Far North news in brief: Dam work, election results and farewell planned

New piping is being installed from the Tairaire Hills Dam as part of the upgrade of Kaikohe’s water treatment system

Dam work

An upgrade to Kaikohe’s water treatment plant is under way with the installation of piping to create a new inlet and outlet from the Taraire Hills Dam, as well as bulk earthworks to form the platform for the upgraded water treatment plant. To ensure the town is more resilient to future droughts a second much deeper bore is being drilled at Tokareireia (Monument Hill) which is hoped will access greater supplies. This 120-metre-deep bore will provide a more reliable secondary water supply to Kaikohe’s main source, the Wairoro Stream.

Election results

The new make-up for Far North District Council, and the region’s other local bodies - Whangārei and Kaipara district councils and Northland Regional Council, should become clearer from Sunday. The local body election voting closes on Saturday, with preliminary results released from midday on Sunday, with final results expected from Friday, October 17. Progress results, based on approximately 90% of ordinary votes, are being released earlier, starting from the afternoon of Election Day, Saturday.

Farewell planned

Brain Injury Association Northland is holding a Far North farewell for long time liaison officer Vikki Herdman. Herdman is retiring at the end of this month after decades in the role. The association is holding a farewell for Herdman at The Barn, in Taipa, on Thursday, October 18, from 10am to noon. For details email bian@brain-injury.org.nz

Koast coming soon

The Far North’s art trail is fast approaching with KOAST – Tai Tokerau Art Trail, taking place over Labour Weekend across 47 Mid and Far North venues. The trail will take visitors on a journey through the Mid–Far North and experience art in the places where it’s created. Across 47 venues, nearly 200 artists - from open studios and shared creative spaces to galleries and collective art hubs - make KOAST one of the largest art trail events in the country. Visitors can meet artists, watch demonstrations, and explore works in painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery, woodwork, glass art, fibre arts, mosaics, photography, and more. Visit www.koast.org.nz for more info.