Mangawhai is a coastal settlement located in the Northland region of New Zealand's North Island. The area has a rich history that encompasses both Maori settlement and European colonization.European settlement in Mangawhai began in the mid-19th century. In 1853, the government established a land claim process known as the Mangawhai Purchase, which included the Mangawhai area. European settlers, primarily farmers and timber millers, were attracted to the region's natural resources and agricultural potential.The timber industry played a significant role in the early development of Mangawhai. The native forests were extensively logged, and sawmills were established to process the timber. The timber was then transported by sea to Auckland and other markets.In the early 20th century, Mangawhai began to establish itself as a popular holiday destination. Its scenic coastline, beautiful beaches, and fishing opportunities attracted visitors from Auckland and other nearby areas. This trend continued, and tourism became an important part of the local economy.In recent years, Mangawhai has experienced significant growth and development. The population has increased, and new residential areas and amenities have been established to accommodate the growing community. The region is known for its lifestyle attractions, including its beaches, surfing spots, and outdoor recreational activities.The Mangawhai Heads area, located at the entrance of the Mangawhai Harbour, is particularly popular among visitors and locals. It offers a range of amenities, such as shops, cafes, and a golf course. The Mangawhai Heads Beach is also a favourite spot for swimming, boating, and fishing.Mangawhai continues to evolve and develop, with ongoing infrastructure projects aimed at improving services and supporting the growing population. Despite its growth, the area retains its natural beauty and relaxed coastal charm, making it an attractive destination for both residents and visitors.

Omaha Beach in Auckland, New Zealand, is a beautiful coastal area located about 60 kilometers north of Auckland City and is situated on the east coast of the Rodney District in the Auckland region.Omaha Beach is renowned for its stunning white sand beach, clear blue waters, and picturesque surroundings. The beach stretches for several kilometers, providing ample space for leisurely walks, sunbathing, picnicking, and various water activities.The beach offers a range of recreational activities for locals and visitors alike. Swimming, surfing, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and boating are popular options in the area. The expansive beach provides plenty of room for beach games and family-friendly activities.Omaha Beach is home to the Omaha Beach Golf Club, an 18-hole golf course that offers scenic views of the ocean and surrounding countryside. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy a round of golf while taking in the natural beauty of the area.Omaha Beach is also a residential community with a mix of permanent residents and holiday homes. The area features a combination of modern beach houses, holiday rentals, and a few local amenities.Omaha Beach's proximity to other attractions in the Rodney District makes it an ideal base for exploring the wider area. Tawharanui Regional Park, with its walking trails and beautiful beaches, is located nearby. The Matakana region, known for its vineyards, farmers' markets, and boutique shops, is also within a short drive from Omaha Beach.Omaha Beach offers a serene coastal escape with its natural beauty, outdoor activities, and proximity to other attractions. It is a popular destination for beach lovers, water enthusiasts, and those seeking a relaxing coastal retreat.

The history of Matakana dates back to the early Maori settlements in the area. The region was originally inhabited by the Ngāti Manuhiri and Ngātiwai iwi, who established their villages along the Matakana River and utilized the rich natural resources of the land and sea.European settlement in Matakana began in the mid-19th century. In 1853, the government established a land claim process known as the Mahurangi Purchase, which included the Matakana region. This led to European settlers arriving in the area and establishing farms, timber milling operations, and other enterprises.The fertile soils of Matakana were well-suited for agriculture, and farming became a significant economic activity in the region. Crops such as wheat, maize, and vegetables were cultivated, and dairy farming also became prominent.Additionally the timber industry played a significant role in Matakana's early development. Native forests were logged, and sawmills were established to process the timber for construction and export. The Matakana River provided a means of transporting the timber to Auckland and other markets. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Matakana saw further development with the construction of roads and bridges, which improved connectivity to other parts of the region. This facilitated the growth of trade and commerce, with Matakana becoming a hub for local produce and goods.Over time, Matakana's proximity to Auckland and its natural beauty made it a popular holiday destination. The region's picturesque countryside, stunning coastline, and local attractions such as beaches and regional parks drew visitors from the city and other areas.In recent years, Matakana has experienced significant growth and transformation. The area has seen the establishment of vineyards, wineries, and artisanal food producers, contributing to a thriving local food and wine scene. The Matakana Village has also developed into a vibrant hub, with boutique shops, galleries, cafes, and a popular farmers' market.Matakana continues to evolve as a sought-after destination for tourists and a desirable place to live. Its rich history, natural beauty, and thriving local businesses make it a unique and vibrant part of the Rodney District and the wider Auckland region.

Wellsford is a town located in the Rodney District of New Zealand's North Island. The town has a relatively short history compared to some other settlements in the region.European settlement in the Wellsford area began in the late 19th century. The establishment of the railway line between Auckland and Whangarei in the 1870s played a significant role in the development of Wellsford. The railway line passed through the area, and a railway station was built, which contributed to the town's growth as a transportation hub and commercial centre.Work at the present railhead: The big cutting just beyond Wellsford Station. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19080924-07-01Construction Of The North Auckland Railway. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19100526-03-01The town was named after the Wells family, who were early European settlers in the area. Initially, Wellsford served as a service town for the surrounding farming communities. Agriculture, particularly dairy farming, and sheep farming was a primary economic activity in the region.Wellsford's strategic location at the crossroads of State Highway 1, which connects Auckland and Northland, and State Highway 16, which leads west towards Helensville and the west coast, further enhanced its significance as a transportation hub. The town became a stopping point for travellers and truckers, and various businesses, including shops, hotels, and other services, catered to their needs.Dome Valley road blocked near Wellsford : copies of the New Zealand Herald being ferried over the floodwaters. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19350731-40-05A growing North Auckland township mid-way on the main highway journey from Whangarei to Auckland. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19390222-45-05Over time, Wellsford has experienced periods of growth and development, particularly with the expansion of infrastructure and services. Schools, healthcare facilities, and other amenities were established to serve the growing population.Today, Wellsford remains an important service centre for the surrounding rural communities. The town offers a range of amenities, including shops, supermarkets, cafes, and recreational facilities. It continues to serve as a stopping point for travellers passing through the area.Wellsford War Memorial Library, 2015. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 3003-1165Wellsford's proximity to the Kaipara Harbour and nearby natural attractions, such as regional parks and forests, also make it a gateway to outdoor recreational activities and tourism opportunities.While Wellsford may not have a long history compared to some other towns in the region, its strategic location and role as a service centre have contributed to its ongoing development and importance within the Rodney District.

The Rodney region is in the northern part of the Auckland metropolitan. It encompasses a large area of land, including Matakana, Wellsford, and other smaller towns and rural areas. The history of the Rodney region is rich and varied, with a significant Māori presence followed by European settlement and development.Prior to European settlement, the area was inhabited by Māori tribes, particularly the Ngāti Whātua, who had lived in the region for many generations. They had established settlements and cultivations in the area, utilizing the land and resources for sustenance and trade.European exploration and contact began in the late 18th century. Captain James Cook visited the region in 1769 during his first voyage to New Zealand, and other European explorers followed. The first European settlers arrived in the early 19th century, primarily establishing mission stations and trading posts along the coast.The signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 between the British Crown and Māori chiefs led to increased European immigration and the establishment of British governance in New Zealand. Land disputes between Māori and European settlers became common, resulting in conflicts and the confiscation of Māori land. The region saw its fair share of these disputes, including the infamous "Battle of Ruapekapeka" in 1846, which took place near modern-day Wellsford.Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Rodney region experienced slow but steady development. The construction of roads and railways facilitated transportation and trade, and small towns and settlements began to grow. Agriculture, particularly dairy farming, became a significant industry, and timber milling also played a role in the region's economy.In the mid-20th century, with the growth of Auckland and improved transportation infrastructure, the Rodney region experienced increased suburbanisation. Many people began to settle in the region's coastal areas, attracted by the lifestyle and proximity to the city.Aerial view of Orewa beach and township. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections R0002In 1989, the Auckland region underwent significant local government restructuring, and the Rodney District Council was established. This provided more localised governance and decision-making for the region. However, in 2010, the Rodney District was merged with other areas to form the Auckland Council, creating a unified governance structure for the entire Auckland region.Today, the Rodney region is a mix of rural and suburban areas, with a strong focus on lifestyle and natural beauty. It is known for its stunning coastlines, regional parks, and vineyards. The area continues to experience growth and development, with ongoing efforts to balance urban expansion with environmental preservation and the protection of its unique character. 

The gender gap on KiwiSaver balances has grown, with men having on average 25 percent more money in their KiwiSaver balance at the end of last year.The KiwiSaver gender gap increased 5 percent in a year, according to new research from the Retirement Commission.The commission studied more than three million KiwiSaver members, with the research representing approximately 94 percent of the total member base.An age breakdown of the research participants showed the gender gap in every age group category widened, but larger gaps opened in younger age groups.The gap for 18-25 year olds increased 7 percent, to 23 percent and the gap for 31-35 year olds widened 8 percent, to 27 percent.Te Ara Ahunga Ora director of policy and research Dr Suzy Morrissey said the research showed some of the challenges women faced when trying to grow their KiwiSaver balances."Analysis of the widening gap does not appear to be explained by fund choice, withdrawal, or suspension behaviour of women compared to men," she said."The widening of the gap at younger ages is particularly concerning because of compounding interest."Money invested earlier will have time to grow, but if women's balances are lower than men's in younger life, they will likely remain lower."For the first time, the research compared member balances across age and gender by fund type, finding more than a third of all funds under management were assets invested in growth funds, although this allocation decreased with age.Men had more assets invested in growth funds, while women had more assets invested in conservative funds, Morrissey said."This difference is smaller at younger ages and more pronounced for those nearing age 65, and over 65."Analysis suggests that women are not necessarily more risk averse, as both men and women tend to be invested in lower risk funds if they have small balances and have more growth assets if they have larger balances."Women's lower balances (on average) may lead them to be less risk-seeking."Morrissey said the widest gaps of average balances were still between men and women in their 40s and 50s, which likely reflected the combined impact of the gender pay gap, time out of paid work, and the higher percentage of women than men who work part-time.This story was first published by RNZ

Jemima Huston, reporterA scene examination has continued at the site at the bottom of Queen Street on Friday in an unusually quiet city, still in shock after Thursday's terrifying events.Police say the two people killed in the Auckland CBD shootings were men in their 40s. Post-mortems are expected to be completed in the coming days, and the police say their priority is the men's formal identification.In a statement this evening, Detective Superintendent Ross McKay said the victims' bodies had been removed from the scene, as well as the gunman."Poor weather conditions across the Auckland region impacted progress today, adding to the complexities of the scene being a large multi-storey building site," McKay said.A cordon remains in place around the immediate vicinity of the site and a scene guard will be in place overnight.Police have been in touch with the victims' familes and they were also being offered Victim Support services, he said.Police were also appealing to the public to submit any relevant photos or CCTV footage which could be loaded here.Anyone with any information was also being asked to contact police on 105 or via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.A few people wandering through downtown Auckland on Friday morning peered upwards, pointing at the construction site where the fatal shooting took place.Angela Aitchison approached a police officer at the entrance to the site with a bunch of flowers in hand.She is a freight worker for STL Line Haul.Her company works closely with LT McGuinness, the construction firm whose teams were on site during the shooting."They are part of our STL Line Haul family. We deliver freight to them, not just to this site but to a lot of other sites around Auckland."We've got a lot of sympathy for them and want to give condolences to the families."So that's basically what those flowers are for, LT McGuinness, the workers and the families that lost those two lives yesterday unnecessarily."Aitchson is glad she was not working in the city yesterday."It's unlucky for the people that actually were involved but I am lucky I wasn't here delivering freight at the time."I would have been exactly the same as everyone else here, scared and I would have probably run for my life."Flowers laid outside the barriers of the construction site today. Photo: RNZ/ Charlotte CookPolice have confirmed the two people killed by the shooter were men in their 40s who worked alongside the gunman at the construction site.One injured police officer remains in hospital and another is recovering at home.Three other people are still in hospital with injuries that are not life threatening, and two have been discharged.Tepapakahurangi Toatahi had been working at the construction site when the shooting happened."I was just doing some construction work for the company I work for and all we heard was gunshots."It was pretty scary."Toatahi has been given a few days off to recover but he is not sure if he wants to return to work and is considering moving home to Northland."I'm pretty scared to come back here because I'm worried it might happen again."Anything can happen in Auckland city, it's strange."Shops in the area opened on Friday with workers and the few shoppers passing through exchanging reckons about the news from yesterday.Carmen works in the Hollywood Bakery opposite Commercial Bay, which was in lockdown during the shooting."Suddenly, a lot of the police came here and they were armed with big guns."We were scared and the police asked us to stay inside, not go out and close our door."She said the situation was frightening but she was pleased the bakery had reopened today.Police in central Auckland on Friday morning. Photo: RNZ / Charlotte CookAuckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Simon Bridges said disruption to downtown Auckland businesses had been minimal.Businesses were happy with the response by police and emergency services and how quickly shops were able to reopen, he said."By the middle of the day shops were back running, our workers were back working and able to go about their business pretty freely."In transport terms, possibly there was a bit more congestion but fundamentally Auckland showed that it could stand up to this and get the wheels of commerce going effectively again."Bridges said it was an awful day for Tāmaki Makaurau that many people never saw coming.Local iwi Ngāti Whatua is planning to undertake a karakia process on the construction site before workers are able to re-enter the building.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 28 July 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, 23-25 JulySilverdale southbound on-ramp, 23-25 JulyConstellation Drive southbound on-ramp, 23-27 JulyStafford Road northbound off-ramp, 23 July (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Curran Street northbound on-ramp, 27 July (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Northbound lanes between Manukau off-ramp and Puhinui Road on-ramp, 23 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 southbound to SH20 northbound link, 23 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 northbound to SH20 northbound link, 23 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Redoubt Road southbound on-ramp, 23 JulySouthbound lanes between Takanini off-ramp and Drury on-ramp, 27 JulyTakanini southbound on-ramp, 27 JulyPapakura southbound off-ramp, 28 JulySouthbound lanes between Papakura off-ramp and Drury on-ramp, 23 & 25 JulyPapakura southbound on-ramp, 23-29 July (24/7)Southbound lanes between Papakura off-ramp and Drury on-ramp, 24 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Papakura off-ramp and Drury on-ramp, 26 July (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Ramarama off-ramp and Drury on-ramp, 24-27 JulyRamarama northbound on-ramp, 24-27 JulyNorthbound lanes between Te Kauwhata off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 23 July (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Te Kauwhata northbound on-ramp, 23 July (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)Lincoln Road northbound on-ramp, 24 JulyLincoln Road northbound off-ramp, 23 & 25-27 JulyUPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)Westbound lanes between Greenhithe Road off-ramp and Tauhinu Road on-ramp, 27 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Tauhinu Road westbound on-ramp, 24 JulyEastbound lanes between Tauhinu Road off-ramp and Greenhithe Road on-ramp, 27 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Tauhinu Road eastbound off-ramp, 27 JulySquadron Drive eastbound on-ramp, 27 JulyEastbound lanes between Brigham Creek Road off-ramp and Brigham Creek Road on-ramp, 27 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Brigham Creek Road eastbound on-ramp, 24-25 & 27 July (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Eastbound lanes between Brigham Creek Road off-ramp and Squadron Road on-ramp, 23 JulyBrigham Creek Road eastbound on-ramp, 23 JulySOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)Southbound lanes between Hillsborough Road off-ramp and Neilson Street on-ramp, 27 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Hillsborough Road southbound on-ramp, 27 JulyQueenstown Road southbound on-ramp, 27 JulySouthbound lanes between Rimu Road off-ramp and Massey Road on-ramp, 26 JulyWalmsley Road southbound on-ramp, 26 JulySH20 southbound to SH20A westbound link, 26 JulySouthbound lanes between Massey Road off-ramp and Puhinui Road on-ramp, 25 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Massey Road northbound off-ramp, 27 JulyMassey Road southbound on-ramp, 25 & 27 JulySouthbound lanes between Puhinui Road off-ramp and Manukau on-ramp, 24 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Puhinui Road southbound on-ramp, 24 JulySouthbound Service Road (Puhinui Road to Cavendish Drive), 24 JulyCavendish Drive southbound on-ramp, 24 JulyNorthbound Service Road (Cavendish Drive to Puhinui Road), 23-24 JulyCavendish Drive northbound on-ramp, 23-24 JulyLambie Drive northbound on-ramp, 23 JulyLambie Drive southbound on-ramp, 24 JulySH20 southbound to SH1 northbound link, 24 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH20 southbound to SH1 southbound link, 24 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)

Delphine Herbert, senior reporterPolice are still trying to identify the two victims shot dead when a gunman opened fire at an Auckland construction site.Ten other people were injured and six of them, including two police officers, are in hospital after 24-year-old Matu Reid went on a shooting spree on Thursday morning at the Commercial Bay building site where he worked.Police will not say if an officer shot him or if he killed himself and have not yet explained the motive for the attack.One worker was in the high rise building at Number 1 Queen Street and hid with his colleagues when Matu Reid came up to where they were and then walked past.He said Reid seemed to be looking for a particular person."All I knew is to run. He was so close to me. Had he shot, I would have lost my life. I didn't think much, but just ran. He didn't shoot at us. I felt lucky."Local man Lochlan thinks the city is getting more dangerous.''It's unnerving because it does feel like crime is getting worse in New Zealand, I don't know if it's just because it's being reported on more, but it feels like there are a lot more attacks happening, ram-raids, there is now this."It feels like crime is getting worse and worse," he said.A union for some of the immigrant workers in the building said their members were terrified.First Union general secretary Dennis Maga said they could not believe what had happened.''They've been saying to us that they thought New Zealand was a safe country and they never thought that they would experience this kind of incident, especially because we are in the middle of a FIFA competition."They're hoping that this is an isolated, one-off incident."A union representing some of the immigrant workers in the building said the workers needed trauma counselling. Photo: RNZ / Felix WaltonHe said the workers needed trauma counselling."We've been asking employers that they should be providing some mental health and trauma care to these workers."Especially if they are not familiar with how the system works. There should be information out there, including from the New Zealand police."Matu Reid had been working on the construction site while he was on home detention as punishment for violently attacking his partner.He was being monitored with an electronic bracelet, was doing an anti-violence programme and had reported to his probation officer the day before.The Corrections Department said he was being closely managed but was now investigating if there was anything that could be done to stop such a tragedy happening again.Police are also looking into how Reid illegally got his pump action shot gun.Questions are also being raised about why Reid was allowed home detention in the first place.Lawyer Adam Simperingham from the Criminal Bar Association said it was clear something had gone very wrong."It certainly seems like there has been some sort of oversight in the process of assessing this man for home detention" he said.Home detention was still a useful - and very common - sentence, Simperingham said.He said if anything, the attack was more evidence of the country's rising gun crime.''What I think this is symptomatic of is an increased use of firearms and offending in New Zealand. It sounds like it is particularly bad in Auckland, or has been in the last couple of years."Police at a cordon on Lower Albert Street in n Auckland'S CBD on Thursday following the shooting Photo: RNZ / Marika KhabaziPolice said they had spoken to more than 70 witnesses.The building site remains under guard as a crime scene and it is not clear when it will re-open.This story was originally published by RNZ

Warkworth RegionFriday 21st July - Periods of rain, with heavy falls, easing this afternoon and clearing this evening. Southeasterlies, strong at times, gusting 90 km/h in exposed places until mid-afternoon.Heavy Rain WatchPeriod: 8hrs from 7am - 3pm Fri, 21 JulArea: Auckland and Great Barrier IslandForecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria in some places.Strong Wind WatchPeriod: 8hrs from 7am - 3pm Fri, 21 JulArea: Auckland including Great Barrier IslandForecast: Easterly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places, especially south of Warkworth.Saturday 22nd July - Partly cloudy, chance of a shower until evening. Fresh southerlies, easing in the morning.Sunday 23rd July - Fine. Southwesterlies, becoming fresh in the morning.Mangawhai RegionFriday 21st July - Partly cloudy. Showers this afternoon and evening. Fresh southerlies developing afternoon.Saturday 22nd July - Becoming cloudy in the morning. Southerlies, easing.Sunday 23rd July - Cloud clearing and becoming fine. Southwesterlies, becoming fresh for a time in the afternoon and evening.

Two people have been killed in a shooting in Auckland CBD this morning. Multiple people are also injured. Police say the situation is now contained and the shooter is dead.They were alerted to the incident when someone discharged a firearm inside a construction site at about 7.20am.The gunman moved through the construction site discharging his firearm, police say.When he reached the upper levels he hid inside an elevator shaft.Police attempted to engage with him, but the gunman fired further shots, before he was found dead a short time later, they say.

Kaipara Libraries go fees freeKaipara District Council have removed all fees on items borrowed through its libraries.From 1 July 2023, approximately 200 popular and new fiction books can be borrowed rent free. Previously, borrowers were charged a rental fee of between one to three dollars per item.Removing the fees was an ambition for Library Manager Lisa Salter.“Our libraries are a space for everyone” says Lisa. “Removing fees takes away a barrier for some of our community and makes our newest and most popular books accessible to anyone” says Lisa.In 2022, Kaipara District Council removed fines on late returns and fees on DVD rentals. Lisa and her team are proud to be one of a few councils nationwide leading the charge on fine and fee-free borrowing. “Literacy is so important in Aotearoa. As public libraries, we are doing what we can to promote literacy in homes and communities in our district. Being fine and fee free supports our library staff to do this”.There are five libraries in the Kaipara District: Dargaville Library, which is run by paid staff, and four community libraries run by volunteers at Paparoa, Kaiwaka, Maungaturoto, and Mangawhai.

From early next year, Countdown supermarkets will be rebranded as Woolworths.It comes as Countdown announces its long-term plan to deliver the "best supermarket experiences" for Kiwis.An investment of more than $400 million over the next three years would see the brand change, a focus on older stores across Aotearoa, and a new loyalty programme called Everyday Rewards.Security and upskilling staff will also be invested in, costing $45m.A new distribution centre for fruit and vegetables will also open in Christchurch, akin to the one in Auckland which opened last year.Managing director of Countdown and Woolworths Group New Zealand Spencer Sonn said the supermarket chain had been working hard to become a better business and do more for its customers."Having had the privilege of leading the New Zealand team for over two years now, I know there's a lot that people love about what we do, and none of that will be going away. But our ambition is to be the best and to do this we know we need to be a better place to shop, better to work for and all-round better for Aotearoa's tomorrow."We are proud to be part of New Zealand communities and with this transformation our customers can expect to see more value, better ways to shop in-store and online, sustained investment in our charity partnerships and for us to lead in sustainability."Sonn said it was changing for the better - and changing its name to Woolworths was part of that."In the coming months and years, you're going to see us bringing the best of the Woolworths brand across the Tasman and equally sharing the best of what we have here with the broader Woolworths Group."Woolworths' Panmure store opening in 1958. Photo: SuppliedWoolworths Group chief executive Brad Banducci said Woolworths had a "long history" in New Zealand with its first store opening in Wellington in 1929.There is now 194 Countdown stores across the country with 22,000 employees."I'm excited by today's announcement and what it means for our continued commitment to New Zealand and its ongoing importance to Woolworths Group," Banducci said."The next stage of our transformation and the rebranding of our stores to Woolworths Supermarkets New Zealand, means we're doubling down on our trans-Tasman connection to bring the very best to our Kiwi customers. That includes a refreshed loyalty programme focused on providing more value and a materially improved fresh offer."Woolworths signage will start popping up at Countdown stores in the coming months, with the "entire network" planed for the next couple of years.This story was originally published by RNZ

18 July 2023: Countdown is recalling specific batches of its Woolworths brand Pickled Onions as the product may contain foreign matter (glass).Point of sale notice for retailersIf you are a retailer of the product in this recall notice, you need to download a copy of the below Point of sale notice and display it in your store for one month.Point of sale – Countdown (Woolworths) [PDF, 46 KB]Consumer adviceCustomers are asked to check the date mark on the jar.Affected product should not be consumed. There have been no reports of associated injury, however if you have consumed this product and have any concerns about your health, seek medical advice.Customers should return the product to their retailer for a full refund.Who to contactIf you have questions, contact Countdown:Phone: 0800 40 40 40Address: 80 Favona Rd, Mangere, Manukau.

Warkworth RegionHeavy Rain WatchPeriod: 9hrs from 9pm Thursday, 20 July - 6am Friday, 21 JulyArea: Auckland and Great Barrier IslandForecast: A period of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria.Mangawhai RegionHeavy Rain WatchPeriod: 9hrs from 2pm - 11pm Thu, 20 JulArea: NorthlandForecast: A period of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria.Strong Wind WatchPeriod: 9hrs from 2pm - 11pm Thu, 20 JulArea: NorthlandForecast: Northeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Phil Pennington, ReporterWaka Kotahi insists the country's newest road is built to last despite a major slip, but a geotechnical engineer warns the gullies in the area all look unstable and landslides are a normal occurrence.Engineers are working to stabilise the slow slide of a slope at the north end of the Pūhoi-to-Warkworth motorway, hailed by the prime minister at its opening last month as the "more resilient and more reliable" way north.Reports released to RNZ show many landslides and many repairs of them - adequate ones, a 300-page geotechnical report said - along the entire length of the 18.5km motorway.Those occurred during the building of a road, at a time when Waka Kotahi admits that resilience was "not yet factored into decision-making" despite growing threats from climate change.Yet it was "absolutely confident" in the motorway's resilience, the agency said on Checkpoint on Tuesday.The repair job underway now was so low risk and so safe, they had started it even while opening the road, group general manager of transport services Brett Gliddon said.Asked if they would never have to patch the landslip site again, Gliddon said "correct, that's the purpose of the fix".However, NZTA has a track record of talking up new roads, then having to go back and fix them, expensively, such as on the Waikato and Kāpiti expressways, or arguing with contractors over extra costs and overruns such as at Transmission Gully which, like Pūhoi, was a public-private partnership (PPP).So far the extra cost at Pūhoi looks limited to a few million. The next storm might change that.Read the document: Pūhoi to Warkworth N1A Remediation Options Technical Memo (6MB)The motorway is designed to last 100 years but reports obtained through an Official Information Act request revealed that heavy rains in July 2022 and January and February this year set off new slips.The repairs themselves came with a caveat in the report: "It is therefore considered that the risk of future landslides at the locations of the existing landslides is lower due to the peer review and completed remedial works. Nevertheless, at some cut locations further landslides occurred despite a remedial work design [that] was in place."A warning of what was to come was sounded by a local geotechnical engineer."The gullies in this area all look unstable," David Buxton of Whangārei's Northland Geotechnical Specialists said.A terrain shaded GIS model picture showing the slip location near Warkworth. Engineer David Buxton said the gullies all looked unstable. Photo: SuppliedThe slip site was "readily identifiable as suspicious" from contour maps."There are weak layers lurking in the underlying rock that are very low strength and ... landslides are a normal occurrence," he said.As for pushing the highway on to Wellsford in the next phase, it "doesn't get any easier when you head north - indeed if they do the next section there will be many areas that are much worse".Gliddon defended their pre-build investigations.A half dozen engineers and project managers told RNZ the number of landslides during the project - at least 30 - was not necessarily unusual, and what mattered was their scale and nature.The 300-page report goes into a lot of detail about that, eventually rating just 15 percent of cut slopes at between moderate risk and low-to-moderate, and the rest lower.However, construction was not up to scratch on some of the slopes to start with, it said. Engineers looked at cut slopes and found cases of:slope stability at 1.3, instead of the required 1.5.soil slopes above rock cuts constructed steeper than required.bench widths above rock cuts narrower than the 4m required.drains not built to design.The slope sliding near Warkworth moved up to 40cm in six months last year, then sped up. Another slope further south near Moir Hill Bridge moved up to 1.9m in a few months.Read an excerpt from the 300-page geotechnical review here (687KB)The road had "robust quality controls" and would be durable, Gliddon said in a statement to RNZ.The project director for the NX2 consortium at Pūhoi, Robert Jones, said they knew about the slip near Warkworth for some time, and dealing with landslides was just a fact of life."It isn't something that surprised or particularly concerned us," said Jones, who retired last month.Gliddon said the landscape had a history of slips and the road was designed and built to cope.It "demonstrated its resilience in contrast to existing roads in the region" during Cyclone Gabrielle, he said.The long geotechnical report last updated in April this year, had let them identify risks and fix them.NX2 was responsible to meet quality standards and maintain the road under the PPP for the next 25 years, and it, not taxpayers, would pay to fix the landslide. The repair job was using engineered buttress fill and drainage to alleviate water pressures under the slope, Gliddon said.This story was originally published by RNZ

New, permanent light and sound art installation by artist Hokimai-anahera Rosieur (Ngāti Manuhiri, Ngāpuhi, and Te Aupōuri).It features 35 programmable led lights and 8 speakers and tells the genesis story of Mahurangi and the enduring presence of Ngāti Manuhiri, mana whenua of Mahurangi. On every night from 7pm to 10pm over winter. Why not grab some local takeaways and sit by the river to enjoy the experience.

The Auckland Anniversary floods have reactivated a landslide that now threatens a new $880m motorway north of the city.Open just a month, cracks have now appeared in concrete barriers, and an entire section may be moving under the Pūhoi-to-Warkworth highway.Waka Kotahi has known for years the land in the area is unstable but thought the motorway would bypass it.Instead, till-now undisclosed reports reveal the entire 18.5km-long project was beset by landslides for years, and the recent storms have made it worse, especially at one spot - an unstable slope above a stretch of about 200m of motorway by Mahurangi Bridge, near Warkworth.It appeared "a pre-historical and deep-seated landslide has been reactivated" by January's massive rainfall, said a report released to RNZ on Monday under the Official Information Act (OIA).The "slope has experienced another landslide and is moving towards the carriageway" at a stop-start rate of sometimes more than 30cm a week, the 20-page external engineer's report to the agency said."Cracks have been reported in concrete barriers in two separate places on the western side of the carriageway."There is the potential that some landslide movement is occurring across the full width of the carriageway."The landslide area shown in a Waka Kotahi report, marked onto drone image of the Pūhoi to Warkworth highway, which was captured in January by the highway builders NX2. Photo: Supplied/ Waka Kotahi/ NX2This - and a second, 300-page report that revealed a risk from rockfalls - had forced emergency repairs at a road touted at its June opening by Prime Minister Chris Hipkins (from under a large umbrella) as a key to unlock the north, and by Waka Kotahi as a "safer, more resilient and reliable route".Hipkins did not know at the time, but Waka Kotahi did, that already a large slope had begun sliding down toward the motorway at an average 5 to 11cm a week.A noticeable bulge had developed at the toe of the slip at Mahurangi Bridge and the road's shoulder had been damaged, in just the few weeks between the floods and the 4 April report. The road surface might be forced upward, it said.The report suggested the motorway's design was not up to scratch, as it was meant to last 100 years."It would be unreasonable for [builders] NX2 and the Independent Reviewer to state that the ... cut slope and associated geotechnical elements have satisfied the design life requirements."The second, 300 page investigation in April, also newly released under the OIA, said the motorway construction project had been dealing with 19 landslides by late 2019."Slope failures continued to occur into late 2022, some of which are either under repair, or remedial work designs are yet to be confirmed," it said.RNZ earlier reported that a 2020 resilience assessment for Waka Kotahi had said the land in the vicinity was "constantly moving but P2W [Pūhoi to Warkworth] will bypass".Read the document: Waka Kotahi 2020 National Resilience Programme (21MB)The assessment criticised the agency for "disjointed and reactive decision-making" that did not do enough to factor in climate change and resilience at many transport projects. This had led to "suboptimal and inefficient investment choicesThe 20-page report on the slip near Mahurangi Bridge identified "moderate risk" to the motorway width, and "high risk" to the cut slope and motorway shoulder that "is unacceptable without treatment"."A quantitative risk assessment of the risk to persons (loss of life) has not been carried out," it said.It was unlikely to fail rapidly, but "slow-moving landslides can cause high levels of financial loss, reputational damage and, in some cases, loss of life if not monitored closely"."Unless stabilised, there remains uncertainty and a risk of the landslide movement accelerating or becoming more significant, especially if more extreme rainfall events are experienced," said the report by authors, GHD and Jacobs.They told Waka Kotahi it needed to find out a lot more about the landslide from the construction consortium, NX2.The agency told RNZ on Monday it had taken measures to "ensure the landslide poses no risk to the public travelling on the motorway" by putting concrete barriers in place.NX2 had come up with a solution and begun stabilising work that would run until October.A second slope, 30m long by 4m wide, had also been cut too steep, and landslips hit this section during heavy rain in July 2022 and January 2023. The cut had had to be flattened out, the transport agency said.The Pūhoi landslide reveal came at the same time the National Party was pledging to spend $500m over three years fixing potholes, by taking money away from speed-reduction initiatives, like median barriers.Along the motorway, independent risk assessments done for NX2 of 98 cuts through slopes scored them all at moderate risk or lower; most were at very low risk (51 of them).But some were getting worse as water built up, and it was not certain the fixes would work, said the report."There could be a perceived optimistic assurance that these cut slopes have no future risk of landslides."Geology and ground conditions are not fully understood and the design solution may not be suitable at the cut slope" at some cuts, it said.It identified four "high-risk" locations for rockfall, and these were fixed.Waka Kotahi told RNZ the landslide remedial work would undergo independent review, certification and testing.A few other localised cuts were marginally steeper than they should be, such as where natural features were incorporated, but they had all been assessed as OK, it said.After RNZ reported in May about the 2020 resilience report that found more than 350 risks to the national roading network, the Minister of Transport Michael Wood said some roads may need to be abandoned as a result of climate change.RNZ aims to report further on the Pūhoi-to-Warkworth motorway landslide risks later this week.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, 21 July 2023. Please note this Traffic Bulletin is updated every Friday. Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am. NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Northbound lanes between Northcote Road off-ramp and Tristram Avenue on-ramp, 16 July (approx. 10:30pm to 5:00am)Northcote Road northbound on-ramp, 16 July (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Esmonde Road southbound on-ramp, 19-20 JulyOnewa Road northbound off-ramp, 17 July (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Stafford Road northbound off-ramp, 17 July (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Curran Street northbound on-ramp, 17 July (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Southbound lanes between Greenlane off-ramp and Mt Wellington Highway on-ramp, 16-17 July (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)Greenlane southbound on-ramp, 16-17 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Tecoma Street southbound on-ramp, 16-17 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Ellerslie-Panmure Highway southbound on-ramp, 16-17 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Mt Wellington Highway off-ramp and Ellerslie-Panmure Highway on-ramp, 18 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)South Eastern Highway (SEART) northbound on-ramp, 18 JulyMt Wellington Highway northbound on-ramp, 18 JulyNorthbound lanes between Princes Street off-ramp and Mt Wellington Highway on-ramp, 19-20 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Princes Street northbound on-ramp, 19-20 JulyPapakura southbound off-ramp, 16 JulyPapakura southbound on-ramp, 13 – 22 July (24/7)Southbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 18-20 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 18-20 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Hampton Downs off-ramp and Te Kauwhata on-ramp, 16 JulyHampton Downs southbound on-ramp, 16-20 July (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)Northbound lanes between Hobsonville Road off-ramp and Brigham Creek Road Roundabout, 16 July (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Brigham Creek Roundabout and Lincoln Road on-ramp, 16 JulySouthbound lanes between Hobsonville Road off-ramp and Lincoln Road on-ramp, 16 JulySH18 westbound to SH16 southbound link, 16 JulyHobsonville Road southbound on-ramp, 16 JulyRoyal Road southbound on-ramp, 16 JulyLincoln Road northbound off-ramp, 18-20 JulyLincoln Road northbound on-ramp, 16-18 JulyNorthbound lanes between Great North Road off-ramp and Patiki Road on-ramp, 18-19 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Rosebank Road northbound off-ramp, 18-19 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Great North Road northbound on-ramp, 18-19 JulySH16 westbound to SH20 southbound link, 18-19 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)UPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)Westbound lanes between Albany Highway off-ramp and Tauhinu Road on-ramp, 17-19 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Albany Highway westbound on-ramp, 17-19 JulyEastbound lanes between Tauhinu Road off-ramp and Albany Highway on-ramp, 17-19 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Greenhithe Road eastbound on-ramp, 17-19 JulyTauhinu Road westbound on-ramp, 20 JulyEastbound lanes between Brigham Creek Road off-ramp and Squadron Drive on-ramp, 20 JulyBrigham Creek Road eastbound on-ramp, 20 JulySOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)Northbound lanes between Hillsborough Road off-ramp and Maioro Street on-ramp, 17 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Dominion Road northbound on-ramp, 17 JulyHillsborough Road northbound on-ramp, 17 JulyNorthbound lanes between Neilson Street off-ramp and Hillsborough Road on-ramp, 16 July (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Neilson Street northbound on-ramp, 16 JulyNorthbound lanes between Massey Road off-ramp and Rimu Road on-ramp, 18 JulyCoronation Road northbound on-ramp, 18 JulySH20 northbound to SH20A southbound link, 18 JulyMassey Road northbound on-ramp, 16 & 18 JulyMassey Road northbound off-ramp, 17 & 20 JulyMassey Road southbound on-ramp, 17 & 20 JulyNorthbound lanes between Cavendish Drive off-ramp and Massey Road on-ramp, 19 JulyPuhinui Road northbound on-ramp, 19 JulyCavendish Drive northbound on-ramp, 19 JulyGEORGE BOLT MEMORIAL DRIVE (SH20A)Northbound lanes between Kirkbride Road off-ramp and SH20 link, 18 JulySH20A northbound to SH20 northbound link, 18 JulyKirkbride Road northbound on-ramp, 18 July