A major company has been fined for letting banned and harmful 'forever' chemicals get into Whangārei Harbour in what a judge calls an "extraordinary" act.The former Marsden Pt refinery, now called Channel Infrastructure, pleaded guilty to 14 charges.It used up to 60,000 litres of foam made with longlasting PFAS chemicals for firefighter training seven times last year.How much got into the harbour is not known.The Whangārei District Court fined Channel $169,000.A court summary of facts shows a whistleblower within the company raised the alarm in June 2021."In accordance with the defendant's whistleblowing policy, the board and senior management were alerted that a banned substance may have been used in the training exercises. All remaining training exercises were halted," the summary said.The company then alerted the regional council.The summary said it had already looked at getting rid of all its stocks of PFAS foam, in 2017, but chose not to.Storing foam and its use as a "last resort" on fires is allowed, but training with it is banned."Legacy PFAS fire fighting foam remained available so it could be accessed and used if required in the case of an emergency as the law contemplates."It was labelled PFAS, but got used anyway, the summary said.A consultant's report in late 2021 concluded "there was a low risk to people and ecological receptors caused by PFAS discharges from the refinery into surface water and groundwater" and that it was not in the shellfish.Long-term effects are unknown.Judge J Smith said systems were set up to prevent this, but failed."Its use on seven occasions for training can only be described as extraordinary," the Environmental Protection Authority quoted the judge saying in a statement today.RNZ last August revealed the investigation into the illegal discharges, after obtaining a report for the company carried out by a private investigator.Channel Infrastructure said it accepted the sentence and had taken the matter seriously."With the PFAS firefighting foam now being permanently removed from site, this will not happen again," it said."We are disappointed our onsite standing instructions as to the use of the PFAS firefighting foam were not followed, and have since strengthened the monitoring and our on-site enforcement."Tests showed there were no concentrations of the chemicals in the environment afterwards."We have also undertaken prompt actions to improve the environment in the area, beyond remedying the discharge of the PFAS foam, and have been working on this with our Iwi partners, Patuharakeke.It no longer has an on-site fire-fighting training facility.Firefighter training is proven as one of the leading causes of PFAS pollution worldwide.Human-made per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances pose a threat at the level of a drop in an Olympic-sized pool, last for centuries at least, and are linked to various cancers and health conditions, though local authorities say the health research remains inconclusive.The EPA said the old, banned firefighting foams can cause serious land and water contamination."That's why there is international agreement on the need to address these 'forever chemicals'."These substances don't break down - they build up and bioaccumulate over time in living organisms, including in terrestrial and marine mammals."PFAS foams - typically containing PFOA or PFOS - are banned from use in training, but can still be used on fires.New Zealand public agencies and companies have breached the rules for years, till a crackdown sparked by belated Defence Force investigations in 2017-19.Further restrictions on PFAS kick in next month: After that, use of firefighting foams (without damming and collecting it) containing PFOA, for example at the scene of a plane or truck crash, will be banned.A complete phase-out is from 2025, when no PFAS firefighting foams will be able to be used at all.

A mortgage advisor says small business owners are particularly nervous about the impact of the increasing mortgage rates, while homeowners face a precarious battle to afford repayments.The Reserve Bank raised the Official Cash Rate today by a record 75 basis points, and warned of a coming recession next year.Squirrel Mortgages founder John Bolton said many people were already fearful of where the mortgage rates would end up, with small business owners particularly worried.Small business owners were having to deal with higher mortgage rates on their own properties while their customers had their discretionary spending cut, he said."Not only do they have mortgages are have to pay more for their mortgages, they're having to deal with inflation running through their businesses at the same time as discretionary spending is getting absolutely hammered through these higher interest rates, which is obviously going to hit their businesses as well."Bolton said most New Zealanders fixed their mortgages for only one or two years, so many would had to refix soon at a higher rate.Mortgage broker Malcolm Knight from Advice Knight told Checkpoint there were strong economic headwinds hitting New Zealand shores a lot faster and harder than some people had been anticipating.People had been contacting him asking advice on refixing their mortgages now rather than later, foregoing the cheaper mortgage rates they had now to fix more expensive rates for certainty going forward, he said."It's a really bitter pill to swallow when you're suddenly on a nice 2.99 percent fixed rate."The bank doesn't mind you're getting out of it, and they'll only charge you say, a $10 admin fee. But then you're thrust straight into a 6 percent rate, which can have a fairly profound impact on your repayments."And if you're looking at a paying an $800,000 mortgage, which is not untypical in an Auckland context, breaking that from 2.99 percent, to say a 6.1 percent rate today, you're looking at $1500 a month extra cost and with with the price of groceries, cost of fuel... an extra $350 a week can be quite hard to find for your average couple."People were avoiding big-ticket items at the supermarket like cheese and steak, he said. With discretionary expenditure contracting rapidly, cafes and restaurants were again likely to suffer.The falling amounts banks were willing to allow customers to borrow is impacting on falling house prices, but that's not making it any easier for those looking to buy a house. Rising interest rates and a cost-of-living crisis were proving prohibitive to borrowers."If I think about a customer a year ago, I may have been able to get them a million dollar loan," Knight said."Today I might be able to give them an $800,000 loan, but what interests me is the whole behaviour and sentiments change - that this million dollar-loan client would have been thinking 'oh, is that enough money, I might need to borrow another $100,000 to really get that house I want."At the moment you're sitting down with them and saying 'we can borrow $800,000, here's what your repayments are going to be and they kind of suck in, going 'oh, I don't know if we can afford those repayments'."Photo: RNZ / DOM THOMASHuman pain for inflationary target gainANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner told Checkpoint the Reserve Bank's basis point raise was a blunt instrument in tackling inflation and that there would be a pain down the line for those with mortgages and others who had taken on debt over the past couple of years.However, she pointed out not everyone had a mortgage and those with savings would be happy with interest rate hikes. Only 2 percent of households were in negative equity so far, she added.The NZRB tool to reduce spending is set to increase the unemployment rate, with basis points reaching 5.5, and a recession expected to hit by the middle of next year.So far the bank had not put enough pressure on households to "slow down spending", so now the public faced an even more brutal stick to encourage them to, Zollner said."I think the Reserve Bank doesn't want anyone to borrow with confidence at the moment, I think that's kind of the idea."They really want to slow the economy down, it's very clear that they feel a real sense of urgency. Even though they're a year into hiking, they have to some extent been running to stand still in so far as the whole economy is hiking, wage growth has been very strong."Households have been remarkably resilient to the pressure that's been put on them so far, including not just interest rate hikes, but the cost of living as well."So while that's good news, and one thing, it's not helpful if you're actually trying to slow spending down."The bank was now forecasting unemployment to reach 5.7 percent instead of 5 percent and Zollner suggested this was a target figure to get inflation down."Clearly raising rates this aggressively and carrying on with it does mean downside risks for the housing market. And and a risk that that could become less orderly than it has been so far.'I mean, I think that is actually quite reasonable to interpret that as the Reserve Bank's current best guess of how high unemployment needs to go to nip this wage-price spiral now looking well underway, to be honest, to nip that in the bud and ensure price stability in the medium term."

Residential property managers will soon need to be registered, trained, and licensed under new rules unveiled this morning.Landlords will now have another year to get their rentals up to healthy home standards - including Kāinga Ora and community housing providers.Housing Minister Megan Woods said Covid-19 supply chain issues had stunted compliance.But a renters' advocacy group said that was not good enough and meant more people would end up in hospital.The National Party has also criticised the move while the Greens have called for a warrant of fitness for homes, saying the government has no idea how many rentals are compliant with the healthy home standards.Under today's announcement the public would also be consulted on new rules on methamphetamine residue levels and how tenancies can be terminated if the property was unsafe."Nearly 600,000 households rent in New Zealand and these measures will result in regulated oversight of residential property managers, science-based rules on meth residue testing and a reprieve for landlords in meeting a compliance deadline," Woods said in a statement."The government aims to ensure every New Zealander has a warm, dry, and safe place to call home, regardless of whether they own or rent. These initiatives build on the important work we've already done in the rental sector which all ultimately serve to improve the lives and outcomes of renting New Zealanders and their whānau."Housing Minister Megan Woods. Photo: RNZ / Samuel RillstoneWoods said complaints about property managers would be dealt with through a new regulatory framework.Given 42 percent of rentals were looked after by property managers, it was important to have regulations in place given the access they have to homes."Sometimes tenants are vulnerable to poor behaviour from residential property managers, especially in a tight rental market. Following our moves to give tenants more protection through the Residential Tenancies Act, we made a manifesto commitment in 2020 to regulate residential property managers.""This means that like many other professions such as real estate agents, builders and lawyers, they will have conduct and competency standards to abide by and if they don't, they can be held to account."Woods said Cabinet had agreed that the Real Estate Authority would be the regulator. The Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal would have a role expanded to include property management-related issues.Renters United spokesperson Geordie Rogers told Midday Report the extension meant more renters would end up in hospital with "totally preventable" illnesses."It means more children with rheumatic fever, it means more people becoming susceptible to illnesses like asthma. Generally, it means things are going to be worse for renters by pushing out this deadline."Rogers said a study done by Otago University found tens of thousands of hospitalisations could be prevented every year through appropriate healthy homes legislation - one that went further than the current legislation.Woods saying Covid-19 was the reason for the extension was not a good enough excuse, Rogers said.The standards came out in 2019 and every landlord had the opportunity to improve their home straight away or wait, he said.Those that chose to wait "chose to keep their renters in damp, cold housing", chose to "prioritise profit" and would have soon been facing consequences."At least they were because the government has now decided they need an extension, not enforcement."Government hypocritical, National saysNational Party housing spokesperson Chris Bishop criticised the move as hypocritical."The vast majority of private sector landlords have done the right thing - they've complied with the rules. Now it turns out the government can't actually comply with their own rules so they've given themselves a leave pass and pushed that deadline back."So it's one rule for the government and another rule for private sector landlords and I think it will be regarded as a real slap in the face by the private sector."Chloe Swarbrick Photo: RNZ / Samuel RillstoneThe Green Party said a warrant of fitness for houses could stop tenants from getting sick.MP Chloe Swarbrick said some renters were too scared to take their landlords to the Tenancy Tribunal, even when their homes were clearly unhealthy.A warrant of fitness would help the government enforce healthy home standards and it had no idea at present how many rentals complied, she said.Swarbrick said under the current system, renters were forced to advocate for themselves.With regard to new meth testing rules, Woods said the public would be consulted on what an acceptable level of meth residue was, at what levels homes needed to be decontaminated, and when tenancies can be ended due to high levels."Currently there are two levels used - neither of which are legally binding - which create uncertainty for landlords and tenants," Woods said."We have proposals that are informed by science, on screening, testing, and decontamination, with clear obligations for landlords."Woods said the government recognised Covid-19 had caused global supply issues, meaning some private landlords hadn't managed to get their homes up to the healthy homes standard."It makes sense to be pragmatic as most landlords are genuinely trying to comply with their obligations but are at risk of breaching them because of issues outside of their control.""The change means private landlords have one more year to comply, so all private rentals must comply by 1 July 2025, instead of 1 July 2024."For Kāinga Ora and community housing providers, the timeframe for compliance shifts from 1 July 2023 to a new date of 1 July 2024."

SH1 WARKWORTH-WELLSFORD - OVERNIGHT CLOSURES - NOV/DECState Highway 1 between Warkworth and Wellsford will be closed to all traffic for 10 nights while further resurfacing is undertaken in the Dome Valley area and NX2 Northern Connection work continues (SH1 closed between Hudson Rd and Wayby Valley Rd). Closures will be in place from 8pm to 5am each night for an initial 5 nights, Sun 27 November – Thu 01 December, then followed by 5 further nights, Sun 04 December – Thu 08 December, with no closures occurring on Friday or Saturday nights. During closures a detour will be in place using Woodcocks Rd, West Coast Rd, and SH16 (Kaipara Coast Hwy and Port Albert Rd) between Warkworth and Wellsford. Please plan ahead as this detour may add up to 40 minutes travel time to your journey. In addition NX2 work at the Southern Connection in the Puhoi area will require closures on the Northern Mwy (northbound between Silverdale and Puhoi, southbound between Puhoi and Orewa) on all of the same 10 nights above, between 10pm and 5am each night. Travel between Silverdale and Warkworth will be possible with a local detour via Hibiscus Coast Hwy and SH1 between Puhoi and Warkworth.Through traffic (especially heavy vehicles) should use SH16 entirely between Auckland Central and Wellsford, or exit the Northern Mwy at Silverdale and use Kahikatea Flats Rd to SH16 to continue north. Traffic Map info: http://spr.ly/6180MNkBCFull Warkworth-Wellsford resurfacing media release here: http://spr.ly/6181MNkBhFull NX2 Project media release here: http://spr.ly/6182MNk86

Weather Warning for Auckland and Warkworth regionSevere Thunderstorm WatchPeriod: 8hrs from 2pm - 10pm Tue, 22 NovArea: Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo, Taranaki, Taihape, WanganuiForecast: An active band of thunderstorms is expected to move eastwards across the North Island this afternoon and evening. Some of these thunderstorms may be SEVERE producing damaging wind gusts in excess of 110 km/h and a few small tornadoes, and in addition for regions from Waikato and Bay of Plenty southwards localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/hr are possible. These squally winds and possible small tornadoes may cause some structural damage, including damage to trees and power lines, and make driving hazardous. If any tornadoes occur, they will only affect very localised areas. Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips.Strong Wind WatchPeriod: 13hrs from 5pm Tue, 22 Nov - 6am Wed, 23 NovArea: Auckland, Great Barrier Island and Coromandel PeninsulaForecast: Northerly winds changing westerly around midnight. Winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.Weather Warning for NorthlandHeavy Rain WatchPeriod: 17hrs from 9am Tue, 22 Nov - 2am Wed, 23 NovArea: Northland, especially in the north and eastForecast: Periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms, with downpours possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.Severe Thunderstorm WatchPeriod: 8hrs from 2pm - 10pm Tue, 22 NovArea: Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo, Taranaki, Taihape, WanganuiForecast: An active band of thunderstorms is expected to move eastwards across the North Island this afternoon and evening. Some of these thunderstorms may be SEVERE producing damaging wind gusts in excess of 110 km/h and a few small tornadoes, and in addition for regions from Waikato and Bay of Plenty southwards localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/hr are possible. These squally winds and possible small tornadoes may cause some structural damage, including damage to trees and power lines, and make driving hazardous. If any tornadoes occur, they will only affect very localised areas. Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips.Strong Wind WatchPeriod: 11hrs from 3pm Tue, 22 Nov - 2am Wed, 23 NovArea: NorthlandForecast: Northerly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

GIVE A HELPING HAND TO PETS IN NEED THIS CHRISTMASTimes have been tough for a lot of families this year, with escalating costs particularly at the supermarket and gas station. Mangawhai's Helping Paws (Animal Rescue) recognise that there are members of our local community who are struggling to make ends meet. They want to help.Mangawhai’s Helping Paws (Animal Rescue) is delighted to be launching a Christmas Pet Food Bank in partnership with Petdirect.co.nz and Te Whai Community Trust Mangawhai to support those families among us that are having a particularly tough time, and ensure their pets are not left hungry.When you are shopping, they would love it if you could pop some extra pet food into your trolley for families who are struggling to meet ends meet. A full list of donation points is provided below.If you are too far away to add pet food to your shopping trolley, you can place an order with petdirect.co.nz for delivery to us at Helping Paws, 92 Pebblebrooke Road, RD2, Mangawhai 0573. If you use the code MANGAWHAI at checkout, you will receive $20 off orders over $80 and Helping Paws will receive a $20 credit to put towards more food for families in need.You can make a financial contribution via helpingpaws.raisely.com or directly to our bank account: Helping Paws Trust 38-9016-0019372-04Petdirect.co.nz will also be providing us with a generous donation of stock to support this initiative, for which we are INCREDIBLY grateful.Thank you so much for your support! We are looking forward to ensure no pets go hungry this Christmas.Our donation points are:Mangawhai's Helping Paws Mangawhai Tyres Opportunity Factory Mangawhai HeadsMiniwhaisFour Square Mangawhai HeadsFameBefore 6 DaycareMangawhai MuseumMangawhai Beach SchoolMangawhai ChiropracticTomarata SchoolSuper Value MangawhaiBayleys MangawhaiTe Whai Community House

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"