Overnight motorway closures 8 – 13 September 2024  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, 13 September 2024. Please note this Traffic Bulletin is updated every Friday. Check daily updated closure information: www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz  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, 11-12 SeptemberOrewa southbound on-ramp, 11-12 SeptemberMillwater southbound on-ramp, 11-12 SeptemberNorthbound lanes between Silverdale off-ramp and Orewa on-ramp, 11-12 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Silverdale northbound on-ramp, 11-12 SeptemberStafford Road northbound off-ramp, 12-13 SeptemberCurran Street northbound on-ramp, 12-13 September

"Homicide investigation launched in Dargaville, information sought"Police are now treating the unexplained death of a woman in Dargaville last month as a homicide.The body of Joanna (Jo) Mai Sione-Lauaki, 38, was discovered between Omamari Beach and Aranga Beach on Friday 2 August.Detective Inspector Al Symonds, Northland CIB, says following extensive enquiries, Police believe Jo’s death is suspicious.“While Police had been treating this investigation as an unexplained death, the post-mortem has sadly confirmed the injuries received to the victim are consistent with foul play.“Our thoughts are with Jo’s whānau and friends at this time and we are committed to holding the person responsible to account.”Police appeal for information on clothing:Detective Inspector Symonds says the investigation team is now appealing for any information to help locate items of clothing they believe Jo may have been wearing prior to her death.“Her t-shirt, pants and shoes have not yet been located.“We are asking people from the area to be on the lookout for the property, and to contact us if any of the below items are found,” he says."The clothing and possessions may be on the beach or on a nearby property and we would ask anyone who has seen the items to please contact Police immediately.The clothing consists of a white Nike t-shirt with a red tick, black or dark grey tracksuit pants and red Adidas scuffs like the images pictured.Police continue to appeal for information on vehicles:Detective Inspector Symonds says the investigation team is continuing to piece together the information received so far, however are continuing to appeal to the public for assistance.Police are still appealing to the public in relation to two vehicles of interest.Jo’s vehicle, a black Mitsubishi Outlander, was found by Police parked in the car park near the entrance to Omamari Beach on 2 August.“We believe the vehicle was parked there sometime after 7pm on Thursday 1 August and would like to hear from anyone who has information that could assist our enquiries.“In particular, we are appealing for sightings of the black Mitsubishi Outlander in the car park at Omamari Beach, or sightings of anyone near the car or on the beach from Wednesday (31 July) through to Friday morning (2 August).”Police are also seeking information on a white 2012 Toyota Hilux flat deck Ute, with no registration plates, an orange hazard light on the roof and aluminium dog cages on the back.Detective Inspector Symonds says Police believe this vehicle was in the same area where Jo’s body was discovered.“Police would like to hear from anyone who saw this vehicle leading up to and around Friday 2 August in the Baylys or Omamari beach areas near Dargaville and anytime up until 10 August.“Anyone who saw this vehicle, or any other vehicles in the area, or has any dashcam footage between these dates is urged to come forward.“No piece of information is insignificant as we work to determine exactly what has occurred.”If you were in these areas between these times and have any photos or videos which may be relevant, please upload them here: https://cloth.nc3.govt.nzAnyone with information can call Police on 105 and quote file number 240803/9062.Alternatively, if you would like to speak to a member of the investigation team in person you can present to the Dargaville Police Station.Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.Holly McKay/NZ Police

Does spring begin on the first day of September? Or does it start on September 23 - the perfect middle point between the winter and summer equinox?Principal scientist at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) Chris Brandolino is American, and sees spring as starting on 23 September."We kind of follow the astronomical definition of the seasons, which is marked by the sun crossings of [an] imaginary line on the Earth, whereas other parts of the world, including New Zealand ... they go by the meteorological or climatological definition of the season, so there's two sets of definitions."Why do we see it differently here? Well, following meteorological dates and dividing seasons into three-month chunks keeps things tidy and is helpful we want to look at the average temperature and rainfall during the season, Brandolino told Nights.The so-called spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere goes right down to the minute, with this year's one starting September 23, 2024 at 12.43am.The seasons in this definition are determined by the sun crossing an imaginary line across the equator at 23.5 degrees, either north or south, twice a year - giving us the shoulder seasons known as autumn and spring.Why do we care so much about seasons?Seasons are a human construct that give structure to our way of life and have historically been useful for determining things like harvesting.But the seasons in terms of their practical sense are getting longer and shorter, largely because of climate change, Brandolino said."The winter season, that's getting shorter. We're seeing frosts happen later, the first frost, and we're seeing the latest frost happen sooner. So what happens is that it's kind of shrinking on both ends and then this is a long-term trend."Whatever definition you subscribe to, astronomical or meteorological ... we are seeing that the types of weather we are experiencing during those seasons evolve with time."Still, that doesn't mean you wouldn't expect the coldest temperatures to be around the same time of the year in the future, he said."If we hop on a time machine and we exit the time machine 70 years from now, we will still have the coldest temperatures, if you were to kind of graph when the warmest weather occurs versus the coolest weather, it'll be in the winter season, it just won't be as cold."So what can you expect this spring?This outlook for spring was the 'theme' for the season, not a forecast, Brandolino advised."Weather is your mood, climate is your personality. So what I'm describing here is Mother Nature, is basically her personality for the next three months. Now, on any given day during the next three months, her mood may be incongruent with her personality."NIWA is confident about a warmer than average spring for eastern parts of the North and South islands. Other parts of the country could experience a warm lean too, but NIWA's confidence on that is lower."So we're thinking either average or above average, and that's about equal chances. But to put differently, a colder than average spring is pretty darn unlikely over the next three months," Brandolino said."So days where we get this unusual warmth, maybe more common than what say typically spring offers, which is a moody season. It's the teenager of seasons because you have these wild swings between winter which we've just exited and summer which we are approaching."The eastern side of both islands are also leaning towards a dry lean, but there is some uncertainty there so it's unclear if rainfall will be average or below average at this point.The west and top of the South Island and the west of the North Island was leaning towards being more wet, with normal or above normal rainfall. And the top of the North Island could see near normal rainfall for the seasons.

Family Appeals for Urgent SupportRaj, a well-known and beloved courier driver in the Warkworth community, is currently fighting for his life after contracting typhoid fever during a recent trip to India. His journey to help his father, who was in the ICU and nearly lost his left leg, took an unexpected turn when Raj himself fell critically ill.Raj returned to Auckland on August 3rd, but by August 16th, he was rushed to the hospital after being misdiagnosed and given the wrong medication. He is now in an induced coma in the High Dependency Unit at North Shore Hospital, where doctors are tirelessly working to treat the severe effects of typhoid fever. Raj is on IV fluids, tube-fed, and connected to a ventilator as he fights for his life.The family has been living in constant fear, not knowing when Raj will recover or if he will fully regain his health. His condition has shown slight improvement; he woke up from sedation on August 28th, and while his vital organs are holding steady, he still requires daily dialysis. The doctors remain cautiously optimistic, but Raj’s road to recovery will be long and arduous.Raj’s family has been doing everything they can to support him during this challenging time, but they now need the community’s help. The financial burden of covering rent, food, power, transport, and other essential living expenses during Raj’s recovery is overwhelming. With no clear timeline for when he might return to work, the family is appealing for donations to help ease the financial strain.As a key member of the Warkworth community, Raj has always been there for his customers, delivering packages with a smile. Now, he needs the community’s support to help him get back on his feet. Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in helping Raj and his family during this difficult time.Please consider donating to support Raj’s recovery. The funds will go directly towards covering essential expenses and ensuring that Raj has the resources he needs to regain his health. The family is deeply grateful for any assistance provided during this trying time.Here is the link to his Givealittle page

Warkworth / Rodney RegionFriday 6th September - Partly cloudy. A few showers clearing in the evening. Southwesterlies, fresh in the afternoon.Saturday 7th September - Mostly cloudy, with the chance of a shower. Westerlies, becoming strong at night.Sunday 8th - Occasional rain, clearing to fine in the morning. Fresh southwesterlies, easing in the afternoon.Mangawhai / Northland RegionFriday 6th September - Partly cloudy, with the chance of a shower until evening. SouthwesterliesSaturday 7th September - Partly cloudy, with the chance of a shower from afternoon. Westerlies, becoming fresh in the morning.Sunday 8th - A few showers, clearing to fine in the afternoon. Fresh northwesterlies, turning lighter southwesterly before dawn.

Snells Beach Locals it's that time of year again when our little feathered friends need our support. Please share these temporary dog rules with your doggie mates before September 13th.

To vote at the One Mahurangi Business Association (OMBA) AGM you must be a registered BID Affiliate or Associate Member of OMBA. To understand more about OMBA membership qualifications and benefits, details are IN THIS DOCUMENT or on our website page here > onemahurangi.co.nz/join-one-mahurangi/For the AGM Agenda head hereFor access and to download all OMBA AGM 2024 documentation including reports and budgets, visit our website page >  onemahurangi.co.nz/agm2024

A bright light is proving effective for killing Caulerpa seaweed, which is a rapidly spreading invasive seaweed in northeastern New Zealand.A single dose of the ultraviolet light was found to kill over 90 per cent of the invasive seaweed in field tests at Rakino Island in the Hauraki Gulf funded by Auckland Council and undertaken by the University of Auckland.The findings have great potential for helping with the control of the invasive seaweed, says Liz Brooks, Team Manager Pathways and Marine at Auckland Council.Caulerpa has been causing serious concern since first discovered in coastal waters of Aotea -Great Barrier Island in mid-2021 and has since spread and been located at other coastal locations.Elsewhere in the world invasions of exotic Caulerpa seaweed have been associated with loss of seafloor animals and fish life, due to the formation of dense smothering mats of seaweed across the seafloor.The ultraviolet light, which is used for killing microorganisms in drinking water, appears also to be highly effective for killing Caulerpa on the seafloor using a powerful underwater lamp.“The ultraviolet light works on the seaweed like sunburn, killing the tissues that are exposed to the light, says Brooks.“Shaded parts of seaweed that are not affected by the light and any regrowth needs to be mopped up with subsequent doses of the ultraviolet light.” she adds.Ultraviolet light has some potential advantages over the limited methods currently available for controlling Caulerpa seaweed including minimal disturbance of the seafloor and no fragmentation of the Caulerpa, which can lead to spread of the pest.Although the field testing of the ultraviolet light has only been undertaken on a small scale at Rakino Island, work is progressing toward using the ultraviolet light for larger scale control of Caulerpa in coastal areas.University of Auckland diver attending to UV-C lamp in operation treating Caulerpa parvifolia on the seabed at Māori Garden Bay, Rakino Island. The three parallel UV-C lamps are powered from the surface (black cables) with a white plastic frame holding the lamps above the seafloor to ensure adequate light coverage.A UV-C dosemeter at the left end of the frame records the quantity of UV-C light arriving at the seafloor.Underwater photographs of quadrat T3 (first shot above) on 24 June 2024 showing extensive cover of Caulerpa parvifolia and on (above) 31 July 2024 showing minimal remaining C. parvifolia cover after two treatments with UV-C.

Kiwi kids need better protection when it comes to what is being shared about them by their parents online, says privacy expert Nikki Chamberlain. The Auckland University law school senior lecturer has looked at the lack of safeguards in place for the third edition of a book she has co-edited, Privacy Law in New Zealand. Chamberlain tells Kathryn Ryan that children are being subjected to "sharenting" - the oversharing of images and videos of a minor by their parents or guardians - leaving them vulnerable. Her research explored the harms that can occur from commercial and non-commercial sharenting. “Non-commercial sharenting is ... where you have parents who are merely sharing images and videos of their children online for social and relational purposes, so it builds a sense of community and connection to people within their social network.” But even this seemingly innocent action has risks, she says.  Nikki Chamberlain. Photo: Supplied“Even if you have your profile settings set to private, all you need is for one person in your friends circle or connection circle to screenshot or save a picture or video that you post and then if it gets put into the wrong hands. “Those images can be manipulated, there’s what we call deepfakes on the internet, which is where you take the image or the face of a child and then you superimpose it on the body of somebody else. It’s done in sex trafficking circles; we call that virtual kidnapping.” Those consequences, along with real kidnapping and stalking, are the more severe ones, but on another level, sharenting can result in children being subjected to trolling, bullying at school, cyberbullying, alienation, depression, and anxiety, Chamberlain says. "Anything that might embarrass your child or humiliate them, is something that parents need to think about why they’re sharing it. “Because I think often we share things for the benefit of the parent and not the child, and we really need to have the best interest of the child at heart because these things can live for a very, very long time.” The golden rule is prioritising the best interests of the child, she says, and if in doubt, it is best not to post it. “The big thing to know is can the child give informed consent? And if they can’t, then I would err on the side of not doing that. “So a child under the age of say 7, 8, 9, 10, really can’t give informed consent, they don’t really know what’s happening, and so to put their image online, you’re essentially usurping their right to privacy because they haven’t been able to say whether they want to partake in that or not.” The bigger concerns in her research were around commercial sharenting, where advertisers pay child influencers to sell toys, clothing or merchandise, she says. "There are no specific laws to protect child influencers. “We’re really lagging behind in this area. France, on the other hand, is a jurisdiction which is far more advanced and they’ve got rules around needing to get permissions for certain advertisers to use child influencers and have rules around putting the money the child influencers [earns] in a bank account until they’re 16 years old so it can be used for their benefit.” At the extreme end, exploitation of children is a concern, she says. “It made me start to think what are the long-term consequences of using children in this unregulated industry this way and I think, unfortunately, they could be quite serious, long-term and detrimental.” She suggests a third-party watchdog needs to have the power to lodge complaints for investigations against parents or legal parents if these issues appear, because children are basically voiceless. New Zealand is also behind compared with other countries that have regulations like the ‘right to be forgotten’, she says. “In other words, if you have an image or material about you online and it was posted a significant amount of time ago, say 10 years ago, then you should have a right to require the Internet provider to delete that information about you so that it’s no longer searchable. “We had a really good opportunity with the Privacy Act 2020 to enact it and we just didn’t and I think that is a real downfall, it put us behind other jurisdictions already. Privacy Law in New Zealand book cover. Photo: Thomson Reuters“Essentially we have a 2020 act which is really for 2011 and with technology continually advancing, we’re kind of chasing the tail of how do we protect privacy rights but in particular privacy rights for those most vulnerable.” It’s possible that sharenting has broadened what is deemed as ‘acceptable’ images of children, she says, but the law still requires these not be highly objectionable to the ordinary reasonable person. “[In] my research, one of the recommendations as well is an educational model. “We should be educating parents more as to the consequences, socially and developmentally of a child, but also what can happen at the severe end so that parents do think twice, because I think unfortunately instantaneous photography on iPhones is so easy to do, it becomes second nature and people won’t necessarily realise the impact it could have long term.” This story was originally published on RNZ

A 110kmh speed limit has been proposed for State Highway 1, from Orewa to Warkworth.Consultation on raising the speed limits from 100kph for the Northern Gateway Toll Road and Pūhoi to Warkworth Road of National Significance will last four weeks, beginning on 3 September and closing on 1 October.The Transport Agency will then consider all feedback received during the consultation process and review it alongside technical and safety assessments.The government is currently finalising a new Speed Limit Rule that will enable 110kmh speed limits on Roads of National Significance that are built to a high safety standard.Transport Minister Simeon Brown said the two sections of State Highway 1 were both built to a high safety standard and have delivered strong safety benefits for those travelling between Auckland and Northland.Simeon Brown (file photo) Photo: Calvin Samuel / RNZ"Since the Northern Gateway Toll Road opened in 2009, and the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway opened in 2023 under National's Roads of National Significance programme, no one has died in a crash on these roads," Brown said."These roads provide a faster, safer and more resilient connection between Auckland and Northland, helping to unlock economic growth and productivity by moving people and freight quickly and safely between regions."Delivering 110kmh speed limits on Roads of National Significance where it's safe to do so is another part of our government's Accelerate NZ plan to grow the economy, reduce travel times and increase productivity on our transport network."This story was originally published by RNZ

Tyrewise: Transforming Tyre Waste into OpportunityTyrewise, New Zealand's first national tyre recycling scheme, is now operational and tackles the environmental issue of end-of-life tyres, with approximately 4 million tyres wasted annually.Many of these tyres end up in landfills, are stockpiled, or are illegally dumped, posing significant environmental risks.The initiative, supported by industry and government, provides accessible public collection sites across New Zealand.Tyrewise introduces a tyre stewardship fee, charged at the time of purchase, to fund proper recycling. The fee, starting from $6.65 (excluding GST) for a standard passenger tyre, varies depending on the tyre type. Consumers can leave old tyres with registered sellers or at public collection sites.Registered collection sites allow residents to drop off up to five tyres at a time, ensuring they are recycled responsibly. This initiative supports the creation of new products from tyre-derived materials and fuels, fostering a sustainable future in New Zealand.For more information visit, Tyrewise's official website.Currently there are only two collection sites for our region:Waitākere Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station, Henderson, AucklandDargaville Resource and Recovery Park, KaiparaHow recycled tyres are usedThere are a variety of initiatives and companies currently recycling tyres:Matta™ manufactures safety surfacing products containing a high proportion of recycled truck tyre rubber. Their recycled products are made from up to 95% recycled materials which include end-of-life tyres but also road cones, deflated pool toys and gumboots.Researchers at the University of Canterbury (UC) and Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) have been investigating the use of finely shredded end-of-life tyre rubber as an additive in building foundations. Plans are under way to construct a test building using the system where its performance and environmental impact can be tested in a real-world setting.The researchers see it as a very promising, cost-effective system for protecting residential buildings against the effects of earthquakes. It has the added benefits of reducing the need for gravel as aggregate and could keep used tyres out of landfill. The ESR did lab-scale testing on leaching and found no toxicity issues.Building 722 x 200m2 homes in this way would use all the end-of-life tyres generated in New Zealand annually.Golden Bay is New Zealand’s only local cement manufacturer, producing close to 1 million tonnes of cement a year. They co-process end-of-life tyres alongside wood waste as an alternative fuel in their cement kiln.Golden Bay produces EcoSure® – cement with the lowest embodied carbon available in Aotearoa.Using chipped tyres and wood waste as an alternative fuel source significantly reduces Golden Bay’s dependency on coal, which is currently imported from Australia. The steel in tyres also provides iron which is essential for cement production – the co-processing of end-of-life tyres reduces the use of iron sand up to 35%.Currently Golden Bay derives 15% of its fuel needs from tyres but has the capacity to reach up to 30% – the maximum amount which can be used in their process and equipment.Treadlite is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest transporters and processors of end-of-life tyres, using the processed rubber to make innovative new products.From their base in Cambridge the team recycles 1.3 million end-of-life tyres per year and have plans to triple that figure.Treadlite uses end-of-life tyres to make granulated rubber for use in a variety of applications in New Zealand and Australia. These range from artificial sports fields and equestrian arenas to playground matting. Treadlite is also working together with a group of companies to introduce the use of rubber in roading in New Zealand.If you would like to report a case of illegally dumped or stockpiled tyres, please contact Tyrewise.

Warkworth / Rodney RegionMonday 2nd September - Areas of morning low cloud or fog, then cloudy periods isolated showers from afternoon. Light winds, northerlies developing this evening.Tuesday 3rd September - Showers in the afternoon and evening, some heavy, otherwise fine. Northerlies, turning to fresh westerlies for a time in the afternoon and evening.Wednesday 4th September - A few showers, clearing in the evening. Westerlies, turning southerly in the afternoon.Thursday 5th September - Fine. Fresh southerlies, easing.Friday 6th September - Partly cloudy with southwesterlies.Mangawhai / Northland RegionMonday 2nd September - Cloudy periods. The odd shower until evening. Northwesterlies.Tuesday 3rd September - Rain for a time in the afternoon and evening, otherwise fine. Fresh northwesterlies, easing in the afternoon.Wednesday 4th September - A few showers, mainly in the afternoon and evening. Westerlies, turning southerly in the afternoon.Thursday 5th September - Fine. Southerlies, becoming fresh.Friday 6th September - Fine with southwesterlies.

Farmers are spending millions each year on pest control but many feel like they're not gaining any traction.Federated Farmers latest pest survey of 700 farmers found farmers are spending on average $5.45 a hectare controlling pests like deer, goats, possums, cats and geeseBy using Statistics NZ data on the total area farmed, the group estimates the total spend on pest control is $74 million.On top of that its estimated damage from pests costs just over $10 a hectare in lost production for a grand national total of $139 million per year.Federated Farmers pest management spokesperson Richard McIntyre said it's a huge cost for rural communities to be carrying at a time when many farming families are already struggling to turn a profit."This is a very serious problem that's costing Kiwi farmers almost a quarter of a billion dollars every year."However more than 30 percent of those surveyed said their shooting, trapping and poisoning efforts are making no inroads into reducing feral pest numbers.McIntyre said goat, pig and deer populations are booming in most parts of the country, but things are particularly bad on farms bordering Department of Conservation land."DOC are widely regarded by farmers as the neighbour you really don't want to have because they don't fulfill their obligations on controlling wild animals and weeds."Farmers can spend a fortune controlling pests on their farm but if the neighbour isn't doing anything, the pests jump the fence and you're back to square one," he said.He said DoC needs to refocus its efforts on pest control."We had a meeting with them recently and said look if a group of farmers near DoC land are committed to doing a push on pest control can DoC redirect funding to do pest control on it's land."McIntyre said the request was denied."We need to get on top of this problem now. If we allow these animals to keep breeding, their populations, and the cost to control them, will only continue to grow."We appreciate the Government is under huge financial pressures, but this isn't something New Zealand can afford to scrimp and save on."Department of Conservation Director National Programmes Ben Reddiex said the organisation is concerned about rising pest numbers but because it's responsible for managing 8.7 million hectares it cannot manage introduced animals species everywhere."We are focused on prioritising the work we do to make sure it has the greatest impact, is coordinated with other parties' work, and is delivered as effectively and efficiently as possible."We acknowledge people who farm are frustrated about introduced animals moving onto their land from public conservation land, we need a better collective effort by all to find solutions at place, rather than DOC reprioritizing control at specific block margins."Reddiex said such solutions might include partnerships between farmers and forestry owners and New Zealand Deerstalkers Association branches to allow vetted hunters to access properties or removing barriers to support commercial Wild Animal Recovery Operators to work on private land."DOC and the farming sector need to actively share priorities for introduced animal control, so we can be most effective."He said thanks to Budget 2022 DOC has increased investment into its introduced species management programmes.Wild goat control and deer management has had an increase of approximately $8 million annually, The National Predator Control Programme has had an increase of $7.5 million annually, while Predator Free 2050 has had an increase of $20 million annually.This story was originally posted by RNZ News

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, 6 September 2024.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, 4-5 SeptemberOrewa southbound on-ramp, 4-5 SeptemberMillwater southbound on-ramp, 4-5 SeptemberNorthbound lanes between Silverdale off-ramp and Orewa on-ramp, 4-5 SeptemberSilverdale northbound on-ramp, 4-5 SeptemberCENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)Grafton Road eastbound on-ramp, 1-5 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH16 eastbound to SH16 (Port) link, 5 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Wellesley Street East (SH16) eastbound off-ramp, 5 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 northbound to SH16 eastbound (Port) link, 4-5 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Wellesley Street East (SH1) eastbound off-ramp, 4-5 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Market Road northbound off-ramp, 4-5 September (approx. 9:30pm to 5am)Southbound lanes between East Tamaki Road off-ramp and Redoubt Road on-ramp, 4 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)East Tamaki Road southbound on-ramp, 4 SeptemberSouthbound lanes between Redoubt off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 2-3 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 southbound to SH20 northbound link, 2-3 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Redoubt Road southbound on-ramp, 2-3 SeptemberTakanini southbound on-ramp, 2-3 SeptemberSouthbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Bombay on-ramp, 1 SeptemberDrury/SH22 southbound on-ramp, 1 SeptemberRamarama southbound on-ramp, 1 SeptemberPokeno northbound off-ramp, 5 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Mercer northbound on-ramp, 5 SeptemberSouthbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 5 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 5 September (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Te Kauwhata southbound off-ramp, 5 September (approx. 9am to 3pm)Te Kauwhata northbound on-ramp, 3-4 September (approx. 9am to 3pm)Te Kauwhata northbound off-ramp, 3-4 September (approx. 9am to 3pm)Rangiriri northbound off-ramp. 2 September (approx. 9am to 3pm)NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)Southbound lanes between Waimauku Roundabout and Trigg Road, 1-5 September (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Trigg Rd and Waimauku Roundabout, 1-5 September (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)SOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)Queenstown Road southbound on-ramp, 22 AugustNeilson Street northbound off-ramp, 19 & 21 AugustRimu Road northbound on-ramp, 19 & 21 AugustPlease follow the signposted detours. NZ Transport Agency thanks you for your co-operation during these essential improvements and maintenance.

Severe Thunderstorm WatchPeriod: 7hrs from midnight Sat, 31 Aug - 7am Sun, 1 SepArea: Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taupo, Taranaki, Taihape, Wanganui, Manawatu, Tararua, Kapiti-Horowhenua, Wairarapa, WellingtonForecast: An active front is forecast to move over the North Island during Sunday morning, with thunderstorms forecast for many North Island regions About central and western parts of the North Island from southern Northland to northern Wellington, there is a risk of some thunderstorms being severe between midnight Saturday and 7:00 am Sunday. Some of these thunderstorms may generate localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h, especially from Waitomo southwards.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. Some of these thunderstorms may also be squally, and produce damaging wind gusts of 110 km/h or stronger. Wind gusts of this strength can cause some structural damage, including trees and power lines, and may make driving hazardous.

We are deeply shocked and saddened to hear about the devastating ram raids that took place overnight, targeting four of our beloved local businesses: the Four Square, Allied Gas Station, Mangawhai Books and Gifts, and Super Liquor.The attackers caused extensive damage, smashing through walls, doors, and windows in their efforts to loot these establishments.Today, our community stands with these businesses as they begin the difficult task of cleaning up and rebuilding.Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to support our local businesses. Let’s come together as a community and show our resilience by continuing to shop locally and offering a helping hand wherever possible.Stay strong, Mangawhai. We’re in this together.If you are a Mangawhai local and have photos and information to add to this story please email us at [email protected]

A man is facing numerous firearms charges after seven firearms were discovered at a property in Warkworth.Waitematā North Area Prevention Manager, Senior Sergeant Roger Small, says Police responded to a report of someone believed to be in possession of a firearm at an address just after 9am on Sunday.“Armed Police conducted multiple door-knocks at the property, but the occupants were not at home.”Senior Sergeant Small says Police staff sighted two firearms in plain sight inside an old bus next to the house.“They invoked a search of the bus and discovered two more firearms hidden under a makeshift bed.“At this point, the occupier of the house has pulled into the driveway, and a 50-year-old man was immediately arrested for allegedly breaching his bail conditions.“A further search of the property uncovered three further firearms and an amount of cannabis.”A total of seven rifles of various calibres were seized.The 50-year-old man was scheduled to appear in the North Shore District Court today charged with ten counts of illegally possessing firearm/restricted weapon/explosives.He also faces a charge of possessing of a cannabis plant and possessing a pipe or utensil for cannabis.“Police are very happy to have these firearms out of the hands of those who might use them recklessly in our community,” Senior Sergeant Small says.“We are now investigating the origins of these weapons, including the possibility that some of them might have been stolen.”If you have had any firearms stolen, especially rifles, please contact Police by calling us on 105, quoting file number 240825/7107.You can also contact Police online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 clicking "Update Report" and reference the file number above.Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Peter de GraafWhangārei District councillors have voted down a motion to abolish their Māori ward in a two-hour, often emotional debate marked by waiata and a celebratory haka from supporters gathered outside.On Thursday morning, Whangārei District Council became the third of Northland's four local authorities to vote on the future of its Māori wards.A new law that came into effect last month required councils to choose, by 6 September, between abolishing their Māori wards or holding a binding poll alongside next year's local body elections.Up to 200 people, including many Pākehā, gathered outside the council offices on Rust Avenue to show their support for the district's two Māori ward councillors. Only about half could fit inside the chamber, with the rest forced to follow the meeting on screens in the foyer.Another group remained outside waving flags outside the chamber windows.Supporters wave flags outside the council chamber windows. Photo: Peter de Graaf / RNZNgā Hapū o Whangārei representative Delaraine Armstrong speaks during the meeting. Photo: Peter de Graaf / RNZThe initial motion, proposed by councillor Paul Yovich and seconded by Marie Olsen, was to disestablish the Whangārei District Māori Ward and revert to the electoral system used in the 2019 election, before the ward was introduced.That option would have avoided the requirement for a poll or a fresh representation review to adjust ward boundaries or councillor numbers.It was eventually defeated four votes to nine, sparking cheers inside the chamber and a rousing haka outside.A follow-up motion, put by councillor Nicholas Connop, called on the council to retain its Māori ward at the 2025 election and hold a referendum to decide the ward's future in the 2028 and 2031 elections. That was carried by 12 votes to one.At times mayor Vince Cocurullo seemed close to losing his patience with councillors who addressed the public instead of their fellow councillors, and interjections from the public gallery.Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo's patience was tested at times. Photo: Peter de Graaf / RNZDespite the charged topic - at least two councillors appeared to fight back tears - it remained a respectful meeting in which every speaker was given a fair hearing.Frank Newman says Whangārei's long-serving Māori Mayor, Stan Semenoff, didn't need a special ward to get elected. Photo: Peter de Graaf / RNZYovich said the council had a chance to listen to the community when Māori wards were last debated, but chose not to have a poll at that time.He also spoke of his Dalmatian ancestors who were discriminated against when they arrived in New Zealand but had worked hard and gained respect."We know what it's like to be despised, and no way do we want to see our community ripped apart … Let's build a country together because we want to, not because we must."Councillor Marie Olsen supported the motion to abolish the ward because she had been elected on a platform of no co-governance, no Three Waters, and no Māori seats, and her stance had not changed.She believed, however, the motion would be defeated: "Let it go to a referendum, let the public speak, and let's put this to rest once and for all."Phoenix Ruka said his opposition to scrapping the ward was not about protecting his job, or that of fellow Māori ward councillor Deb Harding."This is a generational decision, it's not about me and Deb. It's for our mokopuna."He also hit back at speakers who talked about wanting New Zealanders to be one people.Māori ward councillor Phoenix Ruka says today's vote is a generational decision. Photo: Peter de Graaf / RNZ"If you really want us to be one, you would take time to learn our reo, as we have learnt yours."Connop spoke of the deluge of emails, 340 at last count, he had received urging him to vote one way or the other."As Pākehā, I know what's good for Māori is good for all of us. Let's not get led up the garden path by fearmongering and lies."Councillor Patrick Holmes said having a Māori ward had enriched the council, and it would be a "great shame" if the council were to go backwards now - a theme repeated by councillor Scott McKenzie."[Local Government Minister] Simeon Brown was on the TV at the weekend and he said, 'All we're doing is going back to how it was in Helen Clark's time'. Well, we don't want to go back 20 years. We want to create a better and fairer democracy."Councillor Ken Couper, meanwhile, described Thursday's debate as "momentous" and "wonderful"."The drama, the passion … it happens sometimes in this chamber, but not often to the extent we've seen today."Democracy Northland founder John Bain speaks out against Māori wards. Photo: Peter de Graaf / RNZThe meeting started with Ngā Hāpū o Whangārei representative Delaraine Armstrong and Tim Howard calling on the council to retain the Māori ward - and even follow the Northland Regional council's lead by pushing back against the government's directive to hold a binding poll - while Democracy Northlander founder John Bain and Frank Newman argued the Māori ward was not needed and based on the "lie" that Māori were under-represented in local government.Earlier this week, Northland Regional Council went a step further, with councillors voting 8-1 to retain their two-seat Te Raki Māori ward, and 6-3 to seek advice on the consequences of not holding a poll at the 2025 elections.During a fiery meeting earlier this month, the Kaipara District Council leapt in the opposite direction, voting 6-3 to disestablish its Te Moananui o Kaipara Māori ward from 2025.It was the first council in the country to use the new law to abolish a Māori ward.Kaipara's decision was however being challenged by Ngāti Whatua, which has requested a judicial review.Far North District councillors have already indicated they intend to retain the four-seat Ngā Tai o Tokerau Māori Ward. They are due to hold a formal vote on 5 September.This story was first published by RNZ

When Awanui farmer, Kevin Matthews, spotted an unusual plant in the sand dunes on Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe - Ninety Mile Beach, he knew he was looking at a highly invasive and toxic weed known as sea spurge.Harmful to humans and animals, the Africa and Asia native is causing major environmental damage on the coasts of Western Australia and Tasmania and is starting to appear on New Zealand shores. In this video Ceres Sharp, Biosecurity Officer with Northland Regional Council explains why sea spurge (Euphorbia paralias) is a threat and why pulling it out of the ground is the last thing you should do when you find it on the beach or in the dunes. A nation-wide programme to stop sea spurge spreading is being led by the Ministry for Primary Industries, partnered with regional councils and the Department of Conservation. If you find sea spurge, please call the Ministry for Primary Industries pest and diseases hotline on 0800 80 99 66 – and your local Northland Regional Council office – or please click on this link to report it, as soon as possible: Sea spurge - Pest control hub - Northland Regional Council (nrc.govt.nz)