Far North news in brief: Travelling muso drops in; house values drop and Enviro awards

World traveller and multi-instrumentalist Alex Renaud will play six gigs in Northland, including four in the Far North.

Musician playing

World traveller and multi-instrumentalist Alex Renaud creates, produces and records his own compositions, and Northlanders will have a chance to catch him on his tour which starts this week.

Renaud will perform at Beer and Loathing, Whangārei, on Friday; Russell RSA on Saturday; Blue Door, Paihia, on Sunday; Paihia Market on January 30; Whangārei’s Butter Factory on February 2 and Kerikeri’s Farmers Market on February 9.

For more details go to https://www.facebook.com/alexrenaudmusic/

House values down

Northland ended 2024 with its average home value down 2% for the year, according to QV.

This is despite a small amount of growth in the December quarter, with values rising by an average of 1.9% throughout the region. The average home value is now $723,235.

Of the three local council areas that make up the wider Northland region, home values were flattest in the Far North, where the average value reduced by just 0.3% to $694,386 last year. This is compared to average annual reductions of 2.7% in Whangārei and 3.1% in Kaipara.

New footpath

A new footpath set to give Far North pedestrians access from residential areas in Haruru all the way to Waitangi and Paihia has been completed.

The 580m-long footpath stretches from Nautical Drive in Watea to Haruru Falls Rd where it connects with an existing path that continues alongside State Highway 11 to the tourism and commercial hubs of Waitangi and Paihia. The new section of 1.8m wide footpath includes a 15m-long timber boardwalk bridge, a 125m kerb and channel, 45m of long-pipe culverts.

Enviro awards

Applications are open for the sixth Northland Regional Council Whakamānawa ā Taiao - Environmental Awards which recognise individuals, groups and organisations helping to protect and improve Northland’s environment. Council Chair Geoff Crawford said entering the awards helps tell the story of the environmental work happening in Northland and shows that collectively we are making a difference. Categories include environmental action in the community, environmental action to protect native life, environmental action in water quality improvement, environmental leadership, and youth environmental leader. Entries close March 30 and finalists will be announced in May. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on June 26. Visit www.awards.nrc.govt.nz for more information.

Creatives on show

Far North Creatives showcase their work in Mangonui every Sunday. The creatives will exhibit and sell their own works at Mangonui Hall every Sunday from 10am to 4pm so people can by directly from local artisans.