Articles tagged with Northland
Proposed Rock Lobster Fishing Rules for Aotea-Great Barrier: Have Your Say
3 days ago | 88 viewsOceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is seeking public feedback on proposals to manage rock lobster fishing around Aotea-Great Barrier Island, aiming to ensure long-term sustainability as requested by local boards and iwi trusts. Proposed measures include establishing recreational-only zones, reducing daily catch limits, introducing closed seasons during breeding, setting maximum legal sizes, and limiting accumulation of catch to protect lobster populations. These efforts, supported by community groups and Fisheries New Zealand, are part of broader protections to rebuild lobster stocks and address local concerns, with consultation open until 4 September 2026.
Tags: Shane Jones Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea Aotea Ahu Moana Project Fisheries New Zealand rock lobster Hauraki Gulf Northland MPI Great Barrier localsInnovative Submersible Dredge Planer Tackles Invasive Caulerpa Seaweed in NZ
3 weeks ago | 291 viewsThe submersible dredge planer (SDP), a remotely operated device developed by Northland Regional Council and Johnson Brothers Ltd, has successfully passed recent tests for removing invasive caulerpa seaweed in Omākiwi Cove. This custom-designed equipment, part of a $10 million initiative including UV-C light treatment and a chlorine sealing system, features unique screw propulsion for effective operation on sandy seabeds and is ready for deployment despite current low seaweed presence. The SDP represents a significant advancement in New Zealand’s biosecurity efforts, offering scalable mechanical removal capabilities adaptable to other invasive species in various aquatic environments.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Johnson Brothers Ltd Northland Regional Council Biosecurity New Zealand Cawthron Institute Ngāti Kuta Patukeha Omākiwi Cove Bay of Islands Number 8 wireNZTA Unveils Phased Major Transport Projects Pipeline to Boost NZ Economy
1 month ago | 297 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed NZTA's Major Transport Projects Pipeline, outlining the phased delivery of key Roads of National Significance and major public transport projects to support economic growth and job creation. The pipeline details three phases: current construction and procurement of major roads and regional projects, preparation and route protection for upcoming projects, and slower progress on longer-term initiatives, ensuring a balanced investment across new corridors and existing infrastructure maintenance. Despite challenges like rising construction costs and reduced fuel excise duty, the government maintains an ambitious, responsible transport program aimed at building a safe, reliable, and resilient transport system nationwide.
Tags: Chris Bishop NZTA Roads of National Significance Northland Expressway Takitimu North Link Waikato Expressway Northwestern Busway Eastern Busway Melling Interchange SH29 Tauriko WestJudge La-Verne King Appointed as New Principal Family Court Judge in Whangarei
1 month ago | 314 viewsJudge La-Verne King has been appointed as the new Principal Family Court Judge, starting in November after Judge Jackie Moran's retirement. With a legal career beginning in 1989, she co-founded the first Māori and Pasifika women law firm and has held various roles including Youth Advocate and District Inspector for Mental Health. Since her appointment to the District Court Bench in 2019, she has primarily served in Family and Youth Courts in Northland and became the Family Court Liaison Judge for the region in 2021.
Tags: Chris Bishop Ida Malosi Ali’imuamua Sandra Alofivae Jackie Moran KAM Legal Family Court Youth Court District Court NorthlandGovernment Completes Recommissioning of 93M Litres Diesel Storage at Marsden Point
2 months ago | 419 viewsThe Government has completed the recommissioning of 93 million litres of diesel storage capacity at Marsden Point to store newly purchased diesel reserves. Two shipments, arriving soon and in July, will provide about nine days’ average diesel consumption to safeguard New Zealand’s fuel supply amid global uncertainties. Funded by $21.6 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, this measure aims to maintain economic stability despite ongoing Middle East conflicts affecting fuel supply and prices.
Tags: Marsden Point Northland Channel Infrastructure NZ Nicola Willis Shane Jones diesel storage New Zealand Regional Infrastructure Fund fuel supply Middle East conflictNew Radiation Oncology Service in Whangārei Hospital Brings Cancer Care Closer to Home
2 months ago | 503 viewsThe new radiation oncology service at Whangārei Hospital, featuring Northland's first Linear Accelerator, is now complete, allowing most local cancer patients to receive radiation treatment closer to home and reducing lengthy travel to Auckland. This $60.9 million facility will initially treat around 370 patients annually, with capacity to expand, and includes expanded chemotherapy services and plans to become a training site for radiation therapists by 2027. The project, part of the Whangārei Hospital Master Plan and supported by 35 staff, aims to improve timely access to cancer care in Northland and ease pressure on Auckland’s services.
Tags: Simeon Brown Shane Reti Whangārei Hospital Northland radiation oncology LINAC Jim Carney Cancer Treatment Centre Auckland Northlanders cancer careNorthland Launches Youth Acute Respite Service and Suicide Prevention Roles
3 months ago | 651 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
3 months ago | 535 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
3 months ago | 645 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
4 months ago | 939 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
4 months ago | 737 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
4 months ago | 737 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
5 months ago | 817 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
5 months ago | 878 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
6 months ago | 880 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 Trust