Far North news briefs: Fish of the year winner, Highway toll feedback, Lyndon sixth

The Northland mudfish, aka the Burgandy mudfish, was first discovered in 1998. These fish were momentarily captured as part of a scientific survey of the species. Photo / Northland Regional Council

Mudfish of the year

The Northland mudfish has been crowned Fish of the Year in the fifth annual Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust competition. Fifty hours out from today’s final announcement, it was sitting in fifth place, with the Longfin Eel/Tuna Kūwharuwharu leading, but the final votes reshuffled the rankings. The Northland mudfish, which has a reddish tinge and fewer caudal (tail) fin rays than the more common black mudfish, is unique to Te Tai Tokerau and found only in rare gumland wetlands near Kaikohe and Lake Ōmāpere.

Honours open

Nominations are now open for Whangārei District Council’s Civic Honours, the council’s highest award for outstanding voluntary service to the community. Each year, up to four citizens are honoured for their significant contribution to Whangārei, through personal leadership, inspiration, sacrifice or devotion to a cause. Nominations close on May 1.

Free films

Cathay Cinemas in Kerikeri is hosting Five Films For Freedom, the British Council’s global LGBTQIA+ short film programme from March 18 to 29. The films are free to watch and include short films from the UK, Mexico, Brazil, Vietnam and France. Visit www.cathaycinemas.co.nz for more information.

Highway toll feedback

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) wants Northlanders’ feedback on the proposal to toll State Highway One from Warkworth to Te Hana, the first Road of National Significance to be delivered as part of the Northland Corridor project. Warkworth to Te Hana will connect to the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway and is the second stage of the Ara Tūhono project, which opened in 2023. The new 26km, four-lane route will start at the northern end of the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway and continue north to rejoin State Highway 1 near Waimanu Road in Te Hana. Public consultation runs to April 15 and for more information, go to www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/northland-corridor/ara-tuhono-warkworth-to-te-hana. To share feedback, go to nzta.govt.nz/w2thtolling.

Lyndon sixth

The Green Party has released its delegates list, placing its Northland-based list MP Hūhana Lyndon at number six out of 37 candidates for November 7’s general election. ‘‘I’m humbled and grateful for the tautoko [support] of our Green Party delegates, I’ve worked hard this term and it’s great to have the confidence of party delegates,’’ Lyndon said. A first-term MP, she was endorsed by Māori members of the Green Party to stand for Te Tai Tokerau electorate, which was announced at Waitangi this year. “I stand by my work record, commitment to Tai Tokerau and the wellbeing of our people. With this strong backing of the party, I’m someone our people can rely on,” she said.