Watercare: The StoryBy now, most of you are aware of the Watercare plan to bring a wastewater pipe from the northern developments down through the center of town via Elizabeth Queen and Baxter Street to the pumping station in Lucy Moore Park.At the time of writing this, Watercare has not definitively confirmed this as the option, but if I were a betting man, I would bet my house on it. I do believe that for Watercare, this has been the preferred option all along. One Mahurangi has been fighting this for two years. Myself and our two Co-Chairs, Dave Stott and Bevan Morrison, have met with Watercare on a number of occasions to discuss their options.When we first met with them, we told them that the option to bring it through the town was absolutely a no-go. At another meeting, we were told that there was a 95% chance it would not go there. At our last meeting, approximately three weeks ago, we were told that it was very likely that the main streets were going to be the preferred route. We were also told at that point that to assist them with their decision-making, the cost was assigned 60%, but only 8% on impact to the community, which quite frankly, we found to be insulting!I believe that one of the problems is that for Watercare, this is the cheapest option as they want it to be gravity-fed. We believe that if it is pumped, then this opens up a number of other options. The option that we prefer is a pumped solution that brings the pipe down the river, ideally hard against the bank. This is a shorter route and bypasses the retail area completely.Our concern, and one which we have suggested to Watercare with force and passion, is that should they come through town with works that will last for a minimum of twelve months, possibly closer to eighteen months, then we risk losing at least 90% of the businesses in town. This means businesses closed, widespread unemployment, mortgagee sales when homes are used as collateral for a business, and everything from relationship breakups to mental health issues. Plus, we run the risk of killing the center of our town!We have a letter co-signed by most of the businesses in the center of town to the mayor, asking him to intervene and ask Watercare to relook at the pumping option. We are asking the Mayor for a meeting to formally present the letter to him. We have a petition, which is in a number of businesses in town, which we hope that most of the people in town will sign. This petition will be presented to both the Chairwoman and CEO of Watercare so that they can see that the whole town is against their option. (See link to the online petition here).If none of this works, we will go to national media, putting our side of the story and trying to put pressure on Watercare to consider the human cost of their decision. Failing that, we may have to resort to civil disobedience.Let us be clear on one thing: we are not against progress. This pipe needs to be installed. We want progress, but not destruction. Let's all work together to save our town. This is one of those times when we really are Stronger Together.Murray ChapmanOne Mahurangi [email protected] Local, Buy Local, Employ Local, Love Local!

More than just your average barber, award winning hair & make up designer Vanessa Hurley (aka Lady Barber) has already cemented her iconic Lady Barber brand on the Matakana business scene in just 2 years by offering a full range of services; from gentlemens scissor cuts, barber fades, beard trims to women's cut & blow waves. Whether you book or walk in, you'll be greeted by some cool tunes and her beaming smile. Lady Barber, next to Smiths Bar in Matakana Country Park.OPEN Tuesday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Saturday, 10am-3pm.Matakana Country Park, 1151 Leigh Rd |TXT to BOOK APPOINTMENT 021 828 419 Click the website for hours and prices https://ladybarber.co.nz/Last chance to put your vote in for Lady Barber for the 2024 Junction Local Business Awards.Recognising & honouring the best of the best in local businessClick to VOTE for Lady Barber https://www.junctionmag.co.nz/jawards24

After a night of severe gales for many in the North Island, winds have eased and there are no new weather warnings for Thursday.A line of severe thunderstorms crossed Auckland and hit Great Barrier Island on Wednesday.At the height of the storms on Wednesday, winds reached 120km/h in some parts of Auckland, hail bucketed down, power was cut and lightening struck three aircraft.A fallen tree in Epsom, Auckland. Photo: Supplied / Brooke SteeleStrong gales across the Auckland region had blown trees and vegetation onto powerlines causing damage and network faults. Power was still out for many early Thursday morning.Vector said crews were working through the night to assess the damage and said some assessments and repair plans may not be complete until Thursday.Power outages Auckland, 5.30am Thursday. Photo: Screenshot / VectorIn Hamilton, 15,000 homes were without power for a while.Power was still out for some in Waikato early Thursday morning, including around Te Akau and Raglan.The Desert Road (SH1 Rangipo to Waiouru) closed on Wednesday night due to snow and a detour was in place.Winds were forecast to remain blustery in many places on Thursday morning, MetService said.The weather was expected to be pleasant for the long weekend.This story was originally published by RNZ

WIN WIN WINDJ Selaktaz is kindly giving you a chance to WIN a DOUBLE pass to the Sawmill Selaktaz King Birthday Special @ Leigh Sawmill CafeWoop Woop!Event is held at Leigh Sawmill this Saturday June 1stDownload the app to your mobile device and enter your details on the Win Stuff buttonHurry comp closes tomorrow (Thur 30th) night.Winners are drawn on Friday.For more details head here

Police are continuing to urge anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ronny Okeke to come forward.Thirty-one days have now passed since the 60-year-old man was last seen or heard from.Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, of Auckland City CIB, says an investigation team is continuing to try and piece together his movements.“In the past week, two search warrants have been executed at two Auckland properties as part of our ongoing enquiries,” he says.“The longer we do not hear from Ronny our fears for the worst continue to grow.”Detective Inspector Baldwin says Police have still not established any further sightings of Ronny.Ronny usually resides in the Sandringham area, with his family living overseas.Anyone who has information surrounding Ronny’s disappearance or has seen or heard from him since 27 April 2024 is asked to urgently contact Police.“Ronny is a husband and a father, and his family deserve answers as to what has happened to him,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.“If you have information, please come forward either by contacting Police directly or in confidence through Crime Stopper channels.”Please contact 105 quoting the file number 240501/3879.You can also report information online by going to https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 and using ‘Update My Report’.Information can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.Ronny’s last known movements:27 April 2024, 11am: Ronny attempts to call his wife overseas, call is unanswered.27 April 2024, 4.42pm: Ronny is seen on CCTV leaving New World Mt Roskill on Stoddard Road.1 May 2024: Ronny is reported missing to Police.

Warkworth RegionWednesday 29th MaySevere Thunderstorm WarningArea: Rodney, Gulf, Thames Coromandel, Kaipara, Auckland City, Waikato, Hauraki, Waitakere, Franklin and AlbanyForecast: At 09:30 am, MetService weather radar detected a line of severe thunderstorms lying from OFFSHORE KAIPARA WEST COAST to OFFSHORE AUCKLAND WEST COAST to MERCER. This line of severe thunderstorms is moving towards the northeast, and is expected to lie from OFFSHORE KAIPARA WEST COAST to KAUKAPAKAPA to FIRTH OF THAMES at 10:00 am and from TOKATOKA to LEIGH to MATARANGI at 10:30 am. These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by damaging wind gusts.Impact: Very strong wind gusts can break branches from trees, damage roofing, and make driving hazardous especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.Severe Thunderstorm WatchPeriod: 9hrs from 10am - 7pm Wed, 29 MayArea: Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, WaikatoForecast: Squally showers embedded in a very strong southwest flow are expected across Auckland, and western parts of Waikato and Coromandel Peninsula from late morning through to early evening (Wednesday). There is a moderate risk of SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS during this time, with localised damaging wind gusts in excess of 110 km/h. Wind gusts of this strength can cause some structural damage, including trees and power lines, and may make driving hazardous.Strong Wind Warning - OrangePeriod: 17hrs from 10am Wed, 29 May - 3am Thu, 30 MayArea: Auckland and Great Barrier IslandForecast: Severe gale southwesterlies gusting 120 km/h in exposed places. The strongest winds are expected this eveningImpact: Strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.Mangawhai Region / NorthlandWednesday 29th MayStrong Wind WatchPeriod: 15hrs from noon Wed, 29 May - 3am Thu, 30 MayArea: Northland south of KaikoheForecast: Southwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Susan Edmunds, Money CorrespondentTens of thousands of people past retirement age are still paying off their student loans, government figures show.Christchurch woman Sarah, who does not want to be identified, has been paying off a student loan for much of her adult life.She initially completed a bachelor's degree in sociology and geography and has an event management qualification, too. She graduated with about $40,000 in debt.She has since paid that down to $5000 but is now facing the prospect of adding to it again so that she can retrain as a teacher."I do find it demoralising to be 40 still with a loan. I feel like I'll never get ahead and I made so many decisions that just did not set me up to be financially successful."Financial mentors say student loan debt can stick with people for a long time.One Auckland financial mentor said people who had been on low incomes through their lives were sometimes shocked to discover their superannuation was being docked to repay a student loan."They wouldn't be repaying it on a benefit ... I don't think people realise when they go on to a pension they have to start repaying their student loan from a pension."When I've said 'look they just don't have any money' you get told 'they have to pay it back sometime'. I think lots of people who haven't earnt a lot of money after studying will be quite surprised about that."She said half to three-quarters of the pensioners she dealt with had a student loan.Financial coach Shula Newland said someone with a student loan could also find that income from KiwiSaver and other investments was used to pay it off.She said beneficiaries were often encouraged to study as a way to get off the benefit, but they could be left with a loan for a qualification in a field that did not pay well.It was possible to apply to have student loan repayments put on hold on hardship grounds, she said.Fincap senior policy adviser Jake Lilley said there should be a mechanism for people collecting debt to look at the wider picture of what was being achieved."To take a step back and say 'hang on a minute what are we trying to achieve here overall?' We want this person to be able to live a comfortable life and not having flow-on problems from poverty that arises when you can't afford things and you end up with a bad outcome that has a cost attachment with that, [like] hospitalisation ... if Studylink debt leads to someone not turning on the heater if they need it."At present, people are required to make payments of 12 percent of every dollar earned over $24,128 a year. A single person living alone would receive a pension of just over $31,500 a year.Government data showed at 30 June 2023, there were 21,710 student loan borrowers aged 65 and over. Of those, just under 16,600 were New Zealand-based.Sarah said she was concerned about the prospect of having a loan stretching into the future."Previously I treated it like a tax that I'd just have. Now I'd like to have the money instead but if I want a better career option, I need to do it."This story was originally published by RNZ

Warkworth RegionMonday 27th May - Cloudy periods with occasional showers. Fresh southwesterlies.Tuesday 28th May - Cloudy, with occasional rain developing in the evening. Fresh southwesterlies, turning lighter northwesterly in the afternoon.Wednesday 20th May - Showers, clearing to fine in the evening. Southwesterlies, becoming strong for a time in the afternoon and evening, possibly gusting 90 km/h in exposed places.Thursday 21st May - Fine. Fresh southwesterlies.Friday 22nd May - Fine. Southwesterlies.Saturday 23rd May - Fine. Westerlies.Sunday 24th May - Cloudy. Westerlies.Mangawhai RegionMonday 27th May - Partly cloudy with a few showers. Southwesterlies.Tuesday 28th May - Cloud increasing, with occasional rain developing in the evening. Westerlies.Wednesday 20th May - A few showers, clearing to fine in the evening. Fresh southwesterlies.Thursday 21st May - Fine. Southwesterlies, becoming fresh.Friday 22nd May - Fine with southwesterlies.Saturday 23rd May - Fine. Westerlies.Sunday 24th May - Cloudy. Light winds.

The transport agency is refusing to release a briefing on two public-private partnerships used to build expensive sections of state highway.Waka Kotahi prepared a detailed status update on both the Pūhoi-to-Warkworth and Transmission Gully motorways in December.While both roads have been open for months or more, Transmission Gully remains technically unfinished and beset by legal wrangling.Pūhoi, though it missed deadlines as it struggled with landslides, appears on track for a final close-out in December.The existence of the Waka Kotahi update was disclosed in a Treasury note, but Waka Kotahi rejected RNZ's Official Information Act request to release it on the grounds of commercial sensitivity and legal privilege.The Infrastructure Commission, in a long overdue independent review earlier this month, found the public-private partnership (PPP) was not the root cause of Transmission Gully's time and cost overruns.The final bills have yet to land for either motorway due to contractors' claims still being worked through.Nominally, the 27km-long Transmission Gully cost about $1.25 billion, and the 18km Pūhoi motorway possibly about $900m - but the latter has been hit by claims of more than $200m, related to Covid delays.The latest progress report on Pūhoi, released under the Official Information Act, had two full pages about "claims and determinations" completely blanked out. It listed 24 outstanding issues and five "high risks" to completely finishing the project, but said there had been good progress on them.The Pūhoi-to-Warkworth motorway is likely to cost more than $1 billion. Photo: Screenshot / RNZForty-two design changes had been finalised by April, and only three were still being worked on.The Pūhoi PPP consortium missed a goal of opening the road in August 2022 by several months, but it had made "excellent progress" on fixing non-compliant items as full works completion neared in April, the report said.Final "close-out" tests were forecast for December 2024.The Pūhoi motorway goes through patches of unstable land. RNZ earlier revealed that a large, slow-moving slip had cracked concrete barriers and damaged the road shoulder at a northern section, around the time the popular motorway opened in mid-2023.Waka Kotahi confirmed at the time there was deep-seated movement.It now said this site was fully repaired by September 2023 and was causing no concern now."Regular monitoring reports are produced by the contractor as part of this exercise."At one point there was a slip on surplus land that needed fixing, the progress report said.This story was written by Phil Pennington, and originally posted on RNZ News

New Zealand has spent $113 million so far to help build and use a web of United States military satellites, government papers show.New Zealand has relied for 12 years on the Wideband Global Satellite Communications web, built by Boeing and run by the Pentagon for several allied countries.The US has recently been asking partners to stump up more cash, and New Zealand said it would put $15m towards sending up two much more powerful satellites to take the web up to one dozen.It also pays an annual operating fee of just over $1m.A briefing from April released under the Official Information Act showed the total costs since 2012 were $113m.Of that, $83m was the fee that New Zealand paid in 2012 for access to the web of 10 satellites.The briefing also said that the Defence Force was looking to boost its very limited space capabilities, and was interested in more ground-based space infrastructure at a time of "rapid" growth of the country's commercial space operators."This could include vertical or horizontal launch infrastructure, and other ground-based infrastructure that supports the testing and trialling of uncrewed aerial vehicles, rockets and supporting technologies," a briefing to the government late last year said.The Defence Force told RNZ that its updated Defence Capability Plan would lay out any indicative investments relating to space through to 2040.The new plan is due to go to the defence minister next month.This story was originally posted on RNZ News

GNS Science has again raised the Volcanic Activity Level for Whakaari / White Island to 3 after a "minor" eruption.It had also raised the aviation colour code to orange, which indicated a volcano was showing heightened unrest with increased likelihood of eruption, or an eruption was underway with no or only minor ash emissions.GNS Science's camera in Whakatāne shows a minor eruption on Whakaari / White Island. Photo: GNS ScienceDuty volcanologist Yannik Behr said a further minor eruption happened about 8.10am on Saturday morning."Footage from our Whakatāne camera indicates that this morning's activity is very similar in size to what was observed yesterday."We noticed a vigorous steam-gas plume above the island at 8.10am NZST. As we have no sensors on the island we are relying on webcams and satellite imagery to assess the situation."Based on our limited information there were no clear indications of volcanic ash in the plume. If there were, it would be unlikely to reach the mainland under current wind conditions."Another minor eruption happened on Friday morning, when witnesses described smoke rising from the island.A resident near the island told RNZ there was a "good eruption going on" with "big plumes smoke and ash".By evening, however, there had been no other eruptions and the island's activity level was lowered.In 2019, a deadly eruption of the volcano killed 22 people and injured 25 others.The steam-gas plume above the island had reverted to more normal levels, and GNS Science volcanologists were continuing to monitor the volcano, Behr said.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, 31 May 2024.Please note this Traffic Bulletin is updated every Friday.Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am.NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Southbound lanes between Orewa off-ramp and Silverdale on-ramp, 26-27 MayOrewa southbound on-ramp, 26-27 MayMillwater southbound on-ramp, 26-27 MayNorthbound lanes between Silverdale off-ramp and Orewa on-ramp, 26-27 MaySilverdale northbound on-ramp, 26-27 MayOteha Valley Road southbound on-ramp, 26-29 MayOteha Valley Road northbound off-ramp, 26-29 MaySouthbound lanes between Oteha Valley Road off-ramp and Constellation Drive on-ramp, 30 May (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Oteha Valley Road southbound on-ramp, 30 May (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Greville Road southbound on-ramp, 30 May (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 southbound to SH18 westbound Link, 30 May (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Constellation Drive off-ramp and Oteha Valley Road on-ramp, 29 May (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Greville Road northbound on-ramp, 29 MayConstellation Drive northbound on-ramp, 29 MayOnewa Road southbound on-ramp, 31 May & 1 June (approx. 8:00pm to 7:00am)Curran Street northbound on-ramp, 26-30 May (approx. 09:30pm to 5:00am)Stafford Road northbound off-ramp, 26-30 May (approx. 09:30pm to 5:00am)CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)Westbound lanes between Tamaki Drive and Beach Road, 26-30 May (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)South Eastern Highway (SEART) southbound off-ramp, 26-30 MayRedoubt Road northbound on-ramp, 27-28 & 30 MaySH1 northbound to SH20 northbound link, 26 MayHill Road northbound on-ramp, 26 MaySouthbound lanes between Takanini off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 26-30 May (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Takanini southbound on-ramp, 26-30 May (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00amPapakura (Loop) southbound on-ramp, 26-30 May (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Papakura (Diamond) southbound on-ramp, 26-30 May (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Takanini northbound on-ramp, 26 MayPapakura (Loop) northbound on-ramp, 26 & 28-30 MayPapakura (Diamond) northbound on-ramp, 26 & 28-30 MayNorthbound lanes between Papakura off-ramp and Takanini on-ramp, 29-30 MayDrury/SH22 northbound on-ramp, 26 & 28 MayNorthbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and SH20/ SH1 Links, 26 MayNorthbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Takanini on-ramp, 28 MayRamarama northbound on-ramp, 27 MayBombay northbound on-ramp, 27 MayNorthbound lanes between Bombay off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 27 MaySouthbound lanes between Bombay off-ramp and Bombay on-ramp, 28-30 MayNorthbound lanes between Bombay off-ramp and Bombay on-ramp, 28-30 MayBeaver Road northbound on-ramp, 28-30 MayBeaver Road northbound off-ramp, 28-30 MaySouthbound lanes between Nikau Road off-ramp and Nikau Road on-ramp, 28-30 MayNorthbound lanes between Ridge Road off-ramp and Nikau Road on-ramp, 28-30 MayPioneer Road northbound off-ramp, 24-31 May & 1 June (24/7)NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)Southbound lanes between Waimauku Roundabout and Trigg Road, 26-30 MayNorthbound lanes between Trigg Rd and Waimauku Roundabout, 26-30 MayTe Atatu Road (Loop) southbound on-ramp, 27-28 MayUPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)SH18 eastbound to SH1 northbound link, 29 MayAlbany Highway eastbound off-ramp, 29-30 MaySOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)Southbound lanes between Neilson Street off-ramp and Neilson Street on-ramp, 27 May (approx. 10:00pm to 00:00am)Neilson Street southbound on-ramp, 27 May (approx. 00:00am to 05:00am)Rimu Road northbound on-ramp, 28 MaySouthbound lanes between Puhinui Road off-ramp and Lambie Drive on-ramp, 26-30 May (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Puhinui Road southbound on-ramp, 26-30 MayCavendish Drive southbound on-ramp, 26-30 MayGEORGE BOLT MEMORIAL DRIVE (SH20A)Bader Drive northbound off-ramp, 29-30 MayPlease follow the signposted detours. NZ Transport Agency thanks you for your co-operation during these essential improvements and maintenance.

A message from Kaipara Refuse:PAPER AND CARDBOARDAround 550,000 of the 830,000 tonnes of paper and cardboard products produced every year is sent for recycling. This includes paper and cardboard from households and businesses.Paper and cardboard are collected and sorted, and contaminants are removed.At the paper mill materials are soaked in hot water, converted into pulp, and filtered.The pulp is sprayed onto screens, drained, and formed into a wet sheet.The wet sheet is passed over heated rollers to dry. The dry sheets are cut into the correct size and shape for new cardboard products.Types of Card/paper you CAN recycle:CardboardPizza boxes (remove food scraps first)Newspaper and magazinesOffice paperEnvelopes (you can include those that have a window)Greeting cards (without glitter).Types of Card/paper you CAN'T recycle:Drink cartons such as those used for some juices or long-life milk e.g TetrapaksCardboard tubes for chipsTakeaway coffee cupsWaxed cardboardFoil-based gift wrappingCards or wrapping with glitterShredded paperTissues and paper towelsRecyling is now standarised throughout the country. So wherever you go, what you can and cannot recycle is the same.

Warkworth RegionFriday 24th May - Cloudy periods with a few showers, frequent this afternoon. Southwesterlies.Saturday 25th May - Partly cloudy, with a few showers. Southwesterlies, becoming fresh in the morning.Sunday 26th May - Partly cloudy, with a few showers. Strong southwesterlies, easing in the afternoon.Mangawhai RegionFriday 24th May - Partly cloudy with the odd afternoon shower. Northerlies dying out this morning.Saturday 25th May - Mainly fine, chance of a shower until evening. Southwesterlies, becoming fresh in the morning.Sunday 26th May - Fine. Fresh southwesterlies, easing in the evening.

Police investigating a report of a concerning robbery in Wellsford on Friday 17 May are seeking assistance from the public to identify those involved. The incident, at a superette on Rodney Street, was reported to Police around 6.05am. It’s understood two men have entered the premises with weapons, which were not firearms, and verbally threatened the staff member before taking cigarettes, tobacco, and vape products.They have then left the area in a vehicle believed to be stolen, which was recovered a short distance later. This occurred as the public were starting to travel to work and the shop was open to the public and we hope that there were witnesses in the area who may be able to assist us with identifying those involved. We ask anyone who may have Information to assist to contact Police via our 105 phone service or online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105, clicking “Update My Report”.Please reference file number 240517/0812.Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Peter de GraafDredging of a highly invasive seaweed in the Bay of Islands could be complete by August - but only if the government stumps up another $5 million-plus for the biosecurity battle, a Northland council leader says.Exotic caulerpa - described as the world's worst marine pest for its ability to smother other underwater life - has so far been discovered at Aotea Great Barrier Island, in the Bay of Islands, and the Hauraki Gulf.But it is only in the Bay of Islands where a concerted effort is underway to develop new technology for eradicating the fast-growing invader.Those efforts hit a snag earlier this year when the purpose-built suction dredge was sucking up too much sand along with the weed, drastically slowing down the operation.However, Northland Regional Council chairman Geoff Crawford said a redesign of the dredge had been a "game changer" with the machine now clearing half a hectare of seabed a day.The aim was to increase that rate to a hectare a day.About 60 hectares of Omākiwi Cove, near Rāwhiti in the eastern Bay of Islands, are infested.Caulerpa growing on rocks in the Bay of Islands. Photo: Supplied / Rana RewhaCrawford, who also chairs the council's biosecurity and biodiversity committee, said so much sand was being sucked up by the original dredge that the barge's 100-tonne dewatering bag was full after just an hour's operation.It would then take up to two days, depending on the tides, to unload the barge.The innovation by Russell marine engineer Andrew Johnson was to source two gold-mining trommels - rotating cylinders which use a mesh screen to separate materials of different sizes - and adapt them to separate sand from seaweed fragments.Crawford said material sucked up by the dredge was now split into sand, which was returned to the seabed, and caulerpa, which was retained in one-tonne bags.Once full, those bags were then lifted onto a second barge, which meant the operation could continue uninterrupted for eight hours a day."There's very little sand coming on board now. The operation has probably gone ten times more efficient."The progress was down to Johnson's "incredible number-eight-wire thinking", Crawford said.The current expectation was that dredging in the Bay of Islands could be completed in August, which he described as amazing news for Northland."It's a game changer because we've got this, the first stage of eradication. We've come up with a plausible response and New Zealand should be very excited."The redesigned caulerpa suction dredge in action in the Bay of Islands, with the two large sand extraction trommels clearly visible. Photo: Supplied / Rana RewhaThe dredge could potentially be deployed to Aotea Great Barrier next.In February the government granted $5m to caulerpa projects around the upper North Island, with the bulk of that - $3.3m - earmarked for the Bay of Islands dredging trial.However, Crawford said the funding would end on 30 June, and more would be needed to finish the job at Omākiwi Cove."We've asked for five or six million to finish it, which doesn't seem like a lot of money for the threat that we've got. So we're hoping the government will agree."Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard told RNZ that Biosecurity New Zealand would review the trial data after late June or early July, and would then provide advice to his office.Crawford said the long-term goal was to design a machine that could operate 24 hours a day and did not have to be unloaded."Then we'll see some great efficiencies. We want to go 24 hours, because for every day we're not there pulling out caulerpa is another day that it's spreading. It's a bit like having cancer."The regional council was aiming for eradication, and the current dredging operation was only the start, Crawford said.The caulerpa suction dredge in action in Omākiwi Cove in the Bay of Islands. The clear patch at bottom right has been cleared of the invasive seaweed. Photo: Supplied / Rana RewhaA minimum 10-year surveillance and maintenance period would be needed to stop the weed returning."Because if the government isn't going to commit to a 10-year minimum of surveillance and stopping re-invasion, we're better off not spending a cent to start with, and just walk away."Crawford, a farmer with long experience of on-land weed control, said caulerpa reminded him of kikuyu grass.Both covered large areas quickly by sending out long runners, could break off and spread via fragments, and had a way of re-appearing from nowhere."Kikuyu's the most resilient plant I've ever dealt with. It'll grow on top of a strainer post, just like caulerpa will grow on top of a rock."Regional council marine biosecurity specialist Kaeden Leonard said the trial using dredge spoil separators started on 6 May.He was "incredibly encouraged" by the results."It's a very novel approach, and it's certainly scaling up our ability to tackle these types of marine pests. This has been a huge shot in the arm for marine biosecurity. Before this we've only ever had diver-assisted tools, now we're going to more of a mechanical approach and really upscaling what we're able to achieve."Leonard said the first version of the dredge was effective at removing caulerpa, but the retention of large amounts of unwanted material - such as sand, silt and shell fragments - made the process inefficient.The redesigned caulerpa suction dredge with the two large sand extraction trommels clearly visible. Photo: Supplied / Rana RewhaNow sand and silt was returned to the seabed while anything bigger than 2mm was retained.Independent scientists were regularly checking the dredge spoil to make sure no viable caulerpa fragments were released back into the bay.While the dredge would be effective in most of Omākiwi Cove, other tools would be needed in rocky areas.That could include hand-held suction devices and mats to starve the caulerpa of light.Meanwhile, a Far North couple instrumental in the Bay of Islands' battle against caulerpa have won the country's top biosecurity award.Viki Heta and Rana Rewha (Patukeha, Ngāti Kuta) were named the winners of both the Te Uru Kahika Māori Award and the Supreme Award at last month's New Zealand Biosecurity Awards.Rewha was the first to discover caulerpa in the Bay of Islands, in May 2023, and both he and Heta are heavily involved in the response.The Bay of Islands trial brings together, among others, local hapū, the Northland Regional Council, Ministry for Primary Industries, the Cawthron Institute, community group Conquer Caulerpa and maritime engineering firm Johnson Bros.Caulerpa removed by the dredge is buried nearby on land. Biosecurity regulations prohibit moving the weed out of the affected area.This story was originally published by RNZ

The coalition government has confirmed this year's Budget will include a $24 million spend over four years for the I Am Hope initiative Gumboot Friday, providing counselling to young people.But the opposition is calling for more transparency around mental health services procurement.Mental health campaigner Mike King and I Am Hope chair Naomi Ballantyne joined Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey to announce the move at Parliament on Wednesday morning.Peters said the money would enable the charity to provide access to free mental health counselling services for more than 15,000 young New Zealanders per year, more than doubling its reach.A commitment to $6m in extra funding for the charity was included in the NZ First-National coalition agreement.National also promised during the election campaign last year to set up a $20m Mental Health Innovation Fund which would help providers and other NGOs.Doocey said prevention and early intervention were a critical part of dealing with mental health, and Gumboot Friday played a vital role in enabling young people with mild to moderate mental health needs access to counselling services earlier.He said research had found every $1 invested with I Am Hope resulted in a social return to New Zealand worth $5.70.Mike King. Photo: RNZ / Dom ThomasHe believed the "mental health debate is largely driven by young people in New Zealand", suggesting they were articulate about mental health in a way older generations had not been.King said every cent would be reported and accounted for."Every single cent, $24 million, is going directly to counsellors. Mike King is not putting a single cent in his pocket, I Am Hope Foundation is not putting a single cent in its pocket, this is about the kids," he said."They say it only takes 16 years to be an overnight sensation ... I've been working with I Am Hope since 2009. In all that time we've not been funded one cent, everything we have built up we have built up with the backing of ordinary New Zealanders who have been funding this operation."He thanked the coalition government for "believing in what we do", and pointed as well to Deputy General of Mental Health Robin Shearer and her team.The funding would also allow I Am Hope to bring in another 300 counsellors, he said.He said the charity was data-driven, and their figures showed the interaction between parents was one of the main concerns for young people.Doocey also pointed to further work planned in mental health crisis response."When you call 111 with a physical health crisis, you get a health response. When you call 111 with a mental health crisis in New Zealand at the moment you get a criminal justice response."I want to thank the police for turning up, they do a good job but clearly ... we need a better mental health response and that will be a key piece of work going forward."Labour's Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary said Doocey needed to be fully transparent about the procurement of mental health services."Any help for youth mental health services is welcome news, however the blatant leveraging of the good name of a charity with no transparent procurement process by a Minister with no recognised clinical expertise is questionable practice," she said."In his desperation to distract from the Suicide Prevention Office debacle, the Minister has sacrificed due process for political expedience, despite warnings in Treasury documents."She said no one questioned that charities like Gumboot Friday had a role to play, but funding it in this was was "just plain wrong"."Taxpayers have a right to know that their contribution to youth mental health has been procured fairly and transparently, involves no conflicts of interest, safeguards recognised clinical standards of care, and provides value for money."This story was originally published by RNZ

Northpower will be conducting urgent and critical maintenance of our network on the corner of Cove Road & Mangawhai Heads Road in Mangawhai tomorrow, Wednesday 22nd May, from 9am to 4pm. The road will be down to one lane in this area, which may cause significant delays on the Cove Rd detour of State Highway 1.We apologise for any inconvenience caused. If you have any concerns, please phone us on 0800 10 40 40.

Torrential rain and thunderstorms overnight in Auckland had Fire and Emergency responding to 71 callouts for flooded or weather-damaged homes.MetService said up to 100mm of rain fell in places between 9pm and 11pm on Monday night.Homes were flooded in the east and south of Auckland, including water pouring through ceilings, Fire and Emergency said.Fire and Emergency said it received 71 callouts, mostlu in Kohimarama and St Heliers.It comes as a 'Tasman Sea Special' is on its way, bringing stormy weather to parts of the North Island.A string of heavy rain watches and warnings for the next few days have been issued by MetService.The low-pressure system will also bring strong winds.A severe thunderstorm watch is in place for Bay of Plenty and Rotorua this morning till 10am.That brings the possibility of a coastal tornado, and MetService is also warning of torrential downpours of more than 40 mm/h, especially in coastal areas.There is a heavy rain warning in place for Hawke's Bay until 6pm Wednesday.On Monday night 80.6mm rain was recorded in Leigh, north of Warkworth, and overnight 63.0mm was recorded in Whangaparaoa.MetService meteorologist Josh Griffin said severe or heavy rain warnings were usually based on 100mm of rainfall over 12 to 24 hours. "We were seeing that amount in about two or three hours. So we were seeing some torrential rainfall."MetService said the rain had mostly moved on from Auckland."A complex low-pressure system - a 'Tasman Sea Special' - is currently approaching Aotearoa/New Zealand, with an extended band of rain already affecting parts of Northland," MetService meteorologist Dom Barry said."As the low moves southeastwards across the motu, we can expect areas such as Marlborough and Northern Canterbury to encounter some wet weather from Tuesday, with the rain mainly remaining in the eastern North Island."Meanwhile, the west of the South Island will be the place to be for some sunshine.This story was originally published by RNZ