Kaipara Lifestyler, February 21st 2023

Kaipara’s chief executive confirmed

u by Andy Bryenton

Mayor Craig Jepson announced last Friday that the role of chief executive for the Kaipara District Council would go to Jason Marris.

The announcement followed the calling of an extraordinary meeting of the KDC, which was held under public exclusion for reasons of confidentiality.

Mr Marris is the incumbent interim CEO of KDC, and his official role as leader of council staff will begin almost immediately, effective from Monday, February 20. It has been a long road for the KDC to find a replacement for outgoing chief executive Louise Miller, who stepped down from the role following last year’s local body elections. She had announced her intention to do so before the popular ballot elected a new mayor and council.

“Jason has already shown that he is a capable leader. He has provided guidance and support to elected members as they were inducted into their roles. He has been professional and positive at all times,” says Mayor Jepson.

“Jason has proven himself to be a dynamic and industrious leader and has demonstrated loyalty to staff and elected members. “I look forward to working with Jason to provide positive outcomes to the district.”

The selection of Mr Marris as interim CEO reflected his depth of experience in governance. He had previously served the council in the position of general manager, taking charge of the engagement and transformation portfolio. His area of expertise in governance has also seen him take an active role in KDC meetings, helping successive mayors smoothly coordinate the debates and discussions around the council table vital to representative democracy.

In 2021, Mr Marris was selected as one of a small group of civic management professionals to win a managerial exchange tour overseas, thanks to local government advocacy and support organisation Taituarā.

He travelled to Pearland, Texas, a city of some 130,000 citizens, and engaged with local officials, learning about the processes of democracy in their country. This trip was the capstone to

a lengthy career of experience in local governmental support.

The importance of the role of chief executive within the council is in their position as the sole point of contact between elected officials and operational staff. Mayor Jepson, deputy mayor Jonathan Larsen and all members of the council have access to the CEO, who then communicates the results of their deliberations to staff. ¢

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Mayor’s Message

Greetings,

It has been a huge week for Kaipara District. Cyclone Gabrielle has wreaked havoc, particularly on our west coast. Our roads are severely damaged, and will take years to recover. A large portion, although mostly passable now after roundthe-clock work from road crews, have slumps and slips that will need sorting to again make two lane’s and safe.

Large swathes of our district have spent days without power and phone coverage, and for some, this will turn into weeks. Northpower are working hard, but Hakaru, Pouto and a small part of Tinopai are still without power as this goes to print.

Flooding from the rivers, combined with high tides on the west coast areas triggered a number of evacuations over the course of the week.

The sheer depth and breadth of the damage is wide-ranging, severe, longlasting. We are grateful to everyone for their co-operation and patience, and relieved beyond measure that there has been no loss of life.

Every day I have visited and spoken with people who have been affected in one way or another by Cyclone Gabrielle. On Sunday I returned to Tangowahine and it was a relief to see the floodwaters had receded substantially today compared to my visit last Wednesday when really it looked like an inland sea.

We know a number of farmers have been severely affected, with pastures and crops ruined from floodwaters, and the need for many to dry their stock off and forfeit substantial income. MPI have set up a fund to support the industry.

Our main priority over the last few days has been getting support to the isolated communities who have been without

0800 727 059

council@kaipara.govt.nz

www.kaipara.govt.nz

power and cellphone networks since Sunday. Our Rapid Response teams have made good ground, conducting welfare checks on our isolated and hard-to-reach communities including places like Te Kowhai, Aranga, Donnellys Crossing, Kaihu Valley, Pouto, Kellys Bay, Oruawharo, Batley, Whakapirau. These visits will continue this week.

The outpouring of support and strength from the community to hold each other up, and help out neighbours, family and friends, has been boundless. It strikes me how proud and resilient our citizens are, but I hope those under severe stress will not be too staunch to come forward for assistance. I encourage anyone who needs it to seek the help they need. A Council welfare line is set up at 09 439 1111. Our staff will work with you to find the support suitable for your needs. There has a been a combined effort between community and church groups, iwi and hapu organisations, Civil Defence teams, emergency services (Police, FENZ, Defence Force, Hato Hone St John, Red Cross, NZRT, more than are named here), volunteers and countless members of the community doing everything they can to get Kaipara back on its feet. Everyone working together.

p Dargaville’s annual show of militaria, vintage guns and taonga from history drew the crowds last Saturday, with a packed hall coming to hear stories of valiant servicepeople, wily hunters and ‘wild west’ times, as well as getting their own collectibles from the sale tables. From pirate-era flintlocks to rare revolvers from the American Civil War and sporting pieces for country gentlemen, each item had a tale to tell. So, too, did WK John Rapana’s beautifully restored Land Rover Defender, which set the scene by the front door.

Tax relief for emergencies

u by Andy Bryenton

Disaster-hit businesses affected by the flooding and disruption of last week’s cyclone are urged to contact the Inland Revenue Department to seek assistance.

The IRD released the following official statement urging business owners, including farmers, to take care of urgent matters first, and to contact them immediately afterward to arrange for tax-related aid.

‘If you have been affected, you do not need to contact us right away. Please take the time you need to take care of yourself, your family and your business. When you are able to, please contact us in myIR, including the word ‘flood’ or call us on our disaster line 0800 473 566. We are prioritising our support to our affected customers.’

The IRD indicates that, in a disaster, late payments will be understandable, and penalties and interest may be waived. Instalment plan payments for tax may be able to be arranged, and there are financial relief options available which can write off part of your tax bill. Additionally, farmers may be eligible to make a late deposit or early withdrawal to the Income Equalisation Scheme or arrange to estimate their provisional tax if an adverse event has likely reduced the amount of tax they will pay this fiscal year.

Support for cyclone victims

u by Andy Bryenton

Mayor Craig Jepson Kaipara District

Several options exist to help those with unexpected extra costs or losses due to Cyclone Gabrielle. You may be eligible for support if you are in a bad situation due to the state of emergency.

The Ministry of Social Development and Work and Income are there to help those who may have no other options. If you have suffered losses or loss of income, that isn’t covered by insurance for things like food, bedding, clothing, appliances or medical bills incurred due to evacuation, they are ready to assist.

‘There are lots of ways we can help, and we can point you in the right direction based on your situation. You

don’t have to be on a benefit. You may have to pay the money back depending on your situation,’ they said in an official statement last Thursday.

Citizens may also qualify for a Civil Defence Payment, which covers similar categories of losses and extra costs. To apply, and learn more about what you may be eligible to receive, call Work & Income on 0800 400 100. They’re open 7am–5pm Monday to Wednesday and 8am–5pm Thursday and Friday.

Minister visits west Kaipara

u by Andy Bryenton

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has met with dairy farmers in Dargaville to hear first-hand what they need to recover from the devastation of recent flooding events.

The minister’s journey to the west Kaipara area came following the announcement of $4 million to help farmers, growers, whenua Māori owners and rural communities mobilise and coordinate recovery efforts.

“There are no excuses for us politicians not getting out on the ground in these circumstances,” said Mr O’Connor, who has made a tour of Northland farms to assess the damage and hear about response and recovery ideas. His trip also included a trip to a hard-hit kūmara farm.

“It’s amazing how positive people have been,” O’Connor said, praising the resilience of locals in the face of widespread damage.

“They have raised big issues in a very fair way, and I have appreciated the opportunity to talk directly to those who have been affected. I’ll take those items back to the government.”

He says that while the $4 million fund set up for immediate response projects is tiny by comparison to the scale of the damage, it is an important first step.

Storm damage clean-up aid

u by Andy Bryenton

The Kaipara District Council is waiving disposal fees for certain items to help families hit by cyclone damage as a major cleanup begins.

Even the mayor has traded administrative duties for hands-on work for a brief time, utilising his skills as an excavator operator.

“I can hear the sound of chainsaws, trucks and diggers this morning, which tells me the community clean-up has begun. I’ve had a small involvement being on my digger, helping clear debris from our local boat ramp. It feels good to be able to do something practical to help,” says Mayor Craig Jepson.

“There was a request from farmers that this would not be a bureaucratic system, and we have listened,” says Mr O’Connor, explaining that some of the most flexible ideas for disaster response come from communities, not from authorities.

When questioned about whether the inevitable long-term infrastructure repair to the region and the country would build back stronger, fixing longstanding inadequacies, the minister was unequivocal.

“These are big issues, and this government has shown that we can front up to them. For example, in our drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.” ¢

Peters

With those saws and many other power tools chopping into a huge number of downed trees and ruined foliage, the Kaipara District Council has struck upon a means to help cyclone-affected locals. Until this Friday, February 24, staff are accepting flood-damaged green waste free of charge at both Dargaville and Hakaru transfer stations.

There will also be a fees-free concession for items damaged by flood damage. It could include but is not limited to carpets and soft furnishings, furniture, electronic goods and personal belongings. It’s possible that costs associated with removing destroyed

items could be covered by insurance. KDC reminds people to enquire with their insurance provider about covering cleanup costs.

“If you do not have insurance, please let us know when you arrive at the transfer station, and a staff member will be there to process your items. We will not charge you for disposal of items that have been flood-damaged,” says council communications adviser Ruby Mitchell. ¢

p Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor (left), along with Northland Rural Support chair Michelle Ruddell and local MP Willow-Jean Prime (fourth and sixth from left), met with local farmers first-hand

p Kaipara’s mayor has been out helping clean up storm damage, as his council approve a scheme to waive disposal fees for residents hit by the cyclone

Heads up for businesses following Cyclone Gabrielle

u by Natalie Robinson and Kezia Purdie

Mother Nature has certainly made herself known around the North. Here’s a quick wrap-up of what you need to keep in mind as a business owner and employer as you navigate this challenging time.

Can I require my team to come to work during an extraordinary weather event?

The health and safety of your employees, clients and customers should be your main concern. Before you require staff to come in to work, you should check the workplace is safe. Ensuring running water, power, working toilets and building integrity is paramount. Also, consider whether roads are clear and how surface flooding is progressing (especially in tidal areas). These checks should be ongoing throughout the day/week. If the workplace is damaged, staff should generally remain at home.

You should also consider whether requiring staff to come to work is a reasonable request. If driving conditions are hazardous and working from home is an option, asking staff to come to work may not be a reasonable request, especially when Civil Defence has asked individuals to limit non-essential travel. Should I require my team to come to work?

If you operate in an industry where you provide an essential service or

provide assistance to others (including animals), you also need to consider this when assessing whether to continue operations.

It is a good idea to check in with staff to see if they have accessible routes to work before asking them to come in. Limiting the number of staff working, shortening operating hours, providing additional PPE, limiting staff duties to essentials only or putting staff on a roster may provide as an interim solution which allows the business to provide its services but also keeps staff safe.

If my employees can’t come to work, do I need to pay them?

As you may recall from Covid times, pay when an employee cannot work because of a situation outside of their control is tricky. The fallback rule is that if the employee is ‘ready, willing and able to work’ and work is not available through no fault of the employees, they should be paid as usual. However, you should always consider this rule against any clauses in the employee’s employment agreement or workplace policies.

If the employee could work from the workplace and cannot work from home but needs to remain home to care for dependents, you should discuss with them in good faith what approach you will take, including whether you will give them special leave, or offer for them to take annual leave.

What if I’m a landlord or a business tenant?

If your rental premises are destroyed or are so seriously damaged that they are uninhabitable, both landlords and tenants will have rights and remedies available around rent, repair and even termination. Commercial leases usually also have provisions dealing with these situations, though what the terms contain will vary between lease to lease.

Can I get/have to give rent relief if the property is damaged?

There is no set formula for determining this. Any required rent relief depends on how much the tenant’s ability to use the property is hindered due to damage or lack of access, for how long, and the underlying cause of the issue. What else should I be considering?

The mental health of your team may well be under pressure right now. Checking in with staff and contractors, even by email, is a good way to reach out and take stock of how everyone is managing. Remind your team of EAP if this is available and offer assistance if possible.

If you’d like further advice as the waters recede, please do not hesitate to give us a call on 09 470 2400 or email info@ wrmk.co.nz. ¢

Cyclone met with emergency response

u by Andy Bryenton

Cyclone Gabrielle struck Kaipara’s west and central areas with three-figure wind gusts and relentless rain last week, but was met by a united response from first responders and citizens helping each other.

The severe weather event, which went on to devastate a swathe of New Zealand from the far north to the Napier and Hastings area, built in strength throughout Sunday, February 12, but the time of deepest crisis was recorded on Monday, February 13, when a state of emergency was declared and rising water saw sandbags deployed.

“We brought our Civil Defence teams together last week, before the state of emergency was declared, so we could prepare for the cyclone, and I have been keeping across the situation as it develops. Our council staff were out clearing drains, coordinating facilities and getting as much ready as they could before the cyclone arrived.

“They are now on the ground providing welfare assistance, clearing debris and trees from roads and unblocking drains,” said mayor Craig Jepson as the rain fell in earnest and high tide approached.

The call to evacuate low-lying areas came swiftly that afternoon, with firefighters and police officers doorknocking to aid in the voluntary evacuation of River Road in Dargaville. A disaster relief hub was established at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church.

The water kept rising. Soon Ruawai’s system of stopbanks and canals was unable to keep up and some residents

were forced to evacuate. The Awakino River burst its banks just north of Dargaville and low-lying farmland was inundated. Trees began to fall, including huge pines more than 100 years old, blocking roads and destroying property.

The response from emergency services was swift and their resolve tireless as crews established a hub at Dargaville’s fire station and deployed. Local rental company ACE Rentals mobilised its machinery to help tackle fallen trees. Meanwhile, a herculean effort was begun by Northpower technicians to restore power, after what they have called the ‘devastation’ of the electrical network.

“Council staff are working in shifts around the clock making sure people are safe and have what they need,” said the mayor, as incidents of damage multiplied.

“They have been well supported by the police, Fire Emergency New Zealand and the armed forces. I also want to acknowledge the great lengths people are going to to clear the roads and get the power back on. We are coordinating our efforts through the Civil Defence Emergency Management Centre.”

By Tuesday morning the west coast’s surf lifesavers pitched in, bringing inflatable boats to navigate flooded roads. Military Unimog heavy trucks were on the streets of Dargaville, while

p Rescue

gathered

crews and more under one roof fire crews worked hard to battle rising water in Ruawai. Maungatūroto residents faced trees blocking roads and extensive damage from the wind and rain. However, they too rallied as a community. Social media posts list a roll-call of citizens who mobilised to help, including reports that members of the local Brethren Church had contributed greatly, providing hot meals for all and helping sandbag Paparoa village. Respondents also said that Maungatūroto Four Square had contributed supplies to the cause. Average citizens pitched in too, with neighbours helping neighbours place

sandbags, clear debris and keep falling timber away from power lines. Many helped house, feed and clothe evacuees. In one example, it was reported that more than 60 people were fed and cared for at Parirau Marae in the Matakohe area.

In the aftermath, cleanup and infrastructure restoration began, with slips, downed power poles, flooded homes and farms all requiring extensive attention. Thanks go out from the community to all of those who helped during Cyclone Gabrielle, saving lives and property together as a community.

responders

to coordinate a response to Cyclone Gabrielle, bringing firefighters, police, armed services personnel, surf lifesavers, ambulance

Rapid Relief to the fore

u by Paul Campbell

One of the first feet on the ground as Cyclone Gabrielle bore down on the Kaipara were volunteer members of the Brethren Church Rapid Relief Team, with sandbags to protect homes and businesses from flooding becoming their first priority.

From Maungatūroto, through Paparoa and Ruawai to Dargaville, they worked alongside fire parties and Civil Defence personnel while support teams accessed supplies to provide food for both workers and flood victims.

Organising efforts was the director of Rapid Relief Teams in New Zealand, Danny Blampied, who credited his people “for working all hours of the night across Kaipara and to Dargaville.

“Filling and placing sandbags was a priority as the storm set in and which involved a lot of manual labour. It was a pity though, because we have just landed two sandbagging machines from the United States, with one operating in Auckland. If we had them up and running, we would be able to fill some 500 bags an hour.”

The team provided a variety of food to both working groups and the flood displaced, with the purposebuilt relief trailer complete with a barbecue facility called into action.

“In Paparoa and other places with no power available, food was important,

and in some cases, we were able to provide boxed food for people to take away.”

As well as Kaipara, other volunteers have been engaged across floodstricken regions, including Napier, Hastings and Wairoa, “working extremely hard in difficult conditions.”

Established by the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church in 2013, RRT offers quality catering assistance and tangible support to charities, government and emergency services confronting challenges, whether it be fire, drought or even a pandemic.

“Everything we do is because we know that faith-based action can change the lives of people who need it most.”

Danny said that non-Brethren community volunteers also work alongside the RRT members. Their efforts also fit it with other emergency services.

“We are glad to work alongside many other agencies, the Red Cross, Civil Defence fire parties and police. It’s all about community support, and we are glad to help.”

p Food underway in Dargaville

Gabrielle’s Revenge

u by Glenis Martin, Pahi Resident

There is nothing worse than a woman scorned

Watch out Gabrielle is coming, we were warned

She hit us with a raging storm to whether Wind and rain working together

Trees, power lines, buildings were all blown down

Day to day power cuts both in country and town

Overlapping tides and rain caused flooding issues to endure Evacuation for those who lived close to the shore

The rescue teams and council working day and night

To make sure our people at risk are alright

We struggled through this stressful ride

But, at the end of tough journeys, there is a brighter side

No power meant no housework and no meals to cook

A lot of time to read a good book

All that rain coming down from the sky

Fullfilled our domestic water supply

So Gabrielle your vengeance was all in vain

There is always a rainbow after the rain.

Kaipara homes red-stickered

u by Andy Bryenton

A total of 20 Kaipara homes have been issued with a red sticker following last week’s cyclone damage, with the fear of slips, subsidence and collapse rendering them uninhabitable.

It’s a blow for families in the predominantly Dargaville-based properties, but they may not be alone. Mayor Craig Jepson says that a more thorough picture of the wider area is needed to assess how many more properties may be put into the red category, used to denote a structure too dangerous to occupy.

The majority of homes affected are situated on steeply sloping hillsides in the vicinity of Harding Park and Pou Tu O Te Rangi. A small number have also been issued yellow stickers denoting damage to a portion of the structure. Some flooddamaged homes which have begun to dry may move off the red list and on to yellow as waters recede.

It is not, however, an order of demolition, as some properties on the red list may be able to be salvaged with appropriate repairs. A sticker of this sort is not equivalent to the red zone that saw many houses condemned following the Christchurch earthquakes.

Signs of danger at homes include new ground cracking, muddy waters or springs opening up and sudden loss of water and utilities. The mayor indicated

Northland Field Days forges ahead

u by Andy Bryenton

Last week’s cyclone may have doused the west Kaipara area with rain and brought gale-force winds, but it has not dampened the enthusiasm of Northland Field Days organisers.

While the closest watercourse to the field days site, the Awakino River, broke its banks during the unprecedented weather event, the broad avenues and fields of the site itself weathered the deluge well, reports Northland Field Days chair John Phillips.

“We will definitely be going ahead with the event. We had a lot of water here, but we are managing it. We have wood chips to lay down, the drainage is working well, and we’re confident,” he says.

that the current number of ‘red stickers’ issued is only an early estimate as building inspectors continue to work through a full assessment of Cyclone Gabrielle’s aftermath.

The numbers may grow, but by comparison, near neighbours Auckland have a total of 326 homes and buildings issued with a red sticker warning and a further 1,770 in the yellow category. ¢

While Mr Phillips concedes that large crowds may make it advisable to wear gumboots when the field days opens on March 2, this is a rural tradition which farmers are comfortable with. After the inundation caused two weeks ago by the storms, which flooded Auckland, Dargaville firefighters pitched in to remove excess water from the site, allowing drainage improvements.

In the wake of the cyclone, a meeting of the Northland Field Days committee

confirmed that the biggest agricultural show in the north would indeed go on. An official message also went out from field days organisers to those affected by the disastrous weather event.

“A special thank you to all the volunteers, Civil Defence and emergency responders that have helped evacuate many houses in the Dargaville area and all around the country to keep our citizens safe. Stay safe, stay strong, New Zealand.”

Northland Field Days volunteers, team members and exhibitors will be working hard in the next two weeks to create a spectacular site for opening day Thursday. ¢

p The show must go on — Cyclone Gabrielle will not stop Northland Field Days from going ahead as planned

p Mayor Craig Jepson says that an assessment is ongoing to determine the number of homes badly affected by cyclone damage

Defenders against disaster

u by Andy Bryenton

The recent onslaught of Cyclone Gabrielle has highlighted the importance of all our rescue services working together and the need for a plan that can turn a chaotic situation around.

Under the ‘Beehive’ in Wellington sits the National Crisis Management Centre, our own version of the impervious ‘command bunkers’ often seen in dramatisations of war and disaster. This facility is built to withstand a level-10 earthquake and has independent water, air and power supplies as well as its own hardened IT network. From here, rescue and emergency teams can be coordinated to work as one, as we have seen in west Kaipara last week with army, police, fire brigade, surf lifesavers and other first responders seamlessly cooperating.

Much of Civil Defence’s work, however, happens on the ground, out in communities far from this central hub. A lot of that work is about preparedness rather than reaction, too. Civil Defence has a broad mission to ensure people are ready for the kind of wild weather and unpredictable natural events that could strike New Zealand, which have done so in recent weeks with alarming effect.

The early origins of Civil Defence come from a more military background, with plans made to secure the nation against enemy attack during the first and second world wars. In 1959 local authorities ceded their welfare and rescue powers to a central Ministry of Civil Defence.

Convoys contact isolated towns

u by Andy Bryenton

Convoys rolled out to reach isolated Kaipara communities last weekend, offering post-cyclone assistance to those still without power or communications.

“We have set up a generator at Waikaretu Marae in Poutō and are returning today with a Starlink satellite internet connection,” Mayor Craig Jepson said last Sunday.

”Members of the community will be able to go there to store and cook food, access toilets and showers, charge phones and get internet access. A generator is also on its way to Ngā Tai Whakarongorua marae in Tinopai, and people will be able to charge phones. Tank and bottled water is available there.”

Civil Defence swung into action when Cyclone Gabrielle hit. Its assistance in coordinating a response saved lives and helped people get through flooding, downed trees and evacuation emergencies. Its website is a valuable resource for planning ahead and suggests making a checklist to plan for future emergencies. Visit civildefence. govt.nz for practical advice on preparing for natural hazards and disasters. ¢

Vehicles from the NZ Response Team rolled out to some of the isolated communities around Oruawharo, Batley, Whakapirau, Tinopai and other areas around Kaipara Harbour, checking in on people through the weekend. Many are still without power and cell coverage.

By Sunday, the teams had reached Pukehuia, Te Kowhai, Ararua and other northwest coast and central areas. Some NZ Response staff have come to support Kaipara from as far away as Canterbury. Most roads, including the road to Poutō, are now passable, but Gorge Road in Maungatūroto is still blocked by slips.

Northpower has made significant progress but the latest information estimates there are still around 2,200 homes without power on their network. They have approximately 200 field crew and 100 staff working on power restoration around the clock, with additional teams coming in from all over the North Island. The power network remains incredibly fragile, and customers should expect and be prepared that the power may go on and off as the crews fix the numerous faults on the line. ¢

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p Convoys of aid have pushed through to access all of the roads marked in purple on this map

p Civil Defence team members from Canterbury have come to help Kaipara, showing the power of CD’s coordination and skills base

Weathering the storm together

u by Andy Bryenton

Snapshots of cyclone devastation and community dedication provide a small insight into the tragedies and triumphs of the past week. A concerted response from first responders and Kaipara citizens has come to the aid of those affected.

p At the peak of the storm, roads like this one, Edward Street in central Dargaville, became all but impassable

p This giant pine toppled in Te Kōpuru — local resident Jayden Southgate inspects the damage before a huge effort of local volunteers helped begin clearing the debris of this and trees like it

p Emergency gear is inspected in Mangawhai as part of the east coast Civil Defence Response

p Floodwaters turned Mititai Road into a reflecting pool

p Ruawai College inundated — the low-lying community suffered widespread flooding, impacting the rural heartland of the west

p Dargaville’s iconic Central Hotel rises above surface flooding as the storm abates

p A military Unimog truck loads up next to a Kaipara District Council ute as rescuers prepare to head out to isolated townships

p Two young residents of Monteiths Road in Aranga met up with defence force drivers as an aid convoy reached the northern settlement last weekend

Council Services

A number of our staff have been diverted to emergency services relating to Cyclone Gabrielle. Council services will continue but some with limited capacity so please be patient. We will continue to keep you updated.

Customer Service Centres

Both our Customer Service Centres are open and operating normal business hours.

If you have been affected by Cyclone Gabriele and are need welfare assistance please contact 09 439 1111. Call 0800 727 059 or use the Antenno app if you need to report roading issues or log a service request.

Building Services

Our Building Team is available with reduced capacity due to the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Building Inspectors are trying to call ahead for booking times where they can but are heading to site anyway, where they have access. We are still taking building inspection appointments and giving approximate timeframes where we can. We are undertaking rapid building assessments on houses that could be considered unsafe as a result of damage from Cyclone Gabrielle. Please get in touch if you think your house may have been affected by contacting buildingcompliance@kaipara.govt.nz

The Landing Reserve

Due to a large number of trees being blown over and unstable the Landing Reserve in Paparoa is currently closed.

Kai Iwi Lakes Campground

The Taharoa Domain and campgrounds are closed to the public, as our team are redeployed to support our Civil Defence response and begin the clean up on the Taharoa Domain. We will reopen the Taharoa Domain and campgrounds (Pine Beach and Promenade Point), on Thursday 23 February 2023. If you have an existing booking, we will be in touch with you via email.

Libraries

All Kaipara libraries are open.

Public toilets

The public toilets at the Band Rotunda (Dargaville), Paparoa and Moir Street (Mangawhai) are closed. All other public toilets are open.

Rates

We understand it may not be possible for you to pay your rates on time. Late payment penalties will be applied later than usual – from 6 March 2023, but please email us at revenue@kaipara.govt.nz to discuss any payment arrangement that you might need.

Roading updates

While the number of reported road closures across the region dropped, our roading network has suffered significant long-lasting damage, and many issues will not be a simple fix. A large number of roads are down to one lane due to flooding, fallen trees or broken power lines. Please take care when passing hazards. Do not touch wires that may be across the road. Slips and drop-outs continue to surface and will do for some time yet.

Drivers – please only travel if necessary, and if you must drive please do so with extreme caution.

For the latest list of affected roads, head to kaipara.govt.nz/news/post/479-Cyclone-Gabrielle-Roading-Updates If you have cleared a road, please report it, with the nearest culvert number, to Council 0800 727 059, or use the Antenno app.

For the latest information about State Highway 1 through the Brynderwyns and other state highway updates, head to journeys. nzta.govt.nz/traffic/regions/1

Rubbish Collections/Recycling/Transfer Stations

Rubbish and recycling collections have returned to normal across the district.

Flood-damaged green waste and items

Until 24 February, we are accepting flood-damaged green waste and items free of charge at both Dargaville and Hakaru transfer stations.

Green waste

Please only bring your green waste and vegetation that have been damaged in the cyclone.

Flood-damaged items

We are also accepting flood-damaged items and personal belongings. If you have insurance coverage and are able to claim back your disposal fees for these please do so. Get in touch with your insurance provider.

*If you do not have insurance please let us know when you arrive at the transfer station and a staff member will be there to process your items. We will not charge you for disposal of items that have been flood-damaged.

Items may include carpets, bedding, furniture and soft furnishings, electronic equipment and personal goods. Normal fees apply for general household rubbish and recycling.

Kaipara Kōrero

CYCLONE GABRIELLE UPDATES

Welfare Assistance

Support and assistance is available if you have been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Civil Defence Northland has put together a list of services and agencies that are available to help you and your whānau. The type and amount of assistance will differ depending on your needs and situation.

If you need welfare assistance, please call us on 09 439 1111. Our team will work with you.

Find out more about support at: nrc.govt.nz/civildefence/cyclonesupport/

Financial Assistance

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) may be able to help with urgent or unexpected costs - from emergency food, medical costs, and bedding to home repairs, power bills and loss of income. You can call MSD direct on 0800 400 100. They’re open 7am–5pm Monday to Wednesday, and 8am–5pm Thursday and Friday.

Cyclone Gabrielle information centre

Our information centre is located at Dargaville Service Centre at 32 Hokianga Road between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

There is currently a high risk of contaminated water in our streams, rivers, harbours, and beaches, this can cause serious health risks. DO NOT SWIM or BATHE in water until it is clear. After heavy rainfall, overflow from wastewater systems and other contaminants on land can be washed into our lakes, streams, rivers and coastal waters. Always assume any floodwater is contaminated

• Do not eat shellfish caught in the storm area. Shellfish can remain contaminated for several weeks. You should avoid collecting shellfish for at least 28 days after the extreme event.

• Defrosted food should not be re-frozen once the power comes back on.

Northpower has made huge progress across their network, but there are still communities without power in Kaipara.

Staying safe during a power outage

Food

• Always wash and dry your hands before preparing or eating food – if water is in short supply, keep some in a bowl with disinfectant.

• When in doubt, throw it out! If you think any food is not safe, throw it out. Do not eat food that you suspect has gone off – doing so risks food poisoning

• Do not use food in cans if they have been punctured.

Water

• If you are not sure about using water from your water supply, bottled water is the best option for drinking and food preparation, if you don’t have access to bottled water, make sure to:

• Boil water before drinking it or using it in food preparation. This helps to avoid spreading viruses and bacteria between food. Once boiled, store water in a clean container that is covered. Re-boil the water if it is not used within 24 hours.

• If you do not have a way to boil water, then purifying tablets or bleach can be added to ensure its safety. Add half a teaspoon of household bleach per 10 litres of water, mix and leave for 30 minutes. Do not use bleaches that contain added scent or perfume, surfactants, or other additives – they can make people sick.

Heating, lighting and cooking

If you need to heat your home and/or use candles, make sure you do so safely:

• Only use fireplaces that have been safety checked.

• NEVER use outdoor gas heaters inside.

• NEVER use your barbeque for heating.

• If you’re using a portable gas cooker, place it on a stable, heat resistant surface and make sure you are in a well-ventilated room

• Keep candles and cookers away from anything that could catch fire like curtains, furniture or clothing and put them out before you leave a room and before you go to bed.

Staying informed

Listen to the radio for up-to-date news and advice. If you don’t have a battery powered radio, you could use your car radio. Here is a list of some local stations you can tune into for updates:

• More FM (91.6 FM Whangārei & Kaitaia)

• RNZ (837 AM & 104.4 FM Whangārei | 101.2 FM Lower Northland)

• Ngati Hine FM (99.1 FM & 99.6 FM Northland)

• Radio Tautoko (97.5 FM Mid-North | 99.5 Far North)

Healthcare

• If you or your whānau are unwell and it is not an emergency, contact your GP, healthcare provider, or your local accident and medical centre.

• For general health advice and information, call Healthline on 0800 611 116.

Lifeline

• Need to talk? Free call or free text any time for support from a trained counsellor: Free phone 0800 543 354 or text: 4357 Call 111 if you or someone you know is in life threatening danger, seriously unwell or need emergency care

Returning to your home

Take care when entering your house, floodwaters can be contaminated. If you have been home and you find your house has been flooded please come to the Cyclone Gabrielle Information Centre at 32 Hokianga Road where Council staff will be able to assist you. This centre will be open from 8am to 5pm daily.

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) may be able to help with urgent or unexpected costs - from emergency food, medical costs, and bedding to home repairs, power bills and loss of income. You can call MSD direct on 0800 400 100. They’re open 7am–5pm Monday to Wednesday, and 8am–5pm Thursday and Friday.

Sheltered from the deluge Catering for community needs

u by Amy Fifita u by Amy Fifita

Whare Mārama O Parirau Marae opened its doors to the community to add to efforts to keep the people of Ruawai and the surrounding areas safe.

“We decided several days before that we were going to be ready. Between myself and Rusty Hammon, we made sure everything was ready,” says Whare Mārama O Parirau Marae chairperson Annissa Thompson.

“We had a discussion last year with Civil Defence because we are situated on a hill, and it was logical that we opened up the marae in the event of such an emergency.

“The community was very anxious and unsure of where they could go, so it was very reassuring to them that the marae was an evacuation centre. It was good that people took the advice to leave their homes and came up.”

Annissa said that the marae provided refuge and food to approximately 85 people from various ethnicities, dependencies and age groups.

“Our local fire brigade kept an open line of communication with me, so I knew exactly when we needed to open and be ready.

“I couldn’t have done it without Rusty, who helped prepare the food, and Amanda Bennett, who was part of the Ruawai

response group. She worked alongside us and put a lot of things in place for us.

“It was encouraging and humbling, and everyone played their part to ensure our community was safe. I commend our fire brigade and our local heroes who did what needed to be done.”

Annissa has since secured emergency funding to buy generators should a similar event occur again. These funds come from Foundation North and the Department of Internal Affairs Lottery Natural Response funding.

Maungatūroto Four Square donated food and produce to locals in an effort to lessen the stress of the recent cyclone.

“No one should have to go through something like what has happened. We wanted to do our part to help the community and do good for them,” says Four Square Maungatūroto owner Vipin Chand.

The convenience store was also affected by the storm and had to close due to having no power and kept customers updated on when they could operate once more. Many residents experienced outages due to lines being down also.

“I am lucky that I have a gas stove but, I have been affected by the storm

too. We live in a rural area and have had water issues because we are on a tank supply not connected to the town supply.

“There are a lot of places in the area without power and that has become inaccessible because of trees blocking the roads. Many people have electric stoves and have been unable to cook.”

Despite a pause in opening hours, the shop kept people fed and donated food to help with the relief efforts.

“It is something that I felt we needed to do and so we did it. We donated wraps and produce to the community and the response has been very grateful.”

p Rusty Hammon and Helena Thompson serving up warm kai for the community to enjoy

p The Maungatūroto Four Square offered aid to hungry residents amid the recent storm

Bringing the power back

u by Andy Bryenton

In normal conditions, Northpower’s team of lines maintenance and repair technicians are used to responding to one fault at a time, but when Cyclone Gabrielle threw them 30,000 in one day, they rose to the challenge.

Even as the cyclone struck, members of the maintenance team were out in the driving rain trying to secure supply.

At the height of the crisis, close to half of all Northpower customers were cut off. The company’s chief executive, Andrew McLeod, confirmed that some of the damage may take a week to fix, but massive efforts by his team halved the number of outages by Thursday. That morning, Mr McLeod saluted his team and informed the public with a video of a dawn start.

“They’ll just go out and hit regions, now, from seven o’clock and off until dark tonight, so it’s a long day repairing stuff,” said the CEO, dressed like his team in heavy-weather gear and highvisibility orange.

On Wednesday, a helicopter was able to ascend and trace the network by air, putting in long hours to pinpoint breakages.

“A lot of plant and a lot of gear is required for this heavy construction, but we are well geared up for it. With all the crews we have out there in the field, long days and good weather, we’ll really start to reel this in and just rebuild,” said Mr McLeod.

Northpower confirmed that its crews had encountered every natural challenge

Safe haven for evacuees

u by Andy Bryenton

When Dargaville was inundated and evacuation orders went out, the community rallied to provide warm, dry and supportive spaces for those displaced.

on their mission to restore power, from high winds, flooding and fallen trees through to landslides and impassable roads. The gratitude for their efforts is palpable, and passing locals waving and cheering as lines workers tackle their task became a common sight by Kaipara roadsides. ¢

“It’s been amazing to watch the response from the whole community,” say Moana Te Tuhi and Annette Frost, two volunteers helping out at Dargaville’s Hokianga Road evacuation centre.

“We have had all kinds of offers of help, from baking and cooked kai through to people coming in to do the laundry and washing up, church parishioners helping out, and beds donated by local marae; the whole community has pulled together.”

The Hokianga Road site was housed in Dargaville’s Anglican Church hall and volunteers were quick to praise the efforts of the Reverend Frank Nelson, who supported more than 50 evacuees at a time through the cyclone crisis last week. Denominational lines made no difference to the outpouring of charity and aid. Special thanks also went out from evacuation relief coordinators

to members of the Brethren Church for their generosity, and other religious groups provided aid across the stormlashed west.

Church, marae and iwi groups joined forces with private citizens to help those displaced by floodwaters, as army Unimog trucks, firefighters and police assisted with the evacuation. Te Rūnanga O Ngāti Whātua and Te Hā Oranga operated a second evacuation hub in Tirarau street, while more space was made at Dargaville High School.

A special rescue and evacuation were also enacted to secure some of the Dargaville dogs. Another army Unimog was sent to pick up dogs from the local pound and kennels, transferring them safely to higher ground at a privately owned facility accredited to house canine guests. The mission was a success; all the dogs are safe and dry. ¢

p Army Unimog trucks patrolled the streets, helping evacuate those in low-lying areas as storm surges and rainfall combined

p Northpower CEO Andrew McLeod and his crew have battled record numbers of outages to restore electricity to thousands of cyclone-hit homes

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Life-saving rescue An aerial view

u by Andy Bryenton

A dramatic roadside rescue in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle has highlighted the danger of daring flood waters by road, and proven that ordinary people can be heroes.

A group of four young men came to the aid of an elderly driver whose four-wheel drive had left the road and become pinned against a fence in a flooded culvert. The youths took a closer look at what was one of many wrecked and stranded vehicles affected by floodwater because, on doing so, they noticed someone trapped inside. A family member of one of the rescuers, Colin Rowse, reported what transpired.

“On Wednesday, Matthew Rowse, Matty Douglas, Sean Simons and Bailie Schick were travelling south on State Highway 12, just past the Baylys Beach turnoff,” says Colin. “They passed a car down off the road in the drain.”

The area was inundated and low-lying, with the road to Baylys Beach all but impassable since Monday, February 13, when cyclone winds and rain struck.

“Once they got closer, they saw a man trapped inside. He was down in the vehicle and hard to see,” says Colin. “Three of the boys belong to the local surf lifesaving club; they jumped in and dragged the man out.”

The victim was a man reported to be in his 80s, in an extremely cold and

wet condition. Fearing the onset of hypothermia, the young rescuers put their training to work, drying him off and rushing him to the Dargaville Fire Station, where emergency services, including colleagues from the surf lifesaving community, had established a hub.

“The boys were a little shaken when they got home,” says Colin.

The rescuers have since learned that the man was admitted to hospital and is recovering well, but he had no recollection of the incident. ¢

Community spirit in Poutō

u by Amy Fifita

Poutō residents banded together to ensure the wellbeing and safety of their peers, from clearing trees to catering food.

“The community spirit out here through this weather event has been like what is written in folklore literature,” says Poutō resident Julie Cotton.

“I am completely humbled by the unity and the community kinship. We have not been long in Poutō. We came across from the Tapora peninsula and purchased the historic Forrest Farm.”

People from the remote area did what they could to lessen the effects the cyclone had on those around them.

“The effort that so many members of the remote township put in, including farmers dragged trees with tractors, citizens operated chainsaws, people picked up trees, and others made kai and shared food.

“All of the hard work made sure that the people within Poutō weren’t cut off from each other and our farms and animals.”

While some locals were stranded and unable to get home, a resident requiring assistance needed to be relocated.

“It has been a superhuman effort by responders and local knowledge to get an ill community member out. This human spirit that we all long for resides with much pride in Poutō.” ¢

u by Amy Fifita

On Wednesday afternoon, Samuel Davidson with his mother, Rebecca Davidson, took flight in a Dargaville Aero Club plane and saw the impact of the floods.

“As aero club members, we are allowed to take the plane up and went in the direction of the Kirikopuni bridge. Once the cyclone passed, it was good weather for flying,” says pilot Rebecca Davidson.

“There are two runways at the Dargaville airfield, one is grass, which was too wet to use, but the limestone runway meant that we could take off.”

Rebecca took Samuel up in the plane with her and he took photographs of the view from above.

“We had heard reports that the road between Dargaville and Whangārei was blocked. We wanted to find out for ourselves what the issue was and whether the school bus could get through. We saw the bridge submerged; we realised that the school bus wouldn’t be going.”

Cars stranded with water in front and behind them were also sighted on their journey.

“It’s really hard to connect with any devastation from the air, but it is

devastating to know that those paddocks normally have cows on them when you are driving past. There was nothing there except brown, swirling water.”

Samuel said it was amazing to see how much water was there and that seeing the impact that the floods had impacted his understanding of the effects it has on the land. ¢

Aid from a storm veteran

u by Paul Campbell

History has repeated itself in Paparoa as the cyclonic weather bore down on the community and dislodged local households that had to find shelter, forthcoming in a listed historic home built in 1886, still standing strong with a new lease of life as a bed and breakfast.

”We were actually approached by the council to see if we were able to offer help as preparations for the weather event unfolded,” says Pheasant Lodge owner Tony Bozzard. “In fact, it wasn’t long before we had a washed-out lady and her dogs seeking shelter. We were pleased to offer this, along with hot showers and hot food, with additional storm victims at our door. We were only too happy to help.”

If the walls of the Cliff House, as it is known locally in Franklin Road next to the Paparoa Store, could speak, the tales would be myriad, with storms past being a regular feature.

James Cliff built his first house in a field across the road. It flooded and then got struck by lightning and burnt down. He decided to build on higher ground in Franklin Road in 1886, finishing in 1887.

In 1920, Paparoa was flooded again, and the house provided shelter from a storm that took the lives of a woman and three children drowned in the

Paparoa River after their cottage at the railway construction works in what is now Station Road was carried away at 4am. The husband and two children survived.

“So shelter from weather events has been something of a byword in the history of this house,” said Tony, who moved to Paparoa from Auckland and “fell in love with the place.”

His wife Maggie is in full agreement with the proviso “that we could happily wait a hundred years for the next major weather event. Still, it was wonderful to be able to help out those people who needed assistance this time.” ¢

p This semi-submerged sports utility was the focus of a rescue by a group of Dargaville men, in the aftermath of last week’s cyclone

p Dargaville Aero Club members Samuel and Rebecca Davidson flew above the flooded areas between Dargaville and Whangārei Photo — Samuel Davidson

p Tony and Maggie Bozzard at Pheasant Lodge, Paparoa

p A defence force relief convoy reached Poutō to offer assistance

Here to help

u by Amy Fifita

While many were taking shelter inside, animal health was still at the forefront of farmers’ and veterinarians’ minds.

“We helped farmers with medication, sick stock and whatever we could do to help throughout the floods,” says Kaipara Farm Vets general vet Brian Lowe.

“The biggest challenge during the flood for farmers was communication. The phones have been out, cell phone coverage has been poor, and now that is coming back onboard, farmers can come in at any time or phone to talk to us.

“That has been hard for some of them, and we have been through floods and storms before, but nothing has been as bad as this event. The severity of this is new.”

Brian and the team remained in contact with organisations like the New Zealand

Vet Association, DairyNZ, Fonterra and other valid entities to ensure everyone knew what was happening.

“Everyone is digging in to help, where they can, in the farming sector. You can put all of your preparations in place, move cattle to high ground and do what you can but this was a horrific event. We will not know the full cost or impact for months or even years.

“Farmers are doing their best, and most of the stock is OK. Most of the farmers are doing a great job at looking after their animals. There is some stock that hasn’t made it. However, with communications down, we definitely do not know the full extent of the damage done by the storm.

NDERWOOD WOOD ONTRACTORS

“The damage from the floods to the pastures will take months to recover. Farmers will still have to feed their stock for the next couple of months while it is recovering from the flood. It doesn’t matter if you are cropping, dairying or have beef or sheep — it has destroyed crops.

“A lot of maize crops for cattle feed have been ruined, including hay that has not been made. The supplements you give to dairy cows have been washed away, and that affects their production.

“For dairy farmers who cannot milk the cow, they will have to dry them off, which will affect their income.

There were issues getting the veterinary supplies through the road closures. One of the suppliers ended up flying them into Whangārei so Northland could have the necessary provisions.

“Our business wasn’t flooded, and we still have power. We’re still up and going, and we want to help others. We have vet technicians that are available to go and help on-farm and to help wherever it is needed.

“Kaipara Farm Vets is open and will be open through the weekend. We are doing whatever we can, whatever you need to make things easier and have everything we need to do to help the farmers. Now we can knuckle down and get on with it.”

p Veterinarian Brian Lowe from Kaipara Farm Vets

Speaking up for affected farmers

u by Andy Bryenton

Federated Farmers is using its connections between the rural community and central government to advocate strongly for a timely rebuild and practical assistance for storm-hit farms.

“Cyclone Gabrielle has proved to be every bit as bad as forecasters warned, if not worse. The damage caused is going to prove extremely costly. Fixing roads and other infrastructure in some regions will take months, even years. We will be advocating to the government that additional resources to get that work done should be at the top of their agenda,” says national president Andrew Hoggard.

Federated Farmers has also been in contact with the New Zealand Banking Association and Inland Revenue Department to negotiate ways to help lessen immediate financial impacts. Information about how the IRD can and will help is available now via ird. govt.nz. Another focus is on the health of rural families.

“Farmers and their families hit hard may look out on the damage and feel overwhelmed.

Mental wellbeing is a real concern. Our message to these farmers is: ‘you are not alone — reach out and talk to someone. A problem shared is a problem halved’. Your Rural Support Trust is there to help. Recovery for some is going to be a long haul, and your key priority is your own health and that of your family and farm team,” says Mr Hoggard.

“Unfortunately, unsettled weather is predicted to continue through to April. New Zealand farmers are renowned around the world for their excellence and initiative. We need each other more than ever. Look after yourselves, and check in with your neighbours.”

For advice and questions, please call Federated Farmers on 0800 327 646. For advice on animal welfare issues, call the Ministry for Primary Industries hotline on 0800 008 333. ¢

BY PROFESSIONALS IN YOUR COMMUNITY NOT “EXPERTS” ONLINE

p Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard says his organisation is throwing its weight behind efforts to make the recovery effort easier

Rural Support there to help

u by Andy Bryenton

Farmers’ support group Rural Support is out there offering assistance to rural citizens struck by cyclone damage.

Rural Support has a prior track record of helping farmers battle through tough times, administering such initiatives as the Farm Business Advice Support Fund and the Farm Debt Mediation Scheme and Hardship Fund. With $4 million earmarked by the government to help cyclonedamaged farms, they are back at the forefront.

“The breadth of this storm’s impact is unprecedented, with milk collection disrupted, orchards inundated, and livestock losses across much of the North Island. This is a dynamic situation, and we are responding accordingly to help the rural sector to respond with this initial funding of $4 million,” Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said.

“This is an unprecedented weather event, which for some rural communities comes just weeks after flooding in the upper North Island and damage caused by Cyclone Hale,” Rural Communities Minister Kieran McAnulty said.

Rural Support has online advice about navigating insurance and operates a hotline for advice on what to do during and after emergencies. Right now, they

are linking up farmers in flood-ravaged Kaipara with people who can help. One big area of focus is helping farmers make sure their livestock herds are safe, healthy and secure after fields became flood zones.

“We’re being regularly updated on the wellbeing of people and the welfare of their livestock. We will work directly

with sector groups and organisations, including Rural Support Trusts, to identify and focus help to the areas of greatest need,” said Associate Agriculture Minister Meka Whaitiri.

Farmers in need can contact their local Rural Support Trust on 0800 RURAL HELP or 0800 787 254 or visit rural-support. org.nz. ¢

p Rural resident Donna Shadick surveys flooded farmland in the Baylys Beach area; Rural Support has contacts, advice and more for those facing a big clean-up on the farm

A dog’s tail …

Whether an’ all changin’ Boss sez

“Well Dog, there’s no wurries about change bein’ afoot,” seda Boss, wile we spent the day watchin’ tha TV ’cos the rein just kept commin’ down with tha wind. Boss was looking a bit wurried wen’ a big gust hit the house too.

I had a look atta Boss’s foots, but eye coodint see any change froma last time, but he poured another cuppatees fer his gerlfren’ Sharlene an’ him, an’ said sum more.

“‘This the secind dam tme we hada batten downa hatchis, eh deah? I didn’t wurry that much about climate ’cos lets face it; it’s been changing since tha ice age, and rememba that once that middil east was all green and loverly. But now I rekin there mite be more to it. Wot’s happind to our blimmin summer? Rein, wind, rein, floods, property and roads ina wreck. I coodin’t get to town fer sum stock food cos the road was flooded out.”

Sharlene was as usual lookin atta paper I managed froma road gate kattil stop before it got too wet ter read, “Yep deah,” she said. “Trubble is that was all about the passage of millennia.”

Boss lookt at me and winked, like he new wot she was talkin’ about. But she went on. “Now there billins of peeple ona planet, an’ we pumpin’ greenhouse gas inta the air, and the planets gettin’ hotter, an’ so the weather’s getting’ messed up by us peeple all over tha werld.”

“I get it,” seda Boss. “But it’s gonna be a wurry if this cyclone bisniss gets a blimmin’ habit. Good thing we didin’t buy that rentil

property on a hill in Orklind after that good cattle sale we had. Better we bought the neighbour’s acres eh?

Well, Sharlene was still readin’, so Boss fell quiet. Sharlene said not jus’ the weather was changin’.

“That Jucyinda went out the door in a cloud of dust, an’ not fairy dust, eh?

That new bloke Chippy saw the writing ona wall.” I looked atta kitchin wall, but coodin’t see nothing readas.

Then she said in her skoolteacha voice: “Mr Hipkins has chopped a lot of government projects that people were not happy with anyway, and has sent others into the back shelf. He has axed the RNZ/ TVNZ merger, even though the government spent millions on the plan, the social insurance scheme won’t happen.”

“Well, that’s probly ’cos Chippy rekins it mite give hima chance of stayin’ in charge in tha ’lection this year,” Boss said. “But he’s gonna havta do somethin’ about that Three Waters rubbish. I no we need stuff,

but let’s run it like a business and not a culture contest.”

“Yes Deah,” said Sharlene. “We are all Kiwis heah, alla same. No one got any preferent treatment. But Chippy says changes are also expected to the Three Waters project, so we gotta weight an’ see. But there’s one bita good. They gonna change the minimum wage up by $1.50 an hour on April 1.”

Well readas? Boss duzzin’t pay me in cash. But maybe a bit more pork cracklin’, and the extra buttered scone sumtimes?

Nek time we ona woolshed steps, wen it stops reinin’.

See ya — Billy ¢

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Electricity Pricing Schedule | Effective 1 April 2023

Distribution Charge Discount

In the year commencing 1 April 2023, Northpower Limited will provide a discount for the benefit of Northpower consumers totalling an estimated $14.1m. This will be a discount on Northpower’s distribution charges and the amount which each consumer receives for each eligible ICP will be determined by the consumption notified to Northpower by the electricity retailers for the 12-month period to 30 September 2023 in two bands as follows:

• Eligible ICPs with consumption exceeding 2,000 kWh will receive a single discount of $248.18.

• Eligible ICPs with consumption between 1 kWh and 2,000 kWh will receive a single discount of $92.65.

To qualify as an eligible ICP, an ICP must be supplied from the Northpower electricity network with a registry status of “Active” (Connected) on 1 November 2023, have a current customer of an electricity retailer on that date, and the net consumption advised by the electricity retailers to Northpower for the 12-month period to 30 September 2023 for the ICP must be 1 kWh or greater. Discounts will be applied via a credit on the electricity bill from the current electricity retailer during November or December 2023.

* All prices exclude GST. Refer to our Electricity Pricing Policy for more information on how these prices are applied.

Northpower Pricing

Key changes for 2023/2024

We collect the money we need to run our electricity network, and to repair, maintain and upgrade our assets through lines prices charged to retailers. Retailers then decide how and what they want to charge their customers. The lines charges on average make up about one third of your total electricity bill (which also includes the transmission charges we have to pay Transpower for our connection to the national grid).

We’ve just set the prices which we will charge electricity retailers for 2023/2024. Unlike last year, where we managed to hold prices largely flat overall, this year we have had to increase prices on average in line with inflation. This is due to many factors including increases in the costs of labour, fuel, vehicles, external charges, electrical components, and other materials. In addition, the new methodology which Transpower is using to allocate their charges has increased the transmission costs that we have to pay.

Time of Use Pricing

We introduced Time of Use pricing three years ago for residential and business consumers with communicating smart meters. Time of Use pricing has different charges depending on the time of day that electricity is used. This is because electricity networks are a bit like roads, in that they can get congested at times of the day when everyone wants to use them. When networks get congested, we then have to invest in extra lines and equipment to accommodate this increase in peak demand - like building extra lanes onto a road. Over time, this additional investment will increase the costs to all consumers.

The higher price at peak times (mornings and evenings) signals that if our network reaches its capacity we might have to spend money to increase the capacity, and if you can shift use of the network to off-peak times (like turning on your dishwasher or dryer later at night, or charging your EV overnight) we can reduce the cost of upgrades and share the benefit with you through lower prices. We use Time of Use to charge your retailer, but it is up to your retailer whether they pass this through to you.

Fixed Prices

We are gradually adjusting our prices to increase the fixed component (e.g. the daily charge) compared to the variable component (e.g. the charge per kWh). This reflects that the costs to run an electricity network are mostly fixed, and other than building extra capacity for peak times, it does not generally cost us much more if you use more electricity. Our network has capacity outside of peak times, and we want you to be able to use this capacity without having to pay extra lines charges. Therefore, over time most of our revenue will come from the fixed charge, and the variable component (e.g. the charge per unit of electricity used) will be used to provide an incentive to shift load out of peak periods to avoid congestion only.

The Government recently changed the Low Fixed Charge regulations, which previously limited the fixed component of lines charges to 15c a day for consumers at their principal place of residence. This cap will lift by 15c each year for 5 years, and will then be removed completely. For most consumers a higher daily charge will be offset by variable charges that are lower than they otherwise would have been.

Impact of change

We recognise that with any pricing reform, the total cost for some consumers may go down, and for others it may go up. However, these reforms are designed to ensure that over time everyone pays a similar contribution towards the fixed costs of running of the electricity network. Therefore, in the future, lines pricing will likely be similar to today’s “unlimited internet” pricing, enabling you to use our network more at little to no extra cost.

Export Generation

Our export generation charge of 1c/kWh is expected to generate only about $50,000 in revenue this year, which goes towards the costs of managing generation connections on our network. Too much generation injecting into one part of the network can cause issues which affects other consumers, so we incur costs to manage and review applications, and to monitor the network. We think it is fairer to recover these charges from the consumers who have generation at their properties, rather than from all customers.

Distribution Charge Discount

Northpower, with the support of the Northpower Electric Power Trust, will pay a distribution charge discount for the benefit of electricity consumers connected to our network of $285.41 including GST (for most consumers) in November or December this year. See our pricing disclosure for more details.

You could save hundreds of dollars a year, just by switching your electricity retailer.

Teams take part in a legend

u by Andy Bryenton

After a long hiatus, one of the biggest prizes in rugby is returning to Dargaville and will be contested live during the week of field days.

Northland Rugby has confirmed that the Harding Shield is back for the first time since 2015 and will continue a long-standing tradition of friendly rivalry which was established in 1904.

“The shield was named after rugby pioneer Alfred Harding of Dargaville, the North Auckland Rugby Union’s first chairman, and it holds great historic significance,” says Chris Fife, Northland Rugby Union board member and Council of Union Chairman.

“We are delighted to be bringing such a longstanding competition back into action and look forward to giving Northland hopefuls a chance to shine on the big stage in front of selectors. We hope to see the Harding Shield played for years to come.”

Local rugby teams from around the north will go head-to-head and play for their chance to win the iconic shield and competition title. The last team to win the shield was a Northern Wairoa and Rodney joint force assembled in 2015. The competition holds an essence of

Census a chance to really count

u by Andy Bryenton

Census Day is coming on March 7, offering a snapshot of Kiwi life, which will be used to fine-tune social services to better meet the needs of growing communities.

Kaipara will take part in the nationwide survey of citizens and households, with packs already out to some homes and more expected to be delivered soon. As part of their efforts to make sure everyone is counted, Statistics New Zealand (Stats NZ) recently reached out to Te Uri o Hau in Kaipara.

“Delivering for and with Māori, iwi, and hapū is a strategic priority for Stats NZ – not just for the 2023 census, but also to support enduring, long-term relationships,” said Stats NZ’s deputy chief executive, Simon Mason.

nostalgia for many across Northland with many expected to turn out to watch the tournament unfold at Pioneer Rugby Park in Dargaville.

The Harding Shield competition kicks off with Northern Wairoa-Rodney taking on Whangārei on Friday, March 3 at Pioneer Rugby Park in Dargaville. Following the game, there will be an after-match function at the Dargaville Sports Club, where an auction will take place to raise funds in support of Northern Wairoa youth rugby. ¢

“Te Uri o Hau has a strong presence in the community, along with wellestablished relationships built on trust; for instance through their work engaging with the community throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. We look forward to working with them to raise awareness across the rohe of Te Uri o Hau, so whānau can be counted and represented.”

Te Uri o Hau’s Adam Taylor said: “Te Uri o Hau Settlement Trust welcomed the opportunity to join this partnership as we are committed to improving the

lives of more than 8,500 registered hāpu whānau.

“Our whanau who live in the Kaipara would have noticed a decline in many core services, ranging from health, roading, transport and general services infrastructure. A lot of this decline can be attributed to central government not having census data that can highlight the wants and needs of us who reside in Kaipara.”

The first step to better funding for these services, for everyone, is better information. Visit census.govt.nz to ensure you and your family are counted. ¢

p Rugby legend Sid Going holding the Harding Shield at the Northland Rugby 2021 Centennial celebrations.

p Census packs are coming in the mail soon, with the new option of engaging with the huge social survey online

NEW LISTING

DARGAVILLE

Petticoat Cottage

Always wanted one?

This three bedroom weatherboard home is now available to purchase. Some renovations needed but great advantages, close to town, river views, priced to match.

pggwre.co.nz/DAG37475

OPEN HOME

DARGAVILLE SURROUNDS

Country Living and Privacy

A great property with 12ha of land, home and sheds set in a lovely private rural setting. The older three bedroom home with rumpus/family room is well back from the road giving you some beautiful rural, river views and privacy. Double garage and sleepout. The property has several sheds and one with workshop, concrete flooring and power. The sheds would be great for calf rearing. Several paddocks with rolling to flattish contour. A very picturesque property with the river boundary which I am sure the family will get so much enjoyment from over the summer months.

pggwre.co.nz/DAG36004

BAYLYS BEACH 11 Ripiro Drive

First Time Ever on the Market

Thoughtfully laid out and built in the 1980's with native Kahikatea features and native Rimu throughout. Family living is on the upper level with two separate lounges, open plan dining and kitchen with indoor outdoor flow to a North Eastern facing deck. Three bedrooms on the downstairs level with family bathroom. Internal access from single garage.

pggwre.co.nz/DAG37282

DARGAVILLE

Simply Stunning

This impressive property has the WOW factor and is a must see, enjoy the peacefulness from the moment you step inside you will be consumed by the ambience and style that resonates throughout this home that is set with privacy and security. Upon entering this brilliantly designed north facing home, you are greeted by a large elegant entrance way that leads you to three generous double bedrooms, the master bedroom has a walk-in-robe and a large well-designed ensuite, with a large well-appointed family bathroom down the hall, separate laundry and good storage throughout the home. The home has an amazing kitchen and dining area that all lead to a large covered patio area for great entertaining which gives great indoor and outdoor flow, from the patio there are exquisitely landscaped grounds and pathways.

Great internal access two car garaging and plenty of off street parking, there's plenty of room for the home handyman. My vendors have built this home for luxury living, entertainment and relaxation. This fabulous home will suit a range of lifestyles. If you want only the best, this is it! Viewing is by appointment only, call Erin Grbin today

pggwre.co.nz/DAG37448

3 2 2

DEADLINE SALE

(Unless Sold Prior)

Closes 2.00pm, Wednesday 29 March

VIEW By Appointment Only

Erin Grbin

M 021 716 388

E Erin.Grbin@pggwrightson.co.nz

WHAT’S ON?

February

Twilight Bowls at Dargaville Bowling Club — 22 February, starts 5.45pm, $10pp includes light meal, full bar available. Teams of three, casual dress, flatsoled shoes, bowls available for use. Also happening on 8, 22 & 29 March. Contact Ray 021 337 072 or Ron 027 535 7214.

Come and Drum! – Sunday Community Sessions 2023 — 26th February 4–5.30pm at Baylys Beach Community Centre, 52 Seaview Road, $10 per person, $5 drum hire. Once a month. BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL. Contact Josie 021 0223 8621 or josie.scott@xtra.co.nz.

March

37th Northland Field Days — 2nd, 3rd & 4th March –Farming, Family & Fun. Gates open at 9am. 33 Awakino Point East Road, Dargaville. Pre-purchase your tickets at www.northlandfielddays.co.nz.

Markets

Dargaville Twilight Market — Last Friday of each month, 4.30pm–7pm. Northern Wairoa Boating Club, Totara Street.

Kaihu Hall Market — 3rd Saturday each month 10am–noon. Phone Robin 09 439 4878.

Monthly Market — 1st Saturday of each month, 8am–noon at the Kaipara Community Centre, Hokianga Road (opposite the Town Hall).

Paparoa Artisan Market — 4th Sunday monthly 12–4pm. Paparoa Memorial Hall.

Paparoa Farmers’ Market — Every Saturday 9am –12pm. Genuine local produce, vegetables, seafood, olive oils, meats, patisserie, plants and more. Village green, Paparoa.

Club/Organisation

57 Squadron (Dargaville) Air Training Corps — Mondays 6pm–8pm at the Dargaville Aero Club. For boys and girls aged 13–18 years Phone Gordon 021 262 0547.

Arapohue Tennis Club — Starts Monday 24th October 6.15pm onwards at A&P Showgrounds. Contact Raewyn 09 439 2152 or Sue 09 439 2154.

Alcoholics Anonymous — Dargaville AA meetings held at The Lighthouse Church, cnr Normanby & Parore Sts. Use Parore St entrance. Monday 4.30pm & Thursday 7.30pm Contact Bernie 027 212 2148, Ladies 020 4082 1373, Murray 09 439 5248.

Alzheimer’s ‘Carer’ Support Group — Contact Maxine on 021 153 5674.

Baylys & Beyond Gardeners — All welcome, 2nd Monday of each month, Garden ramble, shared lunch, trading table phone 021 063 3444.

Dargaville Aero Club — Learn to fly, free of tuition charges, Gyrocopter, Texan, Stork. Contact Peter 09 439 1628 for further info.

Dargaville Bowling Club Tuesday Bowls — Names by 9.30am, start 10am, finish 2.30pm. Contact Ray King 09 439 5509.

Dargaville Contract Bridge Club — Tuesdays

12.45pm and Wednesday 6.45pm at the Kiosk, Memorial Park, Logan St, Dargaville. dargavillebridge@ gmail.com or phone Peter 09 439 2437 or 022 405 6439.

Dargaville Floral Art Club — Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1pm at The Lighthouse Church, Cnr Normanby & Parore Sts, Dargaville. Enquiries to Dawn Donald 09 439 5413.

Dargaville Friendship Club — meets 2nd Tuesday of the month at 10am at the NW Boating Club. For info phone Phyllis 09 439 6681.

Dargaville Games Club — 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at the Dargaville Scout Hall, Onslow St, 6pm–9pm.

Dargaville Girls Brigade — For girls 5–15 years.

Thursdays after school — 3.30–5pm held at The Lighthouse Church. Contact Pauline Taylor 021 263 7446 or 09 439 7505.

Dargaville Mainly Music — Interactive music and movement for preschoolers and their carers.

Wednesdays 10am Baptist church, Victoria St, during term time. Contact Rebecca 021 969 626.

Dargaville Menz Shed — is open Tuesday and Thursday each week from 10am to 3pm and Saturday mornings from 10am to noon. New members are welcome. For more info phone Paul 027 459 3098 or Brian 09 439 6175.

Dargaville Museum — Open every day except Christmas Day and Anzac morning 9–4 until Labour Day then 9–5 until Easter. Volunteers, visitor hosts and members welcome. Phone 09 439 7555.

Dargaville Scout Group — For boys and girls aged 5–99 years at 23 Onslow St. All info on door or phone Johnnita 027 296 5889.

Grandparents raising grandchildren — First Tuesday of every month except during school holidays. Noon at Whanau focus, Victoria St, Dargaville (next to bakehouse). Contact Sandy dargaville@grg.org.nz or 021 044 6214.

Hikuwai O Kaipara Waka Ama Club — Meet at the NW Boating Club 5pm Mondays and Thursdays from 5pm for Awa training.

Justices of the Peace — available every Thursday from 12–1pm at the Whanau Focus offices, 61 Victoria Street, Dargaville.

Kaihu Valley Music Club — 3rd Sunday of the Month at Kaihu Hall on Woods Road. 1pm–4pm. Enquires to John or May 09 439 0827.

Kaipara Cycling — Calendar of Rides — Thursdays

3.15pm–5.15pm Junior Rides 10 years and older; 5.30pm–7pm Women’s Rides; 5.30pm–7pm Adult Rides. Meet at Time To, Normanby Street. If you are riding the Kauri Coast Mountain Bike Park or you want to join the Kaipara Cycling Club go to join.hivepass. co.nz or email kaiparacycling@gmail.com.

Kaipara Heritage Machinery Club — Open and operating Wednesday and Saturday. New members and volunteers welcome. Something to interest both men and women, come and get involved. Phone 09 439 7108 or 09 439 4614.

Kumarani Creative Centre – Creative Dance! — 5pm Thursdays, 15 Onslow Street. For all ages and abilities, fun and inclusive. Koha.

Kumarani Productions — Tuesdays Circus Kids 5–10 years at 3.45pm–4.45pm, Youth Circus 10–18 years at 5pm–6.30pm and Dargaville Fire and Circus Jam 6.30pm–8pm. 15 Onslow St. Through school terms only. Koha.

Lions Club of Ruawai — Meets 3rd Thursday of the month (social night) at the Sports Club and 1st Thursday of the month (business meeting). For more info contact 09 439 2029 or 09 439 2557.

Lions Dargaville — Meeting 2nd Wednesday of the month in Lions Den, Hokianga Road. Contact John for more information 09 439 5937.

Mt Wesley Angels — Meets 2nd Sunday of the month at Old Mt Wesley Cemetery to preserve, record and care for this historic cemetery. Wear suitable footwear, bring water, gardening gloves and a friend.

Northern Wairoa Country Music Club — 1st Sunday of the month at the Scout Hall, 23 Onslow Street 1–4pm. Enquiries to Bruce 09 439 5513.

Northern Wairoa Genealogy Society — Learn how to trace your family history or DNA at the Research Rooms, Dargaville Museum, 4th Sunday of each month 12.30–2pm OR attend our monthly meetings on the 4th Sunday of the month from 2pm–4pm. Phone Sue 021 608 606.

Northern Wairoa Indoor Bowls Assn — Starts at 7pm Mondays at Anglican Church Hall, Tuesdays at Ruawai-Tokatoka Hall, Wednesdays at Dalmatian Hall. For more info contact Warren Younger 027 478 5102 or evenings 09 439 6155.

NZ 60s Up Movement — Dargaville Social Meetings held at the Lighthouse Function Centre on 1st Tuesday of the month. Contact President Margaret Pinny 09 439 4560.

Peggy Purls in our Community — Every 3rd Wednesday 10.30am at Dargaville Sewing and Curtain Centre, 59 Normanby St. Ring Charlene 09 439 6120. Pono Lodge Yoga — Pono Lodge, 41 Hokianga Road, Dargaville. Mondays: Hatha Flow 5.30pm, Yin 7pm. Tuesdays: Body Focus 9.30am. For more info contact Anisha 021 301 860 or see our Facebook page Dargaville Yoga.

Rotary Club of Dargaville — meet weekly at 11.30–1pm at the Lions Centre in Hokianga Road. New members always welcome, men and women. If you want to join a Service Club with nearly 85 years to Dargaville. Phone Brian 09 439 6175.

RSA Women’s Section — Social meeting held at the Clubrooms, 4th Monday of the month. Contact Secretary/Treasurer Betty Bruce 09 439 4344. Ruawai Gardening Club — Meetings or other activities held on 3rd Thursday of every month, Feb to Nov at the Ruawai Bowling Club, 10am start. New members welcome. Phone Merele 09 439 2335.

Stepping Out Leisure Marching Team — Tuesday 4pm–5pm at the Dargaville Town Hall. Contact Sharon 027 439 5634 or 09 439 5634 for more details. Vaccine Passport required.

Stitches and Craft — 5 Cranley St, Dargaville. 10am–4pm Tuesday and Friday Contact Lois 027 473 0598 for further details.

Strength & Conditioning — Baylys Beach Community Centre — Mondays and Fridays. Small class groups. 10am–11am $10 per session. Call Tony 022 311 8447.

Wednesday Crafts — Every Wednesday 10am. Morning tea and lunch will be served. Variety of crafts. The Kiosk at Memorial Park. All welcome. $7 per session Contact Judy 027 316 3940.

PUZZLE TIME

Sudoku

ACROSS: 1 Scoop, 4 Trespass, 9 Basket, 14 Point, 15 Tricks of the trade, 17 Corgi, 18 Rub, 19 Therapy, 20 Journeyed, 21 Skimpy, 24 Bering Sea, 25 Drying, 26 Enable, 29 Usefulness, 31 Inn, 32 Curdle, 33 Kelp, 35 Ill, 37 Ball, 39 Observers, 40 Next of kin, 41 Habit, 42 Persists, 47 Orchards, 51 Sauna, 55 Lethargic, 56 Bulldozer, 58 Fame, 59 Ass, 60 Tier, 61 Weaner, 62 Ego, 63 Asphyxiate, 66 Author, 67 Bandit, 69 Anonymous, 72 Defeat, 73 Scheduled, 75 Admiral, 77 Ear, 80 Erase, 81 David Copperfield, 82 Guess, 83 Defend, 84 Singsong, 85 Stunt.

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

DOWN: 2 Cirrhosis, 3 Oscar, 5 Rife, 6 Schools, 7 Alternatives, 8 Space, 9 Brewery, 10 Sect, 11 Eureka, 12 Diary, 13 Stubble, 14 Pigment, 16 Superfluous, 22 Angers, 23 Entrant, 24 Baffles, 25 Danish, 27 Breaker, 28 Elixir, 30 Sort, 32 Clubs, 34 Panes, 36 Moth, 38 Awe, 42 Pilot, 43 Retreat, 44 Ivan, 45 Tugged, 46 Sugar, 48 Curry powder, 49 Affairs, 50 Dim, 51 Scandal, 52 Absent, 53 All of a sudden, 54 Idea, 57 Zephyr, 64 Tarpaulin, 65 Toffees, 66 Allergy, 68 Decided, 70 Onerous, 71 Garage, 72 Dried, 74 Eaves, 76 Idiot, 78 Gene, 79 Span.

Insert the missing letters to complete ten words — five across the grid and five down. More than one solution may be possible.

Resilient to serve

u by Amy Fifita

Despite the recent downpours and flooding, various Dargaville services continued running to provide essential needs to the community.

“We were here to support our community with a happy face at the counter and keep the community fed,” says Four Square checkout operator Shona Johnston.

“Everyone was drained, and we listened to every customer who had a story, but we stayed positive and tried to keep the shelves stocked. We supported our staff also by keeping in contact with each other and providing food when needed.”

Countdown was one of the various places close to the Northern Wairoa River evacuated on Wednesday evening. Its team pressed on making sure townspeople could continue to get supplies.

“Our team did a really good job. The staff worked hard to unload the 40 crates within three hours so we could open on Thursday,” says Dargaville Countdown store manager Thomas Koloi.

With some people needing to run generators and travel, fuel was another need for many during the recent storm. Service stations around remained open to attend to those needs.

A voice for the lifesavers

u by Andy Bryenton

Local man Chris Fife has been chosen as an ambassador for Northland’s rescue helicopters, adding his voice to efforts to keep the service in the air for those in need.

“Supporting a charitable trust that saves lives and being able to effectively play a part in keeping the service in the air is why I believe in becoming an ambassador,” says Chris. “This role goes hand in hand with what I’m already doing in trying to make a positive and long-term impact on people and our community.”

That existing work includes tireless advocacy for youth and adult rugby; Chris is the chair of the Council of Union for Northland, a role which sees him support teams and clubs across the north. He’s no stranger to assisting with the rescue chopper’s fundraising appeals, thanks to the long-standing relationship between the flying emergency heroes and New Zealand’s favourite sport. Chris is also a well-known personality in his professional life; he’s one of the livestock team for PGG Wrightson.

“We got off very lightly and had some surface flooding; other than that, we got off scot-free. Our thoughts go out to those who have had damage to their properties and their houses flooded,” says Dargaville BP owner Mark Simpson. ¢

Chris joins existing ambassadors Anthony Blundell, Ruawai businessperson and community leader; popular Whangārei radio DJ and media personality John Markby; cricketer Joey Yovich; and ex-army serviceman and community mentor Richard Shepard. Together, they have spread the word

about the good work of the rescue helicopter and enlightened locals on the challenges faced in keeping the big Sikorsky choppers flying to save lives.

The entire Northland Emergency Services Trust ambassadorial team is made up of volunteers, who give freely of their time to advocate for the continued operation of our region’s valuable and life-saving rescue helicopters.

p Shona Johnston — Four Square Dargaville checkout operator

p Chris Fife has added advocacy for our local rescue choppers to his work with regional rugby and his professional role in the rural sector

PHONE 09 439 6933

FOR SALE

3MTR SCAFFOLD Planks $77. Scooters Plywood 09 438 6565.

CARAVAN EWOF (and marine). Call your local inspector today at A+ Electrical Inspections and Security on 021 240 6764.

CARPET, VINYL and hard flooring. Full supply and installation service. Mobile showroom. Free measure and quote. Phone Christine — Kaipara Flooring Co 021 515 415.

HAYBALER NEW HOLLAND 281 conventional. Good condition, shed stored. Makes good bales. Free rake included. $2,000 plus GST. Phone 027 499 3887.

SUZUKI ESCUDO Vitara/Grand Vitara — car parts, WOF parts, 4x4 parts etc. Good parts, good prices. Phone Derek 09 439 7573.

TOP SOIL, top quality, $85 per m³ onto your trailer, or truck deliveries available for larger orders. Phone 021 132 4107 or 09 439 5141.

FENCING

FENCING, ALL types of fencing, pool, stockyards, post & rail, boundary plus… call Jeff 027 476 5458.

GRAZING

GRAZING SHORT or long term. available Te Kopuru/

NURSERIES & PLANTS

10,000 SHRUBS, trees, etc, ready now landscaping, hedging, shelter, up to 1m+ high $8 and $10. Reveg Manukas, Pittosporum Karo only $1.50. Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm. Got2Go Plants, 55 West Coast Road, Te Kopuru 09 439 5556.

SOCIAL MEDIA

PET SUPPLIES

PET DOORS — Cat Doors, Dog Doors for Glass or Timber — supplied and installed. Phone 027 275 0918 or 09 439 6458 Kevin Sowter or visit my website: windowanddoors.co.nz — Window & Door Services Ltd.

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

LAWN MOWING, local available to take on more lawns. Phone Jackson 022 543 2792.

SEPTIC TANK SERVICES

MAGIC PROPERTY Services, effluent & septic tank cleaning. Servicing the Kaipara. Phone Chris 027 480 0110 or Mary 027 459 1544. 7 Days. WE ARE THE ONLY CODE COMPLIANT OPERATORS IN THE KAIPARA.

TRADE & SERVICES

CARPET CLEANING, repairs, re-stretching, and patching. Flood drying and small carpet laying work and upholstery cleaning. Very fussy and reasonable prices. Phone Darren, Alltrades Carpet Services 0800 425 587 or 027 286 8584.

WATER TANK Cleaning. Phone Pete 027 444 3053 or 09 405 9510.

WINDOW & Door Repairs & Glazing, Insect Screens, Security and more — call me today. Phone 027 275 0918 or 09 439 6458. Kevin Sowter or visit my website: windowanddoors.co.nz — Window & Door Services Ltd.

TREE SERVICES

TREE REMOVAL, pruning, chipping & stump grinding. Qualified & Insured. Phone Scott 0800 468 9663 Arborcare Tree Maintenance.

TREE TRIMMING Truck using Grapple/Saw – 26m reach — Pruning, Removal, Chipping, Qualified Arborists

SIMPLE – FAST – SAFE – QUALIFIED – EXPERIENCED – VALUE FOR MONEY. Servicing KAIPARA CALL Team Vegetation on 09 439 0050.

WANTED TO BUY

SUZUKI 4X4 Wanted to buy — parked, damaged or unwanted, Escudo Vitara/Grand Vitara. Phone Derek 09 439 7573.

WORK WANTED

DARGAVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CHECK AND CONNECT MENTOR

Applications are invited for the above position.

We are looking for an energetic, passionate and motivated person to build relationships with students and whanau to overcome barriers to achieving success.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Build and maintain positive relationships with whanau and external agencies

• Work with all stakeholders to provide wrap around support for students to reintegrate into the school environment

• Regular reporting to senior leadership and Ministry of Education

The position is full time, fixed term for 1 year and will commence as soon as possible or by negotiation.

Closing date for applications is 28th February 2023

Please send applications to: The Principal Dargaville High School. 57 Plunket Street, Dargaville. Or email office@darghigh.school.nz

JOB WANTED farm labourer/management. 30 years experience in farming, fully-qualified mechanic, welder steel stainless welding gear. Single male accommodation with 2-car garage wanted with job. Flock house federated farmers training school bulls. 1x working dog heading, complete workshop tools for mechanical repairs, tyre machine, carpentry equipment and all fencing equipment. 1x heading horse with filly at foot grazing required. Lockable workshop wanted, 55 years old, no dependants, early starts, normal fair 25 per hour. Currently working Whakapirau. Have awesome references. Call John Wilson Gunn 020 4022 9481 evenings.

Kaipara Community Health Trust

HEALTH SHUTTLE

Accessible Transport

We have a wheelchair hoist

(Dargaville and Whangarei Health Appointments)

For enquiries phone Te Ha Oranga 439 3013

Public notice

(Section 131, Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012)

SSA 2021 Limited, private company of Pegasus, has made application to the Kaipara District Licensing Committee for the renewal of an offlicence in respect of the premises situated at 126128 Victoria Street, Dargaville known as Super Liquor Dargaville

The general nature of the business conducted under the licence is Bottle Store

The days on which and the hours during which alcohol is sold under the licence are: Monday to Sunday, 7:00am to 10:00pm. The application may be inspected during ordinary office hours at the Kaipara District Licensing Committee at 32 Hokianga Road, Dargaville or Unit 13, 6 Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai. Any person who is entitled to object and who wishes to object to the issue of the licence may, not later than 15 working days after the first publication of this public notice, file a notice in writing of the objection with the Secretary of the District Licensing Committee, Private Bag 1001, Dargaville 0340.

No objection to the renewal of a licence may be made in relation to a matter other than a matter specified in section 131 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.

This is the first publication of this notice.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Northland Regional Council (NRC) is publicly notifying its intent to apply aquatic herbicide Aquathol K (active ingredient endothall) to two Far North lakes and three lakes on the Poutō Peninsula to control the pest plant hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum).

The lakes are on private land except Lake Tutaki which is on public conservation land. Aquathol K is a selective herbicide that only affects the target plant species listed above, breaks down into natural elements and doesn’t affect other native plants, fish or invertebrates.

The application is scheduled to take place between 6 and 24 March 2023.

PUBLIC NOTICES

ACOUSTIC MUSIC Blackboard Concert — First Thursday of the month — 7–9.30pm, next is 2nd March 2023, Kaipara Community Centre, Hokianga Road, Dargaville. $2 entry, $2 raffle. Performers and audience welcome. Phone Allan 09 439 6933 or 021 439 697. An enjoyable night to be part of, sit back and be entertained by some great local talent.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS both Dargaville

The application will likely take place early in the morning and is weather dependent. Contact with the lake water (including swimming) will be banned for 24 hours after the completion of the operation.

Fishing will be banned for 72 hours and there will be a restriction on water-takes for 10 days. Affected landowners have been contacted and signs will be up at lakes. For more information, please contact Northland Regional Council on 0800 002 004. For 24hour emergency contact, please phone 0800 504 639.