I have read with interest Alby Barr's letter in Saturday's Advocate.
I have stated that I would lobby KiwiRail for a link to the port, that is what I have done, face-to-face, with the CEO of KiwiRail within the last month.
Alby is correct in saying that I know that central Government is the logical funder for the link, to that end I have also spoken to several Cabinet ministers and to MPs from other parts of Parliament also.
But Alby, to achieve funding, as a special project, we must have the goodwill of the management at KiwiRail so that if there is a funding injection from the minister, or from Treasury, Northland will be one of the recipients of that money.
As chairman of the RTC (Regional Transport Committee) which has representatives of all Northland councils and NZTA, we have followed the system, outlined above, and we now have the highest subsidy for roading in New Zealand.
We have had the largest share of a special national fund which is building Akerama curves and will eventually tackle Smeatons Hill and the Portland turnoff intersection.
So Alby, one day rail will be part of the freight to the port and to points south of Whangarei.
I hope you will put pen to paper and thank the regional council for having the foresight to purchase the land linking the Port, and all the hard work and "lobbying" that often is behind scenes, from people such as the members of RTC.
John Bain Northland Regional Councillor
•Women's role
Planting day was open to the public and within one morning over 800 trees were planted. After 23 years the area is well established and a permanent asset to the park, but it is doubtful if many of our citizens are aware of its origin.
Monday, September 19, was the 123rd commemoration of Women's Suffrage Day.
On that date in 1893 legislation was passed in NZ Parliament to allow women the right to vote.
On the centenary in 1993 the National Council of Women of NZ organised celebrations throughout the country.
Whangarei NCW, in collaboration with Department of Conservation and Whangarei District Council, initiated a project of tree planting to enhance the banks of the stream at Tarewa Park, opposite the information centre.
A public appeal to buy seedling trees was enthusiastically supported. Planting day was open to the public and within one morning over 800 trees were planted.
After 23 years the area is well established and a permanent asset to the park, but it is doubtful if many of our citizens are aware of its origin.
Sadly, Whangarei NCW closed in 2015 after 77 years of service to the women and families of Whangarei.
It is fitting that its members, all volunteers, have a living memorial to their efforts at Tarewa Park.
Joyce Armstrong MNZM Past President and Life Member Whangarei NCW
•Calves cover-up
I was coming to Whangarei from Dargaville yesterday afternoon and I was absolutely horrified, and not a little upset, to catch up to a small truck with quite a few, obviously dead, young calves on its tray.
