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OMBA Update 13th Feb // 📣 Warkworth Businesses have Spoken
OMBA Update 13th Feb // 📣 Warkworth Businesses have Spoken

16 February 2025, 11:55 PM

FOR THE FULL NEWSLETTER PLEASE CLICK HEREHas It Been a Good Summer?Over the last six months, we've been running a Business Survey to get a clearer picture of how our local businesses are doing and what support One Mahurangi can offer in response.The results, which you can explore in more detail through the link below, confirm what many of us already know—times are tough. While we continue to push the "Buy Local" message, and Warkworth is holding up better than some other parts of Auckland, that doesn’t mean local businesses are thriving.A significant 79% of retailers have reported a drop in sales, with reduced foot traffic and lower consumer spending adding to the challenge. Hospitality has taken a hit too—where customers used to grab a coffee and a muffin, many now just opt for the coffee.But if you were in town over the summer holidays, you probably noticed the buzz—yes, it was busy. The challenge now is keeping that momentum going all year. If we can make Warkworth a true destination beyond just the peak season, we’ll see real, lasting benefits.There are a few key things we can do. Keeping businesses open on weekends and public holidays, where possible, has proven successful for those who do it. Enhancing the experience around our river—the jewel in our crown—will attract more visitors and encourage them to spend here.One common request from businesses is more support with digital marketing, and we’re working on bringing in the right expertise to help. There are plenty of other areas where businesses need support, and as time and funding allow, we’ll continue to address them.The bottom line? While we’re performing better than 80% of other Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), it’s still a tough environment. Every time we choose to support a local business instead of shopping online, we’re helping to keep them here—not just for today but for the long term. These are the same businesses we turn to when we need sponsorships for local schools, sports teams, and community projects.So, was it a good summer? Yes. But now, the challenge is to make that success last all year. I believe we can do it.As always, Buy Local, Support Local, Employ Local, and Love Local.Murray ChapmanManager, One Mahurangi, [email protected] Health Check Survey ResultsWarkworth businesses have spoken, and the results are clear—times are tough, but opportunities for support and growth exist.The Business Health Check Survey 2024 gathered insights from 54 local businesses, with strong representation from construction, retail, hospitality, professional services, and healthcare.Read the report summary HERE>Business Improvement District (BID) Policy RefreshHave your say about the refreshed policyUpdates to the BID Policy and supporting documents are now open for feedback until 28 February 2025. Read MORE HERE>Get a felt Warkworth heart for your Valentine! $5Follow the Warkworth Information Centre on Instagram! Follow @visitwarkworth on Instagram for stunning photos, updates on local events and attractions, and insider tips on the best places to shop and dine out in Warkworth and beyond.Get a felt Warkworth heart for your Valentine! $5You can now follow The Warkworth NZ Information Centre on Facebook too! > facebook.com/visitwarkworthA noticeboard outside the WW Info Centre has the latest updates on the Watercare Pipeline Project.Visit onemahurangi.co.nz for the latest updatesAre you a registered member of One Mahurangi Business Association?Find out about BID Affiliate and Associate Membership entitlements, including the right to vote at our AGM, on our website onemahurangi.co.nz/join-one-mahurangi/ // Community Noticeboard //Summer Shuttle Service around Mahurangi with Mai RideWith 12+ stops connecting Omaha, Matakana, Snells Beach, Warkworth, and Algies Bay you can move effortlessly between local events, sunny outdoor spots, and great venues for just $20pp a dayVisit www.mairide.net for more details

Inflation on the rise for New Zealand households
Inflation on the rise for New Zealand households

16 February 2025, 12:37 AM

Food prices +1.9 pct in January, annual rate 2.3 pctChocolates, fresh produce, groceries push up food pricesTobacco and alcohol duties riseSoft NZ dollar raises import pricesConsumer inflation gets unwelcome boostA big price rise for sweet treats, sin taxes and a soft New Zealand dollar may be reigniting unwelcome inflation pressures for households.Stats NZ's monthly food price index rose 1.9 percent in January on the month before, the highest monthly increase since mid-2022, and taking the annual rate to its highest in a year at 2.3 percent.Higher prices were widespread, with about two-thirds of the goods in the food basket more expensive than a year ago."The proportion of the food basket that increased by over 5 percent in price was the highest in five years," Stats NZ prices spokesperson Nicola Growden said.Higher prices for grocery food contributed the most to the January 2025 increase, with higher prices for boxed chocolates, milk and chocolate blocks."The average price of a 2-litre bottle of milk was $4.54 in January this year. In January last year, it was $3.93," she said.The average price of a 250 gram block of chocolate was $5.72 in January 2025 compared with $4.90 in January 2024.Chocolate and coffee prices world-wide had surged on the back of rising cocoa prices - caused by bad harvests because of weather and disease.The usual rise in non-seasonal fruit and vegetables such as broccoli, apples and kiwifruit also occurred.Grocery prices were also lifted by rises for dairy products and meat, reflecting the strong prices New Zealand products were getting on world markets.And a sample of other prices for the month showed a 2.4 percent rise in alcohol and tobacco price after the annual rise in customs duties, with fuel and commercial accommodation higher - partly offset by cheaper airfares.The surveyed prices accounted for about half of the consumer price index (CPI), the main inflation barometer.Unwelcome headwindsEconomists were quick to note many of the rises were seasonal and would disappear, but also contained some warning signals."There is always a lot of noise in monthly prices. But as the first month of the quarter, January's figures set the base for the first quarter so should not be ignored," BNZ senior economist Doug Steel said.He said the RBNZ would likely look through the volatility when it came to setting policy, but even so would remain alert."This broad trajectory fits with our thinking that there is more upside risk than downside to near term CPI inflation prints ... these things need to be monitored closely."ASB senior economist Mark Smith looked at the weaker New Zealand dollar, which had fallen more than 5 percent over the past six months against the US dollar."The figures suggest that the lower NZ dollar is reigniting pricing pressures from a number of pockets."He said the expected 50 basis point rate cut at next week's RBNZ monetary statement was safe, but data such as the raised questions about how far and fast the central bank might cut rates later in the year.This story was written by Gyles Beckford, Business Editor for RNZ

Northland growers getting into the banana game
Northland growers getting into the banana game

15 February 2025, 7:22 PM

When buying bananas at the supermarket - you'll see they come from places like Ecuador or the Philippines.And you could be forgiven for thinking we can't grow them in New Zealand.But it turns out more and more Kiwis are getting into the banana game, and there are way more varieties than the Cavendish kind we see in stores.Ed Hayes and his wife, who had a plantation in Northland, were relatively new to the banana growing scene.Hayes told First Up he did not know many people in the area."Because we're pretty new, we don't know how of a lot of people up here, but whenever Kelly or myself are saying, 'oh yeah, we grow bananas, they usually say ohh are you the guys out on State Highway 1? and we go. 'Yeah, that's us'."The couple started Tippu Farm just over two years ago and ran it alongside the other business ventures.Hayes said the farm had 1100 plants at the moment, but they planned to to expand to 1600."In this plantation, we've got, Misi Luki, which is a lady finger banana we've got Dwarf Cavendish, We've got Hua Moa and we've got Goldfinger."Hayes said the bananas - although much smaller than the typical Cavendish bananas you find in supermarkets - were full of flavour and character."With a supermarket banana, when they're brown on the outside typically the fruit on the inside is also brown. But really the the skin of these bananas is is just a protectant.The fruit underneath it, the actual part that you eat is typically really always good, so it could be blackened on the outside with pets on it and all sorts. And yet underneath the flesh will be perfect."Banana plants like the ones on Hayes' farm typically took around 18 months before you can start harvesting and selling.He said they dipped their toes into the market by going through a wholesaler."So he'll come along, purchase our bananas and take them off to markets or he'll sell them to the supermarkets like Farrow or something like that, or restaurants."And I don't have a lot of time to do that myself and go on the weekends and everything."Hugh Rose had been running his plantation longer than Hayes."I couldn't believe when I read somewhere that we were the largest consumers of bananas and I had actually successfully grown bananas amongst other things.""I could not believe that we're importing 80 million kilos of bananas when they could be perfectly easily grown here and better tasting ones than what we get usually from the shops."Rose was the founder and chairperson for the tropical Fruit Growers Association of New Zealand."All bananas are not created equal."He said it was difficult to say how many varieties of bananas actually existed."We could classify into a broad breakdown of plantain, which is a cooking banana, ladyfinger, the Cavendish, which is a thick skinned ones, but all bananas that we eat are hybridised and have been created by men. So yeah, there's millions of them."He said he had 40-50 different varieties at his plantation.Northland was known for its farming and horticulture, with popular crops like avocados, kumara, kiwi fruit and citrus, but it hard to put into words the diversity of fruit on display at Hughes Farm.Rose had a number of plants on his land including mango trees, coffee beans, Himalayan strawberries and pineapples.He told First Up, his mantra was "poke and hope".This story was written by Leonard Powell and posted by RNZ

Australian mining giant surrenders 15 NZ exploration permits
Australian mining giant surrenders 15 NZ exploration permits

15 February 2025, 1:39 AM

An Australian mining giant has surrendered all but one of its prospecting and exploration permits in New Zealand.A spokeswoman for MBIE confirmed Mineralogy International Limited - owned by controversial mining magnate Clive Palmer - applied to surrender 15 of its 16 permits around the country last December.The permits allowed the company to carry out prospecting and exploration for a mix of gold and other minerals - mainly lithium and rare earth elements - and covered about 225,000 hectares in Northland, Waikato, Canterbury and the West Coast.Conservation land was included in the permits.New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals, the government agency that oversees the mining sector, granted the applications to give up the permits late last month.Environmental and hapū groups opposed to mining in Northland's Whangaroa area claimed credit for Mineralogy's withdrawal, saying it was a direct response to community protest.RNZ contacted Mineralogy to ask why the company had given up its permits but was referred to a public relations firm. That firm did not respond.The MBIE spokeswoman said Mineralogy's sole remaining New Zealand permit was in the Waikato region and covered exploration for all metallic minerals.She said Mineralogy had told the agency it was withdrawing from prospecting and exploration in New Zealand to "refocus its portfolio strategy".Permits were subject to annual fees and minimum work requirements, so it was not unusual for companies to surrender permits in the early stages of exploration.Spokeswoman for the Whangaroa Stop Toxic Mining Alliance KATI Dannie Samuels-Thomas said Mineralogy's withdrawal was a direct response to the objections of local residents and community leaders."It's a testament to the strength of our collective voice and our commitment to protecting our sacred lands. We thank Mineralogy for listening to our concerns and respecting our right to say no to destructive mining practices in our rohe."She said the group was grateful to the people of Ngāi Tupango, Ngāti Ruamahue, Ngāti Kura and Te Rūnanga o Whāingaroa, as well as environmental groups Forest and Bird and Greenpeace for their support.Robyn Tauroa, of Kāeo-based Te Rūnanga o Whāingaroa, was among those celebrating the company's withdrawal."The land is sacred to us, and the river, the forest, the mountain - they're not just resources to be extracted. They are our tūpuna, our family. We will never allow outside interests to poison our whenua," she said.Forest and Bird, together with Northland hapū, staged a series of protests in 2023 at Manginangina Scenic Reserve, in Puketī Forest, and Whakarara Conservation Area at Te Ngaere Bay, both of which were included in the prospecting permits.Prospecting typically involves aerial surveys and geologists taking samples with hand tools to determine which minerals are present.Exploration is typically the more intensive next step and can make use of diggers and drills.This story was originally posted by RNZ

Auckland overnight motorway closures 14 to 22 February
Auckland overnight motorway closures 14 to 22 February

14 February 2025, 5:23 PM

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advises of the following closures for motorway improvements. Work delayed by bad weather will be completed at the next available date, prior to Friday, 14 February 2025.Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am. Traffic management may be in place before the advertised closure times for the mainline.NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Millwater northbound off-ramp, 17 FebruaryNorthbound lanes between Oteha Valley Road off-ramp and Silverdale on-ramp, 17-18 FebruaryOteha Valley Road northbound on-ramp, 17-18 FebruarySouthbound lanes between Tristram Avenue off-ramp and Northcote Road on-ramp, 16-20 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Tristram Avenue southbound on-ramp, 16-20 FebruaryOnewa Road northbound off-ramp, 16-20 FebruaryStafford Road northbound off-ramp, 16-20 FebruaryCurran Street northbound on-ramp, 16-20 FebruaryShelly Beach Road southbound off-ramp, 20 FebruaryShelly Beach Road southbound off-ramp, (approx. 10:00pm 22 February to 12:00pm 23 February)CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)SH1 northbound to SH16 eastbound (Port) link, 16-17 & 19-20 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 northbound to SH16 westbound link, 16-17 & 19-20 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Westbound lanes between Quay Street/Tamaki Drive and Parnell Rise, (9:00pm 14 February to 5:00am 17 February (24/7)Westbound lanes between Quay Street/Tamaki Drive and Parnell Rise, (9:00pm 21 February to 5:00am 24 February (24/7)SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Northbound lanes between Ellerslie-Panmure Highway off-ramp and Wellesley Street East on-ramp, 16-17 & 19-20 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Gillies Avenue northbound on-ramp, 16-17 & 19-20 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Greenlane northbound on-ramp, 16-17 & 19-20 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Ellerslie-Panmure Highway northbound on-ramp, 16-17 & 19-20 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Greenlane southbound off-ramp, 18 FebruaryNorthbound lanes between Mt Wellington Highway off-ramp and Greenlane on-ramp, 18 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Ellerslie-Panmure Highway northbound on-ramp, 18 FebruarySouth Eastern Highway (SEART) northbound on-ramp, 18 FebruaryMt Wellington Highway northbound on-ramp, 18 FebruarySouthbound lanes between Papakura off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 16-20 FebruaryPapakura (Loop) southbound on-ramp, 16-20 FebruaryPapakura (Diamond) southbound on-ramp, 16-20 FebruaryDrury/SH22 northbound on-ramp, 16-20 FebruaryDrury/SH22 northbound off-ramp, 16-20 FebruarySouthbound lanes between Ramarama off-ramp and Bombay on-ramp, 16-18 FebruaryRamarama southbound on-ramp, 16-18 FebruaryBombay southbound off-ramp, 16-18 & 20 February Bombay northbound on-ramp, 16-20 FebruaryBombay northbound off-ramp, 16-20 FebruaryBombay southbound on-ramp, 19 February (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Beaver Road southbound off-ramp, 19 FebruaryBeaver Road southbound on-ramp, 19 February (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Nikau Road southbound off-ramp, 19 FebruaryNORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)Southbound lanes between Waimauku roundabout and Trigg Road, 16-20 February (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Trigg Road and Waimauku roundabout, 16-20 February (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Brigham Creek roundabout and Lincoln Road on-ramp, 19 FebruaryHobsonville Road southbound on-ramp, 19 FebruaryRoyal Road southbound on-ramp, 19 FebruaryUPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)Eastbound lanes between Tauhinu Road off-ramp and Albany Highway on-ramp, 16-18 FebruaryGreenhithe Road eastbound on-ramp, 16-18 FebruarySH18 westbound to SH16 southbound link, 19 FebruarySOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)Southbound lanes between Mahunga Drive off-ramp and Massey Road on-ramp, 20 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Walmsley Road southbound on-ramp, 20 FebruarySH20 southbound to SH20A southbound link, 20 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Please follow the signposted detours. NZ Transport Agency thanks you for your co-operation during these essential improvements and maintenance.

Ahuroa Volunteer Fire Brigade Fundraiser at Gibbs Farm - 28th Feb
Ahuroa Volunteer Fire Brigade Fundraiser at Gibbs Farm - 28th Feb

13 February 2025, 7:19 PM

A rare opportunity to support our wider community!The Ahuroa Volunteer Fire Brigade invites you to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the iconic Gibbs Farm while supporting their vital work in the community. This special fundraising event will be held on Friday, 28th February 2025, from 10am to 2pm.Tickets are just $75 per person and are limited to 200 attendees, so be quick – these coveted spots sell out fast!TO BOOK HEAD HEREAbout Gibbs FarmLocated at 2421 Kaipara Coast Highway, Gibbs Farm is a world-renowned outdoor sculpture park that is rarely open to the public. It features a stunning collection of monumental sculptures set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Kaipara Harbour.This private property generously supports local causes, and the Ahuroa Volunteer Fire Brigade is honoured to have been chosen for this fundraising day. All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the brigade, ensuring they can continue their critical work serving the Ahuroa and surrounding communities.About the Ahuroa Volunteer Fire BrigadeThe Ahuroa Volunteer Fire Brigade is made up of locals from the community who come from a diverse range of backgrounds and occupations. Together, they work as a dedicated team to serve the area, providing essential fire and emergency services.Their first response area spans 142 square kilometres and includes farmland, forestry, native bush, waterways, farms, and roads. The brigade serves a resident population of approximately 1,140 people across 459 addresses. In addition, they provide backup support to neighbouring brigades and cover the busy stretch of State Highway 16 from Makarau to Glorit.Over the past year, the brigade has responded to more than 100 emergency calls. While the majority are medical first response cases, they also handle a variety of incidents including motor accidents, vegetation fires, structural fires, vehicle fires, fallen trees, and flooding.How the Fundraiser HelpsThe funds raised during this event will be used to purchase items that enhance training and improve the fire station, going above and beyond what is provided by Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ). For example, the brigade may use the funds to buy mannequins for CPR training, new and additional furniture, or even a defibrillator for training purposes. These enhancements help ensure the brigade is well-prepared to respond to emergencies and deliver the best possible service to the community.Event DetailsDate: Friday, 28th February 2025Time: 10am – 2pmLocation: Gibbs Farm, 2421 Kaipara Coast HighwayTickets: $75 per person (limited to 200 attendees)To secure your spot, act fast! Tickets are available now, and with such high demand, they won’t last long.Important NotesGibbs Farm is a private property and only opens to the public by appointment on specific days. This is a unique chance to visit while supporting a worthy cause.Visit the Gibbs Farm website for more details about the venue: https://www.gibbsfarm.org.nz/about.phpMap to Gibbs FarmFor your convenience, here is a map to Gibbs Farm, located at 2421 Kaipara Coast HighwayDon’t miss this incredible opportunity to experience Gibbs Farm while making a meaningful contribution to the Ahuroa Volunteer Fire Brigade. Your support ensures that these dedicated volunteers can continue protecting lives and property in our community.

Auckland Kiwi’s 14km Journey Highlights Success of Conservation Efforts
Auckland Kiwi’s 14km Journey Highlights Success of Conservation Efforts

12 February 2025, 8:28 PM

A remarkable conservation milestone has been reached in Rodney, Auckland, where a male kiwi has successfully traversed 14 kilometres through a protected habitat corridor to reach Kaipara Flats—an area where kiwi had vanished for decades.This extraordinary journey is a testament to the landscape-scale conservation efforts led by The Forest Bridge Trust, which has been working to create a safe and connected environment for kiwi between the east and west coasts north of Auckland. Since receiving Jobs for Nature funding through Save the Kiwi in 2020, the Trust has collaborated with over 1,000 landowners and local communities to establish extensive traplines, tipping the balance in favour of kiwi across 54,000 hectares.By the early 1970s, kiwi had virtually disappeared from the Rodney District. Decades later, determined conservation efforts led to successful reintroductions at Tāwharanui (2006), Mataia (2013), and Maunga Tamahunga (2023). The translocation of kiwi to Mataia was particularly groundbreaking, marking the first time birds were released into a working farm environment. The farm’s owners—who would go on to found The Forest Bridge Trust—envisioned a connected landscape where kiwi populations could expand and intermingle.“Our senior ecologist Dr Virginia Moreno took this vision and developed a GIS model based on the habitat needs, behaviour, and movement challenges of brown kiwi . Her study resulted in a landscape connectivity map with predictions for the routes that kiwi would use as they disperse. It also became the blueprint for how we’ve prioritised our trapping network.” says Matu Booth, Operations Manager of The Forest Bridge Trust.The results have been significant. Kiwi numbers in Rodney are increasing, with birds occasionally skirting the predator-proof fence at Tāwharanui and establishing new breeding pairs in adjacent habitats. Meanwhile, a Mataia-released kiwi was recently observed on a trail camera 7km from its original release site—precisely within one of the predicted habitat corridors.The latest wandering kiwi, first detected on a trail camera in the Dome Valley in August 2024, was confirmed on 26 January 2025 through further video footage and sound recordings. This bird, originally translocated to Maunga Tamahunga in 2023, has defied the high mortality rates common in areas lacking predator control. Its journey serves as compelling proof that trapping measures are effective and that landscape conservation is critical to protecting New Zealand’s taonga species.With Jobs for Nature funding coming to an end, maintaining these hard-won conservation gains is at risk. Continued support is essential to ensuring kiwi thrive beyond these protected areas. The Forest Bridge Trust remains committed in its mission to protect and restore New Zealand’s unique environments, but we need your support to spread the message.“We need the whole nation to get behind this ambitious mission to create a connected, protected landscape of healthy forests, waterways and thriving native wildlife alongside our nation’s biggest city,” says Ana Christmas, CEO of The Forest Bridge Trust. “Together we can ensure kiwi and other native species continue to thrive for generations to come.”Follow the progress of this ambitious conservation project and learn more about kiwi-nui North Island brown kiwi in the Rodney Auckland area here: Story Map Link.The Forest Bridge Trust are teaming up with Gibbs Farm, holding a fundraising event on the 21st March, from 10am to 2pm.For more info head to Gibbs Farm Sculpture Park Forest Bridge Trust Fundraiser

Tornado clean-up continues: 'We've let the light in'
Tornado clean-up continues: 'We've let the light in'

12 February 2025, 8:03 PM

Leonard PowellMangawhai residents are still cleaning up the damage caused by the tornado that ripped through the coastal community north of Auckland in the early hours of 26 January.The storm hit at 3am on that Sunday morning, with power cut to about 5000 homes, and two people taken to hospital in a serious condition.Two weeks later, First Up visited the neighbourhood and talked to Noreen Anderson, who was sound asleep when the tornado hit and ripped off part of her roof.Despite the ruckus, she did not know the extent of the damage until the following morning."I slept through it, and it was only when my daughter over and told me 'there's been a tornado and the roof is gone'."“I went back to bed” Noreen Anderson had no idea her roof was partially ripped off until the morning. Photo: RNZ / Leonard PowellKahu Road - where Anderson lives - comes off Old Waipu Road, which was hit the hardest by the storm.Resident Bruce Howley described how the wind smashed through his barn."It blew the roller door off this barn and into the back of the barn, hitting a wall, and then it seemed to go up behind a steel beam and probably got caught. The door was actually just flattened."So you can imagine how much force that is. And then the roof, no one knows where the roof is. It's gone somewhere."Bruce Howley stands across the road from his barn. Photo: RNZ / Leonard PowellHowley resides across town, and was grateful no one was in the barn when the storm hit. He said his missing roof paled in comparison to what had happened to his friend Tina Johnson."While I was coming here I was ringing my neighbour to see if there was any damage to her place. Unbeknownst to me, she was already in hospital cause she got blown out to from a her upstairs bedroom onto her. A carport roof. Incidentally, that Lady is recovering well."At least 90 homes have been assessed for storm damage.Twenty six of those have been white-stickered, meaning they have some damage but can be safely occupied, while eight homes have been yellow-stickered, which means access is restricted.Three households remain in emergency accommodation.Howley said the community had banded together to help out."It's just amazing how everybody has been helping and always, you know, because we had no power on the street. People giving food, one couple come along with a wheelbarrow full of water. And then then people came in and helped clean the property up the next day, just volunteers."A staggering 2500 cubic metres of green waste and 37.5 tons of general waste has been collected from berms in the area.Nearly seven tonnes of scrap metal has been recycled, which might explain where Howley's roof has ended up.Bruce's barn was shared by two businesses - a signwriter and a small leather goods maker.Nearly a kilometre away on Molesworth Drive, Caren Davis was cleaning up debris the morning after the storm, when she found a brand new leather belt in her backyard."Our son quite liked it, so he he put it on for the morning that I explained to him that it it belonged to someone else and it had arrived here with the tornado. We had to find its home."The belt that Caren Davis found nearly a kilometre away from its workshop. Photo: RNZ / Leonard PowellAfter a few posts in the local Facebook group, it turned out the belt had come all the way from Bruce's place up on Old Waipu Road. Caren dropped it back off, and wasn't the only one."We're at least 700, maybe 800 metres away from where that business is. Those items were just found scattered everywhere."Davis's husband Jonny said the storm was all anyone had been talking about. Across the road from their property, trees were being dug out, chopped up and taken away.Fallen trees are cleared on Molesworth Drive. Photo: RNZ / Leonard PowellProperty owner Malcolm Halley said his housemate had a "grandstand view" of the black cloud carrying the destruction."Sam described these five electric water spouts coming from the black cloud. They were composed entirely of of spiralling lightning, continuous lightning bolts going to the ground, described as being like a tentacles of a big black octopus, dancing slowly over the over the landscape and and creating a noise destruction wherever they landed."Halley and his partner Pauline said they were still coming to terms with losing an acre and half of trees, some of them more than 100 years old.They have also lost the the privacy those trees provided - but sitting in what they describe as their "art village", Pauline had found a poetic silver lining."You know that quote of Leonard Cohen? About letting the light in. We've let the light in, and now we're getting carry on."This story was originally published by RNZ

Locals fear a fast-tracked sand mining plan will turn Bream Bay’s pristine beaches to mud
Locals fear a fast-tracked sand mining plan will turn Bream Bay’s pristine beaches to mud

11 February 2025, 5:06 PM

Farah Hancock, Data journalist, In DepthBefore she will sit down with the man who wants to mine her hapū's backyard, Dr Mere Kepa insists he meet her ancestors."I bring them through the garage, into the hallway. We have a small house," explains Kepa, who lives in Takahiwai in Northland's Bream Bay.The bay's gleaming white sand is picturesque and perfect for use in high-strength concrete. Kepa is concerned a plan to dredge the bay's seabed will erode the community's sweeping beaches.The sand mining project, which is included in the controversial Fast-track Act, feels like another blow for mana whenua."Digging up that land is painful. It signals the continual colonisation of Māori, it signals the continual subjugation of Māori," she says.Adorning Kepa's hallway walls are photographs of her family. She introduces him to each in turn."The first ancestor is Taurau. He was the chief of Whangārei in the late 1880s. Then I introduce him to my parents. I introduce him to my uncles who all served in the 28 battalion."These introductions form part of her tikanga, given to outsiders. She's from the hapū of Te Parawhau and Te Patuharakeke o te Parawhau. The meet-and-greet is both intended to put him at ease and to reinforce Kepa's position."It's a Māori position, it's a hapū position," she says.For his part, Callum McCallum is representing the family-owned business - McCallum Bros - who want to mine up to eight million cubic metres of sand from Bream Bay's seabed over 35 years.He is in Kepa's house at her invitation after she emailed him with concern over the proposal, which is a listed project in the new Fast-track legislation, which aims to enable a swifter decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects with "significant regional or national benefits". Kepa knew the company was talking to two hapū trust groups in the area, but she herself had heard nothing. "There's no consultation among Māori," she says."I pointed out that they needed to talk beyond the two trusts that they are speaking so that they get a better - or a broader - understanding of how Māori people living particularly close to Bream Bay are feeling, that is, we're feeling excluded."McCallum agreed to join Kepa for a cup of tea and a chat, and told her he could stay for one hour. The conversation over the kitchen table with Kepa, her sister and her cousin lasted for nearly three.Dr Mere Kepa Photo: Supplied / Emma HartHe reminded her of her father, she says. "My dad was a charming, intelligent, all-encompassing man. I felt, 'Hey, I know this guy'."She did not let his charming personality get in the way of making her opposition to the mining proposal clear. The land contiguous to the mining project belongs to Te Parawhau hapū. "We are very interested in what happens to our land, particularly if it's going to slip into the sea."Kepa has lived on the harbour all her life and has seen it change over the years. As a child she would gather cockles from a sand bank. The cockles and the sand bank no longer exist. Now she worries the beach will disappear too.Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly"I do know it'll become mud because I sit here daily and look at the mud that's replaced the beautiful white sand that was here most of my childhood."MaCallum's response to her concern is that he has expert scientific advice and will soon be releasing a report from engineering consultants, Tonkin and Taylor. The company is proposing dredging sand from almost five kilometres from shore, and outside what is referred to as the depth of closure. It is thought sand past this point does not wash in and out to the beaches of the bay.The fact the application will be considered under the Fast-track process adds another worry as this legislation does not include a public submission phase. Kepa knows a cultural impact assessment report is being written by Te Patuharakeke Trust, and this will include how the proposal impacts cultural values, but details have been scant."We know nothing about who is writing that cultural values assessment report. We know nothing about the values that are going to be written in."McCallum emails Kepa after the meeting, acknowledging a protest against the mining is planned. "It would be great if one of the outcomes of the meeting was the formation of a group of representatives who could engage in meaningful dialogue with us," he writes, saying he is keen to dispel "misinformation"."We also want to investigate possible offsets and benefits that the community could enjoy."The company's website explains it wants a community partnership and suggests the company could provide funds to local predator control and sand dune restoration. "We'll be extracting sand from a common area that we all share, and so we think it is fair and important that funding from our activity goes back to the communities we share it with," the website says.Will addressing misinformation and offering to support local initiatives be enough to sway people's thoughts on mining?"I think he's hopeful that he will be able to change our minds," says Kepa.For all his charm, it seems unlikely McCallum will be able to sway her view that the land holds spiritual meaning. Any mining in the bay is "absolutely unacceptable", she says."I don't want people coming in cutting up the divine land for their profit."No Sand Mining posters and signage around Waipu and Ruakaka Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-FarrellyMcCallum's fast-track proposalMcCallum Bros is no newcomer to sand mining or facing local opposition to its activities."Every mining, every quarrying, every landfill [project] goes through exactly the same process that we are going through, the same nimbyism," McCallum says.Callum McCallum Photo: Supplied / McCallum BrosFurther down the coast, the company has mined the sand off Pākiri and Mangawhai's beaches for 80 years, with much of it ending up in concrete used to build Auckland's infrastructure. Locals there have been locked in a decades-long battle to stop the mining, and it appears that they may have succeeded.McCallums's ability to continue mining Pakiri's sand is uncertain after failing to renew resource consents from Auckland Council - and failing to win an Environment Court case seeking to overturn the council's decision.The Environment Court found evidence provided by McCallum's about the ecological effects of the mining at Pakiri had been "patchy", "inconclusive" and even "incorrect".It noted there was a dearth of information from the company about the likely environmental impact of the sang mining: "There appears to have been an assumption by the Applicant that it was for the opposition parties to prove that there was an adverse effect," the decision says.The court heard in one instance, the company's dredge had left 2.7 metre deep trenches in the sea floor, a discovery made by a local who organised a seabed survey himself. No enforcement action was taken by Auckland Council. This meant on the fast-track application form the company could claim a clean track record.The court also found mining's effects on mana whenua could not be mitigated.It said while there were clear benefits to allow the extraction, saying it has been a cheap and plentiful source of sand for 80 years, this came at a price. "These economic benefits to Auckland and to McCallum Bros and others have occurred at direct cost to mana whenua and the embayment itself."One hapū representative described the effect of mining sand from the area as disabling the hapū's ability to act as kaitiaki, or guardians of the area.The company has appealed the Environment Court's decision and McCallum says it is also appealing the court costs awarded to the successful parties - which tallied $500,000.Asked if he is confident the company will not repeat dredging errors in Bream Bay, McCallum says the boat the company uses now does not dredge as deeply as the boat which made the trenches.The next step for the company is to submit a fully-fleshed out application to be considered by an expert panel to assess. This panel will make a decision to either approve or decline the application, and can set conditions the company must adhere to.The full application has not been lodged yet, but it appears the company is working to ensure there is no dearth of information on the effects of mining this time. In the background there has been a flurry of activity as McCallum Bros has worked on commissioning reports from various experts such as NIWA and Tonkin and Tayor to accompany its application.These include reports on the economics of the proposal and the suitability of Bream Bay's sand. There are also reports on what the likely effect of the dredging will have on, sand movement, surf breaks, the impact on whales, dolphins and birds and the impact dredging will have on creatures living on the seabed and safety for other boats.Not all the reports have been completed, but the company's website describes its impact as low risk.Langs Beach Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-FarrellyMcCallum Bros say because they will dredge almost five kilometres from the shore line, where sand does not shift from sea to shore, the dredging will not cause beach erosion, or destroy the surf breaks in the area. The company estimates there is more than 39 million cubic metres of sand in the area it wants to dredge. Its application seeks to take one quarter of this amount.It says the effect on marine ecology will be low, with species in the proposed path of dredging being nationally and locally common species. The risk of the boat striking a dolphin or Bryde's whale is low, according to the company. The impact on bird life is also expected to be low, the critically endangered fairy tern which lives in the area aren't known to forage for food that far out to sea.Importantly it says Auckland needs the sand to grow housing and sewerage, and infrastructure needs high strength concrete, and the sand in the Bream Bay is ideal.As part of the application process it needs to consult with a long list of Māori groups likely to be affected, or which, under the Marine and Coastal (Takutai Moana) Act may have applications in for customary title.McCallum says the company has contacted those groups, and requested cultural impact reports.He is also happy to meet with locals to discuss the proposal, although he prefers small gatherings. "I'm not really in favour of going in front of 200 people who want to abuse you."There are groups who are vocal in their opposition to the proposal, but "they're very small in number", he says."It's quite an emotional argument at the moment and we would like people who are opposed to actually read what we are putting up on our website."He was not apprehensive walking into Kepa's home, even though he was aware she was not in favour of mining. It's not his "first rodeo" and she seemed nice on the phone, he says."The worst thing you do is personalise this, and we won't do that. We've got a job to do, we've got Auckland to supply sand to."He has the impression Kepa is frustrated."It seems she doesn't actually speak for any of the major groups and the major groups don't listen to her."The consultationDave Milner is co-leader of the environmental unit of the Te Patuharakeke Trust Board and is working on a Cultural Impact Assessment report for McCallum Bros.The company is paying the Trust for this report, which Milner says is standard practice. The payment is for the resource needed to create the report, and does not come with any promise of a watered-down report."We oppose mining," he says. "Whether it's sand mining in the marine space, or on land." This view has been shared with everyone he says, including McCallum Bros.He understands people might see the willingness to create this report for the company as being in cahoots with them, but explains under the fast-track process this is the only chance the hapū will get to have a say.He is waiting for more information from the company about their plans and effects before going to the local community, this will include talking to elders, whānau and rangitahi. There will be hui at marae and workshops, "so we make sure we are touching base with our hapū".He wants to put to bed any perception people may have that because money has passed hands that something "dodgy" is going on. "There's a process we go through."No Sand Mining posters and signage around Waipu and Ruakaka Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-FarrellyRepresentatives of the Trust attended the beach protest and hopes the information about what it is doing filters through to people who are concerned that the Trust has received money from McCallums.Will the locals benefit from mining? "No," he answers. He gives the same answer when asked if he has met any locals in favour of the proposal."The community has a strong voice," says Milner. "The community has created a great groundswell in voicing their concern. You would be mad not to recognise the community needs to be part of the consultation process."No Sand Mining Bream Bay protest banner hangs at Ruakaka Beach Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-FarrellyLocal voicesEmotion hovers close to the surface for Josephine Pirihi, threatening to break through at any moment. She introduces herself with a pepeha, listing her connection with the mountains, sea and people of the area.She exudes warmth, locals she bumps into on the beach get a hug, but there's also a feeling of weariness. She describes the prospect of mining as "devastating"."They've taken our land, now they want our moana as well," she says.A banner is draped across her lap - strips of black, red and white have been carefully sewn together in the style of a tino rangatiratanga flag. It's one of 12 completed banners she has made herself to protest mining. More strips of fabric are piled up on her work table, ready for sewing before being handed off to her brother for signwriting.Her brother Parata Pirihi has hand-lettered slightly different messages on each."No sand mining Bream Bay," reads one. Another has the same no sand mining message for Waipu Cove, and a third for Ruakaka.Pirihi is nearly 70 years old and has spent her life in Bream Bay.She does not expect to be alive when the dredging boat finally leaves the bay, but she fears taking so much sand from the pristine area will cause lasting damage.Josephine Pirihi stands on the sands of Ruakaka Beach with a red, white, and black banner - the colours of the Tino Rangatiratanga flag - cloaked around her shoulders. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-FarrellyThere is a raw, pleading note to her voice when she speaks."What future have our grandchildren, your grandchildren, Aotearoa's grandchildren got?"She does not believe any employment will flow to locals from the mining."They're just coming in to do the big land grab and now the big moana grab. Just that happened back in the day, but I don't want to see that happen to the future of my mokos (grandchildren)."Dredging the seabed could alter the ecosystem. "I worry about the kia moana first, that's what we live off. Everybody lives on the moana like that."Her brother has seen first hand what effect dredging can have on sea life. He worked on a sand dredge in Australia. He is horrified at what would be sucked up as the dredge was pulled over the sea floor."I was dredging out wildlife. Snakes, turtles, seagulls and their nests," he says.Parata Pirihi, photographed at Ruakaka Beach. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-FarrellyHe fears what damage the dredge could do in Bream Bay, saying there are scallop beds and crabs in the area. The crabs attract snapper, trevally and gurnard to the area.On the dredge he worked on, sea life which got sucked up was pulverised."They come out like manure. They come out like bark. If you put bark on your garden that's what it will come out like."McCallum's website assures people the boat they use has screens which stop anything bigger than 2.5mm going through the hopper. Large items are returned to the sea. Species which were sucked up by the dredge "were typically very robust", the website says. These survived the ordeal with "minimal harm".Parata Pirihi is not convinced the boat will stick to dredging 5km from shore, he worries it will inch closer to shore. If the Fast-track expert panel gives sand mining the green light, he expects locals will monitor the boat's path to ensure it doesn't stray closer to shore than it is allowed to."It's going to be tough," he says. "We've only got a 10 foot dinghy to go out there and try and stop them."The 'gobby' hustler helping the localsLangs Beach resident Emma Hart Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-FarrellyWhile Callum McCallum is taking time out for cups of tea to win locals over with charm, Emma Hart is almost constantly on her phone: hustling.She paces back and forwards as she talks and texts, high heels clacking, the red sequins on her skirt shimmering with her constant movement.Hart is a newer resident to the area, shifting to Langs Beach from the South Island. She calls her home in Langs Beach her "piece of paradise". She is one of the pivotal figures in the local fight but does not see herself as an instigator. "I'm the glue," she says, explaining there are about 10 core people organising different aspects of opposition."I just happen to be the most gobby one because I have worked in communications."The fact this is going through as a listed project in the Fast-track legislation has added a level of urgency to her hustling for local voices to be heard, there is a rapidly closing window before the expert panel will be considering the application.She lists names of people gathering petition signatures, sewing banners, and names of shops that have put protest posters up, part of her hustle is making sure people are in the right place at the right time. The protest, set to take place during Auckland Anniversary weekend, is top of the agenda. She is expecting a good turn out, and as it turns out, gets one. She later estimates 1500 people attended. These included people from Te Parawhau and Te Patuharakeke hapū.There is a fear the community's dissent and the 9000 petition signatures will not change the outcome."There's a very high bar for proposals to be declined," says Hart.The expert panel assessing the project needs to give priority to ensuring infrastructure and development projects go ahead. Local opposition and environmental concerns take a back seat.It is not clear how much weight the cultural impact assessments will have on the expert panel's decision.The locals may lose something which has been part of their rohe for generations, Hart says."Without a doubt the most concerning part of the Fast-track Act is its calculated move to cut out community opposition. The Fast-track Act is not meant for us."This story was originally published by RNZ

Dog Owners Rally Against Proposed Ban at Te Arai
Dog Owners Rally Against Proposed Ban at Te Arai

10 February 2025, 8:14 PM

Auckland Council’s proposal to prohibit dogs from a significant portion of Te Arai’s coastline has sparked frustration and disappointment among local dog owners.On February 4, more than 30 dog owners and their pets gathered at Forestry Beach (also known as Te Arai South) to voice their opposition to the proposed restrictions. If implemented, the plan would confine off-leash dogs to a small section of sand at Te Arai Point, commonly called Quarry Beach. With the surrounding beaches of Pakiri and Te Arai already designated as dog-free zones, Mangawhai Heads would become the closest accessible beach for dog walkers.The council has justified the proposed ban as a measure to protect endangered wildlife, including dotterels. However, many long-time locals argue that they have walked their dogs in the area for decades without witnessing any harm to native species. Some have even stated they have never seen a dotterel at Forestry Beach.Protesters criticised the council’s reasoning, highlighting the apparent contradiction between conservation efforts and ongoing developments in the area, such as tree removal, large-scale excavation, and seabed sand mining. They also don’t believe council have provided any concrete evidence linking dogs to environmental damage at the beach.The proposal is part of a broader review of dog access rules across 14 regional parks, including Mahurangi East, Scott Point, Mahurangi West, Pakiri, Shakespear Regional Park, Tawharanui Regional Park and Wenderholm, to protect vulnerable native wildlife.Many dog owners, however, say they were unaware of the proposed changes until recently, when locals such as Tonya McKay and Mark and Janet Holiday began raising awareness through social media, posters, and market stalls.Mark pointed out that a designated dotterel protection zone already exists further along the beach, closer to the Mangawhai estuary, about five kilometres from the main Te Arai car park.For a full list of comparison of existing and proposed amended regional park dog access rules head hereAuckland Council’s Proposal and How to Have Your SayAuckland Council is reviewing its Policy on Dogs and the Dog Management Bylaw, which govern how dogs can be kept, their impact on public spaces, and their welfare.As part of this review, the council is proposing changes that include:Setting a limit on the number of dogs a person can walk at one time in council-controlled public placesClarifying and updating dog access rules for 14 regional parksUpdating dog access rules for 64 local parks and beachesRemoving outdated or repetitive informationMaking the policy clearer and easier to understandInformation Sessions and Public FeedbackThe council is holding in-person and online information sessions and ‘Have Your Say’ events from 30 January to 20 February 2025.Dog owners and other community members need to have their say by 23rd February:Filling in the online feedback formRegistering to attend a Have Your Say eventEmailing their feedback to [email protected] 09 301 0101 to give feedback over the phoneAll feedback will be considered before final decisions are made in mid-2025.To learn more head to https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/dog-policy-bylaw-and-access-rules

New footbridge officially opens in Wellsford
New footbridge officially opens in Wellsford

08 February 2025, 9:47 PM

A new footpath and pedestrian bridge has opened in Wellsford which allows residents to walk from Rodney Street to Centennial Park without having to cross busy State Highway 1.MP for Kaipara Ki Mahurangi, Auckland Council elected members and staff, Auckland Transport staff, Wharehine, Kiwirail, Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa and the Wellsford community attended a blessing conducted by Mātanga – Tikanga me Te Reo Māori Richard Nahi on 1 February.The 1.8m-wide footpath runs from the exiting footpath at 68 Rodney Street to Centennial Park Road along the eastern side of the highway. A new footbridge east of the vehicle overbridge completes the footpath link over the railway tracks to Centennial Park Road.Rodney Local Board Chair Brent Bailey says this footpath link is important to the Wellsford community who have waited a long time for safer pedestrian access across town.“Footpaths are a priority for our local board and community who want to expand the network, and connect our residents to workplaces, schools and sports facilities.“Our Wellsford community can now walk easily and safely from the town centre to businesses, the preschool and Centennial Park. For many years, they had to cross the state highway to get to the other side of town.”Funded by the Rodney Transport Targeted Rate with a contribution from Waka Kotahi / NZ Transport Agency, the footpath and bridge took 10 months to build at a cost of $3.9 million.The project’s biggest challenge was installing the 76-tonne concrete beam for the overbridge in June which required two cranes and an overnight road closure.Local board member Colin Smith, who represents the Wellsford area, says the new footpath and bridge is a game changer for the town.“This new asset will make a huge difference to our community who can now walk safely across town to shop, play sport and enjoy the park.”Bailey thanks the project team for their efforts engaging with local stakeholders, and Caroline Milner, for her efforts in drawing the community together, around the project.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.Funding criteria used to decide where new footpaths are built includes busy school routes, well-used pedestrian routes, and linking existing and new developments to extend the pedestrian network.Bailey says, “It’s very important that these footpath projects deliver the maximum benefit for Rodney.”

Auckland Overnight Motorway Closures  7-17 Feb
Auckland Overnight Motorway Closures 7-17 Feb

07 February 2025, 2:42 AM

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advises of the following closures for motorway improvements. Work delayed by bad weather will be completed at the next available date, prior to Friday, 14 February 2025.Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am. Traffic management may be in place before the advertised closure times for the mainline. NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Onewa Road northbound off-ramp, 9-13 FebruaryStafford Road northbound off-ramp, 9-13 FebruaryCurran Street northbound on-ramp, 9-13 February CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)SH1 southbound to SH16 eastbound (Port) link, 12 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 southbound to SH16 westbound link, 13 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Symonds Street off-ramp and Fanshawe Street on-ramp, 10-11 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Wellington Street northbound on-ramp, 10-11 FebruarySH1 northbound to SH16 westbound link, 10-11 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Westbound lanes between Stanley Street off-ramp and Newtown Road on-ramp, 10-11 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH16 (Port) westbound to SH1 northbound link, 10-11 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH16 (Port) westbound to SH1 southbound link, 10-11 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Wellesley Street East (SH1) westbound on-ramp, 10-11 FebruarySH16 eastbound to SH1 northbound link, 10-11 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Westbound lanes between Stanley Street off-ramp and Great North Road on-ramp, 13 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH16 (Port) westbound to SH1 northbound link, 13 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH16 (Port) westbound to SH1 southbound link, 13 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Wellesley Street East (SH1) westbound on-ramp, 13 FebruaryHobson Street westbound on-ramp, 13 FebruaryNewton Road westbound on-ramp, 13 FebruarySt Lukes Road westbound on-ramp, 13 FebruarySH16 westbound to SH20 southbound link, 13 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 northbound to SH16 westbound link, 13 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Eastbound lanes between Wellesley Street East (SH1) off-ramp and Alten Road on-ramp, 12 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Eastbound lanes between Wellesley Street East (SH16) off-ramp and Alten Road on-ramp, 12 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Grafton Road eastbound on-ramp, 12 FebruaryWestbound lanes between Stanley Street off-ramp and Grafton Road on-ramp, 11-13 FebruaryWestbound lanes between Quay Street/Tamaki Drive and Parnell Rise, approx. 9:00pm 7 February to 5:00am 10 February (24/7)Westbound lanes between Quay Street/Tamaki Drive and Parnell Rise, approx. 9:00pm 14 February to 5:00am 17 February (24/7) SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Southbound lanes between Papakura off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 9 FebruaryPapakura (Loop) southbound on-ramp, 9 FebruaryPapakura (Diamond) southbound on-ramp, 9 FebruarySouthbound lanes between Papakura off-ramp and Ramarama on-ramp, 10-13 FebruaryPapakura (Loop) southbound on-ramp, 10-13 FebruaryPapakura (Diamond) southbound on-ramp, 10-13 FebruaryDrury/SH22 southbound on-ramp, 10-13 FebruaryNorthbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 9-13 FebruaryDrury/SH22 northbound on-ramp, 9-13 FebruaryBombay southbound off-ramp, 9-13 FebruaryBombay northbound on-ramp, 9-13 FebruaryBombay northbound off-ramp, 9-13 FebruarySouthbound lanes between Hampton Downs off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 9-13 FebruaryNorthbound lanes between Hampton Downs off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 9-13 FebruaryDragway Road northbound off-ramp, 9-13 FebruaryHampton Downs northbound on-ramp, 9-13 FebruaryNORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)SH16 eastbound link to SH20 southbound (Waterview southbound tunnel closed), 10-11 FebruaryGreat North Road eastbound off ramp (Waterview southbound tunnel closed), 10-11 FebruaryWestbound link to SH20 southbound (Waterview southbound tunnel closed), 10-11 FebruaryEastbound lanes between Great North Road off-ramp and Alten Road, 12 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Great North Road eastbound on-ramp, 12 FebruarySt Lukes Road eastbound on-ramp, 12 FebruarySH16 eastbound to SH1 northbound link, 12 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH16 eastbound to SH16 (Port) link, 12 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH16 eastbound to SH1 southbound link, 12 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am) SOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)Southbound lanes between Maioro Street off-ramp and Hillsborough Road on-ramp, 10-11 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Maioro Street southbound on-ramp, 10-11 FebruaryDominion Road southbound on-ramp, 10-11 FebruaryNorthbound lanes between Maioro Street off-ramp and Great North Road on-ramp (Waterview northbound tunnel closed), 12-13 FebruarySH20 Northbound to SH16 Eastbound Link, 12-13 FebruarySH20 Northbound to SH16 Westbound Link, 12-13 FebruaryMaioro Street northbound on-ramp, 12-13 FebruarySouthbound lanes between Massey Road off-ramp and Puhinui Road on-ramp, 9 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Massey Road southbound on-ramp, 9 February

Chelsea Sugar has been fined $149,500 for selling sugar products contaminated with Lead
Chelsea Sugar has been fined $149,500 for selling sugar products contaminated with Lead

07 February 2025, 2:25 AM

New Zealand Sugar Company, trading as Chelsea Sugar, has been fined $149,500 for manufacturing, distributing and selling sugar products contaminated with lead.In November and December 2021, the company recalled thousands of packs of sugar products because of potential low level lead contamination.Media release: New Zealand Food Safety to investigate sugar recallsTwo other product recalls were needed when it was later discovered New Zealand Sugar Company provided incorrect information to supermarkets, resulting in more sugar products being released to consumers."These recalls had a significant impact on consumer access to certain sugar products, such as brown sugar. It also affected a large number of other businesses which had to recall products made with the contaminated sugar," says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director general Vincent Arbuckle.In the Auckland District Court, the company was sentenced on 2 charges it pleaded guilty to in May last year, including breaching its National Programme (NP) – designed to manage any food risk to consumers – along with negligently endangering, harming, creating, or increasing risk to consumers by distributing its product.A sentencing hearing was held in September last year and the court has released its reserved decision today."New Zealand Sugar Company knew what its responsibilities were to consumers – ensuring the safety and suitability of its products and managing any potential risk to consumers."It failed to properly detect the extent of lead contamination until after the imported sugar had been used in production."Offending at this scale is rare, and the Court’s sentence today sends a strong message that it will not be tolerated," says Vincent Arbuckle.In September 2021, the New Zealand Sugar Company imported sugar from Australia that became contaminated with lead during sea transport. From this sugar it manufactured and distributed 971 tonnes of contaminated sugar products to businesses in New Zealand.The sugar had been freighted to New Zealand from Australia aboard the cargo ship Rin Treasure – a vessel that had been used to ship metal sulphide concentrates (lead and zinc) on its previous voyage.Before choosing this ship, New Zealand Sugar Company was advised the vessel failed a survey report on 3 September, meaning it was not fit to load and transport bulk sugar. Prior to its departure, the vessel was cleaned, and a cleanliness report certified the vessel’s hold was in a fit state for the stowage and carriage of raw sugar.However, the cleaning was not effective, and the cargo of sugar became contaminated with lead during the journey from Queensland. This contamination may have been potentially exacerbated by a broken pipe aboard the vessel that spilled water into the sugar during the cargo unloading process by contractors.Samples of the sugar were collected between 15 and 24 September for testing but New Zealand Sugar Company followed its normal process of producing sugar products from the cargo for distribution and sale."The test result on 7 October showed high readings of lead contamination, but rather than take immediate action and stop production and distribution, they instead sought more testing which confirmed the same result."Some of this product was sold between October and early November. We were not informed of the lead contamination until 3 November, which is unacceptable."New Zealand Sugar Company’s lack of definitive action resulted in a consumer level recall of sugar products on 4 November – around 6 weeks after the contaminated product arrived in New Zealand."Although the short-term exposure to increased lead levels through these sugar products would not have endangered people’s health – we cannot afford to take a chance on public health," says Vincent Arbuckle.If you have concerns about a food product, you can contact New Zealand Food Safety on 0800 008 333 or use our online food complaint tool

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