Far North news briefs: Hospitals get $25m boost; tsunami siren test; Far North community funding

Northland has more than 90 outdoor tsunami sirens, including this one at Whananaki Estuary. Photo / Northland Regional Council.

Siren test

Northland’s six-monthly outdoor tsunami siren test will take place at 10am on April 5, marking the end of daylight saving. Northland has more than 90 outdoor sirens in coastal communities. During the test, sirens will sound for up to two minutes, with the siren tone followed by a voice message confirming it is a test. Community feedback on how loud and clear the sirens are is encouraged after the test, through the Northland Regional Council website and the Civil Defence Northland Facebook page.

Health settlement

Health NZ is welcoming a decision by Public Service Association members to ratify a collective employment agreement for policy, advisory, knowledge and specialist workers. Around 4400 staff nationwide will benefit from a pay increase of 2.5% in the first year and another 2% in the second, a $500 lump-sum payment, plus increases in on-call allowances and after-hours provisions. Around 20,000 Health NZ workers are now benefiting from new collective agreements.

Winter illness prep

Health NZ is spending an additional $25 million to boost hospital capacity over winter, including up to 378 fulltime equivalent extra staff across the country, says Health Minister Simeon Brown. But the NZ Nurses Organisation says the extra staff is a drop in the ocean of what patients need. Chief executive Paul Goulter says New Zealand hospitals are in crisis. An Infometrics report released last year found hospitals were short 587 nurses on average, every shift, with staff shortages three times as bad in winter.

Community funding

Community boards across the Far North have approved funding for local upcoming events. The Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board approved $2000 for Kamira Whakapiripiri Whānau to host Kamira Wānanga 2026 at Mātihetihe Marae. The wānanga is expected to bring together up to 100 whānau to explore their whakapapa and taiao. It also approved $1000 for the Ohaewai Residents and Ratepayers Association to support the 2026 Taiamai Day. The annual event is well supported by the community. The Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board agreed to allow The Centre - Te Wiki o Waitangi 2026 to retain $7500 for artist fees for Troy Kingi, whose concert has been postponed until April or May 2026. Te Hiku Community Board granted $6458 to Ahipara Aroha for a storage container to store their equipment.

Stolen vehicle

Police are seeking the public’s help to locate a white Subaru Samba quad truck taken from Portland, south of Whangārei on Saturday. The vehicle was taken from a worksite around 3am on March 14. It was last seen in the Maungakaramea area. Anyone with information should contact police via 105 or online, referencing file number 260316/4403. Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111