Auckland's mayor is signalling more rates rises will be needed as the city faces "big financial challenges" to maintain infrastructure and pay for public transport.Earlier this year, Auckland Council put rates up by 7.7 percent as part of a plan to plug its $375 million budget hole, including about $50m for storm costs.The council said rates could increase by 13.75 percent next year, as it looks to once again balance the books.Today, mayor Wayne Brown said decisions made in the past had caused the current budgetary woes."Nobody here is lacking vision, but we are lacking resources and we need to put Auckland on stable footing," Brown said."We must get better value from our strategic assets and make provision for our biggest risks."This week, the mayor will release his proposal for the city's 10-year budget for councillors to discuss, before the long-term plan goes out for public consultation."We need to slow down the growth of our capital programme and play catch-up with the associated costs. Now is not the time for new mega projects," Brown said."I want to be confident that we have value out of our current assets and what we are already building, before we acquire more."Rates needed to increase and more costs should be cut - including back office jobs, he said."Auckland Council has to stop wasting money, and start getting things done faster, better, and cheaper."Brown said this could include having Auckland Council and council-controlled organisations share services, such as IT, property management, and HR.Congestion charges were needed, but some cycleway projects should be scrapped, he said."My plan is to speed up the traffic and cut congestion, which means we need to make better use of what we have."I will propose that we continue with time-of-use charging."I also want us to maintain progress on speeding up buses through the city with dynamic lanes and affordable rapid transit projects."Brown's proposal includes stopping funding for new raised speed-tables and reducing the cost of temporary traffic management.The running costs of the City Rail Link are expected to account for about 10 percent of rates paid by Aucklanders.Brown wanted the region's transport and water networks better maintained."The ongoing costs of owning, operating and maintaining assets have been piling-up on our books. Now, they're overdue," he said."We need to fix our pipes and roads. Auckland's infrastructure is spread thin and falling into disrepair."The city was struggling to keep up with population growth and demands from central government had put pressure on the council, he said."Too often, Auckland Council has deferred maintenance works to accommodate new infrastructure works, made worse by unfunded mandates handed down by central government, such as those enabling greenfield developments to intensify at the city's outskirts."The plan will be finalised and adopted next year.This story was originally published by RNZ

Warkworth RegionMonday 27th November - Partly cloudy. Chance of a light shower. Southwesterlies, fresh this afternoon.Tuesday 28th November - Cloud increasing, with isolated showers turning to rain in the evening. Northwesterlies, becoming fresh in the morning.Wednesday 29th November - Rain easing to partly cloudy with isolated showers early, then clearing in the evening. Fresh southwesterlies, easing in the evening.Thursday 30th November - Mainly fine. Southwesterlies.Friday 1st December - Cloudy. Southerlies.Saturday 2nd December - Fine with northeasterlies.Sunday 3rd Dec - Rain with northwesterlies.Mangawhai RegionMonday 27th November - Partly cloudy. Southwesterlies.Tuesday 28th November - Cloud increasing, with occasional rain developing in the evening. Westerlies, becoming fresh in the morning.Wednesday 29th November - Early rain easing to a few showers, then clearing to fine. Southwesterlies.Thursday 30th November - Morning cloud clearing and becoming fine. Southwesterlies dying out.Friday 1st December - Cloudy with southerlies.Saturday 2nd December - Fine, then showers developing. Northeasterlies.Sunday 3rd Dec - Rain with northwesterlies.

It's a wrap! We have now finalised the design for Wood Street. A huge thanks to everyone who has been involved over the years and through the design trials to get to this permanent design.Check out the permanent design, and read more about the background of the project, and the rationale for each of the design choices at the link below.View a high-res image of Wood Street permanent designMangawhai Community Plan websiteCommunity workshopWhile the design for Wood Street itself is complete, we are still working to finalise the layout for the back area down Fagan Place. This includes the old firestation site, the two carparking areas, as well as the public playground in the middle. We now have the opportunity to reconfigure these elements within this area, and make the most of this space (note that this does not include the medical centre or the hall, which are not Council-owned or operated).Want to get involved? Come along to a mapping workshop, details below.Sunday 10 December, 3.00pm - 5.00pmMangawhai Senior Citizens HallWe’ll be looking at the elements required in this back area (carparking, playspace, loading zone, public toilets) and where they could go. If you can, please RSVP if you plan to attend the workshop by emailing [email protected] Wood Street Revitalisation ProjectIn September 2019 the Mangawhai Business Association approached Kaipara District Council, to address issues relating to high levels of congestion, traffic issues, and pedestrian safety around Wood Street.Since then, the Council has been collaborating with the Mangawhai Business Association and community and testing layout and design, to create a vibrant, unique, warm and people-friendly place.The current interim design has been in place since December 2020. Using temporary materials has allowed features to be tweaked and changed throughout the testing period, informed by community and business feedback, vehicle data, and regular monitoring.This year (2023/2024) Kaipara District Council project team have continued to meet with individual landowners, business operators, impacted residents and the Mangawhai Business Association to clarify the final technical layout, identify public and private boundary lines and make sure that due consideration is given to concerns or opportunities presented such as upgrading of premises/loading zones/deliveriesWork to construct the permanent layout is planned to start in the latter half of 2024 (subject to funding from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency). You can read our previous update about that on the Kaipara District Council website. 

The incoming finance minister has admitted that New Zealand's world-first smokefree laws have been scrapped to fund tax cuts.National's coalition deal with New Zealand First - released yesterday - says it will repeal amendments to the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990 and regulations before March 2024These changes would remove requirements for denicotisation and remove the reduction in retail outlets and the generation ban, while also amending vaping product requirements and taxing smoked products only.Under the coalition, National could no longer fund its promised tax cuts through a tax on foreign buyers, and had to look elsewhere for revenue.Nicola Willis told TV3's Newshub Nation that New Zealand First and Act were "insistent" the smoke-free legislation be reversed."We have to remember that the changes to the smokefree legislation had a significant impact on the government books, with about a billion dollars there," she said.Public health experts said legislation could have saved the health system $1.3b over 20 years.Health Coalition Aotearoa co-chair Professor Lisa Te Morenga said scrapping the legislation would cost thousands of lives, with the worst impact on Māori.She said health professionals were shocked at the news."We had believed that Shane Reti supported the Smokefree legislation ... so to hear they're going to repeal it is really a gut punch."National said in a statement it remains committed to reducing smoking rates.National's health spokesperson Dr Shane Reti said responsibility for implementing the new regulations are still to be determined.Dr Reti said the work will likely sit with associate health minister Casey Costello.Te Morenga said the legislation could have saved the health system $1.3 billion dollars over the next 20 years."This is seen as world-leading legislation and some of our closest friends are looking to emulate the work," she said."So to repeal it just seems a completely backwards step."Te Morenga said the laws would have created a smokefree generation, who would never have had to deal with addiction or health loss caused by smoking.The new government has also vowed to reform the regulation of vaping, smokeless tobacco and oral nicotine products while banning disposable vaping products, consider requiring a liquor license to sell vapes and increase penalties for illegal sales to those under 18.This story was originally posted by RNZ News

Danielle Clent, JournalistNational's Christopher Luxon has promised New Zealand First and ACT to introduce legislation on a referendum to extend the parliamentary term to four years.The agreement with ACT promises to move this within the first 15 months in power.The new government - a three-way coalition between National, New Zealand First and ACT - was revealed on Friday morning.National's Luxon will be the new Prime Minister, with New Zealand First's Winston Peters and ACT's David Seymour each appointed Deputy Prime Minister for 18 months - with Peters going first.Talks between the parties had been ongoing until earlier this week, with Peters telling media they were "seriously long, difficult and complicated ... arduous and extreme".Among a number of agreements made during the talks, National has agreed to push for four years between general elections.The agreement with ACT states it will: "Pass the Constitution (Enabling a 4-Year Term) Amendment Bill through first reading in the first 15 months of the term."Where the agreement with New Zealand First states it will: "Support to Select Committee a bill that would enact a binding referendum on a four-year term of Parliament."Both parties have pushed for an extension of the parliamentary term in the past.Luxon also supports extending the term, the New Zealand Herald reported earlier this year.Peters wanted it done at this year's election, telling a crowd in August that the current three-year term was too short.But he wanted voters - not political parties - to be the ones who decided whether it be extended or not."Elections are expensive so it will save money and get better long-term outcomes for our country," he said at the time.In 2021, Seymour introduced a bill to Parliament - the Regulatory Standards Act Bill - which he hoped would give more time for the government to implement laws.During the 2020 general election, then Labour leader Jacinda Ardern and National leader Judith Collins were asked about four-year terms.Both replied with an emphatic "yes" with Ardern adding "we might be able to do that".New Zealand has one of the shortest parliamentary terms in the world.Of 190 countries with parliaments, 103 have five-year terms, 74 have four-year terms, and just nine governments are in power for three years before an election is held.A 2020 survey, conducted by Research New Zealand, showed of 1000 people, 61 percent supported moving from a three-year term to a four-year term.About 25 percent were against it, and the rest were undecided.This story was originally posted on RNZ News

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises of the following closures for motorway improvements. Work delayed by bad weather will be completed at the next available date, prior to Friday, 1 December 2023.Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am.NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Northbound lanes between Silverdale off-ramp and Orewa on-ramp, 26-28 NovemberSilverdale northbound on-ramp, 26-28 NovemberNorthbound lanes between Oteha Valley Road off-ramp and Silverdale on-ramp, 29-30 NovemberOteha Valley Road northbound on-ramp, 29-30 NovemberSouthbound lanes between Oteha Valley Road off-ramp and Greville Road on-ramp, 26 NovemberOteha Valley Road southbound on-ramp, 26 NovemberNorthbound lanes between Greville Road off-ramp and Oteha Valley Road on-ramp, 27 November (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Greville Road northbound on-ramp, 27 NovemberStafford Road northbound off-ramp, 28-29 November(approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Curran Street northbound on-ramp, 28-29 November (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)Southbound lanes between Fanshawe Street off-ramp and Grafton Road on-ramp,27 & 30 November (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)​​​​​​Te Irirangi Drive southbound off-ramp, 28 November (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00amHill Road southbound off-ramp, 29 November (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Papakura off-ramp and Takanini on-ramp, 26-30 NovemberPapakura (Diamond) northbound on-ramp, 26-30 NovemberPapakura (Loop) northbound on-ramp, 26-30 NovemberSouthbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Ramarama on-ramp, 26 NovemberSouthbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Bombay on-ramp, 30 NovemberDrury/SH22 southbound on-ramp, 26 & 30 NovemberRamarama southbound on-ramp, 30 NovemberBombay southbound on-ramp, 29 NovemberBeaver Road southbound off-ramp, 29 November (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Beaver Road southbound on-ramp, 29 November (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Nikau Road southbound off-ramp, 29 November (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Nikau Road off-ramp and Nikau Road on-ramp, 28 November(approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Nikau Road off-ramp and Nikau Road on-ramp, 28 November(approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Razorback Road southbound off-ramp, 28 November (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)SH1 southbound to SH2 eastbound link, 28 November (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Pokeno off-ramp and Pokeno on-ramp, 28 November(approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Pokeno off-ramp and Pokeno on-ramp, 30 NovemberPokeno northbound off-ramp, 26 November (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 26 November(approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 26 November(approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Pokeno southbound off-ramp, 27 November (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Pokeno southbound on-ramp, 27 November (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Pioneer Road southbound off-ramp, 27 November (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 27 November(approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 27 November(approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Te Kauwhata southbound on-ramp, 24 November – 1 December (24/7)NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)Southbound lanes between Brigham Creek Road Roundabout and Hobsonville Road on-ramp,28-30 NovemberNorthbound lanes between Hobsonville Road off-ramp and Brigham Creek Road Roundabout28-30 November (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)UPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)None plannedSOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)Maioro Street southbound on-ramp, 29-30 NovemberMahunga Drive southbound off-ramp, 26 NovemberPuhinui Road southbound off-ramp, 26 November (approx. 10:30pm to 5:00am)Northbound Service Road (Cavendish Drive to Puhinui Road) 27 November(approx. 10:30pm to 5:00am)Lambie Drive southbound off-ramp, 30 November (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am) GEORGE BOLT MEMORIAL DRIVE (SH20A)None plannedPUHINUI ROAD (SH20B)None plannedSTATE HIGHWAY 22 (SH22)None plannedSTATE HIGHWAY 2 (SH2)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​SH2 westbound to SH1 southbound, 28 November (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)

Russell Palmer, Digital Political JournalistNational's foreign buyers tax will not go ahead, NZ First has secured a $1.2 billion regional infrastructure fund, and the new government will support a Treaty Principles bill to Select Committee.ACT's policy for a Minister for Regulation will be accompanied by the disestablishment of the current Productivity Commission. Firearms laws will also be reformed.The three parties have unveiled the details of their coalition agreements this morning, with National making separate coalition agreements with each of its partner parties.Here are some of the major points:National's tax cuts will continue, but the parties do not promise any further tax cuts beyond 2024, and via the agreement with NZ First it will no longer be funded through a tax on foreign buyers - instead the money will be found through reprioritisation and other revenue gathering.The Parties confirm no ongoing commitment to income tax changes, including threshold adjustments, beyond those to be delivered in 2024, and recognise that details of the Fiscal Plan may be subject to amendment in response to significant new information or eventsPublic sector agencies will each have expenditure reduction targets "informed by the increase in back office head count at that agency since 2017"The ACT agreement says the parties will introduce a Treaty Principles Bill based on existing ACT policy and support it to a Select Committee as soon as practicable. However, the NZ First agreement also requires the Coalition Government to "honour the undertakings made by the Crown through past Treaty of Waitangi settlements" and says it would "amend the Waitangi Tribunal legislation to refocus the scope, purpose, and nature of its inquiries back to the original intent of that legislation", accompanied by a review of all existing legislation to replace mentions of the Treaty principles with "specific words relating to the relevance and application of the Treaty, or repeal the references"A Regional Infrastructure Fund, proposed by New Zealand First, that will have $1.2 billion in capital fundingA new agency accountable to the Minister for Regulation will assess the quality of new and existing regulation. This agency proposed by ACT will be funded by disestablishing the Productivity CommissionNZ First secured commitments to "end all Covid-19 vaccine mandates still in operation", and ensuring a full-scale, wide-ranging independent inquiry conducted publicly with local and international experts into the Covid pandemic's handling including use of multiple lockdowns, vaccine procurement and efficacy, social and economic impacts on both regional and national levels, and whether the decisions made, and steps taken, where (sic) justifiedA "national interest test" will also be applied before accepting any "agreements from the UN and its agencies that limit national decision-making and reconfirm that New Zealand's domestic law holds primacy over any international agreements"ACT's plan to issue stop-work notices to departments on projects including Three Waters, Auckland Light Rail, Let's Get Wellington Moving, Income Insurance, Industry Transformation Plans, and Lake Onslow Pumped Hydro would also be carried out "immediately"ACT's policy to speed up the restoration of interest deductibility has been adopted, along with the parties tenancy law proposals like a "pet bond"Concurrent sentences would come to an end, prisoners would be required to work, and Corrections officers would get body camerasLegislation would be introduced to create a specific offence for anyone "who injures or kills someone with a coward punch"All references to gender, sexuality and "relationship-based education guidelines" will be removed and replaced from curriculumsThe Fees Free scheme will be switched from the first year free to the final year, with no change before 2025Requirements to remove nicotine, reduce the number of smoking retail outlets, end the generational ban on buying tobacco products, but penalties for sales to under-18s would be increasedIn addition to National's gangs and youth crime policies, the parties have agreed with ACT to re-write the Arms Act, and agreed with NZ First to train no fewer than 500 new policeFirearms law will be reviewed and reformedNational's commitment to requiring an hour each day of reading, writing and maths will be adopted, along with ACT's policy to reintroduce partnership (charter) schools and allowing state schools to become oneNational's commitments to the "taxpayers' receipt", removing two farming regulations for every new one introduced have been abandoned. The commitment to a new medical school will be subject to a full cost-benefit analysisThe flexibility of the Medium Density Residential Standards will be accompanied by ACT's plan to share a portion of GST from new builds with councilsThe NZ First agreement also confirms the superannuation age will be kept at 65, the Retirement Villages Act will be reviewed, residential care funding will be investigated, a select committee inquiry into aged care provision and upgrading the Super Gold CardAs per NZ First policy, the English language will be legislated as an official language, with all departments having "their primary name in English, except for those specifically related to Māori", a stop to "all work on He Puapua" and confirming the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples has no binding legal effect on New ZealandHate speech law would also be ruled out, with work on it stoppedNational's fiscal plan, tax plan, 100-day plan and 100-point economic plan will go ahead, with exceptions as specified in the agreementsThe current review of the Emissions Trading Scheme will be stopped "to restore confidence and certainty to the carbon trading market"NZ First secured a Select Committee inquiry into banking competition, focused on competitiveness, customer services, and profitabilityNZ First got agreement to explore options to strengthen the Grocery Commissioner and address lack of a third entrantAssessment and response to the impact of energy prices on inflation, and the impact of inflation on average tax rates will be assessed by 2026"Moderate" increases to the minimum wage each yearEstablishment of an "essential worker" planning mechanism will be investigatedA study into New Zealand's fuel security needs will be commissionedThe National Policy Statement on Indigenous Biodiversity will be urgently reviewed, the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 and the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater will be replaced, and work on the new Significant Natural Areas will be ceasedThe Overseas Investment Act will be amended to limit ministerial decision making to national security concerns, with those decisions more timelyFair pay agreements and Labour's replacements for the RMA will be repealed by Christmas. New resource management laws will be "premised on the enjoyment of property rights as a guiding principle"Ban on offshore oil and gas exploration to be repealed.This story was originally published by RNZ

Reports of bomb scare sent to schools.Resulting in them closing.Primary Schools closing that we are aware of:MatakanaSnells BeachHorizonWarkworthWaitokiKaukapakapaOrewaWellsfordPakiriAhuroa 

Heres whats on offer for the regions to celebrate the lead up to ChristmasWellsford Santa Parade at Wellsford District Community Centre - Saturday 25 November, 10.30amFarmers Santa Parade is on Sunday 26 November, 12pm. Rain Date: Sunday 3 December 2023. Queen Street, Auckland. Matakantata Choir - Driving Home for Christmas (Matakana Village Hall) - Sunday 26th November and Sunday 3rd DecemberKaipara Flats Christmas Night Market - Thursday 30th November, 4pmKumeū Rotary Christmas Parade - Friday 1st December, 6pm Matakana Community Christmas Fair - Friday 1st December, 4pm Carols By Candlelight Warkworth - Friday 1st December, 6.30pmOne Mahurangi Business Association - Warkworth Santa Parade - Sunday 3 December, 11amHelensville Christmas Twilight Market at Helensville Showgrounds - Friday 8 December, 4pmSnells Beach School Christmas Carols & Craft Markets- Friday 8 December, 5.30pmSnells Beach - Highfield Donkey & Santa Fun Day on Saturday 9 December, 11am. Matakana Country Park - Christmas Market - Sunday 17th December, 8amMangawhai Santa Parade and Christmas Concert - Sunday 17th December, 1pm, followed by Christmas Concert at MAZ, 4pm.

Sally Murphy, ReporterPrescriptions for medicinal cannabis continue to climb - but the local industry and farmers are yet to see the benefits.Data from Te Whatu Ora shows since medicinal cannabis was legalised in 2020, prescriptions have grown from about a thousand a month to over 8000 a month.In December 2020 there were 1118 prescriptions, and in June this year there were 8217.Southern Medicinal has converted the old Mataura paper mill into a medicinal cannabis and hemp growing, testing and processing facility.But founder Greg Marshall said they could not actually sell anything yet."We peaked operating and growing at nine different sites, right now we are operating three, the reason we put sites into hibernation is because the rules in New Zealand are very difficult to navigate."Even though there's massive growth in demand, we can't access the market until the rules are changed."Marshall said at the moment the requirement is that from the moment the cannabis plant is cut down, everything that happens has to happen inside a pharmaceutical process, something that is not required in other countries.Medical cannabis was legalised in 2020. Photo: Supplied/ Southern Medicinal"It meants that means we have to put in place pharmaceutical processes which drive up costs for no benefit."He said there is a company in New Zealand growing and selling medicinal cannabis products but many others are standing by, waiting for change."The New Zealand medicinal cannabis industry is in utter duress, and many businesses are close to going under."Marshall said Te Whatu Ora has proposed amendments to the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme - but everyone is waiting for the new government to look at them."New Zealand is ideally positioned to produce the highest quality, most affordable product in the world and I think it's a massive opportunity for the country."If we could get up and running properly we'd support 500 hectares of growing and could provide a new business line for a 100 to a 150 different farms."This story was originally published by RNZ

Warkworth RegionFriday 24th November - Cloudy with showers developing this morning, clearing around midday to fine. Showers returning this evening. Southwesterlies, strong in exposed places this afternoon.Saturday 25th November - Fine, but becoming cloudy for a time in the afternoon and evening. Fresh southerlies.Sunday 26th November - Fine. Southwesterlies, becoming fresh in the morning.Mangawhai RegionFriday 24th November - Cloudy with showers developing this morning, clearing around midday to fine. Showers returning this evening. Southwesterlies, strong in exposed places this afternoon.Saturday 25th - Fine, but becoming cloudy for a time in the afternoon and evening. Fresh southerlies.Sunday 26th - Fine. Southwesterlies, becoming fresh in the morning.

Sharon Brettkelly, co-host of The DetailThere are calls for the government to spend hundreds of millions of dollars combating a fast spreading algae that looks to have a devastating impact in the waters of the Hauraki Gulf and beyond.▶ Listen to the audio fileOpo Ngawaka is chair of the Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-FarrellyOpo Ngawaka has lived on Aotea Great Barrier all his life, raising six children with his wife Elaine on the tiny island of Māhuki.Living off the land and looking after nature are their way of life.But that is under threat with the fast-spreading killer algae caulerpa."I've never seen anything like it," says Ngawaka, chair of the Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust.The exotic seaweed which smothers anything in its way was recently found near Māhuki, off Aotea's west coast, a sign that it is spreading beyond the three harbours where it was first discovered two years ago, leading to a rāhui and ban on fishing with sinkers and anchoring. This week, Aotea residents are meeting with representatives from Biosecurity NZ, an agency of the Ministry for Primary Industries, about how to combat caulerpa's spread. That includes discussion on an extension of the Contained Area Notices which enforce anchoring and fishing restrictions.They're still hoping it can be eradicated but efforts so far have failed to stop new outbreaks and the thickening mats of the seaweed now cover up to 80 hectares in some areas.Okupu Bay, on Aotea Great Barrier, post-Cyclone Gabrielle, covered in caulerpa. Photo: Noel NancekivellDr Barry Scott, a former science professor at Massey University and deputy chair of the Aotea Great Barrier Environmental Trust, says the lack of progress in tackling the pest is "staggering", not only on Aotea but in other areas at the top of the country including Northland, Hauraki Gulf, and Great Mercury Islands."It's sad, it's maddening, how Wellington has just not responded. There've been various iwi deputations to the former minister of biosecurity, they've banged on his table, they've written letters, there's all sorts of environmental groups around the HaurakiGulf including ourselves who've written to the minister, and just nothing happens. A pitiful amount of money's been spent on it."There have however been "endless meetings ... we're hui-ed out." Scott has recorded a lengthy timeline of caulerpa since it was first discovered in Okupu at Aotea in June 2021, including media coverage and efforts by different groups and communities to persuade government ministers and MPI to act.He says it illustrates the poor response."We've got an appalling record in New Zealand about how we treat the marine space, and this is just more of it."Ngawaka says he feels for the residents living by the affected harbours who have been banned from anchoring their boats or from sinker fishing for more than two years.But the entire Aotea community is "gravely concerned" about the impact, firstly on the marine environment, but also on local businesses that rely heavily on boaties who flock to the island in summer.The majority of Aotea Great Barrier Island is managed as a nature reserve by the Department of Conservation. Photo: RNZNgawaka tells The Detail that he and other iwi leaders from Aotea Great Barrier and Waiheke are calling on the government to put aside hundreds of millions of dollars to combat the marine invader as it continues its devastating march along the top of the country.Ngawaka says they've sent a joint letter to the government asking it to budget $200 million next year to fight caulerpa.He says a small amount of suction dredging in Tryphena Harbour at Aotea cost an "enormous amount of money" and he doesn't think $200 million will be enough with the algae now in waters at Northland, Great Mercury Island (Ahuahu), Kawau Island, and Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf. Ngawaka says the lack of response from the government about an increase in funding has been disappointing.Also known as 'the killer alga' and 'the foot and mouth disease of the ocean', caulerpa is one of the most serious invasive seaweeds in the world, says Dr Barry Scott. Photo: Chris Sidney Wales"What they don't understand is the danger of having this weed around. They may be able to do something about it now before it's too late but there is going to be a point where it is unstoppable."Caulerpa have green fronds up to 10 centimetres long in the shape of oar blades that rise from long runners or roots known as stolons, according to MPI.They can be found growing below the tideline at between two and 30 metres on hard surfaces and in sandy areas. When established, exotic caulerpa can cover large areas of the seafloor in dense mats. It's easily spread by currents, boat anchors, and even stingrays slicing through it. Ngawaka says he would like to see a complete ban on boats to the island this summer, but that would hurt many businesses.He also worries extending the ban further along coastline would put pressure on the fisheries of other parts of the island that are not infected. And he is concerned it would also mean that Port Fitzroy, the only all-weather place to anchor on the island, is out of bounds.Experts have told MPI that the scale of the invasion is beyond any previous successful eradications in marine environments and there are no tools available to eradicate it."Nobody in the world has managed to eliminate this pest at this scale and depth in the open ocean," the deputy director-general of Biosecurity NZ Stuart Anderson says.Prolific growth of caulerpa on the seabed of Schooner Bay, Aotea / Great Barrier Island. Photo: Glenn EdneyLocal and international scientists say the best hope is suppression and containment. Despite this, Anderson says, Biosecurity NZ is still looking for ways to remove smaller outbreaks and control it.Anderson says when it was first found at Aotea in 2021, it was thought it had been there for two to three years. There were already many hectares of caulerpa including extensive, dense mats at up to 38 metres deep. He says $5 million has been "spent or allocated to fund a consistent and thorough effort to understand the pest and its behaviour and distribution in New Zealand, trial treatments and prevent its spread through legal controls and public education".Work includes diver surveillance, seeking independent science advice, putting in Controlled Area Notices, public information campaigns, and on-water compliance using local vessels and MPI officers.Salt treatment has been trialed at Whangaparapara and Tryphena Harbours, and suction dredge treatment at Tryphena Harbour. Another suction dredge will be trialed in Northland. "Criticisms that the effort has been slow and inadequate do not account for the complexity of this issue. We are dealing with a highly invasive pest with no known effective management tools," Anderson says. Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here.  

Monique Steele, Rural JournalistEgg producers are hopeful prices have peaked and the egg shortage of early-2023 will soon be a distant memory.The country's layer hen population is continuing to grow, meaning there should be more eggs in-market at a cheaper price.Eggs have been in short supply - and expensive - since the start of the year when a ban on battery-caged hens came into effect, sparking shortages across the country.He said the layer hen population had grown from 3.4 million in February to 3.8 million - and added there should be another 100,000 more by January.Egg Producers' Federation executive director Michael Brooks said it had been a "fairly brutal" time for farmers making the costly switch.He said the rising cost of grain, and the decision by Foodstuffs and Woolworths, formerly Countdown, to also ban colony-caged hen's eggs by 2025, had intensified the situation."It's been a very tough couple of years for the layer hen farming industry," Brooks said."There's been huge financial pressures on farmers ... It was a minimum of $1 million just to change from the old style cage to the colony cage, then if you were going into free range that meant buying a whole new farm, a new set up. So some really big costs and a lot of investment."All those things had an impact, so it's lead to a pretty messy situation, and it's taken a while for the supply to bounce back, but it is just about there now."Egg prices had come off historic highs, with Stats NZ's latest figures showing them falling for the third month in a row since the peak in July."That's the first time in a good couple of years we've started to see maybe it's topped out in terms of prices," Brooks said."Prior to that, for the past couple of years, it's just been up and up and up - as consumers will know."But consumers will understand, I believe, that there are all these external pressures that have come onto farmers. It's been pretty rugged. Not just general inflation but a whole range of other factors coming into the situation."Brooks said it was an extraordinary situation this year, but he was hopeful supply would be secured into the new year and prices should be more reasonable.This story was originally published by RNZ

We have heard animal shelters and rescue centres have been inundated with abandoned, abused, or unwanted pets, mainly dogs and cats.We want to help these amazing organisations who are saving animals from being put down by helping to find some forever homes for these lovely creatures.We will feature pets that are looking for adoption regularly here on the app.If you head to our Pets / Foster / Adopt / Animal Shelter page under Community on the app you will see the animal rescues centres in the area that you can contact directly for pet adoption. These organisations are often registered charities and need our support.Here is how you can help:Donate money directly to their bank accounts - look on their websites for the detailsDonate food, toys, blankets etcFoster a dog or cat while they are looking for their forever homeFoster and raise kittens and puppies until they are old enough to be adopted.This week we are featuring Saving Hope FoundationLittle Miss Nelly is a sweet and playful 4 month old pup, pictured here as a bumble bee on Halloween. Nelly is fostered with her brother Nico and sister Nikki, all three have beautiful calm natures. They enjoy a bit of puppy rough and tumble, then once the party is over their favourite place is next to you for snuggles and tummy tickles. Nelly is waiting to find her forever family so come and say hello. To apply to adopt Nelly or if you’d like to help foster a puppy please head over to https://www.savinghope.co.nz for more information.Sweet little Angel is a clever 14 week old girl that is picking up training so well, she knows sit, down, spin, hands up against the wall and many more tricks. Fostered in Matakana with her sister Annie and a menagerie of other dogs, cats, sheep, geese and goats (her favourite goat is called TJ), Angel is learning some great social skills to take with her to her forever home. To apply to adopt Angel or if you’d like to help foster a puppy please head over to https://www.savinghope.co.nz for more information.

Police are today in a position to name the person who was located deceased near Waiheke Island on Wednesday 15 November.He was Lee Douglas Perry, 48, from South Auckland.Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Allan, Auckland City CIB, says Mr Perry had travelled to Waiheke Island earlier in the week for work. “Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time and support is being provided to his whānau.”At this stage, Police enquiries into Mr Perry’s death remain ongoing and we are continuing to treat the death as unexplained.“Police are wanting to establish the circumstances of the death and the discovery of a burnt-out vehicle, which we can now confirm belonged to Mr Perry, and was located around 14 kilometres away from his body,” says Detective Senior Sergeant Allan. “We are appealing to the public for information regarding the movements of Mr Perry from Monday 13 November, in particular on or near Wharf Road, Ostend Road, and Man O War Bay Road, on Waiheke Island.“Additionally, anyone with information on Mr Perry’s vehicle, a white Mazda Demio, registration HLZ228, while on Waiheke Island, is asked to get in touch.”Detective Senior Sergeant Allan says this vehicle was sighted on Wharf Road on Tuesday and was located crashed and burnt-out on Man O War Bay Road on Wednesday morning.“Police would like to understand how it got there.”Detective Senior Sergeant Allan says there has been a positive public response to date and we would like to thank those who have already come forward to provide information.“Anyone with information on Mr Perry’s movements or his vehicle is asked to contact us via our 105 phone service or online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105, using Update My Report.“Please reference file number 231115/0667.“Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.”

John Gerritsen, ReporterThe government underestimated the cost of passing on school and kindergarten teachers' pay rises to early childhood teachers by $253 million.A September Cabinet paper from Education Minister Jan Tinetti showed the government set aside $428m over four years for the flow-on cost of teachers' pay settlements to early learning services. But it was not enough."The final settlements of the kindergarten, primary and secondary teacher collectives, and the change to offer funding rate parity for some education and care services with kindergartens, increases the cost of passing on salary improvements to education and care services," the paper said."This is $253 million above the funding set aside in the bargaining contingency to pass on the increases to the unified base salary scale (UBSS) from all three teacher collectives. Vote Education has no further capacity to absorb this additional cost."The pass-on of the full range of salary increases may be considered in future. It is not currently affordable for the government to continue to commit to pay parity and pass on the full settlement to education and care services."The paper said the Ministry of Education realised in June when it was updating kindergarten funding rates in light of its teachers' pay settlement there was a "mismatch" between the amount of money set aside for extending those rates to some early learning services and the likely actual cost.Jan Tinetti. Photo: RNZ / Angus DreaverIt had initially estimated the figure based on the pay gap between early childhood and kindergarten teachers and the number of teachers, but later calculated the cost of applying kindergarten subsidy rates to early childhood services that opted into pay parity."I have expressed my disappointment to officials for not identifying the problem sooner that has resulted in this funding shortfall," Tinetti's paper said."The ministry is improving its processes for managing the cost implications of new policy initiatives and calculating bargaining contingencies. I have received assurance from the ministry that I will be advised of risks such as these sooner in future."However, the error has further highlighted the complexities of the funding model for the ECE sector and the need to review the system so we can have better costing, modelling and accountability of public funds."Cabinet later agreed to pass onto early childhood centres the subsidy increases that kindergartens would receive up to and including December this year, but not subsequent increases.'Really angry and very frustrated'Early childhood teachers already knew the government could not afford pay parity, but Educational Institute national secretary Stephanie Mills said its members would not be happy to learn about the ministry's miscalculation."Early childhood teachers are going to be really angry and very frustrated because they've fought for pay parity to be recognised as professionals for decades, we've finally got there it seemed and now it's been undercut, not just by I guess accounting problems at the ministry but because education is still seen by government as something that is a cost - not an investment."Mills said the ongoing mismatch between kindergarten and early childhood funding rates was bad news for early childhood teachers and also for families."We've already got a sector that is in crisis because we've got too few qualified teachers in the workforce, we've got a high churn because pay and conditions are pretty terrible and so I think what we are going to see is real impacts on teachers, but also on the families and the children that they serve.We'll see teachers leaving for Australia, we'll see teachers leaving the sector go to into primary teaching for example, we might I think also see increases in costs to families because one of the perverse consequences of this is that if services don't get funded enough to pay for parity and they need to keep their teachers they will have to pass those costs on to parents."Mills said the incoming government should put the problem at the top of its priority list because it affected 25,000 teachers and hundreds of thousands of families.She said early childhood funding needed a "transformative review" because funding rates were based on average teacher costs which penalised those services with long-serving, more expensive teachers.Mills said the Early Childhood Education Agreement covering teachers working at about 100 mostly community-based services was still under negotiation.Simon Laube. Photo: suppliedEarly Childhood Council chief executive Simon Laube said the paper showed how stretched the government's finances were."They had a secret allowance that no one knew at the time for the collective, but actually once the secondary teachers settled they just simply did not have enough money to flow on that outcome to 18,000 teachers in education and care services, by a huge amount."Laube said funding for early learning was complicated and the paper showed the outgoing government had taken pay parity off the table until the system was reviewed."The line seems to be pay parity's off the table for education and care but we would like to do a funding review because of all these concerns," he said."Pay parity's just gone further out of reach."This story was originally published by RNZ

More than half of the 71 slips still impacting Kaipara roads in the wake of multiple severe weather events that hit Northland earlier this year should be repaired by the middle of next year.Kaipara District Council has already repaired 245 of the 330 slips caused by back-to-back storms and cyclones since February 2023. That includes Cyclone Gabrielle in February, which brought record levels of rainfall and devastated parts of the North Island and the localised damage from the 24 February Mangawhai significant rainfall event.Of the 330 slips on the Kaipara roading network, 71 of the most serious and complex required detailed inspections by engineers to confirm repair options. These investigations have often been hampered by ongoing instability of the slips caused by continued wet weather.Last week, Council finalised its formal emergency works site assessment and has confirmed that repairs to 43 Kaipara sites should be completed this financial year. The work will reinstate roads to pre-event conditions and are each estimated to cost $100,000 or less.“The remaining 28 of the Kaipara’s 71 slip sites are the most complex, requiring specialised design and will cost over $100,000 each. These repairs will require formal procurement processes before contracts can be let. Some of these repairs could take up three years to complete.Anin Nama, General Manager for Infrastructure, says some of the initial repairs will be revisited so the roads can be repaired to standard.“With ongoing wet weather, and the need to work quickly, we've had to make some temporary repairs. We’re going back over those sites to restore them to their previous condition,” says Anin.“We’re now prioritising a couple of key sites to improve access before the busy Christmas period. We’ve already started work to restore the Devich Road bridge and we’re planning to open Mangawhai Road up to two-way traffic as a temporary measure by Christmas.”Mayor Craig Jepson acknowledges the frustration felt by many residents who, for several months, have had to negotiate damaged roads, some of which are reduced to one lane.“The level of damage done over two weeks in February would normally take five years under normal conditions. We’ve completed over $11 million of an estimated $28 million of works attributed to the 2023 events. I want to thank the teams who have made huge progress to restore the network,” says Mayor Jepson.“At the same time, they are continuing with general road maintenance planned for the summer construction season. This includes repairs to potholes, grading, trimming trees and improving drainage. Slips that existed before major weather events will be included in this work.”View our schedule for repairing the remaining slips caused by the weather events. This information will be updated as slips are scheduled for repair.Updated 11:23am Friday 17 November to correct number of storm and cyclone related slips from 300 to 330. 

About the projectAuckland Transport is planning to make the complex and confusing Hill Street intersection safer and easier to useThe Hill Street intersection in Warkworth needs improvements to make it safer and easier to use. We need to include safe walking and cycling facilities to create a welcoming connection for everyone to the Warkworth town centre.The intersection of the old SH1 (Brown Road) and Matakana Road, Elizabeth Street, Millstream Place, Sandspit Road and access to Kowhai Park, the Hill Street intersection has been a traffic bottleneck for decades. Locals and holiday makers travelling between Auckland, Northland and the Kowhai Coast experienced major traffic congestion during week-day peak hours, weekends and public holidays.Since the opening of Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway and Te Honohono ki Tai (Matakana Link Road) in June 2023, traffic volumes at the Hill Street intersection have dropped by 50%. Additional future transport connections like the Sandspit Link will help cater for increases in traffic as the area grows in population and popularity.What we're proposingWe’re planning to make the Hill Street intersection safer and easier to navigateAuckland Transport is finalising a new design for the Hill Street Intersection to:Improve traffic flow and reduce congestionProvide safer and easier ways to get around on foot or by bikeIntroduce an attractive gateway to the Warkworth town centreProvide better access to active and public transport optionsPlan for future growth.We’ve talked with key stakeholders (affected property owners, local iwi, the Rodney Local Board, Auckland Council Parks and representatives from the One Mahurangi Transport and Infrastructure Forum), tweaked our plans and would now like feedback from the local community and visitors to the area.Preferred design optionAn improved Hill Street intersection will make it easier to get around Warkworth safelyThe preferred design option:The preferred design option includes the following features:A large five-arm roundabout at the Hill Street intersectionA smaller three-arm roundabout through the Sandspit Road and Matakana Road intersectionSingle lane approaches to provide better legibility and safety for all usersA free left-turn lane from Sandspit Road to Elizabeth StreetBetter and safer cycling and walking facilitiesSafer (raised dual) pedestrian crossings on Hill Street, Great North Road, Brown Road, Elizabeth Street and Sandspit RoadBoardwalks on the Kowhai Park side of Sandspit Road and at the corner of Elizabeth Street.E pīrangi ana mātou ki te rongo i ō whakaaro - We want to hear from youAuckland Transport is consulting on this proposal from 17 November 2023 until 4pm, 17 December 2023Share your thoughts by:Using the feedback form belowComing along to an information drop-in session at the Warkworth Town Hall onSaturday, 25 November at 12:30-2pmTuesday, 28 November at 12:30-2pmNext StepsWe will use all feedback received to inform the Hill Street Intersection Improvements detailed design. Once the design is confirmed we will share it on this web page.For any queries, please email [email protected]  or call us on 09 355 3553

Warkworth RegionMonday 20th November - Partly cloudy. A few showers, some heavy with thunderstorms and hail possible from afternoon, then easing evening. Southwesterlies, fresh from evening.Severe Thunderstorm WatchPeriod: 6hrs from 2pm - 8pm Mon, 20 NovArea: Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Bay of PlentyForecast: Thunderstorms are expected to develop about northern regions of the North Island this afternoon and continue into the evening, producing heavy rain and hail. However, in areas of Auckland, Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula, and Bay of Plenty west of Rotorua, there is a moderate risk that some of the thunderstorms could become SEVERE, producing localised downpours of 25 to 45 mm/h. 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.Tuesday 21st November - Mainly fine, isolated showers in the afternoon and evening. Southerlies, easing in the evening.Wednesday 22nd - Fine. Southerlies developing in the morning.Thursday 23rd - Fine, but becoming cloudy. Southwesterlies, becoming fresh.Friday 24th - Partly cloudy, with a few showers developing. Southwesterlies, becoming fresh.Saturday 25th - Showers, clearing but remaining partly cloudy. Fresh southerliesSunday 26th - Fine with southwesterlies.Mangawhai RegionMonday 20th November - A few showers, increasing and becoming heavier for a time this afternoon with possible thunderstorms. Southwesterlies, fresh from afternoon.Tuesday 21st November - Partly cloudy, with a few showers in the afternoon and evening. Southerlies.Wednesday 22nd - Cloud clearing and becoming fine in the afternoon. Southwesterlies, turning southeasterly in the morning.Thursday 23rd - Fine, but becoming cloudy later. Southwesterlies, becoming fresh.Friday 24th - Showers, clearing and becoming fine. Southwesterlies.Saturday 25th - Partly cloudy, with showers developing. Southerlies.Sunday 26th - Fine with southwesterlies.