Closer to the goalpost
u by Amy Fifita
After around nine months of fundraising and a multitude of activities, Ruawai JMB Rugby is nearing the finish line with its Aussie Tour Auction, with the aim of sending a youth team to Australia.
The Aussie Tour Auction fundraiser is on Saturday, July 19, at the Ruawai Rugby Club at 5.30pm. A deeply entrenched tradition spanning 40 years, Ruawai JMB Rugby looks to raise the remaining $20,000 at its auction to make its $70,000 goal.
“It is amazing what people are willing to do when it’s for the children, and it is like people have purposely sought us out to give us an opportunity to make money for the tour,” said organiser Mary Jackson.
“A community-based auction, 20 items have been donated to us, and a
local auctioneer has dedicated his time. It is our last major fundraiser, and we are hoping it will bring in the dollars to ease the pressure of the last $20,000 we must raise.”
After travelling to each other’s countries annually, Covid put a pause on the exchange; it was reignited when the Beecroft Rugby Club returned last year.
“The Aussie tour concept came about after Bryce and Noelene Gatehouse and Graeme and Jean Alexander, of Ruawai, met Arthur Fletcher from Beecroft in a pub in 1979,” said organiser Paddy Jackson.
“Sharing a passion for rugby, the concept of an Aussie tour began. In 1980, Beecroft Rugby Club sent 18 boys, 9 to 11 years old, to play the firstever Aussie tour game in Ruawai. The team was billeted out to families in the community.
“The Beecroft team, being a small northern city suburb in Sydney, got to indulge in country life. In 1981, Ruawai paid them a return visit, spending two weeks in Sydney, playing rugby and exploring the sights you often never get to see in the country.”
Ruawai JMB Rugby displayed their sporting passion at the 2024 Ruawai Christmas Parade
Kaipara’s Only Regional Newspaper | Kaipara owned and Operated
D ARGAVILLE MEDICALCENTR E
Notice of Fees Increase Effective 1st August 2025
As a Very Low-Cost Access (VLCA) medical centre, we remain committed to keeping healthcare affordable and accessible for our community. However, due to increasing costs, we will be making a small adjustment to some of our fees from 1 August 2025. These changes are in line with government guidelines and will help us continue providing high-quality care.
We are still completing a full review of all service fees for our practice. These will be advertised on our website and in practice once completed.
Rates relief extended
Fantastic weekend
NORTHPOWER ELECTRIC POWER TRUST
NORTHPOWER ELECTRIC POWER TRUST (NEPT) NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Meeting of beneficiaries is to be held at Northland Events Centre, 51 Okara Drive, Whangārei, on Wednesday, 30th July 2025 at 1:00pm A light lunch will be served at 12:30pm Agenda
1 Minutes of last year’s Annual Meeting (held in Dargaville) in July 2024
2 Matters Arising
3 Presentation of the Trust’s Annual Report to Beneficiaries for the year ending 31 March 2025
4. Appointment of an Auditor for the 2025/2026 Financial Year
5 Report on Code of Practice
6 General Business
In accordance with S100 of the Electricity Industry Act 2010 the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Trust for the year ended 31 March 2025 and the Auditors Report on those financial statements are available for inspection, Monday to Friday, between 8 30am and 5pm at the office of the secretary (details below) For a PDF copy email nept@plusca co nz
Plus Chartered Accountants
22 John Street Whangarei Phone: 09 438 3322
In accordance with S102 of the Electricity Industry Act 2010 - s(2) every beneficiary has one vote - s(3) The quorum for the annual meeting is 20 beneficiaries
All Northpower Trust consumer beneficiaries in the Kaipara and Whangārei Districts who are connected to the Northpower electricity network are encouraged to attend
Brent Martin, Secretariat
Toa wins French shears
The rain and cold did not deter a hard core of local sci-fi fans from turning out to a book launch (pictured) for Drew Bryenton’s action-comedy, Death and September, at Good Life Stores last Friday. Neither did inclement showers deter a large contingent from heading to Whangārei for the Sandbox Fandom Festival — Pop Culture Convention, where members of the Warrior’s Lodge Games Club and the Dargaville Medieval Combat Club entertained the crowds on Saturday. Kaiwaka’s New Zealand shearing champion, Toa Henderson, has claimed his first big success in the Northern Hemisphere by winning the open international final at the French championships. The win came early Monday, New Zealand time, at Boussac, where he, and Wools of New Zealand national teammate and open final runner-up, Jack Fagan, also beat France in a test match. Fagan won the Boussac Speed Shear, with Henderson claiming second place. With a loss against Scotland, and wins over England and France, the pair takes a two–one record on tour going into a three-test series against Wales next week.
No more reserves contestable fund
u
by Andy Bryenton
This month, two small but significant changes came into effect to the Kaipara District Council’s policy on funds for reserves and parks received on the subdivision of land.
Up until July 1, contributions for reserves had 10 per cent of their value allocated to a district-wide fund. This meant that areas with little or no subdivision growth still received some support for playgrounds and parks when large developments occurred elsewhere in Kaipara.
There was also a publicly contestable fund community groups could apply to for the improvement of local parks. A figure of $5 million was discussed as being collected for this purpose last year.
A motion proposed last month and refined erased these clauses from the reserve contributions policy at the end of June, when a majority of councillors voted to enact it.
Effectively, this means that all of the money collected for parks and reserves when a subdivision is established must be spent within a close physical radius of that development. Proponents say that this is only fair, while opponents argue that such a policy disproportionately allocates improvements to Mangawhai.
“I am hugely disappointed at the fact that we have lost some grants funding for our community. I’m not completely against the idea of contributions being spent in the area that they are from but I do think the fact that we had that contestable funding did allow for some really great work for the community,” said councillor Wilson-Collins.
“Reserve contributions should be spent in the area where they are collected from. However, I do agree with my colleague councillor WilsonCollins because the amount we have is pitiful, otherwise, to support local communities,” said councillor Vincent.
Providing Quality Care and Companionship in a safe, homely environment.
As a family-owned business, we understand the importance of providing a comfortable and secure environment for our residents. Our team of compassionate caregivers works around the clock to ensure that our residents receive the highest level of care and attention. With our beautiful facilities, delicious home-cooked meals, and engaging activities, our residents are able to maintain their independence and enjoy their golden years to the fullest.
Services
» Rest home, hospital and specialist dementia care in a caring and homely atmosphere.
» Permanent care, respite, carer support, day care and palliative care.
» On-site dementia day programme in partnership with the Alzheimers Association.
» A purpose built facility providing care, comfort, companionship and security in personalised rooms.
Demand for sand mining accountability
u by Andy Bryenton
The Bream Bay Guardians Society has met with the Auckland Council to demand a full investigation into the actions of sand mining company McCallum Brothers
The community group contends that when the mining firm was extracting sand from the seabed near Mangawhai and Pākiri, they breached a number of conditions in their resource consent. They want the company held accountable, not just for justice, but to present what they consider important information to the panel that will soon decide whether or not McCallum Brothers gets to mine sand from Bream Bay.
“Auckland Council neglected its duty as a regulator to oversee the extraction process with no regular checks and audits. It now has the opportunity to put things right with an option of enforcement,” said Bream Bay Guardians Society spokesperson, Malcolm Morrison.
It was community action that saw the decades-long operation of sand mining cease off the east coast of Kaipara. Allegations that the mining ships crossed the border into Kaipara waters saw then-incumbent mayor Jason Smith join protests to end the practice. The Environment Court quashed McCallum’s
application for resource consent, citing ecological damage.
“Without Auckland Council holding them to account, McCallum Bros Ltd is claiming that they have a clean track record on their fast-track application form,” said Mr Morrison.
Auckland Council staff agreed, and will now undertake a review into the evidence they hold, that trenches were gouged into the seafloor by sand mining activities. They also agreed that this investigation would include a hard look at why a decision was made to classify this breach as having ‘less than minor effects’, and how this call was signed off by senior staff.
Funds raised from subdivisions to pay for parks and reserves will be strictly spent where they were raised, removing a long-standing community grants round in the process
Sand mining protesters gather in Mangawhai
Sports must come first at Urlich Park
u by Andy Bryenton
Councillors met last week to discuss the future of Mangawhai sporting and cultural facilities, as the plan guiding the development of Urlich Park gets underway.
The large area of flat and sloping land on Moir Street, obtained in the last days of the Smith administration of the Kaipara District Council, has been earmarked for sporting fields, but the possibility of a library there was also floated at February’s council briefing.
While the results of a citizens’ survey attached to the Long Term Plan indicate locals want their library in the village precinct of Mangawhai, not the heads, Urlich Park is the only piece of land the KDC owns in this vicinity. The current library is very small and will soon be outstripped by demand and growth.
“It would be insane to build such a facility on someone else’s land we had to buy,” said councillor Howard.
However, the location within a sports park sparked robust debate.
“I think that the priority needs to be sports fields,” said councillor WilsonCollins. “I would prefer to see the sports park closest to the road, so that buildings do not block off the park from the street.”
Flat land is a precious commodity, and level playing fields are more than a
metaphor when constructing pitches for games such as rugby and hockey. The majority of councillors asked council staff to investigate how many sporting areas could be built before sloping land was considered for a library location. With a full team of parks and open spaces staff now hired after a long vacancy in this department, progress will now be made in drafting a master plan for the park.
Global outreach
u by Andy Bryenton
Mark and Linda Nygren are in Dargaville as
what has become a mission of
The couple hail from Rexburg, Idaho, USA, where accomplished businessman Mark teaches at Brigham Young University. With seven children and 21 grandchildren, they have a lot to stay home for and enjoy, but their spiritual faith and a will to help others has seen them visit far-flung locations as service missionaries.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has 450 service missions in 150 nations, with 87,000 parishioners volunteering their time to go out into the world and help with volunteer work. It’s a practical way of doing good, as the founders of their denomination instructed. When speaking at Dargaville’s Friendship Club last week, Mark explained that this philosophy is backed up by science.
“A 1938 Harvard study, a decadelong, sought what makes people happy in life. They found that positive relationships with other people make us happier and healthier, and make us live longer,” he said.
A will to serve others led Mark and Linda to visit Albania, where they worked
at an orphanage and helped build houses. Then they went to China, teaching English and pitching in with Habitat for Humanity to house earthquake victims. In India, the couple’s son helped people battling leprosy. In Cyprus, Linda and Mark assisted refugees, and in Louisiana, USA, they volunteered to assist young people. Here in New Zealand, the pair picked Dargaville, and have been made warmly welcome. They have already got their hands dirty, helping to dig in some of 500 native trees locally, and they have also volunteered to help students with literacy.
Mark and Linda Nygren are in Dargaville as part of a worldwide journey of community giving and goodwill
A possible design for Urlich Park shows a library at the corner of Urlich and Moir Streets: an alternative site could be at the top of the Urlich Street hill, top right
No insurance payout for doomed annexe Fishing show comes to Kaipara
u by Andy Bryenton
Dargaville’s leaking and condemned town hall annexe has been crumbling for nearly two Kaipara District Council administrations, and is confirmed to have been uninsured when Cyclone Gabrielle sealed its fate.
It is common practice for New Zealand insurance companies to refuse to cover structures from the leaky buildings era, for damage caused by gradual water ingress.
The Dargaville Town Hall annexe was built using methods and materials from this time.
‘As a result of the method of design and construction of the time failing, the town hall was found to be leaking, causing existing damage prior to Cyclone Gabrielle,’ said the KDC in a response to this publication on the question of insurance.
‘Therefore, following the wet weather events in the summer of 2023, including Cyclone Gabrielle there was no insurance claim.’
This earlier water damage was present in 2020, when mould removal work closed off areas in the annexe, which never reopened. At that time, under the Smith administration, discussion was already underway about the need to remediate or demolish the building.
‘There are weather-tightness defects in the 1990s addition, needing to be
addressed as the building will otherwise continue to deteriorate,’ said an official statement to this publication in October of 2020.
Three years later, Cyclone Gabrielle critically damaged what was a known leaky building that was uninsured. There was no possibility of an insurance payout helping to fund the demolition or recladding work that is still on the table currently, five years after water damage was acknowledged. The matter of an austere budget is still critical to the project’s failure to launch in 2025.
The KDC confirms that its other buildings and assets are insured right now, excluding uninsurable underground pipes as well as bridges and stopbanks.
u by Paul Campbell
Kaipara Harbour and its reputation for good fishing has attracted attention with a first-ever visit from the long-running marine television show, Fishing & Adventure, whose crew launched their cameras from Pahi last week.
Cousins Scott Parry and Michael (Mig) Rumney have developed a huge following, both in New Zealand and overseas, since its inception and it now screens on TV One.
“We loved the Kaipara, which was a cool experience and our first trip on that harbour,” said Scott. “Our first run for just a couple of hours was two minutes from the Pahi boat ramp, and saw us with a 10 to 12kg snapper that came aboard in just about six feet of water.
“The next day, we went further afield and right out to the graveyard at the harbour entrance. This trip saw us landing good snapper and kahawai, and in the harbour area we sought a gurnard, and we succeeded.
“The weather wasn’t the best, but it was really picturesque and calm as a millpond. Meantime, this Kaipara trip will be featured on television in about September.”
The crew stayed at the Pahi Beach Holiday Park, and its manager, Karl Reynolds says “they were great guys, delightful. They were unloading pots
and pans from their boat to cook and realised they had our fully-equipped kitchen and amenities block to base themselves. They plan to be back, too.”
The concept for Fishing & Adventure was developed by the cousins to bring an injection of youth and adventure to the fishing show scene. It made its debut 10-episode season in February 2013, and now combines top fishing action and a balance between entertainment and education.
Uninsured at the time of Cyclone Gabrielle, the Dargaville Town Hall annexe was doomed without a major overhaul as early as mid-2020
Fishing show stars (from left) Scott Parry and Michael (Mig) Rumney at Pahi
u by Andy Bryenton
The Feeling Fab Foundation has previously run two very successful events in Dargaville for women, and now, it’s the turn of local men to experience some well-deserved relaxation and ‘me time’ thanks to their efforts.
Te Korowai o Poutama Whānau Led Funeral Service
Te Korowai o Poutama kete is a response to the karanga of whānau to take care of their own loved ones when the time comes.
Our Kaiārahi will come to you and provide whānau the resources, advice, and assistance needed for preparation and ongoing cares throughout the tangihanga. We will also facilitate the logistics of ensuring all regulatory requirements of the whānau are met
and Northland wide
The Feeling Fab Foundation is a nationwide initiative, which reaches out to people who have gone through grief, loss, trauma and depression. Recognising that the best respite from such struggles is sometimes to share some relaxing time out with others. To that end, the foundation organises days out in communities around New Zealand, so people in need can enjoy a little care and attention free of charge.
“It’s a way of giving back, for those among us that need it most,” says Donice Hall-Morris, Dargaville’s coordinator for the foundation. “We’ve done this twice now for the ladies, so this one is for the guys. My future plan is to have two events each year for men and women.”
On Saturday, July 26, the old Aratapu Tavern will host a day of good food, good company and entertainment for local men who have suffered hard times and troubles in life.
Men’s wellness day for Dargaville Grants for community leaders
u by Andy Bryenton
“The pool table will be humming, the fireplace roaring, and there’s a spit roast on the barbecue as well as snacks all day, and non-alcoholic refreshments,” says Donice.
There will also be a special guest speaker, Graeme McCullough, who is travelling up from New Plymouth to talk about his own journey back to mental wellness with locals. If you know a mate who deserves a break and has gone through a lot recently, contact Donice to get him signed up for this free event. Email hello@feelingfab.org.nz or donicehallmorris@gmail.com.
Two important rounds of council grants are either open now or set to begin, with the Creative Communities Scheme and Sport New Zealand Rural Travel Fund building on previous successes with more money to disburse in 2025.
Seventeen applicants have already received grants from the twin funds this year, to a value of more than $33,000. The Creative Communities Scheme boosts culture, art and creativity to give people things to do and make local towns brighter. The Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund helps sporting teams span the big distances of rural Northland, allowing for match-ups with opponents from far away by sorting out transport requirements.
The Northland Field Days, musician Olly Knox, theatre troupe the Mangawhai Players, Ruawai’s community events group and the playwrights at Company of Giants are just some of the recent recipients of the Create Communities disbursement, which is credited as a major supporter of big events, such as the Kaipara Art Awards.
The Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund has enabled students from all three Kaipara high schools to hit the road for interschool challenges, as well as making sure
teams, like the Sharks, Hawks, Bulls and Southern, are able to face worthy opponents on the field and build sporting ties with other Northland towns. Creative Communities Scheme funding is currently open until July 31, and Rural travel funding applications are open from August 1 until August 31. Go to kaipara. govt.nz/funding if you are a leader in arts and culture, sport and recreation, to apply for the financial boost you need to go further for the community.
A day of relaxation, good food and conversation is planned at Aratapu, in the interests of men’s mental health
Northland Field Days brought colour and creativity to the fore, with a grant from the Kaipara District Council helping to add art to agriculture at the big event
Anniversary for a maritime memorial
u by Andy Bryenton
The events of July 10 1985 remain raw in the psyche of New Zealand: the day when French saboteurs struck in the heart of Auckland to destroy the Greenpeace flagship, the Rainbow Warrior.
At midnight, with the Rainbow Warrior docked at Marsden Wharf at the bottom of Auckland’s Queen Street, crew members felt an impact, and feared the ship had been accidentally rammed by another vessel. A second explosion revealed the truth. They had been targeted with underwater bombs, in an effort to stop an anti-nuclear protest planned against the French government.
Photographer Fernando Pereira died that night, drowned when the hull was breached. Only two of the French secret agents who planned the bombing were captured, and they served just a twoyear sentence. Others vanished into anonymity. However, the crime ignited a wave of anti-nuclear sentiment that put an end to the testing of atomic weapons in the Pacific, and cemented New Zealand’s anti-nuclear policy.
The political legacy of the Rainbow Warrior bombing was vast, and some would say pivotal to our national identity. Kiwis took it personally that people harboured here, on a mission of peace, had been attacked and killed. However, the physical legacy of the Rainbow Warrior bombing took several further twists and turns.
The hull of the ship has been turned into an artificial reef at Matauri Bay, in the Cavalli Islands. Under the protection of
Kura, it’s a popular spot for divers, and teems with marine life.
The masts of the ship, as well as artefacts, such as its bell and other fittings, became part of the Dargaville Museum’s collection, gathered in before they could be scrapped. Today, four decades on from the blast that rocked New Zealand and the world, those masts are a proud part of the Dargaville skyline,
When the masts were originally placed, forming a memorial to the legacy of that first Rainbow Warrior, museum cofounder Noel Hilliam, a keen maritime history researcher, and fellow museum instigator Barry Jones had a bigger plan for them. Their idea was to build a replica of the Rainbow Warrior’s bow,
and part of its hull and rail around the masts, enabling the dove of peace and rainbow emblem of the original ship to be displayed.
A lack of funds meant that this project never came to fruition, but now, 40 years on from the bombing, and with a new museum targeted rate set to boost museum coffers, Mr Jones has refloated the concept.
Ngāti
The Rainbow Warrior bombing marked a pivotal moment in New Zealand history and politics, and is commemorated in Dargaville with the original masts of the Greenpeace flagship
standing atop the hill at Pou Tu O Te Rangi — Harding Park.
Barry Jones with concept art of the plan he and Noel Hilliam originally conceived for the Rainbow Warrior masts
Times Gone By
Club rooms open
Mangawhai celebrated the opening of the surf lifesaving club’s building in 1969, which was opened by then-Governor-General, Sir Arthur Porrit. Hundreds of people attended the opening with their families and enjoyed a day out on the beach afterwards.
Image credit: Archives NZ
Branch line to close
The Minister of Railways has advised that the Donnellys Crossing line is to close as an operational unit of the New Zealand Railways Department on May 18. This advice was received yesterday by Mr K Cashin, secretary of the Donnellys Crossing branch of Federated Farmers.
Press, April 15 1959
Festival expected to prove popular
An event, being billed as New Zealand’s biggest festival for women and children, will be held north of Auckland this month. Up to 3,500 people are expected to attend the Mangawhai Women’s Festival, an organiser, Sandy Morris, said. The three days of workshops concerning women, music, dance, arts and crafts and ‘kidstuff’ will be held from February 13 to 15.
Press, February 11 1987
Council candidacies announced
u by Andy Bryenton
Gordon Lambeth, incumbent civic councillor for the Wairoa General Ward, has indicated that he will once again stand for office in this year’s local body elections. The former police officer, current business owner and Civil Defence committee member for the Kaipara District Council, says that he will run on his track record of diplomacy, progress and fair representation, with a special focus on securing community assets such as the Dargaville Town Hall and swimming pool.
Gordon Walker is also a Dargaville business owner, antiquarian and chair of the town’s community patrol group seeking to establish a volunteer presence to help police. He announced his candidacy with a focus on making Dargaville more beautiful and functional. His campaign will be all about law and order, re-establishing civic pride, and the affordable provision of utilities such as water and roading.
Border closed to rubbish ideas On enforced fluoridation
u by Andy Bryenton
We are blessed to live in New Zealand, especially as news of war, strife and sectarian violence reminds us daily of the luxury of peace. Often, when viewing the horrors of conflict and the oppression of dictators, we’ll tell ourselves it can’t happen here.
While that may be true of the unlikelihood of brutal war against our neighbours, some threats can be as deadly and insidious, and it seems that the seeds of those threats are already sown. Take, for example, the recent decision by US politicians to give billionaires an unprecedented tax cut, while stripping medicare from 12 million people. It’s a death sentence for millions, trauma for their families, and bankruptcy for millions more.
It can happen there because of a privatised health system. Something almost everyone observing the US can see is a problematic concept leading to bad outcomes. New Zealand, like most other developed nations, considers healthcare to be part of the role of the state, an extension of defence of the people, as vital as soldiers and police for protecting citizens.
Privatisation of healthcare is observably failing the average person in the US. Nevertheless, there are Kiwi politicians who would see the same flawed practice
installed here. We have a rocky relationship with privatisation in New Zealand. A mixed bag of corporate success stories and promised price drops that never came, from mum and dad investors who didn’t exist.
Make no mistake. The free market excels in providing the things we want, faster, better, more advanced and cheaper each day. It’s an engine of innovation and success unmatched in human history. However, it’s flawed at providing the things people need, so everyone gets those needs. Consider this: a populace with those needs met are better employees, better customers and more likely to be entrepreneurs themselves.
If you can see the trainwreck unfolding overseas, and still think that ‘it can’t happen here’ — think again. It starts with underfunding health and education, then moves on to suggesting that private companies could do a better job when the cash-strapped state system fails. All the while, they’ll try to distract you with culturewar tripe to divide and conquer.
Sound familiar? Which politicians do you think of, when you hear that concept? If your answer was ’sadly, too many of them, across the aisle’, then you’ve worked out how it happens here. With the collusion of the fleeced.
In the year 2004, 1,500 Australian doctors and dentists called for a halt to fluoride being added to the water in that country. Australia removed fluoride from its water supply. The US has also stopped, following a court case at the federal level, which ruled that the practice is potentially dangerous.
In fact, New Zealand is only one of a tiny number of nations that still enforces fluoridation. Most developed countries have banned it. Is it a coincidence that the vast number of these nations also include dentistry in their national health programmes, while shamefully, New Zealand doesn’t?
I have spent 35 years researching this issue, and general water health, and it’s my considered opinion that the petition recently received by the Kaipara District Council, and the position of mayor Jepson, are correct. Mayor Cocurullo of Whangārei was also correct; fluoride should not be added to town water supplies.
Even if one disregards hundreds of studies from credible doctors, dentists and health officials from three decades of research, which all find fluoride to be harmful, it’s still logical to resist a governmental fluoride mandate for two reasons.
Firstly, it’s an expense to the ratepayer which does not shape up to its stated purpose. A US public health service study of 39,000 schoolchildren comprehensively showed no difference in rates of tooth decay in those with and without fluoridated water. Diet and dental hygiene made the difference.
Secondly, as noted by Winston Peters, the decision to take a medicine should rest with the choice of the individual. Bodily autonomy is a fundamental right. Forcing medication on people is morally and ethically wrong, and in this case, it’s a ‘medication’, which is proven, at best, ineffective and, at worst, actively harmful. Keep it out!
Barry Jones, Dargaville
RUAWAI Lot 1 Greenhill Road
Stunning 7000sqm Section With Rural Views!
Nestled in the serene landscape of Ruawai, Lot 1 Greenhill Road offers a rare opportunity to embrace a tranquil lifestyle. This 7000 sqm section (subject to title) sits proudly atop the gentle slopes, providing rural views that will captivate your senses and inspire your dream home design. There is no power currently supplied to the block, and as such, prospective buyers will need to consider alternative energy solutions Your perfect section awaits!
$249,000
Inclusive
NEW LISTING
RUAWAI Lot 2 Greenhill Road
Blank Canvas With 14 Hectares
mbrowning@pggwrightson.co.nz
RUAWAI 258 Greenhill Road
Idyllic Rural Retreat with Space and Serenity
This delightful property offers the perfect blend of rural charm and modern conveniences Nestled in the heart of the countryside, this character home with its spacious layout and extensive outdoor facilities is sure to impress. Three bedrooms, designed for comfort and relaxation. Well-appointed bathroom, complete with an additional separate toilet and shower, offers convenience for both family and guests Outside, the property truly shines with a two room, one bathroom sleepout and expansive four bay shed, equipped with workshop, power and ample storage. Set on 13.64ha (subject to title).
Megan Browning
Lot 2 Greenhill Road, Ruawai - 14 hectares of land (subject to title) that offers unparalleled potential for those seeking the perfect lifestyle retreat. Nestled in the heart of the scenic countryside, this clean and tidy block presents an outstanding opportunity for families, hobby farmers, or anyone looking to build their dream home amid the serenity of rural living. There is no power currently connected to the property, using alternative power such as solar would be the option. A beautiful large dam compliments this block. Call now to view.
NEW LISTING
$375,000
GST Inclusive
Megan Browning
M 027 668 8468
E mbrowning@pggwrightson.co.nz
RUAWAI Lot 4 Greenhill Road 12 Hectare Blank Canvas
Introducing an exceptional opportunity to own a slice of rural beauty at Lot 4 Greenhill Road, Ruawai. Nestled in the picturesque countryside, this sizable 12 hectare block (subject to title) offers a rare chance to create your dream lifestyle With its rolling landscape and rural community, this property is perfect for those seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. A small dam and some native plantings along the boundary, enhancing the natural charm of the property Your dream lifestyle awaits, call now.
pggwre.co.nz/DAG41876
Megan Browning
$365,000 GST Inclusive E mbrowning@pggwrightson.co.nz M 027 668 8468
RUAWAI Lot 5 Greenhill Road
15 Hectare Ready to go Lifestyle Block
Discover the idyllic charm of rural living at Lot 5 Greenhill Road in Ruawai. This 15 hectare (subject to title) lifestyle block offers a unique opportunity for those wanting a lifestyle block or simply seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life You will appreciate the easy contour of the land, there's a barn located right by the road, providing storage, the property cattle yards that include a head bale and crush, plus smaller shed. Be quick on this one priced to sell.
$390,000 GST Inclusive
RUAWAI Lot 6 Greenhill Road
Rural Gem with Shed and Scenic Views
DARGAVILLE
Fall
Vendor
Being
Discover your perfect slice of rural paradise at Lot 6 Greenhill Road, Ruawai. This 8000 sqm section (subject to title) offers the allure of country living while remaining conveniently close to necessary amenities. Whether you envision building your dream home, or land banking for further growth, this property presents itself as an appealing canvas. The large shed on the property comes equipped with power, providing ample opportunities for storage workshops or even a small business venture The surrounding rural outlook is picturesque. Ring me now to view.
$279,000
GST Inclusive
Megan Browning
E mbrowning@pggwrightson.co.nz M 027 668 8468
Large
Vendors say "must sell - bring your offers" Nestled on the tranquil edge of town, this expansive 3689 sqm flat section is a blank canvas for your dream home. With power, sewage and water already on-site, you have the essential services ready to go Partial fencing adds a touch of definition, while a lovely shelter of trees provides natural privacy and charm. Enjoy the benefits of a sun-soaked, north-facing orientation that ensures plenty of natural light. This prime piece of land combines the serene feeling of a rural retreat with the convenience of nearby amenities. $280,000
Insulation rules made more
u by Andy Bryenton
The
“I’ve heard clearly from the industry that the current one-size-fits-all approach to insulation requirements is needlessly driving-up costs,” said Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk, on the announcement of a raft of new rule changes.
“The most prescriptive compliance pathway currently available for insulation, known as the Schedule Method, doesn’t allow for design trade-offs that can affect a home’s energy efficiency, like adjusting window size.
“This has led to designers and homeowners having to over-insulate in certain areas to achieve Building Code compliance, offering little extra energy efficiency benefit at a significant cost.”
It was often a case of the rules being an impediment to progress, and still not delivering good outcomes. With smarter tools now available to calculate thermal retention, energy efficiency and overall insulation optimisation, builders should not need to apply the blunt tool of the old rules.
The upshot is a saving of an average $15,000 on every new home; not an inconsiderable sum. Also on the horizon is a possible change to the rules in Northland, which has a more subtropical climate than other more southerly parts of the nation.
The changes represent a middleground approach to insulation law, with the plan laid out by Mr Penk, in early July, earning praise from builders and healthy housing advocates.
That’s because the rhetoric from the coalition government, in 2024, was leaning towards the scrapping of insulation standards. At the time, it’s reported spokespeople for the building industry made claims that the cost of a home was being driven up by more than $50,000 by the Healthy Homes’ standards. However, investigation by Mr Penk’s ministry found these claims were contradicted by independent advice.
“I’m really proud to say that Certified Builders, Construction Industry Council, ADNZ (Architectural Designers New
Zealand), BRANZ (Building Research Association of New Zealand) and others stepped in and said, no, you should not be taking out insulation, and it’s bad design that is to blame, not insulation, for overheating,” said Green Housing Council head Andrew Eagles.
The government listened, which is a good thing from the perspective of another
department; that of health. It’s estimated that warmer, drier homes delivered by logical insulation and heating rules have already resulted in less stress on busy doctors and hospitals.
The new rules are likely to be published in their final form in November, meaning that building will be a cheaper and more flexible process in the new year.
Rules around insulation, which builders described as a ‘blunt instrument’ and ‘unfit for purpose’ have been changed from a one-size-fits-nobody approach to a more-tailored system
Tackling the winter chill blues
u by Amy Fifita
As we are in the thick of winter, some of us may want to heat-proof our homes to make the most out of our wood and electricity bills, so — how do we do that?
Tackling the dampness and chill of winter can be a mission, and sometimes finding a balance is difficult. Knowing the house matters.
Condensation, damp patches, mildew or mould, and musty smells are all signs of a damp home. Not only is it bad for the house, but it is also detrimental to people’s health. Airing out the home when the weather is mild does help, as do venting systems, dehumidifiers and moisture absorbers.
Thermal curtains are a great option for keeping the heat in the home. They do more than keep the house warm, though, as they also help keep the summer heat out. Offering more than functionality, a curtain can make a great statement in the home, depending on the design and style you select.
Double glazing helps regulate temperature and insulate any home, but there are also cost-friendly options,
such as window insulation kits. The kits consist of a clear film creating a layer of still air between the window and the film barrier. They can be bought at most hardware stores for a reasonable price.
Insulating floors, ceilings and walls ensures the home is warm and dry. Closing unused rooms and putting draught stoppers across doors also seals the warm air in, meaning less electricity or wood needs to be used to heat the home.
Having a look at the outside of the house can also provide telltale signs of potential issues. Assessing the spouting can help homeowners identify where extra moisture is coming in. If the drains or spouting are flowing on to or into the house, it can cause damage. With a dry and warm house established, you and your family can live in a healthy home.
Curtains not only keep the heat inside, but they also provide an opportunity to make a statement in the room
SUPERIOR INTERIORS & EXTERIORS
Best bang for your renovation bucks
u by Andy Bryenton
If you’re renovating this winter to sell in spring, take a hint from a recent US survey of real estate agents as to which parts of a property really swing the decision to invest and settle down.
Better bathrooms
These areas are a focus for intense scrutiny during open homes and can be a dealbreaker for many buyers. Functional, spacious and easy to clean are the keywords real estate professionals hear a lot; and the number of bathrooms buyers desire is rising, too. For many, having experienced the joys of his and hers bathrooms means never going back. En suites are also very much in vogue, especially in family homes where the main bathroom area is likely to see serious use by the youngsters.
Comprehensive kitchens
Trends come and go when it comes to kitchen design and appliances, but functionality is king in this part of the home. Storage scores more points than people would imagine, and so does the ability to change out appliances. Nothing’s worse than having a gap too small for your new oven or fridge. Kitchens and bathrooms both also benefit hugely from fresh flooring that’s waterproof and easy to clean, and extractors that get rid of steam silently.
What really makes a home stand
Hit the decks
Outdoor entertainment is a big part of summer, and a lot of home buyers don’t just think inside of the box when it comes to imagining their dream home. Resurfacing the decks is an inexpensive way to make a good first impression, and give a clear indication that attention has gone into maintaining your property. Increasingly, deck space out of line of
sight to neighbours is sought for spa pools and stand-alone saunas.
Energy efficiency
It’s a new contender in the list of game-changing factors that really motivate home buyers, but energy-smart ideas are now right up there with space, light and location. Homes with solar hot water heating, solar panels for power, battery banks and heat pump systems are in demand. So, too, are homes with charging points for electric vehicles. If you’re renovating with an eye to potential medium-term sale, look at clever energy options that could deliver more than what they cost when it’s time to sell.
Garage days revisited
There’s a tongue-in-cheek saying that ‘ladies buy a home, blokes buy a garage’. It’s actually truer than some might believe, and it’s not just the lads who want ample shed space. Anyone and everyone has hobbies, and while the obvious shed-
fillers like hot-rodding, motorcycling, boating and carpentry are all popular, gardening, model-making, sewing and home brewing all need shed space, too.
AUTO & MARINE
The pursuit of happiness
u by Andy Bryenton
Winter rain has caused havoc in some parts of the nation, but there’s one definite outcome from the dousing the season has brought — mud.
While it’s a hassle for some, it’s a playground for others, and fans of off-road action view the brown stuff with a mixture of respectful trepidation and unalloyed delight. There’s something about getting covered in mud, while deploying massive horsepower that brings out the little kid in some petrolheads, and those that make off-roading machines are switched on to the grin-inducing power of it all.
CFMoto certainly gets it. The rising force in off-road power slammed into the EICMA festival at the end of 2024 with a bevy of new machines, but standing out among the pack was the Z10 SSV, an off-road racer built for speed over any terrain. It’s only 845kg, and packs a three-pot fourstroke mill that runs naturally aspirated, kicking out 143 horsepower. That might be less grunt than some competitors, but it’s a lighter weight as well. In fact, those figures pretty much match the specs of some very fun old-school sports cars, but the Z10 can deploy them off-road.
Then again, you could go even lighter and more nimble with CFMoto’s Zforce 1000 EPS Sport R. It’s a handful of a name, but it represents several levels of evolution from the standard Zforce 1000, turning it into a real mud-slinging and trailcrushing weapon. You know that they’re
serious about going literally anywhere with oxygen when they send it from the factory with a winch attached.
While there’s no Kiwi price listed for the Z10 yet on the New Zealand CFMoto website, the Zforce EPS Sport R has one, and it’s a bit shocking. That’s because it’s fully one-third of the price of some competitors’ sport-segment off-roaders.
Once again, it’s not a product aimed to win the horsepower and muscle race at the top-end of the market, but it is designed to be a blast on any surface, mud included. If that’s your aim, buying
three of these to have adventures with all your family and mates might look better than just getting one.
In all seriousness, CFMoto has pushed up the bar for the features and performance you can expect for your dollar in this segment. Both the Z10 and the smaller Zforce 1000 EPS Sport R have things like digital dashboards, limited-slip diffs, standout mag wheels and comfy seats. If you want to have fun in the mud this winter, the range is worth a closer look. They might just need a power wash after you take them for a test drive.
CFMoto revealed the aggressively-styled Z10 at EICMA last year
Giant robots not just for anime
u by Andy Bryenton
John Deere has unleashed one of the most powerful, and biggest, tracked tractors ever to till the soil, with the debut of the 9RX, and a surprising reveal at the CES cereal crop expo in the US; this monster of the fields can come as an advanced, driverless robot.
Everything about the 9RX is defined by huge numbers, including its massive four-tracked silhouette, reminiscent of the desert-crawling harvesters of Frank Herbert’s Dune novels. The big JD18, 18-litre diesel under the hood can deliver a maximum of 913 horsepower, but it also delivers this titanic amount of force, while achieving emissions standard compliance without any fuel fluids or additives.
Now, for the numbers. Start with hydraulic flow of up to 635 litres a minute, tracks 91 centimetres wide for floatation over soil, and 6.8 square metres of glass in the immense cab. The RX9 weighs 33 tonnes, stands an imposing 3.7 metres tall, and measures 8.8 metres in length, track-to-track.
All that power is designed to operate the biggest and most-demanding of implements for massive fields and acres of crops. However, there’s finesse behind the brute force of the RX9, with more advanced computing technology on board than ever before in a tractor of this size. Some of this is the wizardry allowing this green giant to go fully autonomous.
“Our agriculture, construction, and commercial landscaping customers all have work that must get done at certain times of the day and year, yet there is
not enough available and skilled labor to do the work,” says John Deere chief technology officer Jahmy Hindman.
“Autonomy can help address this challenge. That’s why we’re extending our technology stack to enable more machines to operate safely and autonomously in unique and complex environments. This will not only benefit our customers, but all of us who rely on them to provide the food,
fuel,
By adding 16 cameras and John Deere’s second-gen autonomy kit, the 9RX gains a 360-degree cybernetic view of its surroundings, with advanced depth perception to enable it to move with swift surety.
Deere engineers say this gives farmers the option of stepping away from the RX9’s spacious cab and taking care of other things, while it deals with vast swathes of land all on its own.
While the RX9 might be too big for most Kiwi farms, made as it is for the US plains, it’s a halo product displaying the peak of engineering and automation as a snapshot in time. Lessons learned making this beast will soon be coming to a field near you.
John Deere’s huge new RX9 is not just an exercise in superlatives; it’s an autonomous robot tractor on a whole new scale
fibre, infrastructure and landscaping care that we depend on every day.”
Kaipara Kōrero
News from Kaipara District Council
Maungatūroto water upgrades complete
Two major improvement projects wrapped up this month will futureproof the Maungatūroto water supply for years to come. Read more about the water treatment plant and watermain upgrades on our website at kaipara.govt.nz/news
Thursday 17 July
There will be reduced hours for council offices and the Dargaville Library and Mangawhai Library on Thursday 17 July
Dargaville and Mangawhai council offices will be open 2.30 to 4.30pm
Dargaville and Mangawhai libraries will be open 2 30 to 6pm
If you have an urgent enquiry, please contact our afterhours service on 0800 727 059 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) See council office open hours and how to get in touch at kaipara.govt.nz/contact-us.
Rāupo Drainage Committee Elections
Those within the Raupō Drainage District will soon be receiving an election pack in the mail This includes candidate profile statements and your voting papers to elect six ratepayer representatives to the Raupō Drainage Committee. Each rateable property within the Raupō Drainage District is entitled to one vote. Voting closes 12 noon, Thursday 24 July 2025. Find out more kaipara.govt.nz/raupo-elections.
Aranga Beach toilets underway
You will see works are now underway for the Aranga Beach toilets planned to be completed by the start of September. The project includes the installation of a prefabricated toilet, accessible parking spaces, and safe connections to the toilet
Enrol to vote
You have until 1 August to enrol to vote in the 2025 Local Elections
Hōngongoi July
If you enrol after 1 August you will not receive voting papers in the mail and be required to make a special vote. If you have moved house since the last time you voted, you will also need to update your details before 1 August
If you are enrolled and none of your details have changed since the last time you voted you are set to receive your voting papers from 9 September 2025
Proposed District Plan
Submissions for the Proposed District Plan closed on 30 June 2025 – thank you to everyone who gave their feedback. Around 370 submissions have been received which have now begun to be analysed into submission points. We will keep you updated with the next steps.
Creative Communities
We caught up with event organisers behind ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’, the Dargaville Arts Association, who received support from the Creative Communities Scheme.
“Thanks to the support from the Creative Communities Scheme, artists were able to transform their imaginations into reality and show our community just how accessible and inspiring wearable arts can be.
The event showcased incredible talent but also encouraged others to explore their own creativity proving that you don’t need a big city to make big magic happen ”
Have a creative idea of your own, but need funding to help?
Applications are open until 31 July. Find out more at kaipara govt nz/funding
Make sure your furry friend is up to date by 31 August to avoid penalty fees. Skip the queues and register online at kaipara.govt.nz/annual-dog-registration. If you have concerns about paying on time, contact our customer services team
Dargaville Arts Association received Creative Communities Scheme arts funding for their wearable arts show ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’
WHAT’S
July
Tangiteroria Burger Night — 18 July @ Tangiteroria Community Complex. Open 6pm.
Baylys Beach Society — 25 July Fundraising Quiz Night. 56 View Rd, Baylys Beach. Open 6.30pm, $15pp. Contact Tracy 021 883 437 to register your team.
Inland Revenue Clinic — 29 July at Heartland Sevices, Whanau Focus Building, 61 Victoria Street, Dargaville. Bookings essential. Phone 09 439 7009 or 022 453 765.
August
Tangiteroria Burger Night — 1 August @ Tangiteroria Community Complex. Open 6pm.
Northland Inc – Growth Advisor Visit — The Seed Office, Fosters Arcade, 36 Victoria St, Dargaville, 13 August. Book in for a FREE Discovery meeting with one of our Growth Advisors. Email: growth@northlandnz. com for more information.
Tangiteroria Burger Night — 15 August @ Tangiteroria Community Complex. Open 6pm.
Tangiteroria Burger Night — 29 August @ Tangiteroria Community Complex. Open 6pm.
Markets
Kaihu Hall Market — 4th 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 Farmers’ Market — Every Saturday 9am–12pm. Genuine local produce, vegetables, seafood, olive oils, meats, patisserie, plants and more. Village Green, Paparoa.
Te Kopuru Market — 2nd Saturday of each month, 9am–1pm at Coronation Hall. Stall holders ring Rachel on 021 133 7560.
Clubs/Organisations
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.
Alcoholics Anonymous — Dargaville meetings
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 022 691 6068.
Anger Management Group — Thursdays 6pm–7.30pm 1/12 Kapia Street, Dargaville. Helena 021 564 618 or 09 601 4153.
Badminton — Wednesday Nights. 7pm–9pm, $2 per night. Dargaville High School Gym, Plunket Street. Some racquets available. All welcome 13 years & over, enquiries phone 021 439 157.
Baylys & Beyond Gardeners — 2nd Monday of each month. Garden ramble, shared lunch, trading table phone 021 063 3444.
Blind Low Vision Support Group — Meets 10am, last Monday of the month, alternatively at Dargaville and Ruawai. Phone Noelene 09 439 0033 for more info. Chess Club — All welcome, Wednesdays 6.30pm Dargaville, gold coin donation. Phone Stephen 09 439 8819.
Circus Kumarani All Ages Circus Class — Term 4. Come along and learn some circus, casual or full term. 15 Onslow St, Dargaville, Tuesdays 3.45–4.45pm; and Paparoa Memorial Hall, Thursdays 4–5pm. www. circuskumarani.co.nz/classes.
Citizens Advice Bureau — Dargaville & districts now at Parenga Street (between the Menz Shed and My Accountants).
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 Ray King 09 439 5509.
Dargaville Club — 61 Victoria Street, open Wednesday and Friday from 5pm. Members and guests welcome.
Dargaville Club Jam Nights — every second Friday, 5.30pm start.
Dargaville Community Garden — at Kumarani Creative Centre, 15 Onslow St. Open day on second Saturday of the month (12th April, 10th May) come along from 10am–1pm for a cuppa, swap crops, seeds and ideas. Email classes@circuskumarani.co.nz to find out more.
Dargaville Contact Bridge Club — Tuesdays 12.45pm and Wednesdays 6.45pm at the Kiosk, Memorial Park, Logan St, Dargaville. dargavillebridge@gmail.com or phone Peter 09 439 2437 or 022 405 6439.
Dargaville Firearm & Military Collectors Club — 3rd Friday of 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 or 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 Medieval 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 — Tuesday and Thursday each week from 10am to 3pm and Saturday from 10am to noon. For more info phone Paul 027 459 3098 or Brian 09 439 6175.
Dargaville Museum — Open 7 days per week. Hours 9am–4pm April to October, 9am–5pm October to April. Phone 09 439 7555.
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. Tues 9.30am. Thurs 6pm. New Beginners class starting 15 July. Pono Lodge. Mats available. Find us on FB Stretch Your Bodhi Yoga. Contact Diane 027 371 5274.
Drop in meditation — 5.30–6pm Thursdays at Bring Balance, Kaipara Community Centre (side entrance), 38 Hokianga Rd. Room open from 5pm, all welcome. Koha/Dana. www.bringbalance.co.nz, 021 0231 8008.
Girls’ Brigade — Thursdays 3–5pm at the Lighthouse Church, for girls 5–18 years. Register online at 1st Dargaville Girls Brigade 2025 registrations. Find us on FB & Instagram or phone 021 263 7446.
Hikuwai O Kaipara Waka Ama Club — NW Boating Club, 5pm Mondays and Thursdays from 5pm for Awa training.
THE KAIPARA LIFESTYLER IS PUBLISHED WITH PRIDE BY INTEGRITY COMMUNITY MEDIA, A PRIVATELY OWNED KAIPARA COMPANY.
Phone: 09 439 6933 or 0800 466 793 Email: info@thelifestyler.co.nz
Postal Address: PO Box 474, Dargaville Physical Address: 107 River Road, Dargaville
Publisher: Allan Mortensen 021 439 697 allan.mortensen@integrity.nz
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@thelifestyler.co.nz
Production: Gavin Bainbridge | Marnie Fuller | Drew Welsh | Liz Clark
Accounts: accounts@thelifestyler.co.nz
Distribution: Laurie Willetts Printed by: NZME Website: kaiparalifestyler.co.nz
Housie — Every third Monday of the month at 1.30pm, Dargaville Bowling Club. Janice Allan 027 355 7434.
JP Service — Every Thursday at the Whanau Focus Office, 12–1pm, walk in only. Come and have your documents verified and we also photocopy important documents like Passports, Birth Certificates and Driver Licences free of charge. Call 021 245 3765 or 09 439 7009, 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 Bootscooters (Beginner line dancing classes) — Every Monday 5.30pm to 7.30pm and Thursday 10am to noon. First hour is beginner and second hour is higher beginner. Dalmation Hall, Normanby St, Dargaville. Contact Donna 021 729 955.
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.
Kaipara Grey Power — third Friday of each month February to 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.
Lions Club of Ruawai — 3rd Thursday of the month (social) and 1st Thursday of the 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 every month. In winter Centennial Hall, Maungaturoto. Other months visit gardens in the area. New members welcome. $15 to join — first 3 visits FREE. Please contact Gloria 021 100 8153 for more info.
Northern Wairoa Country Music Club — 1st Sunday of the month at the Scout Hall, 23 Onslow Street 1–4pm. Enquiries to Kathleen 021 077 7697.
Northern Wairoa Genealogy Society — Learn how to trace your family history or understand DNA at Dargaville Museum, 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month, 12.30–2pm and at other times by appointments. Phone Sue 021 608 606.
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 the month. Contact Margaret Pinny 09 439 4560.
Paparoa Box Fit — $10. Stretching/cardio/boxing.
Paparoa Memorial Hall, every Wednesday 6–7pm.
Paparoa Dance to Music — $5. Stretching/balance/ resistance bands/Zumba, Paparoa Memorial Hall, every Tuesday 10.30–11.30am.
Paparoa Kids Fun Class — $5. Learning/Music/ Dodge Ball/Limbo, Paparoa Memorial Hall, Every Friday 3–4pm.
Peggy Purls in our Community — Every 3rd Wednesday 10.30am at Dargaville Sewing and Curtain Centre, 59 Normanby St. Ring Charlene 09 439 6120. Petanque — social play. Mondays 9.15 till 11.30, $2, fun exercise, 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 — Sundays, 3–4pm at Kaipara Community Centre, 38 Hokianga Rd. $2 per person. Txt Kirsty 021 0818 7902 for more info. Rotary Club of Dargaville — Weekly at 11.30–1pm 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 every month, Feb to Nov at the Ruawai Bowling Club, 10am start. Phone Merele 09 439 2335.
Stepping Out Leisure Marching Team — Tuesday 4pm–5pm at the Dargaville Dalmatian Hall, 20 Normanby St. Contact 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, phone Sarah 021 772 822. Tuesdays: Yoga 6pm, phone Sharon 021 981 135, $15 per session. Wednesdays: Indoor Bowls (fortnightly in summer, weekly in winter) 6pm, phone Mel 021 772 822; Squash, phone Donna 021 761 022; Exercise Room, phone Mel 021 772 822. We ask participants are a Complex Member for all above activities. For Pickleball and Bowls it’s a gold coin donation. Te Kopuru Community Library — access through St Peters Hall. Open Wednesday 10am–noon and Sunday 3pm–4pm.
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 — Every Wednesday 10am. Variety of crafts. The Kiosk at Memorial Park. All welcome. $10 per session. Contact Judy 027 316 3940.
WED 16 1:51 am (3.2m) 8:08 am (0.6m) 2:17 pm (3.0m) 8:22 pm (0.6m) THU 17 2:37 am (3.2m) 8:55 am (0.6m) 3:05 pm (3.0m) 9:12 pm (0.7m) FRI 18 3:28 am (3.1m) 9:46 am (0.7m) 3:59 pm (2.9m) 10:09 pm (0.8m) SAT 19 4:25
3:00 pm (2.4m) 9:07 pm (0.8m) MON 21 3:25 am (2.5m) 9:35 am (0.6m) 4:06 pm (2.4m) 10:11 pm (0.8m)
TUE 22 4:27 am (2.5m) 10:37 am (0.6m) 5:10 pm (2.5m) 11:12 pm (0.7m)
PUZZLE TIME
66 Ethics (anag)(6)
67 Calculated approximately (9)
72 Apex (4,5)
73 False blow (5)
74 Conforming to type (7)
79 Miserably inadequate (8)
80 Heat-measuring instrument (11)
81 Rashly quick (5)
82 Liabilities (5)
83 Treat with a brutal lack of gratitude (4,2,3,5)
84 Power cables (5) DOWN
2 Sudden (6)
3 Dutch cheese (5)
5 On (4)
6 Illegal act (7)
7 Habitual user (6)
8 Cereal heads (4)
9 Establish firmly, deeply (8)
10 Sexual urge (6)
11 Aims (10)
12 Close (4)
13 Withdraw (7)
17 Unwanted garden plants (5)
18 Train puller (10)
22 Rogue (5)
23 Horned African animal (8)
25 Paper-folding art (7)
26 Moisture bead (7)
28 Ebb (6)
29 Hand protectors (6)
30 Defeated (6)
33 Bumpy (5)
35 Large plants (5)
36 Begging request (4)
37 Unit of area (4)
42 Cuban dance (5)
43 Shears (8)
44 Song of mourning (6)
45 Amendment (10)
46 Wide-mouthed pitcher (4)
47 Favourable outcome (7)
48 Paradoxical (6)
49 Revolution (5)
51 Arm bone (4)
52 Rock (7)
53 Walk unsteadily (6)
58 Animation and energy (10)
59 Pungent (5)
63 City in China (8)
64 Goat-man creature (5)
65 Bent over (7)
68 Earnest (7)
69 Reduce in size (6)
70 Turn into (6)
71 Endured (6)
75 Silly (5)
76 Attack with a knife (4)
77 Worry (4)
78 Air hole (4)
Sudoku
Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.
ACROSS: 1 Romance, 4 Stark naked, 9 Village, 13 Cone, 14 Spleen, 15 Enacts, 16 Vibrate, 19 Disallowed, 20 Crawling, 21 Remit, 24 Morose, 25 Revamp, 27 Obstinate, 32 Ricochet, 33 Stream, 34 Situate, 38 Imprison, 39 Pagoda, 40 Axel, 41 Catch, 42 Alloy, 45 Go up in the world, 52 Aesop, 55 Spasm, 56 Keep, 57 Common, 58 Wrestler, 61 Persist, 62 Modern, 63 Prohibit, 66 Negligent, 68 In lieu, 69 Fedora, 73 Image, 74 Enchants, 76 Scratching, 81 Pliable, 82 Floral, 83 Expend, 84 Gala, 85 Amnesty, 86 Hopping mad, 87 Relayed. DOWN: 1 Raced, 2 Ministry, 3 Employ, 4 Siege, 5 Acne, 6 Kneecap, 7 Ararat, 8 Extol, 10 Iris, 11 Largest, 12 Gothic, 17 Elasticity, 18 Unity, 22 Pastrami, 23 Unfit, 24 Madeira, 26 Echo, 28 Bravado, 29 So long, 30 Crease, 31 Stucco, 33 Scout, 35 Usage, 36 Opal, 37 Zeal, 43 Lapsed, 44 Oasis, 46 Obey, 47 Popcorn, 48 Nickel, 49 Human, 50 Woodpile, 51 Dermis, 52 Abstinence, 53 Silo, 54 Piranha, 59 Psalm, 60 Core, 64 Agony, 65 Solitary, 67 Engrave, 68 Insulin, 70 Emblem, 71 Unwrap, 72 Banner, 75 Hello, 77 Coped, 78 Grand, 79 Clot, 80 Seam.
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
CLASSIFIEDS PHONE 09 439 6933
Closing date for classified advertising for the July 22 2025 edition is Monday, July 21 2025
FOR SALE
CARAVAN EWOF (and marine). Call your local inspector today at A+ Electrical Inspections and Security on 021 240 6764.
TOP SOIL, conditioned top quality. 100% suitable for vege gardens or new lawns. $85 per m³ onto your trailer, or truck deliveries available for larger orders. Phone 021 132 4107 or 09 439 5141.
TOYOTA COROLLA 2006 silver, 5dr hatchback JGY875. Current WOF & REGO both expiring September 2025. New tyres & battery. 123,000km, tidy condition, $7,000. Phone John 027 525 8189.
CHURCH NOTICES
TE KOROWAI O IHU KARAITI, Dargaville Church of the Nazarene, 4 Grey Street. Church service on every Sunday at 3pm. Bible study/prayer Wednesday from 4.30pm-7.15pm. Legacy/Man Up, Thursdays from 6.30pm–8.30pm (during school term).
FENCING
FENCING, ALL types of fencing, pool, stockyards, post & rail, boundary plus… call Jeff 027 476 5458.
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.
TREE SERVICES
TREE REMOVAL, pruning, chipping & stump grinding. Qualified & insured. Phone Scott 0800 468 9663 Arborcare Tree Maintenance.
WANTED TO BUY
COLOSTRUM/MILK, suitable for calves. Pay Cash, regular collection. Phone Craig 027 204 8686
WE BUY all Cars, Vans, Utes, Trucks and Buses in any condition dead or alive. Call 0800 333 398 or text 021 344 449.
ENTERTAINMENT
SINGLE? OVER 40? Meet other interesting, intelligent, genuine people just like yourself. Dine out ‘Dinner for Six’. Phone 021 639 552.
TRADES & SERVICES
19MM H3.2 Plywood Various Grades Scooters Plywood 09 438 6464.
CARPENTER/BUILDER 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.
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.
BOBCAT & DIGGER HIREAGE
•
•
• ALL GENERAL SITE WORKS/ EXCAVATIONS
• 20+ YEARS EXPERIENCE
Wellsford
SITUATIONS VACANT
POSITION AVAILABLE on 900-cow dairy farm in Ruawai. Excellent facilities including a 60-bale rotary cowshed milking once a day. Experience required. Possibly a single person or couple. Would consider a permanent relief milker and a part time position for a couple. Freshly renovated 2 bedroom Portacom with heat pump available. Start date immediate. Phone 021 049 0695.
Tradespersons Required
We require 1–2 tradespersons with construction experience on residential, commercial, industrial and civil worksites.
The right applicant will:
• Be physically fit and reliable.
• Have good communication skills.
• Be able to work and contribute in a team.
• Be competent in record keeping.
• Have a clean Class 2 driver licence. Remuneration will be discussed with the successful applicant. Minimum of 5 years experience required. Please phone and leave a message on 021 939 226.
PEER SUPPORT WORKERS
Are you passionate about using your lived experience to support others on their recovery journey?
Whakamana Tangata offers peer support health and wellbeing to people in our local communities, in a holistic and kaupapa Māori service, mostly based at our Hub in Dargaville.
We are looking for experienced and new peer support workers to join our team in Dargaville. Two part-time positions are available.
For further information and the application form, contact Whakamana Manager, on 021564618. Applications close 25th July or when filled. Send cv to admin@whakamanatangata.co.nz
• Reliable distributors wanted for part-time work delivering circulars/local newspapers into household letterboxes.
• No experience necessary - really!
• We would prefer if you had a smartphone.
• Materials to be delivered are dropped right to your door.
• Regular delivery days, great way to earn $ and keep fit.
EARN EXTRA CASH, GET YOUR DAILY EXERCISE & EXPLORE THE NEIGHBOURHOOD!
SITUATIONS VACANT
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST PIPELINE INSTALLATION AND MATERIAL SUPPLY EOI
Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust (the Trust) is seeking to expand the Distribution Networks associated with the Community Water Schemes within Northland. The Trust is seeking small to medium sized, locally based contractors to undertake the installation works, and a reputable supplier of PE pipe and associated valves and fittings. The Trust invites interested parties to respond to the Expression of Interest (EOI) in regard to the following three opportunities:
1. Installation of
3.
• 1 Full time sales role available
• Training provided
• Positive attitude and strong people skills encouraged
• Cell phone and computer knowledge are an asset
OUR CUSTOMERS WANT TO PROMOTE THEIR BUSINESSES, THEY JUST NEED TO TALK TO YOU TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Email your CV & Cover Letter to: jobs@integrity.nz
CLASSIFIEDS
ACOUSTIC MUSIC Blackboard Concert — Next concert is the 2nd of October 2025, first Thursday of the month
— 7–9.30pm. 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 AA Meetings are held at the church, corner Parore and Normanby Streets. Use Parore St entrance. Monday 4.30pm & Thursday 7.30pm. Phone Bernie 027 212 2148, Ladies 020 4082 1373, Murray 09 439 5248.
DARGAVILLE HEALING rooms 7pm Tuesdays. No charge & no appointment necessary. Lion of Judah Building, River Road. All Welcome. Check us out on Facebook.
KAIPARA GREY Power’s next Public Meeting is this Friday July 18th at the Dargaville Methodist Church Complex. We have a “Double Billing.” At 1pm Bella Bonetti sharing with us a new Home Care Group available in Dargaville. Next at 1.30 pm are our 2nd guests. A team from Northpower led by Rachel Wansbone. They have a presentation that will include information around the new solar farm in Ruawai and future solar project plans, helpful tips on saving on your power bill plus information on fibre and resilience. There will be time for questions. Everyone is welcome to attend.
TAKE NOTICE that the KAIPARA DISTRICT COUNCIL and the NORTHLAND REGIONAL COUNCIL (“Councils”) intend to exercise their statutory powers under ss77-83 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 to apply to the District Court at Whangarei, not sooner than one month after the date of this notice for orders declaring the land at Bickers Road, Te Kopuru, contained in Record of Title NA763/97, Part Allotment 18 Parish of Tatarariki (“Land”) is abandoned and authorising the Councils to sell or lease the Land. The Record of Title shows the registered proprietor of the Land as DANIEL MCLEOD. The Councils have the power to make this application because the rates for the Land have not been paid to the Councils for three years or more, and the ratepayer for the Land is either deceased and has no personal representative or cannot be found after due inquiry.
If you have any interest in the Land or any information that is relevant to the proposed application by the Councils, please contact Lisa Walsh (09) 979 2219, email walsh@brookfields.co.nz, Brookfields, Lawyers, P O Box 240, Auckland.
PUBLIC NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SELL OR LEASE ABANDONED LAND
TAKE NOTICE that the KAIPARA DISTRICT COUNCIL and the NORTHLAND REGIONAL COUNCIL (“Councils”) intend to exercise their statutory powers under ss77-83 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 to apply to the District Court at Whangarei, not sooner than one month after the date of this notice for orders declaring the land at Bickers Road, Te Kopuru, contained in Record of Title NA763/94, Part Allotment 18 Parish of Tatarariki (“Land”) is abandoned and authorising the Councils to sell or lease the Land.
The Record of Title shows the registered proprietor of the Land as RICHARD BRADLEY. The Councils have the power to make this application because the rates for the Land have not been paid to the Councils for three years or more, and the ratepayer for the Land is either deceased and has no personal representative or cannot be found after due inquiry.
If you have any interest in the Land or any information that is relevant to the proposed application by the Councils, please contact Lisa Walsh (09) 979 2219, email walsh@brookfields.co.nz, Brookfields, Lawyers, P O Box 240, Auckland.
Council has
•
the Mangawhai Harbour overlay to a mix of residential and commercial zoned land as follows:
• Large
• Create a Development Area containing a suite of planning provisions to control and manage subdivision, use and development within the Plan change area.
• Apply a Coastal Hazard overlay over the land area identified to be potentially subject to coastal hazard where the effects of potential mitigation measures will need to be managed.
• Include Ecological features maps to convey areas of ecological sensitivity for future protection.
• Incorporate a Structure Plan into the Development Area to visually depict key features and outcomes required.
• Make any necessary consequential amendments to the Kaipara District Plan Maps.
All information relating to PPC85 can be viewed online on the Kaipara District Council website, www.kaipara.govt.nz/mangawhaieast, or online at our offices in Dargaville and Mangawhai during business hours from Monday 14 July 2025.
Any person can make submissions on the proposal, including Council from Monday 14 July 2025 until 5pm on Monday 18 August 2025. If any person making a submission can gain an advantage in trade competition through the submission, then the person may do so only if directly affected by an effect of the proposal that directly affects the environment and does not relate to trade competition or the effects of trade competition.
You may make a submission on this application, by completing the PPC85 Submission Form (Form 5 or similar). You can access Form 5 on the Kaipara District Council website, www. kaipara.govt.nz/mangawhaieast from Monday 14 July 2025.
Submissions must be received by 5.00pm, Monday 18 August 2025.
At the close of submissions, Council will prepare a summary of decisions requested by submitters and give public notice of the submissions received. There will then be an opportunity to make further submissions in support of, or in opposition to the submissions received. A hearing of submissions will be held if submitters wish to be heard, and a decision will be issued including a public notice within two years of PPC85 being notified.
Please quote “Private Plan Change 85 – Mangawhai East” when writing or calling about this proposal and direct any correspondence or queries to 0800 727 059 or via email to planchanges@kaipara.govt.nz.
Authorised by Jason Marris, CEO
