Far North Briefs: 35 new citizens for Far North, fourth-warmest July on record

New Zealand has recorded its fourth-warmest July since records began in 1909.

Zesty collection

Northlanders are being encouraged to donate surplus citrus fruit for deserving people in the South Island, who might otherwise not be able to get citrus. The Whangārei and Mangakahia Lions Clubs are teaming up for the project, with collection taking place on Sunday, August 10 from two places: the Maungatāpere Hall and the Trigg Sports Arena at Kensington Park. People can drop their fruit off between 8.30am and 2pm. Mainfreight have once again come on board, agreeing to transport the fruit free of charge to the South Island.

Fourth-warmest July

New Zealand has recorded its fourth-warmest July since records began in 1909, according to the Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly Niwa) latest Monthly Climate Summary. The mild start to winter for most of the country in June continued through July, with the nationwide average temperature measured at 9.2C for July, being 1.1C above the 1991-2020 July average. It was New Zealand’s fourth-warmest July since Earth Sciences New Zealand’s seven station temperature series began in 1909, Earth Sciences New Zealand climate scientist Gregor Macara said.

The three sunniest locations in 2025 so far are Taranaki, Bay of Plenty and Auckland. Of the six main centres in July 2025, Auckland was the warmest, wettest and sunniest, Christchurch was the coolest and driest, and Dunedin was the least sunny.

Citizen ceremony

The Far North’s Citizenship Ceremony last week saw 35 new citizens, originally from 15 other nations, join the Far North whānau. Many of the newest New Zealanders have called Aotearoa home for decades, while some were born here, with the ceremony marking them as official New Zealanders.

Heads change

Long-serving NorthChamber board member Tim Robinson is temporarily stepping aside from his role as chairman of the organisation, due to his candidacy for Whangārei District Council’s Mangakahia-Maungatāpere General Ward in the upcoming local body elections. The position will be filled immediately by current deputy chair Stephen Gibson, who is the business development manager at Marsden Maritime Holdings. Gibson wished Robinson well and said he was excited to take on the role of chair with the business advocacy organisation.

Insufficient evidence

The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) oversaw an investigation into a complaint alleging a police employee based in Northland shoplifted from The Warehouse. A summary of the investigation released on Monday stated police conducted a criminal investigation and determined there was insufficient evidence to charge the employee, who denied any dishonesty. An employment investigation was also completed, which did not uphold the allegations. The IPCA said it agreed with the findings, but added it believed important inquiries were not completed in the initial stages of the investigation, which may have impacted the final outcomes.