Northland news in brief: Waipu Highland Games returns; Brynderwyns closed for resurfacing

The Waipu Highland Games, seen here in 2023, will be happening on December 31 this year. Photo / NZME

This year’s Waipu Highland Games – the 153rd – are on December 31. The event will showcase traditional competitions including solo piping, highland dancing, drumming, tug of war, heavyweight events and children’s races. Formalities begin at noon in the main arena with the mass band, mass highland fling and presentation of the Assynt Quaich. MP Grant McCallum will officially open the games.

Highway detours

State Highway 1 over the Brynderwyns closes today until Sunday for resurfacing – weather dependent. The road will close again between November 20 and 23. Detours are via Mangawhai for light vehicles, Paparoa Oakleigh Rd for trucks and trucks towing trailers up to 50 tonnes, and SH12 and SH14 for heavy vehicles.

Sporting upgrades

Whangārei District Council is upgrading sports fields to boost access and participation. Infrastructure chairman Brad Flower said the work responds to a shortage of quality fields identified in 2022 surveys and aligns with the council’s active recreation and sport strategy. Projects include Morningside Sports Park’s pitch upgrade (irrigation, drainage, sand carpet), LED lighting at Ōtangarei and Onerahi for evening use, and improved drainage at five parks.

Global flavour for gig

Northern Jazz Society is hosting its final gig for the year at Flames Hotel in Onerahi at 2pm on December 7. The line-up includes Algerian world music and jazz expert Djamel Laroussi on guitar and vocals, Indian music expert Manjit Singh as tabla player, the project’s initiator Olivier Holland on bass and Stephen Thomas on drums.

First-home buying record

First-home buyers (FHBs) are making a mark in the country’s property market, accounting for a record 27.7% of purchases in the September 2025 quarter, up from 26.9% last year, according to a Cotality-Westpac NZ report. Lower mortgage rates and eased lending rules have boosted affordability, with lending to FHBs at its highest in three years.

Dune restorations

People interested in dune restoration efforts can attend a free road trip organised by Northland Regional Council’s Coastcare team next Wednesday. Running from 9am to 3pm, the trip will visit key sites at Langs Beach, Waipu Cove, Uretiti and Ruakākā, sharing coastal restoration stories and hands-on activities. A bus departs Whangārei at 8am with a pick-up at Ruakākā Surf Club at 8.40am. Registration is essential as spaces are limited. Details: www.nrc.govt.nz/BreamBayWorkshop