Wood Street Businesses: Important Construction Update We’d like to inform you about the upcoming Wood Street and Surrounds Revitalisation and Stormwater Construction project.When: Monday, 24 March, 6pm - 7.30pmWhere: Brewed AsConstruction for the permanent upgrade of Wood Street and the surrounding area is scheduled to begin on Monday, 31 March 2025. The project, which has been awarded to HEB Construction, will include upgrades to the stormwater network, as well as permanent designs for Wood Street, the old fire station site, and the back carparking area and playground (behind Gringas).Work will start in the furthest back carparking area first, with no work on Wood Street beginning until after Easter.We’re holding this session to:Provide an overview of the construction programmeExplain what to expect during the projectIntroduce you to the HEB Construction teamHEB will have a dedicated stakeholder manager on-site throughout the project, who will be your key contact during construction.This is an opportunity to ask questions and stay informed about the project. We encourage you to attend.For more details and to view the final designs, visit: https://www.kaipara.govt.nz/wood-street-revitalisation-project

Snells Beach new Defibrillator - A new community funded DEFIBRILLATOR is located at 28 Schooner Avenue, Snells Beach. Thanks to the residents from Schooner Ave, Trevally, Merehai, Ahi Kaa, and Piper Lane who have contributed towards the purchase of the defibrillator. Available now for emergency use. If you would like to contribute towards this initiative, please donate toSchooner Defibrillator02-0480-0074606-000Contact details for more info Margaret Hannay 021430995Donations will go towards replacing the pads after they get used and the battery in 4 years time.Citrine and Sand is new locally designed and made jewellery drawing on the beauty of pearls and semi-precious stones. Found at Capri Cafe & Ice Creamery, Snells Beach, NZ. https://www.instagram.com/citrineandsand/Ramas Real Fruit Ice-Cream - A family run business, parked at the Omaha Community Centre/Golf Club or by the Omaha Estuary Cafe usually from October to May. 40% berries/fruit in their real fruit ice cream and have dairy free options available. https://www.instagram.com/ramasicecreamE-Volt Racing is opening this weekend and Matakana Country Park! Check out these electric go-karts https://www.evoltracing.co.nz/ opening in March. They are offering 25% Off This Weekend Only!Viet Q is officially taking over at Tramcar Matakana! Viet Q has long been a Vietnamese favourite food truck in the heart of Matakana and is moving and expanding into the Tramcar café on the corner of Matakana Valley Road and Leigh Road. Follow their updates and news as they transition https://www.facebook.com/vietqfoods.co.nzAotearoa Surf has recently acquired new premises to offer an additional accommodation - The Surf Lodge in the heart of Mangawhai Heads! https://aotearoasurf.co.nz/aotearoa-surf-lodge-mangawhai/Shine Aesthetics Injectables has moved to Glow Collective in Molesworth Drive in the Village and is offering a $250 moving frown treatment special for those that mention Matakana Coast App.J.A. Russell has just opened a Mangawhai branch at 90A Mangawhai Heads Road.Metlifecare Retirement Village’s new location in Mangawhai has begun their groundworks at 15 Sailrock Drive. This will be Mangawhai’s first retirement village. For more info head here: Mangawhai’s first retirement village breaks groundAcoustic Design is a local Warkworth business that specialises in professional sound proofing/treatment panels, bass traps, ceiling clouds and more!Northern Corridor news - Procurement underway for Northland Corridor Section 1, Ara Tūhono - Warkworth to Te Hana. NZTA is inviting parties to express their interest in delivering the first section of the Northland Corridor, a major transport project designed to improve safety, resilience and efficiency between Auckland and Northland. Warkworth to Te Hana section is the most advanced part of the corridor in terms of consents, property acquisition and design, meaning it can start construction sooner than the other sections.The indicative design for the 26km four-lane highway includes an 850m tunnel in the Dome valley and three interchanges at Warkworth, Wellsford and Te Hana. These improvements will address the known safety and resilience challenges in the Dome valley, a critical freight and passenger route. Detailed design and construction are expected to start in late 2026. For more information head here https://createsend.com/t/t-C79312AAE0072DA62540EF23F30FEDEDOtamatea Kaipara Community Services in Maungatoroto is unfortunately having to close their foodbank part of the agency, due to financial constraints. It will be closed from 28th March depending on stock levels. Their other services will remain open.If you want us to give your new business a shoutout or you know of some business news in our community, then email us at [email protected]

Renowned Irish harpist Úna Ní Fhlannagáin will be performing in Whangateau on March 31st. Fusing Irish traditional music, original compositions, and soulful singing, she has shared the stage with luminaries such as Celtic music icon Alan Stivell, Grammy-winner Bobby McFerrin, and free jazz legend Anthony Braxton.Sponsored by Culture Ireland, Úna is touring Aotearoa New Zealand for the first time this March. The concert, set to take place at Whangateau Hall, promises to be an unforgettable evening of music, as Úna transports the audience to the heart of Ireland’s musical traditions. A virtuoso instrumentalist, it's been said that she can 'knock sparks' out of the Irish harp! She also captivates audiences with her evocative storytelling through song. This is a rare opportunity to witness a truly exceptional talent right in our own backyard—an extraordinary chance to expand our minds and experience something refreshingly different.Úna calls Ireland home and proudly describes herself as "the most Irish person you will ever meet"! Her deep roots in Irish culture run through every aspect of her life: her parents met at the national traditional music festival, she speaks the Irish language fluently, and she lives on an island where donkeys roam freely. She also has a strong passion for tea!Ireland’s rich folk music tradition will be reflected in the structure of the evening, as the night begins with songs by local singers. The event will be a wonderful mixture of ancient art, contemporary collaborations, and music-making; don’t miss your chance to attend! Tickets for the evening are available now at a very reasonable cost of $15.Check out Úna's music here http://una.ie/music/Details:Concert Date & Time: March 31st, 2025, 7pmTickets: $15Location: Whangateau Hall, 533 Leigh Road, LeighEmail to book tickets: [email protected]

Work is underway to seal sections of Devich Road, Settlement Road, Cames Road and Blackswamp Road. Sealing sections of Devich, Settlement and Cames was approved as part of the Long Term Plan 2024 – 2027 process. Elected members recognised that these roads had seen significantly increased traffic volumes due to subdivisions and development, which caused major issues with dust and the general safety of the roads. Residents had advocated for improvements for a number of years.Work on Devich Road started a week ago (Thursday 6 March) and will be finished in April 2025. Initial works include drainage improvements and widening the road, before strengthening and sealing the 1.1 km stretch of road, starting near the one-way bridge through to where Devich Road meets Lawrence Road.Settlement Road works are starting on Monday 17 March and are expected to take around a week to complete. Drainage improvements have already been completed and next week’s works will be focused on stabilising and sealing the 350 metre stretch of road between Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Road to the southern boundary of the Hakaru RSA. Sealing sections of Cames Road is also underway, with an 800 metre stretch already complete and sealing works occurring on another section of similar size. This has been accompanied by a number of safety and resilience improvements including road widening. It is planned that Downer complete the work on Cames Road in this financial year.Sealing 1 km of Blackswamp Road has also started. The sealing of the road is being paid for by the Te Arai Residents’ Association Incorporated, with mid-April expected for completion.As Kaipara District Council’s roading services contractor, Downer Ltd is the lead contractor and has focused on utilising local contractors to support the work.Residents using the roads are encouraged to take care driving through the areas where crews are working and use alternative routes if possible. Stop/go is in place. 

Rodney’s most comprehensive and costly flood recovery road repair is complete after 20 months of construction.Ahuroa Road in Pūhoi was severely damaged in early 2023 with eight large slip sites occurring during the 2023 major storm events. The road was closed to all but residents, and a major slip at the top of the road effectively split the community in half, leaving some residents and families with a long commute to work and school.“We’re very pleased to have completed the repair of the last of the major slips and returned the road to the community,” says Alan Wallace, GM Road Asset Maintenance and Renewals at Auckland Transport.“Downer NZ and Mason Contractors construction teams have worked through all sorts of weather conditions to carry out these repairs in difficult terrain. The largest was a highly technical $6.6 million concrete palisade wall with 166 piles (12-17 metres deep) and 480 metres of soil nail anchors installed to stabilise the site.”“Ahuroa Road sustained severe damage and the repairs were a high priority, we understood the impact the road closure had on the closely connected rural community,” said Samantha Riley, Contract Manager at Downer NZ.“We’re extremely pleased with the outcome, and grateful to be a part of reconnecting the pathway between Pūhoi and Ahuroa. A key achievement for us was enabling some of our youngest community members, children, to safely return to Ahuroa School.”Rodney Local Board Chair Brent Bailey thanks the Pūhoi community for their patience while the very complex road repairs were undertaken.“Our Pūhoi community has been severely impacted because of the substantial damage caused by the storms. It has taken a long time to fix and reopen this road because of the difficult terrain and the challenges caused by the many slips including this major slip.“Huge thanks to Auckland Transport and the roading contractors who have worked tirelessly to engineer solutions and restore this important access for our community.”Road maintenance sealing, which is outside the scope of the flood recovery repairs, is scheduled to be completed at a later date.Watch a one-minute project summary video here

Luka FormanScientists monitoring the spread of Caulerpa on Great Barrier Island say they're starting to see the invasive weed move away from the sandy sea floor.It's the Caulerpa growing on the rocky reefs that's now proving the biggest challenge on the island, but it's hoped new technology could help fight the weed there too.The exotic seaweed was first discovered in New Zealand in 2021, leading to concern about its rapid growth and potential to crowd out native marine species.The government recently put over [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/543483/millions-being-thrown-at-bay-of-islands-caulerpa-control-as-pest-seaweed-spreads $10 million into new technology for the fight against the invasive weed, including dredging and pumping systems, UV light radiation, and chlorine blankets.Glenn Edney is an ocean ecologist who has been leading regular dive surveys on Great Barrier Island since 2022, monitoring the health of the marine life including the spread of exotic Caulerpa.In their recent surveys, they noticed a reduction in the total amount of Caulerpa in some sites, and a change in where the exotic weed was mainly growing."The Caulerpa has basically moved away from the soft-substrate sand areas, and that varies from place to place. But on the whole, it has kind of receded from those areas and is more concentrated on the reef areas."There were also some signs of the Caulerpa and ecosystem adapting to one another.Edney said during the recent survey they observed one fish species, the Two Spot Demoisel, using the weed as part of it's mating process."So, this is an adaptation by the Demoisels. The Caulerpa may be covering the normal nest sites such as the Coralline turf... seems to be very sucessful... we were doing a survey and I was able to film a female coming down and laying eggs, and the male fertilising the eggs."This made him cautiously optimistic, he said, but it was far too soon to make any conclusions about the long-term effects of Caulerpa on the ecosystem.Meanwhile in Northland, exotic Caulerpa has been found in several new spots in the Bay of Islands outside of the Controlled Area Notice, where anchoring is not allowed.Caulerpa growing on rocks in the Bay of Islands. Photo: Supplied / Rana RewhaNorthland Regional Council Chair Geoff Crawford said it was disappointing the weed had spread from the controlled area, but not a huge surprise."It's not a big area. It's got currents running through and tides.""It's not uncontrollable, they're only in random areas, so we're pretty confident that once we get our new technology that we're creating at the moment going we'll get that under control quite quickly."The fight was being supported by a $10 million government grant for scaling up existing dredging and pumping methods, and developing ultra violet light treatments and a chlorine chamber to kill Caulerpa.The dredging technology has already been proven to work on the sandy seabed, Crawford said."Now we're just looking at putting that technology onto a machine that'll be like an underwater tractor and that can go GPS, 24 hours a day."Unlike on Great Barrier, the exotic seaweed is still mostly on the seabed in the Bay of Islands area, Crawford said.Figuring out how to get rid of the weed on the rocky reefs would be important in the long term, he said.Biosecurity New Zealand's director of Pest Management John Walsh hoped the dredging, UV and chlorine chamber treatments would compliment one another."We are very focused on understanding what the wider impacts are so that we can have... a range of tools that can be used in different places under different conditions."The new technology would be developed over the next 6 weeks, Crawford said, and they hoped to be harvesting Caulpera with it by the start of May.This story was originally published by RNZ

This past Saturday, Crimson Coast Cafe hosted another fantastic Coffee & Cars morning, bringing together local car enthusiasts for a showcase of timeless automotive beauty, great coffee, and a strong sense of community.From 7:30 am, the cafe’s car park transformed into a hub of vintage charm, with 20 to 25 classic cars rolling in to take part. Whether it was pristine muscle cars, elegant European classics, or Kiwi motoring icons, there was something for every petrolhead to admire. Over expertly brewed coffee, enthusiasts gathered to share stories, memories, and their love for classic vehicles in the warm and welcoming atmosphere that Crimson Coast Cafe is known for.Matakana Coast App was there to capture the moment and promote the region’s go-to platform for events, business listings, and local highlights.As the morning sun cast a golden glow over Kawau Bay, the combination of vintage cars, stunning coastal scenery, and the inviting aroma of fresh coffee made for a truly unforgettable experience.Upcoming Events:Sunday, 23 March – Morris & James Pottery, MatakanaSunday, 27 April – Omaha Golf Course (featuring a special amphibious boat showcase!)Check out Events button for more infoWatch the video below to see what it's all about!Video credit: Mike Jones

A man and a woman in Hakaru, near Kaiwaka, were attacked by a group of dogs on Settlement Road in a violent incident that left both with serious injuries. They suffered multiple puncture wounds and are expected to face a long recovery.The man who came to the rescue of the mauled women also sustained injuries.The attack occurred on Saturday morning while the woman was painting at the back of her rural property. Four dogs broke through a fence and attacked her. She managed to push them away and escape to her deck while suffering severe bleeding. Despite using towels to stem the blood loss, she struggled to control the bleeding.A neighbour rushed to help and attempted to stop her bleeding with a makeshift tourniquet. However, the dogs returned and attacked him as well. Emergency responders from Hato Hone St John Ambulance treated the man at the scene, while the woman was airlifted to Whangārei Hospital by the Northland Rescue Helicopter.According to her family, she sustained extensive injuries, including severe bruising, puncture wounds, and torn flesh. Due to the risk of infection, only a portion of the wounds could be stitched.Kaipara District Council’s animal control officers identified and impounded the four unsecured dogs involved in the attack. An investigation has been launched, but it remains unclear whether any or all of the dogs have been destroyed.For years, locals and neighbours of the property where the dogs were kept had repeatedly asked for help from Animal Control, fearing that a serious injury or fatality was inevitable. Residents say the dogs frequently escaped and roamed the street, stopping traffic and intimidating, chasing, and scaring members of the community. Despite numerous complaints, they claim that little action was taken to prevent the attack.The roaming dogsThis incident highlights a recurring issue where irresponsible ownership, rather than the animals themselves, is often to blame. The owners of these dogs have failed both their animals and their community by not ensuring they were properly contained and managed.

Work on the Queen Street Riverside boardwalk is scheduled to begin on the 7th of April 2025. Masons Contractors will be carrying out the works on behalf of Auckland Council.Prior to the 7th of April, tree pruning will be completed to prepare the site before Masons establishes on-site.The project involves the removal of the existing concrete footpath and the construction of a new boardwalk to provide access from Queen Street, adjacent to Sterling Sports, to the Riverside walkway, which will connect to the underpass walkway under the Mahurangi River bridge.The estimated duration of the project is approximately four months.Here is a copy of Masons Contractors’ fencing plan below and traffic management

Victor WatersHundreds of people in Northland took to Te Ākau Bream Bay's water and beaches Sunday to protest a fast-tracked sand mining operation.A flotilla of more than 50 watercraft converged from Whangārei Heads to Langs Beach to oppose the proposal to dredge nearly 8.5 million cubic meters of sand over the next 35 years.Auckland-based sand mining company McCallum Brothers is currently in the process of applying for resource consent to extract sand. Their website states it is their way of being transparent with the public.Local residents and environmental advocates say that the operation would cause irreversible damage to the seafloor, wildlife, and coastline.Photo: Supplied / Geoff ReidMary Sinclair from Save Bream Bay Sand said it was an incredibly successful day, bringing the many affected local communities together."The energy is really, really apparent, nobody is going to give up on this process, we are here for the duration and will take all the steps we can to protect Bream Bay as it is," Sinclair said."I've been coming to Langs beach for 70 years, I'm over 70 years old, we haven't had the togetherness of this community that we've got now. Māori and non-Māori, from Langs beach right through to Whangārei Heads."If you were on the water today you would have been amazed at the connections that were being made and what people were saying to each other, the community is getting into gear and we won't stop."Photo: Supplied / Geoff ReidThe protest comes after a petition of 14,000 signatures in opposition to sand mining at Te Ākau Bream Bay was handed to Green MP Hūhana Lyndon last week.The proposed sand mining site lies five kilometres offshore from Waipū, Langs, Uretiti, and Ruakākā beaches, which are vital habitats for sea life such as tara iti (New Zealand fairy tern), where there are 40 adult birds left, and endangered hawksbill turtles have been spotted there.Sinclair said she also had concerns for the returning scallop population in Bream Bay."What they'll do they'll continue to decimate what has begun to re-grow and we'll lose them to Bream Bay."When you lose the scallops on the sea floor and lose other sea life on the sea floor then your fish start suffering, the fish have the food they need to grow and they'll disappear."You take away the fish and have an impact on all the birds, we have species like dotterel and other birds in this area which have numbers that are declining and they'll disappear."Photo: Supplied / Geoff ReidShe said mining could also impact Bream Bay's enclosed sand system."They take sand from here it will not refill from outside and then you'll start altering what happens with the waves and the water which will start altering the sand dunes."If you look at the ecological impact here they will have an impact on every part of that going forward, particularly if it's for the next 35 years."The 'Save Bream Bay Sand' advocate encouraged the McCallum Bros to look at other sand alternatives.She said sand mining from the sea floor is a practice that's declining internationally because of it's environmental impacts."We all want the New Zealand economy to grow, that's not a question, we know that for that we need concrete and need more roads."But we also know sand can be manufactured from aggregate we know that there are other sources of sand on land that are being quarried and there's no need to take it from the sea floor."This story was originally published by RNZ

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, 14 March 2025.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 Warkworth roundabout and Silverdale on-ramp, 19 MarchPuhoi southbound on-ramp, 19 MarchOrewa southbound on-ramp, 19 MarchMillwater southbound on-ramp, 19 MarchNorthbound lanes between Silverdale off-ramp and Warkworth roundabout, 18 MarchOrewa northbound on-ramp, 18 MarchSilverdale northbound on-ramp, 18 MarchOnewa Road northbound off-ramp, 16 MarchStafford Road northbound off-ramp, 16 &17-20 MarchCurran Street northbound on-ramp, 16 & 17-20 March CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ) Hobson Street southbound on-ramp, 19 MarchWestbound lanes between Tamaki Drive and Beach Road/Parnell Rise, 18-19 March SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1) Northbound lanes between East Tamaki Road off-ramp and Mt Wellington Highway on-ramp, 19-20 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Princes Street northbound on-ramp, 19-20 MarchHighbrook Drive northbound on-ramp, 19-20 MarchEast Tamaki Road northbound on-ramp, 19-20 MarchSouthbound lanes between East Tamaki Road off-ramp and Redoubt Road on-ramp, 16-18 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)East Tamaki Road southbound on-ramp, 16-18 MarchSH1 southbound to SH20 northbound link, 16-18 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Takanini off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 20 MarchTakanini southbound on-ramp, 20 MarchPapakura southbound off-ramp, 19 MarchSouthbound lanes between Papakura off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 16-18 MarchPapakura (Loop) southbound on-ramp, 16-18 MarchPapakura (Diamond) southbound on-ramp, 16-18 MarchDrury/SH22 southbound off-ramp, 20 MarchNorthbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 16 & 19-20 MarchDrury/SH22 northbound on-ramp, 16 & 19-20 MarchNorthbound lanes between Ramarama off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 17-18 MarchDrury/SH22 northbound on-ramp, 17-18 MarchRamarama northbound on-ramp, 17-18 MarchSouthbound lanes between Hampton Downs off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 17 MarchNorthbound lanes between Hampton Downs off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 17 MarchSouthbound lanes between Hampton Downs off-ramp and Rangiriri on-ramp, 16 MarchHampton Downs southbound on-ramp, 16 MarchTe Kauwhata southbound on-ramp, 16 MarchNORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16) Southbound lanes between Waimauku roundabout and Trigg Road, 16-20 March (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Trigg Road and Waimauku roundabout, 16-20 March (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Newton Road westbound on-ramp, 19-20 March UPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18) Eastbound lanes between Tauhinu Road off-ramp and Albany Highway on-ramp, 17-20 MarchGreenhithe Road eastbound on-ramp, 17-20 March SOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20) Queenstown Road southbound on-ramp, 16-17 MarchNeilson Street southbound off-ramp, 16-17 March

Fire and Emergency says four homes had to be evacuated during a fire next to State Highway 1 in Northland's Brynderwyn Hills on Friday afternoon.Wildfire specialist Rory Renwick said the blaze, which raced through a hectare of grass and scrub, was brought under control around 5pm by six fire trucks and a helicopter.Firefighters would be working from the side of the highway for a few more hours as they put out all remaining hot spots, he said.Travellers should continue to take alternative routes around the Brynderwyns if possible, he said.It is not yet known what started the fire just before 3pm.This story was originally published by RNZ

Northland’s tsunami evacuation maps have been updated with more accurate modelling and information. These new maps better reflect how tsunamis are expected to behave as they travel across the ocean and reach our coastline.Simplified Evacuation ZonesTo make evacuation zones easier to understand, the system has been simplified from a three-colour scheme to a single colour system – the BLUE ZONE.BLUE ZONE: Tsunami Evacuation ZoneThis evacuation zone indicates the areas that should be evacuated in the event of a tsunami warning. It represents where the water could reach in a tsunami.Why Blue? The single evacuation zone is coloured blue to symbolise the potential reach of tsunami waters.REMEMBER:🔵 BLUE means GO – If a tsunami warning is issued, evacuate immediately.Know your evacuation zone – Check if your home, workplace, school, marae, or any location you visit regularly is in the BLUE ZONE.Plan your evacuation route in advance – View the updated maps here: Northland Tsunami Evacuation Maps. For those that live in Mangawhai a new warning Tsunami siren has recently been installed on Moir street just opposite the Mangawhai Domain where the tennis courts are.If an earthquake is Long or Strong: Get Gone – Don’t wait for an official warning. Move to higher ground or further inland immediately.Safe Evacuation TipsIf driving, keep going once out of the evacuation zone to allow room for others.Familiarise yourself with tsunami zones relevant to your home, workplace, or holiday destination.Create and practice a household emergency plan – Find information at: getready.govt.nz/preparedHave a getaway kit or grab bag in case you need to leave in a hurry – Find helpful resources at: getready.govt.nz/prepared/household/suppliesNow is the time to check if you live, work, or play in a tsunami evacuation zone. Be prepared, stay informed, and know your quickest route to safety!

Gianina SchwaneckeA young woman has made history after winning the tractor pull event at Northland Field Days in Dargaville over the weekend.The tractor pull event sees competitors drive a tractor over a 100 metre course pulling a weighted sledge.Drivers are tested on their skill in obtaining the best pulling speed and fastest time.Ella Martin is the first woman to win the competition in it's almost 40-year history.Coming from a family of contractor tractor and truck drivers, she learned to drive a tractor with her older brothers' help at age 12.The now 17-year-old first entered the competition last year after watching them compete.Martin said most of the young men she was competing against in this year's race were her friends."Being the only girl was quite intimidating," she admitted.After winning her first race she started to feel better though and was "stoked" to be named a finalist.Ella Martin learned to drive a tractor with her brothers' help at age 12 and first entered the competition last year after watching them compete.Taking out the top title left her "quite speechless" and with the "biggest smile on her face".Martin attributed her win to a solid start."It all sort of depends on how you start. Because if you have a good start and make all the right gear changes up the track you can be pretty successful. The start is probably key to everything."She has been building her experience working part-time driving tractors for friends which is helping fund her midwifery studies at Auckland University of Technology (AUT)."I'm sort of ready to get back into a tractor," she said. "It's pretty cool being able to drive a tractor and it's good to have it to fall back on when I go home for breaks and that."Martin encouraged other people, especially young women, to give it a go.This story was originally published by RNZ

Northland Expressway: A Major Investment in Regional GrowthThe development of the four-lane Northern Expressway is set to enhance Northland’s resilience while supporting future growth in the region.The Government will officially open Registrations of Interest for the first stage of the Northland Expressway at the NZ Infrastructure Investment Summit, starting today, as announced by Transport Minister Chris Bishop.The new expressway aims to improve connectivity between Northland and Auckland by providing a resilient, safe, and efficient transport corridor. This infrastructure project is expected to stimulate economic growth, increase productivity, and improve living standards for both Northlanders and Aucklanders.The Waikato Expressway, completed under a previous National-led Government, has significantly benefited the Waikato region. Similarly, the Northland Expressway presents a transformative opportunity to create jobs and drive economic expansion in Northland while strengthening its link to New Zealand’s largest city.The upper North Island plays a crucial role in New Zealand’s economy, with Northland, Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty collectively representing 53.7 per cent of the country’s population (2.7 million people) and contributing 55.5 per cent of GDP ($215 billion). This project is positioned as a strategic investment not only in Northland but also in the broader upper North Island region.Project Scope and TimelineThe first stage of the Northland Expressway will cover a 26km stretch from Warkworth to Te Hana. This section will be built to expressway standards and will integrate with the newly completed Pūhoi to Warkworth Expressway. The indicative design includes an 850m twin-bore tunnel through the Dome Valley, as well as three key interchanges located at Warkworth, Wellsford, and Te Hana.The Warkworth to Te Hana segment is the most advanced in terms of designation, consents, and property acquisition, allowing construction to commence ahead of other sections. This stage of the project will also address resilience issues in the Dome Valley.NZTA is continuing to plan and design the remaining sections of the corridor, with an announcement on the preferred route for Sections 2 and 3, including an alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills, expected soon.Significant international interest has been recorded in the Warkworth to Te Hana project following extensive market engagement by NZTA. Cabinet has approved the next stage of procurement, confirming that the project will be delivered as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).Procurement and Construction TimelineFormal procurement will begin with the Registration of Interest process, allowing registered parties to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). Shortlisted bidders will be invited to submit formal expressions of interest in the middle of the year. A Request for Proposal (RFP) is scheduled for mid-2025, with up to three shortlisted bidders expected. A preferred bidder will be announced in early 2026, and the PPP contract is anticipated to be finalised by mid-2026.Detailed design and construction for the Warkworth to Te Hana section are set to begin in late 2026. While the final completion date will be determined following the procurement process, the project is estimated to be completed around 2034.The Northland Expressway is expected to utilise provisions from the Fast-track Approvals Act and the recently announced Public Works Act changes for critical infrastructure projects.This investment is a significant milestone for Northland’s development, unlocking economic potential while providing long-term opportunities for the infrastructure sector. The project is also expected to strengthen New Zealand’s supply chain and enhance regional connectivity for decades to come.

Metlifecare has officially commenced groundworks for Mangawhai’s first retirement village at 15 Sailrock Drive - just north of the Golf Club.Earthworks have begunSet on 13 hectares, the development will feature 160 single-level living units and a 45-bed hospital-level care home. Once completed, it is expected to employ around 50 staff, including managers, nurses, kitchen staff, and gardeners.The village is scheduled to open in 2026 for its first residents but not fully completed until 2029. It is being designed with sustainability in mind; the villas will aim for a Homestar 7 rating from the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC), incorporating eco-friendly features such as solar panels.This project marks a significant milestone for Mangawhai, providing much-needed retirement and aged care facilities for the growing community.Artists impression

We’re excited to introduce our new Health / Beauty and Shop Local - Warkworth business directory listings on the Matakana Coast App! Check them out by clicking on the links below and support local!Health/ BeautyKōwhai Coast Dental offers expert, patient-focused care in a modern Warkworth clinic. Led by locals Les and Yogi, the team provides a full range of dental services using state-of-the-art technology. Their services include general dentistry, hygiene therapy, crowns, teeth whitening, implants, and wisdom tooth removal. With a commitment to comfort and quality, they create a welcoming environment for all patients.Pavilion Barbers & Perfume Bar in Snells Beach offers professional haircuts for all ages with no appointment necessary. They also feature a dedicated perfume bar and a range of hair products for men and women. Open daily from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm.Warkworth Naturopath, led by Jasmin, a qualified naturopath and medical herbalist with over 25 years of experience, specialises in holistic health for women over 50. Combining naturopathy, herbal medicine, and functional testing, she helps clients regain energy, balance, and clarity. Jasmin also offers Soul Centre Healing Hypnosis and wellness programs tailored to individual needs. Services are available online or in person in Matakana.Hydro Health NZ supplies the Happy Bum Co at-home enema range, helping clients detoxify, rebuild, and nurture their bodies naturally. Led by Janice Hamilton, a specialist in colon hydrotherapy supplies, Hydro Health offers high-quality enema kits and nutritional detox products to support overall well-being.Shop Local - Warkworth Tuck In Healthy Pet Food & Supplies is a Warkworth family-owned business dedicated to providing premium, whole pet foods and nutritional supplements. Specialising in raw food, premium dry food, treats, bones, and wellness products, they help pet owners create perfectly balanced diets for their furry companions. With a passion for pet health, their team offers expert advice and high-quality nutrition to support happy, healthy pets.

Auckland’s historic Puhoi Hotel has received a significant funding boost from Auckland Council’s Regional Historic Heritage Grant, securing $50,000 for much-needed restoration work. This funding will go towards repairing the roof, refurbishing the verandah, and repainting the exterior, ensuring the hotel maintains its historical character while remaining a welcoming space for visitors and the local community.The Puhoi Hotel, established in the late 19th century, is a key landmark in the small, historic settlement north of Auckland. Originally built in 1876 by Bohemian settler John Schollum, the current structure dates back to 1901. Over the decades, it has served as both a social hub and a vital link to the region’s European settler history. The latest restoration efforts will help preserve its unique architecture and heritage, reinforcing its role as an essential part of Puhoi’s identity.Bernie McCallion has owned the historic inn since 2020, when she bought it from Gillian Seymour, whose family had been landlords since 1962.As well as great location, the pub is well-known for its massive collection of memorabilia that smothers the walls of the bar, with everything from antique signs and tools to old bottles and bank notes filling every inch of space.Alongside the Puhoi Hotel, the Kentish Hotel in Waiuku was also granted funding, receiving $48,435 for maintenance and preservation. Built in 1852, the Kentish Hotel holds the distinction of having New Zealand’s longest continuous liquor licence. While both establishments have historical significance, the grant ensures that the Puhoi Hotel remains a centrepiece of its community, preserving its charm for future generations.Auckland Council has allocated a total of $530,000 across 21 heritage sites in the region as part of its broader initiative to protect and restore historic buildings.

Police are asking the public's help to locate a 14-year-old girl last seen at school in Auckland on Thursday.Skyla is 14 years old, 175cm tall, and was last seen in Albany on Thursday.Police and her family are concerned for her welfare and want to know that she is safe, police said.In a Facebook post, her mother said, "She was last seen when I dropped her off at school at 8:35 AM on Thursday, 6 March, but she left the school grounds at 8:50 AM before classes began."If you have any information regarding her whereabouts, please contact police online or call 105, and reference the file number 250306/9445.This story was originally published by RNZ