Scientists have used DNA tech and ancient kākāpō droppings to reveal what our critically-endangered flightless parrot was eating in Aotearoa's prehistoric wilderness.Their newly published findings have roughly doubled the number of plants known to be eaten by kākāpō - and revealed many more striking insights that could aid efforts to bring the bird back from the brink.Kākāpō - the rarest and heaviest parrot in the world - quickly disappeared from most of New Zealand after the introduction of predatory mammals.Its population now comprises only about 250 birds on three small, predator-free islands.They also heavily depend on the production of rimu fruit to breed, which only happens every two to five years.This breeding cycle creates problems for kākāpō conservation, especially since rimu is not found across all New Zealand's forests.However, fossils show that in the past, kākāpō were abundant and lived throughout Aotearoa - meaning the kākāpō niche must have been much broader in the past than today.In a newly-published study, scientists from Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research and Auckland and Adelaide universities used cutting-edge ancient DNA techniques and microscopic techniques, to investigate what plants kākāpō were eating in ancient times.They did this by looking at kākāpō coprolites - or preserved droppings - which have been found in caves across the South Island.Radiocarbon dating also showed that these coprolites were typically hundreds of years old.The new data has roughly doubled the number of plants known to be eaten by kākāpō and has revealed some striking revelations.For example, in one site, almost half of the coprolites contained pollen of the wood rose, a species that is now highly endangered, entirely parasitic on other plants, has no leaves, and was thought to be pollinated only by threatened short-tailed bats.Further evidence showed kākāpō were frequently eating southern beech and beech mistletoes, results new to this study.The researchers questioned whether these plants may have supported kākāpō breeding, as did rimu today."Kākāpō are probably the only endangered species in the world that have such an extensive coprolite record," said study leader Dr Alexander Boast, a palaeoecologist at Manaaki Whenua."Since a lot of the food sources we identify aren't recorded in modern diets, we have learnt a lot of new information about kākāpō."However, more generally, we also show how modern data can hugely underestimate our understanding of endangered species."Hoki, the first-ever hand-reared kākāpō, at her nest entrance under a rotten tree. Photo: RNZ / Alison BallanceColleague Dr Janet Wilmshurst said the study had come at a "critical time" for kākāpō conservation."The kākāpō population is increasing, and their islands can't sustain them for much longer," she said."Our work suggests that southern beech leaves and seeds were major kākāpō foods in the past, which is a big surprise since kākāpō hardly ever eat beech today."This means that beech forests are probably ideal habitats for kākāpō."Co-author Dr Jamie Wood added: "The observation with mistletoes is especially interesting."Parasitic plants like mistletoes are more nutritious than other plants, meaning they could have been valuable sources of food for kākāpō and other birds in some habitats," said Wood, of the University of Adelaide."This is concerning because most New Zealand mistletoes are now in decline. We also show that kākāpō may be a lost pollinator for these threatened plants."Not just mistletoes, but also the parasitic wood rose, which we thought was only pollinated by bats."The study also reflected some misconceptions about endangered species like kākāpō having a narrow habitat range."For example, there is a common misconception that kākāpō can't breed without rimu," said Professor George Perry, of the University of Auckland."However prehistoric evidence often shows that these species had much wider niches in the past."We should always use ancient data in conservation science when possible."The explorers were right about European-introduced stoats, possums, cats, Norway and ship rats, being an important contributor to kākāpō decline since European arrival. Photo: Andrew Digby / DOCMeanwhile, another new study authored by some of the same researchers has shed fresh light on what led up to the near-terminal decline of kākāpō.Early European observers noted the bird population declining rapidly within their own lifetimes and speculated this was due to packs of feral European dogs and other mammal predators.Using historical newspaper articles from the 19th and 20th centuries, and information from kākāpō museum specimens, the researchers were able to predict the species' likely local extinction dates.These ranged from 1936 and 1959 in the North Island and between 1990 and 2006 in the South Island.The researchers explain this time lag resulted from different prehistoric hunting and predation pressures, and extents of habitat transformation on the North and South Islands.In the historic era, packs of feral dogs appeared to be a less important driver of kākāpō decline."Our analysis of more than 100 geo-referenced newspaper and scientific reports shows the distribution of kākāpō and feral dog packs did not overlap strongly anywhere, suggesting they did not frequently interact," said lead author Dr Jo Carpenter, of Manaaki-Whenua."Kākāpō also persisted in the South Island for up to 70 years after the last noted observation there of feral dogs in 1913."Conversely, the explorers were right about the European-introduced stoats, possums, cats, Norway and ship rats, which have been a much more important contributor to kākāpō decline since European arrival."These animals would certainly have been the coup de grâce for this species if the birds hadn't been rescued from the wild," Wilmshurst said.

More than $22 million has been shaved off plans for a controversial wastewater scheme that would see Mangawhai sewage redirected into a golf course.Just 136 connections are left before the existing 13-year-old Mangawhai community wastewater scheme (MWWS) reaches its 3000-connection capacity, next year.The new $68m plan would be spread over more than two decades and eventually boost the scheme capacity by almost 70 percent, to 5000 connections. It updates earlier plans for a $90.5m spend over 10 years.In phase one of the new plan, $3.5m would be spent almost immediately on installing technology to increase wastewater processing capacity before December.Kaipara District Council (KDC) infrastructure services manager Anin Nama said the plant's wastewater treatment improvements would use technology similar to what Auckland's Watercare was already using.As part of phase one, the plant's new holding tank would be turned into a third sewage treatment unit, he said. And there would be more preparation for discharging the plant's treated effluent onto the Mangawhai golf course via the sub-surface, rather than an above ground irrigation option.Kaipara District Council infrastructure general manager Anin Nama. Photo: Local Democracy Reporting/ Susan BottingHe said the goal was to use the golf course as the scheme's main discharge option, rather than the Brown Road farm, which would instead become a backup.The planned upgrade would include $15m spent on Brown Road farm.Nama said the council was using a team of multi-disciplinary experts in wastewater treatment, subsurface irrigation and construction cost estimation whose members had worked in New Zealand, Australia and the Asia-Pacific area.They had taken another look at a December 2022 strategy that had required $90.5m to be spent on the expansion over 10 years."The peer review has been conducted by leading experts in wastewater treatment and effluent reuse" Nama said.The peer review team was asked to confirm the lowest cost pathway for MWWS to meet forecast demand growth and enhanced treated effluent disposal to the Mangawhai golf course.Nama said he was aware of MWWS's history. That was why one of the peer review team brought in was an expert on construction cost estimating, to ensure the indicated figures were reliable.Rapid growth is challenging Mangawhai's wastewater infrastructure. Photo: Local Democracy Reporting/ Northern AdvocateThe review team updated KDC on progress at a council briefing meeting in Mangawhai on Wednesday 5 April and outlined the preferred option and timelines.Nama said a report based on their work would next be presented to the council in June. The council would then likely make a formal decision on the first phase before the end of the year.Local Democracy Reporting asked Nama whether Kaipara ratepayers would pay for the new Mangawhai expansion.He said the council would look at options to fund the first phase and immediately address the scheme's looming capacity limit, which could include borrowing.What does the government's Three Waters/ Entity A plan mean for the Mangawhai scheme?The planned MWWS expansion comes on the cusp of a potential July 2024 transition to the new country-wide Three Waters governance and management system.The national plan would see the helming of more than a billion dollars of Kaipara and Northland drinking water, wastewater and stormwater assets - and debt - shifted from three district councils to the new water service organisation known as Entity A. It would also include Auckland Council's community-controlled organisation Watercare.A shift to Entity A would potentially mean the cost of Mangawhai's $68m extension was spread across 1.8 million people, rather than being borne by KDC ratepayers. StatsNZ census figures showed almost 23,000 people lived in the Kaipara District in 2018.Mangawhai's future wastewater scheme upgrade was outlined to Kaipara District Council on 5 April by wastewater irrigation specialist Peter Gearing (standing) and council infrastructure leader Anin Nama (top row, centre). Photo: Local Democracy Reporting/ Susan Botting.New Entity A chief executive Jon Lamonte addressed Kaipara District Council in Mangawhai on Wednesday, ahead of the briefing meeting. Lamonte was previously chief executive of Watercare and was appointed by the government to his new role in February.Nama said necessary planning for funding and work on the project's further phases was done taking account of the transition to Entity A.The expansion's second phase would include $20m to boost the wastewater treatment plant's filtering performance to produce A-grade treated effluent, and $7m to set up the golf course for the effluent discharge.The plans pegged the second phase to begin in 2028.Miry history of Mangawhai wastewater schemeThe long and tortured history of the Mangawhai wastewater scheme has been mired in controversy since the need for a reticulated treatment plant became a significant issue for KDC in 1996, after septic tanks started polluting Mangawhai Harbour.Mangawhai ratepayers were initially told the sewerage scheme would cost no more than $10.8m when it was announced in 2003. That went up to $37m when construction started in 2009 and up to more than $60m by 2013.In 2013, then-Auditor General Lyn Provost said in his report, following his inquiry into the scheme, that it had definitely been needed."Mangawhai needed a reticulated wastewater scheme, and it now has one that operates well. But that achievement has come at a significant cost," Provost said.

Warkworth RegionEaster Monday 10th April - Fine spells. A few showers, mainly this afternoon when some may be heavy. Northwesterlies, fresh this afternoon.Tuesday 11th April - Showers becoming widespread for a time in the afternoon and evening, some heavy. Northerlies freshening.Wednesday 12th - Partly cloudy, with isolated showers clearing in the evening. Northwesterlies, easing in the afternoon.Thursday 13th - Cloudy periods with showers developing. Northerlies, easing.Friday 14th - Showers, becoming isolated later but remaining mostly cloudy. Northerlies, turning easterly.Mangawhai RegionEaster Monday 10th April - Often fine, but with the odd afternoon shower. Northwesterlies.Tuesday 11th April - Showers. Northwesterlies.Wednesday 12th - Partly cloudy with northwesterlies.Thursday 13th - Showers with northwesterlies.Friday 14th - A few showers. Northeasterlies.

A Civil Defence centre was opened in East Auckland on Sunday night after a reported tornado hit the East Tāmaki area, damaging homes and leaving debris strewn across roads.The Auckland Emergency Management said residents who were displaced or unable to shelter with family or friends could head to the Howick Leisure Centre at 563 Pakuranga Road.Overnight, firefighters helped residents to put tarpaulins over damaged roofs and attended to other minor property damage in East Auckland.Many properties lost tiles and windows and had items damaged by falling trees.Fire and Emergency Incident Controller David McKeown said most of the damage reports were from homes in about 11 streets from Golflands to East Tāmaki.Five crews responded to about 50 requests for assistance, with some people approaching the firefighters directly for help when they saw the fire trucks in their area.A FENZ worker attends to a damaged roof at Erne Crescent in East Tāmaki, Auckland on 9 April. Photo: Stuff/Ricky WilsonFire and Emergency NZ also deployed its Specialist Technical Rescue Tender, a Command Unit and an Incident Support Vehicle with salvage equipment.There were no reports of injuries, a St John spokesperson said.Harry Bedi, resident of nearby Attymon Lane, said the loud thudding noise of the tornado came through after a short period of heavy rain."I can't explain it, but it was a thudding sound. It was scary," Bedi said.Bedi said his house wasn't damaged, but he was worried about the family cat that was outside, and Bedi had gone out to call to the feline after the thudding had stopped.Bedi said the thudding lasted for a few minutes.Trees were uplifted and knocked over. Photo: Stuff/Ricky WilsonFENZ said the calls they had received calls "include roofs lifted off houses and fallen trees, mostly in an area from Flat Bush to Tāmaki".Auckland Emergency Management said it was aware of reports of "tornado-like weather" in East Tāmaki, which had caused damage to homes.For Manukau, MetService has forecast rain that could be possibly heavy, with a risk of squally thunderstorms and hail.

A road safety charity says people driving home from their Easter holiday this weekend should plan their journey, take breaks and keep below speed limits.The Easter weekend road toll is currently at zero.Last year, four people were killed on the roads in the same period.Brake New Zealand director Caroline Perry said crashes had devastating consequences for families and communities, and everyone had a role to play in keeping the road toll down.She said it was not only important to focus on reducing deaths and serious injuries on New Zealand roads at holiday weekends, but at all times.In 2020, the Easter road toll ended at zero for the first time since 2012, but the country was under Covid-19 lockdown.

Tourism New Zealand says the industry's recovery is beginning to plateau after a stronger than expected return.Its chief executive, René de Monchy, said the tourism industry was sitting about 50 percent of where it was pre-Covid.The desire to travel to Aotearoa had been strong and people had embraced the removal of travel restrictions, de Monchy said."That first 50 percent of the recovery has come back a little faster than people had anticipated so that's been strong to see. I think the next 50 percent is going to be quite different and quite a bit more competitive."It was partly due to tougher economic times hitting world markets, de Monchy said."We are starting to get some early signals and we're seeing that a little bit in a plateau of arrivals as well, so I think it's going to be pretty competitive for us to be compelling for visitors to choose us as a destination."But the recovery was not without its hurdles as parts of the industry had struggled to scale back up, particularly with staffing, he said."A little bit more demand than expected, a little more supply constraint than expected has meant some challenges."Mid-April marks a year since the border with Australia opened without requiring quarantine or isolation.Australia and the United States had both helped the recovery, with arrivals from across the ditch returning to about 80 percent of where it was pre-pandemic, de Monchy said.The main visitor market that had been missing was China, but he said they were returning now that restrictions there had eased too.Pre-Covid, tourism was the country's biggest export earner and with its recovery tracking better than expected, de Monchy said there was the potential for the industry to provide a buffer for the economy with tougher times ahead.

Business owners feel helpless in the face of crime and and have lost hope in the authorities after more break-ins and attacks, a business group claims.Shop robberies and break-ins were making a mockery of the government's recent announcement that youth crime is down, Dairy and Business Owners Group chairman Sunny Kaushal said.A Hamilton superette worker needed hospital treatment on Thursday night after being assaulted during a robbery.And there were two smash and grabs in Auckland on Friday morning, with six young people arrested after one ram-raid.People did not feel safe doing their jobs, Kaushal said."They have no hope left in the current authorities and the law and order system, because it's currently shattered all over. No-one is feeling safe," he said.Among the frustrations facing those targeted was the knowledge they could not detain young people during a crime - which Kaushal said those committing the crimes knew too."As a business owner we can't detain kids, and the kids know it. These business owners, they are feeling helpless."The people have lost faith there is any accountability in our judicial system."He said there needed to be zero tolerance for retail and youth crime, and that the country must get tough on crime or the problem was not going to be solved.What the authorities have said about retail crimeGinny Andersen was named as the government's new police minister late last month.She quickly said she would focus on improving community safety, with a focus on targeting retail crime and youth offending by working on making sure police were available on the front line to respond.Crime reporting data showed that from 2018 to 2022 reported retail crime rose by 39 percent.The figures were released by the police minister to the National Party and reported last month.Police said the increase was partly due to the new Auror system that made it easier to report low-level crime - particularly for large retailers, and the data showed 82 percent of reports were for low-level crimes like shoplifting or theft valued at less than $500.But National Party police spokesperson Mark Mitchell said it showed an average of 292 recorded retail crimes each day during 2022, a significant rise from 140 each day in 2018, with dramatic increases in eight out of 12 policing districts, and that it was likely some crime was still going unreported.Last month the police's new National Retail Investigation Support Unit marked 1000 charges laid, since it began operating in May last year.In November, the government announced a $4 million fund to support local council crime prevention programmes to be matched dollar-for-dollar with councils. This included a $4000 subsidy to shops and dairies to install fog cannons.A $6m crime prevention package, the Small Retailer Crime Prevention Fund was announced by the government in May last year, including funds to help retailers install bollards, and other measures to prevent ram raids and robberies. And the then-police minister Poto Williams acknowledged that there had been a spike in ram raids.

On a regular Sunday, Auckland's shopping precincts are buzzing with residents and visitors trawling the stores.But not Easter Sunday - it's one of just three-and-a-half days a year, along with Good Friday, Christmas Day, and half of Anzac Day, where trading is restricted.It means unless a business meets specific criteria, it is not going to open its doors.Some shops are allowed to open throughout the weekend, while others can only operate on Easter Sunday but not Friday.The rules depend on where you are in New Zealand.So, if you find yourself wondering every year what is open on Easter weekend, you're not alone.While petrol stations, dairies, cafes, and restaurants can open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, supermarkets and department stores cannot.Among the few exemptions to the rule are garden centres.Under a 2001 amendment to the Shop Trading Hours Act, they could open on Easter Sunday, but not Good Friday.In the past, some Plant Barns chose to open on Good Friday, risking fines of up to $1000.Last year, the Labour Inspectorate only inspected two businesses from the 17 complaints it received, issuing a total of $1500 in fines.In 2021, all 19 complaints received were assessed, resulting in two prosecutions.Despite the low number of prosecutions, Andrews said Plant Barn would not be taking the chance this year."We're not open Good Friday; we're not open half of Anzac Day."We've picked the times we're allowed to be open and that's what we've chosen."In 2017, local councils got to decide for themselves whether shops in their areas could open on Easter Sunday.Most shops on Auckland's Parnell Road are able to open on Easter Sunday due to a special exemption issued in 1989.Across New Zealand, 44 councils put in place policies allowing for just that.But Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and some other large cities, had not done so yet, meaning about two-thirds of the population were still bound by the old rules.Adding to the confusion was the fact that some specific areas within cities or districts had their own set of rules.On Auckland's Parnell Road, for example, all manner of shops (apart from off-licences covered by the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act) were able to open on Easter Sunday, due to a special exemption issued in 1989.To Aucklander Dan Clark, this made no sense."I think it's unfair, to be honest."Every shop should have its own choice and every business should have its own choice."Everyone's got to pay rent as well - the shops that are closed still have to pay rent on those days."Among the viaduct's bars and restaurants, people had mixed views on what Easter should be about."Easter for me has always been family time," one woman said."I just wish everyone could stay and enjoy each other.""I think they should have the choice," a man said."If they want to work, they should work. Having the choice is better."Venues selling alcohol had additional requirements over the weekend under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act.People could not buy alcohol on Good Friday or Easter Sunday unless they were at a venue for the purposes of dining.At restaurants like Oyster and Chop, business manager Richard Pepper said the rule made little difference."It doesn't really affect our core business, which obviously is food accentuated with beverage, rather than being beverage-driven," he said.But the restaurant was unable to deliver certain promotions like its Oyster Happy Hour, which would be too focused on drinking."Obviously our bar trade is down a little bit, but on the flipside, we find that our dining trade often increases."If people can't come in to [just] have a drink, they'll come in and have dinner and a drink, or lunch and a drink."In some ways, the negative effect on casual trade has a positive effect on spend per head."Around the corner at cocktail bar The Parasol and Swing, it was a slightly different story.Bar manager Callum Ireland said punters were often more than a little confused when it came to the weekend's rules."You're just turning people away: 'Oh, can we come and have a drink?'"'No, you can't, not unless you go and buy all this food with it as well.'"'Oh, but we were just out for lunch.'"'Yeah, you should have stayed there, because now that you've come here, I can't serve you.'"It's frustrating; it's very frustrating."Labour Inspectorate regional manager David Milne said that in New Zealand, every shop had to remain closed before 1pm on Anzac Day, and all day on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990.However, trading on Easter Sunday was allowed under the Act if there was an area exemption in place or it was allowed by local territorial authorities."It is important for workers to know they are able to refuse to work Easter Sunday, and it is important that employers don't take advantage," Milne said.Farmers and craft market stalls could open, but only within the premises of an exhibition or show devoted primarily to agriculture, arts, industry, or science, he said."The goods sold must be connected to that exhibition - for example, arts and crafts at an arts and crafts show."An Auckland Council spokesperson said the council had not reviewed its Easter trading arrangements since 2017, and currently had no plans to review them.Here's what can open on both Good Friday and Easter Sunday:Petrol stationsDairiesGreengrocersCafesRestaurantsTakeawaysDuty-free storesShops providing services like hairdressersReal estate agenciesPharmaciesSouvenir shopsSome shops at public transport terminalsSome shops at exhibitions, shows, or marketsGarden centres (only on Easter Sunday)

Today is the last day for our Easter giveaway with Warkworth Butchery who have gifted us a $25 voucher for their delicious meat!Enter here Easter GiveawayGood luck!A winner will be drawn over the Easter weekend!

Friday 7th AprilLeigh Sawmill - Friday Happy HourLive Music - Friday nights @ Matakana Village PubFiji Fridays @ SmithsMatakana Country Park GOOD FRIDAY NIGHT MARKETSaturday 8th AprilMatakana Food & Beer FestivalMangawhai Tavern MarketMangawhai Community MarketMatakana Village Farmers MarketMusic in the vinesMixed Messages Saturday @ SmithsSunday 9th AprilSculptureum Easter Brunch & LunchMatakana Country Park Market EASTER SUNDAYMangawhai Car Show - Mainstream Mangawhai Easter HopEaster Sunday With Kate Wood @ Mangawhai TavernSunday Service @ SmithsSunday Sessions @ Leigh Sawmill Cafe

Warkworth RegionFriday 7th April - Partly cloudy. The odd morning shower, particularly about Great Barrier Island. Southeasterlies, becoming fresh this afternoon.Saturday 8th April - Rain, easing to isolated showers and fine breaks in the afternoon. Fresh southeasterlies, turning lighter southwesterly in the afternoon.Sunday 9th April - Cloud increasing, with occasional rain developing in the afternoon. Westerlies, turning to fresh northwesterlies.Monday 10th - Cloudy periods with occasional showers. Fresh northwesterlies.Mangawhai RegionFriday 7th April - A few showers, with fine spells in between. Fresh southeasterlies.Saturday 8th April - Rain, easing to a few showers in the afternoon. Southwesterlies.Sunday 9th April - A few showers developing. Northwesterlies.Monday 10th - A few showers. Northwesterlies.

TRAFFIC UPDATESBrynderwyns are open temporarily during Easter weekend in both directions. Drive with care.Wellsford Town - Traffic is backed up for miles on state highway 1 and 16, expect delays.Glorit - State Highway 16 will have a reseal and a Stop/Go, expect delays.Kaipara Flats Road and Hudson Roads on State Highway 1 Kerbing and Channelling/paving will be done on a Stop Go and this will be night work.Puhoi Northern Bound offramp and State Highway 1 will have onsite traffic management for traffic flow northern traffic. So a stop /go will be on for 24/7 traffic lights. Major delays hours ago, but seems to have eased somewhat, still expect delays.WEATHER UPDATEWhangarei Region has a Heavy Rain WatchPeriod: 48hrs from noon Thursday, 6 Apr - noon Saturday, 8 AprArea: NorthlandForecast: Periods of heavy rain with a risk of localised downpours. Amounts may approach warning criteria.

Rising costs mean families on low incomes are struggling to farewell loved ones with dignity and respect, the Funeral Directors Association says.This month the Work and Income funeral grant increased by seven percent to $2445.Association chief executive Gillian Boyes said Work and Income often paid out 80 to 90 percent of the grant.The grant was last reviewed in 2003 and went up with inflation, she said.But just like everything else, funeral costs had increased too, Boyes said.She told Checkpoint some funeral directors were accepting drip payments for services that could take years to pay off."It's getting pretty hard for them to cover the costs with the increasing costs that they've got as well."The big costs involved in a funeral were the plot, casket and funeral director's fee, she said.People in Gisborne and Bay of Plenty, on a per capita basis, tend to be the highest users of the funeral grant, according to figures obtained from the Ministry of Social Development by the Funeral Directors Association."They just haven't got the money for a funeral and so they just have to rely on government support."How much does a basic funeral cost?"Something really basic, perhaps with a cremation would be about $6500 on average," Boyes said."Something with a burial might be upwards of $8500 - a long way away from that $2400 figure."When funeral directors charge their fee, they're consolidating all of their costs into one invoice for the convenience of the family."Even the most simple funerals still require embalming, body transfer and casket costs, which were still likely to exceed $5000, she said."There's not a lot to cut out from there, there's things you can do as a family - do your own flowers, do you're own catering etc - but those are not the big costs."

With nesting over and moulting probably over, we can now get some feeling for how the 22/23 season has gone.It must have been a horrible one for the poor little kororā as they’ve battled floods through their nests and high seas blocking access totheir shore sites. Half of our LPP penguin boxes were smashed in the cyclone.They were in positions that have never been near storm surges in the past, so if the meteorologists’ prediction that this is the new normal is correct, we need toreview where we put them! For all the Kororā who chose natural sites rather than boxes, it has been tough. Storm after storm, their nest tunnels have beenblocked by debris, opened again, only to be blocked once more.We have an important request to make. Please, if you see a Kororā anywhere, do not touch it. Lifting them can easily cause harm to the bird. While they mightlook distressed, they probably aren’t. They might be disheveled because they are moulting! (Rod Stewart’s hair can look ragged but he’s just fine!) However, ifthere are obvious injuries, or if you feel they are vulnerable to dog disturbance, please ring us and let us know. Madeleine 027 565 8817; Jenny 021 167 1524;Tony 021 0251 9299.My learning for this month came from a Kororā/Little Blue Penguin that was reported in Matheson Bay. When I saw it, it wasn’t blue. Not even a hint of blue.It was a definite brown colour. After consulting an expert from the NZ Penguin Initiative I now know that as they approach moulting season their gorgeousblue plumage fades to gorgeous grey brown. It almost looked like a different bird!Neil Sutherland. For the LPP team. Reposted with permission from Leigh Rag - [email protected]

PLAN AHEAD FOR HOLIDAY WEEKEND TRAFFICOver the Easter weekend holiday period, subject to weather activity, we expect to see large numbers of people leaving their homes and heading for popular holiday destinations. We are anticipating some traffic delays during this period, especially for those heading to the Bay of Islands or other beach destinations, or down to Auckland, so please plan ahead if you will be travelling on any state highway routes across the Northland region.To help plan your journey, check out our predictive Holiday Journeys information on our Highway Conditions map here: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/regions/northland (white icons with 2 blue cars). These contain traffic flow forecasts across popular holiday routes, based on previous years travel patterns.Consider leaving when traffic is lighter, either early in the morning or later in the evening, or consider traveling on a different day (if possible) and always remember to drive to the conditions.

The free Mangawhai village to beach loop bus is back on the road for Easter weekend 7-10 April.The bus loops from the Domain in the village to the surf beach between 10am and 5.30pm.Schedule below.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT by Mangawhai local artist Shann Whitaker.This Wednesday 5th April 3.30pm = 5.30pm.We are starting a mural on the two water tanks behind the Mangawhai Artists Gallery.We are looking for some kids/adults to come and grab a paint brush and get involved for a couple of hours.There is a design to follow and I will be on hand to oversee and help. So put on your paint clothes and come on down to be part of this community project.

NIWA has been called in to investigate evidence of snapper in the Hauraki Gulf suffering from milky white flesh syndrome.The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) said the syndrome had been affecting snapper in the Hauraki Gulf and East Northland areas, and were reports of it in other finfish species, such as trevally. The condition can cause nutrient deficiencies.A report from Biosecurity New Zealand, obtained by Newshub, said some snapper were showing signs of prolonged starvation.MPI has contracted NIWA to investigate commercial catch samples, and recreational catch is also being monitored.NIWA fisheries scientist Dr Darren Parsons said there had been reports of the syndrome in halibut in Alaska, but it was relatively new in New Zealand.In August 2022 fishers began reporting the flesh of snapper was white, opaque and in some cases mushy and even slimy, he said."We can see externally, when looking at extreme cases of these fish, they're visibly skinny, the tissue has sunken away."Though some have suggested trawling or sediment runoff was to blame, Parsons said the cause wasn't yet known."I don't see fishing having changed in a way that would contribute to this, but it's speculation at this stage."There was less commercial fishing in the Hauraki Gulf than five years ago, while the syndrome had been reported recently, he said.One possibility was that it was the result of El Nino and La Nina climate cycles, which change the water mixing and availability of nutrients.Food safety tests had not shown up any reason why the fish would be unsafe to eat, he said."From what I'm hearing from fishers, though, they're not as palatable ... and as a result the commercial fishery has moved away from the areas where these fish have been most commonly caught, which at this stage is the Hauraki Gulf, especially the inner Hauraki Gulf."The East Northland coast and a little of the Bay of Plenty were also affected, but snapper stocks on the west coast of the North Island and Nelson were not.

Warkworth RegionMonday 3rd April - Fine spells and a few showers, becoming mainly fine this afternoon as showers retreat to the west. Southwesterlies.Tuesday 4th April - Fine. Fresh southerlies, easing early.Wednesday 5th April - Fine. Southerlies, easing early.Thursday 6th April - Partly cloudy, with isolated showers developing later. Light winds.Friday 7th April - Cloudy. Southeasterlies, becoming fresh.Saturday 8th April - Occasional rain, becoming persistent. Easterlies, becoming strong.Sunday 8th April - Partly cloudy with easterlies.Mangawhai RegionMonday 3rd April - Partly cloudy with the odd morning shower, then fine. Southwesterlies.Tuesday 4th April - Fine. Southerlies.Wednesday 5th April - Fine with light winds.Thursday 6th April - Partly cloudy a few showers developing. Easterlies.Friday 7th April - Rain. Southeasterlies.Saturday 8th April - Rain with strong easterlies.Sunday 8th April - A few showers with easterlies.