Approximately 9.30am this morning there was a fire above Seafood 'n' Eat It restaurant at the bottom of Neville Street in Warkworth township.The building is currently for sale through Remax Realty. The fire inspection team are investigating.There may be traffic delays.

Two people remain in critical condition after an explosion at a building site in central Auckland last week.Five people were taken to hospital from the building site in Wynyard Quarter on the morning of 26 August.Firefighters at the scene used hoses to treat patients with burns.It is not yet confirmed what caused the explosion, but reports suggest an LPG bottle hooked up to a barbecue exploded at the Hawkins Construction site about 6.30am on the day.It is common for construction workers to use portable gas cookers.WorkSafe started investigating immediately but said that work could take up to 12 months to complete.In a statement last week, parent company Downer said it was working with authorities to establish what had happened and its immediate focus was on supporting the injured workers, their whānau, and the team on site.Bits of burnt clothing could be seen scattered around after the explosion in Auckland's Wynyard Quarter last week. Photo: RNZ / Nick MonroCouncil of Trade Unions president Richard Wagstaff last week said he wanted to see a full investigation into the incident."It's important there be a full and detailed investigation into how this happened and steps are taken to better protect workers."Wagstaff said the industry had a terrible record of workers being killed or injured on the job, with 11 construction workers killed and 4800 workers injured just last year.Fire and Emergency said its own investigation into the incident was also ongoing.The Wynyard Quarter site is being developed by Precinct Properties and Auckland Council's development arm Eke Panuku, where three new office buildings with ground floor retail are planned.Construction started this year and is due to be completed in 2025.

The SPCA expects to desex 30,000 animals over two years in a campaign to combat the overpopulation of dogs and cats.A mobile caravan was starting a two-year journey with stops in the East Coast of the North Island, offering free desexing and veterinary services to pet owners.National Desexing Manager Rebecca Dobson said SPCA centres and animal rescues throughout the country were feeling the pressure from an inundation of animals, but the problem was particularly bad in the East Coast right now."By desexing 15,000 animals [each year] we're preventing 100,000 puppies and kittens from being abandoned and neglected, because those animals won't then be able to go on and have unwanted litters if they've been desexed."New Zealand had a problem with "excessive uncontrolled breeding" of pets, which was creating widespread issues with stray and unwanted animals, the organisation said.The new mobile desexing clinic caravan will start by offering free services in the East Coast, but hopes to extend its destinations if more vets and vet nurses can be found. Photo: Supplied/ SPCABut for some owners, transport or the cost of desexing were barriers.The first stops for the caravan would be Ruatōria, Te Araroa, Waihau Bay, Te Kaha, Ōpōtiki, Tokomaru Bay, and Tolaga Bay - some of which were a two hour drive from vet services, the SPCA said.As well as desexing, the staff working from the caravan could offer microchipping, vaccinations, and flea and worm treatments for free or a koha.SPCA chief executive Andrea Midgen said fewer animals were desexed during the Covid-19 lockdowns, which had contributed to the surge in litters."In areas such as the East Coast and Northland, we are often faced with a heart-breaking decision of not being able to accommodate more animals in our shelters."There was also a vet shortage in New Zealand, and the SPCA was still working on finding vets and vet nurses to help provide the mobile caravan service, with the aim to keep it going year-round and to extend its visits to areas outside East Coast.As well as the caravan, the SPCA was helping fund a Northland programme where Kerikeri Highway Vets would work with animal rescue groups to desex at least 200 dogs and 300 cats.And, the SPCA would continue to run its existing Snip 'n' Chip campaign providing free or subsidised desexing and microchipping for some groups.Midgen said it would take years for the glut of unwanted puppies and kittens to relent, but desexing and responsible pet ownership were the only ways to get there.The programme was expected to be extended beyond two years, but this first two years was critical, and it would help provide data and targets for future years.A booking system for the mobile caravan was available on the SPCA website for those interested in having their animals neutered.

Warkworth RegionMonday - Fine, apart from a few showers for Great Barrier Island, and a possible shower north of Whangaparaoa from afternoon. Southeasterlies.Tuesday - Fine, apart from isolated showers north of the City. Easterlies.Wednesday - Fine. Northerlies.Thursday - Fine. Northerlies.Friday - Fine with northerlies.Whangarei / Mangawhai RegionMonday - Cloudy periods, and a few showers from late morning. Southeasterlies.Tuesday - Partly cloudy. A few showers. Southeasterlies.Wednesday - Partly cloudy. Easterlies.Thursday - Cloudy with northeasterlies.Friday - Partly cloudy with northerlies.

A reminder from Council's for dog (kurī) ownersDog registrations are open for the coming year. Kaipara District you can register online online at www.kaipara.govt.nz/dog-registrations/Auckland District head herehttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/dogs-animals/register-your-dog/Pages/renew-registration-for-dog.aspx

Maize growers are being warned they need to switch up their methods or face smaller yields as the effects of climate change creates more extreme weather.July was one of the warmest and wettest on record across the motu, with five separate weather events causing flooding, NIWA said.Foundation for Arable Research senior researcher David Densley said maize growers should consider adapting production systems to be more resilient to weather.Though maize typically did well in warmer climates, evapotranspiration rates increased as soil temperatures went up, meaning a plant needed more water simply to maintain itself."Some of the modelling work we've done has shown that this last season in the Waikato, for example, we needed another 52mm of water, just to achieve the same thing."The impact of warmer and dryer temperatures during the growing period is that we need more water to be able to produce the same thing, otherwise drought occurs and impacts the maize."During the critical grain fill period, estimated maize yield loss when drought stress persisted for four or more consecutive days was around 3 percent to 9 percent yield loss per day of stress.Growers should consider using no till or strip till to prepare and plant maize crops, rather than turning the soil over using conventional cultivation, Densley said.That at may result in higher one-off costs, but would pay off in the long term."Thinking about, how do I carry more of this rainfall that I'm getting, in the winter and the spring, how do I carry that through into the summer when I'm going to need it most?"The maize water demands peak over flowering, which is typically in January, which is typically the hottest, driest period, so carrying that water through so it doesn't impact our maize yield and our maize quality."As well as using no till or strip till methods, an increasing number of growers were utilising cover crops and catch crops over winter, including nitrogen-fixing legumes to reduce nitrogen inputs, he said.Farmers were applying variable rate lime, and using variable rate seeding rates for plant population, as well as deep soil sampling for nitrogen to better match inputs with productivity."About 10 to 20 farmers are managing their crops at this level for maize production, so blanket applications remain the norm."Densley recommended all farmers adopt pre-side-dress deep N sampling, which does not require precision agriculture technology.The cost of carrying out the sampling, which measures plant available soil nitrogen levels to a depth of 60cm, was more than covered by savings in applied nitrogen and also provided environmental gains with reductions in nitrogen loss and greenhouse gas emissions, he said.He suggested farmers trial deep N sampling to gain some trust and apply side dress nitrogen based on the results.

Warkworth ForecastSaturday - Mainly fine, apart from isolated showers this morning. Southwesterlies.High of 17 and low of 9.Sunday - Mainly fine. Southeasterlies. High of 16 and low of 9.Whangarei Forecast for MangawhaiSaturday - Mainly fine, but the chance of a brief shower this morning. Southwesterlies. High of 18 and low of 9.Sunday - Fine spells and a few showers. Southeasterlies. High of 16 and low of 10.

Five people were taken to hospital after a gas explosion at a building site in Auckland's Wynyard Quarter this morning.Four people are in a serious condition in Middlemore Hospital while one is in a moderate condition in Auckland Hospital.The incident was reported to police about 6.25am in Halsey Street in Auckland's CBD.Police at the scene of the incident on Halsey Street in Auckland. Photo: RNZ/Nick MonroMultiple ambulances and fire trucks were at the scene.Two fire investigators remain on site. They say it could be days before the cause of the explosion is determined.The scene of explosion in Halsey Street, Auckland CBD on 26 August 2022. Photo: RNZ / Nick MonroIt is believed to an LPG bottle exploded at the building site. Bits of burnt clothing could be seen scattered around.The building site is in a very busy part of downtown Auckland.A St John Ambulance spokesperson has confirmed it was an explosion.It said it sent 10 vehicles, including five ambulances, to the scene.The scene of explosion in Halsey Street, Auckland CBD on 26 August 2022. Photo: RNZ / Nick MonroTuck Shop Bakery owner George Seaton said he first noticed the incident when ambulances started arriving."We smelled some fire, smoke. There was someone being attended to ... a lot of emergency service workers around them."

Friday 26thCrafty Conversations @ Women's Centre RodneyDaffodil Day morning tea in LeighSaturday 27thMangawhai Community MarketMangawhai Tavern MarketMatakana Village Farmers MarketRangatahi Whakairo (carving) workshopsWeddings Matakana FairBarfoot & Thompson - Charity Sausage SizzleFood for FashionDragon Forms - Qi GongHarbour Hospice Catwalk Arts Wearable Art AwardsBrooke Lane Vineyard’s Last Saturday Club The Eagles Tribute Show at RSA WarkworthBRIAN BAKER LIVE with special guest Coda Muso & Street GeorgesSunday 28thWarkworth Country MarketAUDITIONS for Warkworth Theatre's Ali Baba & Forty Thieves pantomimeAgave/Tequila night @ The Vintry

Our group keeps in contact with the New Zealand Penguin Initiative, an organisation that coordinates penguin study with penguin groups around New Zealand.Some areas are reporting a low number of penguins seen in their nest sites this year. It has been the same in our area and could be due to a very wet July and stormy weather.This may delay or disrupt the penguins egg laying. Monitoring of penguins around our coast has shown birds coming ashore at several places along Goat Island Beach and alongside the Ti Point coastal walkway. We have also moved a few penguin nesting boxes to places we hope will be better.Already one box moved in May has had a visit from a pair of penguins. It was funny watching a video of them as one entered the box while the other stood on top, calling as if to say where are you? Or perhaps it was a game of penguin hide and seek. Eventually the other penguin entered, followed by a lot of noise inside the box.Unfortunately a few dead penguins were also spotted recently on a Leigh coast beach, but it is not known how they died. If you see any dead birds we would be keen to know and see if a cause of death can be identified.In the meantime, many thanks to all our trappers for their continued support in reducing the predators around our coast.*Author: Jenny Enderby / [email protected] for Leigh Rag [email protected] with permission.

Small business sales have fallen to their lowest level since September last year, as consumers feel the rising cost of living.The latest Xero small business index shows sales in July fell 1.5 percent year-on-year, down from 4.4 percent growth in June.At the same time, inflationary pressures continued for small firms, as wage growth was above 6 percent - with construction and hospitality leading the growth.Xero country manager Bridget Snelling said inflation also meant the fall in sales was much worse than it appeared."Inflation in Aotearoa has hit 7.3 percent. This suggests the volume of goods and services sold has actually been much lower and price increases are hiding this real drop in sales."We estimate the real sales drop for small businesses is closer to negative 8.8 percent year-on-year."Snelling said falling sales and rising wages created pressure for firms."For wage growth to be sustainable, we really need to see it matched by high sales."We want to be a high wage economy, absolutely, but this is only really going to last if sales can grow and we can match that high wage rate with a growth in sales."At the moment small businesses will really be feeling the pinch, still paying high wages but getting less money in the door."Snelling said the falling sales was a clear sign that small businesses needed support from people shopping locally.Small business jobs also continued to grow, with 4.7 percent more jobs in small firms than there were a year ago.It was the third successive month that jobs growth was above the long term average of 3 percent year-on-year."Job growth means more Kiwis are choosing to work in small businesses. We're in the middle of a significant labour shortage and it's encouraging to see small businesses are continuing to compete against larger corporations."

Kiwibank risks becoming a "zombie bank" under direct government ownership, according to a KiwiSaver fund manager.The government will buy out the Super Fund, ACC and NZ Post to take complete control of Kiwibank, in a deal that values the company at $2.1 billion.Managing director of the Simplicity not-for-profit KiwiSaver provider Sam Stubbs told RNZ the government move was a setback for competition."Kiwibank was set up to be the national champion bank and to really create proper competition for the Australian banks and it has unfortunately not succeeded in doing that, it's never had more 5 percent market share."Simplicity managing director Sam Stubbs. File photo Photo:The government said it intended to keep a sensible distance between itself and the day-to-day running of the bank but will be open to proposals to help the company grow.But Stubbs said the government had starved the bank of capital and its mixed ownership model never gave it the financial support needed to take on the four big Australian owned banks."What we have now is a bank which, many years after foundation, is really a small-part player in the market and really risks turning into a zombie bank unless the government brings out its cheque book and recapitalises it to properly compete with the Australian banks," Stubbs said.Unless that happens, he said, Kiwibank would remain a "one armed boxer in a ring with four heavyweights".A recent report from KPMG shows that Kiwibank had just over $30 billion in assets but the big four Australian banks had between $123b and $190b, however, Kiwibank's chief executive Steve Jurkovich has said outside capital was not a priority for the bank.KPMG head of banking and finance John Kensington told RNZ that Kiwibank had done "remarkably well", as it had managed to expand from being one of the smaller banks, which had total assets of between $2b tand $6b, to its current size.The change in Kiwibank's ownership structure suggested the government was prepared to provide financial backing when needed, he said."The government's coffers are not indefinitely deep and at the moment, there seems to be a lot of calls for money to be spent differently be it in health and education ... so they'll definitely have to line up there," Kensington said."As a wise investor, the government will have factored that in and realised that, at various points, it will have to give capital."So, it will probably get the degree of importance and priority that it requires."Finance Minister Grant Robertson. Photo: Pool / NZME / Mark MitchellFinance Minister Grant Robertson told Morning Report the government was open to proposals for capital needs from Kiwibank."There is plenty of competition in the market but it's not necessarily driving all of the outcomes that we would want - and I accept that."But our basis for having Kiwibank is both to put pressure on those big four banks but also to give New Zealanders a genuine, competitive, reliable option that sees the profits stay in New Zealand."Obviously yesterday the Kiwibank chief executive Steve Jurkovich said they attempt to fund their capital needs internally."But if there is a need for further capital to help the bank be more competitive then the government is very open to hearing those propsals from Kiwibank because we do want it to be that viable competitor that I think it can be. "Stubbs said he would have liked to have seen the government pursue a partial share float of the bank, in a model similar to that of the power companies."They could have listed this, they could have sold a small percentage of it ... bring in a proper commercial board and once you start tapping capital markets in that sense, then you can borrow the money that you need, you can get the shareholder capital you need to beef yourself up and be a serious player," Stubbs said."It would have allowed Kiwibank to break out of its shackles and be a proper capitalised large-scale player which helps drive down mortgage rates, drive up deposit rates and take back some of the billions of dollars in profit that the Australian banks are milking from New Zealanders."A partial public listing of the bank would have opened the door to offshore investors owning a slice of Kiwibank, such as the framework for the big power companies, which retained majority government ownership."It does appear that this transaction was ideologically driven, which was that in no instance should state-owned assets should be allowed to list on the stock exchange," Stubbs said.He said there would have plenty of interest from KiwiSaver providers, including Simplicity, that would want to take a long-term stake in the bank.Robertson said the government wanted to see Kiwibank grow and remain in New Zealand hands."Unfortunately the Super Fund, who have been a really positive influence on the bank, wanted to be able to bring in private capital from overseas, wanted to be able to sell eventually to potentially overseas interests."That ran counter to the objectives we've had, and the bank has had, for over 20 years of being 100 percent New Zealand-owned."We've stepped up, we're prepared to continue to work with them and continue to see them grow."

Nearly 60 landowners and community groups used Auckland Council’s Regional Waterway Protection Fund last year, sharing $800,000 for projects in Franklin and Papakura.That awareness has seen extra money made available to expand the fund this year into Rodney and Aotea / Great Barrier Island.Franklin Local Board Chair Andy Baker says the goal is to exclude stock from waterways and plant riparian margins to reduce contaminants reaching the water. “That helps improve our streams, wetlands, and harbours. Their health is critical to our environment, communities and economy.”The Auckland Unitary Plan requires stock to be kept out of waterways. Deputy Mayor and Franklin Ward Councillor Bill Cashmore says anyone who hasn’t started needs to. “We all know fencing waterways and excluding stock contributes to better water quality.”Papakura Local Board Chair Brent Catchpole says it’s important landowners, farmers and lifestyle block owners understand the rules. “Council’s website  has more information, and the Regional Waterways Protection Fund can help cover some of the costs of projects.”Applications can be made to the fund to support fencing projects to keep stock out of waterways.Information has gone out to relevant landowners and support for those interested is available now, with applications open from 1 September to 14 October.Applications are assessed in November with funding awarded in December for work in 2023. Support is available to any landowner or group working on a 5 hectare plus private property. Those previously funded can apply again if that work has been done.Rodney Local Board Chair Phelan Pirrie says it’s great waterways protection is being funded regionally, continuing on from the Board’s Healthy Harbour Fund, which ends this year. “It’s a perfect opportunity for landowners to access funds that effectively halve project costs.”Applicants must contribute the other half, but that can include in-kind support such as volunteer labour, cash or contributions from other donors.Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board Chair Izzy Fordham is keen for landowners to tap into the fund. “The health of our environment is never far from the minds of locals. We encourage anyone eligible for the offer of assistance to improve our waterways to take advantage.”Selection criteria include environmental and community benefits, significance and size of the area, working with iwi and other groups, and the likelihood of success.Senior Healthy Waters Specialist Wendy D’Arcy says it’s a chance to secure funding and advice on improving waterways. “Working across Franklin and Papakura has shown us the great work many are doing to improve water quality.”Call Wendy D’Arcy 027 264 3379, or email [email protected] for more.

Fire and Emergency says lithium-ion battery devices such as smartphones, laptops and vapes can be dangerous and should be dealt with carefully.An Auckland home was recently set alight by the spontaneous combustion of a lithium-ion battery from a drill that was under a workbench.The accident was one of 35 sparked by this type of batteries in 2022.FENZ spokesperson Todd O'Donoghue said people should avoid charging lithium-ion devices on bedside tables or flammable surfaces."If one does catch on fire, it's really critical that everyone gets out of the building, if it's in a building, make sure we're called as soon as possible on 111, and don't go back into the building at all," he said."If you do see any smoke coming from them or see the battery starting to swell or anything, make sure you disconnect it and if it's safe to do so, take it outside."O'Donoghue said batteries were best stored in proper insulated fire suppression cabinets.

Warkworth RegionMonday 22nd - Showers developing this morning, clearing to fine late afternoon, then returning around midnight with thunderstorms and hail possible. Northwesterlies. High of 17 and low of 9.Tuesday - Cloudy periods. A few showers, some maybe heavy early morning, clearing in the afternoon or evening. Fresh southwesterlies, easing in the afternoon. High of 17 and low of 8.Wednesday - Cloudy. Westerlies, easing in the afternoon. High of 16 and low of 10.Thursday - Showers, becoming widespread and heavier. Fresh northeasterlies, turning northwesterly. High of 18 and low of 11.Friday - A few showers. Strong westerlies easing. High of 16 and low of 10.Mangawhai RegionMonday 22nd - Showers developing in the morning, clearing to fine in the afternoon. Northwesterlies. High of 19 and low of 10.Tuesday - Fine spells, the odd morning shower. Southwesterlies. High of 17 and low of 8.Wednesday - Cloudy with northwesterlies. High of 17 and low of 11.Thursday - Rain, turning to showers. Northwesterlies. High of 19 and low of 12.Friday - Fine. Westerlies easing. High of 18 and low of 10.

A cycling group will seek a legal review of Waka Kotahi's decision not to trial walking and cycling lanes on the Auckland Harbour Bridge.The Transport Agency yesterday said it had re-evaluated its earlier decision not to run a trial and come to the same conclusion.That decision was despite a request from the Transport Minister that the agency run the trial.Waka Kotahi said there were significant health and safety concerns involved in the project.In reaction, Movement cycling group spokesman Bevan Woodward announced the organisation would ask the High Court for a judicial review on the decision.He said safety issues could have been mitigated, and the health and environmental benefits outweighed the possible risk of incidents between bikers."[Waka Kotahi] just appears to be looking for excuses and I think misleading disingenuous excuses for not getting on with something which could be a real break-through for Auckland," he said.Waka Kotahi earlier told RNZ it was still planning for single day events that would allow walkers or cyclists to cross the bridge this summer, and it was committed to contributing to walking and cycling networks in Auckland.It had come under previous criticism for the resources and planning used for the single-day access events, which critics said they could have been overlapped with the trial lanes.

New research has found bees struggle to fly in a straight line if they've been exposed to pesticides, which makes it harder for them to find their way back to the hive.Released by The University of Oxford the paper says honeybees have an innate ability to orient themselves back onto a straight line when blown off course.Researchers tested this ability with walking bees by putting them in front of video screens that tricked them into thinking they had moved off course.Lead author Dr Rachel Parkinson said bees contaminated with modern pesticides were worse at correcting themselves."Here we show that commonly used insecticides like sulfoxaflor and the neonicotinoid imidacloprid can profoundly impair the visually guided behaviour of honeybees."There was a huge effect, the bees that were treated with the insecticides were unable to follow the direction of visual movement so they weren't able to orient themselves properly."Our results are reason for concern because the ability of bees to respond appropriately to visual information is crucial for their flight and navigation, and thus their survival," she said.The research also found that pesticide-exposed bees tended to have an elevated proportion of dead cells in parts of the brain's optic lobes, important for processing visual input."To fully understand the risk of these insecticides to bees, we need to explore whether the effects we observed in walking bees occur in freely flying bees as well."The major concern is that, if bees are unable to overcome any impairment while flying, there could be profound negative effects on their ability to forage, navigate, and pollinate wildflowers and crops."

A retail street in Auckland's Takapuna has been partly closed to traffic as emergency services respond to a building fireFirefighters and police are working at a building fire in Barry's Point Road, in Takapuna, on the North Shore.Police asked motorists to avoid Barrys Point Road while crews battled to contain the fire.A detour had been set up, but they warned to expect traffic delays.

The Warkworth Pak'nSave Work has begun on the new state-of-the-art Warkworth store. The Supermarket is due to open in mid-2023. Foodstuffs North Island is investing over $40 million into the project.Pak'nSave are committed to bring kiwis the very best experience and grocery offering, regardless of whether they live in the heart of a big city or further afield."The Warkworth store is planned to be 5300sqm and will include 170 car parks and a click and collect drive-through. It will also create around 150 jobs for the area.The new store is located on the corner of state highway 1 and Hudson Road.