Northland news in brief: Mayoral candidate sorry for error in official election statement

Whangārei mayoral candidate Fiona Green.

Whangārei mayoral candidate Fiona Green has apologised for submitting an incorrect version of her candidate statement that was published online and in the candidate booklet given to voters.

Strict rules meant the statement could not be altered. Green says the statement was submitted in a rush and that she only has a small but hardworking campaign team. The correct information can be found on her website.

Charity build

Community housing provider and charity Habitat for Humanity is building an $11 million development for older adults in Maunu. It will include 26 accessible one-bedroom units, each with dedicated parking, plus shared communal spaces. Whangārei District Council will buy eight of the units for pensioners with limited financial means, leasing them back to Habitat for Humanity to manage, with rents capped at 25% of residents’ income.

Paper trail

Northlanders keen on exploring the outdoors now have more information over where they can walk, thanks to a major map upgrade by Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, the Outdoor Access Commission. The maps identify public access to the outdoors and, after two years work, now confidentially identify 55,000 km of publicly accessible unformed legal roads in New Zealand, also known as paper roads. Go to herengaanuku.govt.nz/maps to view the interactive maps.

Film for the sea

The screening of a David Attenborough film aims to help LegaSea, a not-for-profit arguing for better ocean stewardship and recreational rights. Ocean will screen at Forum North on Tuesday from 6pm, with the film and refreshments provided free thanks to sponsor Bowling Infrastructure Group. Go to legasea.co.nz/oceans-movie to reserve seats.

Boating skills for women

Female-focused boating education company Wild Chix has two events in Whangārei. Boating Basics for Women will cover the basics of powerboating to help women become more confident in the water. It will be held on September 24 from 6pm. The one-day Boating Boot Camp will help women learn everything about handling a trailer boat - including backing a trailer. It will be held on September 25 from 9am. Go to wildchix.co.nzfor more details and to buy tickets.

Telling tales

Kaipara’s love of storytelling has found a new home with the launch of its first permanent StoryWalk in Harding Park, Dargaville. The initiative, originally developed in the US, promotes early literacy, physical activity and quality family time by placing pages of a children’s book along a path or trail.