New Zealand Police are warning of increasing incidents of ‘sextortion’ where local young people are targeted by offshore offenders.This is a global issue where offshore offenders target young victims by tricking them into sending sexually explicit content before blackmailing them with threats to share the content with friends and family unless they pay.While we first started to see this in New Zealand in late 2021, instances of local young victims continue to rise.The offending generally begins with a direct message sent to the victim on social media.The victim is then asked to continue chatting on a different app, and the conversation often becomes highly sexualised.From there the victim is coerced into sharing intimate photos and/or videos of themselves, which are used to blackmail them, with threats to share it on their social media contacts list unless they pay.In some instances, photos are reportedly doctored by the offender to make the victim appear to be in even more compromising positions.Offenders can also capture naked or sexual images of the young person while they’re on live stream or video, which is often then part of extortion. This is called ‘capping’.We are shining a light on this serious issue to ensure New Zealand young people, their parents and care givers are aware of the risks and remain vigilant to ensure it does not happen to them.Learn more here - https://netsafe.org.nz/sextortion/

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, 18 August 2023.Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am.NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Southbound lanes between Silverdale off-ramp and Oteha Valley Road on-ramp, 20-22 AugustSilverdale southbound on-ramp, 20-22 AugustConstellation Drive northbound on-ramp, 21 August (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Constellation Drive southbound off-ramp, 21 August (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Northcote Road off-ramp and Constellation Drive on-ramp, 22-24 August (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Tristram Avenue northbound on-ramp, 22-24 August (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Northcote Road northbound on-ramp, 22-24 August (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)Hobson Street westbound on-ramp, 21 AugustSH1 southbound to SH16 westbound link, 21 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00amSH1 southbound to SH16 eastbound (Port) link, 23 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH16 eastbound to SH1 northbound link, 23 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH16 eastbound to SH1 southbound link, 23 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH 16 eastbound to SH16 (Port) link, 23 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 northbound to SH16 westbound link, 21 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Westbound lanes between Stanley Street off-ramp and Great North Road on-ramp, 21 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH16 (Port) westbound to SH1 northbound link, 21 AugustSH16 (Port) westbound to SH1 southbound link, 21 AugustWellesley Street East westbound on-ramp, 21 AugustSOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Southbound lanes between Takanini off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 23-24 AugustTakanini southbound on-ramp, 23-24 AugustSouthbound lanes between Papakura off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 20-22 AugustPapakura southbound on-ramp, 18-26 August (24/7)Northbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 23-24 AugustDrury/SH22 northbound on-ramp, 23-24 AugustDrury/SH22 northbound off-ramp, 20 August (approx. 5:00am to 07:00pm)Northbound lanes between Ramarama off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 21-22 AugustRamarama northbound on-ramp, 21-22 AugustBeaver Road northbound on-ramp, 24 AugustBeaver Road northbound off-ramp, 24 AugustNikau Road northbound on-ramp, 24 AugustPokeno southbound off-ramp, 20 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Pokeno southbound on-ramp, 20 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Pioneer Road southbound off-ramp, 20 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 20 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 20 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)Southbound lanes between Brigham Creek Road roundabout and Hobsonville Road on-ramp, 20-21 AugustNorthbound lanes between Hobsonville Road off-ramp and Brigham Creek Roundabout, 20-21 AugustSouthbound lanes between Lincoln Road off-ramp and Te Atatu Road on-ramp, 20 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Lincoln Road off-ramp and Great North Road on-ramp, 22 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Lincoln Road southbound on-ramp, 20 & 22 AugustTe Atatu Road (Loop) southbound on-ramp, 22 AugustTe Atatu Road (Diamond) southbound on-ramp, 22 AugustRosebank Road southbound on-ramp, 22 AugustEastbound lanes between Great North Road off-ramp and Grafton Road on-ramp, 23 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Great North Road eastbound on-ramp, 23 AugustSt Lukes Road eastbound on-ramp, 23 AugustSH16 eastbound to SH20 southbound link (Waterview southbound tunnel closed), 21 - 22 AugustGreat North Road eastbound off-ramp (Waterview southbound tunnel closed), 21 - 22 AugustSH16 westbound to SH20 southbound link (Waterview Southbound tunnel closed) 21 - 22 AugustSt Lukes Road westbound on-ramp, 21 AugustNewton Road westbound on-ramp, 21 AugustUPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)Brigham Creek Road eastbound on-ramp, 20-22 August (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00amSOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)Northbound lanes between Maioro Street off-ramp and SH16 links (Waterview northbound tunnel closed), 23 & 24 AugustMaioro Street northbound on-ramp (Waterview northbound tunnel closed), 23 & 24 AugustHillsborough Road northbound off-ramp, 21 & 24 AugustSouthbound lanes between Puhinui Road off-ramp and Puhinui Road on-ramp, 20 August

“We didn’t know the track was even there, until we bought a section next to it!” In 2010 Lydia and Ian Smith built a house down a windy lane off Matheson Bay Road. Back then the Kohuroa Stream Track was a precarious dirt path. After the old Rodney council installed a couple sets of stairs below the waterfall, Ian and Lydia began thinking about broader possibilities.The Smith’s were keenly aware of Kauri dieback, a soilborne pathogen called Phytophthora Agathidicida first detected in 1972 on Great Barrier Island. By the time it reached the Waitakere Ranges in 2006 huge swathes of Kauri were wiped out. As we stopped along the track to look at a majestic Kauri, the Smith’s explained that dieback appears initially as weeping lesions on the trunk followed by yellowing leaves and death. The disease has unfortunately spread up the North Island from Kawhia where Kauri forests begin. Luckily, the Kohuroa gully contains a regenerating Kauri grove at its northern end.This was the motivation the Smith’s needed to approach Council in 2017 about funding for a new path. Kauri dieback was a hot issue, so the Council gave them $28,000 to start building a new trail. Given their spark and energy, the Smith’s easily recruited local volunteers to help. Ian said “We worked a couple of mornings and over weekends. Everybody chipped in, it was very social. If you were good with tools, you built the track, if you were good at hauling a wheelbarrow, like Peter Spence, you did that, others carried wood. The ITM in Matakana were great and gave or discounted the materials.”They were fortunate to have the time and energy of Warkworth engineer Roger Williams to lead the group and develop the design to acquire further funding. Again, the Council delivered. Ian said, “We built the entire track for around $20K.” Lydia compared that to the “immense cost” council recently spent to improve the Kauri end of the track (Leigh Road to the waterfall), using a helicopter to airlift materials back and forth from Matheson Bay. Her neighbour said it sounded like a war zone! Lydia pleaded with council to recycle existing materials and use volunteers to bring in supplies, but this fell on deaf ears. Council did not want to risk dieback spread. The results, however, speak for themselves. The track is gorgeous, safe and walkable even in the rain.The Smith’s share a deep respect for our natural world. Still curious after years of study, Lydia has degrees in botany and zoology, Ian a degree in geology. Their years in academia honed a spirit of curiosity that has driven a lifetime of learning. “My treat is walking up and down the track with Maureen Young (Warkworth based botanist). She tells great stories about plants.” As Lydia and I looked over the side of the new track she said another friend was surprised to see an abundance of young Kauri on the forest floor and asked if they had been planted. Lydia was tickled by this, both were just thrilled to see the new growth. The Kauri here are disease free, and the Smith’s keep a close eye on their health, walking the track regularly.The track is finished, but their work remains on-going. A pile of native tree signs sat on their front porch, Lydia explaining “our next task is to get the signage back in the ground”. Then there’s the weeding, although most of the track is remarkably weed-free. Plus, the native planting in Matheson Bay Domain led by David Edwards. Retirement has meant that Lydia could “resurrect my studies in botany”. Botany and zoology were male dominated fields she struggled to break into. Shaking her head with a light-hearted laugh she added, “so I became a librarian, and a communications lecturer at AUT, something I was never trained to do!”The Smith’s may be weekenders, but they pack in more local volunteer work than most. Lydia also volunteers at the Leigh Library and they both are on the weekend gate locking roster. When they’re not volunteering, they spend time with two of their beloved grandchildren in Auckland. Thanks to their vision, and support from Matheson Bay volunteers, visitors and locals alike enjoy strolling through the bush, listening to the Tui’s and the rush of the waterfalls. The Kohuroa Stream Track is now a long-term community asset. A treasure to be enjoyed by all.This story was reposted with permission from Leigh Rag - [email protected]

Auckland Council is carrying out pest fish control at Lake Tomarata next week. Please keep out of the lake from 21-25 August. No swimming or boating and dogs should stay out the water because of nets in the lake. All nets will be gone by the weekend. The reserve is open throughout this time. Controlling pest fish, protects native biodiversity and water quality.

Devich Road Bridge updateCouncil staff and contractors have been working on solutions to repair or replace Devich Road bridge, which was damaged in the 24 February extreme weather event. Three out of the four retaining walls of the bridge suffering major structural damage, leaving the road at the approaches to the bridge at a risk of collapse. In its current condition it is extremely unsafe and remains closed to traffic and pedestrians.  Recent geotechnical ground investigations completed in the last week of July and early August have shown that the current bridge is repairable. This is good news, but we will need to undertake further site assessments to finalise the strengthening work. We are already in discussion with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to receive a higher subsidy for this repair (82%), to ease the burden on ratepayers. We anticipate getting the work completed before the end of this year, and will update you once we have a confirmed programme of works.  Read the letter to residents sent 29 May 2023Read the letter to residents sent 15 August 2023

Auckland RegionFriday 18th August - Fine spells, but a few showers, clearing this evening. Light winds, afternoon westerlies.Saturday 19th August - Occasional rain developing in the morning. Northerlies, becoming fresh in the afternoon.Sunday 20th August - Rain with possibly heavy falls, easing to a few showers in the afternoon. Fresh northerlies, turning lighter westerly in the afternoon.Whangarei RegionFriday 18th August - Fine spells, but a few showers, clearing this evening. Light winds.Saturday 19th August - Rain developing in the morning. Northerlies, becoming fresh in the afternoon.Sunday 20th August - Rain, clearing to partly cloudy in the afternoon. Northerlies, turning westerly in the afternoon.

Police have conducted a series of search warrants as part of the ongoing homicide investigation into a shooting that occurred on Queen Street this month.Today’s search warrants targeted associates of Dariush Talagi, who is wanted to arrest for murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton says one arrest has been made today.“The investigation team terminated search warrants at four properties in Māngere, Manurewa, Manukau and Papakura.“One man has been arrested as a result and our enquiries will continue.”The 32-year-old man has been charged with unlawful possession of ammunition and is expected in the Manukau District Court on 22 August.Meanwhile, Police are releasing details of a vehicle of interest connected to the investigation.Information about the whereabouts of this vehicle is being sought as part of the investigation, Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton says.“Police believe this vehicle is in the Northland region and likely in a rural area.“We need to hear from anyone who knows where this vehicle might be, and who the occupants seen travelling in this vehicle are.”The vehicle is a 2006 black BMW X6 with the registration KLU568.The investigation team are continuing its work to locate 24-year-old Talagi since the events of 3 August on Queen Street.“Talagi should be considered dangerous and we advise the public to not approach him, but instead call Police on 111 straight away,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton says.“Our investigation team remains committed to locating Talagi and holding him to account for his actions that night on Queen Street.“It is only a matter of time, and I continue to remind anyone who is assisting Talagi that being an accessory after the fact is a criminal offence.”Anyone with additional information to assist the investigation, or information on the vehicle of interest should contact Police on 105 quoting the file number 230804/3399.Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Amending legislation to the government's controversial Three Waters programme has passed its third reading under urgency at Parliament.The bill would put in place the final series of changes to the drinking, waste and stormwater management systems, including the increase from four entities to 10 smaller ones, announced in April.It also delayed the start date of the entities by two years, to 2026. Some of the entities are expected to come online earlier, however, including the largest one covering Auckland and Northland.The greater number of entities will mean they are more localised, and councils will typically have more influence in strategic oversight groups, but also means costs for ratepayers will likely be higher than under Labour's previous plan.Labour and the Green Party supported the Water Services Entities Amendment Bill, while National, ACT, and Te Pāti Māori opposed it.National and ACT have both promised to repeal the entire suite of reforms - but keeping the water regulator Taumata Arowai - if elected in October.With just three weeks before the House rises for election campaigning, the government is sitting under urgency to get several big pieces of legislation passed.The two pieces of legislation for the reforms to the Resource Management Act are also expected to pass today.This story was originally published by RNZ

Plans for a multi-million-dollar conference centre in Whangārei appear to be on the rocks after the government withdrew its share of the funding.In 2020, Ōruku Landing conference and event centre was granted $60 million from the government's "shovel ready" Covid Response and Recovery Fund, with Whangārei District Council pledging just over $11m to the development in March this year.The total cost of the on-again, off-again conference centre was put at $64m.Private investors were expected to stump up another $140m for the rest of the project, which was to have included riverside apartments and a four-star hotel.However on Tuesday, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said ministers were not convinced the project was financially sustainable."The Ōruku Landing project has been complex which has affected progress ... The local council reconsidered their position on supporting the project and it has been challenging to make the project economically viable," Robertson said."There have been a number of changes to the proposal to get it over the line, but ministers did not have the confidence that the project was sustainable financially and in a challenging economic environment they have decided to decline the application for the project."We know this will be disappointing for those in the Northland community who have worked on developing Ōruku Landing. The government is doing its bit to support regions while responsibly managing its finances and restrain spending, and ministers are facing tough choices in a deteriorating global economy."The decision came as a shock to Northland Development Corporation, the company behind the project.Director Barry Trass said he was "extremely disappointed".The project had been in the pipeline for four years and the government had already given three extensions, he said.Reasons for the extensions included increased construction costs, which had forced the company to find more money."We've done everything the government asked of us, so we're extremely upset it's come to this, when we believe we've done everything that we needed to do," Trass said."It was such a fantastic project for the city, and the whole region ... We saw the event centre as a catalyst for the rest of the development, which is the hotel, a block of apartments and a marina," he said."For the $60 million the government was putting in, there was another $140 million of private money coming into the project ... It's really jeopardising the whole project now."Trass said he wanted to meet government ministers and ask why they had declined the funding after the corporation had done what it had been asked to do."They're saying the project isn't financially sustainable. Well, all the expert advice we've had says that it is. We just want to sit down and ask, 'Where to from here?'. We can't just let this go."Trass said $1m of the original $60m funding application to the Provincial Growth Fund had been spent on due diligence.Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo said councils and the government alike faced greater demands on their resources than ever before."It's always disappointing for people who have a vision and work hard on these projects to suffer setbacks like this. I also empathise with our Crown Infrastructure people who have had to make this call."Cocurullo said he would be happy to be part of a delegation to discuss the matter with the finance minister.The council had not yet put funding into the proposal, though staff time had been spent in meetings and preparing material for councillors to consider.A short history of the Ōruku Landing planAlthough the Ōruku Landing project has some strong backing, it has also been controversial from the outset - in particular because of the degree to which it would be supported by ratepayers.The proposal has gone through several iterations as a result.In an earlier version of the plan, Whangārei District Council was to have contributed $57m and Northland Regional Council $7m.The district council would have also underwritten any construction cost overruns.However, district councillors voted against that proposal in 2021 after it was opposed by more than 80 percent of the 5000 submitters.Under the current scaled-back plan, passed with a one-vote majority in March this year, Whangārei District Council agreed to a $5m grant for fittings and equipment plus an operating grant of $650,000 per year for the first five years, if needed.The council also agreed to a marketing grant of up to $50,000 a year for three years.Unlike an early version of the plan, the council would not be responsible for building or owning the centre.Instead, the event centre would be owned by Prosper Northland Trust, while Northland Development Corporation would develop the rest of the 12,500 square metre site beside Hātea River.Many Northland projects funded by the Provincial Growth Fund, and the subsequent "shovel-ready" Covid Response and Recovery Fund, have now been completed.Others, such as a series of water storage reservoirs near Kaikohe and on the Pouto Peninsula, are well on the way.Ōruku Landing is one of a handful of high-profile projects to have stumbled.Others include an $8m Paihia breakwater project, which has been axed, and a boat ramp/reclamation at Rangitane, near Kerikeri, which has stalled amid sharp divisions in the local community.This story was originally published by RNZ

Rayssa Almeida, ReporterWork has begun to demolish a former Auckland water park, ahead of a fresh marketing campaign.Waiwera Thermal Resort on the North Shore has been closed for more than five years after refurbishment fell through and the owners went into liquidation. The demolition crew moved in on Monday.Urban Partners now owns the land.Chief executive Greig Staples said the 1.7 hectare resort had long been a place of fond memories and nostalgia for many New Zealanders."Waiwera holds a special place in the hearts and minds of so many Aucklanders and visitors, whether it was hanging with friends in the pools or hooning down the slides," Staples said.The prospect of an upgrade back in 2018 initially brought excitement, but when the operators went into liquidation the resort was in an unviable state."Since then, it has been an ongoing struggle to secure the site against vandalism, which has degraded the property further."It is now at the point where the existing structures offer no value to a buyer, and it will be a positive for the wider community to remove what is left of the buildings."The closed Waiwera water park has become more run down as the years have gone by. Photo: RNZ / Nick MonroStaples said the start of the demolition process was bittersweet: "As it represents the end of an era - but also the beginning of Waiwera's revitalisation".In 2022, Urban Partners contracted Colliers to sell the property, but there had been no sale yet.The real estate company hoped demolishing the structures might pull buyers into a cleared site.Colliers capital markets director Blair Peterken said he expected plenty of interest in the land from both within New Zealand and overseas."The decision to present a cleared site paves the way for an exciting spring marketing campaign that will appeal to a wider range of buyers."It is recognised as a regional tourist attraction by the Auckland Unitary Plan and has zoning allowing for business, residential developments, health and wellness, tourism, hospitality and visitor accommodation."Waiwera was one of the most beautiful areas in New Zealand, Peterken said."We are expecting plenty of local and international interest in this remarkable destination.""Iconic attraction" - community boardPhoto: RNZ / Nick MonroWaiwera was the birthplace of New Zealand's first spa, historically celebrated for the therapeutic properties of its waters.The resort's well-documented demise was caused by the sudden departure of its investor, Russian businessman and reported billionaire Mikhail Khimich in 2018, who is reported to have since died in Russia of Covid-19.Auckland deputy mayor Desley Simpson said it was a shame to see the water park go."I think it's sad that such an iconic water park that brought so much fun to generations of Aucklanders and tourists is being demolished."She said the council did not know of any new resource consents."But the one lodged in 2015 does stand until 2026."Hibiscus and Bays Local Board deputy chairwoman Julia Parfitt said local businesses took a hit when the park was shut down."You've got a café just opposite, a dairy and a number of touristic businesses which I'm sure (have) been struggling without the pools nearby," Parfitt said."Right now, they are heavily reliant on the locals to support them."Residents would like to see the space turned into something that would be used by the community, she said."We don't want another fancy building that would cut out the public. Waiwera desperately needs something like the pools."Residents would like to see something that will be open for public usage, not yet another high-rise development."The board wanted to see more community involvement in the future of the land."During the last few years it's looked increasingly forlorn. I'm so sad there are no redevelopment plans for the facility yet."This a massive call for local investors to think about the economy boost the park would bring back to the region."The resort had a special place in the hearts of people in the area, Parfitt said."People are full of sweet memories of Waiwera. It has been such a key amenity in the area."This 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, 18 August 2023. Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am.NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Constellation Drive southbound off-ramp, 13 AugustConstellation Drive northbound on-ramp, 13 AugustCENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)Stanley Street westbound off-ramp, 15 August (approx. 12 Midnight to 5:00am)Nelson Street eastbound off-ramp, 14 & 16-17 AugustSOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Northbound lanes between Mt Wellington Highway off-ramp and Greenlane on-ramp, 13 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Ellerslie-Panmure Highway northbound on-ramp, 13 AugustSouth Eastern Highway (SEART) northbound on-ramp, 13 AugustMt Wellington Highway northbound on-ramp, 13 AugustNorthbound lanes between East Tamaki Road off-ramp and Mt Wellington Highway on-ramp, 14 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Princes Street northbound on-ramp, 14 AugustHighbrook Drive northbound on-ramp, 14 August.East Tamaki Road northbound on-ramp, 14 AugustSouthbound lanes between East Tamaki Road off-ramp and Manukau on-ramp, 13 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)East Tamaki Road southbound on-ramp, 13 AugustSH1 southbound to SH20 northbound link, 13 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Takanini off-ramp and Drury/ SH22 on-ramp, 15 August (approx. 12 Midnight to 5:00am)Takanini southbound on-ramp, 15 August (approx. 12 Midnight to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Takanini off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 16-17 August (approx. 9pm to 5:00am)Takanini southbound on-ramp, 16-17 AugustSouthbound lanes between Papakura off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 13-14 AugustPapakura southbound on-ramp, 13-19 August (24/7)Northbound lanes between Ramarama off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 13-17 AugustRamarama northbound on-ramp, 13-17 AugustBeaver Road southbound off-ramp, 15 & 17 AugustBeaver Road southbound on-ramp, 15 & 17 AugustBeaver Road northbound on-ramp, 14 AugustBeaver Road northbound off-ramp, 14 AugustNikau Road northbound on-ramp, 14 AugustRidge Road northbound off-ramp, 16 August (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Razorback Road northbound on-ramp, 16 AugustSH1 northbound to SH2 eastbound link, 16 August (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Pokeno northbound on-ramp, 16 AugustPokeno northbound off-ramp, 17 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 17 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 17 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Hampton Downs off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 16 AugustNorthbound lanes between Hampton Downs off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 16 AugustNORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)Southbound lanes between Lincoln Road off-ramp and Te Atatu on-ramp, 17 August (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Lincoln Road southbound on-ramp, 17 AugustGreat North Road westbound off-ramp, 14 AugustUPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)Hobsonville Road westbound off-ramp, 13-14 AugustSOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)Dominion Road southbound on-ramp, 17 AugustNorthbound lanes between Cavendish Drive off-ramp and Massey Road on-ramp, 13 AugustPuhinui Road northbound on-ramp, 13 AugustCavendish Drive northbound on-ramp, 13 August

Warkworth Region Monday - Partly cloudy. Isolated showers becoming widespread for a time this afternoon and evening, Northwesterlies, turning southwesterly this afternoon.Tuesday - Isolated showers, turning to rain in the evening. Westerlies, easing in the afternoon.Wednesday - Showers, some heavy, becoming isolated with longer fine breaks early. Southerlies, turning to fresh westerlies in the morning.Thursday - Partly cloudy, with isolated showers clearing. Fresh westerlies, easing.Friday - Fine. Westerlies, easing.Saturday - Cloudy, with rain developing. Northerlies, becoming fresh.Sunday - Rain with westerlies.Mangawhai Region Monday - Partly cloudy with isolated showers, becoming widespread and possibly heavy this morning, then becoming isolated this evening. Northwesterlies, turning southwesterly this afternoon.Tuesday - Isolated showers, but rain in the afternoon and evening, with some heavy falls. Northwesterlies, easing in the afternoon, turning strong southwest at night.Wednesday - Showers, mainly in the west. Westerlies, strong early morning.Thursday - Partly cloudy, with isolated showers clearing. Southwesterlies.Friday - Fine. Northerlies developing.Saturday - Showers, clearing later but remaining partly cloudy. Fresh northerlies, easing.Sunday - Rain with westerlies.

Written by Jane Patterson, Political editor for RNZOne of Labour's big election promises is to take the 15 percent goods and services tax (GST) off fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables from April 2024, if re-elected.That would mean savings of about $4 a week, on an average spend of $30 in the fruit and vegetable section.The determining factor for which products are covered, and which are not, is whether there has been any processing; so the exemption would not apply to "canned and dried items, or to juices", according to the guidelines released with Labour's policy.Reference to "zero-rated" means no GST applied."Processed in this context means cooked or combined with other ingredients."This rules out anything canned because of the heating process that accompanies canning. 'Processed' does not mean being cut up and wrapped without additives. This means that pre-prepared vegetables like fresh spinach in a bag would be zero-rated."Frozen mixed vegetables would avoid GST, however "potatoes mashed into chips, coated in canola oil and then frozen would be excluded and would still attract GST".A list was run past Labour leader Chris Hipkins at the weekend's policy launch.A fresh corn cob would be exempt, but not a can of corn - he said people would "still have that choice if it's cheaper".Cut pineapple - "that's fresh and it's unprocessed" - would be included.The jury was out on dried or semi-dried tomatoes. However "dried products are processed", Hipkins said.Bags of mixed lettuce and mixed frozen peas and corn would be exempt.Coleslaw, though, would be a different story if there was "value-added ... if it has mayonnaise added into it then it won't be covered".A technical group would "make sure the technical details of this would be worked through before the 1st of April when it comes in," Hipkins said.A newly established Grocery Commissioner would monitor supermarkets' pricing behaviour "to ensure retailers are passing on the full impact of the GST removal ... and will take action if it's not happening".National offers tax cut alternativeThe GST policy would cost the government about $2 billion over four years, made up in part by cancelling a Covid-related depreciation for commercial property owners.Labour says it is a targeted way of easing the cost of living pressures and stacks up well against the National Party's tax plan."The current economic environment means now isn't the time for unfunded and inflationary tax cuts," Hipkins said."New Zealanders now have a clear choice in this election. Huge tax cuts for millionaires and CEOs under National, or relief at the checkout and support for working families under Labour."Hitting back, National said removing GST would do "very little to help families suffering through the cost of living crisis, but will have supermarket owners rubbing their hands with glee".Finance spokesperson Nicola Willis said New Zealanders were "being smashed by a cost of living crisis that has dragged into its third year and the best Labour has to offer is a tax change worth less than a kumara"."Labour are foolish to suggest supermarkets will pass all of this reduction on to shoppers," she said."National would cut out the middle-man - instead of passing tax cuts through the local Pak'nSave, we would put the relief direct into people's bank accounts with income tax reduction."This story was originally posted by RNZ News

Campaigning for October's election is in full swing today, with two parties expected to make major policy announcements.Labour leader Chris Hipkins will make a tax announcement in Lower Hutt in the afternoon.There have been reports it will include removing GST from fruit and vegetables.New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is holding a public meeting in Invercargill on Sunday afternoon.The Green Party have also made a climate-focused announcement about clean power.The Clean Power Payment, which is planned to be part of a broader Zero Carbon Homes upgrade, will allow:grants of up to $6000 to cover the cost of installing solar power and making energy efficient upgrades,interest-free loans of up to $30,000 to cover the cost of additional zero carbon home upgrades,tax deductible zero carbon upgrades for rental homes.The Zero Carbon Homes upgrade is planned to:scale up solar on Kainga Ora homes to 30,000 more households in the next three years,expand Warmer Kiwi Homes to cover more zero carbon upgrades such as replacing gas heaters,fund Community Energy providers and by Māori, for Māori approaches.Grants could be used to cover 25 percent of the cost of things like better insulation; replacing fossil-fuel appliances, like gas heaters, with clean alternatives, like heat pumps; and to purchase rooftop solar powerThe funding would come from revenue from the Emissions Trading Scheme, through the Climate Emergency Response Fund.The total operating expenditure for all the initiatives in this area it planned would be about $682 million by the year 2026/27.The party claims the Clean Power Payment will save households up to $1200 on their energy bills, every year, and slash carbon emissions.It would be scaled up over three years, with an initial focus on lower-income households.Green Party co-leader James Shaw said while people struggled with energy challenges, the planet was heating "at frightening speed"."There is a clear answer staring us in the face: warm homes powered by clean, cheap, low-carbon energy, supplied straight from our roofs," Shaw said."The Clean Power Payment is as close to a perfect investment as you can get: slashing soaring bills for families, slashing emissions, and creating thousands of good jobs," he said."Most people want action on the climate crisis and action on the cost of living. The time is now for a government that will deliver solutions that last, saving people money and cutting emissions month-after-month, year-after-year. That's exactly what the Clean Power Payment will do."In its policy document, the party claimed the emissions saved from replacing gas appliances in households would be the same as taking 200,000 cars of the road.Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said this would bring more relief to families in addition to their Income Guarantee plan, which would ensure people had at least $385 each week."Everything we need to upgrade our homes exists. However, most of us do not have thousands of dollars spare to pay for things like solar panels, heat pumps, or double-glazing," Davidson said."The Clean Power Payment will help people to upgrade their homes to be warmer, without relying on dirty fuels, so everyone can come home to a warm place which doesn't pollute the planet."This story was originally posted on RNZ News

Written by Rayssa Almeida, Reporter for RNZAuckland fruit and vegetable growers are worried that lack of sunshine is harming the quality of their produce and lowering its value.In July, Auckland had only four days without rain and growers say the lack of daylight is causing a major drop in production. They believe it is time to consider more resilient planting methods.For more than a decade, Earl Mardle has grown most of what his family consumes at his property in Bombay, south of Auckland.However, in recent months, he has noticed a change in the quality of his produce."Our olive trees flowered beautifully in spring; it was the best flowering I've ever seen."But when I came to press it, and I squeeze every last drop of olive oil I can from the fruit we get, I got about 12 or 13 litres of oil from 150 kilos of olives, when I would normally expect 17 [litres]."The reduced yield was not restricted to his olives."The same kind of thing happened to my kumara. This year they were extravagant, they grew like crazy."But, when I came to harvest, what I found was that the tubers were half, if that, the amount of tuber that I would expect."Mardle said people might need to rethink what they were growing."What kinds of food can we grow that goes with the type of climate that we are starting to see?"I don't know how we are going to deal with that, but if we don't, we are going to go hungry."Hawi Winter has lived in the rural Auckland community of Pukekawa for 33 years, where he grew more than 200 varieties of fruit and veggies.He said this year's crop was the worst he had seen in decades."The apples ... we had a very poor crop, most of the apples didn't get as big as we are used to."Likewise, grapevines didn't like it [the lack of sun] that much. Same with kiwifruit, we didn't get many of them, and avocado, same story, we had very few avocados this year," Winter said.'Good follows bad'Produce experts warned the prolonged low light and heavy rainfall could create a shortage of fresh fruit and vegetables.United Fresh president Jerry Prendergast said tomato growers were struggling to get their winter crop thriving."A lot less crop available, compounded by low light and growing challenges."As a result of that, there was a lot less planting and getting those back to a cycle again, that doesn't happen immediately. It is a nine-month growing process," Prendergast said.The New Zealand Tree Crops Association (NZTCA) was a voluntary organisation promoting interest in useful tree crops.National president David Whyte said sunlight was the driver for plant and fruit growth."Without sunlight the correct hormones are not created and thus blossom buds are not created. Hence why pruning is in part about maximising sunlight striking all parts of the tree thus having fruit produced over as much of the tree as possible."If there is less sunlight there is going to be less sugars to pump into the fruit or less oil for nuts. So, fruit are either going to be smaller or less of them."That is why many members crop volumes/production had struggled in the areas of the very wet summer, as sunlight hours were down on a typical day causing flow-on effects, Whyte said."The good news is that the weather is variable and although every year seems to give its challenges, growers know that good follows bad and next year's challenges will be different."MetService said in July, only three days had eight or more hours of sunshine."And three days had less than one hour of sunshine for the whole day," MetService meteorologist Thapi Makgabutlane said.She said the total sunshine hours at a station in Auckland for July was 137 hours - about five and a half days - a little higher than the region's July climatological average of 128 sunshine hours for this time of the year."So not too bad, but this is not typically a very sunny time of year - second only to the month of June in terms of the least amount of sunshine," Makgabutlane said.The longest stretch of consecutive rainy days recorded last month was 10 days between 7 and 16 July, she said."Although it must be said that some of rain was likely due to a passing shower as the amounts were very small."Greens in good supplyThe lack of sunshine might also weigh heavily on consumers' pockets.Foodstuffs North Island head of produce Brigit Corson said with tight supply, supermarkets would need imports to meet demand."Once-a-year crop products are the expensive ones at the moment."Like kumara, that really got hammered earlier on [with the floods and Cyclone Gabrielle] and obviously they are not going to come back and be harvested again until January and February next year."Other high-priced items at the moment are things like tomatoes. We are going to need to supplement our supply for customers with some imported products for the next few weeks."She said consumers should be alert for supermarket deals."Greens have been in good consistent supply, particularly broccoli."Key things are to always buy in season and look for those big bins at the front of your produce department, they are the overflow with that in-season produce, so they are great deals," Corson said.This story was originally posted by RNZ News

A US lobby group is calling for increased tariffs on New Zealand lamb in a bid to help the struggling local industry.R-CALF USA, the largest body representing producers of cattle and sheep in the United States, said the sheep industry there has been decimated over the last three decades with an explosion of lamb and mutton from Australia and New Zealand pushing down returns for local producers.It is petitioning the United States trade ambassador - calling on her to slow imports of lamb.Speaking from Montana this morning the group's chief executive Bill Bullard said lamb production in the US has declined by 60 percent in the last 30 years."We began to see an increase in imports back in the early 90s and while the imports increased, our domestic production began to fall because the imports were cheaper and our domestic sheep meat couldn't compete with it."Farmers have left the industry, packing plants have closed and we've seen a drastic reduction in the economic viability of our sheep shipping industry in the United States."Bullard said the country only has about five million sheep left."It's still being eaten and in fact lamb consumption in the US is increasing significantly year after year, but imported meat makes up 74 percent of the market and domestic supply is only 26 percent - something we want to see changed."New Zealand lamb exported to the US currently faces tariff rates of between 0.7 and 2.8 cents depending on the product.Bullard would like to see that increased as well as stricter quantity restrictions on imports which would provide space for the domestic industry to rebuild - creating more of an even playing field."We're proposing this is done over a 10-year period because we're not trying to stop imports, because if we did, we could not meet domestic demand for lamb. But what we need to do is provide space for our industry so it can recapture at least half of the domestic market share."We have no ill-will towards New Zealand or Australian sheep producers. We understand that prices have been depressed there as well and so we have an international problem in that we have a high level of concentration on a global scale and as a result, it's the middleman that is capturing much of the profits."The New Zealand Meat Industry Association has been approached for comment.This Story was originally posted on Radio New Zealand US group exerts pressure over NZ lamb exports | RNZ News

HON DR MEGAN WOODSEnergy and ResourcesHomeowners are being encouraged to check their eligibility for the Government’s Warmer Kiwi Homes programme after changes to its eligibility criteria, announced by the Minister of Energy and Resources Dr Megan Woods today.“Extending the eligibility criteria will help more homeowners and their families to enjoy comfortable homes, without feeling they need to economise on heating,” said Megan Woods.“The changes mean up to 58,000 more lower-income homeowners will now meet the criteria so I encourage homeowners who think they, or those close to them, might benefit from this programme to check the Warmer Kiwi Homes website. People who have applied previously, may now be eligible,” Megan Wood said.Run by EECA (the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority), it has delivered warmer, drier, healthier, and more energy-efficient homes for tens of thousands of New Zealanders since it began in 2018. Last year, the programme reached a significant milestone of having achieved over 100,000 retrofits in that time.Grants were previously set at 80% of the cost of insulation, and up to 80% for heating, capped at $3,000 for those living in an area with a ‘Deprivation Index’ of 8, 9, or 10. Further top ups from community organisations in some centres have made the cost of insulation even lower or no-cost.The change means insulation grants have been extended to include level 7. Further, those in levels 9 or 10 – and Community Services Card holders – will now be eligible for a grant that is 90% of the cost of an insulation retrofit.“Increasing the grant to 90% for insulation will extend the number of potential homeowners, who may be the hardest to reach,” said Megan Woods.“It will also allow funding from community organisations who support the programme to spread twice as far, reducing the cost to zero for many people.”The new criteria will support the Government’s target of over 26,000 heating and insulation retrofits being delivered each year.“Last year’s independent evaluation of the heat pump aspect of the programme found homes are warmer, particularly in the colder mornings and evenings; homes are drier, with 89 per cent of homeowners reporting a reduction in condensation on windows; and homes use 16 per cent less electricity through the winter months,” said Megan Woods.“This is truly an impactful programme. We have a network of community organisations and service providers who are incredibly committed to the programme and are more than ready to roll out these grants to people across the country.”Minister of Climate Change James Shaw said this will lead to warmer homes, lower bills, and less pollution.“Energy-efficient homes are a core part of the Government’s plan to tackle the climate emergency while improving people’s lives and wellbeing. No one should go to bed cold because they cannot afford to keep their home warm. This will reduce energy bills and cut emissions. The more people we can help the better,” James Shaw said.The eligibility changes follow the expansion of Warmer Kiwi Homes as part of Budget 2023. The programme has been extended to June 2027 and will cover components like hot water heating upgrades and LEDs. It will receive $402.6m allocated over four years.For more information on Warmer Kiwi Homes: Warmer Kiwi Homes programme | EECAEligibility for insulation grants has been extended to people living in areas with a Deprivation Index of 7, in addition to those in 8, 9, and 10 who are still eligible.Those in areas with a Deprivation Index of 9 or 10, and Community Services Card holders, will be eligible for 90% of the cost of insulation.To be eligible for Warmer Kiwi Homes people must:own and live in a home built before 2008.have a Community Services Card or live in an area identified as lower income as defined by the Deprivation Index .(For heating) have ceiling and underfloor insulation installed to EECA standards.The Warmer Kiwi Homes programme has been granted $318m over four years, to fund:26,500 insulation and heating retrofits per year in eligible households,an expansion of the current Warmer Kiwi Homes programme to include simple low-cost energy efficiency measures,community-focused outreach to better target high-need and hard-to-reach households,targeted basic home repairs to bring homes up to the necessary standard to allow for subsequent Warmer Kiwi Homes retrofits.In addition the following have also been funded in budget 2023$64.6m to include hot water heat pump installations$20m for broad-based support of around 5 million LEDs over four years.Total of $402.6m over four years

Friday 11th AugustLeigh Sawmill Friday Happy HourFiji Fridays at SmithsMahu Express - Bus to the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ | Quarter Finals Late Night Music With Danny Crocome @ Matakana EstateWarkworth Theatre Group Presents The Ghost Train Live bands every Friday night at Warkworth RSABeatroots: Dave Ti (DiCE) + Matt Sawyer At The Matakana Village PubMahurangi College Presents Dance ShowcaseSaturday 12thMangawhai Community MarketMangawhai Tavern MarketMatakana Village Farmers MarketMixed Messages at SmithsGlow Collective Beauty Clique NZ Open DayLed Repplica at the Leigh SawmillSunday 13thSunday Service at SmithsRainbow's End Reserve Planting DayMatakana Junior Artisans' Market

Warkworth RegionFriday 11th August - Mainly fine. Cloud increasing this evening. Southwesterlies.Saturday 12th August - Mostly cloudy, with a few showers developing in the evening. Northerlies developing in the morning.Sunday 13th August - Partly cloudy, with isolated showers clearing in the evening. Fresh westerlies, easing in the afternoon.Mangawhai RegionFriday 11th August - Fine. Southwesterlies.Saturday 12th August - Mostly cloudy, a few evening showers. Northwesterlies developing in the morning.Sunday 13th August - Partly cloudy. Westerlies.