Friday 23rd JuneMahurangi College Presents - Freaky FridayWellsford Library Lego ClubLeigh Sawmill Friday Happy HourLive Music Friday nights @ Matakana Village PubFiji Fridays @ SmithsMangawhai Karaoke @ RSA WarkworthSaturday 24th JunePuppy Pre-School (Coleman Canine Coaching)Matakana Village Farmers MarketMangawhai Tavern MarketMangawhai Community MarketLearn about Volunteering in RodneyNational Volunteer Week open day at Matakana Village Hall Acoustics with Danny Crocome @ Matakana EstatePaint & NibblesBrooke Lane Vineyard’s Last Saturday ClubTwig & Bloom - Floral Still Life Painting (for all levels)Leigh Mid-Winter DinnerDemocracyNZ - Freedom to choose - Let's Meet WellsfordMitch James - The Long Way Home Tour @ The Leigh SawmillMixed Message Saturdays at SmithsMahurangi College Presents - Freaky FridaySunday 25th JuneLeigh Mid-Winter SwimmersSunday Service @ SmithsMahurangi College Presents - Freaky Friday

Langs Beach Bridge closure - Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 June 2023 We're placing the new surface on Langs Beach Bridge and need to close it for 2 days while we complete the work.The detour through the Brynderwyn Hills to get around this closure will take around 40 minutes, depending on your destination, so please plan accordingly.You'll see a bit more advertising for this (eg roadside signage) as we get closer to the time.

Warkworth RegionHeavy Rain WatchPeriod: 12hrs from 9pm Wednesday, 21st June - 9am Thursday, 22nd JuneArea: Auckland about and north of Whangaparaoa, including Great Barrier IslandForecast: Periods of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms. Rainfall accumulations may approach warning criteria.Mangawhai RegionHeavy Rain WatchPeriod: 16hrs from noon Wednesday, 21st June - 4am Thursday, 22 JuneArea: NorthlandForecast: Periods of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms, spreading southwards today. Rainfall accumulations may approach warning criteria, especially in the north and east.

More TRADES added to The Matakana AppCheck them out and support local!💡 MP Lighting & Electrics service all types of electrical work from design through to installation and maintenance. Their motto is Do it once, Do it right. Based in Warkworth.  🚿 Leigh Plumbing and Gasfitting Ltd services covering the Rodney district. They have an easy online booking system. Examples of what they offer include: Renovations, Hot water cylinders, Bathrooms, Water pumps, UV filers/purifiers, Gas hobs.🔨 Brackenridge Builders serve North Auckland region and specialise in Architectural new builds, Residential and commercial; Renovation and alteration; Maintenance; and Landscaping. 🏠 Coastal Concepts is Rodney’s leading gate and home automation provider. Based in Warkworth, they offer access control, gate and home automation plus electrical services to homes and businesses. 💻 Rodney Computer Services Ltd provide a range of computer services and are based in Warkworth. They offer the following services:Supply and support PC’s, printers, and small networking gear.Sell HP, Dell, and Canon/Brother printers.Support Datto (now Kaseya) device Cloud backup and Microsoft 365 Mail, Onedrive Cloud backup.Antivirus support via Avast Business Cloudcare and ESET for individual PC’s.We do on-site support and workshop repairs. 🚗 Calibre Collision are based in Warkworth and provide vehicle collision repairs for all your panel and paint including insurance & private work. 🦡 RIP Pest Control service in Warkworth with over 10 years’ experience in commercial and residential pest control.📱 If you want your business to be on the App get in [email protected] or Contact

On the 14th August 2023 it will become mandatory to add the B-vitamin folic acid to non-organic wheat flour for breadmaking – a move that will help protect our babies from death or lifelong disability caused by neural tube defects."The theme for the fifth World Food Safety Day is 'food standards save lives' and you couldn’t find a more literal example of this than folic acid fortification," says New Zealand Food Safety deputy-director general Vincent Arbuckle."Based on the Australian experience – where neural tube defects substantially decreased, particularly in the indigenous population, after the introduction of mandatory fortification – we expect the benefits to specifically Māori and Pasifika babies to be significant after we start applying the same standard here in August."Naturally found in food, folate is a B-group vitamin that is essential for cell growth and reproduction. Taking folic acid – the form of folate used in additives or supplements – a month before and 3 months after conception has been proven to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs), like spinal bifida.🐴 Epic Physio NZ offer an amazing, specialised physiotherapy service for your pets. Get in touch today to see how they can support your cherised animals 🐴"In Aotearoa New Zealand, where about half of all pregnancies are unplanned, it’s not practical for folic acid supplements to be taken a month before pregnancy, and the rate of NTDs is significantly higher here than in countries that have a mandatory fortification approach. Our Pasifika and Māori pēpē are also overrepresented in NTD statistics," says Mr Arbuckle."In 2009, Australia introduced the mandatory food standard requiring non-organic wheat flour for breadmaking to include folic acid. NTD rates subsequently fell 14% in the general population, 55% in teenage pregnancies and 74% in indigenous populations."So, the New Zealand Government’s decision in 2021 to adopt the joint Australia/New Zealand standard requiring the mandatory addition of folic acid to non-organic wheat flour for breadmaking is a safe and effective way of decreasing the rate of NTDs."Mandatory folic acid fortification has been safely and successfully implemented in more than 80 countries, and a 2018 report from the Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor and the Royal Society Te Apārangi found no evidence that fortification of food with folic acid has any harmful effects.However, to give consumers choice, fortification will not be required in non-wheat flour, organic wheat flour, or flour not intended for breadmaking. Products containing folic acid or flour fortified with folic acid will also be clearly labelled.The mandatory fortification was first announced in 2021, and will come into effect on 14 August 2023, following a two-year transition period.For more information on flour fortification, see our website here

Pak'nSave Warkworth opened this morning!Located at the corner of SH1 and Hudson Road, it ties in nicely to the SH1 Puhoi to Warkworth (P2W) motorway that opened yesterday.Apparently they will have opening specials in store.Click and Collect will be available in the future.OPEN 7 days - 8am to 9pmHere is a link to their website

Three people have been injured when a man entered Chinese restaurants in an Auckland street and attacked customers with weapons including an axe, witnesses say.A police spokesperson said the attacker went into several businesses on Corinthian Drive in Albany at about 9pm on Monday and began hitting customers with a weapon.The injuries ranged from moderate to serious.A 24-year-old man was arrested at the scene and was due to appear in the North Shore District Court on Tuesday morning.He is charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and police said further charges were likely.Police shift commander Eugene Pickett said the man was arrested nearby without a search.He said some of the restaurant patrons tried to confront the attacker.A witness told RNZ she had seen her friend attacked in front of her as they were eating.They were at Maya Hotpot when a man walked in with something wrapped in cloth, which he unwrapped, and she saw he had an axe, a pole and another item in the bundle.She said he came at her friend from behind with the axe.Shortly after, everyone was standing up and someone shouted 'what are you going to do, why are you doing it', before her friend was hit again, she said.The man was very "calm, patient, slow" as he entered the restaurant, she said.Her injured friend was taken to hospital.Photo: RNZ/ Jordan DunnA reporter at the scene said at least four police cars attended on Monday night, and one of the officers had told her to keep well away from the shops as there was a lot of blood in the area.Three restaurants were cordoned off. Spilled soup across a table was visible in one of the premises and items could be seen on the floor.Photo: RNZ/ Jordan DunnThe cordoned restaurants include Zhang Liang Malatang, Yue's Dumpling Kitchen, and Maya Hotpot.Photo: RNZ/ Jordan DunnTwo people were taken to North Shore Hospital and were in a stable condition on Tuesday morning. A third person was in Auckland Hospital. Their condition has not been released.Photo: RNZ/ Jordan DunnPhoto: RNZ/ Jordan DunnThis story was first 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, 23 June 2023. Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am.NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Southbound lanes between Waiwera off-ramp and Silverdale on-ramp, 18 JuneOrewa southbound on-ramp, 18 JuneMillwater southbound on-ramp, 18 JuneNorthbound lanes between Silverdale off-ramp and Waiwera on-ramp, 18 June (approx.. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Orewa northbound on-ramp, 18 JuneSilverdale northbound on-ramp, 18 JuneNorthbound lanes between Northcote Road off-ramp and Tristram Avenue on-ramp, 22 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northcote Road northbound on-ramp, 22 June (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Onewa Road southbound on-ramp, 22 June (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Stafford Road northbound off-ramp, 18 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Shelly Beach Road southbound off-ramp, 22 June (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Curran Street northbound on-ramp, 18 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)Fanshawe Street southbound off-ramp, 22 June (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Fanshawe Street off-ramp and Hobson Street on-ramp, 19-20 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 southbound to SH16 westbound link, 19-20 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 southbound to SH16 eastbound (Port) link, 19-20 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Wellington Street northbound on-ramp, 22 JuneHobson Street westbound on-ramp, 19-20 JuneSH16 eastbound to SH16 port link, 19-20 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 northbound to SH16 westbound link, 19-20 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Westbound lanes between Stanley Street off-ramp and Great North Road on-ramp, 19 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Westbound lanes between Stanley Street off-ramp and St Lukes Road on-ramp, 20 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH16 (Port) westbound to SH1 northbound link, 19-20 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH16 (Port) westbound to SH1 southbound link, 19-20 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Wellesley Street East westbound on-ramp, 19-20 June🚙 Head to North Harbour Ford for all your Ford vechicle needs for great prices and service 🚗SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Northbound lanes between Greenlane off-ramp and Wellington Street on-ramp, 21 June (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 northbound to SH16 westbound link, 21 June (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 northbound to SH16 eastbound (Port) link, 21 June (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)Gillies Avenue northbound on-ramp, 21 JuneGreenlane northbound on-ramp, 21 JunePrinces Street northbound on-ramp, 20 JuneRedoubt Road southbound off-ramp, 21 JuneHill Road northbound on-ramp, 20 JunePapakura southbound off-ramp, 16 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Papakura (Loop) northbound on-ramp, 18-22 JuneSouthbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Ramarama on-ramp, 16-17 & 23-24 June (approx. 9:00pm to 6:00am)Drury/SH22 southbound on-ramp, 16-17 & 23-24 June (approx. 9:00pm to 6:00am)Southbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Ramarama on-ramp, 18-22 JuneDrury/SH22 southbound on-ramp, 18-22 JuneDragway Road northbound off-ramp, 20 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Hampton Downs off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 20 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Hampton Downs off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 20 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Hampton Downs off-ramp and Rangiriri on-ramp, 22 JuneHampton Downs southbound on-ramp, 22 JuneTe Kauwhata southbound on-ramp, 22 JuneNorthbound lanes between Te Kauwhata off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 21 June (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Te Kauwhata northbound on-ramp, 21 June (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)Lincoln Road northbound on-ramp, 18-22 JuneLincoln Road northbound off-ramp, 22 JuneRosebank Road southbound on-ramp, 18 JuneSH16 westbound to SH20 southbound link, 19 June (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)St Lukes Road westbound on-ramp, 19 JuneNewton Road westbound on-ramp, 19-20 JuneSOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)Neilson Street southbound on-ramp, 18 JuneMahunga Drive southbound off-ramp, 18 JuneSouthbound lanes between SH20/SH20A links and Kirkbride Road on-ramp, 18-20 JuneSH20 southbound to SH20A southbound link, 18-20 JuneSH20 northbound to SH20A southbound link, 18-20 JuneMassey Road southbound on-ramp, 22 JuneMassey Road northbound on-ramp, 21 JuneMassey Road northbound off-ramp, 22 JuneGEORGE BOLT MEMORIAL DRIVE (SH20A)Northbound lanes between Kirkbride Road off-ramp and SH20 link, 18-22 JuneSH20A northbound to SH20 northbound link, 18-22 JuneKirkbride Road northbound on-ramp, 18-22 June

Warkworth RegionMonday 19th June - Mainly fine with areas of morning fog. Isolated showers developing this afternoon, possibly heavy north of Whangaparaoa. Northeasterlies.Tuesday 20th June - Cloudy periods with isolated showers. Light winds, northeasterlies developing in the evening.Wednesday 21st June - Mostly cloudy, with isolated showers turning to rain in the afternoon. Northeasterlies, becoming fresh in the morning.Thursday 22nd June - Rain easing to showers. Fresh easterlies, easing.Friday 23rd June - Showers, easing. Northeasterlies.Saturday 24th June - A few showers, clearing later but remaining partly cloudy. Easterlies, becoming fresh.Sunday 25th June - Showers with southwesterlies.📞 Proactive Consulting Ltd offers CRM & Telephone Account Management for you new or existing CRM system 📱Mangawhai RegionMonday 19th June - Fine this morning apart from patches of fog, then a few showers this afternoon and evening, possibly heavy. Light winds, afternoon northerlies.Tuesday 20th June - Mostly cloudy, with a few showers. Northerlies developing in the morning.Wednesday 21st June - Showers, turning to rain in the morning. Fresh northeasterlies, easing in the evening.Thursday 22nd June - Rain easing to a few showers. Southwesterlies developing.Friday 23rd June - Showers, clearing to partly cloudy weather. Northeasterlies.Saturday 24th June - Drizzle, clearing and becoming fine. Northeasterlies.Sunday 25th June - Showers with southwesterlies.

SH1 PUHOI TO WARKWORTH - OPENThe new Ara Tūhono motorway has now opened to all traffic between Warkworth & Puhoi, with the southbound on-ramp from Puhoi now closed. Pls access the new #SH1 motorway via Pukerito Rbt (north of Warkworth) or follow free route south via Orewa.Twitter link for video

Thousands of credit card users have been hit by a technical glitch that caused transactions to be duplicated.One Kiwibank customer said almost $5000 was taken from his card after a pizza purchase made last night was duplicated 300 times.Kiwibank said about 500 customers were affected due to an issue with one of its vendors, and it was working to fix the problem.BNZ said 6000 of its customers had been impacted, but it had resolved the issue.It said an external credit card service provider told it the glitch happened between 10 and 10:30pm on Friday night.This story was originally posted on Radio New Zealand

Police are seeking witnesses to two fatal crashes that occurred near Whangārei, Northland last week.The first fatal crash occurred just after 7.00pm on Friday 9 June on State Highway 1 in the Mata area, 15 kilometres south of Whangārei.The crash involved a northbound blue ute and a southbound black-coloured station wagon. The crash was just north of the John’s Hill passing lanes and south of the Metal Pit by Hewlett Road, north of the Mata Hall.Sadly a 17-year-old passenger died at the scene of the crash.Police would like any witnesses of the crash, or driving prior to the crash, or anyone with dash camera footage to come forward and assist the ongoing investigation.People can call our free 105 phone number quoting the file number: 230610/2511.The second fatal crash occurred at about 9.50am on Saturday 10 June at the intersection of Western Hills Drive and Percy Street, Whau Valley, Whangārei.The crash involved a silver-coloured hatchback and a white-coloured station wagon.Sadly, the 87-year-old driver of the hatchback later died in hospital.Once again, Police would like any witnesses of the crash, or driving prior to the crash, or anyone with dash camera footage to come forward and assist the ongoing investigation.People can call 105 quoting the file number: 230610/4146.

Story by Delphine Herbert, senior reporter for RNZNew Zealanders have the opportunity to get up close and personal with treasures from Egypt, as the largest collection of ancient artefacts goes on display in Aotearoa.The collection, Egypt: In the Time of Pharaohs, opens on Thursday at Auckland War Memorial Museum.It reveals the everyday life of one of history's most influential cultures, showcasing more than 300 artefacts, including mummified remains and jewellery. Some date back as far as 4500 years.The exhibition aimed to transport visitors back in time, to life at the time of Egypt's powerful pharaohs, legendary pyramids and classic art.Egyptologist and professor Regine Schulz who helped put the display together said there was plenty to see."Ancient Egyptian pharaohs, and there is a wonderful head of a pharaoh which comes from the first century, and we also have beautiful jewellery."Included in the exhibition are the mummified remains of Ta-Khar, a wealthy Egyptian woman who lived in Thebes during the 25th Dynasty, and adornments worn by ancient Egyptians.Bust of a New Kingdom Queen. Early new Kingdom (ca. 1550 BC). Dark red granite. Photo: Roemer- und Pelizaeus Museum HildesheimThere are also stunning carved reliefs and statues of animals, deities and pharaohs.Auckland War Memorial Museum chief executive David Gaimster said it was significant for the whole country."This is a one-in-a-generation opportunity. We don't get the opportunity to bring major exhibitions from Europe like this, on this scale, very often."We've been planning this for a long time. We really wanted to create a very rich and exciting programme for rebooting the museum after Covid and all those lockdowns."A coffin for the overseer of the granary Nakht in the exhibition Egypt: In the Time of Pharaohs. Photo: MuseumsPartnerHe said New Zealanders were very interested in Egypt's history."Ancient Egypt was a foundational civilisation that inspired many societies around the world and continues to do so. Ancient Egyptians created symbols of power that we still recognise today and had sophisticated spiritual beliefs. They demonstrated humanity's ingenuity in architecture, engineering and construction, and used the river Nile landscape to support a rich and complex culture."The collection will be on display until 12 November.Story originally posted by Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has officially opened the new Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway heading north from Auckland.Watch the PM speaking here:After joining other officials to cut the ribbon on the $880 million Ara Tūhono - Pūhoi to Warkworth - motorway Hipkins said it was a "really significant day for the north".The motorway was a "vital transport link between Auckland and the Northland Region", he said, and while there was still more work to do on it, today's opening was a milestone worth celebrating.The 18.5-kilometre stretch of motorway was built as a partnership between Waka Kotahi and the Northern Express Group and will open to the public shortly, with only finishing works outstanding and expected to be completed over the next few months.More than 35,000 vehicles are expected to travel the stretch of road every day, including 1300 trucks.Hipkins said the roading project was one of the biggest the country had seen in recent times, with thousands having worked on it and thousands of others standing to benefit from it.The weather events of earlier in the year had shown how "vulnerable" some of New Zealand's roading network was and the new motorway would be a "great thing for the community", he said."This is a really significant step in the right direction in terms of getting a more resilient and more reliable and a safer road up network up here."Planning and consenting work was "well advanced" for the next section of the road, he said."We certainly acknowledge the vital importance of this section of road."Linking the Auckland Region to the Northland Region, this is the main lifeline, this is the main highway - we need to make sure that we're investing in it."Photo: Stuff / Jason DordayLabour had been wrong to call the motorway the 'holiday highway' he said, though he stood by his party's earlier criticism that it was wrong that "all of the funding was being directed into roads of national significance and away from maintenance and away from local roads"."We're still seeing the long-term effects of that now in the number of potholes we've got in our roads and the maintenance that just wasn't done during that period when all the funding was being diverted to roads of national significance," he said."The reality is we need to do both, we need to invest in new roads, but we've also got to make sure we're maintaining the existing roads that we've got."Both Ara Tūhono and the $62m Te Honohono ki Tai Matakana Link road were due to open to motorists "very soon" Associate Transport Minister Kiri Allan said, though exact times had not been announced in a bid to avoid traffic building up."Waka Kotahi says [announcing the opening times] does increase the chance of people coming up and causing some disruption."Together with the Matakana link road project, the new stretch of motorway will allow motorists heading to Matakana and the coast to bypass an often-congested intersection in Warkworth.The link road, Te Honohono ki Tai, was finished and ready to open.Auckland Transport (AT) chief executive Dean Kimpton said the road would reduce traffic through the Hill Street intersection at Warkworth by about half."It'll really free it up and allow people to move more quickly... people will enjoy the difference. We'll have bus services in place and you'll see increased frequency and reliability."Kimpton said the Warkworth Community Transport Hub would be the logical place to park and ride, freeing up car park spaces in the township for business and retail visitors."The Hub opening was meant to coincide with Te Honohono ki Tai Road and Ara Tūhono - Pūhoi to Warkworth, but was finished early. Once bus commuters realise there's plenty of free parking with new facilities, the Hub will come into its own."The 995 bus between Wellsford and Hibiscus Coast Station in Silverdale will run along the new motorway.The link road was 1.35km-long and connected Matakana Road and SH1 just north of Warkworth. It featured a bridge as well as walking and cycling facilities.The link road cost $62m to complete and was jointly funded by AT and Waka Kotahi.Wellsford-based Wharehine Construction managed the build, which took just under three years to complete, including delays due to Covid-19 and storms.The name Te Honohono ki Tai was gifted to the project and the road by Warkworth-based iwi Ngāti Manuhiri.It means "from the land to the sea", and reflects the pathway Te Honohono ki Tai Road takes from SH1 to Matakana Road.This story was originally posted by Radio New Zealand

Friday 16th JuneInvoke Wellness - Free Wellness ChecksLeigh Sawmill Friday Happy HourLive Music Friday Nights @ Matakana Village PubFiji Fridays @ SmithsLate Night Music With Unchained Duo @ Matakana EstateWhats on this month at Warkworth RSAWellsford Community Solutions Session 🏠 For renovations and architectural new builds in Northland check out Smith Construction 🔨Saturday 17th JuneMangawhai Community MarketMangawhai Tavern MarketMatakana Village Farmers MarketMixed Messages Saturdays @ SmithsThe Forest Bridge TrustPuppy Pre-School (Coleman Canine Coaching)Sunday 18th JuneSunday Service @ SmithsBones for Life

Warkworth RegionFriday 16th June - Periods of rain, possibly heavy. Easterlies.Saturday 17th - Mainly fine, a few showers especially in the morning. Easterlies, turning southerly in the morning.Sunday 18th - Partly cloudy, chance of a shower until late. Southerlies, easing in the afternoon..🏠 Contact Shade Design in Warkworth for your Canopies, Screens & Blinds, Louvres and Awnings needs.🏠Mangawhai RegionFriday 16th June - Showers becoming frequent and possibly heavy this afternoon. Light winds.Saturday 17th - Mostly cloudy with the chance of a shower, becoming fine in the evening. Southerlies, turning westerly late at night.Sunday 18th - Fine, then showers in the afternoon and evening. Westerlies, easing late.

Apparently we are only a few days away from the public being able to drive on the NEW Puhoi to Warkworth Motorway.So a good time perhaps to advise again of the permanent speed limits which will take effect on the day SH1 Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway opens.

Warkworth RegionHeavy Rain WatchPeriod: 10hrs from 2am - noon Friday, 16th JunArea: Auckland from Whangaparaoa northwards, also Great Barrier IslandForecast: Rain could be heavy at times. Localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h are possible.Issued: 8:42am Thu 15 JunNext update: 9:00pm Thu 15 JunSevere Thunderstorm WatchPeriod: 12hrs from 9pm Thursday, 15th Jun - 9am Friday, 16th JunArea: Northland, Great Barrier IslandForecast: A band of rain associated with an active trough is expected to move southeastwards onto Northland during Thursday evening. There is a moderate risk of thunderstorms with this rain band, which may spread as far south as Whangarei and Dargaville by midnight, then further south after midnight. There is also moderate risk that these thunderstorms could become severe over Northland and Great Barrier Island, producing localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h, and possibly damaging tornadoes.Mangawhai RegionHeavy Rain WatchPeriod: 16hrs from 6pm Thursday, 15th Jun - 10am Friday, 16th JunArea: NorthlandForecast: Rain could be heavy at times. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria, especially in northern and eastern areas. Localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h and thunderstorms are possible.Severe Thunderstorm WatchPeriod: 12hrs from 9pm Thursday, 15th Jun - 9am Friday, 16th JunArea: Northland, Great Barrier IslandForecast: A band of rain associated with an active trough is expected to move southeastwards onto Northland during Thursday evening. There is a moderate risk of thunderstorms with this rain band, which may spread as far south as Whangarei and Dargaville by midnight, then further south after midnight. There is also moderate risk that these thunderstorms could become severe over Northland and Great Barrier Island, producing localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h, and possibly damaging tornadoes.

Susan Botting, Local Democracy ReporterNorthland Regional Council divers have today set up a New Zealand-first caulerpa attack tool in the Bay of Islands.The new-to New Zealand approach is being trialled by Northland Regional Council (NRC) and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) in an isolated patch of caulerpa in Albert Channel. It uses swimming pool chlorine tabs under a large heavy black tarpaulin attached to the sea floor with the equivalent of giant tent pegs, in a two-pronged attack on the superspreader invasive seaweed.The tool has been successfully used to fight caulerpa in California. Technical specialists from around New Zealand recently attended an online meeting with Californian caulerpa experts to learn more about tools to fight the pest.NRC divers put down the trial treatment tool in place today on a small, isolated patch of caulerpa about 500 metres outside the boundary of the government's less than 24-hour-old Controlled Area Notice (CAN) legally banning anchoring and fishing.The isolated patch of about one square metre of caulerpa has been covered in a 12 square metre heavy black tarpaulin anchored to the sea floor with tent pegs.More than 1000 hectares of the Bay of Islands moana now has a fishing and anchoring ban due to new government biosecurity controls and a mana whenua rāhui in the wake of caulerpa being found across 200 hectares of the iconic New Zealand visitor marine destination. The bans took effect yesterday, 12 June.👷🏼‍♂️ Do you need earthworks or drainlaying undertaken on your property? Dynamic Pipeworks can do that for you 💦NRC marine biosecurity specialist Kaeden Leonard said four chlorine pool tabs expected to kill the plant had been put on top of the caulerpa. The heavy black tarpaulin went over the top of this. It was aimed at starving any of the runners that spread horizontally out from the plant of light.The tarpaulin covers an area three times bigger than the caulerpa clump. Its use aims to also seal in the chlorine chemical to maximise the chemical's impact.A second adjacent much smaller area of caulerpa has also been treated with a single chlorine tab and covered in a one square metre of tarpaulin.NRC divers will return to the site to check progress in a month, monitoring in the meantime.NRC marine biosecurity officer Toby Dickson checks the New Zealand-first caulerpa treatment trial he and the council team have newly set up in the Bay of Islands on 13 June 2023. Photo: Supplied/ Brett Sutton, Marine Environmental Field ServicesThe trial is located near Mahenotiti Island and is hitting the additional small isolated caulerpa patches found in NIWA's eastern Bay of Islands surveillance checking late on Friday afternoon.Specialist NRC divers will continue to carry out surveillance dives in the immediate area of this isolated outcrop of Bay of Islands exotic caulerpa to provide confidence that all exotic Caulerpa around the trial site has been located.Mats covering the sea floor have been used in Great Barrier Island caulerpa treatment trials that used huge quantities of salt to try and kill the pest. However, these mats were hessian.The Bay of Islands' trial technology has previously been used in California to treat small areas, but of a different species of the exotic pest called caulerpa taxifolia. This type of caulerpa is known as aquarium caulerpa and can make people sick. It contains a toxin to prevent animals from eating it. The toxin accumulates in the flesh of fish which eat caulerpa taxifolia, this in turn getting passed on to humans. Caulerpa taxifolia is banned in Aotearoa.The Bay of Islands caulerpa infestation is made up of caulerpa brachypus and caulerpa parvifolia, the same two species as are found on Great Barrier Island - only about 100 kilometres to the south by sea from the Bay of Islands. These two species are not toxic.This story was first published by RNZ