Fewer than one in six voters in the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa byelection have so far cast their votes with just a week to go until polls close. The Far North District Council byelection was called after councillor Willow-Jean Prime was elected to Parliament. It is being contested by Harko Brown, David Clendon, Peter Gill and Kelly Stratford. Election Services, which is conducting the byelection, said it had received 3182 votes by Friday, less than 16 per cent of the 20,364 eligible voters in the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Ward. Voting in the postal ballot closes at noon on February 17. Voters can also drop their papers off at the council service centre in the John Butler Centre until closing time on Friday, or on Saturday until noon at the Procter Library. If you think you are eligible to vote but haven't received a voting pack, phone the Electoral Office on 0800 922 822.
Wekaweka Valley native forest opening
A 112hae native Northland forest bought through a public fundraising to stop it being developed will have a formal public opening next month.
Thanks to the generosity of the public last year, the Native Forest Restoration Trust bought 112ha of important native forest in the Wekaweka Valley, in South Hokianga. The area is now permanently protected and the official opening of the Wekaweka Valley Reserve will be held on March 17.
The event starts at 11.15am at 1198 Wekaweka Rd, Waimamaku. Spaces are limited so to attend, or for more details, email Sue at admin@nznfrt.org.nz.
Grant applications open
Round two of the 2017/18 Community Fund is now open for applications from not-for-profit groups. The grant is for projects and events such as festivals, community celebrations, workshops and working bees. The maximum grant is $10,000 and the average is $2500. Application forms are available on the Whangarei District Council website or from the customer service counters at Forum North and Ruakaka. Applications close on March 23.
Pohe Island leak
Whangarei District Council is working to identify the source of a large water leak on Pohe Island, in the vicinity of Dave Culham Drive.
Staff isolated the water near the public toilets on Thursday morning on Dave Culham Dr. The toilets still have water supply, but the dog park and the old recycling building may not have water. No other premises were affected. Work on identifying the leak is continuing.
Webworm Correction
A Northern Advocate article on Thursday in The Country's No 8 section incorrectly stated the tropical grass webworm can defoliate the lower branches of avocado trees. Dr Jenny Dymock, entomologist for the Northland Regional Council, advises the webworm feeds exclusively on kikuyu grass in New Zealand. Our apologies for any unnecessary alarm to avocado growers.
