Northland news in brief: Ballet comes to town; spiny rock lobster ban

The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s performance of Dazzlehands promises to bring sparkle, laughter and a whole lot of heart to Northland.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s performance of Dazzlehands is on April 8 at Whangārei’s Forum North and includes an afternoon show with te reo Māori narration. The ballet tells the story of an irresistible pig who refuses to play by the rules, adapted from the award-winning Kiwi book by author Sacha Cotter and illustrator Josh Morgan. Tickets available from Eventfinda.

Rock lobster ban

A ban on taking spiny rock lobster (crayfish) from the east coast of Northland to Hauraki Gulf will create a network of protections to help rebuild the fishery, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Under the previously announced closure, which came into effect on April 1, commercial and recreational harvest of crayfish is banned from Ohao Pt, including Pārengarenga Harbour, to Hauraki Gulf at Cape Rodney.

Winter vaccines

Health New Zealand is urging people to prepare for winter by getting recommended vaccines for influenza, Covid‑19 and whooping cough. The flu shot has been available since April 1 and is free for those over 64, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions. Covid‑19 vaccination is free year‑round for everyone over 30, with emphasis on those at higher risk of severe illness. A whooping cough epidemic means pregnant women and young babies are encouraged to stay up-to-date to protect vulnerable newborns.

Fuel costs offset

Home and community support workers will receive a temporary 30% increase to their mileage rates to help offset rising fuel costs, says Health Minister Simeon Brown. The rates will increase to 82.5 cents per kilometre for a year or until 91 octane petrol falls below $3 per litre for four consecutive weeks. It will apply to home and community support workers who work for providers contracted to Health New Zealand, Ministry of Social Development and ACC.

Daylight saving ends

Daylight saving ends across New Zealand this weekend, with clocks going back one hour at 3am on Sunday. The change marks shorter evenings and lighter mornings, as the country returns to standard time for winter, until daylight saving resumes in spring.

No more 3G

New Zealand’s telecommunications sector has completed the nationwide shutdown of its 3G mobile networks, transitioning fully to 4G and 5G from April 2026. While most people will be unaffected, customers with older, overseas or second‑hand phones are urged to check their devices can still make emergency 111 calls. Those unsure can free text “3G” to 550 for a compatibility check, rather than calling 111 to test their phone.