As we progress work to fully link the new motorway to the existing State Highway 1 at Johnstones Hill Tunnels (JHT) we will be making further road layout changes to the Southern Connection.We encourage you to plan your journey over the next couple of weeks as this work will involve lane changes and at times full road closures.Work will take place over two weeks in mid-October.• Sunday 16 October - SH1 closure northbound only – Silverdale to Johnstone Hill Tunnels. The detour will be via State Highway 16 and local roads, from 10pm to 5am.• Monday 17 October – SH1 closure both directions – Silverdale to Johnstone Hill Tunnels northbound and Pūhoi to Grand Drive southbound. The detour will be via State Highway 16 and local roads, from 9pm to 5am.• Wednesday 19 October – SH1 closure both directions – Silverdale to Johnstone Hill Tunnels northbound and Pūhoi to Grand Drive southbound. The detour will be via State Highway 16 and local roads, from 9pm to 5am.Until Wednesday 19 October, the northbound tunnel will be closed and traffic travelling in both directions will use one side each of the southbound tunnel using a contraflow.From Thursday 20 October, a slightly new road layout will be in place. Please drive with caution and keep to the sign posted speed limit.

Looking forward to Labour weekend in paradise? Locals and visitors! We have an exciting weekend lined up for you...Kicking off the sunny season in style at Smiths Matakana.Friday 21 October // FIJI FRIDAYS🌴 Happy Hour 4 - 6pm🌴 Tropical Cocktails $15 each🌴 Pacific Island food specials🌴 Live Music on the Sundeck from 6pmSaturday 22 October // MIXED MESSAGES🍹 $12 Cocktails all day🎧 DJ on the decks mixing a blend of tunes from 6pmSunday 23 October // SUNDAY SERVICE💎 $12 Margaritas all day💎 DJ playing funk, soul, disco and rare grooves from 2pmLive music 3 days a week....and the rest!😎 We have the biggest sundeck in Matakana.🐴 We are overlooking the horse arena (free entertainment for the kids guys!)🐶 We welcome your smoochy pooches to come in too.😜 We cater to all diets and have an awesome kids menu.🥳 We have a Garden Bar and lawns for that casual vibe.😎 We have an experienced team and kitchen crew, bringing you the best food.🤩 We love making people happy!Opening Hours:Tuesday - Friday from 4pm till lateSaturday - Sunday 12pm till latehttps://www.smithsmatakana.co.nz/reservations09 422 7360

The government is celebrating its agricultural emissions pricing plan as a world-first, but it faces a battle winning over the sector, and few other political parties are entirely satisfied with it.The emissions pricing plan is the government's response to He Waka Eke Noa, a partnership between government agencies and the sector.The government has proposed bringing in split-gas farm-level emissions pricing from 2025 in a world-first scheme.While the government accepted most of the recommendations, a key difference is that Cabinet will set the levies farmers will pay, rather than an independent group with some members selected by the industry.National Party leader Christopher Luxon said the government's plan undermined the industry consensus."We acknowledge that we have to reduce agriculture emissions," Luxon told Morning Report."What we've said is we would support introducing agricultural pricing."The question of how you do that is really important. You have to pace that with the technological advances that are coming and then synch it up with that.""The thing that I find really, really disturbing is that we're going to get rid of one-fifth of our sheep and beef farmers by 2030, in less than seven years," Luxon claimed.The government acknowledges the plan will be harder for beef and sheep farmers - and it could possibly lead to a 21 percent decrease in revenue by 2030.Pressed on whether National, if put into government next year, would bring the levy in by 2025, Luxon said he would support what farmers want."We want the industry to be able to develop its own solution. We will support whatever the industry wants."I trust farmers. I understand that they get this issue."What the government proposed yesterday is utterly, utterly unacceptable."The government is asking farmers to get involved with six weeks of consultation before final proposals including the price go to Cabinet for sign-off next year.ACT's primary industries spokesperson Mark Cameron said the plan could lead to production being shifted offshore to less climate-efficient nations - leading to more emissions.And he predicts the scheme will be a hot topic in election year."Farmers and rural people seem to be jumping through rings of fire to mitigate all manner of things quite often when the problems are ill-defined and the solutions are equally so."So I think it could have a significant knock-on effect to the outcome of the election."On the other end of the spectrum, Climate Change Minister James Shaw of the Green Party admitted it was not exactly what he wanted.Shaw was keen to put a cap on emissions, and have emissions pricing sit independent from ministers."I think it could be more robust and a system that uses an absolute cap is the most robust you could have."However, something that isn't going to be up and running on time and could be easily dismantled is not going to deliver you the emissions reductions that you need."Shaw fears government setting the prices risks the process being vulnerable to lobbying."We've seen in the past where in a change of government that then will side with the sector, you could see something we've set up being dismantled a couple of years down the track."And of course that doesn't achieve our goals either."National's agriculture spokesperson Barbara Kuriger said there needed to be a consensus reached with the sector, before farmers became an election-year political football."We've never really come down hard and fast on all the variables around He Waka Eke Noa."All we've said is that the industry could negotiate something that they wanted with the government then we will support it."Unfortunately it's kind of got to a point today where there's just a few people that are just a bit upset about where it's got to."Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern yesterday said the government was committed to building a system that worked for farmers."We will continue to work in partnership to drive as much consensus as possible to ensure we have a system that lasts the distance," she said."Cutting emissions will help New Zealand farmers to not only be the best in the world but the best for the world; gaining a price premium for climate friendly agricultural products while also helping to boost export earnings."The consultation period ends on 18 November.

*CONSULTATION* The Government plans to introduce a farm-level levy on agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in Aotearoa New Zealand from 2025. A farm-level levy will provide incentives for farmers and growers to take action on-farm to lower emissions. You have until 18 November 2022 to submit feedback on the Government’s proposals. For more info, or to make a submission, click here: https://bit.ly/3EwrRTjMore on the Governments proposal https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/country/476451/he-waka-eke-noa-government-proposes-farm-level-system-by-2025and here: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/pragmatic-proposal-reduce-agricultural-emissions-and-enhance-exports-and-economy

New toilets at Alamar Crescent are ready for the public to use in time for Mangawhai’s busy summer season. Te Uri o Hau kaumatua, Hone Martin, led a blessing to open the new facilities on Monday 10 October. The blessing was attended by staff who worked on the project, Te Uri o Hau representatives, members of the Mangawhai Boating and Fishing Club, and Councillors Jonathan Larsen, Mark Vincent, and Peter Wethey. The toilets mean nearby facilities for boat ramp users and for members of the public enjoying the northern end of the Mangawhai estuary. Accessibility parking is available directly outside the new facilities.  The toilets feature a mural by artist, Thijs de Koning, celebrating Mangawhai’s coastal environment and history. The mural includes tara iti fairy tern, mihimihi flowers, marlin, and the common dolphin. Also featured is The Daring, a two-mast schooner built in 1863 in Mangawhai, currently being preserved by The Daring Trust.  The project is supported by the Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF) from central government.Photo caption: Completed toilets on Alamar Crescent, near the boat ramp. Photo caption: Accessibility parking outside the new toilets. 

A new product developed with help from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will offer an alternative to the estimated 350 million plastic trays and pots used by New Zealand nurseries and gardeners each year. “We’ve supported Pinehurst Associates Ltd to develop a proof of concept for biodegradable garden pots,” says Steve Penno, MPI’s director of investment programmes. “The pots can last 12 months above ground before biodegrading, with the biodegrading process starting as soon as soil is added. They can be planted directly into the ground, with the pot providing fertiliser for the plant as the pot biodegrades. “Taking commonly used plastic pots out of landfills will also help the environment.”  MPI contributed more than $41,000 to the project through the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund. This has enabled Pinehurst Associates to refine its research and development, and work through manufacturing issues. Peter Wilson, director of Pinehurst Associates, says the new product, PolBionix, is made from bio-polymers and a bio-filler. The bio-polymers are made from sustainably grown sugarcane, cassava and corn. The bio-filler is from waste organic matter that contains naturally occurring chemicals and nutrients that are attractive to microbes to eat.  “As a result, PolBionix biodegrades in mild environments, like in soil and under home composting conditions,” Mr Wilson says. The product is currently being tested in 3 commercial nurseries.  “The advantage of our product over other biodegradable pots in the market is its long shelf life,” Mr Wilson says.  “Our product can withstand the regular watering and handling that takes place in commercial nurseries.” Mr Wilson says the pots can be manufactured using existing plastic injection mould manufacturing processes. The product can also be manufactured with thermoforming and film blown processes.  “Raw material costs for PolBionix are higher than for traditional fossil-based plastic pots, so the PolBionix pots will be more expensive. However, once you factor in not having to add fertiliser, and costs saved from not having to then dispose of the traditional pots – such as reduced labour, landfill and environmental costs – I think our PolBionix pots are a clear winner.”   Auckland Council trialled the planting of PolBionixpots in Waitawa Regional Park on 3 August. Further PolBionix pots were planted at a local Auckland school this month. The school’s pot planting is being supported by Auckland Transport’s Eastern Busway project team who have a keen focus on environmental sustainability and using less plastic. Mr Wilson says that PolBionixis the result of 4 years of research in collaboration with Crown research institute Scion, and funding support from Callaghan Innovation and Auckland Council’s Waste Minimisation Fund.  “The scientific breakthrough that Scion’s scientists achieved has resulted in the filing of 2 international patents. The potential for the development of additional products that help mitigate the damage fossil-based plastic does to the environment is exciting,” Mr Wilson says. Steve Penno says the project aligns with the sustainability goal of the Government and food and fibre sector’s Fit for a Better World roadmap. “This sustainable solution has the potential to make a difference globally – not just in New Zealand. While the pots may cost a bit more financially, they won’t cost the earth.” Pinehurst Associates has received $85,500 from the Ministry for the Environment’s Plastics Innovation Fund, announced by Minister David Parker on Friday 23 September. This will assist the company in continuing to research additional formulations and fast-track the commercialisation of the PolBionix pots. PolBionix will be commercialised through Wilson and Ross Limited within the next year.Wilson and Ross 

New Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo says he is excited about leading the district forward."We are in a period of rapid growth. There is a lot to be done," Cocurullo said.Cocurullo, who describes himself as centre right, has been elected as mayor of Northland's largest urban centre on his fourth attempt."I"m looking forward to getting the new council on track. There is a lot of work to be done," Cocurullo said."Thank you to all those who voted for me. I'm proud to be a locally-born mayor representing the people of Whangārei district."Cocurullo won the Whangārei mayoral race by a resounding majority, with 7132 votes. This was 2148 votes ahead of next rival and local government newcomer Mike Budd who earned 4984 votes, and Budd's tally was 697 more than sitting Whangārei District councillor Ken Couper's 4287 votes.The balance of the seven WDC mayoral candidates were Brad Flower with 3963, Shaquille Shortland 1708, Nick Jacob 1397 and Fiona Green 89 votes.Departing three-term Whangārei mayor Sheryl Mai decided not to stand again at the 2022 local elections.Cocurullo said he was looking forward to working with fellow councillors in the next couple of weeks, building a new team based on their strengths.He was first elected onto Whangārei District Council 15 years ago in 2007, and stood unsuccessfully for mayor in the 2010 and 2013 local government elections, but was again elected as a WDC councillor in 2016 and 2019.Cocurullo is strongly against Three Waters, and said WDC would continue to oppose the current government restructuring plan for the sector.He voted against Māori wards being brought in to the council.In the wake of his mayoral win, he said his opposition to Māori wards was based on dissatisfaction with the process used to bring the Māori electoral area in, without going out to the people of Whangārei to ask what they wanted on that count.But Cocurullo said he looked forward to working with everyone on council - including those in the new Whangārei District Māori ward.He said government legislation change underpinned the introduction of new Māori wards and they would now be in place for at least three years.

Warkworth regionMonday 10th - Cloudy periods with isolated showers. Northeasterlies, easing this evening.Tuesday 11th - Mostly cloudy. Light winds.Wednesday 12th - Mostly cloudy, with possible isolated showers. Easterlies developing in the morning.Thursday 13th - Partly cloudy, with isolated showers developing. Easterlies.Friday 14th - Mostly cloudy, with isolated showers clearing. Fresh easterlies.Mangawhai regionMonday 10th - Cloudy periods with a few light showers. Northeasterlies, easing this afternoon.Tuesday 11th - Mostly cloudy. Easterly breezesWednesday 12th - Partly cloudy. Easterlies.Thursday 13th - A few showers. Easterlies.Friday 14th - Showers, clearing to mostly cloudy weather. Easterlies.

Temporary closure noticeThe MAZ flying fox and junior pump track in the Mangawhai Community Park are temporarily closed while United Civil complete the shared path work in the area.We know it's a pain during the school holidays and we're sorry for the inconvenience. Please stay away from the fenced off area while it remains an active work site. We're in the final stages of the shared paths for the park, with another two weeks or so of work planned. Separately, the lookout tower at the top of Mangawhai Community Park is closed until further notice while we investigate the structural integrity of the tower. We'll keep you updated on all of this and let you know when things are back open for use.

Here are the progress results for the ElectionsAuckland CouncilMayorBROWN, WayneRodney WardSAYERS, GregRodney Local Board (Warkworth Subdivision)3 positionsHOLDGATE, TimWAGSTAFF, IvanCARMICHAEL, Michelle LisaRodney Local Board (Wellsford Subdivision)SMITH, Colin GregoryKaipara District CouncilMayorJEPSON, Craig EldonKaiwaka-Mangawhai General Ward3 positionsJonathan Graeme LarsenRachael WilliamsMike HowardOtamatea General Ward 2 positionsVINCENT, Mark Gregory  MANDERSON, Ron Te Moananui o Kaipara Māori Ward PANIORA, Pera Wairoa General Ward 3 positionsLAMBETH, Gordon NAYYAR, Ash WILSON-COLLINS, Eryn  

Wayne Brown has claimed victory in the Auckland mayoralty race today as the first progress results for dozens of local councils start coming in.Brown is leading the mayoralty race with 144,619 votes, ahead of Efeso Collins by 54,808 votes. This progress result reflects about 85 to 90 per cent of votes counted after voting closed at midday today.In a statement, Brown said the number one issue was transport, closely followed by crime, unfinished projects and endless red cones, rising costs and council waste."There is a mandate for change and my job as Mayor is to lead it."Progress results show Tim Shadbolt losing heavily in Invercargill, with former deputy mayor Nobby Clark winning the top job in Invercargill, with broadcaster Marcus Lush conceding in a tweet.Results also show Rangitikei Mayor Andy Watson has won his fourth term in office, while Neil Brown has been re-elected Mayor of Ashburton by a large majority. Nigel Bowen looks to be re-elected as Timaru mayor and Kirsten Wise will return as Napier mayor for a second term.

The pain at the pump is expected to worsen over coming months as petrol companies pass on price hikes from a cut in global oil production and sanctions on Russian marine oil tankers.It's unwelcome news for households already snowed by the high cost of living and rising interest rates.Those filling up at a petrol station in the Auckland suburb of Mt Albert know every litre counts.Alma Urbiztondo said her household had noticed an increase in prices on the shelves and at the pump."We have sold one of our cars, at the moment the family only has this car. My sister opted to take public transport to cut off a certain portion of the budget."George Baker said he spent $150 a week filling up his car with fuel and any price increase would put another dent in his budget."I'll probably have to take stuff out of my budget because I've got to get to work that's how I get my money."Jennifer Martin said she would have less money for discretionary spending if the price of petrol rose."I'd still be driving to work but I wouldn't be driving to my family, one set of parents are 45 minutes that way and another 45 minutes that way so we'd be going to them a lot less."The organisation for petroleum exporting countries, OPEC, will cut oil production by two million barrels a day or two percent of global demand - its deepest cuts since the pandemic began.Given oil production has been falling short of its target, analysts say the real cut will likely be less.Gull general manager Dave Bodger said any short supply would be felt at the pump."The product we're buying will go up in price and yes unfortunately we will need to pass that on to the motorist. We'll do everything we can to not do that but in the end you can only do so much," he said."When the cost of fuel goes up yes we do see a decrease but my gut feel is people don't go to the movies as much."AA principal policy advisor Terry Collins said there were other headwinds hammering the price of petrol."Over the next few months it could be a bit dire. Coming up in December they're going to sanction marine shipments of oil out of Russia. That probably will take about 2 million barrels of oil production out of the market and that will have an impact on prices."The fuel excise duty is to be re-instated at the end of January, when 25 cents a litre will be added back onto the cost."All of those factors could see us at those very high prices we saw at those v high prices that we saw in parts of this year."Collins said steep price increases for fuel only have minor impacts on people's driving habits - but that could change."I'd suggest if you don't have to use the car on a fine day for those short trips, don't use it. The car won't get to its optimum operating temperature anyway, it's going to use more petrol and probably it's good to go for a walk and leave the car in the garage."

A major drinks bottler says it is on the verge of running out of carbon dioxide which would shut down production.The drinks and food industry has been scrambling for weeks to find enough of the crucial gas used in chilling and as fizz.The bottler, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it looked like they would run out on Sunday and their 24-hour plant would cease production until they got some more."Today's been the worst day in our history," they said.They had been eating away at their stockpile of the gas since the Marsden Point Oil Refinery, the main manufacturer, shut down in April."Everyone has been rationing it."Drinks production always ramped up ahead of summer, and things were now at a critical juncture, the bottler told RNZ - they might get some more on Monday but the market was "brutal".The only local source of CO2 is Kapuni, in Taranaki, but it reduced its output to carry out planned maintenance some time ago.Todd Energy, the owner of Kapuni, said CO2 production should resume in full this coming week.However, Kapuni only supplies 40 percent of demand, with the rest shipped in from overseas.Craft brewers warned this week that beer supplies might run short this summer for lack of the gas.A chicken producer was reported in June to also be facing production cutbacks over CO2.The Beverage Council said it was "very concerned some producers are about to run out of CO2, and we're hoping a permanent solution to the supply problem can be found".

Transpower has asked North Islanders to lower power usage this morningTranspower says there is a power emergency in the North Island and has issued a second warning notice.The grid emergency notice warned there was a risk of insufficient generation to meet demand in the North Island.The operator asked for more offers of power from generators and for local lines companies to manage demand as necessary.It said it may be forced to order lines companies to shed load to avoid disconnections.The warning covered the period from 7.15am to 9.30am.Earlier, Transpower issued a warning notice at 5.37am that there was a risk of insufficient generation and reserve offers to meet demand in the North Island. It had asked for more offers of power and moves to decrease demand if necessary.The emergency notice came after a sudden cold snap moved up the country in recent days.The cold snap was lingering early on Friday with below-zero temperatures in Rotorua, which was on -3C, and Hamilton (-2C) while in the south Blenheim and Queenstown were on -1C at about 6.30am.On Tuesday the operator said the Antarctic blast this week could set an October record for electricity demand, and though it expected the lights to stay on it would issue a notice requesting extra generation if needed.Transpower has said it had made changes since it was held responsible by the electricity watchdog for widespread outages on one of the coldest nights of last year.

Warkworth regionFriday 7th - Fine, apart from areas of cloud in the west in the morning. Southwesterlies, dying out by evening.Saturday 8th - Fine. Northeasterlies developing in the morning.Sunday 9th - Partly cloudy with isolated showers. Northeasterlies, becoming fresh in the morning.Mangawhai regionFriday 7th - Some morning cloud then fine. Southerlies.Saturday 8th - Partly cloudy. Chance shower from afternoon. Northeasterlies.Sunday 9th - A few showers. Northeasterlies.

A predicted fall in the number of school children could cost hundreds of teachers their jobs next year.The Education Ministry has told schools it expected to fund 45,118.4 full time equivalent (FTE) teachers next year, 351.5 fewer than this year.The ministry's hautū (leader) operations and integration Sean Teddy said the figure was based on forecast student enrolments for 2023.Most of the decline would be in primary and intermediate schools which would lose funding for 355 teachers.Secondary schools would lose 18.5 FTE positions but specialist schools would gain 16 and composite schools which teach both primary and secondary students would gain six.Teddy said a reduction in school's entitlement staffing might not mean a school would cut teachers."In practice, often schools do not employ all the teachers they are funded for, for a variety of reasons. Some schools may not be able to fill positions, and some may choose to bank the funding and spend it on other things if they are confident that is in the best interests of their students," he said.The ministry tended to over-estimate staffing so schools could manage big reductions over several years, Teddy said.The decline in primary schools was largely due to large birth cohorts moving out of that sector and into secondary schools, he said.Primary principals had been warning of potential cuts and some wanted this year's staffing frozen to help schools cope with pandemic-related pressures.Principals Federation president Cherie Taylor-Patel said the cut in entitlement staffing was disappointing and would have a big effect on schools that lost teachers."We're really disappointed that we've had to lose any teachers out of the system," she said."NZPF have been advocating since term one that staffing for 2023 needed to stay the same so that schools can support those students who have lost learning time."Taylor-Patel said it was likely schools in growing neighbourhoods would lose teachers for the start of next year only to rehire them as more families moved into new housing in their area.Schools could ask the ministry for a review of their staffing entitlement estimates, she said.

The Dining Room at the Warkworth Hotel will be opening it's doors again, every Friday and Saturday night from 5pm.The Dining Room offers a fine dining menu which will change weekly. An evening of indulgence, dining in style in the heart of Warkworth.3 courses @ $75.00pp // 2 courses @ $55ppEntrée/main or main/dessertLimited seats available, reservations essential.Book online, or give us a call!https://www.warkworthhotel.co.nz/[email protected] 422 I8629 Queen Street, Warkworth, 0910

Foodstuffs Own Brands Ltd is recalling all batches and all dates of its Pams brand Mixed Berries, Two Berry Mix, Smoothie Berry Mix and Raspberries sold at stores nation wide due to the possible presence of Hepatitis A. For a full list of affected products, please visit: https://bit.ly/3Vcf8eHConsumers are advised to: Briefly boil frozen berries before eating them, or if you have a thermometer at home, ensure cooking temperatures exceed 85 degrees Celsius for 1 minute. Heated berries can be safely refrozen for later use. If you microwave berries, stir at half the cooking time to make sure they are cooked all the way through. Wash your hands before eating and preparing food.People who have these products at home should not eat them raw. Bringing them to the boil will make them safe, or they can be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.If you have consumed any of these products and have any concerns about your health, seek medical advice or phone Healthline: 0800 611 116.

New Zealand energy generator Mercury's $200 million Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm has moved a step closer after Kaipara District Council's (KDC) lukewarm approval for high voltage overhead power lines along part of its major new Northland tourist rail trail.The high voltage lines - which one councillor was worried could buzz and swing in the wind above trail users - are to be strung on 15 metre-high power poles along a 1.8 kilometre-long easement on Northland's new $10 million Kaihu Valley Trail.KDC, at its last current-term council meeting in Dargaville on Wednesday, voted in a lukewarm decision, to allow Mercury subsidiary Tararua Wind Power Limited (TWP) a 12.5m-wide easement for the 66 kilovolt overhead lines stretching the equivalent of 18 end-to-end rugby fields along the trail.Outgoing KDC councillor and former Kaipara acting mayor Peter Wethey said he was concerned about 1.8km of the trail being in the shadow of the 66kV power line, warning of its negative impact for some trail users in comparison with other Northland rail trails.Wethey expressed concern at last month's KDC council meeting in Mangawhai about the overhead power lines buzzing and swinging in the wind above trail users.He asked Mercury representatives at the Dargaville meeting whether overhead power lines of this nature had been put up along any other New Zealand cycle and walking trails.Mercury Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm project leader Jim Pearson said after the meeting he was unsure what was happening in that sense on other New Zealand rail trails.The TWP-constructed and Northpower owned-and-operated high voltage power lines are part of the infrastructure connecting Mercury subsidiary Tararua Wind Power Limited's Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm at Omamari into the national electricity grid at Dargaville. There will be four lines - three 66kV power conductors and one fibre optic cable - carried on 25 power poles along the trail easement.Kaiwaikawe is one of New Zealand's furthest progressed in-the-making wind farms and Northland's first.Kaihu Valley Trail has been identified as Northland's highest-priority new rail trail. It runs between Dargaville and Donnellys Crossing and is being developed by KDC with the help of $4m in government funding. Construction started this year.The trail follows an old railway line which was started in 1883 to enable the export of kauri via Kaipara Harbour. It will eventually become one of almost two dozen New Zealand Great Rides - as part of the Ancient Kauri Trail from Kaipara's Maungaturoto to Omapere in Hokianga.Just over half of KDC's nine elected representatives voted in Wednesday's 3:2 decision in favour of the easement.Kaipara Mayor Dr Jason Smith and councillors Karen Joyce-Paki and Mark Vincent voted in its favour, in a one-person majority vote over councillors Victoria del la Varis-Woodcock and Johnathan Larsen, who voted against. Deputy Mayor Anna Curnow, Peter Wethey, David Wills and Eryn Wilson-Collins abstained from voting.Kaiwaikawe is about 12km north-west of Dargaville. The medium-sized wind farm will have up to nineteen 220m-high wind turbines.It will cost $200m to build. Pearson said $90m of that would be of direct economic benefit to Northland, about half of that to Kaipara.Construction is expected to start in mid-2023 with power generation from the end of 2024.The wind farm is expected to generate about 230 gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy annually. Genesis Energy has a 20-year agreement to buy the wind farm's power for further sale.Councillor Wilson-Collins said she was conflicted about the new infrastructure."I am extremely conflicted. I love the wind farm sustainability and having it in Northland. This is a solution that Northland needs. I really support the wind farm, but I am really concerned about the trail," Wilson-Collins said.Mercury subsidiary Tararua Wind Power Limited has offered $40,000 compensation to KDC for any potential loss to tourism from the overhead high voltage lines' presence. The trail easement is from Babylon Coast Road to Parore West Road.Another $40,000 has also been offered for trail promotion and sponsorship.Wilson-Collins said the combined amount proferred was not large."$80,000 for an in-perpetuity easement is not too exciting for what we may be giving up," she said.Northland this year became New Zealand's first renewable energy zone. Kaiwaikawe is Northland's first and one of New Zealand's furthest-progressed new wind farms.Mayor Smith said 1.8km was only a tiny portion of the Kaihu Valley Trail's 45km length and took just two minutes to traverse by e-bike.Several councillors were interested in the power lines being put underground rather than overhead.Deputy Mayor Curnow said this would save a lot of problems.Northpower contracts and services manager Alan Rawson said locally-produced Northland power had become even more important in the wake of new national legislation which would see the North paying more than other regions because of its distance from where the power it used was generated.Mercury Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm project leader Stephanie Cook said the new wind farm would mean Northland was able to locally produce more than 50 percent of its own power. This would be up from the current 34 percent via Ngawha power station.She said the new windfarm's production would provide power for 25,000 houses annually and save the production of 170,000 tonnes of CO2 from power otherwise generated via coal.Kaiwaikawe was formerly called Omamari Wind Farm but has been renamed in conjunction with local Iwi Te Roroa.