modern turbo or electronic complications. This straightforward approach allows her to achieve over 8 knots while consuming less than 8 litres per hour.Vanessa is equipped with comprehensive navigation electronics, including a Furuno chart plotter, radar, and fish finder with a 1000kw transducer, alongside a TMQ autopilot.Vanessa was acquired in December 2009 from a previous owner who had her for just one year. During that time, the owner painted her with a single pot paint of questionable quality and added stainless steel rails and a Genset. Under my care, I glassed all the coamings and repainted the exterior with two-pot paint, utilizing the international system for a thorough and durable finish.We have extensively cruised with Vanessa, staying away for months. Our voyages included the Marlborough Sounds, the East Coast with stops at White Island and the Ranfurly Banks for fishing, and multiple Cook Strait crossings—two of which were in gale conditions. Vanessa handled these challenges with ease. Our return trip took us up the West Coast with a direct run from Queen Charlotte Sound to the Three Kings.This summer, we planned to cruise Fiordland with Vanessa. However, another boat better suited to our dream of venturing to the Islands has become available. If not for this opportunity, we would never have considered passing Vanessa on.Design:Rob Robson, Carey workboat inspired with insight from Dave JacksonHull:Glass over 2 x 15mm BS 1088 plywoodFixed to 100x25 laminated kauri stringers at 150 centresMounted on 150 x 50 mahogany ribsDisplacement:20 tonnesBalance:All tankage and engine placed midshipsDiesel tankage: 3200 litresGlass:Wheelhouse: 10mm safety glassSaloon: 8mm safety glassPainting:Coamings: Glassed over with 3 x Interprotect, 3 x Perfection Undercoat, 3 x International PerfectionTop Sides: Sanded back to original sealer coat, 2 x Interprotect, 2 x YRA 500 sprayed, 3 x Spraying International topcoatCanopy Deck Head: Stripped back, 1 x Interprotect, 2 x International Perfection Undercoat, 2 x International PerfectionUnderwater: Primacon applied to the whole area in 2018, followed by 2 x Jotun antifoul, renewed annuallyProp: Propspeed last applied in December 2022 (lasts about 3 years)NavigationChartplotter and Display Screen: Furuno MFD8GPS Receiver: Furuno GP-320BFish Finder: Furuno DFF1Transducer: ARC 1,000KwRadar: Furuno DRS2D(All the above systems run through the MFD8 screen, with full operator manuals included)Additional Equipment:Binnacle: IncludedFor expression of interest or a full specification list email Brett Lewis [email protected]

Weather Warnings for NorthlandHeavy Rain Warning - OrangePeriod: 24hrs from 10am Wed, 19 Jun - 10am Thu, 20 JunArea: Northland north of WhangareiForecast: Expect 100 to 150 mm of rain but possibly 150 to 250 mm in localised places, with the largest amounts likely about the eastern hills and north of the Bay of Islands. Peaks rates generally 15 to 25 mm/h but 40 to 50 mm/h possible in localised downpours, with thunderstorms also possible. Note: It's possible this warning could be extended until Thursday afternoon. Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.Severe Thunderstorm WatchPeriod: 23hrs 56min from 10:04am Wed, 19 Jun - 10am Thu, 20 JunArea: NorthlandForecast: A slow moving rainband is expected to lie over Northland today until Thursday morning. There is a moderate risk of thunderstorms embedded in the rainband, bringing localised heavy rain of 10 to 25 mm/h and small hail. There is also a moderate risk of Severe Thunderstorms producing downpours, especially in areas from the Bay of Islands northwards. These downpours could bring rain rates of 25 to 40 mm/h, and possibly more, to localised areas. Note, these downpours could occur with or without thunderstorms. Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips. Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.

Police are now treating the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Ronny Okeke as suspicious.On Tuesday, the investigation team were conducting searches in part of the Kaimai Ranges, supported by Police Search and Rescue members.Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, of Auckland City CIB, says enquiries led the team to conduct these searches, which has resulted in a body being located.It had been 52 days since anyone had last heard from the 60-year-old Sandringham man.“While searching a section of bush in the Kaimai Ranges, the team have come across a man’s body.“A scene examination has been conducted and the body has now been removed from the site.“Formal identification procedures still need to be carried out, however based on the information we have gathered to this point in the investigation we believe that this is Ronny.”Detective Inspector Baldwin says the investigation team has spoken with Ronny’s family overnight in Nigeria.“This is news that no family ever wants to hear, and they are devastated that Ronny will not be coming home,” he says.“A post-mortem is scheduled to take place over the coming days, and this will hopefully assist our team in shedding some light around Ronny’s death.”Police remain committed to establishing the circumstances surrounding his death, Detective Inspector Baldwin says.“Police have previously executed search warrants and spoken with a person of interest in this investigation.“A forensic examination of Ronny’s mobile phone is continuing after it was recovered as part of enquiries in previous weeks.”Police continue to ask anyone with information surrounding Ronny’s death to make contact.Anyone can call Police on 105 or go online to https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 and using ‘Update My Report’.Please reference file number 240501/3879.Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Nick James, Wellington Issues ReporterExcitement is building among tiny home builders and enthusiasts after the announcement of a potential overhaul of the rules for granny flats.On Monday, the government announced a discussion document which looks to shake up the rules around building small structures.The proposal includes changes to the Building Act which would remove the need for building or resource consents on granny flat style buildings in certain areas.Bryce Langston is a New Zealander who has amassed more than 4.5 million YouTube subscribers on his channel which looks at diverse ways people are building tiny houses around the world.He got interested in this type of housing in his late 20s."I was watching the idea of home ownership move further and further away from me, and when I discovered tiny houses, it was like this light bulb went off in my head and it was this amazing thing whereby downsizing my home it became obtainable."Granny flat change welcomed by housing providers and oppositionGranny flats: Do they pay off? Investors run the numbersLangston said the changes were a step in the right direction."This is a tremendously exciting development that I would love to see happen."It is going to clear up a lot of unnecessary red tape and make it a lot easier to increase the housing supply which we desperately need to do."Bryce Langston, creator of the Living Big in a Tiny House YouTube channel. Photo: @brycelangstonHe believed 60 square metres - the size which some councils would be required to allow without consent - was plenty of room to work with."You could have a comfortable home with a good-sized kitchen, a nice sized lounge, a nice sized bedroom, potentially even two bedrooms bathroom, without really needing to get too creative."Site Scope builds a range of modular transportable homes which range from 17 to 50 square metres in size.Project facilitator Coen Wilson said they supported moves to make building these types of homes easier, if compliance standards were upheld."Going down this route, we need to ensure that all the design and consenting has to be done by the like of LBPs [licensed building practitioners]."Often, Site Scope could offer the client a home at an achievable price, but extra costs like resource consents "blows the project out of the water" for them, Wilson said.House Me is another tiny home builder which provides housing across New Zealand.Co-owner Bryce Glover said they had 17 homes waiting for delivery to people."They are sitting there begging to take possession of their unit, but they are waiting for the council process to get a wriggle on at the site end."So, if you can unlock that, if you can speed that process up then businesses like ours, who have the capacity to build 1000 homes a year, we could actually play our part in solving this housing crisis."This story was originally published by RNZ

Rowan Quinn, Health CorrespondentThe brand new 150-bed North Shore Hospital building - which has been empty for months - is set to partially open, but effectively no extra patients will get surgery as a result.That is because theatres in other parts of the hospital have to close so it can be staffed.The Tōtara Haumaru building is a similar size to Southland Hospital, and has capacity to do 15,000 procedures a year.It was supposed to help slash waiting lists in the Auckland region, but the ghost hospital has been sitting vacant but ready since the start of April.A hospital email seen by RNZ said the building would begin being used in stages from 1 July.Senior hospital sources said for that to happen, other theatres and one ward would need to stop working, that it was effectively a "lift and shift" of resources from one building to the other.The result was no additional patients would be treated.Some staff were frustrated, while others were furious.One said it was disgraceful that the beautiful, 12-theatre building had been sitting empty for months when patients could be getting moved off waiting lists and moving on with their lives.The hospital sources believed there was still no operating budget to staff and run the hospital - and that was why other theatres, including in the modern Elective Surgery Centre, had to be closed so surgery in the new building could go ahead.One said they did not understand how money had not been set aside when the building was years in the making, while people languished in pain on growing waiting lists.The email seen by RNZ said two theatres and two wards would open from the start of July, with more gradually opening until Tōtara Haumaru was fully up and running by mid August.In April, when the building did not open as scheduled, Te Whatu Ora/Health NZ said there was not yet an operating budget or staff to run it.Its head of Hospital and Specialist services Fionnagh Dougan said it was also because the organisation had not wanted to schedule surgery there that could be done elsewhere in case the building did not get finished on time and patients missed out.When the building failed to open at the start of April despite being fully signed off and kitted out, Health Minister Shane Reti said it would likely open in June.Since then, secrecy has surrounded it.RNZ asked in April - then again earlier this month and yesterday - what the projected staffing was, whether any were being recruited, whether there was an operational budget, and more details about the staged opening, but had been told nothing by Te Whatu Ora.Northern region director of hospital and specialist services Mark Shepherd said more information would be available at an official opening of the building later this month.Staff spoken to this week said they initially only realised an opening was imminent when they saw surgical equipment being moved between buildings.They had since been told.The building has eight full surgery theatres, and four more procedure rooms for endoscopies such as colonoscopies.It has a huge, lit atrium, with a healing garden inside - a planted area designed to enhance well being - funded by a charity.LISTEN ▶ The North Shore Hospital Healing Garden This story was originally published by RNZ

Earlier projections of a 15.1 percent average rates increase for 2024/2025 have dropped following Kaipara District Council Long Term Plan (LTP) deliberations.In all-day deliberations earlier this month, elected members discussed the specific topics that had been consulted on with the community, as well as a range of other decisions to help set the direction for the Council for the next three years. As a result, the rates increase has dropped to around 11 percent on average, with other decisions agreed in the meeting expected to bring it down even further.Kaipara District Mayor Craig Jepson said that he was pleased with the direction for rates increases.“As signalled earlier in this process, Council and staff have done a lot of work since formal consultation to make further savings and efficiencies in our work programmes and budgets. This has borne out with the lower projected rates increase.” As part of the discussion on affordable rates, Council agreed to finalise an increase of around 11 percent on average. Later on in the deliberations, Council agreed to further reductions such as reallocating some capital and operational roading works to later years, which staff will need to recalculate – but is projected to further reduce the rates increase. Council receives funding from New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi for its roading activities. Confirmed amounts for this funding may also impact the final rates.“Every bit counts. We are still working through final numbers but I’m pleased to say that with these decisions we expect the final figures landed on will result in a rates rise of around 9 percent.”Some of the decisions that were made as part of the deliberationsNoted the feedback on community hubs for Dargaville and Mangawhai functions and facilities, and Urlich Park (Moir Street Reserve). Council agreed to allocate $200,000 from reserve contributions to complete a plan for Urlich Park in 2024/2025.Agreed not to allocate any funds on a dedicated climate resilience programme. This decision has no impact on rates or debt.That a uniform targeted rate per rateable property paying a UAGC (Uniform Annual General Rate), for libraries and parks be introduced for the 2024/2025 financial year, with the final amount to be determined once all the costs are allocated. This means that everyone will pay the same amount, rather than an amount based on land value or on location.Council also agreed not to collect targeted rates on behalf of the Mangawhai Museum or Dargaville Sportsville. Instead, staff will investigate potential future funding support for the Mangawhai Museum, Kauri Museum and Dargaville Museum as part of the 2025/2026 Annual Plan process.That $1 million of the Dargaville to Te Kopuru stopbank project be funded from debt and included in the LTP 2024–2027 in order to meet co-funding requirements of the Before the Deluge external funds provided by central government.The unconfirmed minutes including details of all decisions can be found on the Kaipara District Council website.Kaipara District Council is scheduled to adopt the Long Term Plan 2024–2027 in late July. In the same meeting rates are to be set for the next financial year 2024/2025.The Council LTP deliberations can be viewed on the Kaipara District Council YouTube channel.

The government has announced consultation on a move that would force councils to allow buildings up to 60 square metres in certain areas, without requiring a consent.It sets out the policy as a way of making it "easier to build granny flats and increase the supply of affordable homes for all New Zealanders".NZ First leader and Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters announced it alongside Housing and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop after the Monday Cabinet meeting.Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was overseas, headed to Japan for an official visit.The move follows a commitment in the National-NZ First coalition agreement, which requires the government to "amend the Building Act and the resource consent system to make it easier to build granny flats or other small structures up to 60 square metres, requiring only an engineer's report".However, the discussion document released as part of the announcement makes clear the requirement for an engineer's report was being abandoned, as it could mean additional costs and engineering services."Instead, we are proposing that all work is conducted or supervised by competent professionals under current occupational licensing requirements to ensure all building work will meet the Building Code," the documentation states.Peters said the policy would "make it more affordable for families to live the way that suits them best"."High housing costs have a greater impact on Māori, Pasifika, and people with disabilities, as well as seniors - so unlocking the space in the backyards of family members opens the door to new ways of living," he said in a statement."We know granny flats are a great option for seniors, but they're also increasingly popular with other families such as those who want homes where their university-age children can live at home but maintain some privacy and independence, or families who want to provide extra support to a loved one."Bishop said many councils already allowed granny flats without requiring a resource consent."But there's a lack of consistency and different standards across the country. We're proposing a National Environmental Standard (NES) to require all councils to permit a granny flat on sites in rural and residential zones without resource consent. An NES means changes can come into force quickly."We are determined to get on top of how expensive it is to build a house in this country."It would apply in rural and residential zones, but the documents called for feedback on whether it should apply in other areas like mixed-use zones.The changes would also need to be balanced against things like flood risk, so some district plan rules would still apply. As well as building size, other restrictions include percentage of a property able to be covered in buildings, and distance from a boundary.He said he would hope the move would not leave councils worse off because the fees from consenting were meant to be cost recovery, and he would be "horrified" if they were making money off it. He pointed to the ACT Party's proposal to share GST with councils, with the aim of incentivising the building of new houses, as another way the government was looking to support local authorities.Bishop said the granny flats would not be allowed to be more than one storey, would need interconnected smoke alarms, and be distant enough from the boundary to prevent the spread of fire to other buildings.He said the consultation is a couple of months long to ensure they get the settings right.Consultation is open from today, 17 June, until 5pm on 12 August. Final policy decisions will be made later in 2024, expected to be in place by mid-2025.This story was originally published by RNZ

Farah HancockA sand mining company embroiled in a resource consent battle should not be allowed to access the proposed fast-tracking process, community groups have told politicians.McCallum Bros, which mines sand from Pākiri beach north of Auckland, and a Pākiri residents' group took their fight to select committee hearings into the Fast-track Approvals Bill last week.McCallum Bros chief executive Shayne Elstob said his company supported the bill, which has been touted as a one-stop-shop for consents. The legislation also proposes to let projects rejected by courts go ahead if they pass the fast-track process.Elstob would like that clause to specifically include consents rejected under the Resource Management Act.The company's attempt to gain consent to carry on mining under the RMA had been a "horrendous" process, Elstob said.But a representative for Māori land owners of a 1.5-kilometre stretch of the beach, Pākiri G Ahu Whenua Trust chair Wayne Greenwood, urged the committee to leave previously rejected projects out of the Bill, saying McCallum Bros had been declined "for very good reasons".The company's consent application to mine sand offshore from Pākiri beach was refused by Auckland Council independent commissioners. It then lost a case in the Environment Court challenging the decision.The court said evidence about the ecological effects of the mining provided by the company had been "patchy", "inconclusive" and even "incorrect" in the past. It also found the effect on mana whenua could not be mitigated.McCallum Bros has appealed the Environment Court's decision to the High Court."When all is said and done, this process could take more than seven years and has come at a huge cost to the business," Elstob told the committee.McCallum Bros was a family-run business with limited resources, he said."Had we known what we would have been dealing with through the current RMA process, I'm really not sure whether we would have made the application in the first place. We would have possibly invested our money elsewhere."Elstob said Pākiri's sand was used in infrastructure projects such as the City Rail Link and Central Waste Infrastructure."You simply can't implement significant infrastructure projects without high-quality sand and currently there is a limited supply in the Auckland region."Thousands of people around the country attended protests against the Fast-track Approvals Bill earlier in June. Photo: RNZ / Farah HancockGreenwood told the committee that six million cubic metres of sand had been mined from the area over the past 80 years."If you put it end-on-end, it's about from here to South America. That's a hell of a lot of sand that's come off the beach, off the land and out of the sea bed."The company was effectively "digging holes" in the seabed as it dredged trenches along the beach, he said."We're losing a significant amount of beach frontage ... We've got boundaries now, which are actually underwater."He was born and raised in Pākiri, he said. "The beach is gone, it's now exposed to its rocks."Greenwood works closely with the Department of Conservation to protect New Zealand's most endangered bird, the tara iti, or fairy tern. Fewer than 40 breeding-age birds remain.Nests have had to be relocated because they were too close to where waves now reached, Greenwood said."We're trying to save them on one hand and, on the other, the environment has been taken away from them."Greenwood was in support of some aspects of the Fast-track Approvals Bill, "but I really think that this fast-track legislation should leave Pākiri out of it".He was concerned the fast-track process could override the court cases and allow mining to go ahead. "They've been declined twice for very good reasons and it would be a sad day for this to be approved by the fast-track legislation panel."Pākiri is one of the nesting habitats for New Zealand's remaining fairy terns. Photo: Supplied / Darren MarkinAnother community group due to be heard this week had their oral submission postponed. The Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust is the environmental arm of the post-settlement governance structure for Warkworth-based iwi Ngāti Manuhiri.Its written submission supported some parts of the bill, but singled out the sand mining at Pākiri as one concern, saying the region had been exploited for eight decades."In our view, the proposed process for a project risks overlooking critical environmental considerations and can overturn well-examined judicial findings."It said there had been erosion along the shores of Pākiri beach and the health of kaimoana in the area had deteriorated."The Trust is not confident that the Fast-track Approvals Bill won't be used to up-end well-rationalised and considered decisions, in favour of well-resourced, legacy interests."While the case was before the courts and consent was still sought, sand mining had been allowed to continue in a temporary consent granted by the Environment Court.Elstob said this allowed the company to maintain business continuity."Without this right, we would have had to abandon our sand extraction business and would have put the City Rail Link and Central Interceptor projects at risk of significant time delays, as Pākiri sand was specified in both," he said.One of the amendments Elstob suggested the committee consider was allowing projects to have simultaneous applications lodged under the RMA and fast-track consideration. The draft legislation requires applications to be withdrawn from the RMA process.Damon Clapshaw, a Pākiri local who helped uncover the existence of trenches up to 2.7m deep, 15m wide and 3km long created by dredging - which breached consent conditions - was unimpressed with Elstob's request."In further seeking to continue whilst appealing, and also wanting to keep all Fast-track Bill options open, McCallum Bros are trying to have their cake and eat it."The company had already breached the temporary consent, by taking more sand than was allowed during a 30-day period, Clapshaw said. In a letter RNZ has seen, a McCallum Bros staff member told Auckland Council the error was due to an incorrectly-set-up spreadsheet."McCallum Bros are making a mockery of the appeal and Fast-track Bill system, with the environment as the loser," Clapshaw said.This story was originally published by RNZ

The 26-year-old woman reported missing from West Auckland last week has been found dead.Te Atatū resident Monica Reid disappeared on Friday.On Sunday, police said they had found Reid deceased.Her death was not being treated as suspicious.Police said her death would be referred to the coroner, and extended their sympathies to her family.Earlier, Reid's family described her as a "much-loved friend, sister and aunty of a large family"."All of us, we love Monica so much," her sister Cecilia told Stuff."Monica, if you are out there, know that I love you, we love you, and we just want to know you are safe."This story was originally published by RNZ

Warkworth RegionMonday 17th June - Showers, possibly heavy and thundery, easing this morning then fine. Northerlies, turning westerly late morning and dying out this afternoon.Tuesdday 18th June - Partly cloudy, scattered showers developing in the afternoon, mainly north of Albany. Easterlies, becoming fresh in the evening.Wednesday 19th June - Cloudy periods, with isolated showers, mainly in the north. Fresh easterlies, easing in the afternoon.Thursday 20th June - Partly cloudy with isolated showers. Easterlies, becoming fresh.Friday 21st June - Cloudy. Fresh easterlies, easing.Mangawhai RegionMonday 17th June - Showers, possibly heavy and thundery before dawn, clearing this morning then fine. Cloud increasing at night. Northerlies.Tuesdday 18th June - Cloudy periods, with a few showers developing in the afternoon. Light winds.Wednesday 19th June - A few showers, becoming more persistent for a time in the afternoon and evening. Easterlies developing early.Thursday 20th June - Occasional showers. Easterlies, easing.Friday 21st June - Showers, clearing to mostly cloudy weather. Northeasterlies.

Warkworth / Auckland RegionSevere Thunderstorm WatchPeriod: 5hrs from 9pm Sun, 16 Jun - 2am Mon, 17 JunArea: Auckland, Great Barrier IslandForecast: An unstable northwest airflow lies over the northern North Island. There is a moderate risk of thunderstorms about Auckland, including Great Barrier Island, from mid-evening until early tomorrow morning. Whether these thunderstorms occur or not, there is a chance of localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm per hour. Areas about and near the Hauraki Gulf are most likely to experience the downpours, but they may also occur elsewhere in Auckland. Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips. Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.Mangawhai / Northland RegionSevere Thunderstorm WatchPeriod: 6hrs from 6pm - midnight Sun, 16 JunArea: NorthlandForecast: An unstable northwest airflow lies over the northern North Island. There is a moderate risk of thunderstorms for Northland this evening, and whether these thunderstorms occur or not, there is a chance of localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm per hour. Conditions should start easing in the north after 10pm. Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips. Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.

Police are urgently seeking sightings of Monica, aged 26.Monica has been reported missing by her family and there are concerns for her welfare.She was last seen on Friday afternoon (14 June) in Matipo Road, Te Atatu Peninsula and is believed to be wearing a purple/pink puffer jacket.If you think you may have seen Monica since yesterday afternoon, or have information which might help us find her, please call 111 and quote event number P059054868.