Northland news in brief: Popular Kamo Touch-a-Truck has new date

Touch-a-Truck at Hurupaki Primary School in 2023. Photo / NZME

The Kamo Touch-a-Truck is now going ahead on May 2 at Port Nikau. The event, a fundraiser for the Kamo and Ngunguru Volunteer Fire Brigades, was planned to be held at Hurupaki School on January 25 but had to be postponed due to Whangārei’s severe weather. The May event will be the 10th year of the Kamo Touch-a-Truck and will include a chance to get close to big machinery, plus Truck of the Show competitions.

Extra surgeries for Whangārei

Minister of Health Simeon Brown has announced that Northlanders will now be able to access key vascular surgery procedures at Whangārei Hospital. People who need renal fistula surgery or varicose vein treatment will be able to receive care closer to home. Clinical nurse specialists have also been recruited to co-ordinate care and provide support. Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora says the surgeries are made possible by medical staff travelling up from Auckland once a month, enabling surgery on 50 Northlanders a year.

Regional kapa haka on TV

Kapa haka fans will be able to view live coverage of this year’s regional competitions, starting this weekend and running until June. The coverage is available through Whakaata Māori and the Māori+ streaming platform, beginning this Saturday at 8.10am. Audiences will be able to watch performances from 13 rohe (regions), including Te Whenua Moemoea (Australia). Coverage of Te Taitokerau Senior Regional Kapa Haka competition will be broadcast live from McKay Stadium, Kensington, Whangārei, on March 28.

Romance scam warning

Romance may be in the air coming up to Valentine’s Day, but Westpac NZ is warning people that potential partners may be looking for more than a love match. The bank says romance scams rose by a third last year, with fraudsters often shifting chats off dating apps before requesting money. One customer lost $17,500 before realising her suitor was fake. Westpac urges daters to watch for red flags, avoid sending money, and contact the bank immediately if they suspect a scam.

Half pet owners won’t holiday without them

A pet survey conducted last November reveals the full extent of the sacrifices doting dog lovers and caring cat owners are prepared to make for their furry friends. The PD Insurance Human‑Pet Bond Survey of more than 1800 people found pets strongly influence major life choices: 29% are reluctant to give up working from home, 50.8% won’t holiday without them, 18.9% hesitate to move house and 16.1% avoid new flatmates. And 8.3% are less likely to have a baby because of their pets.

Pharmac feedback sought

Anyone wanting a say on which medicines and devices the Government drug‑buying agency funds can now give feedback on Pharmac’s plan to modernise the national Pharmaceutical Schedule. Pharmac says the 1994‑era schedule is outdated and needs to be clearer, easier to navigate, and faster to update. Proposed changes include shifting to a single online resource and simplifying funding rules. Public consultation is open until 5pm, March 13, 2026, via schedule@pharmac.govt.nz or an online form.