Removing the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax is for no purpose other than "political populism", a public transport advocate says.On Thursday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced the tax would be scrapped by the end of June.The tax - of 11.5 cents per litre of fuel including GST - was something National campaigned on and promised to get rid of in its first 100 days in power.Luxon and Brown said it was supposed to pay for important projects but had instead gone towards more cycleways, speedbumps, and red light cameras.Removing it would lower the cost of filling a Toyota Hilux's tank by $9.20, or by $5.75 for a Toyota Corolla.Auckland mayor Wayne Brown. Photo: RNZ / Finn BlackwellBut Auckland mayor Wayne Brown said scrapping the tax would leave a shortfall in transport funding of $1.2 billion over the next four years."It's an announcement that was made by the government that promised to make it but it will have unintended consequences unless the government is prepared to foot the bill for upcoming transport projects."Brown said he was not prepared to pass the cost of the projects on to Auckland households via rates increases.He told Checkpoint: "So we'll just have to cut things and we'll have to find some other ways of funding the things we're not going to be doing or we won't be doing them."▶ LISTEN Listen to Wayne Among projects now under threat without replacement revenue were: The final stages of the Eastern Busway, the Lake Road project and the proposed Airport to Botany Busway, he said.He predicted "quite a lot of debate" between himself and the government before the fuel tax decision took effect.Responding to the government's accusation that half of the fuel tax money ($780 million) was unspent he disagreed, citing the Eastern Busway.He said contracts had been signed, however, because it had not been built yet the money remained in the bank.He accused the government of "selective use of data".He said a recent poll showed 44 percent of Auckland respondents favoured keeping the regional fuel tax whereas 22 percent opted for rates increases.If the council went ahead with introducing congestion charges it would not be a revenue generator, instead it would act as "a demand management tool" that would encourage people to use the roads in off-peak times.Simeon Brown said there was $340m of unspent revenue at 30 September last year and with more money to come before 1 July, it would cover the Eastern Busway, the electric trains for the City Rail Link and some local road improvements and they were the projects Wayne Brown had agreed "should be prioritised as part of our discussions".New government legislation would ensure the remaining fuel tax funding was only spent on those projects, he told Checkpoint.The minister repeated his criticisms of fuel tax revenue being diverted onto for example, red light cameras and speed bumps, instead of major roads such as Mill Road which will now have to be fully funded by the Crown.The mayor could have changed the priorities for transport spending that were being promoted by the previous Labour government, Brown said.Responding to the mayor's claim that the final stage of the Eastern Busway might have to be axed, he said it had not had approval for funding from the NZTA board, however, the government would be paying via the National Land Transport Fund to help complete it.The minister said the government policy statement on transport was being rewritten.It was not just about taxing people more to pay for new public transport infrastructure, a range of other funding and financing tools needed to be considered, he said."We are progressing work at pace on that."LISTEN ▶ Transport Minister responds to axing Auckland fuel tax durationPublic Transport Users Association chairperson Niall Robertson said the tax being scrapped would create more problems than it would solve."The bottom line is, this money should have been allocated to public transport initiatives and perhaps to a certain extent, some cycling, but that's where it should have gone."Robertson said New Zealand - and Auckland in particular - was far behind in its infrastructure development that was required for a modern city.Public transport was "way behind the eight-ball" and there were no great infrastructure development plans for public transport despite growing numbers coming to Auckland.Public Transport Users Association chairman Niall Robertson. Photo: RNZ / Jordan Dunn"When you take away the funding for that, it means what little there is planned is actually going to be under the hammer as well."This really doesn't seem to serve any purpose at all, except political populism really."Robertson said the original fuel tax was designed to provide more revenue for public transport alternatives in Auckland and to reduce congestion in the city."At the moment, the scrapping of that actually just takes it back to the original problem of just more congestion and more problems."The Employers and Manufacturers Association said it was a double-edged-sword for businesses.While it would be a welcome change to many businesses, head of advocacy and strategy Alan McDonald said some negative impacts could come with it too."One of the biggest issues for fleet managers at the moment is their maintenance bills for their fleet and already I know Auckland Transport is unable to fund all of its replacement programmes, so yeah, it's kind of giving with one hand and maybe taking away a bit with the other."McDonald said the scrap would leave a hole in the city's infrastructure, which was already lacking.A survey of more than 3000 New Zealanders by the Infrastructure Commission, released this month, found only 34 percent of respondents thought paying by usage was a fair way to fund roads - though this was still higher than the other ways of paying for roads presented in the survey.This compared to much higher rates of responses who thought it was fair to pay for electricity (74 percent) and water (72 percent) based on household usage.Aucklanders, at 31 percent, were also more likely to think congestion charging was a fair way of charging for road use at peak times than respondents from elsewhere, at 22 percent.This story was originally published by RNZ

Warkworth RegionFriday 9th February - Cloudy periods, chance of morning and afternoon shower. Southerlies turning easterly this afternoon.Saturday 10th February - Partly cloudy, isolated showers, possibly heavy afternoon and evening. Fresh southwesterlies developing in the afternoon.Sunday 11th February - Fine. Fresh southerlies, easing in the evening.Mangawhai RegionFriday 9th February - Cloudy periods with chance of a shower from this afternoon. Easterlies developing for a time this afternoon and evening.Saturday 10th February - Partly cloudy, with showers, possibly heavy in the afternoon and evening. Southwesterlies developing in the afternoon.Sunday 11th February - Partly cloudy, chance of an evening shower. Fresh southerlies, easing in the evening.

John Gerritsen, ReporterSchools have been open for just a few days, but many have already adopted the government's ban on mobile phones before it comes into force at the start of term two.From term two schools must ensure students do not use a phone at school, including during lunch-time and breaks, although there are exemptions.Wellington teenager Nina told RNZ the phone ban did not go down well when her school announced students must keep their phones switched off and in their bags all day."I think most people were pretty disappointed when they announced in assembly, you could just feel the energy going," she said."Kids are going to start using their computers as they would their phones. You can access a lot of Snapchat, everything... I think it's a bit pointless."Wellington East Girls College student Semhar Girmay and principal Gael Ashworth. Photo: John GerritsenWellington East Girls College student Semhar Girmay was more positive about her school's policy, which also required students to store their turned-off phones in their bags."When we first got the email I ran to my parents and was like 'what am I going to do, I can't do this'," she said.However she said she was already paying more attention to school notices and concentrating better in lessons without her phone distracting her."I'm not fully used to it, I still catch myself walking into school with it in my pocket, but I think with time it's actually fine."Fellow Wellington East student Seralina Seumanufagai said she initially thought the ban was a bit extreme and she found the first few days difficult."Usually the first thing I do when I get to school is text my friends 'where are you, what time are you coming', so now it's been kind of hard, we've been trying to memorise each other's timetables, walking around the whole school trying to look for each other. But I think as time goes on and by next term everyone will get used to it and all the upset students will calm down."Wellington East student Seralina Seumanufagai Photo: John GerritsenThe school's Year 9 Dean Shelley Vail said she had already noticed positive changes."I have seen no cellphones in class at all or walking around school on duty. A couple of behaviours I have seen that have changed is I've seen more students engaged in game-playing, things like playing cards, and we cycled all the Year 9s through the library as part of their orientation programme and the librarians have been thrilled with the number of books students are taking out and have noticed students are reading in the library much more than they noticed last year," she said.Wellington East Girls College Year 9 dean Shelley Vail Photo: RNZSchool principal Gael Ashworth said previously the school expected students to keep their phones turned off in their bags "but that wasn't the reality"."We've only had two days where we've had the whole school back and the numbers of cellphones that we've had surrendered to staff have been quite low," she said."Students seem to be okay with it. Anecdotally, my take on wandering around the school is there is a lot more face-to-face engagement between the students. Young people playing cards and chatting."Nearby, Wellington High School is still figuring how it will implement the government's policy and students are considering what it will mean.Some told RNZ the ban would reduce distractions in the classroom and encourage socialising during breaks though one student said they wanted to play games on their phone at lunchtime.Wellington High School principal Dominic Killalea. Photo: John GerritsenPrincipal Dominic Killalea said the school already expected students to keep phones away during lessons.He said it would not stop young people misusing social media in their spare time and it might make it tricker to use phones for learning."I've had a number of teachers come to me and talk about the particular applications that they use with mobile technology," he said, such as students using their phones to photograph plants on the school grounds for a biology lesson."The policy isn't saying that you can't do that. However it is just a little more difficult when that teacher says 'okay, you all have to bring your phones in tomorrow'," he said.Killalea said the school would consult with students and their families and was likely to suggest a policy that allowed students to keep their phones in their bags, but switched off.South Wellington Intermediate School principal Toby Stokes said it banned mobile phones four years ago, so the government's policy was nothing new for his school."The students walk in the door. They're allowed their phones at school until the bell goes. Then they need to be locked up for safe-keeping and then they get given the phones back at the end of the day. If they are needed for classwork then they're monitored but then put away again," he said.Stokes said a ban on phones was not hard to enforce and the school only encountered one or two students who desperately tried to hang on to their phones."We wanted our students to be active participants in their learning and active in the playground as well," he said.Secondary Principals Association president Vaughan Couillault said he expected most schools had started the year with policies that met the government's requirements rather than trying to change their rules part-way through the year.He said it might be difficult to enforce the policy during breaks and it could lead to problems if expensive phones were confiscated and subsequently lost or damaged.This story was originally published by RNZ

The Privacy Commissioner is keeping a close eye on the facial recognition technology trial starting at Foodstuffs North Island stores today.Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster is keeping a close eye on the facial recognition technology (FRT) trial starting at Foodstuffs North Island stores.The trial is happening because the commissioner asked Foodstuffs North Island to show evidence facial recognition technology was a justified way to lower retail crime.Foodstuffs is proposing to use FRT to scan and make a biometric template of each shopper as they enter the premises to see if they match a watchlist of people identified with repeated harmful behaviours.It follows 4719 incidents of retail crime reported across Foodstuffs stores in the last quarter of 2023, including 513 trespass breaches - up 52 percent on the previous quarter.Foodstuffs North Island chief executive Chris Quin said the trial was important because the company hoped to establish whether facial recognition would keep staff and customers safe without compromising their privacy."Shockingly, one of our security team was stabbed recently and our people are being punched, kicked, bitten and spat at. We're seeing over 14 serious incidents a week, including an average of two assaults," Quin said."All too often it's the same people, coming back to our stores despite having already been trespassed, committing more crime, and often putting our team members and customers at risk of abuse and violence."Facial recognition had the potential to help by identifying repeat offenders when they tried to come back into stores, he said.All images in the facial recognition would be instantly deleted unless a person had committed a crime, been aggressive, violent or threatening towards workers or customers or had actively assisted in such harmful behaviour. "This is a high threshold."The trial starts on Thursday across 25 stores over six months and the data will be used to decide whether or not to roll-out the technology further.Webster thinks the technology is something all New Zealanders should be concerned about because of its privacy implications and he fears it is not a proven tool to reduce harmful behaviour including violence in supermarkets."New Zealanders deserve to shop for their milk and bread without having their faces scanned unless it's really justified."We wouldn't accept being fingerprinted and checked at the door before shopping for groceries - that sounds ludicrous - but FRT is a similar biometric process that is faster, machine-run, happens in a nanosecond, and creates a template to compare your face to, now and in the future," he said.He is also worried about what it means for Māori, Pasifika, Indian and Asian shoppers since the software is not trained on the New Zealand population."I don't want to see people incorrectly banned from their local supermarket and falsely accused," Webster said.The commissioner will consider if any further action is needed to protect New Zealanders' privacy during the progression of the trial."The trial itself is not without risk given the effectiveness of the technology and the operational protocols are untested in a supermarket setting. The franchised nature of the Foodstuffs North Island operation also means that individual owner-operated stores who participate in the trial are responsible for decisions about what they do and how they use the data they collect. This is another reason for keeping a close eye.Unmatched people's images would be promptly deleted following feedback from the Privacy Commissioner's office while matched people would be banned or removed from stores.In some cases the police would be involved.When Foodstuffs announced the trial in December 2022, it said existing FRT would be turned off awaiting its outcome.This story was originally published by RNZ

HON BROOKE VAN VELDENThe Government is delivering on its commitment to enable public input into expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, says Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden.“As committed to in both the ACT-National and NZ First-National coalition agreements, the public will be given the opportunity to have their say on a broadened terms of reference that addresses the handling of the response and many complex impacts of the COVID-19 response.“The current terms of reference were decided by the same Government responsible for the COVID-19 response and they place significant limits on what the inquiry can consider. New Zealanders deserve a frank assessment of what occurred and how we can learn from it.“The Government is seeking feedback on the inclusion of the following topics, as part of its commitment to expanding the scope of the inquiry:Use of multiple lockdownsVaccine procurement and efficacyThe social and economic impacts on both regional and national levelsWhether the decisions made, and steps taken, were justifiedThe cost-effectiveness of the Government’s policies, and whether the rules set by the Government appropriately balanced COVID-19 elimination with other goalsThe Government’s utilisation of partnerships with business and professional groupsThe extent of disruption to New Zealanders’ health, education, and business as a result of the Government’s policiesIf the Government’s response was consistent with the rule of lawHow New Zealand’s pandemic preparedness compared to other countries“The engagement will begin in February, and details about the opportunity to have your say on the terms of reference and how people can share their experiences of the pandemic will be announced soon by the Royal Commission.“This is a forward-thinking piece of work. It is not simply about learning what went wrong, but working out what we need to do right in the future.“This Government is ensuring all New Zealanders’ concerns are heard.” 

Organisers of a domestic violence appeal hope more than 1000 people will donate a handbag filled with toiletries this year for women in need.Love Grace is an international appeal in the name of Grace Millane, who was killed in an Auckland hotel room in 2018 by a man she met on a dating app.Kylie-Ann Kearney is running the New Zealand faction.Twenty-nine locations around the motu will accept bags of essential items to be donated to women's refuges."The basics are toothpaste and toothbrush, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, and sanitary products," Kearney said."Normally the women that receive these, they quite often have to leave under extreme circumstances and sometimes don't have time to pack any bags or anything for themselves, because they may often have children with them and are prioritising them".She hoped this year's appeal would be bigger than ever."I am really hoping that we'll do more than 1000. That's my goal because I got the 1000 last time, so I'm hoping we can do more than that."The collection was previously run by BNZ, but this year the donations would be coordinated by a group of dedicated women.Kearney put out a call for help on the Love Grace NZ Facebook page."I had so many people last time asking how they could help. So, I thought why not reach [out] to them and see if they want to get involved, and the response was amazing."I'm really stoked we were able to get so many locations confirmed around New Zealand."So far, Love Grace has supported more than 15,600 domestic abuse victims world-wide.The appeal begins on 14 February, Valentine's Day, and ends on 8 March, International Women's Day, with 29 collection points throughout the country.This story was originally published by RNZ

5 February 2024: Waimata Cheese Company Limited is recalling a specific batch of its Waimata Cheese brand Camembert, Longbush brand Camembert and Longbush brand Brie due to possible presence of E. coli.Point of sale notice for retailersIf you are a retailer of the products in this recall, download a copy of the point of sale notice. You need to display it in your store for one month.Point of sale notice – Waimata Cheese brand Camembert, Longbush Brie and Longbush Camembert Cheese [PDF, 126KB]Consumer adviceCustomers are asked to check the date mark on the product.Affected products should not be consumed. There have been no reports of associated illness, however if you have consumed any of these products and have any concerns about your health, seek medical advice.Contact Waimata Cheese Company for a full refund.Who to contactIf you have questions, contact Waimata Cheese Company LimitedPhone: 06 867 3673Email: [email protected]: 161 Riverside Road, Gisborne, 4010, New Zealand

Thousands have gathered at the Treaty Grounds to take part in the dawn service on Waitangi DayHere are some of the best moments caught on camera.Follow RNZ's live coverage throughout the day here.The Dawn Service at sunrise. Photo: NZ / Angus DreaverGovernor General Dame Cindy Kiro at Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Photo: RNZA boy on a horse south of Kawakawa. Photo: RNZDawn at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Photo: RNZHone Sadler at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Photo: RNZSun rising over Treaty Grounds. Photo: RNZPrime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks at the Treaty Grounds, Waitangi Day 2024. Photo: RNZTreaty Grounds at sunrise on Waitangi Day 2024. Photo: RNZThis story was orginally published by RNZ

Whangārei's first cruise ship visit has been welcomed, with tug boats spraying a water cannon salute and a pōwhiri from local hapū Patuharakeke.The MV Regatta, a boutique vessel with 670 passengers on board, docked at Northport in perfect conditions at 7.30am on Sunday.About half the passengers had pre-booked excursions, while the rest were bussed to the Town Basin in central Whangārei.Whangārei mayor Vince Cocurullo said the Regatta's visit was a chance for the city to start small and prepare for more and bigger ships in future.Three ships were due at Northport, at Marsden Point, this season, with another seven booked the following summer.The Regatta would make a return visit on 22 February, followed by the Seven Seas Navigator on 7 March.Cocurullo said numbers were expected to grow to 30 ships a year within two decades."We see this as an important opportunity to showcase our place and welcome more visitors to our district. The economic benefits will grow as the number of visits and visitor volumes increase over the coming years."The MV Regatta, Whangārei's first cruise ship visit, passes Whangārei Heads early on 4 February 2024. Photo: Supplied / NorthPort / Adam JonesPeople in the city centre on Sunday would notice more buses and extra visitors at the Town Basin, but measures had been put in place - including cruise ship "ambassadors" to offer directions and answer questions - to help the day run smoothly.Cocurullo said the game-changer that persuaded cruise companies to put Whangārei on their itineraries was the opening last year of the Hundertwasser Art Centre.However, the city had many other attractions, including the Hātea Loop, the shops and cafés of the Town Basin, the Rolling Ball Clock, Hihiaua Cultural Centre, and Clapham's Clock Museum.Oceania Cruises' MV Regatta was due to depart at 7pm Sunday. Its next stop would be the Bay of Islands, after which it would return to its home port of Sydney.Further north, the Bay of Islands was expecting a record 92 ships this season carrying almost 160,000 passengers - surpassing even the pre-Covid peak of 83 ships in 2019-20.Last season 43 ships called into the bay, with some visits cancelled due to bad weather or when ships were refused entry due to biofouling of their hulls.This story was originally published by RNZ

Warkworth RegionMonday 5th February - Fine apart from areas of morning cloud. Southwesterlies, but afternoon sea breezes.Tuesday 6th February - Fine. Light winds.Wednesday 7th February - Fine. Light winds.Thursday 8th February - Fine. Southerlies.Friday 9th February - Fine with northeasterlies.Saturday 10th February - Partly cloudy. Southwesterlies.Sunday 11th February - Fine. Southerlies.Mangawhai RegionMonday 5th February - Fine. Light winds.Tuesday 6th February - Fine. Easterlies, easing in the afternoon.Wednesday 7th February - Fine. Easterlies developing for a time in the afternoon and evening.Thursday 8th February - Fine. Easterlies developing.Friday 9th February - Fine with easterlies.Saturday 10th February - Partly cloudy, with rain developing. Southwesterlies.Sunday 11th February - Partly cloudy. Southerlies.

New modelling shows the area of Tāmaki Makaurau at risk from damaging tsunami waves is less than previously expected. Auckland Emergency Management has updated and simplified the region’s tsunami evacuation maps to reflect this change and make them easier to understand.John Cranfield, Auckland Emergency Management’s Head of Operations encourages Aucklanders to view the updated evacuation maps through Auckland’s Hazard Viewer to see if they live, work or play in a tsunami evacuation zone.“Our new tsunami wave modelling is more accurate and indicates the tsunami risk for much of the Auckland coastline to be lower than previously expected.“Aucklanders should check out the Hazard Viewer to help them become familiar with areas predicted to be flooded during a tsunami, as part of being prepared for an emergency.”The new mapping uses modelled earthquakes on real fault lines around the Pacific to replicate how tsunami waves are generated and track across the ocean and to our coastline. The modelling takes into account how islands influence the path of tsunami waves, as well as how landforms on the coast and the shape of the seafloor influence the way tsunami waves behave.Mr Cranfield says the new maps are also simpler to understand.“The new maps use a two-colour system. The red zone shows the area needing to be evacuated in a shore and marine tsunami threat, when strong and unusual currents and dangerous surges at the shore are expected. The yellow zone shows the area needing to be evacuated where there is a land tsunami threat, where tsunami flooding is expected to affect inland areas.”The new maps cover the entire Auckland coastline including the Hauraki Gulf Islands and Aotea Great Barrier Island.Councillor Sharon Stewart, Auckland Council’s Civil Defence and Emergency Management Committee chairperson says it’s pleasing that new evacuation maps show fewer areas at-risk from tsunami flooding but says Aucklanders should still be alert to the risk of tsunami threats.“The new modelling suggests fewer of our coastal communities are expected to be impacted during damaging tsunami in Tāmaki Makaurau. Particularly the areas surrounding the inner Manukau, Kaipara and Waitematā harbours and on the west coast beaches, where impacts are now expected to be confined to shore and marine areas.“However, areas more exposed to the Pacific Ocean like Aotea Great Barrier Island and Auckland’s north-eastern coastal communities are still at risk of large tsunami, as is anyone that enjoys the beaches and marine areas of the region. People need to remain prepared to move quickly in a tsunami emergency.What are the official tsunami alert channels in the event of a tsunami emergency?Tsunami warnings are published on the National Emergency Management Agency’s website and social media pages. Tsunami warnings will also be broadcast on radio, television and news media, as well as on the Auckland Emergency Management website and social media pages. An emergency mobile alert (message to your mobile phone) may also be issued in the event of a dangerous tsunami threat. What are the natural warning signs for a tsunami?If you are near a shore and experience any of the following, take action. Do not wait for official warnings. Feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand or a long earthquake that lasts more than a minuteSee a sudden rise or fall in sea levelHear loud or unusual noises from the seaRemember! If an earthquake is LONG or STRONG, GET GONE and move to higher ground. Be preparedPrepare your household emergency plan and practice it so everyone knows what to do in an emergency and what you need to take if you are evacuating. Check the Auckland hazard viewer map.Check the tsunami preparedness tips and what to do before, during and after a tsunami. 

It's back to school time, and this usually means back to school photos Many families use the beginning of the school year as an opportunity to share photos of their children wearing their uniforms, at their school or with other identifying features.New Zealand Police acknowledge that sharing these milestones are important to families, but parents and carers should think about who may be able to access these images and more importantly the information that may be found within the images. We urge parents and carers to be aware of the risks and be proactive with online safety to keep their information and children safe.𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 Before sharing images, double-check there are no identifying features such as school uniforms and logos, school buildings or signs, and street signs. If this is unavoidable, parents can easily edit and blur school logos and signs. We recommend that parents and carers research and understand app settings, including privacy settings. This could include turning off location settings or setting profiles to private/friends only. If another person is taking photos of your child, have a discussion around how the photos may be used and how they may be shared. Keeping your child’s personal information including full name and age private. This can also include what year they may be starting as this can indicate age. Seek help and support, and report inappropriate or suspicious behaviour online.Recommended post:VS post with too much information:Read the full release here http://www.police.govt.nz/.../parents-urged-do-privacy...Resource by our friends at Australian Federal Police | ThinkUKnow Australia

Auckland Harbour BridgeStrong wind gusts have reduced speed limits and lane reductions are in place. A temporary full closure may be required if winds gust over 90km/h. Take extra care. High-sided vehicles and motorcyclists should consider delaying their journey or detour via SH18/SH16 (Western Ring Route). Detour route Consider using the Western Ring Route (SH16 and SH18).Dome Valley12.40pm there was a New World truck that ran off the road in Dome valley and down a bank. It is now clear but maybe traffic delays.SH1 Heading North - traffic is heavy, but flowing.

Works on the next phase of the Mangawhai shared path kick off next week. A number of residents and nearby business owners attended a drop-in session on Thursday where the project team and the contractor answered questions about what physical works would look like. From Wednesday (7 February), the Downer crew will start on the section between Old Waipu Road and Dune View Drive. As work progress, construction will move north along Molesworth Drive.While the crew are working temporary traffic and pedestrian management will be in place. For the section between Old Waipu Road and Dune View Drive two way traffic will be maintained. Please follow any directions of staff on site and take care.About Mangawhai shared path:Kaipara District Council is building a shared path network for Mangawhai, improving safety and connectivity between its two centres, and making it easier to travel by foot, bike, or scooter along busy Molesworth Drive.Phase Three of the Mangawhai shared path includes a 900m section between the village and Mangawhai Central, and a 1.5 km section between ITM and Wood Street.View the wider shared path network and more information at www.mangawhaicommmunityplan.co.nz 

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, 9 February 2024. Please note this Traffic Bulletin is updated every Friday.Check daily updated closure information: www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/aucklandUnless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am. NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Southbound lanes between Northcote Road off-ramp and Esmonde Road on-ramp, 4 & 6-8 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northcote Road southbound on-ramp, 4 & 6-8 FebruaryShelly Beach Road southbound off-ramp, 6-8 FebruaryShelly Beach Road southbound off-ramp, 10 February (approx. 8:30pm to 5:00am)CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)None planned.SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)East Tamaki Road northbound off-ramp, 4 February (approx. 10:00pm to 05:00am)Northbound lanes between Great South Road off-ramp and East Tamaki Road on-ramp, 6 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Te Irirangi Drive northbound on-ramp, 6 FebruaryRedoubt Road northbound on-ramp, 6 FebruaryNorthbound lanes between Great South Road off-ramp and East Tamaki Road on-ramp, 8 February (approx. 00:00pm to 5:00am)Te Irirangi Drive northbound on-ramp, 8 February (approx. 00:00pm to 5:00am)Redoubt Road northbound on-ramp, 8 February (approx. 00:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Papakura off-ramp and Redoubt Road on-ramp, 7 FebruarySH1 northbound to SH20 northbound link, 7 FebruaryHill Road northbound on-ramp, 7 FebruaryTakanini northbound on-ramp, 7 FebruaryPapakura (Diamond) northbound on-ramp, 4-8 FebruaryPapakura (Loop) northbound on-ramp, 4-8 FebruarySouthbound lanes between Takanini off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 7-8 FebruaryTakanini southbound on-ramp, 7-8 FebruaryNorthbound lanes between Bombay off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 8 FebruaryRamarama northbound on-ramp, 8 FebruaryBombay northbound on-ramp, 8 FebruaryBeaver Road East southbound on-ramp, 10 January (approx. 5am - 4pm)Southbound lanes between Hampton Downs off-ramp and Te Kauwhata on-ramp, 8 FebruaryHampton Downs southbound on-ramp, 8 FebruaryNorthbound lanes between Rangiriri off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 4 & 6 February (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Te Kauwhata off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 7 February (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Te Kauwhata northbound on-ramp, 4 & 6-7 February (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)St Lukes Road eastbound off-ramp, 6 February (approx. 08:30pm to 05:00)UPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)None planned.SOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)Southbound lanes between Maioro Street off-ramp and Hillsborough Road on-ramp, 4 FebruaryMaioro Street southbound on-ramp, 4 FebruaryDominion Road southbound on-ramp, 4 FebruaryNorthbound lanes between Neilson Street off-ramp and Hillsborough Road on-ramp, 7-8 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Neilson Street northbound on-ramp, 7-8 FebruaryMahunga Drive southbound off-ramp, 8 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Lambie Drive off-ramp and SH1 links, 6-7 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Lambie Drive southbound on-ramp, 6 & 8 FebruarySH20 southbound to SH1 northbound link, 6-8 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH20 southbound to SH1 southbound link, 6-8 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Lambie Drive off-ramp and SH1 links, 8 February (approx. 00:00pm to 5:00am)Lambie Drive southbound on-ramp, 8 February (approx. 00:00pm to 5:00am)SH20 southbound to SH1 northbound link, 8 February (approx. 00:00pm to 5:00am)SH20 southbound to SH1 southbound link, 8 February (approx. 00:00pm to 5:00am

Chlöe Swarbrick has announced she will run to be the next co-leader of the Green Party.It comes after current co-leader James Shaw announced earlier this week that he would be resigning from the job in March.Swarbrick was considered by many to be the frontrunner for the job."I am a proud member of the Green Party," she said."More than any other party we understand that there is far greater leadership out there in the community than there is in the so-called halls of power. I am here to serve my communities."Over the past three days, they have asked me to stand up and put myself forward for this role."As co-leader, I want to show everyone in this country the power running through their veins to choose our future. We cannot leave politics to the politicians."Swarbrick said she would be spending the next few weeks speaking with Green Party members about her vision for the party's future and to ask for their support."If I am elected to work alongside Marama Davidson, I will grow the Green movement to achieve tangible, real-world, people-powered change - as I have since I first signed up - but now, at even greater scale."That means more Green members across the country, running local campaigns and implementing local solutions. It means more Greens local body members, councillors and mayors. It means more Greens MPs in Parliament and ultimately, our nation's first Green-led government.Swarbrick first became known when she ran for the Auckland mayoralty in 2016 at just 22.The underdog, she ended up in third place with 26,474 votes.With the help of a few close friends and followers, she ran her campaign on just over $7000 - about $500,000 less than her closest competitors. She swapped billboards for t-shirts, and television ads for town hall bookings.Just a month later, she joined the Green Party.A number of Green MPs have already ruled themselves out of going for the role, including newcomer Steve Abel, and Ricardo Menéndez March, who said his focus was supporting the current caucus and future co-leadership team in his role as musterer.Nominations close for the role on 14 February, and the party has said it expected to announce the new co-leader on 10 March.This story was originally published by RNZ

SH1 Auckland Harbour Bridge summer maintenanceNZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) will be carrying out summer maintenance on the Auckland Harbour Bridge from Sunday 21 January to Thursday 28 March 2024. The summer maintenance programme will focus on recoating parts of the bridge overarches and require lane restrictions to keep our teams safe while they carry out this important maintenance.Any changes to the schedule will be posted here. But as this work is weather dependent, we recommend checking www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz (external link) for the latest updates.

Warkworth RegionFriday 2nd February - Partly cloudy. A morning shower or two in the west. Showers returning this evening and becoming widespread. Northwesterlies, becoming strong in exposed places this morning.Saturday 3rd February - Showers, clearing to fine in the afternoon. Strong westerlies, easing in the evening.Sunday 4th February - Partly cloudy. Southwesterlies.Monday 5th - Fine. Light winds.Tuesday 6th Waitangi Day - Fine. Light winds.Mangawhai RegionFriday 2nd February - Partly cloudy with a chance morning shower, then a few showers from evening. Northwesterlies, becoming fresh this morning. Hot.Saturday 3rd February - Mainly fine, chance of a shower until evening. Strong westerlies, easing in the evening.Sunday 4th February - Cloud clearing and becoming fine in the afternoon. Southwesterlies, easing in the evening.Monday 5th February - Fine. Light winds.Tuesday 6th Waitangi Day - Fine. Light winds.

Recycling rules are about to change through much of the motu from today.The rules come as part of a new initiative to standardise the recycling service across the country by 2027. The strategy also saw the introduction of food scrap bins.Four councils, unable to meet the deadline, have until 2027 including Clutha, Hurunui, and Westland District Councils. They will add glass to their collection, while Gore District Council needs to add paper and plastic.Eight other councils do not have a kerbside collection at all - and the new government has not yet decided whether those councils will be required to provide kerbside recycling by 2027, the ministry said.The main points of the standardisation for all district and city councils mean, from 1 February:Only plastics 1, 2 and 5 will be collected. (If the recycling symbol on a package does not have a number inside, it cannot go in your kerbside bin)In addition, you can put glass bottles and jars; paper and cardboard; and aluminium and steel tins and cansAerosol cans will not be recycled; dispose through your local Transfer Station, metal recycler or in your council roadside rubbish collectionLiquid paperboard (like Tetra Pak), milk and juice cartons will not be recycled; dispose through your local Community Recycling Centre, Transfer Station or in your council roadside rubbish collectionAnything less than 50mm x 50mm cannot be recycledAll lids must be removed and are to be disposed of through the council roadside rubbish collectionAbout 16 percent of materials in recycling bins cannot be recycled, which contaminates a bin and makes it unrecyclable.Plastic bags should not go into the recycling bin - they get caught in the sorting machine.Plastic bags and soft plastics can be put in special recycling bins at participating stores. Otherwise put them in your rubbish bin.(file image) Photo:What are these plastics labelled 1, 2, 5?Plastics 1, 2 and 5 are used in the majority of the plastic packaging we put in our recycling bins.Waste Solutions general manager Parul Sood said these plastics were more easily turned into other products than packaging made out of plastics 3, 4, 6, and 7, which were lower in quality."This means there are limited markets for them anywhere in the world. It is important to reduce our dependence on plastics and to reuse them rather than recycling right away."Here are some examples of what these containers with numbers might include.Number 1: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)Fruit and vege punnetsSoft drink and water bottlesHarder plastic containers that hold spreads like peanut butter and mayonnaiseNumber 2: High-density polyethylene (HDPE)Milk bottlesJuice bottlesShampoo bottlesCleaning bottlesNumber 5: Polypropylene (PP)Some takeaway containersPlastic cutlery2l ice cream containersLarge yoghurt containersHere are some examples of what the plastics no longer accepted by recycling may include. These should either go in your rubbish bins or contact your council for more ways. Council websites also have more information about disposal methods for non-recyclable items.Number 3: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)Clear trays for holding food or takeawaysSome large containers with sturdy handlesPlastic containers used for storing or packaging things like batteries or electronicsNumber 4: Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)Some meat trays and takeaway containersSingle use plastic bagsBubble wrapPlastic wrapNumber 6: Polystyrene (PS/EPS)6pk yoghurt pottlesSome meat traysFoam cupsProtective packagingNumber 7: Other plastics (a mix of different plastics, including BPA, polycarbonate, acrylic, nylon, polylactic fibres and fibreglass.)Baby bottles and sippy cupsCDsPlastic toysPackaging for some food and electronicsThis story was originally published by RNZ