Warkworth RegionMonday 9th Oct - Cloudy periods, with a few showers mainly this afternoon and evening. Fresh southwesterlies, becoming strong this afternoon.Tuesday 19th Oct - Partly cloudy with isolated showers. Fresh southwesterlies.Wednesday 20th Oct - A few showers, clearing to fine. Southwesterlies.Thursday 21st Oct - Cloudy. Southwesterlies.Friday 22nd Oct - A few showers, clearing to mostly cloudy weather. Westerlies.Mangawhai RegionMonday 9th Oct - Cloudy periods with the chance of a shower. Southwesterlies.Tuesday 19th Oct - Fine. Fresh southwesterlies, easing.Wednesday 20th Oct - Few showers developing, clearing later. Southwesterlies.Thursday 21st Oct - Cloudy. Southwesterlies.Friday 22nd Oct - Cloudy. Westerlies.

Police are seeking the public’s assistance to locate missing Auckland man Craig McDowall.The 55-year-old was last seen by family in mid-September and enquiries to locate him have been ongoing.Craig resides in the Mt Wellington area but could be anywhere in Auckland or further.His family is very concerned about him and want to know that he is okay.If you have seen Craig or may know where he is then please contact Police on 105 quoting file number 231006/6020.

Police would like to reassure our Warkworth community following a serious incident yesterday afternoon.Police had stopped a vehicle at around 2:30pm on Old State Highway 1. A man fled from the passenger seat into the nearby bush and Police soon established he was a patched gang member who was breaching his EM bail and was wanted on serious charges.Police were notified by a member of the public that the offender was in the Warkworth shopping centre area. Armed Police cordoned the area and took all precautious with the safety of the community our priority.The man was eventually taken into custody and now faces further charges including two of possession of an offensive weapon, one of resisting Police and breaching his EM Bail conditions.We would like to thank our community for their patience while Police resolved this incident.

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, 13 October 2023.Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am. NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)SH1 southbound to SH18 westbound link, 11-12 October (approx. 8:00pm to 5:30am)Onewa Road southbound on-ramp, 10 OctoberOnewa Road northbound off-ramp, 9 October (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Stafford Road northbound off-ramp, 9 October (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Curran Street northbound on-ramp, 9 October (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Shelly Beach Road southbound off-ramp, 10 October CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)Fanshawe Street southbound off-ramp, 10 OctoberSouthbound lanes between Fanshawe Street off-ramp and Greenlane on-ramp, 11-12 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 southbound to SH16 westbound link, 11-12 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 southbound to SH16 eastbound (Port) link, 11-12 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Hobson Street southbound on-ramp, 11-12 OctoberHobson Street westbound on-ramp, 11-12 OctoberSH16 eastbound to SH1 southbound link, 11-12 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Symonds Street southbound on-ramp, 11-12 OctoberWestbound lanes between Stanley Street off-ramp and Grafton Road on-ramp, 11-12 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH16 (Port) westbound to SH1 southbound link, 11-12 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 Wellesley Street East northbound off-ramp, 8-9 OctoberSH16 Wellesley Street East eastbound off-ramp, 8-9 OctoberWellesley Street East westbound on-ramp, 8-9 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH16 (Port) westbound to SH1 southbound link, 9-10 OctoberGrafton Road southbound on-ramp, 9-12 October SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Khyber Pass Road southbound on-ramp, 11-12 OctoberSt Marks Road southbound on-ramp, 11-12 OctoberSouthbound lanes between Greenlane off-ramp and Mt Wellington Highway on-ramp, 9-10 October (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)Greenlane southbound on-ramp, 9-10 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Tecoma Street southbound on-ramp, 9-10 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Ellerslie-Panmure Highway southbound on-ramp, 9-10 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Princes Street off-ramp and Princes Street on-ramp, 8 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Mt Wellington Highway off-ramp and East Tamaki Road on-ramp, 8 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Mt Wellington Highway southbound on-ramp, 8 OctoberPrinces Street southbound on-ramp, 8 OctoberHighbrook Drive southbound on-ramp, 8 OctoberEast Tamaki Road northbound on-ramp, 11-12 OctoberEast Tamaki Road northbound off-ramp, 11-12 OctoberSouthbound lanes between Redoubt Road off-ramp and Takanini on-ramp, 9-12 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 southbound to SH20 northbound link, 9-12 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Redoubt Road southbound on-ramp, 9-12 OctoberHill Road northbound on-ramp, 11 OctoberSouthbound lanes between Takanini off-ramp and Takanini on-ramp, 8 October (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Papakura southbound off-ramp, 11-12 OctoberPapakura southbound on-ramp, 8-12 OctoberNorthbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 9-11 OctoberDrury/SH22 northbound on-ramp, 9-11 OctoberSH1 southbound to SH2 eastbound link, 10 OctoberSouthbound lanes between Hampton Downs off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 9-10 & 12 OctoberNorthbound lanes between Hampton Downs off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 9-10 & 12 October (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Te Kauwhata northbound on-ramp, 6-13 October (24/7)Te Kauwhata northbound off-ramp, 6-13 October (24/7) NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)Southbound lanes between Muriwai Road and Foster Road, 8-12 OctoberNorthbound lanes between Foster Road and Muriwai Road, 8-12 OctoberGreat North Road eastbound off ramp (Waterview southbound tunnel closed), 9 OctoberSH16 eastbound to SH20 southbound (Waterview southbound tunnel closed), 9 OctoberSH16 westbound to SH20 southbound link (Waterview southbound tunnel closed), 9 October UPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)Westbound lanes between Paul Matthews Road and Albany Highway on-ramp,Paul Matthews Road westbound on-ramp, 11-12 October (approx. 8:00pm to 5:30am)Eastbound lanes between Albany Highway off-ramp and Paul Matthews Road, 8-10 October (approx. 8:00pm to 5:30am)SH18 eastbound to SH1 northbound link, 8-10 October (approx. 8:00pm to 5:30am)Albany Highway eastbound on-ramp, 8-10 October (approx. 8:00pm to 5:30am) SOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)Southbound lanes between Puhinui Road off-ramp and Lambie Drive on-ramp, 8 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Puhinui Road off-ramp and SH1 links, 9-11 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Puhinui Road southbound on-ramp, 8-11 OctoberCavendish Drive southbound on-ramp, 8-11 OctoberSouthbound lanes between Lambie Drive off-ramp and SH1 links, 12 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Lambie Drive southbound on-ramp, 9-12 OctoberSH20 southbound to SH1 northbound link, 9-12 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH20 southbound to SH1 southbound link, 9-12 October (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 link, 10 October 

Te Whatu Ora has identified key locations of interest in the latest measles case.The health agency issued an alert for the whole country after a Northland student diagnosed with the disease attended a week-long Shakespeare theatre production at Scots College in Wellington.Students attending the event then travelled to other parts of the country and the infected student took a Jetstar flight (JQ258) to Auckland on Tuesday.Te Whatu Ora asked those students to isolate until they have been contacted by public health.Other key locations of interest include:Roxy Cinema and café (Paw Patrol), 5 Park Road Miramar, Saturday 30 September, 9.30am to 12.30pmAfter Hours Pharmacy, 17 Adelaide Road, Newtown, Wellington, Sunday 1 October, 9pm to 10pmWellington zoo, 200 Daniell Street, Newtown, Wellington, 1 October, 9.15am to 11pmWellington metlink bus, no 1 Adelaide road to Courtenay place, 1 October, about 9.56pmZambrero restaurant, 57 Courtenay Place, Te Aro, Wellington, 1 October, 9.55pm to 11pmWhitby's Restaurant + Bar, James Cook Hotel, 147 The Terrace, Wellington, Monday 2 October, 5.30pm to 7pmWellington domestic airport, Stewart Duff Drive, Rongotai, Wellington, Tuesday 3 October, 10.30am to 1pmJetstar flight Wellington to Auckland, 3 October, 2.15pm to 4pmAuckland domestic airport including the Jetstar baggage carousel, 3 October, 1.15pm to 2.15pmNational Public Health Service interim clinical lead Dr William Rainger said people who were at locations of interest at the same time as the case should get vaccinated if they were not immune, or were unsure, and watch out for symptoms."Those at high risk will be contacted directly by public health in the next few days," Rainger said."Northland health staff are working closely with the case and their household, who have been very proactive in helping us trace contacts, and we would like to thank them for their support."Te Whatu Ora advised people who suspected they had measles is suspected to stay at home and call their healthcare provider or Healthline on 0800 611 116 for more advice.Measles signs and symptomsIt usually takes 10-12 days from exposure to the first symptom.The illness begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis (inflammation in the eyes), which lasts for 2-4 days.It may be possible to see small white spots (Koplik spots) inside the mouth.A rash appears 2-4 days after the first symptoms, beginning at the hairline and gradually spreading down the body to the arms and legs. The rash lasts for up to one week.Te Whatu Ora also reminded people to stay up to date with their immunisation."If you are unsure whether you have had one or two doses of MMR, for most people it's safe to get vaccinated again," Rainger said."However, if you are pregnant or have a health condition meaning you have a weakened immune system, please speak to your health care provider before getting vaccinated as it may not be appropriate."This story was originally posted on RNZ News

Telehealth workers have voted to strike this weekend for the second time in less than a month over their stalled pay negotiations.The 300 workers, employed by Healthline, GP After Hours, the Poisons Centre and other services run by Whakarongorau Aotearoa will walk off the job for 24 hours from five o'clock on Sunday evening.A mental health response nurse and PSA delegate, Jane McQuarrie, said the current pay offer did not reflect the cost of living."We're seeing a lot of issues with retaining staff due to the low pay rates, work intensity and continued pressure to take on more and more work."Also, people are leaving in droves.""If workers can't meet their own financial, physical, and mental health needs, how can they come to work each day ready to support the needs of our country?" McQuarrie said.Despite mediation following the first strike last month September 16, the workers say the offer on the table is not enough to stop further industrial action.A delegate for the Nurses Organisation, Bruce Tomlinson, said the mediation ordered by the Employment Court during Whakarongorau's attempt to interdict the first strike had made little difference."We entered the mediation in good faith with the hope that the employer would make a decent wage offer, and while there were some good improvements on offer for some workers, this ultimately did not materialise."This strike is really about the workers getting paid a fair wage. Quite frankly we're asking for a cost-of-living increase, but their new offer is not even close to that."Since the last strike in mid-September, five people from the mental health team had resigned, he said."How do you expect to continue to run these services when our members are leaving for higher pay?"Whakarongorau's admission that it did show a surplus of about $7 million in 2021/22 but failed to invest in staff retention or recruitment only highlighted the issue which led to the impasse, he continued."It only exposes where employees' wellbeing sits on Whakarongorau's list of priorities."RNZ has approached Whakarongorau Aotearoa for its response.Whakarongorau workers provide nationwide support to callers through Healthline, 1737 Need to Talk?, Ambulance Secondary Triage, National Poisons Centre, GP After Hours, Earlier Mental Health Response, Shine Domestic Abuse Helpline, Diver Emergency Service Hotline, NZ Defence Force Mental Health Line and others.This story was originally posted by RNZ News

Hello Friends!Daily Organics have some exciting news they would like to share with our readers. They are opening their brand-new shop this Saturday 7th October!Open from 9 am till 1 pm they are located right in the heart of Matakana Village. Behind Premium Real Estate, 9 Matakana Valley Road.They have also expanded their range!Aside from the classic range of Original Classic Kombucha, Lemon & Ginger Classic, Chai Spices & Ginger Classic they are now producing soft drinks perfect for your summer cocktails or mocktails - Rose Lemonade, Classic Lemonade and Ginger Beer. Plus they have introduced a tea range as well. Boy have they been busy growing Scoby’s for your drinking pleasure!Go along and check out their beautiful store, they have put a lot of time, love, and design into it and deserve your support. And you deserve to have something healthy but delicious in your life! The fridges are chilled fully stocked with their full range. Support Local, it’s a win win!Check our their website , FB and IG

Warkworth RegionFriday 6th October - Cloudy periods. Patchy drizzle until evening. Southwesterlies, turning northwesterly late evening.Saturday 7th October - A few showers, turning to rain with heavy falls for a time in the afternoon and evening. Northwesterlies, turning southerly in the afternoon.Sunday 8th - Fine, then a few showers developing in the afternoon. Fresh southerlies developing in the afternoon.Mangawhai RegionFriday 6th October - Partly cloudy. Southwesterlies, turning northwesterly late evening.Saturday 7th October - Showers, turning to rain for a time in the afternoon and evening. Northwesterlies, easing in the afternoon.Sunday 8th - Partly cloudy, with showers developing in the morning, some possibly heavy. Fresh southerlies developing in the afternoon.

Expanding Rodney’s footpath network is picking up pace with a $23 million investment set to deliver 31 footpaths across Rodney.The footpath programme, which began in 2020 and is funded through the Rodney Local Board Transport Targeted Rate, has made steady progress with eight footpaths complete, four more under construction and another 19 moving through the investigation and design stages.Local Board chair Brent Bailey says footpaths are a priority for the local board and community who want to expand the network, so it’s easier and safer for people to get around.“People often tell us about their children who can’t walk to school, that they can’t walk outside their homes and about roads that are getting busier and aren’t safe for pedestrians,” he says.“It’s very important these footpath projects deliver the maximum benefit for our area. We use funding criteria to decide where new footpaths are built which includes busy school routes, well-used pedestrian routes, and linking existing and new developments which extends our pedestrian network even further.”The targeted rate delivers transport projects in the local board area which are excluded from the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2031. It follows the principle that revenue collected from each of the board’s four subdivisions is only used for projects delivered in that subdivision.Bailey says that each footpath project and the associated costs are monitored carefully through to delivery stage.“Auckland Transport regularly reconciles the budget to maintain proportionality across subdivisions. Sometimes there’s good news, if savings are made or other funding sources become available, the funds can be reallocated to more projects for that subdivision.”Better access to the park that will be developed at Green Road is a priority for the Dairy Flat community, with $620,000 allocated for a footpath through the park.Another $695,000 has been allocated to build the Rodney Street footpath and pedestrian overbridge which will keep Wellsford residents safe when crossing the railway line.The board will also look at additional footpath projects for the Kumeū subdivision using funds reallocated from the cancelled Huapai Community Transport Hub project.Footpaths under construction or completed by Wellsford contractor Wharehine Construction Ltd include:Kumeū – Matua Road (complete), Tapu Road (complete), York Terrace (complete), Princes Street East (complete), Princes Street West (complete), George Street (complete), Alice Street and King Street (underway).Dairy Flat – Dairy Flat Highway to Postman Road (complete).Warkworth – Pakiri Road, Leigh (underway), Wech Drive, Warkworth (underway) and Leigh Road, Whangateau (underway).Wellsford – School Road (underway).Auckland Transport are finalising contracts with Wharehine Construction to deliver footpaths at Albert Street, Leigh; Puhoi Road, Puhoi; Goodall Road, Snells Beach; Rodney Street, Wellsford; Point Wells Road, Point Wells; Ahuroa Road, Puhoi and Olympus Road, Wellsford.

Finn Blackwell, ReporterAucklanders could be facing a double-digit rates hike next year, as the city council again looks at how to cover costs.Earlier this year, Auckland Council put rates up by 7.7 percent as part of a plan to plug its $325 million budget hole.Looking ahead, the council had said those rates could nearly double next year from a starting point of 13.75 percent, as it looks to once again balance the books.Many Aucklanders saw rising costs in the city as a sign of the times.Some ratepayers in central Auckland told RNZ a rates hike was the last thing they need.One said a 13.75 percent increase was "outrageous", while another said they were not getting anything for their money.An Auckland Council spokesperson said rates of 13.75 percent for the next financial year, were forecast for their Long Term Plan, as a result of decisions made for this year's annual budget.People said living in the city was already unaffordable, a unanimous answer by those RNZ spoke to.This year's 7.7 percent rates rise meant the average property owner was paying an extra $253 per year.A 13.75 percent increase would be an annual increase up to $487.Auckland councillor Shane Henderson said the council needed to take a closer look at its spending."We need to look at what our expenditure is, and then out of it will come a rates figure," he said."[13.75 percent] is certainly something that's in play but I don't think that's going to pass, and we need to get something across the line that the majority of councillors and the majority of Aucklanders want."He said a double-digit rates increase would be tough for residents and businesses already struggling with the cost of living.But Henderson said it would be months before any rates increase was decided."Luckily, we've got many months to work on this, to try and knock together a budget that, I think, will be a bit more palatable, we've just got to work really hard on it."Cuts to council services were not the answer, he said."It's not as simple as cutting your way to prosperity, that's never really worked," he said.Chief executive of the central city business association Viv Beck said any further costs to businesses would hit them hard.Viv Beck. Photo: Supplied / HOTC"They're certainly still noticing the impact of increased costs, high interest rates, and we're not through this yet," she said."I think any talk about increased costs to business is concerning, particularly for those businesses that are really struggling."Auckland Ratepayers Alliance spokesperson Jordan Williams said it was opposed to a double-digit rates hike."The big problem that Auckland Council has is the chickens are coming home to roost," he said."All that money that Len Brown, and Phil Goff have borrowed, now comes with an enormous interest bill attached."A spokesperson for Brown said he had no intention of proposing those types of increases.They said he wanted things done better, cheaper, and faster and had made it clear that everyone needed to work together to stop such rises.This story was originally published by RNZ

𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: Missing person Dylan BarfordPolice are appealing for dashcam footage, sightings, or any relevant information on the whereabouts of missing West Auckland man Dylan Barford.Dylan has been missing now for over a week. He was last seen in CCTV footage (pictured) walking north along Guntan Drive past Kedgley Road, which is adjacent to the Westgate Mall shops, just before 1am on Sunday 24 September 2023.Police are appealing to residents of, or people who travelled through the Westgate, Whenuapai or Hobsonville areas early on Sunday 24 September, to please check their dashcam video, or outside home CCTV video, for possible vision of Dylan.Dylan is 34 years old, of medium build, 168cm tall and has tattoos on the rear of his right elbow and left forearm. He was last seen wearing a black jacket and blue adidas tear away pants late on Saturday evening 23 September.Please contact Police on 105, referencing case file number 230924/2185 if you find any footage of a person matching that description, in the early hours of Sunday 24 September.

A Northland council aims to switch to electric buses and tap into solar power as part of an "ambitious" plan to go carbon-zero by 2050.Northland Regional Council (NRC) has voted to slash the organisation's carbon emissions in half by 2030 and to net zero by 2050, with the aim of achieving "climate-positive status" from 2050 on.NRC chair Tui Shortland said the plan was "unashamedly ambitious" but analysis done so far on potential emissions reductions indicated the goal was achievable.She said scientific evidence around human-induced climate change was unequivocal and the council, which is responsible for environmental regulations in Northland, was well positioned to display strong leadership on the issue."Climate change is an existential threat and therefore vital that we reduce greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible," Shortland said.The Northland Regional Council's move highlights the diverging views among Northland's local authorities, with the Kaipara District Council voting earlier this week to axe some of its climate-related measures.At its September meeting, Kaipara councillors voted to discontinue the organisation's climate policy and cancel its emission accounting contract.Kaipara mayor Craig Jepson said the move would save ratepayers about $33,000 and prevent double-ups with work already being done by central government.Kaipara mayor Craig Jepson says he would rather give funding to "real" activities. Photo: Supplied / Kaipara District CouncilThe climate policy and emission accounting had been budgeted in the council's 2021-31 Long Term Plan but there was no statutory requirement to carry out either.Funding would, however, continue for activities that were "real", Jepson said."We must continually look for savings and efficiencies in our budgets wherever we can. I would rather give funding to activities that are real, actions such as supporting the Raupō Drainage Scheme, which has shown tangible benefits as evidenced in Cyclone Gabrielle earlier this year and responds directly to the effects of weather events," he said."It's obvious that central government covers all these issues and we are repeating a process that we don't need to."Meanwhile, central to the Northland Regional Council's net-zero plan is the electrification of Whangārei's CityLink bus fleet by 2030.Other possible moves include making the council's vehicle fleet fully electric and installing solar arrays to cover all electricity consumption.The regional council currently currently has 78 vehicles, six of which are full EVs while 18 are plug-in hybrids.Shortland said meeting the new targets would require putting "an emissions reduction lens" across all aspects of council business.In the long term, the council would also need to develop a carbon removal/offset investment plan.Collectively the measures could slash the council's annual carbon emissions from 1288 tonnes annually to 644 tonnes by 2030, and 128 tonnes by 2050.Costings and detailed plans for cutting emissions had yet to be worked through, but feasibility studies would be carried out and business cases developed ahead of any significant spending.She expected an increased budget would be sought through the long-term plan process for initiatives such as fleet electrification and a feasibility study for electrification of Whangārei's buses.Some measures, such as installing more solar arrays, could save ratepayers money.The emissions reduction and net-zero targets were adopted at a meeting in Kaitāia on 26 September."The effects of climate change will increasingly disrupt our water, land, ecosystems, people and economy and Northland communities are particularly exposed," Shortland said."Many of our most vulnerable community members, settlements, town centres and roads sit on coastal floodplains, exposed to sea level rise and increased flooding. Negative impacts on human health will also affect our communities."This story was originally published by RNZ

Rayssa Almeida, ReporterAuckland needs to urgently address old infrastructure if it wants to avoid further water contamination, an environmental ecologist says.Tonnes of debris has been removed from the blocked pipe where a 13-metre deep sinkhole opened in Parnell a week ago, with hundreds of litres of sewage per second being pumped into the Waitematā Harbour since.Watercare postponed until Tuesday the laying of a temporary pipeline to reduce the wastewater overflow.The pipeline was expected to go in on Monday, but Watercare said crews spent the day preparing the ground.Victoria University ecology and environmental science senior researcher Dr Mike Joy said the problem was not new."This is in the news because it's a big one, but wastewater has been leaking from the broken infrastructure in Auckland as it is in many cities in New Zealand for a long time and much smaller levels."At least over the last two decades I've seen many of the broken pipes and slow discharges into streams."He said the issue was a result of aged infrastructure that had never been updated."This is just a spike in an ongoing failure of critical sewage infrastructure. Some of those pipes and networks are ancient and Auckland is growing incredibly fast and not keeping up with that."This diagram shows the impact of the sinkhole on the Ōrākei main sewer. Photo: WatercareWatercare said until the bypass was completed, hundreds of litres of waste per second were being pumped into the Waitematā Harbour."The amount of wastewater in this part of the network fluctuates throughout the day, as the volume increases during wet weather and decreases in dry weather."We don't have flow meters at the overflow locations, so our best estimate of the overflow volume is that it's several hundred litres per second. It's a high-volume overflow and we're doing everything we possibly can to put an end to it as soon as possible."Joy said the contamination could have serious effects on the sea life."There are nutrients in [the sewage] that will drive algal blooms in the harbour and the waterways, which can limit the sunlight available and cause lack of oxygen in water."Human waste tends to be really high and some unusual things like oestrogens, some hormones and nettles, and there's often industrial waste going into these wastewater systems as well."That can cause big problems in the aquatic balance."He said water life would carry damaging consequences."Shellfish will accumulate the pathogens from the wastewater, and those pathogens can live a lot longer inside the shellfish."So even when the water tests come clear for pathogens and it's safe to swim again, you can still have high levels of potentially dangerous pathogens in shellfish for a lot longer."It will still be unsafe to eat it for quite a long time."Joy said the issue was ongoing and needed to be addressed urgently to avoid an even greater environmental damage."That's not the only place that wastewater is leaking into the harbour, there are many other points. Some of it tends to be not directly into harbour, but into the streams that flow into it, so they get flushed through when you have a big rainfall event."The government should be taking a precautionary approach, he said."We have this kind of tendency to not do anything about an issue until we have to. Everyone knows how dangerous this is, and we should be upgrading the wastewater infrastructure so that it doesn't happen again."We need to start thinking of the longer term, climate change is here."'Stay out of the water' - National Public HealthA global study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that bathing in polluted seas caused 250 million cases of gastroenteritis and upper respiratory disease every year.The group of experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection - GESAMP - said most illnesses are caused by pathogens."They cause a wide variety of acute illnesses including diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and hepatitis A."Pathogenic bacteria can survive in the sea from a few days to several weeks, while viruses can survive in water, fish or shellfish for several months. The hepatitis virus can remain viable in the sea for over a year," it said.Twenty-four inner-city beaches in Auckland were closed for swimming due to the wastewater overflow.Te Whatu Ora national public health northern region medical officer of health Dr David Sinclair said the amount of different diseases that could come from contact with contaminated water was concerning."If people get into the water they could [get] several types of skin infections, eye and ear infections and get respiratory infections as well."And of course, they can also get gastroenteritis from any gastro bugs that might be in the water at the same time. That is contagious and could result in an outbreak."He said water activities should be avoided, as well as letting pets in."It's preferable for people to stay out of the water until the all clear is given, including air paddling and kayaking."Pets too can be affected by infections as much as humans, so it's best for them to be kept away."Fishing was also not recommended."Particularly not shell fishing, as they absorb those sewage nutrients for quite a while," Sinclair said.This story was originally published by RNZ

Early voting is now open so you can vote now if you would like to.The main voting day is Saturday 14th October.Kaipara ki Mahurangi ElectorateIncludes Puhoi, Parakai, Kaukapakapa, Warkworth, Matakana, Leigh, Pakiri, Wellsford, Te Hana, Te Arai, Tapora and Tomarata.Candidates for Northland the 2023 General ElectionBAILEY, Brent ACT New ZealandBREWER, Sarah DemocracyNZBROWN, Zephyr Green PartyMARCROFT, Jenny New Zealand First PartyPENK, Chris National PartyWISHART, Guy Labour PartyNorthland ElectorateIncludes Kaiwaka, Mangawhai, and the rest of Northland, with exception to Whangarei which is its own electorate.Candidates for Northland the 2023 General ElectionCAMERON, Mark ACT New Zealand FEYEN, Michael New Zealand Loyal FINLAYSON, Mike Northland Party JONES, Shane Geoffrey New Zealand First Party KING, Matt DemocracyNZ LYE, Jeffrey Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party McCALLUM, Grant National Party PENNEY, Reina Tuai Green Party PRIME, Willow-Jean Labour Party To find out which electorate you are in go to the mapTo enrol to vote or change your details onlineVoting LocationsOrewa Community Centre, Main Hall 40-46 Orewa SquareTue 3 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMWed 4 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMThu 5 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMFri 6 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMSat 7 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMSun 8 Oct 10:00 AM - 5:00 PMMon 9 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMTue 10 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMWed 11 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMThu 12 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMFri 13 Oct 9:00 AM - 5:00 PMSat 14 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMPAK'nSAVE Silverdale, Portacom- 20 Hibiscus Coast HighwayTue 3 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMWed 4 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMThu 5 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMFri 6 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMSat 7 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMSun 8 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMMon 9 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMTue 10 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMWed 11 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMThu 12 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMFri 13 Oct 9:00 AM - 5:00 PMSat 14 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMPūhoi Fire Station 52 Ahuroa RoadSat 14 Oct9:00 AM - 7:00 PMMahurangi West Hall 401 Mahurangi West RoadSat 14 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMMatakana Community Hall 43 Matakana Valley RoadSat 7 Oct 9:00 AM - 6:00 PMSun 8 Oct 9:00 AM - 6:00 PMMon 9 Oct 9:00 AM - 6:00 PMTue 10 Oct 9:00 AM - 6:00 PMWed 11 Oct 9:00 AM - 6:00 PMThu 12 Oct 9:00 AM - 6:00 PMFri 13 Oct 9:00 AM - 5:00 PMSat 14 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMPoint Wells Hall 5 Point Wells RoadSat 14 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMLeigh School 22 Hauraki RoadSat 14 Oct9:00 AM - 7:00 PMMahurangi East Tennis Club 296 Mahurangi East RoadSat 7 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sun 8 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMMon 9 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMTue 10 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMWed 11 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMThu 12 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMFri 13 Oct9:00 AM - 5:00 PMSat 14 Oct9:00 AM - 7:00 PMMahurangi College Hall Foyer 2 Woodcocks RoadSat 14 Oct9:00 AM - 7:00 PMPAK'nSAVE Warkworth Hudson Road (corner State Highway 1)Tue 3 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMWed 4 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMThu 5 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMFri 6 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMSat 7 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMSun 8 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMMon 9 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMTue 10 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMWed 11 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMThu 12 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMFri 13 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMSat 14 Oct9:00 AM - 7:00 PMWarkworth Masonic Hall 3 Baxter StreetTue 3 Oct8:30 AM - 6:00 PMWed 4 Oct8:30 AM - 6:00 PMThu 5 Oct8:30 AM - 6:00 PMFri 6 Oct8:30 AM - 6:00 PMSat 7 Oct8:30 AM - 6:00 PMSun 8 Oct8:30 AM - 6:00 PMMon 9 Oct8:30 AM - 6:00 PMTue 10 Oct8:30 AM - 7:00 PMWed 11 Oct8:30 AM - 7:00 PMThu 12 Oct8:30 AM - 7:00 PMFri 13 Oct8:30 AM - 5:00 PMSat 14 Oct9:00 AM - 7:00 PMWarkworth School Hall 35 Hill StreetSat 14 Oct9:00 AM - 7:00 PMPort Albert Hall 980 Port Albert RoadSat 14 Oct9:00 AM - 7:00 PMWellsford District Community Centre 1 Matheson RoadTue 3 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMWed 4 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMThu 5 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMFri 6 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMSat 7 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMSun 8 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMMon 9 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMTue 10 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMWed 11 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMThu 12 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMFri 13 Oct9:00 AM - 5:00 PMSat 14 Oct9:00 AM - 7:00 PMTe Hana Te Ao Marama Māori Cultural Centre 311 State Highway 1Sat 7 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMSun 8 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMMon 9 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMTue 10 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMWed 11 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMThu 12 Oct9:00 AM - 6:00 PMFri 13 Oct9:00 AM - 5:00 PMSat 14 Oct9:00 AM - 7:00 PMTomarata School Hall 8 Pakiri Block RoadSat 14 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMKaiwaka War Memorial Hall 4 Kaiwaka-Mangawhai RoadSat 14 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMMangawhai Beach School Recreation Centre 34 Insley StreetSat 14 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMNew World Mangawhai Car Park- 83 Molesworth Drive Tue 3 Oct 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Wed 4 Oct 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Thu 5 Oct 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Fri 6 Oct 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sat 7 Oct 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Sun 8 Oct 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Mon 9 Oct 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Tue 10 Oct 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Wed 11 Oct 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Thu 12 Oct 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Fri 13 Oct 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Sat 14 Oct 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMFor a full list and map go here

Warkworth RegionMonday 2nd October - Cloudy periods. Possible drizzle this morning. Rain developing for a time this evening, possibly heavy. Westerlies, strong this afternoon and early evening.Tuesday 3rd October - Isolated showers clearing early, then fine. Fresh southwesterlies, easing in the afternoon.Wednesday 4th - Fine. Southeasterlies, turning southwesterly in the morning.Thursday 5th - Cloudy periods, with isolated showers developing. Southwesterlies, becoming fresh.Friday 6th - Cloudy, clearing and becoming fine. Westerlies developing.Saturday 7th - Cloudy, with occasional rain developing later. Northwesterlies, becoming fresh.Sunday 8th - Showers with westerlies.Mangawhai RegionMonday 2nd October - Partly cloudy. Rain developing late this evening. Westerlies.Tuesday 3rd October -Fine. Fresh southwesterlies, easing in the afternoon.Wednesday 4th - Fine. Southerlies, turning westerly in the evening.Thursday 5th - Fine, but becoming cloudy. Southwesterlies, easing.Friday 6th - Partly cloudy with southwesterlies.Saturday 7th - Partly cloudy, with rain developing. Northwesterlies.Sunday 8th - Showers with westerlies.

Early voting is opening today and hundreds of polling booths will be available for people to start casting their votes from 9am.It comes as Labour's campaign is turned on its head with leader Chris Hipkins isolating with Covid-19.Organisers of Tuesday's Press Leaders debate in Christchurch are scrambling to keep the high-profile election event on track.National Party leader Christopher Luxon is voting on Monday in his Botany electorate and is encouraging others to crack into it as well."Whenever people want to, but I'd encourage them to vote early. I'd start going on Monday. We've got a lot of work to do, we want to change this government, get this country sorted and moved around".Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said people should vote as soon as they could, even if they are not registered yet."My main message is, you don't even have to be registered. You can just rock up to a polling booth, register, and vote at the same time."These voters are planning to follow the advice.One woman told RNZ: "I think I really know [who] I want to vote for already so it's easier to do it before the day".Another said: "It's Ellesmere Show Day on the 14th of October and it's a big day where I come from in Christchurch, so I'll be doing it beforehand".About 400 voting sites open today and that number gradually increases until election day when 2300 sites will be available.Electoral Commission chief executive Karl Le Quesne said there would be some new voting places this year."Eleven of The Warehouse stores will have voting places and nine Foodstuffs supermarkets. We've also got 44 marae, kōhanga, wānanga, and kura; 15 of those will also be able to offer voting services in te reo Māori."He said two in three people voted early in the 2020 election and that was expected to go up slightly this time around."I think it is convenient for people. It allows people to plan the voting around what they need to be doing".But some New Zealanders want to hold off voting until election day, on Saturday, 14 October.One man told RNZ: "I'm going to vote but just on the day."A woman said she had voted on election day every year since she started voting. "I tend to do it with family because it can turn into a nice outing.""I'll do it on election day because I've still got some thinking to do," another woman said.After a Covid-19 diagnosis, Labour leader Chris Hipkins will be off the campaign trail for a few days but he had this advice for voters."If people have really made up their mind, of course they should vote. But if you're sitting there thinking I'm not quite sure yet, I've still got some nagging doubts in my mind, then do wait because there is still another two weeks of campaigning to go."He said high numbers of early votes in 2020 could be put down to the pandemic."Last election was a bit of an aberration. There were reasons why people were going to go out early because they were worried something might happen and they might not be able to vote at all. This election will be a little bit different to that one. I think there are a lot of undecided voters out there still."For more information on early voting, look for an EasyVote pack in the letterbox which will have information about the candidates and how to vote.Or go online to vote.nz to find polling booths and when they are open, or enrol to vote.This story was originally published by RNZ

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, 6 October 2023. Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am.NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Southbound lanes between Silverdale off-ramp and Oteha Valley Road on-ramp, 3-4 OctoberSilverdale southbound on-ramp, 3-4 OctoberSouthbound lanes between Oteha Valley Road off-ramp and Constellation Drive on-ramp, 1 OctoberOteha Valley Road southbound on-ramp, 1 OctoberGreville Road southbound on-ramp, 1 OctoberSH1 southbound to SH18 westbound link, 1-2 OctoberTristram Avenue southbound on-ramp, 3 OctoberShelly Beach Road southbound off-ramp, 2 OctoberCENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)Fanshawe Street southbound off-ramp, 2 OctoberSH16 (Port) westbound to SH1 southbound link, 5 OctoberGrafton Road southbound on-ramp, 5 OctoberSOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Southbound lanes between Mt Wellington Highway off-ramp and East Tamaki Road on-ramp, 5 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Mt Wellington Highway southbound on-ramp, 5 OctoberPrinces Street southbound on-ramp, 5 OctoberHighbrook Drive southbound on-ramp, 5 OctoberSouthbound lanes between Redoubt Road off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 1-2 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Redoubt Road off-ramp and Takanini on-ramp, 3-4 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 southbound to SH20 northbound link, 1-4 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Redoubt Road southbound on-ramp, 1-4 OctoberSouthbound lanes between Takanini off-ramp and Takanini on-ramp, 5 October (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Takanini off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 1-2 October (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Takanini southbound on-ramp, 1-2 October (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Papakura southbound on-ramp, 3-5 OctoberPapakura (Loop) northbound on-ramp, 1-5 OctoberNorthbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 2-5 OctoberDrury/SH22 northbound on-ramp, 2-5 OctoberSouthbound lanes between Hampton Downs off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 4-5 OctoberNorthbound lanes between Hampton Downs off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 4-5 OctoberTe Kauwhata northbound off-ramp, 29-30 Sep & 1-6 October (24/7)Te Kauwhata northbound on-ramp, 29-30 Sep & 1-6 October (24/7)NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)Southbound lanes between Muriwai Road and Foster Road, 2-5 OctoberNorthbound lanes between Foster Road and Muriwai Road, 2-5 OctoberSouthbound lanes between Foster Road and Trigg Road, 1 OctoberNorthbound lanes between Trigg Road and Foster Road, 1 OctoberNorthbound lanes between Hobsonville Road off-ramp and Brigham Creek Road Roundabout, 4 October (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)SH16 northbound to SH18 eastbound link, 4 October (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Te Atatu Road off-ramp and Rosebank Road on-ramp, 1-2 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Te Atatu Road southbound on-ramp, 1-2 OctoberUPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)Caribbean Drive westbound on-ramp, 2 OctoberEastbound lanes between Tauhinu Road off-ramp and Albany Highway on-ramp, 1 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Greenhithe Road eastbound on-ramp, 1 OctoberWestbound lanes between Greenhithe Road off-ramp and Tauhinu Road on-ramp, 1 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Squadron Drive eastbound on-ramp, 1 OctoberEastbound lanes between Hobsonville Road off-ramp and Squadron Drive on-ramp, 4 October (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Brigham Creek Road eastbound on-ramp, 4 October (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Trig Road eastbound on-ramp, 4 October (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Hobsonville Road eastbound on-ramp, 4 October (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)SOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)Southbound lanes between Hillsborough Road off-ramp and Neilson Street on-ramp, 2-3 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Hillsborough Road southbound on-ramp, 2-3 OctoberQueenstown Road southbound on-ramp, 2-3 OctoberSouthbound lanes between SH20 Links and Landing Drive, 2 OctoberSH20 southbound to SH20A southbound link, 2 OctoberSH20 northbound to SH20A southbound link, 2 OctoberSouthbound lanes between Lambie Drive off-ramp and SH1 links, 1-4 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Lambie Drive southbound on-ramp, 1-4 OctoberSH20 southbound to SH1 northbound link, 1-4 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH20 southbound to SH1 southbound link, 1-4 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)GEORGE BOLT MEMORIAL DRIVE (SH20A)Northbound lanes between Landing Drive and SH20 link, 3 OctoberSH20A northbound to SH20 northbound link, 3 OctoberKirkbride Road northbound on-ramp, 3 OctoberKirkbride Road southbound on-ramp, 2 OctoberNorthbound lanes between Kirkbride Road off-ramp and Kirkbride Road on-ramp, 4 October

One person is critically injured after a crash in Auckland last night.Police said a driver travelled the wrong way down the Squadron Drive on-ramp in the Upper Harbour Motorway in Greenhithe and collided with a ute towing a boat and another car.The incident happened at around 8.15pm.Police said the driver of the car that travelled the wrong way had critical injuries, while three passengers from the other two vehicles had moderate injuries.The road was closed while the Serious Crash Unit examined the scene and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash were underway.

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