Far North news in brief: Kutai Guy an NZ Food Award finalist, SWiFT trial aims to improve trauma care

The SWiFT trial tests whole blood for trauma care in Auckland and Northland.

Literacy Aotearoa is partnering with Procter Library in Kerikeri to offer help with literacy, CV writing, job applications and forms. Call, email or pop in to make the most of the service on Monday and Tuesday mornings. It is available at the Kerikeri Library on Mondays and Tuesdays between 10am and 12.30pm. Text or email your request and contact details to: Tania 022 306 8436, email: tlawrence.102@literacy.org.nz

Groundbreaking medical trial

A groundbreaking trial aims to advance pre-hospital trauma care for some of Auckland, Northland and the Coromandel’s most critically injured patients. The Study of Whole Blood in Frontline Trauma (SWiFT) is a joint initiative by Northern Rescue Helicopter, the operator of Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter and the New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS). It builds on similar international trials and will test whether platelet-rich O-negative whole blood improves bleeding control and survival compared to standard whole blood.

NZ Food Awards finalist

The Kutai Guy from Northland is a finalist in two categories in this year’s New Zealand Food Awards. This year, more than 365 entries were received from 138 companies, with 53 finalists nationwide. Houhora company The Kutai Guy is a finalist in the Artisan Award for its garlic butter smoked mussels, and the Chilled/Frozen (Coolchain) Award for its sweet chilli smoked mussels. The company, founded by Zarn Reichardt, sells premium mussels online and in retail stores, growing them from spat collected on Ninety Mile Beach.

Kids favourites

Kiwi kids have spoken – and their favourite foods, apps and slang are now on record in early results from CensusAtSchool 2025, which has already surveyed nearly 16,000 students from 310 schools. Run by the University of Auckland’s Department of Statistics, CensusAtSchool – TataurangaKiTeKura Aotearoa – is a free, anonymous survey for students in Years 3–13 that builds real-world data skills. Highlights include sushi topping the list of favourite foods, followed by pizza and chicken. TikTok leads daily app use and YouTube dominates weekly use. Explore the live dashboard, view the full questionnaire or take part today: www.censusatschool.org.nz

Truck rolls

A section of State Highway 10, north of Waipapa, was blocked yesterday morning after a truck and trailer rolled. The driver was unhurt.

Free throat swabs

Māori and Pasifika youth between age 4 to 19 can undergo free throat swabs at Northland pharmacies. Health NZ says sore throats left untreated can cause rheumatic fever, of which more than 95% of the cases in Northland are Māori and Pasifika tamariki. Swabs are available at Browns Pharmacy, Unichem Kerikeri Pharmacy, Kaikohe Orrs Pharmacy, Te Hau Ora O Ngāpuhi and Paihia Pharmacy.