News stories

Ngā Tai o Tokerau Māori Ward Councillor Hilda Halkyard-Harawira has claimed first place in the Master 70 Women – W1 500-metre sprint at the 2025 Waka Ama Sprint Nationals held this week at Lake Karāpiro.

Tighter water restrictions – including Level 4, the highest level – may need to be applied to council water supplies if demand for water continues to remain strong despite calls to conserve this precious taonga.

A new footpath that gives Far North locals pedestrian access from Haruru all the way to Waitangi and Paihia, was completed in December last year.

Vandals have targeted a number of Far North toilets over the holiday period, causing around $2000 of damage.

Paihia isite’s Sophie Chmiela has booked her way to success, winning a competition run by the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to turn inquiries into sales.

A brand-new toilet block opened at Windsor Landing in Kerikeri last week, offering a modern and accessible facility for locals and visitors.

Dry weather and strong demand mean further water restrictions are being introduced to a number of communities in the Far North.