Northland news in brief: Hātea River Walk swing bridge closed in Whangārei after safety fail

A swing bridge on the Hātea River Walk is closed and will require replacement after it failed safety inspections. Photo / Whangārei District Council

Swing bridge closed

A swing bridge along the Hātea River Walk in Whangārei is closed after failing safety inspections. An update on the Whangārei District Council’s Facebook page stated the bridge will require replacement, with designs being finalised over the coming weeks. The new bridge is expected to open in the autumn of 2027, though it will not be a swing bridge. The walkway remains open on either side of the bridge.

Siren test

Northland’s six-monthly outdoor tsunami siren test will take place at 10am on Sunday, April 5, marking the end of daylight saving. Northland has more than 90 outdoor sirens in coastal communities. During the test, sirens will sound for up to two minutes, with the siren tone followed by a voice message confirming it is a test. Community feedback on how loud and clear the sirens are is encouraged after the test, through the Northland Regional Council website and the Civil Defence Northland Facebook page.

Health settlement

Health NZ is welcoming a decision by Public Service Association members to ratify a collective employment agreement for policy, advisory, knowledge and specialist workers. Around 4400 staff nationwide will benefit from a pay increase of 2.5% in the first year and another 2% in the second, a $500 lump-sum payment, plus increases in on-call allowances and after-hours provisions. Around 20,000 Health NZ workers are now benefiting from new collective agreements.

Winter illness prep

Health NZ is spending an additional $25 million to boost hospital capacity over winter, including up to 378 full-time equivalent extra staff across the country, says Health Minister Simeon Brown. But the NZ Nurses Organisation says the extra staffing is a drop in the ocean of what patients need. Chief executive Paul Goulter says New Zealand hospitals are in crisis. An Infometrics report released last year found hospitals were short 587 nurses on average for every shift, with staff shortages three times as bad in winter.

Fantastic funds

The Whangārei Lions Club’s Charity Golf Tournament has raised $20,000 for the Cancer Society’s new Northland Cancer Lodge. The 32nd annual tournament, held at Northland Golf Club on Saturday, runs thanks to the generosity of many local businesses and individuals, says club secretary Brian Boys. The club also raised $30,000 for the lodge through its annual fireworks spectacular in November. The $22.5 million lodge is being built by Cancer Society Auckland Northland next to Whangārei Hospital, providing accommodation for up to 20 patients at a time

Missing Subaru quad truck

Police are seeking the public’s help to locate a white Subaru Samba quad truck taken from Portland, south of Whangārei, on Saturday. The vehicle was taken from a worksite around 3am on March 14. It was last seen in the Maungakaramea area. Anyone with information should contact police via 105 or online, referencing file number 260316/4403. Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.