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, with four nights of full road closures during this time.• Sunday 9 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 10pm to 5am.• 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.From Monday 10 to 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.The detour route via SH16 is suitable for HPMV’s. The free route via Hibiscus Coast Highway will also remain open during this time. While the dates are fixed, bad weather may cause works to be postponed and rescheduled – we will keep you up to date.

Warkworth RegionMonday 3rd October - Showers, some possibly heavy, becoming isolated this evening. Brisk southwesterlies easing in the evening.Tuesday 4th - Partly cloudy, a few showers. Light winds.Wednesday 5th - Partly cloudy with isolated light showers in the morning. A period of rain in the afternoon as westerlies change fresh southwest.Thursday 6th - Showers, clearing and becoming partly cloudy in the morning. Fresh southerlies, easing in the evening.Friday 7th - Fine. Southerlies developing.Whangarei / Mangawhai RegionMonday 3rd October - Showers, some possibly heavy, clearing this evening. Fresh southwesterlies.Tuesday 4th October - Mostly cloudy. A few showers from afternoon. Southwesterlies.Wednesday 5th - Partly cloudy. A period of rain in the late afternoon as westerlies change southwest.Thursday 6th - Cloudy with southwesterlies.Friday 7th - Partly cloudy with southerlies.

New Smokefree legislation passed its first reading last year and is expected to become law this year. This new law will ban anyone born after January 2009 (13 years old), from EVER being able to purchase tobacco products. Yes, that is for the rest of their lives, not until they reach the age of 18 or 20. Forever.Other rules set to become law include:The number of retail stores able to sell tobacco products will be greatly reduced for those that can still buy them.The amount of nicotine in smokable products will be greatly reduced.If this passes into law, it will be the first and most extreme in the world.This law will not include Vape products, nicotine gum/patches which will still be available, as they are deemed 'safer' by the government.Will we see a bigger black market for tobacco products in the near future?Is this going to solve our smoking problem? Or will it drive use underground and under Gang control?The government is committing $10.3 million to go towards cracking down on tobacco smuggling into the country.Time will tell…

Polystyrene takeaway containers, plastic cotton buds and drink-stirrers are among single-use plastics banned from sale or manufacture in New Zealand from today.Minister for the Environment David Parker said the step was part of a three year progressive phasing out of the most problematic plastics.On average, each New Zealander sends about 750kg of waste to landfill every year, much of which cannot be recycled."Stopping the sale of these plastic products will reduce waste to landfill, improve our recycling systems and encourage reusable or environmentally responsible alternatives," Parker said.Polystyrene takeaway food packaging is now forbidden. Photo: 123rfToday's ban is the first since single-use plastic bags were banned in 2019.Parker said that had prevented a billion plastic bags from ending up in landfills or the ocean. However, some stores had begun using thicker plastic bags, labelled as reusable.More work toward phasing out problem plastics and reduce waste was part of the cooperation agreement between Labour and the Green Party after the 2020 election.Green Party environment spokesperson Eugenie Sage said it was another step toward a country free of plastic pollution."The phase out of plastic shopping bags showed how easily we can make changes at retail and household level to avoid plastic waste and do better for nature."We won't miss these plastic items when they are gone either. With a bit of support and advice, switching to reusable products to replace these unnecessary plastics is easy," she said.In mid 2023, the next group of single-use plastics to be phased out includes plates, bowls, cutlery, produce bags and non-compostable produce labels.From today, these items can no longer be sold, made or given away to customers:Polystyrene takeaway packaging for food and beveragesExpanded polystyrene food and beverage retail packaging (eg foam takeaway containers or some instant noodle cups)PVC food trays and containers for meat, produce and baked itemsPlastics with additives that make them fragment into micro-plasticsSingle use plastic drink stirrersSingle use plastic use cotton budsHowever, some exceptions exist, including for medical, veterinary or scientific uses, and PVC plastic that is formed, filled with food and sealed on the same factory line.Full details about what can and cannot be made or used is on the Ministry for the Environment website.

The number of children prescribed puberty blockers because they do not identify with their assigned gender has increased exponentially in the last decade, according to Pharmac data.The Ministry of Health (MOH) has recently updated its information on puberty blockers on its website to remove the words "safe and reversible" - but still endorses the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA) guidelines, which states they are "considered to be fully reversible".Youth health doctor Dame Sue Bagshaw, who pioneered gender-affirming care for young people, said they had excellent results, particularly for those who go on to physically transition."Otherwise you get irreversible effects from their normal puberty which then need a lot of surgery, etceteras, to reverse ... breast development and things like that."Puberty blockers eased distress and allowed children time to fully explore their gender options, she said.However, some clinicians and families argued there was insufficient evidence to prove the benefits outweighed the risks.Bianca* said more than five years into gender transition, her child's mental and physical health was not better - it was worse.Puberty blockers were not "a simple pause button" as advocates claimed, she said."The side effects of those were terrible. It was basically like going through menopause... sweats, irritability, real fatigue, weight gain."Puberty blockers - developed to treat very early puberty in young children - have been prescribed for gender dysphoria since about 2010 in New Zealand.Pharmac data showed the total number of nine to 17 year olds on puberty blockers had increased from 137 in 2010 to 703 in 2020.Tavistock gender identity clinic, which serves England and Wales, will close its doors early next year after a highly critical review, which found children's care was being compromised, amid huge waiting list blowouts.The number of referrals to the service went from 138 in 2010/11 to 2383 in 2020/21.Tavistock is being replaced by regional teams integrated with mental health services to provide holistic care.'Many unknowns' about puberty blockers' long-term effects - paediatric specialistPaediatric specialist Dr Hilary Cass, who headed the inquiry, noted there were still "many unknowns" regarding the long-term effects of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.Brain maturation - including "development of frontal lobe functions controlling decision making, emotional regulation, judgement and planning ability" - could be temporarily or permanently disrupted at a time when children were making decisions, which would affect the rest of their lives, she said."This raises a secondary question of whether there is a critical time window for the processes to take place, or whether catch up is possible when oestrogen or testosterone is introduced later."Furthermore, the role of adolescent sex hormones in driving the development of both sexuality and gender identity through the early teen years was not yet understood, Cass said."We therefore have no way of knowing whether, rather than buying time to make a decision, puberty blockers may disrupt that decision-making process."The report noted there had been none of the quality controls usually applied to new treatments, and a lack of consistent data collection.Plea for independent review of puberty blockersThe Ministry of Health recently updated advice on its website, to remove the description of puberty blockers as a "safe and reversible medicine".The ministry declined RNZ's request for an interview about this change, but in a written statement said it was a "rapidly evolving" field and emerging information was being reviewed and assessed.It subsequently clarified in other media statements that it continued to endorse the PATHA guidelines, which stated: "Puberty blockers are considered to be fully reversible and allow the adolescent time prior to making a decision on starting hormone therapy".Medical epidemiologist Charlotte Paul, an emeritus professor at Otago University, has called for an independent review and tighter rules."The New Zealand Guidelines for Gender Affirming Care do not refer to the fact that this is an unapproved indication, or to the Medical Council guidelines and the need to ensure that patients know that this is an unapproved indication."New Zealand was out of step with many other countries, which were moving to a more cautious approach, she said.A review in Finland last year concluded psychosocial support and exploratory therapy should be the first-line therapy for gender dysphoria, which was also the recommendation in France."And in Sweden, they ended in 2022 all use of puberty blockers for minors outside of clinical study and they said that there was some medical harm and uncertainty of benefit," Paul said."And it looks as if even in their clinical studies, they won't include anyone under 16."Dr Sue Bagshaw Dr Sue Bagshaw said they puberty blockers had excellent results, particularly for those who went on to physically transition. Photo: RNZWorldPoliticsPacificTe Ao MāoriSportBusinessCountryLocal Democracy ReportingComment & AnalysisIn DepthWeatherNEW ZEALAND HEALTH29 Sep 2022Puberty blocker use jumps as expert backs results7:41 pm on 29 September 2022 Share this Share on TwitterShare on FacebookShare via emailShare on RedditShare on Linked InRuth Hill, [email protected] data showed the total number of nine to 17 year olds on puberty blockers had increased from 137 in 2010 to 703 in 2020. File picture. Photo: 123RFThe number of children prescribed puberty blockers because they do not identify with their assigned gender has increased exponentially in the last decade, according to Pharmac data.The Ministry of Health (MOH) has recently updated its information on puberty blockers on its website to remove the words "safe and reversible" - but still endorses the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA) guidelines, which states they are "considered to be fully reversible".Youth health doctor Dame Sue Bagshaw, who pioneered gender-affirming care for young people, said they had excellent results, particularly for those who go on to physically transition."Otherwise you get irreversible effects from their normal puberty which then need a lot of surgery, etceteras, to reverse ... breast development and things like that."Puberty blockers eased distress and allowed children time to fully explore their gender options, she said.However, some clinicians and families argued there was insufficient evidence to prove the benefits outweighed the risks.Bianca* said more than five years into gender transition, her child's mental and physical health was not better - it was worse.Puberty blockers were not "a simple pause button" as advocates claimed, she said."The side effects of those were terrible. It was basically like going through menopause... sweats, irritability, real fatigue, weight gain."Puberty blockers - developed to treat very early puberty in young children - have been prescribed for gender dysphoria since about 2010 in New Zealand.Pharmac data showed the total number of nine to 17 year olds on puberty blockers had increased from 137 in 2010 to 703 in 2020.Tavistock gender identity clinic, which serves England and Wales, will close its doors early next year after a highly critical review, which found children's care was being compromised, amid huge waiting list blowouts.The number of referrals to the service went from 138 in 2010/11 to 2383 in 2020/21.Tavistock is being replaced by regional teams integrated with mental health services to provide holistic care.'Many unknowns' about puberty blockers' long-term effects - paediatric specialistPaediatric specialist Dr Hilary Cass, who headed the inquiry, noted there were still "many unknowns" regarding the long-term effects of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.Brain maturation - including "development of frontal lobe functions controlling decision making, emotional regulation, judgement and planning ability" - could be temporarily or permanently disrupted at a time when children were making decisions, which would affect the rest of their lives, she said."This raises a secondary question of whether there is a critical time window for the processes to take place, or whether catch up is possible when oestrogen or testosterone is introduced later."Furthermore, the role of adolescent sex hormones in driving the development of both sexuality and gender identity through the early teen years was not yet understood, Cass said."We therefore have no way of knowing whether, rather than buying time to make a decision, puberty blockers may disrupt that decision-making process."The report noted there had been none of the quality controls usually applied to new treatments, and a lack of consistent data collection.Plea for independent review of puberty blockersThe Ministry of Health recently updated advice on its website, to remove the description of puberty blockers as a "safe and reversible medicine".The ministry declined RNZ's request for an interview about this change, but in a written statement said it was a "rapidly evolving" field and emerging information was being reviewed and assessed.It subsequently clarified in other media statements that it continued to endorse the PATHA guidelines, which stated: "Puberty blockers are considered to be fully reversible and allow the adolescent time prior to making a decision on starting hormone therapy".Medical epidemiologist Charlotte Paul, an emeritus professor at Otago University, has called for an independent review and tighter rules."The New Zealand Guidelines for Gender Affirming Care do not refer to the fact that this is an unapproved indication, or to the Medical Council guidelines and the need to ensure that patients know that this is an unapproved indication."New Zealand was out of step with many other countries, which were moving to a more cautious approach, she said.A review in Finland last year concluded psychosocial support and exploratory therapy should be the first-line therapy for gender dysphoria, which was also the recommendation in France."And in Sweden, they ended in 2022 all use of puberty blockers for minors outside of clinical study and they said that there was some medical harm and uncertainty of benefit," Paul said."And it looks as if even in their clinical studies, they won't include anyone under 16."Dr Sue Bagshaw Dr Sue Bagshaw said they puberty blockers had excellent results, particularly for those who went on to physically transition. Photo: RNZ'We should be cautious about any medication' - Dame Sue BagshawDame Sue Bagshaw, who has many transgender patients at her Christchurch youth practice, conceded there were some unknowns about the long-term effects of puberty blockers, particularly on bone density.However, the same could be said of many drugs, and that was not a reason to stop prescribing them, she said."Of course we should be cautious, we should be cautious about any medication."We should also be cautious about young people who suicide. Or attempt to."A 2019 survey of trans and non-binary people conducted by the University of Waikato found more than half had seriously thought about attempting suicide and 12 percent had made a suicide attempt in the past 12 months.The study suggested when trans and non-binary people were supported by their families or community, it could save lives."If you're going to say 'let's not use them' [puberty blockers], we're going to have redouble our efforts to ensure the mental health of transgender diverse young people is looked after," Bagshaw said."And at the moment, it's not."Offering psycho-social support as first-line treatment for gender dysphoria in young people was challenging, she said."It's actually quite difficult to help them to understand that they're being listened to without doing something, and that's the nature of brain development and it's also the nature of short appointment times."Psychological interventions were also expensive, she said.Dame Sue was not surprised or concerned that New Zealand's prescribing rates were higher than other countries."We're a small country, word travels faster by word of mouth."Obviously in the last 10 years it's gone up because we've now got societal permission to do that."According to the Cass report, it was debatable whether puberty blockers bought time or locked a young person into gender transition.Data from both the Netherlands and a study conducted by Tavistock found almost all children and young people put on blockers went on to sex hormone treatment (96.5 percent and 98 percent respectively).*Name changed to protect identity.

Mangawhai will soon have land designated for future public sporting and recreational facilities following a unanimous decision by Kaipara District Council to purchase a 5.8 hectare block of land in Mangawhai Village. The decision was made by Elected Members at the 28 September Council Meeting.Close to 93 percent of those who took part in a survey to assess community support for the proposed land purchase were in favour of the purchase.The purchase is not impacting rates, as the Council will draw on the current pool of reserve contributions to buy the land. Reserve contributions are funds collected from developers or property owners who are subdividing their land. Reserve contributions can only be used to purchase or upgrade open spaces, and funds can only be used in the catchment area they were collected from, in this case Mangawhai.The Council has collected on average $2.7 million in reserve contributions each year for the last two years in Mangawhai. The current balance of the reserve contributions fund for Mangawhai is around $8 million.Mayor Dr Jason Smith welcomed the decision and acknowledged the Mangawhai community’s engagement with the survey.“There is a real lack of infrastructure in Mangawhai and we are playing catch-up to growth that has already happened. This money that came from Mangawhai is being reinvested back in that town to address some of the gaps in park facilities. We have taken up a very rare and special opportunity to secure suitable public land in a great location, near the current sports field Domain, Mangawhai Beach School and the shared path. Thanks to the community for great encouragement of this idea.”Respondents noted the importance of securing land in Mangawhai now “before it is too late.” They had many ideas about how they would like the land to be developed.The land – which will cost up to $5.9million to purchase – is on Moir Street, close to the Domain and within walking distance to Mangawhai Beach School and the Village shops. The Council will engage further with the community in the future to understand what sports and recreational facilities should be developed on the land. Once options have been developed, these will be included in Council’s Long Term Plan. Development will be based on projections from future Reserve Contributions.

The Matakana Country Park are disappointed to let you know due to a rainy weekend forecast, Action Ninja World will be closed on Saturday 1 October and Matakana Country Park Market closed on Sunday 2 October. The good news is (weather permitting) Action Ninja World is open daily during the school holidays and the The Country Park Market will beback on Sunday 9th October. Have a great weekend.Check out our Events Notification to see whats on this weekend?

Warkworth regionFriday 30th - Cloudy. Scattered showers turning to periods of rain from afternoon, possibly heavy. Light winds.Heavy Rain Watch from 1pm Friday - 8pm Saturday for Northland, Great Barrier and Auckland. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.Saturday 1st - Rain with heavy falls possible. Northeasterlies, becoming strong from evening.Sunday 2nd - Showers, some heavy, clearing in the evening. Fresh northeasterlies.Whangarei / Mangawhai regionHeavy Rain Watch from 1pm Friday - 8pm Saturday for Northland, Great Barrier and Auckland. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.Friday 30th - Cloudy. A few showers, then periods of rain from afternoon. Northerlies.Saturday 1st - Rain with heavy falls possible, especially in the evening. Northeasterlies, becoming strong from evening.Sunday 2nd - Showers. Northerlies.

Big changes are coming to Auckland streets with new speed limits on our roads.This will impact many people in how they move around the city.The speed limit will change on more than 1600 roads in Tāmaki Makaurau.These will come into effect in stages between December and March 2023.For a full list of the changes:https://at.govt.nz/about-us/have-your-say/proposed-speed-limit-changes-phase-three/full-list-of-new-speed-limits-phase-three/?fbclid=IwAR0ZRok2Jc0YjuTRW_seII3euzvgqLxBIkPId3HcUuPCBFGSzTTr8CkGABoFor a visual aid to see these changeshttps://atgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a13aa8469db642f283ef3ad241b71882Here is a list of the changes to Leigh, Matakana and Warkworth.

Friday 30th SeptemberCrafty Conversations @ Women's Centre RodneyLA SOIRÉE @ Warkworth HotelSaturday 1st OctoberRepro Rally New ZealandHigh Tea in the CountryMangawhai Community MarketMangawhai Tavern MarketMatakana Village Farmers MarketLA SOIRÉE @ Warkworth HotelThe Joe Cocker Encounter and Dance SetSunday 2nd OctoberBivouac Outdoor Wild Auckland Trail Run/Walk - Event 3 - Te Arai

An University of Otago study has found microplastics are present in three-quarters of commercially caught wild fish in New Zealand's southern waters.The research, published in Marine Pollution Bulletin, looked at a sample of 155 fish from 10 species, including red cod and tarakihi, caught off the Otago coast over the course of a year.Of the 391 microplastic pieces found in the fish, 98 percent were less than 3mm, according to the study.Packaging, clothes, and discarded fishing nets are some of the likely sources of record-high microplastics that fish have swallowed.Researcher Isabella Clere told Morning Report that for an isolated island nation with a small population - the numbers are horrifying.Ingesting microplastics was not only bad for the fish but also for the people who ate them, she said."Nanoplastics and plastic chemicals may transfer from the gastro-intestinal tract and stomach into the muscle tissue which is what we're eating."Understanding how these microplastics get into the seas around New Zealand was complicated, she said."New Zealand like many other small island countries has a very complex oceanographic system so plastic can travel in oceanic currents and by winds all around the globe so it's really hard to know where it's coming from."It also was "very uncertain" whether these microplastics originated from land-based plastics such as clothing, or ocean-based plastics like fishing nets and hooks, Clere said.Fish that are eaten whole - like sardines and shellfish - carried a greater risk for ingesting plastic, she said.The study found similar levels of microplastics in different fish species living around the upper surface of the ocean, Clere said this suggested microplastics were ubiquitous in this section of the ocean.Farmed fish, especially those bred within plastic nets, could also be ingesting microplastics but this area of study had not received much attention due to industry regulation, she said.While the study's findings were concerning, Clere said people didn't need to ditch the fish just yet."We need to be conscious of our plastic use and potential misuse and how that's getting into the natural environment and potentially affecting ourselves but in terms of eating it that's just a personal choice really."

The second phase of the Mangawhai shared path cranks up construction next month and includes a collaboratively designed boardwalk running alongside the causeway.Te Uri o Hau environs group worked with Kaipara District Council staff and Resilio Design Studio on the boardwalk, which reflects Maōri design principles. Kaumātua Hone Martin says several species of fish and shellfish are integrated into the boardwalk design.“From head to tail the boardwalk reflects the mahinga kai (natural resources) of Mangawhai, especially the estuarine environment the boardwalk traverses. In the boardwalk design we have included whai (stingray), pātiki (flounder) and pārore.”At the northern entrance of the boardwalk, a tohu te whai (stencil of a stingray) will be engraved in the path, and at the southern side a pou representing te upoko o te ika (head of the fish) will be carved and installed.“Mai i te Upoko o te Ika, ki te Hiku o te Ika – from the head of the fish to the tail of the fish. This concept is present in many visual elements of the boardwalk.”  A fishing platform, located in the middle of the boardwalk over Tara Creek takes on the fin shape from the ika (fish) species found in the estuary. The movement of whai wings is represented through the undulating balustrade that hem the fishing platforms. The smaller balusters also symbolise the spines of the various ika (fish) species. Specific design features will be further refined with Te Uri o Hau and local Māori artists and carvers.Mātua Hone Martin has also gifted a te reo Māori name to this section of the shared path, and also encompassing the Backbay boardwalk (built by the Mangawhai Trackies).Explaining the name, Mātua Hone says, “The name Te Ara o Te Whai has three dimensions or reference points – referring to the pathway of (The Stingray); the pathway of (The Chief); and the pathway of (Pursuit).”Contractors Fulton Hogan have been awarded the contract for Phase Two physical works. Phase Two continues from the end of Phase One (approximately 80m past Estuary Drive) through to Mangawhai Central and includes the boardwalk alongside the causeway. It is part of a wider shared path network planned for Mangawhai, improving safety and connectivity between its two centres, and making it easier to travel by foot, bike, or scooter along busy Molesworth Drive.To kickstart the second phase of shared path works, Fulton Hogan will build a retaining wall beginning at 90 Molesworth Drive down to the causeway.Tim Manning, Kaipara District Council project manager for the works says all construction is being carefully timed to fit in and around the busy Christmas break.“Fulton Hogan will start work on the retaining wall sometime in the week beginning 10 October, finishing up ahead of Christmas. There will be traffic management in place when they are working but just like last year, we will then shut down over the Christmas New Year period and Molesworth Drive will be open to two lanes across the summer break, from early December through to mid-January.”The work on the boardwalk section will start in mid-January 2023. Phase Two is planned to be complete by August 2023.View the boardwalk design and other information on the shared path at www.mangawhaicommunityplan.co.nz

More women and birthing parents will now receive cover from ACC if they suffer an injury during childbirth.The Accident Compensation (Maternal Birth Injury and Other Matters) Amendment Bill has passed its third reading at Parliament, and expands ACC cover to birthing injuries.ACC Minister Carmel Sepuloni said the bill improved the gender balance, fairness, and equity of the ACC scheme."The bill's approach to covering maternal birth injuries is the best approach in ensuring birthing parents have the support they need to recover as quickly as possible in what will already be a time of great change in their lives," she told the House.Sepuloni referred to an article by RNZ's Anusha Bradley which shone a light on injuries experienced by women during childbirth, and their struggle for treatment."It was a distressing read, but I instantly knew that this was something that needed to change."ACC minister Carmel Sepuloni. File photo. Photo: RNZ / Samuel RillstoneMore than 70 percent of women may suffer from an injury during labour or birth.The bill adds specific categories of birth injuries, such as prolapses, tears, and dislocations.It is estimated the bill will help 28,000 parents a year.Green Party ACC spokesperson Jan Logie would like to have seen more general cover, as well as injuries to babies (something also called for by National and ACT), and standalone cover for mental injuries.But she said it was still a day to celebrate."Today is a milestone, that birthing parents, women in this situation from October 1st will be able to reach out and get support they need to prevent many of these consequential impacts in terms of their mobility, in terms of their relationships, in terms of their ability to parent, the integrity of their body and life choices. This is hugely significant," she said.It has been nearly 50 years since ACC legislation was first passed in the house. Many of the MP's remarked how the language was outdated, referring to women as housewives."It was certainly written for a time and in a language that reflected the attitudes of the day," National MP Michael Woodhouse said."Times have changed, and this is an appropriate change to the legislation."The bill is not retrospective, which means people who have already suffered injuries will not be covered. Instead, it only covers anyone who gives birth from 1 October 2022.National MP Erica Stanford thanked everyone who sent submissions to the Education and Workforce Select Committee, especially the 46 people who submitted to the select committee in-person, acknowledging their submissions even though they would not receive the benefits of the bill."It was very personal, and very gruelling for some of those women who needed to go into quite graphic detail in front of strangers at the select committee. And their bravery needs to be acknowledged, because actually that graphic detail was really important for the deliberations of the bill," she said.National MP Erica Stanford. File photo. Photo: RNZ / Samuel RillstoneLabour MP Sarah Pallett, a midwife, is not a member of the select committee, but her experience as a midwife meant she was often consulted on the bill. She praised the bill's inclusive language."The vast majority will be women, but we must remember in this conversation that non-binary, transgender, and other gender-diverse folk also give birth and it's really important we continue to acknowledge that in this house," she said.The bill also makes five policy changes to the Accident Compensation Act (including reducing the threshold for accessing injury-related hearing loss cover from 6 percent hearing loss to 5 percent), and seven technical changes.

Uncontrolled dogs are savaging livestock in night-time raids on farms in the far north, leaving helpless owners with dead animals and big vet bills.The dogs have killed and maimed sheep, lambs, cows and chickens at properties in Te Iringa, south of Kaikohe.John and Lily Coleman's farm was hit three times and he believed the culprits were unregistered uncontrolled pets allowed to roam, not wild dogs."It's traumatising on the stock and the owners, because the stock can't defend themselves against that type of dog, and it's at night," John Coleman said."We've had three attacks, and different coloured dogs. It's the same with the neighbours."Council officers have had no luck tracing the dogs, and dogs that have been shot attacking livestock on Coleman's farm or others locally weren't microchipped, he said."We had 16 adult sheep - we are down to six, we had 22 lambs - we lost half of those. They killed a calf. One ... is on three legs and the other recovered."And they cleaned out our chooks - eight hens I think it was."Going out at night on the farm to try to defend the stock was risky not only because of the dogs themselves, but also the risk of slipping on the wet clay soil, he said.He had several reasons for believing they were unregistered pets."Years ago ... my daughter heard this lamb getting crunched up, I went out and all I could see was the eyes, and I fired a shot - what had happened was it was a neighbour's labrador ... nice friendly fella in the day, but at night, a killer."So you don't know what breeds are on the go, but most are pig dog types."Recently one of his neighbours had seven sheep "wiped out", and the other lost three and all his poultry."We shot one and the one that ran away was feeding pups. My neighbour who works down the road saw where the dogs came from."The dog ranger went to that house to find the dog, but Coleman said the people there turned the ranger away with information he said did not add up."The [council officers] came and set some traps here and across the road ... but those dogs don't go into traps, they just go out to kill."It's difficult for all parties, because the only way is to catch them in the act, and if you can't catch them at night - what do you do?"If the dog people had more powers - well what's the use of more powers if you can't identify the dog that did the damage? You can't expect people to sit up all night waiting for dogs, it's a bit of a losing battle - it's the trauma of it all."The vet had been out to his property twice to catch and then either put down or patch up the mauled animals."Sheep with bite marks they don't heal so good and then the blowflies start attacking - it's not nice. There'll be $1000 damage."Other farmers have suffered ... further down the valley they ... lost sheep and they got together and they finally got the dogs and they were just pig dogs - unregistered and just gone wild."Coleman said there was no easy solution he could see."[The neighbours] ... are not going to buy any more [sheep] because they'll be attacked again."Another neighbour had to lock his sheep up in the wool shed, and finally he went into pine trees."

A quick update on Mangawhai Central:New World Mangawhai has an opening date of the 18th October 8.20 am. Normal opening hours will be 7am - 9pm.Mobil has yet to begin building.Bunnings is still under construction with no opening date yet announced.

Warkworth regionMonday 26th September - Partly cloudy. Showers, mainly north of the City, becoming isolated this morning. Fresh Easterlies.Tuesday 27th September - Partly cloudy. Fresh northeasterlies, easing late.Wednesday 28th September - Partly cloudy, with possible isolated showers in the morning. Fresh northeasterlies, easing in the afternoon.Thursday 29th September - Mostly cloudy, with isolated showers developing. Northerlies.Mangawhai regionMonday 26th September - Partly cloudy. Showers, becoming isolated this morning south of Cape Karikari. Easterlies, fresh about the eastern coast.Tuesday 27th September - Partly cloudy, with isolated showers. Fresh northeasterlies, easing late.Wednesday 28th September - Partly cloudy. Isolated showers, clearing in the morning. Fresh northeasterlies, easing in the afternoon.Thursday 29th September - Cloudy, with scattered rain developing. Northerlies.

Repro Rally New Zealand is returning to Auckland. Set to make its 32nd appearance on the FIA World Rally Championship calendar.A decade since it was last staged and two years after the pandemic prevented an historic return of Rally New Zealand, Auckland has been confirmed to host a round of the 2022 World Rally Championship*.From 29th September through to 2nd October. Affected residents should have received notices of road closures. Below is the closure map.

Action Ninja WorldMatakanaIf you've ever fancied yourself as a flying trapeze artist, adrenaline junkie, or Ninja Warrior, this is the place for you.Action Ninja World, Matakana is kicking off its third season this October the 1st.  Open every day in the school holidays and Friday - Sunday during the school term - Action Ninja Word is the ultimate destination for a birthday party, work function, school group visit or simply a fun day out for the whole family (parents included). As featured on The Project, the Action Ninja Warrior obstacle course is designed to test your speed, agility, and strength. The Theme Park includes but is not limited to; a Ninja Warrior Course, Flying Trapeze (as high as the professionals use), a High Wire at 4 metres, Tarzan Swings, a Jousting Pole, an 8.5m Climbing Wall without a harness, Jumping Pillow, Trampolines, Zorb Soccer and a 9 metre inflatable waterslide. Not only providing hours of pure entertainment but visitors will also gain confidence and new skills too. Book in Action Ninja World to your calendar for these school holidays - with the option to bring a picnic and use the BBQ or enjoy Bramble Cafe and Smiths bar next door. Winner of the Tripadvisor following awards: ‘2020 Traveler's Choose Winner’ and ‘Top 10% of Attractions Worldwide’. Nominated for ‘Denizen Everyday Heros’ Favourite Children’s Entertainment Venue. Book online now: www.actionninjaworld.co.nz1151 Leigh Road, Matakana - Matakana Country

Kia ora koutou, Sunday 25 September is the beginning of daylight saving!  That means it's also time for another six-monthly test of the tsunami siren network in Northland coastal communities.The sirens sound twice: firstly at 10am for 10 minutes and then again at 10.30am for 30 seconds, and will be monitored for any faults.We're grateful for the ongoing support of Northland's two electricity networks (Northpower and Top Energy NZ) and the volunteers - mainly from Community Response Groups - who assist our team by monitoring the sirens on the day.You can check out whether you live, work or play in a tsunami evacuation zone, and plan the quickest route to safety, using the interactive maps here: www.nrc.govt.nz/tsunamisirens (The maps also show you where the Tsunami sirens are located)Tsunami evacuation zones can also be viewed on the new national maps here: https://getready.govt.nz/.../tsunami-evacuation-zones/