Auckland Council is carrying out pest fish control at Lake Tomarata. Please keep out of the lake from 17-21 April. No swimming or boating because of the nets in the lake. All nets will be gone by next weekend. The reserve is open throughout this time. Controlling pest fish, protects native biodiversity and water quality.

Cyclone Gabrielle has almost been the final nail in the coffin for New Zealand's colourful $33 million Hundertwasser Art Centre.Until Thursday, the iconic national tourist attraction in Whangārei's Town Basin faced closure - barely a year after opening to much fanfare - because of Covid-19 wiping international visitors, the recent Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle's State Highway 1 Brynderwyns closure.However Whangārei District Council (WDC) on Thursday handed the Art Centre, which is a council-controlled organisation (CCO), an $800,000 lifeline, averting its closure before the end of June.The money is made up of $500,000 of previously unbudgeted spending and another $300,000 from the Whangārei Art Trust capital reserve.WDC general manager corporate Alan Adcock said without the money the centre faced insolvency before the end of the financial year.Whangārei Art Trust trustee and volunteer chair Dr Jill McPherson said she was relieved the money had been made available following what had been a perfect storm of events since the facility opened in February last year.She said the closure of SH1 over the Brynderwyns had been the last in a sequence of many issues in what was a perfect storm.Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo said the council was duty-bound to support the facility, which was a major Whangārei attraction and key part of the Town Basin artistic loop.Whangārei's Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery. Photo: File photo / LDRMcPherson said firstly Covid-19 had put paid to the 50,000 international visitors forecast to have been visiting the centre in the last year, with instead only 3000 turning up.There had however been slightly more domestic tourists than expected with 87,000 until the end of February.Included in this number were 27,000 Northlanders who also visited the facility during this time.McPherson said the number of domestic tourists visiting the site had been strong over December and January, but had suddenly plummeted to hardly anything with the Auckland floods and the closure of SH1 over the Brynderwyns.She said 12,000 visitors (international and domestic) had been forecast to visit the facility in February, but only 3000 turned up.The council on Thursday also approved an extra $100,000 operating funding annually from the 1 July start of the 2023/2024 financial year.Councillor Paul Yovich said issues with the trust's governing of the facility were more the cause of its current position.The trust has been plagued with resignations in recent months including of its chair and the centre's chief executive.McPherson took issue with these comments."The trust hasn't been perfect, but I take issue with claims of mismanagement." she said.She said the trust accounts had been given a clean audit at their last audit and there had been money in the bank. That situation had changed over August and September when visitor numbers plummeted meaning major income loss.She said the trust would be looking at other options going forward including cutting staff numbers, shifting more functions online, a new online shop and setting up a new friends programme with its annual paid fee allowing year-round access.Whangārei's Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery. Photo: Michael CunninghamCouncillor Scott McKenzie said it was unfortunate there had had to be a call on the facility's guaranteed backup funds so soon after it had opened."However, the alternative of not choosing to go ahead with the funding injection was even more undesirable," McKenzie said."As people have mentioned, these have been turbulent times we have been going through in the last few years."Councillor Simon Reid said WDC's financial topup decision was setting the council up to become the provider of handouts into the future. Such a decision was a chocolate covered stone.Councillor Patrick Holmes said the facility was a positive for Whangārei and Northland and had to succeed."We are in a position where we have to support it. The guarantee is okay, it's the unbudgeted $500,000 I have concerns about," Holmes said.Deputy Mayor Phil Halse praised the facility as a positive influence for the growth of the city.The financial issues for the Hundertwasser Art Centre refer only to this part of the more completely-named Hundertwasser Art Centre and Wairau Māori Art Gallery. The latter is run by a separate trust. Both facilities are housed in the same building at the Town Basin.

Warkworth RegionMonday 17th April - Cloudy periods. A few showers, mainly north of the Harbour Bridge. Strong easterlies, gale in exposed places gusting 80 km/h, easing this afternoon.Tuesday 18th April - Mostly cloudy, with isolated showers. Fresh northeasterlies.Wednesday 19th - Mostly cloudy, with a few showers. Fresh northeasterlies, easing in the afternoon.Thursday 20th - Partly cloudy, with isolated showers developing. Northeasterlies, becoming fresh.Friday 21st April - Isolated showers, clearing to partly cloudy. Fresh northeasterlies.Mangawhai RegionMonday 17th April - Mostly cloudy with a few showers. Strong easterlies, easing this afternoon.Tuesday 18th April - A few showers, clearing in the evening and becoming fine. Northeasterlies.Wednesday 19th - Cloudy periods and a few showers. Northeasterlies.Thursday 20th - Cloudy periods. Chance shower. Northeasterlies.Friday 21st April - A few showers. Northerlies.

Reminder from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency - Northland, SH1 Brynderwyns will be closed from 11.59pm on Sunday 16 April 2023 for approximately two weeks.During this time, please follow the detour routes and allow extra time when travelling: Light vehicles via Mangawhai, between Waipu and Kaiwaka using The Braigh, Cove Road, Tara Road and Kaiwaka Mangawhai Road. Heavy vehicles, including HPMV, via SH14 and SH12 (via Dargaville).

Latest drone footage from April 23 available.For more information on the project https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/te-honohono-ki-tai-matakana-link-road?fbclid=IwAR2J3Ug_P3vVKgV_KmWlrc1KUBtFJaHzzltO1lCFtzgzflj90szcn7xfpvU

NZPost has closed its Wellsford store at 199 Rodney Street.PO Boxes will stay where they are until further notice. For the nearest Postal, Courier and Bill Pay services please visit:Warkworth PaperPlus located at 37 Queen St, WarkworthOpen Mon to Fri 8.30am – 5pmSat 9am - 3pmKaiwaka Food Mart, 1919 SH1, KaiwakaOpen Mon to Fri 7.30am - 5.45pmSat 7.30am – 1.30pm

Department of Conservation accommodation fees are going up and in some cases, the price hike doubles the cost to stay in huts.The DOC price update applies to huts, lodges, some campsites, the West Coast's Paparoa Track, and off-season rates for some Great Walk huts.Standard hut fees will increase from $5 to $10 and serviced hut fees will move from $15 to $25.The Paparoa Track's hut prices will increase to a level similar to other popular Great Walks.Different fees for international visitors will also be applied to the Paparoa Track during the summer period, which will be at a rate of 1.5 x the domestic hut fees.DOC director of heritage and visitors Cat Wilson said some prices had not changed in 15 years and did not reflect present day costs."DOC is operating under increased budget pressures from rising construction and maintenance costs, reduced revenue due to the impacts of Covid-19, and extreme weather events such as Cyclone Gabrielle."Visitor charges contribute to recovering the costs of providing DOC's recreation accommodation, and balances the cost burden between users and taxpayers."The fees collected help support investment into recreation facilities to maintain, repair and improve experiences at huts, and campsites, lodges, cottages, and cabins."The new fees come into effect on 1 July.

Reaction to the government's shake-up of the Three Waters reforms came in thick and fast after the prime minister's announcement Thursday morning.Reaction to the government's shake-up of the Three Waters reforms came in thick and fast after the prime minister's announcement Thursday morning.The government was abandoning plans to establish four mega water entities, and instead creating 10 - which will be owned by local councils and run by a board.Making the announcement, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the new model would deal with the current water infrastructure problems while ensuring the reform was affordable.Under the new model, ratepayers appear to save less money annually compared with the original plan.Mana whenua and local council representatives will continue to be equally represented in the groups advising the new regional water entities. Hipkins said it was not co-governance.Local Government New Zealand president Stuart Crosby said the announcement was a step in the right direction but "a number of questions remain"."LGNZ has been advocating for stronger local voice and closer connections to communities in the model for a long time," Crosby said."There are 78 councils across the motu. Within local government there are many and varied views on reform. One thing the vast majority agree on is that water reform is necessary."South Wairapapa Mayor Martin Connolly, who was at the announcement, felt the changes would give a council like his more say compared to the previous model. "We need it to be affordable, and we need it to be delivered in a way where we feel we're having the influence on decision making that we need," he said.Manawatū District mayor Helen Worboys is co-chair of Communities 4 Local Democracy, which lobbied the government to water down the legislation.Worboys told Midday Report the announcement was disappointing as there had been "no real meaningful change to the reform that we were seeking".The government had not addressed the group's concerns around community property rights or local voice, she said."It is a win that we've got to the 10 entity model but it's the same model that we got before."The lobby group would keep talking with the government, she said.Grey District Mayor Tanya Gibson said the announcement was just minor tweaks around the edges."Our biggest concerns have always been the community property rights and the meaningful local voice and our ratepayers have paid for these assets over generations. So we still feel that nothing has been done to alleviate the confiscation without compensation for those people.Ashburton Mayor Neal Brown said it was still too soon to say if changes had won him over."We'll see whether it's moved enough for us to support the reform, or there still needs to be more engagement with the communities," he said.Clutha District mayor Bryan Cadogan was worried ratepayers across Southland and Otago would face financial hardship as a result of changes to the Three Water reform.Cadogan was involved in working groups and lead local government groups on the reforms.He said he was concerned for the future of his region as it had lost the critical mass that a South Island-wide entity would have provided.Otago and Southland ratepayers would be worse off under the changes and would have been better to stick with the original plan, he said.Tory Whanau Photo: RNZ / Samuel RillstoneWellington mayor Tory Whanau said the changes were as expected, and the council was in support - but wanted it to go faster."At the end of the day we cannot afford to fix our infrastructure without reform," she said."Adding in a couple of extra years, financially that does provide a bit of a challenge with our long-term plan so we can continue working productively with the minister to see how that could be addressed."If there is the opportunity and we could get the support of other mayors we'd love to see if it's possible to actually speed up that timeline."She was pleased the government was retaining the promised level of mana whenua representation.New Plymouth District mayor Neil Holdom said he was happy with reform, but the gap between National and Labour was "miniscule". He called for them to put their political differences aside for the good of New Zealanders."Ultimately, given they're so close, there's an opportunity for both parties to come together to a shared agreement that'll work."The changes announced today addressed a lot of councils' concerns, but he wanted the government to also step in and provide a Crown guarantee which would increase the level of debt and cost savings for the entities, Holdom said.The government has committed to a Crown liquidity facility - an emergency fund which would provide further certainty to boost entities' borrowing limits - in its legislation. However, this would only be available to entities that had lost access to debt markets but remained creditworthy, and any drawdown would need to pass a public good benchmark.His other major concern was the high cost of compliance."We've got Taumata Arowai, which is appropriate, and the Commerce Commission is the economic regulator. They need to rip out the rest of the red tape that they've written into these regulations ... a lot of the regulations are really about box-ticking and they won't make a difference in terms of keeping the crap out of the rivers or guaranteeing the quality of our drinking water."He also supported the co-governance aspects."Our experience in New Plymouth is that working with mana whenua on the development of our water plans has worked really well for our community - they've added a lot of insights and historical knowledge."I'm quite comfortable with co-governance, it works here, it adds value and ultimately that value gets passed on to everybody that the network serves."South Wairarapa mayor Martin Connolly was at this morning's announcement and said he also supported the changes."We need secure, safe water, we need it to be affordable and we need it to be delivered in a way where we feel we're having the influence on decision-making that we need."He said a teleconference with the minister and mayors this morning seemed largely supportive as well."I was on the zoom meeting this morning and I can assure you that there was no animosity or no opposition at all, in fact what there was ... a constant stream of 'well done', 'yep', 'this is much nearer to what we need'."I mean obviously not everybody's happy and I think as the minister said we cannot expect perfection in a way that 60-odd councils are all going to be happy with - but I'm reasonably convinced that what has happened today will reassure a large number of councils."Marie Black Photo: LDR / North Canterbury News / Shelley ToppThere certainly were some who remained staunchly opposed, like Hurunui mayor Marie Black."The tweaks haven't really endeavoured to fix up some of the reform package to please a rural community like our own," she said."The issue remains for our district - who has invested heavily in their water infrastructure delivery over a number of years - to have the ability to remain influential on those rights of ownership and rights of influence. Fundamentally those principles remain."The Hurunui district, we're a large rural district ... one of the largest territorial authorities by footprint and one of the smallest populations, but notwithstanding that we've invested heavily."To at the stroke of a pen remove that opportunity doesn't sit comfortably with the district that I represent."Upper Hutt mayor Wayne Guppy was also unconvinced."I originally was getting a little excited and thought there might have been some major changes in approach and direction, but certainly when you see the fine print and hear what's happening, I mean we've had some cosmetic surgery over a name."Secondly we've said 'look we'll go from four to 10 entities and every mayor and every councils can be represented', but you're still a number of blocks away or steps away from the coal face."It's no different at all to me, and the confiscation of the assets of our community is still hard and fast for our community, and this won't change them at all."

Friday 14th AprilLeigh Sawmill - Friday Happy HourLive Music - Friday nights @ Matakana Village PubLate Night at Matakana EstateLive in the Lobby with Stu JWarkworth Theatre's Plethora of Plays Saturday 15th AprilMangawhai Community MarketMangawhai Tavern MarketMatakana Village Farmers MarketDejeuner en Blanc - Long lazy lunch @ Brooke Lane VineyardMac Summer - Drum & Bass PartyRobert De Niro Single Release PartyMixed Messages Saturday @ SmithsWarkworth Theatre's Plethora of Plays Sunday 16th AprilSunday Service @ SmithsWarkworth Theatre's Plethora of Plays Sunday Sessions @ Leigh Sawmill CafeWarkworth Theatre's Plethora of Plays

Warkworth RegionFriday 14th April - Showers, possibly heavy, clearing early evening. Easterlies, fresh from afternoon.Saturday 15th April - Partly cloudy, with isolated showers. Gusty easterlies.Sunday 16th April - Partly cloudy with isolated showers. Gusty easterlies.Mangawhai RegionFriday 14th April - Cloudy periods and early morning fog. A few showers. Easterlies developing this morning.Saturday 15th April - Partly cloudy. Gusty easterlies.Sunday 16th April - Partly cloudy. Gusty easterlies.

Council has pressed pause on any changes to Kaipara’s waste and recycling services while a new waste strategy from central Government is assessed.The decision to maintain Kaipara’s current waste and recycling services for the time being was confirmed at the March Council meeting.A new waste strategy for Kaipara was a key project of the current Long-Term Plan (LTP) 2021-2031.Staff are now working to make sure any proposed changes to waste and recycling services in Kaipara align with the Government’s new roadmap for waste management and minimisation.“Waste management and recycling are a key service which we continue to provide for Kaipara communities.” says Kaipara Mayor Craig Jepson.Kaipara’s waste is currently managed by two contractors – Kaipara Refuse operate east and west collections as well as the transfer station in Dargaville, and Northland Waste, contracted to manage Hakaru refuse station. Their contracts were set to expire in October 2023, and following the Council approval will now extend until 01 July 2026. It is expected any updated waste strategy will be implemented in July 2026, subject to the LTP 2023-2034 (including community consultation).

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, 14 April 2023. Please note this Traffic Bulletin is updated every Friday.Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am.NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Southbound lanes between Waiwera off-ramp and Silverdale on-ramp, 11-13 AprilOrewa southbound on-ramp, 11-13 AprilMillwater southbound on-ramp, 11-13 AprilNorthbound lanes between Silverdale off-ramp and Waiwera on-ramp, 11-13 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Orewa northbound on-ramp, 11-13 AprilSilverdale northbound on-ramp, 11-13 AprilSouthbound lanes between Oteha Valley Road off-ramp and Greville Road on-ramp, 10 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Oteha Valley Road southbound on-ramp, 10 April (approx. 09:30pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Oteha Valley Road off-ramp and Greville Road on-ramp, 11 AprilOteha Valley Road southbound on-ramp, 11 AprilSouthbound lanes between Greville Road off-ramp and Constellation Drive on-ramp, 12 AprilGreville Road southbound on-ramp, 12 AprilNorthbound lanes between Constellation Drive off-ramp and Greville Road on-ramp, 12-13 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Constellation Drive northbound on-ramp, 12-13 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Constellation Drive southbound off-ramp, 11 & 13 AprilConstellation Drive southbound on-ramp, 11 AprilEsmonde Road (Diamond) northbound on-ramp, 10-13 AprilCENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)None plannedSOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Southbound lanes between Greenlane off-ramp and Mt Wellington Highway on-ramp, 12-13 April (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)Greenlane southbound on-ramp, 12-13 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Tecoma Street southbound on-ramp, 12-13 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Ellerslie-Panmure Highway southbound on-ramp, 12-13 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Mt Wellington Highway off-ramp and East Tamaki Road on-ramp, 10 April (approx. 10:30pm to 5:00am)Mt Wellington Highway southbound on-ramp, 10 April (approx. 09:30pm to 5:00am)Princes Street southbound on-ramp, 10 April (approx. 09:30pm to 5:00am)Highbrook Drive southbound on-ramp, 10 April (approx. 09:30pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Mt Wellington Highway off-ramp and East Tamaki Road on-ramp, 11 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Mt Wellington Highway southbound on-ramp, 11 AprilPrinces Street southbound on-ramp, 11 AprilHighbrook Drive southbound on-ramp, 11 April.Northbound lanes between Manukau off-ramp and Te Irirangi Drive on-ramp, 10 April (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)Redoubt Road northbound on-ramp, 10 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Manukau off-ramp and Te Irirangi Drive on-ramp, 11 & 13 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Redoubt Road northbound on-ramp, 11 & 13 AprilNorthbound lanes between Ramarama off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 10 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Ramarama northbound on-ramp, 10 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Ramarama off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 11-13 AprilRamarama northbound on-ramp, 11-13 AprilPokeno northbound off-ramp, 11 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)Lincoln Road northbound on-ramp, 11-13 AprilNorthbound lanes between Rosebank Road off-ramp and Te Atatu on-ramp, 11-13 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Patiki Road northbound on-ramp, 11-13 AprilSH16 eastbound to SH20 southbound link (Waterview southbound tunnel closed), 11 AprilGreat North Road eastbound off ramp (Waterview southbound tunnel closed), 11 AprilSH16 westbound to SH20 southbound link (Waterview southbound tunnel closed), 11 AprilGreat North Road westbound off-ramp, 12 AprilEastbound lanes between St Lukes Road off-ramp and St Lukes Road on-ramp, 11-13 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)UPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)Paul Mathews Road eastbound off ramp, 10 AprilEastbound lanes between Albany Highway off-ramp and Paul Mathews Road, 12-13 AprilSH18 eastbound to SH1 northbound link, 12-13 AprilAlbany Highway eastbound on-ramp, 12-13 AprilAlbany Highway westbound off-ramp, 11 AprilSquadron Drive westbound off-ramp, 10-11 AprilSOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)Dominion Road southbound on-ramp, 10-12 AprilNorthbound lanes between Coronation Road off-ramp and Rimu Road on-ramp, 13 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Coronation Road northbound on-ramp, 13 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Lambie Drive off-ramp and SH1 links, 10 April (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)Lambie Drive southbound on-ramp, 10 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH20 southbound to SH1 northbound link, 10 April (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)SH20 southbound to SH1 southbound link, 10 April (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Lambie Drive off-ramp and SH1 links, 11 & 13 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Lambie Drive southbound on-ramp, 11 & 13 AprilSH20 southbound to SH1 northbound link, 11 & 13 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH20 southbound to SH1 southbound link, 11 & 13 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)GEORGE BOLT MEMORIAL DRIVE (SH20A)Northbound lanes between Landing Drive and SH20 Link, 11-12 AprilSH20A northbound to SH20 northbound link, 11-12 AprilKirkbride Road northbound on-ramp, 11-12 April 

We want you to help shape the draft local board plan for Rodney.Local board plans (External link) are strategic three-year plans that are developed based on community feedback.Local boards can now make more decisions about services and facilities in their area. However, the cost of living and providing these services has gone up, as well as the costs of borrowing money and doing business.We will need to address these challenges in the local board plan, and this means doing things differently and further prioritising spending.What we want your feedback on We want to hear your thoughts on the key aspects that will guide the plan's development.This will help us understand what matters most to you and your community.Five key focus areasThe key aspects of local board plans are:Our people: supporting people in our diverse communities.Our environment: protecting our natural environment.Our community: supporting community participation with our services and infrastructure.Our places: supporting our growth, development, transport and accessibility.Our economy: supporting our economic development.Integrated into these five strategic areas will be efforts to ensure we contribute to climate mitigation and meet our legal obligations to Māori.How to give feedbackWe want you to be part of the conversation as early as possible before any important decisions are made.You can fill out our survey and share your ideas using the interactive tools at the bottom of this page.What happens nextWe will use your feedback, along with input from the community and existing plans, to create a draft plan for Rodney Local Board.In mid-2023, we will publish the draft local board plan and seek further feedback on any final thoughts you and the community may have to ensure the plan is heading in the right direction.By 31 October 2023 we will report back any final changes based on your feedback and notify you when the plan is adopted.

The estimated cost of Watercare's rebuild after Cyclone Gabrielle and Auckland Anniversary flooding could now hit $460 million.During Auckland Anniversary Weekend, thousands of people were forced to evacuate their homes due to surging flood waters. Watercare reported widespread damage to its network as a result.The city was then hit by Cyclone Gabrielle in February which caused further flooding and slips.A report to Watercare's board on Tuesday said: "We have provided Auckland Council with an initial estimate of at least $250 million to repair our network following the flood events and an upper estimate of $460m for repair and adaptation where necessary."Chief operations officer Mark Bourne said Watercare had been focusing on emergency and temporary repairs following the landslides."We have around 125 projects to prioritise (a process that will take about six weeks), and then we will start designing permanent repairs (eg in areas where like-for-like cannot be built as the land has significantly changed or disappeared due to slips)."In March, Bourne said Watercare was continuing to discover more damage to its network and said it would take time to establish the true price tag.He hoped a lot of the damage would be covered by insurance."In the interim, repair costs are coming out of our capital budget. But we don't know yet whether there will be assistance from the council or the government."But Auckland Council CCO direction and oversight committee chairperson Wayne Walker said the council did not have any money to help pay for Watercare's rebuild."I would have thought at this point it would come from within Watercare's existing budget," he said."We already have a problem now of finding $295m [for the council's projected deficit], let alone any other cost escalations. So I doubt there's any room to move."Watercare's Pukekohe water treatment plant has been out of action since the Auckland Anniversary floods.A similar facility at Muriwai has also been red-stickered due to landslides during Cyclone Gabrielle and is still out of action.The Huia water treatment plant has been running at reduced capacity and the Upper Nihotupu Dam is out of service.Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown was approached for comment.

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.