Police and the Armed Offenders Squad are at an address on Auckland's North Shore linked to a West Auckland firearms incident this morning.The police said they were at an address in Beach Haven as part of their inquiries into the earlier incident in Huapai, north-west of the city, which resulted in a school and kindergarten going into lockdown.Photo: RNZ / MARIKA KHABAZI"Staff at ... Lancaster Road are armed given the nature of the earlier incident and are being supported by the Armed Offenders Squad," police said in a statement."Inquiries remain ongoing at this stage."Police were seen on Lancaster Road.Huapai District School in Kumeū and at least two kindergartens nearby went into lockdown following reports of gunfire this morning.Police inquiries were ongoing. Photo: RNZ / MARIKA KHABAZIThe school has since come out of lockdown and says all students and staff are accounted for.More to come...

Sea, sand, and Aotearoa New Zealand’s rarest bird were all on hand for the opening of Kaipara’s newest loos. The facilities, set within Lincoln Reserve in Mangawhai, were blessed on Tuesday 15 November.The opening was attended by staff who worked on the project, artist Shann Whitaker, and representatives from Te Uri o Hau and the New Zealand Fairy Tern Charitable Trust. A blessing was led by kaumatua Ben Hita from Te Uri o Hau.The site where facilities are located looks out to Mangawhai’s estuary and sand dunes – a landscape that inspired the artwork which adorns the toilet building and water tank. The mural features the Mangawhai harbour landscape and Tara Iti / New Zealand Fairy Tern which nest in this area. The collaborative work was designed and painted by Waipu artist Melinda Butt and Mangawhai artist Shann Whitaker.New Zealand Fairy Tern Charitable Trust Convener, Heather Rogan, acknowledged the artists’ work in her speech. She also highlighted the importance of building awareness of New Zealand’s rarest bird and its fragile habitat.Partial funding for the toilets was provided by the Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF) administered by the Ministry of Innovation and Employment (MBIE).Images: The new facilities at Lincoln Reserve and opening event attendees.

Warkworth RegionMonday - Isolated showers, becoming widespread late morning and possibly heavy this afternoon and evening, then returning to being isolated. Northwesterlies, strengthening around midday.Tuesday - Showers, becoming widespread and heavier in the afternoon. Northerlies, becoming strong in the evening.Wednesday - Showers, becoming isolated with longer fine breaks developing in the morning. Strong westerlies, easing in the evening.Thursday - Showers, with a longer spell of rain in the afternoon. Fresh westerlies.Friday - A few showers, clearing to fine. Strong westerlies, easing.Mangawhai RegionMonday - Mostly cloudy. One or two showers this morning, and a few showers from afternoon, possibly heavy. Northwesterlies.Tuesday - Partly cloudy, with rain developing in the morning, heavy at times. Freshening northwesterlies.Wednesday - Morning showers clearing then fine. Strong westerlies easing.Thursday - Showers, with a longer spell of rain in the afternoon. Fresh westerlies.Friday - A few showers. Westerlies.

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 25 November 2022. Please note this Traffic Bulletin is updated every Friday.Check daily updated closure information (external link)Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am.NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Oteha Valley Road southbound on-ramp, 21-24 NovemberNorthbound lanes between Greville Road off-ramp and Oteha Valley Road on-ramp, 20 & 22-24 November (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)Greville Road northbound on-ramp, 20 & 22-24 NovemberSouthbound lanes between Greville Road off-ramp and Tristram Avenue on-ramp, 20 NovemberUpper Harbour Highway southbound on-ramp, 20 NovemberSouthbound lanes between Greville Road off-ramp and Upper Harbour Highway on-ramp, 21-24 NovemberGreville Road southbound on-ramp, 20-24 NovemberNorthbound lanes between Tristram Avenue off-ramp and Greville Road on-ramp, 21 November (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Upper Harbour Highway northbound on-ramp, 21 NovemberTristram Avenue northbound on-ramp, 21 NovemberUpper Harbour Highway northbound off-ramp, 22-24 November CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)Grafton Road eastbound on-ramp, 18–21 November (approx. 7pm on Friday to 5am on Monday)Grafton Road eastbound on-ramp, 22–24 November (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Northbound lanes between Manukau off-ramp and Puhinui Road on-ramp, 23 November (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 southbound to SH20 northbound link, 23 November (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 northbound to SH20 northbound link, 23 November (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Takanini northbound on-ramp, 24 November (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Takanini off-ramp and Takanini on-ramp, 21-22 & 24 November (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Papakura (Loop) northbound on ramp, 20 NovemberSouthbound lanes between Papakura off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 20-24 NovemberPapakura southbound on-ramp, 20-24 NovemberNorthbound lanes between Ramarama off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 20 NovemberDrury/SH22 northbound on-ramp, 20 NovemberNorthbound lanes between Ramarama off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 21-24 NovemberRamarama northbound on-ramp, 20-24 NovemberNorthbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 20 November (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 20 November (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 21 NovemberSouthbound lanes between Mercer off-ramp and Mercer on-ramp, 21 NovemberDragway northbound off-ramp, 23-24 November (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Hampton Downs off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 23-24 November (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Hampton Downs southbound off-ramp, 20-24 November (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Hampton Downs southbound off-ramp, 25 NovemberHampton Downs southbound on-ramp, 20-22 November (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Hampton Downs southbound on-ramp, 25 November NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)Northbound lanes between Hobsonville Road off-ramp and Brigham Creek Roundabout, 21-24 NovemberSouthbound lanes between Brigham Creek Roundabout and Hobsonville Road on-ramp, 21-24 NovemberLincoln Road southbound off-ramp, 25 NovemberTe Atatu northbound on-ramp, 20-23 NovemberTe Atatu northbound off-ramp, 20-24 NovemberPatiki Road southbound off-ramp, 20-24 NovemberRosebank Road southbound on-ramp, 20 & 22-24 NovemberSt Lukes Road westbound on-ramp, 22 November 

Following on from last month's column about keeping dogs on a leash around penguin areas, Shani Peleg had a great idea, which we are going to trial. We are asking for any old dog leashes that could be donated and we will place them near the start of the Ti Point Walkway hanging down with a notice. Although most dog walkers have their dog on a leash, those who haven't are welcome to borrow one, and hopefully return it afterwards.Penguins are now nesting and either sitting on eggs or have chicks. If we can avoid dogs disturbing their nesting sites the eggs and chicks are less likely to be abandoned.As the chicks grow they will get more and more demanding for more food and the parents will need to go back and forth from the sea more often. Finally 7-8 weeks after hatching, the chicks will be big enough to fledge. At this time the adults will stop feeding them and when the chicks are hungry enough they will head out to sea as well.Sometime after the adults go out to sea to feed and fatten up, they will return to land and begin to moult. All their feathers are replaced at this time and they will stay ashore for up to two weeks and cannot feed till moulting has finished. They are very vulnerable at this stage. Some may go back to their nesting sites and others may just come ashore somewhere else.If you happen to see a scruffy looking penguin there is a good chance it is not sick but is moulting. We would be interested in any sightings of their feathers.*Author: Jenny Enderby / [email protected] for Leigh Rag [email protected] with permission.

Dropping consumer demand for kūmara means growers are set to face big losses this year.Kaipara Kūmara grows the vegetable in Ruawai in Northland and produces about 6000 tonnes a year.Managing director Anthony Blundell said sales of kūmara were down by about 10 to 15 percent and he was unsure why."It's something I often want to go and ask shoppers," he said."There's a little bit of an oversupply, but not to a great extent when you compare it to other years."For whatever reason, kūmara is not being picked up as regularly as they used to be."Maybe the fact that we're in this inflationary environment people are watching what they spend, but kūmara is really competitively priced at the moment around three dollars a kilo so I don't know what's going on."Blundell said growers were dealing with increased costs of labour, fertiliser and compliance costs, so a drop in demand and subsequent lower prices were hampering grower's returns."Returns on average are significantly below the cost of production."Hopefully we're in a little bit of a trough and things pick up again next year, but it's a bit of a slog for growers this year."Growers will probably plant less kūmara for next season to try to reduce losses, he said."All we can hope for is that with the prices being low at the moment more people get out and buy kūmara to support the growers."

The Wellsford community can help ensure Centennial Park serves the area for generations to come during masterplan consultations open until 16 December 2022.Rodney Local Board Chairperson Brent Bailey says: “The park is a cherished part of Wellsford life and making sure future generations continue to use and value it is critical.“A draft plan was developed working alongside mana whenua, current park users, Rodney College students and residents, and now we want to hear from the wider community.“Residents are encouraged to have their say on what they like and don’t like about the draft. We want to hear about people’s priorities for the park, and any other suggestions they might have.”The 16-hectare park provides for much of the community’s formal sports and recreation, but most of the assets belong to clubs and are in varying condition. The masterplan will guide development after being shaped by public feedback, with decisions on a final plan resting with the local board.The masterplan addresses a wide range of concerns, including the development of toilet and changing facilities, the future of the park’s tennis courts, creating netball facilities, shelter for archery, parking, lighting, safety, play spaces, passive and active recreation, and creating connections to the park’s assets.It also looks at what might be achieved in the short-term – one to five years, and what might be better accomplished over a longer timeline – five to 10 years.Bailey says implementing any plan is always subject to finances but about $2million has been allocated to renew council-owned assets in the park over the next five years.With consultation closing on 16 December, feedback will be compiled and analysed early next year, with a final plan expected to be put before the local board in April.People can contribute their ideas using feedback forms available at the Wellsford Library and AK Have Your Say webpage.A drop-in session designed to engage with children and young families will also be held at the Wellsford Friday Night Market on Friday 25 November from 4-6pm.Signage has been created for use in the area, and a poster including a QR code linking to the AK Have Your Say webpage will be sent to all key stakeholders and community groups.An email informing mana whenua, key stakeholders, Harbour Sport and other community groups and clubs will provide further detail on the consultation process, and how those groups can provide feedback.There is also an email address that can be used, [email protected]

A petition calling on the government to stop its farm-level emissions pricing scheme has been delivered to Parliament.The petition, organised by farm lobby group Groundswell, said the tax was ill-considered, and claimed it would result in worse outcomes for global emissions, the environment, the economy, and the country.The petition was signed by about 100,000 people. Groundswell co-founder Bryce McKenzie said it showed there was support outside of just farmers.McKenzie said Groundswell had been contacted by younger farmers not wanting to go into the family business, and older farmers selling up and going into tree farming instead."They just can't handle it anymore. It's getting severe. Unfortunately it won't be until there's a food shortage that people wake up and see how dire this really is," he said.Groundswell co-founder Bryce McKenzie speaking after delivering a petition to Parliament against the emissions trading scheme. Photo: RNZ / Angus DreaverGroundswell co-founder Laurie Paterson argued the emissions tax would barely affect global emissions, and the reduction in New Zealand's emissions would just be replaced by less-efficient nations like Brazil entering the market."We're just going to send it offshore and achieve absolutely nothing," he said.Representatives from Groundswell NZ deliver a petition to Parliament against the emissions trading scheme. Photo: RNZ / Angus DreaverPetition 'at odds' with own sector - ministerThe petition was accepted by Labour ministers Meka Whaitiri and Kieran McAnulty."The government's proposals on agricultural emissions pricing are currently out for consultation, which closes tomorrow. We have consistently encouraged New Zealanders to express their views through the consultation process and all submissions will be considered by ministers," said Whaitiri in a statement.McAnulty said he was happy to accept the petition, and said petitions were an important part of New Zealand's democracy.But he believed the petition's call for no pricing on agricultural emissions was at odds with what the sector proposed through the He Waka Eke Noa document."We've said right throughout that we wanted to engage with the rural sector. What they're calling for is at odds with what we're trying to achieve, and is at odds for what many in the sector have proposed through the He Waka Eke Noa process. But nevertheless, we'll continue to engage and hear their concerns, and see what changes could be considered," he said.Labour Ministers Meka Whaitiri and Kieran McAnulty accepted the petition. Photo: RNZ / Angus DreaverMcKenzie said he was pleased government ministers had come to meet him, but remained sceptical it would result in change."I'd like to say I'm optimistic, but by crikey I struggle. They've got a track record of not listening up until now. They need to listen, because this is getting major now. This is having a major effect on people's mental health," he said.Member's of ACT's caucus helped deliver the petition, and National's agriculture and associate agriculture spokespeople were also present for its delivery."This is the whole sector very, very angry and upset, and backed by a huge amount of wider New Zealand," National's agriculture spokesperson Todd Muller said.The government had to pay attention to the petition and pick up original principals the agricultural sector proposed to He Waka Eke Noa, he said."They've got to do more than just pick up the boxes of signatures. They need to actually change their position, back down, and return to what the sector put on the table, which I thought was very fair, workable, and the right way forward."The petition now goes to Parliament's petitions committee for consideration.

Events this weekendFriday 18thShipwrecked Presents Adrift Open AirTerrible Sons @ Leigh Sawmill CafeSaturday 19thMangawhai Community MarketMangawhai Tavern MarketMatakana Village Farmers MarketFloral Art Exhibition Beginners Have a Go - REGISTRATIONS OPEN! Warkworth Show GroundsKowhai Singers0800 BELLY UP @ Leigh Sawmill CafeLandslide - Fleetwood Mac & Stevie Nicks Tribute ShowSunday 20thMatakana Country Park MarketChristmas Themed Repair CafeWarkworth Districts Dog Training Club presents Sunday FundaySunday Sessions & Leigh Sawmill CafeMonday 21stAOTANGO presents 'A Century of Tango'

Warkworth RegionFriday 18th November - Periods of rain, with possible squally thunderstorms and localised downpours, then a shower or two this evening. Northerlies, briefly strong this afternoon.Saturday 19th November - Partly cloudy. Isolated showers, more widespread for a time in the afternoon. Possible isolated thunderstorms. Fresh northerlies.Sunday 20th - Showers, becoming isolated with longer fine breaks in the evening. Northerlies, turning to fresh westerlies in the morning.Mangawhai RegionFriday 18th November - Rain developing this morning, with possible squally thunderstorms and downpours, clearing this afternoon apart from a shower or two. Northerlies.Heavy Rain WatchPeriod: 12hrs from 1am - 1pm Fri, 18 NovArea: NorthlandForecast: A period of heavy rain. Thunderstorms are possible. There is also a risk of localised downpours, especially in the north and east. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria, especially about the eastern hills.Saturday 19th - Partly cloudy with a few showers. Northwesterlies.Sunday 20th - Showers, clearing to fine breaks in the evening. Northerlies, turning to westerlies in the morning.

A large complex low pressure system over the Tasman Sea sea is expected to move onto New Zealand today and Friday, and an associated front should affect Northland overnight Thursday and Friday morning. A Heavy Rain Watch is now in force for Northland.Heavy Rain Watch Area: NorthlandValid: 9 hours from 1:00am Fri 18 Nov to 10:00am Fri 18 NovForecast: A period of heavy rain. Thunderstorms are possible. There is also a risk of localised downpours, especially in the north and east. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria, especially about the eastern hills.People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts in case any changes are made, or more areas are added.

A lost and highly venomous sea snake was found in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour yesterday afternoon after it was swept away from the Pacific.The banded sea snake is a rare sight in Aotearoa, but is still considered a native species as it naturally arrives in our waters via ocean currents.Department of Conservation spokesperson Clinton Duffy said snakes showed up on New Zealand's shores once or twice a year, but this case was particularly unusual."Banded sea snakes aren't oceanic species, they generally live close to shore," he said. "This one's obviously been swept away by ocean currents."The department's policy was to let it be. "They're a protected species," he said. "You're not allowed to harm them or harass them, and they're highly venomous, so the best course of action is to just leave them alone."Duffy said the snake was especially venomous, perfect for hunting fish. "They have a very, very powerful neurotoxin," he said. "They are extremely venomous, more venomous than a cobra, so you don't want to be bitten by one."But the likelihood of being bitten was extremely low, due to the species' unique biology and chilled-out attitude."Their fangs are tiny and mounted in the back of their jaw," he said. "You'd actually have to work very hard to get bitten by one, they really have to work for it."Although he had never seen one in New Zealand, Duffy said he had encountered them before. "I've dived with them in the tropics," he said. "They're not aggressive at all."As rare as sea snakes were, Duffy said they could become a regular visitor. "We might start to see snakes [in the water] more frequently," he said. "It's possible that as the water warms up and they're able to survive better on it, we may see less washing up on the beach."But it'll be a long time before snakes can thrive in New Zealand. Duffy said the banded snake seen yesterday was unlikely to survive."It's been swept away from its normal habitat, there's very little chance it'll be able to make it back there alive," he said. "It may survive the summer but as water temperatures drop it'll probably die."He said holidaymakers were very unlikely to encounter a snake, but reiterated one bit of advice if they did: "leave them alone".

Now you see it....Did you know we recently expanded our service area all the way up to Mangawhai?!Previously we serviced Puhoi to Pakiri but we decided why stop there...especially when we could include the beautiful areas of Whangaripo, Te Arai, Wellsford, Kaiwaka and Mangawhai to name a few.So if you live, love or work in these places and want to be a part of our App then get in Contact!We are always on the lookout for local news, special people, places and things, events, jobs, businesses to feature."One click and you're in our community"

Ara Tuhono / NX2 Northern Express Group are now at the stage where they need to connect parts of the new road with the existing motorway and State Highway 1 (SH1), this means there will be several road closures on SH1 in both the north and the south during November and December.At the Northern Connection the project team will carry out median island works and northbound widening works. To carry out this work safely they must close SH1 southbound and northbound from Kaipara Flats Road to Hudson Road, from 9pm to 5am. A detour will be in place via Kaipara Flats Road and Woodcocks Road.• Sunday 20 November to Thursday 24 November • Sunday 27 November to Thursday 1 December • Sunday 4 December to Thursday 8 December • Sunday 11 December to Thursday 15 December At the Southern Connection the project team will undertake work from Johnstones Hill Tunnels (JHT) up to Pūhoi on the ITS gantry, signage installations and traffic management works. This means SH1 will be closed in both directions – Silverdale to Johnstones Hill Tunnels northbound and Pūhoi to Grand Drive southbound. The detour will be via Hibiscus Coast Highway or State Highway 16, from 10pm to 5am.• Sunday 27 November to Thursday 1 December • Sunday 4 December to Thursday 8 December • Sunday 11 December Our project team and Waka Kotahi Maintenance teams are once again working together to ensure that we capitalise on these closures and get as much work done as possible in order to minimise disruptions.Over Dimension vehicles will be able to get access through both of the work sites during these closures at specific times, if planned in advance. Heavy vehicles can use the detour routes or take State Highway 16.While they will try to limit disruption to traffic flows, we encourage you to plan your journey over this time and check the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner before heading out https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/We are working hard to complete this work before the busy holiday period, and we will be off the road mid-December and back early in the new year.

Police involved in a murder enquiry following a man's death in Whangārei are appealing for information over the movements a car around the time of the incident.Bob Kleiman, 60, died at a residential address in Onerahi on Thursday, 27 October.Police are asking for anyone who sighted a car, believed to be a red Mazda station wagon, on Edge Street from 26 to 27 October to get in touch with them.A 42-year-old man is currently before the court on one charge of murder.Anyone with any relevant information can contact Police on 105 quoting file 221027/5890, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

The new Bunnings store in Mangawhai Central is set to open its store to the good people of Mangawhai this coming Friday 18th November at 7am.A special Trade BBQ breakfast will take place on Thursday 24 November.To celebrate the launch of the $9 million store, Bunnings are hosting a grand opening celebration for customers this coming weekend, November 19th and 20th.With family activities, kids D.I.Y workshops, sausage sizzle, More FM Radio and special guests Suzy Cato, and Bob the Builder!Store details83 Molesworth DriveMangawhai [email protected] 952 8300Services available at MangawhaiPlant PromiseGas SwapOpen 7 DaysClick & CollectWe Cut TimberTrade AccountFree TintingColour MatchingD.I.Y. AdviceWe Cut Keys

Food prices have risen at their fastest rate in 14 years over the past year.Stats NZ says food inflation was 10.1 percent for the year ended October, the highest annual increase since 2008.The increases in grocery prices and fruit and vegetable prices were the two main drivers over the period."This was the highest annual increase since November 2008," Stats NZ consumer prices senior manager Nicola Growden said."Previous patterns of seasonal price movement for fruit and vegetables suggest it's more typical to see a larger fall in fruit and vegetables for the October month."Increasing prices for barn-raised eggs, cheddar cheese, and two-minute noodles were the largest drivers within grocery food."Within fruit and vegetables, potatoes, bananas, and cabbages influenced prices the most.Food prices make up just under a fifth of the overall inflation rate.Compared with October 2021:Grocery food prices increased by 9.7 percentFruit and vegetable prices increased by 17 percentRestaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices increased by 7.5 percentMeat, poultry, and fish prices increased by 10 percentNon-alcoholic beverage prices increased by 8.7 percentFor the month of October, prices were 0.8 percent higher than September.But the monthly price rise was broad-based, with increases seen in 125 of the 162 items Stats NZ measured.In October 2021 Stats NZ observed price rises in 82 of the items it measured, with the other 80 all falling.

Warkworth regionMonday 14th November - Mainly fine. Some morning cloud. A shower or two in the late afternoon or this evening. Southwesterlies.Tuesday 15th - Mainly fine. A few showers developing about Great Barrier Island in the morning, and elsewhere for a time in the afternoon and evening. Light winds.Wednesday 16th - Partly cloudy, with showers developing in the morning, some heavy in the afternoon and evening. Light winds.Thursday 17th - Mostly cloudy, with isolated showers becoming widespread. Northerlies developing.Friday 18th - Showers becoming widespread, some heavy. Fresh northerlies, easing.Mangawhai regionMonday 14th November - Fine, then one or two showers this evening. Southeasterlies developing this morning.Tuesday 15th - Cloudy periods and a few showers. Southeasterlies.Wednesday 16th - Cloudy periods, with a few showers developing in the morning, some heavy in the afternoon. Light winds.Thursday 17th - Cloudy, with occasional showers. Northerlies developing.Friday 18th - Showers, clearing and becoming fine. Northerlies.

Warkworth Football Club are having a WORLD CUP 2022 FUNDRAISERThey have 3 young local boys in their club who have recently experienced family tragedies, so their team are doing a fundraiser to help take care of fees and gear for their football next year.Here are the details:• 32 World Cup teams/countries• $30 per ticket• You don’t get to choose your team, it will be drawn randomly once all 32 tickets are sold.• Winning country/team wins $200• Second place country/team wins $100Please contact Warkworth Football Club directly to confirm your request for a ticket.Once all payments have been received, the random draw will be made, they will comment on their FB page the results. Good luck and thanks for participating – these boys are deserving and great little football players and we want to make sure this is taken care of so it’s one less thing to worry about.Contacthttps://www.sporty.co.nz/warkworthfc/https://www.facebook.com/warkworthafc