FAST
FORWARD NORTHLAND A Snapshot of Our Future November 2021
2
FASTFORWARD
NORTHLAND
NORTH COMPANY at
FOREFRONT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENTS IN NZ
Renewable energies like solar and wind power are becoming more crucial for the future of Northland.
L
uckily these natural energies are in abundance in the region. The main challenges lie in building the infrastructure to tap into these natural resources. For Lauren Faithfull, renewables engineer of McKay in Whangarei, most of her job is conducting pre-feasibility studies for large-scale projects that have the potential to transform Northland and New Zealand for the future. McKay is one of New Zealand’s fastest growing technology companies, working at the forefront of the pioneering industry. It’s a role that she relishes, after returning to New Zealand to her family !irm started in Dargaville by her great-great uncle Tom McKay in 1936, and brought over to Whangarei by her grandfather Joe Faithfull.
She thinks her grandfather would love the developments towards renewables in the company. “In Northland solar panels are best tilted at a 35-degree angle, and somehow Joe built the McKay building on Water Street in 1968 with a perfect 35-degree pitch roof. We are about to install 30kW of solar to help power our electric vehicles and I think he’d approve,’’ she said. Lauren said McKay is now an international company, delivering solutions on major projects all over the country, including major solar farms, the Wellington electric ferry and Waipipi wind farm in Taranaki. The company has also been involved in electric and hybrid marine solutions for a range of clients from luxury yachts to naval vessels and passenger ferries. Lauren said the windiest parts of Northland tended to be on the west coast, which currently did not have good connections to the main energy lines.
“There are a few wind farms and solar farms planned around Northland and the main challenge is getting the power to the grid. “The power companies have been working on better solutions,’’ she said. The raw power needed to be converted to be able to be put in the grid, which required large inverters that were imported from Europe. Shipping costs were making these expensive and dif!icult to obtain as well. Solar panels had reduced in price by over 80% in the last 10 years, making more of an attractive option. “However, solar panels rely on silicon semi-conductors and there is now a worldwide shortage, this combined with the global shipping crisis is putting upward pressure on the market. Geothermal !luids in the Taupo area are another source of silicon as they are brimming with minerals, including silica. “We wouldn’t be able to get to the scale of China but it would be amazing to use our own resources,’’ she said.
Lauren said the large-scale developments could have cool applications, such as making power cheaper for everyone and providing cheap energy to remote settlements. “We need to build big to get the economies of scale. “A big solar farm would be more ef!icient by adding power to the main grid rather than every house having a few solar panels,’’ she said. “For every 1 Megawatt of power we need about 1ha of land. As an example, about 1000ha could power all of Northland with plenty left over to export to other regions,’’ she said. However, !inding suitable land was a challenge in Northland, with the ideal !lat
FASTFORWARD
NORTHLAND
“A big solar farm would be more efficient by adding power to the main grid rather than every house having a few solar panels ...”
sites also in hot demand for housing and horticulture. Farmers were looking at the future of diversi!ication into “agrivoltaics” where the land is shared between solar panels and animals grazing or crops growing underneath or between rows. Lauren said developments in hydrogen energy were also exciting. “Hydrogen can be extracted from water and blended into natural gas for use in homes to reduce CO2 emissions. “In the transport sector hydrogen will allow the vehicles to travel much further than batteries and all that would be released from the vehicle exhausts would be water. “I don’t think it is feasible for cars at this stage but it is certainly possible for trucks and buses in the near future, de!initely in the next 10 years,’’ she said.
For over 15 years we’ve been proudly building Kiwi homes for Kiwis using all the best stuff from right here in good ol’ NZ. Over the last 15 years the Kiwi dream has come a long way since the elusive quarter acre. That’s why we’re proud to still be able to provide a Kiwi solution for your first home, second home, a home where you need a bit more home, or even your home away from home. We offer a range of plans from 60 to 250 square metres. These can be built straight from the plans, or we can use them as inspiration to create your own Kiwi dream.
3
NEW FUTURE FOR OUR CITY
Oruku Landing is a bold, exciting vision for our city’s future.
123 250
full time operational jobs
construction jobs & training opportunities The project is forecast to employ over 250 people during construction.
58 people employed in the Oruku Conference and Events Centre by year 5 and 65 jobs in the Oruku Landing hotel once built by year 5. Source: orukulanding.co.nz
OUR FUTURE IS HERE NOW. Let’s build a future for our city that we can all be proud of, that will put Whangarei on the map as a place to play, visit and conference.
FASTFORWARD
NORTHLAND
5
Puketona roundabout artwork blessed by Ngāti Rāhiri with Hon Kelvin Davis and MP Willow-Jean Prime attending.
SAFER CONNECTIONS
ACROSS THE FAR NORTH The Twin Coast Discovery Route is a stunning pathway around the Far North. The 800km state highway route links up beaches, forests, historical sites and the unique small towns of the region.
S
o it makes sense that a mixture of road users meet at intersections along this route – visitors to the region, regular commuters, heavy freight drivers, local residents, school bus operators and people on bikes and on foot. When road users meet at busy highway intersections, people sometimes take risks and people sometimes make mistakes. Over the last year, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has been improving safety along the Twin Coast Discovery Route at intersections where risks have been shown to be the highest. Three roundabouts have been completed this year and one begins construction this month. Roundabouts create a controlled environment at intersections. They lower approach speeds, improve sight lines, smooth traf"ic "low and greatly reduce the chances of people being killed or seriously injured where state highways meet. At Puketona, site of the famed Junction Café and the State Highway 11 turnoff to Waitangi and Paihia, the intersection has been notorious for its long history of crashes and near-misses. The new roundabout has transformed the area, not only in safety terms but with grassy
Puketona roundabout under construction June 2021
surrounds and artwork featuring the eel (tuna) that once turned the nearby river black with their sheer numbers. Locals have noticed they no longer fear the screech of brakes out on the road as all vehicles are now moving at safer speeds. The highway intersection where SH1 meets SH11 in Kawakawa has long created congestion, with lines of vehicles extending along the main street of the township during holiday peaks. The new roundabout allows traf"ic to "low more freely and has all but eliminated congestion and driver frustration. Kawakawa calls itself the gateway to the Far North – from there, travellers can head to Opua for the ferry to Russell to visit Aotearoa’s oldest pub or turn into town to see the Hundertwasser toilets and Te Hononga cultural hub before heading north all the way to Te Rerenga Wairua
Artwork on Waipapa roundabout honouring maunga (mountains) of the Far North
(Cape Reinga). The safety improvements at the intersection have enhanced the gateway, now to be known as Te Kāuru o Taumārere, making it a community showcase with carved wooden wall panels, planting and landscaping which has transformed the previously scrubby and rubbish-strewn hillside above the intersection. In Waipapa near Kerikeri, building a
roundabout on SH10 has proven a big challenge – the safety improvements had to be made right in the centre of a busy retail and business precinct. Detours were not always practical in this semi-rural location, so construction was done while traf"ic continued to "low through the site. The result is a compact roundabout adorned with art pointing to signi"icant mountains (maunga) of the region, guiding road users ef"iciently and safely into Waipapa’s business precinct, over to Kerikeri, and south to Whangārei. Work has now begun on SH10 near Kaeo where the combination of a one-lane bridge and intersection has in the past been the source of traf"ic queues, driver confusion and even some physical altercations. A long history of "lood events at the site means the new two-lane bridge will ensure the people and communities of Kaeo remain connected. With project construction scheduled to be completed over the next two years, the days of drivers squaring up to each other on a single-lane bridge will soon be over.
LOCALLY OWNED AND FAMILY RUN BUSINESS. WOF, LUBES, TYRES AND WHEEL ALIGNMENTS. WOF INSP $55 SENIOR GOLD CARD WOF INSP $50 TRAILER WOF INSP $35 46 Kaka Street, Morningside Phone: 09 438 7209
6
FASTFORWARD
NORTHLAND
INFRASTRUCTURE
FARM INTERN PROGRAMME Interview with Trinity Bower Trinity Bower is about to complete her first year on Whangarei A&P Society’s Farm Intern Programme. This includes gaining her Level 3 certificate in Agriculture through Land Based Training.
T
Tell us about the farm you’re on? I am currently living and working on a dairy farm in Mahuta in Dargaville. The farm backs on to the beach, which creates such a great lifestyle. We milk twice a day; we have autumn calving. I’ve actually lived there for 9 years as my dad is my manager!
rinity is a farm girl through and through, living on her family’s work farm in Daragville. A keen Calf Club member as a child, Trinity loves working with animals, being outside and gaining the skills she needs to own her own Dairy farm one day! How has your !irst year on the farm intern programme? My !irst year has been great! I have been learning so much, doing lots of hard work. And a bonus I have been passing all my course work which is good. I have learnt some extra skills too, like driving a tractor. I’m from a dairy farm background, but I’ve still learnt so much.
Why did you choose to do the Intern programme? I’ve been on a dairy farm my whole life, I love working with animals, working outside, working with my dogs and even my ginger tom cat Max, he loves to come and round up the cows with me! I wanted to do a quali!ication so I have back up that I can do what I say I can do. I also wanted to learn a bit more about the dairy industry, and I thought working and learning at the same time was a great !it for me. It’s way more fun than school! Can you think of any challenges you’ve faced? All the tractor work! Learning to feed out bails, that was a challenge, and lining up the maize wagon! That takes precision! I thought working so closely with my family might present some challenges, but Dad has tried to treat me like any other worker. I de!initely don’t get special treatment!
What have you enjoyed the most? I have really enjoyed being able to be outside every day, learning more about the industry. I even like getting up early for milking before the rest of the world wakes. I’m lucky enough to still have Cookie my Calf Club calf in the herd. Every morning she comes along for a scratch! It’s such a special bond we have, she’s like a pet! How have you found being in the classroom one day a week? Class is always fun, and it’s good to catch up with the rest of the group and see how they’re going on their farms. Being on farm is better though! What’s the plan when you finish? After I finish my Level 4, my boyfriend and I are going to dairy farm in the
Waikato. I’ve been in Dargaville my whole life and I want to experience somewhere different, with different weather and challenges. We’ll be workers first ,then slowly make it to managers, then one day we want to own our own farm, that’s the dream. How have your parents found the course? They were really happy with how the course is going, and even happier that I could do it at home with them. What would you say to others thinking about doing the farm intern programme? I’d say de!initely do it and you don’t have to come from a farm! It’s a great opportunity, with real on farm experience and the certi!icate to prove you’ve got the skills!
FASTFORWARD
NORTHLAND
7
NORTHPOWER
SURVEY
underway to understand community energy needs Northpower is hitting the streets this summer to better understand the needs of its customers in the Whangārei and Kaipara districts.
T
he survey is in response to the signi"icant changes taking place in the energy market, with energy hardship becoming a growing issue in the region and the increasing adoption of alternative energies such as electric vehicles and solar power changing the way Northpower’s customers consume energy. General Manager Network, Josie Boyd, says energy hardship is a reality for many Northpower consumers and the company is keen to better understand how to support its community with these challenges. “At the same time, we have consumers who are wanting to make their homes warmer and drier, and other consumers who want to better understand alternative energies like solar and electric vehicles, or make energy choices that are better for the environment. We see it as part of our role to support our community in ways that are meaningful to them. “There are a lot of assumptions in the market about what customers do and don’t understand, and also what’s important to them, so we want to hear from our Whangārei and Kaipara consumers directly, and "ind out what matters most to them.” The feedback will be collected by community activators out in the community and online over the next three months and will then be analysed to help drive
Northpower’s customer engagement and support strategies. The survey only takes "ive minutes, with participants invited to go in the draw for a weekly $200 grocery voucher. All Northpower customers are encouraged to complete the survey: https://northpower. com/electricity/your-energy The survey will run alongside a consumer outreach programme aimed at helping Northlanders with practical energy saving advice and assistance to help them reduce their total electricity costs. Northpower was recently successful in winning $55,000 funding from the Support for Energy Education in Communities (SEEC) programme to support this work. The SEEC programme is part of a suite of new government initiatives focused on lifting people out of energy hardship. Northpower will work with community partners to reach households in need with personalised electricity advice and support across the Whangārei and Kaipara districts. This includes practical help through home energy assessments, providing free LED lightbulbs and draught stoppers, and help regarding electricity safety in the home.
“we want to hear from our Whangārei and Kaipara consumers directly, and find out what matters most to them.”
Your Energy What matters to you? Fill in our 5 minute survey, get some great energy saving tips AND go in the weekly draw to win a $200 grocery voucher.
northpower.com/electricity/your-energy
: 0800 66 78 47
FASTFORWARD
8
NORTHLAND
EDUCATION
WHAT’S AROUND THE CORNER? Waka Kotahi, Police and road safety partners want drivers to make safe driving decisions on Northland’s roads over summer.
W
e’re all human and we can all make mistakes, but every one of us also has the power to make the right decisions which will keep the roads safer for everyone. Be prepared for what might be just around the corner. And no matter how good a driver you are, you never know what’s hiding on the other side of a tight bend. And Northland has a lot of curves! Always slow down to observe the recommended speeds on turns and bends. The recommended speeds are displayed in diamond-shaped yellow sign with an arrow signalling the shape of the turn.
If a huge truck or campervan is coming out of that very corner it will require skills to pass safely. Make sure to slow down and check if it is safe to pass. Statistics show that over the last six years in Northland, 50 percent of all fatal and serious injury crashes have occurred on a bend. Make sure happy memories are around the corner for you and your family not a tragedy. We want drivers to be focused, watch following distances and keep speeds down, so that everybody can arrive alive. A moments distraction can
cause a lifetime of change. The Northland Region’s road toll to date this year is 27. The common factors in most of this year’s fatal crashes have been driving over the speed limit, being impaired and not wearing seatbelts. In 2020, Northland had 6% of the nation’s fatal crashes, despite having just 3.8% of New Zealand’s population. How good would it be to have no one die on Northland roads this summer? How you behave on the road affects everyone around you. It’s up to us all to be prepared for what could be around the corner.
Organise a sober driver before you head out on the road to celebrate this summer. You never know what is around the corner.
Our vision...
is an Aotearoa where no one is killed or seriously injured on our roads
TOP TIPS FOR SAFE DRIVING DRIVE SAFELY, ARRIVE ALIVE. • Slow down and drive to the conditions, always wear your seat belt, drive without distraction, and drive sober. • Stay within the speed limit and keep a safe following distance. Less speed means less harm. A small change in speed makes a big difference to injury severity in a crash. • Speeding and bad decision-making on the road can have devastating consequences. There will be a lot of traf!ic on the road so be patient. How you behave on the road affects everyone around you. • Road safety starts before you get behind the wheel. Stay alert by making sure you are well rested, have eaten and are hydrated, take regular breaks • If you are going to drink, don’t drive. Organise a sober driver to pick you up, or use public transport or taxi.
KAITAIA KERIKERI KAIKOHE WHANGĀREI
Fast Forward
DARGAVILLE
with NorthTec NorthTec works hard to give you the keys to success so you can fast forward your own future towards the job and life you want. If you’re wanting to retrain or upskill yourself, NorthTec can help. NorthTec offers a range of study options to work around your life and commitments while still allowing you to get the skills and training you need to get ahead. If you’re looking to move forward in your job or take on a whole new career, we’ve got the tools to get you there. Want to go all in? We have full-time, on-campus learning available at all our campuses. With locations all over Te TaiTokerau, you have access to learning close to home, to help you reach your goals, without the need to travel long distances. Meanwhile, our practical courses offer hands-on, work experience and skills. Our tutors try hard to book these practical sessions in block courses, minimizing disruptions to your life while still teaching you everything you need to excel in your chosen field. Online learning allows you to upskill or gain a qualification in your own time. With short courses, part-time, and full-time study options you can make your learning work for you. NorthTec offers courses in trades, agriculture, conservation, and more, o e, and focuses on areaa specific skills to give you the experience youu need to go far. Fast forward your futuree forward with NorthTec for 2022.
0800 162 100 study@northtec.ac.nz northtec.ac.nz
AUCKLLAND
Study options available in the following areas
• Accounting • Agriculture • Agribusiness • Apiculture (Beekeeping) • Architectural Technology • Automotive Engineering • Baking • Beauty Therapy • Business • Carpentry • Civil Engineering • Commercial Transport • Conservation • Construction • Cookeryy • Creative Writing • Electrical Engineering • Enrolled Nursing • Environmental Science • Food and Beverage • Forestry
• Foundation Studies • Hairdressing • Health and Safety • Health and Wellbeing • Horticulture • Hospitality • Information Technology • Management • Mechanical Engineering • Nursing • Painting (Trades) • Social Services • Sport and Recreation • Study and Career Preparation • Sustainable Primaryy Production • Toiitu Te Reo (Māori language) • Toii Te Wai-ngarahu (Māori Arts) • Tra avel and Tourism
10
FASTFORWARD
NORTHLAND
BUSINESS
Commercial Residential Industrial Maintenance Sheet Metal Fabrication Gas Water & Home Heating
Radiators Underfloor heating Combi-boiler systems Heat pump Gas & diesel
G
GAS WORKS & PLUMBING
as Works & Plumbing Ltd is a kiwi owned and operated family business founded in Whangarei, with more than 100 years of combined experience in the management team. Daryl Maden !irst formed the company as a one-person operation in the mid ’90s, with the vision of becoming a family business. It wasn’t before long that his sons came on board and started working alongside him, growing the business into what it is today on a foundation of solid family values and high standards of workmanship. We pride ourselves on our skilled Team of experienced Trade Certified Gasfitters, Plumbers, and Sheet Metal Fabricators. Our mission is to provide professional, quality service to ensure lasting customer satisfaction for you, your clients and your family.
We install, service, and sell all gas appliances, including; Gas fires, Water Heaters, Flued Gas Heaters, Gas Central Heating Systems, Gas & Diesel Boilers etc. In our showroom, we have a great selection of gas fires on live display, which will enable you to view these fires while they are operating and choose the best fit for you and your needs. Our Staff are happy to listen to your ideas and offer advice to ensure you make the correct decision when choosing any gas appliance. We also provide after-sales support, so rest assured we will be with you every step of the way. Our Sheet Metal team operates in our workshop next door to our showroom, taking pride in their detailed work using quality materials, along with our guarantee to your satisfaction. Our Team
fabricate; Air-Conditioning & Ventilation Ducting, Custommade Roof Flashings, Cricket Flashings, Spouting, Chimney Caps/Cowls in Stainless Steel, Galv, Copper, Zinc, and Colour Steel etc.
We currently have two locations in Northland – Whangarei CBD and Bay of Islands, Kerikeri. Contact us today, we would love to see how we can help you on your next project. 0800 400 192
Your local Northland Plumbing and Gasfitting partners are Gasworks and Plumbing Ltd. Our aim is to always supply you the top-quality product and service to ensure the longevity of your asset. We are pleased to have partnered with Trigg Construction in advancing Northlands Tourist Industry with the construction of the
Hundertwasser Arts Centre. Make contact with us today to ensure you get top quality product and service on
0800 400 192.
Corner of Poto St & Porowini Ave, Whangarei Hours: Mon - Fri 7.30am - 5pm
Phone: 0800 400 192
www.gasworksandplumbing.co.nz
FASTFORWARD
NORTHLAND
11
BUSINESS
WHANGĀREI HAS MASSIVE POTENTIAL
Northport future vision
“A stunning environment, innovative industries and a well-located port with the easiest access for overseas trading partners.”
W
e have plenty of challenges, with long-standing income and health inequalities, climate change, and a neglected infrastructure, even as we continue to attract newcomers needing housing. We also have the "inal decision from shareholders closing Re"ining NZ’s re"ining operations. So before they transition in April 2022, as we see the impact on jobs here in the North, we’re focused on what we can we do immediately, and what we can develop for the long term. There is an opportunity to pivot to focus on what we have here already. If we utilise our potential, I see a region that builds on its success in agriculture and horticulture, in ship building and construction, and in tourism, embracing new technology and ideas to become a centre of marine excellence, an arts centre and a bustling hub of high tech jobs. Northport has huge potential to drive our future development. A new shipyard and drydock are estimated to require 400 new jobs, and would support the Navy’s partial relocation to Whangārei, and a port
Emily and Kelvin inspect components of Oceania Marine’s new 560T travel lift, due to be operational in early 2022.
extension taking some of the weight off Auckland Port. The Government has already committed to creating a national supply chain strategy focused on the Upper North Island, and has invested in strengthening Northport’s position in that by building the rail spur needed to connect it to the national rail network. At its peak, its estimated the Marsden Spur will employ 200 people in the build, over approximately 5 years. This is one of a number of strategic Government investments in Whangārei’s potential. Oceania Marine are reaping the bene"its of a PGF loan to install a new travel lift for larger vessels, and are currently hiring a wide range of skilled tradies in the marine industry. Their expansion, in turn, will create signi"icant demand for support industries.
Dr Nick Chamberlain describes where we’d like our new hospital, thank you very much!
At the beginning of this year, Northland was declared a priority area for state housing, and I’ve been working with Kainga Ora and WDC to develop high-quality inner city housing. More recently Whangārei has had three major infrastructure projects shortlisted for the government’s massive investment programme to support new private and public housing. The next priority infrastructure investment for me is to successfully bring home an over $500 million redevelopment of our long-neglected Whangārei Hospital,
which would not only provide another signi"icant source of construction work but also help address our health inequities. Now the "inal business case has been submitted, I am optimistic about good news for Whangārei next year. Meanwhile, as we reject damaging fossil fuels, local firms’ expertise in alternative energy gives us an important headstart, even as the government looks at developing a biofuels industry which could include Northland. Greater use of digital technology will be a hallmark of commerce in the future. Aotearoa New Zealand is consistently ranked as one of the easiest places in the world to do business, and Whangārei is well placed to take advantage of the global shift to remote working. Digital commerce also contributes to a higher wage, higher productivity and lower carbon economy and studies show that high-tech jobs create more indirect jobs than any other industry, and hold the most promise for continued growth. Whangārei is in transition, not only economically but also as we as a nation and a world grapple with climate change and with Delta. But as we take time with loved ones over summer, take a moment to think about the potential for that transition to be towards an even better future for Whangārei.
Have your say! Take our survey to share your views, so I can betterr represennt you in Parliament: www.whangareisurvey.online
Emily Henderson MP for Whangārei
Get in touch: (09) 430 7922 Emily.HendersonMP@parliament.govt.nz /EmilyHendersonMP
Authorised by Dr Emily Henderson MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
HE ARA TĀMATA CREATING GREAT PLACES
Supporting our people
November 2021 The Far North District Council and its commercial company, Far North Holdings Ltd, own and manage an extensive network of recreational and commercial wharves, boat ramps, jetties and pontoons across the Far North District.
Extending the Mangōnui waterfront boardwalk and adding new parking is just one of our maritime improvement projects.
Ten locations across the district are benefiting from maritime facility upgrades at a cost of more than $26 million. Government grants will meet more than half of those costs. At Paihia, we plan to build breakwaters and other waterfront infrastructure, making it the largest of the 10 projects.
OUR MARITIME PROJECTS
Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Ward Te Hiku Ward A $2.5 million upgrade of Pukenuii Wharf is underway which h inclludes rep placing the main concrete wharrf, installing a new concrete pontoon, gangway and timber service dock, as well as repairs to a seawall. We aim to complete this project later this year.
A resource consent application has been lodged for fast track approval of a $3.6 million expansion of boating facilities at Rangitāne. Plans are to build a double-width boat ramp and central launching pontoon, provide for 19 trailer parks, and eight car parks.
Bo oaties in the Bay of Islands can now access the water from the south side of Kerikeri Inlet. Far North Holdings Ltd completed the long-awaited vehicle access to a boat ramp and jetty with a new road and parking area with space for 18 boat trailers and seven car parks at Rangitoto.
Pukenui
We are replacing the 50-year-old, timber wharf at Unahi with a new wharf and started demolishing the old wharf in October. The Council is offsetting the cost of the $1.6 million project, which includes a new concrete pontoon and gangway, with $1 million from the Government’s Provincial Growth Fund.
Unahi
Mangōnui
We recently developed a new parking area at Waterfront Road near Grey Street East and have started extending the southern end of the waterfront boardwalk to Tasman Street. We aim to complete the boardwalk extension before Christmas if COVID-19 doesn’t cause delays in obtaining construction materials.
Rangitāne Rangitoto
(Windsor Landing)
Kaikohe-Hokianga Ward Motutī
We recently rebuilt the old timber wharf at Māngungu and are installing a pontoon and gangway to provide all-tide access for boats.
Māngungu
Rangi Point Te Karaka
We are adding a pontoon to the jetty at Motutī in the North Hokianga to provide alternative access to the marae, which can be cut off during floods. The Council received $1.8 million from the Provincial Growth Fund for this and other maritime infrastructure projects in the Hokianga.
We recently rebuilt the timber wharf at Te Karaka in the North Hokianga and are installing a pontoon and gangway to provide all-tide access for boats. In nearby Rangi Point we have also nearly completed a new concrete wharf.
Far North Holdings Ltd is progressing amended designs for breakwaters that will protect Paihia’s waterfront from storms. The height of the northern breakwater has been lowered in response to public feedback. Expressions of interest from contractors are being assessed.
For more information go to the Far North District Council website: www.fndc.govt.nz
Paihia