Articles tagged with Northland
Northland Launches Youth Acute Respite Service and Suicide Prevention Roles
4 days ago | 144 viewsNorthland is receiving improved youth mental health support with the launch of a dedicated Youth Acute Respite Service and three additional Youth Suicide Prevention Coordination roles, backed by $1.7 million in annual funding. This initiative responds to a coroner’s report on the loss of six young people, aiming to provide earlier crisis intervention and reduce hospital admissions by creating a more connected support system. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring accessible mental health services nationwide and addressing identified regional needs.
Tags: Matt Doocey Youth Acute Respite Service Youth Suicide Prevention Mental Health Northland Coroner's Report Health New Zealand Suicide Prevention Coordination Mental Health Funding New Zealand GovernmentExpanded Specialist Health Services Now Available at Kaitaia Hospital in Far North
1 week ago | 139 viewsKaitaia Hospital has introduced a local scar therapy clinic and expanded audiology services, significantly improving access to specialist care for Far North residents. These enhancements reduce travel burdens, increase appointment availability, and shorten wait times from up to 12 months to around four months. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes that these upgrades align with Health New Zealand’s commitment to providing timely, quality healthcare closer to home, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Tags: Simeon Brown Kaitaia Hospital Health Minister Health New Zealand Far North Northland Kawakawa Whangārei audiology services scar therapy clinicWhangārei Hospital Opens Upgraded Rooftop Helipad for Faster Emergency Care
2 weeks ago | 201 viewsWhangārei Hospital has opened a new rooftop helipad after a $2.2 million upgrade, enabling helicopters to land directly beside emergency and surgical services, which will save precious time in critical patient transfers. The new 18.3 x 18.3 meter helipad replaces the old, smaller deck and is designed to support modern rescue helicopters up to 6.8 tonnes, meeting current aviation and safety standards. This upgrade strengthens the hospital’s role as Northland’s key emergency hub, ensuring faster, safer patient handovers and better outcomes for the community.
Tags: Whangārei Hospital rooftop helipad emergency care Health Minister Simeon Brown Northland helicopter operations aeromedical services patient transfers hospital upgrade rescue helicoptersNew Spiny Rock Lobster Ban and Bag Limits to Protect Northland Fishery by 2026
1 month ago | 417 viewsA ban on harvesting spiny rock lobster from the east coast of Northland to Hauraki Gulf, effective April 1, 2026, will create a network of closures to help rebuild the fishery. Recreational daily bag limits for spiny rock lobster and packhorse rock lobster are also reduced to prevent shifting fishing pressure, with strict enforcement and penalties for violations. These measures aim to restore ecological balance, address kina barrens, and ensure the fishery’s long-term sustainability.
Tags: spiny rock lobster Hauraki Gulf Northland Shane Jones fishery closure recreational fishing commercial fishing kina barrens packhorse rock lobster MPI$468K Grant Boosts SPCA Dog Desexing to Curb Roaming and Attacks in NZ
1 month ago | 353 viewsInternal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden has granted $468,000 from the Lottery Minister’s Discretionary Fund to the SPCA for a targeted dog desexing program aimed at reducing irresponsible breeding and roaming dogs in Auckland and Northland. This initiative, totaling nearly $1.2 million with the SPCA’s contribution, seeks to improve public safety by preventing dog attacks and controlling the dog population, potentially stopping 7,500 puppies from being born in the first year. The program is part of a broader government effort to address dog-related harm, with progress monitored through quarterly reports and further measures to be announced.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Arnja Dale SPCA Lottery Minister Internal Affairs Minister New Zealand Northland Auckland dog desexing animal welfareGovernment Invests $400K in Digital Platform to Boost NZ Coastal Shipping Resilience
1 month ago | 377 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing $400,000 in a national digital platform to enhance coordination and efficiency across ports, addressing fragmented operations and improving resilience against disruptions. This funding is part of the final tranche of a $30 million Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund, which also supports equipment upgrades, vessel modifications, infrastructure repairs, maritime training, and dredging capabilities. These initiatives aim to strengthen coastal shipping as a vital, low-emission freight network that ensures essential supplies reach communities during crises, as demonstrated after Cyclone Gabrielle.
Tags: James Meager New Zealand Government Coastal Shipping PortConnect Gisborne Rangitata Greymouth Northland Cyclone GabrielleNew Crane Dredging Barge to Boost Access and Resilience for NZ’s Small Ports
2 months ago | 412 viewsNew Zealand is investing $8 million through the Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund to co-fund a purpose-built crane dredging barge aimed at improving access to smaller ports that are often cut off during natural disasters. This new, cost-effective equipment will enable timely dredging of regional ports, ensuring essential supplies can be delivered by sea when road and rail links are disrupted. The $12.9 million barge, co-funded by Johnson Bros Limited, will be operational by late 2027 to enhance nationwide resilience and support community recovery.
Tags: James Meager New Zealand Whanganui Port Cyclone Gabrielle Greymouth Ōpōtiki Johnson Bros Limited Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund Northland Transport MinisterNorthlanders Gain Local Access to Key Vascular Surgery at Whangārei Hospital
2 months ago | 470 viewsNorthlanders can now access key vascular surgeries like renal fistula and varicose vein treatments at Whangārei Hospital, reducing the need to travel to Auckland. This new service builds on existing outpatient clinics and visiting specialist support, with monthly surgeries and dedicated clinical nurse specialists enhancing local care coordination. The initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to improving regional healthcare access and delivering more services closer to home.
Tags: Northlanders Whangārei Hospital vascular surgery renal fistula surgery varicose vein treatment Auckland Mr Brown nurse specialists regional health services New Zealand$1.26M Grant Brings Solar Power to Kaitaia Marae and Kura for Energy Security
3 months ago | 487 viewsA grant of up to $1.26 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund will support the Whiti Mai Te Rā project, installing solar panels, batteries, and a diesel generator at a kura and five marae north of Kaitaia to provide reliable, affordable electricity and enhance energy security. The initiative, led by the Aupouri Ngāti Kahu Te Rarawa Trust in partnership with Kaumātua Energy, aims to save over $100,000 annually in energy costs and strengthen community resilience during emergencies. Installation will begin in March 2026, ensuring these vital community hubs can serve as stable civil defence centers for generations to come.
Tags: Tama Potaka Aupouri Ngāti Kahu Te Rarawa Trust Kaumātua Energy Whiti Mai Te Rā Te Rangi Āniwaniwa Kura Māori Development Minister Regional Infrastructure Fund Northland Far North New Zealand ANT TrustMāori Development Fund Supports Water Storage Project to Boost Northland Resilience
3 months ago | 473 viewsThe Māori Development Fund is investing $191,700 to support early technical work on a proposed water storage reservoir near Kaitaia, led by Te Make Farms Ltd and owned by Ngāi Takoto, aiming to improve year-round water security in Northland. This investment will help strengthen regional resilience, increase productive land use, and support food production while keeping the land under Māori ownership. The project’s preparatory work enhances planning and decision-making, positioning it to attract further investment and deliver long-term value.
Tags: Māori Development Fund Tama Potaka Te Make Farms Ltd Ngāi Takoto water storage reservoir Kaitaia Northland water security regional resilience Te Puni KōkiriGovernment Supports Northland and Gisborne Schools Amid Severe Weather Disruptions
3 months ago | 516 viewsThe Government is providing support to schools, kura, and families in Northland and Gisborne to minimize disruptions caused by severe weather, including restoring transport services, maintaining school lunch programs, and setting up an Education Hub at Whangaruru School for displaced students. Some schools in Gisborne have postponed start dates or are exploring alternatives like online learning and shared teaching spaces to ensure continued education. The Ministry of Education is actively assessing school damages, offering helplines for concerns, and working closely with schools to provide ongoing assistance and support.
Tags: Erica Stanford Northland Gisborne Whangaruru School Te Araroa Hicks Bay Ministry of Education Healthy School Lunches Education Hub school transportRestoring 110 Hectares of Native Forest on Northland’s Kōwhairoa Peninsula
3 months ago | 508 viewsA restoration project on Northland’s Kōwhairoa Peninsula Historic Reserve aims to reestablish 110 hectares of native forest through planting 132,000 native trees and pest control, supported by $1.54 million in government funding. Led by Te Komanga Marae Trust and guided by ecologist Dr. Adam Forbes, the initiative revives a culturally and ecologically significant site cleared by early settlers, using locally-sourced seeds. The project, launched in 2019 and funded under the Provincial Growth Fund’s One Billion Trees programme, is progressing well and expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Tags: Shane Jones Roger Kingi Adam Forbes Te Komanga Marae Trust Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa Te Uru Rākau Department of Conservation Provincial Growth Fund One Billion Trees NorthlandTemporary Accommodation and Marae Support Aid Severe Weather Recovery in NZ
3 months ago | 480 viewsMinister Tama Potaka announced that temporary accommodation, including motorhomes, and marae-led welfare support are being provided to those displaced by recent severe weather, with rapid assessments and placements through the Government’s Temporary Accommodation Service. Marae have played a crucial role in offering shelter and kai, supported by a $1 million Marae Emergency Response Fund to acknowledge their leadership and cover associated costs. People needing accommodation or insurance claim support are encouraged to register with the relevant services, and marae or organizations can seek reimbursement through Te Puni Kōkiri.
Tags: Tama Potaka Te Puni Kōkiri Marae Emergency Response Fund Temporary Accommodation Service New Zealand Claims Resolution Service Māori Development Associate Minister of Housing Northland marae whānauCivil Defence Payments Available for Severe Weather Relief in Northland and Bay of Plenty
3 months ago | 600 viewsCivil Defence payments are being made available to residents and non-residents affected by severe weather in specific areas of Northland, Bay of Plenty, and East Coast to help cover emergency costs such as food, clothing, and accommodation. Applicants do not need to be on a benefit to qualify and can apply through local Civil Defence centres or MSD’s general enquiries. The Ministry of Social Development is actively assessing ongoing needs and coordinating with regional agencies to continue supporting impacted communities.
Tags: Louise Upston Civil Defence Northland Bay of Plenty East Coast Rawhiti Ngaiotonga Bland Bay Mokau Work and IncomeNorth Island Storm Recovery: Rapid Repairs Restore Key Transport Links
3 months ago | 512 viewsSevere storms and flooding caused widespread damage to North Island’s transport infrastructure, leading to road closures and isolation of communities, with urgent restoration efforts underway. Significant progress has been made reopening state highways and rail lines, though some sections, particularly on SH25, SH2, and SH35, remain closed due to extensive slips and landslides, requiring ongoing repair and safety monitoring. The government emphasizes the importance of investing in transport resilience, highlighting recent successful upgrades that have withstood the severe weather and committing to continued support and improvements for future storm recovery.
Tags: Chris Bishop North Island Northland Waikato Tauranga Coromandel Bay of Plenty SH25 SH35 NZTA