Volunteering to preserve nature
A green light for the north
u by Paul Campbell
The $3.649 billion Northland Expressway project linking Warkworth and Te Hana will be built by New Zealand’s biggest-ever public-private partnership.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced the Crown signed a project agreement with the Northway consortium for the 26km, four-lane road, the first stage, including twin one-kilometre tunnels through Kraack Hill in the Dome Valley, 15 bridges, two underpasses and 12 wetland stormwater basins, and it’s been welcomed by the four Northland councils. Detailed design, site mobilisation and early construction works are expected to begin in the coming months.
The Northland Regional Transport Committee chair Joe Carr said the announcement marks an important milestone for Northland and a major step toward improving safety and resilience on
the region’s key transport corridor. Over its life, the benefits of the expressway are expected to include 145 fewer deaths and serious injuries, and travel-time savings of 7–10 minutes for each vehicle.
“The committee has consistently advocated for safer, more reliable and more resilient transport connections between Northland and Auckland, and we’re pleased to see this project moving from planning into delivery.”
The work will include a new 26-kilometre, four-lane expressway with grade-separated interchanges at Warkworth, Wellsford and Te Hana, Cr Carr says “is critical to the movement of people, freight and essential services.
“Strong transport links are fundamental to Northland’s economic growth and prosperity. They support our businesses, connect our communities and help ensure goods can move efficiently to markets.
“This project will improve resilience on one of the country’s most important transport corridors and provide greater confidence for Northland residents, visitors and freight operators.”
However, public interest is still centred on solving the Brynderwyn bottleneck, while the New Zealand Transport Authority seeks to ensure the necessary land will be secured for future construction. ¢
p Citizen volunteer John Richards, the Northland Regional Council invasive plant buster Paul Ralph, and Team Vegetation’s Stephen Card stand in one of the last stands of native forest in the Dargaville township area, armed to remove noxious weeds. Volunteers pitch in on alternate Wednesdays to wage a battle against threats like woolly nightshade, Japanese spindle berry, Kahili Ginger and agapanthus. Jessie Wordley also assists with the scheme on behalf of the Kaipara District Council.
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Plea for forest intervention Merger may reignite fluoride debate
u
by Andy Bryenton
Jan Beatty of Tangiterōria has raised serious questions about forestry planting on Kaipara farmland, addressing them to the Kaipara District Council at their July meeting.
Jan came very close to winning a council seat during the last local body election, and continued a career of community representation by speaking to elected members on the threat posed by forests being planted over former farmland. She presented statistics showing that 300,000 hectares had been lost to farming around New Zealand since 2007, with approximately 3,000 rural jobs lost at the same time.
“This is not a call to reject forestry. Forestry has a role to play. However, we need a planned framework which protects productive land,” said Jan, a farmer who shares a boundary with a timber plantation.
“Critically, Kaipara has no setback rules, firebreak requirements, no requirement to consider fire risk or road safety, and no requirement for forest planters to maintain their land. No one checks on forestry or holds them to account.”
While carbon-credit forests are of particular concern, some of these issues touch on the more common forestry,
planted for eventual harvest and processing into wood products. However, it was the knock-on effects of this trend which carried the greatest warning. Jan indicated that a drop in beef farming land could impact Silver Fern Farms in Dargaville, and also that roads overshadowed by mature pines would be damp, dangerous and quick to deteriorate in winter, leading to a bigger council roading bill. She indicated that a possible answer could lie with council rules and long-term planning being tightened up, to ensure better practices. ¢
u by Andy Bryenton
Two of the three district councils, which may become co-joined with Kaipara under government amalgamation plans, now have mandated fluoride in local water supplies, reigniting a debate that saw one mayor prepared to face jail time.
In March 2025, Whangārei’s council faced a $200,000 fine, and then-mayor Vince Cocurullo stated that he’d be prepared to face time to stop fluoride being added to the municipal water supply.
Despite widely publicised debate, including input from New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, who noted that fluoride in the water was a bodily and medical autonomy issue, the courts enforced a mandate which came into effect on March 28.
When Kaipara incumbent mayor Craig Jepson was asked about any pending mandate for Dargaville’s town supply (which is still on the director-general’s list for future implementation), he said that the government would “have a battle on their hands”.
“I believe in a right to autonomy over your body, not to be told what to do with it. Any decision about fluoride must first be made by the community, and then by a vote of councillors,” said the former mayor, now a current councillor.
In April 2024, the Far North District Council sent a formal letter to Dr Diana Sarfati, director-general of health, in which mayor Tepania expressed concerns about
a FNDC fluoride mandate. These included worries about the cost of fluoridation, estimated at more than $6 million. The Far North mayor and council also asked for an extension to fluoridation timeframes, to better consult with the public.
However, the director-general was resolute, and, as in Whangārei, fluoridation will be mandatory. From this week, fluoride will be included in the Kerikeri and Kaitāia water supplies.
With two of the three possible regional councils in Northland already committed to mandatory fluoridation, it would seem inevitable that an amalgamated council subsuming the Kaipara District would be ordered to, or would voluntarily, homogenise their practices and introduce fluoride Northland-wide.
What do you think? Should the issue of fluoride in drinking water be one of personal choice, a government-mandated medication programme for the ‘greater good’, or a vote taken by region or even by town? Email your concise thoughts to editor@rml.nz as we gauge the public mood on a topic which may be indicative of the importance of more granular, localised democracy. ¢
p Jan Beatty presented statistics, noted trends and made a request that the KDC tightens regulations around the mass afforestation of agricultural land
A legacy of leadership
u by Andy Bryenton
Matt Guzik, general manager of the world-renowned Tara Iti golf course, is leaving the Mangawhai
answering the call of the land of his birth, but leaving behind a substantial legacy.
Matt has been part of Tara Iti for 13 years, on board when the masterwork of Ric Kayne was in its emerging stages. He moved to New Zealand when the nowworld-famous seaside club and course was an area of felled pine trees along the Te Ārai shoreline. As general manager, he’s worked to forge a strong team to bring Tara Iti to life and to prominence, as the vision of Ric and course designer Tom Doak came to fruition.
“The
“It’s the software, not the hardware,” he says of his role. “The success of Tara Iti is about the incredible team we were able to assemble, and in keeping that culture alive.”
Matt is steeped in golfing culture, having grown up with the game.
“I will always remember, it was a Sunday morning, and after Mass I went to my cousin’s house. I wanted to purchase a new bike, and my cousin had just started caddying at Midland Hills, a
nearby course. My father, who played golf, said he’d advance me the money for the bike if I also took a job as a caddy. From the age of 11, this took me all the way through university.”
While Matt wryly comments that his skills on the greens nudged him toward a role in general management, not the path of a pro player, there’s a reflection of the trajectory his career took in the way young Mangawhai people have risen to
the opportunity of working as caddies at Tara Iti. Even more local employment has come as the club has grown.
Another impact the highly-regarded club and course has made has been in promoting golf, promoting New Zealand, and Mangawhai. When Kiwi golfer Ryan Fox recently won the open at Royal Birkdale, he commented that Tara Iti would be the course he would most like to play, often. Tara Iti has had a noticeable effect on the uptick of golfing
put
area
the world map as a place to live.
“People like Tiger Woods were great for putting a dot on the map and saying that New Zealand is a great place for golf,” says Matt. “Ric Kayne took it to the next level.”
As Matt leaves for Montana, he says he has come to love the strong community and the natural beauty of Kaipara. He will leave behind a thriving, internationally-
renowned golf course, and another legacy, too. With the support of Tara Iti the course’s namesake, the fairy tern, is making a comeback, and plans for a centre at the venue to help with the conservation of this threatened species are well advanced.
“It’s time to go home. I could stay here forever. But I will definitely be back,” says Matt. He will be succeeded in his role by Steven Shearer, formerly of the Australian Golf Club and a respected peer. ¢
p Matt Guzik, foundational general manager of Tara Iti interest in Mangawhai, and has
the
on
Class action over pylon failure
u by Andy Bryenton
A class action case is being brought by Northland businesses against Transpower and their contractor Omexom, over a major power outage in 2024 triggered by a pylon collapse.
Influential iwi leaders, Harry Burkhardt (Ngāti Kuri), and community leader, Dame Naida Glavish (Ngāti Whātua), have signed a joint affidavit that has been filed in the High Court in Wellington supporting the claim, and they are urging others to show similar support.
“We talk about deliberate investment in Northland — in our people and our infrastructure. What happened here was the opposite. It reflected complacency and a lack of care,” said Mr Burkhardt.
The state-owned electricity grid operator and the French-owned maintenance contractor have been criticised previously for the power outage incident. After the advocacy of local MP Grant McCallum, the Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund was established collaboratively with NorthChamber, the Whāriki Māori Business Network, Northland Inc and Transpower. This fund disbursed $200,000 in its first year.
“Following the electricity disruption caused by the transmission tower fall, I pushed for tangible support for Northland communities,” said Mr McCallum.
The outage was triggered by the collapse of a Transpower pylon after a
contractor unscrewed the bolts holding down three of the four legs of the tower.
It saw 180,000 residents and more than 20,000 businesses without power for multiple days, with business losses estimated by various commentators at around $80 million.
The affidavit stated Northland is home to a significant proportion of Māori-owned and run businesses, without access to significant funding. The businesses won’t be equipped to challenge well-resourced defendants, such as Transpower and Omexom, unless the class action proceeds. ¢
Love in the mixture
u by Amy Fifita
Having seen and supported her mother fight cancer twice and discovering her baking passion from her grandmother, Michaela Morrison doesn’t just volunteer her time for Daffodil Day — she bakes.
“Every year, since I was six months old, I’d help my mum at the barbecue and bake sale for Daffodil Day at the ANZ, in Warkworth. I am now 20 years old, but this year, instead of the bake sale, they are doing a bingo night, so I will be helping do that,” said Michaela.
The 20-year-old is studying for a Bachelor of Business, majoring in human resource management, and runs Michaela Sweet Cakes as a sideline to help pay off her student loan. Passionate about the cause and baking, she decided to do her own fundraiser through her business.
“I started baking with my nana when I was young, and she taught me most of what I know. I’m self-taught, but my love for it came from my nana, and it continues to grow. I am trying to fundraise as much as I can, and I’ve had a lot of orders so far.”
Anyone wanting to donate can contact Michaela on the Michaela’s
Sweet Cakes Facebook or Instagram page. The cut-off date to order for the fundraiser is August 24, with deliveries to Mangawhai, Waipu, Ruakākā and Langs Beach on August 27, and areas between Mangawhai and Auckland on August 28.
“Thank you to everyone who supports me through sharing my posts, buying the Daffodil Day cupcakes, or in general by buying cupcakes or brownies — it means a lot.” ¢
p A class action court case is being brought against Northpower and Omexom regarding a pylon collapse in 2024
p Michaela is using her love for baking to fundraise for the upcoming Daffodil Day
Farmers boost land use
u by Paul Campbell
Environmental efforts are ramping up amongst farmers with a partnership aimed at building resilience across Kaipara and wider Northland’s horticultural and farming industry.
Arapohue’s Sophia Wood and Michael Frood are in the midst of making positive environmental changes to their farming operation, Double O Farms, with the help of Kaipara Moana Remediation and the HortNZ Growing Change project.
With two kilometres of waterways fenced off to protect the planting of 1,682 natives, three kilometres of waterway fencing has just been completed for just under 3,000 natives to be planted in July.
“The waterways all feed directly into the Northern Wairoa River, and our aim
“The support of KMR and HortNZ has enabled us to accelerate our goals, both environmentally and economically, and focus on what the land could look like in 10 years’ time.”
Across the river and halfway down the Poutō Peninsula is kūmara grower Luke Posthuma. He crops 30ha of
“Hopefully, other landowners will jump on board after seeing what we have been able to achieve”
is to ultimately exclude all livestock from waterways and reduce sediment loss. We want healthy water, healthy soil and sustainable farming of the land,” says Sophia.
“Hopefully, other landowners will jump on board after seeing what we have been able to achieve.”
Hkūmara and 5ha of pumpkin on an 89ha mixed-cropping (500 lambs are wintered annually) unit, which comprises 50ha of flats and 39ha of Te Kōpuru pan.
Having studied agricultural science at Massey University and spent a decade immersed in environmental work and soil mapping, Luke says it is great putting that experience into practice on the land.
When the project is complete there will be 15,775 native stems, with around half being utilised as vegetated buffers
They say their 200-hectare familyowned property runs as a family share operation, where the couple crops 30ha of kūmara annually on a rotation, while Sophia’s sister Hazel and brother-in-law Alan fatten around 1,500 lambs through the winter. The remaining land is utilised by Sophia and Hazel’s parents Jeff and Catherine for beef breeding and finishing.
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p Arapohue’s Sophia Wood and Michael Frood on cropping land and the rest in areas too wet for cropping.
“The funding from KMR and Hort NZ has fast-tracked our plans to protect waterways and retire areas of wetlands
and mud springs, which were wet areas of the farm causing management issues and not offering much in terms of productivity. In 20 years, the wetlands are going to be beautiful.” ¢
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u by Andy Bryenton
A Celtic celebration Mangawhai dogs petition for their day
Maungatūroto will rock to the sounds of Celtic music this August, as a winter tradition from Scotland comes to life in the heartland of Kaipara.
The concept of a ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) is an old Celtic folkway, with roots in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Brittany. It’s an event that emphasises the love of music, dance, good company and hospitality, defining the culture of the Celtic peoples. A dance event that’s more fun than formal, the ceilidh is a place to meet friends, enjoy good food and drink, and come in from the cold to celebrate as a community.
There have been a number of successful ceilidh events in Dargaville recently, organised by that town’s Scouts, but now the fun is coming back to Maungatūroto, which has hosted very popular ceilidh gatherings in the past.
“This will be a fun, family-friendly event, and a wonderful chance to get out of the house to connect with local community this winter. You don’t need any experience to enjoy the dancing, live music, and Celtic culture,” says event coorganiser Caitlin Ryan.
The venue is the Maungatūroto Centennial Hall, on Saturday, August 15 at 7.30pm, and the music will come courtesy of the Gaidhealtacht Ceilidh Band, with rousing Celtic classics played live and loud. The name Gaidhealtacht means ‘the Gaelic world’, referring to the heartland of Scots culture and its core tenets.
One of these is, of course, gathering and making merry at midwinter; the perfect time for a ceilidh dance. Mark the date and come along for some dancing, music and togetherness, at an event where everyone is welcome. ¢
u by Andy Bryenton
The responsible dog walkers of Mangawhai have petitioned the Kaipara District Council for an area to let their pets exercise in the colder winter months, a humane request which attracted eight pages of supporting signatures.
A map included with the petition indicates that the signatory dog owners suggest the current onleash area on the margin of the Mangawhai Estuary, which is already popular for dog walkers. Areas which are off-limits due to the Department of Conservation’s activities are not being requested for access.
‘The reason for the request is that during the winter months, sunset for Northland is as follows: June, 5.15pm, July, 5.20pm, August, 5.45pm. As a result of the current times, responsible dog walkers are being made to exercise their pets in the dark,’ says the petition, presented to members of the Kaipara District Council for consideration last week.
The submission also noted that neighbouring councils have set aside off-leash dog walking times for the ‘off season’, when tourists, anglers and surfers are low in numbers. Auckland Council, for example, allows dogs to run off-leash (though supervised) on all its beaches between the dates of March 2 to November 30.
As well as being an inconvenience and perceived as unfair to dogs which require daily exercise to remain fit and healthy, some respondents reported that being compelled to walk at night made them feel unsafe. Councillors will consider the practicalities of altering the 2019 Kaipara District Dog Management Bylaw, and staff will compile a report so elected members can make a decision on the issue at the KDC meeting in August. ¢
p Dancers whirl to the sounds of the band at last year’s Maungatūroto midwinter ceilidh
p The Kaipara District Council has received a wellsupported petition to allow daylight wintertime dog exercise in Mangawhai
Museum hosts creativity
u by Paul Campbell
The Kauri Museum has added to its showcasing of world-class collections of kauri and pioneer artefacts with its first official winter series art exhibition.
“We are embracing our creative community with the exhibition and are grateful for the response of 35 talented artists,” says exhibition curator Megan Dickinson.
“The exhibition will be running from Friday, August 7 until Saturday, September 5, and is a landmark community event that showcases original works from local talent across the Northland and Kaipara regions.
“There are some concurrent museum exhibits, including other seasonal artistic displays and installations, and the Matariki Exhibition running until August 14. This display highlights stunning, collaborative Māori-inspired artworks and waka murals crafted by local Northland schools.”
A winter visit to the Church Road, Matakohe museum offers a standing display covering 4,500 square metres of indoor exhibits, recording the pioneering history of early European settlers, iwi communities, logging industries, and the kauri tree itself.
Collections include the world’s largest collection of kauri gum, showcasing fossilised resin creations, and the winter
series art exhibition stands near the world’s largest kauri slab. Adjacent is a life-sized, two-storey replica boarding house from 1910 furnished and populated with realistic figures of early locals.
Outside the museum stands a historic precinct, including an original post office, a pioneer school, and also a small adjacent art gallery that adds to the creative flavour for visitors.
The winter exhibition is open from 9am–5pm, and can be reached by the museum entrance feature, an immersive indoor forest walkway equipped with tall light-box trees and a natural soundscape. ¢
EDITORIAL by Andy Bryenton
Ultima ratio regnum
The Greeks told a wild story, as many people have recently found out for the first time when they watched the controversial Chris Nolan version of The Odyssey. They also came up with some wild concepts, one of which is the idea that the citizens of a nation should decide who leads them, and how.
Democracy really caught on when people realised that having kings and nobles with hundreds of times more power and wealth than they did led to some pretty dire situations. That’s why the debate about council amalgamation is important, and doubly so as it comes before an election. Love them or hate them, your locally elected councillors live among us, keeping them more tethered to the reality of the average citizen than some foreign bigwigs who skulk in gilded palaces are.
Anyone can come and present their case to a public meeting of the council. Anyone can launch a petition, or do the ultimately democratic thing and run for office when there’s an election.
Now think about what might be lost if people in Te Kōpuru or Paparoa have to vote for someone to run Kaipara out of Whangārei. We may well end up with a lot less voice, a lot less accountability, and a lot less of a tether between our representatives and the reality of Kaipara issues.
Let’s also consider the possibility that amalgamation ushers in an era
when the regional mayors are partisan, too. It’s common practice overseas for a mayor to be beholden to a political party machine, and that would mean the orders steering Kaipara originated in Wellington.
We’ve had lots of letters on this issue, and some opine that seeing as the government is going to force amalgamation on us, we might as well concede. Would you give that advice to your kids, if they were approached by a dubious stranger intent on forcing things on them?
Others express a certain fatalistic nihilism, and say that amalgamation is a mirror image of the health reforms which promised economies of scale a whole election cycle ago. Change the name, remix the structure, but don’t add significant funding to solve the problems. They might have part of a point. New Zealand is already one of the most centralised nations in the OECD, with local governments only receiving about 10 per cent of public spending, compared to an OECD average of 37 per cent.
Rates caps won’t change that. Amalgamation won’t change that. Councils which can work smarter with limited funds do their bit, but in the end, it’s a ‘George Washington’ question. More taxation with less representation is what made old George lose his patience with a king. Why would we meekly accept a similar recipe 250 years later? ¢
Are council mergers inevitable?
I was reported in the June 30th issue of the Lifestyler as telling the Kaipara District Council that: ‘under direction from the central government, a Northland Unitary Council is inevitable.’
I now have some doubts about that, because of the evolving political situation and the upcoming elections. In my statement to the Whangārei District Council, I also indicated that local government reform could end up on the bonfire, as a sacrifice to shore up voter support for the current government.
The National part of the government will have to weigh up how many votes will be lost, and how many gained by continuing with this project. They may yet acknowledge that there is no evidence to support the proposition amalgamation of local bodies will improve efficiency. In fact, they wouldn’t have to look far
to find the opposite. On the other hand, it would be very easy to demonstrate that amalgamation will result in a loss of local representation, especially for Kaipara constituents.
Of the four options, which the steering group came up with, I reckon the twostep option they (apart from Kaipara) chose threatens the greatest cost — to be delivered without central government financial support and under a four per cent rates cap, I believe.
I am glad our representatives did not go along with it. Of course, our council’s decision may amount to nothing if the government, who were all in favour of localism about three years ago, decides to carry out its threat and force an amalgamation. Interesting times.
Mark Vincent Ōtamatea
Town hall remedy
I have a rescue plan for the Dargaville Town Hall. Don’t demolish the annexe with a digger. This could damage the structure of the hall (its frame). Seal off the hall from the annexe, repair the hall, and make it usable by making the back doors the main entry. The work could be done by council contractors and community volunteers.
We could run fundraising events in the hall to pay for repairs and maintenance.
Concerts, guest speakers, market days and the like. I’d like to see the annexe repaired if possible. After council amalgamation I expect little towns like Dargaville to be treated as isolated backwaters — so time is short. Tangiterōria put up its own new hall (the Sports Complex) at no expense to the Kaipara District Council.
Lance Bullock Dargaville
Times Gone By
Plane breezes into Pahi
The seaplane from Auckland, which went to Pahi Regatta on Saturday last, was a big attraction up there, and many of the more venturesome spirits essayed a flight at £2 10s for five minutes. The plane came down to Shelly Beach on Sunday, and was towed up the river to Helensville, being towed back again to the regatta on Easter Monday. The machine created a good deal of interest, but no flights were arranged, as the pilot considered the weather conditions unsuitable. One of the local fishermen took a flight in the early morning, and vividly described how the rush of air, when he ventured to look over the side, nearly blew his “blessed head off!”
Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, March 31 1921 Image credit: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections
Your Style of Rural Living
adding a mud room to more windows for the morning sun, make your home fit you
Full of fibre
u by Amy Fifita
Crafters are in store for a vibrant selection of sheep, alpaca, mohair and possum colours at the Kaipara Wool and Fibre Festival later this month.
Organised by Val Faulkner, the festival will be held at the Maungaturoto Country Club, 84 Bickerstaffe Road, Maungaturoto on Sunday, August 16, from 10am–3pm. The annual attraction for knitters, crocheters and fibre artists alike brings together local fibre dyers and spinners to showcase their goods all in one place.
“The minute you step through the door, you are greeted by a stunning sea of colour and texture. The festival gives northern people the opportunity to see and touch the exciting yarns and fibre from local fibre artists all in one convenient, exciting place,” said a Kaipara Wool and Fibre Festival spokesperson.
With almost 20 stalls already booked, including Miro Yarns and Silverhill Alpacas, this festival is a pilgrimage for many lovers of fibres.
“You’ll find yarn and raw or dyed fibre, from various fibre animals, including merino and other sheep breeds, alpaca, mohair and possum. You’ll find stacks of yarn, mainly from
NZ indie dyers, unspun fibre, tools and accessories, relaxing massage, and space to sit, knit and natter.”
For those wanting to make a day of it, an indoor cafe is situated on-site with a selection of tasty treats and beverages. The event is free to attend, and there is on-site parking for a gold coin donation. Those eager to join the fervour for fibre are welcome to reserve a free spot at eventbrite.co.nz. ¢
Water system future-proofed
u by Andy Bryenton
Water mains six decades old are being replaced across Dargaville, in a major project to ensure that there’s reliable drinking water supply to homes in the town.
Approximately six kilometres of water mains will be replaced between the water treatment plant and Logan Street, via Station Road, Edward Street, Day Street, Beach Road and the Kaihū River bridge on State Highway 12. It’s a $6.3 million upgrade mayor Jonathan Larsen says is an example of the council’s often unseen work on vital infrastructure.
“Providing safe and reliable drinking water is one of our core responsibilities. While projects like this happen largely underground and out of sight, they play a big role in keeping taps running for homes and businesses across Dargaville,” said mayor Larsen.
“Most people will never see these pipes, but they rely on them every day. Replacing ageing watermains now means fewer problems down the track and a more dependable water supply for years to come.”
The project is not part of works to bring water from the Redhill dam into Dargaville, but instead brings drinking water from the
town’s hilltop reservoir to homes to the south of Hokianga Road.
Engineers and designers attached to the project say that they have been able to replace the old piping in parallel, meaning no water shut-offs for residents. Work is expected to finish in late June 2027 and will be carried out in stages to keep roads open as much as possible. Temporary traffic management will be in place, and at times sections of Logan Street, Beach Road, Day Street, Edward Street and Station Road may operate under one-way traffic control. ¢
p Mayor Jonathan Larsen turns the first sod, with councillor Joesephine Nathan, deputy mayor Gordon Lambeth, and representatives of Northern Pipe and Civil Ltd and the KDC
p There are many fibre types on show, including alpaca, possum, merino and mohair options
TO BUILD OR RENOVATE
Home is where the show is
u by Andy Bryenton
The Auckland Home Show is the biggest of its kind, a monster event spanning four days and bringing a
the public.
Hundreds of companies will bring their latest and greatest to the ASB Showgrounds for the 2026 show; 450 in all. There’s high technology in the form of projectors and laser televisions, 3D printing and scanning devices, advanced security systems and timesaving appliances. Tools are on offer to tackle any task from heavy construction to precision painting. There’s artwork to grace your walls, and the relaxations of spa pools, saunas and luxurious furniture. It’s impossible not to walk away inspired.
then call your local tradespeople to share your vision
As well as packing in a whole showgrounds full of exhibitors, showcasing the cutting edge of building technology and style, the Auckland Home Show also provides a chance to try new things, build new skills, and have some fun. A key feature of the 2026 show is the Ryobi tools’ Make + Take area, where instructors will be on hand to walk you through their wide range of power tools.
They’ll not only show you what’s new in portable DIY power; there are hands-on projects that you can try, and when you’re done you can take them home with you.
Then there’s the new home marketplace area, where local artists and creative artisans will assemble a gallery of fresh ideas and innovations that are beyond the mainstream. A curated blend of decor, art, interior design and even ecological concepts such as eco-friendly bean bag
filling, the home market is full of bright ideas.
Visiting the Auckland Home Show also gives you access to four days of seminars from industry experts and insiders. You’ll find a full schedule from 10.30am until 6.30pm daily, covering topics as varied as the practicalities of saving money with solar power, renovation hacks and tips, interior design trends, how to gain compliance for big DIY projects, flooring ideas, kitchen makeovers and bathroom brilliance.
Homes are for families, and the home show is too. On Sunday there will be special activities, entertainment and attractions for young patrons, allowing busy parents to combine a practical visit to the show with some family time. Come along for free face painting, a free kid’s art station where youngsters can craft their own bugs and blooms, a colouring competition, and Easy As workshops hosted by the good folks at Mitre 10.
and
Mark your calendar for September 10, 11, 12 and 13 — just a month away. By the time you hit the home show at ASB Showgrounds, spring will be in full swing, so now’s the time to take a look at your home and decide what needs to change. The show will provide ample opportunities to replace it with fresh and trendy new concepts. ¢
p Spring is just around the corner, and that means it’s Auckland Home Show time. Get inspired,
TO BUILD OR RENOVATE
Prepping for spring projects
u by Amy Fifita
As we step into the last month of winter, it is time to start thinking about how we plan to experience our summer, be it under a pergola or around a newly constructed raised garden bed.
The upcoming spring season provides new opportunities for landowners to improve their land and lifestyle in the form of social spaces and garden add-
ons. Perhaps it is putting a cabin to use as a craft space, or a place for your teenager to sleep. Whatever it is, now is a good time to get ahead of the game.
Popular spring projects include fire pits, wooden art pieces, raised garden beds, deck construction, cabins, tree benches, bird houses and so on. With many options to choose from, thinking ahead to what you want your summer months to be like. Whether it is spending time with family and friends, a nice relaxed rest from the business of life or wanting to hide away to get into your hobbies.
Create a plan and take an inventory of the materials and tools needed, and other considerations like needing a tradesperson at some point for tasks, especially electrical work.
Planning and obtaining ahead of time can help home handypeople avoid the crowd and high demand of certain items. With materials and tools ready, the only limitations are time and the weather.
With El Niño winter conditions in effect, projects could even start early, or
could take advantage of a sunny day to take measurements of the work area. Preparation work like clearing the area can be done ahead of time, too, if the weather permits.
While some are digging their teeth into the possibilities of their backyard, others already have their dream outdoor spaces, but as with all good things, maintenance
is a must. Right now is a great time to be taking stock of what needs replacing, repairing, weeding or demolishing and starting anew.
With the warm months in our sights, social occasions and outdoor time are calling. Putting the effort in now can save time and get the property to where you want it. ¢
p Looking ahead and preparing for your outdoor projects now can help save time for the spring start homeowners
Having a real blast
u by Andy Bryenton
Water blasting and power washing are so satisfying that it’s spawned a series of simulator video games, but getting it wrong can make a cleaning job into an expensive resurfacing; here are some tips from the professionals.
Preparation is everything when it comes to getting the best result from your water blasting mission, and that starts with getting the right machine for the job. Not enough power, and you’re effectively just using the hose. It will power through more water and time before your path or deck are clean. Too powerful, and you could damage the surface itself.
Choose a power washer or blaster which is for more than just cleaning the mud off tyres to tackle big spring-clean chores, but also take note of which nozzle you’re using. Many machines, especially those which use a petrol motor, have multiple options, so check to see which one provides a good spread to clean down timber and concrete.
Clear off debris with a stiff broom before you begin, and give the machine a test to ensure it’s working at full strength. Now you’re ready to take care of the three big areas around the home which could do with a spruce-up for springtime.
For your driveway and concrete paths, it’s always best to start at the highest point and work down. Water, and the filth that is dislodged by your blaster, will run downward and you don’t want to have
to double back. Use the water jet like a broom in even, parallel sweeps, not too close to the surface, and you’ll see the results immediately. Resist the urge to get artistic. There are stories both apocryphal and real of humorous but crude pictures and words ‘painted’ on to concrete by chuckling homeowners, which are still clearly visible even after several passes to try to erase them.
To wash down your house, you’ll need a little less pressure than you might for cleaning concrete surfaces; turn it down and stand back, especially if your paint is getting on in years. Once again, start at the top right under the eaves, and begin by brushing away cobwebs while they are dry. It’s amazing how resilient these spiderwebs are to a high-powered stream of water. Why not do the whole job, hire portable scaffolding, and blast the gutters first? Aim down when washing weatherboards, and you won’t force water in between the overlap with this angle.
For decks, always wash along the grain, usually the long axis of each board. If this means going parallel to the house, do it; washing with the grain will prevent timber splitting and frizzing. Once again, long straight strokes, not wavy lines, are the key to a good result. No matter what you’re blasting, wash, then blast, then rinse for a great finish, and stand back to admire your handiwork. ¢
p The power of water can cut cleaning jobs down to size, but preparation and technique are vitally important
TO BUILD OR RENOVATE
Building brick by brick
u by Andy Bryenton
There’s a solidity and beauty to brick construction, but there’s practicality, too. Brick buildings from the dawn of time have endured, as have whole castles and stately homes made of fired clay and ingenuity.
The oldest bricks come from Tell Aswad, high up the Tigris river in modern Iraq. There, the thick river clay would harden in the sun, and locals took note that during
the dry summer, the river banks became hard as stone. Shaping the clay and mud into squares, they made a building material which was easier to work with than rock, harder than timber, and in seemingly inexhaustible supply.
The huge stepped pyramids of the Mesopotamians were built using these mud-bricks, and they worked amazingly well in a dry and arid land, but even better when treated with fire. The brick kiln allowed ancient kings to build walls that repelled armies, and legendary monuments too. The hanging gardens of Babylon used glazed and fired bricks that channelled water for this early hydroponic marvel. At about the same time, fired red-clay bricks were invented in China, of a surprisingly similar size to the ones we’d recognise from modern houses. If you were a Roman soldier, you might have spent more time making bricks than fighting barbarians. Each legion carried its own portable brick kiln, and gates, bath
aqueducts and forts stamped with the seal of the emperor on each brick are found across Europe.
Just before (and during) the industrial revolution, huge brick factories dominated the trade in England. Red bricks, of the kind we see in classical brick and tile houses, became the norm for an odd reason in the late 1600s. London was being rebuilt after the fire of 1666, and wood was no longer allowed. The novelty of trade with China had brought the bright red bricks mentioned earlier to British
Building Excellence across Northland
attention, and the colour was chosen to make buildings stand out in London fog, and to stop the new brick buildings appearing dark and sootsmeared, in an era when the great metropolis ran on wood and coal fires.
Modern brickmaking might use traditional methods, but can also employ a so-called hyperpress. In this highpressure forming machine, a tiny amount of cement, about nine per cent of the brick and a tiny amount of pigment for aesthetics are combined with crushed waste rock. This recycled concrete is crushed up into powder, and added to waste products from smelting. Fly ash from burning waste to generate energy is also sometimes used, sealing it up out of environmental cycles. This can make up 90 per cent of a modern brick, and it’s hard to tell the difference. The other major oddity is that there’s no kiln at all, just the enormous pressure exerted by hydraulics. ¢
p Herstmonceux Castle was built in the time of Shakespeare, when red brick, inspired by oriental and Indian techniques, was being embraced to replace Tudor wood-and-plaster construction houses,
TO BUILD OR RENOVATE
A waterside summer
u by Amy Fifita
We all know it’s coming: the hot nights, humid days and desire to quench the heat, so why not look at installing a
While many view the pursuit of a pool on their property, humanity’s desire to have a swimming hole in their backyard is a historical one. Not just for watering crops and bathing in, many of the ancient societies settled close to the water for its benefit.
From the Great Bath in MohenjoDaro, Pakistan, to the recreational pools in ancient Greece, they show people’s need and desire for them. While history perhaps romanticises the novelty of having a pool, there are practical ways to make it work for any property.
swimmers’ skin and eyes and expose people to fewer chemicals.
Chlorine pools offer a cheaper installation, simpler equipment and easier maintenance. For those who already have a pool wanting the benefits or ease of the other, salt and chlorine pools can be converted at a cost.
The reality is that saltwater pools create chlorine through electrolysis to convert salt into chlorine.
When deciding, weighing up the pros and cons to suit your lifestyle can be daunting but necessary, especially if you want to be reaching for a cold beverage poolside this summer. ¢
Many people are taken aback by the maintenance having one requires, especially the cost. When looking at installing a pool, there are two main options to consider — a saltwater pool or a chlorine pool.
There are benefits to both. While the initial cost of a saltwater pool is generally more expensive to set up, maintenance costs less in the long run, whereas it’s reversed with a chlorine pool.
People opting for this option may be paying a greater set-up cost and have to replace parts but will reap the other benefits. Saltwater pools have cheaper maintenance costs, are gentler on
HANDY CABINS
So are there any other options? Yes, there are.
Mineral pools use potassium and magnesium and, like the other options, also produce chlorine to sanitise the water. For those wanting to steer clear of adding chemicals to your swimming water, freshwater pools offer an odourless, allergy-friendly option and are easier and cheaper to maintain.
Contact Handy Cabins today for a free quote and start planning your custom-built sleepout, office, or tiny home!
p Spring and summer create more social times to be outside and enjoy the water with family and friends
Meet Scotty from Carrfields
Carrfields Livestock Northland now has a new livestock representative in Scott ‘Scotty’ McDermott, who has recently joined the team in Kaipara.
“I was born and raised in Dargaville, and have proudly called the district home for the past 44 years. I grew up in Tangowahine Valley and attended Tangowahine Primary School, Dargaville Intermediate and Dargaville High School,” says Scotty.
“After leaving school, I qualified as a builder and worked in the trade in Dargaville for eight years. I then returned to my passion for farming, spending the next 15 years in the dairy industry.
“Through a successful equity partnership, I achieved farm ownership and operated a 189-hectare dairy farm, milking around 400 cows for 11 years,” he said.
Scotty enjoys the country life in rural Dargaville with his family. With his recent career move as a livestock representative for Carrfields Livestock Northland, he’s enthusiastic about the future.
“Today, I live on a small lifestyle block northwest of Dargaville with my wife and two children, and have recently joined the Carrfields Livestock Northland team. I’m excited about the opportunities ahead, and look forward to working alongside local farmers and supporting the rural community.”
“Outside of work, I enjoy hunting, fishing and sport, with rugby playing a significant role throughout my life. Over the years, I’ve been involved in rugby as a player, coach and administrator, and I continue to value the connections and experiences the game has provided.”
With the background and knowledge in livestock, contact Scotty at Carrfields Livestock Northland. ¢
Freshwater farm plan audits may go
u by Andy Bryenton
As part of the select committee process, changes have been made to a contentious topic in agriculture legislation — the freshwater farm plan system.
The select committee has agreed to amend the legislation to remove the requirement for a non-certified farm plan to be audited. This is seen as a major breakthrough for farmers, and a possible area where the promised removal of red tape is coming to fruition.
“This change supports the riskbased and practical approach for farm plans,” says Associate Environment and Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard. He opined the current RMA and its strict provisions have “held up development and caused frustration for farmers, homeowners, iwi, councils and others.
“Only those farms undertaking activities with a higher identified risk to freshwater will be required to have a certified and audited freshwater farm plan.”
Farmers with lower risk activities will still need to prepare and hold a farm plan, and declare they have one to the council, but they will not need to have it certified or audited. That’s less work, cost and time for a large number of farms.
p “There is a role for freshwater farm plans in the new planning system,” says Andrew Hoggard; but mandatory audits are out for many farms after select
committee changes
The changes still support protection of critical waterways, as in sensitive catchments, freshwater farm plans may be used to align with environmental
rules or regulations. Farmers can opt to have their plans certified and audited at any time, if that’s required for access to specific markets.
“Farm plans will be straightforward for most farmers to develop, giving them a practical way to identify, manage and reduce the impacts of farming on their land and freshwater,” said Hoggard.
“We’ve heard from farmers that they want a system that’s costeffective, restores certainty, and provides environmental protections without the delays of the old RMA. I believe we’ve achieved that.”
The select committee report on the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill came through in mid-July, and the comments and changes recommended by that body have been welcomed by the architects of the RMA’s replacement.
“These bills are central to this government’s plan to grow the economy and back our farmers,” says Agriculture Minister Todd McClay.
“For too long the RMA has added cost, delay and uncertainty for the people who grow and produce New Zealand’s food and fibre. Replacing it with a system that is practical, proportionate, and focussed on outcomes is good news for farmers and for the wider economy.
“I’m pleased to see the select committee has listened to the sector and refined how freshwater farm plans will work in practice.” ¢
A dog’s tail … Gold an’ silver ana footy spitting roast
“Well Dog it’s bin a helluva week, an’ tell ya wot, there’s a lotta stuff still ter come.” That was tha Boss, readas, as we headed down ter smoko wiv his gerfren’ Sharlene, an’ I suppose he’s gonna say more wiv their cuppatees.
Well, he did as he sat ona woolshed steps. “Looky Deah, we doin’ real well in Glasgow, wiv eight gold meddils, 11 silvers an’ nine bronsies so full marks to ’em all, an’ that Lisa Carrington still flyin’ high ina pole volt.” Sharlene agreed but she was readin’ tha papa froma road gate I fetched and gava groan.
“Well Deah, we got good news an’ bad news, too.” Boss pored another cupptees an’ looked over atta papa. “Wot’s the trubble then?” an’ Sharlene red in her schoolteecher voice like she does:
“The 1,217-home Delmore development on farmland near Auckland’s Ōrewa has been fast-tracked, and because Auckland’s Watercare can’t connect up until 2050, they want to send about 1,600 tanker loads of treated wastewater to Whangārei’s treatment plant; about 504,000 litres a day in summer.”
Boss splutted inter his cuppatees an’ Sharlene hada thump him ona back. When he could speak again he said “there must be an idiot in charge of that asylum.” I was trying ter unnerstan’ that, but Sharlene said Boss was rite. “Ya gotta wunder deah, we got a new highway ter Kaiwaka startin’ ter happen
an’ already Auckland wants ter jump ona bandawagon like they want ter dump all there rubbish ina Dome Valley right ona Kaipra Harbour.”
Boss hada think an’ said: “If they wanta send their sewage and rubbish up here we might just get our farm mates to park ona Brunderwyn an’ Hiway 12. Close it all down.” Well, Sharlene give me a pat ana pikelit witch made me understan’ Boss was just lettin’ off some steem like he does.
So she then sed: “Don’t wurry too much Deah, ’cos there’s sum good stuff, too. The All Blacks are off in Cape Town for the Greatest Rivalry Tour, and that’s the first real tour in 30 years.”
Of course, that made Boss forget all about tractor action. “Wow, Deah, of course, I got that woolshed barbie party planned for nek Satiday wen they kickoff against them Stormers at DHL Stadium.”
Sharlene read sum more onna papa: “The seven-week tour features four matches against South Africa’s top provincial clubs alongside a gruelling fourtest series against the world-champion Springboks, and then a final match in the United States.”
Well, there ya go Dog,” seda Boss. “We better go cut out a fat hogget for game day.”
Now that’s somethin’ worth doin’ readas. Spitting roastid hogget means this ole dog gonna eat well onna lef-overs. Sprecially when the AB’s doin’ well ona widescreen TV ana peeple are havin’ bears and whines an’ all happy. Even Boss has bin known ta slip me a choice bita muttin off his plate wen he gets ekcited.
As a mattra fact, I’m off ta the sheep paddick an’ pick a good fat footy hoggit now.
See ya — Billy ¢
WHAT’S ON?
For outside of Dargaville events email info@rml.nz
August
Tiakina Te Kaitiaki – Caring for carers — Tuesday 4th August 10am–2pm. Westy is here to help support you while you care for your loved ones. Drop into the office or call us for further information. Ph 021 245 3765. Whare Awhine – Community Law — Wednesday 5th August from 10am until 1pm. Free legal advice clinic. Drop into the office for further information. SPCA — 5th August, 10am–11.30am cnr SH12 and Victoria St parking. 12.30pm–1.30pm Ruawai Village Green. Look for the Flag! Flea treatment $10, worm treatment $3, pet care advice, emergency pet food. Governance Workshop — Thursday, 6th August for Community Organisations. A full day, bookings essential, $20 per person. Great for new committee members as well as a refresher for those more seasoned. suec@dcdb.nz.
Kia Roha — Tuesday 11th August 9am–1.30pm. Free hearing checks and subsidised equipment options. Meet lovely Dani from Your Way Kia Roha. Family Court Navigator — Tuesday 18th August 10am–2pm. Josephine provides support and guidance to help individuals understand and prepare for Family Court processes.
Craft Market — Friday 21 Aug from 4pm, open to the public from 5pm–7pm. Tables $10/stall. Support local creativity and grab unique treasures at Empire Luncheonette, 18 Hokianga Rd. Contact Yvette 021 0810 3848.
Inland Revenue Clinic — Tuesday 25th August. Heartland Services, Whanau Focus Building, 61 Victoria Street, Dargaville Bookings Essential. Phone 09 439 7009 or 021 245 3765.
Markets
Monthly Market — 1st Saturday of each month, 8am–noon at the Kaipara Community Centre, Hokianga Road (opposite the Town Hall).
Paparoa Farmers’ Market — Saturdays 9am–noon. Genuine local produce, vegetables, seafood, olive oils, meats, patisserie, plants and more. Village Green, Paparoa.
Te Kopuru Market — 2nd Saturday of each month, 9am–noon at Coronation Hall. Stall holders ring Rachel on 021 133 7560.
Clubs/Organisations
1st Dargaville Girls’ Brigade — Register online now for after school. Terms 2 & 3, Thursdays from 3pm–5pm. Girls aged 5–18. Contact 021 263 7446. 57 Squadron (Dargaville) Air Training Corps — Mondays 6pm–8pm at the Dargaville Aero Club. For boys and girls 13–18 years. Gordon 021 262 0547. Alcoholics Anonymous — Dargaville meetings, Lighthouse Church, cnr Parore St and Normanby St, Monday 4.30pm & Anglican Church hall, 58 Hokianga Rd, Thursday 7.30pm. Top of drive, parking available. More help 0800 229 6757. Alzheimer’s ‘Carer’ Support Group — Contact Maxine on 022 691 6068.
AMRAP Boxfit — Saturdays 7am–8am @ Selwyn Park School Hall. $10. If you have your own gloves and wraps please bring them with you. Ph: 022 424 6685, email: amrapboxing@gmail.com.
Blind Low Vision Support Group — 10.30am last Monday of month, alternatively at Dargaville and Ruawai. Noelene 09 439 0033 for more info. Chess Club — Wednesdays 6.30pm Dargaville, gold coin donation. Phone Stephen 09 439 8819. Circus Kumarani All Ages Circus Class — Learn some circus, casual or full term. 15 Onslow St, Dargaville, Tuesdays 3.30–4.30pm; and Paparoa Memorial Hall, Thursdays 4–5pm. www.circuskumarani.co.nz/classes. Check out the School Holiday programmes. Free trials.
Citizens Advice Bureau — Dargaville & districts now at Parenga Street (between the Menz Shed and My Accountants).
Dancing Kaiwaka — Wed mornings from 9.30am. Keep fit mentally and physically, great crowd, morning tea, first 2 sessions free. Wear soft shoes, nothing else required. Bevan Lawrence 027 617 652.
Dargaville Aero Club — Learn to fly, free of tuition charges, Gyrocopter, Texan, Stork. Contact Peter 022 025 0235 for further info.
Dargaville Bowling Club Tuesday Bowls — Names by 9.30am, start 10am, finish 2.30pm. Contact 09 439 5509.
Dargaville Brain Injury Support Group — 2nd Thursday of month. Northern Wairoa Hotel dining room foyer. 10am–2pm.
Dargaville Club — Wednesdays and Fridays from 5pm, 55 Victoria Street. Jam Night every 2nd Friday, starts 5.30pm. Members and guests welcome.
Dargaville Contract Bridge Club — Tuesdays 12.45pm, Thursdays 6.30pm at the Kiosk, Memorial Park, Logan St, Dargaville. dargavillebridge@gmail.com or contact Peter 022 405 6439.
Dargaville Darts Club — Every Wednesday, 6pm start, at Dargaville Club, 55 Victoria Street.
Dargaville Firearm & Military Collectors Club — 3rd Friday every second month at Lions Club Hall, Hokianga Road, at 7.30pm. Phone Alec Melville 027 215 1833.
Dargaville Friendship Club for Seniors — 2nd Tuesday of month at 10am at the Kiosk, Memorial Park, Logan Street. Phone Brian & Barbara 09 439 5959.
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 Man Up — Mondays 6.30pm at Te Arohanui Hall, Victoria St. David 021 0849 3670.
Dargaville Mediaeval Combat Club — Wednesday each week 6.30–8.30pm, Kaipara Community Centre, Hokianga Road. $15 per lesson. Equipment provided. Contact Kurt 022 622 7809.
Dargaville Menz Shed — Tuesdays & Thursdays 10am–3pm, Saturday 10am–noon. For more info phone Paul 027 459 3098 or Brian 09 439 6175.
Dargaville Museum — Open 7 days, 9am–4pm Apr–Oct, 9am–5pm Oct–Apr. 09 439 7555.
Dargaville Plunket Playgroup — 10am–midday. Held every Thursday, 29 Hokianga Rd at the Dargaville Plunket Rooms. Free service, coffee and tea provided. Check our FB page for further details.
Dargaville Riverside Taha Awa Garden Trust Join them in overseeing the running of the Garden. Contact Sheena 021 439 157 or email dargavilleriversidegarden@gmail.com.
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.
Dargaville Tabletop Wargames and RPGs — Games like Dungeons & Dragons, Warhammer or other strategy games. Thursdays 6.30pm, Hokianga Road, upstairs above the cinema.
Dargaville Yoga — Yoga for every Bodhi at the Pono lodge. Tuesdays 9.30am. Thursdays 6pm. Mats available, everyone welcome. Find us on Facebook @ stretchyourbodhi. Diane 027 371 5274. Closed during school holidays.
Grow and Grow — Mondays 9.30am–12pm. Maungaturoto Country Club. Part of the Edible Village Project. Plant, sow, weed and grow together. Josie Gritten 021 234 0519.
THE KAIPARA LIFESTYLER IS PUBLISHED WITH PRIDE BY RURAL MATTERS LTD, A PRIVATELY OWNED KAIPARA COMPANY.
Phone: 09 439 6933 or 0800 466 793 Email: info@rml.nz
Postal Address: PO Box 474, Dargaville Physical Address: 107 River Road, Dargaville
Editor: Andy Bryenton
Journalists: Andy Bryenton 021 439 947 | Amy Fifita 027 259 6455 | Paul Campbell
Advertising: Olivia Green 027 525 8197 | Sue Girven 027 525 7984
Classifieds: 09 439 6933 | info@rml.nz
Production: Gavin Bainbridge | Marnie Fuller | Daniel Foster | Liz Clark
Accounts: accounts@rml.nz
Distribution: Laurie Willetts Printed by: NZME Website: kaiparalifestyler.co.nz
EMAIL dargaville@cab.org.nz EMAIL helenat@sportnorth.co.nz
Hikuwai O Kaipara Waka Ama Club — NW Boating Club, Mondays and Thursdays from 5pm for Awa training.
Housie — Every third Monday of the month at 1.30pm, Dargaville Bowling Club. Janice Allan 027 355 7434. JP Service — Thursdays 12–1pm at Whanau Focus Office, 61 Victoria Street, Dargaville. Come and have your important documents verified or copied, free of charge. Call 021 245 3765 or 09 439 7009.
Kaihu Valley Music Club — 3rd Sunday of month, Kaihu Hall, Woods Road. 1pm–4pm. John or May 09 439 0827.
Kaipara Cycling — Thursdays 3.45pm–5.30pm Junior Mountainbike Coaching, Sadie 022 453 4475. Friday Ride-day 10am–noon. Social ride on road and gravel roads. E-bike and analogue welcome. Karen 021 0226 4001. Riding from Dargaville.
Kaipara Grey Power — 3rd Friday of month, February–November. Contact 09 439 7801 or 09 439 4452.
Kaipara Heritage Machinery Club — Open 7 days. Something to interest both men and women, come and get involved. Phone 021 106 3635 or 027 472 1269.
Kaipara Bootscooters (beginner line dancing classes) — Mondays 5.30pm–7.30pm, Thursdays 10am–noon. First hour is beginner and second hour is higher beginner. Dalmation Hall, Normanby St, Dargaville. Donna 021 729 955.
Lions Club of Ruawai — 3rd Thursday of month (social) and 1st Thursday of month (business). Contact Dorothy on 09 439 2557.
Lions Dargaville — 2nd Wednesday of the month in Lions Den, Hokianga Road. Contact John 09 439 5937.
Maungaturoto AA Meeting — Mondays 7pm at the Maungaturoto Community House, 155 Hurndall St, Maungaturoto. Contact Carolyn 021 828 055.
Maungaturoto Gardening Club — 3rd Thursday of month in winter. Centennial Hall, Maungaturoto. Other months visit gardens in the area. $15 to join, first 3 visits free. Gloria 021 100 8153.
Maungaturoto Edible Village Project — 4th Sunday of the month. Maungaturoto Centennial Hall. 1 hour planning/inspiration meeting followed by 1 hour gardening. 4pm–6pm Josie Gritten 021 234 0519. Maungaturoto High Tea — 1st Saturday of the month. Good food and company with a dash of fun. Book with Kirsten 021 180 7321.
Northern Wairoa Country Music Club — 1st Sunday of month at the Scout Hall, 23 Onslow Street 1–4pm. Kathleen 021 077 7697.
Northern Wairoa Genealogy Society — Trace your family history at Dargaville Museum, 2nd and 4th Sundays of month, 12.30–2pm and at other times by appointments. Phone Sue 021 608 606.
Northern Wairoa Golf Club — Twilight Golf every Thursday. Tee off 4–6pm.
Northern Wairoa Indoor Bowls Assn — 7pm Mondays at Anglican Church Hall, Tuesdays at Ruawai-Tokatoka Hall, Wednesdays at Dalmatian Hall. 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 month. Contact Margaret Pinny 09 439 4560.
POUTO POINT
Paparoa Box Fit — $10. Stretching/cardio/boxing. Paparoa Memorial Hall, Wednesdays 6–7pm. Paparoa Dance to Music — $5. Stretching/balance/ resistance bands/Zumba, Paparoa Memorial Hall, Tuesdays 10.30–11.30am.
Paparoa Kids Fun Class — Fridays 3–4pm, Paparoa Memorial Hall, $5. Learning/music/dodge ball/limbo. Parkinson’s Support Group — Saturdays 8am–9am @ Selwyn Park School Hall. Counterpunch Boxing $5. Ph 022 424 6685 email: amrapboxing@gmail.com. Peggy Purls in our Community — Every 3rd Wednesday 10.30am at Dargaville Sewing and Curtain Centre, 59 Normanby St. Charlene 09 439 6120. Petanque — social play. Mondays 9.15–11.30, $2, all equipment supplied at Sportsville. Judy 09 439 7920. Recovery Support Group — Mondays 6.30pm–9pm. 1/12 Kapia Street, Dargaville. Chrissy 09 601 4153 or 021 564 618. Rock ’n’ Roll Lessons — Tuesdays 6.30pm–7.30pm at Northern Wairoa Boating Club $5pp. Text Kirsty 021 0818 7902 for more info.
Rotary Club of Dargaville — Wednesdays, 11.30am–1pm at the Lions Centre in Hokianga Road. Men and women. Phone Brian 09 439 6175.
RSA Women’s Section — Social meeting held at the Clubrooms, 4th Monday of the month. Contact Noeline Wright 027 733 7396.
Ruawai Bowling Club — new members welcome. For info call Alison 027 243 5454.
Ruawai Gardening Club — 3rd Thursday of month, Feb–Nov at the Ruawai Bowling Club, 10am start. Merle 09 439 2335.
Scottish Country Dancing Kaiwaka — Memorial Hall beginning 9.30am Wed 28th January. Great fun, great group, any age, no partner required, bring a friend, morning tea provided, first two weeks are free. Do try it. Phone Elaine 027 432 0032.
Stepping Out Leisure Marching Team — Tuesdays 4pm–5pm, Dargaville Dalmatian Hall, 20 Normanby St. Sharon 027 439 5634 or 09 439 5634. Stitches and Crafts — 31 Logan St, Dargaville. 10.30am–4pm, Tuesday and Friday. Contact Edith & Mike 021 439 675.
Strength & Conditioning — Baylys Beach Community Centre, Mondays and Fridays. 9am–10am, $10 per session. Call Tony 022 311 8447.
Tangiteroria Community Complex — Mondays: Pickleball 6pm, Sarah 021 772 822. Tuesdays: Yoga 6pm, Sharon 021 981 135, $15 per session. Wednesdays: Indoor Bowls (fortnightly in summer, weekly in winter) 6pm, Mel 021 772 822; Squash, Donna 021 761 022; Exercise Room, Mel 021 772 822. We ask participants are a Complex Member. For Pickleball and Bowls it’s a gold coin donation. Te Kopuru Community Library — Wed 10am–noon and Sun 3pm–4pm. Access through St Peters Hall. Te Kopuru Sewing & Craft Group — Coronation Hall, Norton Street, Te Kopuru every Saturday from 9am–noon. Gold coin koha for the hall. Contact Grace on 021 0858 2455.
Wednesday Crafts — Wednesdays 10am. Variety of crafts. The Kiosk at Memorial Park. All welcome. $10 per session. Contact Judy 027 316 3940.
TIDE CHART
WED 5 2:23am (3.1m) 8:39am (0.7m) 2:50pm (3.0m) 8:58pm (0.8m) THU 6 3:12am (3.0m) 9:29am (0.8m) 3:44pm (2.9m) 9:55pm (0.9m) FRI 7 4:09am (2.9m) 10:27am (0.9m) 4:49pm (2.9m) 11:03pm (1.0m) SAT 8 5:18am (2.8m) 11:37am (0.9m) 6:05pm (2.9m) SUN 9 12:22am (1.0m) 6:36am (2.8m) 12:54pm (0.9m) 7:24pm (3.0m) MON 10 1:40am (0.9m) 7:52am (2.9m)
MANGAWHAI HEADS
WED 5 5:43am (0.6m) 11:59am (2.4m) 5:57pm (0.7m) THU 6 12:26am (2.5m) 6:30am (0.6m) 12:49pm (2.4m) 6:50pm (0.8m) FRI 7 1:17am (2.5m) 7:22am (0.6m) 1:46pm (2.4m) 7:52pm (0.9m) SAT 8 2:13am (2.4m) 8:21am (0.6m) 2:51pm (2.4m) 8:58pm (0.9m) SUN 9 3:15am (2.4m) 9:26am (0.6m) 3:59pm (2.4m) 10:05pm (0.8m)
MON 10 4:21am (2.4m) 10:33am (0.6m) 5:05pm (2.5m) 11:08pm (0.7m)
TUE 11 5:28am (2.5m) 11:36am (0.5m) 6:05pm (2.6m)
PUZZLE TIME
Jumbo crossword
68 Go beyond (6)
69 Very weak (6)
71 Correction (9)
76 Solitary and sad (6)
77 Desert air (anag)(9)
79 Pump up (7)
81 Beer (3)
84 Occurrence (5)
85 Oval (10)
86 Monks’ residence (5)
87 Keen (5)
88 Remain as unnoticeable as possible (4,1,3,7)
89 Luxurious (5) DOWN
2 Do over (6)
3 Grub (5)
5 Female horse (4)
6 Stinging plants (7)
7 Wit (6)
8 Go get (5)
9 Dirty (7)
10 Go quickly (4)
11 Shouted (6)
12 Expand (5)
13 Turns into (7)
14 Obtain (7)
18 Falling ice particles (10)
23 Blacksmith’s block (5)
24 Nuclear (anag) (7)
26 List in detail (7)
27 Citrus hybrid (7)
29 Food fish (7)
30 Court game (6)
(3)
66 In total (10)
31 Eggs of fish, frogs (5)
32 Deposit on teeth (6)
34 Bring in (4)
36 Genetic copy (5)
38 Welcome (5)
40 Weapons (4)
45 Book of photographs (5)
46 Varnish (7)
47 Appear (4)
48 Large bird of prey (6)
49 Deep chasm (5)
50 Fiasco (7)
52 Betrothal (10)
53 Contour (anag)(7)
54 Required (6)
55 Traversed (7)
56 Announce (5)
57 Appeal (4)
62 Rise (5)
67 Wander at random (7)
68 Breathed out (7)
70 Weightlifter’s accessory (7)
72 Large dog breed (7)
73 Sheep’s coat (6)
74 Smile in a silly affected way (6)
75 Emphasis (6)
76 Shelf (5)
78 Radiant (5)
80 Defamation (5)
82 Footfall (4)
83 Bucket (4)
ACROSS: 1 Spare, 4 Ill-gotten gains, 11 Laces, 14 Scout, 15 Illustrator, 16 Khartoum, 19 Pinhole, 20 Stare, 21 Measuring, 24 Worldwide, 26 Morgue, 27 Killer, 31 Gaffe, 32 Cocktail, 34 Appetising, 38 Concept, 39 Helper, 40 Arises, 41 Call, 42 Vagrant, 45 Alteration, 50 Archery, 54 Last, 55 Grovel, 56 Pirate, 57 Cryptic, 60 Travelling, 61 Indirect, 62 After, 65 Scenic, 66 Eureka, 67 Obviously, 72 Cafeteria, 73 Sitar, 74 Ostrich, 79 Mountain, 80 Respectable, 81 Story, 82 Ruddy, 83 Long in the tooth, 84 Holds. DOWN: 2 Picnic, 3 Rough, 5 Lily, 6 Grunted, 7 Tutors, 8 Exam, 9 Geometry, 10 Sphere, 11 Laryngitis, 12 Coop, 13 Samovar, 17 Slyly, 18 Assumption, 22 Swoop, 23 Ultimate, 25 Officer, 26 Malaria, 28 Pagoda, 29 Magpie, 30 Geneva, 33 Knell, 35 Gully, 36 Spin, 37 Taxi, 42 Veldt, 43 Gossamer, 44 Thrill, 45 Adventures, 46 Toll, 47 Replica, 48 Tirade, 49 Outer, 51 Rare, 52 Hopeful, 53 Raised, 58 Hesitantly, 59 Acrid, 63 Beriberi, 64 Guest, 65 Swimmer, 68 Bravado, 69 Serial, 70 Circle, 71 Scared, 75 Ratio, 76 Fund, 77 Spot, 78 Plot.
5x5
Insert the missing letters to complete ten words — five across the grid and five down. More than one solution may be possible.
KAIPARA SERVICE DIRECTORY
KAIPARA SERVICE DIRECTORY
CLASSIFIEDS
CARAVAN EWOF (and marine). Call your local inspector today at A+ Electrical Inspections and Security on 021 240 6764.
CORRUGATED AND Ribbed sheets 2 metres long, 760 coverage. Mixed colours, endless supply. $18 per sheet. Woolworths Carpark. Saturday mornings or phone 021 254 6320.
SUZUKI ESCUDO Vitara/Grand Vitara — car parts, WOF parts, 4x4 parts etc. Good parts, good prices. Phone Derek 09 439 7573.
TOP SOIL, conditioned top quality. 100% suitable for vege gardens or new lawns. $95 per m³ onto your trailer, or truck deliveries available for larger orders. Phone 021 132 4107 or 09 439 5141.
CHURCH NOTICES
DARGAVILLE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE, 4 Grey Street. Church service on every Sunday at 3pm. Bible study/prayer Wednesday from 4.30pm–7pm, call Moses 021 248 8910. Support group: Celebrate Recovery from all addictions. Friday 5.30pm–8pm, call Gary 021 174 8737.
FENCING
FENCING, ALL types of fencing, pool, stockyards, post & rail, boundary plus… call Jeff 027 476 5458. FIREWOOD FOR SALE FIREWOOD — dry hot mix $120/m³, delivered free to Dargaville & surrounding areas. Phone or TXT Henry 021 734 906.
RENT
DARGAVILLE AREA: Loft flat one bedroom with mezzanine area. Suitable for mature persons. Not suitable for children. No pets, non smoking. $395 per week. Apply in writing to PO Box 166, Dargaville 0340.
NURSERIES & PLANTS
GOT2GO PLANTS — Shrubs, trees, shelter and hedging. Ready now from $1. Cycads only $5. Lamandra Tamika x200, special $5. Lamandra little con .30 x30cm only $5. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia Nicolai) white and black flowers tui food, only $10 .500 + high. Got2Go Plants, 55 West Coast Road. Open 10am to 4pm Tuesday, closed on Wednesday, open again Thursday to Saturday. Eftpos available. 09 439 5556 or 027 488 3400.
or 09 439 6458 — Kevin Sowter or visit my website: www.windowanddoors.co.nz — Window & Door Services Ltd.
SECURITY
SECURE YOUR Home — security doors, grills, locks, bolts, stays, latches — supplied and installed. Phone 027 275 0918 or 09 439 6458 — Kevin Sowter or visit my website: www.windowanddoors.co.nz — Window & Door Services Ltd.
SEPTIC TANK SERVICES
KAIPARA SEPTIC Services – Commercial and Domestic Septic Tank cleaning. Fully compliant with Kaipara and Whangarei Councils. Prompt, Professional service. Phone 027 246 8791.
MAGIC PROPERTY Services Ltd. SEPTIC TANK CLEANING. UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP. DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S POO LATE! PH: 021 290 0442.
TRADES & SERVICES
CARPENTER/RENOVATOR specialising in General Repairs & Maintenance, and Kitchen Installs. (30yrs senior experience). Contact Mark 027 603 8323 or info@alteredestates.co.nz.
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. Dargaville & surrounds.
PLYWOOD 7MM Untreated $29, 20+ $26.10 or Pack(75) $23. Scooters Plywood & Joinery 09 438 6565. TREE SERVICES
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFIED arborists. For all your tree needs
CLASSIFIEDS PHONE 09 439 6933
SITUATIONS VACANT
SHIRAZ RESTAURANT Dargaville, required experienced duty manager/wait staff. Contact 021 438 311. Email CV to jas_shiraz@yahoo.co.nz.
INVENTORY COORDINATOR
CARTERS
DHS is
need to work closely with our HOD Technology and Pre Trades, take students on various trips to explore the Automotive and Engineering Industry and complete some real life industry experience such as
maintenance,
and reconditioning. Applicants will need to have a full clean driver’s license and pass a Police Vet. This is a fixed term one year annually renewable role. Job Description available on request. Please apply in writing with a current
Closing date for classified advertising for the August 11 2026 edition is Monday, August 10 2026
PUBLIC NOTICES
CERTIFIED WEDDING Celebrant “Ngaa Ringa Mahana” (Warm Hands). For all enquiries, call Connie NoperaPaniora. Phone 027 335 4768 ngaaringamahana@ gmail.com.
NORTHERN WAIROA Voice for Life AGM to be held at the Catholic Church Hall, Dargaville on Thursday 13th august at 7pm. All welcome.
Kaipara
(Section 101, Sale and Supply of
Cooper’s Grocery Store Ltd of Mangawhai Heads, has made application to the Kaipara District Licensing Committee for the issue of an Off Licence in respect of the premises situated at 3 Wood St, Mangawhai Heads known as Four Square Mangawhai Heads
The general nature of the business conducted under the licence is Grocery Store
The days on which and the hours during which alcohol is intended to be sold under the licence are: Monday to Sunday 7am to 9pm.
The application may be inspected during ordinary office hours at the Kaipara District Licensing Committee at 32 Hokianga Road, Dargaville or Unit 5, 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 25 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 issue of a licence may be made in relation to a matter other than a matter specified in section 105(1) of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
This is the first publication of this notice.
KAIPARA HUNT AGM
Thursday 20th of August, 8pm at Maungaturoto Country Club, Bickerstaffe Road, Maungaturoto All welcome.
VOLUNTEER FOR
A free, confidential, information and advice service. If you get a buzz out of helping others and enjoy being part of a small friendly team, this could be for you.
In-house training at our Bureau and on-going support.
Phone 439 6100 or call in to 16 Parenga St (Next to Men’s Shed) 10am–1pm, Monday–Friday FOR AN APPLICATION FORM
Adams Family Enterprises Ltd of Mangawhai, has made application to the Kaipara District Licensing Committee for the renewal of an off licence in respect of the premises situated at Shop 1&2, 41 Moir St, Mangawhai known as Super Liquor Mangawhai Village
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 9am to 10pm.
The application may be inspected during ordinary office hours at the Kaipara District Licensing Committee at 32 Hokianga Road, Dargaville or Unit 5, 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 25 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 second publication of this
TO: KENNETH CHARLES WOOD
1. The plaintiffs have filed a statement of claim against you as the named ratepayer and owner of all that land comprised and described in:
a. Record of Title NA681/210 Lot 3 Deposited Plan 25853 known as 496 Rehia Road, Rehia (Valuation Number 01130-17700);
b. Record of Title NA38B/923 Lot 16 Deposited Plan 81636 known as Day Street, Dargaville (Valuation Number 00960-13801); and
c. Record of Title NA104D/964 Lots 2-3 Deposited Plan 171701 known as 87 Wiki Brown Road, Oruawharo (Valuation Number 01200-21200) (“Properties”); to recover from you unpaid land rates (including penalties) levied over the Properties, as at 1 July 2025, in the sum of $60,945.63 owed by you as the named ratepayer and owner of the Properties.
2. The plaintiffs have referred to and relied on the following documents (being initial disclosure) in preparing their statement of claim:
a. Historical Record of Title NA681/210;
b. Historical Record of Title NA38B/923;
c. Historical Record of Title NA104D/964; and
d. Combined Rates Assessment Notices and Invoices for the period 2020/2021 to 2025/2026 for the Properties;
3. The plaintiffs are claiming from you:
a. Judgment in the sum of $60,945.63
b. Judgment for such further rates and penalties that become due and payable from 1 July 2025.
c. Interest on the judgment sum, pursuant to ss 9 and 10 of the Interest on Money Claims Act 2016, from 19 June 2026 (the date of filing this proceeding) until such time that the judgment sum (including all accrued interest) is paid in full.
d. The costs of and incidental to this proceeding on a category 2A basis pursuant to schedules 4 and 5 of the District Court Rules 2014.
4. You must respond to the statement of claim within 25 working days of the date of this advertisement. To respond to the plaintiffs, you must file in the registry of this Court and serve on the plaintiffs, a statement of your defence to the plaintiffs’ claim. You must also at the time of serving your statement of defence on the plaintiffs, provide the plaintiffs with initial disclosure of documents referred to in or relied on in preparing your statement of defence.
5. If you do not respond to the statement of claim within 25 working days of the date of this advertisement, the Court may decide you have to pay or give the plaintiffs what they are claiming in their statement of claim (this is called judgment).
6. Pursuant to s 64 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, publication of this statement of claim, notice of proceeding and initial disclosure, is deemed to be effective service of this proceeding on you.
7. A copy of the statement of claim, notice of proceeding and list of documents relied on, will be forwarded to you on application to the plaintiffs’ solicitors, Brookfields Lawyers at the address listed below or at the office of the District Court at Whangarei. A copy of the initial disclosure will be forwarded to you on application to the plaintiffs’ solicitors, Brookfields Lawyers.
8. Any person knowing the whereabouts of the abovenamed KENNETH CHARLES WOOD is asked to bring this advertisement to his attention or to the attention of his personal representative(s).
Automotive Academy Tutor 2027
Tractors Cars
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