Northland news in brief: Kaikohe’s Christmas Parade returns; Brynderwyn closures this week

The Kaikohe Christmas parade is returning on December 6.

Kaikohe’s Christmas Parade returns on December 6. To enter a float email admin@kaikohe.town. This year’s theme is family Christmas road trip – anything that revolves around children being precious and making unlimited, fun-filled memories.

Brynderwyn closures

State Highway 1 over the Brynderwyn Hills will be fully closed from November 13 to 16 and November 20 to 23. Detours are Cove Rd – light vehicles, trucks with trailers not permitted; Paparoa Oakleigh Rd – trucks and trucks with trailers up to 50MAX can use this route, and SH12 / SH14 – over-dimensional heavy vehicles and high-productivity motor vehicles (HPMV) should use this route.

DIY Christmas presents

Kaitāia’s Anō Anō is hosting DIY Christmas present workshops, run by EcoSolutions, on Bank St every Wednesday until Christmas from 1pm to 7pm. People can make their own presents and decorations or come to help others.

Quad bike death

WorkSafe is investigating after a man died in a quad bike accident in Broadwood on Thursday. No further details were provided but WorkSafe strongly recommended that farmers install crush protection or rollover protection devices on quad bikes.

Manu World Champs

The Z Manu World Champs will launch in Dunedin on November 30, before racing across eight New Zealand cities and making a transtasman leap to the Gold Coast. Last year, Whāngarei’s Maara Toa won the adult male category, making him the 2025 manu champion. Registrations open on November 3. Visit www.manuworldchamps.com

Dairy Woman of the Year award

Nominations are open for the 2026 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year Award. The winner will receive a Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme scholarship that covers fees, travel, accommodation, mentoring, and opportunities to share research through Dairy Women’s Network and Fonterra platforms. Applications close 28 February 2026. Visit dwn.co.nz/fonterra-dairy-woman-of-the-year.

Retirement village reform

About 100 retirement village residents rallied on Parliament’s steps last Tuesday, urging MPs to act on long-promised reforms to the Retirement Villages Act. The Retirement Village Residents Association of New Zealand event was a cross-party discussion on the issues affecting retirees ahead of the 2026 election.

SPCA needs foster homes

The SPCA is calling for more foster parents as the busy kitten season starts. Last season, 10,000 kittens passed through SPCA centres between November 2024 and April 2025. Foster parents are urgently needed for dogs, small animals and farm animals. SPCA provides food, bedding, toys and medicine if required. Apply online at spca.nz/volunteer/foster