The Bay of Islands rubbish barge. Photo / NRC
No rubbish on Christmas Day
Kerbside rubbish and recycling collections next week will be impacted by Christmas Day. Whangārei District Council says rubbish and recycling usually collected on Thursdays will be picked up on Friday, December 26, while the usual Friday collection will be picked up on Saturday, December 27. Extra coastal collections will also run in the New Year, go to wdc.govt.nz and search “kerbside collection” for full details.
Kaipara District Council says its usual Thursday collections will be picked up on Friday, December 26 and Friday, January 2. It, too, has extra summer collections, go to kaipara.govt.nz under “latest news” for details on the council services. Meanwhile, a mobile summer rubbish barge will be on the water in the Bay of Islands from December 29. Go to nrc.govt.nz for details. (FYI, Far North District Council doesn’t run kerbside collections and the private collectors have not published any information about their plans).
Kupe sites exhibition
The Waitangi Treaty Grounds is hosting a new exhibition, Kupe Sites: Landmarks of the great voyager | Ngā tapuwae o Kupe from December 13. The touring exhibition is from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and explores the landscapes, stories and enduring legacy of Kupe through a photographic journey. The exhibition features a series of black and white photographic images depicting the landmarks and places associated with Kupe, regarded by many iwi as the tupuna or ancestor who discovered Aotearoa New Zealand. The exhibition will run until February 13.
Northland in slump
Northland has slumped to the bottom spot of ASB’s Regional Economic Scoreboard, which ranks New Zealand’s 16 regions each quarter. Te Tai Tokerau ranked poorly in last week’s rankings due to a muted recovery compared with the rest of the country, including employment dropping 4.4% in the year to September 31. Construction was down 28% and while retail sales were up 2.2%, this was less than the national average of 4.6%. The ASB economists said Northland’s labour market appears to have stabilised, with the region experiencing a turning point, along with the rest of the country.
Tractor spectacular
One of Northland’s quirkiest events - the Taupō Bay Tractor Spectacular - returns on December 30 at the Far North seaside community. The Taupō Bay Tractor Spectacular will see dozens of tractors parade along the beachfront community on December 30, from 5pm. There will be prizes for various categories and a sausage sizzle for the kids.
Customs vigilance
Customs is urging port and marina workers, cruise passengers, boaties, and coastal communities in Northland to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity along our maritime border. With over 15,000km of coastline and an expected 550–600 international small craft arrivals this season, Customs will maintain maritime surveillance and patrols throughout the summer. Officers are also preparing to welcome around 180,000 cruise passengers this season.
In 2024/2025, Customs seized more than 2.8 tonnes and 787 litres of illicit drugs and prohibited goods, such as tobacco, weapons and controlled substances at the maritime border. In 2016, 500kg of methamphetamine was landed on Ninety Mile Beach in the Far North.
Several people were found guilty over the haul and sent to jail. Suspicious activity can be reported to the Customs website or social media pages.
Paparoa shed fire
Five fire crews took nearly two hours to extinguish a shed fire in Paparoa in the early hours of Monday morning. Fire and Emergency was called at 2.45am and found the shed ablaze in a 35m by 10m fire by the time they arrived. Volunteer brigades from the Maungatūroto, Paparoa, Kaiwaka, Mangawhai and Waipū stations attended, containing the blaze by about 4am and fully extinguishing it by 4.35am. The fire is not believed to be suspicious.
Circus festival
Northland’s Circus Kumarani is hosting a Circus Festival, where people can learn circus activities such as fire and glow shows, in January. Circus Kumarani’s 19th Northland Circus Festival will be held at Mangakahia Sports Complex from January 9-11, with an exciting lineup of workshops, music, live art and circus shows for all ages and abilities. It promises to be fun for the whole family with amazing circus, fire and glow shows, workshops for all ages and abilities, a magical marketplace and live music and art. Participants will get to show off their new skills at night shows each day. For more details go to circuskumarani.co.nz