Far North news briefs: Mangōnui Waterfront Festival, Future of the Far North, Redwoods removed

Thousands are expected at the Mangōnui Waterfront Festival this Saturday.

Mangōnui Waterfront Festival

Thousands are expected to gather along the Doubtless Bay waterfront this Saturday March 28 as the Mangōnui Waterfront Festival returns for 2026, bringing a full day of family-friendly entertainment to the Far North. The festival will see local businesses, artists, musicians and food vendors come together to showcase the best of Northland’s coastal culture. Entry is $10 for adults and $5 for children, with free entry for children under 5. Waterfront Drive will be closed from 9am to 7.30pm on Saturday. The closure will run from Tasman St through to the wharf at Beach Rd, with alternative access arrangements in place for regular traffic during this time. Further details are available via the Mangōnui Waterfront Festival Facebook page.Parking will be available at Mangōnui School, the Karamea Road/Melody Lane paddock and the Coopers Beach Hub (near the Four Square and butchery). Free shuttle services will run throughout the day on a continuous loop from these locations to the Mangōnui waterfront.

Future of Far North

Communities across the Far North are being invited to have their say on a significant district-wide strategy that will guide how the district grows and develops over the coming decades. This work builds on the momentum generated by the development of Te Pātukurea, the Kerikeri-Waipapa Spatial Plan, which focused on the district’s fastest-growing towns. Now the focus is widening to include the rest of the district. Te Rautaki Mokowā ā Rohe – the District Wide Spatial Strategy will guide how and where growth happens across the Far North over the next 30 years. Feedback is open until Monday May 4, 2026. Submissions can be made online on the council website, or in person at pop-up events being held across the district. The first is on Saturday at the Mangōnui Waterfront Festival from 12-6pm. More details on the other pop-up events can be found on the council website.

Rider sought

Police are working to identify a motorbike rider who failed to stop for police and fled after they crashed. Acting Senior Sergeant and Whangārei area response manager Charmaine Smith said police observed a motorbike being ridden along the footpath of Murdoch Cresent in Raumanga around 1.30am who failed to stop for officers. The rider fled after crashing, and the bike was confirmed as stolen. Information should be supplied via 105 or online quoting file number 260324/3523, or reported anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Redwoods removed

One of two groups of mature but unstable redwood trees in Kerikeri have been successfully removed ahead of schedule, with council contractors confirming that 90% were affected by rot.

Meeting postponed

A forecast of more severe weather for Northland has postponed a meeting planned to discuss the recovery from severe weather in January. Whangārei District Council had planned to hold the meeting in storm-hit Ōakura this Thursday afternoon but decided to reschedule it for Tuesday evening. The meeting will cover things like the Helena Bay slip recovery and other local priorities. It will be held at the Ōakura Sports Complex on Wharua Rd from 6.30pm, with doors opening at 6pm and light refreshments included.