Warkworth RegionFriday 25th August - Partly cloudy, with patchy morning fog. Light winds.Saturday 26th August - Mainly fine. Light winds.Sunday 27th August - Partly cloudy, chance of a shower in the afternoon and evening. Southwesterlies developing in the morning.Mangawhai RegionFriday 25th August - Partly cloudy, chance of an afternoon shower. Light winds.Saturday 26th August - Partly cloudy, chance of a shower in the afternoon and evening. Light winds.Sunday 27th August - Mainly fine. Light winds.

Auckland Transport would like to advise of the following slip repair work for Mahurangi East Road.From Monday 28th August for approximately 4 months.

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Horticulture industry body Hort NZ says one of the new acts replacing the RMA will do a far better job at protecting New Zealand's fruit and vegetable growing areas.The Natural and Built Environment Bill, which passed its third reading last week, sets out a national planning framework which provides national direction for the rules and policies that support environmental protection and natural resource management.Hort NZ's Michelle Sands said this national policy must enable the supply of fresh fruit and vegetables. In other words, it requires councils to specifically think about the impact land use rules will have on vegetable and fruit production."And that's really important because at the moment in the RMA we have a number of policies and rules that prevent vegetable growing in particular from being able to be undertaken because they don't provide a rule framework that supports crop rotation and don't provide a framework that enables vegetable growers to produce more vegetables," she said.Crop rotation is when different crops are planted in the same area over successive years which helps manage pests and disease, and soil management.Sands said the RMA did not currently put a practical lens on what food production requirements were, and did not protect New Zealand's food security."What tends to happen in policy and rules is that 80:20 rule, where you design something that works for most activities - and most activities are pastoral activities," she said."So if you have an activity that is a bit different, sometimes you end up with unintended consequences when those rules are applied to a different activity ..."It's really just about saying, actually we're geographically isolated, we need a supply of fresh fruit and vegetables so we need to make sure that our rules framework doesn't have unintended consequences for these activities and that we are enabling that supply through the way that we manage our natural resources," she said.Sands said it had been too easy for councils to set up rules that were easy to administer and that had become the focus, rather than considering the best use of the land.Instead of simple administrative systems that worked well for pastoral farming being applied to vegetable growing, Sands said efforts should be made to think of an administrative system that worked for vegetable growing.It was all about the council's "mind-set" she said, "because growers can and should manage their environmental impacts".Vegetables NZ also welcomed the change in regulation and said increasing growers' ability to grow and expand would improve food security.However, Federated Farmers said the legislation would strip local communities of their decision-making ability.National is promising to repeal the RMA replacement bills if elected.This story was originally published by RNZ

The Kawau Bay Action Group and the Snells Beach Ratepayers and Residents Association have put together this questionnaire, asking locals what improvements they would like to see in their community. If you would like to participate here is the link.

Peter de GraafA well-known Northland dive company has avoided prosecution over an incident in which two children were trapped in a sea cave by agreeing to a raft of measures to improve safety and help the victims.Those measures are expected to cost Dive! Tutukaka, which is based on the Tūtūkākā Coast about 30km north of Whangārei, more than $250,000.WorkSafe, which led the investigation, said that was more than the company may have been fined if the prosecution had gone ahead.The drama unfolded in December 2020 when Dive! Tutukaka took a group of students from Tauraroa Area School on a kayaking and snorkelling trip to the Poor Knights Islands.During the trip, a 14-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy were stuck in a sea cave after their shared kayak capsized in choppy waters.The girl feared she would drown when her foot became wedged in a crevice.According to a WorkSafe report, she had to hold her breath each time a wave swept over her head.She was rescued by a Dive! Tutukaka staff member, but he was unable to get the boy out because he was paralysed with fear on a ledge inside the cave.The boy and his rescuer remained there until the Northland Rescue Helicopter arrived about two hours later. They were able to exit the cave once the tide had dropped.According to WorkSafe, all three suffered cuts and abrasions and the children were traumatised.WorkSafe specialist interventions acting head Catalijne Pille said the company had committed to "putting things right" by entering into a legally binding safety pledge, known as an enforceable undertaking.That commitment included paying reparations to the two young victims; training for Dive! Tutukaka workers; funding and training for the Northland Rescue Helicopter and Tūtūkākā Coastguard; water confidence programmes for local rangatahi; and partnering with Education Outdoors New Zealand to upskill providers working with schools."The investment Dive! Tutukaka will make exceeds what even the courts may have ordered in penalties. This demonstrates a substantial commitment to health and safety, with benefits circled back to the community, workers, and the industry," Pille said.WorkSafe would monitor progress and could resume prosecution if the commitments were not met."In light of this incident at the Poor Knights Islands, and the recent fatality at Abbey Caves, this commitment is a timely boost for the outdoor education system. Students should be able to participate in activities safely, and parents must have confidence their rangatahi will be kept safe," Pille said.School's board pays student victimsTauraroa Area School's Board of Trustees faced the same charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act of exposing individuals to risk of harm or illness.The board was sentenced in Whangārei District Court in December 2022 and ordered to pay reparation to the two students. The amount paid was suppressed.The school board was not fined due to its financial circumstances.Dive! Tutukaka director Kate Malcolm said a conviction for the company, or a fine that disappeared into the justice system's coffers, would not have done anyone a good service."I think we can do a better thing with that money by putting it directly into the community over a long period of time, and that's what we chose to do," she said.It was not a "get out of jail free card" or an easy option, but it was the best path for healing and moving forward."You can just suck it up, get a conviction and pay the money, and keep doing what you're doing. But this is about fundamental change. Because the children, and their learnings and outdoor experiences as they way-find and navigate, are our future. Our purpose really is to help them and to make sure it's possible for them to do that safely," Malcolm said.As part of the commitment, the company was developing outdoor leadership programmes and offering time, boats and facilities to the rescue helicopter trust and Tūtūkākā Coastguard.That would allow training otherwise unavailable to community services and improve safety for everyone along the coast.The incident had also been tough on her staff, Malcolm said."Even though we did get everybody home that afternoon, we certainly left some trauma and some scrapes and bruises on two of the children in particular. My team also felt it very strongly - they define themselves about how they deliver a day and how they share the experience of the Poor Knights Islands. So it's deeply affected us."The company was working with the families of the two children in the hope of helping them heal, she said.This story was originally posted by RNZ

Walk, scooter, bike – you'll soon be able to pick your mode of transport and experience the new boardwalk over the Mangawhai estuary!Council contractors are winding up the last bits and bobs of the second phase of the Mangawhai shared path, with the boardwalk open to the public for use from around mid-morning, Tuesday 22 August. We’ll be sharing some of the background on the art and design of the boardwalk (including info on the name gifted by the Taumata Kaunihera of Te Uri o Hau — Te Ara o Te Whai) later this week. The first two phases of the Mangawhai shared path is supported by funding from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (majority grant) and the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund – Infrastructure Reference Group (IRG) administered by Kānoa – Regional Development & Investment Unit. The shared path improves safety and connectivity between the village and the heads, making it easier to travel by foot, bike, or scooter along busy Molesworth Drive.For more information about the Mangawhai shared path project, go to www.mangawhaicommunityplan.co.nz/projects/transport

Another major milestone in Auckland’s storm recovery will be reached on Monday with the lifting of the Motutara Road cordon, at Muriwai.The main road into Muriwai, Motutara Road was closed in February due to a landslide during Cyclone Gabrielle.Mace Ward, Auckland Council’s Deputy Group Recovery Manager says that though the landslide was eventually cleared, Auckland Council had ongoing concerns about the area and work has been underway to ensure it could be safely reopened.“We engaged geotechnical specialists to thoroughly assess the area, and their advice is the road can be safely reopened with the removal of unstable properties above the road. These properties were successfully cleared this week, and we’re pleased to confirm the road will reopen on Monday.“As part of our work to clear the road, we were delighted we were able to retrieve some personal belongings of great value to the owners of the homes that were damaged, including some jewellery and some precious vinyl records that were thought to be lost.“The removal of these houses is bittersweet for the owners of these properties, and we must recognise the major impact the weather events this year had on people’s homes and families.“While restoring access through Motutara Road is a milestone we are pleased to have reached, there is still more work to be done in Muriwai. Six months on, this community is still hurting from the impact of the extreme weather events.“Many people are still displaced from their homes, and we’re working to support them as we get closer to having clarity on next steps. Our geotechnical assessment of the wider area is almost complete, and homeowners will start receiving initial property risk categories at the end of the month.“This technical work will also enable us to accelerate the removal of building placards, meaning that some people will be able to safely return to their homes.”The cordon at Domain Crescent will remain, with residents’ access only and 24/7 security in place.Driving on the beachVehicle access to the beach via Coast Road will reopen on Monday 4 September. Mr Ward says that four-wheel drivers will be pleased to return but wants to remind permit holders that additional care will be needed.“There have been significant changes on Muriwai Beach over the last seven months, with dunes starting to revegetate and some wildlife returning. Those using the beach may encounter a lot more bird life and a few seals. As a visitor to their environment, please ensure that your actions minimise any disruption to them.“We would encourage you to take this opportunity to ‘reset’ how you use the beach – refresh yourself with the skills you need to drive on a beach and please be respectful of the environment and community. Make sure your tyre pressure is correct (lower than for general road driving), and that you have the right equipment. Check out the tides, and be aware of no-go areas.“You have to give way to everybody else if you are a vehicle on the beach. Make sure you’ve sorted your paperwork too – no access without a permit, current registration, and warrant of fitness.”Click here for information on Muriwai Regional Park, and also see our Rules for driving on Muriwai and Kariotahi beaches.

Warkworth RegionMonday 21st August - Showers, some heavy with hail possible, clearing to fine this evening. Southwesterlies, rising to gale in exposed places this morning, gusting 90 km/h, easing evening.Strong Wind WatchPeriod: 8hrs from 8am - 4pm Mon, 21 AugArea: Northland, Auckland including the Great Barrier Island, and Coromandel PeninsulaForecast: Southwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.Tuesday 22nd August - Mainly fine. Fresh southerlies, easing in the evening.Wednesday 23rd August - Becoming cloudy early. Southwesterlies, easing in the evening.Thursday 24th August - Mostly cloudy, with isolated showers developing. Light winds.Friday 24th August - Partly cloudy. Light winds.Saturday 25th August - Partly cloudy. Westerlies developing.Sunday 26th August - A few showers. Southwesterlies.Mangawhai RegionMonday 21st August - Showers, possibly heavy, clearing evening. Southwesterlies, becoming strong this morning, easing this evening.Strong Wind WatchPeriod: 8hrs from 8am - 4pm Mon, 21 AugArea: Northland, Auckland including the Great Barrier Island, and Coromandel PeninsulaForecast: Southwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.Tuesday 22nd August - Fine. Southwesterlies, becoming fresh for a time in the afternoon and evening.Wednesday 23rd August - Becoming cloudy early. Southwesterlies, easing in the evening.Thursday 24th August - Cloudy. Westerlies, easing.Friday 25th August - Partly cloudy with light winds.Saturday 27th August - Fine with westerlies.Sunday 28th August - A few showers. Southwesterlies.

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