News in Brief

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11 April, 2022

 

Half price trips for public transport users
All CityLink and BusLink services in Northland and Total Mobility Whangarei services will be half price from April 01.

Rick Stolwerk, who chairs Northland’s Regional Transport Committee, says the discounts will run until June 30 and will be funded by Waka Kotahi.

“The discounts were announced recently by central government to provide lower-cost transport options for many New Zealanders and encourage a shift from private vehicles.”

Councillor Stolwerk says the discount will apply to all CityLink and BusLink services in Northland and Total Mobility Whangarei services.

“Total Mobility clients will get a 50 percent discount on their normal subsidised fare, the amount of subsidy available will continue to be capped as per normal scheme rules.”

Passengers on all of the participating services don’t have to do anything, the discount will be automatically taken off when they pay for their ride.

General information about transport in Northland is available at nrc.govt.nz/transport.

 

Car show Easter fundraiser at Domain
The Mangawhai Car and Bike show is on over Easter weekend to raise funds for the Mangawhai Surf Life Saving Club and the Mangawhai Domain. The show will take place at the Mangawhai Domain on Easter Sunday, April 17, and entry is $15 per car, $5 for adults, and kids are free. Mangawhai Domain Society is hosting the show from 10am to 4pm.

 

Change of fire season for Northland
Most of Northland has returned to an open fire season as from 8am Friday April 1.

The section of the Far North north of Awanui to Cape Reinga and including Karikari Peninsula moves to a restricted season.

An open fire season means permits are no longer required to light an open-air fire.

“The significant rain across most of Northland over the last three weeks has lowered fire risks considerably,” says Wipari Henwood, District Manager Northland, Fire and Emergency. “As we move into autumn the risks are likely to remain low.”

North of Awanui to Cape Reinga including Karikari Peninsula had a number of large-scale wildfires this past summer, and the area has reverted from prohibited to a restricted fire season. Permits are still required to light an open-air fire in a restricted fire season.

Henwood thanks the Northland communities for their support and cooperation throughout the busy summer, and reminds everyone to be careful and check the weather conditions before lighting an open-air fire, whatever the fire season.

For more information, fire safety tips and whether a permit is needed for a specific location, go to checkitsalright.nz.

 

Environmental Awards deadline extended
The closing date for applications for the fourth annual Northland Regional Council Whakamanawa a Taiao – Environmental Awards has been extended by 10 days to April 20, 2022.

The Northland Regional Council says applications for the awards – which recognise the environmental work being carried out in the North – were to have closed Sunday April 10, but have been extended to Wednesday April 20.

The extension is designed in part to allow extra time for entries over Easter.

The awards cover nine categories: community, pest management, education, water quality improvement, industry, leadership, kaitiakitanga, climate change and youth environmental leader.

More information about the awards is available from awards.nrc.govt.nz.

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