News Archive

Registered jetski.

Jetskis must be registered, Northlanders reminded

Posted: 15 December 2011

Northland’s Deputy Harbourmaster is reminding anyone using a jetski on the region’s waters that it must be registered and that the popular craft shouldn’t be used by unsupervised young people.

Watch for large vessels.

Give large ships wide berth; Deputy Harbourmaster

Posted: 14 December 2011

Maritime officials say too many boaties are risking injury – or worse – by anchoring or fishing in places that put them at risk from the large ships visiting Northland harbours.

Lantana camara flowers.

Rust fungi possible new recruits in war on Lantana

Posted: 13 December 2011

Northland biosecurity experts have asked the Environmental Protection Authority for permission to import and release two species of host-specific fungi to tackle one of the world’s most invasive weeds.

Draft Regional Public Transport Plan.

Draft Public Transport Plan released

Posted: 06 December 2011

A new plan – which will provide a strategic blueprint for the region’s public transport for the next six years – has been released for public comment.

Christmas pohutukawa.

NRC offices to close for Xmas, New Year

Posted: 06 December 2011

All Northland Regional Council offices will be closed from 2pm Friday, 23 December until the morning of Wednesday, 04 January for the Christmas-New Year holiday break.

Youth summit 2011.

55 students attend 2011 youth summit

Posted: 06 December 2011

Fifty-five students from throughout Northland gathered recently for the 2011 Northland Regional Council Youth Summit in Whangarei.

Maritime staff on patrol.

Feedback wanted on proposed navigation safety changes

Posted: 01 December 2011

Northlanders are being asked for feedback on proposed bylaw changes designed to make our harbours and estuaries safer and reflect changing recreational use of them.

Regional Policy Statement report cards.

Have say on draft Regional Policy Statement, public urged

Posted: 30 November 2011

Time is running out for Northlanders to have their say on an initial draft of an important new planning tool which will set out how the region’s natural and physical resources should be managed.

Argentine ant on pen tip.

Register now for Argentine ant workshops

Posted: 28 November 2011

Northlanders keen to learn more about the aggressive Argentine ant – and how best to tackle it – are being urged to register now for one of three free workshops.

Clover root weevil.

Tiny wasp takes on pasture-threatening pest

Posted: 25 November 2011

Biological control experts are hailing the success of a parasitic wasp which is proving highly effective in battling a clover-decimating pest in Northland.

Bus shelter.

Ruakaka bus service survey

Posted: 24 November 2011

Bream Bay residents are to be surveyed from next month to gauge demand for the possible reintroduction of a public bus service between Ruakaka and Whangarei.

Kaeo floods circa 1910.

Kaeo flood works brought forward

Posted: 24 November 2011

A combination of $161,000 extra government funding and desire to better accommodate affected landowners has prompted changes to planned flood protection work for Kaeo.

Summer sampling.

Annual testing of popular swim spots begins

Posted: 22 November 2011

Summer water quality tests to indicate how safe Northland’s most popular beaches, rivers and lakes are for swimming will begin again shortly.

Rena.

Public meeting on regional oil spill preparedness

Posted: 16 November 2011

Northlanders are being invited to a public meeting in Whangarei later this month to hear what preparations the region has in place to deal with marine oil spills.

Youth Summit 2010 participant.

Annual NRC Youth Summit looms

Posted: 11 November 2011

A record 57 students from 18 Northland schools will gather for a special Youth Summit at Whangarei’s Onerahi foreshore later this month to discuss coastal environmental issues – and what they can do to make a difference.

Malcolm Nicolson..

New Northland Regional Council CEO appointed

Posted: 28 October 2011

Far North Holdings Limited chief executive and Kawakawa resident Malcolm Nicolson has been appointed as the Northland Regional Council’s new Chief Executive Officer.

Cow.

Follow milk dumping advice to protect environment; NRC

Posted: 26 October 2011

Northland should escape serious pollution problems from mass milk dumpings provided farmers follow suggested local guidelines, the Northland Regional Council says.

Cows in cowshed.

Farmers urged to follow milk dumping guidelines

Posted: 25 October 2011

Northland’s dairy farmers are advised to follow local guidelines for dumping milk in the wake of a major Taranaki gas leak which may effectively force the region’s dairy factories out of action for several days.

Tsunami advisory cancelled

Posted: 22 October 2011

A tsunami advisory issued after an early morning earthquake off the Kermadec Islands today has been cancelled – but Northlanders are still being warned to watch for unusual tidal conditions throughout today.

'Plant Me Instead' Northland edition cover.

‘Plant Me Instead’, Northlanders urged

Posted: 05 October 2011

A new booklet urging Northlanders to abandon damaging introduced plants in favour of similar, but harmless, native and exotics will be released shortly.

Gum Leaf Skeletoniser caterpillars.

Beware poisonous insect, Northlanders urged

Posted: 03 October 2011

Officials hope to eventually release a parasitic wasp to target an unwanted Aussie invader recently discovered in Whangarei – and whose caterpillar stage has poisonous spines that can deliver painful stings.

fenced waterway.

Environment Fund support to top $4 million

Posted: 26 September 2011

A local authority fund set up in the mid-1990s to help people improve and protect Northland’s natural environment will have given away about $4.2 million by the end of this financial year.

Sampling for marine pests, Tutukaka..

Get in quick for free marine pests workshops

Posted: 20 September 2011

People keen to learn more about some of the worst pests threatening Northland’s special marine environment are being urged to register now for one of a series of free workshops around the region.

Participant 2010 Enviroschools expo.

Kerikeri, Whangarei to host Enviroschools’ expos

Posted: 19 September 2011

More than 20 experts across a range of areas from stream-dwelling insects to environmental puppetry are to share their knowledge with an estimated 200 Northland Enviroschools students and teachers next week.

Kiwifruit leaves with PSA damage.

Help stop spread of kiwifruit disease, other pests

Posted: 16 September 2011

Northlanders are being urged to remain vigilant and do their bit to help curb the spread of the kiwifruit vine-killing disease PSA and other unwanted nasties, including pest plants and animals.

CityLink bus.

Extra buses again for next Whangarei RWC game

Posted: 15 September 2011

Whangarei’s CityLink bus service is reminding patrons that it will be extending its services again for next week’s Tonga versus Japan Rugby World Cup match at the Northland Events Centre.

Sophie Burling, winner 2011 NRC ‘Excellence Award’ at the Top Energy Far North Science and Technology Fair..

Horse feed mineral research wins NRC award

Posted: 13 September 2011

A 16-year-old Kerikeri High School student’s study into iodine levels in horse feeds and supplements has earned her this year’s Northland Regional Council ‘Excellence Award’ at the Top Energy Far North Science and Technology Fair.

Water sampled for farm dairy effluent, Schluter property.

Two fined more than $50,000 for effluent offences

Posted: 13 September 2011

A judge has fined the owners of two Northland farms more than $50,000 between them for unrelated dairy effluent offences near Kaitaia and Whangarei last year.

Pest control work Bland Bay Community Pest Control Area.

Community Pest Control Areas popular

Posted: 08 September 2011

A scheme designed to support local communities wanting to control plant and animal pests themselves is proving increasingly popular, with hundreds of Northlanders signing up more than 33,000 hectares of private land.

Recovering shipwreck remains Church Bay.

Remains of 2007 Tutukaka shipwreck removed

Posted: 06 September 2011

Northland Regional Council staff have removed the remains of a ferrocement yacht which ran aground and sank off Church Bay, Tutukaka, several years ago after concerns from local residents that it was becoming a hazard.

Possum.

Hands-on possum control training an Enviroschools first

Posted: 30 August 2011

More than 50 Northland students are to gain hands-on knowledge of possum trapping, fur and pelt recovery in what is believed to be a national first for the popular Enviroschools programme.

Rubbish from Hatea River.

1380kg of waste removed in river clean up

Posted: 29 August 2011

Shopping trolleys, tyres, an armchair and even a small section of broken headstone were among 1380 kilogrammes of rubbish collected from Whangarei’s Hatea River recently by local authority staff doing their bit for ‘Clean Up NZ Week’.

Inadequate sediment controls.

Foresters urged to lift game on sediment

Posted: 16 August 2011

The forestry industry is being urged to lift its game to ensure harvesting and earthworks meet rules designed to protect the environment from harmful sediment discharges.

Wild ginger.

Get in quick for free weed workshops

Posted: 28 July 2011

Northlanders keen to learn more about some of the worst weeds threatening our region – and how best to tackle them – are being urged to register now for one of a series of free workshops.

Abandoned boat removed from Waiarohia canal.

Abandoned vessels removed from canal

Posted: 21 July 2011

Local authority staff have removed two derelict boats which had long laid abandoned on the northern banks of Whangarei’s Waiarohia canal after concerns they could pose a risk to other vessels.

Taiwan cherry.

Public urged to declare war on Taiwan cherry

Posted: 20 July 2011

Its pretty pink flowers are viewed by some as a welcome sign of spring’s approach, but Northlanders are being urged to join forces to tackle Taiwan cherry because of the invasive risk it poses to our native bush.

Resource consent application form.

Poroti Springs water takes allowed

Posted: 13 July 2011

An independent commissioner has allowed two applications to take millions of litres of water a day from the Poroti Springs area, including one by the Whangarei District Council, which already uses the resource to supplement the city’s public supply.

Hurupaki School – 2010 ECA recipient.

20 schools share $20,000 NRC awards

Posted: 11 July 2011

Projects from energy efficient olive harvesting to planting natives to cut highway traffic noise are among 21 school initiatives to share this year’s $20,000 Northland Regional Council Environmental Curriculum Awards (ECAs).

Civil Defence logo(70).

Tsunami Warning Cancelled (no.3)

Posted: 07 July 2011

ISSUED AT 0905hrs: A Northland-wide tsunami warning issued after an early morning earthquake off the Kermadec Islands today has been lifted – but Northlanders are still being warned to watch for unusual tidal conditions throughout today.

Civil defence logo.

Tsunami expected in Northland (no.2)

Posted: 07 July 2011

ISSUED AT 0820hrs: People along Northland’s coast are being warned to stay away from beaches and estuaries after confirmation a tsunami is headed our way after an early morning earthquake off the Kermadec Islands today.

Civil defence logo.

Tsunami warning for Northland (no.1)

Posted: 07 July 2011

ISSUED AT 0750hrs: People along Northland’s coast are being warned to stay away from beaches and estuaries after a tsunami warning was issued for New Zealand today.

Enviroschools logo.

Northland school scoops top enviro award

Posted: 04 July 2011

A small school near Whangarei has become the first area school in New Zealand to scoop the equivalent of a seldom-granted environmental Oscar award from the national Enviroschools programme.

kiwi.

Free school holiday bus trips, kiwi house visits

Posted: 29 June 2011

Parents looking for cheap, fun activities for their children in the upcoming school holidays are being urged to take advantage of a special deal offering free bus travel and entry to Whangarei’s kiwi house and museum.

poplars.

Local partners chosen for poplar supply scheme

Posted: 23 June 2011

Half the estimated 4000 poplars poles needed annually for Northland erosion control work are expected to be sourced through new partnerships between the Northland Regional Council and six local growers.

Annual Plan 2011 2012.

NRC’s Annual Plan finalised

Posted: 22 June 2011

Proposals to redirect the Northland Regional Council’s income and for flood protection works in all three districts have been confirmed as part of the council’s newly-adopted 2011-2012 Annual Plan.

Gorse damaged by gorse spider mite.

Unseen battle raging in Northland

Posted: 23 May 2011

Increasing numbers of tiny eco-warriors are being conscripted by the Northland Regional Council to battle on its behalf against a host of pest plant and insect enemies.

Damage from guava moth larvae (Advocate image).

Trans-Tasman hunt for guava moth’s enemies

Posted: 17 May 2011

Researchers are about to embark on a $26,000-plus trans-Tasman search for natural enemies of the guava moth, whose larvae currently infest and ruin a range of soft fruit and nuts from Northland to the Waikato.

Tradescantia beetle.

Hopes tiny insects can make big difference

Posted: 16 May 2011

The recent releases of two clusters of tiny South American beetles may offer one of Northland’s best hopes in tackling a plant pest despised by conservationists, landowners and gardeners alike.

Draft Annual Plan 2011-2012.

220 have say on NRC draft annual plan

Posted: 10 May 2011

About 220 submissions have been received on the Northland Regional Council’s draft annual plan with proposals to redirect council’s investment income and for new river rates, genetic engineering and the future of regional rail common themes.

Ponded effluent solids, Pinny property Awarua.

Owner fined $54,000 for dairy effluent offences

Posted: 04 May 2011

A Northland farm owner has been fined $54,000 – and his farm manager $10,000 – for offences relating to dairy effluent discharges at an Awarua farm.

Manchurian wild rice.

Manchurian wild rice programme making inroads

Posted: 03 May 2011

Almost three years into a major $1 million-plus campaign to tackle one of Northland’s worst pest plants, organisers believe they are beginning to turn the tide in a lengthy war on Manchurian wild rice.

Oil sample Haruru Falls.

Haruru Falls oil spill investigated

Posted: 29 April 2011

A Bay of Island business has been ordered to clean up tonnes of oil-contaminated soil by authorities investigating a spill which polluted a stream that feeds into the river supplying Paihia’s drinking water.

Mangroves.

Large-scale mangrove clearance rejected

Posted: 18 April 2011

A panel of three independent commissioners has rejected an application to completely strip Mangawhai Harbour of all its mangroves.

Bore.

Sweetwater Station water consents granted

Posted: 14 April 2011

Several million cubic metres of Far North ground and surface water can be taken for irrigation annually in one of the biggest resource consent allocations of its kind since the 1980s, independent commissioners have ruled.

.

No buses Good Friday, Easter Monday/Anzac Day

Posted: 13 April 2011

Passengers are reminded that CityLink Whangarei buses will not run on Good Friday and Easter Monday/Anzac Day.

.

NRC CEO to head Tauranga City Council

Posted: 11 April 2011

Ken Paterson, currently Chief Executive of Northland Regional Council, has just been appointed as Chief Executive for Tauranga City Council.

.

Month left to apply for free native plants

Posted: 11 April 2011

Northlanders have until 11 May to apply for a share of 8000 free native plants worth more than $20,000.

.

Mystery marine ‘pest’ is beneficial seagrass

Posted: 08 April 2011

A local resident’s fears over the rapid spread of a grass-like marine plant at Taurikura have been allayed with news the ‘pest’ is actually a beneficial native seagrass.

Summary Draft Annual Plan 2011-2012.

Have your say on NRC Draft Annual Plan

Posted: 05 April 2011

An official month-long period for public comment on the Northland Regional Council’s Draft Annual Plan 2011-2012 begins Wednesday 06 April.

.

Local partner sought for poplar supply scheme

Posted: 01 April 2011

A partner is being sought for a local authority initiative to supply up to 25,000 poplar poles for Northland erosion control work over the next five years.

.

$20,000 schools’ Environmental Curriculum Awards open

Posted: 28 March 2011

Schools are being urged to act quickly to try to win a share of this year’s $20,000 Northland Regional Council Environmental Curriculum Awards.

.

$20,000-plus upgrade for Kaipara’s buoys, beacons

Posted: 23 March 2011

Strong tides, shifting sandbanks and drifting logs and trees are among challenges facing local authority staff carrying out more than $20,000 of upgrades and maintenance on Kaipara Harbour’s buoys and beacons.

Chris Hornell, Northland Sailor of the Year 2010.

Opua man Northland Sailor of the Year 2010

Posted: 18 March 2011

Opua businessman and yachtie Chris Hornell has been named the Northland Sailor of the Year for 2010.

Civil Defence Logo.

Tsunami Warning Update #4

Posted: 12 March 2011

‘Stay out of the water and off the beach’ is the message Graeme MacDonald, Group Controller Northland CDEM Group wants people to hear as predicted strong tidal flows and surges are felt around Northland.

Civil Defence Logo.

Tsunami Warning Update #3

Posted: 12 March 2011

A tsunami marine and minor land threat warning – issued by the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) in response to an earthquake (magnitude 8.9) off the coast of Japan just before 7pm yesterday – remains in place for Northland.

NRC.

Coastal Communities Warned of Tsunami Threat

Posted: 12 March 2011

Tsunami marine warning update 0115hrs Coastal communities around Northland have been notified of the tsunami marine warning issued by the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) in response to an earthquake (magnitude 8.9) off the coast of Japan just before 7pm yesterday.

Civil Defence Logo.

National Tsunami Threat Warning

Posted: 12 March 2011

Tsunami Warning #1 The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) has issued a tsunami marine warning for New Zealand in response to an earthquake (magnitude 8.9) off the coast of Japan earlier this evening.

Civil Defence logo.

Assistance for quake victims available in Northland

Posted: 02 March 2011

Civil Defence officials are reminding Christchurch residents who may have ‘self-evacuated’ to Northland in the wake of last week’s earthquake of the range of assistance that may be available to them

Civil defence logo.

Cash donations best way to help Cantabrians

Posted: 24 February 2011

Northlanders are reminded that financial donations – not donated goods or products – are the best way to help those in Canterbury affected by the Christchurch quake.

Tropical grass webworm.

Tropical conditions prompt webworm warning

Posted: 03 February 2011

They’ve weathered a drought and battled through last week’s cyclone…now nature is throwing pestilence at Far North farmers in the form of a pasture-devouring caterpillar.

wasp larvae ice cream.

Wasp larvae ice cream on NRC field days’ menu

Posted: 02 February 2011

Ice creams topped with frozen wasp larvae will be the latest wild food treat the Northland Regional Council is hoping will lure visitors to its marquee at next month’s Dargaville field days.

Flooding.

Clean up continues after Tropical Cyclone

Posted: 30 January 2011

UPDATE #4: Clean-up work in flood-affected Northland communities will need to continue for some time but officials say the region has already made pleasing progress and its people have demonstrated remarkable resilience.

Flood warning sign. .

Northland cleans up

Posted: 29 January 2011

UPDATE#3 1330hrs: Northland is cleaning up in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Wilma with crews working to reopen roads around the region.

Flood warning sign. .

Rivers dropping, clean-up begins

Posted: 29 January 2011

UPDATE #2 (0930hrs): River levels in Northland are already dropping after the worst of the torrential rain moved south early this morning.

Flooding warning sign..

Widespread flooding, road closures

Posted: 29 January 2011

UPDATE #1 (0520hrs): The remains of Tropical Cyclone Wilma that hit Northland overnight exceeded expectations lashing the region with heavy rain causing surface flooding, road closures and rain-swollen rivers topping their banks.

.

More heavy rain, strong winds predicted

Posted: 27 January 2011

The remains of Tropical Cyclone Wilma have prompted weather experts to today issue yet another heavy rain warning for Northland – but this one may bring gale force winds with it too.

Surface flooding, Commerce St.

Revised forecast predicts less rain, care still needed

Posted: 23 January 2011

Fears of widespread flooding in Northland are easing with a newly-issued MetService forecast now predicting much less rain will fall today.

.

Widespread flooding still possible as more heavy rain forecast

Posted: 23 January 2011

Experts have issued a new severe weather warning for Northland and are predicting another 100mm to 150mm could fall on the rain-soaked region by 10pm today.

.

Widespread flooding possible as heavy rain looms

Posted: 22 January 2011

Northlanders – especially those in northern and eastern parts of the region – are being warned they may face widespread flooding this weekend with up to 350mm of rain predicted to fall by midnight Sunday.

.

Month left to provide Otaika water use details

Posted: 18 January 2011

More than 140 landowners in Whangarei’s Otaika catchment have provided details of their water use as part of a pilot local authority programme designed to ensure the region’s water resources aren’t over-allocated in future.

CityLink stop Whangarei Airport.

New airport stop for Onerahi buses

Posted: 10 January 2011

CityLink Whangarei buses travelling the Onerahi route will include a stop at Whangarei Airport from Monday 17 January.