Kaipara Lifestyler, March 19th 2024

The Dargaville Rod and Custom Club’s inaugural event at

of classic cars and motorcycles last weekend for

From the extremely vintage to the freshly built, the field at Hot Rods and Harleys 2024 was packed with examples of automotive art. Immaculately restored classics from up to a century ago shared paddock space with modern muscle cars, customised street machines and drag-strip dominating monster cars. They had come from all over the north to attend.

Hot barbecue, live rock and roll music, face painting for the children and a huge swap meet of classic car parts and accessories added to the fun of browsing through the ranks of cars and talking to proud owners about their projects, their passions and their reminiscences. Hundreds of patrons turned out to attend this inaugural event, an expansion of the Hot Rods and Harleys gatherings, which have, until this year, been hosted at the premises of Greg Smith Engineering.

Mr Smith and his colleagues provided the centrepiece to this year’s new and bigger venue, with a freshly constructed Ford jailbar ute, converted into a supremely powerful hot rod with hydraulic suspension, a thunderous V8 motor and a boost of nitrous oxide. ¢

p The automobile as art: hot rod and custom car builders transform practical vehicles into unique statements, combining engineering and creativity

p The crowds came out in their hundreds to appreciate this newest event on Northland’s car culture calendar, enjoying some early autumn sunshine

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10,510 copies, distributed on Tuesday to every residential and rural home throughout the district including Dargaville, Ruawai, Paparoa, Matakohe, Maungaturoto, Kaiwaka, Mangawhai and Wellsford.

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Ruru, Kōtare and Tūī had an inter-house relay and the teacher versus parent versus student competition was a highlight for the day.”

Photo by Liverpool St Photographer

Time to speak up on Long Term Plan

u by Andy Bryenton

Roading, water, rates, fees, charges, recreation, environment and growth: it’s time for Kaipara citizens to have their say on a three-year council plan that’s big on recovery and small on new projects.

“The Long Term Plan affects all of us who work, play or live in this beautiful district, whether it’s through changes to your rates, the services we provide, or the works we have in the pipeline for the next three years,” says mayor Craig Jepson.

“We need to hear from as many people as possible when we open the feedback period in April. I urge everyone to be ready to share your voice and speak up for Kaipara.”

This LTP will last only three years, a change from previous plans, which have lasted up to a decade. That is because the forthcoming LTP is focussed tightly on recovery from the damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle. Additionally, the LTP must take into account the collapse of the Three Waters legislation.

Under the new coalition government, this debt removal and transfer of responsibility will not happen, and Wellington will not provide financial assistance.

The LTP contains expenditures of $322 million, of which $176 million will come from rates. Rates rises may well be the most controversial part of the feedback on the LTP, with council figures indicating up to 40% rises for Dargaville households.

A draft document is available now at kaipara.govt.nz, in the attachments to the March 6 council briefing, under the heading ‘Long Term Plan consultation and engagement’. Figures in this document may change through March, ahead of a final consultation document to be shared on April 4. Public feedback is sought until Saturday, May 4 2024. ¢

Council seeks public rates comment

u by Paul Campbell

The Northland Regional Council has released a consultation document for public feedback with a deadline of April 19 containing a rebalancing, with an increased focus on core business to help keep rates down, under its Draft Long Term Plan.

Chair Geoff Crawford says communities are under real financial pressure, and the document proposes two main options. The proposed option involves high-priority work to maintain momentum on existing programmes, address new challenges, foster partnerships and meet new legislative requirements.

“This would mean an overall rate increase of 11.05%, or $58 per rate bill on average for the coming year. The bare minimum option would keep a rate increase to 2.9%, or $13 per rate bill on average.”

Both options are based on a proposal to stop annual funding contributions to emergency services and regional sporting facilities, freeing up $2.7 million a year to deliver core work while keeping rates down.

He says if the council opted to continue supporting both those services, it would further boost the total rates increase under its proposed option by an average of $27.65 per annual rates bill in the first year of the 10-year plan, which equated to an additional 5.72% increase.

“On top of our proposed option, this would make a total rate increase of 16.77% or $85.95. We’re keen to keep our work and your money focussed on core business.”

He says change is currently underway at central government level. “We’ll be monitoring these changes and will make any necessary alterations to budgets during council deliberations in May. The council is holding a series of ‘Have your say’ events at Ruawai on Saturday, April 13 at Naumai Marae.” ¢

p NRC chair Geoff Crawford and his councillors are ready to share their 10-year LTP with the public, and it includes an indication of next year’s rates

p The Kaipara District Council’s foreshortened three-year LTP affects every household, with rising costs and a programme of projects focussed on recovery more than growth

Forging connections

u by Amy Fifita

Matakohe School invited the locals to its inaugural Community Picnic and Pool Party last Wednesday for fun games and food to be enjoyed together.

“This picnic was an oppor tunity for our community to enjoy our school space, and for the whānau to spend time together and get to know each other. It is also for the teachers to create stronger relationships with our students and their families,” said teacher Stephanie Brown.

“Tamariki having an education is not just about us teaching them. It is about families and teachers working together to ensure the children are being taught the best way. It brought together families, staff and community members for an evening of fun, games and camaraderie.”

accompanied by a mouthwatering array of desserts contributed by families.”

Dargaville hosts biking champions

u by Andy Bryenton

Dargaville’s Kauri Coast Mountain Bike Park was selected as the venue for the Northland Secondary School Mountain Bike Championships, held last week and featuring young athletes from across the region.

Students from high schools spanning the north gathered at the newly constructed facility between Dargaville and Kai Iwi Lakes, hitting the trails in both enduro and cross-country events.

The Matakohe community gathered at the school for yard games, swimming, petanque and other fun activities like monster cup stacking and giant Jenga. The school treated families to a free burger.

“Laughter and friendly competition was a strong theme as children and adults alike took part in the various activities. All ages enjoyed testing their strength with the tug-of-war rope. The delicious dinner was

Stephanie said the shared kai provided a perfect opportunity for everyone to mingle, chat and forge new connections in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

“Relationships are so important for helping our tamariki to have their best learning opportunities,” Stephanie said.

“Events like these strengthen our school community, create whanaungatanga and leave lasting memories for everyone involved,” said principal Robyn Young. ¢

“It’s the first time we have hosted this event, and we have more than 90 riders,” said Sadie Cogan, who helped to organise the championships. “It could prove a home track advantage for some of our local riders, and of course, it’s something new for those who have never been here before.”

Previous champs have been held in Whangārei or Waitangi, so a new, purpose-built complex of downhill tracks was seen by event co-organisers, including Sport Northland, as an ideal development. The Kauri Coast Mountain Bike Park has been constructed largely by volunteers, with generosity from the local community and many hours of hard work from keen cyclists.

This effort meant that the visiting school-age athletes could enjoy tracks

with names like Gordon’s Gully, the Lugtigheid Loop, West Coast Edition, Ururangi and Run-DMC, twisting and turning down the forested hillsides of the park. The presence of this asset has been a big boost to cycling sports, according to some of the event’s top competitors.

“Sadie takes me and heaps of others out to ride every Thursday, and it’s good to have that local support,” says Charlie Miller, who blitzed home to record the fastest time in the junior boys’ crosscountry ride. ¢

p Riders take off on the uphill leg of the cross-country course, in the Northland Secondary Schools Mountain Biking Championship

p Children, teachers and community members enjoyed the picnic day held by Matakohe School last Wednesday

Funds for endangered species research end Resurgence for fairy tern

u by Andy Bryenton

A scientific group relied upon for data on one of New Zealand’s rarest fish has been disbanded, dismaying members of the Taharoa Domain Governance Committee.

The Department of Conservation informed local authorities in a letter just before the 2023 Christmas holidays that the Dune Lakes Galaxias Scientific Group would be disestablished, ending research into the critically endangered fish species. Dune lake galaxiids (DLG) are only found in west Kaipara dune lakes and are under threat. Populations have already completely disappeared from Lake Kai Iwi.

group had provided and if more would be forthcoming.

After a nightmare year for the iconic, endangered tara iti in Kaipara, 2024’s nesting season has delivered a ray of hope, along with 22 eggs.

Following the disruption to the fairy tern’s breeding programme caused by the extreme weather of early 2023, the news that 18 healthy chicks have hatched at sites on the east coast and at the Kaipara Heads is very positive for the species’ survival.

DOC regional operations director Sue Reed-Thomas said in her letter, ‘Over the last two years, as participants of the various organisations moved on from their roles, the working group disbanded, and there have been no meetings since February 2022.’ She then explained that the department is not resourced to undertake any significant research on the species.

“I am quite worried and disappointed,” said councillor Pera Paniora. She went on to question what information the scientific

In a 2023 debate regarding the relationship between introduced gambusia ‘mosquito fish’, trout proposed to be released for anglers to pursue, and the endangered native galaxiids, a critical factor was the lack of definitive data on DLG populations.

“It is familiar at a council level when an organisation is given a mandate to carry out specific duties but not the funding,” said meeting chair, councillor Mark Vincent.

With the most recent data showing a decline in the DLG’s numbers, the future of this very rare local fish is now very much unknown. ¢

“This season marks a remarkable success story, thanks to the continued refinement of our manage ment strategies, the expansion of our predator control initiatives, and notably, the absence of extreme weather events that have plagued us in recent years,” says Alex Wilson, a senior biodiversity ranger with the Department of Conservation.

“While 22 eggs may seem typical, what sets this year apart is the higher success rate in chick survival, coupled with the absence of adverse weather conditions experienced in previous seasons.”

New techniques are also helping. This year, Auckland Zoo aviculturalists (bird experts) and specialist vets assisted, using their skills to rescue at-risk eggs

and later release chicks back into the wild at Te Ārai Point.

“In addition to the favourable weather conditions, we had a new approach to intensive management, where tara iti are hatched and hand-reared at Auckland Zoo before being transferred to a purposebuilt aviary within a mammalian predatorproof enclosure,” Alex said.

Alongside DOC, Patuharakeke, Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara, Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, Auckland Zoo, The Shorebirds Trust, The NZ Fairy Tern Charitable Trust, About Tern, Birds NZ, Tara Iti Golf Club, and the Waipū Trapping Group have made this excellent year possible. ¢

p Biosecurity and conservation issues dominated the discussion at the endangered species programme cut an emotionally charged Taharoa Domain Governance Committee meeting last week

p Fairy tern numbers are up by 18 following an excellent year of hatchings, supported by local volunteers and ornithological experts

Academic accolades awarded

u by Amy Fifita

Dargaville High School has announced that more than 20 students received endorsements for their studious efforts in 2023.

“We are proud of their hard work and the successes that they have achieved. They are great students and individuals, and it was well deserved,” said assistant principal Angela Troath.

Endorsements are given to students who have gained 50 or more credits for examinations and assessments at a particular level. The endorsement helps with scholarships, university placement and employers.

Multisport event hits the trails

u by Paul Campbell

This year’s Northpower Wild Kiwi multisport event was held at Whangārei Heads on Saturday, March 16, with organisers Total Sports welcoming hundreds of keen participants.

“The Wild Kiwi has become a landmark multisport event in recent years because it is a family-friendly occasion, with plenty of distances to choose from and, for the second year, a one-kilometre kids’ dash for the youngsters,” said event co-organiser Mark Fordham.

“They are the top students of our school. Haylee Mitchell got a level three excellence endorsement and is off to university. Alyssa Ledingham and April Morris-Furze received excellence endorsements for level two.

“Alyssa is interested in art and did the artistry on the Good Life Stores window. April enjoys science and maths, and we hope she is on her way to a good university placement.”

The school’s careers adviser is working with the students to support their university, First Foundation or other tertiary provider applications.

The teachers also support them with endorsement goals.

Level one: merit endorsements were given to Eva Bakulich, Ilija Callis, Bianca Hines, Stella Johnston, Taylor Pyke and Gloria Te’O and an excellence endorsement to Danielle Lowe.

Level two: merit endorsements were granted to Summer-Rose Burrell, Kayla Godfrey, Lillian Hayward, Edward Kim, Flynn Meyer, Katie Nelson, Rose-Alice Parker and Bailie Schick. April MorrisFurze and Alyssa Ledingham earned excellence endorsements.

Level three: Lujain Awad, Chalyn Hugo, Angela Parahinog, and Eliot Williams received merit endorsements, and Haylee Mitchell received an excellence endorsement. ¢

“Total Sport’s drive is to encourage more Kiwis to get active and outdoors. Having a multitude of events provides something for everyone. We see the MILD Kiwi as the ideal introduction to multisport that can be tackled in a team or individually. It includes a 5km sea kayak, an 18km mountain bike and a 10km run.”

The Wild Kiwi Multisport is for teams or individuals from 14 years and up and comprises a 10km sea kayak, 25km mountain bike and 14km run to the finish line. Run and walk events included 8km, 15km and half-marathon 21km options.

This past weekend, athletes from around the country congregated for 2024’s event at Whangārei Heads. The response on social media following the big day was extremely positive, with

competitors calling the event ‘fantastic fun’, ‘inspirational’ and ‘awesome’.

Northpower’s Andrea O’Brien expected more than 100 staff from multiple offices between Wellington and Northland to don Northpower orange and join the fun, and she was not disappointed.

“We love getting out amongst our community, working with Total Sport to bring a great event to Northland and supporting the Bream Head Conservation Trust along the way,” said Andrea. ¢

Northland Regional Council is creating a new plan for our region’s future. It’s about the mahi needed to care for our environment and people, and what our communities can afford to pay. For our environment, for our mokopuna - have your say on our 10-year plan by 19 April at nrc.govt.nz/futureplan

p Mark Fordham out on the trail at the Wild Kiwi

Freshwater pest kept at bay Pop-up play experience

u by Andy Bryenton

A report from the Northern Regional Council to the Taharoa Domain Governance Committee shows that a concerted effort to prevent the spread of the invasive freshwater gold clam has proven successful this summer, but committee members urge more action.

“Kaimahi (specialist staff) from Te Roroa, the Kaipara District Council, Johnson Contracting, and Northland Regional Council conducted biosecurity checks on watercraft visitors to Lake Taharoa during the holiday period from December 23 to February 6,” said NRC biosecurity manager Nicky Fitzgibbon.

“The checks involved stopping and inspecting all types of watercraft, including jet skis, boats, and kayaks, along with their trailers, and if the visitor was willing, a short survey was conducted at the same time.”

Only 25 visitors brought watercraft to the lakes within the area of gold clam contamination, centred on Waikato, for the summer holiday period. While this number was small, several of these holidaymakers confirmed they had used equipment in waters infested by the pest species. However, the conscientious use of a new wash-down station at Lake Taharoa has kept the ecologically dangerous shellfish out of Kai Iwi waters.

Despite the end of the peak tourist season, vigilance continues, and DNA testing will determine whether contamination was truly avoided. The NRC report notes that the most popular activities for visitors to Kai Iwi Lakes are at high risk of carrying gold clam contamination.

Vehemence on the subject of a better, more robust response to the gold clam threat saw last week’s meeting on the subject adjourned, with chair Mark Vincent leaving the table amid procedural issues. However, a vote post-quorum was attempted to urge the council to collaborate with other stakeholders in better, more comprehensive protection for the lakes. ¢

u by Andy Bryenton

Family Start Kaipara will be at Selwyn Park, Dargaville tomorrow between 10am and 2pm, offering a free pop-up play zone experience for young children.

With arts and crafts, bubbles, games, and plenty of safe, family fun, the play zone is a chance for families with youngsters to meet and mingle and get to know their local Family Start Kaipara team.

“We wanted to offer an opportunity for some family time, and there’s nothing like this in Dargaville,” says Family Start adviser Frances Leef.

“At the same time, we are trying to promote Family Start in Dargaville. It’s been active in the community for six years now, and I have worked with them for the past two years, but there are still many families out there who don’t know what we do or how we can help them.”

Family Start Kaipara works with children up to the age of five and with pregnant mums. It covers an area that spans Waipoua and the west coast to Poutō and over to Mangawhai in the east, Tangiteroria and Uretiti in the north, and Te Hana in the south. Family Start Kaipara is delivered under the auspices

of Te Uri O Hau Tangata Development and Settlement Trust.

Family Start Kaipara offers inhome parent education and support to parents, children and whānau. It has an extensive network of support spanning other organisations and agencies.

The idea of a pop-up play zone fulfils two of Family Start Kaipara’s goals: to provide a great experience for children and their families and to encourage engagement and discussion. It’s free to attend, and suitable for children from the age of nought to five. ¢

p Ensuring a future of recreation and ecological security in balance — Kai Iwi Lakes needs defence against the invasive freshwater gold clam

p Fun for the youngsters and a chance to talk and network for parents; the Family Start Kaipara pop-up event tomorrow offers both

Fire brigade digest — February

Motocross for charity

u by

Amy Fifita

CA Motorcycles owners Grace and Carl Adnitt have organised the inaugural Possum Palace Trail Ride at 504 Girls High School Road, Omana, on Sunday, March 24, a fundraiser for the Northern Rescue Helicopter.

u by Dargaville Volunteer Fire Brigade

Dry conditions kept firefighters busy during February, culminating in an announcement of a restricted fire season across Kaipara.

The volunteers were deployed for 29 call-outs: three times for a fire in the vicinity, four for medical assistance and three more for rubbish fires. The dry weather caused 10 call-outs for vegetation fires, while one vehicle fire and three vehicle accidents required firefighters’ assistance. The team also responded to five additional fire alarms.

With conditions still dry despite some scattered rain in early Autumn, locals are cautioned to check the conditions before lighting a fire — go to checkitsalright.nz to make sure.

“Do you have what it takes? We are recruiting firefighters now,” say Dargaville’s brigade volunteers.

It’s easy to fall in love with being a volunteer firefighter. For what you put in, you get twice as much back. You get to be part of a team with a bunch of new mates from all walks of life who face challenges together like an extended family.

You also get to give back to your community and can be proud that you’re earning new skills. These include firefighting, advanced first aid, motor vehicle accident recovery and a whole lot more. Come and see the team on Monday nights from 7pm at the local fire station, or visit the Dargaville Volunteer Fire Brigade’s Facebook page to find out more. ¢

“Carl and I are enthusiastic about motorbike riding and are involved with the Dargaville Motocross Club, and now, we’re getting this trail going to get more rides locally,” said Grace.

“Trail rides are fun for people to do and it is great to give back to the rescue helicopter — we are an intense sport and need them sometimes.”

The main loop is about a 25–30 minute ride for an average rider, with a few expert loops that run off the track. There is a children’s loop, too.

“The landowners have some existing tracks, and we’ve made more trails specifically for the event. We’ve had guidance from the Tangiteroria club with behind-the-scenes knowledge. An Ezi Up gazebo has been donated and anyone who puts money in the donation box goes in the draw to win it.”

Riders can register on the day from 8am to noon, and the track is open from

9am to 3pm. It costs $40 for adults and $20 for children under 16.

“There has been heaps of volunteer support from businesses and enthusiastic riders helping with chainsaw clearing and trail marking,” said Carl.

Dottie D’s will be serving coffee, and the Air Training Corps will be having a barbecue. The event will be signposted from Pukehuia Road. For more information, visit the Possum Palace Trail Ride Facebook page. ¢

p CA Motorcycles’s Grace and Carl Adnitt enjoy giving back to the northern helicopter service and creating more tracks for local motocross enthusiasts in the district

Northern Wairoa’s year of football

u by Andy Bryenton

The new president of the Northern Wairoa Football Club is confident that the team can make 2024 ‘their year’, and he’s planning to bring new players along.

Rory Dean says that while he has a burning ambition to see the NWFC senior team reach the top level of the game this year, he’s also focussed on fostering new talent and introducing a new generation of players to the game known locally as soccer.

“Football is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and it’s certainly the most played game internationally,” he says. “It’s a perfect sport for young people, as it’s easy to get into, inexpensive, and teaches teamwork and self-reliance. Best of all, it’s great fun.”

Junior teams will be mustered soon, but as May approaches, the senior team have their eyes on the prize — promotion to the premier league. Last year, the Northern Wairoa footballers gained momentum to defeat many teams larger and more wellfunded than themselves, only narrowly missing out on a top spot. Second-place honours fuelled the fire, and this year, most of the team has returned to the Kaipara Farm Vets-blazoned livery of the NWFC for another shot.

“We’re ready to aim for promotion, and it would be a great boost for the prominence of the sport locally,” says Rory.

Hence, while the seasoned veterans of the football pitch gear up to face the road to the premiers, Rory and a team of volunteers are very much concentrated on the youth game, too. Those keen to get into 2024’s soccer season can contact nwfc1953@gmail.com for more information. ¢

Sporting opportunities for youth

u

by

Amy Fifita

Paddy Jackson is looking for girls from years five to eight for the weekly Rippa competition in Whangārei and participants for the upcoming rugby sevens tournament.

“I have been involved with sport for most of my life. Many opportunities that I was given were through people helping out, and that is why I give back to sports,” said Paddy.

Paddy hopped on board with the Rippa competition initiative after local mothers Jaimee Epere, Marni Stewart, Megan McDermott and Karey Pulman began taking girls to Whangārei for the contest.

“I started bringing my daughter Kiah-Grace halfway through the season. My older daughter Azaria-Reine decided to join, too, after Ruawai College ran a tag initiative, and she found a passion for it.

“The older girls are moving up to the 11–12-year-old category. We are trying to grow our numbers and player base so they have the opportunity to play rugby.”

He is also the Ruawai JMB coordinator and part of Rugby for Life. A rugby sevens tournament will be at the Dargaville

Rugby Park, 41 Murdoch Street on Friday, March 22 at 5.30pm. It was organised by Paddy, Southern Rugby’s Roxanne Kelly, Kaihū Valley Rugby’s Claire Milner and Western Sharks Rugby’s Josefina Maratea.

Express your interest in either event to Paddy at 021 984 045 or paddy.j@ rugbyforlife.org.nz.

“Any type of sport that can keep a child engaged is good for their development mentally and physically.” ¢

p Footballer Daniel McKinstry dons the NWFC’s distinctive red livery

p Kiah-Grace Jackson trying to find space against Glenbervie Primary School during the Kauri half-time game

Photo: Fiona Fieldhouse Photography

The best village lifestyle

If you want to downsize and live in a village community, the individual homes at Riverdale are sold based on a licence to occupy, entitling you to live in your cottage for as long as you like.

It is a lifestyle with security, independence and companionship in a village community. The community hall (McLeod’s Hall) can be used for activities, entertainment, birthdays, BBQs, and Christmas celebrations, etc. You also have the option of looking after your own gardens or arranging for the village to maintain them, for an additional charge. The cottages include two double bedrooms,

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wall-to-ceiling wardrobes, and a wet area shower with laundry and toilet facilities. The kitchen, dining and lounge are open-plan. The storage area is in the loft with lights and an attic ladder, and most garages have internal access.

The village pays for the rates, water rates, outside Insurance, and maintenance, such as cleaning gutters, washing the outside of the house down and painting. You only pay monthly fees and phone, power and household insurance.

Building Construction

The outside walls are low-maintenance Palliside weatherboard, easily maintained by washing them down. The powder-coated iron roofs are different colours, with windows and door joinery being aluminium.

Homes come with an external tap, external lights and sensors, a letterbox, a clothesline, a cottage nameplate and fencing around the section. Decking front and back and chattels are included.

The McLeod Community Hall is in the centre of the village. It has kitchen facilities, toilets, a lounge area with a flat-screen TV, heaters, games and craft area, a library area and computer and Internet access.

The hall was named after Constable Neil McLeod, the first NZ Policeman to be killed in active service here on the riverbank in 1890. Local MP John Carter and Kaipara Mayor Peter King laid the foundations for the hall in March 2006.

There are two vacant cottages, with three more brand-new ones available now. Call Jean Johnson at 027 499 6493 or drop into Century 21 Dargaville, 6 Poto Street. ¢

p 18/140 Logan Street and 19/140 Logan Street available now

p

Logan Street available now

Free school meals under threat

u

by

Amy Fifita

Selwyn Park School’s principal, Todd Warmington, board of trustees chair Karen Joyce-Paki and students are speaking out after the government’s Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunches Programme (HSLP) was put at risk.

“The lunches alleviate financial stress for families, allowing students to focus on their education without distraction. Students are better equipped to concentrate, engage in learning and achieve their academic potential. The programme contributes to children and whānau social unity and academic success,” says principal Todd Warmington.

Associate Minister of Education David Seymour said the HSLP was unaffordable and wasteful. Recently, the minister has been put in charge of reviewing the programme.

“As members of our community, it’s important that we stand in support of our children and whānau by advocating for the continuation of free school lunches,” said board of trustees chair Karen Joyce-Paki.

“These meals provide nourishment and represent a fundamental investment in the well-being and future success of our youth. Access to nutritious food at school ensures that every child, regardless of

their family’s financial situation, has the opportunity to thrive academically and lead a healthy lifestyle.

“By supporting the programme, we strengthen our community’s commitment to equity and inclusivity and empower our whānau to reach their full potential.”

Students said it helps them stay healthy, have energy and focus in class. Some students expressed the significance of having the meals as food was sparse at home. Pupils reiterated that the free school meals taught them good eating habits. ¢

Sea pest faces eradication

u by Andy Bryenton

The government has announced $5 million of new funding for the exotic caulerpa response programme, to accelerate the work underway testing potential removal techniques.

Government ministers and the chair of the Northland Regional Council have welcomed the cash injection, which moves the response to this economically and environmentally damaging invasive seaweed from the defensive to the offensive.

“Together with our mana whenua partners we have been urging the government to step up its investment in getting rid of this devastatingly invasive seaweed, and we’re really pleased to see this funding come through,” said NRC chair Geoff Crawford.

“This is a game-changer, a real opportunity for us to remove this highly invasive seaweed at scale, not just here in Te Tai Tokerau but in the other places it’s been found, too.”

Caulerpa seaweed is highly invasive, fast-growing and deadly to other forms of marine life. A fragment of the weed only millimetres in size can seed a patch of seafloor and cover it within weeks, to the size of a football field. It’s particularly problematic for harbours and estuaries and is well established

only kilometres from the Mangawhai estuarine ecosystem.

The NRC has been taking the problem very seriously, banning anchorage and fishing in areas where the weed has taken hold, and developing with local ingenuity, a means to fight the pest. Biosecurity minister Andrew Hoggard visited Northland in February to watch trials of a suction dredge designed by local man Andrew Johnson. Funding to speed up this programme and other aspects of the fight against caulerpa followed. ¢

p Selwyn Park School students said the free school lunches help them to stay focussed in class

p A marine scientist takes a sample of caulerpa, the invasive seaweed threatening estuaries and harbours in Northland

35.75ha rural lifestyle – Location

Goodies in the garden

u by Amy Fifita

The Dargaville Garden Trust invites the community to its Easter Egg Hunt

opening at 9am.

“We have had two previously and were ready to go in 2022 but went into lockdown. It has taken this many years for people to be happy to go out and be doing things again, so we decided to start it again this year,” said DGT chairperson Sheena McKenzie.

“We love seeing the community use it. It is a community area, and the Easter egg hunt highlights how people can use the space. Having children use it to run around and enjoy themselves is exactly what the space is for.”

The day is designed to allow families to explore the local gardens. The trust has previously run two Easter egg hunt events and received positive feedback. Like the last event, it will feature a dressup competition. There will be a prize for the best-dressed child.

There will be fun games and activities for children to engage in — one is water-based, so a change of clothes is advisable. The trust is grateful for Dargaville Countdown and The Warehouse Dargaville.

“People can mix and mingle and wander through the gardens while waiting for the hunt. Last time, children had happy faces and some dressed up. We are doing a dress-up competition this year, too and we are hoping for more participation.”

The gates open at 9am for the event, and the hunt commences at 11am for nought to nine-year-olds. Age groups will be split into nought to three, four to six and seven to nine-year-olds. The Northern Wairoa Football Club will be there with refreshments and a sausage sizzle. Entry is by a gold coin donation.

To find out more, visit the Dargaville Riverside Gardens Taha Awa Facebook page.

The modern Easter egg hunt tradition can be linked to Lutheran founder Martin Luther, who organised hunts for his church in the late 16th century in Germany. Men from the congregation would hide eggs for the women and children to discover.

It wasn’t until the early 1800s that solid chocolate eggs were produced by French and German chocolatiers and were popular. England’s JS Fry created its first chocolate Easter egg in 1873 with dark chocolate. They became more common after Cadbury formulated a chocolate that could be put into moulds. They were made of dark chocolate with sweets inside, leading to the eggs sold in modern times. ¢

p Young participants receive their prizes at a previous Dargaville Garden Trust Easter egg hunt at the Taha Awa Riverside Gardens

KAIPARA WHO’S WHO IN

Evocative scents to explore

u by Andy Bryenton

Paparoa is home to The Olfactory, where creative business owner Virginia Di Somma invites locals to explore the multifaceted, engaging realm of scents and senses.

The sense of smell has been proven to unlock the deepest memories and evoke an

almost primal emotional response, meaning that the chance to craft a unique fragrance is an opportunity to blend personal aesthetics with a little self-discovery.

Virginia has made the world of pure, unadulterated scents her speciality after travelling to Italy to learn the craft from the world’s leading artisan natural perfumer, Dominic Dubrana, or Abdes Salaam as he prefers to be called. During her time there, an intensive study of scent, tincture making and the art of distillation revealed a whole new world of unlikely and exotic ingredients she could learn to combine like notes within an orchestral music composition.

“In a world where mass production, ubiquity and artificial intelligence have become commonplace, an artisanal craft like this stands out,” says Virginia. “It’s tactile, very human and distinctly personal.”

There’s an aspect of wellbeing beyond the allure of crafting a scent that engages the senses. Virginia says different people respond to different fragrances according to their own physiology.

WOF COF DIAGNOSTICS

SERVICING REPAIRS MOTORHOMES TRAILERS HYDRAULIC HOSES

p As well as classes for adults, Virginia Di Somma of The Olfactory is seeking expressions of interest for a youth class in scent composition, serving ages nine and up

From April 8, The Olfactory invites local people to enrol in one of their guided workshops where each student will enjoy experimenting with pure essential oils, already dispensed and diluted with precious ambergris tincture and organic ethanol, ready

to blend. The ambergris tincture is the fixative, which assists the scent molecules to bloom and stay on the skin. Part fascinating science and part artistic composition, the end product will be a unique scent made with ingredients the student chooses. ¢

WHO’S WHO

Known quantities, known qualities

u by Andy Bryenton

Who would you recommend as your top local experts if a neighbour new to town asked you? The answer says a lot about how we think about marketing and how a local reputation is worth more than a truckload of discounts.

“The way people make decisions is messy, and it’s only getting messier,” say Alistair Rennie and Jonny Protheroe, who work on Google’s consumer insights team, looking for the reasons people choose different brands and products.

“Still, there are a few things we know about purchase behaviour. We know that what happens between trigger and purchase decision-making is not linear. We know there is a complicated web of touchpoints that differs from person to person.”

One of the insights Google’s global reach has delivered is that people might like saving money, but they want quality more than anything else. The evidence? For every 10 times someone searches the Internet using Google for the term ‘cheap’, 100 people search for the term ‘best’. The top criteria for being the best involve a personal relationship, with trust and respect for an expert’s knowledge beating price hands down.

Try an experiment first posited by supermarket design guru Victor Gruen,

the man who put chocolate bars next to the checkouts, among other things. He was certainly a savvy student of the way people think about shopping, and he and others in his field know that, for even the most esoteric items, we already have a go-to favourite brand or supplier.

Ask yourself, which brand of men’s watch is best? Which brand of high-fashion women’s shoes? Which sports car would you drive if money was no object? What’s the best cold drink after a hot day’s work? Despite not needing any of those things right now, you’re likely to have an answer for each one. That’s called brand pre-eminence, and it’s odd, but most of us have a favourite provider for nearly everything, even things we have never bought or may not even want.

Now think about who you’d recommend to a friend or neighbour to help them with their car troubles, their plumbing, or to get a new oven or easy chair. The odds are you have some local names in mind already.

When it comes to this theory of brand pre-eminence and the tangle of triggers in the middle of the decisionmaking process to buy something, being local counts for an awful lot. Becoming someone’s preferred name is worth much

more than running a special for a week or two, and being part of the community through local charities, sports teams, local marketing and just plain good service can make this happen much faster than any other method. ¢

“Harvesting, pruning or storage, we’ve got you covered”

p Marketing gurus know: we buy from those we trust, and we trust people who are genuine, local and know their stuff

A dog’s tail … Boss got munny on his mine

Me ana Boss was just kinda dozin’ ina sun up by tha top hill tank. Alla werld seemed pritty much in order ona farm front, an’ then Boss hada disturb the peece and quiet.

“Well Dog, that ole Winnie Peters is back with a blast an’ he reckins we got sum hard times coming an’ I reckin that’s not surprisin’ because it seems on the old govmint books there was a planned 30 billion dollars spendup planned.”

carbon credits.” She hada paws for sum breath after that.

“Woah there,” seda Boss. “Did we spend it?”

so we don’t gotta ship our fuel in. There are heeps of stuff the new lot in Wullingtin gotta sort, eh?”

That was a long speech ter just me by tha Boss readas, but we was headin’ down ter afternoon smoke after checkin’ the proppitty, an’ I thort his gerlfren’ Sharlene wood have somethin’ to say.

Well, she was porin’ cuppatees an’ Boss tole her he read that Juicynda Adern wen she was in charge wanted ter give $30 billion away on climate stuff. “Yes Deah,” she sed. “I saw it too,” and she used her schoolteecher voice like she does.

“That Barry Brill bloke is chairman of the New Zealand Climate Science Coalition, and he says $30,000,000,000 is a mindboggling amount of money, and Juicynda wanted to give it away when that could buy dozens of new kindergartens or police stations or whole hospitals with medical schools. It could eliminate poverty or overhaul our decrepit education system. It could way overfund the National Party’s tax cuts, for decades.

“Instead, the Ardern government in 2021 offered to donate this gargantuan sum to the acquisition of international

“Nah, sed Sharlene. “promised it though but that was wen Covid was here. I s’pose with tha new government with Winnie in it, it won’t happen now, but it could have. Well anyway, here ona farm, we might be turnin’ a bittofa corner. Federated Farmers’ latest Farm Confidence Survey shows there’s been a positive shift in the rural mood since 2023.”

Boss pored another cuppatees. “That’s sumthin’ then. We gotta pritty good price for that cropa lambs too. But we gotta long way ter go it seems, ’cos old Winnie sed in his big speech atta weekend that in Iceland, were they got ice an’ volcanoes an’ stuff, an’ they like eatin’ rottin sharks, people earned tens of thousands of dollars more than people in New Zealand. He sed size doesn’t matter — it’s wot yer do with assets that does.”

“Well, we just gotta wait an’ see,” sed Sharlene. “He reckins we gotta look fer gas an’ oil out there, like off the coast of our farm hear in Kaipra, too. An’ lotsa peeple want to see us reopen our own refinery again,

Well readas, as long as I get my Tux and the odd leffover froma Boss’s table, specially wen him an’ Sharlene have a pork roast, I reckin I’ll jus’ leave the worryin to them. Got me oil drum, so they musta had sum oil sumwear, an’ I got me fadge ter sleep on. I reckin I’m doin’ alright.

See ya — Billy ¢

Collaboration is key say dairy leaders

u by Andy Bryenton

Last week dairy farmers who support environmental protection met in Wellington for an annual event that helped define a balance between dairying and nature since 2007.

More than 70 dairy environment leaders (DELs) attended. The symposium aimed to give innovative farming leaders an opportunity to connect with each other and address policymakers and politicians at a crucial time for the industry.

With the Natural and Built Environments Act out and new legislation two years in the making, attendees opine that a frank discussion and whānaungatanga (collaboration) between lawmakers and farmers on environmental protection is healthy. It is not least because the overreach of policies propagated by the former government caused such outcry in the industry.

“Whanaungatanga is about forming and maintaining relationships and strengthening ties between communities,” DEL chair and Hunua dairy farmer Amber Carpenter says. “These connections help the dairy sector and research partners continue to develop climate and water quality mitigation solutions for our pasture-based farms, to accelerate positive change and get ahead of the environmental challenges farmers face.

It’s further evidence that the dairy sector is proactive in addressing environ-

mental issues and that a grassroots approach to solving such challenges can provide meaningful outcomes. Tabled for discussion this year are how to collaboratively address water quality challenges and how farmers can lower farming-related emissions.

“Thanks to all the great work from DELs and other dairy farmers around NZ, the sector is embracing environmental change with a positive, future-focussed approach. This is about continuous improvement; we acknowledge there is still work to be done,” said DairyNZ sustainable dairy manager David Burger.

“The DELs are driven and passionate about the environment. They demonstrate good management practices on their farms, including protecting and enhancing waterways, riparian planting and reducing emissions to ensure environmental sustainability for future generations.”

New agriculture minister Todd McClay has indicated from the beginning of his tenure that he’s listening.

“My focus is much more here at home than what we need to do overseas,” he says. “We want to change the view of government, local and central, towards farmers”, said Mr McClay. We’ve seen

a huge amount of regulation, rule change upon change forced on the rural community and rural economy over the last six years, and they’re struggling.”

like to learn more about sustainable farming within a farmer-led network, find more information by sending an email to del@dairynz.co.nz. ¢ EFFLUENT SPREADING & REGRASSING SEASON BOOK NOW!!!

p Agriculture minister Todd McClay will be able to take the mood of the dairy sector on environmental issues from the direction of discussion at last week’s DEL conference in Wellington

Freshwater plan deadline

u by Paul Campbell

A draft plan to include new rules and targets to improve the health of Northland’s rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands and groundwater is open for consultation until March 31.

Feedback can be given remotely or by dropping in to the Northland Regional Council office in Dargaville.

The council proposes tighter rules for managing stock access to waterways and highly erodible land, as well as a policy that would set aside 20 per cent of unallocated water for environmental and cultural enhancement, among changes being considered that chair Geoff Crawford acknowledged could have a big impact on landowners.

“It’s important for people to share their feedback to help us refine the plan so we come out with something that will work for our community as well as our waterways. The more feedback we get, the better informed our decisions will be,” he said.

NRC deputy chair Tui Shortland said the council was committed to working closely with tāngata whenua as it progressed the plan, as they “have responsibilities to protect freshwater, and it’s important that our Freshwater Plan Change supports them to participate actively in management and decision-making. We’re keen to hear feedback on whether our draft achieves that.”

to continue with the consultation made sense. “We have major challenges with our freshwater quality. We need a plan for improving the health of our water, and we need input from across the region.”

New

The new government has extended the deadline for the council to release its proposed plan, the next phase of the process, from 2024 to 2027. “We’ll be using the additional time to continue working to develop a balanced approach to freshwater management.” ¢

has arrived!!

Ella, our Parts Manager is here to order any parts for your vehicles and farm machinery.

We have a qualified team of Engineers and Mechanics at our yard, 100A Jervois Street. For advice on any upcoming projects you need done contact Adam for Engineering on 021 121 5796. We also offer an On-farm service for mechanical/Hydraulic jobs contact Robin 021 206 5475 to organise your technician.

Chair Crawford said the decision

p Geoff Crawford, NRC chair and Tui Shortland, deputy chair

March

Free Property Information Seminar — 19th March at 5.30pm, “Ten Golden Rules to Add Value simply to a House, to increase Resell Value”. RSVP email attendee names & session #2 to kathy@fnkaipara.co.nz.

Easter Egg Hunt at Dargaville Riverside Gardens – Taha Awa — 23rd March. Gates open at 9am. Hunt for children 9 years & under begins at 11am. Sausage sizzle & refreshments available, games & fun activities, prizes for best dressed. Purpose: to have fun with family and friends exploring our local gardens. Check out the Facebook page for updates on events and info. Fun Run Walk — and fun family afternoon. Saturday 23 March 2024. Registrations from 2.30pm at Paparoa Sports Pavilion. 4km or 5km options. Free entry, free play trailer, water activities and more. Gold coin BBQ to follow. Come and have some fun in Paparoa.

Big Bike Film Night — 25 March. Bringing the best cycling short films from around the world to you. ANZAC Theatre 6.30–9pm. Adults $21, under 16s $15. Book at www.trybooking.com/nz/events/landing/11278.

Free Property Information Seminar — 25th March at 5.30pm, “The 12 Dos & Don’ts of Renovating-toSell versus Renovating-to-Keep”. RSVP email attendee names & session #3 to kathy@fnkaipara.co.nz.

Inland Revenue Clinic, Heartland Services –Dargaville — 27th March, appointments to discuss any IRD enquiries in person at Whanau Focus Centre, 61 Victoria St, Dargaville. Bookings essential by calling 09 439 7009.

Donnellys Crossing Market Day — 30th March at the Domain, 10am to 1pm. Car boot, tables, etc, welcome. Jewellery, plants, clothing, household items and more. Food, drinks and a sausage sizzle available. To book a space contact Keryn York on Facebook or email keryn. york68@gmail.com.

April

Free Property Information Seminar — 3rd April at 5.30pm, “Going from One Home, to a Portfolio of Houses – How it can be done”. RSVP email attendee names & session #4 to kathy@fnkaipara.co.nz.

Creative Tech Clinic for Creatives — 6th April 10.30am to 1pm upstairs at 37 Hokianga Road, free event. Virtual reality, e-textiles, projection mapping, Arduino, 3D scanning and filament printing. Bring your project ideas for advice, feedback and coaching.

Brought to you by Dargaville Arts Assn, AwhiWorld, Creative Northland and Kaipara Lifestyler. Phone John 027 525 8189.

Pae Manawa Clinic (Maori Land Court), Heartland Services — in Dargaville, 8th April to discuss any enquiries regarding your land, in person at Whanau Focus Centre, 61 Victoria Street. Bookings essential by calling 09 439 7009.

Creative Northland in Dargaville — 9th April, 9.30am to 4pm at the SEED Co-Working Office, Fosters Arcade. Drop in for a korero about your creative project — art, music, visual, drama. Kylee wants to help you to succeed.

Northland Inc Growth Advisor in Dargaville — 10th April, 9.30am to 4pm at the SEED Co-Working Office, Fosters Arcade. Here to answer your business related questions.

New Residents Welcome Event — Thursday 11th April, 2pm to 4pm, SEED Co-Working Office, Fosters Arcade. If you are new to Dargaville in the last three years, come along. RSVP for catering purposes 09 439 0464 or email info@dcdb.nz.

Dargaville Aero Club Open Day/Fly-in — Saturday 13th April. Gates open at 10.30am, no landing fees, food available, Helicopter flights possible, Barista coffee. Come along and join in the fun! All welcome. Ask about Introductory Flights with Dargaville Aeroclub. Free Property Information Seminar — 13th April at 2pm, “Avoiding the Six Common Painful Pitfalls when Buying Your First Home”. RSVP email attendee names & session #5 to kathy@fnkaipara.co.nz.

Discover more about your Military Ancestors (NZ, Aus and UK) — 21st April, 10am to 3pm. Open Day — Dargaville Museum Research Rooms, Harding Park. If you have a photo, bring it along to add to our Military Collection and the Onwards series of books. For more info contact Sue Curtis 021 608 606.

Free Property Information Seminar — 21st April at 1pm, “The Eight Magical Secrets to Creating Your Own Successful Air BnB”. RSVP email attendee names & session #6 to kathy@fnkaipara.co.nz.

Inland Revenue Clinic, Heartland Services –Dargaville — 24th April. Appointments to discuss any IRD enquiries in person at Whanau Focus Centre, 61 Victoria St, Dargaville. Bookings essential by calling 09 439 7009.

Fireco Kai Iwi Lakes Triathlon — 27 April. Triathlon (Swim+Bike+Run): Try a Tri: 100m+10K+2K. Short: 350m+10K+3.5K. Long: 700m (or 1500m kayak) + 20K + 8.5K. Kids Tri (Swim+Bike+Run): 4–6 yrs: 50m+2K+500m. 6–10 yrs: 100m+4K+1.5K. 11–15 yrs: 150m+8K+1.5K. For more info www. runningcalendar.co.nz/event/kai-iwi-lakes-triathlon. Markets

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

Maungaturoto Night Market — 1st Saturday of every month, 4–7 pm, at The Epicentre, 98 Hurndall

Street. 021 0234 3632 kierenwilson22@gmail.com or Facebook.

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

Paparoa Artisan Market — now quarterly 10am–2pm Paparoa Memorial Hall, next market is Sunday 2nd June.

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, 8am–12pm 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 AA meetings held at The Lighthouse Church, cnr Normanby & Parore Sts. Use Parore St entrance. Monday 4.30pm & Thursday 7.30pm Contact Bernie 027 212 2148, Ladies 020 4082 1373, Murray 09 439 5248.

Alzheimer’s ‘Carer’ Support Group — Contact Maxine on 022 691 6068.

Anger Management Group — Thursdays 6pm–7.30pm 1/12 Kapia Street, Dargaville. Helena 021 564 618 or 09 601 4153.

Baylys & Beyond Gardeners — All welcome, 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.

Citizens Advice Bureau — Dargaville & districts have moved to Parenga Street as at 24th October 2023 (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 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 Floral Art Club — Meets on the 3rd

Wednesday of the month at 1pm at The Lighthouse Church, Cnr Normanby & Parore Sts, Dargaville. Enquiries to Dawn Donald 09 439 5413.

Dargaville Friendship Club for seniors — meets 2nd Tuesday of month at 10am at the Kiosk, Memorial Park, Logan Street. For info phone Brian 09 439 5959.

Dargaville Tabletop Wargames and RPGs – the Warrior’s Lodge — Interested in games like Dungeons & Dragons, Warhammer, or other strategy games with models? Thursdays 6.30pm, upstairs, Hokianga Road above the cinema. Learn to 3D print, paint, play and design.

Dargaville Girls Brigade — For girls 5–15 years. Thursdays after school — 3.30–5pm held at The Lighthouse Church. Contact Pauline Taylor 021 263 7446 or 09 439 7505.

Dargaville Mainly Music — Interactive music and movement for preschoolers and their carers. Wednesdays 10am Baptist church, Victoria St, during term time. Contact Rebecca 021 969 626.

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

Dargaville Museum — Open every day except Christmas Day and Anzac morning. Hours 9am–4pm April to October, 9am–5pm October to April. Volunteers, visitor hosts and members welcome. Phone 09 439 7555.

Dargaville Riverside Taha Awa Garden Trust — is inviting people interested in joining 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 Women’s Group — If you would like to socialise and share & care, feel welcome to come along and join our group of Ladies. We meet on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 10am for morning tea (& maybe, a guest speaker) at The Methodist Church, Cnr Awakino & Normanby Roads, Dargaville. For further information contact Michelle, 09 439 2930.

Housie — Every third Monday of the month at 1.30pm, Dargaville Bowling Club. All are welcome.

Starts, Monday 19th February.

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

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

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

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

Kaipara Grey Power — third Friday of each month February to November. Our meetings are open to all.

Contacts 09 439 7801 or 09 439 4452.

Kaipara Heritage Machinery Club — Open and operating Wednesday and Saturday. New members and volunteers welcome. Something to interest both men and women, come and get involved. Phone 021 106 3635 or 09 439 4614.

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

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

Line dancing group for beginners — every Monday night 5.30pm–7.30pm at Dargaville Dalmation Hall. Contact Donna 021 729 955.

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

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

Maungaturoto AA Meeting — Mondays 7pm at the Holy Trinity Church, 134 Hurndall St East, Maungaturoto. Contact Carolyn 021 828 055.

Meditation — Drop In Meditation, Bring Balance, Kaipara Community Centre (side entrance). Thursdays 5.30–6pm, Koha/Dana Contact: Maureen 021 0231 8008.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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, beginners welcome, all equipment supplied at Sportsville. Judy 09 439 7920.

Pono Lodge Yoga — Tuesday 9.30am. Hatha Yoga with Anisha. Class lasts approx 1 hour. Mats, bolsters and blocks available, $20. Contact Anisha 021 301 860 or see our Facebook page.

Practising Presence — Mondays 6–7pm Coronation Hall, Te Kopuru. Led moving and sitting meditations. Remaining in the present moment is the key to inner peace but it takes practice! Exchange: $10 or what you can afford. Maureen 021 0231 8008. www. bringbalance.co.nz.

Recovery Support Group — Mondays 6.30pm– 9pm. 1/12 Kapia Street, Dargaville. Chrissy 09 601 4153 or 021 564 618.

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

RSA Women’s Section — Social meeting held at the Clubrooms, 4th Monday of the month with guest speakers and afternoon tea. Contact President Noeline Wright 027 733 7396.

Ruawai Gardening Club — Meetings or other activities held on 3rd Thursday of every month, Feb to Nov at the Ruawai Bowling Club, 10am start. New members welcome. Phone Merele 09 439 2335.

Stepping Out Leisure Marching Team — Tuesday 4pm–5pm at the Yugoslav Hall, 20 Normanby St. Contact Sharon 027 439 5634 or 09 439 5634 for more details.

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. Small class groups. 9am–10am, $10 per session. If you’re 50+ and want to improve your movement as you age, this is the class for you. With some commitment you can gain strength as you condition your body for aging. Call Tony 022 311 8447.

Te Kopuru Community Library — access through St Peters Hall. Open Tue 2.45pm–4pm, Wed 10am–noon and Sunday 3pm–4pm. Books for all ages, and jigsaw puzzles, DVDs, CDs and magazines available. All welcome.

Tinopai Craft Group — If you are crafty, or just feel like catching up with people in the neighbourhood, come and join us on Mondays from 10.30–1pm at the Tinopai Community Hall. For information phone Linda 09 280 9988.

Twilight Golf Northern Wairoa Golf Club — every Thursday 4–6pm. Dinner available, Prizes and raffles. All Welcome.

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

TIDE CHART

370

42

51 Drenches (5)

55 Defiantly aggressive (9)

56 Rife (9)

58 Hankering (4)

59 Ailing (3)

60 Tangible (4)

61 Cloud type (6)

62 Long fish (3)

63 Earthquake echo (10)

66 Stringed instrument (6)

67 Pillar (6)

69 Habitually moving seasonally (9)

72 Filter (6)

73 Out of favour (9)

75 Felt like having (7)

77 Flow (3)

80 Rub out (5)

81 Annual felicitation (4,5,7)

82 Bring upon oneself (5)

83 Pulled sharply (6)

84 Blushed (8)

85 Supple (5)

DOWN

2 Vineyard apparatus (4,5)

3 Intestine part (5)

5 Violent public disorder (4)

6 African language (7)

7 Quirk (12)

8 Pulverise (5)

9 Hot red chilli powder (7)

10 Mountains (4)

11 Make angry (6)

12 Possession (5)

13 Tangled (7)

14 Ore analyst (7)

16 ; , . “?! etc (11)

22 Sign up (6)

23 Bear witness (7)

24 In the current fashion or style (1,2,4)

25 Detour (6)

27 Driving permit (7)

28 Non-malignant (6)

30 Roman emperor (4)

32 Water bird (5)

34 Customer (5)

36 Expectorate (4)

38 Is able (3)

42 Shrine (5)

43 Huge sea wave (7)

44 Common sense (4)

45 Vinegar acid (6)

46 Desert green spot (5)

48 Treating ore (anag) (11)

49 Burdensome (7)

50 Curve (3)

51 Fame (7)

52 Body organ (6)

53 Reluctant to speak frankly (5-7)

54 Long heroic story (4)

57 Lure into capture (6)

64 Worried (9)

65 Bird of prey (7)

66 Pickling cucumber (7)

68 Anonymous (7)

70 Struggle hand-tohand (7)

71 US state (6)

72 Light meal (5)

74 Proprietor (5)

76 Unrefined (5)

78 Timid (4)

79 Rubber wheel cover (4)

Sudoku

ACROSS: 1 Scoop, 4 Come up to scratch, 14 Cause, 15 Stoop, 16 Cumbersome, 17 Drier, 19 Eye, 20 Boudoir, 21 Conserved, 22 Curves, 25 With a will, 27 Mutton, 28 Scorch, 33 Crossroads, 35 Gas, 36 Gather, 37 Kiss, 39 Tea, 41 Burrows, 42 Nuclei, 43 Insoluble, 44 Final, 45 Mandolin, 50 If, 51 Waterway, 55 Therm, 58 Projector, 59 Pelmet, 60 Gaining, 61 Era, 63 Silk, 64 Answer, 65 Sap, 66 Negligible, 68 Dashed, 69 Rescue, 71 Partridge, 76 Siting, 77 Professor, 79 Involve, 81 Cat, 84 Rough, 85 Vindicated, 86 Being, 87 Right, 88 Thin on the ground, 89 Usher.

DOWN: 2 Cotton, 3 Ovoid, 5 Onus, 6 Embroil, 7 Phrase, 8 Odour, 9 Clement, 10 Adds, 11 Clique, 12 Rules, 13 Beneath, 14 Crevice, 18 Withdrawal, 23 Swear, 24 Nostril, 26 Insured, 27 Mastiff, 29 Rainbow, 30 Trauma, 31 Agile, 32 Geisha, 34 Smug, 36 Gaunt, 38 Seedy, 40 Glee, 45 Mopes, 46 Noodles, 47 Omen, 48 Intent, 49 Meter, 50 Impasse, 52 Traditions, 53 Ringing, 54 Annals, 55 Trawler, 56 Elope, 57 Mean, 62 Agate, 67 Restart, 68 Discard, 70 Caravan, 72 Avocado, 73 Enough, 74 Asking, 75 Avenue, 76 Stage, 78 Finch, 80 Obeys, 82 Shun, 83 Seen.

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

Jumbo crossword

FOR SALE

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

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

EASTER EGG HUNT at Dargaville Riverside GardensTaha Awa this Saturday, 9 years & under. Gates open 9am, entry by gold coin donation. Hunt starts at 11am. BBQ & refreshments available.

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

SUZUKI SWIFT 1.4L (1372cc) 2012, 114K. New WOF & service. New wheels & tyres. Great condition, $8,889. Phone 021 428 380.

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.

VEHICLE FOR SALE – 2007 Audi A3 Turbo. Cream leather upholstery. Regularly serviced, 125,000km. Excellent condition, $5,800. Phone Steve 027 777 7679.

WESTINGHOUSE CHEST FREEZER 700 Litre in working order. Easy clean, water drains, 3 baskets, power on indicator. $100.00. Phone 09 439 8183.

CHURCH NOTICES

TE KOROWAI O IHU KARAITI MINISTRIES at the Church of the Nazarene, 4 Grey Street, Dargaville. A church service is held every Sunday at 11am. Maranga Mai is Bible studies for people wanting to know the Lord more, who they are and their purpose. It is every Wednesday at 10.30am. Legacy and Man Up is every Wednesday from 6.30pm–8.30pm. Contact 021 136 5253 or tekorowaiministries@gmail.com. Celebrate Recovery is on Thursdays 6pm–8.30pm. Contact Gwen on 021 103 9065.

FENCING

FENCING QUOTES. Dargaville & Surrounds. Call Andrew on 027 455 7750.

FENCING, ALL types of fencing, pool, stockyards, post & rail, boundary plus … Call Jeff 027 476 5458, $9+gst.

FIREWOOD FOR SALE

FIREWOOD — dry hot mix $110/m³, delivered free to Dargaville & surrounding areas. Phone or txt Henry 021 734 906.

FOR RENT

FLATMATE WANTED, to board with other female, single, quiet, working professional. Non-smoker preferred. Please contact 021 193 4582.

GRAZING

DAIRY GRAZING available for 40-50 head. Prefer BVDfree. Long term. Red Hill area. Phone 021 149 2971.

LIVESTOCK

Dargaville Weaner Fair

Thursday 21st March 2024

12.30pm start

Approx. 320 Head

30 Wnr Ang Strs

30 Wnr Ang, Ang Here Saler X Strs

20 Wnr Sim X, Ang Strs

30 Wnr Frsn Here X Strs

30 Wnr Ang Frsn X Strs

50 Wnr Here X Strs

10 Wnr S/H X Bulls

10 Wnr Frsn Bulls

30 Wnr Ang, Ang Here Saler X Hfrs

20 Wnr Sim X, Ang Hfrs

30 Wnr Frsn Here X Hfrs

30 Wnr Ang Frsn X Hfrs

For Further Information please contact

PGW Livestock Agents

Steve Harsant 027 497 9892

Chris Fife 027 495 1552

Helping

NURSERIES & PLANTS

AUTUMN PLANTING 5,000+ hedging, shelter and landscaping trees from $1–$8. White & red bottlebrush.

Tenex flax from $1–$4, pittosporum karo $1–$4, pittosporum tenuifolium $1–$4. And many more. Got2Go Plants is open Tuesday–Sunday. 55 West Coast Road, Te Kopuru. EFTPOS is now available. Internet transfers or cash. 09 439 5556 /027 488 3400.

PERSONAL

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

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

1 STOP Window & Door Repairs — Seals, Latches, Stays, Wheels, Hinges, Locks, Glass & Glazing. Phone 027 275 0918 or 09 439 6458 — Kevin Sowter or visit my website: www.windowanddoors.co.nz — Window & Door Services Ltd.

SECURITY

SECURE YOUR Home — Security Doors, Grills, Locks, Bolts, Stays, Latches — Supplied and installed. Phone 027 275 0918 or 09 439 6458 — Kevin Sowter or visit

my website: www.windowanddoors.co.nz — Window & Door Services Ltd.

SEPTIC TANK SERVICES

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

ONLY CODE COMPLIANT OPERATORS IN THE KAIPARA.

TRADE & SERVICES

ABC LTD — driveways, slabs, paths, patios and excavations. For all your concrete needs. Free quote. Workmanship guaranteed. Darren 021 267 6820.

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.

ROOFING REPAIRS. Local to Dargaville area. Phone 027 273 8935.

Dargaville Bobcat Services

Any job big or small.

• Stump & Tree

•

• Post Hole Borer

TREE SERVICES

TREE REMOVAL, pruning, chipping & stump grinding.

& Insured. Phone Scott 0800 468 9663

Arborcare Tree Maintenance.

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

SUZUKI

WORK WANTED

HANDYMAN /BUILDER, has built almost everything in long building career, now looking for smaller jobs in Maungaturoto area and surrounds. Phone Graeme 021 775 943.

Phone or Txt Paul

WAYNE

PUBLIC NOTICES

23RD MARCH Easter Egg Hunt at the Dargaville Riverside Gardens — Taha Awa, gates open 9am, Hunt starts 11am this Saturday. 9 years & under, entry gold coin donation. Check our Facebook page: Dargaville Riverside Gardens — Taha Awa.

ACOUSTIC MUSIC Blackboard Concert — First Thursday of the month — 7–9.30pm, next is the 4th of April 2024, 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.

AGM NORTHERN Wairoa Country Music Club Wednesday 27th March 7pm at the Scout Hall Onslow Street, all welcome. Please come and support your Country Music Club. New committee members needed.

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.

CHESS CLUB, Dargaville. Wednesdays 6.30pm at the Catholic Church Hall. Phone Stephen 09 439 8819.

DARGAVILLE FRIENDSHIP CLUB AGM, Tuesday 9th April, 10am at the Kiosk, Memorial Park, Logan Street, Dargaville. All welcome. Phone Cynthia 021 163 7413.

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

Northland Regional Council (NRC) is publicly notifying its intent to apply aquatic herbicide Aquathol K (active ingredient endothall) to two Far North lakes and three lakes and a pond on the Poutō Peninsula to control the pest plant hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) The lakes are on private land, except Lake Tutaki which is on public conservation land Aquathol K is a selective herbicide that only affects the target plant hornwort, breaks down into natural elements and doesn’t affect other native plants, fish or invertebrates

The application is scheduled to take place between 1 April to 30 April 2024

The application will likely take place early in the morning and is weather dependent

Contact with the lake water (including swimming) is banned for 24 hours, fishing is banned for 72 hours and there will be a restriction on water-takes for 10 days, after the application of the herbicide Affected landowners have been contacted and signs will be up at lakes

For more information, please contact

Northland Regional Council on 0800 002 004 For 24hour emergency contact, please phone 0800 504 639