Kaipara Lifestyler, October 21st 2025

Election results herald new leadership

u by Andy Bryenton

After the last of the special votes were counted on Friday, the announcement was made that Jonathan Larsen would lead the Kaipara District as mayor for the next three years, along with a council that’s a mixture of political veterans and new faces.

The final votes are in following what has been not only one of the closest run, but also one of the most controversial local body elections in New Zealand. From a narrow margin of just five votes between Mr Larsen and his nearest rival, Snow Tane, when provisional voting totals were released last week, the count dragged on through a week of tension, which also saw an unprecedented emergency meeting regarding allegations of voting irregularities.

However, by Friday afternoon the count was complete, and as promised earlier that day by electoral officer Dale Ofsoske, a result was delivered. That result saw Jonathan Larsen take the mayoralty by 3,138 votes to Mr Tane’s 3,117, a margin of just 21 ballots. Jason Smith was not far behind on 3,081, with Ash Nayyar on 1,278.

“It was a very close campaign, and it could have gone any way,” said Mr Larsen. “I really fronted on the basis of building stability and unity for the district. I have been there for four terms as a councillor, and we have made some great improvements over the past three years of the last term.”

The council, soon to make up the forthcoming Larsen administration, is a blend of political newcomers and familiar faces. In the Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Ward incumbent Rachael Williams gained a second term with a vote of 1,985, ahead of former mayor Craig Jepson who will also return to the council table in the role of councillor, with 1,704 votes. New

to the role is Luke Canton, who secured the third and final east coast council seat with 1,669 votes, ahead of nearest rival Helen Price by 187 ballots.

There were just two seats available in the Ōtamatea Ward, and the campaign for both was a close one. While Mike Schimanski carried the election with 820 votes, a tight contest played out for the second seat, between longtime councillor Mark Vincent and newcomer Denise Rogers. In the preliminary votes Mr Vincent was just ahead, but in the final reckoning he was excluded by only two votes; the tally being Rogers 742, Vincent 740.

Snow Tane may have been defeated by a narrow margin in the race for the mayoralty, but his popularity as a councillor in the Wairoa Ward was overwhelming. Mr Tane accrued 2,443 votes to lead the running, nearly 1,000 ahead of second placegetter Joesephine Nathan on 1,444. Once again, the contest for the third seat was a close one. Gordon Lambeth retained his seat for another term, with 1,345 votes, just ahead of Tangiterōria community leader Jan Beatty, who gained 1,334 votes and Pera Paniora who received 1,318.

As part of an east-west balancing arrangement made during the election

campaign, the selection of both Mr Larsen and Mr Lambeth for their respective roles will see the latter elevated to the position of deputy mayor, following the inauguration of the new administration. This occasion could take place as early as next week, allowing the new council to get into the business of governance in 2025 before holidays overtake the calendar.

With a lot to achieve, and election promises to make good on, the Larsen administration will be under close public scrutiny. Unity and transparency of spending are top of the new mayor’s agenda.

“My approach is very clear. I want to unify the whole district,” Mr Larsen said. ¢

p Mayor-elect Jonathan Larsen won the highest office in Kaipara in a hard-fought election

Youth brighten harbourside

RE-ELECT

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Excited to be looking after your shares in Northpower for you, the consumer.

Thanks to firefighters

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Bridge’s birthday

A tribute to Jean Johnson Dancing delights

u by Jasmine French, Jean’s eldest granddaughter

Jean Johnson was more than a real estate agent, she was part of the heartbeat of Dargaville. Known for her warmth, humour and dedication, Jean spent decades helping local families find their homes while giving back generously to the community she loved.

A woman of energy and ideas, she was instrumental in bringing the Dargaville Christmas Parade back to life in 2024, alongside the Rotary Club, filling the main street with colour, laughter and connection once more. She also organised countless local events.

From wrestling fundraisers and high teas to kūmaragrowing competitions, colouring contests, sausage sizzles and charity drives, all in support of causes close to her heart. Wherever there was a community effort, Jean’s presence and enthusiasm were never far away. Her kindness, fairness and genuine care for the people of Northland made her a trusted and respected name in real estate and a friend to so many.

Though Jean has passed, her legacy continues through her family: her daughter, Lee Cocurullo, granddaughter Amber Kabbabe, and the dedicated team at Century 21 Jean Johnson Realty — Northland, who proudly carry forward her vision and values.

The family also wish to extend heartfelt thanks to the Northland Emergency Services Trust (NEST) helicopter team for their care and swift action in transporting Jean from Whangārei to Auckland. ¢

The Northern Wairoa Primary Schools Dance event attracted 150 year three to eight students from local schools, who wanted to showcase their dancing talents at the Dargaville Baptist Church last Thursday. The longstanding event now includes Pasifika, Indian, poi, taiaha and contemporary alongside its traditional body jam, pop and hip-

hop. “The event has been enhanced to be inclusive, recognise various cultures and encourage as much participation as possible,” said Sport Northland school connector Leesa Andrewes. “The event aims to encourage tamariki to be physically active, creative, step outside their comfort zone, work as a team, support each other, and enjoy themselves.” ¢

p Jean Johnson (seated) and Lee Cocurullo at the Century 21 offices in Dargaville

p Dargaville Primary School’s Diamonds gave an elegant show to audiences

p Ruawai Primary School’s Amaliya won first place for her routine in the year three and four individuals’ category

Election issues call for final division

u by Andy Bryenton

On the eve of election results being finalised, the Kaipara District Council met in an emergency session to consider the possibility of requesting an investigation into the conduct of the electoral process.

According to the letter summoning councillors to the meeting, it was convened to ‘approve a complaint and request for an investigation into the conduct of the 2025 Kaipara District Council local government election and 2025 Northland Regional Council Māori constituency referendum’.

A vote was planned which, if passed, would ‘authorise the mayor on behalf of the council to lodge the complaint and request for an investigation with the relevant authorities’.

“The whole purpose of this meeting is because I have seen a huge number of irregularities in the way this process has been operated. I want to see that New Zealanders, not just Kaipara District people, get to have a fair process,” said Mr Jepson, just before the interjection of a protester led to his adjournment of the meeting.

The shock eleventh-hour meeting began on Thursday, with points in opposition to the legitimacy of the meeting itself being called. When asked if the matters on the agenda justified the provisions for calling an emergency meeting, KDC legal adviser Warren Bangma expressed the view that there was “no immediate time requirement” that needed to be met.

A further challenge to the meeting’s legitimacy was made by councillor Pera

Paniora, who cited the Local Authorities (Members’ Interests) Act 1968, section six. This piece of legislation forbids elected members from voting on any matter in which they have a pecuniary interest. As the outcome of the election could see many of the councillors around the table at the meeting re-elected, with the appropriate salary, it was councillor Paniora’s contention that a vote on electoral matters at this time was inconsistent with the law.

Councillor Eryn Wilson-Collins broached the subject of cost, and who would pay for a judicial review or recount, should the council vote to proceed with one. Electoral officer Dale Ofsoske was present via video link, and confirmed that there would likely be no cost to the council for this.

However, Mr Ofsoske also noted that “the electoral process will continue. There will be results tomorrow. These results can be challenged through the correct process.”

Further questions on this topic explained the way in which citizens, councillors and candidates can make a request for a judicial review of the election or ask for a recount. This action is taken after the result is made public, said Mr Ofsoske.

Before further points of law and procedure could be brought to discussion,

Kaipara Kōrero

September Roading Report

In September we kicked off pre-seals – laying the groundwork and undertaking repairs needed before the upcoming re-seal programme. Over summer graders will be working across the network to open these drains up while conditions are dry. Unsealed road maintenance will wind down over the coming months with the focus shifting to reseals and rehabilitation work on the sealed network.

Read the full report at kaipara.govt.nz/news

self-described firsttime protester

Peter Linnell stood and stepped up to the council table, dressed in the attire of a second world war combat pilot, a uniform belonging to his late father. His silent interruption caused Mr Jepson to threaten adjournment.

When the public gallery remained vocal and Mr Linnell would not retreat, he adjourned the meeting until 9am on Friday, October 17, the day the final election results were scheduled.

Friday saw the meeting reconvene, with a report that the notice of requisition to call the meeting was valid coming from Warren Bangma. Councillor Paniora and councillor Nayyar questioned the necessity of the meeting, considering the position of the Department of Internal Affairs that a complaint by the KDC would not fall under its jurisdiction.

“I have had concerns about the manner in which the local election was conducted, and I have had many issues brought to my attention, and I’ve shared my concerns. Free and fair elections are a vital part

of our democracy. The irregularities I am aware of are serious and, if proven, undermine that democratic process,” said Jepson.

“I am very confident that KDC staff and the electoral officer have addressed all the issues which have been raised and provided responses to them,” said council CEO Jason Marris. “I do believe that proper processes have been followed. We have been legislatively compliant. We have run a robust election.”

“I am more than comfortable with the way this election has been conducted. I have been running elections for 40 years,” said Dale Ofsoske.

He indicated that complaints by candidates of a serious nature would be

Huarau Road closure

Huarau Road is under a 24/7 closure following a slip which has made the road unsafe. The road is currently being investigated and the road closure and detour (via Ford Road) will remain in place until the road is scoped and repaired. We’re sorry for the inconvenience and will share updates as soon as they are available.

Rider Down workshop

Northland Road Safety is running their Rider Down workshop, covering crash prevention, scene management and first aid, on Saturday 1 November at Mangawhai Ambulance Station, 194 Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai Heads. This workshop aims to share knowledge around to save your life and fellow riders in the event of a serious crash and is free to attend.

For more information scan the QR code below or visit facebook.com/nrsnrcnz.

Checkoutthelatestmonthlyroadingreportonourwebsite kaipara.govt.nz/road-repairs

p Television cameras and a large public gallery attended an emergency meeting of the KDC, called by Craig Jepson to vote on a request for an investigation into electoral practices

forwarded to the police and courts. Mr Ofsoske reiterated that the courts were the ultimate decider of electoral concerns, not the DIA.

Mr Jepson questioned Mr Ofsoske about the selection of his deputy electoral officer, and queried who picked officials to assist in the electoral process in Kaipara. His answer was that council staff had been selected.

“One of my concerns is the appointment of people who have serious conflicts in the running of this operation,” said Jepson.

Mr Marris reiterated his obligation under statute as CEO to increase engagement in the democratic process, and reminded elected members that staff involved in the election had signed declarations of strict impartiality.

“Were any of the appointed election officials family members of candidates standing for election?” asked deputy mayor Jonathan Larsen of Mr Ofsoske.

“Dale has told us he did not interview the candidates to be electoral officials,” Larsen continued, when the answer proved inconclusive.

“Did you, when you interviewed them, determine whether any of them were family members of any of the candidates (for council)?” he asked Alana Thurston, deputy electoral officer.

Jason Marris stated that the mayor had requested a full list of council staff who served as electoral officers, but that the electoral office had declined to provide such a list due to privacy concerns.

Further questioning from Mr Larsen came on the decision to deploy mobile

voting units, and who made the call to instigate mobile voting in Kaipara.

“The idea came from the national body, the national reference group, that this was a good way to get out into the community to foster engagement and participation,” said Mr Ofsoske.

Mr Marris stated that he took it as a responsibility in line with his statutory obligations to increase voter participation. He also noted that it was he, as CEO, and his executive team, who liaised with the electoral officer and chose locations for mobile voting.

He went on to say that the mobile units were collecting sealed postal votes, a point corroborated by Mr Ofsoske under questioning about voting unit conduct and rules around polling places specific to booth voting; the method used in national-level elections.

Pera Paniora asked why the meeting should entirely go into a publicly excluded session, and not debate the mayor’s proposed letter to the DIA in public.

Following a divided vote, in which councillors Paniora, Wilson-Collins, Nayyar and Vincent opposed moving into a publicly-excluded session, the meeting was closed to the public. It meant Jepson’s evidence and a decision on whether to pursue a complaint to the DIA against the electoral officer’s advice remained out of the public eye, just hours before election results were finalised.

The final vote was reported as a fourto-two split, which endorsed forwarding a complaint, with abstention from two councillors. ¢

Marching makes a comeback

u by Amy Fifita

Kaipara Marchers’ Lyn Hutchings is encouraging ladies over 50 to join her team, focussed on fun, fitness and friendship.

“We are a leisure marching team based in Maungatūroto, and with five leisure marching teams in Northland, marching is making a comeback with the ladies’ teams,” said Lyn.

“Sometimes, we get together to do display days. A couple of times a year, we travel to an event another team has hosted, and we display.”

Practising the five-minute display every Wednesday at Maungatūroto Centennial Hall from 4.30pm, the team is welcoming new members.

“I joined 14 years ago, and coach and march as well. I marched as a teenager and joined the leisure team in Maungatūroto in my 60s.

“Any age can join, but it is great for ladies 50-plus, and it is good for the mind and body — we have to remember our counts for our display.”

The team marches in Christmas parades, and with the 2026 Leisure Marching Nationals approaching in March, the Kaipara team will travel to

Rangiora to display the five-minute march.

The team even has its own mascot.

“One member’s mother, in her 90s, made us a knitted octopus, and each year, she puts the initials of the girls’ names in the team on its feet.”

For more information, contact Lyn on 022 070 8674 or attend the Wednesday practice. With the first four sessions being free, the $35 monthly fee goes towards travel and accommodation costs. The uniform is provided. ¢

p The Kaipara Marchers wants to welcome new ladies to its team of members who love fun, fitness and friendship

A growing food basket Country style generosity

u by Amy

Fifita

Tangowahine School is building on its already well-known Gardens to Schools and Healthy Lunches in Schools programmes’ approach with a new kitchen and beehives located on-site.

Already boasting a school orchard and gardens, the school used its new kitchen for the first time last week. With the support of the Ministry of Education and the community, the kitchen is equipped with cabinetry, linoleum, a dishwashersteriliser and an oven.

“As a small rural school, the Ministry of Education gave us the funding to do the cabinetry for the kitchen for the Healthy Lunch Programme. It was a labour of community love to get everything else together,” said principal George Pickering.

After three terms in the process, the kitchen facility can also be used by the wider community, giving people in Tangowahine a hub to use. It also makes students’ learning about financial literacy and nutrition a better space to learn.

“We are a Garden to Table school, and have the vegetable gardens that our students run beside the kitchen. Our students plan a lunch in small groups,

planning according to the budget and health guidelines, and they cook it with Diana on Friday.”

Chef Diana Drake works alongside students in the vegetable garden and kitchen. Recently, beehives have been added to the school’s food basket of orchards and gardens.

“They are also going to learn how to be beekeepers, and will have their own suits to wear. They are going to follow all of the safety protocols,” Diana said. ¢

Northern Wairoa Vet Club Tertiary Scholarship

The Northern Wairoa Vet Club (NWVC) invites you to apply for our Agriculture Tertiary Scholarship 2026.

This scholarship aims to assist a student enrolled in a registered full-time programme related to the primary industries, or other related beneficial study.

The NWVC Scholarship recipient will receive $9,000 payable towards their course costs over three years.

To apply email nwvetclub@outlook.com for an application form.

u by Andy Bryenton

The Northern Wairoa Country Music Club has put together a grand programme of entertainment in support of Hospice Kaipara this spring.

It will be a musical odyssey spanning country and western styles when the curtain raises on November 2. From 1pm until 4pm, the Dargaville Rugby Club will take the place of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, and everyone is invited. Tickets can be purchased from the Hospice Shop or Cicada Music in Dargaville, or at the door.

“This is an annual concert in which we raise funds for a local charity or community organisation,” says the country and western club’s Deirdre Condon.

“This year, we are supporting Hospice Kaipara as many within the club have experienced their wonderful service and special care as our loved ones have passed. We are wanting to give back by helping them out, so they can continue the truly amazing work they do in our community.”

The first half of the charity concert showcases entertainers representing homegrown talent, and the second half will feature Rupert King, a well-known country artist from Otorohanga, then Heather Carrigan and Sue Drake from Hot Diggity, the all-girl bluegrass band.

“This is going to be a concert well worth attending,” says Deirdre.

“Hospice staff are really pleased that the country music club is donating the

money raised from this event,” says Hospice spokesperson Annette Olsen. “These funds will be used to purchase equipment, provide supplies for the individual’s care and comfort.

“It will also be very helpful in providing support for whānau and friends of the people we have on Hospice books. We would really like to thank the country and western group for thinking of Hospice Kaipara, and to all those who have worked hard to organise this concert event.” ¢

p Zoe, Evie and Jacob getting busy in the kitchen with Diana Drake (middle, back row)

p Book a ticket soon for the Northern Wairoa Country Music Club’s November concert, with all proceeds going towards Hospice Kaipara

A milestone planting project

u by Paul Campbell

Support for farmers and growers affected by the 2023 Cyclone Gabrielle has resulted in a Dargaville farming family planting 30,000 native plants at their 115ha kūmara and dairy unit.

Josh Nilsson and his parents, Grant and Tracey, found out about Kaipara Moana Remediation’s recovery project through Horticulture New Zealand.

“While the initial collaboration focussed on supporting kūmara growers in Northland, who had been adversely affected by the cyclone, this new collaboration includes both Northland and Auckland growers, and has broadened to also include tree crops, berries and leafy greens,” says KMR leader Justine Daw.

Through the collaboration, participating growers will be supported with fencing, native planting and wetland protection.

So far, the Nilssons have completed 1.2km of fencing and planted a 600-metre stretch of drainage bordering their main kūmara growing area, a small nearby paddock with mud springs and existing mānuka, plus a substantial area of wetland, which alone comprises the vast majority of the entire four hectares of land planted in natives.

The wetland is home to a healthy population of a rare bittern species and kererū, tūī and more.

“It’s nice having these pockets of natives in the ground and it has got us thinking about what other areas of the farm could benefit from more planting,” says Josh.

“If the land is not being used to its potential it makes sense to put in natives. As they grow, these plants will provide more shade for the water in summer and keep it cool — we don’t have big flow creeks on the property and the water can heat up fast.”

The Nilsson’s native planting is a key to controlling sediment and reducing its loss at its source. ¢

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concrete & cleanfill

• Diggers, bobcats, graders & rollers

Local Mangawhai contractor servicing the Kaipara district for over 30 years South to Pakiri and North to Waipu areas.

ArtBeat comes to Dargaville for 2026

u by Andy Bryenton

The ArtBeat festival of creativity and culture has a strong history in Whangārei, where it has attracted artists, performers and craftspeople to a memorable series of annual events.

Now the festival is coming to Dargaville, with a date set for March 21 2026. Previous Whangārei engagements have included interactive art spaces for young people, kapa haka and Pasifika and Asian cultural performances, fabric, paint and sculpture art, street food vendors and live music.

“This is an amazing opportunity to be part of an awesome local event which is hopefully the first of many,” says Dargaville Community Development Board spokesperson Sue Curtis. The DCBD is collaborating with Creative Northland in bringing the festival to the west.

“At present, Creative Northland is seeking expressions of interest from creative collaborators, stallholders, and volunteers.”

A public meeting when the idea of an ArtBeat Dargaville date was first floated saw a large turnout at the Northern Wairoa Boating Club, and those creative collaborators may well include a large cadre of local artists,

performers, musicians and writers. Stallholders are invited to get in touch to express their interest in doing business at the event, which has the potential to draw in a large crowd from around the mid-north.

Volunteers will also play a big part in making the day a success, and there’s a call-out for community groups and individuals to give a little of their time to help organise what could be, as Sue indicates, the start of a tradition for Dargaville.

Get in touch with the DCDB or Creative Northland online to grab an entry form, or come in to see Sue at the DCDB offices in Fosters Arcade, Victoria Street, Dargaville soon. ¢

MANGAWHAI

info@shanecullen.co.nz 21 Garbolino

p Farmer and grower Josh Nilsson

p Art in the park; the Riverside Gardens has hosted several cultural festivals, and is now booked for ArtBeat 2026

Tip court case resumes

u by Paul Campbell

The seven-year battle against the proposed mega-landfill for Auckland’s rubbish in a Dome Valley catchment of the Kaipara Harbour is back in the Environment Court this week for a further judicial examination of the Waste Management dump plan that began in 2023.

“This additional hearing is for Waste Management to present their proposed changes to design, management plans and conditions to attempt to address the outstanding issues needed to gain consent, which were included in an interim court decision,” says Fight the Tip executive member Michelle Carmichael.

“We, along with mana whenua who still oppose, will be presenting our responses to those changes and providing evidence to try to secure better conditions for some aspects

in case consent is granted, and to support our position that the changes do not satisfy our concerns around the generational risks the landfill still poses.

“Since the interim decision released on December 21 2023 there has also been a High Court appeal, and a Court of Appeal application.”

To highlight the campaign against the tip, supporters staged a peaceful support rally in Wellsford near the Dome Valley target area at 1232 State Highway 1, Wayby Valley. ¢

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p To highlight the campaign against the tip, supporters staged a peaceful support rally in Wellsford near the Dome Valley dump target area of 1232 State Highway 1, Wayby Valley

Photos: Roaming Lenz

by Andy Bryenton

When in Rome

They say that men spend far too much time thinking about the Roman Empire, and I can admit that I have been doing a bit of that in the past few weeks. Especially how the republic of Rome became an empire, led by a succession of historic monsters like Tiberius, Nero and Caligula.

It’s all to do with the recent elections, of course, and how the grand old Greek idea of democracy has evolved down the centuries, thankfully expanding the right to vote to all. We’ve got a lot of people to thank for the fact that every adult in New Zealand has the right to vote, and those of us who have just exercised the right to choose our civic leaders honoured that history.

Those who made their voices heard have done something which, in the context of world history, is both rare and very precious. Rather than being mandated rule by a king, theocrat or dictator, you have chosen leaders to be the servants of the public.

So here’s the lesson of Rome. For reasons which seemed good at the time, the Roman people decided to give up the vote and go back to emperors. History shows that this was a process in which

big money and crass populism triumphed over the ideal of democracy. Effectively, the people forgot that their senators and leaders were meant to be servants of the will of the public, and willingly gave them unfettered power without oversight.

We all know what happened next. Mad emperors used their praetorians (the equivalent of modern secret police and riot squads) to wield the power of life and death, facilitating an era of religious persecution, cruelty, slavery and abuses of power.

It’s unlikely that our new Kaipara mayor and councillors will be as wicked as Caligula. However, this triennium the voters who have done their civic duty to select a new administration should remind those they have picked, regularly and loudly, that they are servants of the public will, not masters. Continue to be heard. Send letters to the editor on the big issues. Watch the council meetings, speak up for the community groups you feel should be supported. Scrutinise and criticise. Be involved with public consultations, and remember; the lesson of Rome is very pertinent to next year’s national elections, too. ¢

COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — NEWS YOU CAN TRUST

Times Gone By

The tractors of their day

Throughout early European settlement in the Kaipara, bullocks were the mainstay of motive power in the Kaipara District. They hauled wagons and massive kauri logs out of the bush, and were used on the land to turn scrub into pasture. This image was captured by the Auckland Weekly News in 1941 of a drover and his team at Pukekaroro near Kaiwaka.

Image credit: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections

Floods block train

The train which left Dargaville as usual for Donnelly’s Crossing this morning was blocked beyond Mamaranui by flood water. Sun (Auckland), May 15 1929

Electricity proposed for Kaiwaka

Members of the North Auckland Electric Power Board, the chairman of the Ōtamatea County Council, and Mr WR Betts, Ararua, councillor for Matakohe riding, met the settlers of Kaiwaka and surrounding districts, in the Kaiwaka hall on Tuesday, May 10, with regard to supplying Kaiwaka with electric power. The settlers were very enthusiastic and anxious for the power to come, and were assured by the engineer that they would never regret the day when they spent their first outlay on electricity.

Northern Advocate, May 16 1938

Are you ready for labour Weekend

Introducing GutStable

u by Leanne Franklin, Equine Royale (2018) Ltd

Over the years, I’ve learned that a lot of a horse’s wellbeing begins in the gut.

When the digestive system is balanced, horses behave and move better, feel calmer and glow from the inside out.

That understanding inspired me to create GutStable, a natural supplement designed to support healthy gut function, appetite and overall balance.

I’ve spent years working closely with horses who were anxious, uncomfortable or struggling to maintain condition. Seeing how much they improved once their digestion settled led me to develop a formula that works gently but effectively — using natural ingredients that help buffer excess acidity, nurture beneficial microbes, and support the gut lining.

Many owners notice results within days — improved appetite, a calmer outlook, better coats, and a brighter energy. GutStable is proudly made here in New Zealand under Equine Royale (2018) Ltd, and reflects my ongoing passion for helping horses feel their best, naturally.

If you’d like to learn more or try GutStable for your own horses, visit

equineroyalenz.com or find us on Facebook @EquineRoyaleNZ.

A healthy gut means a happier, more balanced horse — from the inside out. ¢

ADVERTORIAL

A blossoming business and lifestyle opportunity

There’s something special growing just outside Dargaville on Wayne and Sharon George’s lifestyle block — The Potting Shed Nursery.

Located only 500 metres from the Kaihū Valley Trail, the nursery combines the charm of a boutique garden business with the relaxed beauty of a rural lifestyle property.

The nursery’s spring and summer pop-up is now open, drawing locals and gardeners alike, offering a wide range of plants, fruit trees, and seasonal, locally-grown produce, like blueberries, citrus and macadamias.

With lush greenery and vibrant flowers, the relaxing space is a haven for restoration and enjoyment, offering a serene stroll through the abundant, plant-filled areas. Wanting to help the environment thrive, Sharon desires to start a recycled pot dropoff and give back to nature.

Plans are underway for garden workshops and possibly a rustic coffee space, making it an emerging hub for gardeners and weekend explorers. With so many opportunities ready to sprout, the possibilities for your property are endless.

Offering shrubs, flowers and food, green thumbs can rest assured that there is

p A nursery complete with its own feline companion, Ginger, will often greet guests enjoying the greenery at The Potting Shed

something for them in this garden paradise. Guests can enjoy the peaceful sound of birdsong while discovering what plants they want in their gardens or produce they want to purchase. Each plant is tended to with care by Sharon and Wayne, the nursery’s guardians. Come and visit us at The Potting Shed Nursery at 70 Parore West Road, Dargaville, Wednesday–Saturday, 10am–3pm. We are always happy to chat and see what possibilities might bloom for you. ¢

What drives our newest Coastguard?

u by Andy Bryenton

The Mangawhai Coastguard is out on the water for summer, as heralded by the advent of Labour Weekend this week, and the team has a strong set of motivations for wanting to help others.

Aboard the Kotuku Rescue, a twinengined state-of-the-art vessel, formerly a chase boat for the America’s Cup, the Mangawhai team fills what was once

a gap in the map, meaning that boaties all along the east coast can now be assured of a helping hand out on the ocean.

“Our initial group was just two locals, but we have found a real team of action people,” says Mangawhai Coastguard president Ron Lucca, a 25-year veteran of the organisation.

“By that I mean those who do things, not just talk about them.

“As we progressed we worked with the Kaipara District Council, which was most helpful. We’re located in a temporary site for now, and we hope that the KDC will include us in its forthcoming coastal review,” says Ron.

p If you’re headed out on the water this summer, visit coastguard.nz/ boating-essentials/membership and sign up; you’ll be supporting other boaties and yourself

Ron retired from a leadership position with the Coastguard six years ago and moved to Mangawhai to relax, but he says that fate had different ideas for him. When the opportunity to launch a new crew in the seaside town was floated, he was shoulder-tapped to forge a team and make a difference.

One of the first people contacted by Roy was Duncan Mckenzie, who says he owed the Coastguard one. He was once rescued cruising up the coast from Tauranga when his engine went dead. Now he’s part of the organisation that saved the day for him.

“It’s a good learning experience, and it’s good to know that over the years we’ve been doing the right thing on the water.

I want to be able to give back, and to help educate others to be safe and enjoy boating,” says Duncan.

Roy Pearson is also giving back. The former commercial skipper was determined to put in some time to help the Coastguard, and leapt at the opportunity to serve in Mangawhai.

“My passion was training and education, and I wanted to help the well-meaning volunteers who signed up here achieve excellence,” says Roy. “The crew is making wonderful progress, and it’s good to have excellent people on board.”

The motivations of the Mangawhai crew are varied, but they all result in one firm resolve — to help keep people safe and offer assistance when it’s needed. They say they are often out there because someone has had a bad day, and they’re ready to launch in all conditions should the need arise. ¢

ARE YOU READY FOR LABOUR WEEKEND

Lighting up late October

u by Andy Bryenton

The Lighthouse Church is once again providing an alternative to a spooky Halloween, with a light party promoting dress-up fun for Dargaville children.

The light party concept in Dargaville began as an alternative to a traditionally scary Halloween, for parents and young children who wanted a non-horror-themed celebration that still delivered fun, costume opportunities and sweets. It’s grown into a big part of the October calendar.

“This is the 17th year we have run a light party, and we are very excited about this year’s theme and show,” says Marion McEwing, who has been instrumental in bringing the fun event to families in Dargaville since its inception.

Practice and perfection for show days

u by Andy Bryenton

Record numbers of entrants in A&P show craft, cultivation and baking sections nationwide have been reflected locally, and show organisers are keen to see families get involved for 2026.

“There was huge enthusiasm for the indoor section last year, with its traditional crafts, art competitions, preserves, fruit and veggies, baking and other selfsufficiency skills,” said Raewyn Robinson and Lyn McDermott. They serve on the Northern Wairoa A&P Show committee, organising the enormous competition.

“One of the best things about this year is that there are young people who first came to a light party as very small children, who are now old enough to want to help out.”

Those youngsters have enthusiastically got in behind the ocean odyssey theme of this year’s party, helping coordinate decorations, a candy maze and a live show set to contain some nautical-themed surprises. Marion says each year has built upon the success of the last, culminating

in a situation where hundreds of kids and parents now anticipate the light party in later October.

This year the light party will take place on Friday, October 31, from 6pm to 8pm at the Lighthouse Church on Dargaville’s Normanby Street. There’s an open invitation to youngsters and their parents to come along in a costume that fits the theme of an ocean odyssey. The organisers ask that there are no scary costumes please. Call Marion for more information on 027 459 4518. ¢

“The indoor section is growing, and we like to see the friendly rivalries and challenges that it brings,” say the show stalwarts. They have prepared a big schedule for 2026, and sent it out to Dargaville’s Good Life Store, Farmlands and the Dargaville Sewing and Curtain Centre.

Around Labour Weekend is traditionally the time when those competing in one of the most colourful parts of the competition, the giant vegetable contest, put their seeds in the ground. Tricks such as secret blends of fertiliser using exotic manures, playing classical music to the sprouts, and carefully keeping off late spring frosts are all in the repertoire

of award-winning giant veggie masters. It’s also a good time to begin creative projects, such as paintings, quilts, knitting and photography, all of which are represented in the indoor sections of local A&P shows. Youngsters might want to consider a Lego creation to enter, and of course, there’s a good excuse to get the family into the kitchen, to practice some baking skills in the many different show day baking challenges.

Grab a copy of your local A&P show’s indoor schedule at paparoashow.org.nz/ enter-indoor-section or arapohueshow. weebly.com, and join in the competition. ¢

p Last year’s light party was a huge success, and this year the ocean theme provides plenty of creative opportunities

p The Northern Wairoa A&P Show’s indoor section is open to all

ARE YOU READY FOR LABOUR WEEKEND

Why go green? Expertise outdoors

u by Andy Bryenton

Going green with the range of battery powered outdoor equipment from Greenworks isn’t just about the environment — it’s about power, precision and excellent results.

No petrol — low maintenance

The Greenworks’ range has been designed from the ground up to be tough and durable. You’ll find ride-on mowers without tricky belts to change, chainsaws with no carburettors to tune, hedge trimmers with no fuel and oil to mix and a whole suite of tools that go when you need them to, saving costs in the workshop over the lifetime of the product. That’s before you factor in never having to pay for petrol.

More power — more torque

Electric power has come a long way. When an expert, like Trevor from Godfrey’s, says electric outdoor tools now pack the same or an even bigger punch than their petrol rivals, you know it’s a fact. Greenworks can package smooth and high-torque efficiency into a small package, which beats petrol hands down.

Easy to use and handle

Electric outdoor power equipment is quiet, has less vibration through your hands, and won’t disturb livestock or the neighbours. It’s often lighter than its gas-powered rivals, too, for an easier day of outdoor chores.

Skins to fit every battery

Greenworks uses a common battery system, meaning that once you’ve got a

couple of batteries and a charger, you pay less for the tool skins to boost your collection. Why pay for a separate petrol motor for every tool in the shed when you can save by shuttling batteries between saws, brushcutters and more?

Massive range, for work and play

Those same high-capacity, quickrecharge batteries fit into a range of Greenworks tools covering nearly anything you want to achieve outdoors. Then, they also slip right into things like go-karts, mini motorbikes, and kids’ and adult-sized e-bikes for leisure time. ¢

u by Andy Bryenton

The range at the newly renamed Godfrey’s Chainsaws and Mowers Outdoor Power Service Centre may have changed with the times, but behind the scenes it’s still skill, experience and specialist knowledge that count.

Trevor Gwillim and his team are the local experts when it comes to matching the right tool to the right job outdoors. That led to a change to Greenworks and their electrical power equipment, which Trevor has tried and tested, as well as receiving excellent reviews from local customers. However, there’s also a big fleet of petrol-powered chainsaws, mowers and ride-ons out there, and the workshop, west Kaipara trusts to keep them going strong, has only got busier.

The change to an Outdoor Power Service Centre means the Greenworks range sits alongside petrol-powered mowers, chippers and other tools, and Trevor’s team spans the skills required to get the best out of both worlds. It’s an exciting time to be in the outdoor power field, with new technology pushing the boundaries and offering it to customers. What’s needed, says Trevor, is the knowledge to help people make the right choices, and the service to stand behind each product.

That’s the strength of Godfrey’s; a name that’s meant outdoor power for decades.

You can come and ask for advice on the best tool for the job, and get a straight, honest answer. You can get a demo at your place on many products, and see for yourself if it’s a good match. Then you can be sure that there’s someone who’s got your back when it’s time for maintenance, parts and service. If you’ve got a lot to achieve this spring, it all begins with a talk to the Godfrey’s team. No lawn, garden, lifestyle block or farm is too big or too small, they’ve got the right gear for them all. ¢

THE BEGINNING OF A NEW CHAPTER IN OUTDOOR POWER GODFREYS

It’s the name generations of Kaipara people have trusted for reliable power to tame the great outdoors. With our expansion into the Greenworks range we’re still your first choice for great advice and service for:

• Ride on Mowers & Zero Turn Mowers

• Push & Self-Drive Mowers

• Petrol powered Chainsaws & Power equipment

• Wood Chippers, log splitters, water blasters & much much more.

Our Workshop remains your trusted source for parts, repairs & service - ALL MAKES, ALL MODELS.

p Greenworks has a range that will cut your outdoor chores down to size

p Trevor and the team from Godfrey’s Chainsaws and Mowers Outdoor Power Service Centre have a solid reputation built on years of customer trust

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A Versatile Home With Endless Possibilities

Set on a fully fenced 623m² section, this spacious home offers low-maintenance gardens, paved outdoor areas and a private north-facing courtyard. The main house features two large bedrooms, open-plan living, a wellequipped kitchen and internal garage access A separate self-contained unit with studio, kitchenette and bathroom adds flexibility - ideal for extended family, rental income, or home & income. Solid 1999 build, insulated and well maintained. A rare opportunity with endless potential!

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Contact Dennis or Ron to arrange a viewing.

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E dennis.wallace@pggwrightson.co.nz

Lifestyle

AUTO & MARINE

Brynderwyn shutdowns return

u by Andy Bryenton

The tough decision has been made to fully close the Brynderwyn hills section of State Highway One again for repairs, with two super weekends of work planned in November.

Roading authorities have to take advantage of the better spring weather to finish off repairs and paving begun last year, when then-incumbent Minister of Transport Simeon Brown visited the site. The November dates, which will see the road completely closed from November 13 to 16, and then again from November 20 to 23, are designed to make the repairs happen before the holiday break.

Paving in spring means the team can take advantage of drier, warmer

conditions, while condensing the work into two four-day super weekends avoids extending disruption over multiple months.

“The New Zealand Transport Agency, Waka Kotahi (NZTA), appreciates that SH1 over the Brynderwyn Hills is a crucial connection for Northland. While there’s no perfect time for a closure, the selected dates and approach has been carefully considered to balance the impact on the community while ensuring we can do an efficient and quality job,” says

NZTA Northland system manager Steve Matene.

“The decision to fully close the road has been made with freight and the community in mind. If we’d chosen to use stopgo traffic management, the works would’ve taken 12 to 14 weeks. Compare that to a full closure, which allows work to be completed in six to eight days.

“NZTA contractors will have crews working 24-4 during the closures and are putting 75 per cent of their Auckland and Northland paving crews on this as a top priority to complete these works as efficiently and quickly as possible,” Mr Matene said.

During the works, the road will be completely closed, and leading up to them, there will be night works with stopgo single-laning for two weeks; expect nighttime delays from late October. When the works are underway, the Cove Road bypass for light vehicles will be back in effect, with the Paparoa-Oakleigh bypass for trucks up to medium weight, and a

heavy transport detour to Dargaville and around to Whangārei.

While the shutdowns are frustrating for many, completing the works quickly opens up the region to summer tourism with less delays.

“Strong, reliable roading links with Auckland and the rest of the country are essential for our region’s growth, helping visitors reach us with ease, and supporting the smooth flow of goods and services that drive our economy,” said Northland Inc’s Paul Linton. ¢

p Simeon Brown kicked off the Brynderwyn repair project when he was Minister of Transport; in the interim, a new motorway bypassing the troubled hill road has been announced

Kubota’s Osaka surprise

u by Andy Bryenton

Kubota machinery corporation president Yuichi Kitao has reason to be proud of his company’s latest offering: a fully autonomous full-sized hydrogen fuel cell-powered tractor, which broke cover at the Hydrogen Energy Park event in Osaka late last month.

Kubota claimed the unveiling of the big orange and black machine to be a world first, fusing cutting-edge technologies together in a way that could prove to be a look into farming’s future. Hydrogen fuel cells have been touted as a transport revolution for decades, but have come to fruition in recent years as efficiency improves. Artificial Intelligence is the buzz term of the era, and making a tractor combining both is a powerful statement.

Kubota’s fuel cell machine has the stated aim of saving both operator time, labour and the planet’s ecosystem. The only output from the fuel cell process is water, and despite this the Kubota has an output equivalent to a 100-horsepower diesel. While it’s not a monster of the open fields, the fuel cell tractor is still a utility-sized 4.3 metres long, and was put through its paces in a controlled environment utilising equipment like a power harrow.

The new Kubota can be fuelled like an internal-combustion tractor, with two large hydrogen tanks on board giving it added range, and no recharge downtime. However, the fuel cell system on board turns the hydrogen fuel into electricity, meaning that all the advantages of an

tractor are still there, such as quiet running and no exhaust. There are two electric motors on board, as in many EV tractors; one to drive the wheels and one to drive implements.

This kind of hydrogen efficiency has been showcased before on other vehicles, including Toyota’s road-going Mirai passenger car. What sets Kubota’s Osaka offering ahead of the pack is that it parlays this long runtime and quiet efficiency into an AI advantage.

The big benefit of AI autonomy in agriculture is that many tasks out on the farm are repetitive and time-consuming. An AI tractor can knock out this kind of

row-by-row work in large chunks, but if it’s electrically powered, issues arise with recharge intervals. These have admittedly become longer and longer as batteries get better, but hydrogen checkmates the whole problem.

While Kubota has equipped its fuel cell tractor with a suite of sensors and the computer brains to take on farming tasks alone and dodge obstacles, there’s also the option to remotely pick up and put down control of the machine, either through a simulator rig anywhere that the Internet reaches, or through a closerange controller, like that used for a radiocontrolled car. ¢

EV

p Autonomous and hydrogen-fuelled, the latest Kubota tractor is a vision of the future of farming

Kaipara Kōrero

Final election results

The declaration of official results for Kaipara District Council’s local government elections is now available on our website. All votes, including special votes have been counted and confirmed – with 58.4% of eligible Kaipara residents voting. All members assume their roles for Kaipara District Council on the day following the official declaration, which is 18 October. A swearing in ceremony and inaugural council meeting is planned for Thursday 30 October at Matakohe War Memorial Hall. Both the inaugural ceremony and the council meeting are open to the public.

Please note: Any applications for a vote recount must be made by midnight Wednesday 22 October. The inaugural council meeting must be notified seven days in advance, but only after the recount application period has ended, or, if a recount proceeds, once that process is complete. The recount application period is three working days, through to midnight Wednesday 22 October. Until that time has passed, the inauguration date is still to be finalised.

The other possible dates for the swearing in ceremony and inaugural council meeting are:

• Wednesday 5 November (if a recount application is dismissed or the process is completed quickly)

• Wednesday 12 November (if a recount proceeds and takes longer).

See our website for voting returns and final results.

Congratulations to the newly elected members.

Development Contributions Policy revision

At the September meeting, elected members approved a revised Development Contributions Policy.

The Development Contributions Policy outlines fees charged to developers to help offset the impact of their development. Development Contribution (DC) fees are spent on infrastructure including roading, wastewater and stormwater services in the district.

There are changes to the charges which will impact developers. The new policy will be available on our website this week with charges coming into effect on 1 December 2025.

Rates Rebate Reminder

If you are applying for a rates rebate, please make sure your application is submitted by 24 October 2025 to have it processed in time for the second rates instalment. Go to govt.nz/rates-rebate for more information.

New water organisation underway

Northland’s three district councils are making progress in the establishment of a new council-controlled water organisation (CCO), which will be responsible for delivering drinking water and wastewater services across the region. A joint plan for how the organisation will deliver the services was approved by the DIA in September. Implementation will be carried out in three phases: scoping and preparation (now until June 2026), establishment and transition (June 2026 – July 2027), and go-live and operational (commencing July 2027). Read more at kaipara.govt.nz/local-water-done-well.

Tinopai wharf meeting

We’re hosting a community meeting in Tinopai to discuss future options and next steps for the Tinopai Wharf.

If you’re interested, please come along.

• Time: 6pm

• Date: Tuesday 28th October

• Location: Tinopai Hall

Everyone welcome – we’d love to hear your thoughts.

Victoria Street tree removal

At the end of this month Northpower crew and arborists are removing five Melia azedarach (chinaberry tree) along Victoria Street. Chinaberry trees are non-native and known for its invasive root systems and branch drop. Some of the trees being removed have already caused significant damage to the pavement. The work is expected to take a few hours and will be scheduled for the late evening or early morning.

WHAT’S

October

Kaipara Community Hall — 21–23 Oct. 38 Hokianga Rd. Jobseekers learn with Virtual Reality for Workplace readiness. 10.15am–1.45pm. Register at www. steppingup.nz. Join a class or phone 09 439 1234. Hospice Kaipara — Grief Talks. A weekly 2hr session over 5 weeks. What is grief? How it impacts us, how we can find support or support ourselves and more. Wed 22nd, 29th Oct & 5th Nov. 5pm–7pm. Light supper will be served. Dargaville Library, Normanby St. To book or enquire contact Josie at 09 439 3330 ex 6716 email support@hospicekaipara.org.nz.

She Loves Golf – Northern Wairoa Golf Club — Thursdays 23 Oct, 30 Oct & 7 Nov, 5–7pm. Fun, social, no experience needed. Only $5. Txt Beth 021 049 4373 or just turn up!

Tangiteroria Burger Night — 24 October @ Tangiteroria Community Complex. Open 6pm. Inland Revenue Clinic — Tuesday 28 October, Heartland Services Whanau Focus Building, 61 Victoria Street, Dargaville. Bookings Essential. Phone 09 439 7009 or 021 245 3765.

November

Northern Wairoa Country Music Club Charity Concert — 2 November at Dargaville Rugby, 1–4pm, $10 per ticket. Raffle prizes, delicious food for afternoon tea. Fundraiser for Hospice Kaipara. Tangiteroria Burger Night — 7 November @ Tangiteroria Community Complex. Open 6pm. Art Exhibition — 8th November 10am–3pm at the Baptist Church Dargaville.

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 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.

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 — 55 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.

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 Darts Club — Every Wednesday, 6pm start, at Dargaville Club, 55 Victoria Street.

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 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 Public Library — Get Help from a DigiCoach. Mon–Fri 10am–2pm. 1:1 Support. Friendly local trainers. FREE.

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.

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

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.

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 — Thursday 3.45pm–5.30pm Junior Mountainbike Coaching. Contact Sadie 022 453 4475. Friday Ride-day 10am–noon. Social Ride on road and gravel roads. E-bike and analogue welcome. Phone Karen 021 0226 4001. Riding from Dargaville.

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 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 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 — Thursdays, 6.30pm–7.30pm at Dalmatian Hall, 20 Normanby St. $2 per person. Text Kirsty 021 0818 7902 for more info.

Rotary Club of Dargaville — Weekly on Wednesdays, 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, 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 Complex Members for 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.

TIDE CHART

WED 22 5:34 am (0.5m) 11:47 am (3.2m) 5:50 pm (0.6m) 11:58 pm (3.2m) THU 23 6:06 am (0.5m) 12:19 pm (3.2m) 6:22 pm (0.6m) FRI 24 12:30 am (3.1m) 6:38 am (0.5m) 12:50 pm (3.2m) 6:55 pm (0.7m) SAT 25 1:02 am (3.0m) 7:11

6:03

(0.9m) TUE 28 12:18 am (2.2m) 6:15 am (0.8m) 12:47 pm (2.3m) 6:49 pm (0.9m)

PUZZLE TIME

Transport (5)

Share a confidence with (3,4,1,6)

Threaded joiner (5)

Actor’s platform (5)

Secondary, often undesirable results (4,7)

Hygienic (4-4)

Roof beams (7)

Enticed (5)

Left to one’s discretion (9)

Periodicals (9)

Thin covering (6) 27 Moved to music (6)

Quietens (5)

Sermoniser (8)

Morocco’s largest city (10)

Cereal storehouse (7)

39 Brooding (6) 40 Crops up (6) 41 Support (4) 42 Infuriated (7) 45 Drug (10)

50 Thin metal sheet (7)

54 Back of the neck (4)

55 Lubricant holder (6)

56 Building made offsite (6) 57 Sightseer (7) 60 Deluge (10) 61 Diligence, hard work (8)

62 Breaks down (5)

65 Direct (anag) (6)

66 Eight-note interval (6)

67 Used sparingly (9)

72 City in England (9)

73 Start (5)

74 Put in for a job (7)

79 Actor’s tryout (8)

80 Ramshackle (11)

81 Cuban dance (5)

82 Raise objections (5)

83 Do a fair share of the work (4,4,6)

84 Bomb (5)

2 Off course (6)

3 Rectify (5)

5 Wicked (4)

6 Cold block (3,4)

7 Chewy sweet (6)

8 Skater’s jump (4)

9 Going in (8)

10 Conjecture (6)

11 Acrobatic tumble (10)

12 Infrequent (4)

13 Smashed (7)

17 Wide (5)

18 Freeing (10)

22 Appointment book (5)

23 Plot outline (8)

25 Pungent gas (7)

26 Open portico (7)

28 Sponsor, backer (6)

29 Hot-tasting pod (6)

30 Inventor’s protection (6)

33 Maltreat (5)

35 Horrify (5)

36 Large plant (4)

37 Indian garment (4)

42 World-weariness (5)

43 Burst (8)

44 Delicately small (6)

45 Laboratory instrument (10)

46 Disallow (4)

47 Whim (7)

48 Fashionable (6)

49 Salvo (anag) (5)

51 Worshipped image (4)

52 Incinerator (7)

53 Affront (6)

58 Give or apply medication (10)

59 Uncouth (5)

63 Golden horse (8)

64 Gridded chart (5)

65 Order (7)

68 Paper-folding art (7)

69 Win back (6)

70 Look at again (6)

71 Oral, spoken (6)

75 Chuckle (5)

76 Dutch cheese (4)

77 Steal (4)

78 Netting (4)

Sudoku

ACROSS: 1 Welcome, 4 Square up to, 9 Pinhole, 13 Oust, 14 Magpie, 15 Lessen, 16 Secrete, 19 Gargantuan, 20 Acoustic, 21 Flood, 24 Spur on, 25 Scrape, 27 Chicanery, 32 Talented, 33 Grouse, 34 Tremble, 38 Implored, 39 Misled, 40 Airy, 41 Agate, 42 Essay, 45 Let the side down, 52 Acids, 55 Crude, 56 Loom, 57 Preach, 58 Sturgeon, 61 Best man, 62 Degree, 63 Recovers, 66 Checkmate, 68 Sweaty, 69 Figure, 73 Folly, 74 Mangrove, 76 Banishment, 81 Skipper, 82 Hawaii, 83 Ribald, 84 Pore, 85 Trident, 86 Way off beam, 87 Tantrum. DOWN: 1 Wrong, 2 Lustrous, 3 Enacts, 4 Sepia, 5 Used, 6 Release, 7 Upshot, 8 Trees, 10 Idea, 11 Hurdler, 12 Lotion, 17 Laboratory, 18 Piece, 22 Sandwich, 23 Angry, 24 Skyline, 26 City, 28 Husband, 29 Cereal, 30 Bonded, 31 Slated, 33 Gulps, 35 Magic, 36 Opus, 37 Crew, 43 Served, 44 Audit, 46 Eros, 47 Tempest, 48 Expert, 49 Irene, 50 Escorted, 51 Native, 52 Airfreight, 53 Ibex, 54 Sincere, 59 Patch, 60 Scot, 64 Smear, 65 Au revoir, 67 Helipad, 68 Sheriff, 70 Worker, 71 Potato, 72 Piglet, 75 Guava, 77 Album, 78 Therm, 79 Tern, 80 True.

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

SALE

CARAVAN EWOF (and marine). Call your local inspector today at A+

Inspections and Security on 021 240 6764. FERGUSON TRACTOR 135 Good order, runs well, offers, Phone 09 439 0080.

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

TE KOROWAI O IHU KARAITI, Dargaville Church of the Nazarene, 4 Grey Street. Church service every Sunday at 3pm. Bible study/prayer Wednesday from 4.30pm–7pm, call Moses 021 248 8910. Celebrate Recovery, for hurts, habits and hang-ups Friday 5.30pm–8pm, call George 022 498 5681.

FENCING

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

GARAGE SALE

METHODIST CHURCH Saturday 25th October. Baking, Books, Bric-a-Brac 10am–12pm.

PERSONAL

SINGLE? OVER 40? Meet other interesting, intelligent, genuine people just like yourself. Dine out ‘Dinner for Six’. Phone 021 639 552.

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.

SEPTIC TANK SERVICES

MAGIC PROPERTY Services Ltd. SEPTIC TANK CLEANING. UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP. DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S POO LATE! PH: 021 290 0442.

TREE SERVICES

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

TRADES & SERVICES

19MM H3.2 T&G Flooring 2700x1200 $135. Scooters Plywood 09 438 6565.

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.

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.

WANTED TO BUY

ANTIQUE BEER Bottles, All ABC — 1920 Aqua 26oz, 1920 Pale Aqua 26oz, 1920 Amber 26oz, 1920 Pale Aqua 12oz, 1921 Yellow Amber 12oz, 1922 Pale Green 26oz, 1927 Rear Amber 12oz, 1928 Front Amber 12oz. Phone 027 448 8299.

WE BUY all Cars, Vans, Utes, Trucks and Buses in any condition dead or alive. Call 0800 333 398 or text 021 344 449.

PHONE 09 439 6933

NURSERIES & PLANTS

GOT2GO PLANTS — Proteas and leucospermums only $15. White bottlebrush just coming out in flower $8, Shelter, Hedging, Landscaping and many more. Got2Go Plants, 55 West Coast Road, Te Kopuru. EFTPOS available, phone 09 439 5556 or 027 488 3400.

SITUATIONS VACANT

PRISTINE BIOLOGICALS (NZ) LIMITED Dargaville

Process Staff (Full-time, fixed, on call)

Monday – Friday with occasional Saturday work.

Pristine Biologicals produces Bovine Serum for one of the largest manufacturers of vaccines in the world.

• Are you a dynamic go getter, with a passion to succeed in your job?

• Do you have the ability to work within a team and utilise your own initiative?

• Are you a think-outside-the-square individual whom can follow compliance and hygiene guidelines and adhere to health and safety regulations?

Having a Forklift licence, Mechanical Knowledge and a sense of humour would be advantageous but not essential.

If this sounds like you, please email your CV and cover letter to: careers@pristine.co.nz

Applications will be reviewed. The closing date is November 7th.

PUBLIC NOTICES

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS has 2 AA Meetings Weekly. Monday 4.30pm at the Church, corner Parore and Normanby Streets. Use side entrance. Thursday 7.30pm Anglican Church hall. 58 Hokianga Rd, up driveway. Parking at top. More help Phone 0800 229 6757.

DARGAVILLE HEALING rooms 7pm Tuesdays. No charge & no appointment necessary. Lion of Judah Building, River Road. All Welcome. Check us out on Facebook.

PAHI HALL- Notice of Annual General Meeting. The Pahi Community Hall Society Incorporated will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 5th November,

PUBLIC NOTICES

Kaipara Community Health Trust HEALTH SHUTTLE Need transport to a health appointment? Please phone: Te Ha Oranga 439 3013 (who kindly manages bookings for our health trust)

Waikara Marae & Whakarongotai Urupa Trust AGM

Date: 22nd November 2025

Venue: Waikara Marae, 333 Waikara Rd, Aranga 0376 Time: 10am - 3pm

Public notice

(Section 101, Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012)

Vanderlay Hospo Ltd of Mangawhai, has made application to the Kaipara District Licensing Committee for the renewal of an On-licence in respect of the premises situated at 40 Moir St, Mangawhai known as Pacific Coast Taproom & Eatery

The general nature of the business conducted under the licence is Restaurant/Tavern

The days on which and the hours during which alcohol is sold under the licence are: Monday to Sunday 9am to Midnight.

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 first publication of this notice.

Public notice

(Section 101, Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012)

Gringas Limited of Mangawhai Heads, has made application to the Kaipara District Licensing Committee for the renewal of an On-Licence in respect of the premises situated at 15 & 16 7a Wood St, Mangawhai Heads known as Gringas NZ

The general nature of the business conducted under the licence is Restaurant

The days on which and the hours during which alcohol is sold under the licence are: Monday to Sunday 11am to 1am the following day.

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 notice.

The first was published 14th of October 2025.

Pouto Papakainga (Block 2E6B2B4A)

Date: Sunday 23rd November 2025

Registration: 9:00am Hui: 10:00am

Venue: Rangitane Community Hall, Pouto AGENDA

• Reports, • Minutes of previous AGM (2024), • Elections - 2 vacancies (nominations close Mon 17th November),

• General business

Enquiries by email to Trust Secretary Awhina-whetu Tipene: poutopapakaingatrust@gmail.com

DEVELOPMENT CONTRIBUTIONS POLICY

Kaipara District Council approved a revised Development Contributions Policy in its September meeting. This new policy will come into effect on 1 December 2025.

The Development Contributions Policy outlines fees charged to developers to help offset the impact of their development. Development Contribution (DC) fees are spent on infrastructure including roading, wastewater and stormwater services in the district.

Development Contribution fees may be required when: a resource consent is granted under the RMA for subdivision and land use applications, a building consent or certificate of acceptance is granted under the Building Act or an authorisation for a service connection is granted. The new fees are only applicable to developments that lodge their applications after 1 December 2025, which is when the new Policy comes into effect. The adopted Development Contributions Policy will be available on our website this week.

Kaipara District Council

THELMA AND CHARLIE PARKER EDUCATION

TRUST

The above education trust was established at the direction of the late Mr Charlie Parker, a wellknown and respected local businessman. The purpose of the trust is to establish and maintain scholarships which will be known as the THELMA AND CHARLIE PARKER SCHOLARSHIPS. Each scholarship is designed to assist any current pupil or pupils of Dargaville High School, who, in the opinion of the trustees, would benefit from further education or study of either tertiary or other nature, or of any recognised course of education or study and who would otherwise be unable to undergo such education or study having regard to the financial resources of that student and/or that student’s immediate family.

The trustees of the trust therefore invite applications for assistance from students of Dargaville High School or from any person on a student’s behalf. Application forms are available from the school office or Hammonds Law, Solicitors.

To enable consideration by the trustees, all completed applications must be delivered to Alistair Hammond of Hammonds Law Ltd by 5pm on Friday the 31st of October 2025. Any enquiries should be directed to the High School office or to Alistair Hammond of Hammonds Law, Solicitors.

CLASSIFIEDS

POUTO TOPU A TRUST AGM

Saturday, 22nd November 2025

RANGITANE COMMUNITY HALL, POUTO

9.00am: 9.30am: 10.00am: Te Wa Karanga Registration Meeting Commences

• Chairs Report

• General Managers Report

• Minutes of AGM 2024

• Farm Reports

• Financial Report

• General Business

• AGM Booklets

Enquiries: 027 836 3970

Email: gm@ptat.co.nz

Temporary Road Closure

Pursuant to the Transport (Vehicular Traffic Road Closure) Regulations 1965, Kaipara District Council hereby gives notice that the following roads will be temporarily closed on the days and at the times below for the purpose of holding the Whangarei International Rally.

Saturday 8 November 2025

• Dargaville Service Park (Hokianga Road, Parenga, Kapia and Totara Streets) – 12.5 hours from 5:00am to 5:30pm (KDC)

• SS1 Houto Road – 4.5 hours from 6:00am to 10:30am (WDC/KDC)

• SS2 / 3 Waihue Road – 6.5 hours from 7:00am to 1:30pm (KDC)

Closing date for the October 28 2025 edition is Friday, October 24 2025 TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE

Pursuant to the Transport (Vehicular Traffic Road Closure) Regulations 1965, Kaipara District Council hereby gives notice that the following roads will be temporarily closed on the days and at the times below for the purpose of holding the Dargaville Christmas Parade

Saturday 6 December 2025 from 9am to 3pm

• Victoria Street from Totara Street to the west side of the Central Hotel carpark

• All of Parenga Street, Totara Street, Kapia Street

• All of Hokianga Road south of Victoria Street

• Edward Street from Victoria Street to north side of the Central Hotel carpark Further information, if required, relating to this temporary road closure can be obtained from the Customer Services Team at Kaipara District Council.

Kaipara District Council

• SS4 / 6 Greenhill Road - 7 hours from 10:00am to 5:00pm (KDC)

• SS5 / 7 Tokatoka Road – 7 hours from 11:00am to 6:00 pm (KDC)

• SS8 Kirikopuni Valley Road – 4.5 hours from 3:00pm to 7:30pm (WDC/KDC)

Sunday 9 November 2025

• SS11 / 15 Ruarangi Road – 9 Hours from 6:45am to 3:45pm (WDC)

• SS12 / 16 Waikiekie Road – 9.5 hours from 7:00am to 4:30pm (WDC/KDC)

• SS13 / 17 Omana Road – 9 Hours from 7:30am to 4:30pm (WDC/ KDC)

• SS14 / 18 Bull Road – 9 Hours from 8:30am to 5:30pm (WDC/ KDC)

Further information, if required, relating to this temporary road closure can be obtained from the Customer Services Team at Kaipara District Council.

Proposed Kaipara District Plan: Summary of Submissions and Further Submission Period on Part 2 – District-wide matters / General District-Wide Matters / Light Clause 7 Schedule 1 to the Resource Management Act 1991

On 28 April 2025 Kaipara District Council notified the Proposed Kaipara District Plan (PDP). Submissions on the PDP closed on 30 June 2025.

The summary of decisions requested by submitters in relation to Part 2 – Districtwide matters / General District-Wide Matters / Light (LIGHT topic) will be available from Tuesday 21 October 2025 Council now invites further submissions on this topic. Further submissions on the LIGHT topic must be received by Council by 5pm on Tuesday 4 November 2025

The summary of submissions relating to the LIGHT topic are being notified ahead of all other submissions because a hearing on this topic is scheduled to be heard in December 2025.

The following persons may make a further submission, in the prescribed form:

• Any person or group representing a relevant aspect of the public interest;

• Any person that has an interest in the PDP that is greater than the interest that the general public has;

• The local authority

A further submission may only express support or opposition to a matter raised in an original submission on the LIGHT topic. It must not raise new submission points. It must follow the format set out in Form 6 of the Resource Management Act 1991.

Protecting native species from introduced predators in Waipoua Forest

The Department of Conservation (DOC) in Dargaville is going to control possums, rats and stoats over 17 948 ha This is scheduled for the first clear weather window between October and December 2025

The public walks to the large Kauri trees in Waipoua Forest will remain open

Parts of the Waoku Coach Road Track will be closed while helicopters distribute the bait Signage will be in place at the entry points for the closed section of this track.

Native wildlife and forests need protection

Native species are fighting for survival due to predation from rats, stoats and possums. Without protection, we risk losing the unique natural heritage and biodiversity within the Waipoua Forest

This forest has one of the most diverse forest plant communities in the country Possums browse on many of these plants harming the health of the forest Rats can also harm forest trees by eating fruit, flowers, and seeds.

This forest is a vital sanctuary for iconic native forest birds like kōkako, kūkupa (New Zealand pigeon), and kiwi

Possums, rats and stoats eat native birds’ eggs and can prey on vulnerable chicks. This severely impacts the ability of chicks to survive to adulthood here

Our plan to protect native species

Through sustained predator control using 1080, there is a big increase in breeding success for native birds, their food source is more abundant, and the forest canopy is healthier

The safest and most effective method we have to control possums, rats and stoats over large areas is to use biodegradable cereal bait pellets containing 1080 This bait targets rodents and possums. Stoats are also controlled through secondary poisoning as they feed on the carcasses of the dead rodents.

Helicopters distribute bait pellets across the forest area along pre-determined and monitored flight paths using technology that enables accurate placement This is the best method to control predators over the wider area Waipoua Forest

Targeted and sustained ground predator control is also important for looking after native species in Waipoua Forest This includes using traps and ground-laid bait These methods will continue to be used

This aerial operation begins with the distribution of non-toxic pre-feed bait pellets (sandy coloured) This prepares possums and rodents to eat the toxic bait (dyed green) that is applied afterwards. Both baits are about 16 mm in diameter and cylindrical shaped

Consultation and permissions

DOC and its contractors, Epro, have consulted with Waipoua hapū, iwi and key stakeholders including landowners adjacent to the treatment area

DOC is delegated authority by the Environmental Protection Agency to decide applications for permission to use 1080 on land administered or managed by DOC Permission has been granted for this operation DOC has also received the required permission from the Ministry of Health DOC ensures that all legal and policy requirements are met, and that any potential risks of the operation are managed

Managing risk

1080 is poisonous to humans, domestic and game animals. In areas where the toxin has been applied, dogs are highly at risk until poisoned carcasses have disintegrated This takes four-toeight months or longer

There will be warning signs placed at entrances to the treatment area immediately prior to the operation

Risks can be eliminated by following these rules:

• DO NOT touch bait

• WATCH children at all times

• DO NOT EAT animals from this area or within the buffer zone outside the treatment boundary The buffer zone is 2 km for pigs, 200 m for rabbits, and 1 km for hares and possums

• Poison baits or carcasses are DEADLY to DOGS

Observe these rules whenever you see warning signs about pesticides. These signs indicate pesticide residues may be still present in baits and poisoned carcasses. When signs are removed, normal activities can resume If in doubt check with your local DOC office Please report suspected vandalism or unauthorised removal of signs.

How to Make a Further Submission

You can submit your completed Form 6 in any of the following ways:

• Online: Fill out the online form or download it from www.kaipara.govt. nz/kaipara-district-plan-review (then go to Submissions)

• Email to: districtplanreview@ kaipara.govt.nz

• Post to: District Planning Team, Kaipara District Council, Private Bag 1001, Dargaville 0340

• In Person: Drop off your completed form at Council offices in Dargaville or Mangawhai during business hours.

If you make a further submission, you must also send a copy to the person who made the original submission within five (5) working days of lodging it with Council.

The further submission form, Summary of Decisions: LIGHT report, and a copy of the PDP can be viewed on our website under the Submissions section: www. kaipara.govt.nz/kaipara-district-planreview and will be available to view at Council offices in Dargaville and Mangawhai.

Jason Marris Chief Executive

If you suspect poisoning, please contact: Your local doctor or hospital OR The National Poisons Centre: 0800 764 766 (urgent calls) or 03 479 7248 OR dial 111

• Seek veterinary advice for suspected poisoning of domestic animals

For more information

Please contact: Operational planner at the Kauri Coast Office

Email: dargaville@doc.govt nz

OR contact our contractor EPRO directly

Phone: 0800 ASK Epro Email: Control@epro co nz Website: www epro co nz

Visit the DOC website: More information about DOC’s National Predator Control Programme is available on our website www doc.govt nz/our-work/national-predator-control-programme

Map of predator control area within Waipoua Forest

This map shows the area we are controlling possums, rats and stoats to protect native species. You can also see operational updates and detailed maps of predator control on public conservation land on the DOC website www doc.govt nz/nature/pests-and-threats/pesticide-summaries