Northland news in brief: Cruz’n the Bayz motoring tour, new premises for CAB

Kerikeri’s main street will be chocka with classic cars on Saturday as Cruz’n the Bayz makes its way around the Bay of Islands.

Cruz’n along

Far North petrolheads are revving up for plenty of excitement this week as the annual Cruz’n the Bayz tours the district. The popular multi-day classic car, hot rod, muscle car and bike event brings together whānau, locals and motoring enthusiasts. The free event hits the road from 5pm today at Waitangi Golf Course. Tomorrow the cars visit Ngaere Bay, Tauranga Bay, Whangaroa Harbour, Waipapa and Paihia. On Saturday the participants are at Kerikeri Domain for the Kerikeri Klassic Car Show, before heading to Paihia. On the final day, Sunday, the cars will be in Ōpua, then drive to Paihia waterfront for the Badazz Street Festival. For more information, head to the Cruz’n the Bayz website.

CAB awareness

Whangārei Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is highlighting its new premises as part of CAB Awareness Week, March 9 to 15. The site at 154 Bank St, opposite McDonald’s, includes ramp access and is open five-and-a-half days a week. Its services include a community directory and free support clinics on legal advice, employment, civil issues, MSD advocacy and immigration. CABs nationwide offer free, confidential and non-judgmental support face-to-face.

Climate resilience fund opens

Northland Regional Council’s popular Climate Resilience Communities Fund is open for applications until April 27. Now in its third year, the fund aims to help communities reduce the impact of climate change through resilience in food, water supply, energy, resilience inspired by nature and planning. Successful projects include a Ngāwhā-based food security initiative, an exhibition and on-road tour in Mangawhai, and a dune restoration and weed control project in Bream Bay. Applicants can apply for grants of $5000 to $40,000 plus GST, with more information on Northland Regional Council’s website.

Nurses’ pay agreement

Around 3500 nurses with the Public Service Association have agreed to a new collective agreement with Health New Zealand. The agreement comes after 18 months of bargaining, including the “Mega Strike” in October. The public health nurses, and mental health nurse and nurse assistants, will get a 2.5% salary increase backdated to December 2025 and 2% from December this year, a lump-sum payment of $800 and a $2000 increase on the top step for enrolled nurses. The agreement also includes a boost to the professional development allowance for nurse practitioners and a commitment to recruit for more than 550 new positions this financial year.

Whangārei artist off to Perth

Award‑winning Whangārei artist Josh Kiwikiwi is closing his studio here and relocating to Perth, Australia. Kiwikiwi – who last year won The King’s Trust Artist of the Year award and was a featured artist at Auckland’s Art in the Park – paused his website on March 1, intending to restart it in April once established in Perth. It’s been a busy year so far for Kiwikiwi: in addition to preparing for his transatlantic move, last month he completed a short artist residency at Queenstown’s Art Bay Gallery. Announcing his move across the Ditch on social media, he describes the decision as the close of one chapter and the start of another.

Te Kamo death not suspicious

A man’s death in the Whangārei suburb of Te Kamo is not being treated as suspicious. Police were called to a Carr St home on Monday morning, after reports a man had been found dead inside the property. Northland area investigations manager Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer said police believe the man’s death was the result of a medical event. The death would be referred to the coroner.