Far North news in brief: Free snorkel day; call to conserve water; and reserve closed

Experiencing Marine Reserve is hosting a free guided snorkel day at Taupō Bay, in the Far North, on February 8.

Free snorkel day

Experiencing Marine Reserves is running a free community guided snorkel day at Taupō Bay on February 8 from 10am-3pm. Advanced safety procedures will be in place on the day, which will be suitable for ages 5 and up. People can explore the waters of Taupō Bay, learn about native freshwater and marine life, and gain awareness about the current challenges oceans and rivers face. People can take their own gear or get free hire of masks, snorkels, fins and wetsuits. The event is funded by the Ministry for the Environment through Our Wai Connection Project. Additional support on the day provided by Kaitiaki Whangaroa and Ecopulse Solutions. For more details: https://facebook.com/events/s/taupo-bay-snorkel-day/1145599203666708/ or https://www.mountainstosea.org.nz/emr.

Conserve water

Northlanders and visitors to the region are being urged to conserve water as a dry summer continues. Northland Regional Council says parts of the Far North and Kaipara districts have been under water restrictions since late last year and the region has only got drier since then. “That - coupled with an influx of the tens of thousands of visitors we’re expecting over Northland-Auckland Anniversary weekend and Waitangi week - all puts pressure on our water supplies,” NRC chairman Geoff Crawford said.

The regional council, which monitors river flows, groundwater and manages resource consents to take water, is urging everyone to play their part and do what they can to conserve water. Crawford urges people to use water sensibly and notify any leaks to their local district council.

Reserve still closed

The Fairy Pools Reserve in Kerikeri is still closed to the public while logging work continues on a neighbouring private property. Contractors on the site are reporting daily incidents of people not adhering to the large ‘do not enter’ signs and walking through the reserve, putting themselves at risk. There is currently no public access to the reserve for walkers and motorists. The reserve closed on November 21 to preserve public safety while work on a property bordering the reserve is carried out. It is expected to reopen in mid-March. The owner of the property on Kerikeri Road has consent to subdivide, and tree removal is permitted in the consent.

Attack dog put down

The dog that attacked an 8-year-old child on Taipā Beach just before Christmas has been destroyed. Far North District Council confirmed the dog was surrendered to council for ‘immediate destruction’ following the December 18 attack. The dog owner and the mother of the child were friends and together at the beach at the time of the incident, a spokeswoman said, and the child’s mother did not want to take any further enforcement action once the dog was euthanised. Regarding a separate attack on a Northland woman at Taipā Beach on December 4, the council has still not identified or found the dogs involved. In that attack, two roaming dogs latched onto Kate Taylor-Reid’s leg, inflicting serious puncture wounds.