Felix Walton, reporterSome residents in Dargaville are still without water and others are being asked to use as little as possible.The Kaipara District Council repaired multiple line breaks on Friday, which had drained the town's reservoirs to critical levels.But on Saturday morning the council said the line into the water treatment plant was still full of air, preventing crews from safely refilling the lines."The team are working to bleed it out so that water can flow smoothly and we can start treating water again," the council said in a post on its Facebook page."The line is around 40km long and it must be done slowly to avoid pressure blowouts and damage so this is going to take some time."Meanwhile, the council asked residents to keep conserving water and reassured them the remaining water was safe to drink."We know a few people are experiencing the water coming through the tap being a bit cloudy or murky," it said."We are replenishing the reservoir from registered water suppliers and the movement in the tanks is stirring up the water."Some residents told RNZ their water had been cut off and the local supermarket was running out of bottled water.Dargaville resident Crysta Erickson said people were buying as much bottled water as they could get their hands on."At the moment they're just all buying up the stock that they do have on the shelves," she said. "Pretty much all the bulk packages have gone and it's now just the single bottles which are a lot more expensive, and the flavoured water as well are pretty much all that's left."She said the situation was incredibly frustrating."They've also just increased our rates and everything, so we're paying extra for basic services that are essential [and] we're not getting them. And we went 12 hours without any communication from the council, it wasn't until this morning when people started posting on Facebook that they decided to update us.""We're sorry this has happened," the council said in its post. "We have crews working nonstop and doing everything they can to get this sorted."This story was originally published by RNZ

Kids should always know when they are being recorded and why, and should also have the right to withdraw their consent at any time, says the privacy commissioner.The Privacy Commission has put out new filming and photography advice for organisations, in a bid to protect children and young people.Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster said the new guidance on photography and filming - which is aimed at organisations such as schools, sports clubs and cultural clubs - will help to empower children, while their parents and caregivers will be better equipped to understand and exercise their privacy rights effectively."Taking and sharing images of children and young people helps record their achievements and special moments."But it's also important people are aware of the risks associated with the collection, use and sharing of these images and do what's necessary to protect their privacy and keep them safe from harm."Webster said retention and deletion of images and video were also important, as children changed as they aged."An image that was once cute and funny could be distressing or cause embarrassment if used or shared today. Consent is best practice - children, young people or their parents should always know that photography or videoing recording is happening and why, and they should also have the right to withdraw their consent at any time."Privacy Commssion puts out new advice to protect childrenWebster told Checkpoint the Privacy Act meant they worked under the principle of data minimisation."It's about asking the question 'do I have a plan to delete old images when I no longer have any use for them, and do I have a system for deleting images for when people withdraw their consent to that image being used?'."Webster said NZ schools had already dealing with it with photography and filing policies, as well as opt-out forms.He said consent was not something that was only given once."As people grow up and change, they will have different views about material taken about them, their parents might have thought it was cute or amusing photo or piece of video when it was done, a teenager is bound to have a different view on that sometimes."He said young peoples' right to privacy needed special attention, and there were unfortunate risks with photos and video footage of children in today's world."So the guidance is there to help them achieve what they want, which is photos of people having a great time or celebrating successes, while keeping children safe."The full guidance can be found on the privacy commissioner's website here.Webster said further guidance - including detailed privacy guidance for the education sector - will be released later this year.This story was originally published by RNZ

Project update - May 2025Tēnā koe and welcome to the Northland Corridor newsletter.It’s been another busy month for the Northland Corridor team as we continue to work at pace across the project. We are progressing with procurement and site investigations for Ara Tūhono – Warkworth to Te Hana.North of Te Hana the team are working on design investigations between Te Hana and Whangārei to refine the emerging preferred corridor into the preferred route. We have also been busy sending out letters to let property owners know they are in the emerging preferred corridor. We anticipate all letters should arrive by mid-June. Read on for more information for landowners.The project team will be spending some time in the community in the coming weeks to share information on the project’s progress and answer any questions you may have. Read on for where you can find us.Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to contact us since we announced the emerging preferred corridor in April. There have been some common themes coming through, so in this edition of the newsletter we’ll answer some of these questions below.What if I can’t make the information sessions?We know everyone is busy, so if these dates and times don’t work for you and you’d like to talk to us, feel free to reply to this email or contact us on [email protected] can’t you just put a tunnel through the Brynderwyn Hills?We looked at all options when choosing the emerging preferred corridor for the Brynderwyn Hills, including a tunnel. Tunnels can be very expensive to build, maintain and operate. They also come with restrictions such as a fixed width (no option to widen later) and restrictions around the type of goods that can be carried through them, such as certain types of fuel and gas.A tunnel through the Brynderwyn Hills would be very long and although a tunnel is technically feasible it would take a lot longer to build and would be prohibitively expensive.The geology in the area has some challenges, but we think the emerging preferred corridor we have selected will allow us to build a new road faster and more cost effectively with less long term damage to the environment.Why isn’t the Brynderwyn Hills alternative being built first?Although the Brynderwyn Hills alternative is a key priority, the Ara Tūhono - Warkworth to Te Hana section of the corridor is the most advanced, therefore physical works are able to begin earlier than the other sections of the corridor.The completion of the Warkworth to Te Hana section will resolve the critical resilience challenges in the Dome Valley.Before construction can begin on the Brynderwyn Hills alternative, significant preliminary work including geotechnical investigations, route selection, property acquisition and consenting is required. The preliminary work for this section will be undertaken in parallel to the procurement and construction of the Warkworth to Te Hana section and we have a dedicated team working on this.When will we know where the road will go?We are working at pace to refine a design for the new road within the emerging preferred corridor and expect to be able to share a preferred route in August/September this year.The timeline below shows our next steps over the coming months. Click here to view a larger version of the project timeline.Update for landowners in the emerging preferred corridorAll letters letting property owners know they are in the study area for the emerging preferred corridor have now been sent. We anticipate these should all arrive by mid-June.To help us contact landowners more quickly and efficiently we are asking those that receive a letter to register their phone number and email address with us and confirm who the main point of contact is for their property. Details about how to register contact information is in the letter.Our next steps are to refine this study area into the preferred route. To help us do this a range of site investigations such as geotech, ecology, archaeology and cultural assessments will need to be carried out along the corridor. To undertake some of these investigations we will need to access private property.If we need to carry out an investigation on your property it does not necessarily mean your property will be affected by the project or need to be purchased. We won’t be able to confirm that level of detail until the preferred route has been approved by the NZTA Board in August/September 2025If you have any questions, please contact us by emailing [email protected] or phoning us on 0800 927 293.Ara Tūhono - Warkworth to Te Hana updatePPP Procurement updateThe team have been working hard to evaluate the submissions made during the Expression of Interest (EOI) phase, which closed on 2 May 2025. The next step is to select a shortlist from the applications received during the EOI phase who will then be invited to participate in the Request for Proposal (RFP), which will be issued by the end of June 2025.Ecology surveys updateWe have been carrying out a range of site investigations and surveys along the route for Ara Tūhono - Warkworth to Te Hana including geotech, surveying, archaeological and ecology. These investigations help inform the design for the new road.One of the key activities we have been busy doing is ecological surveys throughout forest and bush areas within, or close by, the project’s designation (or footprint). These surveys help us understand any impacts on the environment and how we can mitigate them.Freshwater surveys have been undertaken to determine and map ecological features such as streams and wetlands within these areas and land surveys have been targeting potential habitats for important animals and insects that may be living there. To date, we have carried out more than 30 ecology surveys along the 26km route.The team collects eDNA through a device placed in a fast-flowing stream section. After a day, the sample is sent to the lab to identify species in the area.Meet the teamMichaela Scarrott – EcologistI have surveyed and been involved with ecology (land and some freshwater) along the new route for Ara Tūhono - Warkworth to Te Hana.Tell us about yourself and your role:I’m passionate about protecting our native wildlife and their habitats. A main part of my role as an ecologist for this project is to assess the effects of construction on our native species and find solutions to manage any adverse effects that my occur.My days are never the same. Some days I am hiking though native forest surveying birds, or out at night searching through the leaf litter looking for Archie’s frogs. I might be found crawling into burrows during the day looking for kiwi, monitoring wetlands, or in the office reviewing spectrograms to find bats.What excites you about the Ara Tūhono – Warkworth to Te Hana project?Much of the forested and unforested areas are remote, and have not been previously surveyed, so it’s exciting to survey these spaces as we never know what we’re going to find on a given day. There are challenges involved with large scale projects, and I’m looking forward to helping find the best outcomes alongside all other teams involved.

Hestia Rodney Women’s Refuge is saying goodbye to a beloved member of the team — a trusty old van that has served with unwavering dedication for years. From late-night emergency pickups to delivering essential supplies during the Christchurch earthquakes, this van has been there through it all.Sadly, she has now failed her final Warrant of Fitness and is officially off the road. A true workhorse, her loss is deeply felt by the team.This van was more than just a vehicle. It was a lifeline — helping move women and children to safety, collect vital donations, and ensure support reached those in crisis. Without it, important work is being held back.Women’s Refuge is now reaching out to the community for support.If you or your business can loan, donate, or contribute towards a replacement van — even short-term — your help would mean the world. Every offer, big or small, brings them closer to getting back on the road and back to the frontline.To help, please message the team, email [email protected], or call 09 427 5154.Together, we can keep this essential service moving.

Heads up Mangawhai, Kaipara District Council (KDC) has advised the give way priority sign will be reversed on the one-way bridge on Cove Road just south of King Road. Currently the give way sign is on the flat heading from the Heads to Tara road.This will soon be reversed so that drivers headed to the Heads coming down the hill will have to give way. KDC has said this change comes following community feedback that reversing the priority will make the bridge safer for both directions. This announcement has already received mixed opinions, with locals both for and against this change.Works are pencilled in for Saturday 8 June. Please go slow and with caution until this new give way becomes common place as it may catch out a number of locals!

Amy Williams, JournalistOyster farmers north of Auckland say they need financial support and rates relief while harvesting is on hold due to pollution, or some businesses will close.Farmers in the Warkworth area are concerned Watercare still does not have an urgent solution to stop swimming-pool amounts of sewage being dumped into the water their livelihoods depend on.About 50 people from the oyster farming community met with Watercare on Monday, asking for an urgent solution to the discharges and financial relief in a meeting also attended by local MPs and councillor Greg Sayers.More rain on Monday led to another sewage overflow and Matakana Oysters owner Tom Walters said further delays would be crippling - each spill results in a 28-day ban on harvesting."I'm really pissed off about it today. Today we're facing it again and we won't survive, simple as that," he said.Watercare said a new pump station will be working from September at the earliest, stopping wet-weather sewage overflows into the Mahurangi River, which flows to the harbour."It's too late for me, it's too late for most of these guys. Our season generally goes from April till the end of December, three months will be left of the season then," Walters said.Mahurangi Oysters owner and operator Jim Aitken said they could not wait until September for sewage discharges to end."That gives us less than three months to sell a year's worth of oysters, which is just not physically possible. There's no way, even with the great support of the community we couldn't possibly sell enough oysters to cover this year's bills, so it's not a great sign."He said his and other farmers faced laying off staff."With no income, there's no way we can pay salaries. We would normally have four or five people, including myself this time of year, employed. We're down to one young guy and I don't want to let him go, but I'm not sure what we can do," Aitken said."I know a few others are struggling too. How do we even pay our bills? How do we even pay our rates that are supposed to prevent these things from happening? It's a struggle."He said many of the oyster farmers, from 10 companies, were suffering from stress."It's a question that's been keeping me up at night, for sure, how long we can survive and I can I don't have an answer yet."Watercare's incoming chief executive Jamie Sinclair and board chair Geoff Hunt, and other senior leaders, met with the oyster farmers on Monday.A spokesperson for the agency said the meeting was held "to listen to their concerns and talk through in detail the plans we have in place to significantly reduce overflows to the Mahurangi River that occur in wet weather"."It was a constructive session and we will be providing regular updates as our programme progresses," they said.Aitken said farmers have asked for an urgent solution, rates relief and financial support."We put our hearts on our sleeves and there were a few tears in a lot of people's eyes trying to trying to make sure the people at Watercare felt and cared about how we are struggling," he said."The oysters are actually doing their job as filter feeders, so they are cleaning up Watercare's mess but we can't do this for free and we cannot afford to get anyone sick."The farmers had paid rates and for consents to run their businesses that they could now not operate."We've paid a lot of money in the last couple of years on our consents and fees to do this, to do this job and of course those consents are no longer valid if we can't use them... to be able to grow oysters."We're hoping for some sort of relief, some sort of support, so we don't have to let go of people."The pressure on Mahurangi's wastewater network is a long-running issue and Auckland Council recently warned developers that no wastewater connections could be made to properties south of the river until upgrades are completed later this year.Watercare said its pipes in Elizabeth St, Warkworth, are nearing capacity and when it rains stormwater can enter the wastewater network and cause it to overflow into the river the street borders.It also said some household downpipes were incorrectly connected to the gully trap, instead of the wastewater network.The agency said it would reduce sewage overflows by installing a larger pipe at Elizabeth St, starting in August and this would be complete by the end of the year.Longer term, Watercare said it is designing a large pipeline that will carry wastewater from new developments north of the river in Warkworth, through the township to the new pump station at Lucy Moore Memorial Reserve, which would increase the network's capacity and be complete in 2028."This new pipeline is part of an investment of more than $450m to completely transform wastewater services for Warkworth and Snells Beach communities," a spokesperson said."The programme includes building a new pump station, a new treatment plant at Snells Beach, a transfer pipeline to connect them, and an ocean outfall.""The ocean outfall, transfer pipeline and pump station are already completed. The new treatment plant is on track to be finished and in service later this year, ending the discharge of treated wastewater to the Mahurangi River."Watercare chief strategy and planning officer Priyan Perera said they were focused on doing everything they could to deliver wastewater upgrades to prevent the pollution."We're doing everything we can to support them, we heard them yesterday and we've been listening for a long time now. Watercare is absolutely motivated to do what we can to support, to help and deliver the infrastructure as quickly as we can so that their businesses can thrive."Perera said the agency was working to resolve the spills with a pipe upgrade by September and longer term fix by 2028.He said they would go back to farmers to explore ways Watercare could support them."Typically as a public utility we don't pay compensation but what we have commited to is looking at other ways that we can work with the oyster growers and farmers to support them between now and when the short term and the long term solutions are delivered."Perera said Watercare had looked at trucking waste away."We've looked hard at how we might be able to store and tanker and move wastewater away but unfortunately there is nothing that's feasible, nothing that will work effectively."This article was originally published by RNZ

The new pedestrian bridge at Kōwhai Park is now open, making it safer and easier to walk or cycle to the Warkworth Community Transport Hub, Warkworth Showgrounds, and surrounding bush tracks.Construction on the project began in January and was completed last week. The 380-metre shared walkway includes a 300-metre concrete path and an 80-metre elevated timber boardwalk and bridge that spans a steep gully and floodplain.Rodney Local Board chair Brent Bailey says walkways and cycleways are a top priority for the board and the local community, especially in fast-growing towns like Warkworth.“People often tell us they want to be able to walk and cycle safely—especially children travelling to and from school,” says Bailey. “The new shared path in Kōwhai Park offers all this and more. It’s suitable for walkers, cyclists, and prams, with no steps or steep sections.”The elevated bridge reaches up to six metres above ground level at its highest point, offering scenic views of native bush and birdlife above and between the tree canopy.Whether you're heading to sports, catching a bus, or just enjoying a bush walk, the new route offers a peaceful, practical and safer alternative to the busy State Highway 1.You can access the walkway from 80 Great North Road or Heritage Lane in Warkworth.Come and check out your new path through the park — perfect for an easy stroll, bike ride, or family outing.

Ruth HillNorthland heart patients and doctors say it is harder to get specialist care there.Health NZ says there's no difference in "threshold" for care between Northland and Auckland.Recruitment is underway for a sixth specialist.The Heart Foundation says there's a lack of specialist services in some regions, leading to worse outcomes for patients.Heart patients in Northland have to be much sicker to even get a specialist appointment than if they lived in Auckland, which is where they get referred for surgery if they need it.That claim - by the region's cardiologists - appears to be backed up by Health NZ data, which shows huge variations in wait times between regions.Hokianga farmer Tokowhati Piripi lives with a ticking time bomb in his chest - an aortic aneurysm (a bulge in the wall of the main artery going to his heart), high blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat.The 69-year-old was waitlisted for surgery in November as "routine priority"."I started to run out of wind going up hills about two-and-a-half years ago. It's alright, as long as I don't try to walk up hills or do things," he said.His wife, Teina, said they have been told the current wait time for non-urgent operations is about nine months - "up to three times longer than it should be"."We're really worried that he could just cark it. He won't be able to see his mokopuna."The aneurysm could rupture at any time and then he will need emergency surgery in Auckland, probably transported by helicopter - as long as there is one available at the time."So that's the other way you get in front of the surgeon too," Teina Piripi said bleakly.She knows her husband faces "a triple whammy of health inequities": he is Māori, male and he lives in a rural area."Our acute services, the care you get here, is not the same."He has a higher risk of actually dying than if he keeled over in Auckland."According to Health NZ data, seen by RNZ, 116 Northland patients (about 17 percent) were waiting more than the target three months for a first specialist appointment in March.In Auckland, 120 patients - or about one in 10 - had waited too long.About 17 percent of Northland patients are waiting more than three months for a first specialist appointment. Photo: 123RFNorthland's head of cardiology service, Marcus Lee, said by the time he sees patients, they are sicker than they would be if they lived in Auckland.The first barrier to get a specialist appointment was getting a referral from a GP, and some Northland people struggle to get a GP."Secondly, the barriers to get a specialist review is much higher because we don't have the resources, the thresholds are much higher."And if we see someone who doesn't meet the threshold, we are depriving someone else of care."So it's just this constant juggling of who you can see within the right time frame."Auckland City had more than 20 cardiologists for a population of half a million, while Northland has just five to serve 200,000 people, he said.Health NZ was recruiting for another cardiologist for Northland, but he estimated they really needed eight or 10 specialists to get the same access as in Auckland.His team has worked hard to clear the backlog of patients waiting for first appointments - but that meant pushing back some patients with "known severe cardiac disease"."So you live with that right - sometimes you think 'Have I made the right call?'."And it's quite hard because you know GPs are under significant pressure, and they're working long hours too."Northland has no after-hours or weekend cardiology service, so general physicians pick up those patients.Auckland City Hospital at night.Health NZ says patients and their whānau are supported to travel to Auckland for specialist care. Anne Wetere, 62, is also waiting for a heart procedure.Three years ago, she collapsed at work the day after completing a half marathon."I said to them, 'I think i'm just dehydrated and I'll be fine'. But then five weeks later, I went into ED and they picked it up."She has had to go to Whangārei Hospital's emergency department 14 times with atrial fibrillation, when her heart suddenly starts racing at over 160 beats a minute."I wait and if it doesn't go back to normal, I have to go in."When I have an attack, it takes a whole day [to recover] and I have to take time off work as well, because I still work full-time."She had a specialist appointment last August and was put on the waiting list to be assessed by a surgeon, which finally happened in March.However, she has been told it could be eight to 10 months before she gets the procedure to fix it: cardiac ablation.Meanwhile, she has had to give up competitive waka ama and other activities."I just worry I might go into atrial fibrillation while I'm out on the water or away on trips."Health NZ says no difference in careIn a written response to RNZ, Health NZ's group director operations for Te Tai Tokerau, Alex Pimm, said the agency was " committed to providing timely access to services and reducing waiting times for patients"."We recently implemented an inpatient cardiology service at Whangārei Hospital. During the day, patients admitted to Whangārei Hospital for cardiac-related problems are now managed directly by cardiologists. Out of hours, the general medicine specialists continue to provide high-quality care to inpatients."Referrals were triaged based on clinical urgency, with the most urgent patients seen first, followed by those who had waited the longest among those triaged at the same priority."Ensuring people don't wait more than a year is important as part of reducing our overall waiting times as we strive to achieve the national target of no patient waiting longer than 120 days to be seen," he said.Te Toka Tumai Auckland provided the regional, tertiary cardiology service and performed the specialised cardiac surgeries and interventions for patients from Te Tai Tokerau."There is no difference in the thresholds for treatment for patients from Te Tai Tokerau. Patients and their whānau are supported to travel to Auckland for their specialist care."Health NZ was currently recruiting for another cardiologist.Meanwhile, cardiologists from Auckland were travelling to Whangārei Hospital to do additional outpatient clinics, echo reporting, MRI scans and cardiac angiography.Dr Gerry Devlin.Heart Foundation medical director Gerry Devlin says patients who don't have access to specialist care inevitably have poorer outcomes. Photo: Supplied / NZ Heart FoundationWait times worse in some regionsNationally, one in three patients who need cardiothoracic surgery are waiting longer than the required time-frame, according to data from March.More than one in four patients are waiting more than three months for a first cardiology appointment or treatment - but it's much worse in some regions.In Waikato, 48.2 percent of patients (419 people) waited longer than three months for a first specialist appointment, and 42.3 percent (437 people) waited too long for treatment.In Tairāwhiti, which has no permanent cardiologist, 98 percent of heart patients wait longer than three months to see a specialist.Heart Foundation medical director Gerry Devlin - who works at Gisborne Hospital one week in three - said patients who did not have access to specialist care inevitably had poorer outcomes."We need more specialists, we need more health professionals and we need those patients in the right places, like Northland and Tairāwhiti, to treat the patients with the worst burden of disease in our country."The public system also needed to work harder to retain the healthworkers it already had, he said.This story was originally published by RNZ

Heavy Rain WatchPeriod: 12hrs from 5pm Mon, 26 May - 5am Tue, 27 MayArea: NorthlandForecast: Periods of heavy rain with possible downpours. Amounts may approach warning criteria and possibly exceed them about localised areas, especially in downpours. Note, a Severe Thunderstorms Watch is also in place for Northland. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.Severe Thunderstorm WatchPeriod: 13hrs from 5pm Mon, 26 May - 6am Tue, 27 MayArea: Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Waitomo, TaranakiForecast: A front is expected to bring rain and a low risk of thunderstorms to western parts of the North Island from Taranaki northwards from this evening until around dawn Tuesday. Although the risk of thunderstorms is low, the risk of localised downpours occurring in this area is considered moderate. If they occur, downpours would likely produce rainfall rates of 25 to 40 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.

From today Monday 26 May, a new 110km/h speed limit will take effect on a 5.5-kilometre section of State Highway 1 (SH1) between north of Ōrewa and south of the Johnstones Hill Tunnels. The change applies to the Northern Gateway Toll Road, a major transport route linking Auckland with Northland.This section of motorway is used by approximately 11,000 vehicles each day, including a significant number of heavy vehicles. The speed limit increase is intended to support more efficient travel for both people and freight, contributing to improved transport productivity.The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) undertook public consultation on the proposal in late 2023. The process drew more than 7,900 submissions from residents across Auckland and Northland, with an overwhelming majority supporting the speed limit increase.The toll road was assessed by NZTA as being suitable for the higher speed limit based on its design and safety features. These include two lanes in each direction, physical median barriers, ample space for passing, and a generally straight, wide layout. Further safety upgrades for the corridor are also under consideration over the next 12 to 18 months.As with other parts of the motorway network, police will monitor and enforce the new speed limit. Motorists are reminded that enforcement applies equally across all roads, regardless of speed zoning.The 80km/h limit through the Johnstones Hill Tunnels will remain unchanged. Although the tunnels meet high safety standards, the enclosed environment presents different safety risks, and there are no current plans to review the speed for that specific section.The Northern Gateway Toll Road is a critical part of SH1, serving commuters, freight transporters, and visitors travelling between Auckland and Northland. The speed limit change is one of several steps aimed at improving travel efficiency along this strategic corridor.What people are finding confusing is why the speed limit hasn't also been increased on the new stretch of SH1 Puhoi to Warkworth leg. It seems strange that the new portion of the motorway has been omitted from this change. The public need to be aware that the speed limit will change 4 times between Orewa and Puhoi and will likely catch many people out resulting in more speeding fines.

Peter de GraafNew Zealand's first giant, grid-connected battery is set to open at Northland's Marsden Point on Friday.With an ability to pump up to 100 megawatts (MW) of power into the national grid, Meridian's battery site aims to solve one of the key shortcomings of solar power - that the sun often isn't shining when power is most in demand.The battery energy storage site (BESS) covers an area equivalent to two rugby fields and consists of 80 shipping-container-sized lithium-ion batteries, produced by French company Saft.Meridian is also planning to build one of the country's biggest solar power stations next to the battery site.Consent has already been granted for the solar farm, which will have about 200,000 panels spread over three sites totalling 172 hectares.Once completed next year, the solar farm's annual output is expected to total 150-200 gigawatt-hours (GWh), enough to power half the homes in Northland.The idea behind Meridian's Ruakākā Energy Park is that power generated by the solar farm can be stored in the batteries, then released to the national grid when most needed, for example during the evenings when domestic power use is high.The battery site is due to be opened on Friday afternoon by Shane Jones, the Northland-based Regional Development Minister and Associate Minister for Energy.Marsden Point used to be home to two 1970s-built oil-fired power stations, though one was never used.Both have since been dismantled but the high-voltage power lines needed to get electricity to Auckland remain in place.This story was first published by RNZ

A message from NZ Police:NZ Civil Defence are testing the Emergency Mobile Alert (EMA) system on Sunday 25 May, between 6-7pm If you have a hidden second phone for your safety, we recommend turning it off or putting it in flight mode for the duration of the test (6-7pm on Sunday 25 May) to ensure it’s not discovered when the nationwide Emergency Mobile Alert is sent.Some mobile devices set to silent mode will still emit a sound when the Emergency Mobile Alert test is sent, so switching to flight mode or turning off your device is the only way to avoid the loud sound of the alert.You can find more information about the Emergency Mobile Alert system, including a factsheet and list of FAQs at https://getready.govt.nz/prepared/ema

A 26-year-old Northland man has been charged with the murder of Geoffrey Ware on May 9.Police upgraded an enquiry into the 55-year-old’s death to a homicide investigation on May 12.Detective Senior Sergeant Michelle Harris, of Whangārei CIB, says Police are not seeking anyone else in connection with Mr Ware’s death.Police are still appealing for information and sightings on May 9 of a man and vehicle in the Parakao area between 8am-6.15pm.A photo of a 1999 blue and silver Mitsubishi L200 is being released today.“We are also interested in sightings of a man reportedly seen walking along SH14 that afternoon and evening,” Detective Senior Sergeant Harris says.“We are encouraging people to report on the portal link set up by the Operation Cossar enquiry team.”That portal link is https://cossar.nc3.govt.nz/"The enquiry is ongoing and we appreciate all the help we've received from members of the public," Detective Senior Sergeant Harris says. "We're appealing to anyone who hasn't come forward to please contact us."The man charged is currently remanded in custody, and will appear in the Whangārei High Court on May 26.

A major new commercial development, The Workshop, has been completed at 64 Matakana Valley Road - just at the back of Matakana Butchery, with 41 of the 50 units already sold. The development is a notable milestone in the growth of Matakana, which has evolved from a quiet rural village into a thriving lifestyle destination and hub for the surrounding coastal and rural communities.As more people make Matakana their permanent home and visitor numbers continue to grow, there has been increasing pressure on local infrastructure and commercial space. The Workshop meets this need by providing purpose-built, light industrial units suitable for a variety of businesses including trades, warehousing, logistics, creative studios, and small-scale retail. Each unit features high-stud construction, mezzanines, on-site parking, and fibre connectivity, with the complex also including visitor parking and plans for an on-site café.While this is a welcome addition for local business owners and operators—many of whom previously had to travel or work from home—the increased activity will also come with some growing pains. Traffic in and out of Matakana is already known to slow significantly on weekends, particularly during the popular Saturday farmers’ market. With more commercial tenants, customers, and suppliers coming and going, locals can expect further congestion, particularly at peak times.Nonetheless, the benefits of this kind of infrastructure are clear. By allowing more businesses to operate locally, The Workshop supports a more self-sufficient economy and reduces the reliance on neighbouring towns. It also brings new energy and opportunity to a community that continues to attract interest for its mix of rural charm and modern convenience.Visitors to Matakana can still enjoy everything the area is known for—boutique wineries, artisan food producers, the iconic Matakana Cinemas, art galleries, and easy access to beaches like Tāwharanui and Omaha. The completion of The Workshop signals that Matakana is no longer just a weekend destination—it’s a town building for the future.An onsite display unit is now open to the public: OPEN WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY, 11am – 1pm (or by appointment).The development is being marketed by Bayleys Real Estate. For more information or to view available units, visit: Bayleys Listing – The Workshop Matakana

After 145 years in business, Auckland department store Smith & Caughey's has announced it will close on 31 July.In a statement posted to social media, Smith & Caughey's said 98 staff would be made redundant when the Queen Street retail and online stores close.Smith & Caughey's closed its Newmarket store last year and reduced its CBD store to a single-floor format due to financial difficulties.The company cited increased competition from new shopping malls, continued economic uncertainty and low consumer confidence and spending power has contributed to their closure.Smith & Caughey's also said many city office workers were continuing to work from home, post-Covid.They said the city centre has also faced significant disruption and change in the form of ongoing roadworks and the slow progress of CRL causing traffic congestion.Smith & Caughey's were loved for their Christmas window displays. Photo: Supplied / Smith and Caughey'sThe company also said a large decline in foot traffic on Queen Street and an increase in parking costs had caused an impact, forcing the "heartbreaking" closure of the entire business."We are acutely aware that this has been a difficult and uncertain time for our staff and today's announcement is a deeply emotional one for all the team, our suppliers and our loyal customers," acting chief executive Matt Harray said."Our intention has always been to address the business challenges so that Smith & Caughey's can continue. Every attempt has been made to achieve this and every feasible option investigated, no stone left unturned."However, it's sadly clear it is no longer viable for us to keep the doors open."The online store will close on 30 May.This story was originally published by RNZ

As part of ongoing efforts to recover from the severe storms of 2023, Pūhoi residents are being encouraged to get involved in shaping the future of their community through a series of locally led events and activities.Following major flooding during the Auckland Anniversary weekend, Cyclone Gabrielle, and other significant weather events, the resilient riverside village is working with Auckland Council on long-term recovery and planning. The goal is to not only rebuild but to strengthen community connections and create a shared vision for Pūhoi’s future.Community-led group Pūhoi Vision & Action, formed by locals who first came together around emergency preparedness, is leading the charge. The group is focused on what matters most to residents – from protecting the area’s unique character to increasing disaster resilience and encouraging sustainable growth.Love Pūhoi – Share Your Vision: community event and photo competitionThe group’s first major community event, Love Pūhoi – Share Your Vision, takes place at the Pūhoi Centennial Hall on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May, from 10am to 2pm. Locals are warmly invited to attend, view the displays, and contribute their ideas for the future.A highlight of the weekend is the photo competition and exhibition, which features seven categories including: Community, Environment, Friends & Family, 2023 Floods, Businesses, Clubs or Groups, Under-16s, and People’s Choice. Each winning entry will receive a $50 gift card, and the photos will help visually express what people value most about life in Pūhoi.Main street of PūhoiShare your voice – take the Pūhoi surveyResidents are also being asked to complete a community survey, available via Pūhoi Vision & Action’s Facebook page and through a local mail drop. The survey asks what people love about Pūhoi and the nearby surrounds, what’s important, what could make life even better, and how we might get there together. For the online survey head here.All responses will be gathered and analysed to help identify themes and priorities. The findings will be shared with the community in July, helping everyone decide what actions to take next.Pizza night at Pūhoi Sports Club – 29 MayTo keep the conversation going, Pūhoi Vision & Action is also hosting a $10 Pizza Night at the Pūhoi Sports Club on Wednesday 29 May. Everyone is welcome to come along, enjoy a delicious pizza, and casually share their thoughts on what makes Pūhoi special – and what could make it even better.There’s no obligation or formality – just a relaxed night out with good food and community spirit.Supported by Auckland Council, led by PūhoiThis community engagement is being supported by Auckland Council, which has provided funding for a local facilitator to assist with gathering and sorting ideas. However, the process remains firmly community-led.The aim is to build local leadership, strengthen networks, and ensure that Pūhoi’s future reflects the values and hopes of the people who call it home.Your voice matters. Come along, join in, and help shape a stronger, more connected Pūhoi!

Gianina Schwanecke, Oyster farmers in the Warkworth area, north of Auckland, fear their businesses won't survive the year.They say the dumping of untreated raw sewage into the Mahurangi Harbour has led to frequent restrictions on their ability to harvest, and they're urging Watercare and Auckland Council to invest in waste treatment solutions that are effective and sustainable.Tim Aitken bought Mahurangi Oysters in 2020. Since then, he's invested his life savings in the business, including moving to a flip farm to make it more sustainable."In 2020 we had 20 odd days closure. And so far in 2025, we've been closed for 64 days which is 100 percent of our harvesting period so far," he said.They had been looking at exporting but now can't guarantee supply because of the closures.Aitken said the brand he'd spent the last five years developing was now by association with the harbour, "shot"."It's not just I can't sell oysters, our brand is Mahurangi oysters," he said.Aitken was frustrated and upset. He said it now looked like they could be closed the whole year which he feared the business would not survive."I hate to say it but we might not have a business by the end of the year."Meanwhile Tom Walters has been running Matakana Oysters for over 20 years."There's a few of us that are just very small oyster farmers. I'm not a big oyster farmer. We're just 'ma and pa' guys."Walters was also doubtful of the business' future."We've had many crises over the years but none have compared to this," he said."It's devastating. I'm looking at losing everything."It had also made him rethink New Zealand's reputation as a 'clean and green' country.Walters said it was an issue driven by infrastructure failing to keep up with the growth of Warkworth.He said such issues were popping up all around New Zealand, where growth was being allowed at the expense of the environment."There shouldn't be growth until the bloody infrastructure is in place. You don't build backwards. And that's what's happening everywhere."Walters said temporary measures designed to help have yet to be implemented and a more longterm solution will come too late.In a statement, Watercare chief strategy and planning officer Priyan Perera said the Auckland Council-controlled water services provide was developing a $450 million programme to transform wastewater services in the Warkworth area, including a new pipeline which will help reduce wet weather overflows to the Mahurangi River.The pipeline was not expected to be completed until 2028.While the new pipeline would make the biggest difference in reducing wet weather overflows to the river, Watercare was working to reduce the frequency of overflows in the shorter term.Perera said Watercare is in regular contact with Mahurangi Harbour oyster farmers about work being undertaken to improve the situation, including alerting them to the event of any overflows."We sympathise with the Mahurangi Harbour oyster farmers and are committed to improving the situation for them.Watercare will be meeting with the farmers next week to provide them with an update.This story was originally published by RNZ

Last month we updated you on the Kaipara District Council (KDC) approving a new 33-year lease for the surf club, as well as proposed plans for the overall redevelopment of the surf beach. You can read that here The long-term lease provides certainty for the club and ensures it can continue to deliver vital surf lifesaving services for many seasons to come.This positive development comes as work continues steadily on the large-scale slip repair behind the clubhouse, which was damaged during Auckland Anniversary severe weather event in 2023. A Dangerous Building Notice forced the closure of the facility, prompting Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service (MHVLS) to operate from temporary structures at the beach while repairs and planning progressed. This restricted access made rescue efforts more difficult for lifeguard staff.Earth Stability Limited (ESL), the contractor overseeing the slip remediation, reports that the project remains on schedule despite some poor weather over the Easter period. The site held up well, and the team made up for delays by working over weekends. All rock bolts have now been successfully installed, and the next stage—known as meshing—is about to begin.The meshing phase requires helicopter lifts that will take flight from the grassed beach car park area over the coming weeks. The public is advised to keep clear of this zone when directed by contractors.In line with ecological requirements, weed control has also begun across the historic Pā site, with native planting due to take place later in the year.The slip repair is still expected to be completed by July, in keeping with the original timeline. Once this work is finished, the focus will shift to repairing the damaged clubhouse and constructing a new seawall and boat ramp to enhance the club’s operational capabilities.The club acknowledges the strong support received from its members, volunteers, local councillors, and Kaipara District Council staff. For updates or to support the club’s ongoing work, visit www.mangawhaisurfclub.org.nz.

Parakao homicide investigation: Updated appealNorthland Police are continuing an appeal for information in relation to the death of Whangārei man Geoffrey Ware.A homicide investigation has been underway since the 55-year-old’s body was found at his Parakao home on May 9.Detective Senior Sergeant Michelle Harris, of Whangārei CIB, says a portal has been set up for any photos or video that could assist the case.“Police are still seeking information and sightings in the areas Mangakahia Road, Otaika Valley Road and State Highway 14 towards Whangārei, between 2pm and 8pm on Friday, May 9,” she says.“We are also interested in sightings of a 1999 blue and silver Mitsubishi L200 ute, registration GCM480, and a man reportedly seen walking along SH14 that afternoon and evening.”That portal link is https://cossar.nc3.govt.nz/Detective Senior Sergeant Harris says the enquiry team is continuing to follow strong lines of enquiry.“Police would like to thank members of the public who’ve provided information to the enquiry team to date.”Anyone with additional information can also update Police online now or call 105 using the file number 250509/6749.Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.