News stories

Recent works on Puckey Avenue in Kaitāia have prompted feedback from residents seeking clarity on whether the road seal applied is complete. The chip seal currently in place was applied as a temporary surface to allow the road to reopen while nearby wastewater network upgrades continue.

Far North District Council’s Incident Management Team is now working through requests for assistance resulting from the weather event that hit the district this week.

Far North District Council has opened its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), following Metservice warnings that severe weather is set to worsen.

Residents and visitors are being warned to remain cautious around Far North rivers and streams despite Heavy Rain Warnings being lifted, as drenched hillsides continue to feed overnight rainfall into already swollen waterways.

A highly qualified team of five has been appointed to provide independent assurance and professional advice to elected members and operational teams for the establishment of Northland’s new water organisation.

The council is seeking feedback on a proposed wording change to its Revenue and Financing Policy 2024.

**UPDATE 8pm 18 Jan**

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A Rawhiti Road bridge has been washed out by heavy downpours that hit the coastal area east of Russell overnight. Sudden flood waters have washed out the road abutment on a single-lane bridge located just south of Whangaruru North Road.

Record temperatures and a spike in demand for water mean that Level 2 water restrictions will be applied to households and businesses connected to the council supply in Kerikeri and Waipapa from Monday 19 January. Level 2 restrictions ban the use of outdoor sprinklers and irrigation systems.

The new extension to the Kororāreka / Russell Cemetery was officially opened last month, marking an important milestone for the local community and providing much needed additional burial space.