Northland news in brief: Upgraded helipad for Whangārei Hospital’s roof

Northland Emergency Services Trust can now land helicopters on the roof of Whangārei Hospital without any limitations.

Helipad lift off

An upgraded helipad on Whangārei Hospital’s roof will allow for fast and safe patient transfers. Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora funded the $2.2 million upgrade, replacing a smaller helipad whose limitations meant some landings had to be at ground level or at the rescue helicopter base. The first helicopter landed on the new pad on Wednesday morning. Health Minister Simeon Brown said that, as every minute mattered when someone needed urgent medical attention, the new helipad would make a real difference to Northland patients.

Sweet success

T&G Fresh is expecting a bumper crop of satsuma mandarins this year. Harvesting began over Easter in Northland and, between its own orchards and those of partner growers, T&G is expecting 400 tonnes of extra fruit from the region this year. General manager of growing Ben Smith said a larger crop and bigger average fruit size were both contributing to the uplift.

ED peer support

Whangārei Hospital is getting peer support workers for its emergency department (ED) to help people in a mental health crisis. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey said the peer support specialists had already been successful at eight hospitals and would now be introduced to Whangārei, Hutt Valley and Hawke’s Bay Hospitals by the end of the year. The workers can help people feel understood, supported and connected at a time when they are often at their most vulnerable.

Good use of goat

Wild goat is finally getting a chance to shine, with a new dish created for the 2026 Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge. Paihia restaurant Tipsy Oyster is entering its dish called Goatfather Gone Hazy, featuring wild Northland goat slow-braised in a rich rogan josh-inspired curry, ghee-fried paratha, pickles and a match of Monteith’s West Coastin’ Hazy IPA. The challenge runs in 60 venues in May.

Track upgrade

Work has started on the Drummond Track at Parihaka, with the 1.4km walk from Mair Park to the summit expected to reopen in June. Whangārei District Council says the track was severely damaged in Cyclone Gabrielle. The project will involve the construction of boardwalks, new stairs, track resurfacing, and the removal of old box steps and construction materials.

Bullet-riddled car

Police found a car peppered with bullet holes after being called to a Whangārei suburb on Thursday morning. Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer said police were called to Warren Pl, Woodhill, just after 3am after a report that a firearm had been discharged. No one was injured. Police want to hear from anyone who saw a white vehicle being driven “erratically” around that time in the Maunu area. Anyone with information should contact police via 105, quoting file number 260423/6667. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.